 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Ghaggar bridge at
Dera Bassi closed
Chandigarh, August 14 The decision to close the strategic bridge from tonight has been taken by officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the PWD (B and R) and GMR Ambala-Chandigarh Expressways Private Limited. "In fact, the bridge has been under observation for over a week and the decision to close it was taken as it was not traffic worthy anymore," an official informed Chandigarh Tribune tonight. Regarding the duration of the closure, the official said it was yet to be decided whether to go in for repair of the bridge or close it
permanently. The bridge, which was constructed in 1950s, had virtually outlived its utility. With the ongoing project of the four-laning of the "killer stretch" between Zirakpur and Ambala underway, the closure of the bridge was a foregone conclusion. In fact, the four-laning project, which would be completed by November, 2008, envisages the construction of a parallel bridge to the existing bridge. However, its closure at the present juncture would put to inconvenience thousands of the persons travelling between Chandigarh and Ambala. It may be recalled that this is not for the first time that the bridge has been closed for traffic. The bridge was closed for heavy traffic for over a week from November 30, 2004, when a "depression" was noticed in one of the spans of the bridge. Since then the bridge had been "under rehabilitation". Meanwhile, following the closure of the highway, the management of the railway overbridge at Dera Bassi would suffer substantial losses as thousands of vehicles would use different routes to reach Chandigarh and Ambala. On the other hand, the commuters would have to travel extra distance to reach Chandigarh and Ambala. Officials highlighted that the traffic bound for Ambala from Chandigarh could use the Banur-Tepla road by taking a turn from Zirakpur. Similarly, the traffic coming from Ambala to Panchkula could use the Dera Bassi-Ramgarh road. The officials said the use of different routes could also speed up the four-laning of
road. Currently it is being observed that the length of road had become narrow as the four-laning work was in progress. This, coupled with stationing of the heavy machinery at strategic points, was some time hindering the smooth flow of traffic. At certain stretches, particularly at Zirakpur where a 2.7-km overbridge is under-construction, the traffic is being regulated.
|
|
PU denies affiliation to art college for MFA course
Chandigarh, August 14 The new session of the course was to begin in September, but the university’s inspection committee is said to have refused extension of affiliation to the course mainly on the grounds that the college did not have enough classrooms to cater to the students who will be admitted. A large building near the college, which is part of the college campus, is occupied by the governments of Punjab and Haryana that have sundry offices there for many years now. The MFA course was started by the college two years ago after PU affiliated it, but only after an undertaking was given by the Chandigarh Administration that it would get the building vacated and make additional space available for use by the college authorities. A meeting between the UT Adviser and the Chief Secretaries of the two states took place more than a year ago during which the Adviser was assured that the building would be vacated at the earliest. Sources said a senior UT Administration official had recently written two demi-official letters to the state governments to start shifting their offices from the building keeping in view the pending visit of the inspection committee, but nothing came out of that effort too. The four-member inspection committee visited the college last week and found that students were forced to attend classes in the auditorium and other places in the college and did not even have enough space to set up their easels and paint. There was shortage of lecturers. Noting these observations and the fact that the UT Administration had given an assurance that the college would provide enough space for students but had failed to get its own building vacated, members of the committee took a strict view of the situation and recommended that
the extension of affiliation for the MFA course be denied to the college. The college has 80 students perusing the course in the college and the first batch is due to pass out by the end of this month. Since advertisement as regards admissions have been already given, more than 75 applications have been received by the college but the counselling for the 40 seats has been now put on hold. The college has been given two months to remove the objections raised by the committee members and admit students only after affiliation is granted. The course has already been approved by the All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) for the coming session. Admitting that the college was now seeking extension of affiliation from PU, the Principal, Dr Brahm Prakash, admitted that an inspection committee had visited the college some days ago. He, however, stated that the college had not received the report of the committee members. He added that the college had given advertisement for recruiting more lecturers.
|
|
Security tightened up around Secretariat building
Chandigarh, August 14 It was learnt that the Haryana Government is gearing up to strengthen the security around the secretariat complex here and it has roped in the Punjab Government as well as the Chandigarh Administration for this purpose. The complex consists of the secretariat building housing Punjab and Haryana Secretariats and, the Assembly building, also shared by the two states. Apart from the ghastly murder of Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Beant Singh, in the last decade, the complex has not really witnessed any major incident of breach of security. However, the incidents of terrorist violence worldwide, including India, has prompted the Haryana Government to think of strengthening the security arrangements around the complex. Official sources said the security committee of the Haryana Government headed by the Chief Secretary recently held a meeting regarding the security of the complex. Apart from officials from Haryana, the meeting was also attended by the Special Secretary, Home, Punjab and the Home Secretary of Chandigarh. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is currently entrusted with the security of the complex, made a series of presentations at the meeting regarding various security systems that could be adopted for the protection of the complex. The participants in the meeting, after going through the presentations, decided to constitute a steering committee and a technical committee to examine the various systems demonstrated by the CISF and then decide upon a foolproof plan. The idea, it was learnt, is to strengthen the security on the model of the security arrangement adopted in the Parliament building in New Delhi with the help of remote controlled iron gates as well as barricades powered by sensors. The steering committee and the technical committee of the Haryana Government sources said both had members from Punjab and Haryana Governments and the Chandigarh Administration. The sources said the Chandigarh Administration had been asked to provide funds for erecting the permanent structures needed for enhancing the security around the complex. The funds needed for supporting the central paramilitary personnel deployed in the complex has been traditionally borne by Punjab and Haryana on 60:40 basis and these two states will continue doing so in the new security regime as well.
|
Chandigarh, August 14 He stressed upon utmost alertness and vigilance in view of the threat perception by various militant outfits. — TNS
|
|
I-Day, Janmashtmi celebrations in schools
Chandigarh, August 14 The function began with the traditional welcome for the chief guest, Mr Harbans Singh Sodhi, Senior News Editor, Doordarshan. This was followed by an inter-house competition on depiction of scenes related to Indians freedom struggle. Patel House was declared the winner. A quiz contest was also organised on the freedom movement. Sarojini House emerged the winner in the quiz contest. A group song was also staged. Dutt Vishesh
Patriotism marked the Independence Day and Janmashtami
celebrations at Dutt Vishesh School, Sector 26. Students enacted a story of Krishna's birth. Patriotic poems were recited and songs were sung by students. Tiny tots were dressed up as national leaders like Pandit Nehru, Bhagat Singh, etc.
Adarsh Public
The school management and students of Adarsh Public School, Sector 20-B,
celebrated its Independence Day and Janmashtami together. Fancy dress competitions, patriotic songs, bhajan and dance was organised on the school premises. Students of pre- nursery to class V were dressed as different national leaders. A
''jhanki'' on Janmashtami was also presented.
Sri Guru Ram Dass
Independence Day was celebrated at Sri Guru Ram Dass Public School, Sector 19-D. Students sang patriotic songs, while tiny tots danced to the tunes of
''Nanha munna rahi hun''. A fancy dress competition was also organised on the occasion.
Shishu Niketan
Janmashtami was celebrated with great joy in the nursery wing of Shishu Niketan Model Sr. Secondary School, Sector 22-D. A cultural programme was also organized on the occasion.
Mount Carmel
Various competitions and contests were organised as part of Independence Week
Celebrations at Mount Carmel School, Sector 47-B. Inter-house dance and Hindi declamation competitions were also held. Dances on the theme ''Our India, Our Motherland'' was also performed on the occasion. A scintillating performance was put up by the bhangra team of the
school.
Mohali Ashmah International School students celebrated Independence Day with great enthusiasm. A colourful programme comprising songs and dances was presented by tiny tots. Addressing students, Ms Devneet Kaur said: "It is an endeavour to educate the students about the importance of this day by paying respect to the national heroes and remember their contribution to our lives and national integrity". They also celebrated Janmashtami. Saint Soldier
A week-long celebration commenced at Saint Soldier International Convent School with the community service programme. As many as 106 students of Class IX visited Nehru Colony and distributed sweets, fruits and clothes to the underprivileged. "Each One Teach One" was another venture undertaken in the colony wherein the students ensured to teach each and every inhabitant to write their own names followed by giving tips on hygienic surroundings and healthy living conditions. Senior students (Classes VIII and IX) prepared power point presentations on the freedom struggle, freedom fighters and the evolution of the National Flag, the tiny tots presented a colourful programme and a fancy dress competition. An inter-school song competition was also held today. Various teams from different schools participated. Ajit Karam Singh International Public School bagged the first prize, St. Soldier International Convent School and St. Joseph High School were declared the runners-up.
DAV
To continue the tradition of faith and devotion, students of DAV Public Senior Secondary School celebrated Janmashtami with religious zeal and spiritual enthusiasm. A fancy dress competition was held. Principal Jaya Bhardwaj addressed the students to mark the occasion and boost their spiritual and religious fervour. The winners of fancy dress competition include:
Darshanjot, Jaidev, Kartik, Jasvinder, Krittika, Jashanjeet, Jashandeep, Agamjot Singh, Karan
Razdan, Brahmjot Singh, Shitiz, Priyanka Archit, Jaskiran and Prakriti.
Gian Jyoti
Students of Gian Jyoti Public School presented a cultural programme in the school to mark Independence Day. Tiny tots danced on the famous number ''Desh Rangila, Rangila''.
Gidha was the main attraction. The students were reminded of the sacrifices of the great Indians to achieve the most valuable freedom. They were also reminded of their duties towards their nation. The students pledged to be good citizens and serve their of motherland.
Panchkula The primary wing of The Gurukul, Sector 20, celebrated the Independence Day with fervour. The morning began with prayer and playing of the national song followed by a short cultural programme. The students presented speeches in Hindi and in English, speaking about the sacrifices of great leaders of the freedom movement. Patriotic songs and dance items on patriotic numbers were the other highlights of the day’s programme. Sweets were distributed and flags were given away to the students. The senior wing is all set to celebrate this special day tomorrow.
Manav Mangal
Mr. Sandeep Sardana, Principal of Manav Mangal School, Sector 11, will receive an award for his contribution to the field of education at the district-level Independence Day function to be held tomorrow. He was recently awarded the ‘Best Principal Award’ at Chinmaya Centre in Delhi for his continuous support rendered towards popularisation of science and IT. Children from the school have been performing exceeding well in these two fields for the last many years. Mr
Y.S. Rajan, Principal Adviser, Confederation of Indian Industry, delivered the presidential address and interacted with eminent principals, outstanding teachers and meritorious students. Out of 23 principals chosen for the award from India and abroad on the basis of 5th National Cyber Olympiad, only two Principals have been chosen from Haryana, Mr Sandeep Sardana Manav Mangal school and Mr Anil Kumar of Delhi Public School, Faridabad.
Chamanlal DAV
Students of the school celebrated Independence Day with patriotic fervour. They sang patriotic songs and recited patriotic poems. The young children with their tri-colour painted faces, holding balloons and flags added to the spirit of I-Day celebrations. Earlier during the week, a quiz competition was held for the students. The thrust areas were the freedom struggle, national symbol, heroes, culture and heritage. The winners were awarded certificates at the special morning assembly. The Principal of the school, Mrs Anjali
Marriya, spoke about the importance of being conscientious citizens.
Doon school
Independence Day was celebrated with great fervour on the school premises in Sector 21. Dr Jaideep Singh Chadha was the chief guest. A colourful cultural programme was organised on the occasion. A foot-tapping dance performance by tiny tots on ‘Aisa Desh Hai
Mera’ marked the beginning of the function. One-act plays staged by the four houses were the main attraction of the function besides the patriotic dance performance by the senior girls.
Ambala Janmashtami was celebrated in Mind Tree School at Ambala City today. Teachers briefed the students about the life of Lord Krishna. The students presented patriotic and religious songs on this occasion. Manager of the school Deepak Mongia congratulated the students for the Independence Day. The Principal of the college, Ms Sudha Mathur, said the Independence Day would be celebrated in the school.
|
|
District's first I-Day function
Mohali, August 14 Officials of various departments are ensuring that work assigned to them was completed in time at Government College in Phase VI where the function is being held . Mr Tejveer Singh, Deputy Commissioner, said today that students from private and government schools were being made to participate in the function at which Mr Darbari Lal, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha , would be the chief guest.
|
|
Greater Mohali Development Authority okayed
Chandigarh, August 14 A spokesman of the government said the board also approved the final boundaries of the notified local planned area of Kharar and Banur towns under Section 56(5)(A) and (B) of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995. The board also discussed the layout plan of an integrated township to be set up near Dera Bassi. The spokesman said the board approved the outline master plan of SAS Nagar. Keeping in view the unplanned urban development in state’s 19th district Tarn Taran and its surrounding areas in the recent past, the board decided to develop and identify the area as a local planned area for preparing its master plan for planned growth in future.
|
|
Judicial remand for
Gaganjit
Chandigarh, August 14 A change in statement by the victim today, meanwhile, made the
Chandigarh Police request a team from the Central Scientific Forensic
Lab (CSFL) to revisit the spot of the crime and pick up fresh clues.
Senior scientists, accompanied by Chandigarh Police personnel took
samples from the drawing room of Flat No 57, allotted to Gaganjit
Singh.
Investigations by the Crime Branch of the Chandigarh Police,
working on this case had to be started all over again after the victim
repeatedly changed her statement to the police, a senior officer said.
He said the sequence of events recorded earlier are different from the
facts mentioned by the woman today.
Following today’s investigations fresh DNA samples of Gaganjit
Singh and the victim were taken again. Police sources said that the
samples taken yesterday were found to be unfit for examination. A
sniffer dog was taken to the scene of the crime in an attempt to trace
the movement of the victim within the house. Some samples were also
taken from the floor.
An investigating officer said that there was variance in the
statement of the victim. In the FIR she had claimed that she had been
raped on a bed. But today she said that she had been assaulted on a
carpet on the floor.
|
|
Barnala
rape case:
fact-finding panel set up
Chandigarh, August 14 “The committee will dig out the true facts behind the entire case. We will not wait for the police report and instead do its parallel investigations’” said the chairman of the fact-finding committee. A police official said the investigations by the lawyers’ body would not affect their investigations. “We have collected a number of evidence to reconstruct the entire case and would soon come out with the truth,” he added.
|
|
Kalam to unveil city architect’s project on Aug 17
Chandigarh, August 14 A brainchild of Mr Diljit Rana, an NRI, who traces his roots to Sanghol village associated with the Indus valley civilisation, the state-of-the art complex will consist of a degree college, a college of education, a hotel management institute, a business management institute and a trustee house. The project is being set up at the initiative of the Rana Charitable Trust(U.K.), the Shrimati Jawala Devi Memorial Trust and the Sardhanjali Memorial Trust formed by Mr Rana. Besides, a secondary school for 1500 students and hostels for boys and girls are also proposed, Mr Bahga said here today. Situated on a 12-acre site opposite the famous archeological museum, the campus is built on irregularly shaped site which abuts on the main road and is bounded by fields on the other three sides. The shape of the site has dictated the design of the complex, he said. The project would prove to be a boon for the residents of the area falling in Fatehgarh Sahib district considered to be educationally backward area. Mr Bahga said, "The campus is planned to form enclosed ‘village’ with open spaces as a focal centre. This grouping creates an ambience of rural India and encompasses community spirit—the feeling of belonging, the physical context for social interaction that is often lost in the hives of modern buildings." "The primary aim of the complex is to create a conducive environment for learning and character building." he stated.
|
|
Draw for housing societies next week
Panchkula, August 14 While the scrutiny of applications for the plots in Sectors 27 and 28 is in the final stage, HUDA has decided to hold draw of lots for the group housing societies on August 21 or 23. “We have zeroed in on August 21, but the final nod from the top bosses is awaited. We have suggested August 23 as an alternative date,” a senior official said. For 44 sites for the group housing societies, HUDA has received over 4,000 applications, while there are nearly 4 lakh applicants for around 500 plots in Sectors 27 and 28. While the cut-off date for applying for the group housing societies was February 28, the scheme to apply for the plots closed in March. HUDA had extended the last date for the registration of societies from February 14 to February 28 as a large number of societies could not be registered due to public holidays during that period. “It has been a mammoth exercise sorting out thousands and thousands of applications, identifying discrepancies and setting these in order. We began round-the-clock scrutiny of applications in July. These have been the most-awaited draws and we are making arrangements that all goes well. We are in the process of finalising the sequence of events for the draw of lots down to the last detail. Everything should be well in place by the end of this week,” the official said. The HUDA office has been receiving hundreds of telephone calls from applicants from all over the region to confirm the status of their societies as the authority’s website is not easily accessible.
|
Pawan Bansal to open Shivalik Garden today
Chandigarh, August 14 The garden will be inaugurated by Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister of State for Finance, tomorrow. The garden, foundation stone of which was laid on November 19, 2005, has been developed in a record time of seven months. Describing the features of the garden, Mr Surinder Singh, Mayor, and Mr P.S. Aujla, Commissioner, MCC, said there was no garden of the magnitude of Rose Garden/Shanti Kunj in Mani Majra, spread over an area of 855 acre having population of more than 2 lakh. Mr Aujla said it is a vibrant and happening garden, rather than only a walkway for the residents. It has various features like children play corner, food kiosks, a lake and swings. The children play area has been developed in 16,880 sq ft. It has an amoeba-shaped sandpit, swings and imported multi-play station, which has not been provided in any other garden. A colourful snakes and ladders game has been designed on the floor for children to play. The garden has been segregated from the surrounding areas by providing a buffer of evergreen trees and mounds all around it. About 650 shade-giving and ornamental trees have been planted in the garden and around it. About 2,800 flowering shrubs have been planted along the footpaths. As many as 300 different types of creepers have also been planted along the periphery wall of the garden. Different varieties of plants, including ixora, allmanda, cassia biflora, hibiscus red, caliandra, cassia flauca, hamelia patens, bauhinia, lagerstroem in indica, jatropha, etc, have been planted. A lake has been built on the southern side utilising the natural slope of the site with 2,500 cubic metre capacity. Stepping stones have been provided in the lake to cross it. The lake will be filled up with water from a tubewell installed in the garden. It can also store rainwater. Water in the lake will be recycled fortnightly and will be used for irrigation. Palm trees will provide beautiful background to the lake. Beautiful oval-shaped water feature with decorative lights will add to the beauty of the garden. This water feature is unique and is first of its kind in the city. Footlights have been provided all around the circulation loops. Facade lighting has been provided to create texture and twinkling lights will lit up cluster of trees in a sequential order to make the garden look more lively. An open-air theatre has been planned, which will be constructed in the second phase.
|
|
BJPYM activists spray Coke, Pepsi instead of pesticides
Chandigarh, August 14 The Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha activists chose Punjab farms for this rare display of multinational cultural symbols in form of colas being used as pesticides. Led by BJP Youth Wing leader Vineet Joshi the activists went to a farm at Maloya Village with Coke and Pepsi bottles. Using pesticide spray pumps, the activists sprayed colas much to the amusement of local farmers. Reiterating its demand for a complete ban on colas and a stringent no-tolerance embargo on tainted cola manufacturers, the BJP Youth leader Vineet Joshi said,“ It's high time the government considered banning colas completely in the country. We must have a zero-tolerance limit when it comes to health and safety standards of our people.” BJP Youth Wing activists demanded that the Punjab Government should also take stringent steps in wake of alarming media reports on colas off late. Lamenting at the attitude of the Punjab Government, especially Health Minister Surinder Singla in questioning the credentials of the Centre for Science and Environment CSE study, BJP Youth Leader Vineet Joshi demanded a transparent and fair test of 73 samples collected by the Punjab Health Department on August 9 in its statewide crackdown on colas. Terming the attitude of the UPA government as lethargic and irresponsible in dealing with this vital issue, BJP Youth leader Vineet Joshi asked as to why the government had been sleeping over the issue for the past so many years in spite of the issue being put to such a close scrutiny earlier also. He was accompanied by Khushwant Rai Gigga, district president, BJP Mohali, Ashoo Khanna, general secretary, BJP, Mohali, Sudhir Guleria, member, State Executive BJP Youth Wing, Punjab.
|
|
Milkmen stage dharna
Mohali, August 14 The protesters who blocked two roads leading to the police station also raised slogans against the police. The dharna was lifted only when SHO Satnam Singh assured the protesters that an inquiry would be conducted into the incident after a written complaint was made in this regard. The protesters said after the incident that happened on Saturday a compromise was reached between the two parties but later the police registered a case against some milkmen. The police had registered a case against Soma, Mohinder Singh, Sham Lal , all residents of Nada village and Tarsem Lal , a resident of Perch village under Sections 365 , 353, 186, 148, 149, and 506 of the IPC on the complaint of Dr Vinod Kumar Jain , District Health Officer (DHO). Mr Jain had stated that he was going to Kansal village to check the state of sanitation. He had stopped his vehicle short of Nada village for
sometime. A milk man coming from the opposite direction left his bicycle and ran towards the village after seeing the vehicle of the Health Department. It is alleged that he came back accompanied by more than 25 persons and some of these persons took away the official vehicle along with an employee. Mr Malkeet Singh, an executive member of the Chandigarh Periphery Milkmen’s Union, alleged that officials of the Health Department had asked for bribe for clearing milk samples. He alleged that milk vendors were harassed by authorities concerned. Mr Prem Singh Bhangu, central committee member of the Marxist Communist Party of India, said the Chandigarh Milk Union was affiliated to his party. He said officials of the Health Department could not take milk samples in villages but in towns where milk was distributed after a complaint was made by consumers. He said that a compromise was reached in the presence of the police but later the police resorted to a criminal breach of trust. However, the DHO said health officials had never gone towards Nada village to collect milk samples .The allegation regarding bribes was being levelled only as an after thought.
|
|
Nabard scheme to check groundwater level
Chandigarh, August 14 The state government was taking numerous steps in this regard like diversification in the crop pattern as the traditional wheat and paddy rotation was water intensive. He further said drip irrigation was one of the most effective and comprehensive method that would change the agricultural scenario in the state. Referring to his recent visit to Mumbai, he said NABARD had cleared all pending proposals of the state government worth Rs.224 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). On this occasion, the Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Dr Kewal Krishan, the Deputy Speaker, Prof Darbari Lal, the Local Government and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Chowdhary Jagjit Singh and the State Minister for Forests, Mr Hans Raj Josan, also planted saplings.
|
|
Admn ignoring SAD: Kanwaljit
Chandigarh, August 14 The general secretary of SAD, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, along with other party leaders, today presented a memorandum to the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd). Capt Kanwaljit Singh claimed that the Administration had ignored the party as no office-bearers had been taken in any committee formed by the Administration. Recently, the Adviser to the UT Administrator convened a meeting of various political parties but SAD had been ignored on the issue.
— TNS
|
Youth Cong chief booked for eve-teasing
Dera Bassi, August 14 According to the police, the incident occurred when the driver of a bus in which girls of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Girls Academy, Alkian in Mansa district, were traveling, had an altercation with the driver of a crane coming from a wrong direction. The girls were on their way to Chandigarh from a trip to Rishikesh and Paonta Sahib. As the two drivers exchanged hot words, the crane driver phoned his friends Rodi, along with Sanjay Kumar, Kala, Vicky and Jagga, who reached the spot and allegedly teased the girls and intimidated the teachers accompanying them. High drama was witnessed here with the girls raising slogans against misbehaviour with them. Later, the police registered a case. However, Mr Rodi later refuted allegations of eve teasing. |
|
|||||
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
