Three killed in road mishaps
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Three city residents, including a couple, were killed in two separate road accidents here today.

Harbans Singh (50) and Jagdish Kaur (47) of Sector 38-C were crushed by a speeding truck (HR-23-3875) at about 6 p.m. near the Sectors 29\30\31\32 roundabout. Harbans Singh was a tubewell operator in the UT Public Health Department, Division 6.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver did not see the couple on a bicycle. Realising that he had hit someone, he stopped the truck about 100 yards from the scene of the crime and ran away along with three other occupants of the truck.

Eyewitnesses said they saw four men running in the open spaces nearby. Some members of the public also ran after then but they managed to get away. By this time, a PCR vehicle also reached the spot and tried to search for them but to no avail.

The bodies were so badly crushed that the limbs of one of the bodies had to be recovered from some distance. The area was immediately cordoned and more policemen were deployed to control traffic. There was chaos as traffic was held up for more than half an hour on the Dakshin Marg as people stopped to witness the accident. The police had a hard time in restoring the traffic.

Sarla Jain (55) and Rekha (35) of Sector 37 were injured when they were hit by a tractor trolley of the horticulture wing of the municipal corporation at about 11 a.m. near the Sectors 36\37 dividing road. According to police sources, the duo were on a scooter.

Sarla Jain received head injuries and was shifted to the the PGI, where she died. The pillion-rider Rekha is also stated to be in a serious condition. Sources added that the injuries would have been less had both of them been wearing safety helmets.

The driver of the tractor trolley, Ajaib Singh of Maloya village, has been arrested. A case under Section 279\337, IPC, has been registered at the Sector 36 police station.

Negligent driving: The police has arrested Paramjit Singh of Dhanoora village in Kurukshetra for negligent driving. He reportedly rammed his car (DGB-5195), carrying illicit liquor, into the rear of a Haryana Roadways bus (HR-47-0426) near the airport roundabout. He and Jai Pal Singh, an occupant of the car, have been admitted to the GMCH, Sector 32.

As many as 1,435 pouches of liquor were recovered from the car. Cases under Section 279\337, IPC, and 61-1-14, Excise Act, have been registered against Paramjit Singh.

Three nabbed: The police has arrested Umed Singh of Shera village in Sonepat district in cases registered against him under Section 323\505\34, IPC, and Section 25\54\59, Arms Act, at the Industrial Area police station. In another case, the police has arrested Raju alias Sher Singh of Una and sansar Singh of Ambala city, who were wanted in a case already registered under Section 379, IPC, at the Industrial area police station.

13 arrested: As many as 13 persons have been arrested from the city for committing various offences. Nine persons have been arrested under preventive action.

Three persons have been arrested for roaming under suspicious circumstances. One person has been arrested for begging in the Industrial Area.

One held: The police has arrested Satbir Singh of Sector 21 for attempting to outrage the modesty of a woman. A case under Section 354, IPC, has been registered at the Sector 34 police station.

Eve-teasing: The police has arrested Balwinder Singh and Sanjay Kumar of Kansal village for eve-teasing in Kaimbwala village. A case under Section 294 of the IPC has been registered at Police Station North.

Moped stolen: Mr Gurnam Singh of Sector 40 has reported to the police that his moped has been stolen from Sector 37. A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered at the Sector 39 police station.

‘Technology threatens literature’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Threat to the world of literature in the wake of rapid development in information technology were debated in a seminar on “Advent of New Technology and its Impact on Literature” in Panjab University here today. The seminar was organised by the Bhai Vir Singh Chair of Modern Literature and the Authors Guild of India.

Initiating the debate, Dr Naresh from the Bhai Vir Singh Chair said the world of literature faced serious threat in wake of rapid development in technology. The developments were also a threat to the basic value system. He said the biggest job of literature was to install a sense of sensibility which reacted positively to the value system.The time was right to ponder about what could be done to improve or save a world of collapsing values.

Dr Naresh said the Indian system of joint families had collapsed on the advent of the new technological world.The joint families broke down to single families. Technology interference did not allow to give value to the words which they deserved. There needed be a balance between values of science and literature.

Ms Sudha Pandey, a former Vice- Chancellor of Garhwal University, said the value of the words could never change. India was still far from the world of machines. Machines had been made by man and man could always overcome the control of machines made by them.

Mr A.K. Dhan, a former Vice- Chancellor of Shillong and Ranchi universities, said there was no threat to the world of literature as scientists and artists were close to each other in many ways like the search for universal truths.

Mr Rajinder Awasthy, editor of Kadambini, said the Author’s Guild had more than 3,000 members from nearly all states of the country.There was an urgent need to take a look at the troubles to the literary world and suggest ways in which the government could help.

Dr Atul Vir Arora, moderator of the seminar, said consumerism and love for smart products was creating a difficult situation for literature. Print media faced threat from television.

Prof Suresh Dhingra from Delhi University and Dr Rajendra Mishra from HP University presented their papers in the afternoon session.

Hunger strike: Hunger strike of the Students Organisation of Panjab University entered its fourth day here today.

Students are demanding provisional promotions of B.Sc. (honours) I, M.Sc. (honours) I and M.Sc. I (pass course) who were admitted in 1998-1999. The affected students were being denied promotion according to new rules, Mr Nishant Gupta, press secretary of the SOPU, said in a press release here today.

The SOPU also demanded promotion of students who appeared for microbiology but were not allowed promotions due to shortage in lectures.

Poll campaign: Campaigning for the coming elections for teachers body in Panjab University has gathered momentum. The prominent groups engaged themselves in door-to-door campaigning today.

Dr P.P. Arya has already been elected President while Dr Keshav Malhotra has been elected Treasurer without any opposition. Dr Arya’s group has fielded Dr Harjinder Singh “Laltoo” for the post of Secretary, Dr Fateh Singh Nandel from bio physics for the post of Vice-President and Dr Nahar Singh for the post of Joint Secretary.

The group has demanded immediate release of arrears, special provision for women and removal of administrative bottlenecks in release of grants for research projects.

Dr Kiranpreet Kaur, while talking to the TNS today, said she would contest for the post of Joint Secretary.

Promoting the Olympic spirit
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — A German national, Mr Horst Schad, who is on a world tour on a bicycle, is currently in the city to propagate the Olympic idea which is his mission ever since he was chosen as a goodwill ambassador for the Sydney Olympics.

Having commenced his journey from Germany in May, 1998, the 36-year-old educationist hailing from Aschaffenburg near Frankfurt has so far covered 28,000 km. The conclusion of his trip will concide with the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics next year.

Mr Schad, who is a bachelor, teaches business management, economics and English. During his short stay in Chandigarh, he has had fruitful interaction with youngsters, particularly school students. Addressing students at the local St. Stephens School, Sector 45, today, Mr Schad said the bicycle had become an integral part of his life. “I seldom travel by car or train”, he said.

“While promoting the Olympic spirit, I get an opportunity to understand different nationalities,” he explained. “The Olympic idea, conveived almost 2800 years ago in 800 BC is not only about sport but about fairness and peace. My task is to plant the seed of the Olympic spirit in the minds of youngsters”, he added.

Prior to this trip, Mr Schad undertook short journeys in Europe and elsewhere. But it is this trip as an ambassador of godwill which has given him immense satisfaction. Carrying a total weight of 70 kg, which includes the weight of his bicycle and luggage, he pitches his tent by the roadside whenever there is no alternative arrangement. On an average, Mr Schad covers 150 km daily. He plans to celebrate New Year’s Day at Bangkok.

Mr Schad plans to leave for Amritsar tomorrow. Later he is scheduled to meet the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala after which he will be travelling alongside the Ganges before reaching Calcutta.

Yesterday, Mr Schad paid a visit to the Panjab University campus for an interaction with students. He also called on Flying Sikh Milkha Singh. Today he was accorded a warm reception by Mr Harold Carver, Principal of St Stephen’s School, and the school staff.

On the whole, Mr Schad has developed a special liking for India. However, he feels the road traffic management leaves a lot to be desired. So far, he has met with three accidents, including one in India, when he was knocked down by a truck into a gorge.

Vikram shines in Shivalik victory
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Vikramjit Singh scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory of Shivalik Public School against SD Public School, Sector 32, in the final of the Shivalik Trophy for boys (under-17) played here at the Sector 17 football grounds today. The tournament had begun on August 14.

Mr Mike D' Arey, Managing Director for International Marketing of the Australian Sports Activity, was the chief guest.

The following were declared the best players of the tournament: Gurpreet Singh (SPS-41), Gopal Thapa (SDPS-32), Ajay Sood (St Soldier's) Tapan Virk (GMHS-38), Raghbir Singh (GNPS-36).

Vikramjit Singh was declared the most promising player of the tournament.

League soccer: On the second day of the Chandigarh Senior League Football Championship being played here at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, Youngsters Club defeated MPS Club, 8-0. Navjot Singh, Brijesh, Vishal and Vinod were the goal-scorers for the winners. Maximum number of goals were scored by Brijesh, followed by Vishal.

In the second match, Sanjay Public School blanked OCF Club, 3-0. Kalarjit, Harish and Ashish Jain scored one goal each for the winners.