Bassi Pathana, May 26
Hindu organisation Bassi Pathana commemorated anti-terrorist week by organising various activities in the town. In a press release issued here today Manoj Kumar Banda, general secretary of the organisation, said the members of the organisation took the pledge to fight terrorism and to maintain communal harmony at every cost.

He said the organisation condemned the recent blasts in Jaipur and paid tributes to the blast victims. The organisation in a memorandum to the government has demanded that all the cases registered against the police officers and personal, who fought during terrorism, should be withdrawn immediately.

The organisation demanded that Mohammad Afzal should be hanged immediately to send a signal to the terrorists that whosoever would indulge in terrorist activities would meet the same fate. They have urged the government to deport all the Bangladeshi citizens from the country.

Pardeep Rupal, president of the organisation, paidtributes to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, who fell victim to terrorist activities.

Patiala, May 26
The inflation-hit common man is at the receiving end once again with all the three major oil companies forcing the consumer to shell out much more for getting a new LPG connection.

Meanwhile, the oil companies, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BP) and Hindustan Petroleum (HP), which had blocked the release of new LPG connections “unofficially” during the past 10 days, have restored process of issuance of new LPG connections. The three companies had allegedly instructed their dealers not to issue any new LPG connections apparently, in their bid to pressurise the Central government to bow to their demand of withdrawal of subsidies on domestic connections.

The oil companies have affected a whopping hike in the security amount charged for issuance of new LPG connections and the new charges have come into effect from today. If a consumer had to deposit an amount of Rs 850 towards the security charges for getting a new LPG connection till about a fortnight ago, now, the consumer would have to pay Rs 1250. The security amount charged for release of the LPG cylinder regulator has also been enhanced from Rs 100 to Rs 150 per unit with immediate effect.

Interestingly, though, the security amount in respect of issuance of new LPG connections has finally been increased by the oil companies, but, at the same time the commission of dealers or distributors has not witnessed any hike, sources in the industry said. The dealers would have to satisfy themselves by gettin installation charges of Rs 10-20 per new connection or with the commission coming from refill of LPG cylinders (Rs 20 per standard sized domestic cylinder) and sale of peripherals like gas stoves and pipes.

The hike in security amount, it was learnt, was affected to lay off the ‘excessive burden ‘on companies, caused by shifting the onus of payment of subsidies on the domestic LPG to the oil companies by the government about two years ago. The companies which, were made to suffer huge losses as they had to pay a subsidy of about Rs 367 per domestic cylinder, sources revealed, were insisting upon the government time and again to withdraw subsidies. But as the UPA government had refused to bow to pressures, the companies came out with an alternative and hammered out a “solution” at their end by enhancing the security amount.

When contacted, the Punjab unit president of the All-India LPG Distributors’ Federation Harsimrat Kaur confirmed that the new LPG connection security has been increased from Rs 850 to Rs 1250 apart from a hike in security amount of regulator. The Nabha based north India general secretary of the federation Capt Reet Mohinder Singh (retd) said he was not aware about the hike as he was out of the station. “The oil companies had stopped release of new connections about 10 days back,” said Capt Reet Mohinder Singh.

Chandigarh, May 26
Top professional golfers of the country will battle it out for the Rs 30 lakh prize money at stake in the PGTI Players’ Championship, which gets under way tomorrow with the pro-am event on the par-72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club.

The first hot weather tournament will see the likes of Digvijay Singh, Gaurav Ghei, Mukesh Kumar, Arjun Singh, Gaganjeet Bhullar of Kapurthala and Chandigarh’s Harmeet Kahlon and Amandeep Johl teeing off for the biggest prize money tournament ever played in Chandigarh.

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has chosen the greens of Chandigarh for the prestigious tournament of the north zone. The first of four such tournaments, the PGTI plans to have three more such tournaments, one in each season, in the remaining three zones (west, east and south).

Before the start of the main event on May 28, about 90 amateurs of the Chandigarh Golf Club will rub shoulders with the 30 top professionals of the country in the pro-am event.

The Players Championship will be an annual feature on the Chandigarh Golf Club greens.

Other Chandigarh golf pros who can upset the apple cart of any top pro include Harendra Gupta, Randhir Singh Ghotra, Uttam Singh Mundy, Ranjit Singh and Gurbaaz Mann.

Chandigarh Golf Club president D.S. Bains said, “It is an important occasion for the club. The Rs 30 lakh prize money is a big attraction.” He was happy that the PGTI had selected the Chandigarh greens for this prestigious tournament in the North Zone.

He was hopeful that exposure to the top golf professionals would raise the standard of golf competitiveness in the region. He was all praise for the course captain Brig H.S. Bath who had made available a perfect course which was “playing true” in a short time. He also complimented Tournament Committee Chairman Tej Pratap Singh Virk for getting things in order in view of the large participation for the pro-am event in such a short time.

Also at stake is an i10 Megna Hyundai car for any golfer scoring the first hole-in-one on any of the par-three holes. The pro-am fee of Rs 4,000 for each pro and other arrangements for the pro-am event are being done by Samsung India.

Brigadier Bath said the course “is playing long and playing true”.

The Rs 30-lakh prize money tournament is being supported by TaylorMade, Pepsico, Gatorade, Aquafina, Tropicana and Sport 18.

Chandigarh, May 26
While lakhs are being spent on mini designers outfits for IPL cheerleaders, hockey veterans are forced to put their articles on auction to raise funds to hold a hockey tournament.

In an effort to raise funds for the organisers of Dharam Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament, three international hockey stars, including Prabhjot Singh, Rajpal Singh and Deepak Thakur, are donating their T-shirts.

The articles will be put on auction by the organisers in a hope to get funds from the hockey enthusiasts.

“We will put these articles on auction as we expect that some hockey fans will definitely come to the cause of promoting hockey at the grassroots level,” said S.S. Gill, one of the main organisers and national hockey player. The players had donned these T-shirts during international matches.

“I and Parbhjot are giving our T-shirts which we put on in the finals of the Asia Cup-2007, which we won thrashing South Korea by 7-2 last year. Deepak will give his apparel which he put on in the match against Pakistan during Champions’ Trophy in 2004,” Indian ace forward Rajpal said.

“The idea of giving T-shirts to the organisers came when I accompanied Gill to collect the required funds for the tournament. After seeing the problems being faced by the organisers for funds, I realised that the players should also come forward for promoting the game,” Rajpal said.

On the expenditure part, Gill said around Rs 2.5 lakh was needed every year to hold the tournament, in which eight top department and club teams from across the country participate.

“Every sponsor wants mileage. No one thinks about the game”, Gill rued.

Articles belonging to renowned cricketers and film stars attract a lot of attention as well as moolah when put under the hammer. However, it remains to be seen how much money the apparels of hockey players fetch in the auction, the date and time of which will be announced after a few days. The tournament will be held at Hockey Stadium, Sector 18, from June 8 to 12.

Chandigarh, May 26
Hosts Edmund Rice Cricket Academy (A) team thrashed Pioneer Cricket Academy, Delhi by 10 wickets in the All-India Challenger Trophy Under-14 Cricket Tournament being played at St John’s High School, Sector 26 ground here today.

Apart from it, the other teams that emerged winners in today’s matches were ERCA (B), APJ, Kharar and Vivek High School.

Earlier, ERCA (A) rode on the superb bowling spell of leg-spinner Dinesh Choudhary (five for five) to skittle out Pioneer for just 56 runs in 24.2 overs.

Vipul was the lone contributor for the Pioneer with 30 runs. Supporting Dinesh, Vasu chipped in with two wickets.

In reply, ERCA (A) chased the total without the loss of any wicket with Shashya’s unbeaten 50-run knock.

The second match between ERCA (B) and Nathu Ram Cricket Academy (NRCA), Delhi, the former registered 38-run win.

Batting first, ERCA (B) were all out for a total of 146 runs in 25.5 overs, but NRCA could make only 95 runs in 27.2 overs.
In the other two matches at Vivek High School, APJ, Kharar beat Dev Cricket Academy, Delhi by 37 runs while Vivek High School beat Rohini Cricket Club, Delhi by 6 wickets in another match.

Dev Cricket Academy restricted the APJ team to a total of 170 runs in the allotted 25 overs. Mayank (61) and Mehnaz (48 n.o.) played superbly for the APJ team.

In reply, DCA were all out for 133 runs in 24 overs.

Tomorrow’s fixtures

ERCA (A) vs Nathu Ram Cricket Academy - 8.30 am at St John’s High School

APJ, Kharar vs Dev Cricket Academy - 1.30 pm at St Johns High School

ERCA (B) vs Pioneer Cricket Academy - 8.30 am at Vivek High School
Vivek High School vs Rohini Cricket Club - 1.30 pm at Vivek High School.

Chandigarh, May 26
To facilitate polo enthusiasts as well as interested players, lessons on the sport are being started at the Chandigarh Horse Riders’ Society (CHRS) at the Lake Sports Complex here.

Shamsher Singh, an avid polo player, will impart training to the players at the center.

“Students will be taught basic rules of the game and different strokes. Besides this paraphernalia, including polo sticks and balls, will also be made available at CHRS for the students. Pedestals have been constructed to enable the students to simulate strokes on horseback and a separate practice range will be available for the students to refine their strokes,” officials of the society said.

With the help of the Chandigarh administration, CHRS has been providing equestrian training in Chandigarh for the past three years at the Lake Complex.

“This is the latest attraction for polo buffs. The society, which has 20 horses and 67 students, has trained many riders, who have won over 50 medals in national-level horse shows,” added the official.

Chandigarh, May 26
Describing the altercation between SSP R.S. Khatra and corporate honcho Ness Wadia as unfortunate, PCA executive member Parminder Singh today said the businessman had raised a finger not at an individual, but the entire police force.

In a press statement issued here today he said the organisation, with a glorious past, was the custodian of the people’s interest. The police force had all along been striving hard for the welfare of the people of Punjab and any allegations against the organisation would have a demoralising effect on them.

Parminder said the trivial matter should not have been blown out of proportion as the police force was receptive and would have willingly redressed any grievance Wadia nursed. Statements issued by Wadia are absolutely uncalled for, he added. He also called for an early end to the impasse.

Panchkula, May 26
The body of a 21-year-old youth was found hanging at a house in Sector 8 here. The deceased has been identified as Tilak alias Khammi Bahadur, a resident of Nepal.

According to police the deceased was a servant at house No. 149 of Sector 8 owned by Naveen Aggarwal, an industrialist of the town. Tilak who joined as a domestic help with Aggarwals last week went to sleep in servant quarters built on the second floor of the house with another servant yeserday night. However, his roommate Jeevan found his body hanging with the iron staircase installed in the verandah of the first floor. The deceased used a cable to commit suicide, it was learnt.

The police has sent the body for post mortem after registering a case.

Chandigarh, May 26
Mohali resident Lakhbir Singh reported to the police that his car (DNC-0415) was stolen from the PGI on May 25. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector-11 police station.

Meanwhile, Sector-21 resident Gurprit Singh complained to the police that his motorcycle (PB-47-B-1799) was stolen from outside his residence. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector-39 police station.

Chandigarh, May 26
"Sufiana music is a divine benediction that permeates every soul," maintains acclaimed Sufi maestro Padmashri Hans Raj Hans. Hans gave a soulful performance of Sufiana kalaams at the auditorium of Government College, Sector 11, here, today.

The musical soiree, organised by the Alumni Association of the college, was a part of the first ever founder's day celebrations as per association president Jagdip Singh Cheema.

After a felicitation by Justice S.S. Saron, Raaj Gayak Hans commenced the concert with an invocation to Hazrat Chisti with ‘Rakho Meri Laaz’ set to the rhythmic pattern of teen taal. He displayed many variations of alaap and sargams. Besides embellishing the composition with Sufiana couplets by other mystics, in between he doled out another bandish ‘Badal Garje’ weaved in raag megh and teen taal. He brought alive the delicacy and fineness of feeling and expression in a ghazal ‘Dono Jahan Teri Muhobbat Mein Haar Ke’ by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. But Sufiana being close to his heart, he reverted to the mystics utterances of Baba Bulle Shah and Sultaan Bahu like ‘Haq Bahu Dum Dum Bahu’. Supported by accomplished musicians, he went on to enchant the audience with more Sufiana compositions.

Earlier, former student of the college Pawan Kumar Bansal, state minister of India, exhorted the present generation to emulate the excellent standards set by this college. He honored former principal and teachers of the college from 1953 batches onwards.

Most of the alumni, including well-known personalities in different realms, graced the functions. The association welcomed the presence of alumni Justice Kamaljit Singh Ahluwalia, Justice M.M.S. Bedi, Justice T.P.S. Maan, Pahlad Aggarwal, Dr A.N Garg, Maj D.P. Singh, Dr D.S. Chadha and others. Sukhjit Dhiman proposed the vote of thanks.