H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Rain, snow in Himachal; one killed
Shimla, April 10
One person was killed and property estimated to be in hundred thousands destroyed in various districts of Himachal Pradesh last night after heavy rains, accompanied by thunderstorms, lashed the lower parts, while moderate to heavy snowfall was reported from high altitude areas of the state.

Virbhadra to sue Mankotia
Shimla, April 10
The chief minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, today said that he would file a civil and criminal defamation case against Congress legislator Vijai Singh Mankotia for making allegations against him.

A walk down memory lane
Shimla, April 10
It was a walk down memory lane as Mr Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs, entered the premises of the local Kendriya Vidyalaya, almost 36 years after he passed out.

Lovers consume poison, girl dies
Hamirpur, April 10
Following parental disapproval to their affair, two teenaged lovers allegedly consumed poison resulting in the girl’s death in this district. The police said Dharmendra (18) was having an affair with his cousin for some time now.

Rape accused arrested
Parwanoo, April 10
The Kalka police today arrested Prahald who was accused of raping a 25-year-old migrant labourer on Saturday night. Prahald was accused of raping the woman who was alone at her rented accommodation near Kalka-Pinjore railway crossing.

HP High Court Judge K.C. Sood retires
Shimla, April 10
Mr Justice K.C. Sood of the Himachal High Court today retired. He was given a farewell at a function organised on the High Court premises where the Chief Justice, Mr V.K. Gupta, Mr Justice Durjeet Singh, Mr Justice Deepak Gupta and members of the Bar were also present.

Teachers to boycott evaluation work
Solan, April 10
Peeved at the state government’s policy of appointing under-qualified contractual college teachers by bypassing the UGC guidelines as evaluators, the Himachal Government College Teachers Association today decided to boycott evaluation work.

Rain, snow in Himachal; one killed
Tribune Reporters and UNI

Virbhadra to sue Mankotia
Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 10
The chief minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, today said that he would file a civil and criminal defamation case against Congress legislator Vijai Singh Mankotia for making allegations against him.

Talking to mediapersons, he said he would not allow anyone to damage his integrity. He said his public life was like an open book.

He said his Principal Private Secretary, Mr Subhash Ahluwalia, had sought permission from the government to file a defamation suit against Mr Mankotia.

A walk down memory lane
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 10
It was a walk down memory lane as Mr Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs, entered the premises of the local Kendriya Vidyalaya, almost 36 years after he passed out.

“Everything has changed. The majestic old wooden structure which was gutted in a fire has been replaced with a concrete building,” he observed, as he was taken around the premises by the Principal, Mr Pradeep Tamta. “I can still feel the old ambience in the air, which has brought back memories of childhood when I played around with fellow students,” he said while pointing towards his old classmates, some of whom were there to greet him.

He ensured that three old teachers, Ms Leela Rana, Ms Aruna Bhardwaj and Mr Sudershan Thaplial, who had since retired but were still in the city, were present on the occasion. In a classroom he introduced himself to students as a former student of the school.

He recalled the numerous debates and declamation contests held in the school, which honed his oratorical skills. The confidence he gained while representing the school at various national-level competitions came in handy and perhaps played a role in shaping his career, first as a student leader and finally as a hardcore politician, he said.

He made it a point to visit the school on his very first trip to his hometown after his induction into the Union Ministry. It was an unscheduled visit and the management was taken by surprise when Mr Sharma sent the message that he would like to visit the school. He put the Principal and staff at ease by saying that the purpose of the visit was to know the problems, if any, or requirement in terms of infrastructure. He said now he was in a position to do something and pay back the institution which had shaped his destiny. He was particularly keen on a computer lab, which could be set up in a pre-fabricated structure immediately.

Before leaving, he had a message for the children “not to brook injustice or discrimination on the basis of race, caste, creed and religion.” He said he imbibed this from Mr Nelson Mendela with whom he was associated as a youth leader during the anti-Apartheid movement.

Lovers consume poison, girl dies

Hamirpur, April 10
Following parental disapproval to their affair, two teenaged lovers allegedly consumed poison resulting in the girl’s death in this district.

The police said Dharmendra (18) was having an affair with his cousin for some time now.

However, the girl’s marriage had been fixed and her prospective in-laws were coming to the village today to fix the alliance.

Disheartened by the development, the duo consumed poison yesterday.

While, the girl succumbed, Dharmendra was admitted to hospital in a serious condition. — UNI

Rape accused arrested
Our Correspondent

HP High Court Judge K.C. Sood retires

Teachers to boycott evaluation work
Our Correspondent

Solan, April 10
Peeved at the state government’s policy of appointing under-qualified contractual college teachers by bypassing the UGC guidelines as evaluators, the Himachal Government College Teachers Association (HGCTA) today decided to boycott evaluation work.

At a meeting of the association held here today, general secretary R.K. Kaistha said the evaluation work, which began today, would be boycotted across the state by the association members.