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Self-certification a non-starter
Since scheme’s implementation in 2005, only one case has come for approval
Chandigarh, October 25
The Chandigarh administration's self-certification scheme for residential building plans has been a non-starter. Thanks to the “indifferent” attitude and the “vested” interests of the authorities concerned, the staff at the UT Estate Office has left no stone unturned to make the process of self-certification tedious to suit the interests of a handful of architects as the common man find it difficult to obtain various clearances under the scheme that was, otherwise, envisaged to make the process simpler, said sources.

NAAC team leaves, ‘satisfied’
Chandigarh, October 25
“All’s well that ends well”. The saying goes right for the Panjab University after the four-day visit of the NAAC team concluded here today.

‘We want to earn a living in the future’
Chandigarh, October 25
While for most people “independence” means a lot but not for the six juveniles who preferred to stay within the four walls of the Juvenile Home as they have nowhere to go.

Terror Threat
Police steps up security in city
Chandigarh, October 25
With intelligence reports indicating possibilities of a terrorist strike in Chandigarh during the festival season, the UT Police has heightened security in markets and other crowded areas of the city.

Nod to judicial complex site in Sec 76
Mohali, October 25
A site in Sector 76, near Sohana village, has finally been approved for setting up the district administrative and judicial complexes here. The formal approval for the site was granted at a recent meeting of the building plan approval committee of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

COMMUNITY

UT hotspot for property buyers

NRIs find it most livable. Emerging as hub of corporates and retail Chandigarh, October 25 The global meltdown and recession in the real estate market have failed to dampen the spirits of property buyers in Chandigarh. The city has again lived up to its reputation of being the favourite destination for those wanting to settle and invest in property here, what with the Estate Office auction virtually breaking all previous records. Homing in on City Beautiful: The ciy is emerging a favourite with realtors.

Volunteers of Arrive safe and AIESEC take part in a candle-light safe-drive awareness programme in Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

36 nominated to PU Senate
Chandigarh, October 25
The much-awaited list of 36 senators, who were to be nominated by the Chancellor of Panjab University, who in this case is the vice-president of India, was reportedly released today for the newly constituted PU senate.

Public safety at stake
Fire brigade cries for updated vehicles, equipment
Mohali, October 25
Despite the town expanding rapidly and high-rise buildings planned for the future, the fire brigade is still making do with ramshackle vehicles and outdated equipment. Neither the government nor GMADA is ready to loosen the purse strings to modernise the fire-fighting arrangements.

Obituary
A friend, mentor and guide to many
Chandigarh, October 25
It is a sad comment on the times that we live in. Times in which a smiling face can hide an infinity of sorrow, times in which the closer we get, the farther we become. Times in which we never share what is closest to our hearts, times when we have no time to look deeper into the weathered eyes and discover that lurking tear.
                                                                               A.S. Chhatwal

Diplomacy can help in shaping foreign policy: Expert
Chandigarh, October 25
Public diplomacy is an emerging area in international relations and fills in gaps where traditional diplomatic measures cannot enter. Stating this, while delivering a talk at Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Amit Dasgupta, joint secretary, public diplomacy division in the ministry of external affairs, said public diplomacy in India was born as recently as 2006 with the public diplomacy division being carved out at South Block.

A potter gives finishing touches to earthen-lamps for Diwali in Sector-20, Chandigarh on Saturday. — Tribune photo by S. Chandan

Thefts on rise in Zirakpur
Limited police force ineffective
Zirakpur, October 25
There might be increased infrastructural development in and around Zirakpur but the town is also seeing a spurt in the incidents of theft and other crimes. Heinous crimes apart, daytime burglaries are becoming a headache for residents who have spent their hard-earned money to settle here.

Principal shows ‘power’ to union leaders
Chandigarh, October 25
In an unprecedented show of brute force, a group of outsiders, at the behest of principal of the DAV College B.C. Josan, manhandled the leadership of the DAV College Employees’ Union yesterday evening.

DAV-8 courts controversy
Principal’s husband ‘interferes’ in school affairs
Chandigarh, October 25
Controversies seem to have become synonymous with DAV Sector 8. An otherwise innocuous incident of the principal’s husband doing a routine security check may snowball into yet another controversy with chowkidar Jaspal Singh, questioning his authority to do so.

Diwali mela at Chandi Mandir
Chandigarh, October 25
A two-day Diwali Mela began at Chandimandir Military Station. Stalls set up by the inmates of Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Mohali, and by the special children from the AWWA-run Asha School, Chandimandir, are the special attractions. The mela is organised to celebrate the festival of lights with gaiety and enthusiasm.

Don't rely on MC website
Not updated since August
Chandigarh, October 25
Don't be too sure about the authenticity of the information you get from the official website of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) as the authorities seemed to have forgotten to update it for a long time.

UT officials visit Tagore theatre
Chandigarh, October 25
The officials of Chandigarh administration visited the Sector 18 Tagore Theatre today to inspect the last-minute progress of the renovation work.

Eco-friendly sports in vogue Chandigarh, October 25 With environment being a major concern world over its time for the sports fraternity to execute their share of responsibility. The concept might seem surprising but it is the driving force behind the project green vision, being professed and undertaken by a city-based NGO, Eco-Friendly Sports.                                                                                                                    Vivek Lakhanpal

Chasing dreams, all alone

Youth today are moving to big cities and metros, away from their family and friends, in search of better prospects Chandigarh, October 25 “If no one listens to your call, walk alone if in fear they cower, mutely facing the wall, open your mind and speak out alone.” These lines perhaps describe exactly that was going on in Rajiv’s mind when he left his small town in Rajasthan almost five years back and came to the city to fulfil his dreams. Rajiv Garg (25), an MBA, initially worked with the ICICI Bank in the city, but later moved on to open Dance World, a dance school in Sector 17.

Soulful sitar recital marks 2nd day of sangeet sammelan
Chandigarh, October 25

The melody magic brought alive by young maestros yesterday was further augmented with a soul sitar recital and a versatile vocal performance on the second day of the ongoing 31st Chandigarh Sangeet sammelan organised by the Indian National Theatre at the Randhawa auditorium here today. Sitar maestro, Deb Prasad Chakraborty, gives a recital at Randhawa auditorium with Avirbhav Verma on tabla in the ongoing Chandigarh Sangeet sammelan. — Photo by Vinay Malik

Poetic Symposium
Eminent poets regale audience
Panchkula, October 25
Well-known poets from the region read out their verses on diverse themes of socio-cultural relevance at a poetic symposium organised by the Haryana Punjabi Sahit Akademi in association with Kidar Adabi Trust at the akademi bhawan here today.

EDUCATION

‘Jhankar 2008’ creates musical ambience
Mohali, October 25
Throbbing beats, pulsating music and overwhelming ambience marked the annual function ‘Jhankar 2008’ at Swami Ram Tirtha Public High School here.

Schools and Colleges
Rajesh wins quiz
Chandigarh, October 25
Maharishi Dayanand Public School, Daria, Chandigarh, organised a quiz on popularisation of science in collaboration with Chandigarh Renewable Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society. Rajesh and Kusum stood first. Nikhil and Sushil bagged second position. Amarjit and Geeta were third.

Pre-Diwali celebrations at schools
Mohali, October 25
Diwali was celebrated at Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dera Bassi. A pre-Diwali programme was organised by Prof Gurpreet Kaur, dean, cultural activities.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Ropar Heritage Fest ‘Mittar Pyare Nu’ staged
Ropar, October 25 Two plays were presented on the penultimate day of the Ropar Heritage Festival at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Bagh today. Harpal Tiwana’s Foundation presented ‘Mittar Pyare Nu’, a play based on the martyrdom of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh who were bricked alive by Mughal emperor in Fatehgarh Sahib. The play depicted the pain of losing loved ones for the cause of religion.
Artistes of Harpal Tiwana Foundation stage ‘Mittar Pyare Nu’ at the Ropar Heritage Fest on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Two killed in accidents
Kharar/Ropar, October 25
Two persons were killed and one injured in different accidents at Kharar and Ropar. In Kharar, Ram Karam, a resident of village Raipur Solan, was travelling in a bus with his wife Kamla Devi.

‘Governor’ sends cops, media in a tizzy
Rajpura, October 25
Governor of the local club sent police, press and some politicians in a panic today evening when the club governor was mistaken with that of the Punjab Governor.

Panj Pyaras participate in a nagar kirtan on the occasion of 300 years of Gurta Gaddi Divas celebrations near Shambhu in Ambala on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Kamal Sachar

2-quintal spurious ‘khoya’ seized
Sirhind, October 25
A team of the local health department yesterday seized two quintals of adulterated ‘khoya’ from the Sirhind railway station during a special checking of trains.

Experts dwell on ways to strengthen capital market
Patiala, October 25
Dr Jaspal Singh, Punjabi University vice-chancellor, here today said research in the fields of Commerce and Management had to be undertaken earnestly with the objective of original findings in the new realm.

Eye seminar at medical college
Patiala, October 25
The Eye Bank Welfare Society, Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, and the department of ophthalmology, Government Medical College, held a state-level seminar on eye banking, eye donation and diabetic retinopathy at the auditorium of Government Medical College here on Wednesday. Eminent speakers from AIIMS, New Delhi, PGI, Chandigarh, IGMC, Shimla, GMC Amritsar, GGS Medical College, Faridkot, DMC Ludhiana, and other eye specialists from all over Punjab took part.

Workshop on hydroponics ends
Patiala, October 25
A two-day workshop on "Hydroponics — growing of plants in water using bio-fert-M without 4S i.e. Sun, Soil, Space and Servant" organised at Multani Mal Modi College, Patiala, concluded recently. Dr Satish Kumar Bhardwaj, principal of the college, welcomed the chief guest, Dr Kulbir Singh Bath, principal scientific officer, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh.

Festive fervour in Bhupindra school
Patiala, October 25
Students of Bhupindra International Public School organised a function to celebrate Diwali yesterday. The function started with school prayer.

Female foeticide crime against humanity: Expert
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 25
A seminar on female foeticide was held at Divine Light International School by social worker Dr N.S. Bawa. Various quiz, writing and drawing competitions were also organised.

Programme on voluntary policy from Nov 4
Ropar, October 25
VANI, a network of voluntary organisations in India, in association with ARPAN, Nangal, is organising a state consultation on national policy on the voluntary sector on November 4 and 5.

COURTS

Anurag Verma gets anticipatory bail
Chandigarh, October 25
Additional district and sessions judge SK Aggarwal today granted anticipatory bail to IAS officer Anurag Verma, Ashish Verma and BC Verma at the district courts.

Dist courts release 45 undertrials
Chandigarh, October 25
Taking a step ahead towards reducing the cases lying pending at the district courts in the mega lok adalat held today, the courts released 45 undertrials who were booked for petty offences under the IPC by disposing of the cases.

Lawyers assault a litigant Chandigarh, October 25 A group of lawyers today assaulted a litigant and his mother after a verbal duel at the District Courts Complex, Sector 17. According to eyewitnesses, the litigant, Rajeev Bedi, had come to the courts to settle his divorce case in the lok adalat. Initially, he had a heated discussion with Gaurav Kathuria, the advocate of his wife outside the courtroom. Thereafter, on coming downstairs the advocates again entered into a discussion with the litigant and his mother after which a group of lawyers pounced on him. Rajeev Bedi after the fight at the Sector 17 police station in Chandigarh on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Himanshu Mahajan

Consumer Courts
American Express penalised Rs 25,000
Chandigarh, October 25
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has asked American Express to pay Rs 25,000 compensation to two complainants for harassment.

CRIME

Man held for raping minor niece
Mohali, October 25
A 25 year-old maternal uncle of a minor girl was arrested today for allegedly raping her. The suspect, Gurvinder Singh, a driver by profession was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Balwinder kaur, his wife.

Yet another victim of drunken driving Chandigarh, October 25 Darkness gripped the family of Harpreet ahead of Diwali, when he died in a road accident yesterday late night. He was the only son in the family, after the demise of his father and younger brother.                                                                                                                         Harpreet

Man, sons attack councillor
Chandigarh, October 25
Three persons attacked Kajheri municipal councillor Kuldeep Singh and his brother Bhag Singh with sharp-edged weapons near their house around 11 am today.

Foetus found near Mouli Complex
Chandigarh, October 25
Robin, a resident of Mouli Complex filed a complaint with the police alleging that an unknown person dropped foetus near his house on October 24. A case has been filed under Section 318 of the IPC at the police station of Manimajra.

SPORTS

North Zone Inter-University Soccer
PU emerge champions
Patiala, October 25
Panjab University, Chandigarh, rode on a combination of luck and pluck to beat Punjabi University, Patiala, by a solitary goal to lay their hands on the coveted trophy in the North Zone Inter-University Football Tournament which concluded on the Punjabi University campus here today.

Cager continues to play even as his term ends

Chandigarh, October 25 Confusion among basketball players and officials of Panjab University during the on going inter-college tournament over AIU’s rules forced the department of sports to call an emergency meeting. According to sources, high drama was witnessed yesterday evening when the team members of Government College, Sector 1,1 staged a protest against the alleged inclusion of Arun Goel, a player of the host team, who they claimed has already completed his playing tenure and could no longer participate in the team as per rules. A match in progress between SGGS College, Chandigarh, and Government College, Ludhiana, at Panjab University ground on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Himanshu Mahajan

Castello Masters Jeev rallies to tied 22nd spot Chandigarh, October 25 Jeev Milkha Singh virtually took the bull by the horns on the Spanish greens as he overcame a triple bogey start on the opening day to fire five-under and two-under cards on the subsequent days to be tied 22nd at seven under 206 on the penultimate day of the Castello Masters on the par 71 greens of Club de Campo in Madrid, Spain, today.

Junior sports prize distribution function
Tanvi Veema bags PT Usha award
Panchkula, October 25
Tanvi Veema of class V, Sundaram, and Kunal bagged the ‘PT Usha Award’ and the ‘Milkha Singh Award’, respectively, at the Junior sports prize distribution function of Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 15, held here today.