C H A N D I G A R H   S T O R I E S


Angry farmers set to rock Nano City project
Upset over land acquisition
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

Barwala, October 1
Sabeer Bhatia’s latest IT venture--Nano City---could well run into trouble in the fields of Barwala with farmers out to oppose the move tooth and nail. No amount of compensation, no assurances and no indemnity, they say, is enough for the loss of their farmland.

‘‘We don’t know any IT or the money it will bring in. We just know that it means death and extinction for us. Without our farms, we are nothing. However small our lands, they are at least feeding us. We don’t have to spread our hands before anybody for two square meals a day,’’ says Satish Moudgil, a farmer from Thandaru, owning 1.5 acres of land.

Navneet Singh, a youth from Kandiwala, is critical of the Hooda government’s decision to acquire land and set up a Nano city. ‘‘I don’t see the logic behind dislodging so many farmers to make way for an IT venture which will employ outsiders. The government can’t offer us the bait of a job because we know we are not qualified enough for it. I can only work on my farm and nowhere else. The government can’t take away our lands from us to benefit big business houses,’’ he said.

The Nano City project which got the nod of the government recently, will come up on 11,000 acres of land in the Barwala-Raipur Rani blocks of the district with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore. The government’s contribution would be in the shape of acquiring the land. While 5,000 acres will be acquired and handed over to the company in the first phase, an additional 6,000 acres will be added in the second phase.

In Rehod village of the Barwala block, it’s the same story. Farmers are worried sick about the government’s decision to acquire their land. ‘‘We have a Congress MLA, a Congress MP and a Congress Government in the state and Centre and still we are being discriminated against. In such a state of affairs who do we turn to if our own government is not bothered about our fate? We don’t want compensation because once the money finishes, who will we turn to. The future of our children is at stake,’’ Bharat Bhushan of the village maintains.

Iftiar Singh and Ram Dia Singh of Roorkee village and members of the Shivalik Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, too, echo similar sentiments. ‘‘With our fields gone, all is lost for us. Nano City has to be relocated keeping us in mind. It’s strange that a government proclaiming to be farmer-friendly can be harsh enough to take away his bread and butter. We do not stand by the government in this decision and will oppose it vehemently,’’ they claimed.

And, a public meeting by Ms Selja, local MP and the Minister of State for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, to address grievances in the block provided the perfect occasion for expressing the simmering dissent. Every voice in the meeting condemned the move and urged a rethink in the matter.

In reply, the minister promised to convey the sentiments of the farmers to the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and admitted that the Congress Government was committed to protecting the interest of the farming community.

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Crime branch to investigate Ram Darbar murder case
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
The protest by Ram Darbar residents against the alleged shielding of the prime murder accused by the police has finally paid off, with the police today transferring the case to the crime branch and promising the arrest of the accused.

The action comes five days after a Ram Darbar resident, Bobinder, alias Bobby, was allegedly killed by neighbours.

Meanwhile, the family today cremated the body following assurance of speedy action and arrest of the other accused by senior police officers.

The protesting family and residents had earlier maintained that they would not cremate the body until the police arrested the prime accused along with his three brothers.

Earlier in the day, representatives of the protesters met senior police officers, explaining their dissatisfaction over the handling of the case by the police officers concerned.

The meeting held at the Sector 31 police station was attended by DSP (Central) S.S. Randhawa, DSP Devinder Thakur, Inspector Jasbir Singh Cheema and the SHO of the Sector 31 police station.

The officers reportedly told the representatives that the investigation would be handed over to the crime branch and the accused would soon be sent behind bars.

Mr Sham Lal Gawahali, Mr Rajinder Makhwana, Mr Udesh Puhal, Mr Om Parkash Saini and Mr Keshu Ram apprised the police officers about the resentment prevailing among the residents.

After meeting police officers, who requested the representatives to cremate the body while demanding time for the arrest of the accused, the representatives held a meeting with the family.

It was decided to cremate the body after the police officers paid a visit to the family and assured them of action.

A father of two minor daughters, 29-year-old Bobby was allegedly thrashed by at least 12 persons on Wednesday morning in the locality and he later succumbed to injuries at the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital the same evening.

The police had arrested eight persons in this connection.

The victim’s brother, Mr Varinder Kumar, alleged that the police was dragging its feet over the arrest of prime accused Bajinder Singh and three other accused.

He said certain police officers were shielding the accused.

Their mobile call details should be verified to ascertain their role in the case, he demanded.

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Jeweller penalised for cheating customer
Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
Studding an auspicious stone of inferior quality could cost a jeweller dear as it happened with a jeweller who allegedly studded an inferior quality red coral stone.

Handing down a judgment, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, directed Nippy Jewellers, Sector 37, to pay Rs 14,000 as compensation to a Sector 45-based advocate, Ashok Kumar Nabhewala, for a red coral weighing 8.25 gm.

The complainant in his application stated that he handed over a gold ring studded with a ruby to be replaced with a monga on July 24, 2004. The jeweller promised to return the gold ring after changing the stone by 4 pm on July 27, 2004. However, after replacing the stone, the same coral was not returned to the complainant but it was another stone of inferior quality stone. On August 1, 2004, Pardeep Kumar, a representative of the jeweler approached Nabhewala to deliver a gold ring studded with an inferior quality stone.

Repeated requests to the jeweller to return the original stone (valued at Rs 20,000) went unheard. In his response, the jeweller stated that the complainant misbehaved at his shop. The counsel for the jeweller stated that the ring studded with the new stone was not accepted by the lawyer. The respondent stated that auspicious stone was genuine and had been purchased from M/s Devi Dass Ram Saran, Jalandhar. The stone was valued at Rs 1500 per ratti.

After hearing the arguments of both sides, the commission observed that since the stone handed over to the jeweler was changed, the respondent was liable to pay Rs 2000 as compensation for mental agony apart from cost of the original stone.

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ICC trophy: Mohali police on its toes 
Tribune News Service

Map courtesy Mohali police
Map courtesy Mohali police

Mohali, October 1
Exhaustive preparations are being made at the PCA Stadium here for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy matches scheduled to be kicked off on October 7.

Other than Indian team, which is scheduled to play Australia on October 29, teams from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand and South Africa are going to play matches here. A total of five matches, including one preliminary round match, three group matches and one semi-final will be held here.

This is probably for the first time after 1994 when the first match was held at the PCA Stadium that a series of so many International matches are being hosted by the PCA.

In accordance with the directions issued by the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Mohali police will be responsible for ensuring the complete security and maintenance of peace during the matches, both inside and outside the stadium.

Giving details of the security arrangements, the SSP Mohali, Mr Naunihal Singh, said over 40000 spectators, both from India and abroad, are expected to watch each of these matches in the stadium. “Heads of states along with VVIPs would be also be there as guests. In the light of the recent happenings across the world and security threat in India as well as Punjab, unparalleled care and caution is called for an event like this,” he said.

“The deployment of forces and the traffic diversions are being minutely worked out. Over 60 close circuit cameras would be installed in and outside the stadium for strict vigil. Infrared scanners would be installed for the checking of tickets and persons found with fake tickets would be booked on the spot by the police. Sound system will be installed for public addressing and parking. There is also a proposal to install TV screens near the ticket checking counters so that if the match starts before the spectators enter the stadium they would not miss any action,” said the SSP.

Parking areas have been demarcated in correlation with the seating arrangements as per the ticket colour coordination scheme set by the PCA. Other than VVIPS, most spectators would alight from their vehicles about 200 to 500 metres away from the stadium.

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Traffic diversions for ICC matches
Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 1
Major traffic diversions are expected during the five ICC Champions Trophy matches scheduled to begin at the PCA Stadium here from October 1. With unprecedented security arrangements in place, the area around the stadium will be sealed and no vehicular traffic will be allowed on it.

“This is what is done around all international stadiums during matches. The entire stadium will be divided into four rough quarters according to the seating plan given by the PCA. These quarters will not be interconnected,” said Mohali SSP Naunihal Singh during a press conference here today.

The SSP added that security arrangements would also include plans for crowd control and reducing the mismanagement that was a common sight at all gates of the stadium during the matches.

“This time the outer wall of the stadium will be surrounded or enclosed by metal containment barricades. These are being put in place for a variety of reasons, the most important being to ensure that no one can jump over into the stadium,” said Mr Naunihal Singh.

While the Mohali police was still working out details of the alternative routes, some traffic direction had already been planned.

“Traffic diversions on the road in front of the stadium will begin from October 4, when the entry channels will begin to get installed. Commuters will have to divert to the NIPER road from after the Fortis Hospital on one side and the Phase 9 -10 light point on the other side. The rest of the diversions will be subsequent,” said SP Traffic Raj Bachan Singh Sandhu.

At least two days before the match, both roads in front of the stadium, the road dividing Phases 9 and 10, would not be useable for persons with vehicles for most part of the day. Normal traffic would be diverted from just beyond the Fortis light point towards the NIPER road, from where the commuter would have to shift to the road behind NIPER, abutting the Phase 9 Industrial Area.

On the other side, commuters entering Mohali using the Phase 9 and 10 dividing route would be diverted from the Guru Nanak Colony Chowk. However, vehicles of ticket and pass holders would be allowed entry into these roads, but only till a certain distance, where they would park and walk towards the stadium.

The two outer roads dividing Phases 7 and 8 on one side and Phase 11 and the Mohali railway station on the other would have a free flow of traffic. Most of the inner roads of Phase 8, 9 and 10 would also have no traffic restrictions.

Special road entry passes would be issued to residents and shop owners of the residential and commercial areas in the vicinity of the stadium to avoid inconvenience.

“Also over 80 information boards will be put up at various points to regulate vehicular traffic and reduce traffic snarls. For resident living in the area and shopkeepers commuting to the area daily, special passes will be issued so that they do not go through any inconvenience in their daily routines,” said the SSP.

Seating and entry gate arrangements during matches

SEATING AREA ENTRY GATE

Corporate Boxes Level 1 Gate Number 1B

Corporate Boxes Level 2 Gate Number 1B

AC Lounge Gate Number 1A

PCA members and Guest Gate Number 1C

Members Block (Terrace)

PCC Members Block Gate Number 14

VIP Block Gate Number 5

General Block Gate Number 6

Student Block Gate Number 7

General Block Gate Number 12

Student Block Gate Number 11

North Pavilion Gate Number 9


Do’s and Don’ts

Not allowed inside the stadium:

Mobile phones, bags, mirrors, knives, weapons, eatables, water bottles, inflammable material and any other material which can be used as a missile.

Kindly Note:

Ticket and pass holders will be guided by the traffic policemen regarding their route.

Children below the age of 12 years must be accompanied by elders.

Your ticket or pass is non-transferable and please retain your ticket throughout the match.

Persons caught counterfeiting tickets, impersonating, trespassing, gambling, and black marketing will be punished under the law.

You are requested to:

Please park your vehicle in the allotted parking lot.

Please cooperate with the police and PCA officials on duty.

In case of emergency or problem: Either contact the officer on duty or dial police helpline numbers 5027444, 5027555 and 5027666.

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Sajida Begum’s property row takes new turn
Pakistan-based brother stakes claim
Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
The dispute over inheriting valuable properties left behind by late Sajida Begum of Malerkotla in Chandigarh and Punjab, has taken a new turn.

A brother of the late Begum, Fayyaz Ali Khan (71), who is based in Shekhupura, Pakistan, has filed a case in the Chandigarh District Courts stating that he was the sole legal heir of the moveable and immovable properties by way of inheritance as per the Muslim Law of Inheritance. Khan is the only surviving brother out of four brothers of the late Begum, who did not have any children.

The properties include 50 per cent share in a two-kanal house in Sector 2, Chandigarh, land holdings and commercial sites in Malerkotla, personal belongings lying at Dewan Khana, Malerkotla, and bank lockers and moveable assets, all valued at over Rs 14 crore.

Though the civil suit filed in the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division), Begum’s brother has claimed that on July 21, 2006, his sister had bequeathed a will in his favour. He has alleged that an oral gift (hiba) dated July 7, 2006, being produced by Sajid Ali Khan, son of Late Riyaz Ali Khan (brother of the plaintiff) was a fabricated document.

Talking to the Tribune, Fayyaz Ali Khan said he had appealed to the Indian Government to protect the properties of the late Begum. “I being a Pakistani national can stay here due to long traveling distance and I am under threat from Sajid who is eyeing the properties”. Mr Baljeet Singh, who has filed the case on behalf of Fayyaz Ali Khan, said such cases under the Muslim Law Board were rare.

“I came to know that Sajid had already produced the fabricated oral (hiba) deed at all offices concerned when I staked claim for the properties as per the Muslim Law of Inheritance,” he said.

In light of the claim and counter claims of inheritance, Fayyaz Ali Khan has been asked by different bank authorities, the Punjab Wakf Board and the Malerkotla district administration to bring a decree from the court in his favour.

As per the will of the late Iftekhar Ali Khan, the Nawab of Malerkotla and husband of late Sajida Begum, the Sheesh Mahal has to go to Punjab Wakf Board. The Diwan Khana is located in the Sheesh Mahal. “But the belongings of the late Begun would be handed over to the person who gets a decree from the court in his favour,” he said.

In the case, the plaintiff has further stated that Sajid Ali Khan, along with goons, had threatened an old maid of the late Begum living in house no 22, Sector 2, Chandigarh. Also an effort was made to take illegal possession of the house. “I was in Chandigarh when my sister bought 50 per cent share from Justice Ajit Singh Bains”.

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Reconsider diplomatic ties with Pak, Rajnath tells PM
Tribune News Service

Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh

Chandigarh, October 1
Mr Rajnath Singh, president, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) today said that if Pakistan cannot dismantle its terrorist centers in the country, then it should take India’s help. Clearly stating that India “direct intervention” was needed to dismantle these camps, he stated that the matter should be discussed in Parliament also taking the Opposition in confidence.

“It is just not possible that the Prime Minister was unaware of the ISI’ s involvement in the Mumbai blasts right from the initial stage of the investigations,” he stated.

In light of the recent revelations made by the Mumbai Police the Prime Minister’s visit to Havana (Cuba) comes across as a diplomatic ‘failure’.

He further termed the joint statement by him and President Pervez Musharaff as a diplomatic ‘joke’. “The peace process with Pakistan should be stopped. There is a disconnection between the internal security situation and foreign policy pursued by the Prime Minister in Havana,” he added.

Applauding the Mumbai Police for cracking the Mumbai blasts case, Mr Rajnath said that revelations had proved once again that the ISI and Pakistan had a major role in Mumbai blasts and was continuously backing the terrorist operations in India. “The Mumbai blasts were the result of the UPA government’s inaction. Yesterday’s revelations have proved that Pakistan has betrayed the spirit of January 2004 declaration when it promised that the territories under its control will not be used for terrorist activities.”

He further added, “The Centre should persuade the UN Security Council to impose economic sanctions on Pakistan and get the UN Security Council to put Pakistan on its watch list.”

He was addressing the media after the inauguration of the BJP office in the city today. “The UPA government should not have ignored evidence given by the intelligence agencies on sustained anti-India activities of Pakistan and the ISI,”

He also asked the Centre to reconsider continuation of diplomatic relations with Pakistan. “The Pakistan High Commissioner should be immediately summoned and categorically told that India will reconsider continuation of diplomatic relations with Pakistan,” stated Mr Rajnath Singh.

He was, however, evasive on the sharing of seats with the Akalis in the forthcoming Punjab Assembly elections. “There is no requirement to speak to Mr Badal on this matter, a decision will be taken soon,” stated Mr Singh.

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BJP rally a lacklustre affair
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
Mr Rajnath Singh, president of the BJP today inaugurated the newly constructed building of the BJP office in Sector 33. Later, he along with senior party leaders of BJP and SAD addressed a workers’ rally.

However, while tall promises were made, the rally seemed to be a dull affair as despite the presence of party stalwarts, including BJP National President Rajnath Singh, MP Navjot Sidhu and senior Akali leaders the rally venue wore an empty look and many chairs were seen unoccupied. While many blamed the sweltering noon heat for the party workers’ absence the fact that a galaxy of national leaders were left addressing half empty chairs was a matter of worry for the senior BJP leaders especially in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections in Punjab.

Addressing the rally, Mr Rajnath Singh stated that if voted to power, it would amend the Constitution to bring national song Vande Mataram on a par with National Anthem and National Flag. ‘‘We will amend Article 51 of the Constitution to provide respect to Vande Mataram ’’, said BJP president Rajnath Singh.

Mr Rajnath Singh also promised to bring India on a par with the developed countries not only in terms of economy but also on the science and technology front within five to 10 years if voted to power.

Criticising the UPA Government for unprecedented hike in the prices of essential commodities, Mr Singh said the UPA Government had failed to control the increasing prices of pulses, petroleum products and other commodities, proving that its policies were pro-rich and against the interests of common man, contrary to its election manifesto.

The rally was also addressed by Capt Kanwaleet Singh and Mr Satya Pal Jain. Mr Prakash Singh Badal who was expected to attend the rally, however, did not attend it.

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Kairon’s birth anniversary forgotten
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
The 105th birth anniversary of Partap Singh Kairon — the man behind the creation of Chandigarh — went off without a flutter today.

Neither Punjab nor Chandigarh seemed to remember the day, that marked the birth of a man widely acknowledged as the greatest luminary of the region.

Nowhere was an official celebration held on the occasion and nowhere was the official garlanding of Punjab’s late Chief Minister’s portrait done.

Only a few individuals made a gesture to perpetuate the great visionary’s memory. Among them was Mr Narinder Singh, better known for the help he extended to foreign tourists.

He garlanded the photograph of Kairon and urged the Punjab Governor, through a representation, to name the Punjab Agricultural University after the later Chief Minister.

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Watch out

V.R.V. Singh
V.R.V. Singh

As a part of India Red team of Challenger Series for the NKP Salve Trophy kicking off today, the local pacer Vikram Rajveer Singh will take on top cricketers like Rahul Dravid, V Sehwag, M S Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh of India Blue today.

A product of DAV Cricket Centre, Sector 8, VRV attracted the attention of bigwigs in the Challenger Trophy with his pace bowling held in Mohali last October. He was included in the national team in the one-day matches against England in February-March this year.

He was also part of the Team India, which clinched the Test series against the West Indies on West Indies’ soil after 35 years in July this year.

Though he could not live up to the expectations in his international matches, yet many cricket aficionados still have faith in his potential. The ongoing series is yet another opportunity for VRV to show his much-vaunted fast bowing skills to open gates for him in national squad.

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Passing Through

Navjot Sidhu
Navjot Sidhu, Member of Parliament

Besides politics, you are busy in TV shows as well as an expert commentator on cricket. Are you heading for Bollywood or being a full-time small screen celebrity?

Not at all. Though I got some film offers, I refused all for paucity of time. But I am doing a TV serial ‘Kya Hoga Nimmo’.

Your order of preference cricket, politics and TV shows?

Politics is my first preference. For me, politics is a mission, not profession. It is one field in which one can work for happiness and well being of people.

Your burst of laugh during the laughter show on a TV channel has been applauded by the audience. Is that on demand of the producer of the programme or spontaneous?

Laughing loudly is good for health as it reduces all stress in one’s life. In the programme, the participants are so funny that I cannot resist myself from laughing.

How do you react to obscenity and double-meaning jokes in the programme?

Yes, I admit that they are there, but everything cannot be perfect.

What are the Team India chances in the forthcoming cricket World Cup next year?

The Indian team is just like a fixed deposit certificate, which can be encashed with interest any time. So our chances are bright.

— Akash Ghai

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Getting voter card made not easy
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
Getting a voter I-card made in the city appears to be a Herculean task.

“The officials of the Election Department are not available at the given time and place. And if present, they are not able to redress your complaint and ask you to come again,” said a woman voter of Sector 29.

As per the schedule given in newspapers, the voter went to the Sector 29 Government School. There she was told to go to the Sector 17 Central State Library, where a man was sitting in the lawn with a register.

“I was told to wait till the second week of October, when the process to make the photo I-cards would start again. This means I will have to take a day off or a short leave from my office,” she said without being quoted.

A visit to the Central State Library revealed that in many cases, working couples were not able to get their photo I-cards made in their respective sectors. A number of such voters were frequenting the library.

Officials of the Election Department revealed that those who had been left out would get another chance to get their photo I-cards made. The photography teams would go from home to home for on-the-spot photography. Pictures of those would also be clicked whose pictures were required for electoral rolls.

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Five senior citizens honoured
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
The Governor of Haryana, Dr A. R. Kidwai, honoured five senior citizens above the age of 78 at a function organised at Tagore Theatre here today.

Mr Kidwai said society must use the vast reservoir of knowledge, experience and expertise available with the growing population of senior citizens both to make productive use of a readily available resource and to give the older persons a feeling of being wanted.

Earlier in his keynote address, the president of the Chandigarh Senior Citizens Association, Mr P.H. Vaishnav, listed the activities of the association and highlighted the need to address the concerns of senior citizens, especially those below the poverty line.

Conceding that there would always be a problem of finding funds for senior citizen programmes, he advocated enlargement of the scope of existing welfare schemes. New initiatives planned by the association in the coming months include Project VANITA (for destitute old women) and Project OSCAR (for advocacy of senior citizens issues among policy makers based on researched inputs).

The Senior Citizens Council, Chandigarh, celebrated the day at a function which was presided over by Mr Surinder Singh, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh.

Mr D. P. Singh discussed the role of senior citizens in educating society. Mr G. S. Sathi discussed the role of the council. Mr Surinder Singh assured the council that the corporation would take certain steps for senior citizens’ welfare.

Ms Kamla Sharma, a former Mayor, and Mr K.I.P. Singh DSP (South), also spoke on the occasion.

Yoga tips were also given. Paragon School students entertained the senior citizens with bhangra.

Mohali: Ranbaxy Labs Ltd in association with the Senior Citizens Pensioners Council observed Senior Citizens day at the Fortis auditorium here today. Nearly 200 senior citizens of Mohali and nearby villages participated in the celebrations. Mr S.K. Bahl, GM, Liaison and Administration, briefed the audience about the importance of the day.

Mr Amrik Singh Bhatti, president of the council, lauded the efforts made by Ranbaxy towards social responsibility. He said Ranbaxy is always available whenever they seek any sort of assistance for arranging functions, conducting free medical check- up camps, sports meets for children as well as of senior citizens, etc.

Some of the senior citizens entertained the gathering by singing poems created by themselves. Eight senior-most citizens were honoured.

Mr Albel Singh Shyan of the council briefed the gathering about the work done by their council for the welfare of senior citizens.

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Bansal felicitates magician O.P. Sharma
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 1
Astute wisdom, endowment of sharp vision, fair knowledge of art and science and strenuous practice are the essential attributes for transforming an intrusive learner into a perfect magician, observed Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister of State for Finance, here today while complimenting magician O.P. Sharma on his 150th show in the city at Neelam theatre.

He deserved felicitations and admiration for his resolve to teach magic to those interested at his magic academy —Maya Mahal —at Kanpur, which normally a skilled professional would not like, added Mr Bansal.

He expressed his apprehension if the takers for the profession could endure the rigorous practice and hard work through which the magic maestro O.P. Sharma or his disciple son, Satya Pal Sharma aka O.P. Sharma Junior, had gone through to reach the zenith of their career.

The minister honoured O.P. Sharma with a shawl at the dazzling ceremony held during the 150th show.

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NGOs discuss women’s issues
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
A meeting convened by the Voluntary Health Association of Punjab (VHAP) to evolve a Women Power Connect Chapter in Punjab, at Indra Holiday Home, Sector 24, Chandigarh, discussed several issues pertaining to women and girl children across Punjab. It was attended by more than 20 representatives from various NGOs.

The issues touched upon how the growing prevalence of HIV/AIDS, drug-addiction and the emergence of the growing number of single women (widows, divorcees, deserted and abandoned) along with the looming agrarian crisis in Punjab was impacting women and girls.

Along with setting up a state chapter of Women Power Connect in Punjab, Manmohan Sharma, executive director, VHAP, was elected the state conveyer, while Tripta Thakur (All India Women Conference) was elected secretary. Mr Kuldeep Chand (ARPAN) was elected treasurer for the same.

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Sky Rippers celebrates Raising Day
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
Paying rich tributes to its martyrs, the Sky Rippers, a Light Air Defence Regiment (Composite) celebrated its 24th Raising Day somewhere in the Western Sector, today.

Speaking on the occasion, the unit’s Commanding Officer lauded the continued efforts of all officers, JCOs and other ranks to build and nurture the unit into a battle formation par excellence, a release issued here said.

Recalling the supreme sacrifice made by its martyrs Hav Raje Singh and L/Nk Chandan Singh, both of whom were decorated posthumously with the Sena Medal, the CO exhorted his men to emulate the highest standards of bravery set by their predecessors.

The unit was raised on October 1,1983 at Danapur, Bihar, and has since participated in all major operations undertaken by the Army. It has received five Sena Medal, four Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Cards and nine Army Commander’s Commendation Cards.

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Rodrigues greets people on Dasehra
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
The Punjab Governor and the UT Administrator, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), has extended warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh on the auspicious occasion of Dasehra.

In his message, the Governor said the festival of Dasehra, which commemorated the defeat of evil.

General Rodrigues appealed to the people to celebrate this festival collectively, in an atmosphere of peace and amity and in the best traditions of our composite culture.

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Man held with charas
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
The crime branch of the Chandigarh police today arrested a boatman, working at the Sukhna Lake Club, from near the Rock Garden on the allegation of carrying half kg of charas.

Giving details, sources in the crime branch said the accused, Raju Ram of Kulu district in Himachal Pradesh, had been indulging in charas trafficking for the past over one year.

He was arrested today on the basis of secret information from near the Rock Garden this afternoon.

He was working with the club since 1989 and was living in Kaimbwala village. A case under Section 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act had been registered against him.

Vehicles stolen

Mr Rajiv Aggarwal of Sector 28 reported to the police that his Toyota Qualis (HP-12-B-1267) was stolen from his residence during the night of September 29.

In another incident, Mr Prince Bhardwaj of Sector 22 lodged a complaint with the police that his TVS Suzuki motor cycle (CHT-3283) was stolen from the parking lot in Sector 23 on Saturday. Two separate cases of theft had been registered.

Injured

Two pedestrians were injured in two separate accidents after being hit by rashly driven vehicles.

The police said, Ramesh Kapoor, whose address could not be ascertained sustained injuries after being hit by a Maruti Zen car (9CH-03-E-2005) near the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital on Saturday.

The police arrested the car driver, Gopal Krishan of Mani Majra, on the allegations of causing hurt by rash and negligent driving.

In another incident, Tek Singh of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh suffered injuries after a Mahindra pick-up truck (PB-12-H-4966) hit him near Panjab University.

He was admitted to the PGI. The truck driver, Balwinder Singh of Mohali, was arrested.

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Kalka man held for robbery
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
The police has arrested a Kalka resident on the charge of robbing a hawker in Sector 22 at knife-point last week.

With this, the police has claimed to have solved several cases of snatching and seized six mobile phones from him.

The police said Mr Ved Prakash, a hawker in Sector 22, reported to the police on September 27 that a youngster riding a motor cycle (HR-49-A-5770) robbed him of his day’s earnings at knife-point.

The police had investigated the case and traced the accused by the registration number of his motor cycle.

The accused was identified as Nitin Kumar, alias Manu, of Tipra village in Panchkula district.

He was produced in a local court, which remanded him in police custody till Monday.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted that he snatched the purse of a woman from near traffic lights on the road separating Sectors 22 and 23 on September 23.

A case was registered in this connection on a complaint filed by Ms Manpreet Kaur of Sector 46.

The accused had also snatched the mobile phone of another woman, who was a student of the DAV College.

The police said the accused had also been arrested earlier on similar charges.

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Five men found unconscious
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
Five unidentified migrant labourers were found in an unconscious condition at the Chandigarh railway station here this morning.

According to the sources in the General Railway Police, the five unidentified labourers, who seemed to be migrants, were found lying at different places in the railway station. One of the victims was found near the booking window while others were found at the station premises.

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Youth crushed to death
Tribune News Service

Lalru, October 1
A 25-year-old youth was killed after being crushed under the Kalka Mail near ghoul Majra village on Ambala-Kalka track, here this morning.

According to sources at the railway Police post the accident took place at around 5.45 am when an unidentified youth was crushed under the 4888 up train. The victim was clean shaven and was wearing white shirt, black trousers and slippers. The police has shifted the body for identification to the Civil Hospital, Mohali.

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Sidhu opens fitness centre

Chandigarh, October 1
Former cricketer and at present Member of Parliament Navjot Singh Sidhu inaugurated a fitness centre in Sector 34, here today. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Sidhu, who himself is a fitness freak, said: “The opening of such gyms and fitness centres is the need of hour in today’s stressful life. These health centres also play crucial role to aware people about good health”. — TNS

 

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