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Mobile Media Festival draws to a close
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, March 15
On the concluding day of the 7th Mobile Media Festival organised by the department of mass communication and journalism, and Sikh Media Centre of Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, a seminar on the “Role of Mobile Technology in Media” was held. Besides editors from different newspapers, Navjeet Johal, head of department of journalism, Punjabi University, Patiala, also addressed the gathering.

Ramesh Vinayak, resident editor of Hindustan Times, while sharing views on new media technology, said that way the news is being written and disseminated has changed a lot these days. He cautioned that technology cannot be an alternative to creativity and there was an imperative need for sensitivity towards the community. He also said there was no alternative to hard work to be successful in the media.

Braj Mohan Singh, resident editor of Dainik Bhaskar, made a presentation on the rise of new media, giving a vivid account of the rise of internet in the nineties. Dr HPS Walia, director, IAS and Allied Services Coaching Centre, focused on the mainstream media and said that it has a certain limitation. uld find it very difficult to enter into the field of journalism. There is an imperative need to ave an eye for news.

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Slum-children win hearts with their performance
Show was held at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur College to showcase talent of underprivileged children
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, March 15
To showcase the talent of the under-privileged kids who have no access to school, a function was held at the Giani Ditt Singh Auditorium of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib, today. The event, named ‘Aashayen’, was organised by the ‘Prayas’ foundation of the college. Hundreds of students, particularly girl students, came in large numbers to cheer and boost the morale of the kids, who performed excellently.

It is worth mentioning here that the students of the Engineering College have taken up the responsibility of teaching the kids living in the slum areas of the historic town. This effort of the students holds even more significance in the times when the Right to Education Act has 
just been passed.

The performances included a group mime about the ill-effects of religious intolerance, dances on ‘Kolaveri Di’ and ‘Jai Ho’, and a choreographed show about female foeticide. A documentary prepared by the members of ‘Prayas’ was also screened on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Lakhwinder Singh, vice-principal of the college, said that no governmental efforts can succeed without contributions from the society in general and the youth in particular. Lauding the efforts of the students and the staff of the college in setting up the foundation for the social cause, he said that efforts like these were the real tribute to the great martyr Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.

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Newborn’s death
Civil Surgeon recommends suspension of doc
Surinder Bhardwaj

Fatehgarh Sahib, March 15
Dr Gurmail Singh Chahal, Civil Surgeon, has recommended suspension of Dr Rubby Chaudhry, as she was indicted by the committee formed to look into the allegations levelled by the parents of a newborn, who died on Monday due to negligence on the part of woman doctor.

The doctor is alleged to have got the baby delivered on mobile phone by giving instructions to nurses instead of personally attending to the patient, who got admitted to the hospital for delivery. The Civil Surgeon said the committee had submitted the report indicting the woman doctor and he had written to the Principal Secretary, Health, to suspend the doctor.

Earlier, Yashveer Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner, had recommended the doctor’s transfer and suspension. He said earlier, too, she was told to mend her ways as the District Health Committee had received complaints against her. Representatives of various social, religious and political organisations have demanded stern action against the doctor.

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ESIC Delhi blank RCF Kapurthala

Ambala, March 15
The final of All India SD Chaterjee Memorial Football Tournament will be played between ESIC Delhi and Punjab Police (Jalandhar) at Ambala Cantonment on Friday. In the first semifinal ESIC Delhi team defeated RCF Kapurthala by 3-0 goals today. In the second semifinal Punjab Police defeated Chaterjee Eleven Ambala by 2-1 goals.

As many as 12 football teams from various states have been taking part in this tournament. The tournament was launched on March 12. Former Minister Nirmal Singh will be the chief guest on the concluding function of the tournament on Friday. — TNS

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Road mishap claims
HC: Rooftop travel no disqualification
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that the insurance companies cannot steer clear of their liability to compensate passengers travelling on the rooftops of buses in case of an accident.

The significance of the judgment can be gauged from the fact that a Division Bench of the High Court has, through the ruling, put to rest the controversy on this aspect raised in as many as six appeals. The judgment is also significant as there were conflicting rulings on the issue.

Taking up the pleas by the Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd and other companies, the Bench of Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice AN Jindal asserted: "The order shall dispose of six appeals raising common question of law; as to whether the insurance company is liable to pay compensation in respect of injuries/death of the passengers travelling on the roof of the bus".

The Bench added the appeals have been placed before it "in view of conflict of two judgments of this Court reported as New India Assurance Co. Ltd. versus Samundri Roadways Co. Pvt. Ltd. and New India Assurance Co. Ltd. versus Punjab government".

During the course of hearing, a counsel for an insurance company placed reliance on the Single Bench judgment in the Samundri Roadways case to contend that the company "was not liable to pay compensation in respect of death and injury of the passengers on the rooftop".

After analysing the law laid down in several judgments, the Bench asserted: "We have no hesitation to hold that travelling on the rooftop of the bus does not absolve the insurance company of its liability".

Dismissing the appeals by the insurance companies, the Bench added: "The judgment of this court in Samundri Roadways Co. Pvt. case is contrary to number of judgments. Therefore, it does not lay down good law. We are of the opinion that the insurance company is liable to indemnify the insured to pay the compensation even in respect of the claims arising out of death or injury suffered by the passengers travelling on the rooftop".

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Teacher-recruitment scam
High Court reserves verdict, chides CBI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
The Central Bureau of Investigation today found itself at the receiving end, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court virtually admonishing it for not informing the Bench about the probe conducted in the teacher-recruitment scam.

The proceedings are significant as the scam allegedly involves the then Director, Public Instructions (DPI), Schools, Samwartak Singh.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, the Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Mahesh Grover questioned the premier investigation agency on the silence maintained by it.

The CBI has already conducted an investigation into the matter, but the conclusion reached by it has not been conveyed to the High Court.

While the Bench questioned the CBI on the delay, senior advocate-cum-amicus curiae RS Cheema demanded the registration of an FIR by the CBI

UT senior standing counsel Sanjay Kaushal requested the court not to hand over the investigation of the case to the CBI before submitting that a senior officer of the Chandigarh Police might be directed to further investigate the matter.

Samwartak Singh's counsel too opposed the demand of registration of case by the CBI. He argued there was not even an iota of truth in the allegations levelled against Samwartak Singh. The orders in the case now stand reserved.

The alleged scam had come to the fore in 2009. Demanding a CBI probe into the scam, a public interest litigation (PIL) was earlier filed by Karamjit Singh. His counsel Ranjivan Singh had earlier submitted Samwartak Singh was let off by the Chandigarh Police.

He had also claimed the scam to be of “huge magnitude”. Kaushal, on the other hand, has all along been claiming the petition is a

non-PIL; “lacks” public interest element. Karamjit Singh was an unsuccessful candidate and had earlier approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) with the same demand. But the petition was dismissed by the tribunal, Kaushal had told the court.

Explaining the phone calls between Samwartak Singh and the two accused presently facing trial, Kaushal had asserted that the DPI had told the police that he had received calls from the accused for some tourism activities.

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Thieves have a field day at Silvi Park
Cut aluminium doors of rooms; take away fans, switchboards, taps
Kulwinder Sangha
The open air theatre at the park a shambles
The open air theatre at the park a shambles.

Mohali, March 15
While many residents hanker for a vibrant cultural life in the town, the open-air theatre at Silvi Park here has been lying defunct, with thieves having a field day on the premises.

The open-air theatre, which cultural groups sidestep for Chandigarh facilities due to its poor upkeep and high rent charged by the municipal council, became the target of thieves the other night. In the absence of a watchman at the park, aluminium doors of rooms on the premises were cut to gain entry to steal fans, switchboards and water taps.

Local artistes lamented that when the council had not bothered to even protect the facility, why would it keep it in a proper shape. Besides, it has struck a note of discouragement by fixing a rent of Rs 5,000 per day which even financially better-off theatre groups can ill-afford. They say the council has also ignored the suggestion that the facility should be handed over to a theatre group.

General secretary of the Indian People’s Theatre Association, Punjab, Sanjivan Singh said the purpose for which the open-air theatre was constructed had been defeated as it lacked the required infrastructure. There were no light and sound systems and no seating arrangements for the audience. One had to arrange generator sets, chairs, etc for holding shows and this led to an increased financial burden on the organisers. It was much cheaper to hire places like Punjab Kala Bhavan and Tagore Theatre, both in Chandigarh, and Pracheen Kala Kendra in Mohali’s Sector 71.

Moreover, he said, the council, which was the caretaker of the open-air theatre, had failed to protect the premises from anti-social elements. The place was haunted by drug addicts.

JC Sabharwal, administrator of the civic body, said the case of theft at the open-air theatre was brought to his notice today. He had asked the officials concerned to get a case registered in this regard and also find out who was on duty at the time when the crime took place. “If no watchman had been deployed, then why so? The place cannot be kept unprotected,” he added.

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Thieves decamp with gold jewellery worth Rs 5 lakh
Tribune News Service

The ransacked house at Sarv Mangal Society in Zirakpur
The ransacked house at Sarv Mangal Society in Zirakpur. A Tribune photograph

Zirakpur, March 15
Thieves struck at a house in Sarv Mangal Society at Lohgarh village and decamped with Rs 70,000 in cash, foreign currency, gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 5 lakh, mobile sets and other valuables.

The police said owner of the house Ravinder Singh, along with his family, was away to Delhi. On return at around 6 pm today, they found the house ransacked.

The police added that the miscreants might have entered the house after removing the AC. On seeing the thieves, watchman of the area raised the alarm.

“They (the thieves) were four and were well dressed,” said an eyewitness adding that one of the miscreants sustained injuries while trying to flee.

SHO Tarlochan Singh said a police team had reached the spot. “We have also called a forensic team,” he added.

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Rajasthan, orissa in final
Final of Indian Audit and Accounts hockey today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
Teams of AG Rajasthan and AG Orrisa will face each other in the final of the Indian Audit and Accounts inter-zonal hockey tournament at hockey stadium of Sector 42, sports complex, tomorrow.

In the first semi-final match, local contenders AG Haryana went down against AG Rajasthan. The match was decided in the tie breaker after both the teams played a two-all draw in the stipulated time. The visiting side managed to defeat AG Haryana by 5-3. For Haryana, Sukmeet Singh and Gurmeet Singh scored the lead for the team but Rajasthan team came back in the match after Arvind Mathur and Ashiraj Singh scored one goal each before the final whistle.

Later in the tie-breaker, Des Raj, Naginder and Ugra Singh converted their strokes into goals for Rajasthan, while for Haryana, Daljinder Pal was the only scorer. In the second semi-final, AG Orrisa defeated Delhi Audit 1-0 in a close match. Adhay Samitra took the team to victory after scoring a goal in the 65th minute of the game.

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deodhar trophy
South meets Central in quarterfinal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
The cricket teams of south zone and central zone, led by international players Dinesh Karthik and Piyush Chawla respectively, will lock horns in the first quarter final match of Prof DB Deodhar inter-zonal cricket trophy tomorrow at the PCA cricket stadium, Mohali.

The match is scheduled to start at 9 am and many international stars including Abhimanyu Mithun, Abhinav Mukund , Pragyan Ojha(south zone) and Umesh Yadav, Mohd Kaif (central zone) will play for their teams.

“All the arrangements for smooth conduct of the match are already made and public can come to enjoy the match free of cost. Only one gate (gate no 9) will be open for the public,” said Sushil Kapoor, PCA spokesperson.

Teams

South Zone-Dinesh Karthik, Ashish Reddy, Srikanth Anirudha, Stuart Binny, Ganesh Satish, Shadab Jakati, Abhimanyu Mithun, Ronit More, Abhinav Mukund, Pragyan Ojha, Prasanth Parameshwaran, Rohan Prem, Dwarka Ravi Teja, Akshath Reddy.

Central Zone-Piyush Chawla, Naman Ojha, Ashish Yadav, Udit Birla, Robin Bisht, Shailender Gehlot, Mohd. Kaif, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashok Maneria, Rameez Khan, Jalaj Saxena, Shivakant Shukla, TP Sudhindra, Umesh Yadav. 

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Ludhiana girls thrash Sec-20 college
Three matches played on opening day of PU inter-college kho-kho tournament
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
The Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Ludhiana, defeated the local team from the Government College of Education, Sector 20, by one inning and 8 points, in the first match of Panjab University inter-college kho-kho championship for women (C- Division) for B Ed colleges held at the university, here today.

In the second match, the team of GHGH College of Education for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, thrashed Dasmesh Girls College of Education, Badal, by one inning and 11 points. In the last match of the day, Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Ludhiana, overcame Doraha College of Education, Doraha, by one point.

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Devender Ahlawat wins 5000m race
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
Athlete Devender Ahlawat won the top honours in the 5000m race in the ongoing 65th annual athletics meet of PEC University of Technology held here today.

Ajay Singhand and Sahil Gohan attained the second and third place in the event. In the shot put event of the competition, Gurpreet Singh of mechanical department attainst the first position while Parveen and Ripudaman Singh finished second and third.

Results: Cycling: 4800m - Saurabh, Devender Ahlawat, Vinod Negi; 1000m - Saurabh, Devender Ahlawat, Ankit Gupta

Broad Jump: Shivam Gaur, Deepak Kumar, Prabhjot Singh, Swati

Shot Put: Sanjana Jain, Harshita, High Jump;Shivam Gaur, Sahil

Discus Throw: Vandana, Harshita, Swati

High Jump (girls): Harshita, Sanjana Jain, Nidhi

Discus Throw: Parveen, Karandeep Singh.

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PU inter-college basketball tournament kicks off
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
Cagers of Government College of Education, Chandigarh, defeated GHGH College of Education, Sidhwan Khurd, in the first match of Panjab University inter-college basketball championship for Women (C- Division) for B Ed colleges being held at Panjab University grounds, here today.

In the closely contested match, the winning side managed to overcome the rivals by a margin of 18-14. Rajni grabbed 14 points for the local team while for the visiting side Manpreet gathered 10 points.

In their second match of the day, the team of Government College of Education defeated Dasmesh Girls College of Education, Badal, by 13-0. Rajni again hogged the limelight by scorig 7 points while Manpreet managed to reduce the margin after gathering 3 points.

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U-13 cricket tourney to begin on March 20
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
The DP Azad cricket academy will organise the 3rd junior cricket championship cricket tournament for boys (U-13) from March 20.

A total of 8 teams will be allowed to participate in the competition. All the matches will be of 30 overs.

The players born after January 1, 1999, are eligible to play in the tournament.

The interested school and academies can confirm their entry before March 19 with the organisers (9780614775).

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Lawn tennis tournament from March 21

Chandigarh, March 15
The Chandigarh Club and Chandigarh Club Tennis Academy will organise the first Chandigarh Club open lawn tennis tournament from March 21-26. The tournament will be held at the Chandigarh Club for boys and girls (U- 12, 14 and 16) categories.

Interested players can confirm their entry on or before March 20. — TNS

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