SPECIAL COVERAGE
CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI
JALANDHAR


THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Every Tuesday & Friday

Agency hired to count industrial units
Chandigarh, February 6
Completely at sea about the number of industrial units in Haryana, the Industries Department, it seems, has finally woken up to the need for a “headcount” of the existing units for taking “informed decisions” when it comes to framing policies for industry.

National Education Framework
Secondary school students to get vocational education

Karnal, February 6
Vocational education and training would be imparted to secondary school students from the current session under the National Education Framework, Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal has said.

Total Sanitation Mission
Rs 1 cr for construction of toilets in 563 schools

Kurukshetra, February 6
A sum of Rs 1.11 crore will be spent on the construction of toilets in 563 schools in Kurukshetra district under the Total Sanitation Mission and the work will be completed by the end of February.


EARLIER EDITIONS


Girls present a Haryanavi dance during a cultural event in Bhiwani
SWIRLING CELEBRATIONS: Girls present a Haryanavi dance during a cultural event in Bhiwani. Photo: Manoj Dhaka 

PGIMS students hold an awareness rally in connection with World Cancer Day in Rohtak
PGIMS students hold an awareness rally in connection with World Cancer Day in Rohtak. Photo: Manoj Dhaka

Sirsa to hold workshops for school bus drivers 
Sirsa, February 6

In view of a few recent accidents involving school buses, particularly the one near Ambala in which 13 children lost their lives, the district authorities in Sirsa have planned workshops for the drivers of school buses.

Outsourcing MDU pool casts doubt over future of varsity swimmers
Rohtak, February 6
The swimming pool at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.The decision of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) to outsource the functioning of the varsity swimming pool in private hands appears to have courted a controversy following surfacing of a debate over the future of budding swimmers of the university, who would now be at the ‘mercy’ of the pool operator.




The swimming pool at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. A Tribune photograph

Ensure transparency in revision of voter’s list: EC
Bhiwani, February 6
Haryana State Election Commissioner Dharam Vir lights up the traditional lamp to inaugurate a function at BPS, Bhiwani. Haryana State Election Commissioner Dharam Vir has asked the district election officer and assistant election officers of Bhiwani district to ensure full objectivity and transparency in the revision of voter list of the Loharu Municipal Committee. The names of those voters who figure in the voter’s list of the Vidhan Sabha must be included in the voter’s list of the municipal committee.


Haryana State Election Commissioner Dharam Vir lights up the traditional lamp to inaugurate a function at BPS, Bhiwani. Photo by writer

Increasing pollution ‘indicator of shrinking concern for environment’
Sirsa, February 6
Prof SS Dhillon gives away the Young Scientist Award to a student during a conference on environment held at CDLU in Sirsa A three-day international conference on “Energy-Water-Waste Nexus for Environmental Management” organised by the Department of Energy and Environmental Sciences of Chaudhary Devi Lal University concluded here recently.





Prof SS Dhillon gives away the Young Scientist Award to a student during a conference on environment held at CDLU in Sirsa. A Tribune photograph

Tarsem Kumar Garg, Chancellor of MM University, welcomes Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, in Ambala. Cut use of fossil fuels: Farooq
Ambala, February 6
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said rapid use of fossil fuels was threatening the conventional sources of energy in the country.




Tarsem Kumar Garg, Chancellor of MM University, welcomes Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, in Ambala. Photo by writer

Okhde takes over as IOC Director (Pipelines) 
VS OkhdePanipat, February 6
VS Okhde has taken over as Director (Pipelines) of the Indian Oil Corporation. Prior to his elevation, he was Executive Director (Exploration and Production). A spokesman for the IOC said Okhde brought with him diverse experience of over three decades in various facets of hydrocarbon pipeline systems such as operations, maintenance, engineering services and projects. He also held senior management positions in the Business Development function.

VS Okhde

Joint Ventures
FIA for MoU with Thailand investment board 

Faridabad, February 6
Delegates of the Thailand Board of Investments during their interactive session with industrialists in Faridabad. The Faridabad Industries Association (FIA) has proposed to the Thailand Board of Investments for a MoU with it so as to institutionalise a mechanism to help prospective entrepreneurs on both sides to set up joint ventures.




Delegates of the Thailand Board of Investments during their interactive session with industrialists in Faridabad. A Tribune photograph

Rohtak MP lays stone for Guru Ravidass dharamshala
Jhajjar, February 6
MP Deepender Hooda accompanied by Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal lays the foundation stone of Guru Ravidass dharamshala in Jhajjar. Deepender Singh Hooda, MP from Rohtak, has asked the people to follow the teachings of Saint Guru Ravidass of love and mutual brotherhood, as these are more relevant today.





MP Deepender Hooda accompanied by Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal lays the foundation stone of Guru Ravidass dharamshala in Jhajjar. Photo by writer

OBC status for Rajputs sought
Thakur Attar Lal and other Rajput leaders present a memorandum to Justice KC Gupta,chairman of the Haryana Backward Classes Commission, in Rewari. Rewari, February 6
Functionaries of Rajput Samaj Organisations from Mahendergarh, Rewari and Faridabad met Justice KC Gupta, chairman of the Haryana Backward Classes Commission, and other members of the commission at Gurgaon recently.



Thakur Attar Lal and other Rajput leaders present a memorandum to Justice KC Gupta,chairman of the Haryana Backward Classes Commission, in Rewari. 

Seminar highlights importance of innovations
Sonepat, February 6
HS Chahal, VC of Murthal university, inaugurates a seminar on "Technology, Innovations and Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century” at the university in Sonepa Stressing the importance of innovations to accelerate the tempo of development and progress, HS Chahal, Vice-Chancellor of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, said it was necessary to educate children so that they could become innovators and successful entrepreneurs.

HS Chahal, VC of Murthal university, inaugurates a seminar on "Technology, Innovations and Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century” at the university in Sonepat. Photo by writer

Row over installation of statues of political leaders in Rohtak
Rohtak, February 6
A row seems to have erupted over the installation of statues of late political leaders in the city. With the ruling Congress party leaders alleging the Opposition parties of creating uproar over the matter in order to grab attention, some of the leaders hailing from the Opposition parties have slammed the ruling party of misusing the power over the matter.

70 provided with artificial limbs, tricycles
Kurukshetra, February 6
Four physically challenged persons who were given tricycles by the Nar Narain Sewa Samiti with samiti members at a camp on the premises of Shri Shiv Mandir Dharamshala, Shahabad Markanda. As many as 70 persons were provided with artificial limbs and tricycles at a free camp organised by the Nar Narain Sewa Samiti (regd), Shahabad Markanda, on the premises of Shri Shiv Mandir Dharamshala, Shahabad Markanda, 25 km from here, recently.


Four physically challenged persons who were given tricycles by the Nar Narain Sewa Samiti with samiti members at a camp on the premises of Shri Shiv Mandir Dharamshala, Shahabad Markanda. A Tribune photograph

Science brings new gifts for every generation, says Prof Yash Pal
Prof Yash Pal attends the opening session of the science conclave organised at RKSD College in KaithalKaithal, February 6
Prof Yash Pal, a former chairman of the UGC and a renowned scientist, has said science and technology are a strong medium to fulfil the aspirations of mankind.





Prof Yash Pal attends the opening session of the science conclave organised at RKSD College in Kaithal. A Tribune photograph

Social responsibility of scribes highlighted
Hisar, February 6
Dr Ved Prakash Vedic, a noted journalist and political analyst, has said journalists can maintain their credibility only if they disseminate information keeping their social responsibilities in mind.

Classical vocal maestro enthrals audience
Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas Panchkula, February 6
The art lovers of the city were treated to a soulful spell of classical music by Mumbai-based vocalist Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas at Gandharv Mahavidyalya here recently. Introducing the artist, Anita Sharma, principal, Gandharv Mahavidyalya, said coming from the lineage of illustrious music wizards, Pandit Vyas was a former Vice-Chancellor of Bhatkhande Music University and proponent of Pandit Vishnu Digamber Pulasker’s tradition.

Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas 

Vehicle Registration Racket
Three RTA employees arrested

Rewari, February 6
Following a probe conducted recently by DSP Krishan Lal, which had prima facie established the complicity of certain dealing hands of the office of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in a vehicle registration racket here, the police on Friday arrested Manish, Jai Prakash and Om Prakash More, all employees of the vehicle  registration office of the RTA, in this connection.



Artistes from Uzbekistan (left) and Uttar Pradesh give performances at the Surajkund Crafts Mela near Faridabad. Tribune photos: Sayeed Ahmed


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Agency hired to count industrial units
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 6
Completely at sea about the number of industrial units in Haryana, the Industries Department, it seems, has finally woken up to the need for a “headcount” of the existing units for taking “informed decisions” when it comes to framing policies for industry.

After the last official survey of small-scale industry in 1996 pegged their number at 1.37 lakh and the “amateurish” re-surveys “brought it down” to 69,000 only to “raise” it again to 80,000, the Industries Department has finally decided it wants to know the exact number existing on ground.

After much deliberation, the department has roped in a third party, Mot MacDonald, to carry out the exercise. According to an agreement signed last week, the agency will complete the survey in six to nine months and submit a report.

Haryana Industries Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala said the department had initially decided to carry out its own survey and even designed its own performa. “The importance of numbers cannot be overlooked especially in a vibrant state like ours where investment is continuously flowing in. While the numbers are not only essential to enable hand-holdling for industry which may require government help, knowing the ground reality is crucial for framing policies for that extra fillip which will hasten inclusive growth. Since a formal survey is being undertaken after many years, we opted for a professional agency to carry it out for us,” Surjewala said.

Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Industries, Yudhvir Singh Malik added that the agency had been asked to complete the survey of industry existing as on December 31 in the first leg and submit a quick report by July.

“We have asked them to take into account all kinds of micro, small, medium and large enterprises. We have prepared a performa of data we will require though the agency can tinker with it. In fact, while this will help us know about the units in the planned industrial estates, it will also provide an insight into the units existing outside these estates which, I personally think, are a substantial number,” he stated.

Though the department hopes to end up with an exhaustive database about industry in Haryana along with the GIS mapping of industrial units, there could be some reluctance on the part of industry to give out the complete statistics especially when it comes to labour employment, contractual staff and the like. On the other hand, the information provided by the units could help various other departments, including power, to know the capacity of the units while preparing projections.

The last survey was conducted in 1996 and the number of 1.37 lakh units was based on the registrations of SSI recorded by the department. However, a re-survey of industry was ordered and this number came down to 69,000 eventually, on grounds that the other units had either closed down or were no longer in existence.

The department also felt that the present figure of 80,000 industrial units was not reflective of the new industry that had come up over the last few years, especially since the Congress government took over in 2005.

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National Education Framework
Secondary school students to get vocational education
Bhanu P. Lohumi/TNS

Karnal, February 6
Vocational education and training would be imparted to secondary school students from the current session under the National Education Framework, Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal has said.

Bhukkal, who was here to take stock of the preparations of state-level celebrations for 635th Ravidas Jayanti on February 7, said the project was aimed at developing the skills of students of class IX to class XII to make them more employable and focus would be on emerging trades with vast employment potential.

Students of 40 schools in nine districts would be covered in the first phase for imparting vocational education under the pilot project. Referring to employment of teachers to fill vacant posts, she said the Education Recruitment Board had been set up to bring about total transparency in appointments and the process of appointing the chairman of the board was in process.

The Right to Education Act was being implemented in right earnest to help people to be well informed about any violations by schools and competent authorities, said Bhukkal, adding that 25 per cent reservation for poor and BPL families would be mandatory in private institutions.

She said action would be taken against the institution for the violation of the provisions of the Act. She also asked the people to inform about any such violation by private schools to the competent authorities. Claiming that Haryana had made great strides in education, Bhukkal said a number of private universities had been set up to expand education facilities and more and more students were having access to higher education within the state.

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Total Sanitation Mission
Rs 1 cr for construction of toilets in 563 schools
Bhanu P Lohumi/TNS

Kurukshetra, February 6
A sum of Rs 1.11 crore will be spent on the construction of toilets in 563 schools in Kurukshetra district under the Total Sanitation Mission and the work will be completed by the end of February.

“The cost of the construction of one unit is Rs 20,000 and 60 per cent of the cost is met by the Union Government while 30 per cent of the expenditure is borne by the state government,” Sumedha Kataria, Additional DC, said.

The schools where toilets are being constructed included eight schools in the Babain block, 25 schools in Ladwa, 43 schools in Pehowa, 20 schools in Shahbad and 23 schools in Thanesar.

The District Rural Development Agency has sanctioned Rs 23.26 lakh for the construction of 465 toilets in anganwadis, Rs 96.75 lakh for community toilets for women in the rural areas and Rs 45 lakh for 28 solid waste management schemes, besides Rs 1.11 crore for school toilets.

In addition 29,817 individual toilets had been constructed at a cost of Rs 2.95 crore in the district, Kataria added.

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Sirsa to hold workshops for school bus drivers 
Sushil Manav/TNS

Sirsa, February 6
In view of a few recent accidents involving school buses, particularly the one near Ambala in which 13 children lost their lives, the district authorities in Sirsa have planned workshops for the drivers of school buses.

The workshops will be organised at the sub-division level on February 8 at Dabwali, February 9 at Sirsa and on February 10 at Ellenabad.

Besides a refresher course for the drivers on traffic rules, the workshop will give an opportunity to the authorities to conduct their medical tests.

Officials of the Education Department, Transport Department, Health Department and the representatives of the district administration will be present in such workshops.

Deputy Commissioner J Ganeshan convened a meeting of the heads of various schools of the district and told them to comply with government norms in this regard.

Several schools of the district have been ferrying their children on auto-rickshaws and other unauthorised vehicles in the past.

Transportation of children in such vehicles not only puts children at the risk of accidents, but also exposes them to the climatic vagaries.

Drivers appointed by the schools are normally semi-trained and they run the buses at high speed even in the town putting the children and the road users at grave peril.

Ganeshan told the schools to ensure that their drivers run the buses at the speed given in the guidelines and their vehicle complied with the norms.

He said schools found overcrowding their buses with children would be proceeded against. He added that it would be compulsory for the driver and the conductor to wear uniforms, when on duty.

Provision of first aid boxes, fire extinguishers, reflectors and other road safety items would be necessary for the school buses, the Deputy Commissioner said. The schools have also been told to paint control room numbers 01666-247811 and 100 (toll-free number) on their buses for the public. 

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Outsourcing MDU pool casts doubt over future of varsity swimmers
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 6
The decision of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) to outsource the functioning of the varsity swimming pool in private hands appears to have courted a controversy following surfacing of a debate over the future of budding swimmers of the university, who would now be at the ‘mercy’ of the pool operator.

The university has adopted a resolution to this effect leading to handover of the operation of the pool to a private party at a cost of Rs 33.60 lakh per year.

The matter got highlighted recently after the issue of the MoU to be signed between the university and the private company was taken up at a meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the university.

According to details, the pool will be outsourced to M/S Haryana Swimming and Sports Academy for a period of three years (from June 1, 2011, to May 31, 2014).

While the contract has already been awarded, the matter got passed from the EC at the meeting held on January 13.

It is claimed that the MoU has been signed and it has been decided that time slot for university swimmers, as provided under Clause-8 of the draft of the MoU, will be enhanced suitably.

According to certain quarters, outsourcing the pool will mean an end to its unlimited use by the budding swimmers of the university.

The charges to be taken from the university swimmers and the total time slot to be provided were still not clear and had been a cause of concern for many, said a student of the university.

“Fixing of certain time slot will not only hamper the training but also make our coaches idle,” he added.

“This international standard pool was built at a cost of Rs 50 lakh for the benefit of the students. Hence, it was improper to handover it to a private company who would only be interested in profit-making and not in the development of budding swimmers,” said a university teacher.

However, Devender Dhull, director (Sports), MDU, said outsourcing would help in the better management of the pool and would not hamper the training of the university swimmers as proper time slots would be provided to them with no charges, as per the MoU. 

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Ensure transparency in revision of voter’s list: EC
Shiv Sharma

Bhiwani, February 6
Haryana State Election Commissioner Dharam Vir has asked the district election officer and assistant election officers of Bhiwani district to ensure full objectivity and transparency in the revision of voter list of the Loharu Municipal Committee. The names of those voters who figure in the voter’s list of the Vidhan Sabha must be included in the voter’s list of the municipal committee.

Dharam Vir, who was addressing the district election officer and assistant election officers of Bhiwani at the PWD Rest House in Bhiwani, said as of now there were 7,173 names of voters in the voter’s list of the municipal committee, Loharu, and by February 3 as many as 1,111 claims and objections had been received during the revision process of the municipal voter list.

Satbir Singh Lohchab, sub-divisional magistrate-cum-assistant election officer, Loharu, would decide these claims and objections by February 8 and the appeal against the decision of the assistant election officer could be filed to the district election officer by February 13. The final voter’s list of all 13 wards of the Loharu Municipal Committee would be published on February 28, he added.

He asked the district election officer and assistant election officers to make proper arrangements for electricity, water and security at each polling booth during the municipal elections. Care should be taken that voters should not face any difficulty during revision campaign and polling. Municipal elections should be conducted in free and peaceful manner.

Later, while addressing students and citizens in the annual prize-distribution function of Bhiwani Public School, Dharam Vir said education was an instrument for ensuring holistic development of human beings. Over the past few years, Haryana had made tremendous progress in the education sector. As many as 23 universities had already been set up in the state to provide quality education to the students.

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Increasing pollution ‘indicator of shrinking concern for environment’
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, February 6
A three-day international conference on “Energy-Water-Waste Nexus for Environmental Management” organised by the Department of Energy and Environmental Sciences of Chaudhary Devi Lal University concluded here recently.

SS Dhillon, former professor and Dean, Academic Affairs, Punjabi University, Patiala, said in his valedictory address that increasing pollution on the earth was an indicator of our shrinking concern for the environment.

“We have become so self-centered that we refuse to foresee the ill-effects of our deeds on the generations to come,” he said.

He said the manner in which population was increasing by the day, it was putting a heavy pressure on the limited resources available on the earth.

He said due to global warming, glaciers were fast melting leading to a rise in the level of seas which, he said, was bringing natural calamities like the tsunami.

He said though 71 per cent of the earth was covered by water, very little of it --- just 3 litres out of 1,000 litres --- was fit for human use due to pollution.

Dhillon said man himself was responsible for the situation, as he had been putting all kind of wastes, including industrial pollutants, in water bodies.

Earlier, the noted environmentalist, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, inaugurated the conference and gave his message for the environment.

Dr RP Dahiya, former Vice-Chancellor of the university, delivered his keynote address on the inaugural day.

Several teachers drawn from various colleges and Vice-Chancellor KC Bhardwaj, who presided over the inaugural session, also addressed the participants.

Dr SK Gahlawat, Dean of Life Sciences and Chairperson of the Environment Department of the university, said the participants had benefited a lot from the conference.

Dr Rani Devi, in charge of the Environment and Energy Department of the university, said seven technical sessions and one parallel multidisciplinary session chaired by Dr Anu Shukla with the theme of ecology and the response of various streams of studies were organised.

More than 270 registered delegates attended the conference from different parts of the country. Some of the delegates were from countries like Iran and Ethiopia.

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Cut use of fossil fuels: Farooq
Suman Bhatnagar

Ambala, February 6
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said rapid use of fossil fuels was threatening the conventional sources of energy in the country.

While inaugurating an international conference on ‘Hospital acquired super bugs: Return to pre-antibiotic era’ at MM University in Mulana, he said time had come for encouraging renewable sources of energy like solar, wind and tidal.

He stressed need for decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. He said the ministry had chalked out a detailed plan to promote solar cooking. He asked the chancellor of the university to prop up solar lights, solar heaters and solar cooking in its campus.

He asked the doctors attending the conference to launch an awareness campaign against the female foeticide and selective abortion in the interest of country and their profession. Chancellor of the university Tarsem Kumar Garg presented a memento to Abdullah. Vice-Chancellor SG Damle, MM Medical College principal SB Siwach and senior functionaries of MM Education Trust Vishal Garg and Sanjiv Garg were also present on the occasion.

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Okhde takes over as IOC Director (Pipelines) 
Tribune News Service

Panipat, February 6
VS Okhde has taken over as Director (Pipelines) of the Indian Oil Corporation. Prior to his elevation, he was Executive Director (Exploration and Production). A spokesman for the IOC said Okhde brought with him diverse experience of over three decades in various facets of hydrocarbon pipeline systems such as operations, maintenance, engineering services and projects. He also held senior management positions in the Business Development function.

He will head Indian Oil's cross-country network of crude oil, product and gas pipelines, spanning almost 11,000 km with a capacity of over 75 MMTPA, the largest in the country.

A mechanical engineer from Regional Engineering College, Bhopal, Okhde also holds a degree in Executive Management from the Management Development Institute, Gurgaon.

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Joint Ventures
FIA for MoU with Thailand investment board 
Ravi S. Singh/TNS

Faridabad, February 6
The Faridabad Industries Association (FIA) has proposed to the Thailand Board of Investments for a MoU with it so as to institutionalise a mechanism to help prospective entrepreneurs on both sides to set up joint ventures.

An FIA office-bearer said the proposal was made to the Thailand Board of Investments during the recent visit of its high-powered delegation here to interact with the local industrialists. The proposal made by SK Goel, president of the FIA, was said to be well received by the delegates.

The delegation, consisting of representatives of banks in Thailand, multinational companies, and top government officials, had expressed keenness for joint ventures during their interactive session with the local industrialists.

The Board of Investments is headed by the Prime Minister of Thailand and is a representative body of the government and private sector.

Significance was attached to the visit of the delegation here as they chose Faridabad in Haryana for the purpose. It was the first programme of the delegation’s visit to India.

During the visit, the delegates made presentations on the industrial climate in Thailand. The government side made a strong pitch for broadening trade between the two countries.

The FIA had also made presentations on the industrial scene in Haryana while keeping its focus on Faridabad. SK Goel said Haryana’s economy was the fastest growing in the country.

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Rohtak MP lays stone for Guru Ravidass dharamshala
Urges people to follow his teachings
Ravinder Saini

Jhajjar, February 6
Deepender Singh Hooda, MP from Rohtak, has asked the people to follow the teachings of Saint Guru Ravidass of love and mutual brotherhood, as these are more relevant today.

Deepender, who was addressing the people after laying the foundation stone of Guru Ravidass dharamshala here last evening, said it was a matter of pleasure that the foundation stone of Guru Ravidass dharamshala had been laid during the week of 635th Parkatotsav of Saint Guru Ravidass. He said the dharamshala would be one of the best dharamsalas of Jhajjar city.

“Saints have always been guiding star of our culture and civilisation. Sadhus and saints always give new directions to society by their teachings. Guru Ravidass did not belong to any particular caste, rather he belonged to every section of society. His teachings should be imbibed by the people to promote brotherhood and peace in the society,” he said.

The MP also announced to give financial assistance from his own fund for the construction of the dharamshala.

Speaking on the occasion, Education, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Geeta Bhukkal said Guru Ravidass opposed tooth and nail all social evils and superstitions prevailing in society.

His teachings gave new direction to society by eradicating social evils. He was the protagonist of women education. Great saints like Meera were disciple, she added.

“Taking cue from the teachings of Guru Ravidass, the UPA government at the Centre and the Haryana government have implemented a number of path-breaking schemes for the uplift and welfare of weaker sections of society. The teachings of Guru Ravidass are still relevant today,” said the minister.

Bhukkal informed that a state-level function would be organised at Karnal to mark the 635th Parkatotsav of Saint Guru Ravidass. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda would be the chief guest in the function.

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OBC status for Rajputs sought
Our Correspondent

Rewari, February 6
Functionaries of Rajput Samaj Organisations from Mahendergarh, Rewari and Faridabad met Justice KC Gupta, chairman of the Haryana Backward Classes Commission, and other members of the commission at Gurgaon recently.

The delegation comprised of Thakur Attar Lal, state president of the All-India Rajput Mahasabha, Dashrath Singh Chauhan, general secretary, Haryana Rajput Pratinidhi Sabha, Sarjit Singh Parmar, Pooran Singh Panwar, Prithvi Singh, Thakur Rajaram Singh and other Rajput leaders.

Strongly pleading for the inclusion of Rajputs among the OBCs and presenting a memorandum to the commission in this regard, they said Rajputs, which constituted 11 per cent of the total population of the state, mostly lived in the rural areas.

Stating that agriculture and manual labour were the chief means of their livelihood, they said the Rajputs in Haryana were socially, educationally and economically backward and their plight was even worse than that of the Ahirs and Gujjars, who were already enjoying the OBC status.

Further, lamenting a large scale curtailment of the landholdings of the Rajput peasantry and persistent neglect of Rajput youths in provision of government jobs, they said such potent factors had adversely affected the Rajput community which now stood at an indistinct pedestal of society.

Besides, Thakur Attar Lal said the recommendations of the Justice Gurnam Singh Commission regarding the inclusion of Rajputs among the OBCs had been ignored by the successive state governments much to their dismay. 

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Seminar highlights importance of innovations
BS Malik

Sonepat, February 6
Stressing the importance of innovations to accelerate the tempo of development and progress, HS Chahal, Vice-Chancellor of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, said it was necessary to educate children so that they could become innovators and successful entrepreneurs.

Chahal was addressing the participants after inaugurating a two-day national seminar on “Technology, Innovations and Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century”, organised by the Department of Management Studies of the university on the university premises recently. The seminar was sponsored by the UGC under its special assistance programme.

The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that though the literacy rate in the country increased from 16 per cent at the time of Independence to 67 per cent at present, it was lesser than that of the developed countries. Education being the key to success, he said innovations should always be for the benefit of society and humanity.

Prof VK Gupta of MDI, Gurgaon, the key speaker of the inaugural ceremony, said according to a survey, India was at the sixth place in the world in matter of innovations and out of these six, four countries - India, China, Japan and South Korea - were from Asia. “India can achieve the leading position in the world only by virtue of knowledge,” he said and added that the US was one of the examples in this matter.

Dr Rajbir Singh, chairman of the department, detailed out the seminar activities and said it would benefit the faculty members as well as the students of the university also. While presiding over the closing ceremony of Paritex India Ltd, Satwant Singh Hooda stressed the need for change in curriculum because it lacks practical knowledge. Students should set their target and achieve it with full dedication and determination, he said. “Because of entrepreneurship, China has brought down its unemployment ratio from 10.1 per cent in 2000 to 4.1 per cent by 2010,” he said and pointed out that despite being a developed country, the industrial growth rate of the US has gone down due to recession.

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Row over installation of statues of political leaders in Rohtak
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 6
A row seems to have erupted over the installation of statues of late political leaders in the city. With the ruling Congress party leaders alleging the Opposition parties of creating uproar over the matter in order to grab attention, some of the leaders hailing from the Opposition parties have slammed the ruling party of misusing the power over the matter.

The controversy erupted recently when Balbir Singh Grewal, a former MLA and the president of the Haryana unit of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, demanded installation of a statute of a former Prime Minister Ch. Charan Singh at a chowk near the Canal Rest House here. According to Grewal, the statute of the late Prime Minister had been awaiting installation here for the past 21years.

The installation of the statute of a political leader at the new OPD block of the PGIMS had also generated a heat with some leaders reportedly being opposed to this practice at a place like a hospital. A former minister and Congress leader Krishan Murti Hooda came down heavily on the political opponents for opposing the installation of the statute of late Ch. Ranbir Singh Hooda in the city by some political persons.

Describing these as politically frustrated elements he said none of these came out in open when hundreds of statutes of former Chief Minister of Haryana Devi Lal were installed in the state during the INLD rule. Defending the installation of the statute of Ch. Ranbir Singh at the PGIMS, he said since he had been a towering leader of national stature and had a prominent role in setting up of the medical college here, the move was justified and any opposition on this issue had been irrelevant and aimed at misleading the people. He said while over a dozen statutes of Ch. Devi Lal had been installed in Rohtak, Jhajjar and Sonepat districts, the number of such statutes of the Congress leaders had been few so far.

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70 provided with artificial limbs, tricycles
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, February 6
As many as 70 persons were provided with artificial limbs and tricycles at a free camp organised by the Nar Narain Sewa Samiti (regd), Shahabad Markanda, on the premises of Shri Shiv Mandir Dharamshala, Shahabad Markanda, 25 km from here, recently.

As many as 30 persons were given tricycles, while 40 artificial limbs, comprising four arms, eight legs, 16 clippers-attached shoes, seven crutches, four splints and one belt, were distributed free of cost among the physically challenged persons.

Subhash Chakwalia, chairman of the samiti, said a four-member team comprising Kishori Lal, in charge of the workshop, and three technical staff members, Harish Kumar, Ramesh Kumar and Sukhwinder Singh, all from Saket Orthopaedic Hospital (SOH), Panchkula, fitted the artificial limbs to the physically challenged persons.

Muneesh Bhatia, president of the samiti, said the artificial limbs, crutches and the tricycles were delivered to the physically challenged persons as per their requirement free of cost. These persons were registered at a camp organised by the samiti on the premises of Shri Baikunthpuri Hanuman Mandir, Shahabad Markanda, on December 11, 2011 and measurements of their required artificial limbs were taken by a team of technical staff members from the SOH.

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Science brings new gifts for every generation, says Prof Yash Pal
Our Correspondent

Kaithal, February 6
Prof Yash Pal, a former chairman of the UGC and a renowned scientist, has said science and technology are a strong medium to fulfil the aspirations of mankind.

He was addressing a gathering of students and scientists after inaugurating a two-day science conclave at RKSD College here recently. Haryana Minister for Industries and PWD Randeep Singh Surjewala presided over the conclave.

Prof Yash Pal said: “Science is a guide for those who dream big and want it to come true. Even an attempt to do something scientific creates excitement which not only answers the questions arising within us but also leads to new discoveries and inventions. Science brings new gifts for every generation.”

He said during the past 10-15 years, science had led to the discovery of even new planets.

The former UGC chairman said: “There must have been civilisations on other planets like the one on earth about which we have no information. A deep knowledge of science will immensely benefit all of us.”

During a question-answer session with students, he said: “Nuclear energy should be used for peaceful purposes and not for destruction. We will have to bring a change in our thinking and bring it on scientific lines,” he said.

Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala in his presidential address said science was an entrance to great possibilities for future.

“We must not forget that basic science gives us options in our hunt for great talents in the field of health and education,” he said.

The minister said popularising science further and making discoveries and inventions was a challenging task. He recalled former Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru’s philosophy that possibilities of a great future were embedded in science. The Green Revolution was a big proof of this, he said.

Surjewala called upon the students to face the challenges thrown by the realities of the 21st century.

PK Das, finance secretary of Science and Training, said it was the constant endeavour of his department to increase the reach of science through education. Haryana was all set to take a lead in this field.

Deputy Commissioner Mona A. Srinivas, Kaithal SDM Hawa Singh Pachar, Kaithal DSP Nripjeet Singh and president of the College Governing Body Satish Bansal were among those who attended the inauguration ceremony.

Later, Prof Yash Pal and Sujrewala also inaugurated an exhibition of science models made by students.

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Social responsibility of scribes highlighted
Raman Mohan
Tribune News Service

Hisar, February 6
Dr Ved Prakash Vedic, a noted journalist and political analyst, has said journalists can maintain their credibility only if they disseminate information keeping their social responsibilities in mind.

He was presiding over a seminar on “Social Responsibility of Media” at Guru Jambheshwar University here recently. The seminar was organised jointly by the Haryana Granth Academy and the Sahi Ram Johar Memorial Foundation.

Vedic said journalists could be fearless and fair only when they were mindful of their great social responsibilities. They must never oblige or be obliged. They must also be able to earn the respect of their readers or viewers through socially responsible reporting, he said.

Vedic said he was happy that the seminar was organised on the 90th birth anniversary of Sahi Ram Johar who himself was a noted journalist who never compromised his professional integrity.

Radhey Shyam Sharma, a former editor of Dainik Tribune and Vice-Chancellor of Makhan Lal Chaturvedi University of Journalism, said the level of reporting as well as readership had deteriorated in recent years.

Both newspapers and their readers were equally responsible for this trend. By catering to readers’ interests, newspapers were making sure that socially responsible journalism took a back seat, he said.

Rajya Kavi Uday Bhanu Hans said the rules of good and socially relevant writings applied both to poets and journalists.

Both should never sell their creeds.

Vandana Pandey of Guru Jambheshwar University said journalism, too, had changed with times and the media had by and large discharged its social responsibility. But more caution was need for dissemination of socially meaningful information.

Virender Singh Chauhan of Chaudhary Devi Lal University said society had great respect for mediapersons and that puts the onus of retaining the confidence of the masses on the media itself. He said socially responsible journalism was more necessary now than at any other time. 

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Classical vocal maestro enthrals audience
SD Sharma

Panchkula, February 6
The art lovers of the city were treated to a soulful spell of classical music by Mumbai-based vocalist Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas at Gandharv Mahavidyalya here recently.

Introducing the artist, Anita Sharma, principal, Gandharv Mahavidyalya, said coming from the lineage of illustrious music wizards, Pandit Vyas was a former Vice-Chancellor of Bhatkhande Music University and proponent of Pandit Vishnu Digamber Pulasker’s tradition.

Pandit Vyas commenced the recital with an elaborate ‘alaap’ of ‘raga Behag’ before a slow-paced composition ‘kaise sukh sovey’ in ‘Vilambat’ set to ‘ek tal’ rhythm. He moved on to present a fast-paced ‘drut lya bandish baalam re more mann’ and later ‘raina bin tadpat’.

These compositions melted into ‘raga Bihagda’ as he doled out another soulful number ‘dars piya bin’ and ‘raina kaise kate bin’.

Pandit Vyas delineated the melody of ‘raga Nand’ through a composition, ‘ahjhoon na aye’, and a crisp ‘taraana’.

In the second session he presented three compositions in ‘raga Hansdhwani’ before concluding the recital with a few bhajans.

He was accompanied by Vinay Mishra on harmonium and Jaidev on tabla, besides Adamya Sharma and Romesh Kumar on taanpura.

Earlier, acclaimed vocalist Pandit Yashpal and former bureaucrats Navjivan Khosla and SD Bhambri honoured the vocalist.

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Vehicle Registration Racket
Three RTA employees arrested
Our Correspondent

Rewari, February 6
Following a probe conducted recently by DSP Krishan Lal, which had prima facie established the complicity of certain dealing hands of the office of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in a vehicle registration racket here, the police on Friday arrested Manish, Jai Prakash and Om Prakash More, all employees of the vehicle 
registration office of the RTA, in this connection.

They were produced in a local court which remanded them in judicial custody.

Earlier on January 12, the police had arrested two youths from the city, Rakesh and 
Deepak, who were allegedly acting as middlemen.

The racket pertains to the registration of vehicles and issuance of permits as well as road-fitness certificates to vehicle operators. The two “middlemen” were earlier remanded in judicial custody.

A senior police official said while a case under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act had been registered against the trio, the police was now looking into the records of the RTA office. 

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