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Corruption case Quantum of sentence for IPS officer to be pronounced on March 7 Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 4 Besides, the court also convicted Balwinder Singh, former Superintendent, NCB, of criminal breach of trust under Sections 409 and 120-B of the IPC. Saji Mohan was booked by the UT police on January 30, 2009, for corruption and criminal breach of trust after the NCB had submitted a written complaint to the police about Saji embezzling Rs 13,81,250 in a property attachment case. The amount was to be deposited in the State Bank of India but was never deposited, it was alleged. According to the prosecution case, a scrutiny of the inventory (malkhana) of the NCB, which was done after Saji's disclosure to the ATS about malpractices, revealed a discrepancy. Upon probing, they found that the amount (seized in a property attachment case on December 30, 2004) was handed over to Saji by then inventory in charge and Superintendent Balwinder Singh against a receipt.This was done on December 22, 2008, a week before Saji relinquished his charge from Chandigarh. “The container in which the amount was to be kept had Rs 49,980. We found the money was neither in the malkhana nor in the bank,'' the NCB’s complaint to the police had stated. It was during the investigation of the drug pilferage case that the NCB had stumbled upon the embezzlement of funds.
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Jyoti murder case: Laboratory report on tyre adds to Doon MLA’s troubles
Panchkula, March 4 The prosecution had earlier stated that after Jyoti was strangled, she was run over by a heavy vehicle to show it as an accident case. In a bid to destroy evidence, later the tyre was burnt. During a hearing, Chaudhary had heaved a sigh of relief when a doctor from the General Hospital said it was not clear whether a heavy vehicle was used or not. However, the lab report has cleared the air. The report forms part of a supplementary challan submitted by the prosecution, a copy of which was provided to the defence counsel today. The case was tried at the special court for crime against women for the first time. It was transferred recently from the district and sessions court. The report states, “Based on the observations of studies such as ash analysis, burning behaviour, thermo gravimetric analysis and chemical analysis, the nature of material is of a semi-burnt heavy vehicle rubber tyre.” The police had sent the ashes to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Karnal, for examination but they did not get any conclusive opinion. Later, the police sent these samples to Delhi for re-examination. The chargesheet stated that Chaudhary and his aide had called a driver, Tilak Raj, with his truck. After the girl was strangled, she was run over by the truck in Sector 21 here. Other samples which were sent to Karnal have been further sent to Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh, for re examination. Suspecting that Chaudhary’s kin may have tampered with the reports of samples sent to Karnal, the police had decided to send all reports for re-examination. Meanwhile, an application was moved by defence counsel AS Sukhija and Amandeep Bindra stating that all reports sent to the FSL may be made available to them with their recent status. Also, four witnesses were examined -- then Inspector Raj Kumar, Constable Ramdhan, Sub-Inspector Subhash and Sanjay Mittal. All of them were formal witnesses. Sub-Inspector Subhash told the court that he had recorded the statements of Simmi, Jyoti’s alleged boyfriend, and had also looked for Chaudhary’s driver Satpal, but he was not found.
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Love affair ends on a tragic note
Panchkula, March 4 Gaurav, who had entered into a wedlock with another girl on February 14, eloped with his girlfriend on February 20. The couple took poison at a hilltop near Kalka. The SHO of the local police station, Inspector Ajay Disodia, said, "Investigation is under way." Gaurav’s father had died 15 days before the marriage, but the family went ahead with the ceremony. Embarrassed over the youth having eloped with his girlfriend, leaving behind his newly-wed wife, the family had been persuading him to return. A police official probing the case said the girl was a student of a polytechnic college in Ambala. Both of them were residents of Balaji Nagar, Kalka, in Panchkula district. "While on the run, the duo stayed at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Naina Devi and Amritsar. The youth’s brother had called him up saying that he should return as the entire family had to face humiliation because of his step and that his wife had been crying ever since," said a police official. The duo returned on February 28, but fearing humilation, they decided to take the extreme step, said the official.
Girlfriend attended Gaurav’s wedding
The girl had attended Gaurav's wedding. She remained present throughout the ceremony and even gave shagun to his family. The boy knew about her presence.
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Admn gets month to decide on removal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 4 The barricades were set up during the days of militancy to prevent vehicles from entering the area around the Chief Minister’s house from Sector 12 and the Nayagaon side. As of now, only cycles can pass through the barricades. The issue of removing the barricades has been raised earlier also, but the authorities concerned have so far not taken any decision in the matter. The directions to the Administration to apply its brain on the issue by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli came on a civil writ petition filed by advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal against the Administration and other respondents. Appearing in person, Lakhanpal contended that the barricades raised on the lake road from the Nayagaon side were causing inconvenience. These were earlier set up on account of a security threat to the Chief Minister. But the ground reality was different now and the road was required to be opened. Lakhanpal also told the court that a representation, dated February 6, was forwarded to the authorities concerned on the issue. Taking up the matter, the Bench asserted: “We are of the view that the matter is of such a nature that the authorities concerned should take a call and they are really not justiciable.” “However, the petitioner having made a representation, the respondents are required to deal with it and communicate the decision whether it is possible to open the road now or not. We consider it appropriate to issue a direction to the respondents to take a decision on the representation of the petitioner within a period of one month from the receipt of the order and communicate it to the petitioner, making it clear that there is no further PIL to be entertained on this account,” the Bench said.
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Post-delivery, special ambulance service for women in Panchkula
panchkula, March 4 Dr Bansal said two ambulances named ‘Kilkari’ would transport women. Two drivers have been hired for the ambulances, which will remain operational 24x7. Besides this, the Health Department today started three new programmes — newborn screening programme, District Early Intervention Centre at General Hospital, Panchkula, and newborns and pre-conception care package. Additional Chief Secretary Navraj Sandhu launched the schemes today. Sandhu said, “The aim is to provide all newborns a chance to live a normal life. This is for the early treatment of diseases that are diagnosed before the symptoms appear in newborns.” The newborn screening includes identification, treatment and prevention of major congenital abnormalities (genetic and metabolic) at an early stage to decrease the incidence of infant mortality and morbidity. The District Early Intervention Centre aims to provide referral support to children detected with health conditions during health screening at the delivery points.
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City crime graph down 14%, claim Chandigarh Police
Chandigarh, March 4 Cases of murder, attempt to murder and rape had also declined in February this year, claimed the police. Only five incidents of crime were reported this year as against 14 cases registered last year. The police further claimed to have arrested drug peddlers and recovered drugs from their possession. The number of registered cases under the Excise Act and NDPS Act registered an increase in February this year compared to the same period in 2013. As per the data, seven cases under the NDPS Act and 23 cases under the Excise Act were registered in 2013, as against 17 cases under the NDPS Act and 49 cases under the Excise Act in February this year. Besides this, the Chandigarh Traffic Police also claimed that the number of accidents — during the first two months of 2014 —were less compared to the number of accidents during the same period in 2013. The data also indicates that during the first two months in 2013, a total of 64 accidents had taken place. While in 2014, 56 accidents were reported, including 15 fatal and 41 non-fatal accidents.
DECLINING FIGURES Cases of murder, attempt to murder and rape also declined in February this year. The number of registered cases under the Excise Act and NDPS Act registered an increase in February this year compared to the same period in 2013. The Chandigarh Traffic Police also claimed that the number of accidents — during the first two months of 2014 —were less compared to the number of accidents during the same period in 2013. |
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BJP councillors on inauguration spree
Amit Sharma Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 4 These included a water-boosting station constructed at a cost of Rs 73.38 lakh in Deputy Mayor and BJP councillor Davesh Moudgil’s ward and an e-Sampark kiosk in BJP councillor Arun Sood’s ward. Earlier, on February 16, BJP councillor Rajinder Kaur inaugurated three projects: a shopping centre and an extension to the community centre at Vikas Nagar and a new community centre at Mauli Jagran. This had led to controversy as Mayor HC Kalyan was supposed to inaugurate the projects a day hence. On February 20, a fountain constructed at a cost of over Rs 13 lakh was inaugurated in the Industrial Area, Phase II, by Moudgil. On February 23, he also inaugurated a food street in Sector 48, although the policy regarding the allotment of the booths is yet to be finalised. BJP demeaning Mayor’s post: Subhash Chawla
Mayor HC Kalyan, who belongs to the Congress, has being ignored by BJP councillors during the inauguration of various projects. Former Mayor and Congress councillor Subhash Chawla said the BJP councillors were trying to demean the post of Mayor by not inviting him for the inauguration of projects. A Congress councillor said the inaugurations just before the code of conduct comes into force was a desperate attempt to attract voters.
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NaMo chants welcome callers
Chandigarh, March 4 People making a phone call to any BJP leader or party worker in the city are welcomed by this caller tune that sings praises of the party’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi. Arun Sood, a BJP councillor and leader of the Opposition in the Municipal Corporation, says he is motivating all the BJP supporters to subscribe to the caller tune to boost “Through the caller tune, we can attract more voters to the party fold, which will help us in ensuring the party’s win, not only in Chandigarh but across the country,” says Sood. Various other BJP councillors have also subscribed to the new caller tune. Des Raj Gupta, a BJP councillor, says through the caller tune they wanted to send a message to the residents that Narendra Modi would become the new prime minister and the residents should support him. Rekha Sood, president, Mahila Morcha (District-II), who has also subscribed to the hello tune, says it was the best way to spread the name of their national leader.
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AAP’s Savita Bhatti holds first jan sabha at Sector 52
Chandigarh, March 4 Bhatti also talked about the work she and her deceased husband, Jaspal Bhatti, had done as part of their anti-corruption activism. Earlier, Bhatti also met party volunteers at AAP’s Sector-21 office. Savita Bhatti said in coming days she would be conducting jan sabhas across the city to meet voters, hear their voices, and speak to them about the party’s mission of swaraj, good governance, and clean administration. Dhawan meets people at Sector 15 green belt Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Harmohan Dhawan today started the “Walk with Dhawan” campaign. The campaign will focus on making people aware of their right to vote. Dhawan started the campaign from the Sector-15 green belt. He encouraged people, who were out on an evening walk, to use their right to elect the right candidate. Dhawan visited two green belts in Sector 15. The BJP also launched its “NaMo Tea” campaign at Sectors 15 and 45. BSP conducts door-to-door campaign at Maloya BSP’s candidate Jannat Jahan started her door-to-door campaign in Maloya. Jannat addressed a nukkad sabha. She said Congress MP Pawan Kumar Bansal had done nothing for social welfare and area development. She called the Congress mother of inflation and corruption. Congress carries out padyatra at Kishangarh The Congress party continued with its padyatra programme. Congress workers covered Kishangarh village today. The padyatra is being organised on the instructions of the AICC to highlight achievements of the UPA government, Pawan Kumar Bansal and the civic body.
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UT Election Dept’s awareness campaign Rajinder Nagarkoti Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 4
Sources said in the recent meeting of the UT Election Department, it was decided that while finalising slogans to encourage the residents to vote, it should be kept in mind that these should not be in favour of or against any political party. Earlier, some of the staff members of the department had suggested slogans such as ‘Parivartan ke liye vote de’ and ‘Vote for change’, said sources. Finally, the officials narrowed down to slogans such as ‘Jago voter jago, vote for nation’ and ‘Aapka ek vote desh ka bhavishya taiyar karta hai’, said sources. UT’s Joint Chief Electoral Officer Tilak Raj said all the slogans for the campaign would be finalised soon. “The department is also organising a slogan-writing competition. The best slogans will be included in the campaign as well,” said the officer. EC to telecast live video feed of polling stations The Election Commission has decided to make Chandigarh a ‘role model’ constituency during the upcoming elections. As part of the initiative, all the polling stations in the city will be equipped with two cameras each, one inside and the other outside the booth, to telecast live images on the official portals— ceochandigarh.nic.in and chandigarh.gov.in. This will help voters to know the status of rush at around 500 polling stations in the city, saving them from unnecessary hassle and increasing their participation.
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Soon, replace gas cylinders in evening
Chandigarh, March 4 The counter, which will be launched on March 8, will remain open throughout the operational hours of the petrol pump. Presently, gas agencies in the city work till 5pm and remain closed on Sunday. This coincides with the working hours of the residents. “Although the SMS-booking facility is available for home delivery of cylinders, for nuclear families it becomes difficult to ensure that someone is available at home when the delivery staff arrives,” said an IOC official. The facility was also launched at Mann Gas Station in Mohali last week.
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Residents block highway
Mohali, March 4
The residents— who sat on a dharna on the highway— protested against the poor infrastructure at their village and indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned in addressing their problems. Long queues of vehicles could be seen on both sides of the road during the blockade, which started at around 9 am. The protesters demanded construction of new roads in their village, laying sewerage lines and supply of clean drinking water. Barring three ambulances, the villagers did not allow vehicles to pass through. Several office-goers could be seen requesting the protesters to let them pass through. “I am already late by an hour. If more time passes, I will have to take leave from office for no reason,” said Baljit Singh, an agitated employee of a private firm at Chandigarh. Ravinder Singh, who was on his way to Ludhiana for a business conference, said, “I had an important meeting with my business associates at Ludhiana. Now, I am stuck in the jam. These agitators have put the masses at the receiving end. Blocking highways and roads is not the solution. If they have a problem, they cannot create problems for people who are not at fault.” Meanwhile, the blockade left the District Administration and police authorities jittery as Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal was scheduled to pass though the road to attend a political rally at Balongi village at 2.30 pm. The agitators agreed to lift the blockade only when Mohali Deputy Commissioner Tejinderpal Singh Sidhu gave in writing that work for the overall development of the village would commence within 20 days.
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Sangharsh committee member suspended
Tribune News Service
Mohali, March 4 According to sources, Jarnail Singh along with some other members of the committee manhandled a senior accounts officer in the office last evening. Notably, Jarnail Singh along with other office-bearers of the committee, Mohinder Singh Maloya had also threatened to self-immolate at PUDA Bhawan in Phase VIII, if their long pending demands were not met. However, no such step was taken by the agitators, who claimed that they got a message from the Punjab CM, Parkash Singh Badal, that the matter would be resolved soon in a meeting, which would take place soon. “After that we changed our strategy but the strike would be continued till the meeting in this regard would be held,” said the protestors. They claimed that the authorities’ decision to suspend Jarnail Singh could not deter them from continuing their protest.
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Addl charge for IAS officers
Chandigarh, March 4 Besides, he was also elected as the chairman of Chandigarh SC, BC and Minorities Financial Development Corporation along with Chandigarh Child and Women Development Corporation. Earlier, all these departments were with the UT Home Secretary, Anil Kumar, a Haryana cadre IAS. Lalremthanga has also been given the charge of secretary employment and labour, which was earlier given to UT finance secretary Sarvjit Singh, a Punjab cadre IAS. MM Sabharwal, director public relations-cum-joint secretary home, has been given the charge of additional joint secretary Food and Supplies Department, State Consumer Disputes, Industries Departments and Tourism Department. Joint secretary finance Sandeep Hans has been assigned the joint secretary technical education and printing and stationery department. Meanwhile, joint secretary estate SK Setia has been given additional responsibility of joint secretary Labour Department, Cooperation Department, and regional employment exchange.
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Fruit, vegetable festival inaugurated
Panchkula, March 4 Anshuman, manufacturer of the patches, said, “The lizard repellant patches once put on the tube light will keep the lizard away from the room. A single patch works for at least six months.” “Similarly, the mosquito patches if put on the clothes, will keep away the mosquitoes for 12 hours. This concept has been brought from abroad,” said Anshuman. Another centre of attraction was grapes from the US and pears from South Africa. The grapes were being sold at a price of Rs 350 per kg. Several other specialties, including flowers, were exhibited by the farmers from Haryana.
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Civic body should maintain paid parking lots
It is surprising that instead of solving the problem of traffic chaos in the city markets, Saurabh Joshi, BJP councillor and member of the F&CC, has proposed parking lots in the city that are either maintained by the market associations or converted into paid parking lots. This way, they have abdicated their responsibility to maintain these parking lots by the MC itself. On the contrary, Congress councillor Mukesh Bassi, while opposing the proposal, has written a letter to the Mayor stating that only the Sector 19 market should not be converted into a paid parking lot. The F&CC needs to devise a long-term plan. As per the directions of the HC, introduction of paid parking is a short-term solution to check the haphazard parking of vehicles. If we want to solve the problem, either the parking lots should be maintained by the MCC or public transport needs to be strengthened. Dr Rajiv, Kharar Remove rumble strips
This refers to a news item “Rumble strips have commuters on edge”, published in these columns on February 27. The MC has failed to recarpet damaged roads in the city. A large number of people have criticised the installation of rumble strips on the Sector 19/27/30/20 roundabout as part of a pilot project of the MC. The authorities should construct horizontal strips similar to the one near Punjab Raj Bhawn (PRB). The rumble strips should be immediately replaced with the horizontal ones. The BJP councillors should have raised the issue in the House meeting and also protested against the chief engineer, the brainchild behind the installation of rumble strips. The civic body had undertaken the pilot project blindly. This has resulted in several accidents on the stretch. The residents of Sector 27 have made several complaints to the administration but to no avail. Sahil
Garg, Chandigarh
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PU entrance test Aarti Kapur Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 4 For the upcoming PU tourism and hospitality aptitude test (PUTHAT), the university website is offering video and audio support on how to fill the application form. PU Computer Centre director Professor Tankeshwar Kumar said it was for the first time that video help had been extended to the candidates for filling the application forms. He added that after receiving feedback on the initiative, the department had planned to make it available to candidates seeking admission to other courses as well. Prof Kumar said earlier too, the university had a help file available on its official website, but the students did not prefer to make use of it as it was a lengthy process and students were prone to committing mistakes while following the written instructions. "The pilot project aims at overcoming those drawbacks. The website has been developed by senior programmer Mamta and PU computer centre official Anil harma," he added. Candidates can apply for the courses before April 17. Admissions would be based on the results of the PUTHAT to be conducted on May 11, 2014. There are 60 seats in BSc (Hospitality and Hotel Administration) and 30 seats in BSc (Tourism Management). There would be an additional seat each for only girl child, cancer patient, AIDS patient, wards of displaced Kashmiris and wards of soldiers who died during Kargil war. Pilot project The university has initiated a pilot project for guiding candidates through videos for filling the online forms for BSc (Hospitality and Hotel Administration) and BSc (Tourism Management) courses of the University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT).
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GCG-11 students awarded prizes
Chandigarh, March 4 Hans congratulated the prize winners and motivated them to keep abreast with the latest developments in their respective fields so as to empower themselves and carve a niche for themselves in the competitive world. Earlier, the chief guest also inaugurated a state-of-the-art common room for students. College principal Achila Dogra presented the annual report of the college and highlighted the achievements of the students in the fields of academics, extra-curricular activities and sports at the university, inter-university, state and national levels. More than 500 prizes, including 334 for academic excellence, were awarded to students.
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983 SD College students awarded degrees
Chandigarh, March 4 GGDSD College Society president Upkar Krishan Sharma shared that the Panjab University had granted a centre for research in physics, chemistry and biotechnology to the college. Addressing students, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, director, Dr Narayanasami Sathyamurthy, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said they should now go out and conquer the world.
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GSI celebrates founder's day
Chandigarh, March 4 Joginder Singh, Deputy Director-General and head of the Chandigarh unit of the GSI, welcomed the guests. Special honour was given to CP Vohra, Padam Shri awardee and director-general (retd) of the organisation. Vohra motivated young officers and staff of the GSI to bring it on a par with other geoscientific bodies of the world. — TNS
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School bus fare set to rise by 16 % in Tricity
Chandigarh, March 4 The association has intimated the managements of schools in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali about the hike, which is calculated to be Rs 130 per month per child. Association president Manjeet Saini said the hike would be Rs 80 for the schools, which had consented to increase the fare by Rs 50 per month in October last year. He said the association proposed the hike due to increase in the prices of diesel and lubricant during the current session.
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Seminar on gender sensitisation held
Chandigarh, March 4 Prof Rajesh Gill of the department said various discriminatory practices like female foeticide, dowry and eve-teasing should be eradicated, he added. Dr Ranjay Vardhan said women had been given a high position and respect by Sikh gurus. SSP Dr Suhkchain Singh, who was the chief guest, said education alone was not sufficient and support from families and society was equally important to end gender discrimination. — TNS
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Cleanliness drive
Chandigarh: Students of Department of Evening Studies-MDRC, Panjab University (PU), participated in a cleanliness campaign organised by the Students Central Association (SCA) on the department premises on Tuesday. State Information Commissioner Praveen Kumar, department chairperson and PU fellow Prof Keshav Malhotra and teachers were also present on the occasion. Photography contest The PU has invited entries for the photography contest on 'picturesque campus and rich legacy of PU'. Professionals as well as enthusiasts interested in taking part in the contest can apply at the office of the Department of Public Relations in the administrative building, PU, from March 5 to 20. There will be no entry fees. Hospitality students shine Students of BSc Hospitality and Hotel Administration of the University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT), PU, have bagged the second runner-up in the innovative starters competition organised by the Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar. Fourteen teams from various hotel management institutes of India participated in the contest. Students of BSc (Hospitality and Hotel Administration) also bagged the first prize in the Nestle Culinary Competition and stood second runner-up in biryani and bakery competition. Lubana elected gen secy of HP NSUI National Student Union of India (NSUI) PU president Manoj Lubana has been elected as the general secretary of the party's Himachal Pradesh unit. The NSUI conducted elections on March 3 and 4. Lubana got 296 votes and defeated 14 other contenders for the post. — TNS
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NCC valedictory function
Chandigarh: A valedictory function of the NCC (National Cadet Corps) wing of Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, was organised here. Cadets presented ceremonial guard of honour to Colonel APS Johal, commanding officer (Chandigarh Unit), the chief guest on the occasion. Colonel Johal said the NCC brought out latent talent of young students by fostering discipline, patriotism and mental and physical agility to become responsible citizens. College principal Dr Meera Modi read out the NCC annual report for the session 2013-14. KUDOS at GCM-11 The PG Department of English of Government College for Men, Sector 11, organised KUDOS, a function to felicitate its students, who participated in various activities during the academic session 2013-14. The department had held various activities for undergraduate students like quiz, poetry recitation, essay writing, storytelling sessions, skit and one- act play. Aparna Kaushal, HOD, gave away prizes.
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Farewell party
Chandigarh: Students of Class IX of the AKSIPS-45 organised a party to bid adieu to Class X students. Dressed in their best attire, the students walked the ramp to receive their titles and shared their experience in the school. Jasleen Kaur and Harshwardhan were declared as Miss and Master AKSIPS-45, respectively. Gagandeep Talwar bagged the student of the year trophy. Lavisha was adjudged the speaker of the day. Jasdeep Kalra, director, AKSIPS Group of Schools, gave away prizes to the winners of various contests held on the occasion. School principal Harpreet Kaur appreciated the Class-IX students for organising a good show. Bhavan gymnasts shine Panchkula: Bhavan Vidyalaya students won the overall trophy at the 13th Aerobics Gymnastics National Championship held in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan). School students Mudit, Nandini, Shrishti and Megha won medals at the championship. — TNS
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Chandigarh, March 4 The council demanded a female security guard at the library at night, washroom in the library for girls, renovation of public washroom at the Student Centre, washing machines in boys' hostels and new machines and repair of old machines in girls' hostels. Meanwhile, the DSW has reportedly agreed to all the issues stated in the memorandum. — TNS
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Reason: Such words can go against the sitting member of parliament and the ruling government at the Centre. 
Farewell function