Fake draft for Rs 3.38 lakh encashed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 3 — A fake bank draft for Rs 3.38 lakh was encashed fraudulently by someone from the Sector 17 branch of the Bank of India.

Mr Vijay Kumar Aggarwal, Branch Manager, said that the draft was withdrawn from the bank.

A case under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of the IPC has been registered.

Succumbs to injuries
A rehriwallah, who used to sell food items, has succumbed to his injuries at the GMCH, Sector 32, Lalla Ram of Mauli Jagran was seriously injured when he was allegedly attacked by four persons over the sale of some items in the Sector 47 market a couple of days ago.

Lalla Ram was rushed to hospital where he died last night. Chunni Lal, also of Mauli Jagran, reported the matter. A case under Sections 304 and 34 of the IPC has been registered.

No arrests have been made so far.

Thief arrested
The police claims to have arrested a resident of Janata Colony, Sector 25, who was involved in at least four cases of theft. Jai Pal was arrested and three cycles, two rickshaws and a water meter have been recovered from his possession. The police said he was involved in at least four cases of stealing cycles and rickshaws. Meanwhile, in another case a stolen cycle has been recovered from Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Gurdaspur. The cycle belonged to a resident of Sector 28, Mr Avtar Singh.

Cyclist hurt
A cyclist, Mr Ajaib Singh, was injured when he was hit by a Maruti Esteem car (PB-11-L-5588) driven by Mr Mandeep Singh of Sector 27. The injured cyclist was admitted to the PGI. A case has been registered.

PANCHKULA

Driver booked
The Chandi Mandir police has registered a case against the driver of the HMT bus which was involved in an accident near Ramgarh last evening.

At least 17 persons were injured when the bus being driven by Ram Krishan crashed into a low lying area along the Panchkula-Naraingarh highway. The police has registered a case against the driver under Sections 279 and 337 of the IPC on a statement given by Sunder Lal.

Knocked down
A pedestrian, Devi Dyal, died after being knocked down by a speeding truck near Kheri village in Raipur Rani yesterday. The police has registered a case against the truck driver on a statement given by Om Parkash, a resident of Kherithana in Raipur Rani.

6 POs held
A special wing of the district police has arrested six proclaimed offenders in separate cases during the past few days.

According to the information available, a police team led by ASI Jagpal Singh Rana arrested Rameshwar, a resident of Mauli Jagran, who was wanted in a case of theft registered in September 1992. He had been declared a proclaimed offender in January 1998.

In another case of theft, Gyan Singh, a resident of Sector 26 in Chandigarh, has been arrested. He had been absconding since September, 1992. In yet another case of theft, Satpal, alias Kalu, who was declared a PO in October, 1997, has now been arrested. He was wanted in another case of theft.

Sishpal, a resident of Bapu Dham Colony in Chandigarh, who was wanted in a case under the Excise Act registered in October, 1985, has also been arrested.

He was declared a PO in the case in October, 1993. In another case under the Excise Act, Harbans Lal of Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh has been arrested.

Cosmic forms on display
by Priti Verma

CHANDIGARH: Shiv Singh is one artist whose name is often heard in the city but his works are not that regularly seen. Even this writer has viewed his creations for the first time though being aware on what pedestal this person is standing.

To say that Shiv Singh’s delineations are par excellence would be an understatement. Making an attempt to describe them is like doing the impossible. The colours used are much more than vibrant. They are so full of life and magnetism that it is difficult to take ones eyes off the frames.

This time he has worked in water colours showing “cosmic forms and life emerging images”. For him cosmos means “forms emerging through sudden change in light. During the day light changes so many times and due to this we see a variety in colours. This very light gives birth to so many things and forms. I am an avid nature watcher and when you watch nature all your senses become alive. I watch the emerging forms and put them on canvas”.

He is better known as a sculptor but Shiv Singh, apart form playing with water colours, can draw also exceptionally well. To tackle the subject of cosmos he chose water colours because of their smoothness which is symbolic of the soft ways of nature. When he sits down to give way to his creative courage, “there is nothing in my mind. There is just space and colours and I play with colours. The forms just emerge”.

The exhibition is open till June 12 at the Alliance Francaise Art Gallery, Sector 36.

Samuel portrays Dalit's pain
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 3 — The hurt, anger, and anguish of being a Dalit in our caste and religion-driven society was played in a moving manner by Samuel Joan today, at the open-air stage of the Punjab Arts Council at Rose Garden in Sector 16. 'Jooth', the play in Punjabi, based on the autobiography of Om Prakash Valmiki, was presented by the Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi, in collaboration with the Chetna Kala manch of Chamkaur Sahib.

Directed by Joan himself, the one-character play was about the bitter experience of being born as a Dalit in a society which even prohibits basic decency to members of a low caste. Telling the tale of of his father and uncles, who would pick the carcasses of animals, and his mother, who would pick up the crap of those born in higher caste, Samuel elicited a hearty applause throughout the production.

The set construction with most of the props draped in black and a ceiling of sorts created by a fish-net in a cobweb manner, along with trash and garbage place right in the middle of the stage, created the dismal ambience of one waiting to be called the "defiled one". 'Jooth' also told the sad story of Om Prakash, who even after moving out of his village to a metropolis like Mumbai, could not escape the truth regarding his being born as a scheduled caste.

The sometime exaggerated tone of both the play and the actor was in accordance with the theme of 'Jooth'. Samuel, has also acted in an 'art film' with Naseeruddin Shah, and is presently busy in children theatre at Chamkaur Sahib. The effect of the play and a highly emotive Samuel, seemingly created such a strong imprint on the minds of the audience that not a soul stirred even after the actor exited from the stage.

Hans dances with kids
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 3 — With a plethora of workshops operating in the city, life for working moms and dads has been made much easier by keeping the kids busy. One such workshop being organised by Ravinder Singh Kalra of Gulmohar Arts today held a unique interactive session with the Punjabi pop singer, Hans Raj Hans, for the 30-odd children attending the workshop, at Gandhi Samarak Bhavan, Sector 16.

Blessing the children, who sat smiling throughout the session quite in awe of the Jhanjhar singer, Hans Raj Hans said that he started singing at a very young age and did not complete his studies, a fact that he always regretted. A father of two sons, aged seven and13, Hans reiterated that it was imperative to educate oneself through formal schooling.

Commenting on the Kargil situation, the Sufi singer said, "What is the lesson being conveyed to our children when we are busy bombing each other? If the walls of Germany can be broken to unite a nation, so can't we two nations live in peace as well?"

With questions ranging from how different is Sufi singing from pop singing and who is behind Hans Raj Hans, the kids also queried about his favourite album and songs.

When an inquisitive child got up to ask that since he had been travelling around the globe where did he get the best response from his audiences, a nostalgic Hans answered that he always got the maximum satisfaction out of singing in his village, under a tree and an open sky. "There is also no fear of the pen of the journalists, when I sing there", he added.

The kids then insisted Hans to climb on to the stage to sing and dance along with them. With Hans singing Jhanjhar along with the kids, it was a sight watched keenly by proud parents.

Later, while talking to newsmen, Hans said that it was not only a particular set of clothes that defined a person. "I wore a long choga for almost 14 years. But that did not make me a fakir. I felt about women at that young age like any other guy would have. And today if I wear jeans that does not make me a crook. I am more of a fakir today, but do let me wear my jeans".

Talking about music in his family, he said, "I started singing when I was very young and still do my riyaz every day. And my wife, a sportswoman, had to listen to the pucca raagas of Salamat Ali, Mehdi Hassan and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan all the time in the house, a sacrifice she made for me. My both sons are fond of singing, and the elder one has now been selected for playing cricket under 14 for India. But I would like my children to concentrate on studies first".

In the evening, Hans Raj Hans gave a performance at SAS Nagar, which formed a part of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth.

Cycle spare parts sales up
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, June 3 — The 50 per cent reduction in the sales tax, including surcharge, on tyres and tubes of bicycles — from 8.8 per cent to 4.4 per cent — and the soaring temperature here have pushed up sales of spare parts of bicycles . Mr Darshan Lal, a bicycle dealer, says the tax on other spare parts remains stable at 4.4 per cent .

The temperature has a direct bearing on the bicycle users as the durability of its accessories decreases due to heat. "During summer season, the sale of its spare parts shows upward trends," Mr Pawan Twatra , a shopkeeper, says.

The price of a standard bicycle tyre varies from Rs 45 to Rs 55, while a tyre of a ranger cycle costs Rs 60. But a heavy duty cotton and nylon made tyre is priced at Rs 80 and Rs 110, respectively. A tube costs Rs 20 and a chain Rs 30.

Similarly, a free wheel and a chain wheel are available for Rs 20 and Rs 40, respectively. A lock ranges from Rs 30 to Rs 35, while a bell costs Rs 15. An axle and a spoke are priced at Rs 10 and Re 1, respectively. The cost of bicycle tube patches of minimum size (100 pieces) vary from Rs 25 to Rs 55 .

The prices of standard bicycles, mostly in use by poor people, vary. Bicycles of companies such as Hero and Avon cost Rs 1,100 each, while the Atlas and Hercules brands are available at Rs 1,180 and Rs 1,350, respectively .

The price range of a bicycle for kids up to the age of 14 years varies from Rs 1,150 to Rs 2,000. For the age group above 14 years, a bicycle is priced between Rs 1,100 and Rs 3600. For girls above 12 years, bicycles such as Hero Miss India and BSA Lady Bird are quoted between Rs 1,700 and Rs 1,800, respectively, while a Hero Devil costs Rs 1,600 .

For boys above 14 years, latest models of bicycles such as Atlas Macho with power brakes, Hero Ranger Swing and Hercules top gear 18 speed are priced at Rs 1,900 , Rs 2700 and Rs 3500, respectively. Likewise, Hero Super 7 adventure series, for children below 14 years, ranges from Rs 1350 to Rs 1500 .

For fitness conscious customers, an 'Exerciser' costs Rs 1,900 for the Atlas make and Rs 3,000 for Hero.

Notwithstanding the latest models of bicycles , their sales have nosedived. Dealers attribute this slump to the rise in temperature and vacation in schools. "The sale of bicycles increases during the start of new academic sessions of schools," a cycle retailer says. He alleges that due to a surge in "scooter culture", the sale of bicycles has sharply decreased in the past couple of years and as a result only children up to the age of 14 years and poor class remain loyal customers.

But despite this disheartening scenario, most bicycle dealers are hopeful that the increase in the level of health awareness among adults, youth and children would boost their business in the near future.

Titles for Sajal Kaushal, Nadia
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, June 3 — Sajal Kaushal, Class VII student of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, and Nadia Saini of DAV Public School, Sector 8, won the sub-junior boys and sub-junior girls singles titles, respectively, in the UT Junior Knockout-cum-League Table Tennis Tournament here today.

Sajal who is just 12 years old took little time in disposing of Mandeep Singh of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 47, 21-9, 21-17 in the main league final. Nadia the winner of the under 12 title, today bagged her second title in the sub-junior girls section though she was taken to task by Ramanpreet Kaur of Ajit Karam Singh Public School, Sector 41, before Nadia wrapped up the match at 17-21, 21-10, 21-15.

Results : Sub-junior league-Under 14: Girls-Ramanpreet b Taranpreet 21-14, 21-9: Arshdeep b Aanchal 21-10, 21-10; Ramanpreet b Sharmistha 21-4, 21-15; Nadia b Aanchal 21-11, 21-6; Taranpreet b Sharmistha 21-11,21-11. Final; Nadia b Ramanpreet 17-21, 21-10, 21-15.

Sub-junior league- Boys: Aditya Puri b Amit Kumar 21-18, 11-21, 27-25; Mandeep Singh b Vaibhav 21-7, 21-12; Aditya b Vaibhav 21-18, 19-21, 21-19; Sajal Kaushal b Abhishek Chauhan 21-11, 21-11; Mandeep Singh b Amit Kumar 17-21, 21-16, 21-14; Jatinder b Rachit Goyal 21-17, 21-18.

Sajal Kaushal b Rachit Goyal 21-13, 19-21, 21-17; Jatinder b Abhishek 20-22, 21-10, 21-16; Mandeep Singh b Aditya Puri 20-22, 21-16, 21-14; Rachit Goyal b Abhishek 21-18, 19-21, 21-18; Vaibhav b Amit Kumar 21-18, 12-21, 21-17; Sajal Kaushal b Jatinder 21-14, 21-18; Final Sajal Kaushal b Mandeep 21-9, 21-17.

Seeded player upset

Jagdev Mann created a latter in the boys first round when he upset seeded player Ramanpreet in straight games at 25-11, 23-5 in the second St Stephen’s Ranking Carrom Tournament which began here today at St Stephen’s School, Sector 45.

All the other seeded players had a smooth sailing into the next round

Results: Men Singles-First Round: Sumit b Varinder Malik 13-25, 25-3, 22-16; Vinod Vashisht b Gurinder 19-8, 23-16; Mangat Singh b Mukesh Piplani 5-22, 16-11, 24-13; Amarinder Dhillon b Taranpreet 11-18, 25-8, 22-15; Jagdev Mann b Paramdeep Singh 25-5, 25-9;

Om Parkash b Manoj Bhan 25-0, 25-1.

Junior boys — First round; Chharuk Goyal b Varun 25-0, 23-14; Rozario b Gurinder 25-5, 25-5; Sumit b Arpan Singhi 25-0, 25-0; Sanjay Negi b Randhir Kalsi 25-5-, 25-0; Jagdev Mann b Ramanpreet 25-11, 23-5; Davinderjit b Abhishek 22-4, 25-0; Randhir Singh b Sawesh Mishra 25-0, 25-0; Paramdeep b Amrinder Dhillon 22-6, 22-19; Gagandeep b Varun 25-0, 25-0.

Sub junior boys — First round: Ramanpreet b Praful 25-0, 25-0; Sahil b Nakul Gupta 25-4, 25-0; Sumit b Taranpreet 22-8, 25-4; Hasneet b Yuvraj 25-0, 25-0; Ravinder b Nitin 25-0, 5-25, 21-17; Mohit b Taranjit Lottey 25-0, 25-0.

Women singles — First round: Veena Dumra b Pallavi 25-4, 25-0; Puneet Lamba b Kamlesh Devi 19-11, 25-7.

Total tennis

The YMCA Total Tennis Tournament which is going to be held at Lake Club, Sector 6, from June 7 to 13 will see the introduction of a new event rarely played in tennis — parent and child event.

This new event in which parent and child play as a team will certainly improve the coordination in the parent and child thereby increasing the awareness in this game, said Mr Devender Kapoor, Organising Secretary of the tournament.

The Sports Department, Chandigarh, had extended all possible help in making this tournament a great success, said Mr Kapoor.

The participants will be from the entire northern India and boys in the age group of under 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 will compete while the girls events would be held in under 16 and 18 only.

Mr Satish Chandra, MD, CITCO, will inaugurate the meet.