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Karnal jail goes hi-tech, but basic problems persist
Will Cong break jinx this time?
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A rags-to-riches story
Rania seat set to see tough contest
46 new polling stations in Fatehabad
Delimitation: Karnal sees drastic changes
Caste equations undergo change in Bhiwani
Cong ticket to Chawla surprises many
102 file papers for four Assembly seats in Kaithal
Awareness key to success of RTI Act: Experts
IOC’s naphtha cracker unit to be ready by Dec
YC satisfied with nomination from four seats: Tanwar
‘Quality of education on the
decline’
KU bags 3rd position in sports
Kaithal college students excel
Residents hope for fall in crime
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Karnal jail goes hi-tech, but basic problems persist
Karnal, September 28 The jail website recently launched by the district and sessions judge, Karnal, Vinod Jain, provides all relevant information about the jail, its environs, inmates, activities, security arrangements, staff position, interviews, etc., at the click of a mouse. Minute details about the profile of prisoners, initiatives towards de-addiction, involvement of inmates in socio-cultural and sports activities, their education and vocational training, participation of community in reforming the prisoners are available on the website. The jail complex, spread over an area of 190 acres, including 105 acres farm for cultivation, is equipped with all basic facilities and amenities to help the inmates lead a better life. Separate blocks for convicts, undertrials, juvenile and female prisoners have been constructed. Two security walls, 16 feet and 12 feet high, have been erected at a distance of 21 feet and seven “burj” have been set up adjoining the outer wall to keep vigil. Videoconferencing has been introduced in the jail and this facility is being used for the extension of remand and trials in some cases. It has helped in strengthening the security, saving manpower, money equipment and transportation cost. There are 2,491 inmates, including 2,350 males and 141 females, against the sanctioned strength of 2,434. Nearly 62 per cent of prisoners are undertrials, while 38 per cent are convicts, but this model jail is facing an acute shortage of staff. Only one medical officer is in position against two sanctioned posts. One post of sub-assistant superintendent, 4 posts of head warder, 87 posts of warder, 3 out of 4 posts of matron, 5 posts of female warder and 5 posts of sweepers are lying vacant. Admitting that the shortage of staff is indeed a big problem, Jagjit Singh, superintendent of District Jail, Karnal, informed that the matter had been taken up with the government and posting of staff is likely after the elections. Claiming that the problem of drug addiction among some inmates had been solved to a large extent, he said a drive was launched to identify the drug suppliers, including some corrupt jail officials, and the nexus was broken by transferring the suspect officials and registering cases against them. Yoga, meditation, sports and cultural activities are being promoted to keep the inmates away from drugs. The response of prisoners to yoga classes, sports and cultural activities was very encouraging, he added. Services of some educated inmates were being utilised to teach other prisoners. As many as 70 male and 35 female prisoners have been trained as yoga teachers, who were conducting regular classes in the jail. “A follow-up and rehabilitation programme has also been chalked out for cured prisoners after their release from the jail. Training is being imparted to the prisoners to assist society in tackling drug menace through self-help groups,” he disclosed. “Mismanagement and chaos was the order of the day and mistrust between the management and prisoners had vitiated the atmosphere when I took over the charge, but the things have changed dramatically due to the initiatives taken by me,” he claimed. He added that NGOs, religious gurus and the Yoga Peeth came forward and devoted their valuable time for the inmates of the jail.
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Will Cong break jinx this time?
Rewari, September 28 To be more precise, the Congress formed the government after rotational wins in the Assembly elections in 1972, 1982, 1991 and 2005. Similarly, the Lok Dal-BJP alliance, the Haryana Vikas Party- BJP combine and the INLD-BJP alliance were voted to power alternatively in the 1987, 1996 and 2000 elections, respectively. It is true that it was always a conglomerate of two opposition parties which assumed the reins of power in the state in 1987, 1996 and 2000. However, the electoral scenario this time is singularly dissimilar when the ruling Congress as well as all four major opposition parties , the INLD, BJP, HJC and the BSP, are all contesting the poll individually. Simultaneously, the electoral history, which has been in existence since 1972, compels one to think that a change of guard cannot be ruled out completely this time as well.
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A rags-to-riches story
The man, who virtually started life from scratch in 1970’s, has scaled such heights in life that have put him on a lofty pedestal. Born in 1954 in an underprivileged Mahawar Vaish family in Mohalla Vaidyawara here, Tulsi Ram passed his matriculation examination in March 1968, from Hindu High School, Rewari, where his father, Chhabila Ram Gupta, was employed as a peon. Notwithstanding his father’s dire financial resources, Tulsi Ram joined Kishan Lal Public College here with helpful encouragement provided by his guru and headmaster Goverdhan Das. However, owing to abject poverty, he could not complete his graduation and had to abandon his studies in 1971. However, even in such trying circumstances, Chhabila, sent his son to Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab in 1972, hoping that his son would be able to gain fortune’s favour some day. There he joined M/S Johari Lal Madan Gopal as an accounts manager on a monthly salary of Rs 200. Soon afterwards, Chhabila too bade adieu to his 16-year-long tenure as a peon in Hindu High School here and sought employment with the above firm at Mandi Gobindgarh. However, things went haywire again in 1980 when Chhabila had to return to Rewari owing to his failing health. He began life as a tea vendor in the Kath Mandi here. But the worrisome burden of supporting a big family of seven members, including five daughters, always hung heavy on him. Thus, battling with heavy odds of life, he passed away in 1985. On the other hand, Tulsi Ram, whose burden of responsibilities had maximised after he got married to Veena Devi in 1974, persisted in his job with M/S Johari Lal Madan Gopal with perseverance and dogged determination. After about six years, when he had acquired some practical tips of the trade and was getting a monthly salary of Rs 1,000, he left his job and ventured to launch own trading company “Raj Iron and Steel Sales” in 1978. When his coffers were full, Tulsi Ram set up his own industrial unit ‘Ispat Profiles’ and started manufacturing furniture pipes in 1993. While clientele of furniture pipes, conduit pipes and rolling shutter profiles manufactured by the Ispat Profiles has consistently spread from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Mumbai to Guwahati, Tulsi Ram’s unit has carved out a niche for itself among the furniture pipe manufacturing units of Mandi Gobindgarh as well as other states of the country during a brief span of 16 years. Even when he was in receipt of a monthly salary ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 during 1972 to 1978, he, being the eldest son of the family, spent 50 per cent of his earnings to support the family comprising his parents, five younger sisters and a younger brother. When his father died at Rewari in 1985, he took his mother, Santra Devi, to Mandi Gobindgarh where she died in 2001. While Tulsi Ram and his son, Dinesh Kumar Gupta, are now managing the affairs of the Ispat Profiles, his two daughters, Raj and Teena, are enjoying happy married lives. Besides being a prominent industrialist of Mandi Gobindgarh, Tulsi Ram enjoys a good reputation in his own Mahawar Vaish Samaj as well. He gives books as well as financial assistance to poor and meritorious schoolchildren every year. However, a most memorable and glorious chapter of Tulsi Ram’s life was unfolded here recently when he donated a water cooler for students of his own alma mater, Hindu Senior Secondary School in Model Town here. Tulsi Ram regrets that his father, who virtually laid the foundation of his empire when he himself was leading a life of utter penury, was not alive today to see his son’s success.
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Nine medicinal plants and their association with Goddess Durga
Kurukshetra, September 28 Talking about the festival, organising president Dr RC Bhatacharya, who is a professor in NIT, Kurukshetra, informed that every year the puja was performed in a traditional way by establishing the deity under a bel tree, which symbolises Durga’s form called Shivani. The function started from the sixth day or ‘sasthi’ at the night on September 24 after a ritual conducted to nine plants, a symbolic form of nine Durgas. The festival is marked by extravaganza of children’s plays, musical nights and bhajan recitals. The main attraction is the aarti and beating of traditional drums before the beautifully decorated clay image of goddess Durga. During the Durga puja, the nine plants representing Nava Durga or Nine Shakti (powers) are worshipped, along with the main iconic deity. She is worshipped in the eastern part of the country during the Durga puja festival, elsewhere in the country this festival is observed as Navratri or Dussehra. Unlike the popular iconic form of the deity with multiple hands and weapons killing the buffalo demon Mahishasura, she is worshipped with nine sacred plants representing nine different forms of Durga such as Brahmani, Kali, Durga, Kaumari, Shakti or Shivani, Raktadantika, Sakarohita, Chamunda and Lakshmi. The nine different plants together are called Navapatrika representing nine shakti or power and creative energy. Each of the plant is propitiated as a form of Durga viz. banana leaf is represented as Brahmani, kachu as Kali, haldi as Durga, jayanti as Kaumari, bel as Shakti or Shivani, anar as Raktadantika, Ashoka as Sakarohita, mankachu as Chamunda and paddy as Lakshmi. Bengali and Oriya people perform the Durga puja by immersing the nine plants in water, which include banana or rambha, kachu or arbi, haldi, jayanti, bel, anar or dalimb, ashoka, mankachu and dhan or paddy and wrap them with saffron clothes.
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NSS volunteers advised to work for welfare of society
Jhajjar, September 28 As many as 180 NSS volunteers from different colleges of eight districts falling under the jurisdiction of the university toiled hard during the camp taking part in cleanliness drive as well as imbibing important lessons of life. Speaking to The Tribune, Dr Vazir Singh Nehra, MDU NSS coordinator, informed that the camp was inaugurated by MDU vice-chancellor Dr Ramphal Hooda. “There is an acute need to create mass awareness about the prevailing social evils like female foeticide and fight these evils tooth and nail. NSS volunteers can play an important role in this regard to create an awareness in society,” said Ramphal. Speaking on the occasion, Prof CP Sheoran, dean, Faculty of Law, asked the students to think about the nation and society first. He termed participation in the NSS as an alternate mode of education that provides the volunteers a platform to fulfill their societal role. During the camp, lectures on different topics of social, economical, health and national importance like dowry, gender equality, global warming, ragging, etc., were organised. Besides, the volunteers took out a ‘social awareness rally’ under the joint guidance of programme officers Dr Neeru Rohilla, Dr Yashvir Singh, Dr Subhash Balahara, Dr Maya Chaudhary and Dr Jyoti Raj. The volunteers carried placards having the messages of rooting out social evils. The rally commenced from the university campus and passed through the main roads of the city before culminating on the beginning point.
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Assembly Poll
Rania (Sirsa), September 28 Having won the first battle of ensuring Congress nomination for himself after days of grueling tussle for ticket between him and former minister Jagdish Nehra, a bigger battle awaits Ranjit Singh, the younger son of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, who parted ways with Chautala in 90’s to try his luck in the Congress. However, a victory in an Assembly election has been eluding him since 1987, when he contested and won his first election of his political career. After that he has contested the Assembly elections twice and parliamentary elections once. One reason why he could not romp to victory in the Assembly elections is that on both occasions, he was pitted against either a Chief Minister or a former one. Ranjit Singh contested the 2000 Assembly poll from the Rori seat on the Congress ticket, but had to face the then Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala, whose party was poised to win the elections at that time. The next time, Ranjit Singh was faced with former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal of the HJC in Adampur in a bypoll held in 2008. Earlier, he contested parliamentary election from Hisar in 1998 but lost to INLD’s Surender Barwala. Ranjit Singh remained a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1990 to 1992. Interestingly, the INLD, which had been projecting Abhey Singh Chautala as its candidate from Rania ever since the seat was carved out after the delimitation, suddenly decided to field an ordinary worker Krishan Kamboj from here giving credence to rumours that Chautala may help out his younger brother reach the doors of state Assembly this time. “We do not believe in political bargaining, which is essentially Congress’ culture. We have fielded a common party worker because the party respects its workers. Kamboj’s name has been recommended by local workers and he is a strong candidate and will win the seat by a big margin,” said Ajay Singh Chautala, secretary general of the INLD. Ranjit Singh, on the other hand, is also confident of his victory. “Last year, I organised a rally addressed by Moti Lal Vohra and Bhupinder Singh Hooda and it was a huge success. In May this year, I ensured handsome victory for Congress nominee Ashok Tanwar by 5,297 votes from this constituency in the parliamentary elections. This time, my margin of victory will be even bigger,” said Ranjit Singh. Meanwhile, a keen contest is on the cards with HJC nominee Gurmeet Singh, BJP nominee Shish Pal Kamboj, BSP’s Veer Singh, CPI’s Swaran Singh Virk also working hard to make the contest multi-cornered.
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46 new polling stations in Fatehabad
Fatehabad, September 28 Talking to mediapersons, CG Rajini Kaanthan, deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer, said six new polling stations had been added to the Tohana Assembly constituency, 26 to the Fatehabad Assembly constituency and 14 to the Ratia Assembly constituency. He said the Election Commission of India (ECI) had issued guidelines for ensuring transparency in the election process. A road map had been worked out to ensure free and fair elections. A communication plan had also been prepared, besides providing the voters with the facility of a helpline. The number of the helpline is 155212. Touch screen facility was also being launched in the mini-secretariat from Monday next to enable the voters to get information regarding their votes, booths, etc., he added. The district electoral officer pointed out that there were 5,11,579 voters in the district, including 2,37,486 women voters. The Tohana Assembly constituency had 1,67,634 voters, including 77,757 women voters, and the Fatehabad Assembly constituency had 1,82,489 voters, including 84,233 women voters. Similarly, there were 1,61,456 voters in the Ratia Assembly constituency, including 75,496 women voters. As many as, 81 booths in the district had been identified as hypersensitive, 107 as sensitive and nine as critical booths, he added. He said to ensure observance of the Model Code of Conduct necessary guidelines had already been issued to all parties which would have to seek the permission from landlords while pasting posters, banners, etc., or writing slogans on the walls of private buildings. Action would be taken under Sections 425, 26, 27 and 33 of the IPC against the persons found violating these orders. He said persons having licenced arms had been advised to deposit their arms in the police station concerned by September 25. A search operation would be launched from September 26 and criminal cases would be registered against those who would not deposit their arms and their licence would also be cancelled, he added.
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Delimitation: Karnal sees drastic changes
Karnal, September 28 The number of total seats has been reduced from six to five, while there is only one reserved seat after the delimitation against two reserved seats in the past. The area under the erstwhile Jundla (SC) constituency has been split and redistributed among other adjoining Assembly segments. Nissang KC of Jundla has been included in the Nilokheri (SC) constituency, along with entire Nilokheri tehsil, while Taraori KC has been excluded. Fifteen SC-dominated villages of Jundla and five villages of Indri have come under Nilokheri, while villages of Nilokheri namely, Kemthala Khurd, Kandlekalan, Shamshepur, Sunadhi, Isakpur, Fatupur, Khaspur, Samani, Ghevar Rehri, Amin, Biramin, Tigri Khalsa, Shadipur, Kavar Kheri, Kirmich, Barva, and Hatira with substantial Rode population have been shifted to Kurukshetra. But Rodes continue to constitute the largest single caste in Nilokheri followed by the SCs, OBCs, Jats and Brahmins. Similarly, 34 villages of Jundla KC have come under the Assandh constituency, which is not reserved, but Gagsina, Shajanpur, Ghuta, Bhagampur Khokhra have been shifted from Assandh to Gharaunda. The entire Assandh tehsil forms the part of Assandh, but PC Munak, Balrangran, Gagsina, Dadlana and Gudha in Gharaunda KC in Karnal tehsil and Madlauda KC in Panipat tehsil have been deleted. Thirteen villages, including four villages of Kaithal namely, Ichanpur, Ruksana, Rahda and Throta, and nine villages from Jind namely, Danolui, Thal, Mond, Bahari, Ardana, Jheri Khera, Kal Khera, Ganga Tadri and Pophra also fall in Assandh. Even after the delimitation, Assandh has the largest number of Sikhs followed by Jats, but the population of the SCs has come down moderately. The Gharaunda constituency comprises Gharaunda tehsil, KC Karnal-II, PCs Gogripur, Kambohpura, Kutail and Uncha Siwana of Karnal-I KC of Karnal tehsil, but PCs Mohammdpur, Dibarki, Dhakwala, Shekhpur, Uncha, Siwana and Kairwali in Karnal KC and PC Staundi in Jundla KC in Karnal tehsil are no longer parts of this constituency after the delimitation. Kambopura, Daha Jagir, Wazida Jattan and Bhusli villages from Karnal and Phooshgarh, Katlehri and Sumri from Indri have been shifted to Gharaunda, while Ganjgarh, Badoli, Aliasgarpur, Babarpur, Khotpura, Gadsarnai, Barana, Palheri, have been shifted from Gharaunda to Panipat. This constituency has a balanced mix of Sikhs, Jats, Rodes and SCs. The predominantly urban Karnal constituency would now consist of PCs Karnal I, II and III, Kachhwa-I and II, Pundrak of Karnal-I KC and Karnal (Municipal Council plus OG) of Karnal tehsil, while Baldi village in Karnal tehsil has been taken out. Punjabis are in a majority in this constituency with substantial population of other castes like Banias, Brahmins, Jats and Rodes. The Indri constituency has been made more compact with entire Indri tehsil and KC Baragaon of Karnal tehsil, including Kurak, Jatpura, Buddanpur, Ruksana, have been shifted from Karnal to Indri, while Jhanjhari, Bhaini Kalan, Bhaini Khurd and Dadupur villages in Jhanjhari PC and Amargarh village in Karnal tehsil have been excluded. Kamboj followed by Punjabis dominate Indri, while other castes are evenly balanced. There has been an increase of about 55,000 voters since the Lok Sabha elections and the number of electorate has increased to 1,47,428 in Indri, 1,56,797 in Nilokheri, 1,56,692 in Karnal, 1,70,932 in Assandh and 1,58,712 in Gharaunda.
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Caste equations undergo change in Bhiwani
Hisar, September 28 Though the Jats still are the largest single caste group in the constituency, their numerical strength has gone down by about 40,000 votes. Earlier, Jats accounted for around 3.25 lakh voters, after delimitation the figure has come down to around 2.8 lakh. The Ahirs now are the second largest caste group in the constituency with a numerical strength of 1.80 lakh, up from the earlier 50,000 voters. This change has come about with the inclusion of four Assembly segments of Mahendragarh district - Ateli, Mahendragarh, Narnaul and Nangal Chaudhry which were earlier in the Mahendragarh Lok Sabha seat. The other Assembly segments which are part of this constituency are: Loharu, Badhra, Dadri, Bhiwani and Tosham. After delimitation, Adampur, Hansi and Bawani Khera have been taken out of the Bhiwani Lok Sabha seat. Adampur and Hansi Assembly segments fall in Hisar district. Another Assembly segment Mundhal has been disbanded. The caste equations have been upset after the delimitation in at least three Assembly segments - Bawani Khera, Loharu and Mahendragarh. While several Jat-dominated villages have been included in Bawani Khera, Rajput-dominated villages have been added to the Dadri Assembly segment. Post-delimitation, the Ahirs have become a dominant force in the constituency. This has led to polarisation of voters in Bhiwani and Mahendragarh districts as is evident from the results of the last Lok Sabha poll. In Bhiwani district, the legacy of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal continues to be a big factor in deciding the outcome of the elections. However, this factor has no impact on the voters of the Ahirwal belt. The cultural equations have also undergone a sea change. Bhiwani is now the most culturally diverse Parliamentary constituency in the state. There is no similarity between the lifestyles and dialects of the two regions. There is no similarity between the political aspirations of the people of Bhiwani and Mahendragarh districts. Political analysts say the political rivalry between the voters of the two regions is likely to become more acute in the future. As far as the Assembly polls are concerned, the effect of major changes in caste equations in different Assembly segments will be evident for the first time.
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Cong ticket to Chawla surprises many
Yamunanagar, September 28 Besides, Dr Pandit and Chawla, party leader Raj Kumar Tyagi was also a contender for the ticket. Chawla’s nomination is being attributed to his proximity with Union Minister Kumari Selja and State Finance Minister Birender Singh. However, locals were either expecting the party nomination for Raj Kumar Tyagi or Dr Pandit or the wife of MP Navin Jindal. Even Congress workers were not expecting the nomination of Chawla. A major factor that went against Dr Pandit, who is considered to be close to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is that many local leaders and workers were not in his favour. Another factor that went in favour of Chawla is INLD candidate Dilbag Singh, who is in transport business. To counter Dilbag Singh, the Congress, too, was looking for a strong candidate. Chawla, who is first time contesting elections on the Congress ticket, is believed to have support of local industrialists. Chawla said he had the support of all Congress leaders and had no differences with anyone. “We all have to respect the high command decision,” he added.
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102 file papers for four Assembly seats in Kaithal
Kaithal, September 28 Giving this information to mediapersons here recently, district election officer Amneet P. Kumar said for the Kaithal Assembly seat 21
candidates had filed nominations, 20 for Kalayat, 43 filed nominations for Pundri and 18 for Guhla (reserve). Tejinder Mann accompanied by a large number of supporters recently filed nominations as Congress candidate from the Kalayat general seat which had been a reserve constituency till the last Assembly elections. Ram Pal Majra of the INLD accompanied by his supporters had also earlier filed his papers for Kalayat. Dinesh Kaushik filed nomination as Congress candidate from Pundri. Ghan Syam and Rakesh have filed their nominations as BJP candidates and Kulwant and Dillu Ram as independents from Guhla recently.
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Awareness key to success of RTI Act: Experts
Gurgaon, September 28 Delivering the keynote address at a seminar on the RTI Act organised on the premises of the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) here recently, the CIC elaborated various important provisions of the Act. “Apart from this, prompt steps need to be taken by the public authorities for suo moto disclosure of the information under their purview,” he asserted. Habibullah also released a book titled “Right to Information and Good Governance” authored by Dr Rajvir S. Dhaka, a faculty member at the HIPA, on the occasion. Information Commissioner of Haryana Lt-Gen (retd) JBS Yadav highlighted the problems faced by the officials concerned in effective implementation of the Act. JC Jetli, a former secretary with the Central government, and Puneeta Roy, a social activist, gave presentations on using the Act for better results regarding government policies and decisions. Earlier, HIPA director Rajni Sekhri Sibal welcomed the participants and introduced them to the theme of the seminar. The proceedings were followed by an interactive session in which a lively discussion on various aspects of the Act took place. The speakers as well as other participants agreed on the need to create awareness among the people through media and mass education in order to ensure proper implementation of the Act.
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IOC’s naphtha cracker unit to be ready by Dec
Panipat, September 28 According to company sources, the IOC is expected to start product marketing process from February 2010 onwards after the project is completely commissioned at the 1.2 million tonne petrochemicals The sources say the company is planning to grab 20-25 per cent market share which, at present, is dominated by Reliance Industries giving the giant a tough competition in polymer business. The market share of the IOC is expected to increase as the company will make further progress in the business, the sources add. Earlier, Rs 12,000-crore naphtha cracker project was scheduled to be completed by September, but due to certain reasons it got delayed for about three months, the sources say. The work on the project is in full swing and once complete, it would be producing raw material for polymer and fertilisers. The IOC is also in the process of increasing the refinery capacity from 12 to 15 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) and this is likely to be completed in a couple of months. With the competition of these two projects, the Panipat refinery would become one of the most advance establishments of the IOC that would meet all petrochemicals requirements of the north-western region of the country. The refinery was set up here in 1998 with a capacity of 6 MNTPA which was increased to 12 MNPTA in June 2006, and this is the second expansion of the refinery. The company is investing Rs 806 crore in expanding the refining capacity that would also make the unit capable of producing Euro-III and Euro-IV petrol and diesel. Besides, the complex would enable the company produce Paraxylene and PTA that are used in making polyester staple fiber and polyester filament yarn and other resins.
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YC satisfied with nomination from four seats: Tanwar
Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress(HPYC) chief Sanjay Chhokar (Samalkha), IYC general secretary Virender Rathore (Gharaunda), Anil Dhantori (Shahbad), general secretary of the HPYC, and Suresh Dhanda (Radaur), HPYC Yamunanagar district president, are the four YC leaders, who have been fielded in Haryana this time. “Though we had demanded a few more seats this time, not a single YC leader was accommodated last time. That way it is a 400 per cent increase,” said Tanwar talking to The Tribune, adding that YC leaders had got eight seats in Maharashtra and one in Arunachal too. Tanwar said the YC had requested the Congress High Command to give spare the seat the party had been losing in the past. “The Congress never won Radaur in the recent past and Shahbad and Gharaunda were also not with the party. Only Samalkha has been given to us by ignoring the claim of a sitting MLA,” Ashok Tanwar said. Tanwar said the IYC would campaign actively in all three states going to the polls on October 13. He said Rahul Gandhi would also campaign in Haryana and his programme was being worked out.
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Mythological puzzle, activity book for kids released
Gurgaon, September 28 Unveiling this unique puzzle and activity book for kids, Alister read out excerpts from his comic book. He was accompanied by a character dressed as Hanuman that drew attention of kids. Alister said: “I haven’t unveiled the whole story of Lord Rama and Sita in my comic book. I have only used crisp narration in just 12 plots and as many colourfully ornate drawings are suffused with mirth and mischief, which are the typical characteristics of Hanuman”. Deepinder Kapany, business head, Reliance TimeOut, said: “We are delighted to have Alister Taylor in our store presenting this book for children. I am sure readers will love the book”. “Where’s Hanuman?” is a unique activity book that helps children learn about the adventures of Hanuman and Ramayana in an engaging and exciting way. Published by Puffin India, this book is the brainchild of Alister Taylor and two gifted graphic illustrators, Christopher Woods and Ben McCintic. All 12 puzzle scenes are packed with hundreds of humorous characters and dozens of sub-scenes. From Sita’s wedding, demons in the forest, attacking Lanka to the final triumph, the scenes are sure to boggle the mind and eyes. Children of all ages as well as adults will remain fully engaged as they try to find the characters cleverly hidden in each scene. Suman Gupta, a parent, said: “This book seems to be quite interesting. My child is enjoying finding the characters. This task will keep him occupied for at least sometime and he will get some knowledge too”.
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‘Quality of education on the
decline’
Kurukshetra, September 28 Former vice-chancellor of the Kurukshetra University Dr Bhim Singh Dahiya was the chief guest while Dr TR Kundu, dean of colleges, KU, presided at the seminar. Dr Dahiya said Prithvi Singh dedicated his whole life in the service of students. He appreciated Prithvi Singh’s work for the welfare of the student community. Talking on the present education scenario, Dr Dahiya alleged that the quality of education was a matter of concern as the present government was not doing enough. Earlier, the government used to treat health and education as welfare sectors, but now these sectors had been left to self-financing, he said, adding that the quality of education had been declining day by day. “According to the UGC, without two readers and four lecturers, no post-graduation course could be started, but this rule is not being followed. Today, there are more than 400 private universities in the country and a majority of them have been violating this rule because their sole purpose is to make money. Though various committees have been constituted for the improvement of education, nothing concrete has been done in this regard. Even the Yashpal Committee report is also nothing but the recitation of Bible,” alleged Dr
Dahiya.
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KU bags 3rd position in sports
Kurukshetra, September 28 Dr Dalel Singh, director, physical education, said the university would get Rs 3 lakh for this achievement from the Ministry of Sports and Rs 75 lakh from the Haryana Government to boost sports in the campus. This department would also receive a grant of Rs 50 lakh from the university funds this year. The first two positions have been bagged by Punjabi University, Patiala, and GND varsity, Amritsar, respectively Meanwhile, Lt-Gen Dr. D.D.S. Sandhu (Retd.), Vice-Chancellor, has congratulated the sportspersons, coaches and other officials of the university for this remarkable achievement. He has promised all kinds of facilities and incentives to sportspersons for taking the university to the first position.
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Kaithal college students excel
Kaithal, September 28 Principal SC Arora said according to the university results, three students of the college - Twinkle Juneja (80 per cent), Shilpa Gupta (78 per cent) and Minshu (77 per cent) - have attained the first, second and third positions, respectively. These students have brought laurels to the college by such an outstanding performance, he added.
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Arrest of gang members
Kaithal, September 28 The district police has claimed to have solved two cases of robbing of power board employees at Matour and Kithana, a case of looting of cash from a liquor vend at Deoban village and a case of chain snatching at Ramgarh in the recent past. The police has also recovered Rs 1 lakh from their possession. SSP Sandeep Khirwar said Sandeep and Sunil of Jakholi village, were arrested by a CIA police party headed by Jai Mal Singh on September 21. A stolen motorcycle and a pistol were recovered from their possession. During interrogation, they had confessed that they had looted cash from a liquor vend at Deoban on August 31, looted Rs 72,000 from power board employees near Kharak-Pandvan on September 7, and Rs 42,799 from power board employees at Kithana village on July 29. “The police has also arrested Sunil of Litani (Hisar) in a chain snatching case at Ram Garh and Narinder Jakholi on the charge of stealing a motorcycle from Nagura. All accused have been sent in judicial custody”, he added.
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Redress ‘missing’ voters’ woes
Even after the possession of valid electoral photo identity cards (or in lieu thereof any other approved identification document), it has been witnessed that a sizeable number of voters, though duly registered in an area, are left high and dry when they find their names missing on the electoral rolls when they reach a polling station for voting. Unfortunately, under such circumstances the election officials can't extend any immediate remedy to such voters. Many such incidents were reported in different parts of the country during the Lok Sabha elections held in May this year. Notable was the instance wherein even incumbent CEC Navin Chawla 's name was erroneously missing on the relevant electoral roll, which was although immediately restored but such expeditious redressal can't be expected for a common man. Though the Election Commission of India always goes in for regular summary revision of the electoral rolls and has even now introduced photo electoral rolls to curb election malpractices, it has failed to effectively address the above malady. One solution can be by uploading the current electoral rolls polling stationwise on the official website of state chief electoral office. If it’s not feasible, copies of such rolls can be displayed at conspicuous places or kept open for public scrutiny at the local offices of municipalities, panchayats etc days before the scheduled date of polling. Being the largest democracy of the world, it must be ensured that no eligible voter is denied the right to vote for no fault on his/her part.
Hemant Kumar
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The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030.
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Rewari, September 28
Sirsa, September 28