Scores of babus make it to crafts mela

Surajkund (Faridabad): Sunday was the day of bureaucrats at the 33rd International Crafts Mela here as a large number of serving and retired officials made a beeline for the art and cultural fest. It was also the first day when the footfall crossed 30,000, it is reported. The organisers remained on their toes as bureaucrats kept visiting the spot till evening. They had to be guided and entertained by the team of officials deputed by the government and the Department of Tourism. While the visit of Chief Secretary, Haryana Government, DS Dhesi hogged the limelight, there were scores of other senior officials, who were accorded traditional welcome at the main entrance.

Special ‘Uri’ screening for cops

Gurugram: The Gurugram police organised a special movie show for its personnel on Saturday. Lead by Commissioner of Police KK Rao, the Gurugram khaki brigade went for a special screening of Vicky Kaushal-starrer Hindi movie ‘Uri’. The personnel, including policewomen, saw the movie in different slots at MGF metropolitan mall. The first slot saw senior cops like Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and SHOs watching the movie with PWD Minister Rao Narbeer Singh. The screening initially led to a scare. “We initially thought there was some bomb or criminal in the mall as over 200 police personnel walked towards the movie hall,” said a visitor Renuka Yadav.

Kaushik seeks BJP ticket from Karnal

Karnal: Independent MLA from Pundri Dinesh Kaushik on Saturday jumped into the fray for the General Election, seeking the BJP ticket from Karnal. Sugarfed chairman Chander Parkash Kathuria and party’s state general secretary Vedpal were among other ticket aspirants, said party sources. Interacting with mediapersons, Kaushik said he was not an outsider as Karnal district was his birthplace. “I am not an outsider and people of Karnal will accept me,” he added. Sitting Member of Parliament Ashwini Chopra had been away for the last three months as he was recovering from oral cancer. He had undergone surgery in New York in October last year. His wife Kiran Chopra had already left the decision on the ticket to party leaders. 

IIM-Rohtak alumni honoured

Rohtak: The faculty, staff and students of IIM-Rohtak honoured the alumni of the institute as well as former students of other IIMs and premier business schools at Aluminati 5.0, the annual alumni meet organised here recently. Dr Bhushan Punani, executive director of the Blind People Association, spoke about his decision of not joining the corporate world after graduating from IIM-Ahmedabad. He said: “It is important to change our system because it is not accessible to the needy. Unless we bring everyone on a par, our financial indicators are meaningless. Therefore, the IIM alumni should work in the social sector as well.” He was awarded for his exemplary contribution to social service. Dr Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Chairman, NABARD, who is an alumnus of IIM-Ahmedabad, was honoured with a leadership award for his contribution to public service and administration. Nikhil Sahni, Group President, Yes Bank, was presented with the Young Leader award. An alumni magazine was also released.  

Clearing doubts on EVMs in villages

Kaithal: Deputy Commissioner Dharamvir Singh flagged off a mobile van for voter awareness on Saturday. It would cover all villages in the district during the next 70 days to spread awareness about the functioning of EVMs and  VVPAT. He said master trainers would accompany the machines and demonstrate their functioning. He said the voter would not get a slip after casting his vote, but would be able to see the vote cast for seven seconds on a transparent screen and verify that it had gone to the candidate of choice. He said the Election Commission had introduced this system to strengthen the confidence of voters regarding transparency and set apprehensions at rest. 

School society elects office-bearers 

Panipat: Members of Jain School Society elected Rajesh Kumar as president for the next three years on Sunday. Praveen Jain and Vijender Jain were election observers. Praveen Jain said Rajesh Kumar defeated Subhash Chand Jain by 26 votes; Sanjeev Jain defeated Rajiv Jain by 19 votes for the manager’s post; Dinesh Jain defeated Rajesh Jain by 17 votes on the post of deputy manager; Rajesh Kumar Jain defeated Ashish Jain by 25 votes for the post of treasurer while Kuldeep Jain defeated Varun Jain by five votes for the post of vice-president.