Chandigarh, January 7
In disrespect to the National Flag, the management of the Lake Sports Complex today hoisted the Tricolour upside down at the inaugural ceremony of the new shooting range here this evening.

Contrary to the National Flag code, the saffron colour strip was placed at the bottom in the horizontal display of the flag, on the occasion. The grave anomaly remained unnoticed, but was rectified moments before the UT Administrator, Shivraj V Patil, was to arrive to inaugurate the 10-meter Air Gun Shooting Range at the sports complex.

On the other hand, unaware of the incident, Finance Secretary VK Singh along with Sunil Bhatia, Director (sports), and other top officials of the UT Administration, were busy welcoming the guests. The mistake was only rectified after the correspondent pointed it out to the organisers.

“A gardener had committed the mistake. He seemed to be unaware of the proper sequence of colour of the National Flag. No issues, we will rectify it,” said a coach on duty, seeking anonymity. One of the police personnel appointed on duty said that the matter was brought to the notice of the organisers, but they turned a deaf ear. “I asked them to place the flag right, but they ignored. Now, when you (camerapersons) have started clicking photographs, they have taken notice” said the officer deputed on the roof area of Lake Sports Complex. The flag was again raised in an inappropriate way.

The flag bearing the sports complex name and symbol was also hurled upside down. “I am not aware of any such incident. If the same has happened, it a sheer case of negligence” said Tejinder Singh Dhillon, general manager of the Lake Sports Complex.

‘A shameful act’

It is a shameful act. A responsible person should have appointed to hurl the flag in its place; however, it seems that there is no responsible person in the UT Administration. The act is condemnable - Satinder Singh advocate and a local councillor. 

Guilty may be convicted

Disrespect to the national flag causes conviction under Prevention of Insult to the National Honour Act, 1971. The law recognises such cases grouped under the National Flag, Constitution and National Anthem, as an offence and the conviction is made under Sections 2 or 3, with an imprisonment for a term not less than one year.

Chandigarh, January 7
Influenced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is empowering the common man in the national capital, the BJP councillor from Ward Number 2 today held a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the construction of a Community Centre, which had residents as the chief guest. Interestingly, a few bricks used for laying the foundation of the community centre had BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s name engraved on them.

Behl takes a dig at BJP

Taking a dig at BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, city Congress president BB Behl said that it seemed Modi had now opened a brick kiln and started its supply to the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. He said the local BJP councillor used Modi’s name as a publicity stunt. Moreover, it was the government’s fund which would be used for the construction of a community centre, not the BJP party fund, Behl added. 

Panchkula, January 7
“Doon MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary’s wife has gone into hiding”, said the Punjab Police after conducting a raid at her residence in Baddi in connection with the Jyoti murder case here today.

Chaudhary’s wife has been accused of threatening Jyoti’s father Buti Ram for turning hostile in the case. At the time of evidence, he had appeared in a Panchkula court and told the Judge that he didn’t know the Doon MLA. Meanwhile, the police rounded up a mediator identified as Laddoo, from Ludhiana for threatening Buti on the alleged directions of Chaudhary and his kin.

A senior police official of the Hoshiarpur police said, “Our policemen have been deployed in Baddi and raids have been conducted at the MLA’s residence, but his wife was not there. She is not at her residence after the case has been registered.”

The officials have conducted a probe after the Panchkula Police sent the zero FIR lodged against Chaudhary’s wife and other middlemen under Sections 195A, 323 and 506 of the Indian Penal code(IPC) on Buti Ram’s complaint to Panchkula Commissioner of Police Rajbir Deswal. “We sent our team and Laddu was rounded up from Ludhiana. He has been included in the investigations and we will verify all facts from the CD that has been provided by Buti,” said the official. It was yesterday when on the request by the Panchkula Police and the zero FIR sent by them, the Punjab Police registered a case against five persons, including Ram Kumar Chaudhary, under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy).

Chandigarh, January 7
Even as posts for 10 new Judges have been sanctioned by the Centre for the district courts in Sector 43 to meet the burgeoning demand of cases, the sanctioning of staff for the new courts has been insufficient and is likely to take a toll on the effective working.

Against the requirement of 78, a total of 58 posts have been sanctioned for various categories for the upcoming courts. This is likely to put burden on the staff thus hampering the speedy delivery of justice in the long run.

The district courts are already grappling with the staff shortage in the existing 20 courts.

In a recent communiqué sent to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the district courts authorities have lamented a shortage of 20 posts for the 10 new courts that are coming up and have demanded sanctioning of the same. Against the requirement of two stenographers in each court, the Centre has sanctioned only one stenographer each for the 10 courts. Moreover, where there is a requirement of two ahlmads in each court, only one ahlmad has been sanctioned per court.

The Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, had last year sanctioned four posts of Additional District and Sessions Judges and six posts of Civil Judges for the courts. Besides, 58 posts of ancillary staff have been created for these courts against the demanded strength of 78. The new courts will thus be short of 10 stenographers and 10 ahlmads, sources said.

The district courts is already facing an acute shortage of staff as with the present strength of 20 judicial officers, only 35 stenographers are working out of the sanctioned strength of 40. With four to five stenographers on an average on any working day, the 20 judicial officers have only 30 stenographers at their disposal.

Chandigarh, January 7
President Pranab Mukherjee today for the first time as the visitor of the Central universities and institutions used the National Knowledge Network (NKN) to address the students of 400 institutes of the country.

Pranab Mukherjee expressed his disappointment over the fact that no Indian university had been ranked in the top 200 international universities of the world.

While addressing the Central universities, IITs, NITs, IISERs and other Central institutions, the President delivered a New Year message through videoconferencing and web casting to the students, faculty members and academic fraternity from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Expressing concern over brain drain, Pranab Mukherjee said the academic institutes had to work out as to why quality professionals did not want to stay back in the country to serve the public. Raising a question over the research facilities and creative opportunity to the professionals, he said there was a dire need to lessen the gap between the industry and academic courses.

The President of India also suggested that an inspired teacher’s lecture series be initiated to carry forward the benefits of excellence in teaching through the NKN services.

After the address of the President of India, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover said the President had given an achievable target of getting into the first 200 universities of the world. The PU was one such university in the country that had the capacity to achieve the target in near future.

Disappointment

City-based RTI activist RK Garg alleged that when it was his turn, Patil started asking the UT officials to ascertain the motive behind seeking information under the RTI Act. RK Garg, who had approached the Administrator to take up issues related to the general public, alleged that his pleas went unheard and the Administrator told the officials to find out the motive of the RTI activists. “It took me three months to get through to the Administrator. I wanted to take up six issues with him, but the way he dealt with applicants was shocking,” said Garg.

Chandigarh, January 7
After a 6-week-old baby died following the administration of a vaccine at the PGI, the institute has decided to ask chemists not to accept unused vaccines from patients.

In view of the vulnerability to potency of vaccines once the cold chain breaks, the authorities have made it clear that patients should not purchase vaccines in advance.

“If a vaccine is kept at room temperature, it elevates the risk of damage to another patient who purchases it," said PGI Deputy Director (Administration) Chetan PS Rao.

“The patients are also being educated to purchase vaccines only when required so that the cold chain remains intact,” Rao stated.

The six-week-old boy died last year in April at the Advanced Paediatric Centre. Subsequently, the Easy Five vaccine which was administered to the infant before his death had triggered panic among parents.

Later, the vaccine was given a clean chit by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Doctors at the PGI had initially expressed the concern that the reduced potency of the vaccine could have been a possible cause of the death. They, however, stated that the technologies available at present could ascertain this even if the autopsy was done.

“To prevent any adverse reactions, we recommended that either the vaccines should be returned within 30 minutes of the purchase if unused or not accepted by chemists,” said a PGI official.

There are a total of 15 chemist shops at the PGI that sell these vaccines. These are used by patients coming to the Advanced Paediatric Centre. As many as 300 patients visit the OPD everyday.

Vaccine or venom?

A six-week-old boy died at the Advanced Paediatric Centre in April 2013. Subsequently, the Easy Five vaccine which was administered to the infant before his death, had panicked parents. Later, the vaccine was given a clean chit.

Mohali, January 7
Protesting against the Punjab Government for not initiating any action against Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia after drug kingpin Jagdish Singh Bhola allegedly named him in the drug racket case, Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu blocked road at the traffic lights of s III and V here this evening.

The MLA and his supporters also burnt an effigy of Majithia and demanded that he should immediately submit his resignation on moral grounds.

“The government should arrest him (Majithia) and a CBI inquiry should be initiated in the case,” said Sidhu. Sidhu also urged the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Punjab Human Rights Commission to intervene and issue orders for a CBI probe in the case. 

Chandigarh, January 7
There seems to be no end to the problems of industrialists. Unable to find a solution, they have now decided to knock at the door of the higher authorities in Delhi.

The decision was taken in a meeting held at councillor Mukesh Bassi's office in Sector 21 today. Bassi is a member of various industrial bodies. The industrialists stated that for the past many years, the UT Administration had failed to redress their problems. It was also decided that they would now convert industrial plots from leasehold to freehold.

Members said the future of their children was uncertain as they did not have ownership rights.

Mukesh Bassi, councillor and industrialist, said the Administration should consider the demands of the associations. "Apart from Chandigarh, all other states in the country, including Delhi, have already allowed the conversion of industrial plots from leasehold to freehold. With the help of the local MP and the Union Government, we will take up the issues with the authorities," he said.

Chander Verma, chairman of the Converted Plot Owners Association, said by converting 1,400 leasehold plots in Industrial Area, the UT Administration could easily generate Rs 500 crore. "At present, the Administration earns Rs 8 lakh from lease money. We will do anything for the survival of the industry," he stated.

Vinod Mittal, president of the Chandigarh Roller Flour Mills Association, said presently there were 1,400 leasehold plots in Industrial Area, Phases I and II, but the Administration had not converted these from leasehold to freehold.

They would also meet MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, he added.

Vinod Mittal, president of the Chandigarh Roller Flour Mills Association, Chander Verma, chairman of the Converted Plot Owners Association, MPS Chawla, Chandigarh Industrial Association (CIA) president, Naveen Manglani, vice-president, Chamber of Chandigarh Industries, Manmohan Chadha, NS Khandelia, Sushil Singhal and Sunil Kumar attended the meeting.

Chandigarh, January 7
The first rally of the local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is scheduled for January 12 in Sector 25 Rally Ground in Chandigarh from 2.30 pm onwards. The gathering would be addressed by the AAP leader, Yoginder Yadav.

This is the first ever gathering of the AAP workers in the city. Distribution of the pamphlets would start from tomorrow. — TNS

Panchkula, January 7 
Some residents complained about few boys and girls indulging in immoral activity at a house in Sector 26, Panchkula.

When the police reached the spot, the occupants of the house allegedly escaped from the back door. According to residents, some girls were allegedly being supplied by youths in the area and immoral activities were carried out in the house. — TNS

Mohali, January 7
A general body meeting of the Punjab Government Pensioners’ Association will be held at Rose Garden, Phase 3 B-1, here on January 8.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the executive of the association. General secretary of the association Mohan Singh said the future strategy pertaining to the issues of delay in payment of the third instalment of arrears, non-release of announced DA and other pending demands of pensioners would be discussed at the meeting. — TNS

Chandigarh, January 7
The rail traffic continued to remain affected due to dense fog for the third day in a row. Owing to poor visibility, five trains were delayed by 3 to 12 hours. The weatherman said the city was likely to experience rain soon.

As per the forecast, foggy conditions are likely to prevail during mornings and nights that would further reduce the maximum temperature in the city.

The maximum temperature recorded in the city was 18.4 degree Celsius, which is two notches below normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 6 degree Celsius, which is one degree below normal.

Chandigarh, January 7
The Punjab State District DC Office Karamchari Union has decided to intensify its protest against non-implementation of its demands by the Punjab Government.

Issuing a statement here, union leader Jatinder Pal Singh said beginning January 8, the employees would shun work for three days.

The pen-down strike would be followed by dharna and rallies. Om Parkash, another union leader from Mohali, said the agitation would be held at offices of Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Tehsil offices across the state. — TNS

Chandigarh, January 7
From the next session, Panjab University is going to offer courses of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, and IIT, Ropar, to students on the campus through the national knowledge network (NKN) system. The university authorities have sent a communication to both institutes to share their courses running in the virtual classrooms through the NKN system from the next session.

Sources said that there were two courses which the IISER was running in the virtual classrooms in their institute for which the university had asked the institute to allow their students to attend their lectures through the NKN system. Another institute with which the PU UIET department is communicating to share their courses is IIT, Ropar. According to the proposal, the department has asked IIT, Ropar, to allow the students to opt for the part of the courses which are running in their institute through the NKN system.

The computer centre director, professor K Tankeshwar, said that the project was in the final stage and by the next session, the students could avail the facilities in the computer department. He said shortly the computer department would up-grade the infrastructure to accommodate the students for fresh courses at the virtual classroom of Panjab University.

He said first webinar on mathematical modeling is going to be organised on January 9, 2014, for the students. He said the students could assess the whole discussion through their computer via Internet. He further said that the speakers would be allowed to share powerpoint presentation, web pages and videos with the audience that could be located anywhere.

virtual classroom

A virtual classroom is an online learning system and is accessed through a portal. The students can participate in synchronous instruction, which means the teacher and students are logged into virtual learning at the same time.

Chandigarh, January 7
The PGI today inaugurated its new academic session. Dr R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet, asked students to emphasise more on research during their three-year stay in the institution.

PGI Director Dr YK Chawla said: “The PGI imparts training in 16 MD, 4 MS, 16 DM and 6 MCh courses and the institute has produced as many as 4,450 and 1,550 super-specialists, besides a large number of postgraduates in allied and basic sciences.”

Complimenting the faculty, he said: “Around 24 international experts have visited the institute. This has helped the PGI collaborate with some of the foreign institutes. The PGI faculty has also attracted Rs 19 crore as extra mural grants for various research projects and has published more than 1,186 research articles last year."

Prof Chawla presented a memento to Dr Chidambaram. Twenty-nine silver medals and 32 bronze medals were awarded to students for outstanding research and academic excellence. Prof Amod Gupta, Dean, PGI, conducted the pin-up ceremony for resident doctors.

Dr Chidambaram informed the new entrants about National Knowledge Network which was in its final phase. Massive online open courses, network enabled medical diagnosis, access to medical information and exchange of clinical data were some of the benefits of forming the network. — TNS

Chandigarh, January 7
Meagre resources available to the Panjab University Central Placement Cell have become an impediment in sensitising students and updating them about the changing scenario and the market opportunities.

Interestingly, for around 12,000 students enrolled in the university, the central placement cell has the post of an honorary director held by a professor as an additional charge and two staff members for performing the office works.

The coordinators of the nine clusters, which were selected by the placement cell, to cover all the departments of the university were held by teachers voluntarily to communicate between the department and the placement cell.

Resultantly, the placement cell failed to chalk out student-oriented plans through which they could motivate the students to participate actively in the placement drives.

Sources revealed that to upgrade the placement cell, a proposal was sent to the higher authorities in which the demand was made for posting more staff to strengthen it. The proposal sought five full-time professional staff along with three associate professors for marketing and branding of the students. It was sent to the authorities for approval. In the proposal, request was also made for better communication with the companies for which the university required full-time professionals. But it is yet to be approved.

One of the coordinators of the cluster of the placement cell, wishing anonymity, stated that it was not possible for any teacher to coordinate with students regularly due to long working hours in the classrooms.

“If the authorities were serious about campus placements why don't they appoint a full-time director for this cell? Neither the students nor the coordinators of any cluster have raised this issue with the higher authorities to streamline the functioning of the campus placement cell in the university,” the coordinator added.

Central placement cell, director SK Chadha said the cell was taking help of the faculty to meet the shortcomings in the cell and for motivating and attracting the students for recruitment drives.

(To be continued)