Mohali, May 8
Recounting of votes of the municipal ward of former council president Kulwant Singh was held today at the court of the deputy commissioner amid protest by MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu and his supporters. The recounting was held amid tight security arrangements.

As the recounting was on, the MLA, MC president Rajinder Singh Rana, several councillors and other supporters staged a protest outside the office of deputy commissioner H.I.S. Garewal. The protesters alleged that the DC had got the recounting of votes done even when the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered a stay in this regard.

They raised slogans against the Punjab government, cooperation minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh and the DC. They also sat in front of DC Garewal’s car in an attempt to gherao him, but he left office using the back door in another vehicle.

With tempers running high, protesters made an attempt to go inside the court of the DC located on the first floor but were stopped by the police.

Sidhu alleged that the DC could have only heard the arguments and not get the recounting done. By doing so, he had violated the orders of the court, he said, adding the election record lying with the DC office since April 24 had been tampered with.

Sidhu claimed that Garewal had made Kulwant Singh win by 109 votes. He alleged Capt Kanwaljit Singh was behind this. He also alleged that the lawyer of Gurnam Bindra Singh was threatened by the DC.

Sidhu said the recounting would be challenged in the Supreme Court and all officials concerned made a party in the case. A protest would also be launched here as the DC had “murdered” democracy.

Garewal told mediapersons that whatever he had done was in accordance with the orders of the High Court.

He said the result of the recounting would be sent in a sealed cover to the court.

The DC denied that he was acting under pressure.

Panchkula, May 8
The two chemist shops at the General Hospital, Sector 6, here continue to do business despite cancellation of their drug licences by the drug Inspector about a week back.

Though there is a seven-year jail term for running a drug store without licence, these shop owners don’t seem to be perturbed. The sale is full swing, even as billing has been discontinued.

While one shop is located right outside the emergency, another is a little further away in the same complex in the parking area. Civil surgeon Dr Kamla Singh said the shop owners could be booked for operating without a licence.

“The chemists open their shops intermittently. Based on the information that they are still selling medicines without billing, the medical superintendent has issued them a warning. If they don’t shut their shops, we will register a police case against them and we have told them as much,” she said.

Doctors at the hospital say some action needs to be initiated against the chemists. Their licence had been cancelled because they had refused to vacate the premises despite the expiry of their contract with the hospital. “They kept going to court on one pretext or another only to prolong their stay. It was after their last ‘extension’ lapsed in mid-April that the drug inspector cancelled their licence ,” a senior doctor said.

Initially, the chemists had moved the high court against the government policy of allotting shops in hospitals to pharmacists. The court had decided that everybody be allowed to participate in a draw for the shops. Subsequently, the chemists moved the court again, stating that they were being “forced to move out.”

The health department gave a month’s notice in response, after which they sought another fortnight on the plea that they had raised the shops. The 15-day breather, too, lapsed in April after which their licence was cancelled.

Though there were customers buying medicine from the shops, the owners claimed that they were not selling medicine but only returning these to wholesalers.

They even asked the customers to come back later.

Chandigarh, May 8
With the aim to simplify the tedious curriculum, NCERT books have made innovative changes in the syllabi from this academic year. The books now are more application-based.

In the Business Studies Part 1 for Class XII, the ‘Division Of Work Principles’ described by Henry Fayol has been elaborated with an example from ‘dabbawalas’ of Mumbai.

The first chapter “Nature and Significance of Management” talks about how the dabbawalas manage and coordinate their business.

Anshu Chugh, Business and Accountancy lecturer with DAV School-15 said: “There could have been no better example on coordination and management than these more than 7,000 dabbawalas of Mumbai, ferrying nearly 2,00,000 cooked meals to various destinations daily.”

Similarly, another chapter on combining business with social responsibility gives the example of ‘Lijjat Papad’ made and distributed by Shri Mahila Griha Udyog. “This example shows how the organisation, which started with Rs 80, now has a turnover of over Rs 301 crore and how the women working there created self-employment, ” said Anshu Chugh.

Now, the students will no longer have to grapple with tough chemistry formulae. Prof B Kapila, a senior lecturer at DAV College-10, was of the opinion that the concepts are important and if the children are taught by giving them reference of commodities which we consume or use in everyday life, they are likely to grasp these better.

“Since the cold drinks are popular among the younger generation, it would certainly generate interest among them. It is through the example of cold drinks that the students will never forget that aspartame, which is diluted in the soft drink, is 180 times more sweetening than sucrose (sugar). This way it would be easier for them to know about the properties of substances, but if we put try explaining it through a formulae alone, they would not understand it”.

Prof S.C. Gupta, a senior physics lecturer, said: “To make the studies more interesting, various innovative methods have been adopted this time. For example, for senior secondary physics, each chapter has been described with animations at different websites like webphysics. davidson.edu, www.phys.hawaii.edu, www.phys.hawaii.edu and micro.magnet.fsu.edu .

In senior secondary Political Science, Part 1, “Contemporary World Politics” students get to know the contemporary political scenario. The book talks about the political relationship of neighbouring nations.

But education experts are of the opinion that teachers, especially those in government schools, may not be able to handle these new concepts. The teaching pattern needs to be changed too. The Chandigarh Education Department should conduct special in-service workshops for the lecturers and subject experts engaged so that the teachers are fully prepared before going to the classrooms.

Education experts say teachers, especially those in government schools, may not be able to handle these new concepts. The teaching pattern needs to be changed too. 

Chandigarh, May 8
The Army today began the general court martial (GCM) of a Major accused of molesting a lady officer posted in the same unit. The trial, being held at Tibri near Gurdaspur, did not make any headway today as a defending officer was not made available to the Major, sources said.

The court, presided over by Col Rupinder Singh, commanding officer of a Grenadiers battalion, also sought an explanation from the prosecution on why the court was convened if a defending officer was not available.

According to sources, Maj Sudhir Nohwar, had asked for Lt- Col Mukul Dev as his defending officer, but his move was not sanctioned by the Army Headquarters. Incidentally, the same officer has also been sought as a defending officer in another GCM at Chandigarh relating to alleged misappropriation of ammunition. The defence had contended that though the officer had agreed to come as a defending officer and the formation concerned was willing to spare him for the same, yet the Army Headquarters had not accorded sanction to the move.

The Major faces two charges under Section 69 of the Army Act, read with Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code for outraging a woman’s modesty.

Chandigarh, May 8
The claim of Pakistani industrialist-turned-politician Gauhar Ayub Khan that points towards Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw being a mole who had leaked India’s war plan in the fifties, has come under wide condemnation by veterans here.

Terming it to be preposterous, former Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, Lt-Gen Vijay Oberoi, said the claim had probably been made to help Gauhar sell his forthcoming book in the same manner as had been done by Musharraf to promote his book.

Gauhar, who also served as Pakistan’s foreign minister is writing a book on his father, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, the Pakistani dictator during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Some defence experts believe that Gauhar harbours strong anti-India feelings and he never forgave India for denying victory to Pakistan, which led to the downfall of his father. Gauhar, it is said, was then establishing himself as an industrialist and his father's defeat resulted in heavy financial losses to him and lowering the prestige of his father.

“It must be remembered that Gauhar is very much a part of the establishment in Pakistan and to make such claims is their way of trying to reduce the importance of the major victory to which Sam Manekskshaw had led the country in 1971,” he added.

“It is a ridiculous allegation against a man of such high character and integrity,” Lt-Gen Deepinder Singh (retd), who was Sam’s military assistant when he was the Army Chief said.

General Deepinder, who has authored a book on the Field Marshal, said that Sam had served in the military operations directorate till March, 1952, after which he moved out to command a brigade in Ferozepore. Thereafter, he moved as GOC, 26 Infantry Division, in Jammu and was then posted in the military training directorate in the Army Headquarters. Gauhar had claimed that a brigadier serving in the military operations directorate had sold the plan pertaining to the 1965 war in the fifties.

Senior officers discount the claims on the grounds that there had been no Indian "Grand Plan" which could have been leaked. Also, to be noted is the success with which Indian formations were able to cut across the border and Pakistan's inability to achieve tactical or strategic gains.

COMMUNITY

World Red Cross Day
Care for the poor: Rodrigues
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 8
Pleading for the promotion of the concept of one nation and one people, Punjab Governor S.F. Rodrigues today made a forceful plea for creating a strong network for selfless service and caring for the poorest of the poor irrespective of the caste, creed and religion.

Addressing a state-level World Red Cross Day function here today, General Rodrigues said: “We have to change our mindset and attitude to be sensitive to issues of societal concern and always be prepared to help the needy in distress.”

R.C. Sobti, vice-chancellor, Panjab University, said the university had introduced new courses, with focus on human resource development, social work and socio-economic reforms.

V.K. Puri, secretary, Red Cross, while giving an account of the activities of the Punjab unit, said the organisation had made efforts for giving relief to the needy with special focus on giving safe blood to patients, an awareness campaign against drug abuse and narcotics, medical check-up of students, youth training camps and financial assistance and medicines to needy patients.

A blood donation camp was also organised in collaboration with the Baba Sheikh Farid Blood Donors Council, Mohali, where 37 persons donated blood.

Meanwhile, a number of prominent social workers were honoured by the Governor for commendable work for the Red Cross movement. Mohan Kumar Goel (Patiala), Amarjit Singh Pahwa (Mohali), Inder Pal Singh Bagga (Rajpura), Swatam Dass and M.L. Kaushal (Gurdaspur) were made patrons.

Similarly, Joginder Singh Aulakh (Nawanshahr), Ashok Kumar Verma (Muktsar), Dalbir Singh Saini (Gurdaspur), Ajay Bagga (Hoshiarpur), Dinesh Gupta (Chandigarh), Mehanga Singh Kalsi (Mohali), Baljeet Kaur (Ropar) Balbir Sharma (Mansa), Sushil Sohal (Fatehgarh Sahib), Subhash Dhamija (Jalandhar), Bharat Bhushan (Ropar), Manjit Singh Mann (Nawanshahr), Suresh Kumar (Mansa), Pankaj Thakur (Chandigarh), Surinder Kumar (Chandigarh), Romesh Mahajan (Gurdaspur) and the principals of Government Senior Secondary School, Panj Grain, and of DAV College, Abohar, were given the award of honour.

While Mukesh Kalra (Chandigarh) and Sushil Kumari(Hoshiarpur) got the award for first aid services, Avinash Puri and Sushila Gupta, both from Chandigarh, were honoured for hospital welfare services. Harbans Singh Sidhu (Chandigarh) and Baldev Singh Sandhu, Charanjit Singh, and Jagtar Singh Bainipal, all from Mohali, were given the best blood donors motivator award.

Karnail Singh and Gurdev Singh were honoured for their selfless services.

Another special ceremony to mark World Red Cross Day was held at the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, today by the Indian Red Cross Society, Chandigarh branch, in association with Airtel.

The occasion was marked by Jean Rodrigues, wife of the UT Administrator, presenting specially fabricated Airtel mobile PCOs to 10 physically-challenged persons along with a blood donation drive in association with the Blood Bank, PGI. Individuals working selflessly for the cause of the Red Cross Society were also honoured.

Mohali, May 8
Officials of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) failed to get possession of a piece of land falling in Sohana village here today as the villagers got a stay from a court in this regard.

The land was required by the GMADA to link a nullah passing from near Lakhnour village to that falling in Manouli village. As soon as a GMADA team reached the spot along with adequate security arrangements, villagers gathered and showed it a copy of the stay orders. The villagers said they were ready to give the possession of the land provided the GMADA had any documents against the stay order. The officials had no choice except to return back without taking possession of the land, falling between Sectors 76 and 80.

The officials argued that they required the land as residents of Lakhnour village had filed a case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, asking the authorities concerned to cover the open nullah passing from near the village.

However, D.P.Singh, convener of the Kisan Hit Bachao Committee, told GMADA officials that they had no right to take the possession of the land as the villager had managed to get stay orders from the court in this regard.

Chandigarh, May 8
It is environment-friendly, cheap and good for health. What is more, it is being promoted as the latest form of ‘tourism’ in the city. At a meeting held by tourism director Vivek Atray today, the city woke up to its cycle culture, once again.

“Yes, we are trying to popularise cycling. Where else in the country can you ride a cycle seeing the sights and sounds of a city like we can do here,” says Atray. A point duly noted because nowhere in India are there such extensive cycle tracks made for the convenience of riders.

The meeting today was a ‘pedal’ in the right direction for it was decided that on May 12, government officials, councillors, resident welfare associations, teachers, students and NGOs will come together to ride from the Open Hand to the Sector 17 Plaza where awareness campaigns about the rights of cyclists and pedestrians alike will be conducted.

What is more, Atray is determined to draw in foreign and domestic tourists, en route to hill stations in the region. The department plans to hold a cycling event once every two months and is also working on an Annual Cycling Day sometime in September or October, once the weather eases up.

However, if the city is to take to cycling, says Pramod Sharma of Yuvsatta who has been campaigning for a ‘cycle-driven’ city for several years now, “the administration needs to make alternative transportation practical, convenient and above all safe in the city.”

This includes repair of the pothole-ridden cycle tracks, ample parking space, making provisions for slow-moving traffic coming off the tracks at the roundabouts and facilitating smoother bicycle traffic by installing stop signs, sign boards, sensors and red lights.

As far as the fillip from the administration is concerned, it has been suggested that all government vehicles (except buses and emergency vehicles), should be barred on holidays and a ‘bicycle to work’ week, bicycle festivals, games and excursions should be encouraged to promote cycling advocacy and education.

And Atray seems up for the task. Acknowledging that cycle tracks need to be overhauled, he says that a meeting is being planned with the engineering department and the SP (traffic) to “sort this out”.

Chandigarh, May 8
The Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association today protested against the proposed hike in the FDI in the insurance sector from 26 per cent to 49 per cent by taking out a torchlight procession in Sector 17.

Employees of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and general insurance companies participated in the procession that started from the divisional office in Sector 17-B and concluded at the Sector 17 Plaza. Women officers of insurance companies also participated in good numbers.

The employees were holding placards carrying slogans against the government’s “indifferent” attitude towards the nationalised insurance sector and were demanding dropping of the proposed hike in the FDI. Rajeev Sehgal, divisional secretary of the association, said the insurance employees would go on a nationwide strike if the government introduced any bill in Parliament to hike the FDI in the insurance sector.

Chandigarh, May 8
In true Bollywood style, a 17-year-old girl and her 22-year-old “friend” allegedly consumed poison three days before the girl’s marriage on late Monday night.

The incident took place at the girl’s residence in Sector 29-B, when the boy, Mohammad Wasim, who lives in the same locality, came to meet her at her residence at around 8:30 pm. As he was a frequent visitor to the house, Nobody suspected anything.

To the astonishment of the family, the boy and the girl declared that they had decided to end their lives and had consumed some tablets. They fell unconscious and the terrified family rushed them to the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital, said inspector Jagir Singh.

Timely treatment saved their lives. They were discharged from the hospital today. The police arrested them soonafter after registering a case of attempt to suicide. They were later released on bail.

Quoting the girl’s family, a police officer said the girl’s marriage was scheduled for May 10. The wedding party had arrived from Jammu-Kashmir yesterday. There was utter confusion in the family today with the girl refusing to marry the boy chosen by hr parents.

Chandigarh, May 8
In a special drive against the drug menace, the crime branch of the Chandigarh police today arrested five persons from various parts of the city for allegedly carrying smack.

Sources said Raniya of Sector 25, Raj Kumar of Burail, Ravi Kumar of Sector 45, Kiran Kumar of Phase VII, Mohali, and Parveen Kumar of Burail were arrested from various parts of the city. In all, 21 gm of smack was recovered from their possession.

SPICE SCHEME: Spice Telecom on Monday announced the launch of ‘Spice Total’ - a scheme for prepaid customers. This pack will be available at an introductory recharge of Rs 255 for new subscribers. This scheme comes with a talk time of Rs 175 and two months validity. New subscribers will also receive a free SMS package that will give them 2000 free local SMSs.

HUTCH ROAMING: Hutch on Monday introduced basic international roaming wherein its customers can receive calls and SMS while roaming in over 180 countries. The maximum deposit is only Rs 1,500 - brought down from Rs 10,000. Basic international roaming is now available at a monthly rental of Rs 99.

CONNECT OFFER: Connect has launched FM service for its landline and mobile subscribers. The Connect subscribers can dial 1777 and listen to a variety of popular music. They can also choose from categories like top ten hits, punjabi tadka, Bollywood special, evergreen songs, ghazals or English numbers of their choice. Listeners can also indulge in filmy gossips and entertaining discussions. Connect subscribers can listen to their choicest music for 300 minutes at a cost of Rs 50.

TATA VOUCHER: Tata Indicom on Monday launched “Power” and “Turbo,” two special tariff vouchers for Tata Indicom prepaid customers. The vouchers will offer prepaid customers T2T call charges, as low as 19 paisa per minute at night (between 10 pm to 8 am) and 39 paisa during the day (between 8 am to 10 pm), for a period of 30 days. At the same time, ‘Power’ will offer 49 paisa per minute for calls to off net mobiles (services other than Tata Indicom), said Subhash Arya, COO, Tata Teleservices Ltd (Punjab).

INTRODUCED: For the convenience of ATM card holders, the State Bank of India, Chandigarh circle, has introduced the dispensation of small denomination currency notes (Rs 100 and Rs 50) from its main branch in Sector 17 here. The ATM here has been configured to dispense these notes. With this, customers can now withdraw a minimum of Rs 50 and in multiples of 50, up to a maximum of Rs 4,000, in a single attempt. The limit per day from these ATMs will remain unchanged.