C H A N D I G A R H

Top stories | Community | Crime | Education

Culture | Health | Sports | Neighbourhood

TOP STORIES

Mayors’ Meet Ends In Haste
Sessions cancelled for sightseeing
Chandigarh, December 9
The two-day All-India Mayors’ Conference organised by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation concluded today on a sour note. The conference, which was to last till this evening, was concluded much before the scheduled time with many mayors chosing to keep away.

For road’s sake, don’t axe trees
Mohali, December 9
Residents of the township are up in arms against large-scale felling of full-gown trees that provided a majestic canopy to the main road that enters Mohali from Chandigarh from the furniture market.
Trees being cut on the road near the Chandigarh furniture market in Mohali on Sunday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

70-year-old beggar in juvenile home.

Chandigarh, December 9 Remember Shankar Mehta, the high-flying mendicant with an obsession for luxury? Rounded up this April under the Beggary Act, he prided in his earnings, with which he paid off hefty hotel bills. If you were wondering where the incorrigible beggar had vanished, here’s the latest on him

Shankar Mehta

Syndicate Poll
Vaid group victorious
Chandigarh, December 9
The “rotation” group led by Dr A.C. Vaid swept the elections to the 15-member Panjab University Syndicate today, claiming 10 seats. The group bagged all seats in the faculty of science, laws and arts.

COMMUNITY

Rs 307-cr central grant for SAS Nagar facelift
Mohali, December 9
The central government has approved an outlay of Rs 307 crore for SAS Nagar to upgrade the existing infrastructure and ensure planned development of the city.

Children present a good wishes card to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during annual fete ‘Vibes 07’ at St. Soldiers School in Mohali on Sunday.
A Tribune photograph

Inconveniences galore in MLDR Airline
Chandigarh, December 9
The low-cost airline MDLR Airline, operating from the city to Delhi, Ranchi and Kolkata, has been giving its passengers a harrowing time, thanks to its limited cabin crew coupled with weather-related delays. Passengers are upset at the indifferent attitude of the airlines staff towards inordinate delays, cancellations and forced landings for which they remain ignorant.

Opium intake highest in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh 
Chandigarh, December 9
Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh top in the intake of opioid, opium and heroin, in the country. The rate of intake in these areas is 3.4 per cent.

Doctor your way to US via Costa Rica
Chandigarh, December 9
If you are affluent and want to practice medicine in the USA, you can do it via Costa Rica, says Gurmohan Brar, a trained doctor and an NRI.

City to have banquet halls too
Chandigarh, December 9
Come 2008, sprawling lawns and multi-purpose banquet halls in the city will give a run for money to the banquet halls which are a hot spot for those looking for ideal locations for large gatherings.

Derabassi’s autobiography released
Chandigarh, December 9
Punjab minister of cooperatives Captain Kanwaljit Singh today released the fourth edition of Gurnam Singh Derabassi’s autobiography ‘Merian Pairhan Mera Safar’ at a function organised by the Writers’ Club, Chandigarh.
Punjab minister for co-operatives Capt Kawnaljit Singh (right) goes through the autobiography of Gurnam Singh Derabassi ‘Merian Pairhan Mera Safar’ released at the Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27, on Sunday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Mayors for more powers to elected representatives
Chandigarh, December 9
Mayors from all over the country today demanded delegation of more powers to elected representatives in order to discharge their duties effectively and reduce red tape.

Syndicate Poll
Haryana Group Housing Federation to move court
Panchkula, December 9
The stand-off between the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and the cooperative housing societies over the registration of the apartments under the Haryana Apartment Ownership Act, 1983, after the payment of the stamp duty is set to land up in the court of law.

Flights cancelled due to fog
Chandigarh, December 9
Foggy weather hit air traffic today as all flights to and from the city were cancelled, barring the Jet Airways flight that arrived here in the afternoon, said airport officials.

Halima tops declamation contest
Chandigarh, December 9
A declamation contest on the prevention of pollution was organised at the Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, here yesterday.

Letters
Fill vacant posts

CRIME

In Basta
Kajheri killings
Two accused still at large
Chandigarh, December 9
While seven months have lapsed since the Kajheri triple murder took place, the police is yet to arrest the remaining two accused involved in the case.

Three juveniles among four held for theft 
Chandigarh, December 9
The police today arrested four employees, including three juveniles, of a Sector 20-based garment shop on charges of stealing garments.

Man booked for abduction
Chandigarh, December 9
The police today booked a Ram Darbar resident on charges of abducting a minor girl on the pretext of marrying her.

Akbar Case
7 booked for abetting suicide 
Dera Bassi, December 9
The police here has booked seven residents of the city, including four members of a prominent family here for abetment to suicide of Akbar Ali, a 19-year-old plumber.

50-year-old killed
Panchkula, December 9
A 50-year-old man was killed while his nephew was injured when a truck hit the scooter they were riding on near Old Panchkula Traffic Lights point, here tonight.

Held for stealing Rs15,000
Panchkula, December 9
Tricksters managed to steal Rs 15,000 from a car at a petrol pump in Indusrial Area. However, the owner of the car was able to catch hold of one of the accused.

EDUCATION

Tiny tots give message of unity
Chandigarh, December 9
The three-day cultural bonanza of Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21-C, concluded at the auditorium of Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, today.

Students of Manav Mangal School, Sector 21, Chandigarh, wait for their turn to perform at the annual function on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

PU, colleges closed today
Chandigarh, December 9
Panjab University vice chancellor Prof R.C. Sobti has declared December 10 as a holiday on account of Martyrdom Day of Guru Teg Bahadur.

MBA counselling session
Chandigarh, December 9
NSB, formerly NIILM School of Business, New Delhi, conducted a free counselling session at a local hotel in Sector 22-B today.

Spoken English improves with practice: Expert
Chandigarh, December 9
“If you think in English, then and only then, you can speak good English. The proficiency in the spoken language can be achieved by regular practice,” said Komal Singh, a freelance English language teaching professional during the first IELTS workshop on ‘Teaching Speaking Skills’ organised for teachers and IELTS trainers at The British Library, Sector 9, here today.
Komal Singh, a freelance English language teaching professional, addresses IELTS trainers during a workshop on ‘Teaching Speaking Skills’ at The British Library, Sector 9, Chandigarh, on Sunday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Chief Minister Badal inaugurates ‘Vibes 07’
Mohali, December 9
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal inaugurated the annual fete, ‘Vibes 07’, at Saint Soldiers School here this morning by releasing balloons. The fete was declared open after a welcome speech by principal V. Tiwana and a welcome song by the students.

Students enjoy camel ride at ‘Vibes 07’ at Saint Soldiers School in Mohali on Sunday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

CULTURE

Pinjore Heritage Festival
Befitting finale by Reddys
Pinjore, December 9
The three-day Pinjore Heritage Festival concluded on a melodic note as Kuchipudi dance wizards Padmabhushan Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy, along with their 10 disciples, provided a befitting grand finale to the mega event here at the historic garden. The maestros took the centre stage only to mesmerise the elite audience. 
Artistes from Andhra Pradesh perform during the second Pinjore Heritage Festival at Yadavindra Gardens, Pinjore, on Sunday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Pracheen Kala Kendra to honour artistes at Kolkata
Chandigarh, December 9
Propagating the Indian classical arts, especially music and classical dances, for 40 years, the Pracheen Kala Kendra has emerged as a pioneer institute of excellence at the national level besides spreading its wings in foreign countries.

Malaika stumps fans
Panchkula, December 9
Braving the winter chill, fans in large numbers gathered at the The ICL cricket grounds patiently waiting for the svelte Malaika Arora Khan. The actress arrived two hours late owing to bad weather. She took almost at once Tau Devi Lal Stadium by storm with her scintillating performance.

Malaika Arora Khan at the ICL cricket grounds in Panchkula on Sunday. Tribune photo:Vinay Malik 

HEALTH

350 patients examined at eye camp
Chandigarh, December 9
The Lions Club, Chandigarh Greater, in association with doctors from GMCH, Sector 32, orgainsed a free eye check-up camp at Lions Multipurpose Project at Karsan. Dr S. Sood, head of eye department, inaugurated the camp.

UT to reimburse money for treatment at pvt clinics 
Chandigarh, December 9
Employees and pensioners of the Chandigarh administration can now seek treatment for chronic diseases from any hospital they want and claim re-imbursement.

Two get lease of life
Mohali, December 9
Fortis Hospital here announced that it had conducted life saving surgeries free of cost on two women from economically backward section of society and they were now leading a normal life with their families.

SPORTS

CRPF win basketball tourney 
Chandigarh, December 9
CRPF won the Senior State Basketball Championship (61-57) on the final day of the championship played against Sports Complex-A in the men’s section. The championship was held at New Public School, Sector 18, here today.

Frame stricter laws to curb doping: HOA
Chandigarh, December 9
The president of the Haryana Olympic Association Abhey Singh Chautala strongly criticised the present state government for the deteriorating sports culture in the state.

Saji Mohan, IPS, (extreme left), delivers a lecture on “Drug Law Enforcement in India” at national seminar on ‘Prevention of Doping’ at Jat Bhavan in Sector 27 in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Akwinder, Mokham Singh best athletes
Chandigarh, December 9
Akwinder Kaur of the GGS College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh, was declared best athlete with 20 points. Her college won the Panjab University Inter-College Athletics (Women) Championship garnering 63 points for the session 2007-08. The championship concluded at PU grounds here today.

Lawn Tennis: Double delight for Sonali
Mohali, December 9
Maintaining her dominance, top seed Sonali Bansal of Carmel Convent emerged winner in two age group events in the 2nd Tri-City MDLTA-STELLENT Lawn Tennis Championship concluded at the courts of State Institute of Health and Family Welfare Complex, Phase-VI, here today.

Jessal, Priyank consolidate Gujarat innings
Chandigarh, December 9
With their knocks, Jessal Karia (37) and Priyank Panchal (36) helped the Gujarat team to notch up respectable total 215 all out 82.2 overs in the first innings against Madhya Pradesh team in the All India under-19 (Plate group) for the Cooch- Bihar trophy being played at DAV Senior Secondary School Sector 8, here today. In reply, MP lost two wickets on 63 in 28.5 overs at the end of the second day play.
A Gujarat batsman attempts a shot during the under-19 cricket tournament at DAV School in Sector 8 in Chandigarh on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Khalsa Club beat Eagle Club
Chandigarh, December 9
The Khalsa Club beat Eagle Club (16-14) in the men’s section of the Senior State Netball Championship for Boys and Girls being held at Guru Nanak Senior Secondary School, Sector 30, here today. In women’s section, Dev Samaj College, Sector 36, got the better of Golden Club by 26-22.

Khalsa College lift title
Chandigarh, December 9
GHG Khalsa College of Education, Gurusar Sadhar, won the Panjab University Inter-College Athletics Evening and Education (Men) Championship for the session 2007-08 with 64 points. The meet was held at PU grounds here today.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Despite SC orders, loudspeaker menace
Kharar, December 9
The Supreme Court's ban on use of loudspeakers after 10 pm has gone up in smoke in Kharar and other areas. Individuals as well as religious organisations have turned deaf ears to the SC directives bringing discomfiture to people living in the vicinity.