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Amritsar man caught with 10 kg heroin
Chandigarh, January 25
The Chandigarh Zonal Unit of Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) made a major breakthrough when its sleuths arrested an Amritsar resident from the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Sector 17, late last night and seized 10 kg of heroin from his possession.

Security stepped up on R-Day eve
Chandigarh, January 25
A day before the Republic Day celebrations, the Chandigarh Police launched a massive operation to verify the antecedents of recent settlers in the city today. Peaceful protesters were also asked to shift from Madhya Marg and other places in view of the celebrations in Parade Ground, Sector 17.

Police officials check the luggage of passengers at the ISBT, Sector 17, Chandigarh, on the eve of Republic Day on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

MC’s ‘murky’ challan for wastewater
Chandigarh, January 25
Officials of the Municipal Corporation today left a challan slip at a house that read: “Refused to put the name/servant”. Sounds confusing? To make the matter worse, when the owner of the house approached officials of the Health Department for wrongfully issuing the challan on her residential address, she was told that since it had already been issued she could go to a court and contest it.

(Left) Water coming from a side alley in front of house No. 3066, Sector 21-D, (Right) Chandigarh Water in front of the office of the Health Department of the Municipal Corporation in Chandigarh. — Tribune photographs

Accused’s father dies in court; police blamed
Panchkula, January 25
Disturbed over the alleged implication of his son and Shiv Sena (Hindustan) activist in a dacoity case by the local police, Om Parkash Arora, a resident of Sector 7, died of heart attack here today.

Allegation mischievous, says Cong
Chandigarh, January 25
The Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee in a press note here today termed “mischievous and defamatory” the allegation against Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, MP, that he had obtained membership of the Chandigarh Golf Club by allocating Rs 5 lakh out of the MPLAD fund.

Confusion over holiday
Chandigarh, January 25
While many of the private schools have already notified about the holiday on January 27 following Republic Day celebrations, government schools have not done the same so far. Last year too a great deal of confusion prevailed among the students on this account.

COMMUNITY

Varying bus fares confusing commuters
Chandigarh, January 25
While the new bus routes, fares and new look tickets on the grid system of local services having begun to sink in the mind of the local population, those travelling to and from adjoining states are a shocked lot because of the varying bus fares on different state transport buses.

No-confidence motion against Bhandari on February 15
Panchkula, January 25
Twenty three of the 31 councillors in the Municipal Council House here, including vice-president Kuljit Waraich, today gave a notice for no-confidence motion against MC president Tarun Bhandari.

Real estate is big business
Chandigarh, January 25
The desire of people living in rented accommodations to own houses, easy availability of property at comparatively reasonable rates in the fringe areas and the Punjab Government’s reported move to regularise colonies in Chandigarh’s periphery have resulted in blooming business for land developers and promoters cutting colonies along the outside edge.

Environment-friendly plastic in the offing
Chandigarh, January 25
If things work out, very soon Indians will have an environment-friendly and cheaper version of the plastic that is in use these days. Many states, including Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, have already banned the use of plastic bags as they are non-biodegradable and, therefore, harm the environment.

Paschim Express rescheduled today
Chandigarh, January 25
The Paschim Express (2925) will be regulated to the Hazrat Nizamuddin station due to the Republic Day parade in New Delhi tomorrow. A few other trains passing through the Tilak bridge between 10.30 am and 12 noon too have been rescheduled for tomorrow.

‘Need to inculcate self-esteem in women’
Chandigarh, January 25
A two-day workshop on “Gender equality - equal wings” organised by the Centre for Adult, Continuing Education and Extension in collaboration with the Education and Careers Applied Research Establishment concluded yesterday.

Gangar appointed Special Secy, Revenue
Chandigarh, January 25
The Punjab Government today appointed Mr H.S. Gangar as Special Secretary, Revenue, after being promoted to the IAS cadre by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on the directives of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

Fire Dept gets its act together
Chandigarh, January 25
With the skyline of the city all set to change, the Fire Department of the municipal corporation is finally sitting up and taking action to ensure all is well when you visit high risers.

Traffic restrictions for R-Day
Chandigarh, January 25
Ahead of the Republic Day function, the traffic wing of the Chandigarh Police has imposed certain restrictions on traffic flow and planned diversions from certain roads near the Parade Ground, Sector 17, and near the Punjab Raj Bhavan.

Bravery award
Chandigarh, January 25
The Chandigarh Administration has decided to award Commendation Certificate to Ms Kirandeep Kaur, daughter of Mr Harvinder Singh, for act of bravery as she saved the life of Mr Baljinder Singh who was drowning into the Sukhna Lake on September 14, 2005. She will be awarded at the Republic Day function tomorrow.

President’s Medal for ASI
Chandigarh, January 25
An ASI of the UT Police, Mr Sheesh Pal has been selected for the President’s Medal for meritorious service this year. The award will be conferred upon him tomorrow.

Tribune union’s silver jubilee function today
Chandigarh, January 25
To mark its silver jubilee, The Tribune Employees Union will hold a cultural programme for the employees of The Tribune Trust and their families on the premises of Tribune Model School, Sector 29, here tomorrow. The function will start at 1 pm.

‘Kundi’ connections removed
Chandigarh, January 25
In a special drive, the Electricity Department of the Chandigarh Administration today removed more than 200 illegal kundi connections from Sanjay Colony and over 140 removed from the Mouli complex. The drive was carried out with the help of the Chandigarh Police and no untoward incident was reported, a press note said.

• Press Club function
• PS-19 declared best

CRIME

Woman arrested with smack
Chandigarh, January 25
The UT police today arrested a woman for carrying 20 gram of smack. A jeep and a car were stolen from the city in the past 48 hours. Besides this, one person was held for allegedly indulging in gambling.

Man caught for theft

BUSINESS

Showroom for women launched
Chandigarh, January 25
Hero Honda today launched “Just4her”, the first exclusive showroom for women customers of “Pleasure” in Chandigarh. The showroom was inaugurated by Mr Sanjay Bhan, zonal head-north, Hero Honda Motors Ltd., and Ms Parnita Garewal, leading women golfer.

EDUCATION

Science, modernity put under microscope
Chandigarh, January 25
As part of weekly seminars in the Department of Sociology, Prof Harjinder Singh Laltu, Department of Chemistry, Panjab University, spoke on “Science, modernity and the post-modern critique” today.

Sri Sukhmani students excel in PTU exams
Derabassi, January 25
Students of Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology (SSIET) have improved the past record, by continuing to top several of the examination, including five out of 10 positions in the eighth semester of the mechanical engineering course in the merit lists of Punjab Technical University (PTU) Jalandhar, the results of which were declared recently.

Fancy dress competition held

Mohali, January 25 A fancy dress competition was held at Shivalik Public School yesterday. Children in the age group of 3 to 5 years participated in it. Seventyfour participants attired ingeniously in a wide array of costumes. The show was an instant hit with the audience. While some participants chose to dress and portray themselves as leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru and Lala Lajpat Rai and others looked replicas of a policeman, a nihang singh, an army officer and an astronaut among others.

Students participate in a fancy dress competition held at Shivalik Public School, Mohali. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Strike against detention of students
Chandigarh, January 25
Students of the University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, went on a strike against the detention of 28 students of the institute following the shortage of lectures. These students of various semesters, were found to be short of the requisite number of lectures even after the Vice-Chancellor had condoned the shortage up to the maximum lectures possible.

Placement week extended
Chandigarh, January 25
SD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, organised a placement week from January 18-25 for students of various graduate and postgraduate courses. Following the response by students it has been extended for another week.

Students told of literary skills
Chandigarh, January 25
A lecture on plagiarism by Ms Neera Handa, Associate Professor with Australian University, was organised by MCM DAV College, Sector 36, here. Ms Handa has to her credit specialisation in literary skills and is a coordinator with International Academics. She presented her views on transition issues for Indian and International students and development of critical thinking and literary skills.

From Schools
Jainendra school celebrates R-Day
Chandigarh, January 25
Students of Jainendra Public School, Panchkula, celebrated Republic Day with patriotic fervour today. Competitions in patriotic song singing (classes VI to IX), poem recitation (classes I to V) and drawing were organised.

Bhavan Vidyalaya celebrates annual day

Chandigarh, January 25 The annual prize distribution day of Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27, was celebrated today. Students excelling in the field of academics, sports, culture and literature were felicitated on the occasion by Mr Diwakar Singh Rathore, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Chandigarh, the chief guest. Mr Diwakar Pratap Singh Rathore, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, honours a student at the annual day celebration at Bhavan Vidyalaya, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Aid given to students
Mohali, January 25
Four students belonging to poor families were given financial aid by the All-India Megh Sabha here today. The students are studying in Government Primary School in Phase V.

Lecture on social trends
Chandigarh, January 25
The Department of Correspondence Studies (Panjab University) organised a lecture by Prof S.L. Sharma yesterday. He spoke on social trends in India. He stated while the Indian society was facing unprecedented change, it was important to decipher change. He focused on the trends of change and emerging issues.

Seminar on concept learning
Chandigarh, January 25
Over 100 B. Ed. students of Chitkara College of Education for Women participated in a unique seminar on “Use of mathematics laboratory in concept learning’ organised by the college yesterday.

PUSU demands
Chandigarh, January 25
Members of the Punjab University Students Union (PUSU) led by student leaders Rupinderjit Singh Mann submitted a memorandum to the Panjab University executive engineer regarding cleanliness and maintenance of various departments.

Cultural feast on R-Day eve Chandigarh, January 25 Patriotic fervour pervaded Tagore Theatre as the dynamism of the folk culture of the region was brought alive by students on the eve of the Republic Day here today. Though only five schools from the city participated, the presentations were memorable. Girls perform Haryanvi dance at the Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan.

R-Day functions in schools
Mohali, January 25
Students of Genius Public School, Sector 69 celebrated Republic Day as ‘Sports Day’. The various events included ‘sack race’, ‘three-legged race’, ‘obstacle race’ were held. Students were taught the importance of sports in society. The award winners were: Sahibjot, Amrit Pal, Shubham, Gurmukh, Harman and Mridul.

Tiny tots celebrate R-Day
Chandigarh, January 25
The tiny tots of Ever Green Academy a preparatory school in Sector 34-C, celebrated the Republic Day with red roses tucked in their sherwanis, dressed as Nehruji.

Students of DAV Model School, Sector 15, perform at a cultural evening in Chandigarh on Wednesday.— Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Republic Day celebrated
Chandigarh, January 25
Maharishi Dayanand Public School, Daria, celebrated Republic Day on the school campus on Wednesday. Students of different classes sung a number of patriotic songs and poems. Free study material was distributed by the school authorities among the students of weaker section. While speaking on the occasion, Principal Vinod Kumar asked the students to follow the path of great leaders who fought for the country to get rid of the British rule. 

Inter-college quiz contest held
Chandigarh, January 25
An inter-college quiz contest was organised at GGDSD College, Sector 32, here on Monday. Teams from various colleges of Chandigarh participated in the quiz. While Anupam and Dinesh from Government College, Sector 11, stood first, Japjit and Karan of SGGS College, Sector 26, and Arastu and Varun from PU campus stood second and third, respectively.

CULTURE

Ex-Miss India-America blasts Barbie look
Chandigarh, January 25
Golden brown tresses set immaculately, bright eyes that compliment a cheerful visage, a flawless skin that radiates happiness and a perfect gait — you know ex-Miss India-America Priya Warrick is here even before she utters a single word. And as she speaks about “less prepared and more sheltered” Indian girls pointlessly going after that unrealistic Barbie doll look under the influence of television commercials, you realise that the beauty is not without brains.”

HEALTH

Blood donors to be honoured on R-Day
Mohali, January 25
Blood donors, social workers and students excelling in various fields will be honoured at a function being organised at Government Senior Secondary School, Phase III B 1 in connection with the Republic Day on January 26.

City leads in fight against TB
Chandigarh, January 25
Besides achieving the national target, Chandigarh has made miraculous achievements in the control of tuberculosis and is amongst top few states in the country, said Dr Inderjeet Kaur Walia, Director Health Services, Chandigarh Administration, here yesterday.

Commendation certificate for PGI suptd
Chandigarh, January 25
The Chandigarh Administration has finalised the list of awardees of commendation certificates to be awarded at the Republic Day function on January 26. Dr A.K. Gupta, Medical Superintendent, PGI, has been selected for the commendation certificate in recognition of his meritorious services. He happens to be the Medical Superintendent who has served the longest term in his present office.

Technological innovations should be poor-centric, says expert
Chandigarh, January 25
With a vision to get the best minds in India to think and work on the problems of the poor, this scientist is determined to make high technology work for the poor. Currently, serving as the Director-General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr R.A. Mashelkar, speaking today from the platform of the CSIRs youngest institute, IMTECH (Institute of Microbial Technology), Chandigarh, asserted that the technological innovations should be poor-centric in the country.

Rejected candidate moves tribunal
Chandigarh, January 25
A move by the Chandigarh Administration to reject the application of a prospective candidate for the post of X-ray technician on the basis of qualification has been challenged in the local Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

Pain relief camp

SPORTS

Composite sticks revolutionise hockey Sports equipment has gone hi-tech with change in the surface of playing fields. This is particularly true for hockey, which is now played mainly on synthetic turfs. One could notice hockey players in the ongoing Premier Hockey League in Sector 42 playing with composite sticks (carbon graphite, Kelvin (R) and glass fibre). Hockey in India used to be played on grass. Lately, it was adopted by the West and went in for change in surface. Asian countries hockey giants, particularly India and Pakistan, also developed synthetic turfs. But the hockey stick made of wood remained the same for long until it was gradually replaced by another suitable alternative — graphite, glass fibre and Kelvin (R). Haroon Rashid with composite hockey sticks being used in Premier Hockey League. — A Tribune photograph

Sports day celebrated

Chandigarh, January 25 Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, celebrated its annual sports day today in which Ajit House won the overall championship among the four houses of the school. The athletics events were held to mark the day in which all the sportspersons of the school participated. Students of Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, Chandigarh, in jubilant mood after winning the inter-house sports trophy on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

PU, DU teams in finals
Chandigarh, January 25
Panjab University (PU), and Delhi University sailed into the finals of the North East Zone Inter-University Tennis (men) Championship at the PU tennis courts here today. PU beat GND University (Amritsar) 3-2 while Delhi University thrashed Allahabad University 3-0 in the semifinals.

St Anne’s girls bag tennis title Chandigarh, January 25 Two students of St Anne’s School, Sector 32, Arshi Khosla and Noorpaul, won tennis title for the school in the Inter-School Sports Tournament organised by the Sports Department, UT Administration, under the scheme of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The school team won the lawn tennis tournament. Arshi Khosla and Noorpaul.

Kabaddi tournament from Feb 2
Mohali, January 25
The Ballomajra Sports Club will organise a three-day 14th Baba Janki  Dass Ji Yaadgari Kabaddi Tournament at the Ballomajra village grounds  from February 2 to  4 here.

Students take part in cycle rally
Chandigarh, January 25
As part of the ongoing Oil and Natural Gas Conservation Fortnight-2006 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Government of India and the Petroleum Conservation Research Association, a cycle rally was organised here today. The rally was flagged off from DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, in which over 250 students participated, besides officials from the oil industry and the school administration.

• Finals of Tae Kwon Do
• City softball team second