Actress Gul Panag joins AAP, to contest polls from Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Former Miss India and actor Gul Panag today joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and will be its candidate for Lok Sabha polls from Chandigarh, a place where she was born and describes as her "family's home". Panag said that the country is at the threshold of change which is being led by AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. Gul Panag. AFP "There is a time in every country's history when staying on the side-lines is no longer an option. We are on the cusp of transformational change in the country that is being heralded by AAP and Arvind Kejriwal," the 35-year-old actor said. Panag was declared the AAP candidate by party's senior leader Manish Sisodia at a chaotic press conference here. After comedian Bhagwant Mann, who is party nominee from Sangrur Lok Sabha seat, Panag is the second celebrity fielded by the AAP in the region. Earlier, comedian Jaspal Bhatti's widow Savita Bhatti was declared as the AAP candidate from Chandigarh seat, but she opted out of the race after reportedly failing to sync with local party activists. Panag said that Chandigarh is "plagued" with the same issues -- dynastic politics, corruption, crony capitalism -- which the entire country is facing these days. Panag's father Lt Gen (retd) H S Panag had joined the AAP last month. She also described herself as a city girl to downplay the claims that she is a paratrooper selected by the AAP as she has no longer association with the city and lives in Mumbai. "My roots are in Chandigarh. It's been my family's home since my grandfather Colonel Shamsher Singh settled here in 1965. It's where I grew up, studied and it's where my family lives. "I am delighted to be able to have an opportunity to contribute so directly to the welfare of my people and the country," she said. She also appealed the youth to join politics. "One must be part of the politics in the country to cleanse it," she said, urging people "to join AAP's movement to secure the future of next generations in the country. "I cannot sit as neutral and be a fence watcher...to bring change in the country one need to jump into the political battle field," Panag said. "If your conscious says you can bring change then certainly you can do so," she said. Born into a second generation armed forces family in Chandigarh in 1979, Panag has studied and lived across various cities in India due to her father's frequent transfers. She recently returned to Chandigarh to complete her Masters in Political Science from Punjab University Chandigarh. Sisodia welcomed Panag to the AAP fold in the media interaction where heated arguments took place between AAP activists, journalists and some outsiders who sought clarifications from the AAP leadership over party's ideology. Panag, who has also participated in the India Against Corruption movement, said that she feel honoured that she is contesting as an AAP candidate for the Chandigarh seat. Panag has worked for gender equality, addiction awareness, education, employment and disaster management. She also started her own NGO -- The Colonel Shamsher Singh Foundation. The Foundation also runs an online volunteering portal the 'Social Outreach and Accreditation Program'. As an actor, she played powerful characters in Hindi films like Dhoop, Dor, Manorama Six Feet Under, Straight and most recently Punjabi film Sikander. A serial half-marathon runner, Panag is the brand ambassador for 'Pinkathon', an all-women's marathon that seeks to promote healthier lifestyle among women and raise awareness for breast cancer. On her joining the politics, Panag said that "I chase dreams with a motive to achieve something." Her message to the youth was "chase dreams and you will achieve something." She rejected assertion that she was not commoner, but a celebrity. "I am an actor and after doing acting I reached here (joined politics)," she said. The main political parties Congress and BJP are yet to announce candidate for the Chandigarh seat. At present Congress' Pawan Kumar Bansal is sitting MP from the city. Earlier, Sisodia met AAP workers in the city and came along with Panag to the press conference here to declare her as the party nominee. Before Panag could reply a volley of questions from media there was a total chaos with AAP activists, journalists and some outsiders shouting at each other. AAP activists raised slogans at the venue and Sisodia left after introducing Panag to the media. PTI

Punjab's brave women toll booth operators

Chandigarh: We have seen incidents in the past there CCTV footage has revealed how toll collectors on the highway are attacked and face wrath of drivers on the highway.

Last year, a toll collector was shot dead at a toll plaza near Gurgaon when he refused to allow someone through without paying.

Clearly, in a country where tempers on the highway run high a toll attendant's job is a dangerous one. And in such a scenario, if women take up this job, it is bound to make headlines.

But it is perhaps this challenge or simply the opening up of a new avenue that is attracting many young women and there are now 40 women employed at toll booths on Punjab and Haryana highways.

"We are not less than anybody. If girls can be in BSF, why can't we do this job? We are not lacking in anything. If there is any problem we face it," says Gagan Bansal, who quit her job as a school teacher to be a toll collector.

"We can't live in fear. We have to do something, and here it is not very difficult. We have to face the customer and we were trained for it," says Rinki, a female toll collector.

Those pass through say it's a welcome change.

But most important officials say cases of toll attendants being abused or assaulted that ranged from 50 to 60 every month are now down 70 per cent at the four toll plazas where women are employed.
Officials say this is because the women handle an argument better.

"The opportunity has been created for girls it is tough. Yes it is a difficult job but we take proper care of their security," says Sachin Sharma, a toll plaza manager at Shambhu, Punjab.

It is considered one of the most dangerous job, but here women have a point to prove that they can brave it all with a smile on their face.

Open sex at Chandigarh rave party, probe ordered

Chandigarh: Police raided an alleged rave party at a local club being attended by youths from the city and Delhi and arrested at least 10 people.

The party organised at the local Lake club turned ugly with police driving the revellers out after they tried to enter the swimming pool.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahavir Kaushik has been asked to enquire into the incident and submit a report to take further action if any other offence is made out and if other administrative action is required, an official spokesman said here.

"He will look into the whole process to find out whether any offence is made out under excise act in this case. In addition, he will suggest measures to prevent such happenings in future," the spokesman said.

According to TV reports, the party went extreme way with some revellers indulging in open sex. However, the club has denied the reports.

Meanwhile, Rajiv Tuli, the general manager of the club, has been suspended.