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Wednesday, January 20, 1999
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C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
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Wednesday, January 20, 1999 |
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Preserve city’s basic plan:
Chhibber CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Administrator of Chandigarh, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), today underlined the need to preserve the basic character of Chandigarh Master Plan. City Centre cries for care PANCHKULA, Jan 19 — City Centre in Sector 5, which has been conceived as an ultra-modern shopping centre, is bereft of basic amenities, despite the fact that at least 20 shop-cum-offices have come up here. |
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Shopkeeper
gets bail in generator case
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Preserve city’s basic plan:
Chhibber CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Administrator of Chandigarh, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), today underlined the need to preserve the basic character of Chandigarh Master Plan. Speaking at the Administrator’s Advisory Council meeting at UT Guest House here, General Chhibber suggested taking the long and short-term steps to meet the realities of growth of population and demand for housing for weaker sections and lower income group in particular and also allow new avenues of employment and economic activity in the city. He also talked about an action plan to be implemented jointly with Punjab and Haryana to ensure orderly growth and development to meet the future needs in and around Chandigarh. The Administration has engaged a team of leading town planners under Mr E.F.N. Ribeiro to prepare a basic proposal. He cautioned that the character, beauty and ecology of the city would not be allowed to be degraded at any cost. About extension of "lal dora", General Chhibber said that the Administration had taken a considered decision to meet the genuine requirements of the people, without encouraging racketeering by private dwellers in league with vested interests. It was necessary to plan for growth in order to forestall unplanned growth and the regularisation, which the Administration was allowing should not be treated as the green signal for anybody to build whatever he liked. Talking about the grant of photo identity cards to those engaged in informal avocations, the Administrator said that 2,274 street professionals or roadside workers have been identified by the Estate Office. He also welcomed the views of the members on the report about simplification of the procedure for conversion of leasehold property to freehold. As urban issues figured at the meeting, the Adviser to the Administrator, Mr Jagdish Sagar, spoke about all the three main items on the agenda and also about steps being taken by the Administration. The local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, congratulated the Administration on various initiatives for the welfare of the needy and the poor besides responding to various demands of the people of the union territory. Mr Pawan Bansal, Mr Venod Sharma, were others who participated in the debate on each of the urban issues discussed. Mrs Meenakshi Dutta Ghosh, Mrs Anuradha Gupta, Dr G. Vajralingam, Mr R.P. Singh, Mr S.K. Gathwal, Mr R.K. Rao, Mr S.K. Midha, Dr V.K. Kak were the official members who took part in the deliberations.
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City Centre cries for care PANCHKULA, Jan 19 — City Centre in Sector 5, which has been conceived as an ultra-modern shopping centre, is bereft of basic amenities, despite the fact that at least 20 shop-cum-offices have come up here. The owners, who over the years have bought the commercial sites at high rates, rue the day they purchased the sites, anticipating business viability. The absence of basic amenities like concrete paths, streetlights and public toilets are proving to be a major hindrance in attracting business, they complain. A visit by a Tribune team revealed that the cause of unhappiness of the owners was not unfounded. No concrete path has been provided in front of the SCOs which have already been constructed, especially in front of the row from No. 173 to 185. The open space in front of the building is replete with wild growth. Mr Rakesh Kumar, an owner of an SCO, alleged that HUDA was charging a heavy interest on the balance amount and the development works in the area had not been completed. He maintained that he had suffered a heavy loss as there were no tenants in the absence of amenities. Another owner lamented that HUDA had been jacking up the prices of the SCOs with each passing auction but there was little to offer to those willing to buy the sites. A study of the recent auctions corroborated the fact that there had been few takers for the SCOs in the centre. Mr Vivek Wahi, another allottee said; "I purchased a plot in 1997 for Rs 65 lakh with a view to starting business but I have still not recovered the money spent in raising the building". HUDA officials, however, say the development of the City Centre was in progress.
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Encroachments galore CHANDIGARH, Jan 19— In the absence of any drive by the authorities concerned, it is encroachments galore in the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) flats in Sector 47-C here. A visit to the sub-sector today revealed that the road berms had virtually disappeared as ground floor residents had encroached upon government land in front of their houses. Angle irons, barbed wires and even pucca concrete structures on both sides of the roads had made the roads narrower, resulting the motorists being inconvenienced. Besides this, pedestrians are at the receiving end as the residents wash their cars on the roads against the rules. The accumulated water coupled with heavy traffic on the roads have created pot-holes on the roads at many places. "Water flowing perennially is a cause of nuisance and this coupled with the pot-holed roads has made life miserable for pedestrians", complained a resident. The residents, particularly the elderly and children, find it difficult to move around, especially during night time, other residents alleged. As most of the owners of the corner flats have erected hedges and other concrete structures, the area has become accident-prone as motorists have to negotiate blind curves. Meanwhile, the "illegal" construction activity in the flats, often in violation of the building bylaws, has only added to the problems of the residents. Construction material lie dumped on the roads for the days together, obstructing the movement of vehicles in spite of the decision of the MCC to levy penal charges on dumping of construction material on public places and roads. Certain other residents alleged that despite these problems being taken up with the civic body many a time, nothing has been done to remedy the situation.
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Tailor quizzed in Beant case CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, who held court at the high-security Burail jail, today recorded the evidence of Mr Amarjit Singh Sidhu, a tailor of Patiala, in the ongoing Beant Singh assassination case. During his examination-in-chief Mr Sidhu stated that Balwant Singh and Dilawar Singh were known to him about 10 years before the incident in which the then Punjab Chief Minister was killed outside the Punjab and Haryana secretariat. Mr Sidhu deposed before the Judge that Balwant Singh and Dilawar Singh had come to him on July 1, 1995, for the purpose of getting their uniforms stitched (both of them were Punjab cops). On July 3, they took away their clothes. CBI Counsel S.K. Saxena, Mr R.K. Handa and Mr R.K. Malhotra told the court that on January 20, 1996, Balwant Singh was taken to Patiala with a view to investigating the matter. They claimed that Balwant Singh stopped near the Sidhu tailor shop. During his cross-examination, Mr Sidhu revealed that he had eight to 10 employees for the purpose of stitching clothes. He told the court that he was the sole proprietor of the tailoring shop. On being further quizzed, Mr Sidhu said in his absence his assistant Charan Dass looked after the shop. It was Charan Dass who signed the measurement book maintained in the shop. And Mr Sidhu identified the handwriting of his assistant on counterfoil nos. 700, 713, 714, 719, 720 and 721. He told the court that he used to write particulars of clients in the measurement book both in English and in Punjabi. As for Charan Dass, he wrote only in Hindi. If both Mr Sidhu and Mr Charan Dass were away, said this witness, then any of their "karigars" who worked at the shop could do the measurement work and write in the book particulars about the clients.
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Id celebrated with gaiety CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Id-ul-Fitr was celebrated in different parts of the city and surrounding areas with usual fervour and gaiety. Muslims and other residents of the city assembled at various mosques to greet each other and to offer prayers on the occasion. Addressing the gathering at the Sector 20 Jama Masjid here the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), called upon the people to take a pledge on the pious day to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and amity between different communities. He said by living peacefully the people of the city who were from different backgrounds, were setting an example for the countrymen. To enable the minorities to live without fear, the Administration was taking every possible step. The Administration was committed to protecting the rights of the people belonging to minority communities. Maulana Azmal Khan of Jama Masjid also addressed the gathering. Meanwhile, the National Muslim Welfare Movement has urged the government to save the minority communities in the country. Dr Anwar Ali, general secretary of the organisation, who was speaking at an 'Id Milan' here today said that minorities were being attacked in different parts of country by certain frustrated elements. While appealing to the people to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood, Dr Ali said that the government should take every step to ensure the safety of the people belonging to the minority communities. Id prayers were held at the Sector 26 Noorani Masjid, and the Sector 29 Madina Masjid. In addition to this, an Id-Milan samaroh was organised by the Madrasa Eizah-ul-Uloom Mujaddidi at the Mani Majra Idgah. According to a press note by the Muslim Intezamia Committee, thousands of people offered prayers at Buterla, Maloya, Dhanas milk colony and at Mohali.
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Shopkeeper gets bail in generator
case CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr G.S. Sandhu, today granted bail to Varinder Jindal, proprietor of Jindal Electricals, Sector 21-A, Chandigarh, who had allegedly connived with Yash Pal Saggi in a conspiracy in charging higher than the billed amount for a 500 kva generating set installed at the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32. Mr Sandu ordered that Jindal be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety to the satisfaction of the Ilaqa Magistrate or Duty Magistrate. According to the prosecution, a contract for the installation of 500 kva generating set at the Sector 32 hospital was allotted to him for Rs 30,97,838. During the course of enquiry it was found that Jindal Electricals was merely an eyewash and paper company. Actually, Y.P. Saggi of Messrs Saggi Electricals, Sector 17, Chandigarh, was carrying on the job. The prosecution added that Mr Saggi purchased one Kirloskar alternator on November 15, 1997, from Industrial Equipment Company in Sector 26 for a sum of Rs 250,000 plus taxes and sent the same to the Medical College and Hospital for installation. Mr Saggi made full payment of that equipment which was Rs 316,000 through Jindal Electricals. It was alleged that Mr Saggi with mala fide intention tampered with challan 2118 dated November 15, 1997, and by adding figure one made it to Rs 12,50,000 instead of Rs 2,50,000. It was added that on the basis of forged documents the amount was withdrawn from the Electrical department of the Chandigarh Administration. In doing so a financial loss of Rs 8,80,000 was caused by Saggi in connivance with Varinder Jindal.
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Swami Vivekananda's teachings CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The National Youth Week being celebrated throughout Punjab to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, concluded at a function at Government College for Girls, Sector 11, here today. Students presented a colourful "Select Item" programme on the occasion. A total of 12 items comprising skits, mime, folk dances, group songs and group folk songs were put up. ‘Giddha’, ‘Bhangra’ and the Haryanavi dance elicited tremendous response from the audience. Besides the cultural programme, the students also spoke about the life and work of Swami Vivekananda and projected the India of his dreams through their speeches. The participating students had come from Patiala, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Ferozepore, Nakodar, Barnala, Batala and Malout. Prizes for various competitions held all over Punjab were given away. Mrs Harsimrat Kaur, Secretary, Government of Punjab, Department of Youth Services, who presided said that the teachings of Swami Vivekananda were more relevant now than ever before. Brig S.S.Kaler, Director, Youth Services, called upon the youth to play a constructive role in national reconstruction.
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Id holiday today CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Chandigarh Administration has declared a public holiday tomorrow on account of Id-ul-Fitr. The Administration had declared January 19 as a restricted holiday in all government offices, institutions, boards and corporations for Id.
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Dharna before MCC office on Jan
22 CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Chandigarh Territorial Youth Congress (CTYC) will organise a dharna outside the office of the Medical Officer of Health of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh in Sector 17 on January 22 to protest against the insanitary conditions in the city. Mr Chander Mukhi Sharma, president of the CTYC, alleged today that due to the indifferent attitude of the civic body, garbage disposal continued to be poor in UT, exposing the residents to serious health hazards. The stray cattle menace
compounded the problem, he said. 172 students donate blood CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — As many as 172 students donated blood to the Blood Bank Society of the PGI at a camp organised by the NSS unit of SGGS College, Sector 26, here today. Earlier, a safe-blood talk was arranged by the Punjab unit of the Red Cross Society of India. The camp held to commemorate 300 years of the Khalsa was inaugurated by Mr D.S. Mangat, DPI, Colleges. The Principal appreciated the students for turning up in large numbers despite a strike call given by a students' union.
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AIDS awareness camp CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — An AIDS awareness camp was organised by the Food Craft Institute in Sector 42 here today. Dr Ajay Wanchoo from the Department of Internal Medicine, PGI, and Dr Ajit Awasthi from the Department of Psychiatry, PGI, delivered lectures. The question-answer and
counselling sessions were held in which students were
cleared of their doubts through a discussion with
experts. Students' delegation meets Adviser CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — On the eighth day of the indefinite strike by students of Government College, Sector 11, a delegation of the joint co-ordination committee, met the Adviser to the Administrator, Mr Jagdish Sagar, here today. The students submitted a memorandum to him about illegal detention of Amrit Pal Singh Brar by the police and demanded action against the Principal. The Adviser has asked for time to resolve the matter. Meanwhile, the students have planned to block the road in front of the college on January 21 if no decision is communicated to them by tomorrow. Two students, Sukhwinder Singh and Gurdial Singh, are on an indefinite fast since yesterday evening.
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Blankets distributed CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — Members of the Lions Club, Chandigarh Greater, distributed 250 blankets among the needy in the city last night. According to press note,
the blankets had been contributed by the club members. Survey on to detect TB, blindness
CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The UT Health department is conducting a house-to-house survey to identify the cases of blindness, TB, leprosy and sexually transmitted diseases in the rural areas and slums of Chandigarh. The survey will be carried out in collaboration with the District Blindness Control Society. Doctors have imparted training to field workers on the survey.
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Katia case adjourned CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today recorded the statements of three defence witnesses in the Katia molestation case. They included Jasbir Singh and Ashwani Kumar. All the witnesses denied the allegations. They told the court that they had been falsely implicated in the case. Mr Sant Parkash adjourned
the case to February 12 for arguments. HC Bar body ends Judge's boycott CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association today called off its 12-day boycott of Mr Justice G.C. Garg, a Judge of the High Court. According to Mr G.C.
Dhuriwala, president of the association, the boycott was
called off following a categorical assurance given by Mr
Justice R.S. Mongia, another HC Judge, that all civic
amenities would be restored to Mr J.S. Yadav, an
advocate, who is tenant in the judge's house, the
Restorer to the Judge, Mr Paul Chand, would be removed
from the ground floor of the house and no harassment
would be caused to the Yadav family. |
Deepa-headed
group wins 98 seats CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — A group of Senators headed by the Rajinder Deepa-Deepak Manmohan-Randeep Surjewala group has won 98 seats out of the 165 seats of added members. The other group led by G.K. Chatrath-Sneh Mahajan has over 67 seats to its credit. These members in the added faculty are elected by sitting Senators. The 165 elected members will vote in the next Senate elections to choose a total of six Senators who will contest from the five major, minor faculties of Law, Arts, Medical Science, Science and Languages. The combined Faculty, the sixth, consists of the faculties of Business Management and Commerce, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Design and Fine Arts, Dairying and Agriculture, Engineering Technology and Education. Ballot papers with names of candidates are issued to the Senators on the basis of the two minor faculties they have opted for. The candidates were ranked in order of preference by the Fellows who submitted their papers to Prof Paramjit Singh, Returning Officer, yesterday. The counting was over by 4.30 p.m.this evening. The added members in the various faculties are: Medical Science: Dr Amrit Tewari, Dr A.K. Gupta, Dr B.K. Sharma, Dr H.S. Chawla, Dr Kartar Singh, Dr Kuldip Chander, Dr Mohan Verghese, Dr R.C. Bhatia, Dr S.S. Grewal. Science: Dr Amar Shobha, Mr Amar Singh, Mr Anil Sood, Dr D.V. Rai, Mrs Gurvinder Kaur, Dr K.P. Singh, Dr (Mrs) Manjit Kaur, Mr M.S. Bhalla, Dr Naval Kishore, Mr Rajinder Kapoor, Mr Sat Pal Saini, Dr Mrs S.C. Nistandra, Dr S.M. Sehgal, Mr S.P. Dhawan, Dr S.S.K. Sharma, Dr Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Dr Tejvir Singh, Dr V.K. Vats, Mr Yash Paul Makkar. Law: Mr Anupam Gupta, Mr A.K. Walia, Ms Daya Chaudhary, Mr Deepak Thapar, Mr K.S. Ahluwalia, Mr Kapil Kakkar, Mr R.K. Chugh, Mr R.C. Chatrath, Mr Ravinder, Mr S.K. Sharma, Dr Sukhdev Singh, Mr Sushant Maini, Mr Vikrant Sharma. Languages: Mr Ajeet, Mr Baljit Singh, Mr G.S. Dua, Dr Gurinder Kaur, Mr Harbans Singh, Dr Hardiljeet Singh, Mr K.B.S. Sodhi, Mr R.S. Pannu, Dr S.P. Singh. Arts: Mr A.S. Grewal, Mrs Amrit Walia, Dr Anil Monga, Mr A.K. Berry, Mr B.P. Yadav, Mr D.S. Pannu, Mr D.P. Sharma, Ms Gurpreet Kalra, Mrs Harinder Dhillon, Dr Jaspal Kaur, Mrs Jind Kaur, Dr J.M. Jerath, Mrs Kamlesh Garg, Mr K.K. Sharma, Dr K.K. Anand, Dr K.K. Sharma, Mr K.G. Bansal, Mr Kulwant Singh, Mr Lachhman Singh, Mr P.K.Sharma, Mr Parneet Singh, Dr Parmod Sangar, Dr Rajivlochan, Mrs Rupinder Gill, Mr S.K..Gupta, Mr S.N.Sharma, Mr S.P. Sabharwal, Dr Suresh Tandon, Dr Surinder Paul, Dr Vijay Kataria, Mrs Vipin Sobti. Education: Dr Asha Gupta, Mr A.S. Dhaliwal, Mr C.K. Jerath, Dr D.S. Toor, Mr G.S. Goyal, Dr R.S. Brar, Dr H.S. Kalile, Dr H.S. Sidhu, Dr Jagdish, Dr J.S. Brar, Ms Javir Chahal, Mr Jaswant Singh, Dr Joginder Mukherjee, Dr Jyoti Khanna, Dr Kiran Chopra, Mr Malkiat Singh, Dr M.L. Jaidka, Ms Pushpa Batra, Dr R.S. Asija, Dr R.S. Brar, Dr R.S. Mangat, Dr Satinder Pal Kaur, Mr Siddeshwar Sharma, Dr S.N.Sharma, Dr S.N. Sarma, Mrs Surinder Gill, Mr S.S. Saini, Dr Tripta Sharma. Engineering: Dr A.M. Kalra, Mr H.C.S. Berry, Dr Yash Chopra. Dairying and Agriculture: Dr C.L. Duggal, Dr Kumkum Kohli, Dr Digambar Behera, Mr Raj Gopal Garg, Dr Sukhbir Kaur. Pharmaceutical Sciences: Mr A.K. Mahajan, Dr P.D. Sharma, Dr V.R. Sinha. Design and Fine Arts: Ms Asha Lama, Dr D.S. Narula, Ms Harpreet Kaur, Prof Jodh Singh, Mrs Meera Madan, Mrs Pushpa Verma, Mr Satish Kumar, Mrs Savita Uppal, Mrs Shubhniti Saini, Dr Simmi R. Singh, Ms Surinder Kaur, Mrs Uma Paul, Mrs Vijay Lakshmi. Business Management and Commerce: Mr A.K. Parti, Mr A.K. Malhotra, Mr A.K. Sood, Mr Ashok Singla, Mr B.S. Grewal, Dr B.B. Tandon, Dr Bidhi Chand, Mr B.S. Moondi, Mr Dalip Singh, Mr Darshan Kumar Mittal, Mr H.R. Saini, Dr Jagwant Singh, Mr J.L. Aggarwal, Mr J.R. Prashar, Dr Keshav Malhotra, Mr Kiran Dutt, Mr M.P. Sharma, Mr Paramjit Singh, Dr R.M. Behl, Mr R.C. Kaushal, Dr R.K. Dixit, Mr R.K. Miglani, Mr R.L. Behl, Mr Shashi Gupta, Mrs Sita Verma, Dr S.K. Chadha, Mr SP Sehgal, Mr Udesh Ghai, Dr Vijay Asdhir, Mr V.P. Gaur. Interaction session: Nine Swedish students visiting the university under the Youth Exchange Programme interacted with students of the Department of Law. Miss Parul Sharma, student of LLM in Sweden, said that the affection of the Indians was overwhelming. Discussing the difference in the legal system and the stigma attached to divorce, Mr Thomas pointed out that people in a divorce case parted amicably while Indians raised a hue and cry about divorce. The students later interacted with the Panjab University Students' Council. Its President DPS Randhawa elucidated on the activities of the council, the poll process and the council's functioning.
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Man
consumes poison, dies CHANDIGARH, Jan 19 — A resident of Sector 8, Mr Ram Pal, died at the PGI today as he had consumed a poisonous substance at his house and was admitted to the PGI last night. He was residing in a government house provided in the Civil Dispensary, Sector 8, according to police sources. * * * * * Seven injured: Seven persons, including a woman, have been injured in four separate road accidents in the city. Four persons travelling in a Maruti car were injured when their vehicle collided with bus near Chandigarh-S.A.S. Nagar border. All the four injured persons — Ajay Kumar, Devinder Singh, Mohinder Singh and Deep Kumar — are residents of Dhanas village. They have been admitted to the PGI. Swaran Kaur of Sector 24 was injured when her cycle collided with a motor cycle in the same sector. A pedestrian, Om Pal, was hit by autorickshaw near the PGI sarai. Lastly, Sanjay Malhotra of Kulu fell down from a moving truck in the Mani Majra market and sustained injuries. * * * * * Driver arrested: A car driver, Yashpal, was arrested by the police on Tuesday for alleged negligent and rash driving. Yashpal was driving a Maruti car. He has been booked under Section 279 of the IPC. * * * * * Falls from roof: A resident of hostel no. 6 , Panjab University, Denis, was injured when he reportedly fell off the roof of the hostel. * * * * * Driver held: A Haryana Roadways bus driver, Mam Chand, has been arrested by the police for crushing a 20-year-old girl, Heena Chopra, to death near Sector 17 and 18 roundabout on Monday. * * * * * Arrested: Three
persons — Manohar Lal, Lal Singh and Teji — who
had been declared proclaimed offenders in separate cases
have been arrested by the police. |
A
lacklustre fashion show SAS NAGAR, Jan 19 — A fashion show-cum-musical evening organised here did not impress the audience much. The show, Aayeena-99, organised by Doubloon in association with the Punjab unit of the National Federation of the blind, started more than an hour late at a local hotel with five-year-old Divanshi Mishra presenting kathak. There were eight rounds presented by the models — the "sari", "slip dress", "suit" ("Apna Punjab Howe"), "Billie Jean", "women in black", "winter", "night suit" and "lehanga" rounds. The models were Jaspreet, Kritika, Sonia Aggarwal, Kavita, Candy Brar, Ruhi Baruah, Kiran and Angel. The choreography for the show was done by Jonita Doda. However, the light and sound arrangements left much to be desired. The dance floor, which was used as the ramp, was small. Two children — Dimple
and Akash Nagpal — enthralled the audience with
their dances. Harjit Singh, a blind student studying in
MA, presented ghazals. |
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