NEIGHBOURHOOD

Teachers to protest rationalisation policy
Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 4
A meeting of the Punjab Government College Teachers’ Association was held today in which representatives participated from all over Punjab. The association decided to protest against the Punjab government’s rationalisation policy, which it termed as unnecessary and unwanted.

General secretary of the association Dr Hardeep Singh Teja disclosed that with the implementation of this policy, most of the posts of government college teachers of various subjects would either be abolished or declared surplus. Teja added that this policy would adversely affect the studies of poor students particularly in the rural areas of Punjab.

The state council also decided to hold rallies and stage dharnas. Teja further said gate rallies would be organised by the local units at college level against this irrational policy and on February 12, a one-period strike would be observed on the college campuses. Students would also participate in this programme. The GCTA district unit members will submit a memorandum to the MLA and MP of their respective areas. Teja also said a memorandum would be submitted to the deputy commissioner on February 12 by the GCTA members of Panjab University and Punjabi University. Later, on March 3, a dharna would be held in front of the office of the DPI (colleges), Punjab, he added. 

Patiala, February 4
Noted Punjabi singer Saber Koti regaled the audience at the Central State Library during a function held by Mehak Cultural Forum here late yesterday night.

Punjabi singer Saber Koti performs during a function held by Mehak Cultural Forum at the Central State Library in Patiala. A Tribune photograph

Koti was at his best as he entertained song requests from a packed house. He mesmerised the audience with some of his hit numbers like “Ranjha ranjha kardi ni main aape ranjha hoe”, “Sahib teri bandi haan, changi haan ya mandi haan”.

Chief parliamentary secretary (revenue) Sukhpal Singh Nanu, who was the chief guest, announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh from his discretionary fund for Mehak Cultural Forum to give a fillip to cultural activities.

Fatehgarh Sahib, February 4
Unsatisfied by the information provided by the local MC and the subsequent disposal of the case put up before the State Information Commission (SIC), Sunder Lal, a local resident, has asked the SIC to reconsider its orders and make available the information required by him.

In a letter sent to the SIC, Sunder Lal stated that he had sought information from the Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib municipal committee regarding some sale deeds. He said the MC provided him with insufficient information.

Following this, he approached the SIC, which, after holding several hearings into the case, disposed of the matter stating that the information sought by the plaintiff had been supplied to the his complete satisfaction.

However, Sunder Lal stated that the commission pronounced the said verdict in his absence and that the information supplied to him by the MC remained incomplete.

He said the day the case was disposed of, he was not able to attend the proceedings as he had gone to Delhi. He said though neither he nor the PIO of the local MC were present during the final proceedings, the commission passed an order in which it stated that both Sunder Lal and PIO of the local MC were present before the SIC.

Lal said though he had informed the SIC regarding his absence well in advance through a written commune, the commission failed to consider this.

Now he had demanded that the commission should reconsider its order and hold fresh hearings into the case so that complete information demanded by him from the MC is provided to him soon.

Chandigarh, February 4
A top of the world feeling has encapsulated this duo from the Panjab University, who have been selected to represent the US baseball team in the Oregon Scientific Phoenix Cup being organised by Hong Kong Baseball Association from February 14 to 18. Ekta Khullar and Pallavi Sharma, will be a part of the US team in the event that will witness eight other countries vying for top honours.

All geared up to represent the North American team, Ekta got in touch with baseball during her college days. She participated in the National Baseball Tournament in 2006 where her team bagged the third position. Ekta appreciates the fact that the Women Baseball Federation of India (WBFI) does not charge a penny from the players. "With the selection of the two girls for an international event, we are trying to give people an alternative to cricket which hogs the limelight over all other sports in India," opines Deepak Joshi, chairman of WBFI.

Talking about favourites, Ekta picks the Korean team due to their enthusiasm and caliber. She gained maximum experience in Japan and feels that international exposure is essential for every player. Attributing her success to her parents and coaches, Ravi and Vishal, Ekta said," I thank my parents, the federation and my coaches without whom I would not have been able to prove myself." And despite being a student of Mass Communication department, she prefers baseball to a career in journalism.

Pallavi Sharma, who hails from Uttarakhand, and is currently pursuing masters in Public Administration at the PU, is a national level baseball player and won a gold medal in the Federation Cup last year. "It's for the first time that I am going to play at an international event. It will be a very good learning experience."

Chandigarh, February 4
Shweta Dutta, who used to play basketball till last year, never dreamt of becoming an international korfball player within a year of switching over to the sport.

After representing India at the World Championship held in the Czech Republic in November last year, Shweta is now preparing for the Asian Championship to be held in June in Andhra Pradesh.

Talking to The Tribune, Shweta said, “It is very exciting to don the national colours. We finished 12th in the World Championship in which 16 countries, including Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Poland and Argentina, participated.”

Shweta, the only player picked up by the selectors who saw her game during the Federation Cup held at Chandigarh last year, took to korfball in early 2007. 
“I took to a liking to the sport after getting inspired by my coach Harmandeep and korfball player Ramandeep,” said Shweta, who had participated in the All-India Inter-Varsity Basketball Championship besides being a part of over 15 National tourneys.

Now, she terms korfball better than basketball. “Undoubtedly, korfball is just like basketball but actually it is more interesting than the former,” said Shweta, who has just completed her graduation.

On the issue of korfball being less popular in the country, Shweta said, “It is not that the game is not popular in the country. In states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, korfball is well liked. We have also improved at the international level as the position secured by us has gone up from 14th in 2003 to 12th in the 2007 World Cup. There is a need to hold more tournaments to popularise the sport here.” 

Mohali, February 4
Harpreet Singh and Harpreet Kaur were declared the best athletes in the men and women category respectively, at the 24th annual sports prize distribution function held at the Government College here today.

Principal of the college Roop Aulakh inaugurated the meet. The chief guest, deputy commissioner H.I.S Grewal, gave away the prizes. He said sports inculcates a spirit of challenge among students and is a very important part of the overall personality development process.

Results:

5000 metres race (Men): 1. Harpreet Singh 2. Varinder Singh, Shot Put (Women): 1. Vandana Teji 2. Harpreet Kaur Shot Put (Men): 1. Harjit Singh 2. Randeep Gill 1500mts race (Men): 1. Harpreet Singh 2. Varinder Singh Long Jump (Men): 1. Davinder Singh 2. Honey Kumar Javelin Throw (Women): 1. Harpreet Kaur 2.Vandana Teji High Jump (Women): 1. Harpreet Kaur 2. Vandana Teji Javelin Throw (Men): 1. Jatinder Singh 2. Gagandeep Long Jump (Women): 1. Harpreet Kaur 2. Rajpreet Kaur 200mts race (Men): 1. Honey Kumar 2. Manjinder Singh 200mts race (Women): 1. Harpreet Kaur 2.Vandana Teji 10,000mts race (Men): 1. Harpeet Singh 2. Varinder Singh 400 mts race (Girls): 1. Vandana Teji 2. Rajpreet Kaur Slow Cycling race (Men): 1. Jatinder Singh 2. Gurdeep Singh Staff race (Men): 1. Prof. R.P. Kaushik 2. Dr.J.S. Sekhon Staff race 
(Women): 1. Prof. Deepa Bajaj 2. Dr.Prabhjot Kaur

Chandigarh, February 4
The Chandigarh Volleyball Association is all set to rebuild the volleyball academy here and provide accommodation to players who had earlier been associated with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The decision comes in the wake of closure of the SAI coaching centre and the Shivalik academy for volleyball. The association is now looking to rebuild the game within the city.

General secretary of the Chandigarh Volleyball Association Vijay Pal Singh said, “ The first and the basic concern for the association is to provide accommodation to players. After closure of the SAI centre, the volleyball academy had to be closed as well. But it’s never too late and we are set to start the academy again. Most probably, the Shivalik academy will again be functional during the coming session.”

Principal of Shivalik Public School D.S. Bedi has already given a green signal for the academy. Moreover, Bedi has offered that the SAI centre can run from the school premises. The association is also trying to get in touch with higher authorities of SAI and accommodate players in Shivalik Public School. Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, is the other option that the association is having in mind for the academy for girls. “We are confident and looking forward to rebuilding the academy and the SAI centre soon,” added Vijay Pal. 

Chandigarh, February 4
The emergence of the region as a medical hub has been attracting specialised health service providers to cater to the needs of large number of patients.

With two medical colleges, scores of multi-specialty hospitals and pharmaceutical industries in the city and neighbouring areas of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, UK-based health and reimbursement services provider Heron Health has now set its foot here.

Paul Howard and Chris Knight, chief executive officers with the company, said they were proud to set up the first knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) at the IT park here.

“Chandigarh has an immense potential as a KPO destination, considering the quality education institutes that provide trained workforce. With city being a medical hub, we chose to launch our Indian operations from the city. This will also be the biggest operational centre of Heron,” they said.

The group helps global pharma majors like Pfizer, GSK secure funds and acceptance for their products by regulators in the USA and across Europe.

Chandigarh has excellent medical institution and universities, feel the two executives.

Howard said the company was a provider of health and reimbursement services.

“We may start a new venture later this year for related products, in a second office to be opened in the city. This will require over 300 additional skilled professional staff in Chandigarh in the coming three years,” he added.

Chandigarh, February 4
A Sector 15-based family today alleged that doctors at the GMSH, Sector 16, declared a newborn dead even when the baby was alive.

However, the hospital authorities have claimed that the baby was in “critical condition” and was under treatment until her death this  afternoon.

Kuldeep, a domestic help with M.P.S. Chawla, a nominated councillor, said his wife was shifted to the GMSH from a private nursing home last evening when she developed complications. The baby was delivered prematurely and her limbs were not fully  developed.

He alleged that the doctors on duty said the baby was dead and the body would be released in the morning. “We were asked to wrap her up in a cloth. However, around midnight, a nurse told us that there was movement in the baby’s body. But nobody bothered to tell us what was being done to save the newborn,” he said.

“I called up the authorities, following which the child was attended to by the doctors,” Chawla claimed. On the other hand, the hospital refuted the allegations. “The baby was in the custody of the hospital and under treatment. If she was dead, the hospital would have sent the body to a mortuary or handed it over to the family,” Dr S.K. Bhandari, joint medical superintendent, said.

Doctors of the paediatric department claimed that it was a premature baby with irregular heartbeat. Several vital parts, including the limbs, were not fully developed, the doctors said, adding that the baby died during treatment.

Chandigarh, February 4
Patients at the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, emergency wing were put through a lot of inconvenience today due to shortage of stretchers and wheelchairs for around an hour.

The patients alleged that there were no wheelchairs and stretchers between 12 noon and 1 pm, putting patients and their attendants through a lot of inconvenience.

As attendants looked for any available mode of ferrying patients, hospital staff were seen carting away medicines on stretchers.

Surinder Kaur, an attendant, alleged that she had to take her relative Kuljit, who had a fracture in the legs, to the ward with the help of other people as there was no wheelchair available.

Meanwhile, official sources said the shortage was momentary as these were taken away for patients. There was no shortage of stretchers and wheelchairs in the hospital, the sources claimed.

Chandigarh, February 4
A resident of Sector 8, Raj Bala complained to the police that her purse was snatched by two youths today. She said the youths quarrelled with the her in the afternoon near DAV School, Sector 8, and ran away after snatching her purse. The purse contained her passbooks, Rs 5,001 and a wristwatch.

Chandigarh, February 4
Family drama may have given her instant recognition, but city-based Star-Plus artiste Ashima Bhalla wants her share of reality shows.

For her, destination is just another starting point. After reaching Tollywood on the wings of panache, she acted her way into Bollywood. Music videos followed her journey. But then she retracted to television for displaying flair before the arc-lights in a family drama.

And now after making it big on the small screen with her “ever-loving” and “charming” role of budding crooner Sudha in Star Plus show “Meri Awaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni”, SD College-32 pass out Ashima is all set to slip into dancing shoes for twirling all the way to glory. Ashima is finally open to the idea of playing her part in telly reality shows like “Nach Baliye” and “Jhalak Dikhla Ja”.

Back with her family in Chandigarh for a brief vacation before flying of to the US for a month-long stay with kinfolk, she says: “I have already received offers for reality shows. But my busy schedule has so far prevented me from stepping on the dance floor,” she asserts.

Ashima says it will be the beginning of a new episode in her life. “I have glided up the ramp of popularity not just in this part of the region, but across the country; have even performed in flicks and serials. And now, I want to do something really realistic and different.”

Well, it seems the reality bug is biting her. But does it mean she has enough of family dramas? “No, not really! Family dramas have their own charm and give you instant recognition even in small towns. In no time people start identifying you by your screen name. But reality shows are so very different. Audiences get to know your real self, rather than the character you portray”.

Flashing a smile, she says: “You see it’s all very natural. The environs, the conditions and the circumstances all work together to bring out the real you. In tight situations and moments of elation, the reactions are yours. The expressions are not borrowed. There are no prompters asking you to deliver scrupulous dialogues. Not even a director to control your movements and emotions. It's just you and the camera…. Nothing else!”

Agreed, reality shows are more real. But are they gradually pushing soap operas out of the television screen? “No, I do not think so. Reality shows are all the rage. No doubt about it. But they can never replace quality serials,” she insists.

The problem with serials, Ashima analyses, is that they all almost always begin on the right note. But somewhere down the line they lose track and become unrealistic.

And instead of being wound up on time, new twists and turns are added to the storyline for dragging the serial further. It not only makes the whole thing appear improbable, but also takes the charm away.

“Reality shows do not encounter such problems. But then their overdose too can make you under par. So, you will always have a blend of both," she declares.

Chandigarh, February 4“
The nature and man seem to have collaborated to create undeniably the most beautiful city called Chandigarh. Not alone the landscapes or immaculate structures, but the warmth and love of the city residents is worthy of special mention,” remarked Bollywood star Sohail Khan with endorsements from actors Nausheed Cyrusi and Vatsal Sheth.

Overwhelmed, they had a brief but lovely interaction with the crowd at Fun Republic which provided a grand finale to the second four-day Chandigarh Film Festival here today.

Credited with 26 films as actor, director and producer, Sohail claimed that his films like Kissan, shot in or around Chandigarh, would have its panoramic locales. My forthcoming film Hero is due for release in May next.

Nausheed Cyrusi of ‘Rafuchakkar’, ‘Lakeer’ and ‘Life Mein Kabhi Kabhi’ and young Vatsal Sheth of Tarzan-the wonder car fame also participated in the celebrations on a small stage not matching with the spirit and status of the function.

The festival covered various aspects of cultural uplift besides focusing on the requisite ingredients, especially technical advancement, to promote cinema of socio-cultural relevance and also analysing the problems ailing the cinema. The deliberations and interactive sessions by expert panels of veteran directors, intellectuals, academicians, actors, dancers and professionals from the field of cinema and classical arts lent a grace to the fest.

The edifying deliberations by renowned film directors Shyam Benegal, Dr M.S. Sathyu, Kamal Nathani, Pammi Somal, film actress Nafisa Ali and Bharatnatyam queen Hema Malini added a charm to the event. Chennai-based master cinematographer Sunny Joseph and creative head of L.V. Prasad Productions shared his valuable experience.

The former Director-General of the ITBP, Gautam Kaul, an authority on world cinema analysis, said City Beautiful had achieved another milestone with the film fest. Tourism director Vivek Atrey complimented all concerned for cooperation as the festival had brought promotion, understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations.