The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, December 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

REGIONAL POTPOURRI

Sangrur club a trend-setter
Skin specialist lays down office
Chaos on Baddi’s main roads

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
SEMINAR: The Rotary Club, Midtown, organised a seminar on disability awareness on Tuesday. The project chairman, Dr Karan Sharma, said there were over 70 million disabled persons in the country. The Director of the local mental hospital, Dr B.L. Goyal, urged the people to help the mentally challenged and said that psychiatric patients required care and affection for an effective treatment.

HOUSE ROBBED: Gold jewellery worth Rs 80,000 and Rs 10,000 in cash were looted at gunpoint from Chander Kalan, a resident of the area near the OCM mill. According to a report, unidentified persons, entered the house on pretext of checking the meter, locked her in a bathroom, and decamped with jewellery and cash. In another incident, Rs 1 lakh and cloth material were stolen from a shop at Chheharta Chowk on Tuesday. A case has been registered.

LINK ROAD: Mr B.K. Chopra, general secretary of the Nagrik Welfare Forum, has expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the link road. He said that the road was broken at many places and its condition became worse during the rainy season.

BATHINDA
MEDICAL CAMP: The Homoeopathic Doctors Association, Muktsar, organised a free medical camp at Government Senior School at village Lakhiwali on Tuesday. Dr J.N. Grover, Dr K.K. Kakkar and Dr K. Brar examined about 375 patients in the camp.

YOUTH FESTIVAL: Mr S. Marriya, Principal, DAV college, in a press note issued here on Wednesday, said the zonal youth festival to be held from December 14 to 16 had been postponed by Panjabi University. This, he said, had been done due to the ongoing agitation by the principals, management, teachers and the non-teaching employees of private colleges aided by the government in the state.

ADVOCATE NOMINATED: Mr Mitho Ram Gupta, an advocate, has been nominated a member of the Sales Tax Advisory Committee, Faridkot Division.

MEDITATION CAMP: The local Osho Madhushala will organise a meditation camp on the Bhaba Mal Trust premises from December 6 to 9. Ms Dharam Joti, an Osho follower, will inaugurate the camp and deliver lectures on preachings of Osho. Besides an exhibition of audio and video tapes , books and other literature will also be displayed.

KAPURTHALA
CONVICT DIES: Sohan Singh, a resident of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, who was undergoing a two-year rigorous imprisonment in the district jail died at the Civil Hospital. According to Mr Gian Singh, Assistant Superintendent of Jails, the convict complained of chest pain on December 1, following which he was referred to the hospital.

KHAMANO
PROTEST RALLY: The Veterinary Pharmacist Union, Punjab, will organise a protest rally at Ajnala, the constituency of Animal Husbandry Minister, Mr Ratan Singh Ajnala on December 16 to protest against the non-acceptance of their demands according to the vice-president of the union, Dr Sukhdev Singh Kang.

KHANNA
SEMINAR: A seminar on “Ignorance about Disabled” was organised by the Aptech Computer Centre here on the occasion of World Disabled Day. Mr Gurinder Singh was the chief guest on the occasion. The students presented talk on the issue and took oath to help the disabled become selfconfidence.

BODY FOUND: The body of a youth was found from Gulmohar Nagar here on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Gurpreet Singh (23), a resident of Billan Wali Chhappri. According to sources, he had left the house of his aunt, where he had gone to attend a function, around 10 pm on Tuesday.

MALERKOTLA
BRANCH COMPUTERISED: The State Bank of India computerised its ADB branch at Sandour village, about 10 km from here, on Tuesday. Mr G.K. Singh, ADC, Sangrur, was the chief guest on the occasion. According to the Branch Manager, Mr N.K. Talwar, it is the first rural branch of the SBI to be fully computerised.

POLYTHENE BAGS: Mr Amna Kumar, Executive Officer, has banned the manufacture and use of polythene bags less than 20 micron in thickness. He has also banned the use of recycled bags in the subdivision.

MOGA
THEFTS: Residents are disturbed over the increasing incidents of theft in the town during the past month. On Tuesday, two youths entered a house near Bhona Chowk on the pretext of checking the power bills. They locked the occupants of the house in a room and decamped with gold ornaments and Rs 60,000 in cash. In other incident, two youths entered a tailor’s shop in the New Town area and decamped with clothes worth over Rs 50,000. The police has registered a case.

JE KILLED: Mr Channan Singh, Junior Engineer of the Punjab State Electricity Board posted at Mudki village and a resident of Rajeana village in Moga district, was killed when his scooter collided with a Jeep. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

ADULTERATED LIQUOR: Consumers in the district have complained that the IMFL available at the liquor shops was adulterated and the department concerned had failed to check it. They alleged that even the good brands were being adulterated.

NAWANSHAHR
RESENTMENT: Resentment is brewing amongst the unemployed B.Ed teachers, as only 153 out of the 475 vacancies of ETT have been filled in the district. The candidates allege that even as appointment letters to the selected candidates were being issued, a merit list had not been displayed at the office of the District Education Officer. A deputation of the district unit of the Be-rojgar Adhyapak Front, led by its president Sham Lal, also met the DEO, Mr Santokh Singh Ranu, in this regard.

PATHANKOT
BAIL GRANTED: The bail plea of havildar Jeetram, who was allegedly involved in a rape case, was accepted with conditions by Gurdaspur Sessions Judge M.R. Batra on Tuesday. The orders said that Jeet Ram’s only son had expired on November 22 in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, and his last rites and other ceremonies were to be performed. Considering this, on a request of the accused, the Judge released him on an interim bail till December 12.

PATIALA
STRIKE: On the call of Punjab and Chandigarh Teachers Union ( PCCTU), the teachers of non- government colleges of Patiala district today boycotted classes and held rallies to protest against the non acceptance of their demands by the government including the non- implementation of already accepted pension/gratuity scheme for teachers. Addressing the protest rally at Modi College here, president of PCCTU informed that the teachers of non-government colleges will hold a protest march on December 7 towards District Courts where a rally would be held.

APPOINTED: The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee appointed Mr Mohinder Singh Mongia as Chairman for Patiala district (urban and rural) on Wednesday.The newly elected chairman informed that the President of the PPCC, Capt Amarinder Singh has announced, that if voted to power, the party will sanction 15 per cent house rent to government employees residing in Patiala.

RELAY FAST: Sangrur Circle workers of Punjab State Electricity Board(PSEB) continued their stir and relay fast on the second day on Wednesday to protest against non-implementation of their already accepted demands. President of the area circle Surinder Singh said that although the board had accepted the workers’ demands during the meetings held between the two parties on March 20 and October 18, the board has failed to implement demands which include increase of workers monthly medical allowance to Rs 500 and facilities to daily wagers on the lines of workcharged one. The circle president also informed of a protest march outside PSEB’s main office in Patiala on December14.

COACHING: Punjabi University’s ‘IAS and Allied Services Training Centre will provide free coaching for the candidates belonging to the weaker sections including minority communities who have secured atleast 50 per cent marks in graduation from January 7, 2002. Last date for submission of applications is December 20 and the interview will be held on December 26.

TARN TARAN
MAN KILLED: Pawan Kumar, (25), a resident of Patti, was crushed by an unidentified truck on Monday near Marhana village under the Harike police station. Pawan Kumar was mentally challenged. The police has registered a case. According to another report, oil, wire and other parts of a transformer installed at Ekal Gadda village was stolen by some unidentified persons. The transformer was installed by the PSEB to generate power for the tubewell in the village.

ZIRAKPUR
AWARDED: Mr Vikas Singal, Managing Director of Raglan Construction Private Limited , Zirakpur, has been awarded with ‘‘Rashtriya Rattan Award’’ by the Global Economic Council, New Delhi, for his contribution in the field of industries. The award was conferred on him by Dr Bhishma Narain Singh, a former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Assam.

CHANDIGARH

ELECTED: Mr Adit Agarwala, a photo artist of international repute, has again been unanimously elected president of the Friends of Photography (FOP) for the second year in succession. Mr Agarwala has also nominated his team of office-bearers to manage the activities of Friends of Photography. The other office-bearers are: Mr V.S. Kundu, vice-president; Mr Subhash Sapru — general secretary; Mr BSN Reddy — joint secretary; and Mr Bharat Gupta — treasurer. Friends of Photography is a group of enthusiasts hailing from the city and adjoining areas. The organisation has also organised its first All-India exhibition recently for which it received a record entry of 2,500 works. The members of the FOP have won several national and international awards.

CITIZENS' AWARENESS GROUP: The Citizen’s Awareness Group has urged the municipal corporation to implement parking fee on all and sundry and it should not be charged from the general public only. Mr Chaman Lal Gupta, secretary of the group, in a press release said only the general public is forced to pay the parking fee visiting markets and offices in Sectors 17, 8, 9 and 22. The group also alleged that the MC official themselves does not pay the fee when they park their vehicles in the paid parking. It has urged the Administration that government vehicles should also be charged for parking at the paid sites.

MEDICAL CAMP: The Air Force Wives Welfare Association organised a medical camp at the Sector 47 Family Welfare Centre on Wednesday. A press note issued by the Press Information Bureau said 80 women were diagnosed at the camp for detecting the cancer, diabetes, hypertension and other diseases. The camp was aimed at creating awareness among the women. Ms Geetha Govindarajan, president of the association, said such medical camps were useful for maintaining good health and detecting ailments.

EX-SERVICEMEN LEAGUE: The Chandigarh Indian Ex-services league has decided not to back up any candidate supported by any political party in the forthcoming Municipal Corporation elections to be held on December 8. A press note issued by Brig Sant Singh (retd), president of the league, said people should not get swayed by considerations other than the welfare of their respective sectors. At the time of exercising their right to vote, ex-servicemen should vote only those candidates who would ensure development of their ward.

HARYANA

AMBALA
KNITTING CONTEST: A number of students from 18 schools participated in the zonal round of Aao Bune knitting contest at Bal Bhavan, Ambala city. The contest had been organised by Vardhman Spinning and General Mills Limited. Earlier the students from Classes V to XI participated in the school-level contest and won in their respective categories. In the three-hour on-the-spot hand knitting contest, the students displayed their dexterity in creating beautiful patterns using single and multi-coloured combinations. At the zonal level, 10 best patterns were shortlisted within each category for the final evaluation phase and a total of 60 pattern from Ambala zone have qualified. Mr Harish Bhatia, product manager of the organising company, said knitting helps a child of have an effective control over the will, develop patience, generate sense of accomplishment and helps a child to learn to do things right in the first time.

SPORTS MEET: The Haryana Sports and Chess Association for the Blind organised a sports meet at War Heroes Memorial Stadium, Ambala Cantonment. In category one (completely visually challenged) shot put, Sanjeev Kumar was first, Roshan Lal was second and Sajjan Kumar was third. In discus throw, Sanjeev Kumar was first, Roshan Lal was second and Sajjan Kumar was third. In 100m race, Rajbir Singh was first, Shatveer Singh was second and Bishan Singh was third. In category two (partially visually challenged), shot put, Bhuvan Kapoor was first, Dalbir Singh was second and Lalit Kumar was third. In discus throw, Bhuvan Kapoor was first, Sadhu Ram was second and Ishwar Singh was third. In 100m race, Ravinder Nagar was first, Harinder Kumar was second and Sadhu Ram was third. TNS

CULTURAL FESTIVAL: Plays were held on the second day of the inter-zonal Railway cultural festival being held at Railway auditorium, Ambala Cantonment. In vocal light - Moradabad, in classical - Allahabad, in sugam instrumental - Allahabad and in classical insturmental - Bikaner are going to represent Northern Railway at the All-Inda Cultural Festival. In classical music, Allahabad and Baroda House was first, Delhi and Jagadhari workshop was second and Ambala and Jodhpur were third. In Sugam Vadan, Bikaner and Allahabad were first, Lucknow was second and Delhi and Baroda House were third. In classical instrumental, Allahabad and Bikanar were first, Bikaner House and Ambala were second and Charbagh Lucknow was third. The Assistant Divisional Cultural Officer, Mr Ashok Sharma, compered the programme.

REGIONAL POTPOURRI

Sangrur club a trend-setter

When Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister, inaugurated a squash court and lawn tennis courts at Ranbir Club, Sangrur, recently, the club became one of the very few in this country to have such facilities along with two badminton courts, an air-conditioned billiards hall, three table-tennis tables of international standard, facilities for indoor games, a children’s park, a restaurant and beer bar.

The lawns have been relaid with saplings planted around it. This multi-facility club was constructed by the then Maharaja about a century ago and over the years a number of facilities have been added.

The club has the rare distinction of holding 13 state-level badminton championships in which top national players had participated. Everyone praised the playing surface, lighting arrangements and hospitality.

Despite these changes and renovations, the design of the club has been left intact. To top it all, these changes have come about in the past three months. Credit for all this goes to Mr Sarvjit Singh, the sports-loving Deputy Commissioner of Sangrur who took charge of his assignment here a few months ago. Right from his takeover he started taking interest in the club and its activities. When he started various renovating jobs and the venture of adding squash and lawn tennis courts it looked a tough pursuit but he has done it. All sports-lovers of Sangrur salute him for his contribution in making the club a sports centre for indoor and outdoor games.

Sarvjit Singh himself comes to the club every evening to play tennis or squash . And if you do not find him in tennis court on any evening, you can find him in the swimming pool at Banasar Bagh.

The other day Mr Sarvjit Singh had said that he had a dream of making this club one of the best in the country. His dream seems to be coming true.

Skin specialist lays down office

After putting in over 30 years of service, Dr (Mrs) Adarsh Chopra, a noted skin and V.D. expert of this region, retired from Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, recently. Dr Chopra, who joined the college in 1971, has numerous achievements to her credit.

She has the distinction of having been selected on a WHO fellowship for higher training in the field of skin, AIDS, etc. As a part of her training she visited institutes at Seattle, New York and Baltimore.

For research, she was elected as a Fellow of the International Medical Sciences Academy in 1993 and also member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of India in 1996. She is also Vice-President of the Indian Medical Association, Patiala.

She has been honoured by several organisations like Rotary Club, Lions Club, etc. She is of the opinion that people should pay due attention to skin care as skin-related problems have assumed alarming proportions.

Chaos on Baddi’s main roads

The Industrial Area at Baddi has seen a rapid growth of industrial units in the past four to five years. Along with this growth, the problem of congestion and over-crowding in this area has arisen. The state government has declared Baddi a mini-Chandigarh according to Town and Country Planning Department norms. But the plan remains on paper only as no amenities have been provided. There is no proper bus stand, no public water tap and public urinal and no rain-shed at Baddi. People have to wait for buses under the open sky. Passengers are forced to stand in the hot sun or get drenched when it rains.

It is noteworthy that as it is a low-lying area, rain water, which is muddy and foul, accumulates at the bus stand, but the local administration and the HP Industries Department has not bothered to look into this problem. As the water is stagnant, there is a foul smell. Besides, on entering the bus stand, one can see a number of pot-holes. There is no local bus service in this township. As a result, office-goers and employees cannot reach their offices or factories in time. In addition autorickshaws are fleecing commuters.

The traffic situation is chaotic. Narrow roads in the Industrial Area cause traffic holdups, particularly near the collection barrier, bus stand area and Sai road. Traffic congestion has increased but the administration has neither earmarked proper parking places, nor loading unloading sites (see photo by Beant Singh.) The parking of a large number of vans, cars, maxi cabs and jeeps, in thickly populated localities are not only a traffic hazard but also becomes a nuisance for the general public.

Contributed by Gursharan Singh, Sarbjit Singh and Prem Singh