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EGG ON VARSITY’S FACE
Chandigarh, December 3 The Tribune had yesterday highlighted the selection of the two senior politicians for Honorary Degrees and the strong adverse reaction it had evoked from the Panjab University Teachers Association, which accused the authorities of doing this for ulterior motives. As things turn out, though the university Syndicate had approved the list of the recipients of honorary degrees on November 19, Pawan Bansal (as claimed by him in a letter to The Tribune) had refused to accept the same on November 25. In his letter sent to the Vice-Chancellor, Pawan Bansal wrote, “I am deeply honoured by the decision of the university. However, I humbly feel that such a rare honour can appropriately be conferred on a person who has already earned a doctorate in his or her chosen subject. I, therefore, consider myself not worthy of this distinction.” The personal secretary of Sushma Swaraj, while speaking to Tribune, said that she had not decided yet and would do so only tomorrow. Bansal’s denial raises serious questions on the process adopted by the university in selecting the luminaries for degrees as to why his consent was not taken before his name was recommended in the Syndicate. It also raises question on the criterion for the selection of individuals for the honour, as Bansal rightly points out that the degree can appropriately be conferred on a person who has already earned doctorate in his or her chosen subject. “We claim to be one of the highest seats of learning with a well-read V-C and 600 faculty members, but it takes a politician to remind us about the academic criterion to be observed while giving such honours. Authorities have mocked at the biggest academic honor, which is being handed out at whims and fancies without following procedures or guidelines or even seeking the consent of those being selected. It has left us all embarrassed,” said Manjit Singh, a senior faculty member. Even Syndicate members, who after giving this approval have become a party to the decision, have been left fuming. “Is this the PU’s August house or a joke? Pawan Bansal has refused to accept the degree and we have not been informed. Leave aside being informed about the denial, we are yet to get the Syndicate proceedings where we gave a go-ahead to his name. For what are committees constituted when they cannot procure the consent of the candidates before getting their names approved in the Syndicate. We were a party to the approval, but have surely been left red in face.”
‘Rethink details of convocation’
After being left red in the face, we would urge the Vice-Chancellor to rethink all details of the convocation so that it is not a spectacle of embarrassment. Even if we go on to choose sitting politicians for the best known reasons, we should at least take their approvals before making pompous
announcements — Akshay Kumar, PUTA president
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MC POLLS 2011
Since the last MC election held in 2006, the Election Commission has recorded about 34 per cent decline in the number of voters who have approached it to get them registered. The latest data on the number of voters registered with the Election Commission reveals that not only a number of residents of the northern sectors have failed to get themselves enrolled, the polling percentage of this area has always been sluggish. In contrast to 19,950 voters recorded in the 2006 elections, just 13,236 voters are now registered in the 11 sectors that incidentally include the residence of Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers and many other VVIPs, including politicians and other prominent persons. Congress president BB Bahl stated that due to the residents’ lethargic attitude they do not prefer to register their votes in the
city, resulting in a major decline in the vote percentage. Taking a strong stand, BJP senior leader Satpal Jain said the prime reason of decline in the voter’s percentage was that earlier UT election commission department had denied registering the votes after November 1, 2011 for elections. He said after clarification from the Election Commission of India, the UT election department gave one-week time to fresh voters due to which thousands of voters suffer. The ward no.2, which comprises Panjab University, Punjab Engineering College, PGI, Sector 15 and Khuda Lahora colony, had also recorded a decline of about 27 per cent of votes in supplementary list of the department. Interestingly, other wards including 16, 17, 3, 15 and 4, which mostly comprise the urban areas of the city, have witnessed a decrease of 26 per cent to 23 per cent in the number of voters. On the contrary, the percentage of the voters in the wards, comprising slums and colonies, has shown a drastic increase. Leading the tally, ward no. 13 (one of the largest unauthorised colony number 5 along with three sectors including 49, 51 and 63) has shown an increase of 33 per cent. In this ward, the election commission has set up 28 polling stations, the highest number from any ward for the coming elections.
According to supplementary list of election dept: Maximum number of voters has increased in ward 13 Maximum decline of voters is in ward number 1
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Accused caught tampering with documents in district courts
Mohali, December 3 The accused was reportedly to get some documents stamped from the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate that would have allowed him parole. The incident has happened within a few days of an under-trial burning the turban of a policeman with a match stick despite being behind bars. Before the accused, who reportedly posed as a vigilance office and was accompanied by two policemen, could take possession of the court documents, his identity was revealed and he was taken into custody. While claiming to be a vigilance official who had come to investigate a case of corruption, the accused managed to stamp several documents with the seal of
the CJM court. However, he was caught red handed when the “Court Alhmad” got suspicious and alarmed the court staff. Sources revealed that the incident left the court staff in a tizzy, as the accused, who was supposed to be in police custody and behind bars, managed to come to the room of the “Court Alhmad”. Though no court staff was ready to come on record about the incident, it is learnt that the CJM, Mohali Court, has written to the Senior Superintendent of Police for suitable action against the accused and the policeman accompanying him. “ Had the accused managed to procure the court documents, many court officials could have landed in trouble,” said sources in the court. SSP GPS Bhullar said suitable action would be taken as and when the complaint comes.
Police caught napping
The incident left the court staff in a tizzy, as the accused, who was supposed to be in police custody and behind bars, managed to come to the room of the “Court Alhmad”. The incident has happened within a few days of an under-trial burning the turban of a policeman with a match stick despite being behind bars
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25 injured as bus, Innova collide
Chandigarh, December 3 The six injured of a family, including three NRIs, were in the Innova and the other 19 were in the bus heading from Delhi to Mandi. The police said the bus driver managed to escape from the spot, but his identity had been established. The injured NRIs were identified as Neerja Kaur of South Africa, Siddharth and Jatinder Sandhu from Canada. The family was returning after attending a wedding at Phase XI, Mohali, and heading towards their house in Sector 2. According to the police, the Innova driver Jaiveer Grewal tried to avoid the collision with the recklessly driven bus. Out of the total 30 passengers travelling in the bus, 19 were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital-32. The Innova was completely damaged in the accident, while one side of the bus was also damaged. The police has registered a case of rash and negligent driving at the Sector 34 police station.
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1 stabbed to death
Chandigarh, December 3 The police at the Sector 34 police station stated that at the time of the bloody assault, all, including Ravinder Kaur, deceased’s niece, her husband Ramesh Jaiswal, paramour Balbir Singh and uncle Dilbag were under the influence of alcohol. The police said that Ramesh caught his wife consuming liquor with her uncle and the alleged paramour that led to an altercation, following which Ramesh stabbed Balbir. Dilbag tried to intervene in the matter in a bid to save Balbir. However, he was also stabbed by
Ramesh, who was also inebriated and carrying a sharp-edged knife with him. The injured paramour Balbir Singh is also a distant brother-in-law of Kaur and he is presently admitted in Government Medical College and Hospital - 32 (GMCH-32). The police has arrested the husband, who is a private electrician, under the charges of murder. The police came to know about the incident only when the accused rushed injured Dilbag and Balbir to the GMCH-32. Interestingly, the accused and his wife misled the police by stating that both were attacked in a public park near their house in Sector 46. A police team went to the park. However, it could not find any blood stains that led to the suspicion. The police then interrogated the accused, who admitted that he had stabbed the duo with a knife at his residence on finding his wife consuming liquor with both of them. The accused attacked Balbir with a knife. When Dilbag intervened in the matter, Ramesh also stabbed him two times in his chest. Dilbag was declared brought dead in the GMCH-32. Ramesh Jaiswal is
the second husband of Ravinder Kaur.
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MC POLLS 2011
Chandigarh, December 3 In a bid to cash in on the incident, Anu Chatrath of the Congress candidate and Saurabh Joshi of the BJP were seen pulling irked traders on their side by joining them in protest. As soon as the news of the theft spread, both leaders reached the market with their supporters and joined the traders sitting in the protest. The intervention of the leaders left the protesters scattered in two groups. A few protesters were virtually running from one side to the other to listen to the candidates. Both leaders also entered into an argument while supporting the protest. Pacifying the protesters, Chatrath said the SHO of the Sector-11 police station, Gurmukh Singh, was an efficient officer and would solve the case soon. Joshi objected to it, asking her if she was there to favour the police or help traders. ASP Des Raj, who was present, was seen waiting for both leaders and protesters to decide when the strike would end. Joshi demanded that the policemen on night patrol be suspended. Chatrath said the police could not suspend anyone before an inquiry. At the end, both leaders decided to wait for the next 48 hours for a police inquiry. Joshi said that he would launch a major protest if the police failed to crack the case within the stipulated time. Later, Harmohan Dhawan also reached the market to support the traders.
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Prohibitory orders in force for 3 days
Chandigarh, December 3 Issuing the orders today, district magistrate Brijendra Singh exempted defence forces and government servants on official duty, with prior permission from the authorities, besides weddings and funerals. The order would remained in force up to December 7.
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Bansal attempts to allay traders’ fears
Chandigarh, December 3 He was speaking during a function in connection with campaigning at ward 15 here. He was invited by Congress candidate Chander Mukhi Sharma to address local residents. Bansal said India was not the first country to introduce FDI as Indonesia had already introduced it. The Centre had decided to allow foreign retailers to own 51 per cent stake in the retail sector. Foreign retailers had to invest $100 million or more in retail stores. They could open stores at towns with a population of at least one million. Bansal said the Punjab government had taken a U-turn after welcoming FDI. “Parkash Singh Badal earlier favoured the introduction of FDI in the state, but later, retracted his statement,” he added. Although the decision was made at the Centre, traders were upset with the government, which might affect election results. The weighing-in of Sharma and a banner release were also held.
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BJP harps on corruption
Chandigarh, December 3 UT BJP president Sanjay Tandon claimed that the party had conducted a ward-wise survey, on the basis of which a draft list of issues had been prepared. He alleged that the Congress had not chalked out any concrete proposal to find solutions to the sanitation and parking problems in the city in the past 10 years. He further stated that the Congress and its leaders were busy in scams and scandals and so, they had no time to think about facilities provided to people and development of the city. He said after taking over the reins of the MC, BJP councillors would moot plans for resolving the parking problem. He said the party was of the opinion, after the help of specialists on garbage management, that there was a need for two plants at Dadu Majra. BJP national secretary and MC election in charge Harmohan Dhawan said the party had constituted a campaigning committee, comprising 20 members, which included Tandon and national legal cell in charge Satya Pal Jain. He said each leader would visit three wards every day, prior to polling. Dhawan claimed that the BJP would win with a thumping majority and repeat the performance at the next parliamentary elections. Jain appealed to residents to vote for the BJP as voting for any other candidate would indirectly benefit the Congress. He demanded an anti-defection law for the MC. He alleged that instead of tackling issues of development during the Congress regime, its party men had been busy in useless issues. ‘Past tense’
Admitting that there was difference of opinion on the selection of MC candidates, Dhawan claimed that the conflict between Tandon, Jain and him had been
resolved.
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fighting corruption
Chandigarh, December 3 All 26 BJP-SAD candidates, along with 12 of the Chandigarh Jan Manch, one of the BSP and five Independents signed the pledge letter and took the oath. No candidate of the Congress came forward to sign the pledge letter. BJP president Sanjay Tandon, former Union minister Harmohan Dhawan and Chandigarh Jan Manch president Ravinder Krishan also took the oath.
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3 get notices for defacement
Chandigarh, December 3 Subhash Chawla, Congress candidate from ward 5, was also issued a notice. According to the election department, they had misused public property by pasting party banners and posters thereon.
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International Day For Disabled
Chandigarh, December 3 Despite their disabilities, these people have not only become self-dependent, but are also helping their families financially. On the day of the International Day for Disabled, Chandigarh Tribune talks to some physically and mentally challenged people who have not let their disabilities kill the spirit to live and enjoy life. Tejaswini Sharma This mentally challenged girl gained recognition when she performed in the programme “Sa Re Ga Ma”. What made her extraordinary was not just her melodious voice, but also her ability to confront cerebral palsy. Whenever she sang, she stood apart. Tejaswini had an IQ of 20, as declared by PGI doctors, which put her at a par with a five-year-old child’s comprehending capacity. She was not able to count from one to 100, but could remember and effortlessly sing over 200 Hindi and Punjabi songs, besides 60 ghazals. Narrating Tejaswini’s journey from despondency to fame, Harsh Sharma, her mother, said, “When she was born, she had diarrhoea. Her immunity was so less that she caught any infection in no time. An intestinal blockage surgery was performed when Tejaswini was seven days old. Doctors declared her clinically dead, but she survived when put on a ventilator.” “Once an audio cassette in the car got stuck and Tejaswini completed the second line in a clear melodic spell. I had never heard her speak and was bewildered,” she said, with pleasure. After that there was no turning back. This special child was trained in classical music at a music academy in the city. Her first-ever participation was at the All-India Mentally Challenged at Hyderabad, where as she sang “Payoji maine”. A crowd of about 10,000 gave her a standing ovation and the chief guest, Anupam Kher, was so thrilled that he later got a star musical nite inaugurated by her. Kapil That has not prevented him from leading a near-normal life. He was now married and had a daughter and a son. He worked at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, and financially supporting his family. His father, Satish Kumar, who retired from the Food Corporation of India, said they were not aware of his mental status till he started schooling. “He wanted to study, but could not continue as he was unable to recall things and took so much time in thinking,” said Satish. He added that when they approached doctors, they got to know about his mental status. They did not force him to go to school, but his behaviour was, otherwise, normal. He joined a vocational training institute, where he learnt different things. He then joined Ummeed, where he started serving juice at the lake. He got employment and as he was doing well, a doctor at the GMCH gave him a job at the hospital, where he made bandages. Sunita Dogra A recipient of the National Award in the role model category, Sunita Dogra, a music teacher at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, was born with dysfunctional upper limbs and a deformed spinal cord, medically termed as bilateral hypoplasia of the upper limbs, combined with scoliosis, or spinal deformity. Despite all this, she had climbed the ladder of success with her feet instead of her hands. She played the musical instrument with the help of her lower limb. She also did all daily chores without complaining. Sunita said she was not allowed to play musical instruments with her feet while studying at the Government College for Girls, Sector 11. After borrowing money, she bought herself a harmonium. She also underwent a course in computer education and training in cabin crew and global airfare ticketing. Walking on this painful path, Sunita began using her lower limbs for writing and playing the keyboard and harmonium. A few years back, she rose to the challenge of using her hands. Her upper limbs began responding and she worked harder with greater vigour. “Earlier, when I used feet to sign notebooks, I could feel that students did not like it. I felt helpless when I confronted those looks. Today, I look them in the eye and tell them that I know what the difference between right and wrong is.”
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Not normal, they are special
Chandigarh, December 3 Avtansh suffers from cerebral palsy and Karan is autistic. Saupin’s loves to call them real assets as they chose a normal school, redefining education. Even as you fumble to decide what to ask Avtansh first, this coy but extremely focused boy starts on his own. “What I can term as my biggest achievement is coming to terms with cerebral palsy. Initially, it might have been difficult, but before I could start what many perceived as struggle, I had befriended it. My limbs were weak and so, my parents introduced me to the piano. From there, I picked up playing the keyboard. Music is a hobby and I love playing old songs on my casio,” says Avtansh, a voracious reader. “It was a difficult decision to put him in a normal school, but my wife and I decided that he should be just like everybody else. It was a struggle initially, but it paid off. He wishes to be a CA and I can already see him as one. I am proud to say my son is a winner,” said his father. A similar joy floats in the eyes of Surinder Kaur, mother of Karan, who has accompanied her son to school tirelessly for 11 long years. “He is autistic and I need to be around with him at school. It was never a struggle, but an investment, which would bear fruit. He is a free soul who loves music and art. People try to express sympathy, but I ask them not to because my son has qualities which people struggle to instil in their kids. All I want from the world is to accept them,” she said. Karan came over to show his new painting. “I do not know what I will do tomorrow, but I like the way it is now,” he said, summing up the secret of happiness in one line.
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e-waste collection: Three days on, not a rosy picture
Chandigarh, December 3 In reality, since the contractor did not have space in the city and the recycling plant was in Roorkee, the collection vehicle would come once a week to collect e-waste. In addition, the toll-free number was not available all 24 hours, but only on weekdays. Due to lack of awareness, residents were still dumping e-waste in the open. Sources said the authorities were noting down requests by residents on the toll free number 18004193283 for collection of e-waste large in size. The vehicle would be sent from Roorkee when a large number of e-waste was accumulated. To solve this problem, the UT Administration was in the process of finding a place which could be used as store where e-waste could be gathered till the contractor’s staff lifted it. A senior official with the Administration said it would not be practical to send a vehicle from Roorkee to collect one or two items and the number should be high so that the vehicle could be used every 72 hours, for which the Administration planned to spread awareness. Answering a question on why the Administration had tied up with the Roorkee-based firm and not a local firm, the official said only the Roorkee firm, Attero Recycling Private Limited, had recognition from the Central Polluction Control Board. Admitting the lapses, Santosh Kumar, Director (Environment), UT Administration, said they would soon find a room where e-waste would be gathered till the contractor carried it to its recycling plant at Roorkee. On the other side Arijit Das, vice-president, marketing and sales, Attero Recycling, said they were attending individual telephone calls on the toll-free number and would provide a solution within 72 hours. He added that the firm, along with the UT Administration, was in process of finding a room in Chandigarh where e-waste could be gathered till it was collected. On November 30, the Administration started its e-waste drive and placed especially designed e-waste collection bins at UT Secretariat, Sector 9; EDC Centre, IT Park; Plaza, Sector 17; DC office, Sector 17; CII, Sector 31; Government School, Sector 36; MCMDAV College, Sector 36; and PEC, Sector 12.
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phase Revisited
Mohali, December 3 The passing of the N-choe through parts of Phase IX has proved to be a bane and residents have been suffering over the years as sullage dumped into the choe by the Chandigarh authorities makes the foul smell unbearable. Repeated complaints made in this regard have failed to mitigate the problem. Garbage is dumped in open spaces at some points creating unhygienic conditions, especially in the market area. It is difficult to pass from near the garbage -collection point near the bridge close to the stadium because of the foul smell. The area near the market is in a state of neglect as roads are broken and garbage is also dumped much to the annoyance of shopkeepers. Stray animals also move about freely in the area and were also seen in a park. Residents complained that parks were not cleaned after social functions were held in these areas. Former municipal councillor Kuljit Singh Aulakh said that roads had been repaired in parts of Phase IX estimates for which were cleared by the elected body nearly a year ago. But the work executed was not of proper quality as premix layer had already begun to come off. A number of stray dogs moving about in the area created problems for the residents. Parkashwati, another former municipal councillor, said that sanitation was in a state of neglect at the backyard of the market. Safai karamacharis did not come regularly to clean the area. Repeated requests made in this regard only fell on deaf ears. Heaps of garbage could be seen lying at several points even near a mandir in the area. She had become totally helpless and could not face the residents of the area due to poor sanitary conditions.Roads in part of the market area were also full of deep potholes, she added.
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Civic body seeks appointment of administrator
Mohali, December 3 After receiving the court orders, an executive officer of the civic body has written to the Secretary and Director of the Department of Local Government to appoint an administrator of the council. It has been pointed out that the civic body was upgraded to the level of a corporation in January after dissolving the elected body. The term of the elected body had expired in August. An administrator was required to run the office till the next elections were held. Even though the orders of the court were welcomed by a number of former councillors, disappointment spread among employees of the civic body who were on the verge of getting promoted. As many as four employees were about to be promoted as superintendents and some JEs as SDOs. Files in this regard had been put up and orders were awaited. The fate of employees who got promoted after the formation of the corporation also hangs fire as they fear that they might be reverted to their earlier posts. Those on verge of promotion hit
Even though the orders of the court were welcomed by a number of former councillors, disappointment spread among employees of the civic body who were on the verge of getting promoted. As many as four employees were about to be promoted as superintendents and some JEs as SDOs. Files in this regard had been put up and orders were awaited.
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Marriage Palaces’ menace
Zirakpur, December 3 This is not all. The police control room at Zirakpur is flooded with complaints of DJs playing blaring music at social functions and marriages these days. At certain places, incidents of irritated residents pelting stones at marriage parties have also been reported. Besides creating noise, the marriage palaces also pose a traffic hazard along the national highway and the visitors even park their vehicles in the residential areas. A police official said they had being trying to redress the grievances of the people by registering cases against the erring DJs, but at times, residents take law in their own hands. But residents complain the local administration’s apathy in checking the noise pollution created by DJs beyond the prescribed time. The residents claimed that the Supreme Court had banned loud music after 10 pm, but the local administration had failed to check the violation. The Zirakpur SHO claimed that more than 25 cases were registered against the DJs for violating rules and some of them were left after giving a warning. He said “The loud music is a constant irritant to students, who are preparing for board exams,” says Pandit Sanjeev Kumar, president of Defence Enclave Residential Welfare Association.
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Mullana suffers paralytic attack, admitted to PGI
Chandigarh, December 3 He was diagnosed with nerve inflammation, which generally occurs because of damage to the nerve cells or one of its proliferations (axons)". He reached the PGI at 2 PM after he felt weakness in his limbs.
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Chandigarh, December 3
Struggling for the past 23 years, Tejaswini Sharma of Panchkula has carved out her own identity.
Kapil is now 31 years old and looks like any other man his age. But the truth is that his IQ is equal to that of a 10-year-old child.