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Pay Rs 500 for LPG on the black market!
Panchkula, October 30 Chandigarh Tribune team was witness to the illegal practice today and was offered five refills for Rs 2,500 when this correspondent posed as a decoy customer and asked for five refills for a wedding ceremony. When the delivery man was told that the wedding was on November 3 and there was a requirement of five cylinders, he said, “See, since you don’t have a card, one cylinder will cost Rs 500. The actual cost of the cylinder is Rs 420. Had the requirement been for two cylinders, I would have delivered these right away, but since I have made a commitment to others, you can give me your address and phone number and my men will provide these to you. However, they may charge more as the number of cylinders is more.” He said, “In case you need more, we will get these arranged for you. All you have to do is let me know about your requirement when I come here at 3 pm.” Asked whether he would be available at the same place, he said, “We bring two or three trolleys here daily at 3 pm for the purpose. Let me know in advance as people have already got bookings done with us.” Justifying the illegal practice, he said, “When the government doesn’t help people, we have to come to their rescue. I daily receive blessings from people when I provide them cylinders.” When one of the residents told the delivery man that the cylinder given by him yesterday was underweight, he said, “You should be thankful that you are getting this much. Since your demands are being met, you will have to make some compromise.” There appears to be brisk business of LPG on the black market as a large number of residents were seen with their empty cylinders to get refills.
Officer promises raids
Not possible: Aashirwad agency
"Now we have understood why some cylinders received by us are underweight"
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Woman found murdered; husband booked
Mohali, October 30
The police recovered the body of the victim, Harpreet Kaur, aka Seema, from their rented accommodation on the first floor with a dupatta tied around her neck, indicating that she may have been strangled to death. The body was lying on the floor in a bedroom and was emanating foul smell. “The crime probably took place late in the evening day before yesterday,” said SP (D) Balwinder Singh, who visited the spot along with DSP RS Sohal. Ravinder Singh, father of the deceased, said he and his wife had spoken to their daughter at around 6 pm on Sunday. “Everything seemed normal during our conversation with Seema,” said Ravinder Singh. One of the neighbours claimed that he had seen the couple twice or thrice on Sunday. Seema's parents live in Phase 11. The matter came to light when the deceased’s mother went to her daughter’s house today to give her an invitation card for her cousin's wedding. As foul smell was emanating from the house, she got suspicious. Later, the police informed. “We quizzed Rahul's parents and they feigned ignorance about the murder of their daughter-in-law. They claimed that Rahul came to drop his son and told them that Seema was at home,” said DSP RS Sohal. Raids were on at possible hideouts of the accused, said Sohal. The couple got married six years ago and were putting up in the rented accommodation for the past two and a half years. The police has registered a case under Section 302 against Rahul at the Phase 11 police station.
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Be positive, you will win: Cancer survivors
Mohali, October 30 Expressing similar views, 63-year-old Col Kirpal Singh (retd), Master Warrant Officer Surinder Singh (retd) and his wife Harpal Kaur (all cancer survivors) said the best weapon in the fight agaisnt cancer was to "be positive and go to the right doctor". These lucky survivors today attended a special meet for cancer survivors organised by Fortis Hospital. The key message of the meet was "Together it is possible".Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Zirakpur resident Inderjeet Kaur said she was worried when she came to know that she was suffering from breast cancer last year. “We had shifted from Hyderabad when the disease was detected. I think my positive attitude towards life and right treatment helped me battle the disease,” said Inderjit Kaur, a teacher. Col Kirpal Singh said he did not bother much when he was detected with colon cancer, but his family was disturbed. “It was a 2 kg tumour growth in my lower abdomen, which was removed after 12 sessions of chemotherapy. The disease did not affect me mentally. I organised the marriage ceremony of my daughter during my chemotherapy sessions,” said Col Kirpal Singh, smilingly. “I am absolutely fine now. I do my work as usual and go for an 8-km walk daily,” he said. Surinder Singh and his wife Harpal Kaur, who were suffering from blood cancer and breast cancer, respectively, faced the disease bravely. “My wife used to do the house chores regularly while her treatment was on. I also did not overreact when I came to know about my disease,” said Surinder Singh. “Fight it (cancer) bravely and you will emerge a winner,” said the lucky survivors in their message to cancer patients. Dr Rajeev Bedi, Senior Consultant and Head, Medical Oncology, and Dr Atul Joshi, Consultant, General and Oncology Surgeon, said these survivors were "real heroes" who, in spite of going through such a trauma, had tremendous will power and emerged winners. “Along with treatment, will power is also required in this tough fight,” said Dr Bedi.
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City women go hi-tech this Karva Chauth
Chandigarh, October 30 Some websites, which offer daily deals for a number of services, have tied up with various salons across the tricity for henna application this Karva Chauth. According to women, these deals not only save time, but also turn out to be cost-effective. Archana Puri, a resident of Sector 37, said, “I had made a booking for henna application with a vendor in Sector 22 on the phone last year since I get free from office late in the evening. However, when I went there the next day, the person did not attend to me on time as there was already a huge rush there. To avoid a similar situation, it is better to make online booking since the websites offer you a receipt.” Women are ready to try salons located at longer distances from their residences to avoid rush at stalls and also to save money. Kareena Bahl, a resident of Sector 32, said, “I had to shell out more than Rs 1,000 for a henna application package last year. Despite this, the henna design was quite simple. I made an online booking this time and found a better package at a Mohali-based salon for Rs 300 only. The package also includes massage for both feet and arms.” There are a few others who have opted for mobile salons for enjoying services at home. Besides salon services, the mobile salons have come up with henna packages as well.
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Common admission schedule for private schools finalised
Chandigarh, October 30 Officials of the department said the decision was taken to bring more transparency in the admission process and streamline the whole admission process for the convenience of parents and other stakeholders. The admissions process, starting on December 5, will have to be completed by January 30. “It was noticed that due to the long admission schedule of different schools, parents ended up paying fee at more than one school. The move will ensure that private schools do not leave any confusion before starting the admission process, besides pushing for the state’s agenda of 25 per cent reservation under the RTE Act," officials of the department said. According to the directions, the schools needs to display information regarding the total number of seats, age requirement, fee structure, admission criteria and documents required on their notice boards and websites before November 30. The schools will issue and receive their registration or admission forms between December 5 and 15. The draw of lots for admission will take place in every school between January 10 and January 15, 2013. The schools will have to display the waiting list. The parents or guardians of the selected candidates will have 10 days, from January 16 to 25 to deposit their fee. Admission from the waiting list, if required, will take place from January 28 to 30. Meanwhile, officials said the department would soon start a helpline to enable parents and other people to register their complaints as well as obtain any kind of information relating to admission. Schools should have been consulted: Assn He said, “The whole process is time consuming. There are winter holidays in the first fortnight of January when they have asked us to hold the draw of lots. "We will call a meeting of the association as soon as we get an official communiqué about the move from the government and will take the stock of the situation," he added. Officialspeak Welcome decision
Instructions for schools * Information regarding number of seats, age requirement, fee structure, admission criteria and documents required to be displayed before Nov 30 *
Issue and receipt of registration or admission forms between December 5 and 15 *
Draw of lots between January 10 and 15 * Fee to be deposited between January 16 and 25
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Tricity residents worried about safety of kin in US
Chandigarh, October 30 Ever since the news of the hurricane reached here, many families have remained glued to thier television sets and phones to know about the welfare of their relatives. Col Jasbir Singh (retd), a resident of Phase 2, Mohali, said his daughter Amita stayed in Pine Brook in New Jersey with her husband Ashish Mahajan. On Monday evening, he spoke to his daughter and her family members and all of them were safe. He said the affected areas of were around 100 miles from Pine Brook. To know about the well-being of his daughter and her family, he was in touch with them on the phone. Besides, he was keeping himself updated through news channels, he added. There are many other families in the tricity which are in touch with their relatives in the US. Vijay Kumar Bishnoi, a resident of the MDC, Sector 5, Panchkula, is regularly in touch with his son Ashish Bishnoi, who is on a study visa in Manhattan in New York City. An Assistant Manager in Haryana Cooperative Bank, Bishnoi said last evening he spoke to his son, who told him that he was almost confined to his room for the past two days. Public transport, schools and offices are closed in Manhattan. However, he added that the US government had arrangements in place to deal with the storm. CG Mahajan, a resident of Sector 10, Panchkula, said his two daughters and a son were staying in New Jersey and Chicago, and all of them were safe. Social media comes in handy Flight bookings
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Students' NASA trip gives parents jitters
Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 30 The news of Hurricane Sandy battering some parts of the USA had sent jitters down the spine of the parents. “They will come back on November 2. They are safe and enjoying their tour. “After the news of the hurricane hit the headlines, I was worried about my son Gurman Singh. I am just praying that he and other members of the team return safely,” said Kiranjeet Kaur, Gurnam's mother. “I am in regular touch with him and they are currently in Washington. As per the schedule, they have visited all places and are enjoying the trip,” she said. The group of 14 students left for the international educational trip on October 22 and were to visit many states, including New York, which is under the fury of the hurricane. “The students are safe and enjoying their trip. The school authorities are in regular touch with them. They have visited the Florida-based NASA center. They will leave the USA tomorrow night. After we got to know about the storm hitting New York areas, the trip to that state was cancelled and the students were called back to Washington by road,” said Harlod Carver, Principal of St Stephen's School. “We are absolutely fine and enjoying the trip. We have covered most of the places and also visited the White House today. We will visit some more educational institutions and will reach Chandigarh by November 3. The storm has hit major parts of the USA, but we are staying far away from the danger zone,” said Aryan Kataria, a member of the team.
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CSIO celebrates 53rd foundation day
Chandigarh, October 30 Delivering the foundation day lecture, HN Ramakrishna, Director, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bangalore, stressed on the importance of using sensors and sensing technology in almost every sphere of activity. Highlighting its importance in strategic and tactical applications, he elaborated upon the contemporary transduction technologies available today and expressed the need for improving these technologies and making them available to the people. Prof N Vedachalam, former Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum, delivered the Prof Satish Dhawan Memorial Lecture in which he explained the technology of inertial navigation systems (INS) using motion sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes to continuously estimate the position, orientation and velocity of a satellite without the need for external references. Similar technology is also used in guided missiles. He emphasised the need for precision and accuracy to be the global leader in this hi-tech area. Earlier, Dr Pawan Kapur, Director, CSIO, presented an overview of the ongoing projects and the future plans of the organisation, including the roadmap devised for the 12th Five Year Plan. He highlighted the achievements in the technology for head-up display in Light Combat Aircraft and its variants for other aircraft. He also spoke about the developments in the areas of agrionics, biomedical applications, photonics and geoseismic instrumentation.
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Ex-councillors oppose auction of school site
Mohali, October 30 The former councillors said there was only one senior secondary school in Mohali even though the population of the town had increased over the years. They also demanded that the government schools, running in Phase XI and Sector 70, should be upgraded to the level of senior secondary school. The councilors, including Amrik Singh, Phool Raj Singh, Harpal Singh, Kuldeep Kaur Kang, said in a joint statement that the GMADA should not dispose of the school site through the auction, scheduled to be held on November 1, as the move would be a great injustice to those belonging to economically weaker sections. They said the residents had been demanding for a long time the upgrading of the Sector 70 school in which 700 students were on the rolls. They urged the authorities to cancel the auction. — OC
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Karva Chauth: rising cost of items a dampener
Chandigarh, October 30 The increase in the cost of fabric affecting the rates of suits and sarees and the rise in the price for ‘henna’ packages are other factors forcing the residents of the city to make their shopping lists shorter. “During the initial years of my wedding, we could manage to organise huge gathering of married women and also their families for celebrations and offer them gifts too. Such wide celebrations are no longer affordable for medium-class families like ours. Even if you curtail the purchases, the total cost for the Karwa Chauth celebrations would not be any less than Rs 10,000 per person,” Meera said. “For a newly married woman, the expenses are bound to be higher. In addition to my own expenses, for my daughter-in-law I will buy clothes with heavy embroidery. The ‘henna’ to be applied on full arms and also the half of legs has to be finer. The cost for the ‘henna’ package has increased by 50 per cent. We will end up paying Rs 4,000 for her package and another Rs 2,000 for mine,” Meera added. “Earlier, we used to distribute heavy utensils among 11 women, a custom perceived as ensuring prosperity for newly married women. This time, I have purchased only seven articles for the purpose cutting down on expenses. We could not even host dinner for the guests this time. The fruits are also quite expensive now and the cost to be incurred on honouring priests is bound to be increased,” she added. Anchal Dogra, a Sector 35 resident, who will celebrate her fifth Karwa Chauth this year, has planned to go in for artificial jewellery, though purchasing gold on the occasion is mandatory in her family. “Though it is a tradition in our family to purchase gold ornaments during Karwa Chauth every year, I have been particularly fond of buying artificial jewellery. In addition to gold, I have been purchasing ornaments in bulk for the past five years for the occasion. But, the prices have shot up so much that it has become very difficult for us to afford gold purchase every year.” Also, the cost of artificial jewellery is no less now. The cost of bangle sets has turned out to be Rs 4,000 for me this time. I have spent another Rs 5,000 on earrings and a neck-piece set. “I have asked my husband not to gift me anything expensive this time since our monthly budget will be affected heavily due to the increased cost of items. Purchasing new clothes is also mandatory on the occasion. I have not purchased a silk saree this time. I rather bought a chiffon saree paying half the cost of a silk saree.” Payal Sodhi, a Panjab University student, has been keeping the fast for the past four years since it is mandatory for unmarried women in her family. However, being a student, it has become quite difficult for her to afford the items required for the Karwa Chauth puja. “I am very fond of ‘henna’. During Karwa Chauth, my interest lies completely in applying ‘henna’. But the cost of the ‘heena’ packages has gone quite high this year. I did not apply it on the full arm, rather I asked the person to keep the design limited to my wrist.” Also, the cost of fruits and other accessories like aarti thali, sargi and ghadhwi have increased quite a lot. Although I have been asked to purchase new items this time too, I have decided to use those used last year. I have also not purchased a new suit for the occasion. I had purchased an expensive dress during my cousin’s wedding last month. I have planned to wear it on Karwa Chauth too. Although my parents insisted on sending me extra money for the celebrations, I feel that it will be a waste.
City salons work overtime
City-based salons are running overtime to accommodate the heavy rush of patients. Residents had made bookings 15 days in advance for ‘tip to toe’ services. According the workers at the salons, each client has been spending 6 or 7 hours at the salons for makeover, in a bid to look better. Neelam, a beautician who works at a salon in Sector 32, said, “We open the salon at 7 am and close it as long as the services continue. We cannot refuse the client’s request even if we have to spend extra time at the salon since it is the peak time for us to make profits. The only challenge here is that ensuring quality of work becomes difficult sometimes due to fatigue among the workers.” Special packages are being offered by the salons for the occasion. The most popular service this season is Body Spa. Due to the special bookings, the salons are being forced to send back other customers who come for routine services.
* Bangles with Jaipuri print * Aarti Thali with diyas engraved on it as also with Jaipuri print velvet *
Artificial jewellery with coloured stones * Special sargi packs
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Husbands hunt for perfect gifts for their wives
Panchkula, October 30 Chandigarh Tribune talks to men asking them what special they have in store for their wives this Karva Chauth. Devinder Mahajan, a resident of Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 4, Panchkula, said he has already gifted his wife a trip to America and on the D-day he will gift her a diamond set. “When our wives can stay hungry the whole day for us, why can’t we plan something which brings a big smile on their face? I had already planned this couple of months ago. It is expensive but it is not as precious to me as my wife,” said Mahajan. He added, “I always try to spend quality time with her on Karva Chauth so that she does not feel hungry. I usually take her out for a movie or to some place so that the day passes off quickly. It is not that husbands’ don’t take any pains for their wives. Santosh Sharma, a resident of Sector 7, Panchkula, has been planning a gift for his wife for the past few months. “Ten months ago, I joined a kitty, especially for this purpose. I requested other members of the kitty to give my share of amount, which is around Rs 1 lakh, right before Karva Chauth so that I can buy a gift for my wife,” said Sharma. Somnath Diwan, a businessman, will be giving his wife a trip to Australia. “If our wives can do so much for us, why can’t we? I know that a trip to Australia will bring a big smile on her face,” said Diwan.
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8 other patients were lined up for surgery, says PGI
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 30 The authorities of the tertiary care institute stated there were eight other patients of "serious open fracture surgeries", prior to Anupama. It also stated that Anupama’s surgery (debridement and external fixator) had been scheduled immediately after she was admitted on July 17. But, due to heavy rush of patients, she was taken up for surgery only in the night on July 19. However, she was found unfit for operation and was shifted back to operation theatre recovery. “She was transfused four units of blood and two units of fresh frozen plasma. She was again taken up for surgery in the morning on July 20. She underwent hip disarticulation and debridement of the anterior abdominal wall,” reads the reply. The reply signed by Dr Sameer Aggarwal, Nodal Officer, Advance Trauma Centre, PGI, further states that Anupama went into a state of shock and became unconscious after the surgery due to which she had to be put on life-support systems on July 20. She did not recover and suffered cardio-respiratory arrest on July 24 and died. Anupama tried to board running bus: CTU
The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking, the other respondent in the case, has also filed its reply, stating that Anupama tried to board the bus while it was running and due to her own negligence she fell down and suffered injuries. The reply also stated that the CTU buses are not insured because these are exempted from insurance being government
vehicles. Anupama, a student of Government Model School, Sector 18, died on July 24. She was admitted to the PGI after her leg was crushed under the rear tyre of a CTU bus while she was on her way back home from school. Her parents, Amit and Konika Sarkar, have demanded a compensation of Rs 85 lakh for negligence on the part of both the CTU and the PGI staff, which according to them, resulted in Anupama’s death. aThe petition states, “An injured Anupama was taken to the Advanced Trauma Centre of PGI by the police, where her left leg was bandaged by the doctor on duty, Dr Jhujhar. The bandaging was done in the most incompetent manner. Blood kept on oozing out, in spite of the bandaging.”
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Extension for UT Chief Architect
Chandigarh, October 30 A senior official of the UT Administration said Sumit Kaur would not retire on Wednesday and would work for six months more with the UT Administration. Sumit Kaur got three consecutive extensions as she was working on the preservation of the city’s heritage architecture and the master plan. But, for the past three years, both the issues have been hanging fire.
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In week’s time, pay for parking
Chandigarh, October 30 Of the eight parking lots, which were put up for auction today, seven were allotted to contractors. However, there were no takers for the parking lot outside the office of the Medical Officer, Health. The MC kitty swelled by Rs 1.05 crore after the the auctioning of the seven parking lots. For the five parking lots of the CMC in Sector 17, the MOH in Sector 17, zone I and II in Sector 34 and the Lake Club, the authorities had called bids in January. But, owing to a poor response from contractors, the authorities cancelled the auction and again planned to re-auction these in April. But, in April also, the contractors stayed away from the auction opposing the stringent norm of cancelling the contract after five violations of the parking rules. The parking lots, which were auctioned today, included Zone-I in Sector 34 (Rs 22.26 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 21 lakh), Zone-II in Sector 34 (Rs 10 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 8.66 lakh), the parking area in front of the CMC building, Sector 17, (Rs 18 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 16.67 lakh), the parking lot opposite the Lake Club, Sector 5, (Rs 16 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 14.29 lakh), the Sector 9-D parking lot (Rs 8.25 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 7.61 lakh), the Empire Store, Sector 17, (Rs 28.65 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 23.25 lakh) and Kiran Cinema, Sector 22, (Rs 2 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 1.63 lakh).
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1,150 students take part in rallies
Chandigarh, October 30 Approximately 1,150 students participated in the rallies. These rallies started from Matka Chowk, New Lake, Sector 42 and the Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, and finished at Sector 17 police station 17, Sector 36 police station and Sector 26 police station. The school students also visited police stations Sector 17, 26 and 36. They were also apprised regarding new technique, like mobile tracking, CFSL investigations and installation of CCTVs, for solving crime. –– TNS
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PU senate Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 30 Other prominent members are Preneet Kaur, MoS (External Affairs), Pawan Bansal, Union Railway Minister, BJP leader Satya Pal Jain, Manish Tiwari, MoS Information and Broadcasting (independent charge), Chandigarh Youth Congress President HS Lucky, Union Minister Kapil Sibal’s brother VK Sibal and DAV College Managing Committee President Punam Suri. It is pertinent to note that one of the nominated members, Prof Nahar, had contested the elections in September this year, However, he could not win. According to sources, this year, the Chancellor The PU Senate has 91 members, including the 36 members, who are nominated by the Chancellor of the University. The senate is the highest governing body of the university.
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Cultural exchange programme
After four-days of cultural and educational exchange, it was time for the 41 young students and teachers from South Africa to say good-bye to their local hosts- NGO Yuvsatta and Gurukul Global School, Manimajra. Before leaving, the visitors participated in a painting competition on the theme of "Save Trees and Save Earth" at Yadavindra Garden, Pinjore, and also played a "Chandigarh-Phonenix Brotherhood Football Match" with football team of the Chandigarh Football Academy at the football stadium of Sector 17, Chandigarh. Expressing satisfaction over the South African guests and Pramod Sharma, coordinator of Yuvsatta, the NGO behind the cultural exhange programme, said the visit had opened a new chapter of strengthening the age-old Indo-South African relations. Cycle rally held The Education Department, UT, organised a cycle rally to observe "Vigilance Awareness Week" on Tuesday. Senior official of the department, Saroj Mittal, flagged off the rally at Govt Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, Chandigarh. Around 300 students from different government schools participated in the cycle rally. The rally passed through GMSSS-23, Cricket Stadium chownk, bus stand chownk (17/18) and Press chowk. Science exhibition The British School, Chandigarh organised a two-day science exhibition on the School premises on Tuesday. While students created various scientific models on a varied number of subjects related to the universe, the special emphasis was laid on planet Mars. The replica of the planet mars was also made during the exhibition. -- TNS
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victim was strangled?
The costs of items being purchased for Karwa Chauth, including food items, thalis for aarti, utensils and bangles, have gone up by more than 30 per cent this year compared to last year’s prices. 
Meera Jain, a Sector 28 resident who has to make arrangements for her daughter-in-law’s third Karwa Chauth, supposed to be celebrated with much fanfare, had to cut down on the number of items to be purchased. 
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