The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Allegations against Rahul Gandhi false: Selja Suman Bhatnagar Ambala, October 22 Union Minister Kumari Selja has rubbished the charges made by the opposition parties on the senior leader of Congress, Rahul Gandhi. Talking to mediapersons here, she said the opposition leaders should think about the clean image of Rahul before making such false allegations. While refuting the charges the BJP made on the UPA government, she said corruption was rampant in the states governed by the BJP. Referring the charges levelled against Robert Vadra, she said the allegations were utterly false and entirely baseless. She said the BJP and a few other opposition parties were criticising the FDI in retail, which showed that they did not want the welfare of the farmers. She said now the BJP was opposing the FDI which they had supported while they were in power. She held the BJP responsible for not resolving the Lok Pal Bill issue as it did not allow session of the Lok Sabha to run even for a single day. The BJP will have to pay a heavy price for it in the next Lok Sabha elections, she added. Selja said the opposition parties had lost their goodwill with the common man and now they were levelling baseless allegations against the Congress to earn cheap popularity. The opposition parties did not have any constructive agenda with them; that is why they had been opposing every welfare move of the UPA Government. Earlier while inaugurating the newly constructed Ambedkar Bhawan in Shahpur village, she said the Congress had always worked for the welfare of Dalits, poor and common man and this was the reason that the people of the country had given their mandate for the second term in favour of the Congress. She said she had spent Rs 20.7 crore for the various development projects in the Ambala parliamentary constituency through the MPLAD Fund during the past few years. She asked the people to be aware of the wrong publicity being indulged in by the opposition leaders in Haryana who wanted to keep the state backward to protect their political interests.
	Conference on safety of workers Our Correspondent Rewari, October 22 Senior officials of the Labour Department of the National Capital Region (NCR) and major functionaries of the administrative wing of various industrial units of Rewari, Dharuhera and Bawal participated at a conference on ‘Safety of Workers and Execution of Building Plans of New Units’ here recently. It was held under the joint auspices of the Rewari Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Industrial Security and Health Services wing of the Labour Department. Naresh Narwal, Additional Labour Commissioner (ALC) of the NCR Labour Department, was the chief guest. Delivering his keynote address, Narwal emphasised the need of congenial relations between workers and the management. He said such rapport not only boosted the trust of the workers in the management but also had a positive impact on the production. Describing the workman staff as the backbone of the industry, he said while full-fledged security should be provided to them, provision of a window should imperatively be made in their work room for their safe exit in an emergency situation. Mentioning the prerequisite condition of submission of building plan along with the site pan of their new unit to the department office at Gurgaon, he directed the industries to follow the rules in this regard. Highlighting certain specific attributes of the new labour policy of the state, the ALC spoke about the measures being initiated by the state government to root out child labour. While Deputy Labour Commissioner JP Maan highlighted the procedural aspects pertaining to the acquisition of labour contract license, deputy director of the Health and Security Wing of the department AS Deshwal explained about the enforcement of rules for the well-being of workers in factories.
	Expert for sustainable farm production BS Malik Sonepat, October 22 A member of the National Farmers’ Commission, Dhyan Pal Singh, has appealed to the agriculture scientists to carry out research on conservation of natural resources to bring sustainability in agriculture production. Such researches should be in accordance with the socio-economic situations of the farmers, he said. Singh was addressing farmers after inaugurating a “Kharif Kisan Mela” at Mio-Majri village recently. The fair was jointly organised by the Haryana Government and the Central Soil Salinity Research Centre, Karnal. He said the model farming practices of the centre were praiseworthy as they were very beneficial for small and marginal farmers while keeping in view the decline in per capita land holdings and subsoil water level. The director of the centre, Dr Dinesh Kumar Sharma, explained about the activities of the centre and claimed they had made sincere efforts to harvest good crops after adopting new soil salinity research techniques and using low-quality water in irrigation of land. He also stressed on the need for direct sowing of paddy crop and adopting techniques requiring lesser quantity of water for maturity of crops. The head of Technology Valuation and Extension Department of the centre, Dr RS Tripathi, said about 45,000 hectares of salinity-affected soil was being reclaimed every year. Around 18 lakh hectare of such land had already been reclaimed so far in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, he added. “This process of reclaiming of salinity soil has given additional yearly production of 15 million ton of foodgrains and millions of farmers have benefited in the country so far,” he added. The occasion was marked by holding a farmers’ seminar in which the scientists solved the problems of the farmers and imparted information about crop diversification, multi-purpose farming, management of natural resources and techniques for water recharge and zero tillage. Besides, free of cost testing of soil and water, seeds of high-yielding varieties of wheat and mustard were sold to the farmers in the mela, which was attended by around 1,000 farmers of the area. An exhibition of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and agriculture implements was also put up by various governments, cooperative and private agencies on the occasion.
	Drug Menace Kurukshetra police to crack whip on dealers DR Vij Kurukshetra, October 22 To make the district drug free, the police has launched a campaign on war footing against those who are involved in the sale, purchase and consumption (SPC) of drugs. This was stated by the district police chief, Rakesh Kumar Arya, during an informal talk here recently. Arya said, “Our neighbour, Punjab, has already been affected severely by the drug menace as most of the rural people besides truck drivers have become addicted to poppy husk, opium, charas, ganja, smack, etc besides liquor. Now it is Haryana’s turn, where drugs and illicit liquor are often available at dhabas located along the national highways.” He said the supply line of drugs would have to be destroyed to achieve this goal. According to a survey conducted by the police, it has been noticed that a majority of the residents of Pehowa subdivision villages, adjoining the Punjab border, have been found involved in SPC of drugs, being poured in mainly from Rajasthan, UP and MP. By screening the previous records, the police is trying to identify those who are involved in this illegal trade in the district, Arya said. A list of such suspicious dhabas and hotels has been prepared where the drug trade is going on secretly. The dhaba and hotel owners have been asked to keep a watch on such drug smugglers and help the police in nabbing them. Various police raiding teams have been constituted to nab the culprits. The police is leaving no stone unturned in tracing such police personnel who are hand in glove with the peddlers, said Arya. All in charges of police stations and police posts have been directed to initiate stern action against drug traders. The in charges have also been asked to prepare a list of those who are repeatedly nabbed under the NDPS Act and the Excise Act, but have re-started their illegal business after release. He himself will tour the sensitive areas to eradicate this menace, he added. Besides, to keep a vigil on anti-social elements and eve-teasers, the police personnel have been deployed at public places in plain clothes, including near women’s educational institutions. Talking about achievements in this direction, Arya said the comparison of data indicated that anti-crime steps had resulted in a fall in crime this year in comparison to the corresponding period last year. As many as 52 cases were registered and 79 persons were arrested this year under the NDPS Act against 20 cases registered and 22 persons arrested last year.
	Rape ‘allegations’ lead family of eight to ruin Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Fatehabad, October 22 In the midst of incidents of sexual assault on women in the state, an incident where a married woman was allegedly raped by her husband and his brother remained away from media glare, though it has led the family of eight to ruins. The family comprised a mother, her two sons, the elder son’s wife and their four children. The incident has left the two brothers dead and their mother facing an allegation of connivance in rape. The woman, who was allegedly raped, is in jail with her four children virtually on the streets. On October 11, a married woman in her early thirties went to the police station at Bhuna in Fatehabad with a complaint that her husband and his brother had raped her the previous night in connivance with their mother. She alleged that her mother-in-law asked her to deliver a glass of water to Sunil, her husband’s brother, who was consuming liquor at that time. He caught her and raped her after overpowering her. She added that when she raised an alarm, her mother-in-law and husband came to the room, gagged her and thrashed her mercilessly. The woman added that later her husband also raped her and the three threatened her of dire consequences in case she reported the matter to anyone. The police was still thinking of how to deal with the case when the news came that the woman’s husband Anil, her brothr-in-law Sunil and their mother Krishna had jumped into a canal. While the mother was saved, the bodies of the two brothers were later fished out from the canal. A police officer confided that the woman had admitted that her sons had committed the ‘mistake’ in a drunken condition. Residents of Gorakhpur village, from where the suicide victims hailed, held protests and demanded arrest of the alleged rape victim and her relatives for abetment to suicide. The suicide victims did not, however, leave behind any suicide note. Buckling under pressure, the police arrested the rape victim as well as her brother. Though the police is yet to book Krishna Devi for conspiracy in the case of rape, she faces the allegations mentioned in the complaint of her daughter-in-law. Four children of the victim, aged between 5 and 10, have been left to fend for themselves with their father no more and mother behind the bars.
	LPG godown endangers villagers’ lives Hemant kumar Kalka, October 22 Setting aside norms, an LPG cylinders godown of Bharat Gas Agency, Kalka, is endangering the lives of the villagers. A visit revealed that the godown was set up on the link road of Kheranwali- Bargodam village of Kalka subdivision, which falls within the limits of the Periphery Act, under which any construction is strictly prohibited and considered illegal. Notably, a team of Town and Country Planning along with the local administration recently demolished the boundary wall of the godown. Eyewitnesses said the team also warned the godown authorities to either shift or demolish the godown within seven days, but nothing has happened so far. Experts said a gas godown should be constructed at least 30 to 40 metres from the road. As a safety measure, a boundary wall should be constructed to cover the godown. No electric connection or wire should be installed in the godown; otherwise the fear of an explosion remains, they added. Villagers, on condition of anonymity, said even after the demolition of the boundary wall, supply of the gas cylinders was being done from the godown, endangering lives. The main electric wire was on the main gate and the boundary wall of the godown. Subsequently, there was danger of an explosion in case of any sparking in the wires and by passing of vehicles, as traffic on the link road ran throughout the day, said the villagers. The villagers urged the local and district administration to intervene in the matter immediately, keeping their safety in view. Chirag Malhotra, sales manager, Bharat Gas, Lalru, said he was not aware of the matter. The District Town Planner could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
	Permission to 12 clinics to use ultrasound machines Ravi S Singh/TNS Faridabad, October 22 An advisory committee under the PNDT Act in Faridabad has renewed permissions to 12 clinical centres here to continue operation of ultrasound machines. The committee, headed by Faridabad civil surgeon Dr Arvind Lohan, has asked for the closure of a centre at Saras Hospital Green Field and withheld permission to a centre in Sector 15 till it furnishes relevant documents. According to the PNDT Act, it is mandatory for the centres operating ultrasound machines to periodically get their permissions renewed from the office of the district chief surgeon. However, the advisory committee has only recommendatory power on the issue, while the district civil surgeon has the authority to take a call on its recommendations. Speaking at a meeting of the committee, Lohan urged the members to step up vigil against violations of the Act, especially to check possible incidents of female foeticide.
	Welfare of employees Govt ‘fails’ to honour word given to municipal bodies Tribune News Service Faridabad, October 22 Stung by the government’s failure to fulfil its promises relating to welfare of employees of municipal bodies in the state, the Nagarpalika Karamachari Sangh, Haryana, had participated in a state-wide agitation of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh, which was launched from Faridabad, on October 14. Nagarpalika Karamchari Sangh’s state executive in its meeting here leaned in favour of the proposed agitation in order to strengthen the voice of employees across the state, and thus put pressure on the government. Giving details of the meeting, Naresh Shastri, state president, Nagarpalika Karamchari Sangh, said the first phase of the agitation included rallies by employees in all the four divisions of the state. The rally related to Gurgaon division would be held in its constituent district, Faridabad. Shastri said, “The municipal employees are compelled to express solidarity with Sarv Karamchari Sangh as the latter has also been betrayed by the government with regard to employees of the state.” Shastri, also the vice-president, Sarv Karamchari Sangh, said the Haryana Minister for Urban Local Bodies had agreed to some of its demands at a meeting with the office-bearers of the Nagarpalika Karamchaari Sangh, on May 23. They include rectifying pay anomalies with regard to group C and D employees and discarding the policy of making appointments of employees through contractors and privatisation of jobs. In the second phase of the agitation, the employees would resort to “jail bharo” campaign in all districts from November 20. He alleged that the department recorded the minutes of the meeting which incorporated the agreements on issues reached between the Nagarpalik Karamchari Sangh and the minister. However, these agreements had not been implemented so far, he added.
	ABS organises corporate meet Tribune News Service Gurgaon, October 22 Amity Business School (ABS), Manesar, organised its annual corporate meet at Gurgaon recently. Eminent figures from academic and corporate sectors interacted with ABS students and faculty members on the occasion. The theme of this year’s corporate meet was “Employability Issues in India: An Industry-Academia Confluence”. The meet, aimed at providing a common platform to strengthening the industrial-academic relations, was inaugurated by Haryana’s noted Olympian boxer Vijender Singh, Dr Lal Path labs’ CMD Padma Shri Brig (Dr) Arvind Lal, additional president of Ritnand Balved Education Foundation and Chancellor of Amity University - Rajasthan Aseem Chauhan and vice-chancellor of Amity University-Haryana Dr RC Sharma. Vijender Singh maintained that success could not be achieved without sacrifice, dedication and honesty. He also advised students to build inner strength and be courageous to put forth their point and convince others. Brig (Dr) Arvind Lal gave interview tips to the students and advised them not to criticise their previous employer or institute. Chauhan advised the students to be prepared for challenges at every step of life and have faith in themselves and the almighty to overcome these. The meet was an effort to bridge the “employability gap”, he added. Top corporate bosses from various organisations participated in a panel discussion that followed the inaugural ceremony.
	US scholar addresses KU students on ultra poor Our Correspondent Kurukshetra, October 22 "Correct targeting of the ultra poor is a must to assess the impact of poverty-reduction programmes in developing countries," said Stephen C Smith, Professor of Economics and International Affairs in George Washington University, USA, while addressing the faculty members and students of various departments of Kurukshetra University (KU) at the faculty lounge here recently. Professor Smith is presently at KU as a Senior Fulbright Specialist. In his talk on “assessing the frontiers of ultra-poverty reduction: evidence from targeting the ultra-poor (CFPR/TUP) programme in Bangladesh,” Professor Smith identified the ultra poor of Bangladesh as a target group for his study, using sophisticated econometric methodology. He said the results of his study showed that participation of poor in the CFPR/TUP programme had positive effects on the per capita income, food security, clothing, shoes, livestock and cash savings. But there was weak or no evidence of an impact on the number of household durables and assets, indicators of health and women empowerment, Professor Smith added. He emphasised that the effects on the poorest of the poor could be quite large and significant, provided better targeting of participants is done. The lecture was presided over by Lt Gen (Dr) DDS Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor, KU. Prof Neera Verma, Chairperson, Department of Economics, KU, gave a brief introduction of Professor Smith at the outset. Dr Sanjeev Bansal, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, welcomed the chief guest. Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof MM Goel proposed the vote of thanks. Professor Smith will be delivering a series of 10 talks to students and faculty members, followed by two general talks, during his seven-week stay at KU.
	MoU with NSE Galaxy group introduces certified courses Our Correspondent Kurukshetra, October 22 New courses, signed under an MoU between the Galaxy Global Group of Institutions (GGGI), Shahabad, and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India, New Delhi, on the latter’s premises on July 18, 2012, were introduced at the onset of the new academic session, at a function organised by the GGGI on its premises, 25 km from here, recently. The aim of the MoU is to enhance the prospects of employability of professional graduates of the institute. The GGGI Director-General, Dr SL Gupta, said the students, along with their routine studies, would be free to choose courses like the basic course of two certifications, the market operation course of five certifications and the analyst course of three certifications, depending on their aptitude and ability. The chief guest, Rana Usman, Assistant Vice-President and Head, Northern Region NSE, New Delhi, talked about the growth of the young Indian population, which would indeed be the growth driver of the economy of India. She impressed upon the students to take maximum advantage of the new courses. The guest of honour, GC Sharma, Programme Director and Head Financial Education (Schools and Universities), NSE, New Delhi, made a presentation touching upon all the major points to arouse the students’ interest. He came down to the level of the students and told them how they can have an edge over others in the field of employability through these courses. During an open house discussion, the students asked questions and their queries were suitably answered by the learned speakers. In the afternoon, a lab for the purpose of conducting these courses was inaugurated by the chief guest and both the esteemed speakers conducted the investors’ guidance workshop with the faculty of GGGI and made them aware of the various investing options available. GGGI Chairman Vinod Goel, Director Dr Raj Kumar, Er Kunal Garg, faculty members and MBA students were among those present on the occasion. Photo DSC_00246. jpg Caption: Chief guest Ms Rana Usman (second from left), Assistant Vice-President and Head Northern Region NSE, New Delhi, interacts with the students in the newly established lab for the purpose of new courses.
	International workshop at Murthal varsity Habit of excessive use, wastage of water persists: VC BS Malik Sonepat, October 22“Changing water-usage habits in day-to-day life has become the need of the hour for conservation of water, which is one of the most precious commodities on earth for the survival of living beings.” This was stated by HS Chahal, Vice-Chancellor of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, while inaugurating an international workshop on “Sustainable Development and Water Conservation”, organised by the Chhotu Ram Chair for Sustainable Development, in collaboration with VAPSOK, a Government of India undertaking of the Ministry of Water Resources, on the university premises recently. Chahal lamented that despite efforts by various organisations and launch of awareness programmes by the government and voluntary agencies, people had not brought any changes in their habit of excessive use and wastage of water in one way or the other. He stressed upon the need to adopting new methods of irrigation, change in cropping pattern, conservation of rain water and sensible use of water in domestic activities and cautioned that “Jal Hai To Kal Hai- Jal Hai To Jeevan Hai”. In his keynote address, the General Manager of VAPSOK, Vinayak Konde, explained that due to excessive use of ground water for irrigation purposes, a number of areas in Punjab and Haryana had been declared as dark zones. The level of the subsoil water in these areas had gone down to alarming limits, he added. Citing an example of wastage of water while using RO purifiers in homes, he pointed out that only 40 per cent of the water supply in ROs was used for drinking purposes. Whereas, 60 per cent of water was being released in sewer pipelines which, otherwise, could easily be used for watering plants. University’s registrar RK Arora, Prof Ramanathan of JNU, Delhi, Dr Jaswinder Singh, Principal of Khalsa College, Delhi University, and Prof Jagbir Singh of Chhotu Ram Chair for Sustainable Development also highlighted the importance of water conservation for sustainable development. Prof JS Rana, Prof BS Dahiya, Dr VS Ahlawat, Prof AK Sharma, Dr Nisha and Research Scholar Sonia Malik were also present at the seminar attended by the university students and faculty members.
	YOUTH FESTIVALS OF COLLEGES CDLU removes folk dance drama of state Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Sirsa, October 22 Chaudhary Devi Lal University has removed Haryanavi Saang (also called Swang) - the oldest folk dance drama of the state - from the youth festival of its colleges starting from October 29 in the local Jan Nayak Chaudhary Devi Lal Vidyapeeth. The university has also obliterated Haryanavi Pop, a fusion of Haryanavi and western art form, from its cultural festival. Teams from 38 colleges affiliated to the university will participate in the youth festival to be held in two parts - from October 29 to 31 for the cultural items and on November 3 for literary events. While the Vice-Chancellor, KC Bhardwaj, and the registrar, Manoj Siwach, expressed ignorance over the move, Surinder Kundu, cultural coordinator of the university, said the step had been taken after due deliberation. “We used to receive very few teams for these two categories and hence there was not much of competition,” he added. The university, incidentally, is holding only its second youth festival this year after colleges from Sirsa and Fatehabad districts were affiliated to it from the 2011-12 session. The move has surprised connoisseurs of Haryanavi culture, many academicians and some former principals. “I fail to understand what can be the logic behind this move. Even before cinema, Saang was the only means of entertainment and a powerful communication channel in the Haryana hinterland. Saang is such a wonderful genre of art, which has the mix of all - dance, music, mimicry, story telling, theatrics in it,” said Subhash Sharma, a former Principal of the DN PG College, Hisar, and MM PG College, Fatehabad. He said similarly, Haryanavi Pop, introduced by Kurukshetra University more than a decade ago, is an innovative form of art with a fusion of Haryanavi and western culture. “The function of colleges and universities is not merely limited to pass on knowledge to the next generation, but also to preserve and transfer the culture of the area,” he added. Haryana, incidentally, has produced some powerful exponents of the art of Saang like Pandit Lakhmi Chand - also remembered as Shakespeare of Haryana. Some other teachers, presently working in the colleges affiliated to the university, also expressed surprise over the move, though they did not want to be quoted. Meanwhile, Dr Shamim Sharma, managing director of JCD Vidyapeeth presided over a meeting of principals of all participating colleges to discuss the modalities of the festival.
	Disposal of Dry Leaves Rohtak MC flouting norms Bijendra Ahlawat/TNS Rohtak, October 22 The civic authorities here appear to be violating the norms regarding the disposal of waste and dry leaves in the open. Instead of collecting and removing garbage and waste to a safer place for disposal, the employees of the civic body prefer to burn it in the open. The plan of providing a proper garbage dumping and recycling plant in the town is still in the pre-implementation stage due to no final decision to develop such a site. “The style of the overall functioning of the civic body, which was upgraded to municipal corporation level about a few years ago, has failed to change. This is visible with the modus operandi of the safai workers burning waste at the spot from where these were collected,” a former official of the Health Department said. He said while burning of stubble, plants and dry leaves in the open was harmful for the environment, the employees engaged in the process were perhaps not aware of the problem and they continued to do this despite a ban. According to officials concerned, the employees had been provided with various types of carts for transferring garbage and required to be disposed off at a designated place, but this process was not adhered to by a few of the employees. The only development that was witnessed after the upgradation of the civic body to the corporation level was the posting of an IAS-level officer as the head of the municipal corporation and a rise in the budget with no major sign of change in the overall functioning of the body, claimed sources in the department. There had been a shortage of both the staff and machinery in the civic body and the decision of the state government to give the additional charge of the job of Municipal Commissioner to the Deputy Commissioner had resulted in poor results so far, the sources added.
	Lal Dora extension NGO to move HC Hemant Kumar Kalka, October 22 Shiwalik Vikas Manch, an NGO, has criticised the state government for withdrawal of two notifications of 2003 in connection with the extension of Lal Dora in the state. VK Bansal, president of the manch, said in the last monsoon session of Vidhan Sabha, a Bill in this context had been passed. The Bill had deprived the residents of the state of the right to construct residential houses. An ordinance was also issued that an alternative policy would be issued for extension of Lal Dora within two months after the session, but nothing has happened till date. Bansal said the manch would meet the Haryana Governor regarding the cancellation of the new Bill. A PIL would be filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard, he said. Notably, the state government had issued two notifications under the Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control (Haryana Amendment Act, 2003) under which there was provision of extension of 60 per cent of Red Line of the existing village abadi area of 152 villages of Kalka subdivision and 7,000 villages of Haryana state.
	Car major on green initiative Sunit Dhawan/TNS Gurgaon, October 22 In a ‘green’ initiative aimed at environment conservation with community support, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has undertaken a plantation drive at Panchgaon village situated near the company’s Manesar plant. The programme, titled “Green Aravalli”, was flagged off by Panchgaon sarpanch Sikander Yadav and MSIL Chief Operating Officer (Production) M.M.Singh and other top functionaries of the company recently. Nearly 550 Maruti Suzuki employees, along with local villagers, kicked off the campaign. “Our vision is to contribute to green Aravallis and we see this plantation drive as a community-engagement effort for the company. We thank Panchgaon village community led by the sarpanch who kindly allocated land for this plantation drive. Maruti Suzuki employees have been assigned one sapling each to bring a strong sense of belonging to the community and environment,” said Singh. He added that the project was a beginning and the initiative would be replicated at other places as well to create awareness and take practical measures towards environment conseration. Under the “Green Aravalli” programme, MSIL employees planted more than 500 saplings on a 2-acre chunk of land especially allocated by the Panchgaon village community. Complimenting MSIL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) drive, Panchgaon sarpanch Sikandar Yadav said: “We are happy to partner with Maruti Suzuki in the ‘Green Aravalli’ initiative. This belt needs special care for environment and greenery. Trees will also go a long way in improving water table of the region. I am happy that employees are adopting a sapling each and becoming members of the Panchgaon community”. In all, 500 saplings of medicinal and herbal plants like neem, banyan, imli, bel-patra and kadamb were planted on the occasion. These plants have a long life span of 80-100 years. To ensure the survival of these saplings for long-term benefit of the region, Maruti Suzuki will render support and care to the plants for the next three years. Tree guards are being installed to guard the saplings. NGOs Arvindam Foundation and Hariyali Welfare Society are supporting Maruti Suzuki in the “Green Aravalli” effort.
	HYC presidents elected Our Correspondent Rewari, October 22 Elections to the post of president of the Rewari, Bawal and Kosli constituency-level units of the Haryana Youth Congress (HYC) were held recently. While Ram Avtar Gujjar was elevated to the post in the Rewari segment, Manoj Kosalia bagged the position for the second time in succession from the Kosli constituency of the district by routing his nearest rival Sudhir Yadav with a margin of 125 votes in a 8-cornered contest. Pawan Kumar Yadav wrested the post in Bawal segment by defeating his nearest rival Naresh Yadav with a margin of 45 votes.
	Women wrestling championship concludes BS Malik Sonepat, October 22 International women wrestlers, including first Indian Olympian Geeta Phogat, bronze medalist of world wrestling championship Babita, Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anita and silver medalists Nirmala and Neha Rathi and medalists in junior world women wrestling championship, Sakshi Malik and Mamta, were seen in action in the two-day Haryana State Women Wrestling Championship. The championship concluded on Thursday at BPS Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan. While distributing prizes among the winners, the Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh at Dharamsala, Dr Furqan Qamar, said sports helped in inculcating the habit of discipline and healthy competition in life. “It also helps in personality development and makes an individual health conscious,” he added. In her presidential address, the Vice-Chancellor of Khanpur Kakan University, Dr Pankaj Mittal, congratulated the participating wrestlers and organisers of the championship. She also exhorted the girls to participate in any one game of their choice for their all-round development. London Olympic bronze medalist, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, hoped that the winners in this championship would continue their winning momentum in the national and international competitions. The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr Balbir Kaur, the Registrar, Dr Asha Kadian, the Secretary, Haryana Wrestling Federation, Raj Kumar Hooda, Dhyan Chand awardee wrestler Kuldeep Malik, international coach Virender Malik, AEO (Sports) Jagbir Malik and other national wrestling coaches were present on the occasion. The Results: Junior - 44 kg - Ritu (Bhiwani), 48 kg - Vinesh (Bhiwani), 51 kg - Sangeeta (Sonepat), 55 kg - Ritu (Rohtak), 59 kg - Pooja (Hisar), 63 kg - Seema (Rohtak), 67 kg - Samiksha (Hisar), 72 kg - Kiran (Hisar). Senior - 48 kg - Nirmal (Haryana Police), 51 kg - Vinesh (Bhiwani), 55 kg - Babita (Jind), 59 kg - Shilpi (Haryana Police), 67 kg - Niki (Rohtak), 63 kg - Geeta Phogat.