The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Traffic blocked on conversion rumours
Tribune News Service

Rajpura, December 28
A large number of activists of various Hindu organisations today thronged at the church ghar situated on the Jandoli road in Rajpura. They were alleging that missionaries were alluring the downtrodden to adopt the Christianity.

Agitated activists of various Hindu organisations block road at Tahli Wala Chowk in Rajpura on Sunday. Photo: JS Virdi

Missionaries on the other hand refused the allegations and said they were holding prayers for peace and no conversions were being done by them.

A member of the Hindu organization entered in scuffle with the missionaries despite the deployment of a large number of police officials.

The police officials from Rajpura and Patiala had cordoned off the church and security was intensified in the city.

The police officials were on tenterhook till the evening as the missionaries, as per their earlier plan, decided to hold prayers at the church ghar and Hindu organisations had announced that they would protest against their special meeting which, they claim, was convened to change religion of some Hindus.

The members of the Hindu organisations intensified their agitation in afternoon after a missionary entered in scuffle with a member of the Hindu organisation.

The activists blocked traffic at Tahli Wala chowk and raised slogans against the missionaries with flags and placards. They also broke windowpanes of a truck parked nearby. They were demanding unconditional apology from the missionary who entered into scuffle with the member of the Hindu organisation.

The police officials intervened and asked both parties to reach a compromise. They reached the compromise in the evening in presence of senior police officials.

Youth president of the missionary sabha Manpreet Singh said that they were holding prayers for peace and no conversations were done.

SDM Gurtej Singh and DSP Bhupinder Singh Khattra were also present on the occasion.

Red Cross lands in tricycle row
Megha Mann
Tribune News Service

Ropar, December 28
Ropar Red Cross Society officials landed in trouble today for forcibly taking tricycles that an NGO had donated to disabled people.

The Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust, a Delhi-based NGO, had decided to distribute 30 tricycles among disabled people in Ropar with the help of the Bakshish International Charitable Society, Amritsar, and the Ropar Red Cross Society.

The Amar Jyoti Trust had written to the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, asking him to direct the Red Cross to give tricycles to 10 persons under a scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Delhi.

For this, a camp was organized at the local Bhatta Sahib Gurudwara wherein representatives of the Amar Jyoti Trust, the Bakshish Trust and the Ropar Red Cross were present.

Ropar Red Cross secretary Sanjeev Budhiraja reached the spot with a Swaraj Mazda vehicle. After the tricycles had been distributed to people identified by the Red Cross, Budhiraja allegedly order for loading them into the vehicle, instead of allowing its beneficiaries to take them away.

"We tried to reason out with the Red Cross secretary that why was he loading the donated tricycles into the mini-truck. He said the beneficiaries would be given these tricycles on Republic Day," said Narinder Singh, the sarpanch of Sehomajra village, who had also been director of Verka Milk Plant, Mohali.

Narinder Singh added that his colleagues asked Budhiraja to leave the tricycles as they did not have faith in him.

"We were apprehensive of this move. Why should beneficiaries not get tricycles on the spot? Why should one wait for Republic Day? ," said Narinder Singh.

After volunteers of the Bakshish Trust raised hue and cry, Budhiraja reportedly changed his point and said he was providing transportation to the beneficiaries. The tricycles were finally handed over to the people they were meant for.

Meanwhile, Budhiraja vehemently denied allegations levelled against him. He said he was providing transportation to the beneficiaries of scheme that had been identified by the Red Cross.

Anand Thadtare, the technical adviser of the Amar Jyoti Trust, who is in charge for six districts of Punjab, said the situation stemmed out of rivalry between some groups and was later settled.

Bonus through cheques opposed
Our Correspondent

Bassi Pathana, December 28
The Arthia Association, Punjab, has decided to observe a complete bandh in the grain markets of the state and to organise dharnas at the district headquarters from the first week of January, if the food and civil supply department did not withdraw the orders to distribute bonus on paddy to farmers directly through cheques. This decision was taken in a meeting of the Punjab Arthia Association, held here today, under the presidentship of Ravinder Singh Cheema. He said the delegation of the association had met the Food and Civil Supply Minister here in this regard.

Rajesh Singla, Press Secretary of the Punjab Arthia Association, said the delegation had told the minister that two procurement agencies PUNSUP and PUNGRAIN had started issuing cheques to the farmers, whereas another agency MARKFED had distributed through commission agents.

Rajesh said the association along with farmers would go to the office of director of food and civil supply, here, to hand him over the cheques issued by these agencies.

He said the delegation had apprised the minister that the Union, in its letter, had nowhere mentioned that bonus should be distributed directly through cheques.

He said farmers were against this decision as they were also facing a great difficulty, most of them did not have accounts in banks, it required a lot of formalities to open a new account and it was mandatory to keep a minimum balance of Rs.1000 in account, whereas the cheques of small farmers were less than Rs 1000.

‘Shift courts back to cantt’

Ambala, December 28
The former president of the Bar Association, Ambala Cantt, and organising secretary of Haryana Congress, Om Prakash Malik, demanded the courts of Ambala Cantt, which were shifted to the city in 1990 during the Mandal commission agitation, should be shifted back to the cantonment as the residents have to walk 10 km to attend the hearing of their cases.

He said the state government had already allotted a piece of land of 5100 yards for the construction of a local court at Ambala Cantonment in 2002. But, the construction had not started so far.

Malik said a deputation of the residents of Ambala Cantt would soon meet the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard. — OC

Pbi varsity convocation today
Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 28
A total of 397 degrees and medals will be awarded during the 32nd convocation of Punjabi University, Patiala, to be held in the Guru Tegh Bahadur hall tomorrow.

It includes 200 degrees, including 198 PhD and two MPhil. The highest number of PhD degrees would be awarded to the faculty of social sciences (53), to be followed by faculty of languages (49), faculty of physical sciences and faculty of business studies (21 each), faculty of life sciences (20), faculty of education and information science (16), faculty of medicine (9), faculty of art and culture (4), faculty of engineering and technology (3) and faculty of law (2). The two MPhil degrees will go to the students in the faculty of Languages.

A total of 157 medals will be awarded to the students of professional and postgraduate classes, while this honour goes to 38 students of graduate and undergraduate classes. Two students will be crowned with Chancellor's medal.

Dr Amrik Singh, a renowned scholar and a former Vice-Chancellor of the university and a noted historian, Dr Kirpal Singh will be conferred the degrees of honoris causa for significant contribution in their respective areas.

Governor, Punjab and Chancellor of the University, Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, will preside over while Charanjit Singh Atwal, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, and Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Minister of Higher Education, Punjab, will be the chief guest and guest of honour, respectively.

Prof Mool Chand Sharma, vice-chairman of the University Grants Commission, will present the convocation address.

Recarpet Kalka highway: Selja
Our Correspondent

Kalka, December 28
Kumari Selja, Central Minister of the Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, today made a sudden visit to Kalka and Pinjore along with higher officials of the NHAI and the district administration and local Congress leaders. She took a stock of the National Highway 21-A, Pinjore, and the Nalagarh highway, which has been turned into a deplorable condition these days.

The sources said she directed the authorities of NHAI to intensify the carpeting work of the road. She also took a stock of the widening work of the NH-22. During her visit to Kalka, shopkeepers of Kalka put forth their matter of the proposed widening of the main bazaar of Kalka and urged for the immediate solution.

Naresh is VHP president
Our Correspondent

Kalka December 28
Naresh Dhiman of upper mohalla Kalka, has been appointed as president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Pinjore Block. The appointment has been made by Vijay Kumar, State Mantri of the Parishand.

Naresh Dhiman said membership of the block level body of the Parishad would be expanded soon.

Stem cells help in dealing spinal injuries: Expert
Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 28
Dr Raj Bahadur, director principal of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, underlined the key role that stem cells play in the treatment of spine injuries.

Dr Raj Bahadur, director principal of Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, along with Dr RL Mittal light the ceremonial lamp in Patiala on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

He spoke at the 14th annual conference “Puncon 2008” of the Punjab chapter of Orthopedic Association at the Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, which was attended by top orthopedic surgeons from all over the state.

Dr Raj Bahadur said the facility of separation of the stem cells from the bone marrow was available at the PGI, Chandigarh, at a nominal cost.

He observed the use of the stem cells would help a great deal in the treatment of spinal injuries in the future.

Dr Sukhwinder Singh, Vice-Chairman of the Gian Sagar Educational and Charitable Trust, said the Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital was an upcoming institute and it was a matter of honour that it had been chosen as the venue for hosting this conference.

Dr R.L. Mittal, a former director of Research and Medical Education, Punjab, who is also a former head of the department of orthopedics at the Government Medical College, Patiala, dwelt on the advantages of Unilex, a new low cost universal interlocking nail extractor.

Dr A.S. Sekhon, principal of the Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, said the department of orthopedics was a well-equipped department with experienced faculty, fully equipped physiotherapy unit and advanced operation theatres for all types of operative procedures.

There were 50 beds attached to the department for indoor care.

Dr PP Kotwal, renowned orthopedic surgeon from Delhi, spoke on the recent advances in the management of distal radical fractures while Dr Sishir Rastogi talked on the locking plates in the management of bone tumours.

Renowned orthopedic surgeons from prestigious institutions participated in the deliberations today. An elaborate scientific programme had been drawn up, which included guest lectures on recent advancements in orthopedics along with the future of orthopedic surgery.

Dr Ravinder Singh, professor and head of the department of orthopedics, said, with a view to inculcate a scientific temperament among the juniors, a free paper reading session had been arranged during the conference. The conference was organised by Dr Subhash Mahajan of the orthopaedics department.

Election campaign ends in Pinjore
Our Correspondent

Kalka December 28
The election campaign for the election of Muncipal Committee, Pinjore, to be held on December 30, concluded today.

Out of 75 candidates, who had filed their nominations, 30 retracted their names and one Nirmla Devi was nominated Muncipal Councillor of Ward no-8 unanimously. Presently, 44 contestants are contesting the election for the 14 wards.

All the contestants during the past couple of days adopted all the methods of canvassing like door-to-door canvassing, by organising rallies with the beat of Dhols, and with posters and banners to convince the voters and assured them to meet pending demands.

Total 18 election booths have been set up for the election and there are19, 561 voters of all the wards of Muncipal Committee, Pinjore.

CRIME

One booked for demanding ransom
Our Correspondent

Ambala, December 28
The police has registered a case against unknown person for demanding ransom of Rs 4 lakh from a teacher of Mohara village.

According to information, Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Mohara, has filed a complaint with the Parao police that someone delivered a letter at his residence in which he was threatened to pay Rs 4 lakh or else his son would be kidnapped.

The name of ransom seeker is mentioned as Rana Thakur .

The police has registered a case in this regard and investigating the matter.

The family members of Sanjay have also demanded security.

Alto car stolen
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 28
Jagir Singh, a resident of Panchkula, filed a complaint with the police alleging that his Alto car (HR-49-A-7121) was stolen from Sector 34. A case has been registered in this regard at the Sector 34 police station.

In yet another incident, the police has registered a case on the complaint filed by Parmod Kumar, a resident of Sector 30, alleging that his scooter (CH-03-A-4413) was stolen from Sector 26 during the intervening night of December 24-25. A case has been registered at the Sector 26 police station.

Theft

Amit Kumar of Zirakpur filed a complaint with the police alleging that his refrigerator, LCD TV, DVD and a home theatre was stolen from his shop at Mani Majra, during the intervening night of December 27-28.

A case under Sections 380, 457 of the IPC has been registered at Mani Majra police station.

In another case, a resident of Sector 43, Harpreet Atwal, lodged a FIR, alleging that an unknown person attempted to commit theft at his residence, in between December 19-27.

A case has been registered under Sections 380, 454, 511 of the IPC at the Sector 36 police station.

SPORTS

Panchkula opens greens for young golf trainees
Donald Banerjee

Chandigarh, December 28
The Panchkula Golf Club has thrown open its greens to tap new golf talent with the first such camp for youngsters being conducted by the Indo-Canadian Golf Association teaching professional Manjit Kochar that will conclude on December 30.

Being held under the aegis of the Haryana Golf Association, the camp aims at honing the skills of those who know the game and impart basic training to the newcomers in 6 to 17 age-group.

The 20 trainees, including 4 girls, and 16 boys are mostly newcomers.

“But, around four of them have been practicing on the Chandigarh greens for the past six months and are here to hone their skills,” Manji Kochar said, who had coaching stints mostly in Canada.

“I trained youngsters for five years in Toronto and Vancouver and another three years in New York,” Manjit added, who is thankful to the Haryana Golf Association for promoting the Panchkula Golf Club as a nursery for golfers.

He particularly named the association general secretary, Sudhir Verma, who took time off to see the youngsters learning the basic fundamentals of the game.

The Panchkula greens, thus, becomes the third coaching destination for budding golfers after the Chandigarh Golf Club and the CGA Golf Range.

The main attraction of the coaching camp at the Panchkula Golf Club is that it is absolutely free. “The balls are free, no money is required, there is no green fee ,” said Manjit.

The Haryana Golf Association hopes to rope in industrial houses to bear the cost of the camps, so that the club emerges as a prominent golf nursery.

The parents were unanimous in their opinion that it was the best thing to have happened.

“We needed someone to guide the young players, and now, we have it on our home course in Panchkula,” a doting mother said.

Manjit singled out 11-year-old Aahan, who had been practicing on the Chandigarh greens.

“This youngster is doing fine, and at the moment, playing with a handicap of 24,” the coach said.

He is looking forward to a three-month coaching camp to be held in the summer vacations. “Besides, we will keep tabs on the youngsters who need advanced training,” he added.

The general manager of the club, Col B.S. Punia, was busy playing in the medal round that has become a regular competition among members of the golf club. It is played on the lines of the medal round of the Chandigarh Golf Club.

Punia said it was agood start and the course would definitely emerge as a golf nursery.