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Crackers worth over Rs 3 crore go up in smoke
Chandigarh, November 14
Fire crackers worth over Rs 3 crore went up in smoke in the tricity on Divali night. Dealers in the tricity said there was a brisk sale of firecrackers during the festival of lights. Panchkula-based supplier Ramesh Bansal said the sale of firecrackers in Panchkula was estimated to be between Rs 1.25 crore and Rs 1.5 crore.

Residents celebrate the festival of lights by bursting crackers. Tribune photo Manoj Mahajan

Minor dip in air, noise pollution Chandigarh, November 14 The air and noise pollution level on Divali night once again exceeded the permissible limit in the city this Divali. However, this year, the figures of air and noise pollution witnessed a minor dip as compared to last year. It was only between 10 and 11 pm that the city crossed the figures of the noise pollution level in 2011. Smoke engulfs a street after fireworks in Chandigarh on Tuesday night. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Panchkula won’t know how noisy it was this Divali
Panchkula, November 14
The Pollution Control Board in Panchkula "went deaf" this Divali with the noise meter, that was supposed to measure the noise pollution, lying defunct for the past 15 days. As a result, the board will have no data regarding the noise pollution created on the night of the festival of lights.

For some, festival of lights ended in hospital Chandigarh/Panchkula, November 14 Divali celebrations proved a nightmare for 101 persons in Chandigarh who reportedly suffered burn injuries last night while bursting crackers to celebrate Divali. As many as 62 cases of burns were reported at the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH) in Sector 16, Chandigarh, 24 cases at the PGI and 15 cases at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh.

An injured boy outside the Panchkula General Hospital

Burn victims ( from left): Tarun, Gaurav, Renu, Rami Singh, Shivnath and Vikram. Tribune photos: Manoj Mahajan

18 minor incidents of fire reported
Chandigarh, November 14
Eighteen minor incidents of fire were reported on Divali night. However, no major loss was reported from any part of the city. A fire broke out in house No. 2849/3, Sector 49-D, after a firecracker fell into the house. Family members were busy bursting crackers on the ground when the incident took place.

Lotus sellers have a blast Panchkula/Chandigarh, November 14 Lotus, which generally does not have many takers, was in demand this Divali. Associated with Goddess Laxmi, the flower, that is sold between Rs 10 and Rs 20, fetched between Rs 100 and Rs 150 last evening. “Usually the flower costs between Rs 10 and Rs 20. However, since it is in demand on this day, the highest price at which it was sold was Rs 150,” said Madan, a florist based at Sector 7, Panchkula.

No dinner for hostel inmates on PU campus!
Chandigarh, November 14
Panjab University hostel inmates, who decided to celebrate Divali away from their home, had a tough time during the festival as they had to visit nearby sectors in search of food for dinner as all canteens were closed.

COMMUNITY

3 suffer eye injuries in Mohali
Mohali, November 14
Three persons, including two children, suffered eye injuries during Divali celebrations last night. They were admitted to the local Civil Hospital in Phase 6. Apart from that 16 cases of burn injuries (15 mild and one serious) were also reported in the town, which otherwise witnessed a peaceful Divali as far as the crime scenario is concerned.

Devotees light candles at a gurdwara in Mohali on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

A boy, who suffered an eye injury, with his mother at the Civil Hospital in Mohali on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Vishwakarma Day celebrated

Mechanics worship Lord Vishwakarma on the occasion of Vishwakarma Day in Sector 48, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. Tribune photo Parvesh Chauhan

Cracker smoke causes allergies
Panchkula, November 14
“Eco-friendly” crackers left their marks in a different way when a number of cases of pollution allergies were reported last night. The crackers left rashes, allergies and permanent scars on many on the Divali night. As many as 45 cases of pollution allergies were reported at the Panchkula hospitals. No such incident was reported in Chandigarh and Mohali.

Tragedy strikes two families
Chandigarh, November 14
Tragedy struck two homes on Divali as two women died in separate road accidents last evening. While a Sector 20 resident, who was returning home after presenting a Divali gift to her sister, was killed after the car in which she was travelling was hit by a private bus, a 60-year-old woman riding pillion on a bike died after being hit by a speeding tempo-traveller.

Garbage mess in Chandigarh Chandigarh, November 14 A day after the most celebrated festival of the nation, localities are facing the acute problem of garbage strewn around house. Adding to this post-Divali problem, a majority of sweepers of the Municipal Corporation have been on two-day holiday on account of Vishkarma Day and Bhai Duj. A heap of garbage after Divali in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Sweets traders do good business
Chandigarh, November 14
Witnessing a trend reversal, sweets found a favour with the city residents this Divali as the sweetmeat sellers have pegged the sales at Rs 8 crore. A member of the sweetmeat sellers association, pleading anonymity, said this year more people bought sweets than last year.

‘Short stay home’ short on facilities Chandigarh, November 14 It seems that the short stay home, which has been set up to provide temporary shelter to needy women and children, is in the dire need of permanent infrastructure. Chairperson of the Chandigarh Social Welfare Board Kamlesh interacts with inmates of a short stay home in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

‘Dreamland’ theme of Chandigarh Carnival this year
Chandigarh, November 14
Micky Mouse, Bunny, Tom and Jerry, Donald Duck, Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and other cartoon characters will enthral the crowd at this year’s edition of the Chandigarh carnival, beginning from November 23 in the Leisure Valley in Sector 10 here.

When bees attack

A man saves himself from bees on the road separating Sectors 38 and 39 in Chandigarh on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Kingfisher postpones its operations till month-end
Chandigarh, November 14
There is no clarity, till now, over the recommencement of kingfisher Airline's local operations from Chandigarh. The airline was expected to begin its operations by November 6 but as per the latest information, but they have been postponed till the end of this month.

Walkathon on Nov 18
Chandigarh, November 14
The Department of Endocrinology, PGIMER, will organise a walkathon on November 18 (8 am) at the Sukhna Lake. It will start from the police post of Sukhna Lake and after reaching the Rock Garden the participants come back to the police post.

• CHANDIGARH SCAN

EDUCATION

mess charges Can't roll back hike, says VC Chandigarh, November 14 Even as the students’ hunger strike over the hike of Rs 6 per meal entered the ninth day, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Arun Grover today made it clear that due to the rise in LPG and grocery prices it was impossible to rollback the hike as demanded by the students. Students protest against hike in mess charges at the PU in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mhajan

Private schools defy orders
Chandigarh, November 14
For yet another year, the common admission schedule, announced by the UT Administration for admission at the entry-level classes in the private schools of Chandigarh, fell flat as the schools have gone ahead with their own admission schedule.

Children celebrate their day at Nehru Park
Chandigarh, November 14
The Municipal Corporation organised a cultural programme at Nehru Park, Sector 22, to celebrate the Children's Day today. Around 1,000 children along with their parents from different parts of the city participated in the colourful event. During the celebrations various competitions were organised by the MC, including painting competition, clay modelling, quiz and fancy dress competitions.

A magician shows his tricks at Nehru Park in Chandigarh.	Children participate in a fancy dress contest.
Children take part in a painting contest. Tribune photos: Parvesh Chauhan	A bhangra team performs at Nehru Park in Chandigarh.

Play highlights nexus between mafia, police Chandigarh, Nov 14 Play "Shaweta Jivit Hai" was staged at the Tagore Theatre during the annual theatre festival of the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Academy today. The play, directed by Jagdish Chandra Tiwari, highlighted the collusion of a mafia gang leader with a police officer, who were involved in liquor and drugs trade. Artistes stage a play at the Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Smoke caused by a fire in wild growth in Sector 52 on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharau

Scholarship test to be held on Nov 18
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 14
The National Means Merit-cum-Scholarship (NMMS) test for the students of class VIII, who belong to economically sections and studying in government, government aided and local bodies schools, will be held on November 18 at the district headquarter schools.

Cricket Tournament
Multipurpose School clinch trophy
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 14
Government Multipurpose School, Patiala, won the RIMT Inter-School Cricket Tournament after beating Patel Public School, Rajpura, by 49 runs. Multipurpose School scored 105 runs after the loss of six wickets while Patel School could score only 56 runs for 9 wickets in 15 overs.

COURTS

2 remanded for beating up cops
Mohali, November 14
Two main accused, Deepinder Singh (25) and his cousin Harshveer Singh (23), who were arrested in the case involving the bashing up of two PCR constables on duty, has been sent to two-day police remand here.

CRIME

Family attacked; 1 held
Mohali, November 14
The Kharar police has arrested a person for opening fire at his rivals and injuring two persons, including a woman, at Nangal Faizgarh village here last evening. The man has been identified as Gurinder Singh, alias Nona, while the injured have been identified as Ranjit Singh and his sister Sukhjit Kaur. Both have received shots in their legs and have been admitted to the PGI.

SOPU leader thrashes youth
Mohali, November 14
The ugly face of student politics surfaced again when a SOPU leader, Amandeep Singh Multani, along with his five or six acquaintances, brutally beat up Amarinder Singh, an old student of DAV College, Sector 10, when the latter came out of the Mohali District Courts after attending a court hearing at around 11.30 am today.

Blood on the road where SOPU leader Amarinder Singh was attacked; and (right) he is being taken to the GMSH-16 in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photos: Vicky Gharu/Manoj Mahajan

Man commits suicide
Chandigarh, November 14
A 32-year-old man committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence in Mauli Jagran. The victim, Vijay Pal, was found hanging from a fan by his sister in the morning around 9:30 am. The police was informed and the body was lowered after cutting the rope with which he had hanged himself.

Four held on charge of extortion
Mohali, November 14
The local police arrested four persons, including a journalist of a local electronic channel, on the charge of extortion of money from a sweet manufacturer at Nayagaon here today.

SPORTS

Astro turf work begins at PU
Chandigarh, November 14
The work to lay an international standard’s astro turf at the Panjab University kicked off today. With this step, Panjab University will become the first local campus to have the world class astro turf for hockey. According to officials, the PU will have the astro turf by March 2013. The cricket ground near the gymnasium hall has been converted into a hockey field and the work has started.

The ground at the PU where work on laying astro turf is in progress. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

A sample of astro turf

Carrom tourney
Gagandeep clinches singles title
Chandigarh, November 14
Carrom player Gagandeep clinched the men's singles title after defeating Mohd Hassan in a closely contested match during the 14th Raj Kumar Babuta Memorial Prize Money Carrom Ranking Tournament at St Stephen's School, Sector 45, today. Gagan bagged the three-set title clash by 16-14, 6-24 and 18-17.

Cricket meet
Philips beat Placement Guru
Chandigarh, November 14
Philips thrashed Placement Guru by 109 runs in the ongoing CII-Tata Motors Corporate Cricket Cup today. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Philips scored 227 for 3 in 20 overs. Rajinder Singh (68 off 36) and Lakhanpal Singh (61 off 44 ) were the main scorer for the team.

Soccer meet Modern School register impressive win Chandigarh, November 14 Yadavindra Public School (YPS), Mohali, had to be satisfied with a draw against The Daly College, Indore, during the ongoing Indian Public Schools Conference Football Inter-School Tournament for girls (U-19) today. Both teams fished with the score of 1-1. A match in progress during a soccer tournament in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Chandigarh girls shine at national NCC camp
Chandigarh, November 14
Girl cadets from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh NCC directorate bagged the first position in boat pulling, beating 16 teams from across the nation at the All India Nau Sainik Camp held at Vishakapatnam.

Royal Daredevils trounce Panchkula Stallions
Panchkula, November 14
Royal Daredevils defeated Panchkula Stallions by 35 runs during the second St Soldier's Panchkula Premier League, being played at St Soldier School, Sector 16, Panchkula.

Hansraj Academy win by nine wickets
Panchkula, November 14
Hansraj Cricket Academy, Sector 6, Panchkula overcame Gurukul Global Cricket Academy, Sector 21, by 9 wickets in the Friendship Cup Cricket Series for boys' (U-13), here today.