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Cold wave, rain force people indoors
Chandigarh, January 3
Intermittent rain and severe cold wave has disrupted normal life in the city and surrounding parts of Punjab and Haryana, forcing people indoors throughout the day. As rain continued at irregular intervals and chilly winds persisted, the mercury dipped significantly.

A road wears a glazed look due to rainfall in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

In the elements: (Clockwise from top left) The reflection of shoppers and lights lends a colourful touch to the Sector 17 plaza; A cart rider finds protection from the rain and chill in a polythene bag; Two women and a child hurry for their destination amid rain and fog; Children huddle around a bonfire to keep themselves warm in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photos: S Chandan, Nitin Mittal and Pradeep Tewari

Chandigarh on a high
Per capita consumption 136 bottles
Chandigarh, January 3
Blame it on the Chandigarh administration’s lopsided excise policy or the people’s changing lifestyle, the city is slowing turning into a Bacchus lovers’ paradise. The per capita consumption is around 136 bottles, a development which is set to ring alarms bells among a cross-section of society.

Ruchika’s expulsion shattered her, says Aradhna
Chandigarh, January 3
“SPS Rathore’s continuous efforts to spoil Ruchika’s career perturbed her, but it was her expulsion from Sacred Heart that literally shattered her,” Ruchika Girhotra’s best friend Aradhna claimed today. Speaking to the Chandigarh Tribune over the ongoing magisterial inquiry against the school, Aradhna rubbished the school’s claims of non-payment of fee and voluntary withdrawal by Ruchika.

Pritpal remanded in 2-day police custody
Chandigarh, January 3
A local court today remanded Baba Pritpal Singh in two-day police custody. He was arrested from a village near Machiwara in Ludhiana on Saturday. Sources in the police said officials of the special crime investigation cell told the court that they wanted to quiz the baba regarding the SIM cards he used during his escape and how he had procured those.

Schools closed Chandigarh, January 3 Taking note of the dipping temperature and persistent fog, the UT education department has asked all government schools to close primary classes till January 10. — TNS

COMMUNITY

Initiative to ‘free’ Open Hand Chandigarh, January 3 Braving the cold wave and drizzle, a group of at least 20 local residents, including activists, students, artists and tourists, converged on the “Open Hand Monument” with monosyllabic placards, standing hand in hand in solidarity, to convey a loud message subtly: “Free The Open Hand”. A group of local residents hold placards at the Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

LPG shortage hits consumers
Mohali, January 3
There seems to be an acute shortage of LPG cylinders in the city when one goes by the backlog of the cooking gas at different agencies in Chandigarh and Mohali. Consumers of HPCL and BPCL are complaining more about shortage of the cooking gas.

Medical charts in Army outdated: Study
Chandigarh, January 3
In a revelation that could have serious health implications for the armed forces and medical classification of soldiers, the charts, used to define the correct weight for height and age, are not only outdated, but also are apparently based on data applicable to western population that is inherently different from Indian population.

‘Religion, human rights complementary’
Chandigarh, January 3
As human values form an integral part of all religions, human rights and religion are complementary to each other, experts said at a seminar on “Religion and Human Rights” here today.

Reporters' Dairy
In a bit of a hurry
Pankaj Bhardwaj, the lawyer contesting the case on behalf of Anand Prakash and the Girhotras in the ongoing Ruchika molestation case who has been getting kudos from different quarters for providing his services without charging anything, appears to be in a little hurry. He exhibited this haste more than once last week.

Book ‘Akhaa Jeevan’ released
Chandigarh, January 3
True creative writing is possible, or rather, exercises better influence, only in a language which is spontaneous in expression and genuine both to the writer and his audience. This was stated by author and journalist Varinder Walia, Editor of the Punjabi Tribune, at the Pracheen Kala Kendra hall here today.

Gaushala to come up near Pinjore
Panchkula, January 3
The residents of the town can hope for better civic conditions as well as lesser risk on the roads as the municipal council has decided to build a gaushala on 15 acre near Pinjore before handing it over to a social organisation involved in such activities.

Cultural extravaganza by residents’ body Chandigarh, January 3 Fun and frolic marked the cultural function organised by the Residents Welfare Organisation, Sector 38(A and B), here today. Braving cold inclement weather, a large number of children below the age of 10 years participated in various items in the cultural extravaganza, including fancy dress, poetry recitation and dance competitions.
Children at a cultural function organised by the Residents’ Welfare Organisation, Sector 38 (A and B), in Chandigarh on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Tributes paid to Justice Mahajan
Chandigarh, January 3
The Mahajan Sabha celebrated the 120th birth anniversary of Justice Maher Chand Majan at Mahajan Bhawan in Sector 37 C here today. RK Gupta, general secretary of the sabha, and his wife performed a “havan”.

Power cuts continue in Mohali
Mohali, January 3
Even as Saturday’s technical snag in the northern grid was rectified, Mohali residents continued to reel under power cuts throughout the day today. The intense cold followed by light drizzle further compounded the problem for the residents.

235 persons examined at medical camp
Panchkula, January 3
As many as 235 persons were examined at a free heart checkup camp organised by the House Owners Welfare Association, Sector 10, at Sood Bhawan here today. The camp was held in association with Fortis Multi-speciality Hospital, Mohali, said Bharat Htheshi, general secretary of the association.

EDUCATION

PU’s exam system needs a revamp
It is common knowledge that the percentage of marks attained in a Panjab University examination is not by itself enough to ensure admission in professional colleges or even when seeking employment. Candidates are required to appear for a competitive exam or a special interview in the specific field separately.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Stress on innovations in research
Patiala, January 3
Berkley College in collaboration with Government Bikram College of Commerce organised a one-day international research workshop. The aim was to promote quality research at national and international level.

Patiala railway station gets facelift
Patiala, January 3
The Patiala railway station has got much needed renovation. It has now got a new reservation office, which is a state of the art maintenance free building, presenting an aesthetic look.

A gurdwara is decked up ahead of the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh at Phase I in Mohali on Sunday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu Homeless children keep themselves warm by the roadside in Patiala on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

SBoP extends home loan bonanza
Patiala, January 3
In tandem with government policy to provide affordable housing for all, State Bank of Patiala has extended its existing 8 per cent Home Loan Bonanza up to January 31, which was set to expire on December 31, last year.

Dogs’ day out in Patiala
Patiala, January 3
Patiala Kennel Club organised its 34th and 35th All-breed Championship Dog Shows on the Raja Bhalendra Singh Stadium Polo Grounds, Patiala, today amidst rain. The show was inaugurated by Patiala Deputy Commissioner Dipinder Singh.

"Ray of hope" for differently abled
Patiala, January 3
United Artists Patiala, a social organisation, will organise a programme “Ray of hope” for mentally challenged children at the Central State Library in Patiala on January 3 and 5. Nancy Ghuman, joint secretary of the organisation, said the aim was to change the image of these children in the society.

US team visits medical college
Banur, January 3
A team from New Mexico, United States, visited Gian Sagar Group of Institutions here today. The team comprised Mary Herrera, secretary of state of New Mexico State, Mark F Valdes, deputy state treasurer, New Mexico, Pawan Singh Dhindsa, general counsel to India and NK Sharma, chairman of Mohali District Planning Board.

Elderly woman commits suicide
Ambala, January 3
An elderly woman residing in the Housing Board Colony at Ambala City allegedly committed suicide by pouring kerosene oil on her body today. The deceased was identified as Ram Piyari.

Kabaddi meet by NRIs
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 3
A kabaddi tournament was organised by some young NRIs to keep the youth away from drug addiction. The tournament was organised with the help of Fatehgarh Sahib Sports Academy, Madhopur, wherein kabaddi teams from various academies of Punjab participated.

CRIME

Babla Case
Seizure of SIM card at jail
Cop accuses UT counsel of coercion
Chandigarh, January 3
Inspector Dilsher Singh Chandel of the Chandigarh police today accused UT senior standing counsel Anupam Gupta of pressuring him to register a case against Devinder Singh Babla for recovery of SIM card during his search at Burail jail on Friday.

Youth held for rape
Chandigarh, January 3
The police arrested a youngster from Indira Colony on charges of raping a 19-year-old girl after administering sedatives to her in the wee hours of today. The victim told the police that the accused trespassed on her residence, gagged her with a cloth and forced her to inhale something, which made her unconscious.

Four held for gambling
Chandigarh, January 3
The police arrested four persons from different parts of the city on charges of indulging in gambling at public place yesterday. The police arrested Rajesh Kumar of New Indira Colony and Vijay of Bapu Dham Colony, Sector 26, near Palika Bazar, Sector 19, for indulging in gambling. The police recovered Rs 130 from them.

Nursing student commits suicide
Chandigarh, January 3
Anshu Mathew, a 27-year-old woman pursuing her post-graduation in nursing at the PGI, was found hanging at the YMCA hostel in Sector 11 here this afternoon. In the absence of any suicide note, the police was yet to ascertain the reason leading to the extreme step.

SPORTS

Rizul hogs limelight in BTS meet
Chandigarh, January 3
GNPS & CCA and Greenfield Cricket Academy declared joint winners in the first U-13 BTS Gold Cup Cricket Tournament organised by BTS Cricket Academy, Sector 48, here today. Rizul was declared as all rounder of the tournament where as Sherry and Shubham Chand were declared as best batsman and bowler, respectively.

16-member cricket team announced Panchkula, January 3 The Cricket Federation of Haryana affiliated to Cricket Federation of India has finalised the 16-member cricket team to participate in the All-India National Under-19 Cricket Championship to be held at Hyderabad from January 10. The 16-member team announced by the Cricket Federation of Haryana for the All-India National Under-19 Cricket Championship. A Tribune photograph

Saint Soldier Trophy
Kulbeer dazzles in DAV-8 win
Chandigarh, January 3
Kulbeer Singh’s quick fire 79 helped DAV-8 beat CM Eleven by 141 runs in Saint Soldier Trophy being held at Saint Soldier International School, Sector 28, here today. DAV won the toss and elected to bat first and was able to put up a modest total of 226 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.

Jeev opens Golf Club Academy Chandigarh, January 3 Jeev Milkha Singh inaugurated the Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) Academy on the club premises here today. "I am delighted to see the academy come up on my home course", said Jeev when shown the training aids and gadgets by the academy director Harmeet Kahlon and joint director Ajay Gujral. Jeev Milkha Singh (second from left) with Brinder Singh Gill, Ajay Gujral and Harmeet Kahlon after the inauguration of the Chandigarh Golf Club Academy on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Chess Lahiri on winning spree Chandigarh, January 3 Continuing with his winning streak International Master Atanu Lahiri defeated Sahu Vikramaditya in the fourth round of the first Chandigarh All-India Open Fide Rating Chess Tournament organised by the Chandigarh Chess Association at St Xavier’s School, Sector 44, here this afternoon.
A match in progress during the All-India Open Fide Rating Chess Tournament at St Xavier’s School, Sector 44, Chandigarh, on Sunday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Vishwesh makes it to Grade-3 tourney
Chandigarh, January 3
Vishwesh Sinha became the first player to qualify in the Grade-3 ITF Tennis Tournament being held at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) here today.

Satluj Public School emerge victorious
Panchkula, January 3
Satluj Public School, Sector 4, won the Under-15 Invitational Cricket Tournament defeating Bhavan Vidhalaya School, Sector 15, by 15 runs in the final at St Soldier Divine Public School, Sector 16, here today.