Ambala, November 1
The Ambala district administration has cracked the whip against the illegal sale of crackers in the district.

Deputy Commissioner Sameer Pal Srow said this here today.

In view of the illegal sale of firecrackers in various parts of the city, the District Magistrate has banned the sale of firecrackers except in the areas notified by the district administration, that too after taking permission from authorities.

The Deputy Commissioner, in his authority as District Magistrate, has clamped a ban on the sale of crackers in congested areas of the city.

The District Magistrate issued an order under Section 144 of the CrPC prohibiting the storage and sale of crackers and other explosives in congested areas and places of markets here ahead of Diwali.

He said this could lead to a mishap and loss of life, besides increasing the chances of destroying government and non-government properties.

Official sources said that two persons had been challaned for selling crackers illegally. One in Ambala City and another in Naraingarh, the sources added.

The areas, which have been notified for the sale of crackers in Ambala include Dasehra ground and Gandhi ground at Ambala Cantonment, Polytechnic ground and HUDA ground at Ambala City, Ramlila ground at Barara and Naraingarh.

As per orders, no person can sell or store crackers and explosive materials without obtaining the licence under the Explosives Act. Similarly, no person can sell and store fireworks and explosive materials at congested places or markets except the places earmarked.

The District Magistrate has allowed the sale of crackers between 8 am and 8 pm and the use of fireworks and crackers between 6 pm and 10 pm. The firecrackers can not be used at any time in the silent zone comprising not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions, courts and religious places.

Ambala, November 1
A major tragedy was averted on the Ambala-Hisar road near Ambala City this morning when a truck carrying about 12 Maruti cars came in contact with high tension wires.

The electric current flowed in the truck and the tyres caught fire. The driver of the truck escaped unhurt while the cleaner sustained burn injuries. The cleaner was taken to a civil hospital. Later, he was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh.

According to sources, when the truck was crossing near Ambala City it came in the contact with live electric wires that crossing over the road.

One of the eye witnesses said the wire got disconnected from the pole otherwise it could have resulted into major tragedy, as hundreds of vehicles were moving on the road when this incident happened.

Chandigarh, November 1
Thieves decamped with eight sculptures, a grass mower and other articles from Kala Sagar in Sector 36.

Chandigarh, November 1
Suspecting loyalty of his wife, a Maloya resident allegedly set afire his wife at his residence late last night. The couple has been married for 18 years and has three grown up children.

The police has arrested the 35-year-old husband, Harbans Singh, an auto-rickshaw driver, on charges of attempt to murder on the basis of the statement of his wife Jagwinder Kaur. The victim is admitted to the Sector 16 government Multi Specialty Hospital (GMSH), with 40 per cent burns.

The in charge of the Maloya police post, sub-inspector Baldev Kumar, said the incident occurred around 9 am on Sunday when the accused returned home drunk and picked up a quarrel with his wife. He accused her of being unfaithful to him and in a fit of rage picked up a kerosene stove and poured oil on his wife. The victim’s clothes were drenched with the oil and he set her afire.

The victim screamed for help and her son rushed to the police post. A police team headed by Baldev Singh reached the spot and shifted the victim to the hospital. The police informed the duty magistrate about the incident, who recorded the victim’s statement.

The accused was today produced before a local court, which remanded him in judicial custody.

In another incident, stung over by being objected for moving out by her brother, a 20-year-old woman set herself ablaze at her residence in Dadu Majra Colony (DMC) here on Sunday afternoon. The victim’s brother also suffered 40 per cent of burns in a bid to douse the flames.

About the attempt to suicide, Baldev Kumar said the incident occurred around 4 pm when Vinod Kumar had an altercation with his sister. A mechanic by profession, Vinod, objected to his 20-year-old sister Anuradha going out. She went to her room and locked herself and poured kerosene oil and set herself ablaze. When Vinod noticed smoke coming out of her room he rushed there and broke open the room.

In an attempt to douse the flames he suffered 40 per cent burns while Anuradha suffered 100 per cent burnt.

Baldev Kumar said the police shifted both of them to the PGI where they have been undergoing treatment. A case of attempt to suicide has been registered against Anuradha under Section 309 of the Indian Penal code in this regard.

Chandigarh, November 1
The maidservant along with her husband and a relative who were arrested on Sunday for allegedly robbing an elderly woman at pistol-point after tying her at her residence in Sector 61 on October 25 were sent to four-day police remand today.

The in charge of the Sector 61 police post, sub-inspector Maninder Singh, said the accused, Punam, her husband Rajesh Kumar and her brother-in-law Malkhan Singh, alias Vicky Chauhan, had told the police that they had kept some of the robbed articles in Gaziabad and Muzaffar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. A police team will be dispatched to these places to recover the articles.

The police will also interrogate the accused to find out whether they had committed similar robberies earlier also. The police had arrested the trio yesterday on a tip off. The victim, Savita, had told the police that she was robbed at pistol point and the police was yet to recover the weapon.

Chandigarh, November 1
Winning over disability through talent, Saurabh Saini, a 24-year old hearing-impaired student from the city will represent India at the 8th Abilympics to be held in South Korea in 2011.

Having won a gold medal in the painting category, which is among the 43 vocational streams identified, at the national level Abilympics held at Jabalpur recently, he is the only eligible candidate from the city to compete at the international level.

Saurabh, a former student of the Government College of Arts won the first position while another student, Simarjeet Singh Saini, won a bronze medal at the national level in photography. But only the gold medal winners in various categories are entitled to represent India at the international level.

“The basic idea behind the international Abilympics is exploring the potential and special skills possessed by the physically-challanged. India began its journey in the international Abilympics in 2003 and the last event was organised in Japan in 2007. Saurabh first won at the district level, then regional and finally national level,” said Saurabh’s father, JS Saini.

“He has been extremely fond of painting since childhood. Other normal children of his class used to come home and see his paintings and ask us how he got this talent without interacting with anybody. He is a bright person with leadership skills and has always excelled,” said his mother.

Despite his skills, the only thing that is now a hindrance in his journey of success and to do the country proud is financial assistance. “He has now picked up a job in the Government Middle School, Adhon, Thaneshar, Kurukshetra as a drawing teacher and is hoping the government comes forward to provide assistance so that he continues his journey to the international Abilympics,” said his father.

Chandigarh, November 1
DAV Model, Sector 15, emerged champion in the U-19 (boys) Chandigarh Inter-School Lawn Tennis Tournament beating DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, by 2-0 at Lake Club, Sector 6, here today.

The third position was secured by DAV Public School, Sector 8, which beat Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 32, by 2-1.

In U-17, DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, got the better of DAV Model School, Sector 15, by 2-1 to lift the trophy in boys’ section.

St Anne's Convent School, Sector 32, finished at third position by beating DAV Public School, Sector 8, by 2-1.

Chandigarh, November 1
Sitting in a stall at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Fair in Sector 17 is Tanvir Akhtar showcasing his pictures clicked with master blaster Sachin Tendulkar.

It’s been 20 years that I have known the Indian cricket God, claims Tanvir from Pakistan.

Recollecting his first meeting with Sachin in “1989” he says: “I still remember the tiny Sachin in a blazer much bigger than him. His fingers were also not visible in the oversized blazer as the sleeves were much longer than his arms.”

He still remembers his first conversation with Sachin. I asked him, “You should have worn a blazer of your size and the little star replied to me we were in a hurry, so, I wore what I got.”

Since then each time Sachin came to Pakistan I ensured that I met him and the generous sportsperson greets me as warmly as ever.

Recalling his share of experiences with the cricketer, 42-year-old Tanvir, who sells bats said: “I gift him a bat whenever I meet him. Though Sachin never uses the bat when he plays international matches, but practices with them.”

“I can never forget the golden words of the cricketer when he met me last in 2008. I was present at the hotel to welcome him and the security guard questioned my presence. I requested the guard to let me stay there. He allowed me to stand there only on one condition if Sachin will come to meet me. As the team arrived, the cricketer noticed me from a distance and told the guard - ‘I have known Tanvir for the past 20 years so don’t stop him,’ he said this with tears in his eyes. ”

Tanvir had a long list of adjectives for Sachin, “He is down-to-earth. In 1994, I had gone to Mumbai to treat my leg. I had gone to Sachin’s house and met his children and mother as well.”

It was Ajay Jadeja, who introduced Tanvir to Sachin. During the cricket matches Tanvir used to take the bats specially made of Willow wood for cricketers. Ajay Jadeja, who was also a youngster that time became my friend and introduced me to Sachin during one of the U-19 tournaments.”