Chandigarh , December 25
The Indian Army battalion deployed in Lebanon, as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has embarked on a mass vaccination drive against foot and mouth disease.

During a week-long vaccination programme, which began on December 18, about 200 cattle belonging to the farmers residing in numerous war-torn villages along the Lebanon - Israel border have been immunised against the disease that has caused huge losses to the livestock industry in Lebanon.

The camp was organised under the directions of Brig-Gen Jai Prakash Nehra, Deputy Force Commander of the UNIFIL.

Speaking about the project, Col Advitya Madan, battalion’s commanding Officer, reiterated that it had been the endeavour of the battalion to organise meaningful humanitarian projects, which were beneficial to the war ravaged local populace.

He said the vaccination drive undertaken by Major Shailendra Choubey, veterinary doctor of the battalion, would go a long way in preventing the highly contagious disease from infecting the local animals.

The veterinary detachment of the Indian battalion has provided much needed assistance to the impoverished shepherds by treating close to 15,000 domestic animals by organising daily treatment camps in the far flung villages.

According to the battalion’s spokesperson, Major Sumit Sharma, a book in Arabic that gives tips on the management of cattle, sheep and goat for the benefit of the shepherds has also been brought out by the unit.

Chandigarh, December 25
Vinit Bansal and Rita won the senior men and women, respectively, in the 1st Chandigarh chess festival held at Jawahar Navodaya Vidhalaya, Sector 25, here today. A total of 70 students participated from different schools and colleges.

Results: under-20: Boys: Kumar, Girls: Shweta. Under-16: Boys: Shirish Kumar, Girls: Pallak. Under-12: Boys:Tejas, Girls:Simran. Under-8: Boys:Sarthak, Girls:Gauri.Best Participation: DAV College, Sector 10, St. Kabir School.

Chandigarh, December 25
Off the field, it was time for the foreign players playing in the Premier Hockey League to chill and celebrate Christmas.

The organisers did not want the players to miss any event staying in city. All the foreign players, including that from Pakistan, got together to celebrate Christmas, the most important festival for the foreigners. A special cake was ordered for the players.

Sebatiaan, a player from Holland playing for the Bangalore Hi-Flier said, “It was a different experience all together, players of different countries got together and celebrated Christmas. It was fun”. Huib Zwer Ver playing for the Chandigarh Dynamos said, “It was great interacting with players off the field. The players cut the cake and had wine. Every player is totally a different person off the field”.

“It was good to share ideas and communicating with different players of the world, and moreover we didn’t feel that we are in India. The arrangements made by the organisers were prefect. It was like celebrating Christmas in our own country with some guests”, said a player from South Korea.

The players were in a mood to celebrate and enjoy the party. It was a time for them to relax and enjoy after all they had a hectic and worn out time on the field and they tried forgeting all worries and tension. 

Chandigarh, December 25
More than 200 boxers are expected to participate in the upcoming 15th All-India A.S. Misra memorial boxing championship starting from December 26 to December 30, 2007. Late A.S.Misra, president of the Chandigarh Boxing Olympics Association, had great love and enthusiasm for the game of boxing. Misra did a lot for promoting boxing in the city.

All-India A.S. Misra memorial association was started around 16 years back, immediately after the death of Misra. The authorities incharge are trying their level best to maintain and promote the standard of the game in the same way as Misra did.

“We all feel that everything is done by Late A.S. Misra. Every year, we do get problems regarding the funds before the start of the championship, but the funds usually generates automatically through some source or the other, LIC has already sponsored Rs 1,00,000” said Harjinder Singh, sports officer.

Talking to The Tribune Singh said, “The expenses incurred during the championship are around 5.5. lacs, which is increasing 20 per cent every year. The Chandigarh Sports Authorities have made all the arrangements for boarding, staying, food and transport for all players.

Elaborating it further, each year around 25 teams participate, and 18 teams have already reached the city, with a total of 180 players and offcials. We have the best facilities for out-station players. 

Chandigarh, December 25
HSBC beat Fortis by 7 runs in the FR cricket tournament being played at here today.

HSBC won the toss and elected to bat. The team made 135 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 17 overs. In reply Fortis made 128 runs loosing 7 wickets in 17 overs.

Brief Scores: HSBC Total - 135 for 7 wickets in 17 overs. Vishal (67), Ashu (32), Neeraj of Fortis took 3 for 16 ; A.P.Singh got 2 for 28. Fortis Hospital - 128 for 7 wickets in 17 overs. Neeraj (31),Vikram (21), Sandeep of HSBC took 3 for 17.

In another match HDFC beat Spice by 5 runs.

HDFC won the toss and elected to bat. In the allotted 17 overs, the team made 150 runs and lost 5 wickets. In reply to the score, Spice made 145, loosing 6 wickets, in their 17 overs.

Brief Scores: HDFC - SLI Total - 150 for 5 wickets in 17 overs, Sunny Garg (43,) Tarun ( 54), Nitin of Spice took 2 for 24.

Spice - Total - 145 for 6 wkts 17 overs. Naveen (44), Mannan ( 43), Hemant took 2 for 24. 

Chandigarh, December 25
A decision in the UT’s new transport policy to regulate plying of polluting autorickshaws from neighbouring states has not been implemented.

The administration is still waiting for a reply from the Punjab Transport Department on the issue of signing an agreement on the plying of the autorickshaws. The administration has announced to ban entry of the three-wheelers which are the older than the life span fixed by it.

The proposed agreement will enable the UT to charge certain fee for allowing entry of three-wheelers registered with the neighbouring states. “After a recent meeting with Punjab officials, we have not received any word from them. One-sided decision will lead to confrontation”, said a senior official.

A drive started by the STA in 2003 to ban entry of autorickshaws into the city has attracted protest from the commuters who prefer autos as a mode of transport.

Sources in the administration said most of the autorickshaw drivers do not have a valid permit to commute on the city roads and are registered with their neighbouring states. Plying without permit attracted provisions of the Section 192 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

The drive carried out against the illegally plying three-wheelers has lost its momentum after the police force with the STA was withdrawn. Due to the competitive fares charged by autorickshaw operators, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) was suffering financial loss, besides causing air pollution, minor accidents and frequent traffic jams.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Without water for 9 days
Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 25
Lead bank office of State Bank of Patiala organised a meeting of district consultative committee to review the performances of government sponsored schemes under the district credit plan 2007-08, under the chairmanship of Shivdular Singh Dhillon ADC (development) in which various development agencies and banks took part.

J.K. Jain, lead district manager of State Bank of Patiala informed the house that against the target of Rs 1,301 crore, the banks have disbursed loans of Rs 1,560 crore under the priority sector up to September 2007.

He said under agriculture and allied activities, the banks have disbursed Rs 1,236 crore against the target of Rs 904 crore he further informed that the RBI bench mark of 18 per cent under agriculture sector and 40 per cent under priority sector have also been surpassed and the banks have achieved the CD ratio which is 132 per cent against the RBI bench mark of 60 per cent.

While reviewing the progress, Shivdular Singh exhorted the banks to provide more credit to non farm sector for creation of more and sustainable employment opportunities in the rural areas. C.S. Jagdish, DGM of SBoP, told that 952 Self Help Groups have been formed and credit has been provided to 510 groups.

He also exhorted that concerted and coordinated efforts should be made for maximum formation of Self-Help Groups and their credit linkage. J.P.S. Bindra, AGM, NABARD, Patiala, apprised the latest schemes under the district rural industries project.