678 Gentleman Cadets pass out of IMA

Gentlemen cadets of the Indian Military Academy
 rejoice after the passing-out parade in Dehradun on Saturday. 

Dehradun, June 9

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma has exhorted Gentleman Cadets (GCs) not to rest on their laurels and asserted that perseverance is an essential prerequisite to success.

Admiral Verma was addressing the GCs at the Indian Military Academy’s spring term 2012 passing-out parade in Dehradun today in the capacity of reviewing officer.

As many as 657 GCs and 21 foreign GCs from friendly countries - Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Tajikistan and Tonga - passed out from the IMA here. The parade was witnessed by military and civil dignitaries, relatives and friends of the newly commissioned officers??.

Earlier, the Gentlemen Cadets marched at the drill square in the backdrop of the majestic Chetwode Building. They marched to the tunes of ‘Col Bogey’ and ‘Sare Jahan Se Achcha’ and put up an excellent show before the gathering.

Admiral Nirmal Verma said life was too long to rest on past laurels. “Today is not the end. It is the beginning of your training and education as officers of the Indian Army.

“After you take the ‘final step’ and pass through the Chetwode Hall today, life as you know it, will change forever - bringing new responsibilities, new challenges, new hardships and new horizons,” he said.

Haritima, first organic restaurant of India, opens at Tera Gaon

 

Mussoorie, June 8
The efforts of Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board (UOCB) to make organic food popular among the connoisseurs of taste have finally yielded results in the state with the opening of Haritima, the first organic certified restaurant in the country, at Tera Gaon, Shastra Dhara, near Dehradun.

Haritima, the brand identity for the organic food, conceptualised by UOCB after the research of more than a decade, ably supported by Dev Rishi Educational Society, Tera Gaon, Renaissance Hotel Management Institute, and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani on World Environment Day.

The Agriculture Minister, speaking on the occasion, said that it was indeed a historic day for the state and commended the efforts of all the organisations involved in it. The minister further said that the government was also planning to open such green restaurants in other towns of the state where the traditional cuisine would be served using organic produce. More than 45,000 organic farmers would benefit from this project, added Agriculture Minister Mantra Prasad Naithani.

The UOCB programme manager Binita Shah, speaking to The Tribune, said that presently the restaurant would be serving local items, namely roasted pumpkin and corn soup, three bean salad and Navrangi salad.

In snacks the local dishes such as badeel, tofu kebab, pahari chilla and mandua kathi roll will be served. In the main course bugyali kofta curry, hariyali tofu, bhang methi, gahat ka paratha, buckwheat chilla, and tofu paratha accompanied with walnut chutney, apricot chutney, pyaaz ki chutney and til ki chutney are being served. In bakery items breads, fruitcakes, finger millet and Amaranth cookies, finger millet, fruit cakes and buckwheat breads are available at the restaurant. She further said that for beverages buraansh (rhododendron) margarita, mango shake with hemp milk, apple mojito and kafal (berry) kamikaze will be served. Binita Shah said that with the increase in the popularity, more items prepared from the organic produce will be included in the culinary, for which they have entered into arrangements with the farmers directly so that there is no shortage of raw material at any cost.

The food lovers would thoroughly enjoy the taste of desserts prepared from jhangora barn yard, millet ki kheer, himkhand and bread in finger millet sauce, added Shah.

Elaborating further, she said that the whole objective of opening such restaurant was to introduce highly nutritional varieties of organic food in a way that is more palatable and promoting the traditional food items of the state. Binita Shah further said that the business community involved in hospitality industry should come forward in incorporating this business model, aptly named Haritima, so that more than 45,000 farmers involved in organic farming are kept motivated, thus re-kindling the interest towards traditional farming in them and also assisting in curbing the migration from the hills, added Binita Shah. The technical manager, Amit Srivasatava, said that they were also planning to open one such restaurant in Mussoorie so that the tourists from around the world can savour the taste of the traditional food items prepared using organic methods.

CYBER CRIME

Mohali couple arrested for stealing software

Chandigarh, June 8
The cyber cell of the UT police today arrested a Mohali couple for copying a software developed by a company and selling the duplicate to dealers abroad, causing losses to the company.

Acting on the complaint of Sanjay Aggarwal, a Manimajra resident, the police today arrested Rajat Basin and his wife Taranjot, residents of Phase VI, Mohali.

Inspector Sri Parkash, in charge of the cyber cell, said the couple was employed with a company in the IT park. They allegedly stole a code of the software developed by the company for sale to dealers in the US. The software pertained to a driving school. They then created a duplicate software and sold it to dealers in the US. The police had registered a case on May 29.

Determination Inspires

Chandigarh, June 8
Students of Institute for Blind, Sector 26, have come out with flying colours yet again in the Class XII examination conducted by the Punjab School Education Board, the result of which was declared today.

The school has achieved 100 per cent result, with a majority of students scoring above 70 per cent.

While Vikram Goyal stood first with 81.6 per cent, Poonam and Amod Sharma shared second position with 81.3 per cent. Abhishek Kumar got 80.5 per cent and stood third.

Manjit Kaur, mother of Amrinder Singh, one of the meritorious students of the school, who had come to thank his teachers, said, "My son is specially abled as he has left many students behind. He has always excelled in studies and we are happy with his achievement."

International day against drug abuse

Chandigarh, June 8
Various activities, including lectures, cultural programmes and plays will be held at various anganwari centres, schools, colleges and institutions on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. During a meeting held by the department of social welfare here today, it was decided that programmes aiming at sensitising people against the ill-effects of drug abuse would be held.

Anti-encroachment drive: 105 challaned

Chandigarh, June 8
The municipal corporation enforcement wing today removed encroachments from Shastri Market in Sector 22. During the drive, 105 challans were issued to violators. The enforcement team seized tables, counters, chairs, folding beds, pharies, chicks, cylinders, rehires, toys, trunks, ply, plastic pipes and juice machines. The officials also impounded a Tata Sumo, a Zen car and an Indica car.

MC refuses to impose house tax

Chandigarh, June 8
Cutting across party lines, members of the house tax assessment committee today unanimously rejected the proposal of the imposition of house tax and enhancement of commercial tax in the city. During an interaction with the media here today, committee chairman Sat Parkash Aggarwal said it was decided that neither house tax would be imposed in the city nor would commercial tax be revised as directed by the UT Administration.

Objecting to the delay in the payment of a matching grant of property tax, which the Administration had assured in 2004 when commercial tax was imposed by the corporation, he stated that the Administration had to pay Rs 48 crore since 2004. He said even after several reminders, the Administration had not released the funds to date. Hence, they could not impose a new tax.

Clueless about the norms of getting JNNRUM grant, Aggarwal said the corporation was "rich" and there was no need for any kind of grant from the Administration or the Centre to implement development projects in the city.

He said directions had been given to officials to conduct a fresh survey about commercial buildings and impose property tax on it. The committee also asked about the details of habitual defaulters of property tax and instructed the department to take stringent action to recover pending tax from them.

MC Additional Commissioner Lalit Siwach said a communication was being sent to the Administration to release the pending share of the matching grant of property tax. He said the Administration would also be apprised of the decision of the house tax assessment committee and the decision would be tabled in the forthcoming meeting of the House.

"Ignoring" the fact if the committee has any power to reject the imposition of new tax, vice-chairman of the committee MP Kohli said the committee could pass the resolution and send it to the Administration for consideration.

He said the grant which the Administration would get from JNNRUM would not only be utilised by the corporation, but also other departments. Commercial property tax was imposed by the corporation when there was a financial crunch, but now as the financial position had improved, there was no need to impose any new tax to generate funds.

The committee also directed the officials to prepare a detailed report on the share of grant-in-aid received from the Administration in the past.

No to international flights at Chandigarh Airport

 

MoD not giving permission despite Civil Aviation Ministry making city airport eligible for such flights

Chandigarh, June 8
Chandigarh Airport will not have any international flights, at least in the immediate future. Senior officials in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), New Delhi, have clarified that the local airstrip was a base for the Air Force. Keeping in mind, its strategic location for catering to the western frontier, there was little likelihood of clearance from the MoD till alternatives were worked out.

The ministry had denied permission to Air Arabia, the first airlines which had announced flights from the city, earlier this year. The first international flight expected to commence from November 15, 2011, was also denied by the ministry. The flights were cancelled without giving any reason.

The ministry is not clearing international flights despite the Ministry of Civil Aviation having notified Chandigarh Airport as a "customs airport", making it eligible for international flights in August 2011.

Punjab Civil Aviation Secretary Vishwajeet Khanna said: "The Chief Minister has taken up the matter with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. We are still awaiting a formal communication."

HS Toor, Director of the airport, said he could not comment since the matter was pending with the MoD.

In January this year, Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukbhir Singh Badal had said international flights would commence in two months. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had sought a formal clearance for international flights from the Civil Aviation Minister.

A senior official, requesting anonymity, said: "There is a sizable number of flights providing ration and ammunition to soldiers in Kashmir and Leh and Ladakh. During winter, which lasts about five months, the public and troops in these areas depend on the Air Force for even routine supplies. Chandigarh has two transport squadrons comprising AN32s and another one having a mix of AN-32s and I-76s, besides Mi-26 helicopters."

It was also said the local terminal would need an upgraded air traffic control (ATC) for handling added rush. The runway as well as the ATC of the airport is at present being managed by the Air Force. International flights would mean more staff, which needs a formal clearance from the MoD. Most importantly, the airport does not have night landing facilities. There is also no confirmation about any contract with international airlines.

Jarnail Singh Jodhan, a Ludhiana-based businessman, said: "It is being said since the Congress was unable to form a government in Punjab, the Centre would not like the Akalis to take credit for international flights. It is disappointing for thousands of people, especially Punjabis, who come from abroad and are forced to land in Delhi."

Bhupinder Singh, a Canadian national, said: "I think the matter of international flights being delayed needs a high-level inquiry. There are serious allegations of the powerful lobby in the travel business, including hotels, cabs and related services not allowing an international airport in Chandigarh."

Vineet Sharma, a travel agent, said even local tourists who had started going abroad, particularly Bangkok were concerned about the international flights landing in the city.

Pikender Pal Singh, Regional Director of the CII (northern region) said no international client would like to spend an extra day in the onward or backward journey.

Tata Motors penalised Rs 50,000

Chandigarh, June 4 The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission while upholding the decision of the district forum-1 has increased the fine from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 on Tata Motors for its failure to rectify the fault in a newly purchased vehicle of a Mohali resident.  The respondents, Tata Motors, had gone in an appeal against the forum's order which had directed them to rectify all defects present in the Tata Indigo CS car by repairing/replacing the parts as per a report prepared by an engineering college within a month. In case, they are unable to rectify the defects as per the report, they may then refund the value of the vehicle paid by the complainant after deducting depreciation at the rate of 10 per cent per annum from the date of purchase till the date of the order. They were further directed to pay Rs 20,000 to the complainant as compensation along with Rs 5,000 as costs of litigation.  The state commission comprising president justice Sham Sunder and member Neena Sandhu directed the respondents to rectify the defects in the car/replace the defective parts thereof, as ordered by the district forum.  The respondents were also told to pay a sum of Rs 50,000 to the complainant as compensation for mental agony and harassment instead of Rs 20,000 as awarded by the district forum. The respondents will also have to pay Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 5,000 as costs of litigation. The direction given by the forum for deduction of depreciation value at the rate of 10 per cent per annum from the date of purchase of the car till the impugned order passed by it was set aside.  The complainant, Chetan Gill, submitted that on their recommendation, he had bought a car for Rs 4,80,573 from Joshi Autos Zone Pvt. Ltd (opposite party number 3) with a warranty till December 12, 2009. It was further stated that the car started giving trouble from the very first month of purchase and, consequently, the same was taken to the workshop of the opposite parties, a number of times, for major repairs, including excessive engine noise and clutch problem on September 15, 2008, excessive noise caused due to faulty fan/alternator belt on December 23, 2008, and Camshaft drive belt along with belts broke down on April 7, 2009. The car was, thereafter, handed over  to him, as fully repaired but when it was taken for test drive, he realised that the problems still persisted. He alleged that the opposite parties sold a defective product, which was not working properly, and was continuously causing him mental pain and agony.  The council for the chairman and deputy general manager, Tata Motors Limited (opposite parties), respectively, stated that there was no manufacturing defect in the vehicle and the complainant had not produced any expert opinion, or evidence, to prove the defects pointed out by him, in the same. It was further stated that the averments of the complainant stood contradicted, by the job cards, which did not mention any abnormal noise or defect in the vehicle. Whenever the complainant visited the workshop, the vehicle was fully repaired to his satisfaction, as per the conditions of warranty. It was further stated that the vehicle had already covered over 20,000 km, and the faults, if any, were because of excessive use as the vehicle was used as a commercial vehicle. The opposite party number 3 denied that the complainant was compelled to buy the vehicle and added that whenever the complainant brought the vehicle for service, his complaint was well attended to, as per the conditions of warranty. It was denied that the vehicle had broken down, due to any manufacturing defect, or that there was any engine noise, in the same.

Quark City techie’s murder case

Mohali, June 4
The Mohali district court today sentenced Parmaveer Singh, one of the three accused in the murder case of Quark City engineer Sukhwinder Singh, to six months imprisonment.
However, Additional District and Sessions Judge RS Rai adjourned the pronouncement of quantum of sentence for the main accused Neki Nalwa, wife of the deceased, and her paramour Himmat Singh, alias Brandy, to June 6.
Sukhwinder was shot dead from a point blank range by Brandy on December 4, 2005, in connivance with Neki. Paramveer had provided five cartridges to Brandy, who had an unlicensed revolver.
The court had held the trio guilty on June 2.
Earlier, in the jam-packed courtroom, the judge sentenced Parmaveer to six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 500. The court said in case Parmaveer Singh failed to pay the fine, he would have to undergo 10 more days of imprisonment.
Paramveer was granted conditional bail for the period of 30 days to enable him to get further bail from the high court. Meanwhile, the accused furnished a bail bond of Rs 25,000 and a surety immediately.
Capital punishment sought for Neki, Brandy  
Chandigarh, June 4
During the course of final arguments on quantum of sentence for Sukhwinder Singh’s murder convicts — Neki Nalwa, wife of the deceased, and her paramour Himmat Singh, alias Brandy, public prosecutor Vijay Singla today demanded capital punishment for the duo, terming the crime as ‘rarest of rare’ in nature.
“Murder of a person by his/her spouse is the highest breach of trust. One of the accused, Brandy, who had shot Sukhwinder Singh, had no enmity or friendship with the victim. Even then, he murdered him in connivance with the victim’s wife,” argued Singla.
However, defence lawyer AS Sukhija demanded the court to take a lenient view considering the young age of the accused. He said they had no criminal background.

The Case

Sukhwinder Singh was shot dead by Brandy on December 4, 2005, when he was strolling along with his wife Neki near their residence at Sector 69 here. Brandy had used unlicensed revolver in the crime.
On December 7, the police had arrested Neki Nalwa and Brandy on the charges of murder of Sukhwinder Singh. Since then Neki and Brandy have been lodged in Patiala Central Jail, as all bail applications by both of them had been turned down by the court.
According to the police, Neki had an affair with Brandy and wanted to get rid of Sukhwinder Singh. The couple had also filed a divorce application in the court in February 2005. On the fateful night, Neki and Sukhwinder went for a walk after dinner. Neki had called up Brandy, who was having drinks at a club in Chandigarh and told him about the route. Brandy, who reached the spot by a car, parked it nearby and shot the victim from point-blank range.
The couple has a 10-year-old son, Fateh Tej Partap Singh, who has been living with his grandparents. This was the second marriage of Neki. Her first marriage had reportedly lasted only 12 days.

 TIMELINE

December 4, 2005: Sukhwinder Singh, an engineer with Quark City, was shot dead by Brandy while he was strolling with his wife Neki Nalwa near their residence in Sector 69, Mohali
December 7, 2005: The police arrested Neki and her lover Brandy on the charge of murdering her husband. Since then both have been lodged at Patiala Central Jail. Another person, Paramveer Singh, was also arrested for providing five cartridges to Brandy in the case.
June 2, 2012: The local court held all three accused guilty in the case.

Venus transit 2012 begins as the world looks to the sky

BANGALORE, India : If you do not look at the sky today, then you'll have to wait till 2117. Backlit by the Sun, as the bird flies across, its silhouette has often made for picture-perfect moments.

"Today's transit of Venus across the Sun is no different," confirms Dr E Ebenezer, scientist, Radio Astronomy group at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. "Only Venus and Mercury can transit this way as they appear before the Earth in the solar system," he adds. The next transit of this nature, as recorded by scientists, is slotted to occur 105 years later - in December 2117. For Akshay Kumar MA, student of Jain College who is spearheading the Sheraton Astronomy Club, this phenomenon goes beyond just witnessing it.

"I am at Nikaya Observatory with enthusiastic astronomers. Today's transit is significant given that Venus is coming in between the Sun and the Earth. Several scientific conclusions can be drawn from it.

We can find the exact distance between Sun and Earth and also calculate the Sun's diameter," he says. "For the layperson, there are many ways of watching it. While some will opt for a telescope, people in earlier times used to mix cow dung in water and watch the Sun's reflection in it. Both the methods are safe. Today, it's important to watch the transit through a space filter," explains Dr Sujata Virdhe, former Isro scientist and founder of Sunday Science School. She has also designed Nebula Solar Goggles, which has been put through various tests to sanctify the power of its solar filter.

India celeberates World Environment Day

Environmentalists favour CFLs
Chandigarh, June 5
On the World Environment Day today, environmentalists were vocal on the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to save energy for the future generation.
Dr Satnam Singh of the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology accepted that the government had not made any arrangements for the disposal of CFLs. 

He said this while interacting with mediapersons at the PGI. He said besides promoting the use of CFLs, state governments should make fool-proof arrangements for disposal.
He said the states should come up with a policy so that energy savers could not turn into environmental threats.
He said hundreds of discarded CFLs were lying unattended at garbage dumps, releasing poisonous material into the environment.
CFL bulbs and tubes contained mercury, which was highly toxic and could cause serious health problems like damage to the nervous system, kidneys and liver, he said.
The Panjab University dean, Dr AS Ahluwalia, said the public was not unaware about the health hazards from CFLs.
In the absence of a proper CFL-disposal policy, public dumped those in domestic bins. He said the UT Administration had implemented the e-waste policy, but there were no clear directions on CFL disposal.
He said paver blocks adversely affected the green cover and the seepage of water into the ground, resulting in the lowering of underground water level.
He said it had been scientifically proved that such concrete structures spoilt the eco-system of the soil and the heat around plantation affected it.
Other experts stressed the installation of rainwater harvesting in buildings to improve groundwater level.

Khushpreet’s kin say no to Rs 3-lakh relief

Chandigarh, June 5
The family of five-year-old Khushpreet, who was kidnapped for ransom and murdered in December 2010, has refused to claim the compensation amount of Rs 3 lakh that was recently handed over to them by the UT Administration.
Two months have elapsed since a cheque for Rs 3 lakh was handed over to the child’s father at their house in Burail village in Sector 45. But the family has not deposited the cheque as a mark of protest.
“A patwari came to our house two months ago and gave us the cheque. We told him we do not want it since money will not bring back our child. We desire justice from the police and the Administration, not money. As the patwari was under obligation, we took the cheque, but have not encashed it,” said Lakhbir Singh, Khushpreet’s father.
“The negligent police officers are still on duty. Merely stopping their increments does not mean justice to us. We do not want any compensation from the police or the Administration. We have suffered enough and our innocent child was killed due to the negligence of the police. We demand that these officers should be dealt with sternly,” he said.
Advocate Arvind Thakur, who fought the case in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said after a year-long battle with the Administration, the cheque had finally been given to the family and orders in this regard were received from the NHRC today.
“The NHRC has considered the matter. The amount of interim relief as recommended by the commission has been paid to the next of kin of the deceased. Departmental action has also been taken against the three delinquent police officers. No further action is called for. The compliance report is taken on record and the case is closed,” said the NHRC in the order.

22 judicial officers promoted in Punjab

Ludhiana, June 5
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has promoted 22 judicial officers to the rank of Additional District and Sessions Judge and Chief Judicial Magistrate in Punjab. Nine judges, heading different Fast Track courts, have been promoted to the rank of Additional Sessions Judge and transferred to different stations, include Anshul Berry to Patiala, Sanjay Kumar Sachdeva to Sangrur, Neelam Arora to Amritsar, Dr Rakesh Kumar to Ferozepur, Jaswinder Sheemar to Mohali, Gurnam Singh to Jalandhar, Sant Parkash Sood to Ludhiana, Manjot Kaur to Mohali, Rajiv Kalra to Gurdaspur and Sanjay Agnihotri to Jalandhar.
Sanjay Kumar Sachdeva, Civil Judge (Senior Division), has been transferred to Sangrur, on promotion CJM Mansa Budh Ram Garg has been transferred to Hoshiarpur. Whereas ADJ Hari Singh Garewal has been transferred to Ludhiana.
Seven Additional Civil Judges (Senior Division), who have been promoted to the rank of Chief Judicial Magistrate, include Harish Anand (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar), Ashok Kapoor (Mansa), Karamjit Singh Sullar (Rupnagar), Ranjeet Kaur (Amritsar), Rakesh Kumar (Faridkot), Jaspinder Singh (Fatehgarh Sahib) and Rajeev K Beri (Moga). Whereas Civil Judge (Senior Division), Jalandhar, Sanjiv Joshi has been transferred to Mansa, Shivinder Singh, CJ (Senior Divison), transferred to Barnala, Rupnagar’s CJM Mandeep Kaur transferred to Jalandhar.
Four judges, who have been promoted as Fast Track Court Judges, include Rajiv Malhotra, Harjinder Pal Singh, Baljinder Sidhu and Gurmail Singh.

Manpneet Kaur is crowned Miss Australia Punjaban 2012

Melbourne - Manpuneet Kaur Grewal a first year Accounting student at Melbourne's Deakin University, was crowned ‘Miss Australia Punjaban 2012’ at a well attended and appreciated event held here.  She has secured a place to compete with other contestants who will be representing other parts of the world and vying for the title of ‘Miss World Punjaban 2012’.

The main event is due to be held at Ludhiana in Punjab in November 2012.

Australian born Manpuneet Kaur, a 9’9” ‘Punjaban Mutiyar’ who resides in Melbourne and is studying commerce at Deccan University, impressed the judges with her beauty, knowledge and talent to bag the prestigious title.

Parminderjit Waraich from Brisbane finished Ist runner-up while Gagandeep Kaur from Melbourne was declared 2nd Runner-up.  

Ten beautiful Punjabans hailing from Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney took part in the show organized by Sabhayachark Sath Punjab in association with South Pacific Institute.

The different rounds showcasing talent of the contestants were of immense interest to the audience. The contestants danced to the tune of Punjabi folk songs, displayed special talents and had a question-answer round where they were asked questions related to Punjabi Heritage.

Jagpreet bagged award for Best folk Dance, Ramandeep Kaur bagged award for being declared ‘Gunwanti Panjaban, Baljit Kaur was declared ‘Sughar-Syani Punjaban’ and Rajdip Kaur was conferred with ‘Gidhian di Rani’ sub-title. Amrit Kaur, Navjot and Semris were given special prizes.

Renowned Literary Personality Dr.Satish Verma who had specially flown from India, SBS Radio Anchor Manpreet Kaur and known Bhangra Expert Varinder Saran, were the judges at the event.

Gurvinder Singh Nagra welcomed the guests and audience while Harleen Sohana and Dr. Preetinder Grewal were the anchors for the show.

Teams of ‘Folk Art’, ‘Bhangra Rockers’, ‘Bhangra Federation’ regaled the audience with their performances. Parddeep Kaur, Poonam and their team members also presented Punjabi dance items. Charnamit Singh made the audience laugh with his comedy items.

Punjabi woman Roopak Kaur Sodhi who is the first Punjaban to be recruited in Victoria Police and ‘Singh Sabha Bhangra Group’ – contestants of ‘Australia has got Talent’ were specially honoured for their contribution towards the community.  They were awarded by Harbhajan Singh Khaira and Kanwalpreet Singh Sandhu.
Ajit Singh Rahi’s book ‘Teeja Ghallughara’ was released during the show.

Chairman-Director Jasmer Singh Dhatt told ‘Yes Punjab’ that those who contributed their best to make the show a success include Amardeep Singh, Manjot Kaur Dhaliwal, Amanpreet Singh, Upkar Singh, Gurpal Singh, Jaskunwar Singh.  

Others present include Prem Singh Khaira and Ruban Sohana from Sydney, Jasmel Singh Khaira, Gurpreet Singh Sangha, Sukhdeep Deol, Imtiyaz Khan and Ravi.
The event, fourth of its kind in Australia, hosted under the direction and supervision of Chairman-Director Jasmer Singh Dhatt at Monash University’s Robert Blackwood Hall with a capacity of 1100 was well received and well attended.

Jasmer Dhatt said that ‘Miss World Punjaban 2012’ beauty pageant has taken  a start with Australia event and now the  pageant is scheduled to  travel to Europe, America, Canada, New Zealand and Pakistan where such events shall select more Punjabi beauties to take part in the finals to be held at Ludhiana.

Ranbir fake encounter:11 Dehradun cops surrender, sent to jail

Dehradun - Eleven of the 18 Uttarakhand Police personnel, accused in the 2009 fake encounter case of MBA student Ranbir Singh in Dehradun, on Tuesday surrendered before a Delhi court which sent them to jail.
The accused policemen surrendered before Special CBI Judge V K Maheshwari in pursuance of the non-bailable warrants issued against them in May this year.
“They be taken in custody and sent to judicial custody,” the court said.
The accused cops who surrendered today include the then constables Satbir Singh, Sunil Saini, Chander Pal, Saurabh Nautiyal, Nagendra Nath, Vikas Chandra Baluni, Sanjay Rawat, Mohan Singh Rana, Inder Bhan Singh and Manoj Kumar and Head operator at city control room Jaspal Singh Gosain.
The constables are among the 18 policemen chargesheeted by the CBI in connection with Ranbir Singh encounter case that rocked the hill state in July 2009.
The other accused in the case are presently lodged in Tihar Jail. They include then inspector Santosh Jaiswal, sub-inspectors Gopal Dutt Bhatt, Rajesh Bisht, Neeraj Kumar, Nitin Chauhan and Chandra Mohan and constable Ajeet Singh.
They were arrested in wake of evidence that 22-year-old Singh, an MBA student from Ghaziabad, was allegedly gunned down by Uttarakhand Police after being caught at Mohini Road where he and his companions were allegedly trying to commit some crime on July 3, 2009.
The court fixed July 4, the next date of hearing and also allowed the plea of these 11 accused that they be kept together in jail as they are police personnel and apprehend fear from other inmates.
The case was transferred to Delhi by the Supreme Court on the plea of Ranbir's father Ravindra Singh.
The court had issued NBWs against them to ensure their presence before it.
Ranbir's father had alleged that his son had gone to Dehradun in search of a job where he was arrested by the police on July 3, 2009 on pretext of being involved in some robbery.
He had alleged that on the same day, 29 bullets were pumped into his body and the incident was passed off as an encounter.
All the 18 policemen have been charged for various offences such as murder, kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and public servant framing incorrect record.