Friday 8 September 2017

Thomas Cook’s Center of Learning Delivers Strongly on Skill Development and Employment Generation for the Travel & Tourism Sector

By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 08th September:- India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world; The World Bank expects India’s economy to expand at 7.2 percent in FY18. However, an evident imbalance that exists is the gap between India’s growth opportunity and the lack of a skilled population/workforce. Improving these skills and the quality of human resources in our country, ensures young Indians are made job–ready and employable - a stepping stone to sustain economic growth with a cascading overall positive impact on the standard of living.
Hence, in a focused initiative to bridge this gap Thomas Cook launched its Centre of Learning to develop a well-trained talent pool for the travel and tourism industry with a clearly articulated two pronged strategy:
1) Focus on employment generation for Young India by creating a work force that is job-ready
2) Build a skilled entry level work force and up-skill to ensure sustained expertise for the sector.
At its sixth Convocation Ceremony held in Mumbai, The Thomas Cook Centre of Learning felicitated a strong contingent of 465 students who had successfully completed the Travel Professional Programme, a Post Graduate Course in Travel & Tourism Management, Certificate Course in World Tour Management and IATA Scholarship certificates. Special prizes were awarded to the top three performers of Centre of Learning’s Travel Professional Program - a Post Graduate course in Travel & Tourism Management. 
Mona Cheriyan, President & Group Head, Human Resources, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd said that the Thomas Cook Centre of Learning’s vision sees strong synergy with Prime Minister Modi’s Skill India Mission. Our focus has been on the urgent need of bridging the skill gap by training and equipping students and making them job ready, and thereby creating a strong talent pool for the Travel & Tourism sector.
Mona Cheriyan said that she is delighted that our Centre of Learning has demonstrated a strong and sustained 18% YoY growth in graduating students, with 75% being employed by the travel and tourism sector. What is noteworthy is that this growth is powered by applicants not only from metros, but also students from Tier II centre like Chandigarh and Lucknow. We have also observed an interesting career switch to Travel & Tourism from South India markets like Bengaluru.



Mahindra Launches e-Alfa Mini Electric Rickshaw for Passenger Movement

By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 08th September:- Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M Ltd), part of the USD 19 billion Mahindra Group, today announced the launch of the e-Alfa Mini, its zero emission, all new electric rickshaw for passenger movement. The e-Alfa Mini with a 4+1 seating capacity is a complete 3 wheeler designed specifically for Indian conditions. It will further drive Mahindra’s vision of the Future of Mobility and will be available in Delhi with immediate effect at an attractive price of Rs 1.12 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi).
The e-Alfa Mini is best suited for last mile connectivity and intra-city people movement. It is the ideal choice for fleet taxi operators and existing 3 wheeler owners and will effectively provide employment to the youth. The e-Alfa Mini has an attractive exterior design, robust body, large cabin space for passenger comfort and superior suspension and chassis. With all these features, the e-Alfa Mini scores highly over its competitors.
Speaking at the launch of the e-Alfa Mini, Rajan Wadhera, President–Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said that as the pioneer of electric vehicles and integrated mobility solutions in India, it has always been our endeavour to make electric vehicles more accessible and best suited for Indian conditions. The launch of the e-Alfa Mini is yet another step to provide an emission free, green mode of safe intra city transportation in the country.At Mahindra, we are aligned to the Government’s vision to become a 100% EV nation by 2030. True to the spirit of ‘Make-in-India’, we shall be at the forefront to lead this change along with the Government.
At the launch, Mahindra is offering a disruptive consumer benefit scheme, which comprises best in class 2 years vehicle warranty, low down payment and attractive EMI and one free battery replacement, which is an industry first. All these benefits to the customer will be available with select finance options and will help customers to maximize their earnings.
According to Veejay Ram Nakra, Chief of Sales & Marketing, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. that the e-Alfa Mini comes with the larger Mahindra trust, which is a consumer need in the e-Rickshaw segment. Further, with best-in-class product quality, higher earning potential, 60 minutes fast service guarantee and an attractive finance option, the e-Alfa Mini is set to become the preferred choice of the buyers.
The e-Alfa Mini is powered by a 120Ah battery, a powerful motor and controller. Charging the e-Alfa Mini is as simple as charging a mobile phone. On a full charge, the Mahindra e-Alfa Mini can travel for up to 85 km in standard conditions and can achieve a top speed of 25 kmph. It will be launched in a phased manner in select cities – NCR with immediate effect, followed by Kolkata and Lucknow and subsequently in several other parts of the country.
Today, Mahindra has the widest range of electric vehicles in the country that can reach out to an entire spectrum of consumers across segments in both people and goods movement. Mahindra has been one of the pioneers of electric vehicle technology in India and its current range of products in this segment include the e2oPlus, the eVerito, the eSupro and now the e-Alfa Mini. All these vehicles embody Mahindra’s vision of the ‘Future of Mobility’ which includes the framework of Green, Connected, Convenient and Cost Effective vehicle technology.

Big FM’s Big Pride Awards; Tricity Votes for Swagath as the Best Fine Dine Restaurant in City

By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 08th September:- Tricity’s most heard FM station 92.7 BIG FM recently announced results of the latest category of the ongoing awards which are meant to be ‘For the City, By the City’- Big Pride Awards.
This month in the category of Best Fine Dine Restaurant, on the basis of public voting through Whatsapp, Facebook, on-air Calls and jury members’ benchmarks , residents &  listeners voted Swagath, Chandigarh as the best fine dine Restaurant in the city & the region. Other top nominations in the category included Pirates of Grill, Chillies and Barbeque Nation.
Swagath does not need any introduction to the food connoisseurs of the tricity. Beginning its journey in Chandigarh from Sector 26, Swagath also opened its doors for the food lovers at Elante Mall. Over the years, the food offering has become the star of the restaurant, with adding a layer of culinary art to the basic South Indian, staple non-vegetarian, Mughlai and Indian Chinese.
The Big Pride Award was handed over by Big FM Team, MJ Abhimanu & MJ Anshu to Manish Goel Franchisee owner Chandigarh branch & Outlet Manager Santosh K Sridhar. 

Shreyas Jeena of West Bengal Wins 3rd International Equanimity Olympiad

By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 08th September:- Living life with the skill of equanimity & even-sightedness means withholding mind in an all-inclusive state under all circumstances via non-discriminatory intellect. Satyug Darshan Trust started the International Equanimity Olympiad in 2015 with this mission in mind. The aim was to create a passion amongst the students and individuals to become humane by knowing about humanity, morality and ethical values in the form of questions and answers.
On the occasion of World Equanimity Day, 3rd International Equanimity Olympiad concluded with an enchanting cultural program and award ceremony. This unique endeavour by the Satyug Darshan Trust was this year held at its Vasundhara campus. More than 2000 students, parents, school-principals & teachers as well as Trust members were present at the finale of this international gala. The Olympiad motivates the future citizens to evolve as good human beings by adopting the state of equality. More than 5 lakh students had participated at the first Olympiad in 2015. In the second year, the figures were more than double: 10 lakh 19 thousand students from 2,648 schools participated in this unique competition. This year alone,the Olympiad registered a whopping partnership: 2,800 schools from 20 states of India plus one from Oman, Middle East participated with over 15 lakh  students overall.
International Equanimity Olympiad-2017 had three Modules: 1) Classroom-Based Exam This test was conducted in schools itself where students from class 9 to 12 participated without any discrimination of caste, creed or for that matter the type of education board. The duration of the exam was 45 minutes and was open to students in four languages- Hindi, English, Assamese and Punjabi. It is noteworthy here that no fee was charged for this test conducted for a social cause by Satyug Darshan Trust. Merit Positions: --Topper: Shreyas Jena of Class 10, St Xaviers', Durgapur District Burdhman, West Bengal. He won a Laptop --First Runner-up: Shivam Yadav of Class 9 from Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT Campus, Kanpur (U.P.). He was awarded a 10-inch Tablet computer --Second Runner-up: Avinash Mishra of class 11 from RN Tagore Inter-College, Bareily (U.P.).He bagged a 7- inches Tablet At fourth position was Deepanshu, class 12 students from Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Moradabad (U.P.) while the fifth rank was scaled by Vinita from class 9 of Saraswati Senior Secondary School, Ballabhgarh, and Faridabad. Both of them were given smart phones as a consolation prize. Government Senior Secondary School Kapurthala won the trophy for school with best results. Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Karawal Nagar, Delhi won for the second time in two years the trophy for the highest number of participating students. 3054 girl students participated from this school. Besides the above awards, a trophy + Rs 3100/- or 2100/- or 1100/- were awarded to the top student of the state. Topper from each district was awarded a wrist watch; School topper was prized with a medal & a merit certificate while participation certificates to each student were also distributed.
2) Jail and Rehab-Centres Based Exam Equanimity & even-sightedness perceive equality. Thus, the second module of the test was for the imprisoned ones either in jails or those in rehab-centres. It was conducted there itself. The objective is to propagate message to adopt Equanimity and thus equality to live a meaningful life. The duration of the exam was again 45 minutes and was conducted in Hindi & English. This year 45 jails participated with more than 10 thousand prisoners. Merit Positions: --First: Chirag from district Jail, Bhiwani Haryana won a 32-inch color TV --Second: Kalki Krishnan from District Jail Noida, (U.P.) who won a smart phone --Third: Omprakash Nishad from Central Jail, Raipur, Chhattisgarh bagged a dinner set Besides, every topper of a particular jail or rehab centre was awarded a wrist watch, second runner-up won a track-suit while the third position was gifted a shirt-trouser. All participants were given appreciation certificates as well.
3) Internet Based Exam Third module of the competition in the Olympiad was conducted via internet so that participants from far flung areas could participate in this unique mission to connect all. 25,000 participants from across the globe took this 30- minute’s exam. At the end of the exam, the participants could instantly download their participation certificates.

Addressing the gathering during the Prize Distribution Ceremony, Sajjan, Margdarshak, Satyug Darshan Trust said that equality must be the basic human nature and attitude. And this is what equanimity and harmony are all about. Under this, emotions and thoughts unite to find solace since this is what energizes bonding and coordination. This forms the basis of behavioural gentleman-ship, facilitation, honesty, cordiality and explicitness. In short, the meaning is that in all states of control of the soul, body and mind the state of equanimity must be attained. It gives an amazing feeling through enlightenment of the soul by shunning the external differences.
Sajjan Ji requested all those present at the gathering to ensure steps towards equality and humanity so that the entire human race can benefit through it by leading a life of honesty and all-round development.  Sajjan Ji requested each one present at this unique mission to connect the next generation to moral values. He said that international Equanimity Olympiad conducted to uplift the moral value towards humanity should be taken up as a mission rather than just a yearly program. We took oath in 2013 to conduct such an Olympiad to celebrate World Equanimity Day and we fulfilled our promise over three years...and will continue to. He further added that Satyug Darshan Trust is ensuring through each exam that not only our young minds in schools but also those who drifted away from moral values and landed in jail can be brought back into the mainstream society through this mission. This year via this exam and through other mediums this message has reached more than 1.5 crore masses...this will rise in the years to come.
Satyug Darshan Trust thanks the education departments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Assam who made this Olympiad not only reach this grand stage but also make it a great success.
For more details on International Equanimity Olympiad you can log on to  www.equanimityolympiad.in



गायक सूरज के हिंदी सोलो ट्रैक ‘धोखा’ का विमोचन

By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 08th September:- उभरते गायक और एक्टर सूरज के हिन्दी सोलो ट्रैकधोखा- लाइफ मिस्ट्रीका विमोचन आज चंडीगढ़ इंस्टीच्यूट ऑफ फिल्म एंड टेलीविजन द्वारा जीरकपुर के एक होटल में किया गया। इस अवसर पर गीतकार डॉ. नीरज शर्मा, कैमरामैन और वीडियो निर्देशक जोड़ी आर्य वीर आर्य मेलोन (राम), संगीतकार नीटा लक्ष्मण और नीरज शर्मा (ओल्ड ब्वॉयज़) तथा सी.आई.एफ.टी  के टरस्टी शमशेर पठानिया उपस्थित थे।
गायक सूरज ने बातचीत के दौरान बताया कि वह चंडीगढ़ से ही ताल्लुक रखता है और यहीं पर  उसकी शिक्षा-दीक्षा हुई। उसने बताया कि बचपन मे डांस और अभिनय से उसका खासा लगाव था और स्कूल के सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमों में वह खुलकर भाग लेता था उसकी ख्वाहिश थी कि बड़ा होकर इस क्षेत्र में वह नाम कमाये और अपनी प्रतिभा को साबित करे। सन् 2016 में लॉस वेगास (अमेरिका) में आयोजित हिपहाप इंटरनैशनल नृत्य प्रतियोगिता में उसे भारत की तरफ से भाग लेने का अवसर मिला। इस कंपीटीशन में कुल 72 देशों ने भाग लिया था, जिनमें से वह 27वीं पोजीशन पर रहा। संस्था ने उसे बैज और सर्टिफिकेट देकर सम्मानित किया। इसके बाद वह किस्मत आजमाने मायानगरी मुंबई  चला गया और काफी अर्से तक वहां इधर से उधर सडक़ों की धूल  फांकता रहा पर किसी ने उसकी प्रतिभा की कद्र नहीं की।
इसी दौरान वह सी.आई.एफ.टी जीरकपुर के संपर्क में आया। उसने सुन रखा था कि यहां नये प्रतिभावान कलाकारों को अवश्य मौका मिलता है और उसकी भी जैसे लॉटरी लग गई। डॉ. नीरज शर्मा और आर्य वीर आर्य ने उसका ऑडिशन लिया और गायन के क्षेत्र में जाने के लिए कहा।
अपने पिता भोला जी के मार्ग दर्शन और उत्साह बढ़ाने पर वह संगीत से जुड़ गया और निरंतर अभ्यास  करने लगा। आज उसका सपना साकार हुआ है और प्रथम सोलो ट्रैक श्रोताओं के लिए हाजिर है।  सूरज ने बताया कि इस गीत के रचयिता डॉ. नीरज शर्मा और संगीतकार  नीटा लक्ष्मण-डॉ. नीरज  हैं जबकि वीडियो निर्देशन छायांकन आर्य वीर आर्य मेलोन का है।
सूरज ने कहा कि गायन के साथ उन्हें अभिनय का भी शौक है। वह काफी समय तक थियेटर से भी जुड़े रहे हैं और भविष्य में बॉलीवुड में काम करना चाहते हैं।




Eye Donation Awareness Fortnight Programme Concludes at GMCH

By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 08th September:- The Eye Bank Department of Ophthalmology GMCH organized concluding function in collaboration with State Health Society ( NPCB , UT Chandigarh) on the occasion of  Eye Donation awareness fortnight (from 25th August to 8th September) today  in  E- Block GMCH. About 250 people attended this function.
Anurag Agarwal, Home Secretary cum Secretary Medical Education and Research was the Chief Guest during the occasion. He inaugurated the poster exhibition on eye donation and appreciated the efforts of all the students who participated in this competition. He further told that it should not be difficult to combat the corneal blindness in the country if all of us become sensitive and pledge for eye donation. The Home Secretary also appreciated the work done by the Eye Bank, GMCH during the fortnight. Anurag Agarwal said that our religion is very generous where we try to donate everything like money, Deepak, clothes; then why not eye donation. He even stressed the need for body donation.  He lauded the efforts of NGOs in such activities.                    
Visually impaired students from Institute for Blind, Sector–26 presented a welcome song. Chief guest  gave away prizes to the winners of inter school on the spot poster making competition on the theme of eye donation held in GMCH with Lions Club Chandigarh Central during the fortnight.
In category one ( class 7th and 8th ) Anup from Govt. Model High School, Sector 32-D, Chandigarh got the first prize, while Komal Preet Kaur from Manav Mangal Smart School, Phase-X, Mohali and Krishan from Govt. Middle School, Sec-33B , Chandigarh were declared 2nd and 3rd respectively. Pallavi Verma from Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21-C, Chandigarh, Bhumi from Shri Guru Harkrishan Model School, Sector 38 D, Chandigarh and Param Prateek from Manav Mangal Smart School, Phase –X, Mohali got the consolation prize. In category two (class 9th and 10th) Yashika Chugh from Manav Mangal Smart School, phase-X, Mohali got the first prize. Jagriti Samlodia from Shishu Niketan Model Senior Secondary School, Sector-22, Chandigarh stood second. Husan preet Kaur from Manav Mangal Smart School, Phase  X, Mohali and Nikita from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sec-28 D, Chandigarh got the 3rd prize. Consolation prize was bagged by Suraj from Government Model High School, Sector 32-D,Chandigarh.
Prof A. K. Janmeja, Director Principal, GMCH    welcomed the chief guest and appreciated the role of NGOs and media for spreading the message about eye donation.  He said that there are approximately 6.8 million people having problem in one cornea while one million people have problem in both the corneas. So to fight with corneal blindness, everyone should come forward and donate corneas.
S. K. Jain Additional Director GMCH, Prof Ravi Gupta, Medical Superintendent GMCH and Dr Vandana Gupta, Medical Superintendent Sector 16 and other faculty and staff of GMCH also attended the function
Prof Sudesh Kumar Arya, HOD Eye Department and Incharge Eye Bank GMCH briefed about various activities done during the fortnight and delivered the talk on eye donation. He told that there are approximately 1.2 lakhs completely blind persons from corneal diseases in the country and about 25000 new cases are added every year. Majority of such blind persons are young and their eyesight could only be restored by a corneal transplantation. Every year approximately 30,000 to 40,000 eyes are collected as against the target of 1 lakh per year by Govt of India. The reason for not getting adequate eye donation in the country is due to certain myths. People should shed off these religious myths and come forward for eye donation.
He highlighted important facts about eye donation. One eye donor can give eye sight to 5-6 blind people. Eye donation should be done within 6 hours after death. There is no disfigurement due to donation as only cornea is removed from dead body and which is replaced by artificial plastic cornea. There is no funeral delay due to eye donation because eye donation process takes only 10-15 minutes only. He told the procedure of eye pledging and eye donation. For eye donation after death, one can contact the GMCH Eye Bank helpline number 9814821212. 

Alchemist Gets NABH’s ‘Nursing Excellence Certification’

By Tricitynews Reporter
Panchkula 08th September:- Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula has now been certified for ‘Nursing Excellence Certification’ from NABH for its nursing care. The certificate was presented to the quality team of Alchemist by Dr. Harish Nadkarni, CEO,  NABH recently.
Alchemist is already a NABH accredited hospital and was awarded as the “Best Multi-speciality Hospital in Haryana” in 2016.
‘Nursing Excellence Certification’ is based on the international standards followed by the hospital in the areas of Nursing Resource Management, Nursing Care of Patient, Management of Medication, Education, Communication and Guidance, Infection Control Practices, Empowerment and Governance and ensuring Quality Indicators.
Now, Alchemist Hospital is the only hospital in Panchkula and second in tricity to achieve such a distinction. Till date, only 68 hospitals in India have been granted this certification by NABH authorities.
This is another feather in the cap of Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula. Quality is a high priority and it reflects in the commitment to provide the best nursing services and patient care.
This is achieved by continuous trainings, team work and efforts by the nursing team, said hospital management adding this reaffirms the lead position of Alchemist and we feel proud for this great achievement.
Meanwhile NABH’s ‘nursing excellence standards’ have been framed with a view to lay down the guidelines for evaluating the nursing services being provided by a health care organization, thereby providing a platform for assessment and continual improvement.

Adult Education Unit UT to organize Functions on International Literacy Day

By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 08th September:- International Literacy Day is celebrated all over the world on 8th September every year. The Adult Education Unit, UT, Chandigarh also organized functions on the occasion on 08-09-2017 at various Schools in UT, Chandigarh. All the Senior Officers of Adult Education Unit, Principals and Staff of the Schools, Area Pradhan, Nodal Preraks, Preraks, Learner and School students were present on the occasion in these Schools.
Rallies were flagged off by Smt. Viney R Sood, Deputy Director Adult Education and a colorful cultural programmers based on the different themes of Literacy were presented by the school Children and learners of the Adult Education Unit.  About 100-150 learners participated in each centre. They were carrying the Banners to create awareness about the Adult Education Project and the centres functioning in the different parts of the city. There are about 80 Centres of Continuing Education running in UT, Chandigarh which are helping in spreading Literacy amongst the illiterate population in specifically colonies, Villages and Slum Areas of UT, Chandigarh through Rallies, Painting competition/Slogan Writing and Nukkar Nataks etc. Preraks and voluntary teachers brought along with their learners for the motivational and progressive interactive sessions of 02 hour followed by refreshment etc.

263 Flats for Oustees of UT on Lease Hold/Free Hold Basis: Under “Chandigarh Allotment of Dwelling Units to Oustees of Chandigarh Scheme

By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh 08th September:- Chandigarh Housing Board has completed scrutiny of the applications received under the Oustee Scheme 2017. Out of Total 782 applications 49 have been withdrawn, 213 applications were received as multiple applications under one Oustees’s Certificate in contravention to Clause-III (XII). 243 applications were received on the basis of Oustee’s Certificate issued under Joint Khata in contravention to Eligibility Clause 4(vii). 85 applications have been found wherein land acquired is less than 2 kanal or acquired before/after the cutoff date i.e., 01.11.1966 & 31.10.2007. 69 applicants did not complete the requisite documents; hence only 123 applications have been found Eligible. The Provisional List of Eligible and Ineligible applicants is displayed on the Notice Board at Block ‘C’ as well as uploaded on the website www.chbonline.in of the Chandigarh Housing Board.
CHB made clear that allotment of flats as per entitlement would be made only in the name of all co-oustee / legal heirs of deceased oustees through their authorized applicant.  The Provisional Lists of Eligible and Ineligible applicants have been displayed on the Notice Board in Block ‘C’ as well as on the websitewww.chbonline.in under the tab ‘Public Notices of the CHB. The Provisional Lists of Ineligible applicants due to Multiple Applications against one Oustee Certificate, Land acquired under Joint Khata who did not submit Authority Affidavit from the Joint Khata Holders, Deficiency in Documents, Area of land acquired less than 2 kanal or acquired before/after cutoff date i.e. 01.11.1966 and 31.10.2007 respectively is displayed separately.
CHB invites objections from the General Public within seven days from the issuance of this Notice regarding the eligibility of the applicants, if any, for inclusion of their name(s) in the Provisional Seniority List of Eligible applicants within seven days from the issuance of this Notice failing which Chandigarh Housing Board would process the applications as per terms and conditions of the Scheme.