Punjabi play wins applause at Uttarakhand fest
Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 1
Satish Kumar Verma’s social satire ‘Daairey’, directed by Patiala-based theatre duo Pran Sabharwal and Sunita Sabharwal and sponsored by the NZCC, Patiala, featured during the five-day Uttarakhand World Theatre Day Festival-2008 that concluded recently at Dehra Dun.

It was for the first time that a Punjabi play was introduced in the Uttarakhand fest. The play won applause from local audience and theatre activists of the region.

Lauding the play, director of culture, Uttarakhand, and chief guest Subardhan described “Daairey” as a symbol of unity between the cultures of Punjab and Uttarakhand. He added that such performances were instrumental in promoting language understanding, emotional integration and theatre exchange ventures.

He said he would like the play to be presented in all districts of the state. Overwhelmed by the artistes’ dedication and excellence, the chief guest conferred the World Theatre Day Festival-8 Award of honour, a shawl, bouquets and gifts on the Sabharwal duo. Apart from that, the NTAS artistes were felicitated at a special seminar on “The Electronic Media & Theatre” organised separately by the union department of culture and Rashtriya Jan Hit Sansthan, Dehra Dun. Staging of ‘Daairey’ was also arranged at Rurkee (Hardwar) and Amphy Theatre during Indian handicrafts fair at Parade Grounds, Dehra Dun.

Roads being upgraded under centre scheme: MP
Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 1
The Government of India is upgrading various roads under the Bharat Nirman Scheme with a view to provide better facilities to the rural population and uplift their way of living.

This was stated by Patiala MP Preneet Kaur here today. She said, “Under this scheme, 75.85 km of roads falling in assembly constituencies of Shutrana (27.70 km), Nabha (15.73 km), Ghanur (28.85 km) and Patiala (3.57 km) at a cost of Rs 34.04 crore had been approved during 2006-07 (phase VI).” More than 90 per cent of the work had been completed and the remaining work would be completed by April this year, she added.

“Similarly, in 2007-08 (phase VII), four more roads, having a length of 34.37 km, have been recommended for upgradation at a cost of Rs 17.50 crore. These roads fall in Banur, Ghanaur and Samana constituencies,” she stated. Efforts were also being made to get 11 more roads falling in Banur, Nabha, Dakala and Patiala constituencies approved from the central government, she added.

Strengthen party’s base in Banur: MLA
Tribune News Service

Lalru, April 1
Kharar MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu today asked Congress party workers not to tolerate any atrocities at the hands of the ruling party. Sidhu was addressing a large gathering of party workers here.

Sidhu said workers of the party needed to be united and work towards strengthening the party’s base in Banur. “Already, Congress is gaining ground in Banur and we need to consolidate our efforts,” Sidhu said.

Lashing out at the Akali regime, Sidhu said the government started its innings with vendetta politics and would have to pay for this in terms of votes. He was confident of the fact that the Congress would win in the panchayat and municipal elections.

14-year-old boy commits suicide
Our Correspondent

Ambala, April 1
Amrit (14), a Class-VI student of Government School, Ambala City, on Tuesday committed suicide as he failed to clear his examinations. Amrit was in a tensed mood since Monday when the result was declared.

He hanged himself with a rope in kitchen when his parents were not at home. When his parents came back, they found him hanging with a window. They immediately informed their neighbour, who informed the police. The police reached the spot and sent the body to the local civil hospital for postmortem. A case has been registered and investigation is on.

SPORTS

Rahul bags golf title
Donald Banerjee

Chandigarh, April 1
Rahul Bakshi fired five birdies to return a four-under par 68 to clinch the title in the main event of the Captain’s Day on the par-72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club here yesterday. Abhijit Chadha could muster a three over par 75 to finish second.

In the main ladies event, Pauline J.M. Singh played a par 72 card to clinch the title with S. Ratia finishing five strokes behind.

Wife of Milkha Singh clinched the title in the nine-hole ladies’ contest in the above 60 category. The above 65-year title in the men’s section was won by Capt Bhagat Singh who played a nett 25 score in nine holes.

At a special prize distribution ceremony, the Independence Day Cup, 2007, was presented to G.S. Kochhar and Arvind Bajaj. The runner-up prize was given to P.S. Egan and Anish Gupta.

Results: Main event Captain’s Day. Gross category: Rahul Bakshi 68, Abhijit Chadha 75. Gents nett category (above 65 years) nine holes: Capt Bhagat Singh 25, J.S. Khara 25. Ladies net category (nine holes): Pauline J.M. Singh 72, S. Ratia 77. Ladies nett category (above 60 years) nine holes: Wife of Milkha Singh 28, Kiran B.M. Singh 28.

Longest drive (below 50 years): H.S. Kang, (50-65 years) S.S. Waraich, (65-75 years) Brig H.S. Nanda, (70-75 years) Gp Capt M.S. Sihota, (75-80 years) K.K. Batta, (above 80 years) Lt Col P.S. Grewal, (Ladies above 60 years) Binny Bath.

Nearest to pin (at 14th green common to all): Below 50 years, Mani Chander; 50-65 years, Dr G.S. Kochhar; 65 years and above, Col H.S. Hanjra. Bunker competiton (common to all): Abhjijit Chadha 2 ft.

Tennis Meet: Yuki beats McGahon in straight sets
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 1
Yuki Bhambri outshone John McGahon of Ireland in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in a first-round match of the $ 10,000 India F5 Futures ITF Men's Circuit tournament. The meet is underway at the CLTA Stadium in Sector 10 here.

Top seed and Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna beat local hero Vijayant Malik, a trainee of Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, 6-3, 6-4.

Results: (Ist round): 1 Rohan Bopanna (Ind) bt WC Vijayant Malik (Ind) 6-3, 6-4; P Siriluethaiwattana (Tha) bt Q-Navdeep Singh (Ind) 6-2, 6-3; Nathal Thompson (USA) bt Katsushi Fukuda (Jpn) 6-1, 6-3; Divij Sharan (India) bt 4-Ashutosh Singh (Ind) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (5); Q-Virali-Murugesan (Ind) bt Purav Raja (Ind) 7-6 (4), 6-2. LL-Ye Du (China) bt Q-Murali MIthun (Ind) 7-5, 7-5; WC-Yuki Bhambri (Ind) John McGahon (Irl) 6-3, 6-4; 5-Yu Jr Wang (China) bt Rohan Gajjar (Ind) 6-2, 6-3; Andrey Kumantsov (Rus) bt LL-Christoph Lessiak (Aut) 7-6 (8), 7-6 (5); WC-Harsh Mankad (Ind) bt Q-Ciaran Moore (RSA) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3; 7-Kento Takeuchi (Jpn) bt Q-Rupesh Roy (Ind) 6-1, 6-1; Vivek Shoken (Ind) Ji Shi (Chn) 6-3, 6-4.

Mohali academy register win
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 1
Mohali Cricket Academy snatched an exciting two-wicket victory over CCA-Guru Nanak Public School Academy of Sector 36 in a Pool B fixture of the Chandigarh Under-13 Inter-Academy 30 overs cricket tournament. The tournament is being organised by Desh Prem Azad Cricket Academy at St Stephen’s School ground in Sector 45 here.

MCA won the toss but elected to field. CCA-GNPSA-36 posted 156 for 9 in allotted 30 overs. In reply, MCA achieved their target off the last ball. They made 158 for 8.

Brief Score:

CCA-GNPS Academy-36: 156 for 9 in 30 overs (Arpit Singh 70 ot out, 13x4s, 1x6, Yash Kapil 26 (3x4s), Shivam Bhambri 19, Jassinder 2 for 31, Arunam 2 for 24).

Mohali Cricket Academy: 158 for 8 in 30 overs (Raman 43, 5x4s, Tejas 31, 6x4s, Sarthak Grover 26, 2x4s, Sehaj 15, Harshit 5 for 28, Akshay 2 for 30).

HEALTH

Pistachios good for your heart, blood pressure
Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

Why pistachios? Ideal combination of fat, fibre and anti-oxidants Lowers blood cholesterol and heart attack risk Contain potassium which lowers BP Easily available in convenient packs

Chandigarh, April 1
Potential heart patients should take heart. Contrary to popular perception, a moderate quantity of pistachios is effective in preventing heart attack, blood pressure and stroke, nutrition experts say.

“Indians have a long history of enjoying pistachios, which are a smart snack choice.Pistachios are not only delicious and fun to eat, they are all natural and contain an ideal combination of fat, fiber and antioxidants," according to nutrition and obesity consultant Naini Setalvad

In fact, research also shows that a diet incorporating a moderate amount of healthful mono-unsaturated fat, like the kind found in pistachios, is more effective in preventing heart disease than simply reducing overall fat intake.

The human body needs fat to function. The fat in pistachios is “good” unsaturated fat. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, pistachios can help lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease when replacing foods containing saturated fat in the diet such as baked goods and full fat dairy products, Setalvad claims.

Besides, pistachios offer one of the highest levels of cholesterol-busting phytosterols among snack nuts and are a good source of fiber, both of which reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the diet. Among snack nuts, pistachios are one of the highest in polyphenols, antioxidants with potential heart health benefits.

Pistachios contain potassium, which everyone needs. Diets lacking in potassium may lead to increased blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

With only about three calories each, pistachios are the most nutrient dense nuts and should be enjoyed as a daily snack by adults and children, a representative of the Paramount Farms, a grower and processor of pistachios, says.

CRIME

Gold jewellery stolen from house
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 1
Ishwar Chand, a resident of Subhash Nagar, Mani Majra, reported to the police that gold jewellery was stolen from his house here this morning. According to information, the owner of the house found the locks of his house broken after he returned home from a wedding. A case under has been registered at the police station, Mani Majra.

Woman duped

A 75-year-old woman was duped of her jewellery by a youth while she was on her way to a gurdwara in Sector 39. The youth allegedly offered to drop the woman at the gurdwara. On the way, the youth asked her to tie her gold chain and earrings in a piece of cloth and hand it to him. The youth slipped away with the ornaments. A case has been registered at the police station-39.

Vehicles stolen

Amrinder Singh, a resident of Sector 51, lodged a compliant alleging that his motor cycle was stolen from outside his residence yesterday.

A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered at the police station-34.

Sunita Srivastva of Panjab University reported to the police that her scooter (CH 01 S 9382) was stolen from physics department yesterday. Also, Tarsem Kaur, a student of Panjab University, lodged a complaint alleging that her scooter (CH 01 P 4378) was stolen from the department of microbiology yesterday. Two cases have been registered at the police station-11. Santosh Devi, a resident of Sector 41, reported to the police that her scooter (CH 04 B 3412) was stolen from outside her residence yesterday. A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered at the police station-39.

Liquor seized

The Chandigarh crime branch has arrested Krishan Lal, a resident of Ludhiana, and Anil Kumar of Hoshiarpur, near transport chowk while they were ferrying 300 boxes of liquor being in a truck (HR 38 E-1125). A case has been registered at the police station-Sector 26.

Car vandalised

Mohinder Singh, a resident of Sector 27, reported to the police alleging that some miscreants smashed a windowpane of his car, parked outside his house, around 2 am.

CULTURE

A slice of Oriya culture
S.D. Sharma

Chandigarh, April 1
Living far away from their domicile the otherwise culturally starved Oriya community was treated to a treat of the Oriya folk and classical music and dances by the accomplished artists from Orissa who presented a slice of their regional culture under the direction of Dr Nirajan Mohanty from Khorda (Orissa), which marked the Utkal Divas celebrations at the Lord Jaganatha Temple complex, here today.

The much awaited annual event organised since 1994 under the aegis of the local Utkal Sanskrutik Sangh commenced today with an invocatory Manglacharan by the noted choreographer Dr Manoj Kumar Behara.

Over 10 Odissi classical danseuses from the Sanskar Indian School of Culture Philosophy brought alive the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu in Jaidev's Dasasavatar, which enraptured the crowd. However, the 'Abhinya' piece enacted through dance by them depicted the distressed devotees seeking his blessings. The troupe also displayed their perfection of agile footwork, stage movements and body gestures while doling out the traditional folk dance of Orissa.

Ratna Mann, Savita, Devatma, Dipti Shobaand Gian Shanker were in the lead. The local artists who made their presence felt with immaculate dance performances included Somya, Gautam, Rashmi, Swati, Ripsa, Pallavi Shruti and Vandna.

Earlier, the Sangh president Dr Digambar Behara welcomed the chief guest Des Raj Gupta who honoured the artists.