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TOP STORIES

10-yr-old beaten up with rods for eating nuts
Employers booked
Panchkula, October 15
In a barbaric incident, a 10-year-old maid was allegedly beaten up with hot rods by a couple of Sector 4 after she was found eating almonds. While the child is struggling for life in hospital, the police has registered a case under Sections 308 and 303, IPC, against the accused identified as Arun Singla and his wife Neelam.

Jet layoff triggers panic
Chandigarh, October 15
The unprecedented layoff of nearly 900 employees by Jet Airways today has spread panic and uncertainty not only among its employees in the city, but also hundreds of aviation students who are uncertain about their placements. Some employees are hopeful of escaping the axe on the grounds that the airlines has a very small office in the city, with limited staff. But nothing could be said unless they get some confirmation from the head office on the issue.

TURBULENT TIMES: Students of an aviation training institute in Sector 34, Chandigarh.

Nepli, Kansal resorts may open to tourists
Chandigarh, October 15
Opening a new chapter in adventure tourism, the administration is set to open Nepli and Kansal forest resorts to tourists and city residents.

Scooterist run over by truck
Chandigarh, October 15
A senior accountant of the AG Punjab and UT died in a road accident near the housing board chowk late in the evening here. Darshan Singh (50) was returning home when his scooter was hit by a truck from behind. According to eyewitnesses, the accident took place at 8.30 pm. A police officer said the truck was being driven at a breakneck speed and had probably lost control before ramming into the scooter going towards Panchkula.

COMMUNITY

GMCH-32 faculty to retire at 60
Decision aimed at retaining top faculty
Chandigarh, October 15
In a step that would go a long way in retaining the top faculty, the Chandigarh administration has enhanced the retirement age of faculty of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 (GMCH-32), from 58 years to 60 years.

Temperature dips due to storm Chandigarh, October 15 The first spell of the winter was felt by the city residents in the wee hours today after the sudden high velocity winds followed rain. The storm brought down the temperature by two degrees in the city. A branch of the tree that got uprooted due to the high velocity winds in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

CITCO to serve South Indian non-veg dishes
Chandigarh, October 15
Those who crave for the South Indian food are in for special treat. The Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) has for the first time planned to introduce “non-vegetarian” South Indian delicacies for the upcoming food festival at its joints.

Members of Shell Shocked band perform during a rock show organised by the Panjab University Campus Students Council at the Law Auditorium in Panjab University, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Cheaper liquor fuels bootlegging
Chandigarh, October 15
The huge disparity between liquor prices in Chandigarh and neighbouring Panchkula and Mohali has made it a lucrative business for bootleggers. And, smuggling is not limited to these towns alone. Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) bought from the city is now even being taken to Rajasthan.

New Alfa proprietor told to pay Rs 5,000
Chandigarh, October 15
District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Sukhwinder Singh, proprietor, New Alfa Electro Services, to pay compensation worth Rs 5,000 to a resident of Mohali.

Wash your hands to ward off diseases
Chandigarh, October 15
It’s a simple act, yet most of us neglect it. We tend to take it lightly, sometimes dismissing it as unnecessary, few realising its importance. But fact is washing hand with soap reduces the risk of water-borne and various other diseases; very few people take this seriously, said experts.

150 youths join BJP
Chandigarh October 15
At least 150 youth hailing from Kishangarh village joined a BJP camp at a function organised Here today. This was stated by Bhajan Singh Maru, chairman, Zila Parishad, Chandigarh. Kamla Sharma, President of the city unit of the BJP, and former MP Satya Pal Jain welcomed the youths to the party fold.

CII fair from tomorrow
Chandigarh, October 15
The four-day annual CII fair is set to begin from October 17. The shopping extravaganza will provide an ideal platform to the country’s leading brands to showcase their products and establish a direct connect with users.

P’kula SP moots joint patrolling
Chandigarh, October 15
The sixth central traffic advisory committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of the UT inspector-general of police, here, today.

Visually impaired barge into secretariat

Chandigarh, October 15 Exposing chinks in the intelligence of the Chandigarh Police, agitating visually impaired from Punjab today sneaked into the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat, here, this morning much to the embarrassment of the police. It was only after the disgruntled protesters raised slogans, when they were not allowed to go inside by the security staff, that the Chandigarh Police came to know about it and rushed to the spot.

The police takes the visually impaired to custody outside the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Vinay Malik

Waste management needs more attention: Experts
Chandigarh, October 15

Dutch environment experts who are here to attend a seminar on rotary strategy to address environmental concerns today said that the management of garbage waste was still in its infancy in the region. The experts opined that there was a lot of confusion among generators, operators, decision-makers and the general community about safe management of waste.
Members of the Dutch delegation talk to mediapersons at the CII in Sector 31, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

MCM Brawl: Frustrated, victim plans to leave college
Chandigarh, October 15
While it has almost been over a month, the controversy over the MCM college brawl refuses to die down. While administration claims to have already decided the matter, the complainant has alleged authorities of forcing a compromise because of which she is planning to change her college.

Admn invites applications for Education City
Chandigarh, October 15
The Chandigarh administration has invited expressions of interest from eligible organisations for Phase III of the Education City to be set up in Sarangpur here. Spread over an area of six-acre, the administration intends to set up world-class educational institutions here.

Hailstorm, rain wreak havoc on farmers
Widespread paddy crop damaged in area
Panchkula, October 15
Hailstorm followed by heavy rain last night played havoc with paddy crop in the area, as over 50 per cent crop was flattened in the fields.

Farmers show their crops after Tuesday’s hailstorm and heavy rain on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Vigilance mellows a day after arresting hotelier

Refuses to seek police remand Mohali, October 15 A day after arresting a Kasauli-based hotelier, Rana Iqbal Singh Jolly, in a case of alleged forgery, fraud, conspiracy and corruption relating to mutation of 432 kanals of land at Nada village, the Punjab Vigilance today told a local court that it had nothing to recover from the hotelier and his police remand was not required. Rana Iqbal Singh Jolly, a Kasauli-based hotelier, being produced in Mohali court on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

‘Poompuhar’ begins at Leisure Valley

Chandigarh, October 15 A joint cultural festival of Tamil Nadu and Punjab ‘Poompuhar 2008’ was inaugurated by General (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, UT administrator, and Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Tamil Nadu, today. The five-day festival was inaugurated at Leisure Valley, Sector-10, Chandigarh. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Chandigarh administration. Artistes perform at Leisure Valley in Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

8,000 autos challaned
Chandigarh, October 15
The Chandigarh Traffic police has challaned at least 8,000 auto-rickshaw drivers this year for various violations. Sources in the traffic police said the studies conducted on road accidents showed that the auto-rickshaw drivers were among the most reckless drivers on the city roads.

‘88 pc diarrhoea deaths due to poor hygiene’
Chandigarh, October 15
To mark the Global Hand-Washing Day today under the UN International Year of Sanitation, the students and the faculty members of the department of social work organised an awareness programme at Don Bosco Navjeevan Centre, Sector 24, here. Around 100 students of the centre participated in the interactive activities on the right way of washing hands with soap. Those who washed their hands properly were given prizes.

Letters
Ban on polythene
Many residents are turning a deaf ear to the ban on polythene bags. The worst affected area remains the grain market. The traders rue that there is no alternative to the polythene bags.

EDUCATION

OCET candidates to get refund on prospectus
December 31 last date for application
Chandigarh, October 15
The old saying, ‘Justice is delayed but not denied’, certainly holds true for Panjab University authorities. A testimony to this is the decision of the committee constituted by the vice-chancellor in April this year regarding refunding the money for OCET forms taken today.

Student council to get feedback
Chandigarh, October 15
The Panjab University Campus Students' Council launched a campaign, ‘Student Council at your doorstep’, today. Addressing the mediapersons on PU campus, Sahil Nanda, PU student council president, said: "In the campaign, we will go to various departments and ask the students for their problems, which we will try to sort out."

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Illegal Eye Trade
Main accused to undergo polygraphy test
Rajpura, October 15
The main accused in the eye selling scam, Dr Jaspinderpal Singh Sodhi, would undergo a polygraphy test in the coming few days. The permission was granted today by Judicial Magistrate Satin Goyal. Also the bail application moved by the doctor was dismissed by the court today.

Rukmani Devi Hall cries for makeover
Ambala, October 15
Kumari Rukmani Devi Hall, Ambala Cantonment, is in a desperate need of face-lift. The three-decade-old hall is the only platform that local theatre artistes have to showcase their talent.

Repeal of land preservation Act soon: MP

Kharar, October 15 The Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) is on the final stages of being repealed by the Punjab government. Repealing this Act will bring major relief to 600 villages in the belt of Pathankot to Nayagaon in Mohali, where land has been locked under the Act. Member of Parliament from Hoshiarpur, Avinash Rai Khanna said this while talking to TNS here today. Khanna was here to listen to the grievances of people under his ‘khulla darbar’ campaign. Member of Parliament from Hoshiarpur Avinash Rai Khanna at a ‘khulla darbar’ in Kharar on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Pbi varsity campus team wins overall trophy

Patiala, October 15 A three-day regional youth festival concluded at Prof Gursewak Singh Physical College of Education, Patiala, here today. Punjabi University campus team, Patiala, won overall trophy with 105 positions. Government College for Women, Patiala, was declared second with 36 positions whereas Government Mohindra College, Patiala, was third with 30 positions. On the last day, bhangra, skits and mimes were presented. Daisy Walia, principal of Prof Gursewak Singh Physical College of Education, and convener of the organising committee of the youth festival, welcomed guests. Students perform bhangra on the concluding day of Punjabi University Zonal Youth Festival at Physical College of Education in Patiala on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Rajesh Sachar

2-day tech fest starts today
Patiala, October 15
Thapar University, Patiala, today announced the dates for Aranya 2008, the largest and the most renowned technical festival of northern India. Organised and presented by Thapar University, Aranya 2008 will attract participation from over 200 institutes and over 4,000 students are expected to participate in it from across India.

COURTS

UBS Case
Hearing adjourned to October 20
Chandigarh, October 15
The University Business School, Regional Centre, Ludhiana, today filed the reply in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in an ongoing case over the issue pertaining to joint placements between UBS, Ludhiana, and UBS, Chandigarh. The case was adjourned to October 20.

Shamsheeda gets bail
Panchkula, October 15
Shamsheeda Begum was granted bail by the local court here today. She was granted bail by judicial magistrate Madhu Khanna on the surety of Rs 10,000 produced by her husband. Shamsheeda, a resident of Yamunanagar district, was arrested on Sunday by the Panchkula police for attempt to suicide in front of police headquarters.

CRIME

Man commits suicide
Chandigarh, October 15
Ranjit Singh, alias Raju, in his mid-twenties, committed suicide by hanging himself at his friend’s residence in Sector 35, here, today morning.

SPORTS

India-Australia Test Match Ticket sales yet to pick up Chandigarh, October 15 With just two days to go for the start of the second Test match between India and Australia, the sale of tickets is yet to pick up. Ticket counters at various branches of HDFC Bank, PCA stadium and at some other places have been largely empty, similar to the previous two days when a thin crowd had gathered to buy tickets. Most of these counters were found without even a single ticket-seeker and those manning these were seen relaxing. Australian skipper Ricky Ponting makes a point to his teammate at Mohali on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Bhajji unfazed by Ravana episode Mohali, October 15 Seemingly unfazed by the criticism of Akal Takht Jathedar and leaders of right-wing Hindu parties, Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, whose jig in a reality show with Mona Singh has created a stir, said he “had nothing to do with it”. Refusing to join issues with either the religious organisation or those who have filed cases against him in local a court, Harbhajan said he had come to know about the controversy from the media only. Claiming that he had not sought any legal opinion on the issue so far, Bhajji, as he is popularly known, said: “Main ki karna hai sir? Main kuch nahi lena dena (I have nothing to do with it).” Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh during practice session at PCA Stadium, Mohali, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

PCA panel member caught stealing Hayden’s cap
Mohali, October 15
In an embarrassing incident, a Punjab Cricket Association’s (PCA) committee member not only breached security norms, but also allegedly picked up a cap belonging to Australian batsman Mathew Hayden from the dressing room at the stadium here.

Global Hand-Washing Day Schoolchildren meet Sachin Mohali, October 15 For eight-year-old Anjana, a student of Government Model High School, Sector 26, today was the most memorable day of her life. Today she got a chance not only to meet his favourite cricket star Sachin Tendulkar but also to interact with him at PCA Stadium here where “Team India” joined schoolchildren on the occasion of first ever “Global Hand-washing Day”. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar washes his hands on the occasion of World Handwash Day at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

GCG-11 clinch rowing title Chandigarh, October 15 Government College for Girls, Sector 11, won the Panjab University Inter-College Rowing Championship for 2008-09 with 32 points at Lake Club here today. Panjab University and GGS College for Women got joint second positions with 18 points each. An event in progress during the Panjab University Inter-College Rowing Championship in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Vinay Malik

Pro Golf Tour
Simi set for hat-trick
Chandigarh, October 15
Simi Mehra, the 34-year-old power-packed golfer from Kolkata, surged ahead leaving the pro pack far behind on the penultimate day of the DLF Women’s Professional Golf Tour on the par 72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club here today.

Snake catches rower by surprise

Chandigarh, October 15 Tarneet Chhabra, a student of MCM DAV College, faced some anxious moments today when a snake crawled up on her in her boat while she was taking part in a four-scull event of the Panjab University Inter-College Rowing Tournament here at Lake Club. A snake being taken out of a boat at Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by  Vinay Malik

Ess Vee Soccer Cup from Oct 17
Chandigarh, October 15
As many as nine matches will be played on the opening day of the second Ess Vee Soccer Cup for Under-15 being organised by Ess Vee Group at Sector-17 Football Stadium here from October 17 to 19.

Volleyball tourney
Chandigarh, October 15
As many as 13 teams from various villages participated in the volleyball tournament, which was organised by the Saheed Udham Singh Youth Club here yesterday at village Khudda Jassu in collaboration with the NYK, Chandigarh.