HDFC Bank opens new branch
Chandigarh: HDFC Bank has opened a branch at Phagwara, taking the total number of its branches in India to 63. The branch, which was inaugurated by Regional Business Manager (North), Navin Puri, is the fifth in Punjab. The other branches are at Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Mohali. Puri said the bank plans to provide the most accessible branch network with a presence in all the major cities of the country. The bank reported a 26 per cent rise in profit at Rs 53.22 crore on an income of Rs 309.30 crore for the half year ending on September 30, with a deposit base of Rs 3,947 crore.

Renowned poet dead
Chandigarh: Renowned Haryanvi poet Krishan Dutt Toofan passed away after a brief illness at Panipat on Wednesday night. He was 57 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. He was honoured with the state Teacher's award last year by the Governor on Teachers' Day.

Swami hails Pope's visit
Patiala: Swami Krishnanand, president of the All India Hindu Mahasangh, has hailed the proposed visit of Pope John Paul to India and said that any foreign dignitary visiting this country was welcome. In a statement here, he said what he was opposed to was the conversion of people from the poor strata of society by offering them allurements. He said there had been reports of conversion of poor people to Christianity on a large scale. He said he favoured reservation on economic basis and not on the basis of caste and creed.

Parwanoo school marks annual day
Parwanoo: Himachal Primary School celebrated annual day here yesterday. Deputy Commissioner R.D. Dhiman and the Deputy Superintendent of Police were also present on the occasion. The school is run by the trustees of Anand Group of Industries. The programme began with a welcome song followed by ``Raas''. However, it was the Hindi play ``Prayaschit'', that won a wide applause from the audience.