NEIGHBOURHOOD

Students stage ‘Macbeth’ sans dialogues
Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 12
Punjabi University has planned to set up a consultancy cell to provide free service to make people aware about the environment and render help in fighting threats of global warming and other pollution ingredients.

This was stated by Dr Jaspal Singh, vice-chancellor of Punjabi University, while inaugurating a seminar on “Global Warming”, organised by the department of social work, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Public Administration, here today.

Asserting that the menace of environment pollution was the result of human callousness towards nature, he reiterated that the major source of ecological imbalance was greenhouse gases, emitted through the man-made appliances, including vehicles, air-conditioners, refrigerators and micro waves which are used so indiscriminately.

“Global warming is leading to widespread agricultural failure, water shortages and major droughts, increased disease level, sea-level rise and the death of forests. Thus we are at the threshold, waiting for a catastrophe to happen, which will lead to the worst mass extinction in the planet's entire history”, he said.

He underlined the need of minimising the usage of fossil-based fuel, electricity consumption by using energy efficient appliances, minimising vehicular pollution by using the public transport system and using clean development technologies like wind energy, solar energy, bio-diesel and hydro power to reduce global warming. Earlier, he released a book on “Violence” published by the university.

Dr Manjit Singh, dean, college development council, highlighted that the global climate change had been accompanied by political conflicts all across the world. Over the past few centuries, most of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere were discharged by developed countries but toward the end of the last century, some populous nations, such as China and India, have also joined the ranks of major greenhouse gas-discharging nations, he added.

Dr M.S Saini, dean, academic affairs, remarked that climate change would impact geopolitics and the well-being of nations. He asserted that natural disasters due to global warming see no national borders.

Ambala, September 12
“Vaman Dwadshi” mela was organised with religious fervour here today. Thousands of devotees from Ambala and nearby areas participated in the mela, which has been a tradition here for centuries.

The mela, which primarily used to have rural outlook, has now assumed urban colour, losing its traditionality gradually. Its devout allure has also been on the wane.

Around two to three decades ago, thousands of rural devotees from various parts of Punjab and Haryana used to throng the mela, which went on for three days.

Now people largely from the urban areas take part in the fair, which has been reduced to a ‘show’ of bands and tableaux.

Idols of goddesses of various temples of Ambala were floated in the holy sarovar, Naorang Rai, this evening. A legend has it that the ritual saves the city from natural calamities.

According to the legend, emperor Bali had once overpowered the entire universe and started to humiliate the goddess.

Lord Vishnu, posing as a poor brahmin, begged for three steps of land from him. Bali, in his swollen pride, agreed to it. Lord Vishnu measured the entire universe in those three steps and ever since people have been celebrating the occasion.

The Sanatan Dharm Sabha, which organises the mela, is divided into two groups, thus marring the celebrations.

The police had made tight security arrangements following the arrival of a large number of devotees here.

Mela convener Rattan Lal Aggarwal said they had tried to maintain the religious ambiance of the mela.

Patiala, September 12
Harjinder Singh, a 14-year-old boy of Neelpur village in Rajpura sub-division, has got a new lease of life thanks to the medical treatment given to him in the intensive care unit of the Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital.

Harjinder was admitted to the hospital on August 27 with high fever and convulsions. The patient had suffered multi-organ failure. He was disoriented with a low platelet count with severe damage to liver and kidney.

Doctors attending on Harjinder Singh said the patient was given immediate intensive care and was put on ventilator and specialised medical treatment was made available.

Expert opinion of the faculty under the guidance of Dr Jasbir Kaur, vice-principal of the hospital and head of the anaesthesia department, timely intervention and medical treatment was offered.

The availability of latest medical equipment and technology helped save the life of the teenager.

The parents and other relatives of the patient were buoyant over the recovery of the boy as they had lost all hope.

Dr A.S. Sekhon, principal, lauded the efforts of the dotors and para-medical staff. He said the hospital had latest medical equipment and qualified faculty.

Mohali, September 12
Former Punjab DGP S.S.Virk has moved another petition in the local court here requesting to restrain the investigating team from visiting his residence in Sector 27, Chandigarh.

The petition stated that proper course of investigation under Section 173 (8), CrPC, was being deliberately avoided.

Another notice issued on September 8 under Section 160, CrPC, has been received for evaluation of the house on September 15.

It may be recalled that the court had earlier removed investigating officer SSP Surinder Pal on the petition of the former DGP.

After that, the Punjab government appointed Patiala SSP S.K. Asthana as the head of the investigating team.

The petition alleged that Asthana was handling the investigation in a biased manner.

It has been alleged that Virk used his position as the ADGP (intelligence) to procure equipment worth crores of rupees for the police department through Saxena, a close “family friend” and runs a security equipment supply agency.

It was further alleged in the FIR that Virk had taken monetary gratification for favours granted to Saxena.

Chandigarh, September 12
Accepting the application moved by the Lawyers for Human Rights International (LHRI), judicial magistrate, first class, P.K. Lal today issued summons to telecom companies in a defamation case filed by suspended sub-inspector Paramjit Kaur.

The human rights organisation had moved an application under Section 30, read with Section 151 of CrPC, for summoning records of mobile phone numbers of certain police officials, including inspector Jagbir Singh, Satbir Singh, Paramjit Kaur Sekhon and Gurjeet Kaur.

The application was moved in a molestation case registered against inspector Jagir Singh on the complaint of Paramjit Kaur, which ended in a compromise.

Thereafter, Paramjit had filed a defamation case against the human rights organisation.

In the application, the LHRI had stated that the entire incident was concocted in collusion with several other police officials, allegedly against inspector Jagir Singh. It added that the record of mobile numbers could be vital to unveil the truth. Requesting that the records be summoned immediately, it said that by the time the case comes up for evidence, the record might not be available.

The LHRI also sought directions to the telephone companies that in case the record could not be produced, it could be preserved in a sealed cover with them to be produced when ordered by the court.

In reply, the defendants argued that if the application was allowed, it would amount to encroaching upon the privacy of the police personnel.

The defendants asserted that the record of mobile phone numbers belonged to police officials who were posted in the special crime cell that time and it would affect their performance.

Chandigarh, September 12
Twenty-year-old Gaganjeet Bhullar from Kapurthala tightened his grip on the AIS Golf Open as he fired yet another bogey-free six-under 66 to take a commanding five-stroke lead on the penultimate day of the Rs 30 lakh PGTI event on the par 72 Golden Greens course in Gurgaon today.

The Kapurthala golfer's total now stands at 17 under 199. Rahul Ganapathy is in second place at 12 under 204. Ashok Kumar and Feroz Ali Mollah are a further three strokes behind in tied third.

But the day belonged to Ajeetesh Sandhu. This 19-year-old Chandigarh boy, who turned professional barely six months back, recorded the best round of the day when he shot a blemish-free eight under par 64. This was just one stroke short of the new course record established by Gaganjeet Bhullar yesterday.

Bhullar's (70, 63, 66) third round of six under 66 saw him make six birdies. He picked up his first two birdies on the second and third holes. Thereafter, he made pars all the way till the 11th before coming up with an amazing run of four consecutive birdies from the 12th to the 15th. Bhullar hit a great tee shot on the par three third hole. His eight iron tee shot on this hole landed less than a foot away from the pin.

Bhullar, who is all set to seal his first professional win in the PGTI, said: "I've been performing really well this week because not only am I in great hitting form but am also doing exceptionally well with the putter. I have recently changed my driver and also started using a new putter. I think these changes have helped. Besides, I'm hitting all fairways and making a high percentage of regulations. Today I made 16 regulations."

"But I'm not home as yet. I now need to keep my focus and stick to my routine in order to pull off a victory here. The key for me would be to keep the ball in play," he added.

Ajeetesh Sandhu's 64 helped him climb to tied 12th spot with a total of two under 214. Ajeetesh sank birdies on the second, third, fifth, ninth, 12th, 14th, 15th and 16th.

Ajeetesh said: "I drove really well today and made all fairways. This in turn set up a number of birdie opportunities for me. This was my best round as a professional and I am now looking forward to a good finish in the final round."

Uttam Singh Mundy of Chandigarh played a par 72 to be to be tied fifth at six under par 210 after the third round.

Mukesh Kumar (70, 72, 74) and Harendra Gupta (70, 72, 74) ended round three in tied 14th place with matching totals of even par 216.

Gurbaaz Mann (70-72-74), Ranjit Singh (70-73-76) and Sujjan Singh (75-75-69), all from Chandigarh, were tied 25th at three over 219. Rajiv Kumar (74-74-73) and A.S. Lehal (74-74-75), also from Chandigarh, were placed 34th (221) and 41st (223), respectively.

The leading scores after third round: 199 Gaganjeet Bhullar (70-63-66); 204 Rahul Ganapathy (67=67=70); 207 Ashok Kumar (68-71-68) and Feroz Ali Mollah (68-68-71); 210 Uttam Singh Mundy (71-67-72); 211 Gaurav Ghei (70-73-68); 212 Digvijay Singh (68-69-75); 213 Chiragh Kumar (70-74-69), C. Muniyappa (71-73-69), Gaurav Diwan (69-72-72) and Vikrant Chopra (70-71-72); 214 Ajeetesh Sandhu (70-80-64) and Raj Randhawa (72-68-74).

Chandigarh, September 12
On the second day of the Katoch Shield semifinal, Chandigarh district started the day on a positive note as their skipper Viswas Bhalla trapped his counterpart Sunny Sohal plumb in front of the wicket with team’s total at 10 at Sector 16 Cricket Stadium here today.

The Mohali batsmen continued their dismissal display with the bat. They were 51 for 5, when Navneet Singh (27) and Harpreet Singh (54) came together in a rescue act and were associated in a sixth-wicket stand of 89 runs.

Mohali innings ended at 236 for all in 93.1 overs. They conceded 37-run lead in the first innings. Viswas Bhalla (3/41) and left-arm spinner Gurinder Singh (3/84) were the main wicket takers for Chandigarh.

At the close of the play, Chandigarh, in the second innings, were 18 for no loss in 9 overs with Sarul Kunwar at 7 and Viswas Bhalla remaining unbeaten at 6.

Brief Score:

Chandigarh (first innings): 273 all out

Mohali (first innings): 236 all out in 93.1 overs (Harpreet Singh 54, Gunjot Singh 41, Jaskaran Singh 34, Navneet Singh 27, Viswas Bhalla 3 for 41 and Gurinder Singh 3 for 84)

Chandigarh (second innings): 18 for no loss in 9 overs (Sarul Kunwar 7 and Viswas Bhalla 6).

In the second match played at Ludhiana, hosts continued from overnight score of 117 for 5, and today with brilliant half centuries of Ankur Kakkar (96) and Bharat Malhotra (81), mustered a total of 301 all out in 93.5 overs.

Amritsar, in their second innings, were 116 for 5 in 46 overs at close of the play and were still trailing by 56 runs in the first innings.

Amritsar (1st innings): 129 all out in 46 overs (Mayan Sharma 29, Bharat Loomba 27, Deepak Bansal 5 for 52, Gagandeep Singh 3 for 39, Bharat Malhotra 2 for 13).

Ludhiana (1st innings): 301 all out in 93.5 overs (Ankur Kakkar 96, Bharat Malhotra 81, Gagandeep 46, Karan Goel 24, Gaurav Marwaha 20, Tarun Sharma 3 for 46, Sumit Sharma 3 for 72, Charanjit Singh 2 for 57 and Bharat Loomba 2 for 65).

Amritsar (2nd innings): 116 for 5 in 46 overs at the close of days play (Manish Bhatia 40, Harman 27 and Sumeet Sharma 31, Mayank Sharma 6 n.o. and Charanjit Singh 4 n.o., Gagandeep 2 for 16, Bharat Malhotra 1 for 21 and Deepak Bansal 1 for 22).

Chandigarh, September 12
In the final match, Arif Akhtar of Indian Oil outplayed Ashu Duggal 2-0 in straight sets during the Chandigarh Billiards and Snooker Championship held at Sector 22 here today.

Arif showed touch and class once he settled. He controlled the ball well, dropped at top of the table and made regular breaks. Ashu started well with first break of 21 and 15. While Ashu made 21 and missed, then Arif finished the first frame with unfinished break of 29.

In second frame, Ashu again started with break of 18, but it was all by Arif after that. Arif came again with breaks of 42, 38 and unfinished 20 that left Ashu to be a spectator. He won 100-56, 100-39. Arif won all the three matches in the league and finished clear winner.

Ashu Duggal, playing well for the second position, outplayed Sumit Talwar in straight sets 2-0. Ashu registered a break of 64, the highest in the tournament and won 100-25, 100-35. Ashu finished runners-up in the billiards event.

Chandigarh, September 12
SGGS College, Chandigarh, clinched the Panjab University Inter-College Archery (Indian Round) Men Championship for 2008-09 with 1,772 points on the PU campus today.

DAV College, Abohar, with 1,543 points and DAV College, Chandigarh, with 1,521 points bagged second and third positions, respectively.

In individual all round, Amandeep Kamboj of SGGS College won the first position with 607 points.

In individual 50m, Vinay Kumar of SGGS College stood first with 300 points. In individual 30m, Amandeep Kamboj of SGGS College, Chandigarh, with 311 points got the first position.

In compound round individual 30 m, Gursantveer Singh of GNK College, Abohar, won the first position with 336 points.