NEIGHBOURHOOD

Youth fest kicks off at Patel college
Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 22
S. K. Ahluwalia, commissioner of Patiala division, has ordered a registration of a criminal case against Dr Ravi Singh, president of the managing committee of Modern Senior Secondary School.

The action follows a detailed enquiry that the commissioner conducted into the affairs of the school and he has written a letter to the principal of the school saying that it had been proved that Dr Singh had committed the criminal breach of trust and played fraud with the school.

"He has also violated the rules of the school and of the PSEB in making appointments, holding meetings and running the school," says the letter written by the commissioner.

Ahluwalia in his letter has also stated that Dr Singh had misappropriated the school money to the tune of more than Rs 90 lakh by transferring the same illegally from Modern Senior Secondary School and Mayfair Nursery School to the Saraswati Vidayak Trust. Dr Singh had committed the fraud with the school by deliberately issuing a cheque with the intention to cheat the school as the cheque was bounced when presented to the bank.

The commissioner has stated that the managing committee of the school had not been properly constituted according to the rules of the school and members of the committee have been illegally appointed and the proceedings of the managing committee had not been properly maintained as per the rules.

In view of these observations the commissioner has ordered the principal to lodge an FIR for the misuse and misappropriation of the school money against Dr Singh and to file a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act against him due to the dishonour of the cheque and also take appropriate legal action, including a civil suit, for the recovery of misappropriated amount against him and also against other defaulting members of the managing committee.

Patiala, October 22
Students of Government Nursing College, Patiala, held a protest rally here today against the government for its failure to fulfil their demands.

The protesters were demanding duty stipend at par with MBBS and BAMS students. The rally, held under the banner of the Young Organisation of India (YOI), started from the Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, and passed through the Leela Bhawan. The protesters wore black batches to show resentment against the government.

Addressing the protesters, YOI president Rajwinder Singh Dhanaula said the Punjab government was playing with the future of the nursing students. He said they met cabinet minister Tikshan Sud recently and apprised him about the pitiable condition of the college.

YOI local unit vice-president Balwinder Kaur Sidhu also criticised the authorities. On being questioned about the condition of the college, she said that there was no proper authority in the college and the infrastructure and the management was in a poor condition. Moreover, the college did not have proper staff, she added.

Warning the college authorities and government of dire consequences, she said this rally was just the beginning. “If the government fails to accept our demands, we would be left with no option but to intensify our agitation,” she added. 

Patiala, October 22
Are benefits of the Right to Information Act filtering down to a common man? Going by the travails of a local resident, it seems the answer is no.

Kul Shashi Parkash, a resident of Neemwala Chowk, Raghomajra, has claimed that government officials were not obeying the orders of the State Information Commission.

He claimed that he had 233 square yards in Sidhuwal village falling under Patiala tehsil. He said a few persons had illegally encroached upon the land and he approached the patwari for the same. He added that since he got no response, he met the subdivisional magistrate (SDM), who directed revenue officials to demarcate the land. Simultaneously, he claimed, he applied for the demarcation under the RTI Act. However, even after the stipulated period of 15 days, he failed to get the requisite information under the Act.

The Commissioner after hearing the public information officer-cum-tehsildar passed an order on March 31 this year directing the tehsildar to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 for “unnecessary putting the petitioner to a lot of discomfort and monetary detriment.”

He added that the compensation amount was to be paid within seven days. However, no compensation was paid to him and the case was later adjourned.

Parkash has claimed that the state information commissioner has now directed the Patiala deputy commissioner to direct the public information officer to ensure that compliance of the orders is made.

Ropar, October 22
Wrestling and singing have many things in common. Both require effort, devotion and hard work, says renowned Sufi singer Puranchand Wadali.

The Wadali Brothers - Puranchand and his younger brother Pyarelal Wadali - were here to perform at the Ropar Heritage Festival.

Before taking to singing, Puranchand was wrestler. “I enjoy both singing and wrestling,” he said while talking to TNS.

After lending their voice in movie “Pinjar”, the torchbearers of Sufi music now have a number of movies lined up for release, including “Sarhad Paar”, “Dhoop”, “Tina ki Chabi”, “Saanjh Mohabbatan Di”, “Gabru Punjab De” and “Addi Tappa”. Their forthcoming music albums include “Ankhiyan Nahin Rajjiyan” and “Sajjan Tu Raazi Rahen”.

“Numbers don't matter. It’s the masterpiece that matters. Singing is devotion to God and that is what our music reflects,” said Pyarelal.

Not aspiring to open a formal music academy, the Wadali Brothers are imparting training to youngsters who are devoted to music. “Our students stay with us and eat with our family. Music cannot be commercialised. It’s not a commodity that can be sold to someone,” said Pyarelal.

They are also elated over the performance of Puranchand's son Lakhwinder Wadali in a TV reality music show.

The show must go on, said Puranchand Wadali, who is now 70, and wants to sing till his last breath. "Jadon tak oh guru gareeb te mehar kare,” he added.

Ropar, October 22
Institute of Management Studies at Bhaddal organised a talent hunt programme for its students. Institute chairman Dr G.S. Chahal was the chief guest on occasion.

Dr Chahal said although academic studies were essential for getting good ranks in exams but extra curricular activities helped in their overall personality development. Various competitions, including songs, dances, rangoli, IQ tests and business quiz were organised in order to exploit the hidden talent of students.

Prabhjot won award for best solo song, Anuradha and Deepika won best rangoli award, Vineet and Rakshit excelled in business quiz, best googly advertisement of selling broken sunglasses was performed by Barinder and group, Jaganjeet and group played best skit and team performing Punjabi folk Sammi won best group dance competition.

Institute CEO Ravinder Singh congratulated IMS director-principal Dr V.P. Nagpal for their effort in bringing out new talent. He also gave some management tips to the students. IET director-principal Dr H.R. Verma and all faculty members of IMS were also present on occasion.

Intervention in religious ceremony
Students demand principal’s removal
Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, October 22
Students of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, being run by the SGPC, went berserk today when principal of the college tried to intervene in a religious ceremony. The police resorted to using tear gas to control the agitating students.

The incident took place today when college students held a sehaj path marking the 300 years’ celebrations of Guruta Gaddi Diwas.

Principal of the college M. S. Grewal allegedly objected to students' decision and asked them to postpone the ceremony to Sunday.

"Principal asked us to hold the path on Sunday and not on any working day," said a student. Irate students then burnt effigy of the principal and raised slogans against him.

Students called on a strike for indefinite period demanding immediate removal of the principal from college.

They alleged principal of hurting religious sentiments. Students approached SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, who was in the city for a meeting of Dharam Prachar Committee, and apprised him of the entire episode. Makkar ordered an inquiry into the matter.

Member secretary of SGPC Didar Singh Bhatti will conduct the inquiry and submit the report.

Not satisfied with Makkar's assertions, students again raised demand of immediate expulsion of the principal. They demanded on-the-spot redress of feud. The police had to use tear gas to bring irate students under control. Two students had to be rushed for medical aid to the civil hospital.

The principal, M. S. Grewal, denied the allegations levelled against him. He said: “I just asked them to hold ceremony on Sunday so that studies were not disturbed. Only a handful of students created this disharmony on campus. We will identify the mischief mongers in the entire episode and take disciplinary action against them."

Meanwhile, the SAD (A) president, Simranjeet Singh Mann, called it a shameful act and demanded a stringent action against the people at fault.

Inter-varsity football
PU beat Lucknow varsity
Ravi Dhaliwal

Patiala, October 22
After days of one-sided contests, some interest was infused with the commencement of the semi-final league of the North zone inter-varsity football tournament at the Punjabi university campus here today.

Out of 34, only four teams remained in the fray. Three teams, which have made it to the last four, are direct seeds into the quarter finals that speak a lot about the quality of their play.

With lesser known teams making their way home, the outfits which remain in the fray now are Panjab University, Lucknow University, Delhi University and Punjabi University.

In the first match of the league, Panjab University rode on the tactical acumen of the strikers to notch up a facile 5-1 victory against Lucknow University, who had to struggle hard to make their way into the league. Harinder Singh opened the scoring for Chandigarh while Amarjit Singh made it 2-0 for his team later. After this goal, Chandigarh became a bit complacent that enabled Lucknow to claw their way back in the match. The hard working medio, Deepak Yadav, who played a stellar role in the league matches, made his way into the danger area from the left flank. However, when he was just about to shoot, he was suddenly hemmed in by two defenders who blocked his view of the goal. With some footwork and precise juggling of the ball, Yadav side-stepped his way past the defenders and sent in a withering shot, which brooked no resistance from the goal tender.

This goal rejuvenated Lucknow and the strikers of the players thus had more space down the middle to make their forays.

However, during the last 15 minutes, for some inexplicable reason, the Lucknow outfit, after playing a good game, slipped into a hole and never recovered.

It was in this period that the Chandigarh team pumped in three more goals through Inderjit, Jashanpreet Singh and Jagjit Singh to close out the contest at 5-1.

Sports day at Buddha Dal
Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 22
The senior wing of Buddha Dal School, Patiala, organised an annual prize distribution function and  celebrated sports  day here today.

On the occasion, Avtar Singh Makkar, president, the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, presided over the function.

He congratulated students and teachers  for their achievements in the field of academics, sports and arts.

He announced a  grant of Rs 1 lakh for the development of the school. Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, general secretary, the SAD (B), was also present on the occasion. The students presented various items like aerobics, taekwando, bhangra and other cultural items, etc. Chandumajra  lauded the items presented by the students and also gave away prizes to the winners. Principal Amrit Aujla presented a  vote of thanks.

Chandigarh, October 22
Additional district and sessions judge S.K. Aggarwal today adjourned the hearing in the sensational Anuradha murder case for November 11.

The statement of Anuradha’s daughter Osean was to be recorded today. However, Anuradha’s sister Rekha apprehended that Osean might turn hostile as she had been living with her father Baljinder Singh Talha’s family for months now.

According to the prosecution, Baljinder masterminded his wife Anuradha’s murder. She was found murdered on the intervening night of May 17-18. Her husband was the complainant initially, but was later booked for the crime.

Though Osean and her brother Noor Kataria were present in the court, there statements were not recorded. Baljinder’s sisters, his father and brother and Rekha and Harish, the siblings of the deceased, were also present in the court.

The court had framed charges against Baljinder and servants Vijay and Ashok for murdering Anuradha on September 5. She was found dead at her Sector 38 West residence when her husband returned from a party late in the night.

The case took a new turn when the servant of the house, Vijay, who was the suspected in the case, was found murdered near a canal in Ropar. However, it was later revealed that the body found in Ropar was that of Sunil and not of Vijay. The face of the body with Vijay’s mobile phone and an identity card had been disfigured.

Investigation carried out by the police revealed that the body with disfigured face was that of Sunil, another domestic help employed by Baljinder, who was allegedly murdered by Vijay and his accomplice Ashok.

Chandigarh, October 22
Though the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) claimed to have issued notice, “Call for Information”, to the six suspended cops of the Chandigarh Police for having alleged involvement with drug paddlers, none of them turned up at the bureau today.

In its notice under Section 67 of the NDPS Act, the bureau asked the cops to join the inquiry on October 22 and 23 but sources confirmed that no such notice was received by the cops, SI Harinder Singh Sekhon, head constables Bachhiter Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Baljit Singh and Mohan Singh.

Zonal director of the NCB Saji Mohan has said last week the cops were summoned on October 22 and 23, but a senior officer of the police held that the department had received no such notice so far.

“We have not received any such notice from the NCB. Might be, it (the notice) would have directly served at their residences”, said DSP (Lines) Jagbir Singh.

However, Saji Mohan could not be contacted for comments despite repeated attempts.

According to the sources, the NCB issued “Call for Information” only when it gathered sufficient evidences against someone. This can also be termed as an important development towards filing complaint in the special NDPS court.

The report of preliminary enquiry by DSP JS Cheema against the cops could also be used by the NCB to strengthen its case.

The cops have been placed under suspension for their alleged involvement with the drug paddlers. DSP Chadha has been conducting an enquiry in the matter.

SPORTS

CHA lift Administrator's Challenge Cup
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 22
Hosts Chandigarh Hockey Academy (CHA) scored an authentic 3-1 verdict against Punjab and Sind Bank of Jalandhar in the final of the first Administrator's Challenge Cup Hockey Tournament for Boys Under-17 at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here today.

Chandigarh Hockey Academy boys played an inspired game. The highlight of the well-deserved victory for the hosts was a three-in-a-row feat by speedy Gagandeep Singh.

Egged on by trainees of the football, hockey and cricket academies run by the Chandigarh Administration, the fast moving Chandigarh Hockey Academy boys made a whirlwind start as they struck in the very first minute through Gagandeep, who was later shown green card in the 34th minute.

Hardly had the cheers of the home crowd had died down, Chandigarh Hockey Academy struck again in the eighth minute through Gagandeep, who scored another field goal.

Maintaining their relentless pressure, the hosts forced their first penalty corner in the 12th minute. The dashing Gagandeep, wearing jersy No 10, converted the penalty corner to complete his three-in-a-row feat.

In a counter move the bank men were able to reduce the margin by converting a penalty corner in the 46th minute when Gagandeep Singh rolled the ball in after capitalising on the rebound off Chandigarh Hockey Academy goalkeeper Sukhjeet's pads. The bank men forced penalty corners in the 15th, 30th, 46th, 48th and 64th minutes. They could convert only one.

Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator Pradip Mehra distributed the prizes. The jubilant Chandigah Hockey Academy boys were presented a glittering trophy and a cheque of Rs 50,000. The Punjab and Sind Bank team received the runners-up trophy and a cash incentive of Rs 25,000.

Chandigarh, October 22
Hosts St. Peter's Secondary School, Sector 37, moved into girls under-19 semifinals of the CBSE North Zone I Tennis Championship being played at the St Peter's School Tennis Academy here today.

In quarterfinal matches, St Peter's defeated Delhi Public School by 2-0. Shivika blanked Sushila 8-0 in the first singles and Avneet also scored an identical 8-0 victory over Nancy to wrap up the match. Carmel Convent, Sector 9, Chandigarh, prevailed over Bal Bharti, Rohini, Delhi 2-1. — TNS 

Chandigarh, October 22
St Stephen's Football Club (FC) of Sector 45 will lock horns with DAV Senior Secondary School (DAVSSS-8), Sector 8, in the final of the Senior Chandigarh Women Football Championship for the Kapania Memorial Trophy tomorrow at the Sector 17 Football Stadium here.

St Stephen's FC today topped their four-team pool B with an all-win record after beating Sri Guru Gobind Singh College for Women of Sector 26 by 2-0.

St Stephen's opened their account in the 21st minute when they were awarded a free kick on top of the box after SGGS College for Women defender handled the ball. Shikha Sharma shot into the far corner of the goal.

Stephen's increased their lead in the 56th minute as Simran Sidhu unleashed a powerful shot off a pass from Meena. Stephen's could have scored more goals but a crowded SGGS College for Women defence restricted the victory margin.