NEIGHBOURHOOD

‘Negligence’ of doctor deforms girl’s hand
Our Correspondent

Ambala, November 26
Thieves targeted two religious places at Ambala City late last evening and decamped with cash and gold ornaments.

According to information, the thieves had broken the locks of the main gate of Gobindpura gurdwara and took out the cash from the cash box. According to gurdwara sources, the cash box contained around Rs 25,000. The priest of the gurdwara noticed in the morning that the locks of the gate were broken. He informed the secretary of the gurudwara management committee.

In another incident, thieves entered the Shiv temple located near Jain College. They locked the priest of the temple in his room and took out the gold chain of Goddess Durga. Later, they broke the cash box of the temple and took out cash from it. The priest of the temple said the cash box contained around Rs 30,000.

The thieves also targeted the temple of Goddess Kali. Though the thieves managed to break the locks of the temple, they could not break the cash box.

The police registered separate cases in this regard. No clue of theft was achieved so far.

Chandigarh, November 26
Taking up a petition filed by Janta Land Promoters Limited alleging inaction in implementing the agreement for developing industrial plots in Sector 82 and residential plots in Sectors 90 and 91 of Mohali, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today imposed a penalty of Rs. 50,000 on the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).

A Division Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ritu Bahri also quashed GMADA’s order dated May 21, 2008, which asked the land promoters to submit Rs 121.56 crore for EDC /licence fee/ CLU for the mega project.

The company, a government-approved coloniser, is engaged in promoting and developing real estate and had entered into an agreement on June 24, 2005, with GMADA on the project. The company told the Bench it was exempted by the authorities from the payment of change of land use and other charges while signing the agreement of the said project.

But later GMADA asked the company to pay Rs 121.56 crore on account of different charges.

Chandigarh, November 26
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled private participation for restoration of monuments is not only permissible, but also desirable. The partnership, a Division Bench ruled, would go a long was in saving ancient monuments from “complete degeneration”.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Ajay Tewari quoted the example of Humayun's Tomb restoration to substantiate the point.

The Bench asserted: “It is evident that private participation for restoration is prevalent in the country and even the Archaeological Survey of India has permitted it in case of Humayun's Tomb. In the opinion of this Court, such partnership is not only permissible, but also desirable keeping in mind the scarcity of resources in this country, if we are to save our ancient monuments.”

The Bench further said, “It would be absolutely shortsighted to insist that such sites should not be handed over to private bodies even if they fall into complete ruins. The only safeguard to be kept in mind is that any such private person fulfills the commitment of preserving and maintaining such sites in an appropriate manner, and that it should not result in any commercial benefit to such a body.”

The assertion came on a petition filed by Raj Kumar and another petitioner against the state of Punjab and other respondents. As their petition came up for restoration of Quila Nabha, the Bench was informed that heritage buildings and forts resurrected, restored and maintained through public-private partnership included: “Gardens of Emperor Humayun's Tomb; Jal Mahal; Jaisalmer Fort; Isa Khan's Complex in New Delhi; Sumda Chun Monastery in Ladakh; Dalhouse Square in Kolkata; Paradesi Synagogue in Cochin; and Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai. Also placed before the Bench was excerpt from a report, which said: “MoUs have been signed for preservation of national heritages like Humayun's Tomb, Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar with the Agha Khan Foundation and the Oberoi Group of Hotels, the Indian Hotels Company Ltd (Tata Group) and the IO, respectively”.

The Bench was also told: Overseas foundations and organisations have also come forward and signed MoU for Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan and for Pradeshi Synagogue Clock Tower in Cochin.”

Chandigarh, November 26
Twentythree-year-old Gurpreet Singh committed suicide by hanging himself at his Sector-23 residence late last night.

He sent an SMS to his sister, informing her about taking the extreme step, at 10:30 pm. He bid her goodbye, saying he loved everyone in the family and sought an apology for taking this step.

She immediately informed their father, who rushed to Gurpreet’s first-floor room and found it locked from inside.

He raised the alarm and neighbours gathered there. They peeped through a window and found Gurpreet hanging from a ceiling fan hook. They broke the door open and lowered the body.

The police was informed about the incident. It rushed Gurpreet to the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Gurpreet was survived by his parents and two sisters, who were married. He had a footwear shop at Maloya. The police said Gurpreet had attempted to end his life about four months ago, when he consumed some poisonous substance and was hospitalised. — TNS

Chandigarh, November 26
Two snatching incidents were reported form different parts of the city. Amit Kumar, a resident of Phase II, Ram Darbar, alleged that a group of five persons snatched his mobile phone on Thursday near new Railway Bridge.

In another incident, Kuldip Kaur, a resident of Sector 48, filed a complaint with the police that two unidentified motorcyclists snatched her purse containing a mobile phone, `8,000, keys and some documents, on Thursday near Pancham Enclave.

Chandigarh, November 26
The day belonged to city players as both singles titles in the AITA Men’s and Women’s Rs 50K Tennis Tournament went to Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association players Ajay Yadav and Ravnoor Kaur at the association’s courts here today.

While in women’s final, Ravnoor Kaur defeated Jaspreet Kaur from Punjab in straight sets 6-4, 6-0, in the men’s final, Ajay Yadav turned the tables on top seed Rynold Timothy from Kerala 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Earlier, the left-handed Ravnoor faced no difficulty in getting the better of her opponent, as she dominated the proceedings right from the start.

She broke her opponent’s first game and took a 2-0 lead.

Jaspreet, too, broke Ravnoor’s serve in the fourth game to make it 4-4.

But Chandigarh player held her serve 5-4 and again broke the very next game to clinch the first set 6-4.

After losing the first set, dispirited Jaspreet gave up the second set 6-0.

In the men’s final, Ajay Yadav showed some great skills against top seed Rynold to quell the latter’s challenge.

The first set witnessed keen contest between the two players, as they kept the lid on unforced errors and fought for every single point.

As both served well and kept holding their service games, the first set went into a tiebreaker.

At 3-3, it was anybody’s set before Ajay broke his opponent’s serve to win the tiebreaker 7-5.

In the second set, Ajay broke Rynold in the fifth game and took a 5-2 lead. Rynold broke his opponent’s serve in the eighth game to make it 5-4. But Ajay kept his cool and played some great tennis to lift the trophy.

In a closely-contested men’s double final, Krishik Diwakar and Kamal Suresh beat Ajay Yadav and Gurmohit Singh 6-7(3), 6-1, 10-8.

Ambala, November 26
Chaman Vatikans clinched five gold, 10 silver and five bronze medals during the All-India Yoga Championship 2010 organised by the Maharishi Pantanjali Yoga Sansthan Palwal and Yoga Association at Palwal.

More than 1,000 participants from 18 states took part in the championship.

Ishika Jain, Hareena Sidhu, Preeti Jha, Pranav Kharbanda and Hardik Bhudhiraja won the gold medals; Manushree Jain, Asmita Choudhary, Ghanshyam Sundram Shukla, Parneet Kaur, Simona Singh, Preeti Jha, Jagdeep Sidhu, Pushpleen Makkar, Prabhleen Makkar and Hardik Budhiraja, won the silver medals, while Preena Gill, Pinky Jha, Tania Bembi, Aarchi Ahuja, and Abhishek Dahiya bagged the bronze medals.

Preeti Jha stood second in artistic yoga (singles), while Hardik Bhudhiraja and Asmita Choudhary secured the third and sixth positions, respectively.

Dr Deepak Arya was given the Yog Rattan Award and a gold medal.

Rajender Nath, chairman of the school, congratulated students and teachers on their achievement.

Chandigarh, November 26
DAV-15 beat St Joseph School by six wickets in the 13th Blessed Edmund Rice Cricket Tournament on the school’s ground here today.

Batting first, Josephs were all out on 56 runs. Abhishek was the top scorer with 16 runs. Rajat claimed five wickets in the course.

In reply, DAV-15 hit 57 runs in 11 overs, losing four wickets. Abhishek scored unbeaten 25 runs.

In the second match of the day, St John’s High School lost to APJ, Kharar.

Batting first, St John’s were all out on 62 in 15 overs. APJ team overhauled the target in just nine overs.

Chandigarh, November 26
The success of Shilpi Jaiswal, 21-year deaf girl from Patna, has all ingredients for a prospective runaway Bollywood hit.

A girl, who is largely cut off from her surrounding because of her physical handicaps, has to her credit the coveted British Open Deaf Tennis Championship (2006), “Indian Role Model Award” from the President, Dr APJ Kalam, in 2006, and the Bihar Khel Ratna Award twice (2004 and 2007), just to name a few.

Interestingly, Shilpi was in womb when doctors had advised her mother to abort because she was suffering from German measles.

“We did not hear the doctors’ advice. I am proud today when our daughter has made our family, our state and also our country proud,” said Shishir Jaiswal, father of Shilpi, at St Peter’s Tennis Academy in Sector 37, where Shilpi has been attending an AITA level-III coaches course to add a new chapter in her life.

“Apart from British Open, I have bagged the top honours thrice in All-India Tennis Association tournaments. I have also participated in International Tennis Federation championships. Now, I want to change my role. I want to train budding talent and ensure the saplings grow into a beautiful tree,” said Shilpi with a twinkle in her eyes.

As Shilpi cannot speak clearly due to speech deformity, her father acted as her interpreter during the interview.

On if she was satisfied with her success journey, Shilpi said: “I am happy with my achievements, so far. I am looking forward to making my state the number one tennis nursery in the country.”

Shishir Jaiswal proudly spoke about the magic of Bihar government’s message by putting a sizable number of hoardings with Shilpi’s picture.

“It reads ‘Be a proud Bihari, Be a Shilpi, Play Tennis’ and a large number of youngsters have joined us on the tennis courts.”

A leading coach, Kawaljit Singh, who is conducting the AITA course here, spoke highly of “this young brave girl”. “Shilpi is not only a good player but she also possesses qualities of a top class coach,” he added.

Chandigarh, November 26
As many as 21 young candidates from various parts of the country attended the AITA level-III coaches’ course at St Peter’s Tennis Academy, Sector 37, here today.

The aim of the seven-day course, being conducted under the All-India Tennis Association’s coaches education programme, is to upgrade the knowledge of young starter coaches and award them with certification under the AITA coach certification programme.

“The course aims at increasing mass participation worldwide and help starter players learn the game quickly and easily with modified balls and courts,” said AITA experts Nar Singh and Kawaljeet Singh.

Besides, the focus is on new methods of teaching methodology on individual and group teachings, physical fitness, mental training, added Kawaljeet Singh, senior-most tutor in India.

Wg Cdr SS Khanna, managing director, St Peter’s Senior Secondary School, and Dr Jasjit Singh, honorary secretary, Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, distributed certificates among the candidates.

Chandigarh, November 26
Around 200 senior citizens above 65 years of age will tee off tomorrow for the five titles at stake in the Happy Heart Golf Tournament for senior citizens to be held on the par-72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club here.

To be organised by Fortis Hospital, the tournament will be played on the stableford format with 3/4th handicap and will see competition in the following age categories: 65 to 70 years, 71 to 75 years, 76 to 80 years, 81 to 85 years and 86 years and above.

There will be keen competition in all age categories, with even 86 years and above category attracting six participants. The nine-hole competition will tee off at 7 am.

Soon after the tournament, Dr Deepak Puri, senior consultant, Cardiac Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, will conduct a quiz “How healthy is your heart?”. Prizes will be given away at 1 pm.

Chandigarh, November 26
Sacred Heart School, Sector 26, girls won the Inter-School Tae Kwon Do (under-17) title, organised by the UT education department in association with the Tae Kwon Do Association of Chandigarh at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, here today.

The winning team garnered nine points followed by St Stephen’s-45 team, which stood second by winning eight points.

Other results: 38-41 kg: 1 Himani (SNS-43); 2 Mary Robart (Sacred Heart); 3 Aarti (GGMSSS-18) and Chhahat (Ryan-49).

41-44 kg: 1 Neha (GMSSS-33); 2 Lakshyta (GGMSSS-18); 3 Monika (Sacred Heart) and Nancy (St Marry-46).

44-48 kg: 1 Harikala (St Stephen’s); 2 Nisha (GHS-46); 3 Sheffali (GGMSSS-18) and Jyoti, (GMSSS-33).

52-56 kg: 1 Kriti Jha (Sacred Heart); 2 Anshul (St Stephen’s); 3 Poonam (GGMSSS-18) and Samriti (GMSSS-33).

Chandigarh, November 26
Angad emerged hero with his five goals, as he helped Vivek High School blank Saupin’s School Mohali 8-0 in the fifth edition of the Chandigarh State Championship (under-13) for Kabir Trophy at St Kabir grounds here today.

In another match, St Kabir kicked off their campaign with a 6-1 thrashing of Little Flower School today.

Little Flower’s team took the lead by converting a penalty in the first few minutes of the match but the determined Kabir players did not give them another chance and pumped in six goal to claim the match.

The results: Strawberry School b New Public School, Sector 18, 4-0; St Stephen’s-45 b Saupin’s Chandigarh 5-0; St Soldiers b Xavier’s, Mohali, 4-0; St John’s-26 b Saupin’s, Panchkula, 3-0.