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.

Chandigarh tops the country in voluntary blood donation

Chandigarh tops the country in voluntary blood donation (VBD) with a rating of 85%. Moreover, the collection through VBD has risen to 90% during January to March, 2010. UT is followed by West Bengal with 78%. Also, city's blood collection is more than the consumption. Chandigarh blood transfusion services have also been declared the best in the country by National AIDS Control Organisation.

In city, approximately 70,000 units of blood is required per year. In the last financial year (2009-10), 75,350 blood units were collected, of which 85% was through voluntary blood donation.

Dr MS Bains, UT director, health services, said, "Chandigarh is number one in voluntary blood donation (85%), whereas the national average is 76% and neighbouring states have scored less than 75%."

Dr Vanita Gupta, project director, State AIDS Control Society, said, "This year, Chandigarh has touched 90% for voluntary blood collection, making it the hub of the largest proportion of voluntary blood collection in India." She said VBD was the safest source of blood transfusion. The target set by the government was 100% voluntary donation and Chandigarh was approaching it.

HIV positivity in blood collected in India is 0.3% and in Chandigarh it is 0.2%. To reduce this number, Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society and Chandigarh State Blood Transfusion Council are promoting voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.

Dr Gupta said, "There are nine parameters to measure blood safety in the country. These parameters are units of annual blood collection, voluntary blood donation and annual blood donation camps, among others. To meet these parameters, the target of 600 blood donation camps was also fulfilled." Till March 31, of the 21,183 units collected, 19,083 units came through VBD, making it 90%. Only 2,100 units were from replacement donors.

-=- Chandigarh is officially India's cleanest city -=-

Chandigarh has emerged as the number one city in terms of sanitation in the National Rating Exercise, government said on Monday.

Announcing this, Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy listed Mysore at number two, Surat at number three and the NDMC area of New Delhi in the fourth position.

"The purpose of this exercise is to recognise better performers as well as to encourage other cities to perform better. The idea behind the exercise is to galvanise action in states and cities towards better sanitation," Reddy said.

Policy rating of 423 cities which covers 72 per cent of the urban population was undertaken. The country was divided into five zones for the purpose and each city was scored on 19 indicators.

Officials said the cities were classified into four colour categories of red, black, blue and green.

"The rating of cities creates a baseline which can be used to measure progress in respect of sanitation in our cities and is expected to encourage cities to perform better in years to come," a senior official said.

None of the cities were rated as "Green" the best category in the exercise. However, four cities -- Chandigarh, Mysore, Surat and NDMC area in New Delhi -- were in the Blue category.

Reddy said he will be writing to all the chief ministers of the states to prioritise sanitation.

"I hope the ratings today will indeed mobilise all stakeholders to prioritise and take action for improving sanitation," the minister added.

In the vicinity of Chandigarh this is my place..and the Garden above is where I daily go for a jog...Just 100 meters from my home...

Mansa Devi

Mansa means desire and Meri Maiya who fulfills the desire of HER devotees, is popularly known as Mansa Devi. Mata Mansa Devi Temple at Panchkula is a symbol of Himalayan culture and faith. The shrine located on the foot hills of Shivalik is an epitome of age old tradition of ‘Shakti’ worship in northern India. Himalaya being the abode of Shiva and his consort’shakti’ became centre of shakti worship. In the vicinity of Panchkula there are numerous Shakti worshipping centers known by their names such as Chandi, Kalika, Mansa, Bhima etc. Hence, mythological speaking,Chandigarh-Panchkula region undoubtedly continued to be living legends of shaktism where its practices are in vogue. However, the present temple which stands a witness to the exciting past of the Shivalik region is about two hundred years old. The archeological treasures unearthed from Chandigarh-Panchkula region throw eloquent light on the history and culture of the area from the prehistoric to the recent times.

Morni Hills

Morni Hills are an offshoot of Shivalik range, which run in two parallel ranges. The village of Morni (Bhoj Jabial) lies on the mountainside, at 1220 meters or 3600 feet above sea level. Traditions assign the name of Morni to a Queen who is believed to have ruled this area. Situated in the lower reaches of the Shivalik range, Morni is ideal for a holiday with its cool clime, beautiful natural vistas and myriad opportunities for bird watching, trekking, rock-climbing and other adventure sports. The best time for visiting Morni Hills is from September to March.

Just five hours drive away from Delhi and 45 km from Chandigarh, Morni in Panchkula district Haryana, combines the best of an idyllic retreat with action, adventure and fun. The road to Morni has breathtaking scenery as it goes past sleepy hamlets, cultivated terraces and hill forest. For those, who like to travel in mountains, the state of Himachal Pradesh is close by.

Myth, mystery and history also have a place in Morni's attractions. The Mountain Quail tourist complex of Haryana Tourism is built close to the ruins of an old fort. The climate is salubrious and the area is suitable for trekking. The Haryana Government, has developed this hill resort and provides facilities to tourists; a motorable road was constructed to connect the Morni hills with Haryana state highway near Panchkula. A forest tourist hut, Lal Munia and a PWD rest house were also constructed to accommodate tourists and trekkers.

Morni Hills have a fascinating range of flora and fauna. Pines crown the hilltops and trees like Sal, Neem, Mango, Ritha, Pipal, Jamun, Shisham, Amaltas and jacaranda cover the slopes. When the flowering trees blossom, the hillsides are awash with color, presenting a delightful sight. Morni is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers with its teeming population of birds like Wallcreeper, Crested Kingfisher, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Blue Peafowl, Kalij Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Grey Francolin, Black Francolin, Quails, Himalayan Bulbul and Oriental Turtle Dove as well as animals like Jackals, Langur, Hare, Hyenas, Neelgai, Wild Boar, Kakad (Barking Dear), Sambar and even Leopards.

There are two lakes or tals, which seem to be mysteriously interconnected, even though they are separated by a hillock. The water level in both the tals always remains the same, as there is a hidden channel under the hill connecting them. The larger is about 550 meters long and 460 meters broad and the other about 365 meters either way. Locals consider the lake auspicious and gather here on ceremonial occasions. A small temple on the banks contains a Trimurti (the Hindu Trinity), which dates back to the 12th century AD when a Shiva temple was also supposed to have existed at the site.

Morni offers many interesting trekking options. One can trek to the two tals and the fort and for the more adventurous; there are treks to the bank of the river Ghaggar, which flows past Morni. Goat tracks lead out of the tourist complex for those keen on walks. The tourist authorities are examining the viability of hang-gliding in Morni, introducing yet another special attraction.

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4. The Open Hand Monument: Sector-1, Chandigarh

Chandigarh is one of the most beautiful cities of India. Large number of travelers visits Chandigarh for its exotic tourist attractions. Some of the premier tourist attractions include its museums, temples, sightseeing places and other attractions. One of the popular tourist attractions which has attracted travelers from all over the world is the Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh.

The Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh which is one of the finest and significant monuments of the city is regularly visited by large number of visitors. The Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh is located in amidst of the popular Capitol Complex. This Capitol Complex houses three magnificent edifices namely the Secretariat, the High Court and the Legislative Assembly. This architecture of this building is really splendid. Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh was constructed by Le Corbusier. This finest monument in Chandigarh is situated in sector 1 in the Capitol Complex. . The Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh was designed in the form of a huge hand made from metal sheets. The monument rotates like that of a weathercock which wonderfully indicates the direction of wind to its visitors. The Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh which is giant metallic structure is about 14 meters high and it is about 50 tonnes in weight. The monument is located away from the main entrance. The visitors can view this amazing architectural wonder without any entrance fees. No fee is charged from its visitors for viewing it. The ideal time to visit this monument is early morning. The monument looks like a bird which slowly rotates on rusted bearings. This monument is a large, open, metal hand pointing skyward. Some people say that the hand symbolizes the map of Haryana. Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh is the symbol of peace and harmony. It is also the official emblem of Chandigarh.

Come and see the architectural design of Open Hand Monument in Chandigarh with your near and dear ones. This venue for Sightseeing in Chandigarh will definitely be a memorable experience for you.