Friday, December 17, 1999
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N E W S Friday, December 17, 1999 |
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weather spotlighttoday's calendar |
IA flight to Delhi
cheaper than Shatabdi CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — By offering a special promotional fare on the Delhi-Chandigarh sector, which is just 46 per cent of the normal air fare, Indian Airlines has taken the price war to the Railways camp. The new promotional fare of Rs 900 one way and Rs 1700 for return on the Delhi-Chandigarh sector, is targeted at the Executive Class travellers of Shatabdi Express. The one-way fare on Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express is Rs 870. If one buys a return ticket it is cheaper by Rs 40 to travel by air than by the Executive Class in Shatabdi Express. According to Mr Kashmiri Lal, Station Manager of Indian Airlines, here, the new promotional fare comes into effect immediately. The normal fare on the Delhi-Chandigarh sector is Rs 2010 against Rs 2125 charged by Jet Airways, a private airline operating a daily flight on the route. Mr Sukhwinder Singh of Jet Airways says his company has adopted a policy of ‘wait and watch’ than react to the new promotional fare introduced by Indian Airlines to woo passengers. The promotional fare offer by IA will be valid till April 30,2000. At present, IA operates two flights a week on the Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar-Delhi sector. The flight is on Wednesdays and Fridays. It arrives from Delhi at 11.40 a.m. before it goes to Amritsar. It departs for Delhi on arrival from Amritsar at 2 p.m., offering convenient onward connections to all major destinations, including Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and Bangalore. When the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Sharad Yadav, visited Chandigarh a fewdays ago, the demand for more flights, including a daily flight between Chandigarh and Delhi with connections to other major cities was made. Mr Yadav had given an assurance to consider the demand for a direct Chandigarh-Delhi-Mumbai or Mumbai-Delhi-Chandigarh flight in the new schedule. The airlines is hopeful of making the biweekly Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar-Chandigarh-Delhi flight a daily affair. The argument advanced for offering promotional fare on a par with the Executive Class fare of Shatabdi is to woo top executives and bureaucrats to air travel on the plea that air connection would be more convenient. Instead of leaving at 12.20 in the afternoon, now they could leave their offices at 1.15 p.m. and reach Delhi at 2.30 p.m. in time for the afternoon meetings than reaching at 3.30 p.m. by Shatabdi . Further, the new timing will enable them to catch a connecting flight to all major towns from the IA terminal at IGI airport (domestic terminal). Jet Air has advanced its departure time from Chandigarh to Delhi by 25 minutes to 2.40 p.m. to enable passengers to even catch flights bound for Pune and Jaipur in addition to all major towns. Besides IA, the other airlines offering a regular flight on the Delhi-Chandigarh sector is Jet Air, which has for the time being, no plans to match IA’s promotional fare. But Jet Air has more at stake as it is the only airlines to operate a daily flight in this sector. It operates a 64-seater aircraft on the route and has been doing well with 60 to 80 per cent capacity. On the other hand, IA operates only twice a week and uses an Airbus which almost has double the capacity of an aircraft of Jet Air. The third airlines, which resumed its operatins on the Delhi-Chandigarh-Kulu sector from today is Jagsons.
Its maiden flight overflew Chandigarh as it got enough
passengers from Delhi to Kulu that it preferred to skip
Chandigarh. Jagsons, however, uses a Dornier on the
route. |
Partition ‘biggest political
crisis’ CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — The Partition proved to be the biggest political crisis in India since the Battle of Plassey, said Prof V.N. Datta, noted historian, while delivering the Prof Hariram Gupta memorial lecture organised by the Department of History, Panjab University, here today. Professor Datta said: “Due to Partition, the unity of the country was thwarted and it had created problem both at the national and the international levels. It was an utter failure of statesmenship resulting in mortgaging the future of the country”. The Congress, in a Working Committee meeting in 1947, passed a resolution asking for the division of Punjab into two provinces. It urged that the Muslim-dominated part be separated from the non-Muslim one. The Partition was viewed as a conflict between the nationalist and communal forces, he said. Partition, he added, was also ascribed to the economic backwardness of the Muslims who were driven by a need for recognition and assertion. Pt Nehru believed the issue at stake was economic, but the Muslim leadership thought otherwise. The Muslims feared a Hindu majority and even in the Muslim-dominated provinces, the franchise did not reflect Muslim representation. Referring to the role of poet Iqbal, Professor Datta said he gave a philosophical and an ideological orientation to the cause of a separate cultural identity for Muslims which struck Jinnah. The Prime Minister of Punjab, Khizr Hayat Khan Tiwana of the Unionist Party, effectively resisted pressure from Jinnah for the creation of Pakistan. Throughout 1930s and early 1940s, the Muslim League and Jinnah had no locus standi in Punjab. On March 2,1947, Tiwana resigned. This paved the way for the increased influence of the Muslim League in Punjab. Mr Hari Jaisingh, Editor of The Tribune, in his presidential remarks underlined the importance of a detailed study of the Partition and its effects. This he said, probably was the biggest tragedy of the 20th century. The Partition, he added,
was a far more complex issue than it had been understood
to be. A detailed study of the event, along with the
implicaitons of the far-reaching decision, would show
that the actual impact of the event still lingered. |
Pak surrender was
‘planned in hours’ CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — As a ceremonial guard reversed arms and the soulful notes of the Last Post resounded around the serene Veer Smriti war memorial adjacent to the Western Command Headquarters in Chandimandir, the sacrifices made by officers and men not only in the 1971 Indo-Pak war but also during the recent Kargil conflict were once again brought to the forefront. "Vijay Divas is an occasion to remember the commitment of our jawans who fought. We had 4,000 casualties, including 1,000 killed in the 1971 war", said the Governor of Punjab, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd). "We always remember the sacrifices made by them to ensure our freedom, whether it is in the Western sector or the Eastern Sector or Kargil or counter-insurgency operations,’’ he added. In the 1971 war, General Jacob was the Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, the command responsible for operations in the Eastern sector. Reacalling the events, the Governor said that the surrender had to be negotiated within a few hours, which was a unique situation as world over surrenders have involved a lot of time. He said that Pakistan had approached the USA through the US counsel with the Pakistani top brass demanding a UN-monitored ceasefire as well evacuation to West Pakistan. The demand had been sent to Islamabad from then East Pakistan and passed on the US Secretary of State, Mr Henry Kissinger who had decided to hold on to it for a day. General Jacob, who has also authored the book "Surrender at Dacca", said the Indian side was also facing some complications at that time. "There was some difficulty in contacting the Mukti Bahni fighters. Also, we had very few troops in and around Dacca at that time. Our strategy had been to bypass civil populated areas, which worked and ended in a clean and highly successful campaign," he said. He said the Gen A.A.K. Niazi, the Pakistani commander, who was not mentally prepared to surrender and also faced opposition from his own officers had the misconception that his forces were heavily outnumbered by the Indian Army. "He had tears in his eyes. He was a good soldier, but anyone would have tears in such a situation". The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Lieut-Gen Vijay Oberoi, said Vijay Divas holds a special significance this year as the Indian forces achieved a resounding victory over Pakistani intruders in the Kargil sector". Our troops attacked the enemy and evicted them from our territory at heights ranging up to 18,000 feet, in inclement weather conditions and adverse terrain. This by itself is very significant," he remarked. Earlier, the Governor, the Army Commander as well as several gallantry awardees laid wreaths at the war memorial. The gallantry awardees included four serving soldiers, all from 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, who were decorated for gallantry during Operation Vijay in the Kargil sector. Prominent among them was Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awaredee, N.K. Sanjay Kumar, who is among the four PVC winners of Operation Vijay. Two out of them were awarded the highest gallantry award posthumously. During operations in Drass, the 24-year old trooper hailing from Bilaspur had neutralised 11 intruders. During the assault on Point 4875 in the same sector, Subedar Raghunath Singh won a Vir Chakra. The attack was launched in the early hours of July 7 and carried out till evening in which one enemy company commander, one JCO and nine others were killed. Hav Dev Parkash who was among those who had assaulted Point 5154 on July 20, was also awarded the Vir Chakra for neutralising four enemy soldiers. At 20, rifleman Kewal Kumar, hailing from Jammu, is one of the youngest troopers to be decorated for gallantry for action in the Dras sector. Others who laid wreaths
were Brig Sant Singh (retd), who with two Maha Vir
Chakras to his credit is the highest decorated living
gallantry awardee Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (retd), who
was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra during the Battle of
Laungewala in 1971, and Air Marshal Randhir Singh (retd),
who was decorated with the Vir Chakra. |
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Top models to feature in
traditional extravaganza PANCHKULA, Dec 16 — Svelte figures, silky black tresses, beauty with brains and a chance to act with the chocolate-faced Aamir Khan is about all that’s common between the charming Shweta Menon and the vivacious Aparna Kumar. If that’s not all, both these are top models of the fashion industry, and are in town for a fashion show scheduled for tomorrow. Husky-voiced Aparna Kumar says modelling wasn’t ever on the agenda for her, not until Rashmi Vermani, a choreographer in Delhi, spotted her and began to pursue her to join the field. “I come from a conservative business family where modelling has no place. However, Rashmi kept up the tempo of telephone calls, and it was only after a year that her persistence paid, and my parents gave the nod for my first modelling assignment,” she recalls. Into the profession for three years now, Aparna has over 100 television commercials to her credit. These include the popular “Wills, Made for Each Other” advertisement, and that of Pantene shampoo, Ponds cold cream and Rexona soap among others. Besides keeping up with the demands of her profession, she has striven to further her educational qualifications and completed her Masters in Business Adminis-tration. “I will remain in the fashion industry as long as the public wants me, and I am happy with whatever I am doing. After that my academic qualifications will speak for themselves and will help me secure a job,” she explains. About exploitation in the industry, she says: “This a very glamour-oriented and much-hyped-about profession. Hence, any small case is usually blown out of proportion, even though there is nothing much to it. My experience in the industry is to the contrary, and there is absolutely no exploitation. Then again, it is the manner you present yourself in that ultimately decides the treatment you get from the industry.” Sans the desire to dabble in movies, Aparna makes no bones about the vulgarity being portrayed in movies. “I can’t see myself doing all that the scantily-clad actresses call acting. Also, acting is not about learning in a drama school and putting your act together in front of the camera. There is an actor hidden in every human being, and the whole world is a stage. So, there is no kick involved in acting,” she opines. However, she is willing to consider acting if she is featured opposite her ‘hero’, Aamir Khan, and her role is tailor-made to suit her needs. “I would have to be allowed freeplay in altering the script, picking my clothes and deciding the scenes,” she says, while admitting this is asking too much. Even as she climbs the ladder of success, rung by rung, she is happy that her work has won applause, and she has the backing of her family. “I have never given them reason to complain, and have kept the trust they have put in me intact. That is the way it will always be,” Aparna contends. For model-turned-actress, Shweta Menon, modelling was not a profession she had deliberated entering. “I entered a beauty contest on the insistence of my friends, and even before I knew it, I was in the finals and chosen Gladrags Super Model. Thus began my brush with fame, and after advertisements, my focus shifted to the movie industry,” she says. Shweta has acted in Ishq and Bandhan, while her movies in the pipe line include Shikari opposite Govinda, and Raftar with Akshay Kumar. “Beauty contests are only a mirage where all you have to do is look pretty all the time. In acting, while you play different roles, you begin to discover yourself and begin to notice life as you relate to the characters you represent. In short, a model graduates to films and most of them are able to prove their mettle even in the film industry,” she opines. For her, Amitabh Bachchan is an encyclopaedia in his own right, while being paired with Aamir Khan in a movie is her dream project. Refer-ring to the many beauty contests happening all around the country, she explains: “Our models have brought India in the limelight internationally, and everybody is sitting up and taking notice of us. Also, in India, quality comes with quantity which justifies why more and more ‘Miss Anything’ is a happening event.” She adds that foreigners are looking beyond India’s image of a land of elephants and charmers, all thanks to the international beauty pageants which are being dominated by Indian beauties. She vouches for the fact that there is no exploitation in the fashion industry and it is only a matter of how a model conducts herself. “To be on a sound footing, one must have one’s perceptions of life clear, and a strong foundation. That is all that ultimately matters, not only in modelling, but in other professions as well,” she emphatically states. Earlier, addressing a press conference, the choreographer for tomorrow’s show to be held at Yavnika, Sector 5, Ms Priyanka Singh, said that the show would feature the models in ethnic wear. Stating that it would be a traditional extravaganza, she said that the local stores were supplying designer wear for the show, which would have 10 rounds. Named Taal, the show
would depict the rich Indian culture and heritage
displayed in colourful style and vibrant splendor. Ronica
Jacob’s dance troupe would perform between the
various rounds, and the show would be compered by Yuri, a
radio jockey from Mumbai. |
Relief after 4 years CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — Nearly four years after an Additional District and Sessions Judge's son suffered "permanent partial disability in vision", besides fracturing his toe, in an accident, the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, has ordered the payment of Rs 6.88 lakh as compensation. Pronouncing the order on Amritsar-resident Atul Mongia's petition claiming Rs 20 lakh as compensation, the Sessions Judge observed: "This claim petition is partly allowed with costs. The respondent Nos 1 and 2 (Narinder Singh and Achhar Singh of Chandigarh) are directed to pay Rs 6.88 lakh as compensation to the claimant with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of filing this claim petition, that is February 20, 1997, till realisation." The Sessions Judge also observed: "The liability of the respondent Nos 1 and 2 shall be joint, several and coextensive. The insurance company shall indemnify the respondents to the extent of the whole of the award." Giving details, the judge observed that the claimant was entitled to recover Rs 3 lakh as compensation for the loss of status, career and employment "due to switching over from legal career to tourism administration". For the loss of marriage prospect, the judge permitted Rs 2 lakh as compensation. Another Rs 1 lakh was permitted for "life-long mental pain and agony due to permanent disability". Claiming Rs 20 lakh as compensation, Atul Mongia had earlier stated that his "bright future had been darkened on account of 40 per cent permanent loss of eyesight suffered by him in the accident". It was added that the claimant belonged to a good family. His father was an Additional District and Sessions Judge, brother was a ''promising" advocate in the High Court, while sister was a pilot in the Indian Air Force. It was further added that the claimant's future in law was marred by the "unfortunate accident". Going into the
background of the accident, it was alleged that Mongia
had sustained injuries on the face, head and foot after
the "offending" vehicle "being driven
rashly and negligently" by Narinder Singh dashed
against the claimant's cycle from behind on December 24,
1995. |
Results without exams SAS NAGAR, Dec 16 — A scandal involving the declaration of fake examination results has come to light in the Punjab School Education Board here, casting a shadow on its image. Five fake results of the supplementary matriculation examination conducted in September, 1998, have been detected in an inquiry conducted by the Controller of Examinations of the board, Ms Narinder Kaur. The students concerned had not appeared in the examination at all. It is suspected that there may also be more such fake results in various other examinations of the board. During the probe, it was revealed that certain employees of the examination wing were indulging in large-scale irregularities and fraud in preparing results. The board Chairman, Dr Kehar Singh, told The Tribune today that out of the five cases, one person was shown as having passed the matriculation examination. In the other cases, the names were put in the “RL (fee)” category of the result list. The Chairman said the services of Kuljit Singh, a clerk appointed on a contract basis in the board, had been terminated. Two employees — Varinder Kumar, senior assistant, and Baldev Singh, another clerk — had been chargesheeted in this connection and transferred from the examination wing. It is learnt that a complaint was received in the board that the examination result relating to roll number 105151 was fake. Investigation revealed that in fact the results in four more cases, besides this one, were also fake. Interestingly, the roll numbers issued for this purpose were in a series — 105147, 105148, 105149 and 105150. The probe showed that certain employees of Section A-29 of Examination Wing I of the board used old roll numbers of reappear candidates for preparing the fake results. The employees then made fake award lists. It is suspected that large sums of money were given as bribes and the scandal may only be the tip of the iceberg. However, the Chairman
ruled out the possibility of a large number of cases of
fake results as a thorough probe was always carried out
when such complaints were received to be “doubly
sure”. |
It will be Cong vs BJP CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — With just one day to go for the filing of nominations for the posts of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor, it will be the Congress versus the BJP in the elections to be held on December 23. The candidates of both the parties would file their nominations for the posts tomorrow — the last date for filing the nominations. No nomination could be filed today. A delegation of the BJP comprising former MP, Satya Pal Jain, party spokesman, Mahaveer Prashad and vice-president, Suresh Verma today met senior leaders at New Delhi and apprised them of the deliberations with the councillors. The high command’s decision would only be known tomorrow when the leaders returned. The Congress, which had
already announced its decision to name the party
candidate on December 17, did not hold any meeting here
today. The party MP, who was supposed to come to the city
today, could not make it today. Now he was likely to come
tomorrow, and the party candidates for the posts would
only be selected after consultations with him, a senior
Congress leader said. |
Plea of consumer body
dismissed CHANDIGARH, Dec 16— The UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr S.S. Lamba, has dismissed an appeal filed by a consumer rights organisation against the trial court’s order dismissing its suit for restraining a cold drink bottling company from carrying out “unfair trade practice”. Alleging unfair practice, Consumers Protectors and city resident Pritpal Singh, in their suit, had earlier stated that Rs 5 was charged for an empty cold drink bottle in addition to the maximum retail price of Rs 6.50 printed on the cap. Refuting the allegations, counsel for the defendants had alleged that the suit was mischievous and misconceived. They had further claimed that no cause of action was there in the plaintiffs’ favour. Pronouncing the orders,
the Additional Sessions Judge observed: “The dispute
cannot be taken to be a public nuisance so as to bring
the suit within the ambit of Section 91 of Cr PC. Thus by
talking from any angle, I do not find any force in the
appeal and the same is hereby dismissed with no order as
to costs”. |
Bodies of two babies found CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — The police recovered the bodies of two new-born babies in Mani Majra here today. According to sources, one new-born was abandoned by Ram Lakhan near the garbage dump of the community centre in Mauli Jagran complex. He later told the police that his wife developed labour pains late last night and he was taking her to a doctor in the complex on his horse-cart, when she reportedly gave birth to the still-born baby. Seeing the deteriorating condition of his wife, he wrapped the baby and threw it on the dump. He later took his wife to the doctor, who referred her to the Sector 16 General Hospital. In the second incident,
another body was found abandoned in a field by a resident
of New Shanti Nagar. The police is investigating. |
Six-month RI for milkman CHANDIGARH, Dec 16— Convicting a Ropar district resident for selling adulterated milk, UT Chief Judicial Magistrate Sant Parkash today sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for six months, besides imposing a fine of Rs 1,000. The convict — Budh Singh — was further directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for another six months in default of payment. He was earlier booked under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. According to the prosecution, the milk fat, as per the public analyst’s opinion, was 26 per cent deficient as against the minimum prescribed standards. The prosecution had added that the accused was carrying skimmed milk in a drum for “public sale” on December 7, 1988, when the sample was taken by inspector M.M. Sharma. The accused, when confronted with the incriminating evidence against him, had, however, denied the allegations. Claiming to be innocent, he had asked for a trial. Arguing before the CJM, counsel for the accused had stated that the milk had not been properly mixed by the food inspector. Convicting the accused, the CJM observed: “The prosecution has been able to establish that the accused was found selling skimmed milk and the same was found to be adulterated on analysis and the case against the accused is established beyond a shadow of reasonable doubt. Thus, the accused is hereby held guilty and convicted for offence under Section 7 (1) punishable (a) (1) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act”. Declining the plea for lenient view, the CJM observed: “Despite the fact that the convict is a first offender, I am of the considered opinion that he does not deserve any leniency while awarding the sentence”. The CJM added: “The
convict has been guilty of keeping in his possession the
item of daily use which is consumed by each and every
individual in society everyday. The adulteration in this
common item can affect the mental as well as physical
health of each and every individual and this type of
convict should be dealt with a heavy hand so that others
may not dare to commit such type of offence”. |
Jerath's application partly
allowed CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — Partly allowing former Chief Engineer K.K. Jerath's application for the supply of certain documents, the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today fixed January 13, 2000, as the next date of hearing. Seeking directions to
the prosecution for the supply of documents, Jerath had
stated that he was being "denied the right of
meeting the allegations at the stage of framing up of
charges". He had stated that he would not be able to
cross-examine the prosecution witnesses "for want of
these vital documents". |
HIV positive murder accused
creates panic CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — Sunken eyes stared at the familiar court walls indifferently as HIV positive Muhammad Zakir scratched his offwhite blood-stained pyjama outside the District and Sessions Judge’s courtroom, oblivious of the danger the lawyers and litigants were being exposed to. Fear gripped the crowd outside the courtroom as they stared at the murder accused Muhammad Zakir sitting on the edge of the concrete slab waiting for the case to be taken up again. He was bleeding from the lower portion of his right buttock. Initially at about 10 a.m., when the accused was brought to the court premises from the Sector 16 General Hospital, no one realised the lurking danger. Then the news, and panic spread. Each one walked with caution maintaining a “safe distance”, looking suspiciously, at Muhammad Zakir. They jumped away from the slab on which he was sitting. No one dared to talk to him, sympathise with him. Hailing form Bihar, Zakir came to Chandigarh about 12 years ago and mingled with local eunuches and started singing along with their party to earn his bread. He contacted the deadly disease in the company of eunuches, about which he came to know about four months ago. Telling his woes, the accused said that he was behind bars because he had strangulated a local resident for abusing him in Punjabi, considering that he does not know the language, being a Bihari. While sitting on a bench outside the session’s court with a “matthi” in his hand, he begged for his dinner. “As the winter is in full swing, the chilly winds pierces the body”, he lamented and asked for a sweater from the gathering around him. A resident of Madhubani district (Bihar), he was arrested by the Chandigarh Police for strangulating Sri Ram to death in Mauli Jagran, near the railway line, on the night of April 30, 1997. A visitor, Mr Lalit Kumar, a resident of Panchkula, said that the court should not call a complainant, a defendant or an accused suffering from such deadly diseases as it scared other people away. The blood-stained bench, he left behind, may transmit the disease to any one who sits on it as no one takes care. Mr Rajan Malhotra, an advocate, opined that such serious patients suffering from deadly diseases should not be allowed to the court as it put the lives of regular visitors at a stake. “The court should give long dates for the hearing of such cases so that they may get proper treatment and could be restrained from visiting the complex”, said advocate Ravinder Pandit. Another advocate, Mr Arunjeev Singh Walia, said that such deadly cases should be taken within jail premises and not in the court complex where thousands of visitors drop every day. The case was today
transferred by the District and Sessions Judge, Mr BS
Bedi, and will be taken up in the court of Additional
Sessions Judge, Mr GS Sandhu, on December 12. |
PU decision on first-year
exams CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 —In a delayed decision for the current session, students of first-year in arts, science and commerce in Panjab University will have to prepare for appearing in examination for environmental studies. The Board of Studies, which met recently, has decided in favour of the examination in 2000. The decision was taken following postponement of the board’s meeting at last twice earlier this month. Students of second year and third year have been granted abstention from appearing in the paper. Sources said that the examination will be conducted only for the first year students. Students who miss the examination or fail to qualify in the examination can re-appear along with the first year students of the subsequent session. Sources said that students who fulfil the existing norm of attending the minimum required of lectures on the topic will be granted relief. The Controller of Examination will overview the whole conduct of examination. The Controller of Examination co-ordinating the process will have to make arrangements for the conduct of the papers either before the annual examination or after their completion. The evaluation system is likely to be ‘graded’. The staff arrangements have to be made keeping in view the work strength during annual examination. A senior committee comprising Dr A.C. Vaid, Prof Ashok Sahni (DUI), Prof Charanjit Chawla, Principal B.D.Budhiraja, Dr A.S. Bedi, Dr J.S. Yadav and Dr R.C. Sobti, among others, attended the meeting to finalise the decision of the conduct of the course in environmental studies. A separate committee comprising Dr Yadav, Prof Chawla, Dr F.S.Nandel, Dr R.C. Sobti and Prof R.K. Kohli has been constituted to look into the paper setting aspect. Panjab University is among very few in the country which has attempted environment education following a Supreme Court suggestion.An earlier attempt of PU had failed. Principals of colleges, however, expressed their reservation against starting the paper. It was suggested that lectures in the subject would be organised by the institutes compulsorily. The examination will only over work the current system. The university will have
to work out the subject material availability aspect in
the paper for private and correspondence studies
candidates, it was pointed out. In this direction, the
question papers will have objective type questions. |
Zonal youth fest ends CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — The Government College for Girls, Sector 11, won the orchestra contest on the concluding day of the zonal youth festival of Panjab University organised by the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, at the Tagore Theatre here today. Sarika won the individual prize in the orchestra contest. Harleen(GCG—11) won the first prize in the ghazal contest. Gurpreet Singh (Ramgarhia College, Ludhiana) and Pawan Middha (DAV, Abohar ) were second and third, respectively. Harinder Hundal (Khalsa College, Ludhiana), Hardeep Rishi (GCG—11) and Maninder (AS College, Khanna) were the winners in the geet contest. Poonam from GCG—11, Suhkjeet Kaur (Ramgarhia College, Ludhiana) and Raj Kumar (Government College, Hoshiarpur) were the winners in the folk song contest. Vaar singing prizes were bagged by GCG—11, Ramgarhia Girls College, Ludhiana, and the Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd. The first place in the histrionics category went to Kamalveer from the Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, the second to Pradeep Soni (DAV, Abohar) and the third to Gurminder Kaur (Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd). The Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, and GGN College, Ludhiana, were first and second, respectively, in the drama category. Harjit Singh from GGN College, Ludhiana, bagged the first prize in the best actors category. Harpreet Kaur (Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana) and Navgagandeep Kaur (Khalsa College, Ludhiana) were second and third, respectively. Mr K.A.P. Sinha, DPI,
Colleges, was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Deepak
Manmohan ,Dean Colleges Development, Panjab University,
presided over the function. Dr Satinder Dhillon,
Principal of the host college, welcomed the guests. The
afternoon session was presided over by Mr H.S. Deol, DPI
(Colleges, Punjab). |
Vande Mataram Yuva Sankalpa CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — The Union Ministry of Culture,Youth Affairs and Sports will organise the Vande Mataram Yuva Sankalpa programme throughout the country from December 19 to January 12 with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan as its nodal body. The National Steering Committee has nominated 18 zonal chairpersons for the 18 zonal steering committees being formed for implementing this programme. The Zonal Steering Committee of Punjab and Chandigarh Zone has formed three universities in Punjab and Chandigarh for conducting this programme. At a meeting held today under the chairmanship of Dr Surender Mohan Sehgal, it was decided that each university organising committee will be provided Rs 1.5 lakh by the central government. One university-level jatha (vande matarm vahini) will move from December 19 to 31 from the university to different colleges in the district so that the entire area is covered. The programme conducted by them will be based on the theme of national integration, patriotism and healthy entrance into the new millennium. Youths in various districts will get together on the midnight of December 31 to welcome the new year with a pledge which will be administered by a public figure. Rallies shall also be conducted on January 1 and 19. Three seminars will be
organised in the universities of the region to focus on
the challenges of the new millennium before humanity.
Besides, a series of essay competitions and awareness
programmes will be organised throughout the state. |
Third World upgrading computer
infrastructure SAS NAGAR, Dec 16 — Developing countries are in the process of upgrading the telecommunication and computer infrastructure, a move towards a global specialised information industry. These sectors are highly dynamic and need training and re-training of manpower at a rapid rate. Stating this at the concluding function of an international training programme on the repair and maintenance of telecom terminal equipment, computers and peripherals, Mr R.S. Khandpur, Director General, CEDTI, New Delhi, and also Director of the local CEDTI, said the demand for technical manpower in these fields had escalated, particularly in the developing nations. The 12-week course, sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs at the CEDTI, was attended by 16 participants from Mauritius, Haiti, Panama, Uzbekistan, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Mongolia. The CEDTI here, which is
an ISO 9002 certified institute, now plans to organise
international-level courses in the latest areas of
networking, multimedia, etc. |
Village in poor state ZIRAKPUR, Dec 16 — Having a population of about 5,000, Bartana lacks civic amenities. The approach road to the village is full of potholes. Villagers have been filling the potholes with mud in the absence of any action by the authorities concerned. Some parts of the village are without water as the panchayat has not been able to provide these areas with water connections. Residents complain that leakage of underground water pipes has been contaminating water supply. Water pressure is low in other parts. There is no government
dispensary or letter box in the village. Trucks parked
along the link road to Zirakpur shift their cargo to
carts on the road, blocking the road. |
Thresher mishap victims assured
relief LALRU, Dec 16 — Grievances of residents of Lalru and its adjoining areas were heard at a meeting held here today. The Political Secretary of Capt Kanwaljeet Singh, Finance Minister of Punjab, promised, early release of Rs 3.5 lakh for about 17 persons who were injured in different thresher accidents, a press note said. Residents of Lalru
highlighted problems of the area and they were assured of
quick redress. |
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Blockage
disrupts work in PGI Sources revealed that some patients had to be shifted out as emergency cases could not be left unattended. With safai karamcharis clearing up the water, things soon returned to normal. Lawyers reiterate demand for
land The Secretary of the Association, Mr Amit Singla, said that the former Deputy Commissioner had agreed to allocate sufficient land for the construction of chambers as per requirement of the association. Mr Singla, however, stated that Mr S.K. Monga, Deputy Commissioner, had expressed his inability to provide land for the chambers and mentioned at a meeting held earlier this month that the administration would not provide funds for any building. The association has also resolved to appeal to the Chief Secretary for the redress of its grievances. Paintings fail to impress Jabbal’s works are amassed with forms of all religious symbols of various Indian beliefs and the ever-present rainbows, which somehow seem to do little to stir either the soul or the spirit. Even his emaciated sparrow-like figures are liberally splashed all over most of his canvases. One of his works with a Krishna and his flute stand out from the rest. The exhibition will remain open till December 30. One Inspector may get
promotion According to sources, the last time an Inspector was promoted was in 1997, although the person to be promoted was given seniority from 1991. With this promotion the number of DSPs will rise to 13. There is so much stagnation that a couple of ASIs recruited in 1969 have been stagnating at the rank of Inspector, while their counterparts in neighbouring states get promoted at fixed intervals. This is because there have been no vacancies over the years, but the situation is likely to ease as the personnel recruited in 1969 start retiring in 1969, the sources say. Punwire
ED granted bail Mr Ved Parkash was arrested after a case was registered against him for failing to deposit Rs 3.39 crore with the Provident Fund Commissioner, Punjab, which was deducted out of the salaries of employees. The judge ordered that Mr Ved Parkash should furnish two local sureties of like amount and deposit his passport with the investigating officer. The court ordered that the accused should not tamper with the records of the company. 1
held for fake documents Giving this information here today, Mr G.P. Singh, SHO, Kharar, said the police got the information that he had a forged stamp of the District Transport Officer, Ropar, and he used to charge money from the people for preparing false driving licences and other documents of vehicles. He has been remanded in judicial custody by the Judicial Magistrate, Kharar. Delightful
function by kids The programme, which commenced with a prayer song, included a gypsy dance and dandia. The action songs presented by the students of nursery and kindergarter classes were a sheer delight. Among the other items were Holi dance, English play, goldy locks, Sua dance, taekwondo, Giddha and Bhangra. Addressing the students, the school Principal, Ms Sarojini N. Masih, said this institution strived for all-round development of citizens. The chief guest at the function was Mr D.S. Saroya, DPI (Schools). SAD,
BJP flay delimitation of wards Five municipal councillors, BJP and SAD representatives said at a press conference here that the town was divided in terms of phases and sectors. However, parts of phases had been merged to create wards in a confused manner. Roads had been named after residents to indicate ward boundaries even though there were house numbers. They said 10 day’s time had been given for filing objections to the notification on wards but the authorities concerned had not yet taken these. Tomorrow was the last day for this purpose, and if the objections were not accepted, a memorandum in this regard would be given to the Punjab Chief Minister on December 18. Saupin's
kids present songs, skits Children of the kindergarten school presented action songs followed by a play, The Wolf and the Seven Kids. Tiny tots of nursery class gave a beautiful presentation of the story The Enormous Turnip and a Punjabi folk dance and bhangra. The students also performed the birth of Lord Jesus titled The Nativity, sending across a message of love and brotherhood that Lord Jesus gave to the mankind. Meanwhile, students of Saupin's School, Panchkula, visited Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, on Wednesday, and interacted with the students of the institute. 466
issued driving licences The special drive, launched by the Punjab Government is aimed at providing the facility at the village level. Driving licences were given to the applicants on the spot, said a press note. Driving tests were conducted by the SHO of Lalru while doctors from the local Government Hospital did the medical check- ups. Dispensary to be shifted Dr V.K. Chopra, Chief Medical Officer of the dispensary said the work of the building was nearly complete and the delay was on account of installation of water and electricity meters. The new building, which is well-lit and ventilated, has enough waiting space for OPD patients. Presently, it will have the office of the CMO and the malaria and family welfare wings. Sources in the Health Department maintain that keeping in view the infrastructure, the dispensary is likely to be equipped with dental wing and laboratory facilities in the near future. Patients are otherwise forced to go to the polyclinic in Sector 22 and wait for long hours. The authorities may consider upgrading it to a polyclinic later. Meanwhile, residents can use the open lawn in front of the dispensary as a park in the evening. Polio
theme of painting contest As many as 50 students from different schools of the area participated in the competition. Harman Mehta stood first while Shammu Kumar was second. Kuldeep Singh won the third prize. The winners were awarded trophies. Dr Daler Singh, in
charge of the hospital, stressed on the need for creating
awareness against polio and said that the disease should
be eradicated. |
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