CN & heard

‘Aam’ Police

Though the season of mangoes is coming to an end,Chandigarh Police do not seem to be worried at all. The reason for this can be traced to a number of mango trees that are planted at one of the police stations in the city. Officials,in their free time,can often be seen trying to pluck mangoes from the branches. Seems like Chandigarh Police is never devoid of dessert after their daily meals.

Balancing Act

Since the Education Department has changed the timings of the government schools from 12.30 to 2 pm,the medical and non-medical students seem to be having a tough time trying to balance their 75 per cent attendance criteria in schools and their tuitions or coaching institutes after school. The new timings are causing problems. Above all,the entrance coaching centres in the city have been forced to change their timings accordingly.

Youth throng Ghaggar

Despite the prohibitions on the gathering of more than five people along the banks of Ghaggar river,youth continue to risk their lives by thronging banks of the river. On Wednesday,six youth were drowned at Burj Kotian,but there seem to be no lessons learnt from the tragedy. Despite the police restrictions on the gathering of more than five people on the banks of the river,the orders are flouted with impunity. Children could be seen bathing in the river. The youth are taking advantage of lax security arrangements as it is difficult for the police department to maintain a constant vigil along the river stretch.

What’s in a name?

Controversies over inclusion or deletion of names on invitation cards are not new in the Municipal Corporation. The latest to join the list of leaders who have objected to this is senior BJP leader Harmohan Dhawan who objected to the name of a Congress councillor on an invite to a prarthana sabha organised by the MC. The objection was that the MC was politicising the event which was in memory of the victims of the Uttarakhand tragedy by not including the name of the BJP councillor from the area.

Salute to martyrs

Though today’s generation has not witnessed any war,that does not prevent them from being inspired by soldiers. This was visible at the Kargil Vijay Diwas observed at Chandigarh War Memorial,where several schoolchildren were found paying homage to the martyrs. A five-year-old kid became the centre of attraction for all while. He was reading out the names of martyrs engraved at the memorial. When asked he said,“These are the people who sacrificed their lives for the nation.” Soldiers are real heroes and they continue to inspire the youth.

Virtual World

To overcome the shortage of psychiatrists,PGIMER has created electronic psychiatrists (computer-based system) that will treat patients suffering from mental health programmes in far-flung places. According to doctors at PGIMER ,the software has been successfully treating the patients at the hospital. One wonders that if the computer system is equal to a virtual doctor,then in the future,will we actually need doctors at all?

Economy Meals

The comments by the Congress leaders including Raj Babbar that a meal is available for Rs 5 or Rs 12 in Delhi and Mumbai has caused a ripple effect in the city as well. In a communication to the Mayor Subhash Chawla,BJP councillor Saurabh Joshi has stated that even the councillors should be provided with Rs 5 or Rs 12 meals in the forthcoming meeting of the General House. This,quips Joshi,will bring down the expenditure incurred on the meetings