Woman commits suicide
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — A young married woman reportedly committed suicide following alleged harassment at the hands of her in-laws for bringing inadequate dowry here this evening.

According to the police and family sources of the deceased, Meenakshi (24), a resident of SAS Nagar had married a Panchkula Sector 10 resident, Rajiv Singla, on May 11. Hardly a week had gone by when her in-laws allegedly started harassing and maltreating her for bringing inadequate dowry and sent her home on May 18.

The grouse of the in-laws allegedly was that though had been agreed before the marriage that Rs 7 lakh would be spent on the marriage, only Rs 4 lakh were spent. The father of the deceased, who works as an accounts officer in the office of the Civil Surgeon of Ropar, arranged for about Rs 50,000 and left his daughter at the house of Singlas.

The father-in-law of Meenakshi, Satpal Singla, is a Superintending Engineer with the Punjab State Electricity Board posted at Patiala while Rajiv runs a computer academy in Panchkula.

After things remained quiet for some weeks, Meenakshi was allegedly again maltreated and sent to bring the rest of the amount. Since her father could not arrange the money, she had been living at SAS Nagar since June 20.

According to family sources, the younger sister of the deceased received a telephone call from Rajiv today morning. He wanted to speak to his wife. He had a brief conversation with Meenakshi and fixed a meeting at 5 pm.

She left home at around 4.30 p.m. and that was the last time her parents saw her. She was seen vomiting near the Sector 32-33 roundabout by some passerby who alerted the police. She was subsequently admitted to the Sector 32 GMCH where she breathed her last.

A case under Sections 406, 498-A and 304-B of the IPC has been registered against Singlas. No arrest had been made till late in the evening.

Murder alleged: Mr Sukhbir Singh, a resident of Kaundada village in the Badaun district of Himachal Pradesh, has lodged a complaint that his relative, Chander Pal, was killed by Budh Sen, Nathu, Sham Lal and Ram Murti, all residents of Mani Majra. He also alleged that these men cremated his body without informing anyone else.

While further investigations are on, a case under Sections 302, 201, 342, 34 of the IPC has been registered at the Mani Majra police station.

One kidnapped: Mr Durvijay Singh, a resident of Mauli Jagran Complex, reported to the police that his son, Subash Singh, was kidnapped by Rajit Ram and Chattar Pal, also residents of the same complex.

A case under Sections 364 and 34 of the IPC has been registered at the Mani Majra police station.

Cyclist injured: Mr Surjit Singh, a cyclist, was injured when he was hit by a car (CH-01-W-5001) near the Sectors 16\17 T Turn. The car driver reportedly sped away from the scene of the crime. A case under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 17 police station.

Gypsy stolen: Mr Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Sector 21, reported to the police that his Maruti Gypsy (CH-01-X-8985) was stolen from the State Bank of India parking lot in Sector 35. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 36 police station.

Mobike stolen: Mr Prabhjot Singh, a resident of Phase II, SAS Nagar, has reported to the police that his motorcycle (PB-27-2378) has been stolen from the Shastri Market, Sector 22.

A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered.

All seats in PEC filled
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — Seats in all branches of the Punjab Engineering College (PEC) have been filled at the second counselling session in Law Auditorium of Panjab University here.

Seats in chemical engineering had been filled in the first counselling. Candidates were interviewed for about 20 seats in various branches of the PEC. The last candidate admitted in the general pool category ranked 1326. The last candidate who made it in the UT pool ranked 3059.

Reacting to a question about seats falling vacant after admissions, Dr D.K. Vohra, co-ordinator, said this happened because some candidates submitted duplicate certificates while seeking admission in different institutions. Dr L.D. Garg said such candidates should be penalised for unfair action.

Dr Vohra said parents of candidates applied in more than one college and submitted duplicate certificates. This meant that they submitted false affadavits about loss of their marksheets. While they kept their seats in different institutions, there was no chance for students on the waiting list to get the seats.

Dr S.L. Singla said the education department should look into the matter so that the admissions for all institutions in the area were held centrally. Admissions should ultimately be based on merit. This would help students who lost seats despite being meritorious.

Dr Vohra said the third counselling session had been held earlier but was not held every time. The seats which fell vacant after third counselling would not be filled. This was done largely because the candidate would have missed a large portion of the syllabus.

Dr vohra said the position was better than last year. Eleven seats fell vacant last year.

For the coming session, the last rank in aeronautical engineering was 717 for the general pool and 1507 for the UT pool, in civil engineering it was 1326 for the general pool and 3059 for the UT pool, and in computer engineering it was 127 for general pool and 213 for the UT pool.

The last rank in electrical engineering was 626 for the general pool and 1051 for the UT pool, in metallurgy it was 1072 for the general pool and 2738 for the UT pool, and in production it was 657 for the general pool and 1360 for the UT pool.

The last rank in mechanical engineering was 479 for the general pool and 847 for the UT pool. The department of Chemical Engineering and Technology had 18 seats and the last candidate admitted was placed 1212. The Chandigarh College of Architecture had a candidate ranked 154 admitted from the general pool and another ranked 234 from the UT pool.

Seats vacant in hons school
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — Five seats each in BSc (Hons) and MSc (Hons), bio-chemistry 1st year, for foreign/NRI-sponsored students are lying vacant, according to an official release. Students interested for admission to these courses are advised to contact the Chairman, Department of Bio-Chemistry, Panjab University, on or before August 30, 1999.

About 80 seats are likely to fall vacant for admission in BSc (hons school)/B Pharmacy first year at Panjab University science departments. The second counselling to fill these vacant seats will be held on August 27 and 28 from 9 am onwards at the Department of Biochemistry. Prof H.M. Dani, Convener of Joint Admission Committee, has in a release asked all interested candidates already admitted or on the waiting lists to come for transfer/admission to fill these seats. Late applicants may also come for interviews for admissions as per university rules.

Protest dharna: Members of the Panjab University Non Teaching Employees Federation in a meeting held on Thursday decided to organise a mass protest rally on Friday at the basement of the Administrative Office. They will protest against the “adamant attitude” of the university authorities in implementing the recommendations of the pay commission, various recommendations of the Syndicate/Senate and other office orders. Mr Dharam Paul Sharma has in a release stated that their main demands include payment of fixed medical allowance, assured career advancement scheme, abolition of contract system against regular posts, accelerated increment for improving qualifications, creation of additional posts and solving the problems relating to health centre.

Hunger strike: Activists of the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) continued their token chain fast with Jaideep and Baljit Singh sitting in support of the demands of the science students. They are demanding provisional promotions of BSc (hs) 1st year, MSc (hs) 1st year and MSc (pass course) 1st year students admitted for in 1998-99 session. They have also demanded promotions of microbiology students who have appeared for their annual exams but are not allowed promotions due to shortage of lectures. SOPU President, DPS Randhawa, has stated that they would continue the strike till their demands are fulfilled.

Madhumati to open dance academy
By Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Aug 19 — Dancer-actress Madhumati, who thrilled cine-goers of yore with her scintillating dances is disappointed over the contemporary film scenario, where the importance of good music and dance is diminishing. Madhumati, a contemporary of Helen and known as a trend-setter as far as 'fast paced' dances in film was concerned, is dismayed over the erosion of the role of professional dancers in films, which more or less has been usurped by heroines.

"Actually, the image of a heroine has seen transformation. Heroine of a film in our times was often a gorgeous and graceful lady, who would not indulge herself in acts like dance, and would confine herself to singing songs or if had to do dance, would do it perfectly according to requirement of the film. That situation warranted the need of a professional dancer. Can you imagine a serious actress like Meena Kumari, doubling as as a dancer?" she questioned adding that in the contemporary scene, values have changed, so is the image of the heroine, who is no more a shy girl, but can even go to streets for dancing.

talking to TNS, Madhumati, who was in the city along with her dancer-actor husband Manohar Deepak, said such a situation had resulted in a set-back to new dance aspirants." There is little scope left for professional dancers in films unless they are extremely good," said Madhumati.

Madhumati had opted for retirement from the film world after doing more than 1100 films in almost all Indian languages and is currently running the Madhumati Academy of Acting and Dancing at Bombay and Delhi.She is also unhappy over the musical aspect of films, which is being dominated by western music. " What rubbish is this? Where is the melody laced with classical form, which was all pervasive the golden era ruled by legends like Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Da, Manna De, Talat Mehmood and Mukesh? she questioned, holding people responsible for degeneration of the Indian film music and even dance.

"During our times, we used to rehearse a lot before going to sets, but now anybody can jump over the set and start his or her 'latke-jhatke' in any fashion," said Madhumati, who is still remembered by people for her remarkable dance performances in 'Mere Hazoor', 'Pavittar Papi' and 'Talaash' and many more.

A rare achievement of Madhumati is that her thrilling dance sequence in 'Talash' of OP Ralhan, has been kept in the World Archives as a master piece, even as the film was returned back by organisers of an international film festival ,dubbing it as a pure commercial film.

Asked whether there was a rivalry between her and Helen, who is 10 years senior to her in the industry, Madhumati, whose first film was Raja Harish Chandra, released in 1960 when she was just 14, quipped," Never, no rivalry, no machinations, no fights. Rather I always liked competition and the presence of Helen." About her entry in the films, she said unlike others of her times, she was encouraged by her father, a judge, to pursue a career of her choice, after Dhiru Bhai Desai, the producer of ' Raja Harish Chandra' selected her after watching her performance during a stage show.

About her future plans, she said she was intending to open a branch of her academy in Chandigarh to enable aspirants of the region to learn acting and dance. "I think people from Punjab are facing difficulty in sending their children to distant places like Delhi and Bombay. So I have decided to open a branch here with the cooperation of my husband," she added.

Case against co. dismissed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 —The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has dismissed a complaint by Mr Sarabjit Singh Thind, a resident of Sector 11, against Goindwal Industries and Investment Corporation of Punjab Limited.

The complainant had prayed before the forum that the respondent had not paid interest on an amount of Rs 9,625, earnest money which he had deposited with the latter against an advertisement issued by the opposite party for the allotment of residential plots.

The complainant had alleged that though the company had refunded the amount, no interest was paid on the money though it was retained for a period of two months. He prayed that the company had wrongly withheld the interest in spite of the stipulation for payment of interest to the unsuccessful applicants. Hence compensation should be paid to him.

In the reply, the company stated that the amount was refunded to the complainant within two months of the draw of lots wherein the complainant was unsuccessful. It also denied other allegations in the complaint, while making reference to clause II of the application wherein the complainant undertook not to claim any interest on the earnest money.

The forum, after hearing the case, was of the view that the assertion that the company had agreed to pay the interest to unsuccessful applicants was not supported by any evidence. It also referred that the opposite party had placed on record photostat copy of the application made by the complainant, wherein condition II specifically binds the complainant with the condition that he shall not claim any interest on the earnest money remitted by him.

The forum felt that the condition was enough to clinch the controversy, hence the complainant's version could not be prevailed. Moreover, though the complainant had alleged that he had written a number of letters to the company the copies were not placed on the file.

Tomato price comes down
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 19—Even as there was no major fluctuation in the prices of most of commonly used vegetables, the price of tomato has come down in the local market during the past four days.

During a survey of markets ,it was found that a kg of good quality tomato, priced at Rs 24 last week, was available today between Rs 18 and Rs 20 a kg. The wholesale price has come down from Rs 100 to Rs 70-80 per 5 kg during this period. According to traders, the fall in price was an outcome of improved arrivals in the local market from parts of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

On the other hand, the price of peas has increased during this period. A kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 35 last week, could be purchased today for Rs 30. The wholesale price of the same has come down from Rs 150 to Rs 130 per 5 kg.

There was no change in prices of other vegetables. A kg of cauliflower was still priced at Rs 40 in retail and for Rs 160 per 5 kg in wholesale market. Similarly, the price of cabbage and cucumber was stable at Rs 15 in retail and Rs 50 per 5 kg in wholesale market. Arbi could be purchased for Rs 16 in retail and for Rs 60 per 5 kg in wholesale market.

Brinjal also did not witness any change in its price. A kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 16 last week was still available at the old price. The vegetable was priced in the wholesale market for Rs 60 per 5 kgs. Bittergourd was priced at Rs 20 a kg in retail and for Rs 80 per 5 kg. Similarly, gourd was priced at Rs 15 a kg in retail and for Rs 50 per 5 kg in wholesale market. There was no change in the price of capsicum and squashgourd as both vegetables could be purchased in retail market for Rs 28 and in wholesale market for Rs 120 per 5 kg.

There was a slight fall in the price of lady's finger. A kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 20 a few days ago, could be had today for Rs 16 in retail market and for Rs 60 per 5 kg in wholesale market. Lemon was priced at Rs 24 in retail market while it could be purchased for Rs 100 per 5 kg in wholesale market. One could get beans for Rs 20 in retail and for Rs 75 per 5 kg in wholesale market. Potato and onion could be had for Rs 4 and Rs 10 a kg.

City carrom tourney ends
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — Ramanpreet and Nabhi Sahni won two more titles at the end of the 9th Chandigarh State Carrom Championship which concluded here this evening at St Stephen's School, Sector 45. Earlier, Ramanpreet had yesterday bagged the sub-junior boys' singles title while Nabhi had won the junior girls' singles title.

Mr M. Aithan, IAS, was the chief guest and he gave away the prizes.

Mohammad Tanveer and Anjali Negi won the men's and women's singles titles, respectively. In the men's final, second seed Tanveer defeated top seed Tejinder Harry in two straight games.

In the women's section, Anjali faced a tough opposition before winning in three games against Nabhi Sahni, much younger to Anjali in age.

Results (all finals): Men's singles — Mohd Tanveer b Tejinder Harry, 25-06, 25-11; women's singles — Anjali Negi b Nabhi Sahni, 23-10, 16-20, 21-06.

Boys singles — Ramanpreet b Charukh Goyal, 25-17, 25-19; Semi-finals — Ramanpreet b Devinderjit Gill, 25-16, 25-24; Charukh Goyal b Sumit, 25-17, 25-00.

Veterans (men) — Subhash b Ramesh Chander, 25-16, 25-07; doubles — Mohammad Tanveer and Tejinder Harry b Gagandeep and Charukh, 25-23, 14-25, 25-19.

Semi-finals — M. Tanveer and Tejinder Harry b Mukesh Piplani and V. Vashisht, 25-00, 25-06; Gagandeep and Charukh b Ramanpreet and Baninder, 25-11, 25-24.

Women's doubles — Nabhi Sahni and Puneet Lamba b Anjali Negi and Veena Dumra, 25-04, 9-18, 19-11; junior boys doubles — Devinderjit and Charukh b Dhruva and Sumit, 25-08, 25-17.

Junior girls doubles — Nabhi Sahni and Puneet Lamba b Pallavi Piplani and Eveleen, 25-04, 22-05; sub-junior boys doubles — Ramanpreet and Sumit b Gurpreet and Sunil Yadav, 25-00, 25-00.

Sub-junior girls doubles — Pallavi and Eveleen b Shikha Jain and Monika Kamboj, 25-16, 25-13.

Sub-junior titles: Yesterday, Sakshi Bawa in the sub-junior girls singles, Nabhi Sahni in the junior girls singles and Ramanpreet in sub-junior boys singles, bagged the respective titles in the 9th Chandigarh State Carrom Championships and not in chess championships as inadvertently mentioned.

Carrom rankings: The Chandigarh State Carrom Association today announced rankings of its players. These are as follows: Men — Mohd Tanveer 1, Tejinder Harry 2, Gagandeep 3, Ramanpreet 4, Sanjay Negi 5, Rozerio Sampson 6, Ajay Gupta 7, Charukh Goyal 8, Jagdev Mann 9, K.S. Patwal 10.

Women — Anjali Negi 1, Nabhi Sahni 2, Veena Dumra 3, Saroj 4, Sushila Prasad 5, Palki Dhanjal 6, Inder Kanta 7, Ami Wig 8, Bhavna Sachdeva 9.

Junior boys — Devinderjit 1, Ramanpreet 2, Charukh Goyal 3, Sumit Chakarvorty 4, Rozerio Sampson 5, Baninder Singh 6, Gagandeep 7, Jagdev Mann 8, Dhruva 9, Randhir Kalsi 10, Anu Papneja 11, Taranpreet 12.

Junior girls — Nabhi Sahni 1, Puneet Lamba 2, Bhavna 3, Eveleen 4; sub-junior boys — Ramanpreet 1, Sumit Chakarvorthy 2, Gurinder Singh 3, Taranpreet 4, Money Bansal 5, Ata Ram 6, Rahul Nanda 7, Amanpreet 8, Swesh Mishra 9, Rishab Khurana 10, Ankit Kalsi 12.

Sub-junior girls — Eveleen 1, Nidhi Patwal 2, Sakshi Bawa 3, Shikha Nanda 4, Pallavi 5, Birinder 6. Veterans — Subhash 1, Ramesh Chander 2, Ravinder Sharma 3, E. Arthur 4.

CLTA trainee: Simmi Rani, a trainee of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, has shown tremendous performance in the United Kingdom by excelling in various tournaments being played in that country, as per the information received by the CLTA.

Simmi, a student of Government College for Girls, Sector 11, has won the singles crown in Almondsbury National Grid-99 Tournament held at Bristol (UK) from August 2 to 8 where in the final she trounced M. Carter, 6-1, 6-1.

Simmi, who is trained by Mayank Kapoor, a senior coach at the CLTA, had earlier in the semi-finals defeated another fine player of the UK, O' Connel, 6-2, 6-3.

Simmi who has been the best player of the Panjab University team for the past two years, also bagged the doubles title in the same tournament. She in partnership with Cook Amme, defeated M. Carter and A. Mocaole in the final.

However, she was runners-up in the mixed doubles section. Simmi played another tournament in London after performing magnificently in Bristol. In the Pinner Lawn Tennis Championship, she clinched the doubles title in partnership with Holi. They got the better of Hussan and Nandani, 6-0, 6-2. She got the second place in the singles.

This was the maiden foreign tour of this young trainee who might become a force to reckon in the future, said CLTA sources.

Ball badminton: Hosts Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, in the girls' section and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, in the boys' section, clinched the titles in the Chandigarh Mini Ball Badminton Tournament which concluded here today at the GMSSS-37.

Results: Girls (final) — GMSSS-37 b SPS-41, 26-29, 29-22, 29-23; third place — GMS Club-37 b GMSSS-21, 29-28, 29-20.

Boys (final) — GMSSS-19 b SPS-41, 29-22, 29-21; third place — MDAV-22 b GSSS-38, 29-18, 29-16. Rahul of GMSSS-19 and Anshu of GMSSS-37 were declared the best players of the tournament. Mrs Gurkanwal Kaur, a senior Congress leader of Punjab, gave away the prizes.

Shivalik Trophy: The following are the results of the 4th day's play of the Shivalik Trophy for boys (under-17) played here at the Sector 17 football grounds today: SD Public School b GMHS-28, 9-0; GNPS-36 b GMHS-38, 2-0; SPS-41 b GMSSS-21, 6-0; St Soldier's School-28 b St Stephen's School-45, 1-0.