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May 27, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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PU teachers not keen on self-assessment Chandigarh, May 26 This is despite the fact that the University Grants Commission (UGC) had given April 30 as the last date for the submission of forms in the original communication. The Senate, however, had recommended certain changes in the original forms. Certain chairpersons said that they themselves had not filled the assessment forms what to talk about other teachers. Prof P.K. Mittal, president of the Panjab University Teachers Association, said PUTA had suggested certain changes in the original form. It was now up to the authorities and the chairpersons to see that the process was completed. He said there were certain elements of confusion in the original forms, particularly with regard to the working hours. A teacher was earlier required to submit his class report every fortnightly but now the period had been increased to three months. Prof K.K. Mangla, Chairman of the University Business School, said teachers had not yet submitted the reports. There has been no reminder from the university recently. He said all efforts would be made to complete the exercise soon. Prof J.S. Dhanki from the Department of History said teachers in his department had responded positively to the self-assessment exercise by filling the forms. It was an effective tool for introspection which was good for academic interests. Prof P.P. Arya, a former president of PUTA, said the exercise of self-assessment was not yet complete. “ I do not believe in meaningfulness of the exercise of self-appraisal. It is more bureaucratic. There are many other ways of academic exercise where a teacher reflected his real worth daily”. Prof Shelly Walia, Chairman of the Department of English, agreed that the exercise of self-assessment was not yet complete. He expressed certain differences of opinion on the exercise. A teacher’s writings and his participation in academic activities (conferences, seminars, preparing lectures and research guidance) were expressions of his work ability, which could be seen in his routine conduct. The original proforma for annual self-appraisal reports in terms of the UGC guidelines to be submitted for record before April 30 every year sought information about number of lectures delivered each year, outline of papers taught, goals set by the teacher, feedback from students and utilisation of feedback. The report also sought comments about ascertaining the progress made by the students during the course’ methods evolved for continuous assessment of students’ performance and also if courses taught by the teacher were related to his area of research. The university asked for detailed information relating to research activities, including details of participation in conferences and seminars, details of experience of interaction, suggestions for strengthening interaction, details of organisation of conferences and participation in the university examination system. A university Reader said the whole exercise would be meaningful if the record sent by teachers could be maintained to the extent that a follow-up action on reports was ensured. The university could initiate activities of a joint session of teachers to promote interaction for introspection. The matter needed a detailed discussion to work out a method to ensure better utility of the exercise. |
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Cops abuse,
thrash doctor Chandigarh, May 26 According to the victim, Dr Ranjinder Singh Sandhu, who runs a clinic in Darua village, he had gone to Sector 22 last night along with his friend in a car to buy food. At about 10.30 pm, two cops parked their scooter in front of his car. “I requested them to park the scooter at some distance as it was coming in the way of my car. However, the cop riding the pillion started abusing me”, alleged Dr Sandhu. When he objected to the abuses, one of the cop-pushed him out of the car and started slapping him. “In the meantime, two other cops who were nearby joined their colleagues and the four started thrashing me. At this point, a group of students from Panjab University intervened and someone called in the PCR. The doctor alleged that the cops in the PCR took side of the fellow cops and they even did not bother to take him to hospital. Dr Sandhu was later taken to the PGI by the students. He received injuries on his forehead, a bruise on his left eye and several batons on his back. According to police sources, a DDR has been lodged at the Sector 22 police post. However, the victim and his friends said that the cops were persuading them to reach a compromise. Mr K.L. Kapoor, a friend of the doctor, said, “A Sub-Inspector of the UT police is persuading Dr Sandhu to agree for a compromise and not to lodge an FIR”. One of the cops who assaulted the doctor has been reportedly identified as Surinder. “I managed to read the last two digits of the belt number of a cop, as 32”, said Dr Sandhu. Meanwhile, a case against Surinder (belt number 3332) has been registered under Sections 123-A, 147, 148, 149 and 323 of the IPC. Police sources added that an inquiry would be conducted into the matter, and if found guilty, Surinder would be arrested. |
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Emergency
staff restore power, water supply Chandigarh, May 26 With restoration operations at more than 200 spots continuing till 2 a.m. after the devastating squall subsided, the staff of the Administration again began their job at 7 a.m. in the morning. While the Chandigarh Administration recorded around 150 spots required to clear trees or their branches, the horticulture wing of the Municipal Corporation got more than 20 complaints of uprooted trees blocking traffic. The Chief Engineer of the Chandigarh Administration, Mr Puranjeet Singh, said 95 per cent of the electricity restoration work had been completed, and he himself was getting regular reports. The focus of the operation was on the restoration of 66 kv and 33 kv stations so that electricity could be given to people immediately. He said individual complaints still remain to be attended to in a few cases but the workforce was still on job. Mr Singh said 15 poles were uprooted yesterday, and except three-four poles, rest had been re-installed. Problems in Sectors 4, 18, 27 and 37 still remained to be solved despite work on them. The Municipal Corporation Chief Engineer, Mr V. K. Bharadwaj, said the major challenge before the staff was to restore water supply, which was stopped due to power breakdown. The municipal staff today started cutting trees after removing these from roads yesterday. Six electricity poles in the corporation jurisdiction have also been re-installed. |
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DSP Nagar, wife reach home Panchkula, May 26 These were the words uttered by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Jagdish Nagar, who was freed late last night by Bharatiya Kisan Union activists, upon his return back home today. Amidst telephone calls of well-wishers, congratulating on his safe return, he looks relaxed. Clad in a starched white
kurta-pyjama, he says that after six days in captivity, he has finally had a bath. Mr Nagar, along with his wife, Rajwanti, and gunman Amrik Singh had been held hostage by the BKU activists at Kandela since May 20. They were headed for Mr Nagar’s native village, Khanda Kheri, in a taxi. The police officer had planned to stay there with his relatives for the night, before pursuing their onward journey to Jind the next day. He was supposed to give a court appearance there. Recalling the sequence of events, Mr Nagar said as the car reached Kandela they saw activists clad in black dhotis forming a blockade on the road. “We thought that they would let us go. Since my gunman Amrik Singh was in uniform the activists got an idea that I was either a senior cop or a bureaucrat. Suddenly, hundreds of them armed with lathis, spears and other weapons pounced on the car and began hitting it with lathis, thus forcing us to jump out of the car. The driver, the gunman and myself were roughed up by these people. When Amrik was hit a few times, he spilled the beans and told them that I was Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Haryana Police,” he said. It was then they were taken hostage and kept locked in houses. Mr Nagar said though they were given comfortable rooms, they were not provided with toiletries. “Since I belong to the area, one of my nephews was allowed to meet me once. We would ask them for information, but only that information was given to us which suited our captors,” he said. The officer said even last night, when they were informed that they had to leave, they thought that they were being shifted to yet another house. “It was only when we reached Jind, that we were told that we were being set free,” the officer said. Mr Nagar, when quizzed about the deal struck by the government with the BKU in order to secure their release, said he was unaware of this. “I think the intervention by the Punjab and Haryana High Court helped to secure our release,” he said. “Ab to mera gaon bhi mere liye surakshit nahin raha. Agar mere apne gaonwale mere saath aisa kar sakte hain, to kisi pe bhi aitbaar nahin kiya jaa sakta (My own native village, where I was born and brought up, is no longer safe for me.)”, he rued. It is precisely for this reason, he said, that he rushed back here to his two children, rather than meet other relatives in his village. Meanwhile, the gunman today left for his native village in Ambala district after taking leave for two days. |
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Class X results on Internet tonight Chandigarh, May 26 The CBSE website
adds, “This year, with a view to cater to the Internet deficient and remote areas, results will be made available on phone with infrastructure and technical support from the National Informatics Centre. The results can be accessed globally by dialling phone numbers 91-11-4392800 or 91-11-4308600. The phone service will start at 02:00 hours on the scheduled date of the result.'' While phone-in services will not be toll-free and users will have to bear normal telephone charges, the subject-wise marks will be conveyed in about 30 seconds. |
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CHANDIGARH CALLING There was hectic activity on platform number 1 of Chandigarh railway station on May 18. Though no celebrity was coming, the rush kept increasing for a while before it diminished. As one went closer to the spot of rush, one was shocked to find that a huge “pilkhan” tree was being felled from the root. Although the worker on job could not explain what had warranted the axing act, he said that he was only following orders. Initially there was confusion over who might have passed the orders — UT or Railways. The same was later cleared when someone from the Railways stated that the jurisdiction of Railways was within 15 to 20 feet of the last boundary. While confirmation in this regard could not be obtained from the Railways, one kept wondering what had caused the felling of such a beautiful tree which had adorned the platform for over 25 years. The tree could have been pruned to get a better, more aesthetic look. It would only have made the ambience better. Strange moment
The three slum kids who made it to the boarding school of Navneet Brahmachari in Solan were on cloud nine on May 23. Once they received good wishes and beautiful gifts from the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Lt-Gen J.F.R Jacob (retd), they were seen packing them with a great deal of affection. Accompanying the three kids — Arun, Arjun and Sahil — were their parents, two of whom are into shoeshine business and the third one into rag picking. Sad and still happy as the moment was, the parents of these kids did not know how to react. During the formal function in the morning, they were too smitten with the affectionate UT officials to say anything. They kept exchanging notes in Hindi which suggested: “These people are so good. We don’t understand how officials can be so kind.” It was only later when the officials departed and the kids were ready to leave for Solan that the parents actually broke down. For them it was a strange moment — laden with smiles as also with tears.
Where to go
Come summers and summer camps are natural to happen. But this year has seen quite a spurt in the number of camps. Almost every other organisation is holding a summer camp, claiming big things. Caught between various camps, parents of kids cannot decide where to send their kids. They have been calling up newspaper offices seeking suggestions and asking which out of close to 25 organisers is the most genuine.
Second fellowship
Prof I.S Dua, department of botany at Panjab University, has got the Life Fellow Award of the United Writers Association. A citation and communication received from Chennai, the head office of the organisation, recently has announced the recommendations of the committee with the conferment of the prestigious fellowship on Prof Dua for his contribution to the field of science and orations at different fora during various scientific meetings. This is Professor Dua’s second fellowship award in the last six months as in December, 2001, he was honoured with FISSP (Fellow of the Society for Plant Physiology) for his contribution in the field of plant physiology and cognate sciences.
A tale of two cops
It is a tale of two cops. One who apologises for the mistakes of others; the other who refuses to say sorry even when asked to. It all started when a Station House Officer of a police station, along with other cops, stopped a journalist. His offence: The journalist had failed to halt at a traffic signal. He apologised, and said he was not aware of the fact a rider was supposed to stop at signal installed at slip lane. A senior police officer had categorically told him that slip lanes had been carved to ease traffic congestion, not to create bottlenecks by forcing the riders to stop, the legman told the cop. The cop was, however, in no mood to listen. He started screaming at the reporter and misbehaved. He asked him to get down from his scooter and walk upto the point where he was standing. The reporter left the spot but not before deciding to call up Chandigarh’s Inspector-General of Police, Mr Bhim Sain Bassi. The IG, unlike the SHO, was very polite. He asked the reporter to come to his office the next day. Seated behind an impressive table, the IG listened to the entire tale. He verified the facts, then called up the SHO and asked him to be polite while dealing with residents, unless, of course, they were hooligans. He also asked him to resolve the matter amicably even if it meant going to the reporter’s office. Well, over two weeks have passed and the reporter has still not heard anything from the SHO. Some cops will always be cops. Others will always act like gentlemen, which they are, indeed.
Good work
Punjab’s former Director General of Police K.P.S. Gill is not the only one out there to help the people in Gujarat. City advocate Kapil Kakkar too has offered his services — that also free of cost — to the residents of this region adversely affected by the recent riots. He has appealed to the victims and their relatives to contact him in case any legal advice was required. This is not the first time the High Court lawyer has offered his services on humanitarian grounds. The advocate claims that he had offered his help to the needy earlier also. Good work, keep it up.
Nominated
Prof K.N. Pathak, the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, has been nominated as a member of the Society of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, for a period of three years. He has also been invited to be a member of the national organising committee for STATPHYS-22, an advisory committee. The coveted Indian Institute of Advanced Study was set up in 1964 and Dr A.C. Joshi, the then VC of PU, was associated with the premier institute. After Dr Joshi, Professor Pathak is the first VC to be directly associated with the IIAS as a member. Set up by a national level commission for Statistical Physics, the international committee of STATPHYS-22 will select speakers who will be invited to talks to be hosted by India in the year 2004. The three conferences were held at Xiamen (China), Paris (France) and Cancun (Mexico).
Animal’s misery
Many cases of cruelty against animals keep coming to light and then waning away without inviting any action. Recently, a group of people were seen loading a horse cart on the road that leads to Sectors 45 and 46. Heavy iron wires comprised the content to be loaded. The animal kept bearing the weight for about 10 minutes and even while it was apparently losing control, nobody seemed affected by its misery. Finally, the animal collapsed under the weight of the wires. Is the PFA and the SPCA anywhere near?
Good show
Little Flower Convent School, Panchkula, proved its mettle with the declaration of Class X Indian Council of Secondary Education (ICSE) results. Two students of the school — Shelja Goel and Ankur Goel ( both twins ) — secured the maximum marks in the region. While Shelja scored 95 per cent marks, her sibling scored 94. 3 per cent marks. Little Flower is also the only school in the region where all students bagged the first division. Says the Principal of the school, Sr Reenet: “It has been a big achievement for our school. The result is also proof that hard labour never goes unrewarded. The teachers of the school had done their very best to prepare the students for the examinations. The children were also very responsive and would not miss their classes . Tuitions were completely prohibited and the lessons were taught in the classes.” In all as many as six students, including the above mentioned, scored above 90 per cent marks. While Karn Aggarwal scored 93 per cent, Vishesh Sharma 92.5 per cent, Jasmine 91.2 per cent, Jyoti achieved 90.3 per cent marks. Kudos to the teachers and students for a wonderful show. —
Sentinel |
‘Verify credentials of agents’ Chandigarh, May 26 These agents are trying to lure immigration aspirants with the promise of “Residence Visa” within a period of just three to four weeks. However, according to a release issued by the New Zealand High Commission, New Delhi, the waiting period for the allocation of processing officer for the processing of visa application is between two-three months. Thereafter, it takes up to six months of processing period for a final decision on the application, thus making the total time for issue of visa up to nine months. In no case, this can be less than six months. According to Mr Kuldip Singh, who has an immigration consultancy, the ground realities indicate that due to the present rate of mounting rush, the total time period could be any thing between nine to 12 months. For a normal applicant, there is no likelihood of processing of application in less than this period. “It will, therefore, be wise for immigration seekers to verify the antecedents of the agency before dealing with it. It could well be in their interest to consider the fact that the countries like New Zealand, though welcome foreign professionals to settle down, are in no rush to let any body and every body in. They are aware of the fact that quality of life offered by them can be retained only if such applications are processed with due care. And careful processing, which these countries are unable to compromise on, has to take its due time”, said Mr Singh. |
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Woman alleges assault by sons Chandigarh, May 26 In the hospital, she alleged that she was beaten up by her sons as she had given a statement before Mr Baldev Singh, SP (city), that her two sons had tried to kill the widow of her eldest son by forcing some poisonous substance in her mouth on May 20. It may be mentioned here that the widow, Ms Sumita Devi, had earlier alleged before the UT police that her two brothers-in-law had tried to kill her near Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat. However, the UT police referred the case to the Ropar police as the crime had taken place in the jurisdiction of the latter. Ms Sumita was admitted to the General Hospital and was discharged on Thursday. Her two minor children are suffering from kidney ailment and their plight was reported by Chandigarh Tribune (May 21). The SHO of the Naya Gaon police station (Kansal falls in the jurisdiction of Naya Gaon police station) could not contacted. |
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CPM activists seek action Chandigarh, May 26 The Chandigarh district secretary of the party, Mr Inderjeet Singh Grewal, in a statement said the main culprit in the incident was a “close relative” of Mr Surjeet and a police officer of SP rank in Jalandhar. Mr Grewal demanded action against the culprits, including the SP, restoration of the trust building to trustees Mr Mangat Ram Pasla, Mr Harkanwal Singh and Mr Kulwant Singh Sandhu, withdrawal of false cases and arrest of the suspects. |
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Sant preaches religion of man Chandigarh, May 26 Clarifying the concept of one God, he said, “No power on earth can bring peace, purity and prosperity unless one imbibes spirituality which makes relationship between human beings smooth and sweet. Meanwhile, the mission also organised a blood donation camp at Kalka. As many as 101 followers of the mission had donated blood, said the Public Relation Officer of the Sant Nirankari Mandal, Mr C.L. Gulati. |
40 kg of poppy husk seized Chandigarh, May 26 The remaining 32 kg was found in a gunny bag on the ISBT premises. Sources said the person carrying it left it behind and fled on seeing the police. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered.
Held for gambling Two persons have been arrested from Bapu Dham Colony for indulging in satta gambling at a public place. The accused have been identified as Ashok Kumar and Babu Ram, both residents of the same colony. The police has recovered Rs 1530 and Rs 700 respectively from their possession. A case under the Gambling Act has been registered against them.
Liquor seized The Crime Branch of the local police has arrested Pappu, a resident of Sector 38, and recovered 15 bottles of Royal Choice and five bottles of Officers Choice whisky from his possession. A case under the Excise Act has been registered against him.
Injured A resident of Panchkula, Subhash Chand, was injured after his scooter collided with a motorcycle in Industrial Area, Phase I. He has been admitted to the Sector-32 Government Hospital. The motorcyclist sped away from the spot. The police has registered a case.
Chain snatched A Sector-46 resident, Chanchal Munjal, has reported that two motorcycle-borne persons snatched her gold chain while she was sitting with her friend outside her house. While one of the persons waited at a distance with the motorcycle engine on, the other approached her from the rear and ran away after snatching her chain. The police has registered a case.
Assault case The police registered a cross case for assault against a Sector-26 trader, Roshan Lal and several others on the complaint of a businessman in the same sector, Vijay Saini, on Sunday. Roshan Lal had lodged a complaint on Saturday that his shop was ransacked and damaged by a number of persons after a dispute with the opposite party over some monetary settlement.
Case against in-laws A resident of Khuda Lahora, Parveen, has lodged a complaint against her husband and in-laws residing in Patiala that they have not returned her dowry articles although she has been living with her parents for the past 3-4 years. A case has been registered and the matter is being investigated by the Woman and Child Support Unit of the local police.
Motorcycles stolen Sector-23 resident Amit Kumar has reported that his Bullet motorcycle (CH-03-H-4184) has been stolen from the sector. A case has been registered. In another case, an inmate of the Punjab Engineering College hostel, Sunil Chauhan, has reported that his Yamaha motorcycle has been stolen from the hostel premises. Cheating case Panchkula One injured A motorcyclist, Narendra Kumar, was seriously injured when he was hit by an unknown vehicle on the road dividing Sectors 8 and 17. He was rushed to the General Hospital. A case under Sections 279, 337 and 338 of the IPC has been registered.
Two vehicles
stolen Mr H.L. Handa, a resident of Sector 17, has alleged that his car (HR-03-0885) was stolen from outside his house on the night of May 24. In another case, Hero Honda motorcycle was stolen from Pinjore on May 24. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered.
One killed Zirzkpur |
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Cops draw flak
for ‘inaction’ Chandigarh, May 26 The accused, Som Bahadur, the deceased’s servant, is a Nepali and the police suspects that he made his way to his native place after committing the crime. Meanwhile, the local authorities have written to the SSP, Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, along with the accused’s photograph and other details, asking the UP authorities to look out for Bahadur and to detain him if he surfaces in the area. The accused, about 28, is five feet tall, has a fair complexion and a round face. He is travelling with his wife, Deepa, one-and-a-half year old son and a daughter. |
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Boy dies in mishap Chandigarh, May 26 According to the police, the victim had been rushed to the Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital in a serious condition, where he succumbed to his injuries about three hours later. The police has arrested the car driver, Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Sector 20, Panchkula, and impounded the vehicle. A case has been registered. |
Industrial estate lacks basic amenities SAS Nagar, May 26 “We have given many written representations to officials of the civic body after the area was transferred to it by the Punjab State Industrial and Export Corporation (PSIEC)”, said Mr A.S. Walia, President of the Industrial Welfare Association. The area is facing acute shortage of water. With two tubewells — one working to half its capacity — feeding over 400 units, complaints of low-water pressure are a routine affair. Two tubewells, one at the focal point and another at the extension area, have failed. Mr Singh said the PSIEC had paid Rs 18 lakh to the civic body in lieu of a failed tubewell. Says Mr A.S. Sohanpal, general secretary of the association, said the roads in the extension have developed pot holes. A number of road cuts have not been repaired for months together. Ever since the area was developed, the sewerage system has collapsed. After a week, sewage has to be pumped out of the blocked lines, and often it is not done. As a result, the units in the west of the estate are flooded with sewage. Street-lights are not functional. The president of the civic body, Mr Kulwant Singh, claimed that the civic body was doing the needful. He said the problem of sewerage was due to wrong design of the sewerage network. On the non-functional street-lights, he said a cable had been damaged and was being replaced. |
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