In Brief 8212; Chandigarh

SAD launches membership drive
Following the direction of the party high command, the local unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal SAD today launched a membership drive. On the occasion, N.S. Monhas, secretary general of the party, urged the CM to appoint an Observer for the UT in order to facilitate holding of fair elections. The unit members also criticised the concept of celebrating quot;Hindi Bhasha Day.quot; Among those who attended the meeting were G.S. Palia, Harjinder Kaur, H.S. Sawhney and K.S. Chadha.

Bharat Vikas Parishad week
Local unit of the Bharat Vikas Parishad will celebrate quot;Parishad Weekquot; from September 18 to 25. During the week-long celebrations, a talk on quot;Sanskarquot;moral values will be arranged in different schools of the district. The Parishad also plans to distribute fruits and sweets amongst the inmates of Bal Sadan, Ashiana and Saket hospital, Chandimandir.

A National group song competition will be the inaugural event of the Parishad Week. As many as 16 teams in junior and senior categories of the district, from both private and government schools, will participate in the competition. K.P. Singh, a social worker, will be the chief guest on the occasion and the function will be presided over by M.R. Bansal, retd SE, PSEB.