Panchkula, December 21
Nearly three hours on city roads and a peek into six police stations later, the mystery of the rising thefts in the city lay unravelled last night - when the city goes to sleep, so does its police.

Yesterday was no exception. Snug in their quilts, cops locked out the cold and duty from police stations and slumbered in peace. They offered the security of residents on a platter to anybody wishing to assail it and slip away unnoticed into the cold winter night, scot free.

The menacing police stations of the city were an apology of their reputation in the dead of the night when a Chandigarh Tribune team chose to visit these just after 11.30 pm last night. And, at every police station, it was the same story - complete darkness outside, a light burning in one unoccupied room and policemen snoring away to glory, phone close to their ears.

For nearly two hours during the drive in the night, not a single PCR was spotted on any road as the car zipped from Mansa Devi Complex to Sectors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 16, and the Industrial Area. It was only around 1.15 am when the first PCR was seen at the Sector 19 railway crossing.

So, we must hand it out to the Haryana Police for being completely impartial in applying the rule of "zero-visibility" across the board without favouring posh sectors housing VIPs - each house in every sector was as vulnerable as the rest of them.

In Mansa Devi, a policeman slept huddled in a quilt inside a closed door while his wireless crackled its "banal" messages. At the Sector 6 post, the team was greeted by empty chairs. On calling out, a "drunken-with-sleep" cop emerged from the liquor-smelling barracks to dismiss a query about "any crime in the area" and go back to bed. Three armed guards did emerge from the shadows of the shops to cast an inquiring look but disappeared soon after.

In Sector 5, the police station doors were tightly shut. On knocking repeatedly, a cop, with eyes half-shut, emerged from the room and led the team into the police station where a senior lay tucked in his quilt. He didn't even bother to get up an enquire the reason for a late visit and said there was no crime reported for the day with as much disinterest.

The Sector 8 market, where a showroom had recently been burgled despite the area being well lit, was equally unguarded. The Sector 7 post was the only exception to have one person wide awake, sitting in a chair, watching all movement. In Sector 16, the most sensitive police post catering to the adjoining slums of the Indira and Rajiv colonies, was closed to the outside world when the team visited it at 12.30 am.

Chandigarh, December 21
A day ahead of the counting of the votes polled in the Municipal Corporation elections, the Chandigarh Administration today released the much-awaited list of the nine councillors, nominated by the UT Administrator for the next term of the civic body.

Having a wide ranging experience in various fields, some of the known public faces find mention on the list.

Decorated hero, Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, winner of the Maha Vir Chakra, is among the nominated councillors.

Talking to the Chandigarh Tribune, Brigadier Chandpuri said: “My preference would be to improve cleanliness and propose rules for regulation of traffic. I would watch the interest of the middle and lower sections of society”.

Having an association of about 40 years with the city, for Mr P.K. Mukherjee, an architect, problems of the city are not new. “I have seen the city growing. I want that the city should progress with the time and should have the best economy. I am a analytical thinker.”

He feels that the civic amenities in the city should be the best.

The President of Guru Nanak Paper Mills Ltd and advisory member of the SPICMACAY, Dr Amrit Bolaria, said her priority would be welfare of the increasing slum population. “I moved to the city 29 years ago after marriage have been awarded a UGC scholarship for research in the temples of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.”

Mr M.P.S. Chawla, president of the Chandigarh Industrial Association, Chandigarh, and former member of the Local Advisory Committee, is keen on developing Industrial Area. “Since the Municipal Corporation is the nodal agency for development of Industrial Area, being a nominated councillor would be an advantage for me in carrying out my task”.

The youngest of the nominated councillors, Mr Arshad Khan, management consultant, said he advocated the cause of empowerment of the minorities, education, health care, economic uplift and better civic amenities.

Pam Rajput, former Head of Department of Women Studies, Punjab University, and member of the Expert Committee on the Economic Empowerment of Women, and Dr Neelam Malik, former doctor from the Haryana Medical Services, are among the nominated councillors.

Being former chairman of the Action Committee of the Coop House Building Societies of Chandigarh, he wants to improve basic amenities around the housing societies.

Director of the SC, BC and Minorities Financial Corporation, Chandigarh, Mr Resham Chand Jakhu, said poor sanitation was a serious issue which had to be addressed.

Chandigarh, December 21
As many as 600 police personnel and 300 employees have been deployed for the smooth conduct of the process of counting of votes for the Municipal Corporation elections tomorrow.

The counting of votes will begin at 8 am. The results of the elections, held on December 20, are expected to be out by 11 am.

Chandigarh, December 21
Perturbed over unconfirmed reports that two persons have died of cold in the city, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (CMC) started on a novel project of providing warmth to slum dwellers. Though none of the two unnatural deaths turned out to be because of cold, the MC introduced bonfires in some of the slums.

The tractor trailers unload huge stacks of dry horticultural waste in some of the big slums, including colonies number 4 and 5 besides the Kumhar Colony in Sector 25, during day time.

In the evening, the Sanitary Inspector of the area comes and lights up the piles of dry leaves and twigs.

For the past few days, the concept has been appreciated by slum dwellers who come out in large numbers to enjoy the bonfire.

Normally, these bonfires are lit around 7.30 p.m and continue till about 10 p.m. “After we introduced bonfires in slums, no case of any death due to cold has been reported from any part of the city,” says Mr P.S. Aujla, Commissioner, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, holding that “it also helps us in consuming the huge piles of horticultural waste, suitable disposal of which, otherwise, is a big problem.”

The Tribune team which visited different colonies where bonfires are organised by the CMC found that slum dwellers have taken well to the concept which is now gradually turning out to be “get together time for the entire colony”.

Mr Tejinder Singh, lecturer in political science, Paragon Senior Secondary School, Mohali, will be in South Korea as part of a delegation visiting the Jeong Myung Girls Middle and High School and American Missionary Adventure Mokpo City, South Korea.

Anshuman Bhagwati, director-cum-coach of the City Cricket Academy, Leicester (UK), will be in town on Friday. A former Ranji player from Assam, Anshuman is directing his team in a five-match series against MCM Blue Caps, Sector 36 in Chandigarh.

Virender K Ahluwalia, CEO, Fobaz Foto Bazar, a leading online photo portal

What are your plans for retail expansion in North India?

Fobaz Foto Bazaar is planning to invest about Rs 60-crore in the photo industry of the northern region in the first phase of its expansion. This investment would come in the form of a support to the existing photo retailers and studios through services like digital photo prints and personalised photo gifts through our portal www.fobaz.com

Does the photo retail industry in India have enough scope for retail expansion?

Yes, there is tremendous scope for the expansion of retail in photo industry. The domestic photo industry is worth approximately Rs 4,500-crore and is currently supported by about 1,54,000 photo retailers. The company has plans to bring services and technology at the retail level to enhance the consumers buying experience, while supporting the photo retailer/photo studio. Starting with Chandigarh, the company will develop a network of photo retail stores across the North.

Why are you launching your services from North India?

The company’s research has shown that the northern region of India (Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh) represents a significant opportunity for the company’s product and services. Considering the facts that Punjab and Chandigarh have one of the highest literacy and highest per capita income, we have planned major initiatives in this region.

Ruchika M. Khanna

Chandigarh, December 21
Demanding action against the erring police officials who allegedly assaulted a photo journalist of Hindustan Times in Kharar on November 30, the journalist fraternity of the city today held a protest at the Plaza in Sector 17 here.

Journalists from various print and electronic media institutions assembled at the Plaza and demanded cancellation of a ‘false case’ registered against Samuel, a photo journalist of the Hindustan Times. Samuel was allegedly assaulted by the Punjab Police personnel in Kharar and later implicated in a false case.

The agitating journalists warned the state government that they would be forced to intensify their struggle if the false case registered against him was not cancelled.

Condemning the attitude of the authorities concerned, the journalists alleged that despite the fact the Director-General of Police, Punjab, Mr S.S. Virk, had assured action in this regard, no action had been taken in this connection as yet. Annoyed over the behaviour of the senior Punjab Police officials and the state government, the journalists expressed their resentment by holding a rally. They shouted slogans against the indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned, who were allegedly shielding the guilty cops.

Mr Balwant Takshak, the convener of the committee constituted for the task, and the president of the Chandigarh Press Club, Mr Jagtar Singh Sidhu, president of the Tribune Employees Union, Resident Editor of Hindustan Times, Mr Kanwar Sandhu, Resident Editor of Indian Express, Mr Vipin Pubby, and the former president of Chandigarh Press Club, Mr Sarabjit Pandher, addressed the gathering and condemned the excesses being committed by the Punjab Police. 

Chandigarh, December 21
The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mr K.S. Sudarshan, today asserted that the Sangh’s doors were always open for Muslims. “However, they must be willing to call themselves Hindu which has little to do with the religion. Rather, it is a way of life and relates to our country,” he said.

The RSS chief said Muslims joining the Sangh should not have any problem in expressing their belief in Lord Rama and Krishna and also being addressed as a Hindu.

Addressing a colloquium on philosophy and objectives of the RSS, organised by the Forum on Integrated National Security here, Sudarshan objected to the use of the term minority for Muslims.

"As 99.9 per cent Muslims living in India have their roots in this country, why should they like to refer themselves as minority? India is the only country where 73 different sects of Muslims are peacefully co-existing. They should send out a message to the world how the community is living in peace in India," he said.

Today’s event, a brainchild of former Punjab DGP P.C. Dogra provided a rare opportunity to the intelligentsia to ask hard-hitting questions to the RSS chief.

Replying to a question, Sudarshan said a time had come when there was a need to propagate the Hindutva ideology more vigorously.

To another question, he denied that the BJP, which continues to draw its strength from the RSS, had overshadowed the latter, Mr Sudarshan replied in the negative.

“The BJP is a political organisation. That is why it is more in the news. Ours is a social organisation which does its work silently. But we are doing our work in the best possible manner,” he said.

He also talked about the exemplary role played by the RSS for the cause of nation-building.

He, however, lamented the fact that till today the RSS continued to be wrongly blamed for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

“For us, the nation comes first. Anybody living in India should be proud of the fact that India is a great country. The concept of Hindu Rashtra that we propagate is not something new. After all, a country can’t be a conglomerate of loose units,” he said.

He again expressed concern over the fast pace of growth of Muslims in the country. “Hindu families need to have at least three children, even more. Otherwise, by 2060, Hindus will be in minority in this country,” he reiterated.

Earlier, Mr Dogra gave a brief outline of the activities of the forum.

He stated that the main purpose of the colloquium was to present the RSS in the true light.

Chandigarh, December 21
A 18-year-old resident of Ram Darbar, Phase-II, Chandigarh, has been suffering from renal failure for the past over two years. Diagnosed with renal failure, Jaswinder Singh has been struggling for life due to lack of money for his renal transplant, for the past over three months.

Though his mother, Ms Paramjit Kaur, has decided to donate a kidney for him yet the family was no more able to carry on his dialysis at private clinics in the city because of financial crises. He was admitted to the PGI where the doctors asked the family to arrange Rs 2 lakh for his renal 
transplant.

The disease has virtually dragged the family under debt, as Mr Sohan Singh, father of the boy who was a vegetable vendor, was unable of bear the expenses on the treatment. The family is in a desperate need of financial assistance. Donors can contact Mr Sohan Singh, House No 2041, Ram Darbar, Phase-II, Chandigarh. He could also be contacted at 09872865146 or the PRO, PGI at 0172-2756003. 

Chandigarh, December 21
City-based writer Jagvir Goyal has launched his website with the domain name www.jagvirgoyal.com <http://www.jagvirgoyal.com>. His website features his technical and literary books, papers, articles and other achievements. The website was launched by Ess Gee Media, Faridabad, on December 11.

The website introduces all the 10 books written by him besides carrying most of the 60 detailed articles written by him in Science Tribune over the last 18 years. Building Tips offered by Goyal from time to time in simple language and heartily accepted by people are also available. Besides, author’s presence in Marquis Series and his write-ups carried by top construction magazines of India also featured on the website.

Further, readers can also pose their building and housing problems to Jagvir Goyal under the link, ‘Post your Query’ and can get free advice and consultation. Another interesting feature of the website is ‘Tip of the Moment’. On every refreshing of the website, a new tip will appear on the home page.

Recommended brands of various building materials serve as a handy guide to the house builders. Under another section, builders of repute at various stations, as recommended by Jagvir Goyal, will be listed and their website links will be provided for ready reference of net surfers.

Readers can also book a copy of Goyal’s next book on Building Tips through this website.

Panchkula, December 21
The Shiv Kalyan Sanstha joined hands with the Jivan Mukt Nishulk Vidyalaya to further the cause of educating slum children outside the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine, here today.

The members of the sanstha, led by the president, Mr Somnath Rattan, distributed copies and pencils to around 85 children who enrolled for classes at the venue.

The president of the vidyalaya, Mr Mansa Ram Ahuja, appreciated the efforts of the sanstha and said people visiting the shrine should resist the temptation of giving money to children begging around the premises.

Panchkula, December 21
Traffic on the Pinjore-Kalka highway was held up for two hours following a protest by residents of nine villages of Pinjore block in this district today. The villagers, led by the Ilaqa Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, organised a rally to register their dissent over the acquisition of land by the Haryana Urban Development Authority.

The rally started from Rathpur Colony and culminated at the Yadavindra Gardens. It saw participation by the residents of the nine villages, including Basola, Nanakpur, Manakpur, Surajpur and Rathpur.

President of the samiti Swaran Singh said the farmers of the block would not tolerate injustice at the hands of the government. “We are farmers and our bread and butter comes from these fields. We cannot afford to give up our land for any amount being offered by the government. If our land goes, we are as good as destitutes”, he said.

Sarpanch of Basola Prakash Singh said they had met everybody, right from Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to local MLA and Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan to get the acquisition of their land stopped.

“We have got only empty assurances and false promises. The ground reality is that nobody is doing anything for us. This rally is only the beginning. We are willing to take to the roads if our demands are not considered favourably”, he added.

Meanwhile, as the villagers moved on the highway, traffic came to a grinding halt. Drivers of four-wheelers, motor cycles and trucks waited patiently for the agitators to pass for over two hours.

Even after the rally had passed the traffic could hardly move with queues of vehicles stuck on either side of the road right up to Chandi Mandir. 

Chandigarh, December 21
On a call given by the Agriculture Technocrats Action Committee, Punjab, agriculture technocrats from across the state held a protest in Sector 25 to press the state government to fulfil their demands.

The committee members wanted the government to restore professional pay parity with veterinarians, remove the Director, Agriculture, Punjab, who is not a technocrat, fill vacant posts of Agricultural Development Officer, Soil Conservator in the State Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil Conservation and Animal Husbandry.

A large number of working as well as unemployed agriculture technocrats took part in the protest.

Dr G.S. Gill, chairman of the committee, said the agriculture sector was facing big challenges after its inclusion in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

To cope with the WTO challenges and fulfil food requirements of the rapidly increasing Indian population, are the tasks ahead of the technocrats.

Chandigarh, December 21
The fag end of the year might be cold for the residents but for Aadil Ali, Worrick Miller, Curtis and fellow sportsmen it’s “hot”. Not only is the food a bit too spicy for their taste buds, the weather, too, is far from pleasant for these budding cricketers of City Cricket Academy of Leicestershire in the UK.

The team, accompanied by coach Anshuman Bhagawati, is in the city on an invitation of MCM Blue Caps Cricket Academy, Sector 36, to play four limited-over matches with the hosts. The visitors have played two matches so far and all members find it altogether a different experience.

“We have bouncy and fast pitches back in England, but here we are playing on slow pitches, which assist spin bowling. It is, however, a new experience and we all are learning a lot about cricket here”, said all-rounder Curtis.

Majority of the guests are on their maiden visit to the country. One thing the Britons find the most amazing here is the presence of stray cattle.

“It is very exciting to see buffaloes, cows and monkeys roaming freely on the roads. In England we have to dish out money to see them in zoos”, said Worrick.

“The entire ensemble, including roads, houses, cars, food and crowd, is very different from our country. The way the people drive the vehicles is also very dissimilar. Though having spicy Indian dishes is a little bit difficult for us, so many of us are relishing it”, said Worrick Miller, wicketkeeper of the team.

About Indian people, they said the people here were talkative. “The Indians are very warm, friendly and good people. Interestingly, all talk a lot”, added Worrick.

However, there was nothing new here for skipper Aadil Ali, who is of Indian origin, as this was his ninth visit to the country. “I want to play for England and hitting century against India is my dream”, said Ali, with a twinkle in his eyes.

Chandigarh, December 21
He took on rent a house, belonging to a Punjab Deputy Inspector-General of Police, at Zirakpur, believing it to be a safe place for storing mobile phones. But little did the young entrepreneur know that the walls, even of a DIG’s house, are surmountable — at least for daredevil outlaws.

Interrogated by the police after being arrested on Sunday night, the two “daredevil” brothers have reportedly told the police that the fear of the DIG was the last thing in their minds as they carried out the theft of mobile phones from the house.

Giving details of the interrogation of accused Ravinder Singh, alias Dolly, and Harpreet Singh, alias Happy, a senior Chandigarh Police officer said the two allegedly went up to the extent of carrying a recce of the house before indulging in the theft of 1,400 mobile phones worth Rs 40 lakh.

For the purpose, they carried out meticulous planning and incisive study of the house. After doing their homework well, they allegedly decided upon the tools required for breaking into house.

The sources added that they even “cooked up a story” to take the mobiles away from the city, all the way to Kurukshetra, in two shifts. As it was not feasible to transport the entire “booty” in one go, they requested a labourer working at a nearby under-construction house to take care of half the goods as they claimed that their vehicle had developed a snag.

They told him that the snag was forcing them to push the vehicle all the way to the nearest mechanic. As such, they had to unload the goods.

Without apprehensions of being caught, the duo returned after their first trip to take back the second consignment.

Sources in the Crime Branch of the Chandigarh Police said they disclosed before the investigating officials that they had burgled about 104 houses in south division of the Chandigarh Police before being caught by the police in 2001. Cases were also registered against them in Panchkula and Mohali.

The police said Dolly being a seasoned criminal was not easy to break. When he was caught by the Chandigarh Police in 2001, he played tricks on the cops and avoided being interrogated properly.

He used to pretend of falling sick and avoid custodial interrogation by getting himself admitted to hospital. The recoveries made by the police at that time were not more than 25 per cent.

Chandigarh, December 21
Two motorcycles have been stolen from various parts of the city while in a separate incident, a house was burgled.

Mr Aarish Gajhar of Ferozpore reported to the police that his Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle (PB-05-J-6400) was stolen from the DAV College parking lot in Sector 10 on December 17. In another incident, Mr Rajiv Kumar of Sector 38-A lodged a complaint with the police alleging that his Hero Honda motorcycle (CH-03-M-1516) was stolen from Neelam Cinema, Sector 17, on Wednesday.

Chandigarh, December 21
Jagson Airlines launched its services from Chandigarh to popular tourist hill stations today. Extending their services, it launched air taxi services from Chandigarh to Kulu and Dharamsala.

Mr D.B. Khurana, senior vice-president of the airlines, stated that the small sector was not covered by any flight.

“Keeping this in mind, Jagson has planned to extend its services in the sector. Also travelling by road takes a lot of time, people are looking for a “shorter alternative.”

The airline will operate in the morning hours. The Chandigarh-Kulu flight will depart from here at 8:20 am and arrive in Kulu at 8:50 pm.

The Delhi-Chandigarh flight will arrive at 7:50 am, while it will depart at 12:10 pm.

Tickets start from Rs 599 for the Chandigarh-Kulu sector, the Delhi-Chandigarh ticket will cost Rs 899, while the Kulu - Dharamsala ticket will be Rs 999. All rates are exclusive of taxes.

The Chandigarh-Shimla flight will start from January and the tickets are expected to cost Rs 399 (exclusive of taxes).

These fares, officials clarify, are only for the first-come-first-serve basis and also the bookings are done in advance.