NEIGHBOURHOOD

Ropar Heritage Fest
‘Mittar Pyare Nu’ staged
Tribune News Service

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. The couple got off near Bhooru chownk on Kharar -- Landran road. Suddenly a truck hit the woman and ran over her. She died on the spot. The truck driver escaped after abandoning the vehicle on the road.

In another accident, Mohan Lal, a resident of mohalla Phool Chakkar in Ropar died. Mohan Lal was going from Ropar to village Ghanauli on Ropar - Anandpur Sahib road, when a CTU bus hit him.

The incident took place at around 8.30pm. He was rushed to the Ropar civil hospital, where doctors referred him to the PGI. Mohan Lal died after reaching the PGI.

A case has been lodged against driver of the bus, Tara Singh.

A woman was injured in yet another accident. Darshan Kaur, a resident of Swaraj Nagar Kharar, was returning after paying obeisance at Daun gurdwara on Friday with her husband Avtar Singh.

At around 6.45 pm, when the couple reached near village Ballo Majra on their scooter, an unknown truck hit the scooter and ran over Darshan Kaur's left leg.

Darshan’s husband rushed her to the PGI. At the PGI, the doctors amputated the leg to save her life.

A case has been registered against the unknown truck driver, who fled away.

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.

Nearly all the scribes from Rajpura, about twelve police officials and few local politicians reached village Neelpura to meet Punjab Governor at around 5 pm. They came to know about the club governor after around one hour.

“We kept on waiting for nearly an hour and only after 6 pm came to know about the visit of the governor of the club. The governor was to inaugurate a tuition centre for poor children in the village”, said a local politician of Rajpura.

He said a section of social workers, local leaders and scribes reached the venue to have one-to-one with the governor. “But they all found themselves in a piquant situation when they come to know about the club governor", said the local leaders.

The police officials, taking no chances, immediately deployed cops en-route to the village and also sent some policemen to enquire about the visit of the governor.

“Sometimes it happens that senior bureaucrats, politicians and even the governor reach at a very short notice. So we take no chances and try to deploy at least some cops for security concerns”, said the police official on condition of anonymity.

The cops too enquired about the governor's visit and made phone calls in Chandigarh and at district headquarters in Patiala. They finally came to know about the visit of the governor of the club.

Gurpreet Damoli, an area resident said the nearby villagers too reached the place where the governor was to visit. The Club governor distributed sewing machines and a bicycle, Gurpreet said.

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.

As soon as the team arrived at the railway station, the owner of four bundles of ‘khoya’ fled from the spot. The government railway police failed to identify the accused.

The police has taken the adulterated ‘khoya’ items into its possession in the presence of the health department officials. The police also seized two bags of adulterated spices from the bundles.

Sources in the railway police revealed that usually these consignments come from Muzaffarpur in Uttar Pradesh. "This could be just the tip of the iceberg,” said the officials.

Sources said that the quantity of adulterated raw material for preparing sweets and other edibles being smuggled from parts of Uttar Pradesh increases manifold during the festive season.

The health officials said that preliminary reports revealed that the consignment of ‘khoya’ was supposed to be delivered in the areas of Bassi Pathana and Mandi Gobindgarh. Efforts would be made to establish identity of its owner, added officials. The samples of confiscated ‘khoya’ will be sent for chemical examination, they said.

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.

Presiding over the two-day 5th International Conference on Indian Capital Market, organised jointly by the Punjab School of Managing Studies (PSMS) and the Punjab Commerce and Management Association (PCMA), Dr Singh expressed hope that this mega event, in which elite academicians and corporate professionals were sharing their experiences, would suggest ways and means for strengthening the Indian Capital Market.

Dr J Sadaquttullah, regional director of the Reserve Bank of India, was the chief guest. He has been a chairman of many committees, set up by the RBI, and has been actively involved in the revolution in the banking sector.

The keynote address was on the topic- ‘Global Financial Crisis and the Financial Market’ .

He specified the reason for the current global financial crisis could be summarised in one line, ‘There is enough in the market for everyone’s need but not greed’. He further added the Indian financial market was safe because of the conservative policy of the regulators.

Dr Pushpinder Singh Gill, senior professor in PSMS, said he was overwhelmed by the presence of eminent scholars from all over the world to participate in the conference.

Prof Ashwani Bhalla, executive vice-president of PCMA, introduced the theme of the conference. Earlier, Dr Jaspal Singh along with other dignitaries lighted the ceremonial lamp to mark the inauguration of the conference.

In the evening session, Dr Sunil Gupta, vice-chancellor of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, was presented PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award by the Dr Jaspal Singh. Dr Pushpinder Gill and Dr Prem Kumar, president emeritus of the PCMA, presented the VC and the vice-chancellor of Kurukshetra University, Dr RP Bajpai, with an award of honour.

Vice-chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh along with Dr Pushpinder Gill presented momentos to the PCMA executive board members.

Dr Vijay Asdhir, president of the PCMA, proposed a vote of thanks. The students of the PSMS presented a cultural programme to mark conclusion of the day’s proceeding.

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.

A senior IAS officer and managing director of the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Verma, was booked on charges of domestic violence on June 25 after his estranged wife, Shweta, alleged he had beaten her up at his Sector-16 house.

The application seeking an anticipatory bail stated the perusal of FIR showed that nothing under the Section 498-A of the IPC was made out. The couple got married on January 21 in 1995 and were blessed with a son Avnish on July 26, 1997 whereas the couple separated in 2007.

Following this, Verma filed a petition under the Hindu Marriage Act on July 24, 2007. The petition stated Verma and his family had never demanded dowry. It stated that earlier the police had lodged a complaint under the Section 323, 341 of the IPC, however, Section 498-A of the IPC.

The court stated: “According to the police, Anurag has joined the investigation so police custody is not required. The criminal liabilities of these Sections will be known later after the investigation is completed.”

The court further added that investigation under the Sections 406 and 3,4 of Dowry Act is still on, thus, a five-day notice should be issued to the accused before the arrest.

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.

In the mega lok adalat, the courts disposed of 210 cases that were criminal in nature using the concept of “plea bargain.”

The concept of “plea bargain” was introduced by making an amendment in the Code of Criminal Procedure and was brought into force in July 5, 2006.

The accused, whose cases were disposed of, were booked under the Sections 279, 411 of the IPC, the Excise Act and the Gambling Act that are referred to as petty offences.

As per the Section 265-A to L of the CrPC: “A person accused of an offence may file an application for plea bargaining in the court.”

As per the provisions of the CrPC, the magistrate shall take cognizance of an offence on complaint other than an offence for which a term of death, life imprisonment or imprisonment for more than seven years has been provided under the law. After receiving the application under sub section (1), the court shall issue notices to the public prosecutor or a complainant order would be pronounced.

The orders would be pronounced as per the Section 265-E of the CrPC. No appeal can be filed except Special Leave Petition in any court against such judgment.

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.

Talking to the TNS, Rajeev Bedi said, “These lawyers were mentally prepared to assault me and my mother today. They abused my mother. That was intolerable and was followed by an altercation.”

However, the lawyer Gaurav said, “Rajeev’s mother was shouting at me. I tried to avoid her. Then Rajeev came and abused me. A physical fight followed.”

BAIL: A local court today granted bail to Ankush Sharma, Sahil Nanda and Uday Bhan who were arrested pertaining after clash of two groups of students in the Panjab University on October 22.

The clash took place in full public view at Students’ Centre immediately after lunch hour. It started when a group of at least 25 armed students belonging to Haryana Students' Association (HSA), along with some activists of Indian National Students Organisation (INSO) reached the Students’ Centre, following an argument. They parked their vehicles near the Botany Department. At the same time, another group belonging to Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) also reached there. The students were booked under Sections 145, 147, 148, 149, 323 and 506 of the IPC at the Sector 11 police station.

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

The complainants, Kuldeep Singh and Harjinder Singh, stated that they had purchased an American Express Travelers Cheque for a sum of $ 8,000 from American Express in August, 2006.

Kuldeep asserted that after arranging for the foreign exchange, he left for Malaysia to attend a marriage.

He stated that the said cheques went missing from his bag. Thereafter, he contacted the officials of American Express.

Kuldeep claimed that the cheques were never issued and he had to survive on money borrowed from others.

The forum stated that American Express had declined the refund of money. The forum also directed opposite party to release the cheque of the same amount.

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.

The 15 year-old victim is studying in a Chandigarh-based school. The police registered a case under Sections 376 and 506 of the IPC. According to the police, a medical examination of the girl was conducted at the Phase VI civil hospital, following which the case was registered.

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.

The Chandigarh boys played percentage football to sink the aspirations of the hosts of winning the trophy for the third time. Punjabi University failed to make the most of the home environs and were beaten, but were not disgraced in the defeat.

After a barren first half, in which the hosts played better than their rivals but failed to score, the Chandigarh boys forged ahead through halfback Jashanpreet Singh. Sukhdeep Singh, cutting in from the left, fed Jashanpreet with a measured pass. The Chandigarh halfback made no mistake to place the ball in the far corner of the netting to enable his team go ahead.

In the other match of the day that decided the third and fourth places, Delhi university, bolstered by the return of star halfback Kamal Rawat, sailed past Lucknow University 3-0. Delhi rounded off the league with three points in their kitty while a listless Lucknow ended the proceedings without bagging even a single point.

For Delhi, Kamal Rawat was the hero and his strike early in the first half had their rivals in a state of shock. Rawat, after faltering on two occasions, finally had his moment of glory when he took on his chest a floater sent in by Deepak Mehra from the right flank.

Showing superb technique and control of the ball, Rawat let the ball come down before he volleyed in a rasping shot past a dazed Lucknow custodian Mohammad Asif. Rawat’s effort stood out because he shot home from an acute angle, an angle from which many players would not even have dared to take a strike at the goal.

Just close to lemon time, Deepak Mehra made it a 2-0 cushion for Delhi with a solo effort and when Rawat headed the ball home to score his team’s third goal, it was all over bar the shouting for Lucknow.

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.

The officials of the department immediately rushed to the university grounds where all this was taking place. Realising the urgency of the matter, the sports department immediately called an eligibility committee meeting.

In the meeting, it was unanimously decided that Arun’s tenure as a player is over and therefore, he can’t participate in the tournament. When PU team came to know about their disqualification today, they reached the grounds to play their scheduled match, they got agitated and started protesting against the university authorities.

“To reach an accord over the issue of tenure, we called a high level meeting, including both the parties, and the former judges to decide about the matter, who too, found the decision right,” said Charanjit Singh Grewal, director sports.

The matter was decided in favour of the team of Government College, Sector 11, and the university authorities realising the fact disqualified the university team.

Meanwhile, it was found that the whole situation had occurred due to the unclear description of AIU’s rule, inscripted in the official records.

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.

Jeev Milkha Singh, who played a par 71 on the opening day, fired five birdies for a blemish-free five under 66 on the second day and followed it up with a two under par 69 today to be tied 22nd with the results of some of the players still coming in.

Playing on home turf, Spaniard Sergio Garcia had built up a big lead of 17 under par with two holes to go. David Lynn and Soren Kjeldsen were tied second at 13 under with just two holes to go.

The European Tour event carries a prize money of 2 million euros. Shiv Kapur (72, 70, 73) was placed tied 62nd after round three as he totalled two over par 215. Jyoti Randhawa (73, 73) missed the cut yesterday. He was tied 95th after round two and had a total of four over 146.

Bhullar fires eagle

Gaganjeet Bhullar of Kapurthala fought back with an eagle on the last hole to post a one over par 72 card to be tied 37th at two under 211 (69-70-72) on the penultimate day of the US $5 lakh Macau Open on the par 71 greens of the Macau Golf and Country Club in Macau today.

Anirban Lahiri continued to lead the Indian brigade, but he slipped from overnight second spot to be tied 21st after playing a two over par 73 card for a three-day total of seven under 206 (68-65-73). Digvijay Singh played a two under par 69 card to be three under 210 (73-68-69) for the tied 33rd spot.

Rahil Gangjee was tied 37th at 211 (67-73-71) along with Bhullar. Gaurav Ghei was tied 51 at 213 (71-69-73).

It was certainly not Bhullar's day as he double-bogeyed on the seventh hole and lost another stroke on the eighth after birdying the fourth for a two over par 37 at the turn. But then on the par 5 18th hole, Bhullar shot an eagle to finish the day at one over par 72.

Australia's David Gleeson remained on top of the field carding a two under par 69 for a 16 under par 197 total with Chinese Taipei's Kao Bo-song two strokes adrift after a solid 65 after the third round on Saturday.

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.

Shivam House was declared the ‘Best House in Sports’.

The founder chairman, Kulwant Singh (retd chief secretary of Haryana), was the chief guest on the occasion.

Students of classes LKG to V had earlier participated in this session in about 29 track events with full zeal and vigour. Sixteen trophies were given to the children for their outstanding achievements in various fields like Martial Arts, fencing, Gymnastics, etc and a total of 150 prizes were given to encourage the young sportspersons.

Annual function: DPS, Pinjore, celeberated its annual function at Indra Dhanush Auditorium, Sector 5, here today. The cultural programme began with involving the blessings of Lord Ganesha , Krishna and Shakti , the diya dance, which followed Vandana set the festive mood. The bouquet of flowers comprised creative thinking logical actions, positive attitude, faith healing and living in harmony, which were presented through various forms of expression.

Prof DV Sharma, general secretary, Council of Boards of School Education in India(COBSE), was the chief guest on the occasion. The programme had the added attraction of the prize distribution function organised for the brilliant performers in academics and co-curricular activities.

Drawing competition: “Aspitrations”, a drawing and colouring competition, was organised in Hallmark School of Education, Sector 15. The activities in the camp involved selecting your desired profession and colouring a thematic drawing of the same. Besides, inculcating the activities aimed at improving the hand-and-eye coordination of the children.

Workshop: The British School organised a day-long workshop for the mothers of the schoolchildren. The Diwali feasts should be seen as the best opportunities for impressing friends and family members with our various skills. In fact, Diwali presents a great opportunity to involve our children in the preparations, and to pass these skills onto them.

The British School has provided a unique opportunity for some quality time to be shared during this special festival, as the mothers and children are united in celebration at the Diwali Workshop. Around 200 participants turned up, and were divided into six groups. The six groups were divided into two sessions.

The main objective of this workshop was to inculcate in the children the essence of Diwali by working with the parents, emphasising the importance of families spending time together.

Cracker free Diwali: Students of the senior wing of Blue Bird High School celebrated Diwali by presenting cultural items and slogans spreading the message of “Cracker-free Diwali”, “Protection of Ozone layer by not bursting crackers”, “Harmful effects of bursting Crackers”. Sweets and gifts were distributed to Class IV employees and the teachers of the school.

Special assembly: A special assembly was organised to celebrate Diwali in Satluj Public School , Sector 4, here today.

The assembly started with a “Diya Dance” performed by students in colourful dresses, which was followed by a skit, on precautions one should observe while lighting candles and fire works. Soon after the skit, a modelling session with Diya and Diwali traditional ethnic outfit was carried out wishing everyone a Happy Diwali. A Diya making competition was also organised for the students, in which students participated very enthusiastically.