NEIGHBOURHOOD

Seven injured in group clash
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, April 15
About seven persons, including a woman, were injured in a clash here on Wednesday. The clash took place over a game of cricket.

One of the injured, Sanjeev Kumar, alleged that he was playing in the ground in front of his house when some youths interfered and attacked them. He and his cousin Ankit and father Mohan Lal were injured.

Another injured, Talwinder Singh, belonging to the rival group, alleged that they was attacked by the other group. Baljinder, Abhinav, he and his mother were injured. The injured were admitted to the Civil Hospital here. The police started investigations

Dera Bassi, April 15
Deputy Commissioner of Mohali Varun Rojjam visited the grain markets of Dera Bassi and Lalru yesterday and took the stock of wheat procuring arrangements.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the wheat purchasing arrangement in the newly-constructed grain markets of Dhanouni, Samgouli and Lalru, he directed the officials concerned to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.

He was accompanied by SDM Puneet Goyal, tehsildar Gurminder Singh, naib tehsildar Varinder Dhoot, executive officer Sarbjeet Singh and secretaries of market committees. The Deputy Commissioner told the market committee officials that the crop should be purchased without causing any harassment to farmers in the grain market.

He heard the problems of farmers in the markets. Besides, Rojjam said the problem of pollution caused by some industrial units would be solved on priority basis. While talking to reporters, he assured them of the best quality infrastructure in rural areas.

Dera Bassi, April 15
A total of 200 students received engineering degrees during the first convocation ceremony of Swami Parmanand College of Engineering and Technology, Lalru, which was organised on the college campus here today. Dr Buta Singh, Dean (academics), Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, was the chief guest.

He, along with Anil Verma, senior vice-president and YK Mittal, treasurer of the institute inaugurated the programme.

Dr TD Sharma, director-principal of the college declared the convocation open and presented the glimpse of the institute in annual report.

He said: “Swami Parmanand Group of Colleges was honoured with The Best Upcoming College in Punjab by fourth Indian Achievers’ Podium and an International Intellectual Award for achievements in the field of education. 

Kalka, April 15
Despite the fact that the department of PWD (B&R) have completed the construction work of the auditorium-cum-multipurpose hall at the Government Postgraduate College, Kalka, which was likely to be completed in May, 2010, the department is ready to hand over the auditorium to the college administration.

Sources in PWD (B&R) confirmed that the construction work of the auditorium with a capacity of 1,500 persons was started in 2008, which cost around Rs 2.35 crore, would now be handed over to the college administration.

The multipurpose auditorium would be used for various activities like cultural activities (which were earlier used to be conducted on the college premises), indoor games and for conducting examination.

The college administration is, however, hesitant to take over the charge of the auditorium. College principal Dr Harvinder Sharma said it had been observed that the multipurpose hall had several discrepancies, it can’t be called and used as auditorium, as it had not been equipped with any furniture or chairs, sound system, stage lighting, stage curtains, sound proof system and air conditioning, which are the basic requirement of an auditorium.

Sharma added that the college administration had written a letter to the Higher Education Commissioner (HEC) urging them to facilitate the multipurpose hall with the said facilities.

Chandigarh, April 15
Two accused entered into a scuffle in the police lockup of the Sector-31 police station here today. One of them received critical head injuries after his head was banged against the iron grill of the lockup.

The police has registered a case of attempted murder against Sandharsh Kumar of Ram Darbar and sent him to 14-day judicial remand.

The police said Raj Kumar and Sandharsh were arrested following after a minor scuffle between them in Ram Darbar. They were taken to the police station and thrown in the lockup.

There, Sandharsh attacked Raj Kumar and banged his against the iron grill. By the time the security guard could react, Raj was lying in a pool of blood with grievous head injuries.

Sector-31 police station SHO Jaspal Singh said Sandharsh had already been booked twice in attempted murder cases and had been released on bail from the Burail Jail around one and half months ago. Raj Kumar also had a criminal record.

A case under Sections 307 (attempted murder) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC had been registered at the police station-31. 

Chandigarh, April 15
Indian duo Vishnu Vardhan and Divij Saran emerged champions in doubles after beating the foreign players’ team Hsin Han Lee of Taipei and Bumpei Sato of Japan 6-4, 4-6 and 10-7 in the ongoing Union Bank ITF Mens’ Futures USD 10,000 Tennis Tournament at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association Courts, Sector 10, here today.

During the nail-biting contest, the Indian team matched their opponents stroke by stroke to dominate in the first set 6-4.

However, Lee put up a good show in the second set and returned in the game after clinching it by 6-4. In the super tie-breaker, the Indian duo combined beautifully.

Their top co-ordination and long rallies played vital role, as they won it by 10-7.

The final (singles) will also be an Indian affair, as Vishnu Vardhan and Yuki Bhambri have secured their berth for the title clash.

Earlier, top seed Vishu of India demolished third seed Julian Dubail of Belgium in straight sets 6-4 and 6-4 in singles.

The second seed Yuki Bhambri of India also entered into the final by default as his opponent fourth seed Marc Fornell of Spain gave a walk over because of a knee injury, which he supposedly picked-up during his quarterfinal match against Ashutosh Singh.

Yuki Bhambri had an easy passage into the semifinal, when his opponent Rohan Gajjar conceded the match after three games in the first set because of groin injury.

The singles’ final match will start at 10 am tomorrow.

Results

Mens’ singles

Pre-quarterfinal round:

1 Vishnu Vardhan (IND) bt Jullen Duball (BEL) 6-4, 6-4

2 Yuki Bhambri (IND) w/o Marc Fornell Mestres (ESP)

Mens’ doubles

Pre-quarterfinal round:

Divij Saran (IND) and Vishnu Vardhan (IND) bt Hsin Han Lee (TPE) and Bumpei Sato (JPN) 6-4, 4-6 and 10-7

Chandigarh, April 15
“Namastey yahan baithey uncle, aunty, aur mere doston,” every single head turns towards him as this Commonwealth gold medallist greets more than 200 young participants and distinguished panelists at a discussion here today.

Dressed in a blue shirt, Manoj sits basking in his newfound glory of winning a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games.

Approach him and first thing he requests is “No English please.” “I am from Haryana and not comfortable with English. Though I love to talk in Haryanvi, will manage with Hindi,” he says bowling everybody over with his simplicity.

In city to address a gathering, Manoj considers his elder brother as his inspiration to join sports.

“My brother is a boxer and to be precise my first coach. I had once dueled one of his friends, who is a silver medallist and defeated him.

He saw my talent and brought me into sports. However, what made me a winner is my passion for self respect.

I always wanted to be known by my name and that drove me to excellence,” he says.

When asked him about his comparison with Vijender Singh he replied: “Comparison is natural. We are from same state.

Many people say that I have got stark similarity with him and even dress up like him. I respect him a lot because he got our sport its due.”

As we bid farewell he offers a value addition to our “report”, “I will marry only after winning Olympics,” he says coyly.

Chandigarh, April 15
Coaching Centre-19 beat Vampire XI by 75 runs in the opening match of the U-16 APJ Cricket League being organised by the Chandigarh Cricket Association affiliated to Haryana Cricket Association and APJ Public School, Kharar, at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, here today.

Batting first, CCA team put on a total of 167 runs in the stipulated 40 overs. Utkarsh Malhotra emerged as a notable performer with a brilliant innings of 86 runs in 77 balls. His innings contained 13 boundaries and two sixes. Aayush contributed 22 runs.

For Vampire team, Shivam Sharma claimed four for 24, followed by Aasim and Shivam, who took two wickets each.

In reply, Vampire team was bundled out for 92 runs in 25.5 overs. Only Bhavesh (20) and Jagmeet (16) reached double figures.

For CCA, Aditya Chaudary scalped four for 23.

Scores

CCA-19: 167 all out in 31 overs. (Utkarsh 86, Aayush 22 and Shivam four for 24).

Vampire XI: 92 all out in 25.5 overs. (Bhavesh 20, Jagmeet 16 and Aditya four for 23 runs).