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Young life snuffed out on road
Chandigarh, January 15 The mishap occurred at around 3.15 pm when Richa was coming to Chandigarh from Panchkula on her Honda Activa scooter (CH03-Z-5866). A speeding truck number RJ-34-G-0471 also coming from Panchkula hit her from the rear due to which her scooter lost balance making her fall on the road. The speeding truck then ran over her leg and part of her head giving her severe injuries. The traffic lights were green at the time of accident and there was heavy vehicular rush at the light point. The girl was then rushed to GMCH, Sector 32, where the doctors declared her brought dead. A resident of Sector 22-B, the victim is survived by her parents and a younger sister and brother. Her father Inderpal Sikka runs a shop in Sector 7. The first child of the family, Richa, was very intelligent in her studies throughout and the parents were looking for a groom for her marriage. A pall of gloom descended the victim’s house number 1876 in Sector 22 where families and friends were shell-shocked at the spate of events which led to the death of their daughter. The driver of the truck fled from the spot leaving the truck, which was then impounded by the police. A case of rash and negligent driving against the accused has been registered in Mani Majra police station.
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GMCH-32 gets nod for rehab dept
Chandigarh, January 15 Over five years after the proposal for setting up the state-of-the-art department of physical medicine and rehabilitation was first mooted, the GMCH is set to get the department with the administration today approving it. The setting up of the department will go a long way in restoring the patients to fullest possible level of physical, mental, social and economic independence, the GMCH director-principal, Dr Raj Bahadur, said here. In fact, the department will bring various specialists together so that the main aim of restoring the patient to his highest level of daily function and improve his quality of life could be achieved. Currently, these rehabilitation services are being provided in an incoherent manner by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, physicians and orthopaedic surgeons. At the initiative of Dr RK Srivastava, director-general health services (DGHS), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently okayed four such departments at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer), Puducherry, Lady Hardinge Hospital, New Delhi, King George Medical Centre, Lucknow, besides the GMCH. Sources said due to the efforts of the Chandigarh Administration, the ministry had agreed to provide financial support to procure equipment and provide salary to the faculty and staff till the GMCH was able to create its own posts. The proposal to set up the department was first mooted in 2003 and the Health Ministry reportedly sanctioned an amount of Rs 21 lakh for this purpose. However, in the wake of the absence of any follow-up action, the proposal failed to take off.
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Underpasses
Chandigarh, January 15 Conceived to ease traffic congestion, the project earlier invited public attention for the visit some top UT officials paid to Brussels to study the underpasses model adopted by the country. Upon return, the three-member committee comprising S.K Sandhu, finance secretary, V.K. Bhardwaj, chief engineer and Sunita Monga, chief architect, argued for replication of various features of the multi-model concept of Brussels. Recently, however, the underpasses project was handed over to the CHB, with superintending engineer GS Rosha being made in charge. Last week, Rosha and his team toured Delhi to study the Delhi Tourism Development Corporation’s underpass model near Moolchand. “We have, however, decided to implement our own model. We have already prepared EOIs which we are ready to call,” CHB sources confirmed to The Tribune. The UT administration has decided to do away with the old BOT construction model which involved building, operating and transferring the project back to the UT Administration.
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Charges framed against SI
Chandigarh, December 15 Narinder was booked by the police following the death of a resident of Colony Number 4, Anil Kumar, who had died under mysterious circumstances at the police station, Manimajra. The accused was posted in the police station.
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Om Puri keen to buy property in Mohali
Mohali, January 15 “I have been looking for place to buy here for some time. I was told of this place by a local family friend who has brought me here today. I have yet to make a final decision,” said the star adding that he would be visiting other colonies also. Om Puri took a round of the area and inquired about other details. On an unannounced trip, Om Puri took the sale office staff of the company by surprise. Puri had taken time off from the shooting of the Vipul Shah film. The other stars of the film, including Katrina Kaif, Akshay Kumar and Neha Dhupia are also in town for the shoot. “Om Puri is playing the role of a Sikh man named Rangeela. He is also busy with a Hollywood film Charlie Wilson War which is expected to release soon. He is playing Zia-ul-Haque in the film,” said friends close to the actor. Om Puri’s Punjabi film “Yaariyaan” is also releasing on January 21. “He is playing an NRI settled in Canada. The film also has Gurdas Mann, Bhumika Chawla and Gulshan Grover,” said friends.
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Chandigarh lucky for me: Akshay
Chandigarh, January 15 With three of his movies, “Namastey London”, “Hey Baby” and “Bhool Bhulaiya”, hitting the jackpot last year and this year’s “Welcome”, too, topping the charts, he ardently hopes to repeat the success string this year too. “Last time I came to Chandigarh for the shooting of ‘Namastey London’ and the film was a success. The city is perhaps lucky for me,” beams Akshay Kumar as he talks to The Tribune off the sets during the shooting of “Singh is Kinng”. Flaunting a blue turban, a multi-coloured bright kurta and a white salwar, wearing a Punjabi jutti for the shot, the actor seemed to be enjoying every moment of his Sikh look in the movie, and he speaks fluent Punjabi too. “The script demands this get up and I am living up to it,” he says. His movie, costarring Neha Dhupia and Katrina Kaif, has generated enough curiosity, but the actor prefers to remain silent when asked about the theme. “That will leak out the secret, wait for August for the film’s release,” he says, adding that they will be shooting here for a day more. So, has our action hero, who has always been known for his great stunts, shifted to the comedy arena altogether? “No, not at all,” he says. “Its not comedy, its entertainment,” he asserts. “The movies I have done cannot be called complete comedy ones. These are a blend of emotion, drama and deal with the day-to-day problems of life.” His fans will get to see a lot of action from him this year and of course comedy too, he adds. Immensely bowled over by Chandigarh’s planning and infrastructure, Akshay calls it the best city in the country. “The city beautiful has indeed lived up to its name,” he says. “Its good to see so many rules and regulations being adhered to. The people wear helmets, there is so much cleanliness and there are interesting campaigns like smoke-free to go by,” he says, adding that he visited Rose Garden during his stay here. His coming projects, “Chandni Chowk to China”, “Tashan” and “Singh is Kinng” will be released this year, he says. An altogether different venture by Akshay will also be seen in a movie titled “8 by 10” being directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. “The name itself sounds interesting and the script struck me for it’s very different from the usual stuff. The role will satisfy all those fans, who have been yearning to see me in a unique role,” he says. The movie will be a psychological thriller. Its been 18 years into the film industry for this actor who has made it the tough way. With no film background, the going was definitely not easy and Akshay attributes it to his fans, who have always been honest and stayed with him always. “All these years have been fruitful and I owe it to them. There have been trying times, but that’s the only way to success” he adds. A doting father to a five-year-old, its Tom of “Tom and Jerry” that is his son’s favourite actor, he says in a lighter mood. “I do take time out for him,” he signs off.
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Army Day commemorated in Chandimandir
Chandigarh, January 15 A large number of officers, JCOs and other ranks were present at the ceremony. A ceremonial guard reversed arms as a mark of respect to fallen soldiers, while buglers sounded the Last Post. Every year, January 15 is commemorated as Army Day. It was on this day in 1949 that Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Gen Roy Bucher. The Indian Army has passed through another eventful year and has stepped into 2008 with a vow to successfully execute any assignment entrusted to it, be it on the borders, in counter insurgency, natural calamities or abroad in support of UN missions, according to a statement issued here today. On this day, the Army has re-dedicated itself to be a part of the 'War Winning Team' with resolve to attain a resounding victory against any odds.
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NRI ready to provide quality mid-day meals
Chandigarh, January 15 Kohli said the government had been spending Rs 2 per student to provide mid-day meals. However, the quality of the meal being provided by the government was so poor that students at most of the places ate it reluctantly“I am prepared to provide fresh meal at Rs 2 per student in Punjab”, he said. “I will set up a centralised kitchen near Mohali and will supply hot meals in vehicles to nearby schools”, he said. “I plan to start the project within two or three months”, he added. And steadily the entire Punjab would be covered. He said he wanted to serve students in one way or the other. “If there are any losses, I am prepared to bear these”, he added. Kohli said he had many proposals up his sleeve. “I am also planning to set up a flying academy in Punjab where Dalit students will be given training in flying at highly subsidised rates. From other students, charges will be minimal”, he added. At one time, Punjab had been providing best pilots to various airlines but now that was not the case, he said.
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Punjab sends its panel for CITCO MD’s post
Chandigarh, January 15 The Punjab government panel consists of Rakesh Kumar Verma, a 1993 batch IAS officer and former deputy commissioner Patiala. He is currently director, information technology Punjab. The other two names are of Ramesh Kumar Ganta, a 1993 batch IAS officer and S.K. Sharma, a 2000 batch IAS officer and former municipal commissioner Ludhiana. Sharma is the brother of former Patiala mayor Vishnu Sharma. UT home secretary Krishna Mohan today confirmed to The Tribune that the panel had been received. It had in fact been called in November last. It may be mentioned here that Punjab had earlier too sought Bir’s repatriation to parent cadre on grounds that his services were needed in Punjab. But UT administration had decided to retain Bir till the time his deputation with UT ended.
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BSP celebrates Mayawati’s birthday
Chandigarh, January 15 Addressing party members at Labour Chowk, Gopal Shukla, local secretary of the BSP, said, “We decided to celebrate the birthday of Mayawati with poor people, as the party is for the poor. An old woman has been chosen to cut the cake”. M.C. Suman, president, BSP, Chandigarh unit, councillor Ram Sumer Mourya, Anoop Dubey, other office-bearers and representatives of Purvanchal Welfare Association, UP Bihar Ekta Manch, Uttar Pradesh Bihar Kalyan Samiti, Bharatiya Yadav Samaj and the Chandigarh Labour Welfare association were also present. Later in the day, at his home, Harmohan Dhawan also cut a cake in the presence of 1,500 party workers. He also said that a membership campaign would begin from January 21 to induct new workers. The campaign would last for three months and the party workers will also be issued photo identity cards. “The target is to induct 25,000 workers,” he stated.
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Mayor launches cleanliness campaign
Chandigarh, January 15 The aim of the campaign is to bring sanitation facilities in the villages and colonies on par with the city sectors. R. K. Rao, municipal commissioner, T.P.S. Phoolka, joint CMC-I, Anju Beniwala, senior deputy mayor, Harphool Chander Kalyan, deputy mayor, area councillor Vijay Singh Rana, Manjit Singh Chohan, Dr A. P. Sanwaria, councillors, chief engineer S. K. Bansal, S.R. Aggarwal, S.E. Public Health, Yogesh Gupta, S.E. Roads and other officials of the municipal corporation were present on the occasion. A rally of students of various schools was also flagged off by the mayor. The students were holding banners displaying various slogans like “keep your city neat and clean”, “save water”, etc. JCB machines, malba trucks, mechanical sweeping machines, etc. were put in operation to clean the area. While briefing the gathering, the mayor said for maintenance and sanitation, the municipal corporation will organise zonewise seminars and awareness camps with the help of ward committees and area councillors in future. He said that NGOs, trader associations, resident welfare associations, teachers and students of schools and local residents should come forward to participate in this campaign.
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Traders block road in protest
Chandigarh, January 15 There was chaos when the MC officials forcibly tried to lift the dry sand used for construction purposes, stored by construction traders, operating from the market, in the open area opposite to their shops. The market members blocked the road by getting hold of the vehicles of MC, engaged in removing their construction material, and parked them to block the road. Later, police personnel appeared on the scene and forcibly removed the vehicles. The Sector 45 traders raised slogans against the MC for their high-handed attitude. They claimed that they had been keeping the construction material like that only for quite a long time and the MC officials often asked for “their pie” for letting them store the material there. The traders also alleged that the officials threatened them with dire consequences if they raised their voice against them. The corporation officials said since the land belonged to the MC, any dumping of material in the area was illegal and hence should be removed. “Lalit Kumar, sub- inspector, MC, said, “We received orders from the higher authorities to remove the material which is stored illegally. They have no right to store the material over this area. Moreover, we are removing the material under the cleanliness drive undertaken by the MC”.
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Diabetics beware of deadly pneumococcal infection
With adult immunisation programme (AIP) in the world in general and India in particular virtually absent, pneumococcal bacteria has emerged as the leading killer in the world. In fact, pneumococcal infections are preventable with the help of pneumococcal vaccine. Prof S.K. Jindal, head of the department of pulmonary medicine of the PGI, here says that vaccination could go a long way in reducing the mortality rate among the high-risk population.The vaccine cost is not much as it is available at about Rs 1,000 per dose. Doctors say streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community acquired pneumonias (CAP). According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over five lakh CAP cases occur in the USA every year. Of which, streptococcus pneumoniae account for 25-35 per cent cases require hospitalisation. Pneumococcal infections cause an estimated 40,000 deaths annually in the USA alone. What is worrying is the fact that there is no comparable data in India where advanced medicare is yet to reach millions of patients. Despite many advances in modern medicine, thousands of persons die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines in India. Pneumococcal diseases among adults and elderly can be prevented with the administration of the appropriate pneumococcal vaccine. Vaccines are not only cost-effective but also an efficient intervention to reduce the impact of many infectious diseases. Among the high-risk groups are elderly persons and those having chronic illness such as lung, heart, liver and kidney diseases. If you have diabetes and a weak immune system due to cancer, leukemia and HIV, you are more prone to the infections, the doctors say.
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Master Teacher award for Dr Chugh
Chandigarh, January 15 The award was presented during the convocation of the Indian College of Physicians in recognition of Dr Chugh’s “excellent teaching skills” during the past four decades. “I’ve been participating in the API meetings for the past four decades and have been lecturing and teaching in the CME and update sessions for the postgraduates in medicine and
allied specialities,” said Dr Chugh. Dr Chugh is a Council Member of the International Society of Nephrology and Member, ISN Commission on Global Advancement of Nephrology. He is also the
recipient of numerous national and international awards, including the Padma
Shree.
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Helping children with heart ailments
Mohali, January 15 She said her son was very weak as he was born premature. However, it was only when he had fever and was taken to the General Hospital in Sector 16 and the PGI, Chandigarh, that doctors detected a hole in his heart. The hospital also carried out a cardiac surgery on one-and-a-half-year old Arun from Bapu Dham colony, Chandigarh. His mother Kamlesh said her son was down with pneumonia when he was 15 days old. PGI doctors had detected a hole in his heart and he was put on various medicines, but the desired result was not achieved. His surgery was conducted on November 6 and the family paid Rs 30,000 for it, apart from arranging three bottles of blood. Her son is feeling better now. The hospital has also performed 14 cardiac surgeries on children from poor families with the help of surgeons from Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore, at very low costs. Some of the children had come to the hospital today, along with their parents, for follow up medical check-ups. Dr Shivpreet Singh Samra, managing director of the hospital, said at a press conference that out of the 14 children two brothers from Ferozepur were operated upon totally free. He said it was possible as the hospital received donations from generous people.
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Traders launch website
Chandigarh, January 15 To face the challenge, it launched its official website www.cbmonline.co.in. yesterday to come on a single platform, mandal president Charanjiv Singh said. This coupled with the enrolment of new members would go a long way in strengthening the traders’ body, he claimed. The mandal at a meeting felicitated 26 newlyenrolled members. Diwakar Sahoonja, general secretary-cum-convener of the website development committee, said that the website would give the history of the mandal and current events. Important information on membership application forms and rules and important links related would be an integral part of the website. The website would be be upgraded later for online sale/ purchase and information on jobs.
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Consumer Courts Oriental Insurance to pay Rs 73,000 Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 15 The petitioner, Jaspal Singh, stated that he purchased a Fiat Palio in January 2006. The car was insured by the Oriental Insurance Company. He alleged that he was not provided with the terms and conditions by the insurance firm till the filing of the complaint. Jaspal pointed out that on his way back from Rajpura to his home late in the night, something hit his car in April 2006. Jaspal said his son stopped the car to see if the engine oil was leaking. As there was no leakage, he continued to drive. He stated that after driving for 4 km, he stopped at a petrol pump in Sector 28. Thereafter, he parked the car there and the next day towed away the car to the workshop. After the repairs, the bill was estimated at Rs 73,000. Jaspal informed the insurance firm about it but the claim was not honoured. The insurance firm stated that the petitioner did not follow the conditions as per the policy of the firm, thus the claim was repudiated. The firm added that the petitioner continued to drive the vehicle though the engine was damaged. The forum headed by L.R. Roojam said, “We are of the view that the insurance firm wrongly relied upon its surveyor’s report, rejecting the legitimate claim of the complainant.”
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Letters
This is in reference to N.K. Singh’s article ‘TV channels opt for the trivial’ in which he rightly points out that in a rat race for rising TRPs, electronic media has lost the real essence of the news. Now while watching news one feels that he is watching a sensational serial. The real news has become a reel drama. The press is regarded as the Fourth Estate. It plays an important role in proper functioning of the democracy by forming public opinion. Thus electronic media should stop treating news as a source of entertainment and should focus on real concerns and issues related to the common man. Megha Garg, Chandigarh Readers are invited to write to us. Send your mail, in not more than 200 words, at news@tribuneindia.com or, write in, at: Letters, Chandigarh Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh – 160 030
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handigarh, January 15