Property Consultants Association Holds its Executive Body meeting: Discuss Conversion of Residential Property from Lease Hold to Free Hold

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 19^th August:- Property Consultants Association (Regd), Chandigarh, held its urgent Executive Body meeting in Chandigarh Club. The meeting was attended by many members  to discuss and welcome the decision of Chandigarh Administration regarding Conversion of Residential Property in Chandigarh from Lease hold to Free hold and for giving special thanks to H.E. V.P.Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T., Chandigarh for giving this relief to the residents of Chandigarh.  It was the long pending demands of the residents of City Beautiful.

In the meeting it was also discussed that Administration is planning to co-relate the conversion charges with the collector rates which are already very high and various associations of are already requesting the Administration to reduce the collector rates.  It will not be out place to mention here that Punjab and Haryana Govt. have already reduced the collector rates in view of slow down of the market. 

Kamaljit Singh Punchhi, Chairman, suggested that the administration should covert the properties of those applicants who had already applied on the old rates i.e. @ 1710/- per S.Yds in the public interest.

Kamal Gupta,  General Secretary, suggested that if at all Govt. wants to change  the conversion charges a nominal change should be done which should be within the reach of public, so that maximum number of persons should be able to take benefit of the scheme and also generate revenue for the Administration.

Rajiv Avasthi, President and J.D.Gupta, Legal Advisor urged the authorities for introduction of conversion policy for commercial and industrial properties also from lease hold to freehold.  If this is done it will lead to increase in sale purchase of properties in Chandigarh.  The Buyer of Chandigarh will not go to Mohali and Panchkula.

It was also decided to meet the Administrator on this issue very soon.

DST-Centre for Policy Research PU organizes Round Table Meet on Public-Private Partnership

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 19^th August:- A Round Table Meet titled ‘Developing Country Specific Models for the Promotion of R&D via Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode’ was organized by the DST-Centre for Policy Research, Panjab University(PU), Chandigarh, here today with the objective of promoting Industry-Academia Partnership of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of the Government of India.

Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog and Chancellor, JNU in his inaugural address, emphasized strongly for linking universities with industries & national research laboratories and setting up of dedicate funds for state universities for strengthening their R&D. He also shared the importance of Industry-Academia Research Collaborations in the success of ISRO for the development of Satellites and Rockets. He defined the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in order to overcome the impediments in pursuing successful collaborative research. Dr Saraswat congratulated DST-CPR team at Panjab University, on compiling large scientific information. He stated this information as precious and underlined that it can be used as a database and finally integrates into guidelines for Science, Technology, and Innovation & Research.

The Guest of honor, Dr. Girish Sahni (DG, CSIR), apprised the audience about the acceptance of CSIR by the international bodies in the domain of Science & Technology. Dr. Baldev Raj (Director NIAS, and Chairman of Policy Research Cell, DST, New Delhi) & Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Head PRC, DST, New Delhi informed the audience about the genesis of establishing Centers of Policy Research at five locations in India.

Prof. Rupinder Tewari, Coordinator, DST-Centre for Policy Research at Panjab University, Chandigarh gave a compact presentation on the activities undertaken by DST-CPR at PU, Chd in promoting Industry-Academia interface and PPP  in India. He also presented successful models of PPP in R&D in India, compiled by DST-Centre for Policy Research. The participants shared their experiences for the development of institutions, Centers for Excellence, Innovation Parks, incentivizations of R&D activities being performed in Public and Private R&D Sector. It was unanimously agreed that there should be free exchange of scientist of universities and industries. In addition, Emphasis was laid upon for establishment of independent Industry-Academia Interface at Regional Level.

Prof. Arun K Grover (Vice Chancellor, PU, Chd.) informed the audience about creation of Chandigarh Region Innovation & Knowledge Cluster (CRIKC) as a single window for the industry for gaining access to the Academic Excellence & Infrastructure of 27 Institutes of Higher Learning & Research located in and around Chandigarh. The recommendations of the Meet will be submitted to DST, GoI, New Delhi for further deliberations.  

The meeting was attended by directors of large corporates (Reliance India ltd., HCL Technologies), Innovation Research Parks (IIT-Madras & IIT-Delhi), National Research Laboratories & Universities.

 Later, while talking to the press, Dr. V. K. Saraswat elaborated that  Think tank has been created for supporting the Govt. in the policy analysis and framework to ensure that the participation of the States is 100% in the planning, execution and monitoring process. He informed that NITI Ayog is focusing on heath, agriculture, education, Make in India, and other schemes of Govt. of India initiated by Hon’ble PM. He appreciated the efforts of PU and said that PU has compiled entire information under the leadership of Prof Rupinder Tiwari on India's R&D system  and the basic purpose of this meet was to bring entire domain of policies for research and technical development so that synergy between Industry, Academia, National Laboratories could be improved by policy guidelines. It is to find out ways to improve utilisation of equipment in various National Labs by the Industry and Academia, how to provide facilities of the Industry to the Universities, he added. Also, need of the hour is to see that the teachers go to the Industry to know their demands and also to bring Industry to Universities for helping in Innovation and Development he stressed.

The purpose of the policy guidelines will be to systemize across the globe so that the Central/State Universities and the IIT's have a model.

Govt. Move to Hike Import Duties in Palm Oil: Brings Cheer to Oil Palm Farmers and Industry

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 19^th August:- OPDPA (Oil Palm Developers and Processors Association), the nodal agency for oil palm development in India, cheered the latest move by the government to increase the import duties on Palm Oil. This is a tremendous boost to the industry as the duty hike will help farmers to get remunerative price for their produce and help the domestic processing industry remain self-sufficient.

The government has announced raising of import duty on crude Palm Oil to 15% from current 7.5% and refined palm oil to 25% from the current 15%.  The impact of increase on crude Palm Oil alone translates to around Rs.40-60 crore extra in the hands of the farmer.

Sanjay Goenka, President of Oil Palm Developers and Processors Association (OPDPA), said that the move by government brings in a strong sense of self-sufficiency to the Oil Palm ecosystem. The price paid to the farmer is based on the realization that Palm Oil fetches in the market. Increase in import duty helps in increase of price of palm products, thereby resulting in higher price of the produce to the farmers.

While this development is extremely positive and addresses some of the challenges – there is a need to ensure that the farmer is protected from price fluctuations. Currently, the price of the produce is fixed by a scientific formula, derived by the CACP committee, which links the price payable to the farmer to the landed cost of crude palm oil. A price stability mechanism is required to keep farmer’s price remunerative at all times.

The association is continuing its persuasion with the Government to protect the interests of the Oil Palm farmer by requesting the Government to bring in a strong MSP framework that insulates the farmer from market forces.

Commenting on the developmentP. Narender Reddy, Sales Head 3F Oil Palm Pvt. Ltd. said that the Oil Palm industry can play a very important part in making India self-sufficient towards its edible oil needs. Oil Palm is a very versatile product that finds multiple uses in industry, generating large scale employment and contributes to the growth of the underdeveloped regions. If it continues to receive the encouragement it deserves and its potential is fully leveraged, it can help in saving millions of dollars of valuable foreign exchange against import of Palm Oil.

GGSCW-26 organizes Fresher’s Party

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 19^th August:- Joyful exuberance and high spirits marked the Fresher’s Party organized by students and staff of Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26 on August 19, 2017. Aptly called Fresher’s Party, the purpose of the event was to make the new students feel like an integral part of the college family. The enthusiasm of young girls dressed in their best attire filled beautiful colors to the campus.

The event was set on course by spectrum of dance items with foot tapping music, including Manipuri, Rajasthani, Western and Punjabi dance performances. The audience was kept enthralled with dance and modelling which was artistically presented. The students on stage were encouraged and supported by their seniors and teachers.

TITLES	WINNERS
MISS FRESHER	Mehak Chopra (BA )
1ST RUNNER UP	Diksha (M.Sc IT )
2ND RUNNER UP	Navpreet Kaur (BA)
MISS ELEGANT	Vidhi (B.Com)
MISS CONFIDENT	Swati (MSc IT)

Dr. Charanjeet Kaur Sohi, Principal welcomed the “daughters” of GGSCW and highlighted that such programs generate feelings of fraternity among students of the college. The Principal admired the whole-hearted effort made by them and at the same time reminded them to be true to their academic goals too.  

Organ Donation Awareness Campaign of ROTTO PGIMER Concluded: Director PGIMER Felicitates ‘Young Ambassadors of Change’

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 19^th August:- The gap between demand and supply is burgeoning with every passing day in view of the increased incidence of lifestyle diseases. We need intensified and impactful awareness campaigns to reduce this gap. People must come forward, pledge their organs and keep their families informed about their decision. This move will save thousands who die for want of organs. This was stated Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER while addressing at the Concluding Ceremony of ROTTO PGIMER’s Organ Donation Awareness Campaign here at PGIMER today. The Campaign was kicked off on 3^rd August.

The other dignitaries present on the occasion included the top leadership of PGIMER including Prof. D. Behera, Dean (Research), Prof. Rajesh Kumar, Dean (Academic), Amitabh Avasthi, DDA, Prof. Anil K. Gupta, MS-cum-Head, Dept. of Hospital, Sushil Thakur, I.A.A.S, FA, and Dr. Vipin Koushal, Nodal Officer, ROTTO, PGIMER, Chandigarh

Though PGIMER has to its credit some pioneer work done in the space of organ transplantation space, but every transplant begins with a donation. So it is not simply a clinical endeavor, but at its core, it reflects a humanitarian act of compassion and kindness. Whenever any patient receives this gift of life, we see the impact of this kind act of Organ Donation.” added the Director who had been rightly pitching for community involvement to promote the cause. He opined that the problem of low donation rates can be overcome by engaging with multiple stakeholders through these awareness drives.

The director also felicitated 28 volunteers including students, teachers, NSS coordinators from various schools of the city who had spearheaded different infotainment activities organized to promote the altruistic cause of organ donation during the campaign launched on 3^rd August by ROTTO PGIMER.  

Through the campaign, ROTTO PGIMER collaborated with multiple stake-holders ranging from religious outfits, educational institutions and NGOs to media houses, corporate bodies, financial institutions including Vishwas Meditation, NDTV, Fortis, Canara Bank, Chandigarh College of Engineering & Technology, Sector 26, Govt. Senior Secondary Schools of Sector 20, 20-D, 19 and 32, Carmel Convent, Rotary Club, Himachal Youth Brigade, PGIMER Faculty Association to mention a few and organized engagement activities and awareness sessions in Chandigarh and adjoining states.  

Encouraged by the positive response towards the Organ Donation Campaign, Prof. Anil K. Gupta, Medical Superintendent-cum-Head, Dept. of Hospital Administration, PGIMER shared that many people find talk of organ donation uncomfortable and perhaps morbid, and others believe organ donation is a good thing but put off doing something about it for another day. So the campaign was launched with intent to reach out and engage with multiple partners to educate them about the cause, dispel myths around the subject and encourage them to sign up as organ donors.

Reiterating the same sentiment, Dr Vipin Koushal, Nodal Officer, ROTTO PGIMER said that considering the fact that organ donation is not less because there are no potential donors but because the potential donors do not convert into actual donors due to the lack of knowledge, awareness and socio-cultural views. To address this issue, ROTTO PGIMER has been proactively tapping multiple windows of opportunities to embed awareness about organ donation in public conscience. In our country with high rate of road accidents, probably one death every 3.6 minutes in road accidents, deceased donor transplantation offers a second chance of life for many. Hence awareness can really play a savior.

Established in March, 2016 under the aegis of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Union Ministry of Health, PGIMER designated as ROTTO (Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization) has been creating awareness among people on deceased organ donation to garner traction for the cause. As an outcome of these consistent efforts, PGIMER is witnessing an increasing trend in organ donation with 33 cadaver organ donations already in this year till date as compared to 27 throughout in 2016. Till date, the transplants done by PGIMER are as follows :  Kidney : 3586 (Live 3340; Cadaver 246); Liver : 32; Heart : 4; Pancreas :11, Lung : 1 and Cornea : 3405.

Vikram Rana, NSS State Liaison Officer, Chandigarh Administration, awarded on the occasion, stated that encouraging participation from the students to inculcate awareness among family members to promote Organ Donation can have huge impact in changing the mind sets as the students can act as ‘change agents.

Sanya Chhabra from Carmel Convent School and one of the awardees shared her happiness as she said that it is an incredible gesture on the part of PGIMER. We will try our best to disseminate the information about this noble cause.

The event concluded with the felicitation of the volunteers.

Mirchi Gang of Girls organizes Power Drive

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 19^th August:- Mirchi, India’s No. radio station, has always championed contemporary issues which are relevant to society. One such issue is women’s safety and sexual harassment against women. Mirchi Chandigarh organized a “Power Drive” in the city on 18^th August led by its Gang of Girls (Mirchi’s team of spunky female RJs Charu, Aashi and Mehak). This Power Drive involved a large group of women who rode through Chandigarh making a statement for women’s safety in the city especially at night.

The rally started from the Sector 7 Market–Madhya Marg to Housing board 10 PM covering approximately 5 kms. The Chief Guests for the event were the stars of the new Punjabi movie Rocky Mental–ParmishVerma and Tannu Kaur Gill.

When asked about the initiative, ParmishVerma said that this is an issue that is very close to my heart. The safety of women, especially in this beautiful city of ours, is something we all need to work together to ensure. He commends Radio Mirchi for taking up the cause of raising awareness about it.

Tannu Kaur Gill agreed and said that she is so happy to be able to be a part of this event. Women should feel safe anywhere and anytime in Chandigarh and we need to raise awareness about this.

On the initiative, Bhanu Pratap Singh Chauhan, Cluster Head , Punjab & HP, Radio Mirchi said that we were excited to be a part of this initiative of a power drive for women. At Mirchi we have always strongly supported progressive thinking and consider women’s safety as a matter of great importance. Through this initiative we want to convey this message to our lakhs of listeners in and around the tricity area. We are very happy that so many people came out in support of this event as it shows how important this is, not just to us at Mirchi, but also to the people of Chandigarh.