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Visually challenged protester falls from building
Fighting for life at PGI; 
Netraheen Sangh suspects foul play
Chandigarh, October 1
A visually challenged man, Bishan Singh, who was taking part in an agitation by the Netraheen Jagriti Sangh, Haryana, is fighting for life in the PGI after he fell from the fourth floor of a building in Sector 17 this morning under mysterious circumstances.

Activists of the Netraheen Jagriti Sangh, Haryana, stage a protest at Matka Chowk after a sangh member was allegedly pushed from the fourth floor of the 30 Bays Building in Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo Pankaj Sharma

Fake documents used to get admission
Chandigarh, October 1
Panjab University has detected 11 cases of admission using fake documents to various undergraduate courses. Of these, at least five have been detected in affiliated colleges at Ludhiana. Six cases have come to light in which students had applied as private candidates.

PGI Director plans power decentralisation Chandigarh, October 1 Even if it is for a short period of three months, the stop-gap arrangement of giving the additional charge of the Director, PGI, to Prof N.K. Ganguly could see the senior doctors being given more administrative powers and additional responsibility as part of the decentralistaion policy envisaged by the Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Prof N.K. Ganguly who has been given the additional charge of the Director, PGI, Chandigarh.

George’s remarks irk ex-BSF officers
Chandigarh, October 1
Upset over Defence Minister George Fernandes’ remarks that the influx of Bangladeshi nationals into India is due to corruption in the paramilitary forces, retired Border Security Force officers are taking up the matter with the force’s Director-General, asking him to get the matter clarified.

He was the first to report Gandhi’s assassination Chandigarh, October 1 The news of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination was first reported by a retired city journalist from Birla House, New Delhi. R.A. Prabhakar (83) remembers having sent messages on the telephone to his Associated Press of India office, which was then owned by an international news agency, Reuters. R.A. Prabhakar

Durga Puja celebrations begin Chandigarh, October 1 The rhythmic notes of aarti filled the air as members of the Bengali community thronged different temples in the city and the surrounding areas for celebrating the first day of the Durga Puja. The venues of prime celebrations were Banga Bhavans in Sector 35 and 37 and Kalibari in Sector 31. Mother Courage: Devotees stand with folded hands before the idol of Goddess Durga on the first day of Durga Puja at Banga Bhavan, Sector 35, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo Manoj Mahajan

COMMUNITY

Land grabbed in connivance with police, says civic body
Zirakpur, October 1
The Nagar Panchayat authorities have alleged that members of the land mafia have connived with the local police to grab a piece of prime land adjacent to the Lohgarh police post. The land (shamlat) has been earmarked by the civic body for sinking a tubewell.

Suspended HC Additional Registrar surrenders
Chandigarh, October 1
The suspended Registrar (Additional) of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Tara Chand, surrendered this evening before UT Police DSP S.C. Sagar in his office in Sector 17 after keeping the police on their toes for nine days. The police yesterday had procured an arrest warrant against him from the Area Magistrate.

Air Cmde Virk takes over as Air Officer Commanding Chandigarh, October 1 Air Cmde S.P.S. Virk, on promotion, assumed charge as Air Officer Commanding, No.3 Base Repair Depot, here today. He took over from Air Cmde S.B. Prashar, who retired from service yesterday after 34 years with the IAF.

MNS celebrates Raising Day
Chandigarh, October 1
The Military Nursing Service celebrated its 78th Raising Day in Chandimandir Cantonment, near here, today. A statement issued here said the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen N.C. Vij, GOC-in-C Western Command, Lieut-Gen S.S. Mehta, Director-General, Armed Forces Medical Services, Director-General Medical Services (Army), and the Additional Director-General MNS, Major-Gen Usha Sikdar in their respective messages have extended their greetings and appreciated the high quality of nursing care provided by MNS officers.

Navratras ‘thali’ in, chilly chicken out
Chandigarh, October 1
Even though Chandigarh’s sizzling chicken business has turned stale due to the on-going Navratras, restaurants and fast food joints in the city have come up with special thalis for those fasting and to remain in competition.

2 cr being spent on old-age homes, says MLA
Panchkula, October 1
Old-age homes are being constructed in all villages of the state from the party fund of the Indian National Lok Dal and the MP Area Development Fund. This was announced by Mr Abhey Singh Chautala, MLA from Rori, while presiding over the International Elders Day celebrations at Day Care Centre here today.

Age for issuing I-cards to senior citizens lowered
Chandigarh, October 1
The age for issuance of identity cards for Senior Citizens had been lowered from 65 to 60, announced the UT Administrator, Justice O.P. Verma (retd), at the conclusion of senior citizens month here today. He said keeping in view the specific problem of senior citizens, the Identity card Section of the Social Welfare Department had also been shifted from the IVth floor to the ground floor.

Retired but not relieved from post
Chandigarh, October 1
Ever heard of a retired person not being relieved of charge for months as his department fails to find his replacement. Seems strange. But this exactly has happened with Mr Jaspal Chand, a Junior Engineer.

• Repeal of periphery Act sought

• SMD (Central) to issue international driving permits

• Draw of lots for 200 plots held

• Action against traffic offenders

CRIME

Teenager kidnapped
Chandigarh, October 1
A 16-year-old girl of Daddu Majra was allegedly kidnapped by her cousin Vicky, a resident of Dhuri village in Sangrur district.

BUSINESS

SBOP opens new branch
Chandigarh, October 1
Mr J.R. Devgan, General Manager, State Bank of Patiala, today inaugurated the 741st fully computerised branch in Sector 34 here with ATM facility. It will be the 31st outlet of the bank in the city.

Shopping hungama from today
Chandigarh, October 1
There is a good news for shoppers. Beginning from tomorrow, the Market Welfare Association of Sector 22-D, is organising a one-and-a-half month long ‘shopping hungama’. The widow of Dr M.S. Randhawa, the first Chief Commissioner of Chandigarh, has been invited to declare the tomorrow’s inaugural function.

Jewellery exhibition from tomorrow
Chandigarh, October 1
Adding business sense to a woman’s favourite possession, Sercon presents Swarn Sambandh, an exhibition of jewellery, which is going to be inaugurated at Hotel Shivalikview in Sector 17 from October 3. This four-day exhibition is sponsored by the World Gold Council, an apex organisation promoting the sale of gold.

EDUCATION

PU guest house inaugurated
Chandigarh, October 1
Golden Jubilee Guest House of Panjab University was inaugurated by Justice O.P. Verma, Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator, here today. The grant for guest the house was given by the University Grants Commission on the occasion of golden jubilee of the university.

FROM SCHOOLS
250 kids participate in painting contest
Chandigarh, October 1
An inter-colony painting competition attracted participation from 250 children from 15 different schools in various slum settlements of the city to mark the 134th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi here today.

FROM COLLEGES
Contests mark Green Consumer Day
Chandigarh, October 1
Green colour dominated the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, campus, here today. Attired in green, students and teachers of the college participated enthusiastically in various contests held to mark Green Consumer Day and Gandhi Jayanti celebrations.

• Blood donation camp

• Senior citizens entertained

Creativity reflected in trendy dresses
Chandigarh, October 1
Creativity was the hallmark of the exhibition put up by students of the JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Sector 35, which marked their annual exhibition at Ebony in Sector 8 here today.

Tiny tots burn Ravana
Chandigarh, October 1
Tiny tots at Strawberry Fields celebrated Dasehra by burning the effigy of Ravana on the school campus today Through pictures and stories children were told that Ravana, the cult figure associated with Dasehra was not all evil and nasty. He was a scholar and a good administrator.

• National Wildlife Week begins

Limitations of fast-track courts, says Thomas
Chandigarh, October 1
Even though the Minister of State for Law and Justice, Mr P.C. Thomas, yesterday announced the setting up of a fast-track court in Chandigarh, accused in cases already pending may not be able to avail its benefit.

Roy for video conferencing between courts
Chandigarh, October 1
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice, Mr Justice B.K. Roy, has expressed the desire of having all district courts under his jurisdiction linked through video-conferencing facility.

District Courts
Plea against ‘Khel’ dismissed
Chandigarh, October 1
A local court today dismissed an application moved by Catrack Cassettes Industries for restraining the producer from releasing the film “Khel” and also music company to distribute the audio cassettes and CDs of the movie. “Khel” is expected to be released on October 3.

• Chargesheet against suspended clerk

• PGI super bazar case

70 pc lawyers want job change
Chandigarh, October 1
The statistics say it all. Over 70 per cent of the lawyers say they would start a new career if they could because of stress in this job. As per an estimate, 75 per cent advocates were suffering from work-related pressures.

CULTURE

YOUTH LIFE & STYLE
Tips to look gorgeous
IT'S party time folks. That’s the reason why we have complied a list of style secrets just for you. So do not be scared of wearing that tie-and-dye top over white trousers. Just follow our simple guide for cool looks in the Autumn of 2003.

• Hair care for you

New Releases
Action film with a difference
Galaxy Entertainment Corporation Ltd and Popcorn Motion Pictures present “Khel” has many firsts to its credit. Cricketer-turned-actor Ajay Jadeja makes his debut along with sensational beauty Celina Jaitely. Yusuf Khan also makes his debut as director. The big budget Sunil Shetty and Sunny Deol starrer action film promises something different.

• Romantic story

Exhibition showcases superimposed technique
Chandigarh, October 1
Ram Kumar Sharma’s solo exhibition at IndusInd Art Gallery in Sector 8 which is titled “Canvas on canvas” is an attempt to create a space within space which brings forth some interesting pieces of work. Using the superimposed technique with perfect blend of colours, the artist has presented a range of work.

HEALTH

India has 1 lakh haemophiliacs
Chandigarh
Though genetic, haemophilia continues to be a royal disease as far as the treatment is concerned — at least this is what the doctors attending an open clinic organised by the Haemophiliac Welfare Society of Chandigarh had to say. The medicines still have to be imported, the doctors reveal. There is no permanent cure or treatment available for the malady.

Donating blood is passion for them
Chandigarh, October 1 It was more than four decades ago that Harkiran, a blue baby born to the Grewal couple survived, only because somebody came forward to donate blood. Today, the lady, along with her two sons does not miss her date with the Chandigarh Blood Bank Society at the PGI every three months, to repay the debt she owes to the man because of whom she survived.
Mrs Harkiran Bali and Mr Charanjit Singh, who have donated blood 56 and 142 times, respectively, being honoured at an annual awards function of the Blood Bank Society, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Verma lauds residents for donating blood
Chandigarh, October 1
Stressing the need for achieving total voluntary blood donation in the country, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Justice O.P. Verma (retd), today lauded the city residents for promoting blood donation culture in a big way.

Symposium on anatomy
Chandigarh, October 1
A symposium to discuss the latest advances in the field of anatomy will be organised by the Anatomy Department at the PGI on October 4.