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5-yr-old drowns in tub
Chandigarh, September 1 Dev’s parents were not at home when the incident took place. He was with his maternal grandparents. His father sells newspapers in Manali while his mother sells mobile covers in Delhi. “The child felt thirsty in the morning when his grandparents were asleep. He got up saying that he is going to drink water. After sometime, Dev’s grandmother got up and could not find him,” said station house officer of the Mani Majra police station inspector Yashpal. “Dev’s grandmother looked for him in the bathroom and was shocked to see him in the tub filled with water. When he did not find water in the kitchen, he might have gone to the bathroom. He lost balance while trying to fill a glass of water from the tub and drowned,” said deceased’s relative Sabu. The body was handed over to the family after postmortem. It is not the first time that such an incident has taken place. On March 14, a two-and-a-half-year old boy drowned in a bucket after he lost his balance as he was trying to take out a biscuit that had fallen in it. The deceased, Rohit, was a resident of Sector 14, Panchkula.
Birthday celebrations turn sour
It was Dev's birthday today and his family was preparing for the celebrations when the cruel hands of death snatched him in a tragic incident. Dev was the only son of his parents. The family was unaware that the occasion for which invitation cards had been distributed would change suddenly. The maternal grandparents of Dev have a sense of repentance feeling that the mishap took place because of them. "It was his birthday today and we had planned a grand party in the evening. Invitation cards had also been distributed and now see everyone has come, but we did not know that this would be the occasion," said inconsolable Raju Rani, deceased's mother.
She added: "His father and I both wanted to give a surprise to Dev and had bought toys as present on his birthday. His father was specially coming from Manali." Raju Rani has an elder daughter and Dev was their only son. Dev's father planned to come directly in the evening to the party to give a welcome surprise to the child. "The maternal-grandparents of Dev are in a state of shock. They have a feeling of regret as Dev was their responsibility," said Dev's relative Sabu. Dev had just joined UKG in a local government school.
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Astrology vs medical science at PGI
Chandigarh, September 1 In his 20-minute lecture in the jam-packed auditorium, Khurrana made several attempts to justify a correlation between astrology and medical science, stating that astrology can support medical science in curing ailments. However, many PGI doctors countered his statements citing "uncertainty" in astrology. So much so that Khurrana preferred to walk away silently following a series of counter arguments and questions being raised specifically by senior faculty members. While the anchor quickly closed the question-answer round, other senior faculty members stopped Khurrana near the exit and urged him to take the memento. During the lecture, Khurrana said: "It is certain that astrology cannot supersede medical science in curing disorders, but astrology can always enhance healing by providing a suitable direction to the patient." "A proper analysis of an individual's horoscope can help him identify the position of his stars. If an individual then thinks and acts according to the astrologer's advice, he can improve his situation, "Khurrana added. He said astrology could be effective in re-assuring if it is used constructively, but one should not follow an astrologer blindly. Head of the Neurology Department Dr S Prabhakar countered Khurrana's statement by asking that whether astrology could clearly determine the ailment by looking at an individual's horoscope. While Khurrana tried to justify his previous statements, he ended up admitting that there cannot be such a certainly in the predictions of an astrologer. "We had recently conducted a study wherein we had given the horoscopes of 30 persons, including 15 patients of a common ailment and other 15 with no major ailments, to astrologers. We found that they could not identify the ailments correctly among the individuals," said Dr Prabhakar. Further, on Khurrana's reference on astrology's strength in determining the career of an individual, another faculty member from the PGI pointed out if he could identify the profession on an individual by simply reading his horoscope. While similar counter arguments went on and on from the audience, Khurrana silently got up and walked away and the PGI Director, YK Chawla, followed and stopped him near the gate. During the lecture, Khurrana said that 'rahu-ketu' were shadow planets and were responsible for creating false apprehensions like phobia, evil-spirit and black magic. He insisted that the practice about "witchcraft" and "black magic" should not be given an undue attention rather it can be mitigated by simple prayers and by way of psycho therapy. He asserted that film personalities like Amitabh Bachchan, Ekta Kapoor, Karan Johar, Rakesh Roshan and Ajay Devgan have been influenced by astrology.
Devine science "Astrology is a divine science which has a strong connection with God, truthfulness and karma. Jesus Christ was crucified because of truthfulness. Since times immemorial, there is always a ratio of 70 and 30 in believers and non-believers. So, non-believers and rationalists always come with some debate and that is what happened today," said Khurrana.
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Guardian turns exploiter
Chandigarh, September 1 The police said, the victim (18), a native of Meerut town in Uttar Pradesh, is an orphan and has been putting up with her guardian Ruksana
in a rented accommodation at Sector 32. In her statement to the police, the victim said that two men had been raping her for the past few
days with the help of Ruksana, who is also a native of Meerut. Sub-inspector Sarabjit Kaur, investigation officer of the case, stated that parents of the victim had died long ago. Since then the girl was living with Ruksana, a family friend. They shifted their base from Meerut to Chandigarh a few months ago and started living in Sector 32. Ruksana knew the accused, Partap, and his son Vicky, both residents of Sector 44. She allegedly took the victim to the accused’s house where the father-son duo raped her. The orphan girl managed to flee from their house and approached the police. The police has arrested Ruksana and Partap while they are looking for Vicky. They have also been booked under Sections 376 and criminal conspiracy (Section 120-B) at the Sector 34 police station.
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Student ends life
Chandigarh, September 1 Sector 17 SHO Ram Gopal said the deceased, identified as Shalini (19), had taken admission to BCA discipline
in 2011, but she changed the stream and sought admission to bachelor of arts this year. No suicide note was recovered from the site, added the SHO. Only the victim's grandmother was at home at the time of the incident. Her mother Vidya Devi, who is a housewife, had gone to the market. Shalini's brother Dheeraj was the first to spot the body. He informed the police about the incident. The body has been sent to Government Multi Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, for an autopsy. Shalini's father passed away two years ago. A case has been registered and an inquiry is on into the matter.
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Public money goes waste
Chandigarh, September 1 The issue came to light when the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) raised an objection and highlighted the issue that dates back to 2006-2007. The matter was pointed out by the CAG in its 2011-12 report highlighting the failure of the DEO, posted during 2006-2007, in placing the "right" purchase order of free uniforms, to be given to students of non-model schools. However, as per the report, the uniforms were then
distributed twice/thrice among the eligible and ineligible students, thus flouting the norms set by the UT Administration. The CAG report also mentioned that the matter was reported to the Education Secretary in November, 2008, and November, 2009, and Home Secretary, Government of India, in January, 2010, but the reply was still awaited. It is learnt that the UT education department has chose to remain mum over the issue as it has not taken any action in this regard so far. What went wrong? As per a scheme launched by the UT Administration during 2006-2007, all students studying in government schools (non-model schools) from classes I to VIII were to be given free uniforms. The requirement of uniform cloth and jersey for the eligible 45,730 students was worked out to be 1,26,508 m and 45,730 jerseys for the year 2006-2007. But as per the order issued in December, 2006, 3,14,816-m cloth and 52,942 jerseys were purchased. About 1,88,308 m of cloth and 7,212 jerseys cost Rs 90.71 lakh. About 7,212 students belonging to Scheduled Castes were counted twice in the enrolment, causing a loss of Rs19.15 lakh to the state exchequer. For girl students of classes
I to VIII, the department purchased cloth for Rs 36.10 lakh while for boys' uniform (classes I and II), an amount of Rs 35.46 lakh was spent. The department cited miscalculation as the reason behind the bulk purchase. The report also stated that the cloth was received between January, 2007, and August, 2007. Uniforms were stitched and distributed during 2007-2008, due to which students did not get uniforms during 2006-2007. Another glitch The report also objected to a significant glitch, which further made the case worse. In February, 2008, the education department changed the colour of uniforms for 2008-2009 and decided to purchase stitched uniforms. However, the said decision was taken without taking into account the pending stock. Accordingly, the DEO in February, 2008, asked a Mumbai-based firm to
purchase stitched uniforms for 2008-2009, which were received and distributed among the students of classes I to VIII in
non-model schools during 2008-2009. Simultaneously, the department also distributed the old uniforms among the same students, (twice/thrice as reported by the CAG) and also among students of ineligible schools. The whole process, as the report stated, indicated a total disregard of the
cannons of financial propriety with regard to spending of public money. This led to an avoidable expenditure of Rs 90.71 lakh.
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1,900 denied right to vote
Records of the UT Administration show that in 2007, the administration transferred five villages to the MC, but in 2009, the UT Administration de-notified the transfer of revenue land to the MC under the Punjab New Capital Periphery Control Act 1952. Due to which the residents outside the “Lal Dora” again came under the preview of the administration. Interestingly, the authorities have adopted double standards in transfer of villages to the MC. In 1998, four villages, including Bhadheri, Butrela, Attawa, Burial along with Mani Majra were transferred to the MC with the revenue land. Whereas, the revenue land of five villages, including Maloya, Palsora, Khajeri, Dadu Majra and Hallo Majra, which were transferred in 2007, have not been handed over to the MC by the UT Administration. As per norms, those residents who reside in villages under the UT Administration vote in the panchyat elections and those residing in the MC villages vote in the MC elections. The irony is that after the area was transferred to the MC, the panchayat was dissolved and the area was handed over to the civic body. But as many as 1,900 residents who are residing outside the “Lal Dora” are not under the preview of the MC nor the panchyat, which does not exist in the area, so they have no voting right in the city. A senior UT official oncondition of anonymity stated that technically these residents were not eligible to vote in the MC elections, as they were residing outside the “Lal Dora” land of the villages. The official said that until unless the UT Administration de-notified the 2009 notification, the residents living outside the “Lal Dora” would not be able to vote. Mamchand Rana, former sarpanch of Maloya, said that the voters who were residing outside the “Lal Dora” were uncertain about their voting rights in the coming by-elections, and they would approach the administration to clear the status of their right to vote. He said that it was strange that the administration was not taking any step to de-notify the last notification of 2009, due to which the residents were facing the problem during elections.
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Cancellation of day market project Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 1 They alleged that the Congress had politicised the issue by raising invalid objections. They alleged that it was strange that the Congress did not even bother to check whether the authorities wanted to allot the sheds or rent those out. In the last General House, the day market project was cancelled on a plea that no parking space was available near the market which could create a parking problem. The Congress councillors stated that when the booth allotment was with the Estate Office, how could the corporation construct booths in Mauli Jagran without having any allotment policy in place.
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Probe panel to meet on Sept 10
Chandigarh, September 1 The fact that the members have met only once since the external committee was constituted on July 26 reflects the lackadaisical approach of the committee towards the inquiry. In the last two meetings of the committee, including one scheduled for today, nobody other than the committee chairman turned up. Anupama, a student of Government Model School Sector 18, died on July 25, after she was brought to the PGI on July 17 when her leg was crushed under the rear tyre of a Chandigarh Transport Undertaking bus on her way back
to school. Her parents had, on August 14, moved the UT Consumer Court alleging negligence on the part of the PGI in administering timely treatment to
Anupama. Her parents also moved court against the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking. The court has sought the replies of both the authorities by October 1.
Lackadaisical approach of the committee
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Rs 47,800 withdrawn from Mohali resident’s account
Mohali, September 1 The victim alleged that the he came to know about the fraud last month when he went to withdraw Rs 2,000 from his account in the State Bank of India here. “When I inquired from the bank, I came to know that someone in Jammu had withdrawn Rs 47,800 from my account”, said Avtar Singh.
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Pregnant woman brought to PGI over a month ago
Chandigarh, September 1 While the PGI staff claim that she was referred from a hospital in Kurukshetra, police officials at the PGI police post said they were unaware of the fact. “She speaks a different language and cannot not even follow what we speak. In order to understand her language, we had to call a rickshaw-puller today. He was able to understand her language partially. She belongs to Luncknow and her name is Rama Rani. Her husband’s name is Devraj,” said a PGI official. In charge of the PGI police post, Sub-Inspector Eram Rizvi, meanwhile, said the private hospital in Kurukshetra from where she was reportedly sent here did not have any patient entry in her name. “She appears to be suffering from memory loss, as well. Since she does not remember how she was brought here from Lucknow, we have been waiting for her to improve a little so that she can tell us something about herself. Then only, we will be able to initiate an inquiry,” said sub-inspector Rizvi. “Until she is able to speak, we cannot even determine whether she is genuinely pregnant or has been a victim,” she added. The PGI officials have contacted the Mother Teresa home for sending her there. "She has been offered necessary treatment by the PGI doctors, but she needs counselling," said an official from the PGI.
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Not even a single meeting held to save city's landmark
Chandigarh, September 1 Following the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the UT Administration had constituted the committee last year. The objective behind forming the committee was to include experts and senior officials of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana governments and thereafter discuss and implement various methods and techniques to save the Sukhna Lake. Initially, UT’s Chief Conservator of Forests Santosh Kumar was appointed as chairman of the committee. But in June this year, he had stepped down from the post of chairman. The reason behind this was that members were not taking the committee’s decisions seriously and not participating actively in discussions during meetings. Santosh Kumar had suggested that a senior officer of a secretary rank should be made chairman of the committee for its smooth functioning. He had stated that he would continue to be a part of the committee as member and would lend his full cooperation to the save Sukhna campaign. Thereafter, the UT Administration had given the charge to convene meetings in future to UT Finance Secretary VK Singh. When contacted, UT Finance Secretary VK Sing said the Administration would soon fix a date for committee’s meeting. Sources revealed that as the recent rainfall had filled the Sukhna Lake, the UT officials had stopped taking the matter seriously, and when the lake would again start drying later this year, the officials would again started discussing various proposal and techniques. The committee had proposed several techniques, but all proposals were later rejected one after the other. Proposals to save sukhna lake, present status
Who are members of the committee The panel includes UT Finance Secretary VK Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests Santosh Kumar, Chief Engineer SK Chadha, National Institute of Hydrology (Roorkee) scientist SD Khobragade, Panjab University professor MS Johal, CITCO general manager AK Malhotra, UT Administration's public health department superintending engineer SC Sharma, municipal corporation official RC Diwan, UT Administration's senior standing counsel Sanjay Kaushal, amicus curiae Tanu Bedi, senior advocate Rajiv Atmaram and representatives of the forest and town planning departments of Punjab and Haryana.
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STUDENT COUNCIL POLL
Chandigarh, September 1 The incident took place in the afternoon when PUSU members were campaigning on the college campus. PUSU president Dharminder Singh Brar alleged that he and the other members were campaigning outside the academic block when over twenty youths attacked them with sharp-edged weapons in presence of the police. The sudden attack led to panic on the campus with the college students running for shelter to the classrooms, he said. PUSU members Manpreet and Subpreet Soni were injured in the attack. While Manpreet Singh received stitches on his head after being attacked with a sharp-edged weapon, Subpreet Soni was hit with a rod near his stomach. Although the police force present on the campus charged towards the HSA members, most of the assailants managed to escape from the spot after scaling the boundary walls of the college. The police, however, managed to arrest three accused. Two of the assailants, identified as Narinder and Mukesh Goyel, were arrested on the college premises. The third arrested assailant, identified as Ashok, was chased by PUSU supporters. The police caught up with him after he collided with a motorcycle on the Madhya Marg near the DAV College, Sector 10. The motorcycle rider, identified as Rajiv, was seriously injured in the accident. A case of attempt to murder and various other sections of the IPC has been registered against Ajit Singh, Sanjeet Mann and other assailants in Sector-11 police station on the complaint of Manpreet. Security in the college and hostels were beefed-up following the incident.
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Swanky cars make rounds of campus
Chandigarh, September 1 Range Rover, BMW, Audi and Mercedes are some of the high-profile cars that have been making rounds of the campus ahead of the Panjab University Campus Students' Council
(PUCSC) elections. PU student leaders say the supporters are especially asked to bring their luxury vehicles to the campus during the election campaigning to put an impression on students. Driving his Range Rover to the university every day, Satinder Singh says it's the easiest way to get noticed. “Although there are all kinds of vehicles on the road; however, there are a very few that catch your attention. Moreover, who doesn’t want to stand out,” he says. Students' Organisation of Panjab University
(SOPU) chief Brinder Dhillon, believes that the high-end cars not only attract attention but also increase the party’s popularity. “We count this as one of the gimmicks to attract students in a bid to ensure win in the elections,” says
Dhillon. Student leaders say that luxury cars that are lesser seen on roads create a lot of hype and become the talk of the town during the election period. Owner of a BMW seven-series car Satwant Singh, a student of sociology who is also supporting a student
organisation, says, “It’s all about passion for cars; moreover, driving a BMW itself attracts people,” Singh says. Students feel the campus politics, apart from promises made by the student parties, is more about
a show of muscle and money power.
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Departments with maximum student strength to reign supreme
Chandigarh, September 1 The parties were making all possible efforts to garner support from these departments. While the UIET has strength of around 2,400 students, both UILS and the chemical engineering department have nearly 600 students. Dental sciences institute also has a considerable voter base with 500 students, and the University Institute of Applied Management and Sciences (UIAMS) has around 350 students. In addition to these, the LLB students with a strength of around 900 will also play a major role in deciding the winners. Student leaders claimed that the interest had shifted from the Arts block to these departments, and more time was being devoted to these departments during the campaigning. The UIET has emerged as the key department from where the student parties field their presidential candidates. In the last four years, two presidents have been elected from the UIET department: Sahil Nanda in 2008 and Gurindervir Singh Aulakh in 2010. One of the student leaders said that every party stressed upon giving at least the seat of secretary to a UIET student to ensure support from the department. The UIET has also emerged as the most violence-prone department on the PU campus with frequent clashes reported between SOPU and PUSU members in the last few days. In the last one week, the student organisations had also organised parties in discotheques for the students of these departments to ensure their support. Before the polls, all the student leaders were also planning to address the students from these departments who were residing in hostels to garner their votes.
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National leaders come
to rescue of youth wings
Chandigarh, September 1 The situation, however, seems to change soon, with senior national leaders coming to the rescue of the youth wings. The NSUI leaders met local Member of Parliament Pawan Kumar Bansal for guidance at Congress Bhawan, Sector 35, today. NSUI leader at PU Sandeep Boora said in their meeting with the veteran politician, they discussed their planned strategy for the forthcoming student elections. “We told him about the NSUI contesting the elections independently to make its existence felt,” Boora said. Students said Bansal asked them to strictly follow the party’s ideology and ensure that no violence took place during the elections. The situation is similar with the ABVP that is making every move in the PU elections in consultation with Srinivas, the north zone organising secretary of the ABVP and former national secretary. ABVP leader Dinesh Chauhan said they had been taking the guidance of their senior party leaders to ensure a victory in the student elections.
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ABVP promises violence-free campus
Chandigarh, September 1 The other promises included sports and extra-curricular activities in PU, setting-up of new boys’ and girls’ hostels, a study room in each girls’ hostel, organisation of job fairs, fully-furnished classrooms and beautification of the campus. Rashmi Sharma, a PU student, said the agendas released till date by the parties were more or less similar and were repeated every year. Raman Singh, another PU student, said the student organisations needed to come-up with fresh ideas. ABVP leader Dinesh Chauhan, defending the manifesto, said their party did not get a chance to lead the student council, and the parties winning the elections had failed to fulfil the promises. Due to this, the promises had remained the same in all these years, he said.
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Chandigarh, September 1