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Eve-teasers beware!
Policewomen in civvies are watching you 
Amit Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
Eve-teasers targeting girls and women travelling in local buses are in for trouble. The Chandigarh Police is deploying special women police teams in buses to nab the eve-teasers.

The policewomen in civvies will now be taking rounds of bus stops near colleges and local markets to teach a lesson to eve-teasers.

Out of various steps initiated by the police, including installing compliant boxes outside colleges, the Chandigarh Police is preparing a team of women constables who would check such incidents in buses.

UT SSP Naunihal Singh said women police would be divided in groups and asked to travel in CTU buses along with the girls. "The cops would board the buses from outside the girls colleges and catch the eve-teasers in the bus itself," the SSP said.

The reason behind sending policewomen in groups is that together they can easily nab the eve-teasers before a police party reaches the spot.

The SSP said: "Knowing that policewomen are travelling in the bus, girl students won't hesitate in informing them about the eve-teasers."

During an interaction with college students, the police came to know that a number of eve-teasing incidents are reported in local buses.

Special police teams would also be deployed in markets in civvies to nab the eve-teasers. The SSP said the girls were also advised to click pictures or make a video of eve-teasers from their mobile phones. This, he said, would come handy for the police to nab the accused even if they manage to flee from the spot.

Four more youths arrested 

The awareness on eve-teasing has helped the Chandigarh Police arrest four more youths. Besides, three more complaints of eve-teasing have been registered. The police on Saturday arrested four youths from outside Khalsa College in Sector 26 for eve-teasing. Sector 26 SHO Anokh Singh said a Scorpio SUV belonging to one of the youths was also impounded. The four have been identified as Ramandeep Singh, Jot Singh, Harbhushan and Baldev Singh. They were nabbed during a naka near the college. In another incident, a local resident complained that three youths passed remarks at one of her relatives near Sector 41 on Friday. A case was registered and an inquiry has been initiated. Similarly, a complaint against occupants of a car, bearing registration number of Chandigarh, was lodged with the police. The youths had fled after teasing girls near Kiran lights in Sector 22. A case has been registered. The campaign launched by the Chandigarh Police against eve-teasers has gained momentum. The officials said they were receiving more complaints at the control room. 

PGI OPDs to remain closed on Oct 2

All out patient departments (OPDs) in the PGI will remain closed on October 2 on account of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. Emergency services, however, will function as usual. 

To err is officials, to forgive MC

Councillors, who are loud and vocal on the floor of the House while seeking action against officials found guilty during departmental inquiries, are reluctant to pursue the cases later on, if the incidents in past are to be believed. Six months ago, the MC vigilance officer tabled a report on tainted companies and officials who were involved in constructing an illegal road cut and laying of fibre cables in Sectors 33 and 34 in May, last year. The house had asked the MC Commissioner to issue a warning to the officials and not to take any action against them. 

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Broken heart can kill you 
Arun Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
Bollywood couples have long been talked about for their on-screen dalliance and numerous broken heart stories. Yet, reel life heart breaks can be as disastrously real.

Here’s something from the doctors: The emotional stress of being dumped by a partner can stop your heartbeat, warn cardiologists. At least two such cases have been reported at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, in the past one year. This condition is known as broken heart syndrome (BHS), say doctors. “The condition generally arises when someone loses a person close to his or her heart, said Dr HK Bali, director (cardiology) Fortis Hosptial, Mohali. The loss can be due to sudden death of a loved one, divorce, separation or even desertion by a lover.

The heart of a patient fails to take the stress of emotional loss. This may lead to a situation where the heart muscle stops working, he said. The patient is revived soon with supportive medical treatment, added Dr Bali. The condition described in Japan for the first time is also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy named after Japanese octopus traps.

The two patients reported at Fortis were provided with supportive treatment at the emergency ward and the cardiac care unit before they recuperated. The symptoms of the situation remain the same as in a common heart attack. All diagnosis reports, including the ECG and (ECHO, shows the same results as of a patient suffering from heart failure, said the cardiologist. The retrospective diagnosis of patients revealed that it was broken heart syndrome, he said.

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8-yr-old nabbed for stealing laptop from car 
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
An eight-year old boy was caught stealing a laptop from a car after a chase by the owner of vehicle near the Shastri Nagar lights today.

Complainant Jai Gopal Bhasin, a resident of Sector 28, who runs his catering business, had parked his car near the Shastri Nagar lights when the boy smashed the window of his car and ran towards a nearby jungle.

Bhasin, who was standing just 50 meters away from the car, came to know about the incident when he reached near his vehicle.

A boy standing near the car told Bhasin about a boy smashing the windowpane who ran towards the jungle. "I started chasing the juvenile. After going deep into the jungle, I saw him running with a soiled bag in which he was hiding the laptop," Bhasin said. After a chase of about 10 minutes, I caught him and informed the police. "It was after around 20 minutes that a PCR vehicle came and took the juvenile to the Mani Majra police station," said Bhasin.

SHO, Mani Majra, Yashpal Vinayak said the boy was produced in a court and was later sent to the juvenile home.

The police said the juvenile caught smashing the windowpane of the car without even making a noise indicates towards an organised gang operating in the city. 

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To err is officials, to forgive MC 
Aarti Kapur
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
Councillors, who are loud and vocal on the floor of the house, while seeking action against officials found guilty during departmental inquiries, are reluctant to pursue the cases later on, if the incidents in past are to be believed.

Six months ago, the corporation’s vigilance officer tabled a report on tainted companies and officials who were involved in the construction of an illegal road cut and laying of fibre cables in Sectors 33 and 34 in May, last year. The house had asked the MC Commissioner to issue a warning to the officials and not to take any action against them. The house had also suggested that no action should be taken against the companies as they had already been penalised.

While in the report, the vigilance officer had recommended that both the companies Digi Cables Network and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd should be blacklisted. It was also suggested that the matter should also be taken up with the department of telecommunication, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India.

As per the report, departmental disciplinary proceedings had been suggested against road department Xen Vishal Gupta, SDE Ajay Garg and JE Ankur Bansal. Even the repatriation of XEN Vishal Gupta and withdrawal of all corporation works from him had also been recommended.

In May, the issue of favouritism in the allotment of laying pipeline from the water works, Sector 39, to Chandimandir cantonment was raised by BJP councillor Saurab Joshi, who had demanded an inquiry into the matter.

In a meeting of the special committee constituted by the Mayor, its chairman, Subhash Chawla submitted his resignation stating that the opposition councillors were challenging the credibility of the committee due to which it would not be possible for him to hold any further meetings.

So far nothing has been done to inquire the matter.

In the past five years, a number of committees were constituted and inquires marked into the allotment and infrastructure of the garbage processing plant.

A special meeting was also convened to discuss the issue, but the house failed to do so.

Last year, the councillors had demanded a CBI inquiry against the officials for omitting the clause of the construction of houses for economically weaker sections (EWS) in the high-end Uppal Housing project in Mani Majra. Later, various councillors themselves shielded the officials with a plea that it was under the preview of the estate office and no action should be taken against the officials of the corporation.

Six months ago, the corporation’s vigilance officer tabled a report on tainted companies and officials who were involved in the construction of an illegal road cut and laying of fibre cables in Sectors 33 and 34 in May, last year. The house had asked the MC Commissioner to issue a warning to the officials and not to take any action against them. The house had also stated that no action should be taken against the companies as they had already been penalised.

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Admn asks Commissioner to submit report on officials’ walkout
Aarti Kapur
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
A day after the MC officials staged a walkout from the General House demanding mass repatriation, the UT Administration today sought a report from the MC Commissioner in this regard.

UT Adviser to the Administrator KK Sharma said the MC officials had complained that the working environment was not conducive.

He added that he had asked the Commissioner to clarify the situation as to what had happened in the house and why the officials had taken such a step.

Even though no formal meeting was held today between the officials and councillors, sources said to break the deadlock, efforts were being put in through telephonic conversation. Sources said the officials said they would not tolerate any humiliation in the General House. While the ruling party councillors were left with no other option, but to wait for their party leader Union Minister and Member of Parliament Pawan Kumar Bansal to intervene in the matter and sort it out.

The sources said the Congress would hold a meeting to sort out the issue tomorrow. It is learnt that the MP always tells the officials and councillors to have cordial relations. Mayor Raj Bala Malik refused to file a complaint against the officials for their misconduct.

Eighteen officials of the municipal corporation, who are on deputation from Punjab and Haryana have communicated to the MC Commissioner for repatriation. They also stated that till their repatriation they should be treated on leave and so their leave be sanctioned.

This was decided by the officials in a meeting which took place after both the Additional Commissioners, Chief Engineer, Medical Officer (health), along with all XENs, walked out from the General House meeting objecting to the use of un-parliamentary language against them by the councillors. 

Environment not conducive

Eighteen officials of the municipal corporation, who are on deputation from Punjab and Haryana, have communicated to the MC Commissioner for repatriation. 

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Sukhna lake decked up for street fest
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
The road leading to the Sukhna Lake wore the look of a colourful street on the opening day of the two-day Chandigarh Street Art and Food Festival today. Being a weekend, residents came in huge numbers to enjoy the different colours of the festival at the lake.

The festival has been organised as a part of the Chandigarh Tourism Week along the lines of similar festivals held in the European cities.

The event is providing an amalgamation of different street arts, folk culture as well as street food to tempt the visitors.

The first day saw people from all over the region visiting and witnessing special performances by professional and amateur artists. Balloon artists were a hit with the children, while the youngsters were attracted by live western dance performances. There were also live puppet and magic shows to keep the people of all age groups hooked. While the Punjabi folk music turned out to be the best entertainer, performances on saxophone, flute and violin acted as a stress buster. Live sunset paintings also caught the fancy of both connoisseurs and hobbyists.

Students of local schools and colleges also showcased different art forms including painting, sketching, sculpture making, jewellery making, face painting, tattoo making, rangoli designing and clay art. Later, a live dance performance by local college girls enthralled the audience.

Food was as much a part of the festival as the different art forms. The visitors were treated to various street foods of which “Amritsari Kulcha” and Rajasthani food found the maximum fans. Foreigners were also seen enjoying the local street food at the food court of the lake’s cafeteria. “The food is a bit spicy and heavy, but it’s delicious,” said Steven Mathoes, a foreigner.

“It is good to see so many people enjoying the festival and giving us a chance to take their photographs. These memories will always remain with us,” he added.

If there was street food to tempt the visitors towards ‘unhealthy’ habits, a perfect showcase of rural sports spread fitness mantra at the venue.

No Security at entry points

The Chandigarh Police failed to make proper security arrangements at the entry points to the festival. No metal detector, dog squad or bomb-detection squad was found at the venue. The vehicles were allowed to park close to the venue without proper checking. A handful of police personnel were patrolling the area, who were more often seen enjoying the plays and the band performances than keeping a check on the visitors

Auto drivers overcharge

Grabbing the opportunity to earn some extra money, the auto-rickshaw drivers were seen charging excessive fairs. For covering a distance of around 3 km, they were seen asking for ~150 to ~200

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Dr Trehan for accessible, affordable healthcare 
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
Dr Naresh Trehan, renowned cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon and chairman-cum-managing director of Medanta-The Medicity, inaugurated region's first telemedicine consultation facility at Prime Diagnostic Centre in Chandigarh today on the eve of World Heart Day.

Trehan said it is a part of Medanta's commitment to provide easily accessible and affordable healthcare to the people.

The ‘MediConnect’ is a state-of-the-art telemedicine service centre equipped with the latest telemedicine software, medical equipment, high-res webcam and electronic probes for virtual examination of the patient by super-specialists at Medanta in Gurgaon.

The Medanta has selected Prime Diagnostic as a part of its strategic tie-up to extend the health consultation, tele-diagnosis and to provide experts' opinion to the patients in the region. The patients, through this centre, can forward their medical history to the specialists at Medanta and can book an appointment for a video-consultation with doctors to seek their opinion.

Telemedicine makes specialty care accessible to all, eliminating distance and cost barriers.

Trehan also said their future plan is to reach the interiors of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh over the next three years to bridge the urban-rural health divide. Late in the evening, Dr Trehan delivered a lecture at the auditorium of Government Medical College and Hosptial, Sector 32.

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Experts dwell on paediatric abdominal radiology
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Paediatric Radiology (ISPR) was inaugurated at the PGI by Prof IC Pathak, former director of the institute.

Prof Vinod Kumar, dean of IIT, Roorkee, was the guest of honour. Speaking on the occasion, Prof N Khandelwal, head of Radiodiagnosis department and chairperson of the conference, highlighted the role of 'Image Gently Campaign'. By virtue of this campaign, paediatric radiologists endeavour to ensure that specific ‘child size’ imaging protocols are used in order to circumvent the radiation risks to children.

During the course of the day, there were sessions on paediatric neuroradiology and paediatric abdominal radiology. Two orations were delivered, by Dr Sunil Puri, head of Radiology, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, and another by Dr Bhavin Jankharia from Mumbai. Dr Sunil Puri highlighted the importance of detecting the anatomical anomalies and variations of the biliary and pancreatic ducts early in order to expedite the treatment. He also stressed on the role of MRI in diagnosing these anomalies. Dr Bhavin spoke about the scope of paediatric radiology in India. He opined that sub-speciality practice was here to stay and there was increasing need for paediatric radiologists in both private and government hospitals.

Dr Shroff, form the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, spoke about the formation of the World Federation of Paediatric Imaging (WFPI) linking various regional paediatric radiological societies of the world. He suggested that the Indian Society of Pediatric Radiology should also join the WFPI in order to promote interactions and research activities amongst the paediatric radiologists.

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Women, children at risk, say docs

Chandigarh, September 29
"Women and children are becoming a victim of heart ailments," stated cardiologists at the PGI who had together to celebrate World Heart Day. The theme this year was "Women and Child Heart". A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr Yash Paul Sharma, head, department of cardiology, Advanced Cardiology Centre, PGIMER.

Faculty members exchanged their views on equitable and affordable healthcare system. They also launched a website pgicardioacc@googlegroups.com for sharing and enriching the knowledge of medical professionals and scientist.

Congenital heart and rheumatic heart diseases in children are more prevalent in developing countries as compared to developed countries and are affecting the young and tender hearts. A good nutritious diet along with a relaxed environment for pregnant women help prevent congenital heart disease. For children, nutritious diet, along with a good oro-dental hygiene and warm saline gargles, especially in winter season help prevent rheumatic fever, said Dr Yash Paul. — TNS

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SI sent to Police lines

Panchkula, September 29
A sub-inspector of the Panchkula police, stationed at Sector 14 police station, was sent to police lines for allegedly involving in an incident of eve-teasing and harassment of a lady constable, posted in the same police station, here today. It was after the lady constable complained to the DCP sub-inspector Lakshmi Chand was sent to lines.

“The lady constable complained to the DCP that Chand was repeatedly passing remarks and used to say bad words to her,” said a police official.

Another senior official said,” As Chand was over burdened with work, he may have been harsh with everyone, including her too. Therefore, she might have complained.”

Notably, the cases of eve-teasing are on rise in the city and in some cases police personnel were also involved. Recently, an eve- teaser had abducted and thrashed a 20-year-old girl in Sector 34 because she had lodged a complaint against him in July this year. ––TNS

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Cultural evening marks 44th Raising Day of SASE
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
Several events were organised to mark the 44th Raising Day of Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) today. A laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, SASE was established on October 1, 1969, to ensure safe mobility of troops in mountainous regions.

Extending his greetings to SASE staff on the occasion while addressing them at a special sammelan, Ashwagosha Ganju, Director, SASE, complimented the achievements of its personnel who had put in tireless efforts in the successful completion of projects under the Eleventh Plan. He also urged the scientists to meticulously execute the roadmap as drawn up under the Twelfth Plan. Outstanding contributors in different fields were also felicitated. Scientists and staff also presented a colourful cultural evening, Himanjali-2012. SASE is engaged in the studies of snow physics and avalanche forecast and control. 

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Fire breaks out at house in Panchkula
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 29
A fire broke out in a house at Sector 15 this morning.

Though no one was at home when the fire broke out, valuables worth lakhs were destroyed. Neighbours informed the police about the incident.

Ravinder Garg owns the house. It was learnt that the compressor of the refrigerator exploded which led to the fire.

A neighbour said, “Three LPG cylinders were kept inside the house. Had the flames spread, a major mishap could have taken place.” The owner of the house was also informed about the fire.

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International dance performances enthral students at MCMDAV-36
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
MCMDAV College, Sector 36, played host to different cultures from around the world, as foreign students studying in various city colleges presented dance performances as a part of International Youth Peace Festival celebrations on the campus today. The festival is being organised to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, who gave the message of universal brotherhood.

The event saw an overwhelming response from the college students who gathered in large numbers to enjoy the performances at the college audiotorium

The event also provided a platform to both the local and foreign students to exchange ideas and appreciate the cultural diversity.

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PU Senate elections
New faces expected to enter House
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
The counting process 
for the remaining 12 seats of the graduates constituency in the Panjab University Senate continued for the fourth day with the candidates and their supporters camping outside the Gymnasium Hall here today.

Many new faces from the graduates constituency are expected to become a part of the Senate through the present elections. Most of the sitting Senators, who were earlier expected to retain their seats, are struggling to get a place among the final 12 elected members.

A total of 15 seats are reserved for the graduates constituency in the Senate. While three winners have already been declared, the result for remaining seats is expected to be declared by the Sunday evening. By securing 4996 votes, Kumar became the only candidate, out of a total of 65, who managed to clear the quota of 3959 minimum votes yesterday. Other two winners declared yesterday included DP Randhawa and Sanjeev Arora.

Both Sandeep Kumar and Sanjeev Arora have been elected to the Senate for the first time.

Among the remaining contenders, seven candidates, including three from the DAV group, have already ensured their win by crossing the mark of 2,000 votes. Five candidates running for the remaining five seats are also in a position to win as long as the elimination of candidates in the later stages does not bring more candidates close to their count of votes.

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Cultural activities mark youth festival
Our Correspondent

Ambala, September 29
A three-day Zonal Youth Festival of Kurukshetra University concluded at DAV College, Ambala city, today.

Commissioner (Ambala range) RP Gupta and chancellor of MM University Tarsem Garg gave away the prizes to the winning teams.

RP Gupta, while addressing the participants, said such celebrations encourage students to take part in cultural activities. He said a number of competitions were held on the occasion and the students of various colleges took part in these activities. He was glad to see that most of the participants were girls. He also said the Haryanvi culture had left its impact on the festival. Tarsem Garg said universities should promote such festivals in colleges as these develop overall personality of students. 

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