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Happy end to love story
Chandigarh, August 29 The Sector 35 gurdwara was abuzz with activity with relatives, attired in their best, blessing the newly-wed. Happiness was writ large on the faces of the Sidhu family, the family of bridegroom Rajiv, even as the girl’s family members were conspicuous by their absence. In the absence of girl’s family, Mr Arvind Thakur, a human rights activist, who fought the girl’s case even at the risk of his life, performed “kanyadaan”. In fact, the stage for the wedding was set following Ridhima’s release from Nari Niketan by a local court yesterday. She had moved the Court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate(ACJM), Mr Harbhajan Dass, on August 26 for her release from Nari Niketan on her “wish and will” as she had attained majority. In a brief chat with Chandigarh Tribune, Ridhima said she was looking forward to a happy future and wanted to forget the nightmarish experiences she had in the past several years. “My break-up with my family is complete, she said”, adding that she would not return to the family even if it made amends. Urging her family and maternal uncle to withdraw the “false” kidnapping case registered against Rajiv, she thanked Mr Thakur for being with her through thick and thin. Mr Thakur blamed such incidents on generation gap. It was time that the parents understood the feelings of their children and established a rapport with them. It was on June 17 that she escaped from Solan, where she was held captive by her maternal uncle. She got in touch with her lover, Rajiv. Her lover, in turn, directed her to Mr Thakur. It may be recalled that her family had repeatedly approached the court for her custody. Following her refusal to go to her parents or relatives, she was sent to Nari Niketan.
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On way to becoming bio-village
Chandigarh, August 29 A bit of initiative and assistance has brought the village to the threshold of becoming the only “organic” bio-village in the region. Under the project of Voluntary Health Association, Punjab (VHAP) and funded by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) with technical support of the Technical Teacher’s Training Institute (TTTI), Chandigarh, the 25 women in the village are learning the cultivation of vermi compost. They visited the compost farms in Ropar and nearby areas today. “We have already begun training 25 women in the village in utilising cow-dung waste in manufacturing manure. The first crop of vegetables will be sown this season in November and we expect the entire village to be organic by February, 2005,’’ says Dr U. N. Rao of the TTTI. “This experiment will be the first of its kind in the region, though similar projects have been undertaken in Pondicherry, Karnataka and Rajasthan,” he says. The initial results of the project, which got underway in February last, are not disappointing. The women already talk about the hazards of chemical fertilisers and the advantages of organic crops. “We are learning to utilise cowdung in a better way and looking forward to selling our own crops,’’ says Saroj Bala. It has been decided to give each women one or two plots of land for organic agriculture. “While the males members in the village are engaged in agriculture and labour, only the women manage household waste. That is why we decided to rope in women for the project,’’ says Dr Rao. Organic farming, however, is just one of the ways of making the villages more empowered as the stitching centre for women and the youth club are keeping the sleepy village engaged in constructive work. “Work has just begun and we are trying to play the role of a catalyst for bringing about a change in the socio-economic profile of the people,’’ says Mr Manmohan Sharma, Executive Director,
VHAP.
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Melody queen on spiritual trip
Chandigarh, August 29 In the past 12 years she may not have been a regular in the Bollywood circuit, but she has been persistent with something more uplifting than mainstream cinema. With scores of devotional albums to her name, Anuradha is now busy lending shape to the toughest of her “spiritual” missions — a musical rendering of the Bhagwad Gita and a series of music albums on the verses of Shankaracharya. In the city today to record songs for Jatinder Shah, who has composed music for Rajinder Dutt’s period Punjabi film, “Sidhi Shri Baba Sodalji,” Anuradha spoke about her musical journey with a fair deal of contentment. “I have never been in a hurry to make an impact. In fact, my foray into films was also not planned. My husband was as assistant of S.D. Burman who was working on “Abhimaan”. One day, he casually recorded my voice for one of the “shlokas” which was to be played in the background. “Burman Sahib liked my voice and I was ushered into the world of films. The life thereon was nothing less than a rollercoaster ride for Anuradha who lent her voice to delightful lyrics by Kalyanji-Anandji and Laxmikant-Pyarelal for films like “Kalicharan”. Marching out of the old mould, she rediscovered herself in “Aashiqui”, the film that placed her in the coveted league of singers like Aasha Bhonsle. Then came films with T-Series where she found a new mentor in Gulshan Kumar. Consciously evading references to him, Anuradha said melody was her forte. “As far as I am concerned, a popular number would be the hardest. I would rather hum melodies than prove my substance in item numbers,” she says, divulging her fondness for music directors Himesh Reshmmaiya, Anu Malik and Nikhil Vinay. At home with herself despite the setback her career suffered after the killing of Gulshan Kumar, Anuradha is on a spiritual trip these days. By her confession: “Devotional music is enriching. It helps you be at peace with yourself. It is also a big market now. Even if this music did not sell, I would have loved to be singing devotional songs than anything else. I am temperamentally more suited for such songs.” Who would say Anuradha’s was the voice that graced songs in “Paap”, “Julie” and “Murder”. She will again be heard in Anil Sharma’s “Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon” and Adnan Sami’s “Lucky”.
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Resident alleges threat to life by former partner
Chandigarh, August 29 Mr Parbhakar and his domestic help, Anita, told the police that Mr Parbhakar, his wife and his son had gone for a social function when the two persons came to their house. Anita told the police that the two persons knocked at the door at around 11.35 pm. On being told nobody was at home, she told the police they hurled abuses and repeatedly told her that they would kill Mr Parbhakar. The girl said one person, whose hand was wrapped in a newspaper, then fired a shot in the air. Mr Parbhakar’s father said he heard the shot and so did the neighbours. The area councillor, Mr Jatinder Bhatia, also reached the spot. The police, however, has not found any clue to the claim. The police is verifying facts. The police has registered a case under Sections 336 (endangering life) and 506 (threatening) of the IPC in the Sector 34 police station. Mr Parbhakar in his complaint has told the police that he had a dispute with a partner in Metro Hotel, Mr Baljinder Singh, and a case was on. Mr Parbhakar said three person, including Mr Baljinder Singh, had beaten him up on July 23 in a court compound in Gurgaon and a complaint in this regard was also registered. Mr Parbhakar said that Mr Baljinder Singh and he had a partnership in a firm in Parwanoo but the firm was closed two years back. The two parties are involved in a cheque bounce case.
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Science city to be thrown open to public in Nov
Mohali, August 29 Giving details, Dr R.S. Khandpur, Director General of the project, told The Tribune today that the PGSC was the second science education and entertainment park in the country, the first being the Salt Lake Science City in Kolkata. The PGSC is much larger in size and with many additional exhibits and features. The project primarily aims at popularising science education through entertainment.
’’he said. “The most striking structure of the city is the sprawling 6900 sq mt pillar-less ‘science voyage hall’ building. The roof constructed with a unique space framework supports the entire building. This building houses the major attraction of Phase-I galleries,” said Dr Khandpur. ‘‘The building consists of a giant dome theatre, the outer surface of which is a globe that shows the world. The globe has been put together by lakhs of 1-inch square computer designed tiles,” he said. Films will be projected inside this dome. ‘‘As many as 328 persons can sit inside the theatre where semi-circular dome screens will produce huge images soaring and swooping around them, fully surrounding them. It is an experience one never
forgets,' said Dr Khandpur. A 30-seater flight simulator in the building has been designed to take visitors through virtual expeditions to moon and space. Visitors will also be taken through a virtual 3-D show. Special glasses would show images flying out of the computer screen, taking the visitor through a computer generated journey. The city will also have an indoor laser show, the only one in the country. We have had laser shows in India but these were done using borrowed machines,’’ pointed out Dr Khandpur. “We plan to have a separate energy education and awareness park in order to create awareness among the visitors about energy conservation. Four separate buildings are being constructed at the Science City to house exhibits on solar, wind, hydel and bio-energy
themes.' said Dr Khandpur. This is not all. ‘‘Right in the centre of the city is a large artificial water body with a rowing distance of about 1 km. It will have an island on which a dinosaur park will be created. There will be manual paddle operating boats and solar boats for the visitors to move through the lake and reach the
park.' said Dr Khandpur. A Rs 100 crore joint project of the Government of India and Punjab the PGSC will conduct educational training workshops and activities for visitors. ‘‘A vocational and career guidance centre will help students to choose careers and the entrepreneurial development centre will tell students about the new avenues in the business and technologies for entrepreneurs,’’ said Dr Khandpur.
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Governor acted under pressure, says Sampat
Panchkula, August 29 Prof Sampat Singh was addressing mediapersons after chairing the monthly district grievance committee meeting here. Talking about the government’s decision to hold the panchayat elections before the scheduled time, the minister justified it saying that the decision was taken because the dates of the panchayat elections clashed with the schedule for the Vidhan Sabha elections. He said Opposition parties were
unnecessarily trying to rake an issue out of it. Prof Sampat Singh also highlighted the sops announced by the Chief Minister on August 15. He said the uniform slab system for power tariff for tubewells owners would bring relief to the farmers. He said the state government would pay Rs 138 crore additional subsidy to Haryana Power Utilities to overcome the revenue losses. He said the withdrawal of house tax to houses constructed on land less than 100 square yard and the withdrawal of fire tax from all buildings (except commercial buildings) was decided by the Urban Development Committee, after it held deliberations with resident organisations, MLAs and ministers. He conceded that though the municipal councils, committees and corporation in the state would suffer losses because of these exemptions, the State Finance Commission would give them grants to tide over the losses. Meanwhile, 40 complaints were put forth in the grievance committee meeting. While seven of the complaints were pending from the previous meeting. The complaints were related to property dispute, disbursement of loans and illegal possession of land. The Deputy Commissioner, Ms Neelam P
Kasni, and the Superintendent of Police, Ms Mamta Singh, were also present.
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66 KV sub-station inaugurated
Panchkula, August 29 The Chief Minister, who was talking to mediapersons shortly after inaugurating a 66 KV sub-station in Panchkula, near here, said the victory of candidates of the Opposition in the last Lok Sabha elections was just a matter of chance. The Chief Minister said Congress leaders had always opposed moves aimed at ensuring early completion of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. The Supreme Court had also dismissed revision petition of the Punjab Government in the case of the canal. Leaders of the Congress, having justified the unilateral stand taken by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on the issue of SYL canal, were now hesitant in going to people to seek votes for the Assembly elections. Mr Chautala said after December 31, Haryana would become the first power cut-free state in the country and consumers would get uninterrupted supply of power from the beginning of next year. The 66 KV sub station has been constructed at a cost of Rs 4.48 crore and would benefit consumers residing in
Devinagar, Kharag Mangoli villages and Old Panchkula as well as those of Sectors 1, 2, 4, 20 and 21. Earlier, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the building of Panchkula Central Co-operative Bank in Sector 2, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 1.15 crore.
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CM inaugurates bridge
Panchkula, August 29 This was stated by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, after inaugurating a bridge over the Kalka river in Panchkula district today. The bridge, costing over Rs 1 crore has been constructed to facilitate traffic on the Kalka-Paploha-Kheranwali road. The bridge would benefit residents of a number of villages in the area, especially Majra Mehtab, Nagal Bhaga, Kandiala, Pargian and Paploha by providing them an all-weather road. Mr Chautala also inaugurated a bridge over the Paploha river costing over Rs 1.12 crore on the same road. It would provide an all-weather road to the villagers of Tagra Hansua, Tagra Hakimpur, Tagra Kangan, Pargien, Paploha, Nangal Bhaga, Majra Mehtab, Kandiala, Pargien, Paploha, Nagal Ruttal, Thane ki Sair, Godam, Benan Bar, Banei Kudabax, Pipalghati, Lehi and
Kheranwali.
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SC/ST body to appeal against HC verdict
Chandigarh, August 29 The organisation further alleged that the government was creating a rift between the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on one pretext or the other. The Centre recently constituted a separate Ministry for the Scheduled Tribes which clearly indicated that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commissions are the two seperate bodies, it said. The organisation will stage dharnas to protest against the government decision. A rally will also be organised in Delhi at Ramlila Maidan in December. Members lamented that no employee from the category of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had been promoted to the post of MD or Chairman in the LIC of India. Mr T.Wangyal, Director, ST/SC Commission was also present on the occasion.
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Now MP Chandel says he was ‘mistaken’
Chandigarh, August 29 Calling it a “mistake on the part of his office,” the BJP MP and PGI’s Institute Body member, Mr Chandel chooses to be mum when asked whether he would still support the Deputy Director after the Health Ministry officials in Delhi took a serious note of the circular issued by him on August 24 which had challenged the competence of the PGI director, Prof K.K. Talwar. “I have spoken to the Deputy Director on the issue of the circular, and she told me that only a part of the circular was highlighted. But I have not been able to talk to the Director, PGI, over the matter. So I cannot comment on this recent development. But I will take up this matter at my meeting with the authorities in the first week of next month,’’ said Mr Chandel, while talking to The Tribune. He said he was unaware of the ministry’s reaction on the circular issued by the Deputy Director on August 24.
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Three sisters born on same day
Mohali, August 29 Their elder daughters, 10-year-old Avneet and seven-year-old Jasmine too were born on August 6. An ecstatic father, Mr Manjit Singh says this coincidence is the grace of God.
On August 6 that year we were busy preparing for Avneet’s birthday celebrations. But the same day, Jasmine came into this world. We celebrated two birthdays that day, said Mr Manjit Singh, who works as a civil engineer with CITCO. This year too, Juhi, the new-born, was expected to arrive on August 4. ‘“But it had to happen on the 6th. We were amazed at the coincidence. It’s a wonder to have all my children sharing the same birthday. I love them all and am proud to have three daughters,”
he said.
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Speech and drama workshop for kids
Chandigarh, August 29 The workshop was held in two separate sessions. There were 25 participants in each session. The children liked the workshop which was more action based rather than theoretical. Children learn a great deal about life and people through drama. They understand what it feels like to be another person and they can learn how to behave in different situations. Educational drama is a powerful and holistic educational technique, which involves engaging their bodies, minds and feelings. It improves communication skills and builds confidence. The workshop was designed to suit all these objectives. The workshop started with an icebreaker game where the tiny tots got to know each other. Each participant had to introduce himself/herself in a sing-song fashion. This was followed by breathing and relaxation exercises called the “birthday cake.” The children also took part in a mini drama “The Peacock and the Crane.” In order to enhance their listening skills, an exercise called “I can run as fast as you” was specially designed for them. All made a booklet about themselves. In the exercise called “Things to do”, words and fingerplay are introduced simultaneously, so that the words are supported by action, facilitating appreciation of the verse. Each child carried his photograph which he pasted on the booklet. The resource person at the workshop was Suprita Gill, who has been teaching speech and drama to young learners in Singapore. This is the fifth workshop in a series of workshops planned for the year for the children members of the library. “We have received a tremendous response from the young parents to enroll their wards for the workshop. But unfortunately we could accommodate only 40 children. We will keep doing these workshops for the benefit of our young learners”, says Sushant Banerjee, manager of the library.
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Bank’s SC employees seek houses
Chandigarh, August 29 Attended by the Dr Suraj Bhan, Chairman of the National Commission for SC/ST, the seminar focussed on the problems being faced by employees on account of unavailability of houses for them. Speakers said while two other unions of the SBI were being provided with accommodations, the requirements of SC and ST employees were being ignored. They alleged that the SBI had failed to implement a reservation policy as per the government guidelines and a large number of sweepers in the SBI were temporary even though they had put in almost 20 years of service. The speakers also claimed that the bank authorities did not consult them on the issue of transfers even though the other two associations were consulted before effecting transfers of the employees. Dr Suraj Bhan said SC/ST employees should not be discriminated against and all facilities extended to other employees should be provided to them as well.
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‘Sanatan prayan samaroh’ held
Chandigarh, August 29 Raslila, bhajan and satsang were the highlights of today’s programme. Children sang devotional songs and presented “Raslila” under the guidance of Shalu Bhateja and Raman Chaturvedi. Senior vice-president of the sabha and singer Pt Shiv Kumar Kaushik rendered bhajans. The president of the sabha, Mr M.P. Bhardwaj, talked about the significance of the worship of Lord Shiva.
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Housefed scheme extended
Chandigarh, August 29 While stating this here today, an official spokesman said the scheme had been extended from July 1 to September 30, 2004. He said the scheme was introduced to give relief to the loanee members of the societies in paying over due of loans.
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Transparency sought
Chandigarh, August 29 In a press note issued here today, around 25 members expressed dissatisfaction at the slow pace of construction and management’s lack of commitment towards the date of allotment. They also formed a five-member committee under the chairmanship of Dr Mohammad Khalid to oversee the construction.
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Another flesh trade racket; six held
Panchkula, August 29 The police had received information about the racket operating in the house of a 50 year old woman, Raksha Devi, alias
Ranjhan. Apart from her children, girls were part of the racket. While Raksha Devi, her children and two girls had been arrested by the police last year for indulging in prostitution, one girl was arrested by the police from Sector 4 for the same offence sometime ago. The gang was operating from Raksha Devi’s house, which had four rooms. The police raid was led by DSP Headquarters, Mr Desh Bandhu. Decoy customers were sent to the house, and a deal was struck for Rs 5000. The police then raided the place and caught Raksha Devi red handed. While searching the place, the police confiscated Rs 23,500 from the possession of all girls. Some drugs and syringes were also seized. They have been booked under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act. This is the third flesh trade racket busted by the police during August. While a racket was busted in Sector 15 a few days ago, another was busted in Sector 10 three days ago and two girls were arrested in this connection.
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Rs 4,500 robbed from liquor vend
Panchkula, August 29 Woman held: The police has arrested a 45-year-old woman from Mansa Devi Temple on charges of snatching gold chain from two devotees on Sunday evening. The accused, Malkiat Kaur, a resident of Gila Khedi village, Sangrur, was caught red-handed from the shrine and the two chains were recovered from her. Two arrested: The police has arrested two persons — Ram Lal of Chandi Mandir and Santosh of Rampur Seori — on charges of speculation and recovered Rs 490 from them.
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Man held for smuggling drugs
Mohali, August 29 In another incident the Sohana police has arrested one person for smuggling drugs. Chanan Singh was arrested from the Jagatpura-Dharampur village road yesterday. He was sent to two days of police remand by a Kharar court today. At least 11 kgs of poppy husk was seized from his possession. He is a resident of Asandh village, Panipat.
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Two suicides at Chandi Mandir
Panchkula, August 29 He succumbed to his injuries this morning. His family says he was a religious person and had gone to Pinjore for a satsang yesterday. In another incident, an unidentified man jumped in front of a train in the Chandi Mandir area this morning. The body has been kept at the Kalka hospital.
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UT books one under periphery Act
Chandigarh, August 29 A purchaser with general power of attorney, which was invalid, from Nalagarh would also be booked.
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Two houses burgled
Chandigarh, August 29
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One more held in kidnapping case
Chandigarh, August 29 The police had earlier arrested three persons. Lekhraj, a bank officer, was allegedly kidnapped from his residence by a group of five persons allegedly at the behest of Lekhraj’s California-based brother-in-law.
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Market Pulse
Tanishq has announced a special collection and offer to celebrate Rakhee. Brothers can choose from a special collection of jewellery. Besides the collection, Tanishq is offering a pouch in which the collection can be gifted.
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