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Code green for buildings
Chandigarh, November 11 To begin with, the UT will first start rating its own buildings and then move on to private ones. Not only the existing buildings, but also buildings to be raised in the future by the Administration will have a green rating. KK Sharma, Adviser to the UT Administrator, said they were very serious about the green building concept as it saved energy. He said they would soon finalise the modalities and start rating buildings. A meeting regarding this concept was held today in which all departments had participated. For green buildings in the city, the Administration is in consultation with the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to chalk out the modalities of the code and its implementation. The UT architecture wing has already prepared a detailed layout plan, which has been discussed with senior administrative officials. A senior UT official said there would be a 34-point criteria to rate a building. Various aspects such as the site selection and planning, conservation and efficient utilisation of resources, building operation and maintenance, and innovation points would be considered while rating a building. Each criterion has a number of points assigned to it, meaning that a project intending to meet the criterion will qualify for the points. Different levels of certification (one star to five stars) will be awarded based on the number of points earned. The minimum points required for certification is 50. VK Singh said they were working towards environment-friendly buildings. He said the Delhi government had already made a minimum three-star rating mandatory for new buildings and the UT was also trying the same. Ratings would be based on green rating for integrated habitat assessment (GRIHA) points, he said.
What is GRIHA
Green rating for integrated habitat assessment (GRIHA) is the National Rating System of India. GRIHA has been conceived by TERI and developed jointly with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. It is a green building design evaluation system and is suitable for all kinds of buildings in different climatic zones of the country.
Point system
GRIHA has a 100-point system consisting of some core points, which are mandatory to be met while the rest are optional points that can be earned by complying with the commitment of the criterion for which the point is allocated. Different levels of certification (one star to five stars) are awarded based on the number of points earned. The minimum points required for certification is 50.
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Nursery Admissions
Chandigarh, November 11 The decision comes after a meeting of the Independent School Association today, wherein private schools have decided to allot seats on the basis of lottery rather than the long-practised screening procedures. The catch is that the schools are expecting at least 15,000 applications for only 7,000 seats. Aradhna Sanyal, mother of a prospective student, said: “This means that any special effort by parents before attempting to send a child to school means nothing. It is pure lottery which makes me feel like education is being compared to gambling, where nothing except luck will be the deciding factor.” “Barring one or two schools, we all are going with the draw of lots just to avoid unwanted intervention from the authorities. All applications after verification and screening will be sent for the draw which will be transparent,” said HS Mamik, president of the Independent School Association. The decision has elicited a mix response among parents. While some claim it to be unbiased and transparent, a majority feel it will have an adverse impact on their children’s education. “All thanks to the Right to Education Act (RTE), the number of seats have already been reduced and now not the calibre of the child, but luck alone will decide their admission. My child has been in a play school for almost two years now and is too smart for his age, but he might not get admission in a good school,” said a resident of Sector 27. Daanvir Singh, a parent trying to get his daughter admitted in a leading school, said: “I am prepared to send her to a ‘minor’ school in the beginning. I am baffled that we have only 7,000 seats in different schools against almost the double number of applicants. This means there are negligible chances of getting admission in the school of one’s preference.”
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Put RTE applications on hold
Chandigarh, November 11 The schools have decided to wait till the first week of January for the mapping results, failing which the reserved seats will be filled by general category students. The decision came following a meeting of the Independent School Association where the schools upheld that they would be admitting only those who figure on the list prepared by the Administration. “We can’t go and verify everybody’s financial status, so we will be admitting students only on the basis of the list prepared by the UT education department. It had promised to release the data by the first week of November, but it has not happened yet,” said an association member. The reservation, which was agreed upon by schools, had hit a controversy yesterday when the schools unanimously rejected the UT’s proposed reimbursement of Rs 1,163 per student and the idea to pay on a half-yearly basis. The association wrote a letter to the Education Secretary today, requesting him to take at least three representatives of private schools into confidence and work out a new renumeration figure by taking into account the strength of students from classes 1 to 8, expense of regular/permanent teachers as per their details of appointment, water, electricity and MC property tax, besides other aspects. A senior teacher of a public school, requesting anonymity, said: “In the current scenario, schools do not have any criterion to decide on the merit among the applicants in the RTE category. The administration will have to supply us the list as assured or the admissions might not even be carried out this year.”
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Don’t go vertical, UT urges Punjab, Haryana
Chandigarh, November 11 Sources revealed that the Administration has urged both the governments not to allow high-rise buildings in the periphery for safeguarding the environmental concerns of the city. The Administration has, in fact, sought another meeting with the governments of the neighbouring states in the near future. The Administration had, in the past, sought the governments to either change the master plan in their areas around the city or come up with concrete master plans. Building projects, particularly societies, are a big concern in the area, especially the changed tracts of the rivulets feeding the lake. Constructions have blocked the natural path of these rivulets which pose a threat to fields and even buildings next to the original tract. The issue of haphazard constructions in the areas falling in Punjab and Haryana and adjoining the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary has assumed bigger significance with certain big realtors coming up with mega residential projects. Recently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had given time to the UT Administration till January next year to formulate a master plan. While the UT has a low-rise character, Punjab and Haryana have allowed high-rise buildings in the area. In connection with a PIL, the chief architect of the department of urban planning, UT Administration, had submitted an affidavit, stating that there was a need for integrated development of the region for which a coordination committee had said Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh should work out modalities on the pattern of the NCR.
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Labourer dies of burns
Panchkula, November 11 No help arrived for Ramesh for over an hour. When contacted, SDM Sharandeep Kaur Brar said the post-mortem report of the deceased was awaited and any action against the factory owner could be taken only after that. Meanwhile, the labour department has issued challans to the factory owner.
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Heath Director submits report
Chandigarh, November 11 Dr Mohan stated that the inquiry report given by the SDM (South), Kavle V Parshuram, holding three GMSH, Sector 16, doctors guilty, had been accepted by the Chandigarh administration and criminal proceedings initiated against the delinquent officials. He also stated that immediately after the incident of wrong blood transfusion, remedial measures were taken and strict protocols issued, including that blood bags would not be issued on telephonic messages. Suman of colony No. 4, who was in the ninth month of her pregnancy, was admitted to the GMSH on December 16, 2010 where the blunder occurred. After she suffered renal failure, the hospital referred her to the
PGI, where doctors claimed the foetus was already dead.
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MC Elections Missing Agenda
Chandigarh, November 11 That’s why, the parties hardly got time to discuss the issue of stray animal menace in the city, which affects every resident, in the past five years. Even though the issue figured in manifestoes of all parties, no decision or even discussion took place in the General House to deal with the menace in the past five years. Simian terror Residents of Sectors 7, 8, 10, 11, 15 and 23, Panjab University and PGI have had their share of experiences with monkeys that have been wreaking havoc in the city. Those affected have made numerous complaints to the forest authorities in the regard but the latter do not seem to be keen on solving the problem. People have been forced to cage themselves in their homes to prevent simian attacks. Nirmal Verma, a resident of Sector 7, looks out of the grilled window of her house for any activity each time she has to venture out. Sometimes, she has to use a toy gun to scare monkeys in the backyard of her house.
Stray cattle The stray cattle menace has been a major problem in the southern sectors of the city. Driving on roads of Sectors 47, 48, 49 and 52, and Mani Majra has become a dangerous proposition, as cattle roam freely especially at night, leading to accidents. The municipal corporation has failed miserably in solving the problem in spite of several representations by residents. Mukesh Singh, a resident of Sector 47, says stray cattle have become a major threat for those driving at night. Cattle emerge suddenly on the road, especially the one separating Sectors 47 and 48, which often leads to accidents.
Stray dogs
The stray dog menace continues to dog the residents of the city. The corporation often boasts of organising regular camps by spending lakhs of rupees to sterilise stray dogs. However, the ground reality is far different. In fact, with the passage of time, the problem has assumed an alarming proportion as their numbers continue to rise in the city. Shying away from its responsibility, the corporation limits its accountability to sterilising dogs. A proposal was mooted to construct a dog pound on half an acre of land allotted at Dhanas. It was to serve as a temporary shelter for potentially rabid as well as critically sick dogs. However, the proposal has not materialised so far. Meera Dogra, a resident of Sector 35, says the authorities may claim to have taken steps to deal with the problem but the ground reality suggests otherwise.
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11.11.11 Bug
Chandigarh, November 11 While many parents went in for caesarean sections to beat the date, there were a few like Ruchi and Vibhu Arora who had normal deliveries. As luck would have it, Ruchi, a lecturer of MCM College, delivered a healthy baby girl at Chaitanya Hospital at 11.11 pm. An excited Ruchi told Chandigarh Tribune that her scheduled delivery was for Nov 19 but she went into labour early in this morning and delivered her second child at exact 11.11 am. She said her elder child was seven years old and they had hesitantly planned for the second child and “god willing” she was born at an absolutely unique date and time of “11.11.11. at 11.11 am”. “It’s fascinating” is how she described her feelings. City doctors, who conducted some of the planned cesarean sections, admitted that the trend of having babies on favourable dates was catching on. “Parents generally entertain a wish to bring their children into the world on memorable days. I have seen that nowadays, it is the number or sequence of figures in dates that attract couples for a caesarean section rather than the date being lucky or auspicious. We have a heavy rush on such preferred dates,” said gynaecologist Dr Poonam Kumar, Chaitanya Hospital, who handled three caesareans and a normal delivery today. Shivani and Rajat Sareen consider themselves “lucky” as their newborn child will share his birthday with his mother. Shivani, who works for TCS, said, “I am very excited. Actually the entire family is very happy that besides the unique date, the baby shares his birthday with me”. Like all mothers, Shivani said she had feeling that her son would become famous and successful in his life. She said her due date was November 15 but they went in for an early surgery to catch the date. Parul Thakkar, a resident of Sector 50, delivered a baby boy today. An elated Parul, said, “It will be easy for people to remember his birthday.” However, our family doesn’t believe on astrology or numerology but this date is somewhat important in terms of sequence. “We got this date earlier and it was nothing planned,” she said. Similarly, Anjali Sharma, designer, got this date from doctor and delivered a baby girl in morning at 6:56am. She said, “It’s just a coincidence. Nothing planned but according to the family pundit, the date is good for the baby. Obviously, we are happy that our baby girl is born on this special day, which comes in a century. In the government hospital the deliveries were said to be “as usual” with 10 children, including two girls, being born at PGI, 12 at GMCH-16 and seven at GMCH-32 till 5 pm.
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Helmet rally by 200 students
Chandigarh, November 11 Around 200 students from MCMDAV College for Women participated in the rally. The rally started from Sector 17 (near Neelam Cinema) and took round of markets in Sectors 17, 18, 21, 22 and 23 and before culminating at Sector 17. The traffic police provided safety helmets to all participants. The girls also displayed slogans on road safety to raise awareness among public. Prizes were also given to students for best slogans, which were adjudged by the Chandigarh Traffic Police.
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Ward No. 5
Zirakpur, November 11 Their problems do not end here. Residents lamented that roads were full of potholes and it became virtually impossible to commute on these. Non-functional streetlights aggravated their woes. In the absence of sign boards in the area, it became difficult for commuters to reach their respective destinations. The road leading to the ward has been encroached upon by shopkeepers. Illegal parking of rehris and rickshaws lead to frequent traffic jams in the area. One can see heaps of garbage lying scattered in Preet Colony, Adarsh Colony, modern complex and Shivalik complex. Residents said debris dumped on roads worsened the situation. Speaking Out
Low-water pressure is a common problem in the ward even as drinking water continues to flow on roads during supply hours in a slum colony. The water-logged roads become a breeding ground for
mosquitoes Poor sanitation dots the area. Safai workers do not clean up roads. Sand lying on streets often led to
accidents Roads are in a bad shape in Ward No. 5. Sub-standard material was used while installing paver blocks and speed breakers. The civic body has failed to provide basic amenities to residents of the
ward
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GMADA uploads layout on its website
Mohali, November 11 GMADA officials said it was for the first time that a detailed colourful brochure was being provided to the prospective bidders. This time, GMADA has lowered the reserve
price of residential and commercial plots that are being put under the hammer. On an average, the reserve prices of the properties have been brought down by 10 to 15 per cent in all sectors where the sites are located. A total of 74 commercial and 32 residential sites are being put under the hammer. Sources said the decision to change the formulae to calculate the reserve price of a site had been approved in the authority’s meeting held last month. It had been pointed out that in February, 2010,
auction, only 12 out of 45 commercial sites could be sold and in September 2009, only
17 out of 69 commercial were sold then and there were no takers for residential sites.
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Nostalgia grips PEC’ 93 batch alumni
Chandigarh, November 11 Former mechanical students who studied in the college between 1989 and 1993 gathered from far and near and rejoiced their reunion after several years. A few old students flew down from Singapore, Australia and some other countries to attend the meet. The former students shared their unforgettable moments of their college in the company of their former teachers and staff. Recounting the memorable experiences, Nitin Sahni a former student who reached the city from Hyderabad, said the reunion had helped them revive their old contacts and renew their close bond with their batch mates and alma mater. “Thanks to everyone who made this possible, we could meet old friends and participate in this great event,” he remarked. Recalling their college days, Pankaj Gupta, a former student currently based in Surat said that the Sector 11market was the place where they were being ragged and it seemed the day was back again. “I still remember this market, I could feel the ambience which is still the same as it used to be 18 years ago. And most importantly we were ragged here only”, shared Gupta with a big smile on his face. All the alumni walked down to the college from Sector 11 where the college students welcomed them with roses. It was a trip down the memory lane for 45 alumni of the institute who attended the reunion.. Each alumnus was given an opportunity to share his memories of the years spent in and how it had shaped them as individuals and as professionals, during their meeting with the director of the institute. The group dressed in their convocation robes, had a photograph taken as they somehow missed taking this picture during their graduation ceremony. Rajiv Jain another former student, presently working in Gurgaon, was equally delighted to meet his old friends. “Everyday of the college life was amazing and now I feel young again seeing same old faces and remembering the memories attached to them”, Jain said. They relived and cherished each moment of their college life walking around the campus, sat together and recalled their college days while keenly checking out all the changes that had happened ever since. Nostalgic on meeting their old friends after a long time, the old students promised to get together again and encourage the other batches to hold a reunion. Going down the memory lane Former mechanical students who studied in the college between 1989 and 1993 gathered from far and near and rejoiced their reunion after several years. A few old students flew down from Singapore, Australia and some other countries to attend the meet. The former students shared their unforgettable moments of their college in the company of their former teachers and staff. Recounting the memorable experiences, Nitin Sahni a former student who reached the city from Hyderabad, said the reunion had helped them revive their old contacts and renew their close bond with their batch mates and alma mater. It was a trip down the memory lane for 45 alumni of the institute who attended the reunion.. Each alumnus was given an opportunity to share his memories of the years spent in and how it had shaped them as individuals and as professionals, during their meeting with the director of the institute. The group dressed in their convocation robes, had a photograph taken as they somehow missed taking this picture during their graduation ceremony.
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My dream came true in style
Chandigarh, November 11 In the crowd of former students was a fair colored man holding a camera and very peacefully moving with his batchmates. Not many were aware about the fact that their classmate is an SP and investigating officer of the 2-G Scam. The batch after coming to know about him investigating such a big case had all praises for him. Vivek, who is presently posted in Delhi, was a boarder during his college days and was among the students who loved adventures and staying awake at night. Sharing his college memories Vivek said that he along with around 20 batchmates cycled from Chandigarh to Nainital and cycled back. “It was the most adventurous thing I did during my college days. It took us 11 days to reach back to Chandigarh”, he said. Vivek after graduating from PEC did his masters from Delhi Engineering College during which he decided to take the civil services exams. “It was a dream to come back to the alma mater and finally it came true and that too in style along with old friends”, Vivek said. Not divulging any details about the 2-G Scam, Vivek said that the trial has begun and there was nothing more to say about the case. Vivek along with the 93 batch relived and cherished each moment of their college life walking around the campus and later in the evening headed towards Barog for a get-together.
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House owner too joins in, hosts party
Chandigarh, November 11 The owner of the house who stays in Sector 2, Chandigarh, was informed about the former students gathering outside the house equally participated in the reunion at 11.11 am 11-11-11 (November 11, 2011). Vinod Kumar Singla, owner of the house number said that he was not aware of the reunion until one of the former students called him explaining about the crazy reunion and sought his permission to gather outside his house which is presently converted into his office. “Although the PEC alumni had sought the permission to celebrate the reunion outside the house, however, I decided to make it a memorable-one for them by hosting refreshments for them”, Singla said who also owns the House number 10 apart from a medical shop in the in the same sector. Singla said that he got excited after knowing about the crazy reunion and was eager to make it a success. The 93 batch got their photographs clicked outside the House number 11 at 11.11 am. As soon the celebrations were over sweets, refreshments, juices and cold drinks were offered to all participating in 11-11-11 celebrations and the reunion. The alumni batch also clicked their photographs with Singla for his coordination in making their 18-year- old promise come true. Singla said that he would be more than happy to host a similar party for the 93 batch whenever they meet again in Chandigarh outside the house. “It is really great to be a part of this reunion and make a history on 11-11-11 by associating with the 93 batch students and their dream seen 18 year ago”, said Singla.
Alumni sought permission for gathering
Vinod Kumar Singla, owner of House number was not aware of the reunion until one of the former students called on him explaining about the crazy reunion and sought his permission to gather outside his house which is presently converted into his office.
Celebrations
As soon the celebrations were over sweets, refreshments, juices and cold drinks were offered to all participating in 11.11.11 celebrations and the reunion. The alumni batch also clicked their photographs with Singla for his coordination in making their 18-year- old promise come true.
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Homage paid to Capt Rohit Kaushal
Panchkula November 11 Father of the martyr SS Kaushal and mother Vina Kaushal also paid floral tributes to their brave son. A 10-member contingent of 18 Punjab Battalion presented the guard of honour and reversed their arms in respect of the officer. A two-minute silence was also observed in his memory. Colonel Vishal Bhatnagar of Punjab Regiment, Col GS Shahid and Col SS Rana, Col Vijay Seth of Sainik Parivar Bhawan, Haryana, secretary, District Sainik Board, Col Naresh and Subedar Major Mehar Chand also paid tributes. Army officers and a large number of people from nearby villages remembered the officer. Captain Rohit Kaushal, the only son of his parents, laid his life while fighting the terrorists at Gandoh area of district Doda in Jammu and Kashmir on the night of November 10 and 11, 1995. The Government of India honoured him with Shorya Award. A memorial was also got constructed by the Haryana government in his memory at Jalauli village. A trust namely Shaheed Capt Rohit Charitable Trust was also set up.
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Focus on plight of poor
Chandigarh, November 11 Structured in tribal infested areas, the play written and directed by Dr Sahib Singh for Adakar Manch, Mohali, is a focus on the plight of poor people being uprooted from their houses on the pretext of developing the area. However, the play based on all true stories and happenings delved deep into the hidden agenda of multi-national companies. The hapless poor people, who are subjected to unbelievable inhuman treatment by affluent businessmen, consolidated courage to fight for vengeance and the struggle went on.
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Classical vocalist binds audience
Chandigarh, November 11 Endowed with a resonating and soulful voice, the Mumbai-based classical vocalist, Dhananjay Hegde began his recital with raga puriya kalyan. The opening bada khayal composition “Aaj subana” set to a slow tempo was developed with soothingly inserted alap badhat, besides scores of well-knit sargams and taans, which was followed by a fast teen taal bandish “Bohut din betey” and a tarana. With his rich and sonorous voice, Hegde captivated hearts. He doled out two compositions in raga tilak kamod, including medium slow paced “Neer bharan kaise jayoon” and fast “Mann mein mohan biraje”, which was laced with liltingly deployed variations. Dhananjay provided a befitting finale to his recital with a devotionally rendered bhajan amid applause. Noted percussionist Mehmood Khan and Rakesh Kumar provided accompaniment on tabla and harmonium. Kendra registrar Shobha Koser honoured the artistes.
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Chandigarh Scan
The Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Shivraj V Patil, will visit the UT Secretariat on November 22 (Tuesday) instead of December 21 to hear public grievances. Prohibitory orders
Deputy Commissioner Brijendra Singh has issued orders prohibiting assembly of five or more persons, taking out processions, making speeches, raising slogans, carrying of “lathis” in Sector 34 for two days. He has expressed apprehensions that “such groups and organisations may cause obstruction, annoyance and endanger human life and property, disturb public peace and tranquility and cause riots and affrays”. The order will come into force on November 13.
Blood donation camp
Over 200 volunteers donated blood during a camp organised by the Berkeley group at Industrial Area here on Friday. Ranjeev Dahuja, president of the group, highlighted the philanthropic activities undertaken by them.
Alumni meeting
The alumni meeting of SGGS College, Sector 26, will be held on December 16. A decision in this regard was taken at a pre-alumni meeting here on Friday.
Food carnival
The Orthodox Syrian Church Society will organise a food carnival at St Mary’s School, Sector 46-B, from 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday. South Indian dishes will be the highlight of the carnival.
Quiz
First National ISHTM Haematological Quiz was held at the 52nd Annual Conference of Indian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at the PGI on Friday. Post-graduate students (MD, DNB) in general medicine, paediatrics and pathology took part in the quiz. The aim was to spread awareness among postgraduate students in their respective fields. In the grand finale, the winning teams from the East, West, North, Central and South zones took part. The quiz was won by the West zone (Dr Shrutika Praveen Manot, Kranti Shreesh Khadikar, and Ramma Vijay Kumar, BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai). The North zone (Dr Karan Singh, Puneet Chabbra and Kartthik Shanmugam, PGI) came runners-up.
Free health camp
A day-long free medical camp will be organised by Amar Hospital on its premises on Saturday. The camp will be held from 10 am till 4 pm.
Teachers honoured
Irina
Ghose, director, education, Public Sector, Microsoft India, presented these awards to Gursharan Singh from Government High School,
Phantwan, Mansi from Government High School, Sarsini, SAS Nagar, Rajni Bala from Government High School,
Saneta, SAS Nagar, Punjab, Sharanjit Kaur Sandhu from Government Girls Senior Secondary School,
Gharuan, Sudha Jain from Government Girls Senior Secondary School,
Sohana. TNS |
Day 1: Talent unlimited at PEC fest
Chandigarh, November 11 The first day of the fest metamorphosed into an ideal melting pot of the synergetic talent resonating with unmatched frequencies of fierce competition was a great success. Participants came from different colleges in and around the city. Students took part in many mesmerising events unveiling their talent as we could see many colourful and designed faces. This pecfest also witnessed students showcasing their artistic hand in pot painting too. The treasure hunt was a hit among the students this afternoon as we could see the adreline rush among the students seeking for clues to get the treasure.There was a sports quiz and a mini-film fest a delight for the Bollywood and sports lovers. Today, the sky seemed to be colourful as over 100 kites enveloped the PEC campus. The students tried their hand at adventurous sports like rappling and rock climbing. Many young designers and beautiful models walked the ramp with appealing outfits. The view of students roaring and appreciating the participants was hypnotising and a delight for ears and eyes. The day ended with a promise of bringing more fun and excitement for the coming days.
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Microsoft India today gave Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards to teachers at Government Elementary School, Phase II, Mohali. The teachers were honoured for developing innovative lesson plans using technology to improve classroom learning.