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Kasauli beckons city residents
Coldest day in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, January 22
All roads led to Kasauli today. As winds got colder and the blanket of snow thicker, the hill town seduced Chandigarh residents with its snowy charm all day. Roadside food joints along the Shimla-Kalka highway made a roaring business, even as most clubs back home wore a deserted look.

Bad weather hits search for Sonia’s body
Zirakpur, January 22
Heavy snowfall in Manikaran and other parts of Kulu district has forced the Himachal Pradesh police to temporarily suspend the search operation to locate Sonia Deva’s body from the Parbati river.

Sonia was a multi-faceted personality, say classmates

Beant case prime witness awaits justice
Chandigarh, January 22
It has been a long wait for justice for Balwinder Singh, the prime witness in the Beant Singh assassination case. Nearly 10 years after the bomb blast at the Punjab Civil Secretariat that killed former Punjab Chief Minister and several others, Balwinder is moving from pillar to post to get his dues from the authorities concerned.

Our political system more transparent, says Canadian Sikh MP
Chandigarh, January 22
He received his first lessons in politics when he was just a kid. Now several years later Canadian Member of Parliament Gurbax Malhi has ideas that can change the face of Indian politics, at least the way in which the tickets are issued to candidates aspiring to make it big. He says, "In Canada, the party members have to contest elections among themselves prior to the polls for becoming the official candidates".

All institutes in non-MC areas to be cleared by town planners
Chandigarh, January 22
Institutional buildings like colleges, schools, marriage palaces, hotels, hospitals and petrol pumps situated in non-municipal areas in Punjab would now require the approval of building plans from the Town and Country Planning Department.

IMTECH's new Director takes over
Chandigarh, January 22
The Indian Institute of Microbial Technology here has a new chief. Dr Girish Sahni has taken over as its Director. Dr Sahni has worked extensively on development of cardiovascular drugs and clot busters

• Passing Thru

COMMUNITY

Exercise to review UT MC’s powers
Chandigarh, January 22
A review of the powers and functions of the municipal corporation in the city is on anvil. Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the UT Administration, will shortly meet the councillors led by the mayor in this regard.

Students of the Government College for Girls, Sector 42, Chandigarh, cover themselves to escape from rain in Chandigarh on Saturday. —  Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Anti-smoking law up in smoke
Mohali, January 22
How serious are some private organisations regarding the implementation of anti-smoking laws in the town can be seen from the fact that not a single complaint has been made to the police in the past about one month.

BJP criticises Cong
Chandigarh, January 22
The BJP has criticised the Congress for misguiding people in relation to the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in the city.

Defence authorities oppose constructions
Zirakpur, January 22
The structures around the fence of the defence installations in and around Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat limits are likely to come under clouds again following objections raised by the defence authorities over their constructions.

NGOs vow to bring police, public closer
Chandigarh, January 22
If the determination of Yuvsatta volunteers is anything to go by, Chandigarh will soon be a torture free city.

4 retired officers contesting for vice-chairman's post
Chandigarh, January 22
Four retired officers are in the running for the post of vice-chairman of the Defence Services Officers Institute, Sector 36, the elections for which are scheduled to be held tomorrow. Those in the fray are Brig M S Dullat, Brig J S Arajal, Brig B S Grewal and Lieut-Col J S Panag.

Dr Shergill’s death mourned
Chandigarh, January 22
A condolence meeting was held at the MLA Hostel Dispensary, Punjab, here today, in memory of Dr Hardev Singh Shergill. Rich tributes were paid to Dr Shergill or Dr Hardev, as he was popularly known, by his colleagues and patients. Dr Shergill (54) died following a heart attack on January 17.

• Supply of unclean water resented
• DSOI vice-president’s poll today
• Flight rescheduled

CRIME

Tavern owner beaten up Chandigarh, January 22 Three persons, who were in an inebriated condition, allegedly beat up a tavern owner today in Raipur Khurd village, when he asked them to pay the bill. Profusely bleeding Sunil Kumar, the owner of a tavern, points towards one of the assailants in Chandigarh on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

2,755 pirated CDs seized Chandigarh, January 22 The police arrested a Mani Majra based shopkeeper and seized 2,755 pirated CDs and five blue films from his possession during a raid conducted late last night. According to the police, Mr Yag Dut Sharma, the Manager of All Motion Copy Right protection Agency (AMCRPA), Sector 11, Panchkula, filed a complaint alleging that Shekhawat Ali of Dancing Music Palace, Mori Gate in Mani Majra was running an illegal business of selling pirated CDs and blue films. Shekhawat Ali, who was caught with pirated CDs and blue films, in police custody in Chandigarh on Saturday. — A Tribune Photograph.

Motor cycle, mobile phone stolen
Chandigarh, January 22
A man was booked for negligent and drunken driving, while a motor cycle and a mobile phone were stolen from the city, as per information released by the police here today.

Man commits suicide
Mohali, January 22
A resident of Phase IX, Industrial Area allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan late last night.

Travel agent held for cheating
Mohali, January 22
The police has arrested one person on charge of cheating. The arrested person, Gurdeep Singh, a resident of Chandigarh, was produced in a Kharar court today where he was remanded in police custody for two days.

EDUCATION

Teachers demand promotion
Chandigarh, January 22
The Chandigarh Government Teachers Union has urged the DPI (Schools) to implement the long pending demands of the union. The general secretary of union, Dr Vinod Sharma, said issues like promotion of master and finalising of seniority list of teachers were discussed during the meeting with the DPI.

Fair focuses on career counselling
Chandigarh, January 22
The 10th India International Education Fair, featuring leading national and international educational institutions, began at the CII, Sector 32, here today. The fair is aimed at updating the students with education and career options available in India and abroad.

Club gives books to poor students
Chandigarh, January 22
The Socio Educational Club today gave books and stationery to 45 poor students at Government Primary School, Sector 56, here today. Mr Bahadhur Singh, president of the club, presided over the function.

COURTS

Notice issued
Chandigarh, January 22
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice of motion for March 11 on a petition seeking directions to remove encroachments from the HUDA land in Raila village in Panchkula district. The notice has been issued on a petition filed by Mr Naresh Kumar Kadian of Rohtak.

CULTURE

Painting from the heart’s eye Chandigarh, January 22 Satwant Singh Sumail’s exhibition is a tribute to nature and its strikingly beautiful manifestations. Returning to the gallery after a year, the artist has created an ensemble impressive in content and in form. Visitors have a close look at an oil painting by Satwant Singh Sumail at an exhibition at Alliance Francaise, Sector 36, Chandigarh. — A Tribune photograph

Film Review
Elements of mega-hit, but impact diluted
SUBHASH Ghai believes that love is deep only when two lovers end up separating from each other. He paints the theme of love with some fresh strokes here. Minus jealousy or possessiveness, it should be lived moment to moment, regardless of tomorrow — so goes the message. And A.R. Rahman’s “Hum hain is pal yahan” does full justice to the theme.

LIFESTYLE

Chill fails to dampen the thrill
The weather and the women are raising a squall in January of 2005. The animosity between the two is apparent. The cool winter breeze, piercing through the bones, is fighting its way into the homes through cracks in the closed windows. Yet so many damsels are out in the open wearing capris, even short skirts.

Rock band makes youngsters dance

Close on the heels of a dazzling performance by world renowned rock band ‘Matmatah’ from France on January 17, the local Innovatives Rock Band performed live at the Plaza today. The programme titled ‘Rock Show Special’ was organised by the Department of Tourism, Chandigarh Administration, in association with the Oasis events with The Tribune as the media, sponsor. Rock band ‘The Innovatives’ performs at the Sector 17 Plaza during the weekend cultural show in Chandigarh on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

2-day exhibition begins
Showcasing brand names, a two-day exhibition began at Hotel Shivalikview, Sector 17, here on Saturday. From fresh bread to television sets, the exhibition had something to suit every pocket.

SPORTS

Junior challenge football semifinals today

Chandigarh, January 22 Sanjay Public School, Sector 44 will take on Chandigarh Football Academy (Red) in a semifinal match tomorrow in the ongoing Chandigarh Junior Challenge Football Cup (under-16) Tournament played here today at the Sector 42 Sports Complex. Gurdeep Singh of Mehar Academy, Kurali, attempts a header during their tie against DAV School, Sector 8, in the Chandigarh Junior Challenge Football Cup Tournament held on Saturday at the Sports Complex, Sector 42, Chandigarh. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

ADMINISTRATION

City’s oldest building likely to be demolished

Chandigarh, January 22 One of the oldest buildings in Chandigarh, which originally housed the offices of the Chief Engineer, in Sector 19, faces uncertain future. Re-modelling of the Sector 19-B by the planning wing of the Chandigarh Administration means the building has to be demolished to accommodate more houses and also to create fresh alignment for the road. One of the oldest buildings of the city in Sector 19-B faces demolition following the remodelling of the sector. — A Tribune photograph

Anti-encroachment drive from Jan 24
Chandigarh, January 22
The Estate Office will start removing encroachments from January 24. An enforcement team, led by Mr S.K. Setia, Land Acquisition Officer, has briefed the traders in the markets accordingly.