Bassi Pathana. December 28
A week-long camp being organised by the NSS wing of Cordia College and Smt Jawala Devi College of Education, Sanghol, concluded today.

180 students participated in this camp and they initiated cleanliness and awareness campaign against social evils like dowry, female foeticide and drug abuse in nearby villages. Addressing the concluding ceremony, Dr RK Sharma, Director, Cordia Group of Institutions, appreciated the efforts of NSS volunteers for creating awareness among the rural folk to fight social evils as well as guide them to take preventive measures about swine flu and climate change, the two major issues which the society is facing presently.

During the camp, the students visited a number of villages and cleaned the area with the help of village panchayats and social clubs.

They also ensured the participation of village youths. They highlighted the importance of sanitation, unity and co-ordination for the development of their respective areas.

They stressed that parents should send their children to school. The students also presented an impressive cultural programme. 

Ropar, December 28
Year 2010 seems to be a rewarding year for Ropar district with major projects like Khalsa Heritage project at Anandpur Sahib nearing its stage of completion and being opened for public.

Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal is expected to dedicate project to people of Punjab on occasion of Baisakhi next year making this religious city even more important from tourism point of view.

Completion of much-awaited bridge over Sirhind canal in Ropar is next on the cards. With the old bridge having outlived its life and being closed for heavy weight vehicles, the new bridge can solve traffic problem to a larger extent. The PWD officials claimed that work was going on speedily on the project and it would be completed within given time frame.

Similarly, the four laning of Kurali - Kiratpur Sahib would bring much needed relief but at the same time add to the toll tax charges making ride from Chandigarh to Naina Devi costlier.

Ropar got the prestigious IIT this year. The present transit campus is running from polytechnic college that had been tailored to suit to temporary needs of IIT. However, the staff and college are yet to come to terms with the city, which is poorly connected with airports and have fewer trains to Delhi than needed. Opening of IIT is expected to bring change in lifestyle and markets of Ropar, which seems a far cry as of now. Peeved at frequent power cuts and poor road connectivity, the IIT director had even met the Chief Minister bringing up functional problems with him.

The director not only demanded early completion of the four laning of Ropar-Kurali Road and flyover at Nangal road, he also impressed upon the Chief Minister to direct PWD (B&R) Department for construction of roads around upcoming IIT campus to enable movement of trucks and heavy machinery involved in the construction activity.

Besides ongoing construction works, the political scene in district too may hot up. Both Anandpur Sahib and Nangal municipal councils are working sans president presently. Political tug-of-war between various SAD-BJP and Congress factions would intensify further.

In 2010 not much is expected from area MP and Punjab Youth Congress chief Raveent Singh Bittu, who has been seen in his constituency only during senior Congress leaders’ visit and has hardly raised any issue from his constituency at Lok Sabha.

At the administration level, the state government launched two pilot projects in district, including computerised land records at Morinda tehsil and farm tourism in the entire district. While entire record of Morinda has almost been computerised, its Ropar that is now under processing.

The district has played good Samaritan lending helping hand to victims of accidents and tragedies near Naina Devi. While the HP and Punjab government aims to mitigate such tragedies, Ropar district people are always ready to lend a helping hand in times of distress.

Ropar, December 28
Octogenarian Hardev Singh Satyal, a senior Akali leader, passed away at his residence here today.

86-year-old Satyal suffered a heart attack on Sunday night. He is survived by four sons and two daughters.

Hardev Singh was a part of the Punjabi Suba Morcha and quest for giving Chandigarh to Punjab. He had even been jail.

Local SAD leaders and other dignitaries attended his funeral today.

Ambala, December 28
Heavy fog this morningdelayed many trains in the region, inconveniencing passengers. The trains delayed included Amarpali Express by four hours, Malwa from Indore to Jammu Tawi by two hours, Unchhar Express from Chandigarh to Allahabad by over an hour, Himalayan queen by an hour, New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi by an hour, Shane Punjab by an hour, Chandigarh Shatabdi by an hour, Akal Takht Express by two hours and Sachkandh express by an hour.

Heavy fog also disrupted traffic on the GT Road, though no major accident was reported, however, due to fog, three motorcycle-borne youth met with an accident at Saha in Ambala, while one was killed and two seriously injured.

The accident took place at about 9 pm when a tractor trolly crushed three motorcycle -borne youths. Narinder, a resident of Bita, died on the spot, while Sonu from Bilaspur and Sonu from Bita, were seriously injured. They were refered to PGI by the local civil Hospital. 

Chandigarh, December 28
Fine bowling spell of Saksham (2 for 14) and Shivam (3 for 17) helped Shri Shri Cricket Academy beat Kundam Cricket Academy by 42 runs in the BTS Gold Cup Cricket Tournament being organised by BTS Cricket Academy on the Banyan Tree School grounds, Sector 48, here today. After winning the toss, KCA elected to bowl first.

However, its bowlers failed to restrict the Shri Shri academy, who put on a modest total on the scoreboard scoring 137 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Surya Kanojia (40), Abhishek (29) and Kanwar (11) were the top scorers for Shri Shri academy, while Gaurav (2 for 31) and Arun Dogra (3 for 28) were the main wicket takers for the KCA.

In reply, KCA failed to achieve the target of 138 runs, as its batsmen failed to put up any resistance to the fine line and length bowling of SSCA bowlers. KCA were bundled out for 95 runs in 19.2 overs. Nitin (20) and Nipun (19) were the only batsmen, who faced the accurate bowling of SSCA bowlers Saksham (2 for 14) and Shivam (3 for 17).

Brief scores:

Shri Shri Cricket Academy: 137 for 8 in 20 overs (Surya Kanojia 40, Abhishek 29, Kanwar 11, Gaurav 2/31 and Arun Dogra 3/28).

Kundan Cricket Academy: 95 all out in 19.2 Overs (Nitin 20, Nipun 19, Saksham 2/14 and Shivam 3/17).

In the second match played between Greenfield Cricket Academy and GNPS & CCA, GNPS & CCA won the match by six wickets.

After winning the toss, Greenfield Cricket Academy elected to bat first but its batsmen failed to put up a modest total and could score only 109 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Manpreet junior (23) and Manpreet senior (48) were the top scorers for the Greenfield academy, while Ishan Mavi (3 for 22) and Rizul (2 for 25) were the main wicket takers for the GNPS and CCA.

In reply, GNPS and CCA achieved the target of 110 in just 11.4 overs after losing four wickets. Ishan Mavi (22), Karan (14) and Simarjeet (25) were the top scorers for their team, while Rizul took two wickets giving away 25 runs for the Greenfield academy.

Brief scores:

Greenfield Cricket Academy: 109 for 9 in 20 overs (Manpreet Junior 23, Manpreet Senior 48, Ishan Mavi 3/22 and Rizul 2/25).

GNPS & CCA: 110 for 4 in 11.4 overs (Ishan Mavi 22, Karan 14, Simarjeet 25 and Gursimer 3/11).

Mohali, December 28
Unbeaten century by Pukhraaj and fine bowling spell of Khushpreet helped the MCA Cricket Academy win the inaugural match of the Blue Chilly Cup Cricket Tournament being organised by Desh Prem Azad Cricket Academy at the MCA ground here today.

MCA Cricket Academy beat DAV Senior Secondary School Cricket Academy (DAVSSS-8) by eight wickets.

Electing to bat first, DAVSSS-8 scored 185 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 36 overs. Arvind 72 with 10 fours and Pradeep Kumar 36 with 6 fours were the top scorers for the DAV, who hit all around the ground. Another batsman, Simranpreet Singh, impressed the viewers with his batting as he hit 3 fours in his individual score of 14 runs.

Kushpreet Singh 5 wickets for 20 and Jasinder Singh 2 wickets for 29 runs were the main wicket takers for the MCA Cricket Academy, who did not allow any liberty to DAVSSS-8 batsmen to score.

In reply, the MCA Cricket Academy achieved the target by scoring 187 runs in 35 overs and losing only two wickets.

Pukhraaj’s unbeaten century knock of 109 runs with 18 fours and one six was very impressive as he hit at will all around the ground and punished every loose ball which came his way. Shine Sharma 43 and Kinderpreet 18 were the other batsmen who contributed towards MCA’s win.
Brief scores:
DAVSSS-8: 185 for 8 in 36 overs (Arvind 72 (10x4), Pradeep Kumar 36 (6x4), Simranpreet Singh 14 (3x4), Khushpreet Singh 5/20, Jasinder Singh 2/29). MCA: 187 for 2 in 35 overs (Pukhraaj 109 no (18x4) (6x1), Shine Sharma 43, Kinderpreet 18).

Tomorrow’s fixture: GNPS-36 vs DPAC Academy at GNPS-36 at 9 am.

Chandigarh, December 28
An all-round performance by Lakhwinder Singh (44 for 3) helped Bharti Vij Cricket Academy (BVCA) beat LIC Juniors Cricket Academy by 16 runs in a close finished match at St Soldier’s Trophy at St Soldier’s International School, Sector 28, here today.

Bharti Vij won the toss and elected to bat first, they scored 143 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their stipulated 20 overs.

Akshdeep scored 37 runs in 23 balls with five fours and one six and Lakhwinder Singh mustered 44 runs in 28 balls with five fours and two sixes. Divyanshu scored 25 runs in 30 balls with three fours.

In reply, LIC Juniors failed to push up the scoring rate even though they had three wickets in hand and failed to achieve the target. LIC scored 129 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Pranjay and Anshul were the main scorers. For Bharti Vij, Lakhwinder took three wickets by giving 11 runs in two overs, while Harish took one wicket and gave eight runs in four overs.

Brief scores:

Bharti Vij Cricket Academy: 143 for 8 in 20 overs. (Akshdeep 37 (5x4 and 1x6), Lakhwinder Singh 44 (5x4 2x6) and Divyanshu 25 (3x4).

LIC Juniors: 129 for 7 in 20 overs. (Pranjay 36 and Anshul 32). 
In the second match, BTS Royal beat MCA-YPS 
Academy by seven wickets.

BTS won the toss and elected to field first, MCA-YPS scored 161 runs for the loss of six wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Amrinder (47) and Shubham (30) were the main scorers.

For BTS, Honey took three wickets by giving 32 runs in three overs.

In reply, BTS chased the target of 162 runs in 17.4 overs and won the match by seven wickets. Rizul scored 94 runs in 48 balls with 12 fours and five sixes, Amrit scored 25 runs in 19 balls.

Brief scores:

MCA-YPS scored 161 for 6 in 20 overs (Amrinder 47 (6x4 and 1x6), Shubham 30 and Honey 3/32).

BTS: 162 for 7 in 17.4 overs (Rizul 94 (12x4 5,6) and Amrit 25).

LIC will take on MCA-YPS at Sector 28 at 9 am and the match between BVCA and BTS will be played at 12.30 pm  tomorrow.

Chandigarh, December 28
In a battle to the finish, which extended to the third hole of playoff, Chandigarh’s Jaiveer Singh Sandhu edged out another city boy, Karandeep Singh Kocher, to clinch the D Category (U-11) title in the Albatross Junior Golf Tour on the Poona Golf Club greens in Pune.

The playoff was taken after the two city golfers were tied for the top slot with identical 78 cards.

In the playoff, the two continued to draw level in the first two holes. But in the third hole of the playoff, Jaiveer executed an excellent downhill chip and putt for an even par on the par-4 third hole. Karandeep, who has been playing excellent golf, winning in most of the events, missed a reasonably small putt to finish runner-up to Jaiveer in the D Category.

Ashbeer Saini of Kapurthala fired a one over par 72 to clinch the A Category title.

Chandigarh’s Feroze Singh Garewal could muster a four over par 75 card to finish second, three strokes behind Gurgaon’s Piyush Sangwan, who won the C Category title.

Rahul Ravi scored the best card of the day, a one under par 70, to triumph in B Category.

It was for the first time that Albatross Junior Tour held its first tournament in the West Zone.

Former national badminton champion Nandu Natekar, who is also an avid golfer, presided over the award function.