The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Rare ghariyals being bred in captivity
Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service

Chhatbir, January 4
Rare ghariyals are breeding in Mahendra Chaudhary Chhatbir zoo, a first of its kind project in north India after Delhi zoo.

Three ghariyals of six months age were born to a pair of ghariyal presently on a display in the zoo. According to zoo authorities, as soon as the creatures were born, they were isolated from their parents. "The father tends to prey upon its offspring. Also being just like lizard in appearances, the small creatures even fall prey to avian predators,” the authorities added.

These three ghariyals are being reared in a room of the veterinary hospital located on the zoo campus. The reptiles need high temperature and are unable to survive in cold. Five high intensity bulbs and room heaters have been installed to raise the room temperature to more than 30 degree celsius.

The three ghariyals share room with a hibernating python. They are being monitored round-the-clock. Veterinary doctors monitor their health at least twice a day.

"We still do not know whether these ghariyals are male or female. It will take some more time for their snouts to grow and distinct them as males or females. As of now we don't wish to disturb the atmosphere they are living in," added the authorities.

Ghariyal is a critically endangered reptile that was once found in all eight tributaries of Ganga. It is now only found in Chambal, Kosi and very few places near Ganga. It has disappeared from Punjab river system years ago.

Zoo sources said during the regime of Captain Amarinder Singh, Government of Punjab wildlife advisery board has drafted a proposal to re-introduce these ghariyals in Harike Pattan, international wetland, in order to stop encroachments upon the water body's land. It is not a threat to human beings and also maintains the ecology of water, the authorities informed.

Smelly drain puts off residents
Tribune News Service

Bassi Pathana, January 4
With no permanent employee in the Municipal Council at Bassi Pathana, a large number of residents are upset due to smelly drain going through the residential area.

The residents allege that the authorities concerned fail to clean the smelly drain despite repeated complaints.

Now it has assumed an alarming proportion with garbage and plastic blocking the running water in the drain.

Surprisingly the stench is also borne by the officials of the MC, as the drain is beside the MC building.

"The building of MC is also in danger as the blocked water has now started damaging its outer walls", said Manoj Banda, a resbident of the area.b

He said that a large number of mosquitoes are breeding on the stagnant water, as people have started throwing their waste. He said there is no permanent employee in the MC and additional charges are given for prominent posts. There is no permanent executive officer and the post is looked after by temporary officials.

MC president of the town Kulbhushan Malhotra, said though the drain was cleaned by the safai karamchari's, he would get it cleaned again. “We are facing staff crunch for past long time and despite complaining to ministers concerned, nothing has been done so far,” he said.

Cop, two arrested for selling wheat illegally
Tribune News Service

Kharar, January 4
A Punsup inspector and two farmers were arrested on the charges of selling wheat bags meant for distribution among the poor people. Punsup inspector Sewa Singh, farmer Ishwar Singh and his son Kanwar, both residents of Mandi Gobindgarh were arrested today by the CIA staff.

Ishwar and Kanwar were carrying 124 bags of wheat in their tractor trolley, when the CIA team intercepted them at a naka near Landran village.

They told the CIA team that Sewa, who is in charge of around 20 depots under Landran circle, had sold them 124 bags pf wheat in connivance with some owners of the wheat storing depots that fall under Landran circle.

Police sources said the wheat in these bags was meant for beneficiaries of yellow card holders.

Police arrested Sewa, a resident of Mundi Kharar on the statements of Ishwar and Kanwar. A case has been registered against all three. The tractor-trolley has been impounded. All accused will be presented before the court tomorrow.

Society to shift schools to new premises
Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 4
The Society for the Welfare of Handicapped which is managing Patiala School for Deaf and Blind near Amar Ashram since 41 years has now decided to shift all its various schools to its own state-of-the-art building in an attempt to provide special education to the deaf and blind children, Balwinder Singh Saifdipur, patron of the society, said here yesterday.

This dream was realised with donation of land in Saifdipur village for construction of a new school by SAD vice-president, Balwinder Singh Saifidipur, and another individual Prem Puri and his family from the US, who donated funds to construct Phase I of the building. The construction of the building was started nearly two years ago and has now been completed covering a covered area of approximately 12,000 sq feet. Four more phases are yet to come up.

Prior to the shifting of the schools, a prayer meeting was also organised in the new school complex with recitation of Guru Granth Sahib by students of Bhai Ghanaiya Trust.

A large number of persons present, including Balwinder Singh Saifdipur, who wished the children good luck and was grateful to the society for having this facility in a rural area. He also offered the use of his kothi in Saifidipur village as a hostel till the time the hostel building comes up.

Giant urinary bladder stone removed
Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 4
The Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, near here, has reported a rare case of giant urinary bladder stone having been removed by surgery.

Dr MS Sekhon, Prof and head of the department of surgery, said here today that Lakhi Devi (38) wife of a migrant labourer came to the out patient department (OPD) of the GSMCH. She complained of difficulty while passing urine.

Dr Sekhon said the patient also complained of heaviness and weight in the lower abdomen. On examination it was found that there was a hard painless swelling. X-ray revealed a huge calcified smooth swelling in urinary bladder region. He said the patient was operated upon and a cricket ball sized stone that was removed from the urinary bladder which weighed 565 gm and measured 10x9.8cmx7.6 cm in size.

Dr Sekhon said large mega stones are not mentioned in literature in the present times due to early detection of such stones by x-ray and ultra sound and other radiological facilities which are readily available.

Dr MS Sekhon said he had never seen a urinary bladder stone of this size before.

Another labourer dies of asphyxiation
Our Correspondent

Bassi Pathana, January 4
Bhupinder Singh (20) asphyxia affected labourer of Santemajra village, who was admitted in an unconscious state, expired today in Civil Hospital, Bassi Pathana.

His three other companions had died due to asphyxia at a nearby village Dhunda. After conducting post-mortem the body was handed over to the relatives.

It is important to mention that four labourer, while sleeping burnt charcoal in the room at night due to shivering cold. Another labourer came in the morning and knocked their door, after no response he informed the villagers. When the door was broken three persons were found lying dead and one in an unconscious state, who was rushed to hospital died later.

Office-bearers
Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 4
The first general body meeting of Patiala Focal Point Industries Association (PFPIA) was held here today to elect its new office bearers. At the meeting, the house unanimously elected Baljit Singh as president and as per association constitution president was authorised to select his executive body.

He nominated HS Ahluwalia as chairman, Ravinder Gupta and Ashok Singla as senior vice-presidents. Surinder Pal Singh Dhillon and Ashwani Kumar as vice-presidents, Gurpreet Singh as general secretary, Rajiv Garg as finance secretary, Navdeep as joint finance secretary, Sarabjit Singh as joint secretary and Ajit Singh as PRO.

CRIME

Man’s body found from rivulet
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 4
The bloated body of a man in his 30s was found in a rivulet at Maloya village, here this morning. The police has ruled out the possibility of foul play, as no visible injury marks have been found on the body.

The police received information from a passerby around 11.30 pm about the body and reached the scene. The bloated body, which had decomposed beyond recognition, was found in the rivulet.

No document or any other article that could help establish the identity of the victim was found on the body.

A police officer said a polythene envelope bearing address of a shop in Delhi was, however, found on the body. The police would contact the shop in an attempt to identify the deceased.

SHO of police station-39 Janak Rana ruled out any foul play behind the death so far, in the absence of any injury marks.

He added that it appeared from the condition of the body that the death had occurred around 10 days ago.

The body has been shifted to the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, for post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the police has initiated inquest proceedings in this connection.

Two booked for assault
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 4
The police booked Raj Bahadur Yadav and Sunil Kumar, both residents of Industrial Area-I, for allegedly beating up and threatening complainant Jatinder Kumar near fire brigade office yesterday.

The victim was injured and admitted to the GMCH, Sector 32.

A case under Sections 324, 506 and 34 of the IPC has been registered at the Industrial Area police station.

Stolen

Neeraj Beri, a resident of Sector 30, filed a complaint with the police alleging that his generator set was stolen from his house on January 1. A case has been registered at Industrial Area police station in this regard.

Theft

A resident of Sector 35, Subash Chander, lodged a complaint that his shop in Sector 35 was burgled on the intervening night of January 2 and 3. The thieves broke the locks to gain access. A case has been registered at the police station-36.

Truck carrying 575 liquor cases seized
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 4
In a major catch, the Regional Transport Authority, intercepted a truck loaded with 575 cases of liquor during the routine check of vehicles on Panchkula-Ramgarh Road here today morning.

Later, the truck was handed over to the Excise and Taxation department for the registration of the case under the provisions of the Excise Act.

According to information, truck number RJ07G 7698 was signaled to halt and the driver was asked to show the documents. Rajesh Jogpal, secretary Regional Transport Authority, Panchkula, said the driver showed an invoice of 570 bags of rice bran extraction which was meant for Surat district.

But after checking the consignment, it was noticed that the truck was carrying liquor cases, as the invoice was fake, said Jogpal. Meanwhile, the driver and cleaner ran away. Immediately, the transport officials impounded the truck at Haryana Roadways bus stand. According to officials, all these liquor cases were being smuggled.

28-year-old dies as stove burst
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 4
A 28-year-old resident of old Panchkula died as the stove burst at his house. The deceased has been identified as Amit Kumar, a labourer, and he was making tea at his house, when the stove burst and got multiple injuries.

The police said he was taken to the General Hospital, Sector 6, where he died due to injuries. Even his family members also received injuries.

A case has been registered in this regard at Sector 5 police station.

SPORTS

GNPS CCA lift Gold Cup
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 4
Guru Nanak Public School and Chandigarh Cricket Association (GNPS CCA) snuffed out a spirited challenge of Sector-16 Cricket Academy by 17 runs to lift the 1st GNPS Gold Cup here today on GNPS ground, Sector 36.

GNPS CCA after winning the toss, elected to bat first and with the likes of Pankaj Rawat (70) and last match’s top scorer, Vaibhav (48), the team got a solid start. Abhishek (41) and Arjit (30) were the other contributors to help their team to muster a total of 220 for six in their stipulated 35 overs. For Sector-16 Cricket Academy, Sanjay and Nitin pocketed two wickets each.

Batting second, Sector-16 Cricket Academy, had a good start as Sanjay with his blazing knock of 75 dominated the bowling attack of its rival and on one point it seemed that he would single handedly sail the team to an easy triumph. However, after his dismissal the team innings started dwindling.

Though Kulwinder (36) and Rahul (30) gave a good fight but it could not make much difference, as they couldn’t convert their individual scorers to a big total. And the whole team got bundled out on 207 in 34 overs. For GNPS trio of Kshitij, Harshit and Vaibhav claimed two wickets each.

Mohali to have golf course soon
Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

Mohali, January 4
Recreational-cum-sports activity in Mohali’s periphery is all set to get a boost. The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has planned a golf course in the Greater Mohali Area.

Around 200 acres has been earmarked for the prestigious project located in Chhapar Chidi and Kahlon villages. The golf course has been planned keeping in mind various mega housing projects coming in the city’s periphery and strengthening the social infrastructure.

The Mohali district administration has already given the NOC to the GMADA for the project, confirmed deputy commissioner Rahul Bhandhari. The NOC is required from various departments before the case is sent to the land acquisition committee. Though the earmarked land basically falls on both sides of the Patiala ki Rao, a seasonal rivulet, the land acquisition rates could turn out to be a contentious issue with landowners demanding high rates.

Sources said uneven terrain around the choe was ideal for the golf course and the area was strategically located near the Kharar-Banur road and another proposed road linkage between Mohali and Landran. Besides, the proposed Baddi-Lalru expressway would also pass near the proposed area of the course.

The golf course is separate from the golf range and the academy that has already been planned on 14 acres of land in Phase XI here. The club building would include a swimming pool, spas, gym, billiards room, party hall, a restaurant and bar. The main building would have the administrative offices and video-aided classrooms, conference rooms and driving bays. The outdoor facilities would include practice putting and chipping greens and tennis courts.

Though the present status of the project could not be ascertained, the sources said due to global meltdown, the GMADA was having second thoughts about commercial exploitation of land around the proposed golf range.

An official said providing infrastructure in the Mohali master plan was important as the area was set to witness a spate of development in the coming years. The coming up of the international airport and related facilities would increase the social requirements.

Infrastructure development in the region has given a boost to recreational activities. While the GMADA planning a golf range and a golf course, the Zirakpur MC has also announced a golf course in Zirakpur. Panchkula has already a golf course apart from a course and range in Chandigarh and one in Forest Hill, Nayagoan. Residents wonder whether the city needs sports facilities for the elite or the basic amenities for the masses.