Chandigarh, July 5
A 23-year-old employee of CITCO died under mysterious circumstances while he was working at a canteen in the Inter-State Bus Terminus ((ISBT) in Sector 17. The victim, Ramji, was washing utensils in the CITCO canteen this afternoon when he suddenly collapsed. The police said it appeared that the victim died due to electrocution from a cooler nearby. The exact picture would be clear only after the postmortem report.

Ramji hails from a village in Jharkhand and was staying in Burail here. Workers at the canteen noticed him collapse while he was washing utensils and took him to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The police has initiated inquest proceedings and his family in Jharkhand has been informed about the death.

Chandigarh, July 5
A 40-year-old security guard, working at a factory in the Industrial Area, was stabbed to death by three unidentified assailants while he was on duty last night. Another worker was critically injured in the attack.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the assailants came with the intention of robbery and fled after the stabbing incident when a third worker raised the alarm.

The murder occurred at 11.30 pm last night when Ramdeen, a resident of Hallo Majra, was on guard at the factory (plot number 136-140/32) where screws are made. Two workers, Rinku and Mahesh, were inside the factory on duty.

The three assailants barged into the factory and one of them stabbed Ramdeen, who was sitting near the gate, in the stomach. The assailants then went inside, leaving the security guard in a pool of blood.

The assailants then knocked at the door. Rinku, who was working, opened the door while his colleague Mahesh was having dinner. Realising that something was wrong, Rinku tried to run, but one of the assailants stabbed him in the back. Mahesh raised the alarm following which the three fled away. Mahesh came outside and saw the security guard lying in a pool of blood. He rushed to the nearby PCR vehicle and informed the police about the incident.

The police reached the spot and took both the injured to the GMCH, Sector 32, where Ramdeen died. The police said he was stabbed only once below the chest.

Rinku was admitted to the hospital in a critical state. The police has registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the IPC at the Industrial Area police station.

DSP (East Division) Vijay Kumar said robbery seemed to be the motive behind the killing, but they were investigating all angles. The police would prepare sketches of the accused.

The police also questioned the factory owner, Ankur, a resident of Sector 44.

4 minors orphaned

The deceased, Ramdeen, had joined the factory only a fortnight ago. He hailed from a remote village in Bihar. His wife had died some time ago. A father of four minors, all of whom are with his relative in Bihar, he was staying with his brother

Chandigarh, July 5
A day ahead of the Union Health Minister and Vice-President's visit, it was all about rehearsals and last-minute makeover at the PGIMER today.

From hundreds of police personnel and security staff and special vehicle drivers being briefed and then asked to rehearse for the VIP movement to repair work on roads, preparations were visible throughout the day.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad and Vice-President M Hamid Ansari would be visiting the PGIMER tomorrow to attend the 51st Foundation Day function of the institution.

The minister would also chair the General Body Meeting scheduled tomorrow.

The mock convoy of the VVIPs, including 22 vehicles, took three rounds of the PGIMER at different times during the day to test the security arrangements. During these visits, patients entering from Gate No. 1 were stranded for few seconds each time.

Also, electricians were seen checking electricity cables and streetlights on the road connecting the Gate No. 1 to the Director’s office. Eight employees of the institute will be given certificates of merit.

A fully equipped vehicle of the Quick Reaction Team. Tribune photo: parvesh chauhan

A report of the golden jubilee celebrations would be read out by Prof SK Jindal, Chairman, Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

“We are going to start a few fellowships in different specialities that would be announced tomorrow,” said Prof Jindal.

Conceived in 1961 with the concurrence of the Planning Commission, the institute started functioning in 1962 with makeshift arrangements. The hard work and dedication of the faculty as well as the sincerity and commitment of the Punjab Government resulted in an unbelievable progress. It was formally inaugurated on July 7, 1963, by the then Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Within a short period of four years, the PGI was declared as an institute of national importance by an Act of Parliament on April 1, 1967 (Act 51 of 1966). The first batch of postgraduates was admitted on January 1963.

Faculty Assn to meet Ghulam Nabi Azad

The Faculty Association of the PGI will meet Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during his visit to the institute. It will take up the demands of pending review of promotions, pay fixation of junior faculty with ad hoc periods and inadequate accommodation for the junior faculty.

500 cops deployed

Around 500 police personnel have been deployed from the Chandigarh airport to the PGIMER and inside the institution for ensuring foolproof security arrangements on Saturday.

Chandigarh, July 5
In a bid to demonstrate against the PGIMER’s failure in granting one increment to its employees (non-medicos), all permanent employees’ unions have decided to boycott the Union Health Minister’s visit tomorrow. They also took out a candlelit march.

Meanwhile, contractual employees have already been silently protesting by wearing black badges at work over the past couple of days.

The march started from Gate No. 1 of the PGIMER around 6pm and concluded at Sector 17 Plaza on today.

“We will continue the candlelight march on Saturday as well,” said one of the union leaders.

In support of their demand of one additional increment (non-absorbable) with effect from July 1, 2012, the employees would also submit a memorandum to the Health Minister.

The PGI Engineers’ Association, PGI Hospital Attendants’ Association, PGI Security Guards’ Association, PGI OT Technical Staff Union, PGI Laboratory Attendants’ Association, PGI Safai Karamchari Union, PGI Pharmacists’ Association and many others participated in the protest held by the PGI Employees Union.

“The PGI Employees Union will request the Health Minister to appoint an IAS officer as the Director of the PGI by amending the PGI Act as doctors lack knowledge of administration, law and service rules, which has ruined the institute. The governing body/institute body had resolved in 2002 to allow workers’ participation in decision-making bodies by including a representative of workers in the governing body, standing finance committee, which need immediate implementation,” said another union representative.

“Two faculty staff had already been included in the governing body, besides the Dean and the Director and further the Sub-Dean and the Medical Superintendent attend the governing body and the SFC as a special invitee,” the representative added.

The institute administration has arranged a meeting of union representatives with the Health Secretary/Chairman of the standing finance committee on Saturday at 12.30pm to discuss the demand of one increment.

Kharar, July 5
The historic Maharaja Ajj Sarovar here will be revitalised by installing an advanced solar power plant, planting saplings and channelising water to the sarovar.

This was announced by Mohali Deputy Commissioner TPS Sidhu during his visit to the sarovar today.

Sidhu said a coordination committee, comprising senior administrative officials and residents of the area, would be constituted to look after the development of the sarovar.

Earlier, the members of the Maharaja Ajj Sarovar Vikas Parishad, who had invited the DC to show him the state of affairs at the sarovar, asked him to ensure preservation of this heritage site.

Chandigarh, July 5
Going by the PGI's "vision of lamp of life" programme, aimed at promoting organ donation, a 27-year-old brain dead patient's father donated his son's multiple organs today.

Retrieval of the organs, including the liver, kidneys and blood vessels, was done after declaring the patient brain dead according to the law. The organs have been transplanted on three patients, who have got a new lease of life due to this noble act of the patient, Parshotam Singh's family.

The institute has been encouraging the families of brain dead patients to donate the organs of the patients. To streamline the system, the brain dead patients' records have been maintained for the past one year. However, very few families come forward for organ donation.

Parshotam Singh, a resident of Jammu, was working as a bus conductor in a private school. On July 2, he met with an accident while he was standing on the foot board of a bus.

He suffered a serious head injury. He was shifted to the GMCH, Jammu, from where he was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh, for tertiary care management on the same day.

At the PGI, he was declared brain dead.

Chandigarh, July 5
Councillor of Ward No. 17 Mukesh Bassi, along with the residents of Sector 21, today met the MC Commissioner and submitted a memorandum to him.

Bassi, who was also accompanied by PC Sanghi, Chairman, FOSWAC, urged the MC Commissioner for the reconstruction or expansion of the existing community centre at Sector 21 on a par with the new community centres coming up in other sectors.

Bassi said an open ground adjoining to Sector 21-A should be developed as a proper green belt with a playground in one corner. — TNS

Chandigarh, July 5
Former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court SS Dewan’s crusade to get justice for the aged and the infirm has produced results. The Chandigarh Administration today informed the High Court that it was establishing a senior citizens' home in Sector 34.

This is in addition to two old-age homes in Sector 15 and 43. Director, Social Welfare, Rajesh Jogpal said work was in progress, and they had received drawings for the Sector 34 senior citizens' home.

The High Court was also told that counselling sessions for women in Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital were being extended to cover men. Moreover, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen's Act 2007 was also in place, and Dr Satbir Singh has been appointed its nodal officer. The police had come out with a Chandigarh senior citizens' helpline number 1090, the court was told.

Chief Justice Dewan and his wife Romilla have sought “protection” from their own son. Taking up their petition, alleging that they have been forced into “animal existence” by their own son, the High Court has already asked a former apex court judge, Justice Kuldip Singh, senior advocate ML Sarin and prominent tax consultant Ravinder Kishan to mediate.

As the case came up for a resumed hearing, the Division Bench asked Justice Kuldip Singh, who said two more weeks were required. Taking up the matter, the High Court fixed August 20 as the next date of hearing.

On a previous date of hearing, the High Court had made it clear that there was an immediate need to put in place the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen's Act 2007.

The assertion came after their counsel Puneet Bali argued that the welfare of the senior citizens remained a neglected affair. Though emphasis was being laid on child and women's rights, there was no mechanism to ensure the welfare of the elderly. Even a complaints’ authority had not been set up for them. Justice Dewan and his wife had raised the issue of special cells for the aged and the infirm left to fend for themselves in the twilight of their life by their progeny, after alleging harassment at the hands of their son.

Mohali, July 5
Kulwant Singh (42) is a relieved man today as he has been elected panch of Bariyali village two days ago.

Kulwant’s case is exceptional as he had contested the election while being lodged in a jail on the charge of murder and a CBI probe is on in the case.

Despite this, Kulwant had decided to be a part of the contest and emerged winner.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Jujhaar Singh, Kulwant’s brother, said: "Their entire family is relieved as the residents of the village reposed faith in his brother.”

“He had been the sarpanch of the village for the past three terms consecutively. This year, the sarpanch seat had been reserved so my brother has decided to contest the panch seat and won it while being in jail. Even he has fielded one of his loyals for the sarpanch seat and he also won,” said Jujhaar.

Kulwant got 55 votes out of the 100 from his ward.

He, along with his younger brother Dilbar Singh, has been facing a murder case, registered against him in December 2010.

Chandigarh, July 5
The UT Social Welfare Department has found that the mid-day meal supplied to the Mauli Jagran anganwari centre was fit for consumption as per the inquiry report submitted by the special committee constituted by the UT Director, Social Welfare, yesterday.

After the complaint of Avdesh Parsad Gupta, father of the five-year-old Parvesh Gupta, that a lizard was found in the karhi chawal provided to the Anganwari children, a departmental inquiry was ordered by the Director.

Sources said in the report, the officials stated that the utensil in which the food was stored by the parents of the child was not covered. Even there was no report of any other child falling ill after consuming the food provided to the Anganwari centre yesterday.

Director, Social Welfare Department, Rajesh Jogpal, said the food provided at the Anganwari was hygienic.

The incident was reported by the father of Parvesh who took the mid-day meal to his residence in the afternoon.

He revealed that his elder son Barjesh Gupta noticed a lizard in the food after three hours when he consumed the same.

He alleged that after the consumption of the the food, Barjesh fell ill and had to be medically examined.

Mohali, July 5
A leopard lurking in the Air Force Station area over the past about one week is proving to be as elusive as ever even as officials of the Forest Department continued their efforts today to trap the “big cat”.

The leopard was again seen by some persons around 4.30 pm yesterday in the area. The sites where a camera and a cage had been put up have been changed. A cage has also been put up in the Parol area.

Balbir Singh, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), said the wild cat, which appeared to be a leopard from the pugmarks, was still in the Air Force Station area. In that area there was a forest with wildlife in it. The leopard was surviving by feeding on wild animals in that forest. It could jump to a distance of about 32 feet and often slept on branches of trees. Leopards generally attacked animals between 7 pm and 9 pm, he said.

The DFO said people living close to the Air Force Station had been asked not to panic and to keep their lights on at night. They were also asked to immediately inform the officials as soon as they saw the leopard.

The leopard most probably entered the Air Force station area at Mullanpur on June 30 and has been dodging forest and Air Force officials ever since. It is believed to be four years old. 

Chandigarh, July 5
Grewal Eye Institute today introduced a revolutionary technique that can help one to read clearly without glasses.

The Kamra inlay is implanted in the center of the cornea either through a lasik process or by any other process that your eye surgeon feels is just right for you and it is totally safe without the use of any bandages or stitches.

“Kamra inlay is a proven process to give one visual freedom from those reading glasses that are sometimes hard to find. The best thing about this is that anyone who might have gone through a lasik earlier can also get this implantation done without any second thoughts,” said Dr SPS Grewal, CEO, Grewal Eye Institute.

Dr Pat Lydon, University of California BS/OD Optometry, visited Grewal Eye Institute to lead the process of the Kamra Inlay.

"The inlay is a microscopic ring that is implanted in the eye’s outer layer, the cornea. The Kamra Inlay works to restore your eye’s ability to focus light from a nearby object,” said Dr Pat Lydon.

With an advanced design backed by a decade of research and development, the inlay expands your range of vision by focusing light that enters your eye through the center of the inlay," said Dr Pat Lydon.

Mohali, July 5
Around 400 students from all over Punjab, who have secured more than 85 per cent marks in the senior secondary examinations, attended a seminar on career guidance for commerce and science subjects.

The seminar was organised by the Punjab School Education Board and the Department of Education, Punjab, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) here on the PSEB premises yesterday.

The principal secretary, School Education, Anjali Bhawra, PSEB chairperson Dr Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal and Kamal Garg, DPI (secondary), were also present to guide the students in making their career. Addressing the gathering, Anjali Bhawra called for the need for including higher education experts in career guidance field and providing the same to the students through various websites of the Department of Education and the PSEB.

Dr Jagdeep Singh, additional director, higher education, Punjab, said the students of Punjab were not incurring benefits of IISER scholarships. Dr Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal projected the objective of career guidance not only to enhance knowledge of students but also to make them aware of various means to get employment later on. — TNS

Chandigarh, July 5
Two youths were seriously injured in a bloody group clash reported between the members of the Hindustan Students Association (HSA), National Students Organisation (NSO) and the National Students Union of India (NSUI) on the Panjab University campus today in the presence of the Chandigarh police.

The clash ahead of the PU student elections was reported at the help desks of students’ parties set up near the post office on the PU campus.

Eyewitness said the members of the NSO and the HSA entered into an altercation over some issue and soon the members of both the parties entered into a clash.

“The boys had sharp-edged weapons, including kirch, ice cutters, rods and sticks, which were used in the clash,” said a PU official who was a witness to the incident.

The clash took place in the presence of the police force deputed at the venue, particularly to ensure peace between the students’ parties.

Eyewitness said one of the NSO supporters, during the clash, rushed towards the help desk of the NSUI to save himself from the members of the HSA. The NSUI members intervened and they also had an altercation with the HSA members. Both the party members then entered into a fight.

One of the injured persons, identified as Bhagwana Ram of the HAS, was stabbed on his stomach, chest and shoulder with a sharp-edged ice cutter. Bhagwana and another youth, Bhawuk, who was also injured in the incident, have been admitted to the Government Multi Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16.

Sources said a few others received minor injuries and were discharged after treatment.

While the clash was going on, PU officials reached the spot. Yograj Angrish, a Senate member, and also a hostel warden at PU, received a minor injury on his head while rescuing a boy who was being beaten by another group.

Sources said most of the outsiders of all three students’ parties were involved in the group clash. A few youths had also been rounded up by the police for investigation.

Amit, Sumeet, Bikram Jatana, Dharmendar Lathwal and Jagmeet have been booked under the charges of attempt to murder and rioting.

Following the clash, the PU authorities withdrew the permission to allow the students’ parties to install their help desks on the PU campus. All students’ parties were asked to vacate their help desks. 

The Chandigarh police that was present at the spot miserably failed to prevent the students’ parties from entering into a clash. The tall claims of the PU authorities of allowing only PU students to sit at the help desks came to the fore as a large number of outsiders were present at the help desks at the time of the incident. 

Chandigarh, July 5
The eligibility criterion of the minimum requirement of 15 per cent marks in the JEE (Main) fixed for admission to the city-based five engineering institutes has led to resentment among the candidates who appeared for the JEE (Main). The candidates claim that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) constituted by the UT Administration has curbed the right of students to apply for admission to the colleges.

The JAC is constituted for admission to the city institutes, including the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), PEC University of Technology, Dr SS Bhatnagar University of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology and Chandigarh College of Architecture.

A representation to the Adviser to the UT Administrator was also made recently in this regard. The representation stated that the administration in its meeting held in December last year had decided that the MHRD guidelines would be followed for admission to government engineering institutes of Chandigarh.

The guidelines state that the admission will be based on the 40 per cent weightage for performance in Class XII board marks normalised on the percentage basis and the remainder 60 per cent weightage will be given for performance in the JEE and the combined All-India Rank (AIR) would be decided accordingly.

“Nowhere in the guidelines has been mentioned that a student needs to score minimum 15 per cent score for applying to engineering institutes,” said one of the parents of a candidate.

The coordinator, JAC, Renu Vig, who is also the director of the UIET, said all institutes had strictly followed the MHRD guidelines.

“The notification is regarding how the merit will be prepared, based on which the AIR will be declared. The guidelines are not related to fixing the eligibility criteria for admission and the institutes have the discretion to fix the eligibility criteria on their own,” said the coordinator, JAC.

VK Singh, UT Finance Secretary-cum-Secretary, Technical Education, said the criterion of minimum 15 per cent marks in the entrance test had been in place for the past several years. “This is something that has been in place for the past several years and no changes have been made in the eligibility criteria,” he said.

A parent said: “With the new guidelines in effect, a candidate who has scored good in Class XII and fails to score minimum 15 per cent marks in the JEE, he/she will lose the opportunity to apply for admission in comparison to a candidate who has scored lesser marks in Class XII and scores over 15 per cent in the JEE”.

“If the merit of the candidate is calculated as per the new guidelines of the MHRD and there is an eligibility of minimum 15 per cent JEE score, then the candidate who has scored relatively good marks in Class XII exams but fails to fulfil the minimum 15 per cent JEE score will be deprived of admission to the city institute even though if his merit is more than a candidate who scored lesser marks in Class XII and managed to get minimum 15 per cent JEE score,” parents said. 

Chandigarh, July 5
“Where Did I Leave My Purdah” is the latest theatrical offering that comes from the coming together of Lillete Dubey, director, and Mahesh Dattani, Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer.

The 90-minute production in English will be staged at the Tagore Theatre on July 12 with the help of the Durga Das Foundation.

Starring Soni Razdan, Neha Dubey, Sid Makkar, Priyanka Karunakaran, and Lillete herself, the play has a strong musical base and is a telling comment on the contemporary world of cinema and stage. — TNS

Nishi Gupta of MCM College for Women, Sector 36, Chandigarh, has topped the BA first-year examination of Panjab University. Nishi has scored 675 marks out of 800. In this examination, girls have outclassed boys as they have bagged all the top 10 positions. As many as 57,347 students appeared for the BA first-year examination, of which 28,536 passed. Shaveta of DAV College for Women, Ferozepur, and Shifali Chhabra of Gopichand Arya Mahila College, Abohar, bagged the second and third positions, respectively.

Interviews

Panjab University will hold interview for admission to MA first semester in the Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology on July 12 at 10 AM in the office of the chairperson.

MA - Psychology

Panjab University will hold interview for admission to MA first semester in Psychology on July 16 for the General Category and July 17 for the Reserved Category in the office of the chairperson of the Department of Psychology.

Admission forms

The students who qualified in the Other Common Entrance Test (OCET) conducted by PU for admission to MSc (H.S.)-I Physics and MSc (H.S.)-I Physics and Electronics are required to submit their admission forms in the office of the chairperson, Department of Physics, till July 6. PU officials said the counselling for the admission to MSc (H.S.)-I Physics would be held on July 15 for all categories, except the NRI category, and for Foreign National/PIO/NRI, the counselling would be held on July 16 at the Department of Physics PU.

MSc - Environment Science

The students who qualified in the Other Common Entrance Test (OCET) conducted by PU for admission to MSc Environment Science are required to submit their admission forms in the office of the chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, PU, till July 6. Officials said the interview for admission to MSc first-year Environment Science would be held on July 17 in the Department of Environment Studies.— TNS