In brief

Traders put forth demands to Patil
CHANDIGARH: The Traders’ Association of Sector 17,while welcoming the appointment of Shivraj Patil as Punjab Governor and UT Administrator,has put forth a list of demands. These include allowing commercial leasehold property to be converted into freehold,removal of encroachments from markets and deemed assessment of all pending sales tax.

Gender sensitisation workshop held
CHANDIGARH: “Reading and learning from another’s experience is one of the best success mantras for students,” said Dr Sushil Mudgil,member secretary and advisor,Centre for Gender Development,Punjab,which organised a seminar on gender sensitisation at Government College,Sector 46,on Saturday. NSS volunteers of the college participated in different interactive activities during the programme. Dr Gauri highlighted the difference between gender and sex.

‘Farmers not getting benefits of growth’
CHANDIGARH: A conference to discuss problems of the rural economy was organised at the Institute of Sikh Studies on Saturday. Experts said that farmers are not being able to reap the benefits of growth in the agriculture sector. They suggested that quality seeds and other facilities need to be provided.

Workshop on intellectual property rights
MOHALI: A workshop-cum-awareness session on intellectual property rights was organised by the Mohali Industries Association (MIA) in association with the Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) and Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises,Development Institute,Ludhiana,at the MIA Bhawan in Industrial Area on Saturday. Dr Neelima Jerath,R C Chopra,Anil Kumar,B S Anand and K S Mahal spoke on the occasion. Chief guest V N Mathur,additional director-cum-chief coordinator,Udyog Sahayak,appreciated the efforts of MIA and the ministries.

Condolence meet held at PGI
Chandigarh: condolence meeting was held at PGI on Saturday to pay homage to Dr Pushpa Talwar,former head of the Department of Medical Microbiology,who passed away in Chandigarh on Friday. Rich tributes were paid by PGI Director Prof K K Talwar,Prof Meera Sharma,head of Department of Medical Microbiology,faculty members and the administrative staff.

‘Stop current Beopar Mandal president from contesting polls’
Chandigarh: A member of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM) moved court on Saturday seeking an injunction to restrain the current CBM president Charanjeev Singh from contesting for the post of president. Elections to the CBM board are scheduled in February. The petitioner,Parshotam Singh,stated that the byelaws allow the president to hold office for not more than two terms continuously. “Charanjeev Singh has completed two terms already but is planning to contest again,” stated the petitioner. The bone of contention was that while the current term of Singh was of two years,the previous term of the president had been split between two. Charanjeev and Subhash Sethi had been presidents for one year each. Both parties had taken legal opinion on the issue. General Secretary Anil Vohra said two terms of two years each are allowed.

YPS Patiala reunion on February 2
PATIALA: The old students’ meet of YPS Patiala would be held on campus on February 2. A cricket match and dinner is being organised for the reunion. This was stated by treasurer of the Atchisonian Yadavandrian Old Students Association (AYOSA) Gurvir Singh Jaijee. “A cricket match between the alumni and the present school team would be played at the YPS grounds. Those interested should report at the YPS grounds for practice by January 31,” said Jaijee. The new AYOSA body was formed by Capt Amarinder Singh and is presided by Chandigarh MP Pawan Kumar Bansal while IPS officer Dinkar Gupta is the vice-president.

Gian Jyoti students get degrees
MOHALI: Over 75 BTech graduates received their degrees during the first convocation of the Gian Jyoti School of Total Quality Management and Entrepreneurship on Saturday. The convocation address was delivered by Dr Rajneesh Arora,vice-chancellor,Punjab Technical University,Jalandhar,who conferred the degrees on the students. Suresh Kumar,principal secretary,technical education,Punjab,and Chandra Mohan,chairman,governing council of the institute,also spoke on the occasion. Students whose projects were adjudged the best were also awarded.

Girls felicitated on Netaji’s 114th birth anniversary
CHANDIGARH: The Peace Club of Government Senior Secondary School (Timber Market),Sector 26,felicitated meritorious girls of the school on the 114th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on Saturday. Lalit Joshi,chairperson,Chandigarh Social Welfare Board,was the chief guest on the occasion. Gagan Swaroop Singla,a social activist,added that Netaji gave equal opportunities to women to serve in the Indian National Army. Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes also organised an eye and body donation camp in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA). According to Tajinder Kaur,vice-chairperson of Desh Bhagat group,27 people have pledged to donate their eyes and 42 their body organs. Dr Ashok Sharma of the institute encouraged people to come forward and pledge their organs. Dr Anand Prakash Sanwaria from IMA said more people should come forward to donate for a cause which can give a new lease of life to a person.

Attempt to murder case: Cop transferred
Panchkula:A police officer,who is the complainant in the attempt to murder case registered against nephew of Kalka MLA and son of former Panchkula municipal council president Seema Chaudhary,has been transferred out allegedly under political pressure. The police had booked Karun Chaudhary,nephew of Pardeep Chaudhary,in an attempt to murder case on January 2. “While Karun has gone underground,we are still trying to get clues about his whereabouts. Constable Sagar Bakshi,the complainant in the case,has been recently transferred to Kaithal,” said a senior police officer. Karun had allegedly assaulted Sagar who was deputed at the Sector-14 police station. Two friends of Sagar were also injured when they tried to save him,said the police.