In Brief

Birth centenary of PGI founder celebrated
CHANDIGARH:The birth centenary of Professor Santokh Singh Anand,former director and professor of surgery at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research,Chandigarh,was celebrated at the hospital on Saturday. The function was chaired by Professor I C Pathak,former PGI director and a student of Professor Anand. Former Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University and former faculty member of PGI,Professor M S Valiathan,delivered the thought-provoking key address. Professor B N S Walia,N K Ganguly,K K Talwar and B L Talwar,who were colleagues of Professor Anand,also spoke at the event. A few of Anand’s students,including professors Ajmer Singh,S K Khanna and S M Bose also shared memories of their teacher. Anand was one of the founders of PGI. His wife Janki Anand was also felicitated on the occasion. ens

Nari Niketan rape accused sent to 14-day judicial custody
Chandigarh:The third male accused in the Nari Niketan rape case,arrested earlier this week,was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a court today. The court of judicial magistrate Sumit Ghai sent Bajinder,an attendant of Nari Niketan,to judicial custody till November 21. The accused was arrested on November 4 on charges of raping a mentally challenged girl.

Conference of Brahma Kumaris concludes
MOHALI:On the last day of the conference for administrators,managers and executives,organised by Brahma Kumaris at Sukh Shanti Bhawan in Phase VII,Mohali,Brahma Kumari B K Urmil,coordinator,Administrative Service Wing of Delhi zone,said: “Attachment,pressure and leanings lead to stress,which can be redressed by positive thoughts.” While addressing executives of Idea Mobiles Ltd,Mohali,she said,“On an average,one creates about 25 to 30 thoughts per minute,of which 80 per cent are negative and these thoughts pollute the whole environment. Positive thoughts create a positive attitude with which one not only produces creative energy but also fruitful energy.” B K Asha,national coordinator of Brahma Kumaris’ Administrative Service Wing,said: “Meditation is a device which helps in enhancing one’s inner powers.” Sister Renu from Jodhpur expressed her views on how one can lead a tension-free life by meditation. “It can relieve different types of physical tensions as well,” she said.

Two motorcyclists die in road accident
ROPAR:Two persons died when the motorcycle they were riding rammed a tractor-trolley near Dhanauri village on the Ropar-Morinda road on Saturday. According to reports,one Karamjit Singh of Kalaran village and Amarjit Singh of Rauni Kalan village were going to Ropar. As they reached Dhanauri,the driver of the tractor-trolley overtook the motorcycle,leading to a collision. The relatives of the victims along with a group of villagers set the tractor-trolley on fire. A police team led by Morinda SHO G P Singh reached the spot and got the flames doused. The accused driver has been booked under Section 304-A of IPC.

PGI Vigilance Week concludes
CHANDIGARH:Vigilance Awareness Week celebrations concluded at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research,Chandigarh,on Saturday. The week was celebrated with the motive to spread awareness to fight against corruption and bring about objectivity and timely disposal of matters pertaining to public administration. Officials of the institute took an anti-corruption pledge. Events like essay writing,slogan writing,quiz and declamation contests were organised during the week. On the closing ceremony,chief vigilance officer Professor Amod Gupta addressed the gathering. A book titled,Gyan Ke Moti,written by Dr R K Sharma,assistant professor of hospital administration,was also released by PGI director Professor K K Talwar on the occasion.

Finance Minister inaugurates youth festival
MOHALI:A two-day youth festival of 45 colleges of Punjab Technical University (PTU) Zone IV began at Aryans Group of Institutes in Nepra village. Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal inaugurated the fest while Chief Parliamentary Secretary Raj Khurana was the guest of honour. While addressing the students,the Finance Minister urged them to reaffirm their commitment to the cause of the nation. “Without hard work,you can never change your destiny,” he said. A total of 26 cultural items,including Punjabi folk dance,classical dance,one-act play,mimicry,vocal music,poster-making,elocution,poem recitation,clay modeling,quiz,debate and on-the-spot painting,were presented.

Institute chairman Anshu Kataria said,“The festival was a unique platform for young talent and a celebration of youthful creativity and innovation”.