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Day of chaos at Panjab varsity
Chandigarh, March 20 The situation eased out by late evening after four rounds of talks between the university authorities and students, following which the students were released. The Vice-Chancellor apologised to the students who were protesting in front of his office. He said it was unfortunate that an unpleasant incident took place on March 18, which resulted in police action and the arrest of nine students. Visitors faced inconvenience as they were stuck in a jam at Gate No. 3, which was the only entry and exit point for the campus today. Surprisingly neither the PU authorities nor the police deployed to handle the situation took any action against the students who barricaded the main gate of the campus and shut all shops. Shopkeepers sought action against the students who forced them to close their shops. Later in the day, the VC said had a proper dialogue been initiated between the students' council, office of the Dean Students Welfare (DSW), Executive Officer of the PU and the teaching community on the campus, the incident could have been avoided. Talking to students, the VC accepted responsibility for not having set up the desired mechanism for the purpose. He said the UT police was being briefed about the entire sequence of events before and after the incident so that peace could be restored on the campus. He informed the students that the DSW would be given preference in putting forth the proposed inputs from the students regarding the fee hike approved by the Board of Finance and the Syndicate in the coming meeting of the PU Senate, scheduled for March 22. Interestingly, SOPU, which earlier favoured the fee hike, held a protest in the evening demanding that it be rolled back. High drama was staged by them by not allowing the university authorities to open the gates. Later, the VC intervened and all gates were opened. Dr Jagwant Singh, a Fellow of Panjab University and member of the Senate, condemned the use of force on the students.
Police play safe
To avoid further controversy over the issue of using force on the protesting students, the police deployed on the campus today said they had not received any written complaint from the shopkeepers about their shops being forcibly shut by the students.
Funeral van stuck
The funeral van carrying the body of noted nuclear scientist and PU Emeritus Professor of Physics Harnam Singh Hans, who passed away on March 19, was stuck in a traffic jam. The body was being taken for cremation. The PU security staff had a tough time clearing the jam at Gate No. 3.
Bandh to continue
SFS leaders said they were not satisfied with the assurance given by the VC and would continue the bandh tomorrow.
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Kirron calls on Harmohan Dhawan, fails to win him over
Chandigarh, March 20 Soon after paying obeisance at the Sector 34 gurdwara, Kirron, along with BJP city unit president Sanjay Tandon, former MP Satya Pal Jain and other senior leaders, met Dhawan. The meeting was held to rein in Dhawan, who is yet to declare his support for Kirron's candidature and has not joined the election campaign. However, the meeting failed to yield the desired results for Kirron. Though Kirron and the other leaders claimed that they visited Dhawan's residence
to know about his wellbeing as he was ill, Dhawan claimed that he was fit and fine. Kirron reportedly told Dhawan that if she had committed any mistake, he should tell her. Dhawan said he had no personal grudges against her. But he would take the final call only after meeting his supporters tomorrow. Sources said Dhawan told Kirron that even if he joined her campaign, his supporters in colonies and villages, who consider her an outsider, may not support her. After the meeting, Dhawan and his wife came out to see off Kirron and the other leaders. BJP city unit president Sanjay Tandon said Dhawan was a committed party worker and would ultimately join the election campaign to "win the Chandigarh seat for BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi". Jain also expressed the optimisim that Dhawan will join Kirron's election campaign. Dhawan has called meeting of his supporters at his Sector 9 residence tomorrow. BJP village leaders also call meeting A group of BJP village leaders have also called a meeting of villagers in Khuda Ali Sher over Kirron's candidature. They are also upset over the sidelining of local BJP leaders. The meeting will be held tomorrow. Will Dhawan contest as an Independent? In case Dhawan decides to contest as an Independent, it is likely to dent the vote bank of both the Congress and the BJP. Dhawan is believed to have a good vote bank in the city, especially in colonies.
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BJP plans Mama-Bhanja campaign
To corner Bansal, party workers to stage street play ‘Kalyugi Mama-Bhanja’ in city Rajinder Nagarkoti Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 20 To corner the Congress and its candidate for the Chandigarh seat, Pawan Kumar Bansal, the saffron party has decided to launch a ‘Mama Bhanja’ campaign in the city next week. Besides, the party will also highlight the alleged poor performance of the Congress MP during the last 15 years, BJP leaders said. Under the campaign, BJP workers will stage a street play ‘Kalyugi Mama-Bhanja’ in various parts of the city, especially in villages and colonies. The party workers will also distribute posters and pamphlets highlighting the Railgate and other scams involving Congress leaders. Chief of the BJP’s art and culture wing Abhishek Sharma said they would start staging the play as soon as they get a green signal from the senior party leaders. “We have roped in seven students of theatre, who are also BJP workers. When the Railgate scam came to light last year, these youngsters had performed across the city and had received a huge response from public,” he added. BJP city chief Sanjay Tandon said during the election campaign, they would make people aware of the corruption cases that Congress leaders and ministers such as Pawan Kumar Bansal were allegedly involved in. Former BJP MP Satya Pal Jain said they would also tell people that the BJP’s candidate had a clean image. About the play
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CHB clerk caught taking Rs 10,000 bribe
Chandigarh, March 20 The anti-corruption branch of the CBI received a complaint from Sukhbir Singh alleging that Surjit Singh, a clerk in the accounts branch of the CHB, was demanding a bribe for giving back the excess amount of Rs 1 lakh paid by the complainant for the transfer of ownership of flat No. 1473/A in Sector 61. The CBI sleuths laid a trap and arrested the accused while taking the bribe. CBI sources said the complainant had bought a flat from Inderjeet Gulati and mistakenly paid Rs 1 lakh extra in favour of the CHB to obtain the possession of the flat. On realising the mistake, Sukhbir moved an application seeking the refund of the excess amount paid to the CHB. The application was pending with Surjit, who had been demanding a bribe for the past few months to clear his file. The sources said initially, Surjit demanded Rs 5,000. However, later he asked for Rs 20,000 and the bribe of Rs 10,000 was the first instalment. CBI officials said searchers were being conducted at the office and residence of the accused, who would be produced before the special CBI court tomorrow.
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City authors remember Khushwant Singh
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BJP-HJC, Cong candidates woo rural voters
Panchkula, March 20 Kataria visited the villages located in the poultry belt and assured them relief form the fly-menace and air pollution. Accompanied by senior leader of the BJP and the HJC, Kataria addressed public gatherings in villages including Khatoli, Dabkori, Alipur, Ramgarh, Kammi, Jaswantgarh, Khangesra and Toka. Accusing former Member of Parliament, Ambala, Kumari Shelja of the Congress party for the poor development, Kataria alleged that she ignored the constituency. He also claimed that the Congress leaders were aware of the wave against them and were evading contesting elections by making lame excuses. Taking a dig on his predecessor while addressing a gathering in Khatoli village, Kataria said being an outsider Shelja don’t give any heed to public grievances. Kataria appealed the public to vote for the BJP-HJC to strengthen Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate, in the coming elections and promised overall development of the constituency. Congress candidate Raj Kumar Valmiki campaigned in Barwala, Raipur Rani, Naraingarh and Sadaura areas assuring a special industrial package on the pattern of industrial area Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, on the second day of his election campaign. Raj Kumar also promised a railway link from Chandigarh to Yamunanagar besides widening of the Panchkula-Yamunanagar road after coming to power. The project to widen the Panchkula- Yamunanagar road has been a hanging fire with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest restricting the state government from its execution. The leader assured the residents that he would get the project cleared from the union ministry if they vote him to power. Coming down heavily on his rival party while addressing public gatherings in the villages, Raj Kumar alleged that the BJP was a divided house and has fielded paratroopers. The BJP is trying many candidates who recently joined the party after quitting their parent outfits, pointed out Raj Kumar. INLD nominee fails to file nomination The candidate of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) Dr Kusum Bala Sherwal returned disappointed as she could not file her nomination papers today. Though Dr Sherwal kept the nomination filing process a low key affair and reached the office of DC, Ambala, before noon, yet due to certain discrepancies she could not file her candidature. She will file her nomination papers tomorrow. While Dr. Sherwal was busy in filing her nominations, senior leader of INLD and MLA Kalka, Pradeep Chudhary was busy in holding public meetings seeking votes for her in the Kalka segment of the constituency.
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Young voters have little hopes from politicians
Chandigarh, March 20 Chandigarh Tribune spoke to youngsters and tried to feel the pulse of the youth. Roopan Garg, a student of PU, said, youth of the country is clueless whether the courses which they have opted have some professional career in future or not because there is no policy of the government to introduce such courses in the educational institutes which have demand in the market and the students can get good placement. Flaying the empty promises made by the political parties Radhika Mohindroo said, “Majority of the political parties promise to create jobs in the country but they forgot that if the students do not have required skills how the market will accept them. The need of the hour is that they should come up with academic plans which provide students all the facilities in the country and they do not have to spend lakh of rupees abroad for studying the same.” Speaking about the lack of infrastructure Simran Kharbanda asked, “Why no political party has ever focused on the Improvisation of the infrastructure of the educational institutes in the country. Majority of the institutes are crying for the same but our administration does not have any plan to do as the political parties do not get any immediate benefit out of it.” Arshdeep Singh said the youth is waiting for the lollipop which all political parties will promise them including the first time voters. The youth feel that the political parties do not have time to think about the future of youth as they are more concerned about resolving ticket distribution mess rather than the bright prospects of the youth. Doubting the intentions of the political parties Sukhjeet Singh said is it enough to get the burning youth issues included in the manifesto of the political parties? The basic requirement of the youth is formulation of such an education system that after coming out from the educational institutes they have ample scope for jobs and earn their living with respect. Describing the confusion among the youth Gurjuzz said the youth is confused that the contesting candidates of political parties who are in the race have so far not come up with any specific plans for their bright future. This time also many old faces of the political parties are contesting so there is not much hope that there will be much change in their agenda.
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Poll result updates via SMS
Chandigarh, March 20 UT Home Secretary-cum-Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anil Kumar stated that the city residents, who would get their mobile numbers registered with the Election Department by just sending an SMS, would frequently get SMSs as counting of votes progresses. “As the counting process would start, the residents would start getting updates on the number of votes polled to the candidates in fray,” the CEO stated. The official said the subscribers would be getting firsthand and authentic information about votes by sending an SMS on 9216164606. Anil Kumar said on the day of polling, the residents could also come to know about the queue at the polling booths by just sending an SMS. “Each Block Level Officer (BLO) will manually count the number of voters in the queue and update the control room set up by the Election Department. A resident wishing to know the number of voters in the queue at a polling booth will receive the figure via an SMS, followed by an alert when the number of people in the queue is less then ten,” the CEO added. Using the service, one can also get pre-poll information, including details of candidates and date of polling and timing. How to get info
Encouraging voters The names and other details of young voters, who will cast their vote on April 10, would be flashed on screens, which will be installed at various popular places in the city, including Sector 17, to encourage others to cast vote. Similarly, the names of prominent persons of the city, who are registered voters, will also be flashed on these screens to encourage city voters to exercise their right to franchise.
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I feel sad for Jain, Tandon and Dhawan: Kirron Kher
Chandigarh, March 20 Addressing her first press conference in the city after she was declared the BJP candidate, Kirron Kher said she was aware about the efforts put in by the three senior BJP leaders, namely the party’s city unit president Sanjay Tandon, former MP Satya Pal Jain and former union minister Harmohan Dhawan. However, since the party had given her the responsibility, they all would have to make concerted efforts to ensure the BJP wins the Chandigarh seat for its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, she added. When mediapersons sought her reaction to denial of the ticket to any of the three local leaders, she said she felt sad that her brothers did not get the chance to represent the city, adding that she was also a part of the BJP family. Dismissing the reports of a rift within the party, she said all workers were united now. The BJP candidate claimed that she was never in the race for the ticket and was surprised on getting it. To a query in case she wins the election, whether she would meet local residents in the city or in Mumbai, she replied, “Chandigarh is my home and definitely, I will meet them in the city. Main ithe di hi kudi haan. Main koi Mumbai di madam nhi, Chandigarh di madam haan (I am Chandigarh’s daughter and not an outsider from Mumbai).” On the Congress candidate and the sitting MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, she said Bansal did nothing for the city apart from the Railgate scam. Asked if Bollywood stars would be campaigning for her, Kirron Kher replied it was not a Bollywood election. Senior BJP leaders would visit the city and campaign for her, she added. Quick takes On seniority in the party Seniority matters in the Army when it comes to promotions. We only need support of senior party leaders and all local leaders are with me. Even our prime ministerial candidate is not the senior most but all leaders are supporting him. Twitter war with Gul Panag The Twitter war with the AAP candidate Gul Panag was entertaining. Let’s see what she will post now.
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Another contender for city seat
Chandigarh, March 20 Dharminder, a resident of Sector 32 here, is the fourth contender for the Chandigarh seat who filed his nomination papers with the DC-cum-Returning Officer (RO) Mohhamed Shayin. As per the affidavit filed by him, Singh has Rs 50,000 in cash, an investment of Rs one lakh in insurance policies etc, jewellery worth Rs 50, 000 and a motorcycle. He does not own any immovable asset. Till date, the candidates of Congress and BSP besides an independent candidate have filed their nominations. The candidates of BJP and AAP would file their nomination papers tomorrow. — TNS
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Gul Panag refuses security cover
Chandigarh, March 20 The security cover has been given to the candidates for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, including Kirron Kher of Bharatiya Janata Party, Pawan Kumar Bansal of Congress and Jannat Jahna-Ul-Haq of Bahujan Samaj Parth. Police sources said the security cover was being provided in view of threat perception to the contestants campaigning extensively in the city.
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Cong padyatra Congress Padyatra reached Aman-Chaman Colony of Dhanas on Thursday morning. The party candidate, Pawan Kumar Bansal, met residents, who welcomed him with garlands. He was accompanied by other Congress leaders. Bansal ruined the city, says Jannat Jahan BSP candidate Jannat Jahan on Thursday said the Congress MP, Pawan Bansal, had not developed but ruined Chandigarh. She said city residents now know Bansal's anti-growth face and would show him the door in the elections. She addressed a programme at Khuda Ali Sher on Thursday. AAP candidate meets residents AAP candidate Gulkirat Kaur Panag spent over eight hours while campaigning in the city. She started campaigning at 5.30 in the morning and walked through streets and markets of Indira Colony Vikas Nagar, Indira Colony, Chaudhary Charan Singh Colony, Raipur Kalan, Mauli Jagran and Mani Majra. She met residents queued up before dawn at a ration distribution point in Indira Colony. The AAP also carried out a cycle rally in Sector 16. — TNS Candidates’ day out today Pawan Kumar Bansal (Congress) 7 am: Padayatra in Khuda Lahora 4 pm: Public meeting in Sector 31 C Kirron Kher (BJP) 11 am: Filing of nomination at the DC office, Sector 17 Gul Panag (AAP) 10 am: Road show in Sectors 34, 35, 36, 15, 16 and 17 12.30 pm: Filing of nomination papers at the DC office 4.15 pm: Meeting with members of Beopar Mandal at Sector 20 D Jannat Jahan (BSP) 7 to 9 pm: Door-to-door campaign in Dhanas village 4 to 6.30 pm: Door-to-door campaign in Faida village
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Candidates chirp
Kirron Kher @KirronKherBJP
Good mor Chandigarh. I am here to stay, to work for you & to deliver. Only time will tell. Give me your love & I will get you your rights. Gul Panag @GulPanag Condemnable!! The unprovoked lathi charge and arrest of peacefully protesting Panjab University students. #Chandigarh #RIP Khushwant Singh. What Man! What a life! #salute Retweeted by Gul Panag Omar Abdullah @abdullah_omar: Now if only Mehbooba Mufti would RT me the way @GulPanag is RT'ing @KirronKherBJP it would make for a much better political environment :-) Couldn't agree more. #Chandigarh needs & deserves a full time MP. I'm here to stay. Yes. May the ablest win. #change4chandigarh
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Bittu moves EC against Dy AG
Mohali, March 20 He alleged that Simranjit Singh Chandumajra, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, was campaigning in his official capacity for his father, Prem Singh Chandumajra, SAD-BJP candidate from the Anandpur Sahib parliamentary constituency. He further said Simranjit Singh Chandumajra was allegedly taking active part in the political activities of the SAD and was organising political meetings on behalf of his father, thereby influencing voters, using his official position.
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Punjab, UT employees to protest today
Mohali, March 20 Giving information, Sukhdev Singh, convener of the committee, said the committee would block the traffic on all the highways and main roads tomorrow for two hours from 1 pm to 3 pm. “All preparations have been made for the protest,” said Sukhdev Singh. He added that the Punjab Government had not been paying heed to their genuine demands, which forced them to take this step against the government.
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SAD leader ‘thrashes’ constable
Mohali, March 20 According to the sources, the constable Parshotam went to the village to attend a complaint. He was allegedly beaten by Sohana and his few associates. "The leader and his men also torn off Parshotam's uniform after beating him ," said the police. Sohana refuted the allegations. He said, "In fact the constable was misbehaving with the women of the village following which we only cautioned him to behave properly," claimed Sohana. The police was yet to register the case till the filing of the report.
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Final arguments on March 24
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 20 Gurdeep told the court that the family had rented out accommodations in Burail village and was under no financial burden that could have forced the accused to demand any ransom. His statement was cross-examined by the prosecution. The case dates back to December, 2010, when the body of 5- year-old Khushpreet was found dumped in a bag on the border of Chandigarh and Mohali few days after he went missing. The police had arrested 36-year-old Sukhdev Singh, alias Billa, and 32-year-old Gurvinder Singh, alias Binder, for the murder of Khushpreet. The third accused, Nand Kishore was later arrested. A total of 71 prosecution witnesses recorded their statement in the case during the trial. A total of two defense witnesses testified. The murder of Khushpreet had created a sensation in the city, witnessing protests of residents of Burail.
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Miscreants burn car
Chandigarh, March 20 Police sources stated that, Gurpreet Singh, owner of the car, complained that at around 6 am he heard some sound. On going outside he was shocked to find that flames were coming out from his Hyundai I-20 car. Singh tried to douse the fire, however, by then the car was completely burnt. The police on reaching the spot recovered a bottle containing petrol. The police claimed the miscreants must have used the bottle to burn the car. Police have started an investigation into the case.
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Forged signatures: PSEB sends reminder to senior cops
Mohali, March 20 The Mohali police had registered a case under Sections 419, 468 and 120 B of the IPC against an unidentified person at Phase VIII police station on November 29, 2013. Notably, the PSEB authorities had failed to solve the case in which signatures of certain senior officials were found forged on the attendance registers of a meeting of the board’s Regulation Committee on December 3, 2007, and some other board meetings, which had taken place on March 20, May 13 and August 6 in 2008. Shockingly, the members/officers, whose signatures were forged on registers, were not present in the meetings. The illegal act was done to show that there was full quorum in those certain meetings to incur some benefit by the accused. “After registering the case, there is no development in the investigation,” said a senior official of the board, claiming that the police did not seek any related record from the board so far. “The board has already sent a reminder to the police in this regard. Now again we have sent a reminder to Punjab DGP, IG (Patiala range) and Mohali SSP,” said the board’s secretary Gurinderpal Singh Batth. On being contacted, Mohali SSP Gursharan Singh Sandhu said he was yet to get the reminder in question. “I will look into the matter and expedite the investigation in this regard,” said SSP Sandhu.
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Kalam confers degrees on 160
Chandigarh, March 20 Addressing a jam-packed audience of graduates from five batches of the GMCH-32, here, today, Dr Kalam said ‘diagnostic pain’ was a major issue in the Indian healthcare system. “A patient who is already ailing is prescribed a variety of diagnostic tests. His file then shuttles between different counters. That is what is called diagnostic pain,” he said. A total of 160 graduates of 2004 to 2008 batches were conferred with MBBS degrees. The students were also awarded for excelling in academics with medals and cash prizes. Dr Kalam also honoured 27 MBBS students of the 2004 batch, 21 MBBS students of the 2005 batch, 35 MBBS students of the 2006 batch, 40 MBBS students of the 2007 batch and 35 MBBS students of the 2008 batch. He also gave away the Best Graduate degrees to Dr Ankita Aggarwal of the 2004-2009 batch, Dr Shivani Garg of the 2005-2010 batch, Dr Dinkar Bhasin of the 2006-2011 batch, Dr Anuj Sharma of the 2007-2012 batch, Dr Aditi Mehta of the 2008-2013 batch. During his address, Dr Kalam emphasised the need to establish the telemedicine facility to bridge the rural-urban divide and provision of quality healthcare to the rural population by partnership of major hospitals with the public health centres in rural areas. “The poorest of poor should have as much right as anyone else to less pain, less morbidity, shorter hospitalisation and early return to home, family and work,” he said. SIDELIGHTS
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Flash mob enthrals audience
Chandigarh, March 20 The students of the PE C University of Technology swayed to the foot-tapping numbers and entertained the crowd. The mood at the mall was upbeat and reverberated with energy. Later, a magical performance by Amey Vinay Kumar Sarang caught the fancy of the crowd.
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GMCH-32 to have research cell soon
Chandigarh, March 20 Atul Sachdev, Director-Principal, GMCH, said the Central Government had sanctioned Rs 5 crore grant for the purpose. He said this while reading out the annual report of the institution during the 7th convocation held here today. The institution, during the academic year 2013-14, published 336 research papers in national and international journals. Dr Sachdev also talked about the expansion plans of the institution. He said a centre for allied health sciences would be set up in the southern part of the city in the future. It would have special training centres for physiotherapy, speech therapy and dialysis, Dr Sachdev said. He added that the GMCH-32 was going to start BSc nursing course in the next academic session.
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Fun-filled events mark Day One of ‘Jhankaar’
Chandigarh, March 20 For the event 'Model United Nations', 60 students from different schools and colleges from across the country participated. The discussion was divided into three committees - the UN Historic General Assembly, the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Commission. The participants actively debated on three interesting agendas - Ballistic missiles proliferation, the recent Ukraine Crisis and the much debatable Death Penalty. Also, a part of the law events, the client counselling competition was a step forward for students who see their future as practicing lawyers. The participants enthusiastically competed in antakshari, dumb charades and other games during another event titled 'Funtoosh'.
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Workshop on herbal plants
The Nature's Glory Eco Club of St Stephen's School and the IBIA Club organised a workshop on 'Importance of herbal plants and nutrition' at Jagatpura. Parents and students actively participated in the event. They were made aware of herbal plants like aloe vera, patharchatt, tulsi and lemon grass. They were also told about the importance of personal hygiene, cleanliness and balanced diet. — TNS
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Great English writer Khushwant Singh was a living legend who took special interest in Urdu poetry. He not only quoted Urdu verses in his write-ups but also quoted my work in English, which was my good
luck.
I had an association of 55 years with Kushwant Singh. I had the opportunity to translate his book ‘Train to Pakistan’ in 1959. He was a noble soul and had no qualms. He was a jovial
person.
He was a great person. He would make others feel special. I came in contact with him when my first book was about to be released. It was an inspiring
association.
Words fail me today in writing about the man who wrote about me in his own column half a dozen times and who loved me a lot. I am choked. Will regain myself and come back on the man Khushwant whom I knew a little more than many since I had a long association with
him.
