Showcasing state in Davos

Chandigarh: Ashwin Johar, foreign investment and NRI cell chairman, represented the state at the World Economic Forum in Davos recently. Johar said various investors showed interest in Haryana, of which a US-based drone-manufacturing company was keen on the Hisar aviation hub. He said railway part manufacturer Ensaldo from Italy and others also showed interest. He said JP Morgan chairman Jamie Dimon told him that some clients were looking at Haryana for BPO and IT services. 

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Survey on education, life skills

Sonepat: The Department of Social Works, Bhagat Phool Singh Women’s University, Khanpur Kalan, and the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), an NGO, jointly conducted a survey to ascertain the level of education and life skills among the youth of the district. The team surveyed 23 villages, visited 400 homes and interacted with 500 youngsters. The survey indicated that 95.6 per cent youth are able to take skills’ training; 90.3 per cent can count time; 77.9 per cent can count money; 76 per cent, 40.9 per cent, 33 per cent can use mobile phones, internet and computer, respectively; 66.7 per cent can read and write; 64.9 per cent can measure weight; 42.3 per cent are engaged in gainful work and 83.6 per cent of teenagers in the age group of 14 to 18 years have completed education till Class VIII. Vice-Chancellor Prof SP Bansal, ASER official Ranjit Bhattacharya, Prof NK Chadha from Delhi University and Chairperson of Department of Social Works Dr Manju Pawar felicitated the students and volunteers with certificates. 

‘Hard work must for success in civil services’

Sonepat: “Hard work, command over the subject, high morale, continuity and correct information can pave the way to success in civil services. Expensive coaching is not necessary as we can make use of internet while preparing for competitive examination,” said Sunaina Gahlaut, Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, Russia, while addressing a seminar ‘Students and Ministry of External Affairs Engagement Programme’ (SAMEEP) at the Hindu Girls College on Friday. She claimed that besides many other issues, External Affairs Ministry was engaged in strengthening of foreign relations and dealing with terrorism. 

‘Thaali Bajao Abhiyan’ for gender equality

Jhajjar: Breakthrough, a social outfit, has launched ‘Thaali Bajao Abhiyan (beating of plate campaign)’ in the district to make people aware about adverse effect of gender imbalance on society. Under the campaign, teachers and students of the Government High School along with Anganwadi and ASHA workers on Friday took out an awareness rally in Rohad village while beating plates and singing songs to spread the message of ‘Beti Bachao’ among the villagers. “As per our social custom, plate is beaten to mark the birth of a male child, while no celebration is done if a girl is born. Such practice gives rise to gender discrimination and hence it should be curbed for ensuring gender equality in society,” said Manoj Kumar, an activist of Breakthrough. He said awareness programmes would be organised under the campaign to spread awareness among the masses. 

Uninvited VIP hijacks show

Faridabad: Political rivalry between two leaders of the ruling party came to the fore at the inauguration of the Surajkund International Craft Mela here recently, when a former MP from here, nearly hijacked the show. He managed to take the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to his house located in the vicinity of the fair, soon after the inauguration ceremony. A totally unscheduled visit, it came as the former MP, who is now MLA in UP attended the ceremony as an uninvited VIP and whose name was not even announced or invited at the stage. The stage was occupied by other VIPs including the present MP, who is considered as his main political rival. Political activists described it as a part of the ongoing tussle between the two camps since the last Lok Sabha polls, in which one of them who lost had to contest assembly polls in UP to retain his political clout.

‘Adopt cycling to conserve fuel’

Panipat: VK Raizada, executive director, Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex (PRPC), along with senior officials, including women officers, organised Cyclothon under Sanrakshan Kshmata Mahotsav (SAKSHAM)-2018 PROGRAMME ON Friday. Raizada said to create awareness on fuel conservation, there was a need to popularise cycling as an environment-friendly means of transport. He flagged off the Cyclothon and more than 100 officials took part in the 8-km ride on bycycles. “Cycling is now seen as one of the most cost-effective options that will not only reduce our dependence on fuel, but also help us in maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he added. SAKSHAM-2018 is being observed since January 16 and will countine till February 15, 2018. 

Masonic centre inaugurated

Karnal: The Grand Lodge of India, New Delhi, with the help of local Freemason, has built Masonic centre in the memory of late Gaurav Dhamija, son of local Freemason, Indeerjit Dhamija. The centre was inaugurated by Baba Jaswant Singh two-days back and meanwhile, fruits and woollen clothes were distributed among the needy people. Dhamija said the Freemasonry was an organisation formed in India by the Britishers in the late seventeen century in Calcutta. A branch of it was launched in Karnal in 1836 with it’s headquarters at the Mall Road named Light of the North Lodge, under the English Constitution. It was controlled by the United Grand Lodge of England. Later, it was shifted to Ambala, he said, adding that in 1982, a lodge was constituted in Karnal under the Indian Constitution which was named as Lodge Karan no 244, but did not have its own premises. After the sudden demise of Gaurav Dhamija in a fire tragedy in 2016, the Grand Lodge of India decided to build the centre with the help of local Freemasons and a foundation stone was laid on October 9, 2016, which was named as Gaurav Dhamija International Masonic Centre, which comprises of a temple, activities hall, and a Masonic charitable poly clinic. 

Two orphans light up TV screen

Karnal: Two orphan kids, namely Nitin (13) and Muskan (13), from MDD Bal Bhawan, have made their debut on television screen after participating in the grand finale of a reality show- ‘No.1 Dramebaaz’ Season-3 held ten-days back in Andheri West, Mumbai. The audition for the reality show was held in November in Sonepat. Both the kids are delighted with their performance and are waiting for their show to be telecasted on February 25. After returning from Mumbai, both the kids received a grand welcome in Karnal. Parminder Pal Singh, president of MDD Bal Bhawan, PR Nath, Surinder Maan, chairman, Child Welfare Committee, and members of the orphanage, welcomed and congratulated the kids for their success. “It was a golden opportunity for me as it was my first experience in participating in any show. My show will be telecasted on February 25 and I am very excited to watch my performance on the television,” said Muskan, who came here in the orphanage around two-years back. “I and Nitin were given training of general etiquettes for improving our communication skills,” she added. Nitin said it was a platform for the kids from orphanage so that they could show their talent.

K’shetra University Prof gets CRSI award

Kurukshetra: Pawan K Sharma, professor of Chemistry at Kurukshetra University, was awarded today with the prestigious ‘bronze medal for 2018’, from the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI). Sharma was honoured at the 22nd CRSI National Symposium at Pt Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The CRSI is a professional body that promotes and facilitates research and education in all branches of Chemistry. On the occasion, Sharma also gave a lecture on ‘Paradigm Shift in Drug Design and Discovery’. Sharma has a specialisation in gene-based research, commonly known as the ‘gene therapy’, at the interface of Chemistry and Biology. “Under the gene therapy, we attempt to target specific gene sequences responsible for a disease by novel short DNAs as drugs. This is entirely different than all available therapies today, wherein, the symptoms of a disease are treated with small molecule drugs like paracetamol and aspirin,” he said.

Dietician to take care of obese cops

Kurukshetra: While performing strict duty hours, men in khakhi in Kurukshetra will now follow a proper diet and spend enough time in physical activities. The district police authorities have roped in a dietician to maintain proper healthcare of its personnel. Abhishek Garg, SP, said during a recent health check-up conducted by the doctors of Cygnus Hospital, over 70 police personnel were found obese. “They have been given a balanced died chart to improve their eating habits and asked to ensure strict exercise schedule at the police lines,” he said. Garg said lifestyle diseases were a serious cause of concern for officials who had extended working hours. A team of doctors would regularly monitor health parameters of the cops, he said.

Contributed by Sushil Manav, BS Malik, Ravinder Saini, Bijendra Ahlawat, Mukesh Tandon, Parveen Arora and Vishal Joshi