Nirmala High School celebrates Annual Day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: The Nirmala High School Dhanger Kaleeth, Akhnoor today celebrated its Annual Day and 20th year of establishment.

Speaker Legislative Assembly, Tara Chand was the chief guest whereas Jt Secretary BOSE S S Slathia, Rev Fr Ivan Pereira and Rev Fr Santhosh Athickal were the guests of honour on the occasion.

The function began with the lighting of traditional lamp by the chief guest. He also released School Magazine "Nirmal Kiran". In his address, he appreciated the performance of students and the dedication of staff and management.

Later, S S Slathia gave away prizes to the academic toppers and other position holder students of the school. During the programme, students performed several colourful items to commemorate the occasion.

Earlier, Principal Rev Sr Olga presented the welcome address and spoke over the achievements made by the school during the past year.

Court rejects bail plea of accused in fake currency case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu Sanjeev Gupta rejected bail application of Hilal Ahmed Bhat, who was involved in fake currency racket.

According to the police case, on December 14, 2007 the accused Hilal Ahmed Bhat was apprehended and from his possession 45 notes of fake currency of 1000 denomination were recovered along with genuine currency notes of Rs 50.

During investigation, it came to light that one Asadullah Bhat, father of the accused was the main kingpin of the racket involved in pumping fake currency notes in the country in association with some other anti-national elements.

The investigation also revealed that two persons namely Bashir Ahmed and Mohd Rafiq, both the residents of Qazigund and father of Hilal Ahmed were actively involved in the business of circulating fake currency notes in Jammu area.

While rejecting the bail application, the CJM observed "the allegations against the accused are no doubt very serious in nature. The investigation carried out so far reveals that he has nexus with other persons and at this juncture the accused is not entitled to bail".

"Moreover, personal liberty can be enjoyed but not at the cost of moral, norms and values of the society and if such liberty violates public policy and the offence committed by the accused is not only against the society as whole of country, than Court is required to curve such personal liberty with an iron hand", the Court further observed.

With these observations, the Court rejected the bail of accused.

4 chargesheeted for cheating

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 8: Crime Branch has chargesheeted four persons for cheating Government departments.

An official spokesman said that Crime Branch received a communication from Deputy Director, Forest Protection Force (FPF) Baramulla wherein it was alleged that one Bashir Ahmad, son of Jamal-ud-Din of Langate has secured appointment as Forest Protection Guard on the basis of fake qualification certificate.

During the course of investigation, Crime Branch sent the certificate to the Board of School Education for verification and later the qualification certificate turned out to be fake one.

It emerged during investigation that the accused in connivance with Mohd Syed Wani, son of Wali Mohd Wani of Bicherwara Handwara and Parvez Ahmad Shah, son of Bashir Ahmad Shah of Drangbal hatched a criminal conspiracy and prepared a fake qualification certificate which was produced to Forest Protection Department.

On the basis of fake certificate, the accused got himself appointment in Forest Protection Force. After completion of investigation, the Crime Branch produced chargesheet against the accused before the court of law for judicial determination.

Similarly, one Mohd Ramzan, son of Ghulam Mohd of Malwan Kulgam, who was working in Sheep Husbandry Department as shephered also produced a fake qualification certificate to his department to undergo stock assistant training.

On the basis of investigation, the Crime Branch produced chargesheet of the case before the court of law.

YWAIKS wants written assurance from
Govt on calling off strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: The Youth Wing All India Kashmir Samaj (YWAIKS), which is on hunger strike for last 29 days in front of Relief Commissioner’s Office here, said that they will only decide on the future course of action after some thing in black and white comes from Government side on their demands.

In a statement, issued here, today, president of the YWAIKS, R K Bhat said that Divisional Commissioner along with Relief Commissioner Migrants visited the venue of hunger strike and appealed the youth to call off the hunger strike. Mr Bhat said that Divisional Commissioner assured the community youth that Government in principle has conceded their demand regarding release of relief benefits in favour of bifurcated ration card holders and modalities required under law will be completed within one month in this regard.

Mr Bhat, while quoting Divisional Commissioner said that he also assured the community youth that already constructed two room sets will be handed over to the migrants within days as per the instructions of the Chief Minister.

However, Mr Bhat demanded that the authorities should give something in black and white as there is every apprehension that the Government may backtrack from its commitment as happened previously.

He informed the Divisional Commissioner and RC that KP youth have been deprived of employment and payment of relief in favour of bifurcated ration card holders has been delayed by two years. He said, moreover YWAIKS will take the community leaders into confidence on future course of action.

Bhim finds fault with Governor’s address; Niaz, Bhat hail it

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: The NPP supremo Prof. Bhim Singh today took the Government to task and blamed it for its dismal performance.

Participating in the debate on Governor’s address in the Upper House here, he alleged that sulking and deprived youth are on dharna due to wrong policies of Government.

He said the coalition has failed to fulfill the promises and implement the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). "The Government should feel ashamed of as during last five years not a single promise was fulfilled", he added.

He also lambasted the Opposition NC saying that those demanding autonomy have themselves eroded it. He said it was NC which through a legislation ratified the Central legislation that no Assembly seats will be increased upto 2026 and no Delimitation of constituencies was done in the state.

He also accused the ruling alliance for not constituting the Delimitation Commission. It is a fraud with people committed by both NC and Congress he alleged. He also wanted to know what happened to Accountability Commission.

Prof. Singh blamed the Government for its total failure in rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits in their homes and hearths. There are three lakh KP refugees in country. The Government has failed to give representation to this community in council of ministers and Upper House, he added.

He alleged that Roshni Act has been framed for the benefit of land grabbers and Gujjars, Bakerwals and Ghadi were not given the reservation. There are lakhs of West Pak and POK refugees but Government has failed to solve their problems.

Hailing the Governor’s add-ress, Congress MLC, Moha-mmed Sharif Niaz, said it is the real reflection of Government’s achievements. Terming the co-alition era an era of peace development and prosperity, he said many schemes and projects were taken up for the development of the state and restoration of peace.

The development made during last five years was not possible in 50 years, he said, adding the construction of Mugal road has been taken up in hand and it will reduce the distance with Kashmir Valley.

He said the peace had become a distant dream in the state due to militancy but coalition Government took many steps to improve the situation and started Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). The routes were opened with Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) and bus service started.

Not only this but the coalition Government also fulfilled the regional aspirations of the people of all three regions of the state who earlier had many complaints of discrimination.

The MLC said new districts were created and it is a good sign for the development of the state.

Mr Niaz said under Bharat Nirman many roads were taken up for construction. Hailing the Roshni Act, the MLC however expressed the hope that the shortcomings in it will also be overcome.

Defending the Governor’s address, Congress member, Mohammed Amin Bhat appreciated the performance of coalition Government. He said work culture was introduced in the state, many steps were taken to eradicate the corruption and make the J&K a "Khushal" state.

Sidelights — Assembly Session

* Leader of Opposition and NC MLA Abdul Rahim Rather began his speech on Motion of Thanks to Governor’s Address with a couplet "Bahut Shor Sunte The Pehlu Mein Dil Ka, Jo Cheera To Qatara-e-Khoon Nikla" which indicated that Governor’s Address virtually "much edo about nothing". He ended the Address with another couplet "Bahar Se Nayi Safedian Hain, Andar Se Makaan Dah Raha Hai" which too reflected on poor working of the Government.

* Referring to repeated mention by the Government (in Governor’s Address) to take ahead the schemes launched during tenure of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed’s tenure, Mr Rather wanted to know whether the second place the State got in corruption during Mufti regime will also be taken ahead to No. 1

* PDP leader and Minister of State for Works Peer Mohd Hussain countered Mr Rather saying the NC made efforts to create a wedge between PDP and Congress but failed miserably. Now again, the NC was making a similar attempt but will fail.

* Mr Rather claimed that Mufti Mohd Sayeed had asked shopkeepers on Srinagar-Uri road to paint their shops and get ready to welcome hundreds of tourists from PoK on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus. Shopkeepers invested huge sum but now only one passenger per day on an average was boarding the bus.

* "Kapde No Farhen To Kaya Karen", shouted NC MLA from Kupwara, Saifullah Mir while pointing out that people’s houses were being torched by SPOs and security personnel wearing masks.

* NC MLAs Ali Mohd Sagar and Mian Altaf adopted a novel way of protest when they were not allowed to asked a supplementary question by Speaker Tara Chand on electrification. Both kept standing for more than 15 minutes till they were asked by the Chair to putforth their query. This is civilised protest, Mr Sagar remarked.

Issues of colleges, unemployment, refugees
Opposition stalls Assembly proceedings, stages walk out

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Several members of the Opposition parties today created pandemonium in the Legislative Assembly over the issues of West Pakistan refugees, lathicharge on unemployed, sanctioning of Colleges on political consideration and continuous gutting of houses in the mysterious fire incidents.

After disrupting the Question Hour for about 12 minutes, all the four Legislators of National Panthers Party (NPP), National Conference (NC) Member from Kupwara Mir Saifullah, BJP Member Jugal Kishore and independent Ashwani Sharma staged walk out.

As soon as the proceedings of the House started, NPP Members, Harsh Dev Singh, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Faquir Nath and Yash Pal Kundal started shouting "this Government is the enemy of unemployed youth", "settle refugees’ issue" and "stop lathicharging unemployed".

They were supported by BJP’s Jugal Kishore and JSM’s Ashwani Sharma, who too started vociferously raising the issues of unemployed and West Pakistan refugees and accusing Government of maintaining criminal silence over these issues.

As there was no response from the Chair towards the issues being raised by them, the legislators of NPP, BJP and JSM staged walk-out amidst sloganeering against the Government.

Even National Conference Members Mir Saifullah, Mubarak Gul, Ajay Sadhotra, Mushtaq Bukhari, M S Akhoon, Rashpal Singh, Sajjad Kichloo and Dr Chaman Lal started raising issues of their respective constituencies leading to noisy disorder and chaos.

"In Kupwara, the killing of innocents and gutting of houses in mysterious fire have become order of the day", Mir Saifullah said, adding "there seems to be a conspiracy behind such incidents". He alleged that some Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Army jawans were behind mysterious fire incidents in which several houses and shops were gutted.

Amidst shouting of slogans "Makano Ko Jalana Band Karo" (stop putting the houses on fire), the angry Mir Saifullah first moved into the well of the House and then staged walk-out.

Even after two walk-outs, the pandemonium reigned in the House as Sajjad Kichloo and Mushtaq Bukhari became more vociferous in raising the issue of discrimination with their respective constituencies in sanctioning degree colleges. Another NC Member Rashpal Singh raised the issue of non-payment of wages to the Kalakote coal mine workers.

Demanding attention from the Government towards their issues, the trio left their seats amidst shouting "Sarkar Soi Hui Hai" (the Government is in slumber). It was only after the assurances by the Speaker Tara Chand that they would be provided chance to raise their issues that the agitating NC members stopped disrupting the proceedings of the House.

Speaker chairs BusinessAdvisory Committee meeting

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee was held here today under the chairmanship of Speaker Tara Chand.

The Committee held threadbare discussion on the matters related to the Business in Legislative Assembly. The Members unanimously recommended extension of budget session so that members could take part in the proceedings amply

Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Deputy Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Agriculture A.A.Zargar, Leader of Opposition A.R.Rather, MLAs Abdul Gaffar Sofi, Harshdev Singh, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Commissioner/Secretary Law A H Kochak and Secretary Assembly Mohammad Ramzan were present in the meeting.

Zero Hour in Council
Members raise issues of public importance

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: During Zero Hour in Legislative Council today various public issues were raised by the members for early redressal.

Mr. Ashok Sharma demanded release of salary and wages of the employees and workers of JK Minerals while as Mr. B.A. Naaz demanded that relief for 2005 earthquake victims be distributed as per norms.

Prof. Bhim Singh drew the attention of the Government towards diploma engineers staged who dharna in front of Divisional Commissioner Office for 300 days and advocated their case for absorption in Government jobs.

Mr. Lal Mohammad Sabir demanded that adequate teaching staff for High School Sagra and Hasblori.

Mr Arvinder Singh Micky demanded allotment of fixation of rates of Nazool land as per Roshni scheme. Whileas, Mrs. Farida Mir demanded release of salaries to the employees working in Social Welfare Advisory Board Poonch.

Mr Nizam-ud-Din Bhat demanded rectification in existing engineers transfer policy so that public interest could be taken care of in a better way. Miss Sakina Ittoo demanded adequate supply of ration including other basic amenities in far-off areas of Noorabad constituency.

Mr. Bilal Lodhi demanded adequate power supply in Beerwah constituency and replacement of worn out wires and torn out poles. Mr. Nassrullah sought compensation for rehabilitation to the earthquake-affected people of Kargil district.

Mr. R.S. Chib drew the attention of the Government towards deployment of traffic police at different points and allotment of uniform number plates for all vehicles.

Mr. Davinder Rana raised the issue of right to information Act and demand making the Act more comprehensive.

S. T. S. Wazir sought the rehabilitation of shopkeepers whose business establishments are being demolished for widening of Satwari-R.S.Pura road.

Mr. Murtaza Khan demanded shifting of security forces camps from educational institutions especially from higher secondary school Herni Tehsil Mendhar. Mr Nizam-ud-Din Khatana demanded early release and utilization of funds under Tribal community funds.

Make adequate arrangements for Muharram: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked the administration to make adequate arrangements for the ensuing Muharram and ensure uninterrupted power supply and drinking water facilities in the Shia Muslim dominated areas.

Mr. Azad spoke to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Deputy Commissioners of the valley districts on phone this evening and asked them to make sufficient arrangements for power, medicare including doctors and ambulances, sanitation and water supply so that the devotees during Muharram did not face any inconvenience.

He also issued instructions to make essential supplies especially kerosene, LPG, rice and sugar available to the people. He also called for immediate measures to clean lanes and ensure proper drainage in these areas and provide firewood to Imambaras for the facility of the devotees.

He also issued instructions for making similar arrangements for the devotees in Jammu division.

Earlier, a deputation comprising Minister for Technical Education & Youth Services and Sports, Haji Nissar Ali and legislators Aga Syed Rohullah Mehdi, Shahjahan Dar and Ghulm Raza met the Chief Minister here and requested him to instruct administration to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply besides availability of essentials during the month of Muharram.

JURSEA divided over yesterday’s offensive

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: The divide between the Jammu University Research Scholars Executive Association (JURSEA) came to the fore today, as one of its section clearly opposed the way in which JURSEA president led the yesterday’s offensive in support of scholars’ demands.

In a meeting held today, JURSEA president Shivani Charak and general secretary Pavinder Singh condemned the way protest was carried out by JURSEA president without the acknowledgment of other JURSEA office bearers. They also laid apprehension that the protest was carried out with ulterior motive, as they specifically chose Urdu department as the venue.

Commenting on the demands raised during the protest, they said HoD of the department had nothing to do with the issues such as re-employment/ extension to retired people, publication of two research papers before submission of Ph.D thesis etc. More importantly, the prote-stors were trying to tarnish the image of HoD Urdu, as viva-voice was being conducted by the external examiner at the said time, they added.

Allegations were also leveled that JURSEA president carried out the protest on the behest of somebody, who just tried to draw personal mileage out of that.

Others scholars also attended the meeting were Rajinder Manhas, Amit Sharma, Ashok Singh, K D Singh, Ajay Kumar, Kuldeep Sharma, Vinay Sharma and Vijay Kumar.

Police foil bid of unemployed engineers
to march towards Assembly

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Police yesterday foiled the bid of unemployed engineers who in violation of Section 144 tried to hold a demonstration at Shalmar Chowk and proceed towards the State Assembly to protest against the Government failure to absorb them under Rehbar-e-Tehmirat scheme.

As the protesting engineers who assembled at Shalmar Chowk tried to march towards the State Assembly which met here, today for the budget session, the police did not allow them to proceed further . To foil their bid police also used mild cane charge and took three unemployed engineers in preventive custody. They included Rajinder Sharma, Raj-eev Sharma and Gundeep Sainy.

Earlier addressing the protesting engineers at Shalamar Chowk, Rajinder Kumar Sharma, president of the Unemployed Engineers Association blamed Government for backtracking from its previous promise regarding implementation of Rehbar-e-Taimirat scheme. He warned that unemployed engineers will continue their battle till the goal is achieved.

He said the unemployed eng-ineers who are on dharna for last 279 days in front of Civil Secretariat demanding implementation of Rehbar -Tehmirat Scheme will not budge an inch from their demand. He blamed the Government for playing with the sentiments of the hundreds of unemployed engineers in the state due to its callous attitude towards their demand.

Mr Sharma said, the Minister of Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma had announced on the floor of State Assembly on Feb. 6 last year that Government will implement the Rehbar-e-Taimirat scheme but later it (Government) backtracked from this commitment.

He said the unemployed engineers are struggling for last 15 years for jobs and Government has maintained a stoic silence on their plight. He said engineers are left with no alternative but to march towards State Assembly.

He also appealed the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, ministers and legislators to concede the demand of unemployed engineers by implementing the Rehbar-e-Taimirat scheme without any delay.

1 killed, 13 hurt in Kargil accident

Excelsior Correspondent

KARGIL, Jan 8: One person was killed and 13 others received injuries, when a vehicle fell into a deep gorge today, official sour-ces said.

They said a passenger vehicle from village Paskum was on the way to Kargil when it skidded off the road due to heavy snowfall and fell into 200-foot-deep gorge at Andoo.

Rescue teams from different nearby areas were rushed to the spot and injured persons were evacuated to hospitals. Later, one of them succumbed to injuries.

Zero Hour in Legislative Assembly
Safeguard interests of Rly project workers: Tarigami

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: CPM MLA Mohd Yousaf Tarigami today said that interests of labourers engaged in the construction of Udhampur-Qazigund railway line were not being safeguarded by the Government.

As per the Minimum Wages Act, they should get Rs 2200 per month but they are being paid only Rs 1200 by the agencies engaged in the construction of the railway project, he said while raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Legislative Assembly.

"Moreover, as per rules the labourers are required to be given risk allowance but the same is being denied to them", he said and added that on the name of reconstruction the poor labourers were being victimised by the contractors and agencies.

Mr Tarigami demanded compensation to the farmers and to those whose land and structures have been acquired for construction of Udhampur-Qazigund railway line. He demanded minimum wages for these labourers and implementing provisions of labour laws to safeguard their interests.

JSM Member Ashwani Sharma said that for the schools which were upgraded during 2005-06 the required staff has not been sanctioned and added that Bishnah Higher Secondary School was functioning without Principal and staff.

NC Member Dr Mehboob Baig said that despite tall claims the Government has failed to check unemployment which has assumed alarming proportion. He demanded adjustment of educated unemployed youth.

PDP MLA Sartaj Madni demanded regularization of drivers of ambulances in Primary Health Centre in the valley while NC Member Rashpal Singh advocated for release of salaries to the Kalakote mine employees.

NPP’s Harsh Dev Singh raised the issue of Udhampur-Ramnagar 28 kilometres road project and said that the foundation of two bridges was laid on June 14, 2005 but till today only one pit has been dug by the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA).

Congress Member Kanta Andotra demanded jobs for the un-employed engineers, who have been on strike while NC’s Mir Saif-Ullah and Qaiser Jamsheed Lone invited the attention of the Government towards the theft and fire incidents that occurred recently in Kupwara and Lolab areas. They demanded immediate relief to fire sufferers.

PDP’s Ghulam Hassan Mir advocated for bringing a legislation to streamline the recruitment policy in the State while NC’s Mian Altaf demanded filling up of vacant posts in Kangan constituency.

NC’s Nazir Gurezi raised the point regarding rehabilitation of snowstorm victims of village Jawdara in Gurez tehsil while PDP’s Shanti Devi invited the attention of the Government towards the land mafia active in Jammu city and sought action against the culprits.

Congress Member Suman Bhagat demanded permanent jobs for SC and ST aspirants in Government Degree College Parade Jammu while NC’s Kafil-ul-Rehman demanded release of wages to the workers of Kupwara-Tangdar transmission line project. BJP’s Jugal Kishore demanded old age pension for the deserve persons.

Legislators Abdul Gaffar Sofi, Jahangir Mir, Girdari Lal and P Narboo also raised various points with regard to development needs of their constituencies.

Coalition achieved a lot: Sofi

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: PDP chief whip Abdul Gaffar Sofi today said that the Coalition Government has achieved a lot on all fronts. He said the restoration of peace to a greater extent was the Government’s biggest achievement. Participating in debate on Governor’s Address, he made a mention of Mughal Road project and enumerated some of the mega projects either completed or under execution in the State.

Mr Mian Altaf Ahmad demanded timely release of funds under tribal sub-plan and other schemes and said that all areas of the State be given due consideration in opening of new administrative units, colleges and upgradation of education and health institutions. He also demanded immediate implementation of the decisions taken in District Development Board meetings.

Mrs. Shanti Devi and Mrs. Khem Lata Wakhloo lauding the achievements of Government said it has come up to the expectations of the people by fulfilling most of the commitments made under Common Minimum Programme. They said that equitable development of all the three regions of the State has been given focus and the core sectors have been prioritized in the developmental process.

Mr Rashpal Singh demanded concrete steps to electrify all the areas besides improving the power supply. He demanded release of pending wages to the workers of Kalakote Coal mines.

Mr Abdul Majid Wani said that coalition Government initiated peace process in the State. He said by establishing new colleges, education standard would improve.

JKAACL organizes Painting Competition

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: The J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) organized an on the spot Painting Competition at Abhinav Theatre here today.

Over 1000 students belonging to different Government and private institutions took part in the competition. The event was inaugurated by T R Sharma, special secretary of the academy.

The competition was held in four groups i.e. Infant, Junior, Senior and Amateur.

In theInfant Group three equal prizes were given to Ayush Sharma, Raghav Behal of DBN Vidya Mandir and Tanvir Arora of MHAC Nagbani. The certificates of merit were given to Sakshi Mahaldar of KV Bantalab, Arun Atri of SNS Vidya Mandir, Harshit Khajuria of DBN Vidya Mandir, Parwali Mahajan of Carmel Convent School and Chink Behal of DBN Vidya Mandir.

In the Junior Group Bhavika of Army School Jammu Cantt stood 1st and Richa Bhardwaj of S D Tara Puri Public High School got 2nd prize and three consolation prizes were awarded to Jasleen Kour of Future Pack Hr Sec School and Tanuja Jagotra and Shivani Dogra of Light House Public School. The certificates of merit were given to Shubham Kapoor of Light House Public School, Sahil Malhotra of SNS Vidya Mandir, Gursheen Kour of SD Tara Puri School, Ashish Aggarwal of SMJ Hr Sec School, Urja Zutshi of SNS Vidya Mandir and Varima Sharma of MHAC Nagbani.

In Senior Group Charru Mahajan of MHAC Nagbani bagged 1st and Niraj Kumar of KV Miran Sahib was placed 2nd. The consolation prizes were given to Akriti Bhat and Athiya Kak of MHAC Nagbani and Tsetan Dolma of DBN Vidya Mandir. The certificates of merit were awarded to Swani Bhagat of Carmel Convent School, Nikhil Roy of Army School Miran Sahib, Shubham Dogra of Light House Public School, Romesh Singh Slathia of MHAC Nagbani and Argho Jyoti Das of Army School Miran Sahib.

In the Amateur Group Naresh Malhotra, Kiran Manhas and Pooja of Institute of Music and Fine Arts Jammu got first, second and third prize respectively. Certificates of merit were awarded to Neeraj Sharma of IMFA and Sumita Behara of GGHSS Canal Road.

The panel of judges in the competition included S. Verman, Satpal Deol and Mr Jang.