Chandigarh, October 4
In a shocking incident, a labourer was arrested for allegedly raping his minor stepdaughter.

According to the DSP (South), J.S. Khaira, 31-year-old Chander Paul of Rajiv Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 West had been raping his stepdaughter, who is around 15 years old, for the past four years.

A complaint in this regard was lodged by a neighbour, Bir Pal, after he saw the condition of the victim, who is around six months pregnant.

The police said Chander Paul had threatened Bir Pal with dire consequences if he exposed him. The accused had been looking after the girl for the past 11 years.

Talking to the media, the accused said he married Sarita from Bihar around 11 years ago after they fell in love. She was already married then and had a three-year-old daughter.

“Her husband deserted her and after our marriage, we started staying at Gawala Colony in Mani Majra,” he said.

Sarita committed suicide sometime later after he had another affair, he said, adding that since then, the girl had been living with him. There was no sign of remorse on his face and he claimed that he had been sexually abusing the girl for the past one year only.

Meanwhile, a medical examination of the victim was conducted at the GMSH-16.

A case under Sections 376 and 506, IPC, has been registered.

“We are seeking the help of the child and women social welfare department for the rehabilitation of the victim, the police said.

Chandigarh, October 4
A group of five-six persons attacked a family and reportedly took away a mobile phone, chain and Rs 10,000 from a house in Sector 38 (West) this evening.

They not only beat up members of the family, including a widow Meena and her sons Ankur and Akshay, but also broke furniture and windowpanes.

In a complaint to the police, Meena alleged that the main attacker was Regan, who lived in her neighbourhood.

“Equipped with clubs, sticks and rods, the attackers, including Regan, Himanshu and Shelly, broke into the house and started assaulting me and my sons. They also started breaking articles. It continued for about 15 minutes and nobody from the ‘mohalla’ came to help us,” she said.

The reason behind the attack was reportedly old rivalry between Meena’s sons and Regan.

Her sons received minor injuries and were taken to hospital, the police said.

Talking to this correspondent, she alleged that Regan had called her up using a fake name to confirm if they were at home.

“We have to deliver a gift to you and if you are at home, we will come to your place,” she said, quoting Regan.

Manmohan Singh, an eyewitness, said: “Yesterday also Regan had come here with his father and assaulted Ankur and Akshay outside their house. However, I persuaded them to leave. Today, they again attacked them.”

The father of Regan alleged that they had old enmity for the past two years and cases had been registered by both parties against each other.

“Yesterday, they assaulted my son and we have already filed a complaint with the police, but no action was taken. That’s why my son, along with his friends, attacked them,” he added.

The SHO of the Sector 39 police station said a case had been registered.

Chandigarh, October 4
The city administration has decided to perpetuate the memory of Le Corbusier, who realised Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's dream of having a new city "free from the encumbrances of the past", by setting up Le Corbusier Centre at the Old Architects' Office in Sector 19-B here.

The setting up of the centre, a treasure trove of information on Le Corbusier and people, places and things associated with his life, would provide a shot in the arm to the administration's efforts to get the city on the world heritage list of UNESCO, V.N. Singh, project nodal officer, told The Tribune here today.

To be dedicated to the public by UT administrator S.F. Rodrigues on October 6, the centre boasts of some rare documents and items used by the master architect and his associates like Pierre Jeanneret, Edwin Maxwll Fry, Jane Beverely Drew, M.N. Sharma, A.R. Prabhalkar, U.E. Chawdhury, N.S. Lamba, Aditya Prakash, B.P. Mathur, S.D. Sharma and Rattan Singh.

"The centre will focus on preservation, interpretation, research, display of works and legacy of Le Corbusier," Prof Kiran Joshi, model officer of the Chandigarh World Heritage Project, said.

With the city dubbed a milestone in contemporary architecture, the centre would prove to be a mecca for architects, planners, conservation professionals and tourists, officials said.

The centre would be divided into three sections -- museum and display gallery, research and publication centre and administration. V.N. Singh said the original things used by Le Corbusier's team such as furniture, pen stand and compass with foot rule would be on display at the centre.

The centre would also have a reference digital library for researchers and the public and a website www.lecorbusiercentrechd@gmail.com for online information about the centre.

An exhibition, "A dream realised: An architectural overview of the ideas that became cities", a brainchild of eminent architect Surinder Bahga of the Saakaar Foundation would also find a place of pride at the centre.

Chandigarh, October 4
Finance secretary-cum-secretary engineering Sanjay Kumar today visited various ongoing projects, including Tagore Theatre in Sector 18, Beant Singh Memorial in Sector 42, new lake in Sector 42, a crèche in Sector 47, and ongoing road works.

Accompanied by UT chief engineer S.K. Jaitley, Sanjay Kumar issued directions to adhere to the schedule of completion with requisite infrastructure and operational facilities.

During the visit to the Tagore Theatre, he directed officials to complete the work by October 30. The revitalisation plan of the theatre is being carried out at the cost of Rs 9.8 crore with enhanced auditorium seating capacity of 885 persons besides other ultra-modern facilities.

At the new lake, officials were directed to provide other facilities like campus lighting to facilitate public performing the rituals.

The new lake being constructed in the southern sector will provide an ideal site for people to perform their religious ceremonies besides serving as a recreational centre for the residents. This water body, spread over an area of 3.25 acre, is provided with toilets and changing rooms, etc.

Ongoing road works on the Purv Marg, the Udyog Path and junctions of Sector 28 and 47 were also inspected.

The engineering department was also directed to complete the recarpeting works of major road within two months.

Chandigarh, October 4
CPI’s former city state secretary Amardeep Singh Sawhney joined BJP along with hundreds of his supporters here today.

The new members came to the BJP office in Sector 33 A and took the official membership of the party in the presence of BJP (Chandigarh) state president Kamla Sharma, former MP Satya Pal Jain, state general secretary Sanjay Tandon and other office-bearers of the party.

Sawhney, who had been CITU general secretary (Chandigarh), had quit the CPI in February.

Also, CITU’s former general secretary (Bathinda and Mansa) Inderjit Singh took the membership of the BJP.

CITU’s (Chandigarh) former treasurer S. K. Verma also left the CPI and joined the BJP.

Other prominent members of the CPI who left the party and joined the BJP included Varun Seth, Praveen Minhas, Barjinder Singh, Sukhbir Kaur, Sandeep Maurya, Nirmal Passi, Vinod Soni, Rohit Saini, Nishant Sood, Davinder, Jatinder and Gaurav Sharma.

Meanwhile, BJP media in charge Kehar Singh Koundel and local BJP spokespersons Davesh Moudgil and Raghuvir Lal Arora have criticised the double standard adopted by the local Congress leaders as well as officers of the Chandigarh administration on building bylaws.

In a joint press note issued here today, the BJP leaders said city residents, whether individuals, cinema owners, traders or different organisations, had long been demanding amendment to the existing building bylaws taking the need-based changes into account.

Chandigarh, October 4
The wounds of victims of Godhra riots have not yet healed even after six years of the incident.

One of the most unfortunate incidents witnessed by the nation was the riots in Gujarat that were allegedly in response to the burning of Sabarmati Express.

Determined to get justice, two women, supported by the human rights organisation, arrived in the city today.

Still recovering from the trauma, Bibikhatun Sultankhan and Sheikh Wahida Rehman Mohammad Arif, were at the ICSSR auditorium in Panjab University to narrate their tales of woes.

Bibikhatun said her three sons were arrested on the same evening when the Sabarmati Express was set on fire. Since then, they were in a jail and she was clueless about their release. “I beg to earn a living while my two daughters-in-law work as domestic helps. I earn around Rs 50 in a day and now my grandson, Iqbal Khan, has stopped studying as we could not afford it,” she said.

While Bibikhatun’s sons were arrested as they were suspected to be among the miscreants who burnt the train, Sheikh Wahida Rehman Mohammad Arif and her family became victims of ‘reaction’ of the ghastly act. With a faraway look in her eyes, she recalled the fateful day when she and her family ran for their lives. “It was on February 28, 2002, when the news of riots was flashed on on television but the cable connection of our house was intentionally disconnected. After reading the newspaper, we came to know about it and apprehended that ours was the only Muslim family in Nagru chal in Ahmedabad. I peeped out and saw many persons sitting outside our house, ready to attack us’,” she said.

It was sheer luck that saved the family on the day.

“My father took my five sisters and brother to a safer place. My mother and I were at home when a group of miscreants set our three-room house on fire. They injured my mother with a weapon and tried to rape me. We somehow reached a Muslim-dominated area and were saved,” she said. There was no hope of returning back as her house was converted into a temple. “When the then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam visited Ahmedabad, I gave him a letter with request to get the temple removed and within a day the work was done. I had also got a complaint registered against the miscreants but they were acquitted,” she said.

Wahida has appealed in the High Court and plans to continue her fight till she gets justice.

Chandigarh, October 4
A high-speed satellite based data link between the headquarters of Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment (SASE) at Manali and its Research and Development Center here was inaugurated by Dr A.S. Pillai, chief controller, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), here today.

The new 2MBPS data link would enable voice, data and video transfer, overcoming some handicaps in SASE’s existing communications system. At present, SASE was dependent on traditional landline communication, over which video transfer was not possible. For emergencies, it used INMARSAT communication involving satellite phones, which was very expensive.

SASE is a DRDO establishment engaged in studying the formation of snow and mitigation of avalanches in mountainous terrain. Its work is invaluable for the safe movement of troops deployed in the northern sector.

SASE director, Dr R.N. Sarwade said the establishment had 42 field observation centres and three mountain meteorology observatories. In about an year’s time, these would be interlinked over a high-speed network.

The new link would enable faster data flow, thereby improving the accuracy of weather and avalanche forecast.

Chandigarh, October 4
Two city-based advocates, Deepak Jindal and Ashwinie Kumar Bansal, have been elected to the governing council of International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR).

Jindal is Assistant Advocate-General, Haryana, and a member, Task Force, Union Commission on Centre-State Relations. Bansal is an arbitration consultant and founder member of ICADR. The elections were held during ICADR’s annual meeting at New Delhi.

The meeting was presided over by chairman-cum-Union law minister H.R. Bhardwaj. Union law secretary T.K. Vishwanathan and Attorney-General of India M.K.Banerjee, were also present.

Giving details of the meeting, Jindal said Permanent Court of Arbitration has agreed to open its branch in the ICADR complex for its Asia business activities. An MoU has been signed between the parties.

The ICADR strives to develop alternative modes of dispute resolution through arbitration, conciliation, mediation, negotiation etc.

Chandigarh, October 4
The State Legal Services Authorities of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have decided to organise a mega lok adalat on December 20 and 21 in the region. In this regard, a mega lok adalat project, “Samadhan 2008”, has been launched.

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Justice T.S.Thakur, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court to discuss the adalat here.

The meeting was attended by Justice M.S. Gill and Adarsh Kumar Goel, both judges of the High Court, and chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana and UT home secretary, and advocate generals of Punjab and Haryana.

Chandigarh, October 4
Drug peddling and drug consumption, especially in the upper strata of society, have become a major headache for the local police here. So far, the police has registered 70 cases besides arresting 76 peddlers in this connection.

Adding insult to injury, the peddlers have been operating with the connivance of certain black sheep in the local police. As many as five local policemen, including a sub-inspector, have recently been suspended for their alleged collusion with drug peddlers.

More shocking is the fact that some notorious drug peddlers had complained to the CBI against certain policemen accusing them of demanding protection money.

The CBI has also nabbed red-handed some police officials in the recent past on such complaints.

According to police records, a total of 31 cases have been registered so far for possessing smack, while three cases have been registered after seizure of heroin.

The other cases are: ganja (11 cases), charas (eight cases), opium (three cases), injections/tablets (five cases) and poppy husk (nine cases). There is also manifold increase in the quantity being seized in comparison to last year, claimed police officials.

Apart from that, cocaine has also started spreading its wings among high-profile drug users of the city. The seizure of hauls of cocaine in and around the city has corroborated this fact.

According to sources, the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) has prepared a list consisting of around 60 cocaine addicts of the city. Most of these belong to influential families of the city.

Assistant superintendent of police Madhur Verma feels that the rapidly changing culture as well as character of the city is one of the major reasons behind this menace.

“Earlier, the city was used as transit point by peddlers but now it has become a big drug-consumption centre,” the ASP said.

According to police sources, now small-time criminals have switched over to drug peddling, which makes the job of the police very tough.

“These peddlers are just retailers, who purchase the stuff in little quantity from big players and sell it in small pouches. Even the arrest of these paddlers does not make any difference due to very low quantity of drug seizure. With the emerging of such peddlers, the menace continues unabated,” said the police official.

Panchkula, October 4
In the wake of the increased rush at Mata Mansa Devi during Navratras and the incidents of stampede at Naina Devi shrine and Jodhpur, Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board has planned to construct two more entry points for the temple.

The plan has been finalised and sent to the Chief Minister for approval. The project would cost at least Rs 5 crore and is likely to start early next year.

This year, the number of devotees is expected to cross 18 lakh. Around 11 lakh people had visited the temple during the Navratras in April.

The chief administrator of the board, Rajinder Kataria, said though the board had undertaken substantial arrangements to regulate the rush, it did not want to take any chances.

At present, devotees have to climb a number of stairs before reaching the sanctum sanctorum through a single entry point resulting in heavy rush.

It is proposed that two gates be constructed on either side of the library and the platform of the sanctum sanctorum should be extended by removing the steps inside the temple for devotees to take part in “aarti”.

People would use separate exit points and it would decongest the area, he said.

The sanctum sanctorum is at a height of at least 38 ft from the base of the temple and devotees have to stand in long queues on the stairs. Any mischief could lead to disaster. The parking area and roads around the temple would also be upgraded.

Chandigarh, October 4
The UGC Pay Review Committee’s recommendations have undoubtedly brought reasons to cheer for Panjab University teachers but at the same time, the college teachers are feeling totally left out. Infact, the recommendations have divided the teachers of colleges and university.

The recommendations of the committee include 70 per cent salary hike for the university teachers and the retirement age has also been increased to 65 years, besides other favourable recommendations.

The same has been recommended for the teachers of affiliated colleges of Panjab University. But the college teachers claim that while the recommendations for their counterparts in the university are implemented, for them however, it is not the case.

R.P.S. Josh, a PU fellow and a lecturer at Government College of Girls, Sector 42, welcoming the recommendations, said the Centre and the Punjab government should ensure that the recommendations were implemented on par. The superannuation age to 70 years should be implemented for the college teachers as well.

According to sources, the age of retirement as per the Punjab government is 58 years, in private colleges, the age of retirement is 60 years and in the university it has been recommended to enhance to 65 years, he said.

Also, the selection grade for the college teachers should be the same as that of the university teachers, he said. The college teachers demand that since the qualification of both the university and the college teachers is the same, so even during promotions, it should be kept the same.

On the other hand, the university teachers feel that since they are into a lot of research work besides teaching, they should not be treated on par with the college teachers.

Another viewpoint that has come up after the recommendations is that the interest of the younger lot, teachers and lecturers have completely been sidelined as the committee has recommended that the teachers may be reappointed on contract basis after the superannuation age been increased to the age of 70 years.

Mohali, October 4
The Shatabadi Purab Committee organised a seminar on “Ika Baani Ik Guru IKo Shabad Vichar” in connection with the tri-centenary programmes at Shivalik Public School, Phase VI, here today.

Prof Manjit Singh, former jathedar of Sri Akal Takht and Takht Sri Kesgearh Sahib, who was chief guest at the function, said we must dedicate ourselves to Shabad Guru with a great belief. He said an activity whether religious, social or political, which was led by the baani of Guru could be called successful.

The former head of the department on Guru Granth Sahib, Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Balkar Singh, said there was no lack of faith among the followers of Shabad Guru but it seemed that there was a lack of awareness in the community. The external and ritualistic religiosity had slowed down the outcomes of the revolution evolved by the Singh Sabha movement. Kehar Singh, former chairman of the Punjab School Education Board, said if we could understand the concept of Shabad Guru, we could get rid of ritualism and superstitions.

Chandigarh, October 4
The dandiya fever is rocking the city with celebrations of the ongoing nine-day Navratra festival.

The festival of Goddess Durga brings with itself all-night dandia sessions, as it combines religion and devotion with recreation and fun.

Markets are also bustling with activity and people are thronging to buy Gujarati attires and accessories. “To be in a dandiya night during Navratra is to witness the city at its best,” says Navdeep Kaur, a BPO professional.

The Navratra celebrations encompass nine nights starting September 30. As the extravaganza involves pomp and splendour, people are even looking for joining practice sessions for dandiya nights.

According to those running dance institutes in the city and its periphery, the dance form, being a good recreational activity, is becoming famous among people, especially youngsters.

“We get numerous enquiry calls every day asking about dandiya classes. We have not started any as yet,” said a member of Dance World in Sector-17.

Though, the venues hosting dandiya nights here still remain very few, the enthusiasm has been increasing with years, as girls can be spotted with “chaniya-choli”, the long flowing skirt worn with a flowing “odhni” or long stole, the traditional costume worn on the occasion. Men on the other hand wear the “kedia”, a high waist top.

“There is a blend of old and new in everything designed these days. But ‘chaniya-choli’ patterns remain the same. Their colours are usually bright,” points out Rajender Kumar, owner of Chotu-Motu, who also rents out Navratra costumes and dresses.

“This year, the Navratra rush is much more. Both men and women come to take on rent the traditional Gujarati dresses along with their jewellery,” he said.

The dance involves men and women joining in a circle, holding small polished sticks or “dandies” and as they whirl to the music, they strike the “dandies” in rhythm.

Chandigarh, October 4
The undermining of issues relating to sexuality of persons with disabilities by health, social service and rehabilitation professionals besides family and society has led to the denial of right to sex and procreation to these people, stated Dr G.N. Karna, honorary president of the Society for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, New Delhi, here today.

Dr Karna, who did the first research on studies on disabilities in Indian perspective, while talking with the TNS during a workshop on a two-day national workshop on “Sexual empowerment of disabled persons in India” at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, said even as the society was becoming sensitive towards the rights of disabled gradually still people used double standard when it came to the matrimonial issues.

And it is evident from the studies depicting that around 35 per cent of persons with disabilities are never married. Interestingly, this proportion is higher in urban areas where more than 38 per cent disabled remain unmarried in comparison to the rural areas, where the figure hovers around 33 per cent, said Dr Karna.

It merely portrays a picture showing that people with disabilities have been denied right to sex and have family.

Mentioning the measures being taken by the government towards uplifting the disabled, Dr Karna said though government was doing a lot, the problem could not be overcome till a massive awareness campaign was launched, as it had to be solved at the emotional and social level.

In fact, perceptions of misconception about disability and sexuality aggravated the situation, he said. Most disabilities seldom affected sexual functioning but the unfortunate aspect in the perceptions of many in societies that disabled were sexually deviant was frustrating the cause, he added.

Prof K.K. Talwar, director, PGI, Chandigarh, who inaugurated the workshop stressed the importance of sexual rehabilitation as part of comprehensive rehabilitation of a disabled person.

This aspect is critical to restoring the self-respect and self-confidence of disabled persons and to maintain the family life, he said.

Maj-Gen Rajendra Nath, chairman, Society for Blind, Chandigarh, recounted his experience of working with visually handicapped for last 30 years.

He pointed out that disabled compensated loss of one faculty by developing other faculties. They could lead a normal sexual life provided they were given right guidance.

Dr J.P. Singh, member secretary, Rehabilitation Council of India, also stressed the importance of sexual rehabilitation of the disabled by training workers dealing with such disabled persons.

Prof Raj Bahadur, director-principal, GMCH, in his presidential address dwelled on the anguish and specter of rejection faced by disabled persons, if they were not able to perform sexual function and do procreation.

Panchkula, October 4
The art lovers were treated to another genre of kathak classical dance drama titled “Panchasaar and Vedna” presented in the delightful ambience of Yadvindra gardens on the second day of the ongoing Pinjore Heritage Festival.

Produced and directed by the acclaimed kathak maestro, Rajendra Gangani, the programme commenced with an invocatory dance recital “Panchasaar”. The accomplished dancers delineated the divine significance of the word constituents of “Om Namah Shiva” through dance sequences.

The fact that our cultural traditions are enmeshed with the influence of our mythological gods had seemingly inspired Gangani to expound the mysteries of creation of the universe, evolution of life and later degeneration of humanism and ethical values, all through the divine dance spectacles. The dancers described the origin of life, natural vegetation, warbling of birds, the plaintive notes of the wind and waves of the ocean through well designed dance and executed moves. The appearance of human beings on the mother Earth and their behavioural changes from the primitive to the modern period however, was vividly presented.

The bounties of life, depression, lust for power, money and decadence of morality and final destruction of mankind were immaculately depicted. Musical renditions in raga ‘yaman’, ‘malkons’, ‘shivranjani’, ‘gorakh kalyan’ and poetry of Mahadevi Verma contributed to convey the theme.

Harish Gangani on pedant and Pakhawah led the accompanists, Vinod Gangani (vocals), Mohit Gangani (tabla), Ayub Khan (sarangi) who embellished the performance. J.K. Singh of AIR conducted the programme.

The chief guest Kiran Choudhry, minister of State for Tourism, Forests and Sports honoured the artists.

Chandigarh, October 4
As part of the ongoing “Non-Violence Week” initiated by the education department and Yuvsatta with the support of Gandhi Smriti, Darshan Samiti and Peace Club of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, 5th inter-school Gandhi quiz was organised today. 20 teams from different schools of the city participated in the quiz contest. The five-round quiz was conducted by students of Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, and Chanchal Singh, deputy DEO, the education department, was chief guest.

Chandigarh, October 4
A panel of discussion was organised by the South Asia Forum for Human Rights (SAFHR) was held at the ICSSR auditorium in Panjab University on ‘Understanding Impunity and its Impact on the Rule of Law Notions’ today.

Johanna Lokhande spoke on ‘Evaluating the Criminal Justice System’. She elaborated how people of all religions suffered due to the Gujarat riots and its after effects. She also mentioned that during Gujrat riots, around 4,000 FIRs were registered, and 2,000 of them were disposed of without any investigation.

Thereafter, Jasmine Marwah told the details of her research on mass cremations in Punjab that was unravelled by Jaswant Singh Khalra. During the discussions, it came to light that counselling should be provided to those who had undergone such incidents of violence.