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| Monday,
November 11, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Will PU put a ban on private candidates? Chandigarh, November 10 At present the university allows only women candidates to appear in the examination as private
candidates. The facility extends only to the field of social sciences and languages. The matter gains importance because the university regulatory body, the University Grants Commission, has also sought the universities to discontinue the practice. The matter gained importance on the PU campus because Principal Harmit Kaur had moved a resolution seeking the discontinuation of the practice which came up for discussion at the Senate meeting. Due to difference of opinion the matter was referred to a special committee. The committee members include Prof R.J.Hans Gill, the Dean University Instructions, Prof R.D.Anand, Principal S.C.Marriya, Prof Charanjit Chawla, Prof Santosh Sharma, Principal Usha Gupta and Principal Harmit Kaur, besides others. The UGC issued instructions as early as May 17,1996. The university as per directions of the UGC in July 1999 decided to debar private candidates from appearing in exams. However later in the same month the university withdrew its decision. The university letter says “ it has all along been feeling concerned about the falling standards of higher education and trying to counter malpractices like tuitions in colleges. At present the university allows only girl candidates to appear in the examination as girl candidates”. “The practice has caused an abnormal rise in teaching shops for women. A large number of such commercial institutes have flourished all over the state (Punjab) to exploit women. These institution conceal the fact that their institutions are not affiliated to any university. They have neither the requisite staff nor equipment to provide any education worth the name. In an era of unprecedented advancement in science, technology and knowledge such a large-scale exploitation in the name of education should be stopped”, the note says. The note points that the practice had adversely affected the interests of affiliated women colleges at the time when they lacked adequate financial support from
the university and the government. There is, however, a school of thought totally opposed to a ban on private candidature for women. It is argued that only girl students were allowed to appear as private candidates which was in their social interest as in a large number of cases girls were barred from entering the colleges. In case the argument is only to bar students because it hampers financial interests of certain colleges (largely private), then the move needs a re-thought, a fellow said. A fellow points out that “ the practice helps in enhancing the matrimonial prospects of a girl and helps girls who cannot afford already high fees levied in colleges as regular students”. It is also pointed out that private coaching centres were largely located in towns like Ludhiana (more precisely) where coaching is given to private as well as regular students. The university also needs to deliberate on candidates who got their degrees from outside states. The government also needs to give an ear to private colleges in particular who are already facing the brunt of the financial crunch and the tight hand of the government in giving grants which is only further tightened. |
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Tenants need not panic, say landlords Chandigarh, November 10 LANDLORDS SAY At present a fake scarcity has been created by those who are paying very low rents. Very few properties are available for rent thus rates have been jacked up artificially. Actually there should be a time period limit also and not just the Rs 1,500 clause, the Association members said. Several properties have been on rent for even less than this amount for more than three decades. While highlighting the cases of shops which have been let out for a sum of Rs 1,500 for the past three decades, the association maintained that ‘‘no landlord wants to get his property vacated, he just wants the rent to come in regularly and in line with the existing market rates. And why is the tenant shying away from paying the due to the landlord ?’’ ‘‘For a landlord the property is an investment which needs to be let out to earn the returns’’, said members of the association who own some of the costliest real estate in the region. ‘‘Today the landlords are facing the music at the hands of tenants.
Similar Act has been enforced in neighbouirng S.A.S. Nagar and nothing has happened there’’, they maintained. When the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949, was formulated the need was to safeguard the interest of the people who had come from across the border and to save them from exploitation at the hands of landlords. Today there is no need for such Acts, said the association while welcoming the move of the Chandigarh Administration to do away with the provisions of the Act for properties which are rented out at a sum of Rs 1,500 per month. These cases will be dealt strictly on the basis of the terms of the contract. They added that in certain cases the investors were keeping their premises vacant fearing that they would not be able to get their properties vacated. The need is to link rents with the price index or with the present market value. Wherever Chandigarh stands today it is due to the fact that investors who had come initially to the city built the showrooms by taking a risk as several other townships were also planned but could not develop as Chandigarh did. ‘‘Any political party supporting the tenants on this issue is stopping the growth of economy’’, the association said while adding that if the notification was withdrawn under pressure from any political group, it will move the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) for justice. |
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BSNL mobile phone services from today Chandigarh, November 10 * A self-attested passport size photograph. * A copy of electricity, water bill/ ration card/ passport/telephone bill/voter ID or driving licence as a proof of residence. * BSNL fixed line subscribers could attach a copy of last paid phone bill to get connection early. * Payment through cash/demand draft/pay order only. * Contact 94170- 24365 for any complaint. * Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 as security to get local call, STD and ISD facility respectively, besides Rs 200 as activation charges. Addressing a media conference here today, Mr R.C. Vaish, Principal General Manager Telecom, announced the launch of the service. He said, “After successfully launching its cellular services in Ludhiana and Sangrur in the region, the BSNL has decided to start its services here from tomorrow. It would enable its subscribers to avail themselves of countrywide coverage of our network at an affordable price. We will offer free voice mail service and special packages to the corporate customers.’’ The BSNL had set up counters to accept application forms at its offices in Sector 17, 34 and 37 and Manimajra in Chandigarh and in Phase IV of S.A.S. Nagar and Sector 5 at its Panchkula office. All arrangements had been made at the Manimajra exchange to run the system efficiently. The customers could submit their application forms at these centres from 10 am to 2 pm on any working day. They would be issued tokens and connections would be released within 24-72 hours, he said. Mr Vaish claimed that the post-paid scheme would offer free incoming calls from BSNL land line and mobile network under Rs 325 monthly rental, but Rs 1.20 per minute would be charged for receiving calls from other
networks. The out going calls would be charged Rs 2 per minute during 8 am to 10 pm peak hours and Rs 1.60 per minute during off peak
hours. The BSNL has also introduced 15 second pulse to benefit customers. Under Rs 225 monthly rental, he said, customers would have to pay Rs 2.40/minute for outgoing and Rs 1.20/minute for incoming calls, besides Rs 200 as activation charges and there would be no roaming and CLI charges. He further disclosed that BSNL’s initial capacity in Chandigarh would be to provide 10,000 connections and 5,000 each in Panchkula and
Mohali.The capacity would be enhanced by the end of the year, he added. Mr Vaish said corporate customers would be offered a special package. They could get connections without depositing any security fee amount. In case, they purchased more than five connections, they could avail themselves of a special package of free incoming and outgoing calls. However, they would have to pay just Rs 150 per connection monthly under that scheme. Similarly, they could also avail themselves of a special credit facility from the BSNL, he added. |
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The Punjab Governor, Lieut Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), is known for his acts of kindness and then following up with personal visits to ascertain the progress. Last week the Governor inaugurated the Cheshire home — a place where people with disabilities can stay. The General had promised to open the Cheshire home about three months ago. When he went to inaugurate the home, the General checked things like the working of the gas stove and personally oversaw the operations. The General was satisfied with the kitchen. In the past the Governor has been following up on things at his own level. Notably, the functioning of the Government press, the estate office and other offices where public needs to come in daily for their work has improved due to his interest. Shopping trend Sales gimmicks have marked pre-Diwali and post-Diwali shopping in Chandigarh. Probably, the shopkeepers have started off a new trend which will change the way people have traditionally shopped. While trying to copy the pattern of the famous Dubai Festival, shopkeepers have pooled in their resources and have put up fabulous prizes to be won. This includes cars, scooters, washing machines, music systems, airconditioners and other such consumer items. The two main markets in Sector 22-D and Sector 17 had this “car jeeto offer”. And not just one car was on offer but three cars in each of the markets. Very soon the shopkeepers on the Chandigarh —Shimla highway popularly known as NAC Manimajra followed suit with their own “car jeeto ” offer. All that the shoppers had to do was to make purchases for a specified amount to be eligible for the lucky draw. In Sector 17 this amount varied from Rs 250 to Rs 1000 depending upon the nature of the purchase and the goods bought. In Sector 22 the same system was used. Actually the Sector 22 shopkeepers had pioneered this car jeeto offer. Now the traders want their own little festival to be declared the official Chandigarh Shopping Festival. With such prizes for shoppers no one would mind. One just hopes that the Chandigarh Administration follows suit and keeps up with the times to provide the right kind of governmental support.
Gifts for sale It may look strange but it is true. Some of the officials of the Punjab government, Chandigarh Administration and the Haryana government residing in the city, got so many Diwali gifts this year that they were unable to find ways to dispose them in a proper way. Even after sharing a part of these gifts with their servants, some officials were left with so many gifts that they had to devise new ways. Some of these officials, reportedly asked their servants to dispose these gifts in the market at a discounted rate. The gift packs included dry fruit packets, sweet boxes, premium packs of whisky and sweaters of famous brands.
Elderly check People have often complained of widespread red-tapism and corruption in government institutions, especially which deal in subsidy on loans. The officials at the regional office of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) here, who facilitate rural youth to get loans and subsidy, often find it difficult to ask them even to pay for a cup of tea. It is not any Gandhian morality or fear of vigilance bureau, but the eyes of some old aged lower rank staff, who would not allow them to deviate from the “right” path. Says an official,‘‘These old men would simply boycott us once they get to know about a wrong deal and would openly disobey us in office.’’ And in some years, he claims, they have also become like them unconsciously and would check juniors from doing anything wrong.
Fit to host With the PGI’s dental department being the host for the Fifth Congress of Asian Academy of Preventive Dentistry, elaborate preparations are being made for the convenience of the delegates, especially the foreigners. Being skeptical about the facilities available in the city, the venue for holding the congress from November 14 to 16 received final approval only after a three-member foreign team visited Chandigarh. The preparation includes replacing the Indian style bathrooms in the Bhargava Stadium with western style as 150 foreign delegates are expected to be here for the congress. The doctors say that they had a tough time convincing people that India was no longer a country where people live on trees. “We had to tell them we might be living on trees but we now use lifts to reach our house,” said one of the doctors in a lighter vein.
Evening OPD There is complete uncertainty at the PGI over the date for starting of evening OPD, as the Union Health Minister, Mr Shatrughan Sinha, took the authorities by surprise by announcing December 1as the deadline. With practically no preparations made so far the PGI Staff Council will be meeting on November 11, to discuss the issue. Right from day one, ever since the minister came up with the idea of evening OPD, the faculty and staff at PGI has been expressing their apprehension over the move, which they feel will adversely affect research work. They say that the PGI could not be equated with the AIIMS and Safdarjung hospital for this very reason.
Dr G.S. Gill Dr G.S. Gill, a reader at the Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Panjab University, has been nominated as a member of the National Working Group of the UNESCO sponsored International Geological Correlation Programme — Project IGPC 464. The project will focus on “continental shelves of geometry and palaeogeography of shelves, of palaeoclimate and sea surface palaeotemperatures, in particular in tropical climates.” The activities of the project include: Application of fibre-optic cable route surveys, seismic methods and sequence stratigraphic methods to identify palaeomorphology of continental shelves. Dr G.S. Gill has done his masters and doctorate degrees for PU and is teaching for the past 21 years. He has worked on glacial lake sediments at the University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg (Canada) as a visiting researcher.
Fellowship The Indian Council of Social Science Research, Ministry of Human Resource Development, has offered the prestigious national fellowship to Prof Jitendra Mohan, Department of Psychology in Panjab University, in recognition of his contribution to the field of social science. Professor Mohan, who recently was awarded the life contribution award by the Indian Association of Sports Medicine, is known for his pioneering work in the field of sports psychology and applied psychology. During the tenure of the fellowship, Professor Mohan will work on psycho-social factors in coronary artery disease: new horizons in prevention and intervention. Professor Mohan is the first professor of the university to receive this award of the UGC.
Novel on Banda Bahadar Inspired by the valour and personality of Banda Singh Bahadar, a Punjab bureaucrat, Mr K.K. Bhatnagar (Principal Secretary, Education), has written a novel, both in Hindi and Punjabi, on this Sikh fighter in the backdrop of history. This is not his first work of literature. In the literary circles, he is better known as Kuldeep Bhatnagar “Kavideep’’, who has to his credit a book of poems, “Utsav’’ (48 poems, songs and ghazals) published in 2000. He has also written a small booklet, “Shiv Ram Milan’’ in chhand and chaupai and has also released two audio cassettes of devotional music, one named Shiv Ram Rasdhara in 1994 and the other named, Shiv Ki Holi, in 1996. “Kavideep’’ penned the songs in both cassettes. His latest contribution on Banda Singh Bahadar is the outcome of his six months travels all along the route that once Banda Bahadar took from Panipat to Rajouri, parts of Himachal Pradesh and to Gurdaspur, all places with which Banda’s life was associated. And, of course, Mr Bhatnagar read dozens of books on the subject. Incidentally, Banda Singh Bahadar, a bairagi, was converted to Sikhism by Guru Gobind Singh himself. Having been thus initiated, Banda Bahadar took charge of Sikh fighters at a crucial, turning point in history. He raised a strong force and defeated the then Mughal Governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan, and established the first Sikh Kingdom in 1710, after the battle of Sirhind. The empire lasted in patches till 1716, till Banda was defeated by a superior Mughal force in Gurdaspur.
No credibility About 300 Panchayat secretaries of Punjab are on a war path for the past many months. They have put up their tents in Sector 17 in front of the office of the Panchayat and Rural Development department. When some of their members sat on a hunger strike about a month ago, Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab, had promised to reinstate them. He had especially sent his political secretary, Rana Gurmit Singh, and state president of the Congress, Mr Hanspal to assure them, but even after a month, these youth have failed to get back their jobs. Strangely, they say, now no newspaper is ready to cover their agitation, as the newspapers have already reported that their demands had been met by the state CM.
— Sentinel |
One dream to another, Raj Babbar moves on Chandigarh, November 10 Flanked by wife Nadira and daughter Juhi, Raj Babbar made a pretty picture of a happy Indian family. As we got a chance to peep into the family portrait, we got talking to the man himself, and also to his better half Nadira, who is happily living on for her first love — her theatre company Ek Jut. In an exclusive interview with The Tribune today, Raj Babbar talked of Juhi as the anchor of his life and its activities. No wonder he chose his daughter to play a role which he had wanted Smita Patil to play. Juhi will
shortly feature in 'Kaash aap hamare hote," a film which Raj Babbar had conceived along with his wife Smita years ago in 1983. His eyes sure well up as he reminisces, "This is not just a film for me. It is my and Smita's baby. We had lived the theme together, nurtured it together and had wanted to see it home together. However, that was not to be and here we are. The roles stand reversed. The kids have taken over. Now Juhi will play Smita's role in the film and Sonu Nigam will play the role I had carved for
myself." Juhi is naturally excited and also nervous, as she has an outstanding task to achieve. "I will do my best and with the direction coming from Ravinder Pipat, I am sure I will give my best," said the actress. In fact, she has great grounding in theatre as she has worked in Nadira Babbar productions like Begum Jaan and Yehudi ki ladki. And how about Raj Babbar's son Arya Babbar? Does he figure anywhere in his father's projects? Answers Raj Babbar, trying to get away from the crowd that pulls and claws at him unfailingly, "He is very much a part of my belonging. He is currently working with Ramuja Rao in the South. he is doing two films titled "Thoda tum badlo thoda hum". He is doing another film titled "Mudda" with the writer of Satya Saurabh Shukla." With the reign now handed over to the kids, both Nadira and Raj wore a peaceful look, trying to nod in warmth to the gathering that looked at them throughout their time of presence at the reception party of a senior bureaucrat's son. |
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Former DC injured Chandigarh, November 10 It is learnt that Mr Ranbir Singh was getting ready to leave for a social function when the incident took place. The police says he was taking out something from his cupboard when the revolver fell off with a few clothes and was thus triggered off. He was hit by the bullet on his foot and began bleeding profusely. He was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh. His condition is now stated to be out of danger. Raghbir Singh was the Deputy
Commissioner of Chandigarh in early 80s. |
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Memorable college reunion Chandigarh, November 10 Some of the alumni were surprised to find their history
teacher, Mr Oscar Henderson, who had later migrated to Australia,
amongst them. Also in attendance were not only students of the early
60s but also as recent as the 1995 batch. While Brig D.S. Grewal came
all the way from Nabha to meet his old school mates, Colonel Rana
joined from Himachal. Ms R. Mattoo, who belongs to the 1965 batch, was
perhaps one of the oldest women student present at the reunion. There
was music, besides dance, as the famous Rodrigues brothers with their
orchestra played some of the popular numbers, including those of
Punjabi pop. Then, there were surprise prizes. Dr R.K. Pachauri,
Chairman, TRAI, who had specially come to attend the alumni meet,
however, had to rush back to the union Capital for an urgent meeting.
His brother, Mr S.K. Pachauri, a senior IAS officer, however,
attended the meet. The meet was the brainchild of six alumni from
this region — Mr Sudhir Mittal, Chairman, PSEB; Mr Mickey Gill, Mr
George Shear (academician), Col S.J. Singh, Mr Gautam Bhardwaj, Dr
Vijay Mohan Kohli and Mr Ravi Virk — who not only made the event
memorable but also organised golf for their old schoolmates this
morning. “We got more than expected old schoolmates from Punjab,
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh for the reunion and now we
have decided to make it a regular feature,” says Mr Ravi Virk, chief
organiser of the meet. |
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Arjun Singh consults city doctor Chandigarh, November 10 Mr Arjun Singh arrived here on November 8 by the morning flight of the Indian Airlines to consult Dr O.N. Nagi of the Department of Orthopaedics of the PGI about some chronic problems, including his swollen and painful feet. He also underwent a series of tests. He left yesterday for New Delhi by the Shatabdi Express. During his tenure as Governor of Punjab, Dr Nagi was his Consultant Orthopaedician. Though the visit was treated “private and only for a health check-up”, Mr Arjun Singh, a seasoned politician, did meet some of his old acquaintances, including some political activists and a couple of journalists, including the Editor of ‘Ajit’, Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, and its Punjab Correspondent, Mr Harkanwaljit Singh, for an assessment of political situation in the state. |
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12 join INLD Panchkula, November 10 |
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Body found from Sukhna Lake Chandigarh, November 10 The body was found floating in the lake at around 5 pm today. |
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Jail inmate dies in PGI Chandigarh, November 10 |
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Man missing Chandigarh, November 10 Mr Manoj said his uncle left home at about 6.30 p.m. on November 5 to fetch vegetables from nearby Khuda Lahora village but went missing. |
Fake currency seized, 1 held Panchkula, November 10 The police immediately geared up and swooped down at H No. 2217, Sector 15, around 2.30 p.m. Raj Kumar, a resident of Rattiya, was arrested from there and fake currency of Rs 100 denomination notes was seized. A .315 bore country made pistol, three cartridges, a scanner and colour cartridge were also recovered. The trio had reportedly come to the city only a few days ago. Police officials say they have now launched a manhunt for Ashok Kumar and Harman. |
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Breach of trust case against 2 Chandigarh, November 10 Five cases registered: Meanwhile, the police has also registered five other cases including four of vehicles thefts. Hero Honda motor cycle (CH03F 2420) of Mr Amitesh Malik, a resident of Sector 22, was allegedly stolen from the Lake Club parking lot here yesterday. On the night intervening November 8 and 9 two vehicles were stolen — Tata Sumo jeep (CH01S 5847) of Mr Gursewak Singh was stolen from his Mani Majra residence and a scooter (CH03F 9796) of Mr Rajinder Dogra, a resident of Sector 40 was stolen from his residence. The stereo from the car of Mr Mukand Gupta, a resident of Sector 22, was stolen on the night intervening November 8 and 9. The car was parked at his residence at the time of the alleged theft. Mr Monik Gupta of Sector 48 also reported that Bajaj Pulsar motor cycle (CH03J 0984) was stolen from a market in Sector 19 on November 5. Two students hurt: Two students of Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, Sector 42, were injured in a road accident here yesterday evening. As per information available, Amit Jindal and Amit Somani, were riding a scooter, which was hit by a car on the
dividing road of Sectors 40 and 41 at around 9.10 p.m. The car driver Amar Singh, a resident of Palsora village has been arrested. He was later released on bail.
PANCHKULA Six arrested: The police has arrested six persons from different parts of the district on charges of drinking at a public place. These accused — Bhupinder, Sukhchain, Karan Singh, Bhim Ram, Suresh and Narain Das have been booked under the Excise Act. |
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