NEIGHBOURHOOD

Unscheduled power cuts spell doom for farmers
Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 13
"Punjabi University will be rendered smoke and polythene free within next six months. This will be coupled with a strong health and hygiene crusade by planting medicinal plants on three acres of land and carrying out waste management exercises to make the campus healthy and beautiful. Holding flower shows and special exhibitions of seasonal plants will be annual features," said Dr Jaspal Singh, vice-chancellor of Punjabi University, while addressing a newly constituted 16-member Punjabi University environment society here yesterday. 

The society, he said, would prepare an advisory for all residents of the campus to make them aware about the growing menace of pollution, especially in the form of global warming and greenhouse effect. The activities and parameters drawn by society will be frequently monitored for its proper implementation, he added.

Later, while addressing the NSS volunteers at the end of a 10-day camp, Dr Jaspal Singh said they should help the society in accelerating its campaign against pollution. The volunteers, he said, should ensure it that no corner of the campus remains unattended in their exercise of making it clean and green.

Dr Kulbir Singh Dhillon, dean (students) and Dr Paramvir Singh, NSS coordinator, encouraged the volunteers to motivate other students also.

Ambala, June 13
The Ambala Cantt bus stand is suppose to be one of the most important bus stands in Haryana due to it being in close proximity to the Ambala Cantt railway station, which is one of the biggest stations in this region and also since it is situated on National Highway No. 1.

At an average more than 15,000 passengers frequent the bus stand everyday. The bus stand is just walking distance and situated opposite to the railway station, acting as a lifeline for the common man. However, the local administration seems to be turning a blind eye to the problems ailing in it.

One would expect the administration to ensure that the bus stand is maintained properly but to the contrary what greets every passenger entering the bus stand is a huge pile of garbage and filth. Enter the bus stand and one is swamped by beggars. To add to ones woes there is no provision for cold drinking water. Two water coolers are installed at the bus stand but they are there only in name.

The new building of the bus stand was constructed in 1999. Bus conductors and drivers allege that the roofs start leaking during rains. The fans also are never working properly, stated a conductor on condition of anonymity.

The plot situated at the entrance of the bus stand is where the old bus stand was earlier situated.

Now the plot is a haven for beggars. People defecating in the open are a common sight and for men it is an open urinal. Ironically, a row of dhabhas are situated near by and the unhygienic conditions are a thing of worry for many.

The administration needs to take serious note and clear the garbage dump before its poses a health risk and also to ensure people travelling from this city take back good memories in place of referring to it as a filthy place.

Ropar/Kurali, June 13
Nominations were filed today for the municipal council elections to be held at Ropar and Kurali.

Seven nominations were filed for Ropar MC. Two nominations were filed from ward number 1, three were filed from ward number 3, and one each from ward number 12, 14 and 15. Similarly, three nominations were filed from Anandpur Sahib, while no nomination was filed from Morinda.

There are total 17 wards in Ropar municipal council and 13 each in Anandpur Sahib and Morinda MC. Also the SAD declared its candidates for all 13 wards of the area. SAD candidates will contest elections on eight seats and the BJP on the remaining five seats.

The SAD candidates include Karnail Singh for ward number 2, Bedi Inderjeet Singh Khalsa for ward number 4, Kulwant Singh from ward number 7, Ram Singh from ward number 8, Kashmir Kaur from ward number 9, Gurcharan Singh from ward number 11, Bihari Lal from ward number 12 and Amarjeet Kaur from ward number 13.

Meanwhile, for Kurali MC, 17 nominations were filed today. There are total 13 wards under Kurali MC with seven for reserved and six for general category candidates. Four people filed nomination from ward number 3, three people from ward number 1, two nominations each were filed from ward numbers 13, 9 and 12, and one nomination each was filed from ward numbers 2, 8, 10 and 6.

Pinjore, June 13
Every second day a new electronic device comes up in the market. Japan, China, Germany or the USA, pioneers of electronic market have flooded the homes over the world. These countries spend millions on research work. But there are few geniuses who can create wonders without laboratories and financial support. One such boy lives in the unknown lanes of Pinjore who has used scrap and waste electronic material to invent a multi-facet phone.

Gurvinder Singh, at a tender age of 28, has constituted a single device landline, mobile as well as FM radio. He achieved the feat by working at his home. No big engineering college trained him but it’s his love for switches and wires that brings the result.

“It’s not necessary that only those who are pass outs of IIT’s or best engineering colleges can create wonders. A common man can also have a brain of a genius,” said Gurvinder.

The model, which constitutes of 200 wires, costed him around Rs 800 and four months labour. The model has two batteries that can be charged by any Nokia mobile charger. It is compatible with GSM cards and even landlines. One can carry it abroad as it can be converted into a mobile anytime.

This is not the only feather in his hat; he already has contacted ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ for his speed with which he can make Printed Circuit Board (PCB) of mobile phones. “Let me have one look at a mobile and I can make its PCB model on paper in one minute and 20 seconds. And if it’s a multi-media board, I will take two minutes. Other than this I can convert any mobile into landline in two and half minutes,” said an excited Gurvinder, father of two.

Gurvinder did his graduation from Govt. College Kalka and a hardware and electronic course. His cousin who owned an electronic shop stimulated his interest in electronics. His love for wires and switches started showing results at an early age. He was in eighth standard when he made a stereo deck on his own. Now he runs a mobile shop at Panchkula and train local boys in hardware.

Gurvinder is planning to modify his model further by adding colour and touch screen. He still has not thought of selling his model, “I have no knowledge of patent and selling the model, but if a company gives me a good prospect then I will definitely think over it.” As for now he is hopefully looking forward for a call from ‘The Guinness Book of World Records’. 

Bassi Pathana, June 13
Around 50 monkeys at Bassi Pathana government hospital have created panic among patients and visitors. The monkeys not only pelt stones on the visitors, but also snatch away their belongings and have injured many people during the past eight months.

Few days ago, a monkey bit a girl in the hospital premises. In yet another incident, a woman sustained head injuries when one of the monkeys pelted stones on her.

“They quietly sit on the rooms adjoining the entrance of the hospital and pounce upon patients, attendants, doctors and the hospital staff,” said an employee.

The doctors revealed that the number of monkeys had multiplied over the past few months. “The case was taken up by the wildlife officials after repeated pleas, but they never bothered to visit again after catching two or three monkeys,” said the officials.

Even the administration here had expressed helplessness over curbing this menace. The hospital authorities apprised area SDM Poonamdeep Kaur about the issue. The SDM is further learnt to have written to wildlife officials, but to no avail.

Senior medical officer Kuldeep Singh Kang admitted that they had written umpteen letters to the officials concerned about the monkey menace, but nothing has been done so far in this regard.

Bassi Pathana, June 13
Panic prevailed among the shopkeepers of the town as soon as the news spread that a team of health department is taking samples, the shopkeepers pulled down their shutters and fled away from their shops. The health department team led by Dr Girish Bither, district health officer, succeeded in taking more than 10 samples of essential commodities in Bassi Pathana and surrounding areas. The team took samples of milk, curd, cheese, cold drinks, salt, sarson oil, ladoos et al.

Dr Girish told the reporters that health department has launched anti adulteration drive and all those indulging in the wrong practice of adulteration would be booked. He urged the shopkeepers not to sell adulterated goods. He said all these samples would be sent for analysis and action would be initiated as per the report.

Meanwhile Manoj Banda, general secretary of the Hindu Organisation alleged that health department team had adopted a partisan attitude and took the samples of only those, who don't dance to the tune of the authorities, whereas the big dairy, restaurant owners, local cold drink manufacturers and those supplying milk in the town, always managed to save themselves from the drive.

Kharar, June 13
Rayat and Bahra Institute of Hotel Management has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Intercontinental Group of the UK to facilitate its students in getting training and placements in group's hotel properties worldwide.

The MoU was signed here today between officials of Intercontinental Group and Rayat and Bahra Group of institutes. Deepak Behl, director, HR, The Intercontinental Group and Gurvinder Singh Bahra, vice-chairman, Rayat and Bahra Group inked the MoU.

CM Bahl, managing director, Rayat and Bahra Group added that students will be hired as soon as they complete training modules with various hotels of group with starting packages within India as higher as Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. For students opting to move abroad, the packages would range between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 5.5 lakh.

Fatehgarh Sahib, June 13
High drama prevailed in Bhalmajra village in the district after a pregnant woman died reportedly due to excessive blood loss. The woman, a mother of five, two boys and three girls, died today morning.

Some relatives of the deceased approached the police and alleged that the woman died after her husband beat her.

A section of villagers too corroborated the claims and brought the matter to the notice of SSP Kaustubh Sharma.

The police officials after inquiring the matter found that the woman was rushed to a nearby hospital by her husband, but she could not be saved due to excessive blood loss.

The police officials took the husband of the deceased into their custody, but released him after interrogation. Inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC have been initiated in this connection.

Patiala, June 13
The chairman of the Punjab State Electricity Board, Y.S. Ratra, informed here today that the coal stock position of Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) thermal plants was comfortable with 20 days stock available at GNDTP, Bathinda, 17 days stock at GGSSTP, Ropar, and 13 days stock at GHTP, Lehra Mohabbat.

“The present stock is sufficient to meet with the increased coal requirement during the forthcoming paddy season,” Ratra added. He added that the coal stock position at PSEB thermal plants was comparatively better than other thermal plants of northern region where coal stocks have entered into the critical zone having stocks for less than seven days consumption. The position at the PSEB - PANEM coalmine supplying coal to PSEB thermal plants is also comfortable. The chairman added that although the strike by transporters of Central Coalfields Limited was a cause of concern and it has slightly affected the coal supply, but nevertheless four rakes have still been dispatched from CCL to PSEB thermal plants. On an average, PSEB receives 10 rakes of coal per day.

He added that the PSEB had taken up the issue with concerned quarters of ministries of Coal and Power and various subsidiaries of Coal India Limited for supplying coal as per the allotted linkages for further improving coal stocks at its thermal plants in view of the ongoing paddy season.

Defending champions Punjab edged out Karnataka 4-3 via the tie-breaker to enter the final of the 62nd National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here today.

Both the teams squandered many chances and failed to score any goal in the 90 minutes of the regulation time.

In the dying moments of the stipulated period, Karnataka goalkeeper Gumpe Rime made an acrobatic save off a fine shot from Sakarta Singh.

Punjab substitute Balraj Singh once got a good pass from the right wing but there was nobody to nick the ball in the open net on his fine cross.

Sanat Kumar of Karnataka and Baljit Sahni of Punjab were excellent in holding the ball throughout the game.

The intensity of the game was on a high in the extra time of 30 minutes which also went without a decider.

In the tie-breaker, Punjab converted four chances while Karnataka could find the net thrice.

From Karnataka, Srinath and Sanath Kumar missed their penalties, while Balwant Singh missed one for the winners.

Karnataka has only once figured in the finals of Santosh Trophy 33 years back in 1975-76, when they lost their final 3-1 in extra time against Bengal at Kozhikode.

Seven-time winners Punjab will take on Services in the final on Sunday as they look to retain their crown.— UNI

Chandigarh, June 13
The Chandigarh Wrestling Association has been conducting a coaching camp of 15 wrestlers for preparation of Chandigarh's participation in the coming first National Youth Games to be held in Bangalore from July 22 to 29. The camp will be organised at Wrestling Coaching Centre, Sector 30, (morning session) and Sector 42, Sports Complex (evening session).

A 13-member team, including three officials, will comprise the city team. According to a communication received by the CWA from Wrestling Federation of India, the Chandigarh team qualified for the National Youth Games on the basis of their performance in the last Cadet National Wrestling Championship held in Jalandhar in last April.

The CWA has informed the Chandigarh Olympic Association about holding of the coaching camp.

Those invited to the camp are: Deepak, Parvesh, Parveen, Sunil, Satish, Jagminder, Ajay, Sanjay, Manish, Parveen Jr, Sunny, Jatinder, Vijay, Pardeep and Rahul. 

Chandigarh, June 13
As many as 25 players got one point after the culmination of first round on the inaugural day of the Chandigarh Prize Money Chess Championship-2008 at St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, here today.

A total of 54 players have been participating in the championship, which would conclude on June 15.

The point position at the end of the first round is as follows:

1 Point: Himal Gusain, Abhinandan Vohra, Ashwani Nirankari, Shirish, Satbir, Anil Raina, Harinderpal Singh, Sunil Bansal, K. Aditya, Tejas Nagpal, Pranjal, Mayank, Arunima Goyal, Shweta, Srishti Jain, Gitin, Simranjeet Kaur, Pallak, Anubhav Tuknayat, Koumoudi, Akash Bhardwaj, Anuvrat Jain, Gunjan, Sresht Jain, Zubin.

.5 Points : Ravneet Kaur, Tarini Goyal, Sandeep Singh, Sukhpreet Singh.

0 Points: Vipnesh, Vipan Negi, Sunbir Chawla, Roopam, Gurnoor, Abhijit, Pavneet, Adish Sood, Akash khosla, Gautam Jain, Jaskeerat, Jaskeerat Ahluwalia, Jatin Arora, Jay Arora, Manmeet, Manmeet Chawla, Meharbir Chawla, Priyanka, S. Arya, Sidhant Kalia, Tanish Goyal, Tanmey, Tarundeep. 

Chandigarh, June 13
Leaving sports infrastructure on the whims and fancies of administrative officials gives the factual indication that the sports infrastructure at schools is for a privileged few.

The astonishing instance is of the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23. A badminton court with a whopping Rs 20 to 22 lakh has been spent by the administration for school children recently. But it seems, this infrastructure has been raised to facilitate the top brass officials of the administration only.

These officials play badminton in the evening from 6 pm on the school campus. Naturally, the Chandigarh police constables would not like the idea of children entering the premises for “obvious security reasons”. Instead, these constables are being engaged in picking up the dropped shuttles. Another shocking instance was witnessed on the grounds of Sector 27 Government Senior Secondary School, where a new format Night Cricket tournament gave way to loads of forbidden pleasures that includes smoking and drinking.

It is sheer violation of the education code and conduct that never allows any activity in late evening hours on the school premises. Though the matter has been brought to the notice of the DPI (S), too, but the action is awaited so far.

The tournament was organised by the private players. This one-week cricket tournament, played under halogen lights, used to start at 8 pm and continue till 2 am on the school campus. The matter came to light only when the senior officials of the education department, as a part of their campaign to check the late night security in the schools, made a surprise check at the school.

"We went to the school at around 11 pm. To our utter surprise, we found that there was an uncontrollable crowd on the campus. The outsiders were smoking and drinking inside the ground openly. We could not even object to their conduct. They have taken undue advantage of the laxity given by the administration,” said one of the officials, preferring anonymity for obvious reasons. “No rent for using compound was charged from the organisers. Why was this privilege extended to them?” told the officials. Setia, when contacted said, “Yes, to avoid such things again, we have passed fresh instructions to all heads of the schools that no activity would be held on the school premises after sunset. If anybody found smoking or drinking on the premises, strict action would be taken.”

Recently, the administration under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme has decided to hand over Sector 26 GMHS ground to be looked after by private players. Two other grounds at Sector 19 GMSSS and Sector 32 GMSSS have already been handed over to private players to “raise sports infrastructure.” 

Chandigarh, June 13
A team of doctors led by Dr Mohinder Kaushal and Ajaya Chakraborty gave a new lease of life to Prem Chand Gupta (72) who was suffering from backache due to fracture in his spine lumbar vertebra one (L1) a year back. He was successfully treated with new innovative technique called “Balloon Kyphoplasty” at Arthroscopy and Spinal Endoscopy Centre here.

Doctors of the centre claimed that this was the first time when the technique was used in this region. They said Prem Chand was suffering from acute pain when he was brought to the centre. Because of the backache, he was not able to get up and walk.

“Using this innovative technique, fractured vertebrae is restored to its normal height and patient gets permanent relief from spinal deformity,” said Dr Kaushal.

Expressing his happiness, the patient said, “This technique has given a new life to me. I was not able to get up and walk due to fracture in my spine. Now, I can walk easily.”

With the advent of this procedure, there would be no need to keep the patients in bed for a long time, said Dr Kaushal. Explaining the procedure, he said, “Two small punctures are made in back. An inflatable balloon is inserted through a small incision. As this balloon is inflated, the height of the fractured vertebrae is restored. This restored height is maintained permanently by injecting special bone cement.”

“There is no need for hospitalisation and the patient can go home three to five hours after undergoing the procedure and can resume light duties,” added doctors.

“The only drawback is its prohibitive cost,” said Dr Kaushal. He said one single-use disposable kit cost around Rs 1.5 lakh and total procedure cost around Rs 1.80 lakh. Indian medical equipment manufacturers should think of manufacturing such equipment so that the state-of-the-art treatment could benefit maximum Indian patients. 

Chandigarh, June 13
Abdul Samad, a Lebanese who resides in Sector 23, was arrested on the charges of committing fraud here today evening. According to the police, he along with his wife, Rubbi, had taken Rs 2. 60 lakh from Ramandeep Singh, Rashpal, Jasbir Singh and Gurtej Singh on the pretext of sending them to Lebanon.

The accused had called them to their residence on June 11 for handing over the visas. When the complainant reached their Sector-23 house, it was found locked. They immediately informed the police, which registered a case under Sections 496 and 420 of the IPC at Sector 17 police station. Rubbi the main accused is absconding.

Chandigarh, June 13
BSNL has reduced the tariff for calls originating from BSNL fixed lines and WLL telephones. Calls made to the BSNL cellular network within the circle will be charged one unit for 120 seconds, rather than 60 seconds. The inter-circle STD calls made to BSNL mobiles will be charged one unit for 60 seconds, instead of 30 seconds. General manager (Telecom) Naresh Sharma said these tariff would come into effect immediately.

Launched: Media Magic Retail, a retail platform to deliver legal entertainment content on mobiles, unveiled its products here today. This is an independent company to provide mobile content at affordable prices, which has hitherto remained the domain of either the expensive downloads of limited entertainment content from mobile phone service providers or the low-quality, pirated stuff which the neighborhood retail outlet stealthily uploaded on to the phone. Vijay Sing, CEO, Media Magic, said the content offered was polyphone ring tones, wallpapers, games, MP3 songs and musical videos.

Chandigarh, June 13
Art aficionados will be treated to a dazzling display of popular Russian dances by a 93-member ballet troupe of Igor Moiseyev State Akademic Ensemble, Moscow, at the Inderdhanush Auditorium at Panchkula tomorrow.

The mega cultural event has been organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and department of public relations and cultural affairs, Haryana, as part of the ongoing Festival of Russia in India in collaboration with the Federal Agency of Cultural and Cinematography, Russia.

At a press conference held jointly by Elena Scherbakova, director of the Igor Mosieyev ballet, K.K. Khandelwal, DPR, Haryana, and M.M. Sharma, regional director, ICCR, divulged the aims and objectives of the event.

The Moiseyev Ballet would be the first to perform in the northern region and in reciprocity of the Russian Festival 2008 in India, the Government of India would observe "Year of India in Russia" in 2009, disclosed Khandelwal. He admired that Russia had always stood with us in the tough times.

Paying a rich tribute to the pioneer of folkdance theatre (late) Igor Moiseyev, the founder director of the troupe, ballet director Elena observed that the visionary folklorist choreographer had composed over 300 dance spectacles. Igor, she said, had given a new dimension by transforming it to the theatrical folk dance genre. The troupe would present 13 of his compositions, she added.

“The folk songs and dances represent the aspirations, joys and sorrows of the people of a region and exude similarity of emotions, which you will experience in our performances. The dances will depict themes of romance, merrymaking, pathos and patriotism”, she remarked. Programme editor Anastasia Gritsay also spoke.

ICCR director Sharma disclosed that 13 ensembles from different countries had performed in the city during the last three years which had enriched the mutual cultural relations between the nations.

The World Nations Dances Show will be held at Inderdhansh Auditorium at 7 pm on June 14.