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Dry run causes traffic snarl-up
Motorists advised to avoid PM’s cavalcade route
Chandigarh/Mohali, September 26
If you wish to avoid traffic jams, keep off certain roads that may witness heavy VVIP movement over the next two days. The most busy roads are likely to be those leading from the PGI to Panchkula (Madhya Marg); from Tribune Chowk to Transport Chowk (Purav Marg), Sector 26, and the one connecting Punjab Raj Bhavan, Sector 5, with the PCA Stadium, Mohali.

Ludhiana page:
Commuters harassed as traffic diverted for PM’s visit

A security drill being carried out on the eve of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's visit to Chandigarh on Tuesday. —A Tribune photograph

Rly line clips go missing, replaced
Mohali, September 26
Top district and railway officials were in a tizzy here following reports that certain small parts were missing from the Chandigarh-Morinda railway line, which is to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow. However, a trial run of the train was conducted safely today.

Traumatised, but resilient
Chandigarh, September 26
Cheeks stained with tears and an empty gaze said it all. No night could have been more harrowing than this. Her five-year-old daughter was enjoying with her friends just an hour back at the ‘jagrata’ organised in the neighbourhood and now she lay traumatised in her arms.

Speaking Out
City residents fear for safety of kids
Chandigarh, September 26
The rape of a five-year-old girl on Monday night has left city residents shell-shocked. The girl was apparently picked up by a stranger while she was playing with her friends in the neighbourhood and molested barely a few yards from her house. This has set the city residents to rethink about the security of their children, specially little girls.

CBI searches at XEN office
Chandigarh, September 26
CBI today carried out searches in the offices of the Electrical wing of the Engineering Department located at the second floor of the UT Mini Secretariat here today.

Watch out

COMMUNITY

Original cycle track on paper only Chandigarh, September 26 The original cycle track may still be existing on Chandigarh’s road map consulted by so many tourists struggling hard to appreciate the city’s once beauteous and pristine environs! But it has simply disappeared from the face of the earth! END OF THE ROAD: Even though the track has disappeared under weed and wild plants, a road sign indicating its presence stands opposite the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Dera Bassi-Ramgarh bridge opened to traffic 

Dera Bassi, September 26 The strategic Dera Bassi-Ramgarh bridge on the Medhkali river was today opened to traffic for the convenience of commuters. The Vice-Chairman of the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Mr Deepinder Singh Dhillon, inaugurated the bridge in the absence of Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, PWD Minister, who was earlier slated to inaugurate it. The Dera Bassi-Ramgarh bridge, which was opened to traffic on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Idols of Ram, Sita for Sri Lankan temple

Chandigarh, September 26 Ramayan is finding new devotees in Sri Lanka and they are all out to ensure the world knows about it. Here on a 'personal' visit, Mr V Radhakrishnan, minister of Central Province in Sri Lanka was in town today on his way to Banga where he will be handed over idols of Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman to be installed at 'Seetha Temple' in Sri Lanka. Mr Harjit Singh Grewal, national secretary of the BJP, Mr V. Radhakrishnan, minister of Central Province in Sri Lanka, and Vineet Joshi, a BJP youth leader, at the Chandigarh airport on Tuesday. — Tribune photo: Pravesh Chauhan

Poor woman needs renal transplant, awaits help

Chandigarh, September 26 Twenty-seven-year-old Sudesh Kumari can barely walk or do ordinary chores like sitting and take her medicine, without panting for breath. Holding her seven-year-old daughter, something she longs for desperately, is just out of question. Today, as she lies on the hospital bed, awaiting financial help for her surgery, her only desire is to be able to play with her daughter like any other doting mother. Sudesh Kumari (left) with her child at the PGI in Chandigarh. — A Tribune photograph

Set up vet research council, says Kang
Mohali, September 26
To provide impetus to socio-economic upliftment though development in livestock , poultry and fisheries, there was a need to create an Indian council of veterinary research.

City-Morinda train inaugural run today

Chandigarh, September 26 Preparations were in full swing today at the Chandigarh railway station for tomorrow’s inaugural run of the Chandigarh-Morinda train. The special train arrived this afternoon at the railway station and was soon decked up with flowers. The train is a diesel multiple unit and consists of eight coaches. Television sets being installed at the Chandigarh railway station for the live telecast of the Chandigarh-Morinda Rail inauguration function on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograph

Demand to reopen post office
Chandigarh, September 26
Ms Shyama Negi, Senior Deputy Mayor, municipal corporation, has asked the postal authorities to reopen the post office in Sector 40. She stated that there was resentment among residents of the sector against the closure of the post office about a year ago.

Fire in shop; loss in lakhs
Mohali, September 26
Goods worth Rs 3 lakh was destroyed in a fire that broke out in a shop in Mauli Baidwan village last night. By the time the owner reached the shop, the fire had caused a lot of damage.

Parking site being used as dumping ground
Mohali, September 26
Residents of Sector 70 have demanded that a garbage collection point be fixed and cleanliness be maintained by removing various eyesores from the area. A number of residents of a pocket in Sector 70, including some shopkeepers, have complained that the parking area near the booths is being used as a dumping ground and garbage is daily being thrown here. The area is also used by residents of Mataur village for dumping cowdung.

MC councillors’ strength fixed at 26
Chandigarh, September 26
The Chandigarh Administration has decided to fix the number of elected Councillors of the municipal corporation at twenty six. A notification to this regard was issued today.

Smart card manufacturers resent Punjab Govt move
Chandigarh, September 26
The smart card industry is up in arms against the criteria of the Punjab Government for inviting expressions of interest for the issuance of smart cards for driving licences and registration certificates.

World Tourism Day celebrated at Plaza
Chandigarh, September 26
The Sector 17 Plaza here came alive with music this evening as the Centre for Carnival Arts and the Chandigarh Tourism joined hands to celebrate World Tourism Day.

ITFT celebrates World Tourism Day
Chandigarh, September 26
Punjab needs to develop a comprehensive and holistic tourism plan with a long-term perspective in mind. This was stated by Punjab Tourism Minister Jagmohan Singh Kang at a function organised by the ITFT on the occasion of World Tourism Day here today.

CRIME

Gang of robbers busted

Panchkula, September 26 The CIA staff I today claimed to have solved a number of chain-snatching and robbery cases with the arrest of a three-member gang comprising Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Sabir Ali and Mohammad Gulzar, all hailing from Uttar Pradesh. The three were arrested from Ambala cantonment following a tip-off. The three youths arrested by the CIA staff on Tuesday in connection with snatching incidents in Panchkula. — A Tribune photograph

“Kidnapped” man returns with one arm amputated, other burnt
Panchkula, September 26
Thirty-one year old Gurnam Singh, a resident of Vasudevpura in Pinjore, has nothing to look forward to. He's a man shattered as he lies on the hospital bed in Sector 32. His tears have not stopped flowing since he regained consciousness.

Ornaments worth Rs 5 lakh stolen
Zirakpur, September 26
A major theft was reported from Govind Nagar in Baltana here yesterday. According to Ms G. Chellapappa, she along with her daughter and son-in-law went to Ambala to attend a religious discourse in the morning.

BUSINESS

HFCL to make CDMA phones
Chandigarh, September 26
Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL) is set to manufacture CDMA mobile handsets and fixed wireless phones (FWPs) in India. The HFCL has acquired the licence from Qualcom Inc., a US-based developer of the CDMA technology, to develop, manufacture and sell CDMA mobile handsets and FWPs in India.

SBI’s “loan utsav”
Chandigarh, September 26
The State Bank of India (SBI) is offering various concessions to customers during its ongoing “loan utsav”. According to a press note issued here today, a concession of 0.50% has been given in interest rates and processing fees on home and auto loans. A concession of 5% in margin money is also being offered to attract customers.

PNB opens accounts of 300 children
Chandigarh, September 26
In an endeavour to inculcate banking habit in students Punjab National Bank, Sector 8, Panchkula, has launched a special campaign and opened “PNB Vidyarthi Zero Balance Zero Charges Saving Fund Account” of 300 students at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8 Panchkula.

EDUCATION

Biometric access system installed at PU
Chandigarh, September 26
The biometric access system and multiple CCTV cameras have been installed at the SAIF/CIL/UCIM complex at Panjab University. The biometric system, which is trendy, practical and not too expensive, will allow entry by finger insertion, numeric code or both, at the data recording unit installed at the entrance.

PUSU expels former chief
Chandigarh, September 26
In a major development, the Panjab University Students’ Union (PUSU) today announced the expulsion of former president Amandeep Singh for anti-party activities. Amandeep is also a former president of the PU Campus Students Council.

Mar Thoma youth meet from September 29
Chandigarh, September 26
The 8th Northern India Regional Mar Thoma Youth Conference of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church will be held at the Sacred Heart Convent School, Chandigarh Road, Ludhiana from September 29 to October 2.

Flying Cats hold freshers’ party
Chandigarh, September 26
The Flying Cats Airhostess School organised a freshers’ party at a local restaurant here today. The event was about vibrancy and fun, with freshers dressed in their best attire. The theme was “Retro time” — the period of 60’s and 70’s typified by stylised prints, playful colours, upbeat music and swinging moves.

Expert sheds light on Gandhi’s relevance
Chandigarh, September 26
Prof Avijit Pathak, Chairperson, Department of Sociology, Centre for Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, today delivered a lecture on “Modernity, secularism and resistance: making sense of Gandhi” organised by Critique, a student discussion forum, working in Panjab University.

From Colleges
NSS camp at GCG-42 opens
Chandigarh, September 26
A 10-day NSS camp of Government College for Girls, Sector 42, here was inaugurated by Ms Swati Sharma, SDM, Chandigarh Administration. Ms Sharma in her address to the students laid emphasis on contribution to society and gratitude towards the parents.

Youth parliament contest concludes

CULTURE

Stars bedazzle villagers

Chandigarh, September 26 Villagers are mesmerised. After all, having Bollywood’s stars in their midst is not an occurrence they even dream of, let alone see. But here they are — the combined star power of an effervescent and evergreen Rishi Kapoor, a swashbuckling Akshay Kumar and a pretty-in-pink Katrina Kaif — shooting on a road for Vipul Shah’s ‘Namaste London’, bang in the middle of lush green fields in Kharar, enthralling them.

Actors Rishi Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar shooting in the village of Bhajoli in the midst of green fields in Kharar for Vipul Shah’s “Namaste London” on the last day of their shooting schedule in Punjab on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Living the joys of dance
Chandigarh, September 26
Philosophy and literature make a great combination. And in Ranjana Gauhar's case, they make a winning one. Born with a passion to use body as a language for the soul, Ranjana grew up among a mélange of influences. Her thirst for newness took her places - from theatre to painting and then to dance. 

Sheer rhythm, grace Chandigarh, September 26 It was sheer rhythm and grace. The Kathak dancers Deepak Maharaj and Sandeep mesmerised the audience at an event organised by the Pracheen Kala Kendra at the Tagore Theatre here today. Deepak Mahraj (left) and Sandeep Mahavir perform kathak jugalbandi at the Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

HEALTH

New CT scan machine
Mohali, September 26
The first 64 slice CT scan machine in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali area was inaugurated by Mr Surinder Singla, Minister for Finance and Health and Family Welfare, at the Fortis Hospital here today.

SPORTS

Confidence level of Mongia up
Chandigarh, September 26
Cricketer Dinesh Mongia, after silencing critics by carrying his bat through the innings in the match against Australia on September 23, has reasons to smile. The confidence in his voice reflects his mood.

Manav Mangal, Sacred Heart in final
Chandigarh, September 26
Hosts Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21-C, and Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, sailed into the finals of the girls under-17 years category in the Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament held on the school premises here today.

Ball badminton selection trials
Chandigarh, September 26
The Ball Badminton Sports Promotion Association will hold trials for the selection of boys’ and girls’ under-15 teams to represent Chandigarh in the forthcoming 26th Sub-Junior National Ball Badminton Championship, to be held at Raipur in Chhatisgarh from October 12 to 15.

UT shuttlers selected
Chandigarh, September 26
The following players have been selected to represent Chandigarh in the North Zone Badminton Championships - 2006. The tournament is going to be held at Jammu from September 28 to 30.

DAV College win softball meet
Chandigarh, September 26
The local DAV College, Sector 10, won the Inter-Zone Panjab University Softball (Men) Championship for 2006-07 on the PU campus here today. SCD Government College, Ludhiana, SGGS College, Sector 26, and GGDSD College, Sector 32, secured second, third and fourth positions, respectively.

NPS-18 football champs
Chandigarh, September 26
New Public School, Sector 18, registered a convincing 2-0 victory over Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, in the final of the CBSE football tournament (cluster XIII) at Satluj Public School, Sector 4, here today.

St Stephen’s win football title
Chandigarh, September 26
Hosts St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, Chandigarh, outplayed Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, 6-0 in the final of the ICSE inter-school football tournament here today.