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Five duped of Rs 10 lakh by company
Allege inaction by police
Chandigarh, December 24
Five city residents have accused a Delhi-based securities company and its local agent here of having duped them of over Rs 10 lakh by investing their money in shares, without their consent.

DPS teacher modifies Spanish guitar 
Chandigarh, December 24
A small invention by a local Delhi Public School (DPS) music teacher may prove a giant leap. A remark by his son Manik Kohli, a promising drummer, about two years ago prompted Sanjeev Kohli to modify the Spanish guitar into a guitar-cum-sitar. “It should go a long way in promoting Indian classical music among the young generation,” Sanjeev told Chandigarh Tribune here today.

Santa Claus warms hearts at Sukhna
Chandigarh, December 24
Touching the hearts of many, CITCO organised a colourful bonanza on Christmas eve today for under-privileged children at Sukhna Lake. As a part of the celebrations, cakes, snacks, ice-cream etc. were distributed among the children. Santa Claus sprung a surprise by making an appearance on a motorboat decorated with balloons.

Mistletoes to sparkle  your Christmas Chandigarh, December 24 Glittering mistletoe with glowing tips are dazzling on-lookers like never before in Chandigarh and surrounding cities. Brought all the way from China via Mumbai and Delhi, the electric replica of magical, mysterious and sacred plants of European folklore are, in fact, promising to add a sparkle to the shimmering Christmas celebrations. You may find it unbelievable if you haven't been window-shopping, but shops across the city are already selling around a dozen of these plants “with mystical powers”, daily. Mistletoes are dazzling like never before in Chandigarh. — Tribune photo by Pardeep Tewari

200 stolen mobile phones seized
Chandigarh, December 24
The local police today raided the residence of Ravinder Singh, alias Dolly, the alleged burglar, in Kurukshetra and recovered 200 stolen mobile phones. Inspector Satbir Singh, in charge of the Crime Branch of the Chandigarh police, said the raid was conducted following disclosures made by Dolly during his interrogation. A police ream recovered 200 Nokia mobile phone sets from his residence in Urban Estate in Kurukshetra. The estimated value of the mobile phones is around Rs 6 lakh.

Swaminathan for special incentive to farmers
Chandigarh, December 24
The Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, Dr M.S.Swaminathan, has proposed special incentive for those farmers who contribute foodgrains to the Central pool to maintain food security. If such a provision is made, farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh will benefit the most.

In Town
Sarkar Talwar, Deputy Director (Sports), Haryana, posted at Faridabad and an eminent sports administrator, will be in Chandigarh on Monday in connection with activities of the newly-formed DAV Senior Secondary School Old Students Association. Cricket legend Kapil Dev, former Mizoram Governor Swaraj Kaushal and Ravinder Talwar, Principal of the DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, Chandigarh, are the patrons of the association, of which Mr Sarkar Talwar is the vice-president.

Passing Thru

COMMUNITY

Sidhu stakes claim to Cong ticket
Mohali, December 24
The Mohali district Congress president, Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, has staked claim to the party ticket for the Kharar Assembly constituency. Mr Sidhu was speaking at a function in Saneta village for the distribution of uniforms to 1,171 schoolchildren from 13 villages.

Britain may acknowledge role of colonial soldiers
Chandigarh, December 24
There is now hope that the role of thousands of soldiers of the subcontinent - many from India - who fought for the British in the two world wars will finally be acknowledged.

Chandigarh lawyer brings laurels from London
Chandigarh, December 24
Monica Lewinsky made headlines earlier this week, graduating from London School of Economics (LSE). But the local media missed out on another LSE postgraduate, this one from Chandigarh.

Relatives cry foul over property transfer 
Chandigarh, December 24
The transfer of a house in Sector 18 here by officials of the Estate Office in the name of Mr Avtar Krishan Mehndiratta has raised many a eyebrow, with his relatives crying foul.

Lack of civic amenities discouraging buyers in Zirakpur
Zirakpur, December 24
With Zirakpur, one of the fastest-growing townships in Punjab, bursting at its seams, civic bodies are struggling to keep apace with it, thus failing to provide basic amenities to the people.

Help required to save this six-year-old
Chandigarh, December 24
Though he has been spending most of his time in an isolated room, yet the moments he shares with his parents seems very short. Suffering from lymphatic leukemia (blood cancer), Shivam, a 6-year-old boy, has been fighting for his life since the past five months. Shivam had been running a fever while accompanying his parents to Mata Vaishnu Devi. After the pilgrimage, medical tests showed he was suffering from the life-threatening illness, blood cancer.

Pig-tailed macaque's day out ends
Chandigarh, December 24
The Mahendera Chaudhary Zoological Park authorities finally heaved a sigh of relief after they put "behind bars" the scot-free pig-tailed macaque. It was captured after a 24-hour-long operation.

Help required to save this six-year-old Chandigarh, December 24 Though he has been spending most of his time in an isolated room, yet the moments he shares with his parents seems very short. Suffering from lymphatic leukemia (blood cancer), Shivam, a 6-year-old boy, has been fighting for his life since the past five months. Shivam had been running a fever while accompanying his parents to Mata Vaishnu Devi. After the pilgrimage, medical tests showed he was suffering from the life-threatening illness, blood cancer. A smiling Shivam, suffering from blood cancer, along with his mother in Mohali. — A Tribune photograph

Separate laws for Sikhs demanded
Chandigarh, December 24
Experts, including historians and academicians, today supported the demand for a separate jurisprudence for the Sikhs living in the country. Speaking at a one-day conference on Sikh Jurisprudence in India: the futuristic vision, experts said all laws that are applicable to the other communities should not be made automatically applicable to the Sikhs too.

A man braves chilly weather while taking his pets for a walk near the Rose Garden in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Vinay Malik

CRPF awards officials
Chandigarh, December 24
As many as 49 police medals for meritorious services was presented to officers of the CRPF at an investiture ceremony organised at the CRPF Complex, Hallomajra, here on Thursday.

Sanchar Nigam staff stage dharna
Chandigarh, December 24
Members of the Sanchar Nigam Executives Association yesterday organised a dharna here in support of their demands. 

Art of Living to hold seminar at DAVC-10
Chandigarh, December 24
The Art of Living is conducting a four-day workshop for decision-makers at the DAV College, Sector 10, from December 25. The workshop is being conducted by Rishi Nityapragya, a chemical engineer and senior Art of Living teacher.

Two more sectors have apni mandi now
Chandigarh, December 24
The Punjab Mandi Board will organise ‘apni mandis’ in Sectors 29 and 49 on every Tuesday and Saturday, respectively. This was stated here today by concerned officials. Fresh vegetables and fruits will be available in these mandis.

CRIME

Man concocts robbery story
Chandigarh, December 24
 In a bizarre incident, a Saharanpur resident alleged that an autorickshaw driver accompanied by unidentified persons robbed him of Rs 1,500 after assaulting him near the Railway trackat Ram Darbar tonight. However, the police said he admitted before the cops that he lost his money in lottery and concocted a story.

Sticker helped in nabbing accused
Panchkula, December 24
A sticker carrying the details of a car service unit led to the arrest of an accused Sayyam, who had hit a scooter with his car resulting in death of pillion rider Raj Kumar Singhal (50) of Sector 11. The police produced the accused before the Duty Magistrate, Ms Shashi Bala Chauhan, who sent him to judicial custody as although granted bail, he failed to furnish the surety bonds.

4 held for selling helmets sans ISI mark

BUSINESS

Jagson to start copter service from Chandigarh
Chandigarh, December 24
Jagson Airlines, the first private airlines in the country, is all set to cash in on the emergence of Chandigarh as the aviation hub of North India. In a step that may go a long way in the promotion of tourism in the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the airlines has decided to launch helicopter service for the tourists from here.

Assam cap popular with buyers
Chandigarh, December 24
The annual North-East Crafts Fair opened today with former Mayor Anu Chathrath inaugurating it at Bal Bhawan in Sector 23. The annual exhibition is organised by the Purabshree Emporium in collaboration with the Development Commissioner (handicrafts) for the northeastern region including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram.

EDUCATION

PU senators not able to change faculty
Chandigarh, December 24
Panjab University senators have not been able to change their faculties before the forthcoming elections of the Syndicate. PU senators elect Syndicate members on the basis of the faculties. The 15 members to the PU Syndicate, which is the core decision-making body of the university will be elected on December 30.

Johnians enjoy an emotional evening

Chandigarh, December 24 The winter ball organised by the St Johns Old Boys Association (SJOBA), as a part of its Winter Fest 2006, at the St John’s School grounds on Saturday night. Tag Heur sponsored the event. Over 1,000 party lovers thronged the venue and danced to the pulsating techno music belted out by DJ Bhanu. Special effects complete with UV lighting, lasers and pyro-techniques added a touch of glamour and surprise to the show. The SJOBA winter ball in progress on the St John’s School premises in Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

DAV school old students meet
Chandigarh, December 24
As many as 200 former students attended the DAV Senior Secondary School Old Students Association meeting. It was held at the multimedia hall of the school at Sector 8 here today.

From Colleges
Poster making contest held at NSS camp
Mohali, December 24
On the sixth day of the 10-day NSS camp being held at the Shivalik Institute of Education and Research here, a poster-making contest on 'Blood Donation' was organised. All volunteers participated and made attractive posters on the topic. In the afternoon a rally on blood donation was organised in and around Phase VI here. The idea was to awaken the people to contribute towards humanity by donating blood.

Search engines helping in social science research
Chandigarh, December 24
A large number of academic search engines are helping in the advancement of social science research. Search engines like Google Scholar, Scirus, Windows like Academic are helping determine strategies for research.

Xmas celebrated

CULTURE

Audience sway to 'Boum Boum' tunes
Chandigarh, December 24
Yet another cultural spell of songs and dances by the Boum Boum group from Mauritius enthraled the audience at the Lobana Foundation Auditorium. Mauritius is a melting pot of diverse cultures known for its scenic splendour and multi-cultured society, and the artistes clearly reflected this.

Musicians need of the hour, says Bombay Vikings Chandigarh, December 24 He calls himself a Viking though he belongs to India and can easily convince you ‘his city’ is Stockholm and not Jalandhar where he originally hails from. This is Neeraj Shridhar, the voice of Bombay Vikings who was in town for a live concert organised by Spice telecommunications as part of Christmas celebrations at the Chandigarh Club, here today. Neeraj, who moved to Sweden at the age of 14, believes one cannot lose his identity while living in a foreign place. “Indians living abroad are the real preservers of our culture more than any one living back home”, claims Neeraj, who shot to fame with his song, ‘Kya Surat Hai’ way back in 1999.

Neeraj Shridhar

HEALTH

Docs’ help sought to end female foeticide
Chandigarh, December 24
After a call by Chief Justice of India Y.K. Sabharwal to stop female foeticide, judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court seem to have initiated a campaign against the social evil.

Dr Sunita examines a patient at a free medical camp organised at Satyanarayan Mandir, Phase 3B-2, Mohali, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Cycle rally 
Chandigarh, December 24
The Chandigarh Healthy Heart Action Project (CHHAP) in collaboration with the Chandigarh Amateur Cycling Association (CACA) organised a cycle rally here today. Girls from working women’s hostel, PGI, members from Hum Log, an NGO, and volunteers from Sector 15 participated in the rally which was flagged off from the main gate of the PGI.

Free medical camp for truckers
Barwala, December 24
VIRASAT, a charitable trust, in collaboration with the Haryana State AIDS Control Society organised a free medical camp for the general population and the truckers here.

SPORTS

Rohit shines in skating championship

Panchkula, December 24 Rohit Bajaj emerged winner in the boys’ inline event (14-16 years) category in the 12 th District Skating Championship held at Blue Bird High School, Sector 16, here, today. A roller hockey match in progress between the teams of the Blue Bird Club and Bhavan Vidyalaya in the 12th District Skating Championship held at Blue Bird High School, Sector 16, Panchkula on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Sports fraternity wants berth in MC
Chandigarh, December 24
Sports fraternity of the city and vicinity is in low spirits with the Administration ignoring it in nominations to the Municipal Corporation. Talking to Chandigarh, Flying Sikh Milkha Singh said: “The sportspersons never get their dues because of dirty politics. I always support them for their rights.

Sepak takraw nationals off to a colourful start
Chandigarh, December 24
The 10th Junior National Sepak Takraw Championships (boys and girls) got off to a colourful start with an exhibition match between defending champions Manipur and Nagaland at the grounds of Mount Carmel School, here this evening.

Cricket trophy for HFCL
Panchkula, December 24
Connect (HFCL) won the seventh Cry Cadence Corporate Cricket Cup beating Sigma Infotech by seven wickets at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3, here today. Batting first, the Sigma team set a target of 134 runs in 25 overs. Aman was top scorer with 48 followed by Sandeep with 35 runs. Vivek Pathania took three wickets for 27 while Vikram and Arun claimed two wickets each.

MCM academy win
Chandigarh, December 24
A brilliant knock by Karan Khosla (94 off 115 balls) guided MCM Blue Caps Cricket Academy to a 106-run victory in the last match of the JAL Friendship series against England’s City Cricket Academy (CCA) at MCM DAV College grounds, Sector 36, here today.

Inderjot bags top honours
Mohali, December 24
Inderjot Singh won the top honours in the under-18 boys section beating Mohak Mehta 6-2, 6-2 in the MDLTA-Yonex Open Tennis Championship which concluded at the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare complex, Phase VI, here today. In the under-18 girls category, Navjot Saini won the title while Ikttesh Chahal and Raghav Singal remained on top in the under-14 girls and boys categories, respectively.

AFS sports meet
Chandigarh, December 24
The annual sports day of Air Force School, 3 BRD Chandigarh, was held on its premises, here on Friday. Ashoka House was awarded the “Best house in sports” trophy. The function commenced with the lighting of the lamp by Air Commodore R.K. Srivastava, AOC, 3 BRD, and chairman of the School Management Committee. After the march past, the chief guest declared the sports meet open.

Saupins’ annual sports day
Chandigarh, December 24
Students from Class 1 to VIII participated in numerous track and field events during the annual sports meet of St Saupin’s School, Mohali, at Sector 46 Stadium, here, yesterday. Mr Pargat Singh, Director, Sports Punjab was the chief guest on the occasion.