& V I C I N I T Y
Sunday, March 14, 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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Sunday, March 14, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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No private student has
given proof of attendance Splash
of colour at fest Spurt
in AIDS cases
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Gas
company told to pay cost
‘Politicians, bureaucrats
don’t seem to care’ “Govt
responsible for farmers’ ruin” Showers
of pure melody |
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Splash of
colour at fest PANCHKULA, March 13 — Fragrance of marigold and other seasonal flowers transformed the Town Park in Sector 5 in to a mini “valley of flowers” as the Spring Fest 99 started off with a splash of colour here today. The 15-acre lush green garden was decked up with different configurations of coloured flags pegged all over. Folk dancers of various states and a Haryana Police band from Madhuban playing melodious tunes attracted the holiday revellers. While the animal topiaries attracted children the flower lovers were busy admiring dahlias, phloxs, pansies and other entries of seasonal flowers, received in different categories of flower competitions. The entries would be on display during the two-day festival. In the morning there was hardly any rush of visitors. HUDA officials expect the rush to swell in the evening. As had been the practise during the earlier festivals, the stalls selling eatables and consumer durables have been allowed in open space opposite the garden. In the afternoon, the centre of activity shifted to the Yavanika open air theatre where the contestants in painting competitions could be seen putting their artistic skills to test. While the younger ones were asked to resurrect the scene of a festival, the senior ones were told to express the menace of pollution through their drawings. The fancy dress competition for children up to six years of age saw the tiny tots trying to put their best foot forward peppered with acts of mischief. Their parents could also be seen cheering up their wards. Every act of the tiny tots earned an applause from the audience. The best garden in the city event, started for the first time, was bagged by Hans Raj Public School of Sector 6. Besides, a record 1960 entries in different categories of flowers competitions were received as compared to 1800 entries last year. The Governor of Haryana,
Mr Mahabir Prasad, who inaugurated the festival went
around the garden. While stressing the importance of
plants in conserving nature, he said the flower industry
had become a booming business. He cited the example of a
number of countries which were earning from export of
flowers. The importance of plants for medicinal purposes
were also pointed out by the Governor. |
Spurt in
AIDS cases in region CHANDIGARH, March 13 — Going by the number of HIV-positive cases being detected by experts at the PGI, it is evident that AIDS is on the rise in north-western states of the country. Experts on AIDS are worried about the high number of HIV-positive cases for every thousand of people that are screened. The number of cases reporting at the PGI has jumped by nearly 160 per cent during the past four years. And the graph is only going upwards, said a doctor. Going by the figures supplied by the PGI to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), the number of HIV-positive cases in 1995 was 106. Comparing this with 1998, the figure stood at 279. This year in January, a total of 20 positive cases were detected at the PGI. A doctor who is involved with the State AIDS Prevention and Control Society said maximum number of cases are from among the migrants. However, urban youth also form a large number. Sadly, despite the rise in number, several persons are unaware of the emergence of the problem on such a large scale. In 1995, the number of cases per 1000 persons was 33.49, or 3.3 percent of all screenings. In 1998, the number went up to 46.11 per 1000, or 4. 6 per cent. If the figures of January this year — 20 positive cases out of 356 persons — are taken as a pointer, then the percentage is close to 5. A majority of the cases are of those people, suffering from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), indicating a rise in sexual promiscuity. Another segment is of drug users. Few have contracted the disease from possible blood transfusion. Screening of cases at the PGI is through voluntary means and cases are referred from the various departments of the PGI, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, and the General Hospital, Sector 16. Alarmed at the rise in cases, the local AIDS Prevention and Control Society has posted counsellors at the PGI. A counsellor will be posted at blood banks and STD clinics in PGI, GMCH, and General Hospital, Sector 16. The counsellors will be qualified social scientists. Besides, special education
programmes are to be launched for truck drivers in
association with the Society for Service to Voluntary
Agencies and for rickshaw pullers in association with the
Family Planning Association of India. Medicines will be
given free of cost to those having HIV-positive cases and
to health care workers who are accidentally exposed to
the virus-carrying patients. |
Chhibber
shown black flags CHANDIGARH, March 13 — Residents of Sector 42 waved black flags as the motorcade of the Administrator Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber, passed through the sector enroute to the Food Crafts Institute here today. They were protesting against the “indifferent” attitude of the administration towards the sector. Mr Shiv Kumar and Mr Naresh Arora, presidents of the Residents and Market Association, respectively, said they had been running from pillar to post to get their demands met but to no avail. Today when they came to know that the Administrator was visiting the institute to lay a foundation stone, they tried to present a memorandum to him but were not allowed to do so by the police. Despite attempts by the police to disperse them they stuck to their stand by waving black flags as the Administrator passed by. Following this, a deputation was allowed to submit a memorandum to the ADC. Major demands of the Residents Welfare Cooperative Society include development of playgrounds, clearing all open spaces of wild vegetation and lifting of garbage. Slow pace of work to complete a roundabout was also decried by them. Blocked sewers, frequent
power breakdowns and non-functioning streetlights,
non-construction of a community centre and
“janjghar” and shifting of the dairies being
run in Attawa village were also highlighted. Lack of
toilets and parking area in the market were other grouses
of the traders.
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1 dies as
car falls into Ghaggar PANCHKULA, March 13 — One person died after the Tata Sumo which he was driving fell into the Ghaggar river while crossing the Nadha Sahib bridge, late last night. The deceased, Bobby, a resident of Devinagar village, was going from Panchkula to Ramgarh when the vehicle slammed into the side-railing on the bridge before falling at least 25 feet down into the river. The vehicle belonged to Mr
Om Parkash, a resident of Devinagar village. The badly
damaged vehicle was salvaged from the river this morning. |
No private
student has given proof of attendance CHANDIGARH, March 13 — Private students of the final year in undergraduate classes in Panjab University who have not attended the mandatory seven lectures in environmental studies are a worried lot. Students have been asked by the university to submit certificates of having attended the lectures before the commencement of examinations on April 1. Highly-placed sources in the Examination Branch confirmed that not a single student had submitted the certificate till Friday afternoon. There are approximately 10,000 private candidates in the final year. Sources said there could be two reasons for this: not having submitted the certificates. Either the decision of the university dated March 1,1999 not to conduct the annual examination in environmental studies this year had not been properly conveyed or there was a large number of students’ who had not attended the lectures. The sources, however, said the crisis could largely be ascribed to a fault on the part of the students. The university had made attendance in at least 16 lectures mandatory at the beginning of the session. If they had not attended the same, there was little the authorities could do at such a late stage. The situation has been aggravated further by the decision of teachers of private colleges to boycott teaching from March 15. Mr P.S. Sangha, Principal of SGGS College, Sector 26, said a few students had approached him for classes but the college had no proposal to conduct any class. Dr A.C.Vaid, Principal of GGDSD College, Sector 32, said more than 50 students had enquired about special lectures. The college had completed its lectures. But if the need was persistent, it could consider organising lectures around March 22, he added. The Principals of DAV College, Sector 10, and the Government College for Men, Sector 11, said they had also completed their lectures and had no proposal of holding special classes. Another opportunity for private candidates could have been to attend lectures at the Department of Correspondence Studies.However, in a major decision, the department has decided to conduct the mandatory seven lectures after the completion of the annual examination. Dr Santosh Sharma said due to the late decision of the university not to conduct the annual examination, the department could not hold the lectures. As a large number of students were employed and others were scattered all over the state, it was not possible for them to travel and attend personal contact programmes at such a short notice. The mandatory seven lectures will be completed within two days sometime after the annual examination and students will be issued the necessary certificates. A formal permission in this regard has been obtained from the authorities concerned. The department had no problem in case students managed to attend lectures in colleges affiliated with the university and produced the relevant certificates, the chairperson added. These private candidates
could be allowed to attend lectures after the completion
of the examination, as had been allowed in the case of
Department of Correspondence Studies, a student leader
said. |
FCI training
centre stone laid CHANDIGARH, March 13 —Lieut-Gen. (retd) B.K. N. Chhibber, Governor of Punjab, today laid the foundation stone of the Applied Hotel Crafts Training Centre at the Food Craft Institute, Sector 42, here today. The four-storeyed centre will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore for imparting practical training to students. The ceremony was part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the institute. Speaking on the occasion, General Chhibber said that due to little stress on vocational training in the country, a large number of youths remained unemployed. He underlined the need to start ventures which encouraged professionalism. The Governor hoped that the training centre would meet the requirement of more hotel beds in the city as it was fast emerging as an important tourist destination. He also released the annual magazine of the institute called cater craft’. In her welcome address, Mrs Anuradha Gupta, Home Secretary, said that with the completion of the project, the FCI would become the first institute in the country to have an in-house facility for training students. She highlighted the achievements of the institute since it moved in to a new building in 1994. She said that students recorded 100 per cent placement and were recruited by the best hotel chains in the country. Mr Ashok Shivapuri, the Principal of the institute, proposed the vote of thanks.The Chief Architect, Mr S.K. Midha and Mr R.K. Jain, Chief Engineer, were also present on the occasion. According to the available
information, the training centre will have an area of
about 40,000 square feet. Besides 24 double-bed rooms, it
will also have a conference room, business centre, bar,
banquet hall and pastry shops. The construction will
begin shortly. |
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THE Panjab University Campus abuzz with ‘Cyanide’, had, in one corner, showers of pure melody. The Indian National Theatre in collaboration with The Department of Music, Panjab University, organised a ‘Sangeet Sandhya’, at the English Auditorium of the University. The first artiste for the evening, Dr Nivedita Singh, a disciple of Pandit Ganesh Prasad Mishra of Ambala mesmerised the audience with her melodious renderings in pure gayaki. Commencing her recital in ‘Shuddha Kalyan’ a sampurna raag of pure notes, she presented three compositions of her guru in Vilambit, Madhya and Drut laya. The Vilambit composition “Tan Man Sab Warungi” was elaborated with selected notes, effortlessly woven in the body of the raga. Madhya laya composition “Aayo Re Man Meet Piyarava” expressed the mood of ecstacy on seeing a departed beloved whereas in Drut khayal she proved her taiyari in the rendering of fast taans, in all the three octaves, with elan. In her second choice for the evening ‘Peelu’, a raga of soft notes expressing Shringara Rasa she presented two compositions. The Madhya laya composition Ali Ri Aaj Chavi Dekho was specially noteworthy for weaving a perfect blend of purity and mood of the raga. Her notes were sure and the presentation of the raga was pure. The singer is better known for her devotional Shabad Gayaki, hence, on request she sang a Shabad in raga Asa an early morning raga close to Maand, a folk tune of Rajasthan. The artiste is gifted with the melody of a light music singer and has earned the maturity of a classical concert singer. In Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas’s renderings the music lovers of Chandigarh witnessed depth and serenity of a maestro. It was music for meditation. A voice that is pure and edgeless, at times, sounds like an echo in tunnel, a deep resonance reflecting perfect voice control. The artiste amazed the audience with his range of pure gayaki in the tradition of the Gwalior Gharana. Pandit Vyas initiated the evening with a special raga of the Gwalior Gharana, raga Malgunji, raga of serious mood that exemplifies a blend of raga Ragashwari, Bageshwari and Jayjaywanti. Rendering Vilambit composition in Ektaal Van Mein Charavat Gainya when the artiste came to the elaboration of the raga, he won applause for his technical virtuosity in the rendering of spiral and gamak taans. This was followed by a drut khayal Murli Ki Dhun Sakhi Aaj. Intricacies of gadakar in the rendering of Tarana, combined with a maze of perfect notes left the listeners spell bound. Pandit Vyas’s rendering could not be complete without a bhajan, a tradition initiated by Pandit V. D. Paluskar. The artiste sang “Udho Karman Ki Gati Nyari” in a soulful devotional way. He was given a long applause for the rare magic of notes that he displayed in his mature, versatile style. The vocalists were accompanied on the tabla by Gautam Dhar and Paramjeet Singh, respectively, and on the harmonium by Neeraj Gandhi. Both vocalists were devoid of any gimmicks, used by many popular star performers of the day. —
Vandana Shukla |
Gas company
told to pay cost CHANDIGARH, March 13 — Coming down heavily on gas agencies for harassing consumers whose gas connections had matured, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has directed M/s Happy Gas Centre, Sector 35, to release the gas connection of a complainant within 10 days without forcing her to purchase the hot plate from them and also pay costs of Rs 2,000 as compensation. Earlier, Mrs Prem Chandel of Sector 14, Chandigarh had filed a complaint alleging that the gas agency was forcing her to buy a hot plate priced at Rs 1450 as a condition precedent to the release of the gas connection. The complainant contended that she already possessed the required hot plate of ISI mark, and therefore the connection should be released without condition. The gas agency did not appear before the forum nor filed any reply. In ex-parte proceedings, the Forum accepted the contention of the complainant and observed that “It is highly unfair and improper on the part of the opposite party (gas agency) to refuse to release the gas connection to the complainant on this ground. It is sheer exploitation of the consumer from which he has to be protected and that is the object behind the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. It is thus a clear case of unfair trade practice adopted by the opposite party in the matter. Domestic gas connections is a necessity for every home and arbitrary non-release of the connection when maturing after a long wait for a number of years will certainly cause harassment to the consumer.’’ The order was passed by
the President of the Forum Mr R.P. Bajaj, and its
members, Mr H.S. Walia and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta. |
Forum
dismisses damages claim CHANDIGARH, March 13 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum — II, comprising its president, Mr R.P Bajaj, and members Mr H.S Walia and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta, has dismissed a complaint claiming compensation of Rs 2 lakh, alleging that a news item published in the Economic Times was false and misleading. The complainant, Mr L.C Gupta of Sector 28 here, had alleged that a railway booking clerk had refused to accept a Rs 50 note on August 3,1994, alleging it to be fake on the basis of a news report published in the August 1,1994, edition of the ‘Economic Times’ regarding the circulation of fake currency notes. The complainant had also alleged that, he was humiliated, harassed and insulted by the clerk in the presence of other persons present there to book tickets. The complainant then secured the copy of Economic Times and said that the report was published by the newspaper without verifying facts since the omissions found in the currency note were not fake according to the Reserve Bank of India. The counsel for the
newspaper had contended that the report was based on a
statement of the Union Finance Minister and did not
amount to an unfair trade practice. The counsel had also
submitted that the complainant was not a consumer and the
complaint deserved to be dismissed. |
‘Politicians,
bureaucrats don’t seem to care’ CHANDIGARH, March 13 — “Everything has been going downhill. The worst hit are the services which have been deteriorating rapidly in Chandigarh,” feels Mrs Oshima Reikhy, President of the Punjab Istri Sabha and eminent social worker of the city. “When I came here in early 70s from Jalandhar, it was a dream city — neat, clean and well maintained. At that time the roads used to be in perfect condition. Potholes were an unheard of. Garbage disposal was very efficient. Vans from the health Department used to come once or twice a week to pick up garbage from bins at each house. “Safai karamcharis used to be very regular in keeping their respective areas neat and clean. But since then, the services have been gradually deteriorating. See the roads. The garbage disposal is atrocious now. There are heaps of debris, malba and garbage everywhere. “The city is no more the green as it used to be. The trees are now diseased, decaying, and badly pruned. They are being felled with impunity. In fact, deterioration is in every area. “I live in Sector 28-D. This sector has witnessed a cancerous growth of encroachments. When we shifted here in 1976, there were a handful of auto mechanics in the sector. But their number started swelling and in the past few years, they have not only started overflowing onto footpaths, roads but have also invaded open spaces and reached the residential area. Life has become terrible. Outside your own house stands a huge steel box containing tools. The roads, footpaths, driveways to your own home are blocked with vehicles. No one seems to care a bit. “The Residents Welfare Associations’ representations appear to have lost meaning. I agree that there is a population explosion and explosion in the number of vehicles but that does not mean that there should be a haphazard growth and that too in some parts of the city,” says Mrs Reikhy. Mrs Reikhy, who has been closely associated with the Hospital Welfare Society, Punjab Red Cross and other NGOs handling cases of women and child abuse, feels strongly that ever since the coming up of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, basic services have deteriorated far more rapidly than ever before. “Frankly, the future of this City Beautiful will depend upon how responsive the Chandigarh Administration and the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation are in coming years. If they are able to implement various byelaws and controls, the city will survive. Otherwise, it is heading for chaos. The population of Chandigarh has been increasing rapidly. It may be one of the reasons for chaotic conditions in some of the areas. The slums are multiplying. Though everyone has a right to a decent living but what actually is happening here is unfortunate. People get tenements, sites and even houses. They dispose them of and return to slums. It has become a business. Unfortunately, the city has become a haven for encroachers. “Another unfortunate part is that no one is bothered about this deterioration. The bureaucrats, technocrats and politicians are all worried about themselves. A city where services are deteriorating, one hears of special campaigns. Why not make people do their jobs regularly? Why do we have to have special cleanliness campaigns or anti-encroachment campaigns? Wasteful expenditure has been on the increase. One hears of one festival or the other every now and then. These are basically for a select few, may be 5 to 7 per cent of the population of the city. What about the rest? The people in some areas complain of highly unsatisfactory sanitary conditions. The roads are broken. The stormwater drainage system is blocked. The parks and open spaces have become dumping grounds for malba, debris and garbage. The streetlights do not exist. Unfortunately, all this is happening in a planned and controlled city like Chandigarh,” rues Mrs Reikhy She maintains that the approach of the Engineering Wing of both the Municipal Corporation and the administration is very casual. “Until 10 to 15 years ago, whenever there was a road cut or a pothole in the road, the workers would come, clean the pothole with a brush before repairing the patch. The repaired patch used to be rolled subsequently. But now when or two workers carrying a bucket or a basket carrying some pre-mix would come, empty the bucket or basket on the spot and try to level it with his foot. They seldom clear the pothole and no one monitors whether the roads carpeted afresh last their prescribed durations or not. From my experience I can say that some of the patches or resurfacing of roads do not last long. “This is why I say
everything is going downhill. It is not in Chandigarh
alone but everywhere in the country,” concludes Mrs
Reikhy. |
“Govt
responsible for farmers’ ruin” CHANDIGARH, March 13 — The Badal government, which was considered messiah for the farmers of the state is playing the role of “Yamraj”. The government has done nothing to claim the amount of Rs 300 crore announced by the centre for compensating the losses suffered by the farmers following heavy rains in October. These views were expressed by Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, MP, and president of the Punjabi Bhalai Manch. Addressing a press conference here today, he said while the Andhra Pradesh government had claimed Rs 250 crore, the amount announced for the state for losses suffered to their farmers in just two days, the Punjab government had not even given a reminder to the government to release the amount what to talk about raising the issue in Parliament and outside the House. He alleged that the amount would have been a boon for the small farmers who stand to benefit for amounts varying between Rs 10, 000 to Rs 20, 000 for their losses. The small farmers were the hardest hit as they not only had to sell their produce at more than Rs 100 than the minimum support price but could not even repay the interest on their debts Mr Ramoowalia said corruption had reached new heights during the term of the Akali government. Citing cases of auction of liquor vends in Ludhiana district, he said vends were auctioned in favour of relatives of certain members of the SGPC. Had the auction been conducted in a fair manner, the government would have realised revenue to construct five schools, laying 100 km of new roads, recarpeting of 25 km of link roads, besides 10 dispensaries and veterinary hospitals, he added quoting the Revenue Department sources. Wrong economic policies of the government had resulted in a state tottering on the brink of economic ruin. Farmers were committing suicides and agro-based units like shellers were winding up. There was open sale of adulterated diesel, resulting in damage to farm equipment and machinery. Commenting on the infighting among the Akalis, he said the alliance partners had lost whatever relevance they had at the centre due to their squabbles. This was reflected in the total jettisoning of Punjab-related demands promised to be realised after the formation of the Akali- BJP alliance at the Centre, he claimed. Frustration against the government was evident everywhere, be it protests by the halwais, rice-millers or the teaching community. He also condemned the cane charge on agitating teachers in Chandigarh yesterday in which several teachers were injured. Elaborating on the issues simplified for NRIs by the manch, he said more then 20 lakh Punjabis living abroad would benefit from the decision of the government to issue Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards. This would enable such persons to travel to India without a visa. He also announced that a new forum of the manch, Parliamentarians Friends of NRIs, which had 48 sitting MPs as its members would tackle the demands of NRIs He was accompanied by Mr
Paramjit Singh Sidhwan, Mr Manjit Malerkotla and Mr
Bipinjit Singh. He later addressed a meeting of party
workers before leaving for Delhi in the afternoon. |
Consumer
awareness fair opens CHANDIGARH, March 13 — The four-day consumer awareness-cum-sale mela, being organised by the Consumer Forum, in collaboration with the Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation, began at Nehru Park, Sector 22, here today. It will be formally inaugurated by the Finance Minister, Punjab, Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, tomorrow. The highlights of the mela are an information centre on consumerism to bring about awareness of the rights of the consumer, free redress of complaints of and guidance to consumers, complaint registration and information centre of telecom, LPG, food and supplies and other utility services. Private parties have set up stalls displaying a variety of gift items, including linen, hand painted glasses, patchwork and garments. Some stalls of games and eatables have also been put up. During these four days, complaints pertaining to the Telecom Department and cooking gas supply would be solved in the khula manch — a platform which facilitates interaction between consumers and the departments providing these services. Today being a working day, few people turned up. But the Super Bazar stalls, Khadi Gram Udyog and other stalls offering durables and other items of daily use at reduced rates attracted customers. Meanwhile, the Consumer Welfare Association celebrated Consumer Day at Burail. Presiding over the function, the association President, Mr Satpal Gupta, criticised the Chandigarh Administration for not inviting any consumer welfare association to participate in the mela. He lamented that poor persons were being exploited due to black marketing of kerosene. He urged the administration to take immediate remedial measures. Later, a cultural
programme was organised. |
City comes
on top designer wear map CHANDIGARH, March 13—‘‘It was about time somebody opened an outlet for designer wear in the city to enable the fashion conscious public to make their purchases here rather than going all the way to Delhi, ‘’ said Rohit Bal, a fashion designer, after inaugurating Sanskriti, an outlet in Kapsons, Sector 17, today. The store will retail clothes of eight top designers of the country. Rina Dhaka, another designer, speaking for her prete-a-porte collection at the store, opined that it was well within reach of most people. Most designers all over the world were concentrating on a range of affordable wear which is cheap and chic. ``We are testing the waters of the city and I have made my entry with `churidaars’ and `kurtas’ with elaborate embroidery work, a replica of hand embroidery, on South Indian combed cotton which is available for prices ranging between Rs 3000 and Rs 6000 under my name,’’ she explains. A director at Gyaku, a Japanese design house, Anjali Tandon remarks,``The western line is in vogue and we have made available a wide range of such clothes for our customers.’’ She is working in consultation with two designers who are based in Japan. Rohit’s pointed out ice blues and pastels were likely to rule the fashion scene this season. But Rina’s observations reveal a definite trend towards black and white graphic prints. Rohit added,``In India, we do not follow any particular trend and most of the customers tend to choose colours which make them look fair as it is considered to be synonymous with pretty. This remnant of British Raj has to be done away with.’’ He clarified that designer wear was high priced because the label that goes with clothing carries with it the credibility and commands a certain respect in society. He was critical about the role of the media with respect to the designers, of the country. ``All over the world the media is very supportive of their designers, while in India the fashion critics are interested in pulling us down and indulge in nit-picking without reason.’’ Terming it as a conservative city, all three were of the opinion that the city had tremendous potential which was yet unexplored.``This is just the beginning,’’ they said in one voice. A fashion show will be organised around September which will enable them to get a feedback of their creations. The other designers who
will have their creations at the store are Suneet Verma,
Manish Arora, Namrata Joshipura, Rajesh Pratap Singh and
Rohit Gandhi and the most expensive outfit is priced at
Rs 18,000. The other designers could not make it to the
city on account of preparations for the forthcoming
London Fashion Week which will feature designers from
across the world with their collections. |
Results of
flower contests PANCHKULA, March 13 — The following are the results of different categories of flower competitions at Spring Fest ‘99 Flower arrangement (Open to all exhibitors) — Fresh Flower Arrangement: Pooja Khosla and Simran Kaur 1. M. Verma and Kavita Kansal 2. Dry Flower Arrangement: Shweta Ahuja 1, Anju 2. Mixed Flower Arrangement (with fresh and dry flowers): Simran Chopra 1, Alka Bansal 2. Arrangement of flower for dining table: Anil Kansal 1, Ram Sankar and Gurmeet Singh 2. Arrangement of flowers for a corner: M. Verma 1, Anupriya Gupta 2. Flower arrangement (open to children up to 15 years of age) — Bunch of fresh flowers arranged in a vase or a bowl: Ankita Kansal 1, Aastha Sood 2. Bunch of dry flowers arranged in a vase or bowl: Vasudha Kansal 1, Priyanka Chugh 2. Flower arrangement open to gardners: Floral arrangement for central table: Ram Saran Verma 1, Ram Chander 2. Most artistic bouquet: Ram Saran 1, Ram Chander 2. Most artistic garland: Ram Chander 1, Ram Saran Verma 2. Cut flowers (Open to individuals) — Gladiolus: Monisha Raj 1, Rakesh Jain 2. Dahlia: Mamta Jain 1, Radhey Shyam Moriya 1, Chanderma Singh 2. Carnation: Hari Ram Moriya 1, Ram Chander 2. Antirrhinum: Mamta Jain 1, Rajinder Kumar 2. Lupin: Ram Saran Verma 1, Lt Col C.S.Bewli 2. Stock: Ranju Aery 1, Ayushee Arora 2. Aster: Mahesh Parsad 1, Bhaiya Ram 2. Sweet Peas: Tej Bhadur 1, Ramaosis Chaudhary 2. Pansy: Tej Bahadur 1, Mahesh Parsad 2. Rose Hybrid Tea: Hari Ram 1, Monisha Raj 2. Rose Floribunda: Rakesh Kumar 1, Sanjay Kumar 2. Other flowers: Ram Saran Yadav 1, Lt B. Mahajan and Bhagvat Yadav 2. Cut flowers (Open to all including institutions) — Gladiolus collection of four different varieties: Ranbaxy Laboratories, Nawanshahr 1, Ranbaxy Laboratories Mohali 2. Gladiolus collection of three different varieties: Ranbaxy Laboratories, Nawanshahr 1, Ranbaxy Laboratories 2. Dahlia: Kendriya Sadan and Hotel Mountview Chandigarh 1, Chandigarh Housing Board and Ranbaxy Ltd, Mohali, 2. Carnation: Chandigarh Housing Board 1, Director PGI Chandigarh 2. Antirrhinum: Ranbaxy Lab Ltd, Mohali, 1, Director PGI Chandigarh 2. Pansy Exhibition Bloom: Punjab Warehousing Corporation Chandigarh 1, Chandigarh Housing Board and Hotel Mountview Chandigarh 2. Gerbera (single): Rajinder Kumar 2. Gerber (double): Director PGI Chandigarh 1, K. Mani, Nada Sahib Panchkula 2. Stock (branching): Chandigarh Housing Board 1, Director PGI Chandigarh 2. Stock (non branching): Hotel Mountview 1, Ranbaxy Lab Ltd, Mohali 2. Clarkia: Ranbaxy Laboratories 1, Chandigarh Housing Board 2. Salvia: Hotel Mountview 1, Continental Devices Chandigarh 2. Petunia double: Ranbaxy Lab Ltd Mohali 1, Ranbaxy Labs Ltd Nawanshahr 2. Aster: Hotel Mountview 1, A.S. Bhatotia 2. Lupin: Ranbaxy Lab Ltd 1, Continental Devices Chandigarh 2. Sweet Peas: Chandigarh Housing Board 1, Ranbaxy Lab Ltd 2. Rose hybrid tea: Institute of Microbial Tech Chandigarh 1, Director PGI Chandigarh and Ranbaxy Lab Ltd, Nawanshahr 2. Rose Floribunda: Ranbaxy Lab Ltd Mohali 1, Ranbaxy Lab Toansa and Ditector PGI Chandigarh 2. Other flowers: Director PGI Chandigarh and Ranbaxy Lab Ltd Mohali 1, Hotel Mountview and Chandigarh Housing Board 2. Potted plants ( open to individuals only) — Pansy: Monisha Raj 1, Ramaosis Chaudhary 2. Phlox: Mamta Jain 1, Ramaosis Chaudhary 2. Aster: Robin Singh 1, Bhaiya Ram 2. Alyssum: Ramaosis 1, Tej Bhadhur 2. Verbena: Mamta Jain 1, Monisha Raj 2. Brachycome: Robin Singh 1, Mohinder Singh 2. Geranium: Shardha Devi 1, Ramaosis Chaudhary 2. Cineraria: Ramaosis 1, Monisha Raj 2. Antirrhinum: Bhaiya Ram 1 Monisha Raj 2. Salvia: Shardha Devi 1, Monisha Raj 2. Carnation: Tej Bhadhur 1, Mamta Jain 2. Dahlia: Katrajan 1, Devina Singh 2. Petunia: Lt Col C.S. Bewli and Ramaosis Chaudhary 1, Mamta Jain and C. Shear 2. Rose H.T: Dhiraj Sharma 1, Lt Col C.S. Bewli 2. Cacti collection of four different kinds: Katrajan 1, K. Mani 2. Succulent collection of four different kinds: K. Mani 1, Anil Kansal 2. Foliage plants decoratively trained: Romila Sinha 1, Katrajan 2. Collection of Bonsai plants: Katrajan 1, Pankaj Sood 2. Collection of decoratively trained bougainvillea: Robin 1, Ghan Shyam 2. Potted plants (open to all, including institutions): Pansy: Eicher Demn Ltd Parwanoo 1, Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Housing Board 2. Phlox: Hotel Mountview 1, HSAMB Panchkula 2. Aster: Chandigarh Housing Board 1, Deltron Ltd 2. Alyssum: Chandigarh Housing Board 1 and 2. Verbena: Hotel Mountview 1, Chandigarh Housing Board 2. Brachycome: Director PGI Chandigarh 1, Hotel Mountview 2. Geranium: Director PGI Chandigarh 1, Hotel Mountview 2. Cineraria: Hotel Mountview 1, Director PGI Chandigarh 2. Antirrhinum: Chandigarh Housing Board 1, Hotel Mountview 2. Marigold (African): Director PGI 1, Hotel Mountview 2. Maregold (French): Institute Microbial Tech 1, Chandigarh Hosing Board 2. Petunia: Inspection House, CPWD, Chandigarh 1, Hotel Shivalikview 2. Stock: Chandigarh Housing Board 1, Survey of India Chandigarh 2. Carnation: Hotel Mountview 1. Nemesia: Housing Board 1, Director PGI Chandigarh 2. Salvia: Chandigarh Housing Board 1, CFSL Chandigarh 2. Dahlia in pots: Hotel Mountview 1, Institute of Microbial Tech 2. Cati collection of four different kinds: Chief Administrator Shri Mata Mansa Devi Board 1, Chief Executive Officer, Mata Mansa Devi 2. Succulent other than cacti: Chief Executive Officer Mata Mansa Devi Board 1, Chief Administrator Mansa Devi Board 2. Collection of climbing foliage plants: Chandigarh Housing Board 1. Collection of non-climbing four different kinds: Kendriya Sadan Chandigarh 1, Chandigarh Housing Board 2. The results of rangoli and
painting competitions are as follows: Rangoli (children
from school): D.C Model School Panchkula 1, Blue Bird
School 2. Open category: Alka Singla 1; Shallu, Suneeta,
Jaspuneet and Mansi 2. Painting competition — Below
six years: Manpreet 1, Nitika Seth 2. Between 6 to 12
years: Drishti Vohra 1, Nazia 2. Between 12 to 16 years:
Sonia Sahni 1, Preeti Monocha 2. |
Southern
sectors to get club CHANDIGARH, March 13—The UT Administration has decided to set up a new club—similar to the Chandigarh Club— in the southern part of the city. This was announced by the Administrator and Punjab Governor Lieut-Gen B.K.N Chhiber (retd), while addressing a gathering at the Chandigarh Club, where he inaugurated a family lounge and a non-smoker bar today. He said the decision had been taken to set up a ‘la Chandigarh Club’ place for the residents of the southern sectors. He said the proposed club would be set-up near Beant Singh Memorial in Sector 42 and a site for it had been selected. “The construction work at the site would start soon,” he said, without specifying the time frame for completion of the work. General Chhibber also launched the ‘Royal Visa Vines’ produced jointly by the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and Golden Agro Winery Limited. Speaking on the occasion, Mr R.N.Gupta, the Punjab Financial Commissioner (Development), said the Punjab government had decided to give special concessions and incentives to fruit-based beverages produced in the state. He said sale of wine had been allowed by the state government through pubs in selected cities. On this occasion, Zamila
Bano Bhopali, a famed quawal from Bhopal regaled the
audience by presenting a number of quawalis. |
CHANDIGARH, March 13 — A question mark has emerged over the forthcoming practical examination in Panjab University. The university might be left with no option but to postpone the annual practical examinations which were to commence om March 15. Teachers from private colleges have decided to observe March 15 as “black day” and are likely to boycott the examination on subsequent days in case their grades according to the UGC notification were not released at the earliest. Sensing the gravity of the situation, a meeting of Principals of private colleges was held at Guru Gobind Singh College here today. The Principals have recommended postponement of the practical examination in a letter written to the Vice-Chancellor. Talking to the TNS, Mr P.S. Sangha, President of the Principals of Private Colleges Association, said it would be very difficult to conduct the examination without the active cooperation of the college teachers. Even if the government took a rigid step and went ahead with the conduct asking government college teachers to take over, it would be not more than a farce. Arranging teachers from other institutions at such a short notice will prove to be a mammoth task for the university. The examination conducted under such circumstances would be doing injustice to the students, Mr Sangha added. Meanwhile, the colleges will make use of internal examiners for the conduct of practical examination during this session. Both the examiners will be from within the college. Following allegations of favouritism and non-seriousness, the university had appointed a committee to study the conduct of the practical examination. The committee recommended that the at least one examiner should be appointed from outside. Hunger strike: The relay hunger strike by the Haryana Students Association at Panjab University entered its second day today. The students are protesting against the recent fee hike proposed by the university authorities. Two persons who are on hunger strike for the second consecutive day are Mr CS Madaan, Chairman of HSA, and Ajay Pal Singh, President of NSUI. They criticised the university for inaction. Further, Mr Bhupinder
Singh, President of HSA, criticised the police action
taken against the teachers who were protesting against
the notification of the Punjab Government. |
KURALI, March 13— A newly-wedded woman, Mrs Sarabjit Kaur, was allegedly kidnapped by her husband and in-laws. They had allegedly been demanding dowry. On Thursday, they had reportedly rung up the girl’s parents at Pinjore in Panchkula district, asking if she had reached there. The girl is untraceable while the police has arrested two persons in this connection under Sections 364 and 498-A of the IPC. The girl’s father, Mr Hari Singh, alleged that the in-laws of his daughter had been pressing for dowry ever since the marriage took place in September last year. CHANDIGARH Dead: Gurpratap Singh who returned home late last night after socialising at a hotel in the city, died soon after in his Sector 40 house. His wife, sister and brother-in-law had accompanied him to the hotel. Reasons for his death are unknown and a post-mortem will be conducted at the General Hospital, Sector 16. PANCHKULA Robbery: Gopal Krishan,a resident of Barwala, was allegedly robbed of his scooter and Rs 14,000 in cash by three unidentified scooter borne persons here yesterday. The victim in his statement given to the police said he was coming from Sector 15 when he was threatened by the robbers at the gun point to give the scooter to them. Then red-chilli powder was thrown in his eyes before the robbers took away the scooter. The cash which had been kept in the glove box of the scooter was also taken away. The police has registered
a case under Section 392 of the IPC. A police official
said the scooter was found abandoned in Sector 15.
|
Polio camps
today SAS NAGAR, March 13 — Polio drops will be administered to children below five years of age during eight pulse polio camps to be organised by the Health Department on March 14 in different parts of the city. According to a press note issued here today by Dr I.J.S. Bhatia of the Civil Hospital, the camps are being organised to immunise children below five years. The emphasis would be particularly on the children from colonies and slums around the city, he added. The polio drops would be administered on March 14 at the following centers:- Civil Hospital Phase VI, Civil Dispensary Phase I, SGTB Gurudwara, Phase I, ESI Dispensary Phase 2, FPI dispensary Phase 2, Phase 2 Gurudwara, Mobile Team Phase VI. Dr Bhatia said polio drops
would also be administered by teams of doctors during a
door to door drive to be launched on this occasion.
|
Teachers to
observe black day CHANDIGARH, March 13 — Teachers of private colleges will observe a black day after assembling at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, while teachers of Panjab University will participate in a rally beginning from Gandhi Bhawan on March 15 to protest against the assault on teachers during the rally on March 12, the respective representatives of the teachers of the two institutes said, here today. Condemnation of the attack came from various quarters. The All-India Federation of University Teachers Association demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged injustice on part of the Government towards the teaching community. The Panjab University Teachers Association has condemned the government’s alleged inaction on the UGC pay scales besides demanding an inquiry into the assault on teachers at, the CHB Chowk. The local unit of the
Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union criticised
the attitude of the Government towards the agitating
teachers. It said that the Government would be
responsible for the closure of studies and boycott of
examinations. The teachers, after assembling at the SGGS
College, Sector 26, will meet the Governor of Punjab,
Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber to give a memorandum to him.
Teachers of every unit have been asked to hold gate
rallies in their colleges. It was decided that teachers
will boycott all practicals and other examination related
work. |
Musical
evening at carnival CHANDIGARH, March 13 — The Centre for Carnival Arts today organised a musical evening, as part of the Plaza Carnival, at Sector 17. The evening was brought alive by a host of Chandigarh artistes, who doled out both new and old Hindi film songs, to the delight of the huge gathering at the Carnival. The songs sung by vibrations, Naresh Jacob, Kanchan Kulkarni and group included foot-tapping numbers like ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, ‘Gore-Gore Banke Chore’, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, and ‘Sayonee’. Events like sketching,
painting on canvas, face-painting and graffiti on an
improvised wall were also crowd pullers at the carnival. |
College
staff hold gate rally CHANDIGARH, March 13 — The non-teaching employees of the SGGS College, Sector 26, today held a gate rally to protest against the non-implementation of the long pending demands of the employees. These include change in designation of laboratory staff as per the orders of the DPI (Colleges) of UT, uniforms for Class-IV employees, deduction of provident fund at the rate of 12 per cent and jobs for family members of the employees who died while in service. The President of the
Non-Teaching Employees Union, Mr Raj Kumar, and the
General Secretary, Mr Amrit Lal also condemned the
lathi-charge by the police yesterday, on the protesting
Punjab and Chandigarh college teachers. |
Phone
applicants a hapless lot CHANDIGARH, March 13 — The Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (I) has said that the claim of the Union Communication Minister, Mr Jagmohan, that all waiting list telephones in the city would be cleared by March 31 was wrong. The party statement said that though advise notes had been issued, there is no infrastructure to install the phones. This is causing confusion
as hapless applicants running from pillar to post to get
the connections. |
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