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NEIGHBOURHOOD

Keep SEZs away from fertile land, says HJC leader
Our Correspondent

Ambala, January 20
Addressing a press conference here today, former vice-chancellor of Hisar Agriculture University and senior leader of Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) Sarwananand Araya said his party was not against setting up SEZs in the state, but fertile lands should not be acquired for the purpose.

Araya said HJC would not join hands with any political party during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections and would contest all the 10 seats in Haryana. He said that power, corruption and unemployment are the major issue in the state and his party would fight against them.

Araya added that by the end of this month a list of senior functionaries of the party would be released and within two months the organisation set up, till the block level, would be finalised. He informed that Kuldeep Bishnoi would finalise the list of office bearers.

In addition, Araya said his party would a release a white paper on unemployment and fight against fewer opportunities for Haryana's youth in the IT sectors.

Senior leaders of the party including Tilak Raj Taneja and Bhoom Singh Rana were also present on the occasion.

We are very much in politics: Preneet Kaur
Tribune News Service

Dera Bassi, January 20
Member of Parliament from Patiala Preneet Kaur said she and her husband former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh were very much in the politics of the state.

She was talking to the mediapersons after inaugurating a school here today.

“Lying low is also a part of the political strategy,” she revealed adding that her family had chosen not to hold any position in the party for the time being. She, however, admitted that she was not taken into confidence when the office-bearers of the block congress were reshuffled here.

Condemning the change in the mode of the panchayat elections, Preneet Kaur said the move harmed the democratic system of elections. Recalling the Patiala experience, she said she had little hope that the Akali government in the state would allow a free and fair municipal elections in the state.

When asked if her family was maintaining a “red diary” that listed the officers who had troubled them following a change of guard in the state, Preneet Kaur quipped, “There is no need to maintain a diary. Their names are on my tips,” she said.

The ex-chief minister’s said the government was focused on vendetta as a result of which no development activities were taking place in the state.

Pensioners’ body demands FIR in theft case
Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 20
In a meeting held under the presidentship of Harbans Singh Sodhi here today, Punjab Pensioners Welfare Association discussed many resolutions and subsequently passed them unanimously.

During the meeting, ‘nefarious acts done by the Association’s disgruntled members, who had made amendments without the information of president and without approval of the general house,’ were condemned.

The previous election process was declared as void and unconstitutional, as it was done before expiry of the fixed date and that too without circulating the voters’ lists in advance, which was mandatory.

Adhoc appointments of office-bearers notified by president were approved. The theft of records from office of the Association at mini-secretariat building was also condemned, but the district administration’s prompt action on the complaint was appreciated.

The Pensioners Association has demanded lodging of an FIR against all the culprits involved in the theft.

The meeting was also addressed by Ram Asra, general secretary, and members donated money to those pensioners who are undergoing a financial crunch due to freezing of bank account of the Association.

GSMCH to open centre at Zirakpur
Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 20
Continuing with its endeavour of providing quality healthcare services to people in rural areas, the Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital (GSMCH) has decided to set up its first polyclinic and sample collection centre at Zirakpur on January 22.

Announcing this here today, Dr A. S. Sekhon, dean of Gian Sagar colleges and principal of GSMCH, said the polyclinic and pathological laboratory would test samples for departments of medicine, paediatrics and gynaecology. Subsequently, other specialities would be added. He said the lab would function six days a week and would be closed on Sunday. Reports of clinical tests would be made available to patients at Zirakpur only. Only samples for advanced tests would be sent to GSMCH for examination and these results would also be available to patients at the Zirakpur polyclinic. He added that charges of the tests would be very low as compared to prevailing market rates.

Dr Sekhon said since there was no organised sector to provide medical and health services in Zirakpur area, the group had taken lead in this direction. He added thatserious patients would be shifted to GSMCH for specialised medical treatment. He informed that similar polyclinics and sample collection centres would shortly be opened at Chandigarh and Rajpura also.

Poor Roads
Residents want a probe
Our correspondent

Ambala, January 20
Residents of Sector 9, Ambala city, expressed great concern over the pitiable condition of roads here yesterday. They said the matter would also be brought to the notice of Chief Minister of Haryana.

Residents said most of the inner roads of the sector are damaged at various places and one cannot cross them safely. Some of them are filled with sewerage water, which can be injurious to health. Roads built only a few months ago are also in a deplorable condition.

Residents have demanded that the state government should order a probe into the matter, as they allege that substandard material was used for construction.

Workshop on effective teaching skills
Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 20
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab, organised a one-day workshop on “Learning effective teaching skills” on its campus, here today. Professor N. L. Mitra, former vice- chancellor of NLSIU Bangalore and NLU Jodhpur, was the chief resource person- cum- facilitator during the workshop.

Teachers from the field of law and all social sciences from neighboring universities and colleges - having teaching experience of up to five years - had been invited to attend this workshop, which aims at reorienting them for effective classroom teaching as well as interactive learning strategies. Dr Mitra gave valuable tips to those present on the occasion. He laid special emphasis on developing a research-based, career-oriented curriculum for students of law.

The workshop had four sessions - learning effective teaching skills, teaching law to students of five-year integrated degree course, teaching social sciences to students and curriculum planning and development.

A specially compiled study material was also distributed among participants. Academicians from various fields, including law, sociology, political science, economics, history, english and psychology attended the workshop.

Bhasha Bhawan to be named after Giani Lal Singh
Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 20
Punjab cooperation minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh said here yesterday that Bhasha Bhawan of Punjab would be named after eminent scholar Giani Lal Singh and he would personally take up the matter with the Chief Minister.

He was addressing a function here to honour former chief secretary of Punjab Amarjit Singh Pooni for his literary works.

The minister said Giani Lal Singh had contributed immensely towards the promotion of Punjabi language and it would be a tribute to him to name Bhasha Bhawan of the state after him.

Dr S.S. Johal and Surjit Singh Rakhra, both vice-presidents of the trust, welcomed the guest. Former Punjabi University VC H.K. Manmohan Singh, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, director head of Bhasha Bhawan Avtar Singh and Markfed MD G.S. Grewal, former chairman of SSS Board Tejinder Pal Singh Sandhu and PADB chairman Soudagar Singh Moondkhera were also present.

Commission agents laud Badal's announcements
Our Correspondent

Bassi Pathana, January 20
In a resolution passed by Federation of Arhtiya Association today, members lauded the efforts of Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, state president of the Association Ravinder Singh Cheema and MLA Sirhind Didar Singh Bhatti in getting all genuine demands of the Association accepted.

In the release, Rajesh Singla, joint press secretary of the Association, said commission agents are thankful to Badal who announced that the existing system of payment to farmers would continue, procurement agencies would make payment to arhtiyas and they would further make 67% payment through cheques and 33% in cash to farmers, and allotment of two plots to commission agents if he runs two firms from one premises, at the Arhtiya-Kissan rally held at Moga yesterday.

SPORTS

Indian Open Golf
Rahul youngest to clinch title
Judge is am-am overall winner
Donald Banerjee

J.S. Judge who won the overall am-am title at the Chandigarh Golf Club on Sunday.
— Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Chandigarh, January 20
It was Rahul Bakshi all the way. Yes, this 17-year-old Chandigarh boy created a sensation when he steamrolled his senior counterpart from Bangalore Abhishek Jha 8 and 7 to become the youngest golfer to clinch the trophy in the 107th LG All-India Open Amateur Golf Championship that concluded on the par-72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club here today.

It was a dream win for Rahul as this junior player was pitted against top amateurs from nine countries in the world’s oldest national opens.

The 36-hole final became a virtual one-sided affair after 18 holes with the fancied Abhishek failing to get his drives and putts in order.

Rahul had a smile on his face as he kept increasing his lead. Finally, at 8-up and seven holes to go the fancied trophy came his way.

His victory came barely three weeks after his conquest in the Sunfeast All-India Junior Golf Championship.

Riding high on the All-India Amateur triumph, Rahul flew to Malaysia this evening for the Asian Junior team event.

“It is a great feeling to win the national open title. It was a tough tournament as I had to face senior and experienced players,” said an elated Rahul.

“I was surprised by Abhishek’s lack of form. He is a good match player and has more experience,” he added.

Playing under extremely cold conditions, Rahul grabbed the initiative on the second. Abhishek led for the first time when he won the seventh hole with a par. But Rahul evened it on the eighth with a par and went ahead with a par on the ninth as Abhishek bogeyed.

But then Abhishek struck a bright patch sinking a super birdie on the 10th to go 2-up. He increased the lead on the 13th with a par, but as the contest hotted up, Bakshi parred as Abhishek lost strokes in the last five holes to give Bakshi a 4-up lead after the first 18 holes.

Abhishek ended with a bogey as the second half of the match began. Rahul with a par went 5-up. However, on the par-5 20th hole Rahul overshot the green in two.

Abhishek saw his chip landing short, missing a birdie. But he was satisfied with a par as Rahul three-putted from 2 ft to lose the hole.

The Chandigarh golf prodigy continued to hold control of the game scoring pars. On the other hand, Abhishek seemed out of touch. Rahul sank a birdie on the 24th to be 6-up. The lanky Bangalore boy double-bogeyed after hitting the jungle on the 27th. Rahul parred to increase the lead.

Rahul converted a tough placement into a birdie on the 28th to be 8-up. With the two sharing the next hole and seven holes to go, the match finished with an 8 and 7 win for Rahul.

“I think the last two holes in the third nine proved crucial where I won two holes to go 7-up,” said Bakshi.

“My driving was awful and with the cold weather, I was always falling short. There was nothing I could have done to avoid those mistakes as everything was going awry about my game,” added the Bangalore lad.

In the am-am contest, J.S. Judge clinched the overall trophy with Brig K.S. Sandhu finishing runner-up.

The team of T.C. Chopra and S.S. Waraich won the am-am team title and the best gross stableford was clinched by H.S. Kang.

Cricket
Three tons and a tie
Chandigarh, Mohali split points
Tribune News Service

Mohali, January 20
In spite of valiant tons by Gurkirat Singh, Ishan Dogra and Mayank Sidana for their respective teams during the Punjab State Inter-District One Day Tournament for FC Mittal Trophy, the match between arch rivals Mohali and Chandigarh ended in a tie here today.

Both teams scored 323 in the allotted 50 overs in the match played at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Phase 9.

Put in to bat first, Mohali piled up 323 for the loss of 3 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Opener Ishan Dogra slammed 114 off 115 with the help of 14 fours and one six, while Mayank Sidana remained unbeaten on 118 runs in 107 balls.

Both batsmen built a 131-run partnership for the second wicket. Navneet Singh, who chipped in with 55 off 53 balls, shared a 136-run stand with Sidana.

Siddharth Kaul, Rahul Chara and Naresh Gogyan took one wicket each for Chandigarh.

In reply, Gurkirat Singh hit a superb ton (117 off 109) to help his his team break even in a nail-biting finish.

The team needed seven runs in the last over. A no ball by Harmeet Singh, which went for a four, helped the team level the score i.e. 323 for 7 in 50 overs.

Earlier, Gurkirat was well supported by Uday Kaul (76 in 75 balls) and Sumit Dhiman (57 off 48).

Siddharth Kaul was the other notable batsman for his 41-run knock in 29 balls.

Harmeet Singh (3 for 70) was the most successful bowler for Mohali.

Both teams got two points each for the tie.

Brief score: Mohali: 323 for 3 in 50 overs (Ishan Dogra 114, Mayank Sidana 118 n.o., Navneet Singh 55).

Chandigarh: 323 for 7 in 50 overs (Uday Kaul 76 , Sumit Dhiman 57 and Siddharth Kaul 41, Harmeet Singh 3 for 70).

2 badminton coaches for entire city!
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 20
The city that boasts of having state-of-the-art sports infrastructure and facilities has just two badminton coaches to cater to its players.

According to Chandigarh Badminton Association officials, over 200 players are on the association’s registration list. Besides, the number of unregistered players is substantial as the sport is quite popular here. However, there are just two coaches to train them.

As a result, badminton activity at many coaching centres like Home Science College, Sector 10, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, and Panjab University, has come to a virtual halt.

Only a handful of players visit the PU centre, which has produced top-class badminton players in the past.

Up until 2005, SAI coaches Promila (Home Science), Manju Ghai (GMSSS-23) and Surinder Mahajan (PU) were deputed here.

But their transfers left not just the centres but also many budding players in the lurch.

Now, the only state-run badminton centre in Sector 42 is catering to hundreds of players.

The regret is tangible from how players feel. “Two coaches can’t train all players. While senior players can manage practice as well as training schedules on their own, junior players need a coach to train them. In such a situation, it is impossible to produce quality players here,” rues a player on the condition of anonymity.

Dearth of coaches has forced many talented players to leave the game in the middle or shift to other states.

The lack of attention and preparedness has started showing on the performance of players. For the past three years, the PU team has failed to win a single medal in the all-India inter-varsity badminton championships or in the north zone inter-varsity championships. The only solace has come from the winning of runners-up position by city’s senior women and junior boys’ teams in the north zone inter-state championship last year.

Ravi lifts badminton trophy
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 20
Ravi of Haryana beat Kunal Bharia of Maharashtra to lift the trophy in the boys’ under-19 singles category of 53rd National School Games (Badminton) concluded at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 3, today.

M.R. Mani of Tamil Nadu and K. Nand Gopal from Andhra Pardesh secured third and fourth positions, respectively.

In under-14 girls’ singles, Leela Luxmi (Andhra Pradesh) emerged champion, followed by D. Shudha (Andhra Pardesh) and Riya Pillai (Maharashtra).

Other results: under-14 (boys): 1 Rajas (Karnataka), 2 S.K. Khaja (Andhra Pardesh), 3 Kawaldeep (Punjab), 4 Rupinder Singh (Punjab); under-19 (girls): 1 Tulsi (Kerala), 2 Vaishali Bharia (Gujarat), 3 Ankita Ashok (Karnataka), 4 Pallavi Aggerwal (Haryana).

BBMB TT Meet
Chandigarh win team championship
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 20
Hosts Chandigarh won the team championship, while Sundernagar finished runners-up in the BBMB Inter-Unit Table Tennis Tournament held at BBMB Rest House, Sector 35, today.

Players from different BBMB project stations, including Talwara, Nangal, Sundernagar and Chandigarh, participated in the two-day tournament. Sushil Gupta clinched the title in the opens singles category, while Anil Arora and Sushil Gupta took the open doubles title.

The results:

Open singles: 1 Sushil Gupta, 2 Arun Arora

Veteran doubles: 1 Anil Arora and Balbir Singh, 2 S.C. Bhatia and Bhoop Singh.

Lucky doubles: 1 Deepa and Sushil Gupta, 2 Naresh Kumar and Vijay Kumar.

Open doubles: 1 Anil Arora and Sushil Gupta, 2 Vijay Kumar and Rajinder Kumar.

Lucky veteran doubles: 1 Balbir Singh and S.C. Bhatia, 2 Anil Arora and S.C. Verma.

	Punjab lift baseball trophy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 20 Punjab won the first Open Women Baseball Championship beating Haryana 5-0 in the final played at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, today. In the first innings, Punjab scored one run. The team accumulated one run in the second innings and three in the third innings. Haryana’s Lipsa was the pitcher. For Punjab Manjeet was all-rounder, while Sukhwinder was batter. The third place went to Chandigarh. The winners received Rs 3,100 in addition to trophy, medals and certificates. The runners-up got Rs 2,100 in prize money.
	Gujjarwal Sports Jockeys jump to safety as carts collide Our Correspondent Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 20 A large number of sports enthusiasts converged on the sports stadium at Gujjarwal village for witnessing thrilling events on the concluding day of the annual rural sports fair today. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was the chief guest and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, MP, presided over opening session. Sports enthusiasts, who had been converging on the stadium since morning, for witnessing the bullock cart races and kabaddi, were disappointed as the organisers could start the first event only after 2 p.m. There was embarrassing moment for organizers when at least three out of eight bullock carts, during the first two heats on the concluding day, collided with a eucalyptus tree. The jockeys saved their lives by jumping from the running carts. Though kabaddi matches started after the chief guest left the venue, players of the host team were introduced to the Chief Ministry by calling them inside an enclosure. A large number of dignitaries, including social workers and eminent doctors were felicitated. Former SAD minister Jagdish Singh Garcha was also present.
	Anil reigns supreme in judo Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 20 Anil Joura of Panjab University, Chandigarh, occupied the first place in the 90 kg category on the opening day of the All-India Inter-University Judo (Men) Championship held at Gymnasium Hall, PU campus, today. The second place went to Surajveer of Punjabi University, Patiala, while the third place was jointly shared by Anil Kumar of MDU, Rohtak, and Nav Chetan of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. PU vice-chancellor Prof R.C. Sobti was the chief guest at the opening ceremony. Other results: 81 kg: 1 Vikender Singh, 2 Sahil Pathania, 3 Manish Kumar and Chaudhary Prabhakar; 100 kg: 1 Gurjit Singh, 2 Samer, 3 Chetan and Yadav Deepak.
	Hockey trials today Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 20 The Chandigarh Hockey Association will organise trials to select the hockey team at Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, tomorrow. The team will participate in the fourth U-18 Junior National Hockey Championship. The meet is being organised by the Hyderabad Hockey Association from February 8 to 18. The players born on or after January 1, 1990 will be eligible to take part in the trials.