Chandigarh, July 27
The UT Master Plan Committee has recommended against the expansion of Rock Garden. This will help the UT Administration to preserve the Nek Chand's marvel.

The Master Plan-2031 report reads: "Spread over several acres, the fantasy land designed by Nek Chand is a vast open-air museum that showcases an array of natural rock forms and stones. The layout of the garden is based on the fantasy of the lost kingdom. Rock Garden, by its organic forms and non-geometric layout, offers an apt counterpoint to the stylised architecture of Chandigarh and has also been recommended for the heritage status."

The report further reads: "Rock Garden was not a part of the original plan as conceived by Le Corbusier and was considered as a violation to the same. The Chandigarh Master Plan-2031 proposes to legalise the area in view of the creative excellence. Further, interventions will be strictly as per the recommendation of the Expert Heritage Committee."

The committee had made recommendations on Rock Garden under the head, "Open Spaces and Landscaping" in Master Plan-2031.

The Heritage committee in its earlier reports had mentioned: "Striking innovativeness of Rock Garden which was in its first phases until mid-80s and was its creator's ingenuity in utilising paltry resources artistically, is no longer perceptible in its expansion which had been more repetitive. It is thus necessary to freeze its growth at the existing stage to be conserved as a significant work of what has been called the outsider Art."

I am also not in favour of the expansion of Rock Garden, but the UT Administration should concentrate on the non-developed areas within the boundary walls of the garden. Maintenance of the garden will attract more tourists.
— Nek Chand, creator of Rock Garden 

The recommendations in the Master Plan were made on the basis of the recommendations of UT's Expert Heritage Committee, whose report was also approved by the Union Government.
— Sumit Kaur, Chief Architect, UT 

Chandigarh, July 27
The CBI court today fixed July 31 to pronounce the order on framing of charges in the cash-at-judge’s door case that surfaced in 2008.

In a resumed hearing of the case today, both the prosecution and the defence counsels rested their arguments following which the CBI court of Judge Vimal Kumar reserved its order on framing of charges against the accused.

The arguments on framing of charges were on for the past 10 days. Recently, the CBI court was also granted extension of seven days by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to frame charges in the case.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court was hit by the scam on August 13, 2008, after a packet containing Rs 15 lakh was delivered at the Sector 11 residence of High Court Judge Nirmaljit Kaur.

It was alleged that the cash was actually meant for Justice Nirmal Yadav (now retired), an accused in the case, for giving a judgment relating to a property dispute case in Panchkula in 2007.

The police later arrested the then Haryana additional advocate general, Sanjeev Bansal, property dealer Rajiv Gupta and Delhi-based hotelier Ravinder Singh Bhasin.

Justice Nirmal Yadav went on leave after her name figured in the case. She was later transferred to the Uttarakhand High Court. 

Chandigarh, July 27
After remaining stuck in the inter-state boundary row between Chandigarh and Mohali, more trouble is in store for the mega housing project of the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) in Sector 63.

Around 2,000 flats of different categories are being constructed at the site.

In a recent communiqué to the CHB authorities, the housing department of Punjab has declined the request of the UT to integrate the sewerage network of the Sector 63 CHB scheme with Mohali.

At a recent meeting, officials of the Punjab Government said the sewerage system in Phase IX, Mohali, was not designed to handle the load of 2,000 houses being constructed by the CHB.

The CHB has been told to set up its own plant to treat sewage before it is discharged into the N choe.

“While planning the multi-storeyed flats, the UT should have made a provision for the sewage treatment plant,” said an official of the Punjab Government.

The integration of storm water and sewer system of the UT with Punjab in southern sectors bordering Mohali has raised a lot of hue and cry. The court has also taken a note of discharge of sewage into the N choe.

Besides, Punjab authorities have also shown their reluctance to handle the storm water generated from the CHB houses. Five years ago, the UT Revenue Department came to know that 20 houses and infrastructure like roads of Punjab had come up on the land belonging to the UT. The zigzag stretch of the land on which the flats are being constructed falls in Sector 63 and runs parallel to Phase IX, Mohali.

The issue of high-rise building coming close to houses in Mohali had resulted in a series of meetings between UT and GMADA officials.

The project is also running behind schedule. It was scheduled to be completed by May 2013. The construction of 388 flats in one of the blocks is yet to start. Though the construction of one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom flats is on, the work of laying pipelines and power cables has been delayed.

The construction of other blocks of one, two and three bedroom flats is in the advanced stage, But the CHB is yet to float tenders for storm water, water supply line, power cables and roads, streetlights, lifts and solar system.

The scheme has remained in controversy since its inception. Initially, there was a delay in the demarcation of land. Then there was inordinate delay in getting the environmental clearance.

Due to the delay in the completion of the project, the allotment price of the flats has to be revised. 

Not the first incident

In the recent case, 14 children were swept away in flash floods caused by incessant rains in Morni in three separate incidents. While eight of them were rescued by a joint operation of villagers, the Army and divers, six drowned. All the six were from Panchkula, in the age group of 18 and 22.

Two years ago, a resident of Azad Colony and two other youths were also swept away in the strong currents of the the Ghaggar, while they were trying to collect coins. The two were rescued. In another incident in 2010, the Army and firemen, in a rescue operation that lasted for around three hours, had saved the lives of five persons, including two women of Dhakka Colony, near Sector 21. The five were stranded on a small island in the overflowing Ghaggar.

Chandigarh, July 27
City-based social activist who runs a non-governmental organisation, Arrive Safe, to spread awareness on road safety, received another threatening message on the Facebook page of the Chandigarh traffic police.

Sidhu who has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) against the removal of liquor vends situated along national highways near Chandigarh and the neighbouring states earlier received a threat letter by post on July 18. The sender “advised” him to withdraw the case or face “serious consequences”.

Harman Sidhu said he received another message on the Facebook page of traffic police, posted by a person who goes by the name ‘Cow White’.

“I stand by my words. I'm the real king of cyber kingdom. I will do whatever I say and nothing whatsoever can stop me from passing any order and my order will hold u [sic] back along with all your powerful resources. I will leave you and your workers speechless and helpless (without any physical harm). You know very well what I mean. Just wait for few months,” reads the post.

The PIL is pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and its hearing is scheduled for July 30.

Sidhu, who has complained to the police, said despite all the threats, he would not withdraw the case.

Chandigarh, July 27
Over 100 people today gathered at Sector 17 to offer prayers to the victims of the flash floods in Uttarakhand. The ‘Prarthna Sabha’ was organised by the Municipal Corporation to express solidarity with the victims’ families.

The chairperson of the arts, culture and sports committee of the MC, Gurbax Rawat, said, “The Municipal Corporation has passed an agenda for contributing Rs 1 crore to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to help the grieving families.”

Local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, former MP Satya Pal Jain and Mayor Subhash Chawla also attended the sabha.

Panchkula, July 27
They battled hard to survive, revealed the post-mortem reports of three of the six youths who drowned in Ghaggar River.

Ante-mortem (before death) injuries on Ravinder, Hitesh Kapoor and Pradeep’s bodies revealed that they struggled to swim against the strong currents of the Ghaggar.

“The youths had ante-mortem injuries on their shoulders, back and face. As there were rocks and stones in the river, these hit them while they were striving hard to swim, leading to the injuries,” said Dr Sunil Gambhir, head of the post-mortem department.

He said the shoulder and back injuries reflected that the youths despite not knowing how to swim, made efforts for the same.

According to the doctors’ observations, the current was so strong that mud and water entered the victims’ mouth that caused asphyxia, leading to their death. The report stated that large traces of mud were also found in the trachea of all the victims.

The observations were made by the doctors on the basis of blood ecchymosis. “The blood which enters deep in the tissues is actually the injury caused before death. The post-mortem (after death) injuries were found only on the legs,” added the doctor.

The incident was a tragic end to a birthday bash. The eight friends decided to play in the river in the Diwanvala area of Burj Kotian village in Panchkula. Due to flash floods, six of them drowned, while two were rescued. Those who drowned were identified as Shubham Bhalla, Samvit Raina, Ravinder, Hitesh Kapoor, Arjun Bisht and Pradeep. Akshay and Deepansh were rescued by the local villagers.

Body was maggot-infected

According to doctors, Pradeep’s body was laden with maggots. His body was the last to be recovered after three days of the incident. “The maggots on his body showed that for a day or so the body got stuck in the thick vegetation; and as it must have got exposed to sun, it was maggot-infected. It was totally decomposed,” said a doctor.

Faces of all the youths who drowned in the Ghaggar were distorted. “Since the faces were badly swollen and injured, it was difficult to identify the victims,” said a doctor. The parents had to identify the bodies through items such as karas, threads, rings, chains and undergarments.

Chandigarh, July 27
Two acid bottles were found outside Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari’s private residence in Sector 19 this morning. The police said four bottles were found lying in a box near the boundary wall of the minister’s house. Two of the seized bottles were empty, the police said.

The box was noticed by the minister’s personal security officer Satish Kumar who informed the police.

DSP (East) Vijay Kumar said the acid in the bottles was the one used for cleaning toilets.

“Someone might have left the box near the house. We are looking into the matter,” the DSP said.

The police said vigil was being kept at the minister’s house to avoid any untoward incident. Tewari is a Member of Parliament from Ludhiana and mostly resides in Delhi, while his mother stays in Chandigarh.

Chandigarh, July 27
The Deputy Commissioner (DC), Chandigarh, Mohammad Shayin, today held a meeting with all the city-based college principals over the issue of defacement by the student parties in the city. The principals have been asked to send the names along with the other details of the students defacing the college and city to the police and the DC, against which stern actions.

Sources stated that the DC, Mohammad Shayin, during the meeting, has asked all the college principals to counsel the students and sensitise them about the defacement and its consequences.

Principal of the DAV College, BC Josan, said that the college principals have been asked to send the names of the students defacing the campus and various parts of the city to the Chandigarh police and the DC’s office for necessary action.

Chandigarh, July 27
As the UT administration’s mobile tower policy is yet to be notified, the officials of the administration are now studying the recent judgment of the Kerala High Court wherein the court had held that no prima facie evidence was found which links any harmful effects of telecom towers on people.

Chandigarh, July 27
A 13-year-old patient, Sadiq, belonging to Bhojpur village in UP, has been suffering from Wilson’s disease (decompensated chronic liver disease) and is currently admitted at the PGIMER.

Mohali, July 27
The Sectors 76-80 Plot Allotment Sangharsh Committee condemned the hike in the prices of plots by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). An emergency meeting of the body’s executive committee was held today to oppose the decision of GMADA.

Mohali, July 27
Small-scale unit members of the Mohali Industries Association (MIA) criticised the election of the new office-bearers of the MIA. They stated that the constitution was bypassed and the conventions were disregarded in the poll. The elections were held yesterday and Gurkirpal Singh was elected as president.

He represents the large-scale unit category. A member said according to the MIA conventions, the president should have been elected from the medium-scale unit category as during the last term the president was from the large-scale unit category. Another member said according to the MIA bylaws the president, the vice-president and the secretary should have been taken from all three categories. However, the president and the secretary were elected from the large-scale unit category ddisregarding the conventions. BS Anand , a former president of the MIA, said members from small-scale units refused to accept the newly elected body. 

Chandigarh, July 27
The Indo-Swiss Training Centre Old Students Association (ISTCOSA), here, organised their first ever mentoring programme for the ISTC students, where they shared their achievements and success mantra with the younger generation.

Each mentor spoke about his experiences and success story in diverse fields like manufacturing, global exports, scientific research and development and industrial innovation. They included Harpal Singh Saggu, whose firm had constructed a 10-storey building within 48 hours in Mohali recently and Dr JP Barnwal, a renowned mineral engineering scientist as well as several other distinguished achievers, some of whom are now settled abroad.

The principal of the ISTC, RC Agnihotri, himself an alumnus of the institute, congratulated ISTCOSA for this initiative, which he said was extremely inspiring and enlightening for the students. The president of the association, Mukesh Kumar Aggarwal, said that many more such programmes would be organised in the future for the benefit of students.

The Indo-Swiss Training Centre specialises in training for manufacturing skills with state-of-art infrastructure. The mentoring programme was followed by a tree plantation around new workshop building of the ISTC.

Chandigarh, July 27
In a major blow to the students possessing degrees from CMJ University, Shillong, who had taken admissions in various courses for the session 2013-14 at Panjab University (PU), the Syndicate today has decided to cancel their admissions. The house has also decided to put the appointments made by the college of candidates possessing PhD degree from CMJ University, on hold.

Syndicate member, Dinesh Talwar, stated that the admission of those students, who had degrees of the CMJ University and taken admission in the courses in the Panjab University, would be cancelled.

Sources said that there are many students who have taken admission in the post graduation course at the Panjab University.

The house has also decided that the appointments of the candidates possessing PhD degrees in the colleges will be put on hold. “The university will legally examine the appointments,” said RPS Josh another syndic.

In June this year, a city-based RTI activist had also complained to the Vice-President of India, who is also the Chancellor of Panjab University (PU), the University Grant Commission (UGC), the UT Education Secretary and the Panjab University authorities against the selection of an assistant professor at DAV College, Sector 10, who possesses a Phd degree from CMJ University, Shillong. The activist had complained that degrees of CMJ University stands cancelled. But still the college has selected the candidate who is also the daughter of the college principal.

The CNJ University was in news after as many as 434 PhD degrees were issued by the university in the academic session of 2012-13 alone, despite the fact that the university was established in 2009 and has only 10 faculty members on its rolls who themselves have a PhD degree.

Chandigarh, July 27
Deadlock over faculty development programme (FDP) of the UT Education Department seems to be over now. The department officials said all the teachers were highly satisfied with the modalities of today’s session of this weekly programme, which was held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16.

Two separate delegations of the Joint Action Committee and the Government Teachers Union also attended this weekly programme along with Education Secretary, VK Singh, DPI (S) Upkar Singh and other officials of the department here today.

Separate session on English, physics and sociology were held today in which lecturers of their respective subjects demonstrated their lecturers.

Sources informed that senior officials took the feedback from the English and physics lecturers on some modifications in the programme, including inviting the outside subject experts in coming sessions and bringing the element of discussion in the programme.

Talking to the Education Secretary, VK Singh, he said all the suggestions by teachers as well as members of the delegations were useful; therefore, the department would definitely incorporate them in subsequent sessions of this programme.

He said today’s session was a great success. Many teachers had misconceptions about this programme. But we all left with a positive mindset.

“The purpose of this programme is to improve the classroom learning outcomes. Therefore, the department has no problem in bringing changes at the request of the teachers. Our purpose is to keep the programme on and promote quality education in the city,” he said.

It is learnt that the protest by the joint action committee along with school lecturers over inauguration session the faculty development programme last week on Saturday led the education department to suspend four school teachers besides invoking the FIR against them. The department also issued show-cause notice to 100 school lecturers too for failing to attend this programme.

After today’s session, the department officials were hopeful that major confusion over this programme would be over today and it would have no problem in holding subsequent sessions under this programme. “Whatever changes are proposed by the teachers, will be made for the overall success of the programme,” said a senior official of the department.

On the issue of taking back the show-cause notice and suspension orders of the four teachers, the department officials said the department was taking the sympathetic view of the whole situation and it might be revoked next week.

One of the suspended teachers, Kushali Ram Sharma, said the delegation of the Joint Action Committee would meet the Education Secretary on Tuesday and the issue over suspension and the FIR would be discussed in that meeting.

President of the GTU, Vinod Sharma, said his delegation would also meet VK Singh to request him to withdraw the show-cause notice issued to 100 lecturers last week.

Chandigarh, July 27
The Panjab University (PU) Syndicate today revised the fines imposed on hostel residents for breaking the rules.

The House revised the fine for possessing any weapon from Rs 1, 000 to Rs 2, 000. The fine for late entry at girls hostels has been revised from Rs 100 to Rs 250.

The university is going to introduce a fine of Rs 500 on hostlers who shift their rooms within the hostel without the permission from hostel warden.

The rooms of the hostel residents will be locked if they fail to vacate the hostel within three days after their examination. A fine of Rs 1,000 will be charged in addition to the daily charges of the room till the time the hostler vacates the room.

The PU has hiked the fine for keeping any electrical appliances in the hostel rooms from Rs 250 to Rs 500.

A hostel resident, who is a defaulter or has any record of misconduct in the university hostel, will not be eligible for food subsidy, financial assistance or scholarships.

Chandigarh, July 27
Sri Aurobindo Society, Chandigarh branch, is holding a seminar on applied spirituality on July 28. The seminar will be organised at 5 pm at the Sri Aurobindo Bhawan.

Pradeep Narang, chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry, will be the key speaker on the occasion.

He will deliver a keynote address on the importance of spirituality in daily management of life.

Chandigarh, July 27
Dr Mandeep S Dhillon, a prof at the Department of Orthopaedics, and Head Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, PGIMER, Chandigarh, has been invited to Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. This fellowship is an honour, usually imparted to one Orthopaedic surgeon, from the South Asian sphere in a year, and Dr Dhillon was awarded this for his academic achievements as well as the fact that he is president of Indian Arthroplasty Association, plus President Elect of the Indian Foot & Ankle Society.

Prof Dhillon is past president of the NZ Indian Orthopaedic Association, vice-president of the Indian Association of Sports Medicine, Editor Indian Arthroscopy Society, and Research Officer, AO Trauma India, making his research and academic interests varied. Prof Dhillon's extensive work on Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy was taken into account as well as the fact that he has published almost 300 research papers, and three specialised books, one of which on Calcaneus (foot) fractures has been acclaimed internationally. Based on his book and his focus on foot injuries, Dr Dhillon has been invited to teach as faculty at the Masters AO course on Foot Injuries at Davos, Switzerland, in November 2013, where he will be demonstrating his management applications on cadavers and training International surgeons.

Dr Dhillon was instrumental in developing Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine services in North India during the last 25 years. His research work in Orthobiologics is contributing to newer modalities like PRP injections being used in younger patients with arthritis to delay or postpone knee joint replacements. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recognised this as the Lead Paper of Interest in February 2013, and the same has generated extensive interest. Dr Dhillon was invited to present his research findings as Distinguished Visiting Professor to the prestigious McMaster University of Canada in May 2013, and he will be presenting his work as a Plenary lecture at the Asian Association of Sports Medicine in Malaysia next month.

CHANDIGARH: A declamation contest was organised in the library of Sharda Sarvhitkari Model Sr Sec School. The topic was thoughts and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. Students from classes XI and XII participated in the contest. As many as 10 students were shortlisted for the final competition The aim of the competition was to enlighten the students about the life and works of Swami Vivekananda.

Theatre

Students of Banyan Tree School staged a skit -“Numbers in Nature” during the morning assembly. Students conveyed the message as how indiscriminate human claims on the biological systems of the earth result in the depletion of natural resources to an unsustainable level. Students wore colourful and creative costumes to depict the plight of many endangered species of animals like deer, antelope, polar bear, tigers, elephants and sparrows.

Vanamahotsava

Eco Club of Government Senior Secondary School, Mauli Jagran, celebrated Vanamahotsava. More than 70 plants were planted by the students. This was followed by a prize distribution ceremony. Students who secured positions in different competitions were awarded prizes on the occasion. Meanwhile, Govt Model Sr Sec School, Sector 56, celebrated vanmahotsava with great enthusiasm and fervour to spread awareness among the students and society. MC Councillor Darshan Garg inaugurated the function by planting saplings.

Vanamahotsava week was also celebrated at St John’s High School, Sector 26, Chandigarh. A lotus pond was started on the school campus and the herbal garden was given a makeover. Tree saplings were planted as an outreach endeavour by the students of class VIII. A poster-making competition was organised on the theme "Trees and Water-a precious resource".

Herbal Day

Eco Club Day and Herbal Day were celebrated at Govt Model High School, Sec 39-C, Chandigarh, with great enthusiasm. During celebration, tree plantation drive was held on the school premises. Students also participated in a rally, poster-making and slogan-writing competition.

Exhibition

Moti Ram Arya Sr. Sec. Model School, Sec-27-A, Chandigarh held its open day-cum-parents teacher meeting. The subject wise exhibition, as per the syllabus laid by the CBSE, was held by various departments showcasing the features of the school. Science working models, mathematics, 3D smart class, social studies, languages, fine arts were popular.

Safety and Rights Week

Consumer Club of Govt High School, Sector 46-C, Chandigarh, observed consumer Safety and Rights Week. Lecture on the same was delivered by the club in charge Jaspal Kaur. Poster-making and slogan-writing competitions were also organised. — TNS

Chandigarh, July 27
The third annual function of the North Zone Film and TV Association (NZFTA) was held at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16, here today.

City’s acclaimed film, theatre and TV artists, including Mehar Mittal, Jaspal Bhatti (posthumous), Parvesh Sethi, Nirmal Rishi and Anita Shabdeesh, were honoured at the function. These five eminent personalities were awarded for their meritorious contribution to the Punjabi cinema.

A short cultural programme was also organised in which a bhangra, a comedy skit by Bhottu Shah and his team and a short play “Chirri di Amber Wal Udaan” by Anita Shabdeesh on the theme of women were performed.

Mehar Mittal enthralled the audience with his jokes. The show was anchored by Gurleen Kaur. Other artists who were present on the occasion were Ravinder Peepat, BN Sharma, Binnu Dhillon, Rana Ranbir and Karmjit Anmol.