The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

New device to curb sex-determination tests shortly

Chandigarh, February 9
To keep tabs on illegal sex-determination tests, a Haryana district will soon have a new Active Tracer Technology device fitted in all ultrasound machines of 26 registered ultrasound centres.

The registered centres in Mahendragarh district have 46 ultrasound machines which will be fitted with the tracker, Deputy Commissioner Saket Kumar said.

This technique would also be introduced in all the districts of Haryana on the same pattern, an official release quoting Saket Kumar said.

The tracker would help curb the menace of foeticide, he said.

He said in case someone tampered with the tracker, the SIM fitted in it would send an SMS to the civil surgeon and the deputy commissioner as well as the health worker concerned on the mobile phones registered with it.

All trackers would be linked to a website, through a special server, which would help keep tabs on ultrasound machines round the clock to ensure that they were not used for sex determination tests.

Saket Kumar held a meeting at Panchayat Bhawan, Narnaul, yesterday with health officials and the owners of ultrasound centres.

At the meeting, he gave instructions regarding the proper implementation of the technology. — PTI

OPD block of PGIMS starts functioning
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 9
The newly built block of the OPD of the PGIMS here, the largest government-run medical college and hospital in the state, has started functioning. With over 6,000 patients visiting the facility in the first two days, this is perhaps the first state-of-the-art OPD block in the government medical sector where all types of medical services have been made available under one roof for outpatients. This block was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda recently.

“The new OPD block has been made functional for the patients of various specialties and super-specialties at one spot. Patients and their attendants will be benefited as they will be able to save their precious time and effort as the consultation and diagnostic facilities will be available side by side. The patients will not have to run from one building to another as prevalent earlier in the old building,” said Ashok Chauhan, medical superintendent of the PGIMS.

He said while the OPD of the Orthopaedics Department was likely to be shifted here next week, it was only the Eye Department which would not be available here as a separate building for the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology was under construction.

Built at a cost of around Rs 27 crore, the building was proposed to be centrally air-conditioned, which was likely to be made operational after a few months, he added.

The built-up covered area was around 20,000 sq metres and it was adequate to accommodate over 2,000 patients at one time. While a total of over 14.90 lakh patients visited the PGIMS last year, the average daily OPD attendance was 5,137 patients.

The number of patients on Monday, which was the first day, was over 3,000. The old building of the PGIMS, which came into being in 1960, had become too congested and was unable to handle the growing number of patients, as it was single-storeyed building. Due to this, the departments had been spread horizontally leading to inconvenience to both the hospital staff and the patients, he said.

The new block has four floors and the distance between various super-specialties and diagnostic laboratories has been kept to the minimum. Ample staff and infrastructure had been deployed to ensure proper cleanliness and guide patients in the block, officials added.

Aviation club may resume pilot training
Tribune News Service

Hisar, February 9
After a gap of more than a year, pilot training is likely to commence at the Hisar Aviation Club within the next few weeks.

Flying and pilot training activities at the club had been suspended here 14 months ago after the chief flying instructor of the club, MS Beniwal, was arrested by the Rajasthan police for allegedly issuing fake flying certificates to five persons who had obtained commercial pilot licences on the basis of these certificates.

All the aircraft and trainee pilots had been shifted to Karnal from here as the club was headless after the arrest of Beniwal.

However, the flying instructor from the Karnal Aviation Club is likely to be transferred here and the government has approached the Director-General of the Civil Aviation to grant permission to the Hisar Aviation Club to resume pilot training.

The local club has two trainer aircraft, Cessna 172 and Cessna 152.

‘Jodi Breakers’ actor to train youth
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 9
The upcoming Bollywood flick, ‘Jodi Breakers’, may be a bold expression about relationships, but it appears to have made a young actor like Pradeep Kharab realise that there could be mirages which could leave one frustrated and lost in the tinsel town.

He has announced to launch a drive to create awareness about the highs and lows of the industry so that one does not become a victim of exploitation.

The Rohtak-born actor, who visited his hometown recently, told The Tribune that besides acting, he would be holding workshops and training courses in the field for young talents in the region in order to help them have a first-hand experience of such a career.

He said his own experiences in the industry were bitter and would not like others to become victims of ‘cheats’ that were present all around.

Claiming that several newcomers were fooled by ‘mafias’, which run in the name of acting schools and promotion centres, Kharab, who has worked in the film, ‘Jodi Breakers’, along with R Madhavan , Bipasha Basu and Omi Vaidya, said he had already launched a platform for budding talents namely Indian Academy of Dramatic Arts in New Delhi.

He said he wanted aspiring actors to learn about the overall standard of the industry as training at the academy was not just about acting, but being aware, so that one does not fall prey to the whims of production houses.

He said an informative workshop for freshers aspiring to be actors was recently organised in Rohtak.

The actor is known for his roles in TV soaps like ‘Kkavyanjali’, ‘Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ and ‘Kasauti Zindgi Ki’. Kharab made his debut in films in 2005 with ‘7 ½ Phere’ and was seen in ‘Fashion’ and ‘Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani’.

HAFED’s profit over Rs 40 crore

Karnal, February 9
Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd (HAFED) has earned a net profit of Rs 40.80 crore, on a turnover of Rs 5,489 crore, during the 2010-2011 fiscal.

HAFED has set a target of over Rs 6,000 crore turnover during 2011-12.

This was stated by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at the inauguration of a HAFED building here recently.

He said HAFED was one of the important suppliers of inputs like fertilisers, pesticides and seeds to farmers.

Being the largest foodgrain-procuring agency of the state, it involves various agro-processing activities for rice, barley, sugarcane and production of turmeric powder as well as mustard oil.

Cooperation Minister Satpal Sangwan apprised the Chief Minister that the federation procured 24.33 lakh tonnes of wheat, 10.23 lakh tonnes of paddy, 17,122 tonnes of mustard seed and 5,222 tonnes of bajra last year. Apart from this, it had sold 7.29 lakh tonnes of urea and DAP fertilisers, he said. The fertiliser sales for the current financial year up to January were 7.88 lakh tonnes. Sangwan said the pace of activities of HAFED would be further accelerated so that farmers would get maximum facilities and remunerative prices of their produce. — PTI

Sharp difference in temperatures may hit crops
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, February 9
Farmers in the area are worried about the sharp difference between the day and night temperatures these days, as the conditions, they fear, might hit the prospects of good wheat crop.

While days have turned warmer with bright sunshine, the temperature falls sharply at night.

“Cold weather is good for the crop as it helps in tillering of the crop, but the huge difference between the day and night temperatures will hit the crops,” said Pradeep Mukhi, a progressive farmer from Badalgarh near Ratia.

He said crops like kinnow, mustard and vegetable were also being hit by the climatic conditions.

Suraj Bhan, another farmer from Chopta in Sirsa, said: “The freezing temperature at nights is harming the prospects of mustard crop. Early morning frost causes much damage to the mustard crops”.

BS Dalal, deputy director, Agriculture, Fatehabad, said cold conditions were needed for wheat at this time.

He said early advent of hot weather could cause damage to wheat crop, as the grains would remain small.

However, he said: “Mustard crop runs the risk of afflicting with ‘tela’ these days”.

Building designs should ‘promote energy conservation’
BS Malik

Sonepat, February 9
The Financial Commissioner and Special Secretary, Department of Science and Technology of the state government, PK Dass, said the fast technological development in energy conservation in building designs had become the need of the hour and architects needed to be more conscious in preparing building designs.

He stated this recently at a national conference on “Energy Efficient Design of Buildings: Seeking A Cost-Effective Solution” organised by the Department of Architecture, the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, on the university premises.

He pointed out that while preparing building designs, the architects should keep in mind that the energy was not allowed to escape and the heat not to enter in the building. “The buildings have to be spacious, energy saving and cost effective,” he said, adding that Germany was a good ally for making rapid progress in this field.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, HS Chahal, said the year from Autumn 2011 to Autumn 2012 was on the theme “German India: Infinite Opportunities” to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and India as working partners to meet the future challenges.

“The project, Climate Related Energy Efficient Design Product Solutions, was one of the 13 binational projects between science and industry in the field of architecture, design, interior architecture and urbanisation,” he said, adding that this conference was the starting point of this project.

He said the aim of the conference was to facilitate international research interactions among the students, academicians, scientists, professionals in architectural science and building technology, transformative effects in building practices, building regulations and policies and sustainable urban development.

Dr Ajai Mathur, Director-General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency in the Government of India, Dr PC Jain, chairman of the Indian Green Building Council, and the German Professor, Dr Uta Pottgiesser, also addressed the inaugural function and laid stress on green building technology and practices for energy efficiency.

Slogan-writing contest held

Ambala, February 9
A slogan-writing competition was held on the campus of the PKR Jain (PG) College of Education, Ambala City. The topics for the slogan writing competition were corruption, eye donation, blood donation, save environment and the Right to Education.

The participation of students was at its zenith. The winners in the category of eye donation were Shrestha, Pooja Negi, Misha and Pooja. In blood donation category Nisha and Yadvesh won. Chandni was the winner in the category of the Right to Education. Shikha, Sapna, Pritpal and Ramanpreet were the winners in the category of save environment.

Bharat Bhushan Jain, president of the college, said to save our nation, we have to build a corruption-free society. Rajesh Jain, secretary, said God helps those who help the mankind, so we must donate our blood and our body parts to save others. Umesh Jain, member of the committee, said to keep ourself healthy and happy, we should protect, preserve and conserve our environment.

Principal Mudita Bhatnager said to make a strong democratic country, every citizen should know his duties and rights and in real sense this could be achieved only through education. — OC

Rural sports meet concludes
Sushil Manav/TNS

Fatehabad, February 9
Hundreds of men and women participated in the district-level Panchayat Rural Sports Meet that concluded at Manohar Memorial Postgraduate College here recently.

Tohana block bagged the first position in the Haryana style kabaddi (men). The second and the third position went to Bhuna and Bhattu Kalan, respectively. Among women also Tohana bagged the first position, while Bhattu and Bhuna remained second and third, respectively. Bhattu Kalan won the title in football (men). Ratia came second, while Fatehabad and Bhuna were jointly declared third in this category. In hockey (men) as well in hockey (women), Bhuna bagged first position and Fatehabad got the second spot.

Jakhal defeated Fatehabad to score first position in a tug-of-war. The third position in this event went to Tohana. In the tug-of-war (women) category, Bhattu outclassed Fatehabad to bag the first position. The third position in this category went to Bhuna.

Men and women grapplers from Tohana stole the show in the wrestling championship, while those from Bhuna also performed well. Surinder Punia from Tohana won the shot put (men) followed by Ankit (Bhuna) and Chander Mohan (Fatehabad) getting the second and third position, respectively.

Santosh (Fatehabad), Poonam (Fatehabad) and Manisha (Bhattu) bagged the first three positions, respectively in the shot put (women) category. In the discuss throw (men), Chander Mohan (Fatehabad) and Sonu (Fatehabad) remained first, while Sunil (Bhuna) came at the third position. In the women category of the discus throw, Santosh Rani (Fatehabad) and Santosh (Fatehabad) got the first two positions, while Sunita (Bhattu) remained at the third position.

Santosh, Puja and Saroj got the first three positions in the high jump (women), while Rakesh, Ravi and Varun Kumar got the first three positions in the men category. Deputy Commissioner ML Kaushik, who distributed prizes, said the sports activities not only kept the youths fit, but also provided them opportunities to make a career in sports. He said several youths from Haryana had transformed their lives by shining in the sports of their choice.

Rewari, Gurgaon BJP activists to canvass in Meerut
Nawal Kishore Rastogi

Rewari, February 9
Veer Kumar Yadav, general-secretary of the Haryana BJP, has asserted that the huge polling percentage recently recorded in Punjab and Uttarakhand was a clear indication that voters in the above two states had overwhelmingly exercised their franchise to register their resentment against anti-people policies and programmes being persistently pursued by the Congress-led UPA Government.

Addressing a press conference here recently, he said the BJP in Uttarakhand and the SAD-BJP combine in Punjab would get a clear majority and would form the government in the above two states. As regards the ongoing elections in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav said BJP activists from Rewari, Gurgaon and Mahendergarh districts, led by Sudha Yadav, a former MP and presently a member of the National Executive Committee of the BJP, would canvass for the party nominees in five segments of Meerut district which would go to the polls on February 28.

Besides, the press conference was also addressed by district party president Laxman Singh Yadav and a former state party chief septuagenarian Om Prakash Grover.

‘Join hands to end corruption’
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, February 9
CR Kaswan, a former Deputy Inspector General of Police, a retired IPS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, has said Jan Lokpal was not panacea for eradication of corruption from Indian society.

In his keynote address at a declamation contest “Jan Lokpal: Is India really against corruption?” at the LHP College of Law here recently. Kaswan said there were endless laws already in the country, of which even the lawyers and judges failed to keep a count.

He said legislation of an Act was not an answer to the corruption, but the implementation was the real issue.

He said the police was often blamed for corruption, because a cop took money directly from a common man’s pocket, but one of the major reasons of corruption is politics, where lakhs of crores of public money was siphoned off quietly.

The former cop, who has also authored two books “Wise and Unwise” and “India: Glimpse of Reality”, said: “Corruption is a monster and all need to join hands to end it”.

RS Sangwan, chief patron of the college, said: “Corruption has spread its tentacles deep in society and it will need big efforts to root out this menace”.

Ravinder Puri and Rakesh Marya, associate professors in Government College, acted as judges. Tanya Mehta of the MM College of Education bagged the first prize in the declamation contest, while Shiv Kumar of MM PG College, Fatehabad, and Harleen Kaur of the JCD College of Education, Sirsa, bagged the second and third prizes, respectively. The team trophy went to the JCD College of Education, Sirsa.

SB Sharma, Principal of the National College of Education, VP Singhal, Kamlesh Saraf and Uttam Singh Grover, both members of the College Governing Body, were present on this occasion.

Prof Kavita Chaudhary from MM College of Education, Fatehabad, and Promilla Mehra, Shimpa Gera, Gopal Krishan and Saurabh Nagpal, all teachers of the host college, were also present on the occasion.

Jain saint for reservation on economic basis
Our Correspondent

Rewari, February 9
Jain saint Pulak Sagar Maharaj has expressed concern over the growing degeneration among youths, under the negative impact of western civilisation, in the country.

He stated this at a press conference here recently after the end of his far-ranging itinerary, comprising Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and several other states.

Asserting that while upright youths were the real strength of a nation, he asked how a retrogressive young generation could be expected to take the nation ahead on the path of virtue and righteousness. Specifically mentioning about the problems of man in the 21st century, he said while millions of people were toiling hard to fulfil their requirements pertaining to food, clothing and housing, he was firmly of the opinion that the young generation needed more of morality to make their existence on this planet more purposeful, peaceful and worthwhile.

Besides describing cow slaughter as something abominable in this country inhabited by a vast majority of cow worshippers, the saint wondered when butchery of cows could not be banned in India, how it could be prohibited in other countries. In response to a query by a journalist, the Jain saint said the existing reservation, which was based on caste, religion or language, should be replaced immediately with reservation on an economic basis in the interest of society and the nation.

Risking lives
Travelling on roofs of buses goes unchecked
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Jind, February 9
Even as the district police claims to have launched a drive regarding road safety, travelling on roofs of buses in the district has been going on unabated.

“Hundreds of students, mostly of schools, colleges and polytechnics, travel on roofs of buses without any fear,” said an employee of the Roadways Department.

He said though travelling on roofs of buses was prohibited and was risky to the lives of passengers, the practice had been going on unabated despite the so-called drive to enforce road safety rules by the Police Department.

He said this was perhaps due to the shortage of buses, huge rush of passengers and students boarding moving buses from the rear side when drivers fail to halt buses at a particular stop.

“Drivers don’t stop buses near educational institutions or where a majority of passengers are students due to the fact that they are pass holders,” said Deepak, a college student, here.

“The students are left with no option but to chase buses and get on to these and travel on roofs as drivers tend to avoid halting buses for them,” he said.

There had been several clashes and road blockades by students and youths in protest against the uncooperative attitude of the bus staff, but the authorities concerned had failed to address the grievance leading to the violation of traffic rules, said Anil Kumar, another student.

Blaming the Roadways Department for the inconvenience and the problem on this account, he said the government should run adequate buses on various routes and ensure halting of buses on every stand earmarked on the route before issuing passes to students.

“The students have to resort to such method and their life is at risk when drivers try to speed up or fail to stop buses to allow the young passengers to get down at a particular stop,” said an employee of the department concerned.

Take steps to ensure safety on roads: DC
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, February 9
Rakesh Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad, has directed the departments concerned to take immediate steps to ensure safety on roads and set March-end as the deadline to paint speed-breakers and markings of zebra-crossings on roads.

At a meeting with officials of the district here recently, he underlined the safety of schoolchildren. He asked the officials to ensure that school managements took effective steps in this regard.

He warned the school management of strict action if they failed to comply with rules, especially with regard to vehicles employed by them for transportation of students.

He directed the departments concerned to organise awareness camps in schools to sensitise students and their staff on road safety issues. He said the measures taken to ensure safety on roads would be reviewed periodically.

Legal awareness camps in Kaithal
Our Correspondent

Kaithal, February 9
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kaithal, is organising legal awareness camps in various villages of Kaithal district to create awareness among the rural people regarding various government schemes and how to get free legal aid under the Legal Services Authority Act from the DLSA.

District and Sessions Judge DS Sheoran, who is also the chairman of the DLSA, and Rajesh Garg, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-secretary, DLSA, flagged off the hi-tech legal awareness mobile van on February 2, which was equipped with LCD screen and audio visual system.

The District and Sessions Judge said trained advocates and paralegal volunteers were visiting various villages and addressing the people as per the schedule fixed by the DLSA.

The CJM said a front office had been opened in the Judicial Complex, Kaithal, where panel advocates gave free legal advice on helpline number 01746-235759 during the court hours.

Arvind Khurania, an advocate, said the legal aid team addressed the people in Jagdishpura village where rural women took a keen interest in the camp.

In Dumara village, the panel advocates found that the ratio of girls was less and women confined themselves to the four walls of their houses. After listening to the welfare schemes and their rights, the people were surprised to know that such facilities and schemes also existed.

In Dawal village, women said they had come out for the first time to listen to the programme as male members of the village do not like their presence in public.

Women sarpanches ‘not taken seriously by officials’
Tribune News Service

Fatehabad, February 9
Most women elected representatives of the panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) do not concur to the common perception that their husbands or other male members of their families act on their behalf when it comes to performing their statutory duties and exercising rights.

During a function organised under the “Panchayat Mahila Avam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan” here recently, a number of women representatives of the PRIs expressed their views before the authorities.

Ram Piari, sarpanch of Kalotha village, said they did not face interference from the male members of their families, but from government officials, who, she alleged, did not take them seriously.

“Drinking water, which we are getting in the village, is highly contaminated. The village school is up to class X only, forcing our girls to leave their studies midway. I have tried to convey our problems to the authorities several times, but none listens to us,” Ram Piari said.

Angoori, sarpanch of Jallopur village, alleged that the authorities discourage them when they tried to exercise their rights given under the laws. “I have made several attempts to improve the functioning of the anganwadi centre in my village, where children and women are not getting the benefits meant for them due to corruption, but my efforts have been thwarted every time by senior officers of the Integrated Child Development Scheme,” Angoori added.

Deputy Commissioner ML Kaushik said for making the country strong and prosperous, it was important that women came out of the four walls of their houses. He said educated women could ameliorate the condition of their family as well as society.

Ashok Kumar Garg, ADC, said given the opportunities, women had shown they could do everything that men can do.

City Magistrate Shalini Chetal said people should provide their daughters the opportunities to chase their dreams. She said women had shown that whenever they received support from their families, they had scaled new heights of success.

Parking Under Elevated Road
Panipat residents welcome decision
Manish Sirhindi
Tribune News Service

Panipat, February 9
With the authorities finally conceding to shift the parking along the NH-1 to under the elevated road, the residents of the industrial hub finally heaved a sigh of relief as the move eased out traffic congestion on city roads.

The parking of cars and other heavy vehicles along the NH-1 often led to traffic snarls in the city causing a lot inconvenience to commuters.

It had been a long-pending demand of the locals who had been demanding that the parking of vehicles be allowed under the elevated road so that the roads would be used for commuting and not just parking of cars, said Narinder Kumar, one of the shopkeepers who owns a shop along NH-1.

After the coming up of the elevated road, it was expected that this would reduce traffic problems in the city. But this did not happen as haphazard parking along the road and the presence of the bus stand within the city often led to traffic bottlenecks in the city.

It was only those commuting between Chandigarh and Delhi who were benefited by the elevated road, while the locals continued to face jams as usual, said Pradeep Yadav, a local resident.

However, the latest move as been welcomed by the locals who say that it will go a long way in reducing traffic-related hardships in the city.

Meanwhile, the locals are now demanding that the Panipat bus stand should also be shifted on either side of the elevated road so that the bus traffic could be diverted to the elevated road and the local could be saved from the unnecessary jams caused by the buses in the local markets.

Self-employment training centre for women started
Tribune News Service

Rewari, February 9
The Punjab National Bank has set up a Rural Self Employment Training Centre ( RSETC) here for the benefit of women trainees.

Over 25 women from rural areas of the district have been admitted to the first 21-day training course.

The newly-established RSETC was formally inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner CG Rajini Kaanthan.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC suggested to the officials concerned to provide industrial training along with sewing-cum-embroidery skills to the women trainees to enable them to gain financial self- sufficiency.

He also exhorted the women folk not to confine themselves to the four walls of their home and venture out to ensure extra income for the household.

He further said an increase in family incomes will not only strengthen the economy of households, but also bring more dignity and respect to housewives.

The PNB manager AK Mittal said that the women trainees would be imparted free training.

Movie This Week
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor in ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’

Directed by: Shakun Batra
UTV in association with Dharma Productions presents romantic comedy ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ in which new jodi of Bollywood Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor will act together for the first time.

‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ is a romantic movie but more than that, it is a coming-of-age film. There is a very strong emotional ground in the movie. This is the story of a guy who has never done anything by himself.

There is something about Kareena when viewers will watch her on screen, they can’t take their eyes off her.

Watch out for the chemistry between Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor in theatres from today at Fame Shalimar-Panchkula, Movie Time, Harsha (Karnal), Sun City-Hisar, Fun, Minerva (Ambala), Glitz-Kurukshetra, Bangar, Satyam (Rohtak) Dimple-Jagadhri, PVR MGF, PVR Ambience, PVR Sahara, DTCC, DTMM, DT Star Mall, SRS Omaxe, SRS Wedding, Big Cinemas Palam (Gurgaon) INOX, PVR Crown Plaza, SRS Sec 12, SRS Pristine, SRS Eldeco, Q Cinema, SRS Shubham, Parsavnath M Mall, Parsavnath C Mall (Faridabad). — Dharam Pal