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Gawritex security officer hurt in clash Panchkula, August 15 The incident took place this afternoon at Gawritex’s newly-opened showroom in Phase I. Mr Amit Gawri, director of the company, said he had gone to the showroom around 2 pm and was amidst discussion with his security staff when a group of men from a rival factory, led by its general manager, barged into the premises of their showroom and tried to take illegal possession of its front portion. “When we tried to prevent them from doing so, they called their men over and attacked us with lathis and stones. As the other group numbered over 30, a few of my security men fled. Some of us took shelter inside the showroom and we downed the shutters. Mr Kambhoj and Parmod Kumar, a staff member, could not get inside the showroom and they were brutally assaulted,” he said. He said they called the police, but it took its own time to come. “I suspect that the police is hand in glove with the other party, which prevented it from coming to our help in time. We had locked ourselves in and it was only after the police came that we came out,” he added. The police, however, said it responded as soon as it got the information. It said the industrial plot where the company had opened its showroom a month back, was a disputed property. “While one of the owners rented out the shed to Gawritex, the co-owner rented it to the other party. When the other party came to take possession of the front portion of this plot, the two sides clashed,” said a police officer who is investigating the case. Meanwhile, Captain Kambhoj, who received injuries to his head, arms and back, has been admitted to the General Hospital, Panchkula. |
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Tricolour hoisting, cultural shows mark I-Day celebrations Panchkula, August 15 While paying tributes to the freedom fighters, he said they got us independence by making sacrifices and we should live with harmony and peace. He said the state had made contribution in the freedom struggle and a number of people had died while fighting for Independence. He highlighted the development works undertaken by the INLD government. He said approximately 44,000 development works had been carried out under the Sarkar Aapke Dwaar programme. He also gave away 10 bicycles to girl students under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan. Fifty-two persons were honoured for their achievements in various fields. Students of various government and private schools presented a march past and a cultural show on the occasion. Manav Mangal School won the first prize for the best cultural item, while The Gurukul, Sector 20, got the second prize in the cultural function. Kirti Gahlawat and Ashish Dhiman, students of Manav Mangal School, who won various yoga competitions, were also honoured. At Kalka, the SDM, Mr Devinder Kaushik, hoisted the National Flag. Students from various schools presented a march past and a cultural show. The Director-General Health, Dr B.S. Dahiya, hoisted the National Flag at the health subcentre, Burj Kotian village, near Pinjore. A health camp was organised by a team of doctors led by Civil Surgeon, Dr Satvir Chaudhary. Around 380 persons were examined on the occasion. At HMT, Pinjore, a senior workman, Mr C.L. Sharma, hoisted the National Flag. As many as 79 employees were given prizes for their suggestions under the Employees Suggestion Scheme. Students of St. Vivekanand Millennium School and HMT Employees’ Education Society High School presented a cultural show. The General Manager, Mr S.K. Sharma, was also present. The local unit of the Bharat Vikas Parishad celebrated Independence Day at Saket Hospital, Sector 1. The members distributed fruits and sweets among the inmates. Earlier, the chief guest, Mr Shambehari Garg, hoisted the National Flag. Students of Saket School, Chandi Mandir, presented a cultural show comprising patriotic songs. |
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Harbhajan star attraction
at I-Day function
Mohali, August 15 The ceremony was held at Government Senior Secondary School Phase 3B1. The SDM , Mr M.L.Sharma unfurled the flag and delivered the Independence day speech. Singer-actor Harbhajan Mann and his singer brother, Gursevak Mann, were given special awards at the celebrations. Residents of the township, they were honoured for their role in preserving and promoting Punjabi culture. While Harbhajan Mann was present throughout the three-hour ceremony, Gursevak Mann could not attend the function. His award was also accepted by Harbhajn Mann. For students performing in the various cultural sequences, the presence of Harbhajan Mann provided a big boost .
Farmers observe protest Farmers agitating against the acquisition of their land by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) expressed their resentment on Independence
Day. With black ribbons tied to their heads they held a torchlight procession. According to Mr
D.P. Singh, a farmers leader, peasants’ condition are no better than slaves . ‘‘For us independence means to be able to decide on our own what we want to do with the land we own. We do not want to give it to the government for a song,’’ he said. Students of private and government schools in rural areas performed
giddha, bhangra. Among the schools whose students performed included Government Senior Secondary School, Phase 3B1, Shastri Model School, St Xaviers School, Gian Jyoti Public School, Gem Public School, Kids Village, Government High School Phase 11, Sant Isher Singh Public School, Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sohana, Shivalik Public School, Government Senior Secondary School, Manouli, Government High School, Daon, Swami Ram Tirath School, Government High School, Landran and Government High School, Gobindgarh, Greenfield Public School and ITI, Mohali. The NCC units of some of these schools participated in the parade. The Principal of Shastri Model School, Mr Ram Lal Sewak was also honoured.Teachers of government schools and private schools were also honoured. Students who were honoured today were mostly from private schools of the township. Many persons who had donated blood for record number of times were also awarded. |
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Nehru’s speech played at I-Day function Mohali, August 15 Bearing a festive look, DAV Public School, Mohali, celebrated Independence Day today. Dressed in colourful attire, students presented an attractive function which took off with a welcome song followed by hoisting of the National Flag by Principal Jaya Bhardwaj. In her speech, the Principal emphasised the need to inculcate the spirit of patriotism in the young generation to keep the unity and the integrity of the country intact. She also exhorted them to follow the slogan ‘Each one teach one’ in its true meaning. Poems, speeches and songs eulogising the role of our freedom fighters also marked the occasion. A group dance by the senior girls on the tune of “Dulhan Chali” and another one on the tune of “Jahan daal daal par” mesmerised the students. Students of Genius Public School, Sector 69, Mohali, celebrated Independence Day with great zeal and enthusiasm. The students felt great pride in reciting patriotic songs. As many as 100 saplings were planted in the school. The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee member, Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, today visited Raipur Kalan in Mohali subdivision and hoisted the national flag. This village, along with many other neighbouring villages, had been affected by floods last week. Mr Sidhu gave monetary help to the tune of Rs 60,000 to 35 flood-affected families. A sum of Rs 5,000 each was given to families of those whose houses had been damaged in the floods. Others who suffered less damage were given Rs 2000 each and those whose wheat had been damaged were given Rs 1,000 each. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sidhu appreciated the stand of the Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, on the SYL issue. He stated that Ms Sonia Gandhi's choice of Dr Manmohan Singh as the country's Prime Minister was a historical decision. He also gave awards to students of five schools who had participated in the celebrations. Mr Omrao Singh of Mauli Baidwan gave Rs 2,500 to the village youth club. Mr Raghbir Singh, Sarpanch, Dharamgarh also gave the schoolchildren Rs 500 each for their performance at the function. Mr Gurmukh Singh Kumbra also gave a grant to the youth club. Students of Shivalik Public School Phase VI celebrated Independence Day today. The school campus was decorated with colourful buntings and balloons. The school Director-Principal, Mr D.S. Bedi, hoisted the national flag and took the ceremonial salute at the march past. The cultural programme began with a shabad ‘deh shiva var...’ followed by a large number of items comprising poems, jhankis, speeches, songs, dances and skits. Mr D.S. Bedi applauded the combined efforts of the teachers and students in presenting the show. More than 300 students of the Jan Shikshan Sansthan here celebrated Independence Day today. The National Flag was hoisted by Mr Dildar Khan, Director of the sansthan, who also greeted the students and staff on the day. He emphasiesd the importance of the day and asked the students to work for achieving the ideals set by freedom fighters. Apurba Baruah from the north-east said people could learn a lot about the virtues and hard work and patriotism from the people of Punjab. |
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Man found dead in car Chandigarh, August 15 The police received information that a car had remained parked at the market for a long time. Mist had settled on the glasses of the car due to air-conditioning. The police opened the car and found the body of Harpreet on the seat. The police checked the papers of the car and informed Harpreet’s relatives, with whom he had been living, in Sector 34. According to the relatives, Harpreet was an alcoholic and had been receiving treatment from a de-addiction centre in Mohali. He had been keeping unwell because of his drinking habit. There were no injury marks on the body. A relative of the man stated that they had no suspicion on anybody regarding the incident and requested against the holding of autopsy. Harpreet is survived by his wife, who is currently in the USA. |
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Citizens greet Governor Chandigarh, August 15 Distinguished citizens started trooping in Punjab Raj Bhavan one hour before the ceremony to greet the governor. The pathway of Punjab Raj Bhavan was specially decorated to receive the distinguished gathering. Mounted Chandigarh police personnel lined the pathway It may be added that this time Justice Verma ordered replacement of ordinary with the tricolor. The
‘At Home’ function began as the Governor, along with the first
lady, took the salute at the rostrum specially erected for this
purpose as a Punjab police band played the National Anthem. The Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Dr Kewal Krishan, was the first to greet the Governor. Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice B.K. Roy, and Senior civil, military and police officers of
Punjab were present in strength at the function. Office bearers of all political parties greeted the Governor on
this occasion. The Governor and the first lady, Mrs. Shobha Verma, intermingled in the august gathering. Freedom fighters were present in strength to greet the Governor on this special day. The Governor said that nation was proud of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters in the freedom struggle. Progressive
farmers from different parts of the state came in strength to greet
the Governor. Senior officers of Western command also greeted the
Governor and the first lady on this happy occasion. Councillors boycott ‘At Home’ Chandigarh, August 15 The councillors said they had taken the decision to protest against the Administration's failure to invite them to the Independence Day function in Sector 17. “We were sent invitations for the At Home function only. The Administration didn't deem it fit to invite elected representatives of the people to the function held in Sector 17. The selective invitations extended to a handful of councillors is not acceptable. The discrimination is uncalled for,” they rued. |
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Arjun projecting secular image with eye on PM's post: Joshi Chandigarh, August 15 Talking to media persons at a function organised by the Panchnad Research Institute at DAV College here, the former HRD said in becoming the next prime minister, Mr Singh had the backing of certain Congressmen and Leftist parties. "Such type of political gimmicks were nothing new for the minister as he had done a similar thing in the Narshima Rao government. On being asked about the statement of the minister that BJP has saffronised the history text books, he said it was his effort to project his secular credentials. He ridiculed the HRD Minister for making a issue out of nothing. The experts appointed to pinpoint the anti-secular extracts have not been able to pinpoint anything so far. Earlier, speaking at the function Dr Joshi said the western concept of modernisation was yielding fatal consequences for the human being. He said the problem and concern of the world could not be divided among nations and boundaries and they had been dealt collectively. He pointed that major contributor to the global warming was the West. He said signs of increasing awareness about the richness of mind and skills and not looking towards the west for solutions was a healthy sign. He pointed that during his tenure as HRD Minister it was found that uneducated and unskilled persons could also contribute in the nation-building. The engineers and professionals often look towards the West for their solutions. " But we have the experts in our villages who can solve problems specific to their land", added Dr Joshi. During a programme ' India Innovation' launched by the government for people with bright ideas and innovations from the rural and uneducated sections of society, the government received about 40,000 applications. Citing examples, he said the innovations were unique and stunning. Some of the innovators have been getting repeated invitations to display their project from the world over. Earlier, Mr Suresh Soni, a RSS leader, said India was lagging behind due its shortcomings." We have forgotten our past and we shall have to shed mental slavery". he added. Mr Shyam Khosla and Mr KS Arya, President and Vice- President of the Panchnad Research Institute, also spoke on the occasion. |
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Take pride in national history, says Joshi Chandigarh, August 15 He said even after 57 years of Independence, the country had not been able to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated, the haves and the have-nots. “We need to know our position on the world stage. Whether we have been able to ensure a better future for the coming generations and wipe out class differences? We also need to know why our exports are dwindling? The answer lies in the wrong projection of history. A nation which is ashamed of its past cannot progress. A nation which calls its nationalists terrorists in history books cannot progress. I attempted to change that so that every Indian has a reason to walk with his head held high,” he said. Earlier, Mr Satya Pal Jain, former Member of Parliament, said the “revolutionary changes” made by Dr Joshi in the history books were aimed at putting history in the right perspective.
Cong celebrations The Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee
(CTCC) celebrated Independence Day at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in Sector 35 here. The Tricolour was unfurled by Mr Surinder Bhatia, general secretary of the CTCC and chairman of the Congress Sewa Dal. National Song and National Anthem were sung as Sewa Dal volunteers saluted the flag. Among those present on the occasion were Mayor
Kamlesh, Mr Dharamvir Manchanda, Mr Sunil Parti, Ms Lalit Joshi, Mr Chander Mukhi Sharma, Mr Surinder Singh and other office-bearers. The president of the
CTCC, Mr B.B. Bahl, and the local Member of Parliament, Mr Pawan Bansal, were out of town. |
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Controversy over Army NCO's death Chandigarh, August 15 The incident happened a few weeks ago while the deceased trooper, L/Nk Amrik Singh from a Sikh battalion deployed in Kupwara, had been detailed to lead on a patrol. He had suffered two bullet injuries from an AK-47 rifle, one on his temple and another on his face. Amrik's brother, Ranjit
Singh, a locally-based building contractor told The Tribune that the family learnt of the incident after receiving a call from the unit on June 18. He said that a senior JCO who conveyed the news was vague and did not give any clear-cut picture about what happened. Even the escort party bringing the body to his village was evasive and in a hurry to leave, he added. Ranjit said he was told by unit personnel that Amrik's body had been found in bushes adjacent to the camp and two empty AK-47 cartridges were recovered alongside. Just a day before the incident, Amrik had written a letter to a friend, which revealed nothing abnormal. He added that while returning from the Regimental Centre in Ramgarh in May, Amrik got into trouble with some other jawans, including those from his unit, on the train. Matters came to such a pass that Amrik had summoned him to Ambala railway station to get things sorted out. Ranjit also claimed that after the incident, a jawan from the same unit, who had retired recently and is residing in a nearby village, came over and urged the panchayat to issue a certificate that Amrik had been suffering from depression due to some domestic problems. He has forwarded a written representation to the Army, highlighting the facts of the case and seeking a thorough probe into the matter. The Army is understood to have ordered a court of inquiry. The official Army spokesman at Srinagar, when contacted, said that reports received from the unit stated it to be a clear case of suicide and there were witnesses to this effect. He said that Amrik had been detailed to go on a patrol and as the party was about to leave, Amrik came out of his tent, suddenly cocked his weapon and fired upon himself. He said that Amrik had been depressed as his brother-in-law had been missing for some time. The spokesman added that the family wanted Amrik to be declared as a battle casualty so that they could get the benefits authorised in such cases. This, however, is denied by Ranjit, who claimed that the family has not even made any attempt to get his regular service dues such as provident fund and gratuity. |
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Obituary Kanwar
Mahindar Singh’s death
on August 15 ended a long battle with cancer and Chandigarh lost one
of its most colourful citizens.
Through the many decades he spent in Chandigarh, he was known
principally as a sportsman, equally skilled in tennis, golf and
cricket and admired for his knowledge of the history of these games.
On any afternoon of the year he could be seen, happily braving
Chandigarh’s winter wind around the golf course, or scorching on the
tennis court, making his opponent run about sweating, while he himself
concentrated on placing the ball. “Preserve your own energy and
exhaust the other chap” was his strategy. His encouragement of the
young was unflagging. Many will recall the enthusiastic and expert
coaching they received as youngsters. Until a few weeks ago, he still
drove himself to the tennis courts to watch, even though he could
hardly walk.
On the golf course he set a memorable example of “British
sportsmanship” as he had learnt it, laughing at his own “mucked”
shots with an exaggerated “Hai! Hai!” or praising an opponent’s
successful putt.
Cricket was a lifelong passion, inherited from his father and, in
old age, instilled into his grandsons, who he played with and
inspired, even after the doctors declared him “terminal”.
Kanwar Mahindar Singh was born in Delhi on January 12, 1921. His
father’s generation, educated in England, became known as the last
Victorians in Empire and brought up their children in the same mode.
Though not a Church-going Christian, Mahindar remained rooted in
Christian values and stern disciplines.
His grandfather, Raja Sir Harnam Singh was a Trustee of The Tribune
and his great-grandfather, Maharaja Randhir Singh of Kapurthala was
instrumental in starting the newspaper, then published from Lahore.
His father, Raja Sir Maharaja Singh, held high office both in British
times and in independent India. His mother came from the well-known
Punjab family, The Maya Dases.
Mahindar Singh was educated first at Bishop Cotton School in Shimla
and then in Cape Town, South Africa, when his father was Agent General
for India in that country. He studied at Balliol College, Oxford,
where, like his father, he excelled in games. Returning to India when
World War II broke out, he finished his education in Lucknow and took
a job with Tata’s in Calcutta, later changing to Mahendra &
Mahendra. As a “box wallah” his business acumen was soon
recognised.
But what Calcutta remembers, even today, are his social skills: his
ability to get on with everybody, irrespective of class, colour or
creed. The white “burra sahib”, his wife, his children, or his
bearer, all met with the same genial good manners. His many friends
recall well his generous hospitality: the bibulous dinner parties, the
“gramophone dances” on his terrace, the sing-songs, led by himself
on his accordion. And always in demand, a battered doll named Koko
that he used for his ventriloquism, a talent shared with his father.
Handsome and “England-returned”, the young Mahindra was
considered a “catch” as a husband. Hence many a young hopeful was
disappointed when he chose the beautiful widow of India’s air-ace,
Karan Majumdar, who had been killed years earlier in a plane crach.
“Premo” was the daughter of P.N. Dutt, IES, Registrar of Panjab
University.
A few years later, Mahindar, his wife and their only child, Nihar,
moved to Chandigarh accompanied as always by an aged dog and a parrot,
both dearly loved. He set up a small business which, with careful
management and a loyal staff, has flourished over the years. As
hospitable as ever, he quickly formed a circle of friends for his golf
and tennis.
Affectionately known as “Kanwar Sahib”, he preferred to be
addressed as “MS and Co.”, declaring “The days for all that pomp
are over”. Accordingly, he lived without ostentation or possessions,
never bragging about his background, or about his successes in
business or in sports.
Although he was delighted to be called “The Father of Chandigarh
Tennis” very few know that he was a semi-finalist in the Veterans
Doubles at Wimbledon and that he was ranked in World Veterans Tennis.
Nor is it common knowledge, because he would never speak of it, how
much he did for his stepchildren, or how generously he would always
come to the aid of family, or in-laws, whether it was elders needing
care or the young needing aid.
After his wife’s tragic death from cancer, “MS” looked
forward increasingly to the tennis tournaments which took him to many
parts of the globe, giving him opportunities, not only for the tennis
he loved, but also for meeting a variety of people, an experience in
which he always took pleasure. They, in turn, were charmed by his
old-fashioned courtesy and his modesty. “Why ever did they abolish
these lovely Rajas?” asked his American hostees. “He’s the only
real gentleman I’ve seen coming out of the Empire” said a
Wimbledon fan.
A versatile and complex man, his reticence made him difficult to be
known, except superficially. Even his daughter, to whom he was
devoted, described him as “chilly” to those had did not know well.
He wore his laurels lightly, ready to joke about the compliments
heaped on him wherever he went, just as he joked about the assorted
sports trophies all over his home. And, in the end, he was still ready
to joke about his failing faculties, choosing to ignore, for as long
as possible, the ravages of the progressing cancer.
A few months ago, in a letter to a friend he decided on a fitting
epitaph for himself, from Walter Savage Landor:
“I’ ve warmed both hands before the fire of life.
It sinks, and I am ready to depart.” |
Creator of
Cactus Garden dead Chandigarh, August 15 He was 86 years old and is survived by two sons and a daughter. Dr Sarkaria was an MS (Master of Surgery) and he later developed interest in gardening. He rose to become one of the finest research persons in the field of cacti in the entire
country. |
Woman deprived of Rs 50,000 in shop Chandigarh, August 15 Ms Vishali Sharma a resident of Sector 43, reported that she went to a garment shop in Sector 34 to make some purchases. They spent about two hours in the shop. According to her, she might have left her purse only for a while unattended as she was busy in selecting the garments. There were two girls in the shop at that time, who left the shop in a suspicious and hurried manner. After a while she thought about her purse. She found it lying on the counter. It was open and there was no money inside it. The police has registered a case of theft at the Sector 34 police station. |
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2 held on theft charge Chandigarh, August 15 Nirmal Singh, a resident of Sector 20, was arrested on the charge of stealing a scooter (CH-01-C-4978), following a complaint by Mr Braham Singh, a resident of Sector 32. Mr Braham has alleged that the accused stole his scooter from Mouli Jagran on yesterday. A case has been registered under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC at the Mani Majra police station. The accused was arrested from Mouli Jagran. In another incident, Vishal Kalia, a resident of Sector 37-C, was arrested red-handed while stealing the mobile phone of Mr Parteek Maheswari from his room in the KKR Hostel, Sector 12. He has been booked under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC at the Sector 11 police station. Mr Amaninder Singh, a resident of Phase 1, Mohali, has filed a complaint at the Sector 34 police station, that someone has stolen his Bullet motor cycle (PB-65-C-1262) from SD College, Sector 32. A case has been registered under Section 379 of the IPC. Mr Hardev Singh of Sector 31 has reported that someone has stolen his scooter (HR-03-B-5595) from the CMC parking lot in Sector 17 on Saturday. A case has been registered under Section 379 of the IPC at the Sector 17 police station. Woman commits
suicide Panchkula, August 15 Her body was found hanging in her room by her parents. She was unmarried, and has left behind a suicide note saying that she was ending her life on her own will. The police have initiated inquest proceedings. |
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