NEIGHBOURHOOD

Polytechnic students in innovation mode
Parmod Mehta

Dera Bassi, October 2
Nearly 3,608 families of Dera Bassi block living below poverty line would be covered under the Rashtriya Sehat Bima Yojna. For this purpose cards would be provided to families concerned.

On the basis of this card one family can get medical treatment up to Rs 30,000 in a one year. SMO, Dera Bassi, Dr Meena Hardeep Singh said the process of card making started from Chatt village on September 29.

Through this scheme insurance companies would provide medical treatment to poor families, she added. Besides, the work of making birth and death certificates was offered to ANM workers and for this purpose training was given to them in the civil hospital, Dera Bassi. Earlier, panchyat secretaries were involved in this work.

Bassi Pathana, October 2
The local Mehar Baba Charitable Trust (MBCT) Hockey Academy celebrated its first anniversary here today.

Former Indian hockey coach Baldev Singh and former national coach Narinder Singh Sodhi along with other national men and women hockey players attended the function.

Interacting with mediapersons, the two former coaches said the academy was first-of-its-kind in the area that provided coaching to budding players between the age group of 6 to 9.

Baldev Singh, who runs a hockey academy at Sahabad Markanda, said the town would soon be known as “nursery of Indian hockey” like Sansarpur village in Jalandhar and Sahabad in Haryana, which have been providing coaching to budding players.

He said the biggest challenge faced by the game was the inclination of youngsters in the age group of 6 to 12 year towards cricket instead of hockey.

They said Europeans had been successful in the sport, as they had adopted the policy of “catch ’em young”, imparting expert coaching to youngsters. This trend was missing in India due to the absence of good academies to mould young talent.

Prof HS Mejie, who runs the academy, said they had selected 30 boys and 30 girls of the area and were being provided coaching by NIS-trained coaches.

The players underwent regular medical check-up from PGI doctors, he added.

The players later presented a cultural programme.

Patiala, October 2
The DAV College Management Committee will start a sports academy at Dera Bassi soon, according to principal of the local DAV School SR Prabhakar.

He said it would give an opportunity to budding players and help improve the standard of sports in the area.

Chandigarh, October 2
The Chandigarh administration’s action of not abolishing the paid parking system, as resolved by the municipal corporation, has failed to find favour with the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Justice Vinod Kumar Sharma has set aside an order passed by the administration, annulling the corporation’s resolution for abolishing the system in the city.

The high court order came just over three years after the administration annulled the resolution on July 7, 2007.

Acting on a petition by eight BJP-SAD councillors, Justice Sharma asked the administration to pass afresh an order in the matter.

For the purpose, Justice Sharma asked the administration to consider the reply filed by corporation and give it an opportunity of hearing, if required.

Appearing before the Bench, former BJP Member of Parliament Satya Pal Jain, counsel for the petitioners, had earlier submitted that newly elected members of the corporation, in the meeting held on March 21, 2007, passed a resolution to abolish paid parking in Chandigarh.

They had urged the administration to file a review petition in the high court for the purpose as the paid parking system 
was introduced after the matter was taken up by a Division Bench.

He said the administration placed under suspension the resolution on June 11, 2007, and asked the corporation to file its reply on the issue within 10 days.

Jain said the administration, without awaiting the corporation’s reply, annulled the resolution under section 423 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act.

Dubbing the administration’s order as illegal, Jain said it was within the corporation’s jurisdiction to decide whether to continue with or abolish the paid parking system.

In any case, he said, the resolution could not be annulled without considering the reply field by the corporation.

Opposing the plea, UT senior standing counsel Sanjay Kaushal said the paid parking system was introduced in Chandigarh under directions of the high court and hence, the corporation had no power to abolish it.

The petition was filed by councillors Harjinder Kaur, GD Kala, Anil Dubey, Ram Lal, Rajesh Bittu, Surinder Jagota, Sunita Choudhary and Gurnam Singh.

Chandigarh, October 2
More than half of the men arrested for raping women have been convicted by the city’s district courts during the past one and a half-years. In the 34 rape cases that the courts disposed of, 18 suspects were held guilty of committing the heinous crime while 16 were acquitted after the victims turned hostile.

Several FIRs in rape cases are registered every year. In some the complainant alleges the suspect has kidnapped his daughter and then physically abused her, In other cases the suspect is accused of “developing physical relations” with the victim on the pretext of marrying her. However, in most of these cases the victim turns hostile.

In one such case a man accused of rape was let off by the court when the “love letters” purportedly sent by the victim to the suspect were placed on record. Acquitting the suspect, Mohinder, in the case, the court held: "The victim willfully and without any coercion or fraud left her parents’ house on her own and came to Sirhind."

There have been many interesting judgments wherein the accused has been convicted for different reasons.
Among the prominent orders pronounced, one was that of the director of a firm, Frontier Cycles, who was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for raping a girl on the pretext of giving her a job.

In another rape case the suspect was held guilty by the court as the girl belonged to an “economically weaker section”. He had sexual relations with the victim after promising to marry her, which he eventually did not. In the landmark order the court of additional district and sessions judge RK Sondhi held: "A most aggravating circumstance which goes against the convict is that he raped a helpless lady taking benefit of her innocence and breaking the confidence reposed in him and also befooled her by making false promise of marriage fully knowing that he has no intention to keep his promise and continued to rape her and made her pregnant and when she asked him to marry he left her."

Another case was the one against four youths who were held guilty by a local court of raping a German national. In all these cases the victim had supported the prosecution.

Even if a rape victim turns hostile the court has held the suspect guilty. In one such case the court convicted the suspect for the offence, stating, "Keeping in view the peculiar facts and the nature of the offence, particularly the way they chose to wriggle out of the crime by winning over the victim by taking benefit of her poverty and illiteracy."

The victim, however, turned hostile during crossexamination though she had earlier admitted the crime had been committed.

Chandigarh, October 2
Snatchers are on the prowl in the city as three incidents have been reported form various parts of the city in less than 24 hours.The first incident took place in Sector 30 early this morning when two unidentified motorcyclists targeted 67-year-old Saraswati Devi when she came out of her house at 5.45 pm for morning walk. They stopped her to ask the location of a house in the locality.

Before she could reply, they snatched her gold chain. The victim resisted and in the process her chain was broken. However, the snatchers fled with the broken part of the chain.

The victim, however, managed to jot down the registration number of the motorcycle and she told the police that the snatchers were wearing helmets.

In another incident, a private doctor, Ashutosh, a resident of Sector 42, reported to the police that a teenager snatched his gold chain after slapping him on the road separating Sectors 27 and 28. Ashutosh told the police that he was standing on the road and was looking for something in the boot of his car when a teenager approached him asking for a lift, which he refused. At this, the youth slapped him and fled with his gold chain. Ashutosh even gave a chase to the teenager, but he who managed to dodge him.

On Friday evening, 34-year-old Gurpreet Kaur, a resident of Sector 46, lost her gold chain to two unidentified motorcyclists. The police said the victim refused to lodge a formal complaint regarding the incident following which they recorded a daily diary report.

Zirakpur, October 2
The police today booked a Panchkula-based couple for trespass on the complaint of Sunil Gupta, a resident of Kaithal, Haryana.

The accused have been identified as Darshan Singh and Baljit Kaur, residents of Sector 20, Panchkula.

According to the police, Sunil Gupta said he owned a plot of 133 sq yards at MS Enclave, Dhakoli, Zirakpur. The complainant received information that the accused had tried to encroach on his plot this morning.

He alleged that the couple had also tried to encroach on his plot on September 12. However, the matter was settled after the two parties reached a compromise.

The investigating officer stated that after recording the statement, a case has been registered against the couple and started further investigations.

Mohali, October 2
Fund crunch, scarcity of players and fewer tournaments have been ailing women’s cricket in the country, feels Anjum Chopra, a member of the Indian national squad.

Anjum, who was in the city to witness the proceedings of the first Test of the India-Australia series at the PCA Stadium in Mohali today, dwelt on various issues pertaining to the progress of women’s cricket in the country.

Anjum, former captain of the Indian team, has played 12 Tests and 121 ODIs so far.

“We are at number three at this juncture and our men’s team is placed number one. We know how to become leaders in the game. However, being the poor cousin of the ‘million dollar baby’ (referring to men’s cricket), women’s cricket hasn’t seen progress the way it should have. We don’t have enough funds, players or job opportunities,” says Anjum.

However, she feels the situation has improved after the BCCI stepped in three years ago to develop the game for women.

“Now we get chance to train at top academies of the country, including the ZCA and the NCA. But we need more facilities, coaches and world-class equipment for better results,” adds Anjum.

She feels the board should conduct more tournaments for women, as this is the only way to give exposure to players.

“This year, we have played in just two international events. Is this enough to keep fit and stay in the game?” she adds.

“Each woman player gets Rs 2,500 as remuneration for an ODI and Rs 1 lakh for the entire series. Just compare it with what our male counterparts get,” she quips.

Anjum has sought to increase funds and better job opportunities for women cricketers to ensure better results.

Anjum is coming out with an anecdotal book on the journey of women’s cricket this year-end. She has also prepared a documentary, “Poor Cousins of Million Dollar Babies”.

Chandigarh, October 2
Harbir Singh got the better Raghav Grover 7-5 in a hard-fought match in the LD Kapoor Memorial Total Tennis Tournament that started at YMCA Tennis Academy, Sector 11, here today.

After levelling 1-1, Raghav had to struggle to hold his service in the third game before taking a 2-1 lead. He again broke Harbir’s serve to go up 3-1.

Showing grit, Harbir came from behind to level the score 3-3. The match went to the tie-break after a marathon rally. Harbir finally clinched the match 7-5.

The results: Boys’ u-10 (first round): Rishabh Sharda b Daksh Marwaha 4-0; Inderash Singh b Gaurav Bishat 4-2; Chiraz Singh b Gurpreet Singh 4-0; Vinayak Malhotra b Jatin Dhanda 4-1; Harbir Brar b Ishant Meena 4-1; Raghav Grover b Angad 4-2; Rushal Bansal b Bhavjot 4-3; Aadish Bansal b Rana Manav 4-1; Sumer Sandhu b Jaspreet Singh 4-1; Shrut Mohan Nagret b Dishant Verma 4-2; Saumya Panwar b. Shreshth 4-2; Ishaan b Mehul Gupta 4-2; Abhijeet Chaudary b Prakash Marwaha 4-2; Manveer b Aniteg Sood 4-1; Jap Rasul Veer Singh b Gurviraj Singh Vasu 4-2; Anmol Ratan Kamboj b Ashav Kumar
4-0.

Second round: Rishab Sharda b Indresh Singh 4-2; Chirag Singh b Vinayak Malhotra 4-2; Harbeer Brar b Raghav Grover 5-3; Aadish Bansal b Rushil Bansal 4-1; Harbeer Brar b Raghav Grover; Shrut Mohan Nagreta b Sumer Sandhu 5-3; Jagrit b Saumya Panwar 4-1; Manveer b Abhijeet Chaudary 4-2; Anmol Ratan Kamboj b Jap Rasul Veer Singh 4-0.

Boys’ u-12 (first round): Nihit Rawal b Jaskaran Thapar 4-0; Karan Hooda b Yuvraj Singh 4-2; Parmeet Deol b Aadita Gupta 5-4; Shubham Vig b Mehaul Gupta 4-0; Ritik Abrol b Manveeer Singh 4-1; Naman Gupta b Shrut Mohan 4-1; Sohrab Singh b Ananyad 4-2; Rishab Shrada b Vaibhav Ratan 4-0; Sagar Bains b K Aaditya 4-2; Sameer Vats b Aadish Bansal 4-1; Anumanits Bains b Manveer S Grewal 4-0; Prabhman Thapar b Vipul 4-2; Sumer Sandhu b Puru Mehta 4-1; Naval Avasthi b Vibhu Chube 4-0; Prabh Noor Singh b Aniket Tevari 4-1; Anmol Rattan Kamboj b Deepak Chahal 4-1.

Boys’ u-14 (first round): Kashish Sehgal b Samir Vats 6-4; Rahul Aggarwal b Vishant 6-0; Aman Deeptiwala b Jaskaran Thappar 6-0; Kanak Batra b Dinkar 6-2; Karan Sabarwal b Kunal Kanyathi 6-0; Anumanit S Bains b Vaibhav Ratan 6-0; Rohit Dhiwan b Lakshay Sofat 6-3; Rrabh Man Thapar b Vibhu Chobe 6-0; Satwik Sharma b Sidhhart Arora 6-3; Shaswat Poddar b Ritik Abrol 6-3.

Second round: Rahul Seth b Harsimran Singh 6-2; Kashish Sehgal b Himmat Kadiyan 6-2; Anmol Rattan Kamboj b Hari Om 6-0; Sagar Bains b Rahul Aggarwal 6-3; Kanak Batra b Armaan Sidhu 6-3; Rohit Kumar b Subham Saini 6-2; Parmeet Singh Deol b Karan Sabarwal 6-3; Nihit Rawal b Ankush Thakur 6-3; Vikas Berwal b Nikhil Sandhu 6-2; Anumanit S Bains b K Aditya 7-5; Birgurman Singh b Rohit Dhiman 6-1; Sachit Malhotra b Sahil Rawat 6-1; Manav Poddar b Prabhmaan Thapar 6-1; Raghav Talwar b Sashwat Poddar 6-0.

Panchkula, October 2
Hosts Saint Soldier’s School, Panchkula, beat Satluj Public School, Panchkula, by seven runs in the 1st Wg Cdr SS Gyani Memorial Cricket Tournament at the school ground here today.

Set 128-run target to win, Satluj were bowled out for 120 runs in 19 overs.

In another match, Saupin’s School, Chandigarh, thrashed St Xavier’s School, Panchkula, by 10 wickets.

Batting first, St Xavier’s were restricted to just 66 runs, which was achieved by Saupin’s School in just eight overs without losing any wicket.

Panchkula, October 2
In yet another nail-biting encounter, South Zone defeated Cricket Federation of India XI by six runs to enter the semifinals of the 1st Rajiv Gandhi All-India Inter-Zonal Under-15 League Cricket Championship for the Royal Empire Cup at Cricket Stadium, Sector 3, here today.

Batting first, South Zone were restricted to 89 runs in 23.1 overs. The team lost their first three wickets cheaply. In reply, CFI XI gave up at 83 runs in 24.2 overs.

Rohit Chaudhary was declared the man of the match.

Brief score: South Zone: 89 all out in 23.1 overs (Akash Tracy 17, Harish Chandar 15; Rohit Chaudhary 6 for 19, Priyanshu Singh 2 for 23).

CFI XI: 83 all out in 24.2 overs (Munish Mukheja 18, Aatish Bansal 6; Vishnu Prashanth 2 for 14, Goutham S 2 for 6, Pulkit Chaudhary 2 for 18).

In the second match of the day, North Zone registered an easy victory over Eastern Zone by seven wickets.

Brief score: Eastern Zone: 121 all out in 21.5 overs (Kunal Kumar 16; Piyush Arora 2 for 14, Gurnke Singh 2 for 14, Amit Chaudhary 2 for 20).

North Zone: 122 for 3 in 16.1 overs (Ankit Chaudhary 56 n.o, Yugneek Kandehla 36; Mikhail Chowfin 1 for 25).

In a match played at the Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, Chandigarh, CFI XI beat Sri Lanka team by seven wickets to enter the semifinals.

Brief score: Sri Lanka: 76 all out in 16.1 overs (Aatish Bansal 2 for 8, Shashank Garg 2 for 8, Kanwanjeet Singh 2 for 14).

CFI XI: 80 for 3 in 7.2 overs.

In the second match played at the same venue, South Central Zone defeated Sri Lanka by 100 runs.

The semifinals of the tournament will be played at the Cricket Stadium, Sector 3, Panchkula, tomorrow.

Chandigarh, October 2
St John’s School-26 emerged champions, while Shishu Niketan School-22 and Tribune Model School-29 secured second and third positions, respectively, in the State Level Inter-School Sports Competition (under-16) that concluded at Sports Complex, Sector 7, here today.

The competition, held under the Panchayat Yuva Krida Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), was organised by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan, Punjab and Chandigarh, in association with the education and sports departments of the UT.

Competitions in 10 disciplines — archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, hockey, football, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling — for both boys and girls were organised.

The final results: Basketball: boys: 1 DAV Public School-8, 2 Guru Harkrishan Public School-38 and 3 DAV Senior Secondary School-8; girls: 1 St Anne’s Convent School-32, 2 Carmel Convent School-9 and 3 IS Dev Samaj School-21.

Table tennis: boys: 1 DAV Public School-8, 2 Manav Mangal School-21 and 3 AKSIPS School-41; girls: 1 Sacred Heart-26, 2 position Manav Mangal School-21and 3 DAV Public School-8.

Hockey: boys: 1 SGGS Collegiate Public School-26, 2 DAV Public School-8 and 3 Shivalik Public School-41; girls: 1 Government Girls Model Senior Secondary School-18, 2 GGSSS-20/B and 3 Government Model Senior Secondary School-37/B.

Archery: boys: overall champions St Saupin’s School-32; girls: 1 Shishu Niketan-43, 2 GM School-8 and 3 St Saupin’s School-32.

Athletics: 100 m: girls: 1 Versha Sharma (St Soldier School-28), 2 Komal (St Soldier School-28) and 3 Ravita (GMHS-26); 800 m: 1 Tanya (St Anne’s School-32), 2 Shubhkarman Kaur (Shivalik Public School-41) and 3 Mehak (GMHS, Mani Majra); shot put: Jyoti (GMHS School, Police Lines-26), 2 Manisha (GMHS School, Police Lines-26) and 3 Ravita (GMH School-26).

Wrestling: boys: 53 kg: 1 GHS-Daddu Majra Colony (DMC), 2 GMSSS-23 and 3 GSSS-38 (W); 85 kg: 1 Bal Niketan School, 2 GSSS-16 and 3 Chitkara School.

Weightlifting: boys: 50 kg: 1 Mukesh (GMHS-43), 2 Karan (GMHS-42) and 3 Gaurav (GMHS-43). 65 kg: 1 Karan (GHMSSS-46), 2 Arjit (GMHS-43) and 3 Dilpreet (SGHMS-38).