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Bajajs may urge SC to move case out of city
Chandigarh, March 4 Expressing apprehension the case might be manipulated in Gurmohan’s favour, high-profile bureaucrats BR Bajaj and Rupan Deol Bajaj told reporters at their Sector 16 home here today that they were afraid justice MMS Bedi, the complainant’s father, would ensure their son (Ranjit) would “get no relief from the subordinate judiciary.” They alleged justice Bedi had misused his authority not only to publicly humiliate them but also put pressure on the Panchkula police, which they said barged into their home with a posse of 40-50 personnel carrying AK-47 rifles. The Bajajs further said they had tendered several apologies, “as and when they were asked”, to justice Bedi regarding the incident, but all attempts to reach a compromise had failed. “Bedi once asked us to apologise publicly which we did, but to no affect”, they claimed. BR Bajaj said justice Bedi called him up that day at 3:30 in the morning informing him about the quarrel that took place between their sons. “He asked me to find out where Ranjit was, saying the matter should not come out into the public domain as such incidents frequently occur among young boys. Later I talked to Ranjit who informed me about Gurmohan’s objectionable behaviour with girls accompanying him. I then called up the girls and, after getting the details conveyed the same to Bedi, who in turn got enraged and called the police to his residence and got a false case registered against my son”. Rupan Deol claimed the police invoked certain sections against her son when he was booked at the instance of justice Bedi to make the case nonbailable. “Contrary to the medico legal report, which hinted at only simple injuries, the police slapped charges of attempt to murder. Besides, section 295A was also deliberately included with similar intentions”, she added. An emotionally charged Rupan said they were “sick and tired” of the litigations their family members had been subjected to during the past three decades. “We’ve been left with no option but to defend our son as Bedi has been saying for the past one month he would first get Ranjit arrested and then work out a compromise,” she stated. “Knowing Ranjit’s anticipatory bail application would come up tomorrow, justice Bedi ensured - by personally meeting the Haryana DGP -that our son was apprehended a day before the matter was to be argued in court,” said Rupan. Speaking on behalf of his father, Gurmohan said, “Judicial propriety doesn’t permit my father to interact with anyone on this issue. He’s a man of principles and is above such prejudices and petty issues”. “Ranjit was absconding for a month and was arrested because of the efforts of the Panchkula police, not by any influence wielded by my father, as they (the Bajajs) are alleging. On one hand they tendered apologies and on the other went to the police to get a false case filed against me,” Gurmohan claimed.
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CHB mulling price revision
Chandigarh, March 4 While the revision is not yet official, the board is in the process of working out the rough cost estimates for the dwelling units which would be added to development charges for calculating the exact cost of the flats. A senior official said on the condition of anonymity that offering flats at the advertised rates of January 2008 was “not feasible” now as the cost of inputs had gone up substantially. The advertised rates were only tentative and the board reserved the right to revise them according to the prevailing marketing rates or no profit, no loss, he added. It was virtual bonanza for the government staff under the scheme as category A (three bedrooms), having a covered area of 2,000 sq ft was to cost only Rs 34.7 lakh for UT employees. The same flat with a covered area of 1,424 sq ft cost Rs 39.57 lakh to a general allottee in the Sector 63 scheme. The cost of category B (two bedrooms) 1,400 sq ft apartment was Rs 24.3 lakh while the general category allottees were asked to pay Rs 29.14 lakh for the same category, but a reduced area of 1,075 sq ft. To top it, the category C (one bedroom) flat for general allottees was priced at Rs 17.15 lakh for an area measuring 684 sq ft. On the other hand, the UT staff was to pay only Rs 13.53 lakh for the flat measuring about 900 sq ft. “Dwelling units measuring about 2,000 sq ft were available in the price range of Rs 35 lakh to Rs 45 lakh in Chandigarh’s periphery if the base rate was taken at Rs 2,000 per sq ft,” said a realtor, Harish Gupta, adding that the rate would be much higher in Chandigarh compared to the periphery. Board sources said it was the CHB’s policy that it could not offer dwelling units at a price that caused it losses. The final decision would be taken when the exact cost was worked out after the approval of the scheme from the department of urban planning, the sources added.
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Girls accuse cops of ignoring
their complaint
Chandigarh, March 4 Talking to mediapersons at the Bajajs’ home in Sector 16 here, both girls - for the first time - came out in the open saying Ranjit came to rescue them from some “drunk hooligans”, including Gurmohan, at Hotel North Park in Panchkula on January 29 night. Narrating the incident, Henna and Pahul said they came out of the hotel after the party at around 1:30 am and saw a bunch of boys drinking liquor, which they had kept in the boot of their car, in the hotel parking lot. “It was at that time when Gurmohan passed obscene remarked on us. We went to sit in the car to avoid trouble and requested Ranjit to get us out of there as soon as possible. Gurmohan came in front of our car preventing us to move ahead. At this Ranjit came out of the car and a scuffle broke
out between them, ” the girls stated. They further alleged Gurmohan was so much drunk that he lost his balance and fell down and his turban came off. “Enraged, he tried to stand up but failed and fell again. The boys accompanying him tendered us an apology on his behalf admitting he was drunk”, they added. Henna said they filed a complaint the next day but the police did not bother to contact them till date “obviously under pressure” from justice (MMS) Bedi (Gurmohan’s father). “On the other hand they (police) wasted no time and went all the way to Gurmohan’s home in Chandigarh to register a false case against Ranjit, who in fact rescued us in the situation,” she added. Denying the allegations, Panchkula SP Maneesh Chaudary said the girls were asked several times to join investigations into the matter. “After both failed to turn up the police conducted the probe on its own only to find their allegations were untrue”, he added. Challenging the allegations made against him, Gurmohan asserted the girls were creating a “false defence” for Ranjit and had “concocted a story to foist a case on him”. He claimed he had “solid” documentary evidence to prove his point, including recording of a telephonic conversation in which Ranjit’s father, BR Bajaj, had admitted the “story of eve teasing had been concocted”. He added the recording had been submitted to the police.
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60 sites in Industrial Area resumed
Smriti Sharma Vasudeva Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 4 The estate office over the past year has served nearly 450 notices to those who were misusing industrial plots without getting the land use converted under the UT administration’s conversion policy. All defaulters are liable to pay a fine at the rate of Rs 500 per sq ft. Official sources claim that out of these defaulters, nearly 20 per cent have already submitted the penalty amount worth Rs 1.5 crore. An official, on the condition of anonymity, said while most of them had applied for conversion, even for that they need to first clear their dues. It is clearly laid down that only those trades and industries would be allowed in the Industrial Area, which involve the manufacturing of goods or items. Those who have been served notices have been running commercial activities on industrial plots. From most plots, commercial shops of clothes, crockery and electrical goods are being run in violation of the rules. It has also been found that most of these premises, which have been resumed and even those served with notices, are less than two kanals, which do not even have the option of changing the land use. Most industrialists are now pinning their hopes on the new industrial policy for change in land use.
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Urban estate to come up near airport
Mohali, March 4 Last time, the authority had floated the controversial Sector 78 to 80 housing scheme 10 years ago. “After clinching the loan deals of Rs 1,200 crore with financial institutions, the urban estate scheme will be floated soon,” said sources. The authority was already holding meeting with Punjab National Bank, Dena Bank, Corporation Bank to finance Rs 500 crore, Rs 200 crore and Rs 200, respectively, for the project. The funds are required to pay the land acquisition cost of Rs 1,000 crore and another Rs 200 crore for the development works. Confirming the move, GMADA Chief Administrator VP Singh said the authority was keen on floating the scheme at the earliest. The land acquisition proceedings under Section 6 have already been completed and land compensation is to be paid. The authority is issuing a public notice to the landowners to give their consent on the land-pooling scheme in the next one month. The proposed urban estate having residential, commercial and institutional sites was being planned on around 800 acres. The land is being acquired for mix land use along the 200 ft wide road proposed to connect the international airport with the Zirakpur-Patiala and the Chandigarh-Kharar highways. The project land falls in Bakarpur, Kishanpura, Matran and Chachu Majra villages. Around 2,000 residential and commercial sites had been carved out the mix land use belt. But at least 50 per cent of these would be exhausted if the landowners go for land pooling. The GMADA is watching the interests of the landowners as the evacuees are being offered Rs 1.5 crore an acre or the land-pooling scheme wherein the beneficiaries get 930 sq yard residential plot and 121 sq yard commercial site. The town planning department has proposed a 30 metre green buffer between the road and commercial belt along the main road. The residential area would be behind the commercial belt as is in the existing urban estate. From the architectural control angle, the stakeholders in commercial sites would be allowed a height of up to 120 metres and the access between the villages would be through underpasses. The land use has been planned keeping in mind the nature of activity that would come around an airport.
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No water rationing in Mohali, for now
Mohali, March 4 The authorities concerned are changing their strategies and also upgrading the system for providing adequate water at a reasonable pressure to the residents. Municipal councillor Parkashwati, a resident of Phase IX, and Manmohan Singh Lang, former municipal councillor residing in Phase VII, said so far the water supply position was better as compared to previous years. Executive engineer HPS Dhillon said pumping of water had been increased from 52 hours to between 62 and 64 hours daily. The number of motors pumping water at the Phase VI waterworks had been increased from three to four. Additional pumping was also being done from Phase X for Phase XI. Scouring of pipelines was also being done periodically after getting feedback from residents to improve pressure. Dhillon said stress was being laid to improve morning supply but the evening supply would be comparatively at a lower pressure. Water rationing had been going on in Mohali for the past many years. Last year, it began on March 3 after which Phases I to VII were divided into two zones and water was supplied at full pressure for four hours every alternate night to fill overhead tanks in each zone. Last month, the water supply and sanitation wing had urged the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority to sink 10 tubewells in various parts of the town and also release funds for the provision of a hotline power connection to an underground storage reservoir to improve water supply. The request was made at a meeting held with the chief administrator, GMADA, which was also attended by the Mohali Deputy Commissioner on February 8. It was pointed that Phases VII, III A, III B1, III B2, V, IX, X, XI, Sector 71 and Mohali village faced shortage of water. Since the Municipal Council was short of funds, it would not be able to sink new tubewells and as such the GMADA would have to provide help in this regard. The GMADA was also requested to release funds to the tune of Rs 47 lakh for providing a hotline power connection to the underground water reservoir in Phase X, which faced problems during power cuts or power failures as water could not be supplied at the required pressure to Phases IX to XI.
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Demonstration by FCI workers
Chandigarh, March 4 The demonstration, in which Class IV employees of the FCI also participated, was held on a call given by the BKNKS, New Delhi, for the fulfilment of their demands pending with the Food Ministry since November last. The national committee had given a call to stage a day-long dharna at all FCI district offices of the Punjab region on March 11 and at all regional offices of the FCI on March 18, with a subsequent countrywide token strike at all workplaces on April 13. Sutantar Kumar, president, BKNKS, Punjab, Yogesh Jairath, district secretary, BKNKS, Chandigarh, Khazan Singh, district chairman, Chandigarh, and Ramesh Rana, president, FCI Class IV Union, Punjab, addressed the gathering. —
TNS
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Breeze, drizzle bring respite
Chandigarh, March 4 The local meteorological office maintained that this freak weather was because of a disturbance which had built over the region for the past between 24 and 48 hours. The sun appeared in the afternoon, bringing sultry weather conditions, though clouds continued to hover over the city. The appearance of the sun, coupled with a high level of humidity in the air, led to a rise in the minimum temperature to 15.1 degree Celsius from 14 degree Celsius yesterday. The weather was likely to improve, with a few more spells of rain and thundershowers likely in the next 24 hours, one or two of which could be heavy. After brilliant sunshine and warm days for the whole of last week, city residents woke up to a cloudy day today. A cool breeze kept blowing the whole day long as the temperature went down. The sun continued to play hide and seek throughout the day. The maximum temperature came down from 28.5 degree Celsius yesterday to 26.1 degree Celsius today. The change in weather was largely due to the drizzle. A partly cloudy sky was forecast for tomorrow, with the possibility of light to moderate rain. The minimum temperature was expected to be around 15 degree Celsius.
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Nari Niketan inmate weds
Chandigarh, March 4 The marriage was solemnised at the Arya Samaj mandir, Sector 7. The Nari Niketan had been her home since 1999. She was provided informal education by the department and being her foster parent, it had been looking for a suitable match for her. In May 2009, the department released a matrimonial advertisement in a newspaper, in response to which it received a number of proposals. After verifying the proposals, Amandeep of Sector 23 was thought to be a suitable match for her. Home Secretary Ram Niwas’ wife Babita Verma, who was present during the ceremony, appreciated the department.
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UT employees’ bodies come together
Chandigarh, March 4 According to a press note, the name of the joint front of the employees would be
the UT and MC Employees Sangharsh Committee. It was resolved that the present status of the Punjab pay scales and rules should be implemented in totality. The employees resolved to intensify their agitation
if their demands were not accepted.
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Judicial postings
Chandigarh, March 4 The transfers were discussed during the full court meeting of the Punjab and Haryana High Court this afternoon. Though the details of the transfers are yet to be made public, information suggests another judicial officer, Ravi Kumar Sondhi, is also in the process of being transferred from Chandigarh to Karnal. Sondhi had only recently given a verdict in the Beant Singh assassination case. He had pronounced death sentence for two and had been granted bulletproof car as part of beefed up security. The other judicial officer to be transferred from Chandigarh is Raj Rahul Garg (Panipat). Haryana’s legal remembrancer PN Ahuja is expected to take over as Panchkula’s Sessions Judge.
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32 industrial units get state safety awards
Mohali, March 4 Managements of industrial houses showing outstanding performance in safety measures were honoured with the “State Safety Awards” and those workers who played exemplary role in bringing about safety and higher productivity by their valuable suggestions were also honoured with the state-level awards known as “Punjab Kirt Shiromani Award” and “Punjab Kirti Veer Award” by state labour minister Tikshan Sud. The managements of 32 industrial units were given the “State Safety Awards” for zero accidents in their factories. Three Kirt Shiromani and three Kirt Veer Awards for zero accidents in their factories. Three Kirt Shiromani and three Kirt Veer Awards were given to workers for their valuable suggestions. About 500 industrial workers and representatives of various industries participated in the function. Emphasising on the importance of safety in the industrial sector, the minister said industrialisation and economic growth was important for development, but it should not come at the cost of health and safety of the workers. Labour Commissioner-cum-director of factories NK Wadhwan, Punjab, said in Punjab the accident rate was less than one per 1,000 workers against the national figure of nine. This indicates that all stakeholders are consciously contributing in the reduction
of accident. On-site and off-site mock drills are conducted in the major accident hazard units. A safety exhibition of latest safety equipment was also displayed on the occasion. The workers and managements took “safety pledge” for adopting safe methods of work and to keep environment safe, healthy and clean.
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Cong delegation meets Patil
Chandigarh, March 4 It demanded constitution of a committee to fix the prices of acquired land, a comprehensive rehabilitation package for farmers, whose land had been acquired for the development of Chandigarh, regularisation of houses built outside lal dora at UT villages and completion of the slum rehabilitation project, which has been lying pending since long.
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65 jhuggis pulled down
Chandigarh, March 4 Two
JCBs, three trucks and more than 25 employees were pressed into service. —
TNS
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SI among 5 awarded
Chandigarh, March 4 The IGP also gave a first class commendation certificate and cash reward to Home Guard volunteer Om Parkash who scored the 90th position in the recently organised marathon in the city, in which 700 persons took part. —
TNS
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Boston Fiasco Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 4 They also brushed aside securitymen and slipped in when the VC made an exit from the other gate without speaking to students. The situation came under control when the DUI, Prof Shashi Sharma, and Prof PS Jaswal came to pacify the students. A delegation of students met the DUI and put forward their demand. Late in the evening, a special meeting was called by the DUI, in which the legal adviser, Anupam Gupta, and Prof Jaswal met to take stock of the situation. “We held a meeting with the students. The DUI was in touch with the HNMUN and it is shocking that the student’s body has been advertising night life and cocktail party on its website as part of the event. We have taken note of this and there is no doubt that there has been a misrepresentation by students, be it in name of University Law School or student’s council, as told by some students. Notices will go to the students and action will be taken once we receive their replies,” Anupam Gupta said. Officials also informed that the students who went to Boston were now giving confidential information pertaining to the incident and the authorities were gathering it to come to a decision.
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Degrees conferred on 119 students
Dera Bassi, March 4 Sohan Lal while addressing the students and faculty members after conferring degrees on 119 students of arts, commerce and science said there was competition in every field for which every student should take part in extra-curricular activities. Besides conferring the degrees, 72 students were awarded academic honours. Harpreet was honoured with Roll of Honour for participating in the Republic Day parade. Hemkant of BA-III was honoured with the trophy for all-round best student. Vinod Pal Memorial Trust sponsored trophies and cash prizes for toppers in commerce in the university examination. Vipin Sobti cash prize for excellence in extra-curricular activities was given to Harpreet, while Prof PS Bhullar cash prize was given to Deepika Rajpoot. Later, Sohan Lal inspected the college building where construction work was going on.
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Foreign varsities come calling
Chandigarh, March 4 Ranked eighth among public colleges in the US by Forbes.com, the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), a research university, organised a press conference at Hotel Taj today announcing its new courses. The university is one of the first ones in the US, which is directly coming to India to scout for the right candidates for their grad and higher-level courses. These “unique” courses include bachelor degree in motor sports engineering, bachelor degree in health science and bachelor of arts in philanthropic studies. Officials informed that the motor sports industry had been growing at a rapid pace and Indiana, North Carolina and England were home to the world’s leading motor sports economies. IUPUI’s centre on philanthropy has also pioneered the field of philanthropic studies and created the world’s first postgraduate and PhD degrees in philanthropic studies-Indiana University degrees, informed the officials.
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Automobile workshop
Fatehgarh Sahib, March 4 The workshop is being organised by Volkswagon Motors Limited and GKN Drivelines. Students were apprised of the latest development on transmission system, safety feature, steering and breaking systems in automobile industry. A quiz contest was also held, in which Guninder Singh of Desh Bhagat bagged the first position. Chairman of Desh Bhagat Dr Zora Singh congratulated winners on their achievement. —
TNS
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Lecture on Vivekananda, Islam
Chandigarh, March 4 He has been invited by the Centre for Swami Vivekananda to deliver a series of lectures. He said it was important to reinvestigate Swamiji’s writing in proper context and reference. Prof Haq also made an attempt to dismantle the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Islam. The lecture has been followed by heated discussion, in which Prof Sebastian and Prof HP Sah expressed their views. Reflecting on the event organised by the centre, Prof Dharmanand Sharma, coordinator, Centre for Swami Vivekananda Studies, told the centre aimed at investigating roots of Indian argumentative tradition and spreading wisdom of Indian culture among youths. Lecture today
The department of political science, Panjab University, is organising Shahid Bhagat Singh memorial lecture on the “Influence of Gadar Movement on Bhagat Singh’s thinking” at 3 pm tomorrow at Gandhi Bhawan, PU. Prof Harish K Puri, former chair Ambedkar professor of political science, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, will deliver the lecture. Prof MM Puri, former Vice-Chancellor, PU, will preside over the lecture, according to Prof Ronki Ram, chairperson, department of political science. Appointed
Senior professor Dr AS Kaang has been appointed as dean academic affairs of Kurukshetra University. Earlier Dr Kaang was dean arts and languages, dean student welfare and director academic staff college of the UGC. Dr Kaang also remained the editor of research journal of Kurukshetra University. He joined Kurukshetra University in 1979 and incepted the department of Punjabi. He remained chairman of the department for 14 years. Dr Kaang has authored 24 books and is a recipient of Bhai Santokh Singh prestigious award of the Haryana government. Dr Kaang was also appointed as the member of general council of Sahit Akademy, Government of India. He was also the advisor of National Book Trust.
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Debate on economy, Budget today
Chandigarh, March 4 Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal will preside over the function. Member of Parliament Balbir Punj will be the guest of honour. The event is being held by the Chandigarh unit of the Bhartiya Janata Party’s chartered accountants cell. This information was given by Tarsem Garg, convener of the cell.
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Importance of higher studies stressed
Dera Bassi, March 4 Sri Sukhmani Group of Institutes chairman Prof Avtar Singh inaugurated the seminar. The faculty of various institutes from all over north India attended the seminar and gathered information about higher studies and future prospects. During his candid and lucid lecture, Dr Harbhajan Singh informed that for the faculty who wanted to provide latest information and updated guidance to its students, it was necessary for them to improve their qualification.
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25 students given
roll of honour
Patiala, March 4 A contingent of NCC cadets led by Capt VP Sharma escorted Puri to the stage. College principal Dr SK Bhardwaj welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries and read out the annual report of the college highlighting achievements in academics, sports and co-curricular activities
carried out during the session. He also informed that the college had been selected by the UGC under the scheme College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) for XI Plan (Phase III). Puri conferred Roll of Honour on 25 students, College Colours on 130 students and Merit Certificates to 249 students, who excelled in academics, sports and co-curricular activities. He congratulated the managing committee, teachers and the students for the commendable achievements of the college, especially in the field of sports. Puri expressed deep concern over the lack of job-oriented education and training in Punjab. He laid stress that since Patiala was a major city of tourist attraction, a course in tourism could really be beneficial for students. In sports, the college won 18 university championships and 15 second positions. Meenakshi got the Roll of Honour for participating in Gymnastics World Cup held in London. Reena got the Roll of Honour for bagging the gold medal in weightlifting at Junior Commonwealth Games held in Malaysia. Gurlal Singh got Roll of Honour for participating in the Republic Day Parade. Shruti Jindal was given Roll of Honour for standing first in the university examination in BCA-III. A large number of sportspersons bagged gold and silver medals at all-india inter-university/national championships. Around 20 students got university merit positions. Principal presented a memento and a shawl to Puri. On this occasion, Puri donated his book Mughal Badshahan De Ajab Kisse and a book written by his father Dewan KS Puri to the college library. Dr Rashpaul Singh got his book Punjabi Natak Sidhant Te Samikhia released on this occasion. District Sports Officer Jasbir Kaur Brar was felicitated with a shawl and memento. Various sports coaches were also felicitated on the occasion. Professor Balvir Singh, Dr Harcharan Singh and Prof Ganesh Kumar Sethi conducted the stage. Dr Vinay Kumar Jain thanked the guests, staff members and the students.
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25 shortlisted in job fest
Patiala, March 4 Various Indian multinational and foreign multinational companies like HDFC Bank, HCL, UAE Forex, Anagram and RKC conducted group discussions and interviews to select students. More than 200 students from various institutes participated in the job fair and around 25 students of the college were shortlisted. Speaking on the occasion, CMT director, Dr AK Verma, and placement director, Prof Pawan, assured the students that such activities would take place in the future also and more efforts would be made on placements.
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NIPER student feared drowned in Himachal
Mohali, March 4 Dilip Kotadiya reportedly drowned in a river at Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh on March 2. He was part of the 52-member team, which had gone on a private trip to Kullu, Manali and Manikaran four days back. No official or faculty member of the institute was accompanying the students when the incident took place. Till the filing of the report, the victim's body could not be fished out due to bad weather conditions. Officiating director of the NIPER KK Bhutani said the inquiry being conducted by the senior faculty of the institute would look into the aspect of negligence behind the incident. According to information, the students were getting their photographs clicked in groups at about 5 pm on the bank of Parvati river at Manikaran. Due to the growth of algae on the riverbank, the victim slipped after losing balance. An alarm was raised by his fellow students, but to no avail. Divers of the ITBP again resumed the rescue operation yesterday. However, inclement weather was hampering the search operations. NIPER spokesman Santosh Sohgaura said a three-member team headed by the deputy
registrar had already reached Manikaran.
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