Children's Day celebrated
SHIMLA, Nov 14 — The birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was celebrated as Children's Day all over the state today.

Plan to install satellite terminals
CHAMBA, Nov 14 — The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) proposed to install satellite terminals to link the Tissa region of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh with the objective to extend reliable telecom facilities to the remote borderland areas where it is difficult to provide these facilities through the Microwave system.

2, 000 angora rabbits die of toxic feed
KULU, Nov 14 — Nearly 2,000 angora rabbits were killed during the past four days at a Mohal farm, 5 km from here. The casualties are said to have been caused by a toxic feed supplied by a Rajpura manufacturer.

Release arrears, say teachers
SHIMLA, Nov 14 — The Federation of Himachal Pradesh University Teachers' Association has expressed resentment over the non-payment of arrears on account of revision of pay scales to the teachers of the three universities and degree colleges in the state and threatened to go on a strike if the dues were not paid by November 30.

• Mild quake in Chamba

Work on Rampur project ‘soon’
Tribune News Service

RAMPUR, Nov 14 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, today announced that work on the 680 mw Rampur hydro-electric project would start shortly and asserted that the government would ensure completion of the 1500 mw Nathpa-Jhakri hydel project within two years.

Addressing a gathering at the concluding ceremony of the Lavi Fair at Rampur today, he said the Nathpa-Jhakri project, which had been delayed by three years, would now be completed in time. He said the coalition government would have to pay special attention to the development of Rampur area and the new hydel project would generate more employment opportunities for the youth.

The Chief Minister dedicated the Mahatma Gandhi Medical Science complex, built at a cost of over Rs 12 crore, to the people. The present government had during the past 18 months managed to ensure all basic amenities in the hospital, he said. He sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the same.

The Chief Minister said an Ayurvedic dispensary would be opened at Rampur in the old hospital building.

He announced opening of a senior secondary school at Delehat from the next session and a high school at Khadain. He also announced Rs 5 lakh each for the Darkhali and Reilla Khanog roads in Rampur and Rs 4 lakh for construction of a high school building at Jauri.

Reiterating the government resolve for accelerating the pace of development in the state, Mr Dhumal said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had been considerate and various developmental schemes proposed by the state in the past 20 months had got quick clearance from the Centre.

Mr J.P. Nadda, Health Minister, said 10 doctors, eight of them specialists, had been posted by the government in this hospital. He said the endeavour of the government was to provide better healthcare to the people at their doorstep.

Mr Narinder Bragta, Minister of State for Horticulture, said horticulture activities in all areas of the state had got a boost under the present regime, which was committed to the welfare of the fruit growers.

He said a Kisan Bhavan was being constructed at Delhi at a cost of Rs 1.80 crore for the convenience of farmers.

The Chief Minister gave away prizes to winners of various events organised during the fair.

The principal of the Senior Secondary School for Girls, Rampur, presented a cheque for Rs 10,001 to Mr Dhumal for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

HP Cong to raise funds for cyclone-hit
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 14 — The Pradesh Congress Committee, which met here today under the chairmanship of Mr Sat Mahajan, party president, decided to raise funds for providing relief to the cyclone-hit in Orissa. It was decided that all party legislators would contribute a month's salary towards the fund.

The members of the state Executive Committee, district presidents, ex-MLA's and those who had unsuccessfully contested the last assembly elections on the party ticket, would donate Rs 1000 each.

The party decided to send a bus from each Assembly constituency to participate in the rally to protest against the inclusion of Rajiv Gandhi's name in the Bofors charge sheet to be held at Delhi.

Organisational matters were discussed at the meeting and the progress of the membership drive, which is to be completed by December 31, was reviewed.

Besides Mr Sat Mahajan, senior party leaders, including Mr Virbhadra Singh, Mr Ram Lal, Mrs Vidya Stokes, Mr J.B.L. Khachi and presidents of frontal organisations participated.

A function was held at Congress Bhavan to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Nehru.

HVC to retain identity: Sukh Ram
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Nov 14 — The Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) chief, Mr Sukh Ram, today said there was no question of the merger of his party with the BJP or the Congress, as it had been proved beyond doubt that no party could come to power without the help of the HVC.

Addressing a press conference here, he said contrary to the predictions of pollsters, the HVC had won the Shimla Lok Sabha seat and proved that they had a base all over the state. He said the BJP-HVC alliance would continue, provided the BJP was accommodating towards his party.

"Minor differences are bound to be there between alliance partners, but keeping in view the welfare of the people of the state, I prefer to overlook them," he stated.

On the controversy of the induction of Mr Mansa Ram and Mr Prakash Chaudhary, both ministers, in the BJP, Mr Sukh Ram said he had filed a review petition and asked for some documents. While admitting that he had been asked by the Assembly Speaker for some documents, which he could not provide on time, he said he had not been given any reminder before the decision was taken.

Mr Sukh Ram said it was an era of coalition politics, where the alliance partners should try and strengthen each other. He said in a coalition government, regional issues were given due importance, which otherwise remained neglected. "By giving a mandate to the HVC in the Shimla Lok Sabha seat, the voters have given a befitting reply to those who had launched a character assassination campaign against me," he said.

On seat-sharing for the Solan by-election, he said he had already made his stand clear but the matter would be discussed with the BJP high command. On the demand of change of the Kangra district HVC president by party workers, Mr Sukh Ram remained noncommittal and said at the moment, his focus was to strengthen the party.

Children's Day celebrated
From Tribune Reporters

SHIMLA, Nov 14 — The birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was celebrated as Children's Day all over the state today.

Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor, presided over the state-level function held here on The Ridge in which as many as 3,000 children participated. A colourful cultural show highlighting the life of Pandit Nehru, besides folk dances, group songs and fancy dress was the main attraction of the programme.

The Governor paid floral tributes to the first Prime Minister of the country. She also gave prizes to school students who excelled in various events and distributed sweets among children.

Mr I.D. Dhiman, Education Minister, also garlanded the portrait of Pandit Nehru. A flower show and on the spot painting competition was also organised on the occasion.

Vijay Kumar of Government Senior Secondary School, Chhota Shimla, bagged the first prize in painting competition in the senior group whereas Portmore School won the first prize in the junior group.

The state chapter of the Nehru Bal Samiti organised a function at the local Dayanand Public School. Mr Jiwanand Jiwan, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Governor, gave away the prizes to the winners of various competitions and other activities organised by the samiti during the past one year.

The samiti announced "Himachal Pradesh 2020 Kaisa Hoga" as the topic for next year's all Himachal essay competition for school children. A cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.

Memorial turns eyesore
From Balkrishan Prashar

DALHOUSIE: The memorial to Sardar Ajit Singh at Panjpulla in Jiunta panchayat in the suburbs of Dalhousie hill station is in dire need of maintenance. The pond built along the structure of the memorial is full of rubbish, silt and filthy water. It has become an eyesore.

Since the precincts of the memorial are in disarray, the authorities concerned appear to have done very little to beautify the spot and its environs.

A samadhi at Panjpulla stands in memory of Sardar Ajit Singh, one of the three great revolutionaries the other two being Rabindra Nath Tagore and Subhash Chandra Bose who stayed at Dalhousie. Sardar Ajit Singh an uncle of martyr Bhagat Singh, passed away on August 15, 1947 — the day India became free. His last words were: "Thank God, my mission is fulfilled."

Panjpulla, meaning five bridges, is situated 2 km away from the G.P.O. Square. It is a picturesque spot where one can get a view of the magnificent settings of thick deodar and oak forests. Water flows under five small bridges, from which the place has derived its name.

Ajit Singh was born at Khatkar Kalan in Jalandhar district. He was educated at Sain Dass Anglo-Sanskrit High School, Jalandhar and at D.A.V. College, Lahore. He studied for some time at Law College, Bareilly.

In 1907, he was deported to Mandalay (Burma) along with Lala Lajpat Rai. He was released after six months. In 1908 he fled to Iran and then to Rome, Geneva, Paris and to Rio de Janeiro. In 1918, he came in close contact with the Ghadar Party in San Francisco. In 1939-45, he returned to Europe and met Subhash Chandra Bose in Italy.

Ajit Singh returned to India only after the end of World War-II. A large number of people including tourists from various parts of the country, pay homage to the Sardar Ajit Singh at his memorial every day.

Plan to install satellite terminals
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Nov 14 — The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) proposed to install satellite terminals to link the Tissa region of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh with the objective to extend reliable telecom facilities to the remote borderland areas where it is difficult to provide these facilities through the Microwave system.

The General Manager of Dharamsala Telecom District, Mr O.P. Sikka, disclosed that the DoT had planned to provide 2,150 new telephone connections in Chamba district during this year with the intention to give telephones on demand by March, 2000. The DoT had so far received 1,588 applications for telephone connections in the district, he said.

Mr Sikka said one new telephone exchange would be installed at Garola in the district.

He said consumer care would be given top priority by upgrading the status of single window customer service centre at Chamba.

Mr Sikka said of the 1,044 villages in the district, 540 villages had been provided with public telephones.

2, 000 angora rabbits die of toxic feed
From Our Correspondent

KULU, Nov 14 — Nearly 2,000 angora rabbits were killed during the past four days at a Mohal farm, 5 km from here. The casualties are said to have been caused by a toxic feed supplied by a Rajpura manufacturer.

Mr Prem Gupta, a farm owner, told this correspondent that the incident was the first of its kind in 34 years at his breeding business. He said "mine was the oldest and the largest farm in India, but now it might have become the smallest."

Mr Gupta said at present the rabbits were being fed on a mixture of grass, coarsely pounded wheat and corn.

The local veterinary doctors and rabbit experts of Gadsa Government Farm confirmed that the cause of death was toxic contents of the feed.

Mr Karan Singh, Minister of State for Primary Education and Mr Maheshwar Singh, MP, visited the farm. They assured all possible help to re-establish the farm.

Release arrears, say teachers
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 14 — The Federation of Himachal Pradesh University Teachers' Association has expressed resentment over the non-payment of arrears on account of revision of pay scales to the teachers of the three universities and degree colleges in the state and threatened to go on a strike if the dues were not paid by November 30.

It regretted that all categories of employees had received their dues, except the university and college teachers.

Dr P.N. Gautam, president of the federation, urged Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal, to personally look into the matter and ensure immediate release of arrears.

Mild quake in Chamba

CHAMBA, Nov 14 — The Chamba town and its surrounding areas in Himachal Pradesh were rocked by an earthquake of mild intensity at about 3.40 this morning.

The tremors were experienced for a few seconds. However, no loss of life and property has been reported so far.