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Court working hindered
Lawyers obstruct entry to the courtroom of 
Balwinder Kumar 
Chandigarh, December 5
A section of lawyers at the Chandigarh District Courts today boycotted the court of judicial magistrate first class (JMIC) Balwinder Kumar in protest against his reported remarks yesterday, barring the entry of those advocates whose cases had not been listed before him. The boycott was taken back late in the evening by the District Bar Association.

Protesters hold up traffic on highway
Say cops shielding lawyers
Chandigarh, December 5
Irate residents of Ram Darbar held protests and blocked theChandigarh-Ambala highway alleging biased role of the police and its failure to arrest the advocates who thrashed three accused in the District Courts yesterday.
Residents of Ram Darbar block the Chandigarh-Ambala highway near the Tribune Chowk on Wednesday, demanding the arrest of advocates involved in assaulting three residents of the locality at the Chandigarh District Courts on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograp

Players left out of National Games
Tickets not booked in time
Chandigarh, December 5
As many as 30 table tennis and an equal number of judo players will not be able to participate in the forthcoming School National Games, scheduled in Aizwal, Mizoram, from December 10. Reason: Their tickets were not booked by the education department in time and hence could not be confirmed.

Restrain 9 councillors, from voting, HC urged
Chandigarh, December 5
An application seeking directions to restrain all nine nominated members of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation from casting their vote in any of the corporation meetings, including the one scheduled for January 1, 2008, for the election of mayor, was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by advocate H.C. Arora today.

PEC Director
3 names on list; interviews on Dec 17
Chandigarh, December 5
The names of three distinguished professors have been shortlisted as possible candidates to be appointed as director of Punjab Engineering College, a deemed university.

First in State
Mohali to have IT incubation centre
Mohali, December 5
The Punjab Information and Communications Technology Corporation (Punjab Infotech) will be opening the state’s first incubation facility for information technology and related industries in Mohali.

MC commissioner
The Chandigarh administration today decided to appoint DC R.K. Rao as commissioner of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. He will continue to work as DC.

COMMUNITY

PM to review IMA passing-out parade
Chandigarh, December 5
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh would be reviewing the passing-out parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, next week.

Gentleman Cadets of the First Batch of the Indian Military Academy

‘City needs modern not commercial architecture’
Chandigarh, December 5
“The works of Le Corbusier during 1945-65 were the works of maturity”, said Jacques Sbriglio, the curator of the exhibition ‘Le Corbusier, From Marseille to Chandigarh, 1945-1965’, which will be put up at the Fine Arts Museum, Panjab University, tomorrow.
Michel Richard, director of Le Corbusier Foundation, and Jacques Sbriglio interact with mediapersons before of the exhibition ‘Le Corbusier, From Marseille to Chandigarh, 1945-1965’ to come up at Panjab University on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

CTU ill service irks commuters
Chandigarh, December 5
It seems that the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking authorities are least bothered about the problems being faced by the commuters of southern sectors.

Scholar to discuss role of watershed projects
Mohali, December 5
Anjini Kochar, a Stanford University scholar, has undertaken a study on the watershed programme of the World Bank in Kandi areas of the state. In Mohali to discuss the importance of the integrated watershed development programme project with the administration, Kochar would be examining the role of community participation in the success of the project.

Ammo worth Rs 800 cr lost to fires 
Chandigarh, December 5
Ammunition worth over Rs 800 crore has been destroyed in fires which broke out in various ammunition depots across the country in the past six years.

Phase IV market faces parking blues 
Mohali, December 5
Residents of Phase IV here could do with some parking space outside the Phase IV rehri market.

Bhindranwale issue raised to divert attention: Karimpuri
Kharar, December 5
The issue of installation of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's portrait has been raised to divert the attention of the masses from the problems of the state.

Fauji Beat
Decline in Army’s status continues
DURING the British regime, the Commander-in-Chief was number two in the warrant of precedence. After Independence, his status continued to fall and today the service chiefs are at the 13th position and equivalent in status to the cabinet secretary. Even this downgraded status of the service chiefs is irking politicians and bureaucrats.
Lieut-Gen H.S. Panag, GOC, Northern Command and Colonel of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment interacts with ex-servicemen of 18 Mechanised Infantry Battalion

More sops to ex-servicemen
Chandigarh, December 5
The administration today announced more concessions for the benefit of the ex-servicemen, their widows and their dependents.

Letters
Hang rapists

CRIME

Giving a lift costs man car, cash
Chandigarh, December 5
Two unidentified persons robbed a man of his car, mobile phone and cash at the knife point after taking lift from him from near Piccadilly Chowk.

Scooter recovered from Sec-15 man
Chandigarh, December 5
The police arrested a Sector 15 resident on the charges of theft and claimed to have recovered a stolen scooter from him.

BUSINESS

Rs 100-crore trade recorded during expo
Chandigarh, December 5
Adviser to UT administrator Pradip Mehra was the chief guest at the valedictory and award distribution ceremony on the concluding day of the five-day International Trade Fair PHD ITEX-07 at Parade Ground, Sector 17.

CAG report forwarded to govt
Chandigarh, December 5
The report of the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) of India (commercial) dealing with the audit of accounts and transactions of the Haryana government public sector undertakings for 2006-07 has been forwarded to the state government for laying in the state legislature.

EDUCATION

Teachers’ body to hold procession
Chandigarh, December 5
The Chandigarh District Council of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) today held a meeting at DAV College, Sector 10, to review the status of its demands. As many as 42 members representing seven non-government aided colleges of Chandigarh attended the meeting. The representatives of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the colleges unanimously decided to organise a candle-light procession on December 7 at Plaza, Sector 17, in support of their demands.

Students’ Plight
Braving chill, theirfirst lesson
Chandigarh, December 5
The dilapidated state of affairs prevailing in schools located on the periphery of Chandigarh presents a true picture of the administration’s hollow claims of making the city as “Education Hub”.

Students have no option but to sit on floor in chilly weather due to lack of space and benches at Government High School, Hallomajra. — Tribune photos by Pradeep Tiwari.

Book on Bhagat Singh released
Chandigarh, December 5
A book titled ‘Martyr as Bridegroom: A Folk Representation of Bhagat Singh’, authored by Dr Ishwar Dayal Gaur of the department of evening studies, PU, was released at a function here today. The function was organised jointly by PUTA and ICSSR, PU. 
Prof Randhir Singh releases the book titled ‘Martyr As Bridegroom: A Folk Representation of Bhagat Singh’ authored by Dr Ishwar Dayal Gaur of the department of evening studies at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Also seen in the picture is the author (third from left), Nirupma Dutt and Prof Manjit Singh. — Tribune photo bybParvesh Chahuan

Avasyu Gupta, a Class-VI student of Gurukul School, Sector 20, Panchkula, who has won the championship trophy in the seventh All-India National Abacus Competition held in New Delhi

PU Notes
Teachers attend refresher course
Chandigarh, December 5
The inaugural session of the refresher course in political science was held at Panjab University in collaboration with Academic Staff College. Prof M.M. Puri, former vice-chancellor, PU, and presently an Emeritus Professor, Dr S.K. Sharma, director, Academic Staff College, and Prof B.S. Brar were present. The course is being attended by the university and college teachers from all over India. Dr Ashutosh Kumar, coordinator, introduced the theme of the course i.e. ‘Political Science in the 21st Century’. Prof Puri spoke on the state of political science and urged the participants to make the subject more, interesting, challenging and meaningful and to make the students aware of the shifts taking place within the global society.

Madhusudan is Voice of Punjab
Panchkula, December 5
Madhusudan, a fine arts student from APJ College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, was adjudged the Voice of Punjab during the grand finale held at Kalagram today. Rohin Gill from Amritsar and Gurdev Singh Tohfa from Tarn taran were declared second and third, respectively. The occasion was enlivened by the performance of popular singer Jazzy B from Birmingham. He blessed the winners of the Coca Cola Voice of Punjab contest.

Talk on ‘New Criticism’
Chandigarh, December 5
Prof Anil Raina, chairperson, department of English, PU, delivered a talk on ‘New Criticism’ organised by the postgraduate department of English at Government College for Girls-42.

From Schools
Ranjit House Day at  Shivalik Public
Mohali, December 5
Shivalik Public School, celebrated Ranjit House Day here today, in the memory of the great king Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The function started with the school shabad followed by speeches, poems and songs. An English skit based on anecdotes of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s life was presented by students of Class VII. The main attraction of the day was a power point presentation on his life and personality. D.S.Bedi thanked the teachers and participants.

COURTS

Contempt of Court Act
Editors Guild to approach govt for modifications
Chandigarh, December 5
The Editors Guild of India has resolved to approach the Parliament for making changes in the Contempt of Court Act as the present “suo-motu prosecution of media and journalists by the judiciary was casting a shadow on the freedom of the Press”.

HUDA told to pay Rs 50,000 for not allotting plot
Chandigarh, December 5
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed the state of Haryana, estate officer, HUDA and its district town planner to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 for not allotting plot to a Panchkula resident.

CULTURE

Kailash Kher weaves magic at ICL
Panchkula, December 5
His energetic performance left the audience hankering for more. He made sure to cheer them with ‘allah ke bande hasde’ and made them dance to ‘Dhol Vajda’. With Kailash Kher and his band rocking the grounds at Tau Devi Lal cricket stadium in Sector 3 here, Kher ascertained that ICL was not just about cricket, but a perfect blend of music, entertainment and sports.

Renowned pop singer Kailash Kher performs; (right) boys enjoy during the ICL match in Panchkula on Wednesday. Tribune photos: Manoj Mahajan

HEALTH

Spinal endoscopic surgery boon: expert
Chandigarh, December 5
The spinal endoscopic surgery has come as a boon for the patients of spine disorders. The minimal invasive surgery has helped in providing faster mobilisation, easier rehabilitation and physical therapy after the surgery to the patients.

 

PGI doctors awarded  Chandigarh, December 5 Four doctors of the PGI have awarded at different conference in the country for their work in respective fields. Dr Ramandeep Singh/ Dr Jaspreet/Sukhija  Dr Pawan Gupta

Dr Swaranjit elected AMI fellow
Chandigarh December 5
An expert in the field of applied biotechnology, Dr Swaranjit Singh Cameotra, has been elected fellow of the Association of Microbiologists (AMI). He is a senior scientist in the Microbial Type Culture Collection and Gene bank (MTCC), IMTECH, Chandigarh.

Raj Bahadur takes charge
Chandigarh, December 5
Dr Raj Bahadur, newly appointed principal of Government Medical College and Hospital-32, Chandigarh, has been given the charge of the director, Medical Education and Research also. According to source, the orders in this regard reached the GMCH in the evening here today.

SPORTS

St Kabir stun Little Flower 3-0
Chandigarh, December 5
Buoyed by a hattrick by Sivam Kanwar, hosts St Kabir, Sector 26, yesterday secured a berth in the semi-final, drubbing Little Flower Convent School, Panchkula, 3-0 in the Chandigarh Football Championship for St Kabir Trophy being played here.

Table tennis players, who failed to participate in the School National Games, at Table Tennis Hall, Sector 23, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. —   Tribune photo by Pravesh Chauhan

VS Rao excels at weightlifting
Chandigarh, December 5
Hav VS Rao of Army Red team clinched the first place, lifting a total weight of 237 kg (clean and jerk 133kg + snatch 104 kg) in the 56 kg category during the 51st Inter Services Weightlifting Championship held at 3 BRD (Base Repair Depot) Air Force Station, here.

Nandini beats Taakshi 5-0 in tennis
Chandigarh, December 5
Starting her campaign on the expected lines, top seed Nandini Sharma routed Taakshi Sachdeva 5-0 in girls (Under-12) category, in the Fort Ramgarh Total Tennis Tournament getting underway at YMCA courts, Sector 11, here today.

Vanshika returns a shot during the Under-12 category match at YMCA, Sector 11, in Chandigarh on Wednesday. 
— Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

WHO team to assess UT’s smoke-free steps
Chandigarh, December 5
A World Health Organisation team is scheduled to visit city for evaluating the scenario emerged after declaring Chandigarh as smoke-free by the administration four months ago. A workshop is also being organised on the occasion by administration and the Burning Brain Society, a local NGO.

Dhruv Pandove tourney from Dec 23
Patiala, December 5
The 7th Dhruv Pandove Memorial (under-14) league-cum-knockout cricket tournament will be held from December 23 to December 31 at Patiala. Boys born on and after January 1, 1994, are eligible to participate.

Tennis coaches’ workshop
Chandigarh, December 5
The Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA), under the patronage of the All-India Tennis Association, is organising two-day national coaches’ workshop on its premises, Sector 10, here from tomorrow.

SGGS club lift volleyball trophy
Chandigarh, December 5
SGGS Collegiate Public School Club-26 players outplayed Panjab University Campus girls’ team 25-16, 25-18 during the Chandigarh State Senior Volleyball Championship for Men and Women held at Sports Complex, Sector 7, here today.

DAV lads win relay race trophy
Chandigarh, December 5
DAV College, Chandigarh, won the Panjab University Inter-College Relay Race (men) championship for the session 2007-08 with 42 points.

The jubilant members of DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, team after winning the Boost Cup at the PCA stadium, Mohali, on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

New Public School clinch basketball titles
Chandigarh, December 5
New Public School, Sector 18, clinched both the girls’ Under-19 and boys’ Under-17 titles after registering a close win against arch rivals and hosts St Xavier's squad on the final day of Emily Memorial Inter-School Basketball Tournament.

DAV-8 lift Boost Cup
Mohali, December 5
Putting up an all-round performance Akshay (60 runs and 3 for 21) enabled the DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, to lift the PCA-Boost Cricket Cup 2007, registering a 36-run victory over Hindu Sabha School, Amritsar, in the finals of the tournament at the PCA stadium here today.

Cricket trials on Dec 9
Panchkula, December 5
Trials to select the Haryana under-17 team for the forthcoming Twenty-20 National Tournament to be held at Chennai from December 27 to January 1 will be conducted on December 9 at Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, at 11.30 am.

IS Dev Samaj lift title
Chandigarh, December 5
IS Dev Samaj School, Sector 21, emerged champion in the St Kabir Basketball Trophy (girls) defeating the hosts St Kabir School, Sector 26, by 49-38 in the finals at the St Kabir School courts here yesterday.

ADMINISTRATION

Land acquisition for IT park
Land owners given only 11 pc of market rate
Chandigarh, December 5
Acquisition of 276 acres of land for the IT park here would have a negative impact on the income of farmers and the worst hit will be the landless farmers.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Councillor seeks probe against MC officials
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 5
Sher Singh, municipal councillor of ward number 6 of Sirhind, has sought a probe against officials of the Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib municipal council for having allegedly misused the funds by the council.

Historical buildings a neglected lot despite grant 
Patiala, December 5
Despite receiving a grant of Rs 90 lakh from the Central Government for renovation of various historical buildings and parks in the city, the tourism department is yet to begin the restoration work.

Notices to MC staff over misuse of emergency powers
Ambala, December 5
Mohammad Shayin, deputy commissioner, Ambala, today issued notices to municipal council, Ambala Sadar president Neelam Sharma, former executive officer K.K. Jain and secretary Mahinder Sharma over misuse of emergency powers.