NEIGHBOURHOOD

Promoting reading habits
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, October 31
A book fair was organised at Sri Sukhmani International School here yesterday. Director of the institution Kawaljeet Kaur inaugurated the fair. She said books were important in our life. In this fair a number of books related to different subjects like story books, motivational books, activity books and novels were on display.

A book mark-making contest was also organised to promote books. The theme of the book fair was to promote reading habits and respect flair for writing.

Chairman of the institution Prof Avtar Sing said “Books are good companions of our life. They increase our knowledge. Principal Ajay Nathwani encouraged the students to develop and motivate reading habits." 

Rajpura, October 31
The Rajpura police today arrested two persons with 42-kg artificial silver utensils worth Rs 7 lakhs.

The accused have been identified as Ajay Chauhan, alias Lovely, and Dharam Pal, alias Dhamma, both residents of Delhi. City police station in charge Manjit Singh said that they swung into action following a tip off to bus stand police post in charge Baljinder Singh Chattha about the two fraudsters who were in search of gullible customers to sell the artificial material.

The police officials searched the two bags and briefcases of the accused and recovered the utensils. The cops said that the accused were trying to sell off the artificial silver to the people in markets in view of festive season.Preliminary investigations revealed that they were on way to sell the artificial material in Amritsar.

Serving dishes, including plates weighing 13 kg , glasses 25.5 kg and lamps 3 kg were recovered from their possession. The accused failed to provide any documents pertaining to the silver utensils. During the preliminary interrogation they revealed that the utensils constituted 45 per cent of silver and 55 per cent of copper. They admitted that they had sold similar artificial material in different cities of Punjab in the past few days.

The police has booked both the accused under Section 420 of the IPC and seized the material.

Patiala, October 31
The Patiala police last evening seized two quintal of milk cake prepared from spurious khoya.

In wake of the festive season, the police is keeping close watch on the transportation of the milk products, especially khoya. Acting on a tip-off, the Civil Lines police sation cops stopped a rehriwala, identified as Anuj Kumar, resident of Sanaur, who was carrying two quintal of milk cake, near the Leela Bhawan Market.

During the inspection and questioning of Kumar, it came to light that the milk cake had been prepared from spurious khoya. He was taking the milk cake to sell the same to some sweetshop owners.

As per police officials, the search for sweetshop owners, where the milk cake was to be delivered is on and a team from the Patiala Civil Surgeon office has also taken samples of the confiscated milk cake. 

Bassi Pathana. October 31
Hundreds of Congress leaders and workers of the area led by OP Tangri, former council president, today commemorated martyrdom day of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as " Balidan Diwas" by organising a function here today.

Tributes were paid to late Prime Minister and the Congress men offered flowers on the portrait of Gandhi.

Addressing the function Tangri termed Gandhi as an iron lady, who sacrificed her life for the national integration. He said that she faced many challenges in her life and came out victorious every time. She made India a developing country and during her tenure country touched new heights. He said that she was eliminated as she fought against terrorism with firm hand to save the innocent people of the country, particularly of Punjab.

Ranjit Singh Tarkhan Majra, Raj Kumar Pawa, OP Makhija, Pardeep Malhotra, Secretary. PPCC, BBVerma, advocate, also addressed the function.

On the occasion, the Congressmen took a pledge to fight against anti-national forces and to work for communal harmony. Two minutes silence was observed to pay respect to the leader.

Dera Bassi, October 31
Residents of Dera Bassi have alleged that the negligent attitude of the Municipal Council and the government has left the Dera Bassi bus stand in a pitiable condition. Residents have alleged that some private bus owners and taxi owners have been misusing the place. Private buses and cars are always seen standing on the bus stand premises whereas roadways buses that come from various parts of the state and other states always stand on the national highway, which lead to road accidents.

Social worker Amarnath and Gurbaksh Singh said that there were no proper drinking water and proper civic facility on the bus stand premises. Regarding the facilities they met the Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Dera Bassi, a month back but no action has been taken so far. They said that due to defective sewerage system, the dirty water was flowing in and near bus stand. They demanded the removal of illegal encroachments near the bus stand. Thousands of people visit here every day but due to lack of proper arrangement of drinking water and toilets they are a harassed lot, residents added.

Former president of Municipal Council, Dera Bassi, Amrit pal Singh said the bus stand was constructed nearly 30 years back and now it was in a bad state.

Previous Congress government had provided Rs 15 -lakh grant for the repair of the bus stand but the new SAD-BJP government withdrew the grant. Dera Bassi Municipal Council vice-president Sheema Sharma said that resolution regarding the repair of this bus stand was pending and efforts would be made to get it passed. Municipal Council Executive Officer Sarbjeet Singh assured that efforts would be made to get it repaired as early as possible. 

Panchkula, October 31
A police team from Chamba in Himachal Pradesh today raided a house in Nadda village and arrested a woman for forcibly abducting, selling and marrying a teenage girl.

Heading the police team, Chamba police station SHO Shamsher Singh today contacted the Chandimandir police and raided the house of the accused in Nadda village and arrested the main accused Anju. The team later left with the accused for Chamba.

Sher Singh talking to mediapersons said that Babli, mother of the victim, and a resident of Karian village near Chamba in her complaint to the police on September 18 had alleged that Anju had forcibly taken away her teenage daughter and sold her to four persons for Rs 10,000.

Singh said that during the investigation, it was confirmed that Anju had taken away the girl and later sold her to Sushma, her husband Janak, brother Mahender and Yashpal, all residents of Sanleheri village in Kangra district. Later, the girl who was forcibly married to Mahender was recovered from their house.

He said a case had already been registered in this regard and added that four accused involved in this case had already been arrested. He said Anju was also involved in more such cases and they were expecting to solve them too with her arrest. 

Zirakpur, October 31
The police today booked a resident of Baltana for obstructing the public servants in performing their duty.

A case has been registered against Aslam Khan, a resident of Saini Vihar, Phase IV, Baltana, on the complaint of Inspector Gurdarshan Singh, Inspector Sudhir Kumar and draftsman Rajesh Kumar.

The investigating officer said the incident occurred around 11 am when the officials of Zirakpur Municipal Council got the complaint regarding an illegal construction at Saini Vihar.

They visited the spot and asked a resident Anita Rani to stop the construction work of her house, as building map was not approved by the council.

While they were discussing the issue with Anita and her family, Aslam started arguing with council officials.

Heated arguments turned violent, as Aslam, along with his son, allegedly started pelting stones on the official vehicles, the investigating officer added.

Gurdarshan Singh, an official of the council, said they had called up the police and also informed the Zirakpur MC president NK Sharma.

The investigating officer said Aslam sustained head injury.

Meanwhile, Aslam alleged that the council official had assaulted him, but the council official denied the allegations.

SHO Yogi Raj said after, a police team had been sent to the spot.

Zirakpur, October 31
Seven-year old boy died after being hit by a speeding truck near Komfort palace here this evening. The deceased has been identified as Sanjit Ram of Peer Muchhalla, Zirakpur.

According to the police, the incident took place when a truck coming from Sector 20, Panchkula, hit the boy at Peer Muchhalla, leaving him dead on the spot. The accused truck driver managed to flee from the spot leaving his truck behind. The police has impounded the truck and booked the driver.

The body of the deceased has been handed over to his family after conducting a post-mortem examination. The father of the deceased is a migrant labourer at Zirakpur.

Chandigarh, October 31
The police arrested nine persons yesterday on charges of trespass and assaulting a resident of the Industrial Area here.

Rakesh Kumar of Phase I, Industrial Area, reported to the police that Mohan Lal, Vinod, Manjit, Rohit, Risib, Bimla, alias Meenu, Sukhdev, Moni, Dhuni and Nandu, all residents of Kharar, trespassed on his plot at Phase II, Industrial Area, and assaulted him.

Mohali, October 31
Sachit Malhotra of DPS clinched both boys’ U-14 and 16 titles in Manav Mangal Total Tennis Tournament that concluded at Manav Mangal Total Tennis Academy, Phase X, here today.

Sachit outclassed Rohit Dhiman of Chandigarh in a one-sided affair in boys’ U-14 final by 6-2, 6-1. Sachit, a trainee of the Total Tennis Academy took 3-0 lead in the first set, but Rohit fought back and took the score 3-2 then Sahit found his rhythm to take the first set without conceding any game by 6-2.

In the second set, Sachit hit all-around, but nervous Rohit scored 6-1 to clinch U-14 title.

In the U-16 boys’ title, it was double delight for Sachit, as he thrashed Amit Deshwal of Panipat by 6-1 and 6-1.

Amit, who played well to reach the boys’ U-16 final failed to match Sachit’s powerful ground strokes and surrendered.

Rakesh Hooda of Rohtak won the mens’ singles title by defeating Soumya Raj of Delhi in straight set by 6-2 and 6-3. Rakesh played controlled and consistent game to win against erratic Soumya.

Hooda took 4-0 lead in the first set, but relaxed to concede three games to Raj. After taking three games in a row, Raj couldn't take the advantage and lost the first set by 3-6. In the second set, Hooda won four games in a row after 2-2 and won the set and title by 6-3, 6-2.

Ashav Kumar of Chandigarh downplayed Manveer in a one-sided match to clinch the boys’ U-10 title by 6-0 and 6-2. Harsimran Atwal of Jalandhar claimed double titles in girls’ U-10 and U-16 in the tournament. Little Atwal played game of her life to claim hard-fought girls’ U-16 final match against Jasmine of Mount Carmel School in a tough match. Both the players held their service game till 4-4, but Atwal changed her gear to raise her game to take the first set by 6-4, Jasmine lost the confidence and after losing the first set gave the second set by 6-2.

It was double delight for Harsimran Atwal, who won girls’ U-10 title by beating Arashpreet of St Anne’s School, Mohali, by 6-1, 6-1.

Narinder Singh, general manager, of Total Tennis Academy gave away prizes.

Results

Boys’ U-10 quaterfinals: Mehul Gupta bt Jai Pama, 5-3, Manveer bt Naman Gupta, 5-1, Ashav Kumar bt Shreya Chopra, 5-0, Yuvraj bt Chiraj, 5-2

Boys’ U-10 semifinal: Manveer bt Mehul Gupta, 5-1, Asav Kumar bt Yuvraj, 5-2

Boys’ U-10 final: Ahav Kumar bt Manveer 6-0, 6-2

Boys’ U-14 quaterfinals: Chandan Agnihotri bt Aman 5-2, Rohit Dhiman bt Ankush 5-3, Kashish Sehgal bt Rajat 5-3 and Sachit Malhotra bt Ayush 5-3

Boys U-14 semifinal: Sachit Malhotra bt Kashish Sehgal 6-2, Rohit Dhiman bt Chandan Agnihotri 6-2

Boys’ U-14 final: Sachit Malhotra bt Rohit Dhiman 6-2, 6-1

Boys’ U-16 semifinals: Amit Deshwal bt Chandan 6-2, Sachit Malhotra bt Kashish Sehgal 6-2

Boys’ U-16 finals: Sachit Malhotra bt Amit Deshwal 6-1, 6-1

Mens’ singles semifinals: Soumya Raj bt Milind Mehta 6-6 (7-2), Rakesh Hooda bt Kashish Sehgal 6-2

Mens’ singles: Rakesh Hooda bt Soumya Raj 6-3, 6-2

Girls’ U-10 semifinals: Harsimran bt Harleen 6-1, Arashpreet bt Shivi 6-1

Girls’ U-10 final: Harsimran bt Arashpreet 6-1, 6-1

Girls’ U-16 semifinals: Jasmine bt Komal 6-1, Harsimran bt Sakshi Tiwari 6-2

Girls U-16 final: Harsimran Atwal bt Jasmine

Panchkula, October 31
Excellent all-round performance by Vansh Chaudhary, four for 11 and 21 runs, helped Strawberry Fields World School, Sector 26, Chandigarh, beat Hansraj (Greens) Cricket Academy, Sector 6, by eight wickets in the first match of the inter-academy U-10 Cricket Cup held at Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, here today.

Vansh was declared man of the match.

After winning the toss, Hansraj (Greens) captain Tanishq Dhingra elected to bat first, and the team posted a total of 77 runs in their stipulated 20 overs.

Tanishq was the top-scorer for Hansraj team with sensible innings of 18 runs. Shaurya played a quick fire knock of 17 runs. For Strawberry School Academy, Vansh was the pick of the bowlers, as he scalped four wickets for only 11 runs. Harsh, Dhruv Sethi and Aaryman Kakkar were the other wicket takers, who took two wickets each.

Chasing a victory target of 77 runs, Strawberry team achieved the target for the loss of eight wickets in 12.3 overs. Chirag Veer (26 not out) was the highest scorer for winners, while Vansh (21) played a sensible knock. For Hansraj Academy, Aryavir was the only bowler, who impressed with his bowling figures of two for 18.

In the second match of the day, Saupin’s School Cricket Academy, Chandigarh, beat Hansraj (Blues) Cricket Academy by six wickets. Prabhjeet Singh of Saupin’s School Cricket Academy was declared man of the match.