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Crime in Chandigarh
Crime graph falls, insecurity increases in city
Murders, kidnappings, vehicle thefts go up; cheating, rioting decline 
Chandigarh, July 25
Though the cases of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and vehicle theft have risen in the city, the Chandigarh Police claims the crime scene during the first half of the year has looked up as compared to the corresponding period last year. The total number of cases registered this year has fallen, it claims.

Murder accused have confessed, claim cops

Panchkula, July 25 The eight youths arrested by the CIA staff of the Panchkula police have confessed to at least three murders, including a double murder in Ambala district.

Members of a gang of robbers, who are allegedly involved in three murders, being produced in a Panchkula court on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Amitabh casts a spell, moves on Chandigarh, July 25 Amitabh Bachchan’s magic fails to die. Rated among the most promising of Bollywood’s crowd pullers, he proved to be much in demand today, as always. The word of Big B’s brief presence at Chandigarh airport had emanated somewhere from the Sahara India office, which is obliged to host the warmest possible reception whenever a Sahara director comes calling. And once the news spread, it was natural that Sahara employees would have company of fans yearning for a glimpse of their hero. Film star Amitabh Bachchan during his short stay at Chandigarh airport on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Recall & destroy damaged wheat to prevent misuse: consumer panel

Chandigarh, July 25 The largescale diversion of "unfit for human consumption" wheat to roller flour mills and chakkis by the unscrupulous traders for consumption by humans, which was exposed by The Tribune last week, has sent ripples racing through the entire region. Mr Bejon Misra, Chairman, Consumer Coordination Council of India, displays samples of damaged wheat (right) and fresh wheat (left) at Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Components’ theft done with motive: SP
Mohali, July 25
The Superintendent of Police, Mohali, Mr Rakesh Agarwal today stated that the theft of certain vital components from Punjab Recorders Limited here, used in the manufacture of parts of India’s main battle tanks, was done with a specific motive by an insider.

He took Indian Railways to its zenith
He was an engineer who literally linked remote parts of the country for the Indian Railways. Born 100 years ago this day, he was also a good sportsman who rose up from a nondescript village to become a legend in his lifetime. Karnail Singh was born in Chhajalwadi village, near Amritsar, on July 25, 1904. From the village school, he went on to receive higher education at Panjab University and Thomson Engineering College, Roorkee.

COMMUNITY

Meeting on Punwire revival
Mohali, July 25
Mr Debabrata Biswas, Rajya Sabha MP and General Secretary, All- India Forward Block, today held a meeting with Mr B.S. Baidwan, former president of the Mohali Industries Association, to get first-hand information on the draft rehabilitation scheme for the revival of Punwire, prepared by Mr Baidwan.

‘Inspiration delivers better than motivation’

Chandigarh, July 25 In his address to industrialists and bureaucrats today, Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, touched upon the elements that enhance work culture in corporate set-ups. Stressing the power of humanness in making things happen, Sri Sri Ravishankar said “money does not always deliver results. The human face that you induce into work is the real force behind reward.”  He was addressing a huge gathering at PGI’s Bhargava auditorium this morning. The founder of Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravishankar, speaking on work culture at the PGI in Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Mandal organises Nirankari ‘samagam’
Chandigarh, July 25
The durability of any edifice, depends on its foundation; when the latter crumbles, the citadel falls down. This was stated here today by Mr K.R. Chadha, secretary, Sant Nirankari Mandal, Delhi, while addressing a congregation at the Nirankari bal sant samagam organised by the Sant Nirankari Mandal.

CRIME

MC vice-president held for fraud
Mohali, July 25
Officers of the economic offences wing, Khanna, have arrested Mohali municipal council vice-president Amrik Singh. A former tehsildar, Amrik Singh has been charged with misusing his powers and committing a fraud in the Revenue Department, Samrala, when he was posted there as qanungo.

Scuffle over harassment by in-laws, two hurt
Chandigarh, July 25
Two persons were injured in a scuffle resulting from a family dispute in Mauli Jagran village this evening. The problem started when Hazura Singh, a resident of Bahadurgarh in Patiala district, along with his brother-in-law, Naib Singh, and his son Kulwinder Singh, went to Mauli Jagran village.

Senior IT official assaulted
Zirakpur, July 25
An Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Panchkula, and his family members were allegedly assaulted by a group of car-borne youths, including a lambardar of Lohgarh village, on the Kalka-Ambala highway near Zirakpur, last night.

Three injured in road mishaps
Lalru, July 25
Three persons were injured in two accidents on the Kalka-Ambala highway near here today. In a head-on collision involving a car (DL-3CM-5727) and a scooter (PIP-4825), two scooterists, Raju and Rockey of Dheha Colony, Lalru, sustained severe injuries and were admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh.

One held for negligent driving
Chandigarh, July 25
The police today arrested Daljit Singh, a resident of Rajiv Vihar, Manimajra, for negligent driving and causing injuries to two scooterists on Saturday. According to a press note issued by the Chandigarh police, Harnek Verma of Khuda Lahora and Ashok Kumar were riding a scooter when a Maruti car (CH-01-W-4880) hit them near the PGI workshop.

Youth stabbed by brother of beloved
Panchkula, July 25
A youth was allegedly stabbed in the stomach by the brother of his beloved, after he was called to his beloved’s house by her family in Sector 6 this evening. The victim, Ravinder Singh, was rushed to the General Hospital, Sector 6, by his friends, who were waiting outside the house of the girl.

Four women held for snatching chain
Panchkula, July 25
Four women were caught while snatching a gold chain from Ms Raj Rani in Apni Mandi in Sector 14 here last night. The women, Sulochana, her granddaughter Naina, Kamla and her daughter Jyoti, were caught by people on the spot as Ms Raj Rani raised the alarm. 

• Girl hurt as car hits scooter

BUSINESS

GTB depositors a shaken lot Chandigarh, July 25 Panic spread among the depositors of Global Trust Bank (GTB) here today following the decision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to impose a moratorium on the withdrawal of money and the suspension of its ATM services. Shock and disbelief were writ large on the faces as irate depositors thronged the bank’s Sector 8 branch to know the status of their deposits. A depositor of Global Trust Bank reads a notice announcing the suspension of the bank’s ATM services, in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Market Pulse
Insurance products
Allianz Bajaj Life Insurance has received approval from the IRDA for complete suite of group products, which includes Unit-Linked Group Superannuation and Group Gratuity, Group Term Life, Group Term Life in Lieu of EDLI.

EDUCATION

PEC aspirants meet Bansal
Chandigarh, July 25
Parents of students, who are seeking admission to the Punjab Engineering College, today met the member of Parliament, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, seeking his help in restoring the 85 per cent quota for Chandigarh students.

Explanation of PEC Principal sought
Lab attendant’s case
Chandigarh, July 25
The Chandigarh Administration has sought an explanation from the Punjab Engineering College (PEC) Principal for changing his decision on imposition of penalty of dismissal from service to compulsory retirement in respect of a laboratory attendant.

GCG-11 simplifies admission process
Chandigarh, July 25
The Government College for Girls, Sector 11, has introduced the concept of retaining the roll number given at the time of admission by the college, for all three years of graduation. Done to facilitate the admission process, the idea is the brainchild of the college Principal, Dr Manjeet Kalra, who took over as Principal recently.

From Schools
48 DAV-8 students honoured
Chandigarh, July 25
As many as 48 students of DAV Public School, Sector 8, were awarded certificates and badges of Cambridge Young Learners Examination at a function held on the school premises here today. Mr Marc Walker, First Secretary Education Services, British Council division, Delhi, gave away the certificates.

Choice of 60 courses for coop staff
Chandigarh, July 25
With a view to honing the skills of the cooperative staff, the Regional Institute of Cooperative Management (RICM) has come out with over 60 diploma and short-term programmes.

Clerks’ exam put off
Chandigarh, July 25
Without any prior notice the Food and Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Chandigarh Administration, today postponed a written examination which was scheduled to be held at Government College for Men, 11 and Government College for Girls, Sector 11. Hundreds of students from distant places had come to the city to appear in the test.

Students trek to Tikkar Taal
Mohali, July 25
At least 120 students of Nature Club from Saint N.S. Public School, Phase 9, here and Saint James Convent School, Phase 10, here today trekked to Tikkar Taal, Morni hills, as part of a one-day environment awareness and adventure camp.

COURTS

Amarinder fails to appear in court
Chandigarh, July 25
With the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, failing to appear in the court yet again, a local court yesterday gave a last chance to appear him on October 9 in a defamation case filed by Mr Sukhbir Badal.

LIFESTYLE

Magic of yesteryear may help avoid extramarital affairs
Extramarital affairs are not associated with the lifestyles of celebrities alone, as is the popular belief. It is true of many a relationship in other strata of society also today. The search for a person “who will fulfil me in every aspect” continues even after marriage in many cases. It becomes more intense in cases of mismatched marriages.

He banks on glass to add colour to life Mr Rakesh Koshal, a retired bank manager, is a man who has dealt with numbers and accounts for most of his life. But the discovery of the paintbrush after retirement has filled his life with colour, literally. A resident of Mundi Complex, Sector 70, Mohali, he has in the past three years created over 50 glass paintings at home without any technical background or training. “The paintbrush was a magical discovery. I was helping my grandson, Manik, do a small glass-painting project for school and realised that I could create forms using colours. After that initial thrill of being able to wield the brush, I have not looked back,” he says. Mr Rakesh Koshal at work on one of his glass creations in his house in Mohali. — Tribune Photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Taseer’s novel on Partition released

Chandigarh, July 25 In the second book release function within a week, Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi today launched a novelette written by R.D. Sharma Taseer. Titled “Kuredate Ho Jo Ab Raakh”, the work traces lives of two friends caught in the mire of Partition. Mr Amrik Singh Pooni (extreme right) releases Mr R.D. Sharma’s book “Kuredate Ho Jo Ab Raakh” at the State Library in Sector 34, Chandigarh, on Sunday. Mr Himmat Singh Gill is also seen in the picture. — A Tribune photograph

K.L. Saigal’s magic recreated K.L. Saigal won millions of hearts with his melodious rendering of emotional songs. The magic of that era was brought alive at an audio-visual presentation “K L Saigal ki amar kahani” at Tagore Theatre on Sunday evening. The programme saw a presentation of evergreen classical songs of Saigal including ‘Piya bin na aawat chaina’, ‘Jab dil hi toot gaya’ and ‘Ae qaatib-e-taqdeer’. Nalin Shah at a presentation on K.L. Saigal’s life at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

HEALTH

Anti-dengue drive from August 1
Chandigarh, July 25
Come rains and the dengue and malaria, diseases caused by mosquito bites, may just be threatening to spread. As the weather gods finally emerge from the deep slumber to bring bountiful showers, the local health authorities here have also geared up to take up the challenge.

97 units of blood collected Panchkula, July 25 As many as 97 units of blood were collected at a blood donation camp organised by the Panchkula Malayalees Association at Geeta Bhawan, here. Other than members of the association, a number of residents of the township, too, donated blood. Donors at a blood donation camp at Panchkula on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

SPORTS

Over 20 teams for junior handball meet
Chandigarh, July 25
More than 20 teams will vie for top honours in the Junior National Handball Championship (boys) which will begin tomorrow at DAV Senior Secondary School grounds, Sector 8.

Boxing title for DAV College Chandigarh, July 25 DAV College, Sector 10, clinched the overall championship in the Chandigarh State Boxing Championship which concluded today at Sports Complex, Sector 42. They got 22 points while SGGS College, Sector 26, secured 10 points. Vishal Gaurav of DAV College lands a right punch on Narinder Singh in the Senior Chandigarh Boxing Championship in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Shweta wins chess title
Chandigarh, July 25
Shweta with five points won the Chandigarh Women’s Chess championship which concluded this evening at the St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44. The meet was organised by the Chandigarh Chess Association.