Amritsar, July 12
Their dress code, their accent and even the spellings of their names tell about their unique identity. This is a group of girls that has come all the way from disturbed areas like Sopore and Baramulla to Khalsa College, Amritsar, for education.

Supreet Kour (from Baramulla) and her classmates Mariya Riaz, Saira Majeed and Yesrub Mehraj, all from Sopore, were excited that they had chosen the holy city of Amritsar as their destination to pursue masters in botany.

While telling about the education scenario in Kashmir, Kour said, “Due to less number of seats available in Kashmir University, it becomes mandatory for other students to head towards other states to pursue their studies. But she has no regrets.”

Belonging to a Sikh family, Kour was excited to be in the city which is home to the Golden Temple. “I still remember my childhood days, when I used to visit Amritsar with my parents. I used to tell them that when I grow up, I would come to visit the Golden Temple alone. And, it has become true today,” she said.

Though, Kour had some idea about the historical significance of the college, unlike her friends Riaz, Majeed and Mehraj, they all were thrilled by the ambiance it commands.

“The roots of this college are immense. Actually, this college was recommended by one of my uncles. But, after seeing the magnificent architectural splendour of the college and its infrastructure, I think we have made the right choice,” said Majeed, who along with Riaz and Mehraj enjoyed different identity due to their traditional dresses and are not attracted towards the western dresses.

“Wherever we go we will maintain our traditional dress code only,” Riyaz said.

The other lot consisting Monica Sharma, Ekta Sharma, Parul Mahajan, Pavneet Kour and Sonampreet wore western outfits. “We generally wear the same kind of clothes back home in Kashmir too. So, no change in this regard,” said Parul, who has come to pursue MSc (physics).

The girls were equally excited now to try new breakfast. “Back home, we generally take omelette, chapatti and nuu-chhai (salted tea), but here we will not spare a chance to try the tempting Amritsari kulcha,” said Sonampreet, a student of MSc (geology).

It is for the first time that a batch of over 45 girls has approached the college here for seeking admission into master courses in different streams.

Principal Daljit Singh said in MSc (Botany) out of a total of 24 students, 22 were from Kashmir only. Similarly, in Geology stream, out of 20 students, 16 were from Kashmir and in Physics nine out of total 20 students hail from the Valley.

Amritsar, July 12
Even as there have been various opportunities available with the students in arts, this stream in many colleges of the holy city seldom find takers in comparison to commerce, science or other professional courses.

The principals of various colleges said they have received few applications for arts owing to general notion that there would be fewer opportunities thereafter. The educationists believe that there is also lack of awareness amongst students about what career options are available after taking admission in arts stream.

The present admission graph shows that BCom (regular and professional), BBA, BSc (IT) and BCA are hot with students.

GND University Registrar Inderjit Singh while agreeing with the observation opined that the traditional arts studies with subjects like history, public administration or political science, if done along with some professional courses can still do wonders.

To appear for competitive exams like UPSC and MPSC, there are subjects from arts like history and political science that students can take up. But parents are seen to be influencing decision making of students thinking commerce and science can help their child have sound careers.

“Yet there has been drastic decline in arts stream takers and the admission graph in this stream has declined up to 50 per cent. It is the commerce stream which has been the most sought-after among students. There has been at least 30 per cent more admissions in comparison to last year in the GND University-affiliated colleges. This has been followed by computer stream, science and then comes the arts”, he said.

“Interestingly, even the computer stream could not gain interest, apparently, because of global recession and less job opportunities. Unlike this, a commerce graduate or postgraduate student would have better options with banks or multinational companies, especially, if he or she has attained some professional skills like accountancy or stats. On the other hand, even the arts graduates can opt to go in for civil services”, he added.

Principal Daljit Singh of Khalsa College echoed almost identical views. It is strange that this attitude of parents hasn’t changed all that much in spite of the economy opening up and well-paying career options for arts students being available. From advertising and architecture to law, management or even the airlines, the fashion industry, TV, publishing….the list is endless…

“Yet, our BCom (professional), Biotechnology, BCA and BSc (agriculture) seats got filled without any hitch whereas the seats in arts are still lurching to find takers. Last year we had about 550 students in arts but this session we could find only 275 students. For B.Sc (agriculture) there were around 600 students who appeared for the entrance test to secure their place among the 70 seats we offered,” he said.

Nevertheless, Principal Dr Neelam Kamra of BBK DAV College admitted that students vied for commerce the most, followed by computer science.

She viewed that it was lack of awareness among the students which give birth to wrong notions. “Though there has been decline in students’ interest about arts but we offer various vocational courses like fashion designing, fine arts, music and dance which the students can opt as per their interests. I think this package is equally productive. Besides, there are courses like Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) and Bachelor of Journalism which had wide scope and that the students can join after class XII,” she said.

Amritsar, July 12
While conducting stages during youth festivals at Guru Nanak Dev University he never thought that it would prove to be a stepping stone in his life.

Achieving new heights, Harminder Singh Teja, a student of PhD in economics at the university campus, has now graduated to compere programs being telecast at Jalandhar Doodarshan.

“During my stage performances as anchor in the university, I had never thought that I would come such a long way. No doubt the university stage has helped in identifying my hidden talent which I believe is inborn skill,” said Teja while adding that his brother who is a ‘kathavachak’ was also a very good speaker.

Though he also tried his hands in joining the Army, as he belongs to a family with defense personnel, but he did not make it.

“But, everything happens for a good and god has something better in store for me,” he said.

Teja has hosted programmes such as Nav-Rang, Mera Pind Mere Khet, Savi Dharti, Bhawan Nirman Kala shows being telecast on Doordarshan, Jalandhar. At present I am compering ‘Jai Jawan’ show at Doordarshan. He is also working as announcer and radio jockey on All India Radio (Jalandhar).

“In addition to Doordarshan I also worked on other electronic channels Punjab Plus and De. TV news channel as an anchor,” added Teja.

Teja came to GND University to do his master’s degree in economics and during this he got a chance to conduct an university stage. At this moment he found his hidden talent. His hobbies of cultural poetical recitation, writing poems, stories and jokes proved handy tools in developing his talent.

“I scored second and third positions in cultural poetical recitation competition during Youth festival and inter-departmental competitions in the University. This hobby helped me during anchoring various shows,” said Teja.

Amritsar, July 12
In a rare case, a district court gave justice to a student within a day of his approaching the court against the Guru Nanak Dev University’s decision to withhold his result.

Dejected by the university’s attitude, Amardeep Singh, a student of Khalsa College, who appeared for the final year of BCom (professional), put forth his case before SS Mann, Civil Judge (senior division)-cum- Vacation Judge (during summer vacations) on July 7.

Taking cognisance of the urgency in the matter, the court directed the university to declare his result provisionally on July 8.

RK Bedi, head, examination branch, GND University, said as per the directions of the court the final year result of the candidate was declared.

With the court providing temporary relief, Amandeep was able to appear for online counselling for MBA course of GND University and LLB course of Panjab University.

It is learnt that a controversy had arisen between the university and the college management over the non-compliance of the stipulated lectures by the candidate, on account of which his roll number was withheld for appearing in BCom (professional). Amardeep had contested it in the court then too. Finding no substantial evidences, the court had directed the university to release his roll number then too, which enabled him to appear in the examination. Later, he had to bear the brunt of the university authorities which withheld his result.

Despite his repeated requests that he had to appear for the other competitive examinations on the basis of this result, the university authorities did not pay any heed to his pleas.

Leaving nothing to chance he once again moved an application in the court and got justice in a day.

Amritsar, July 12
With the arrest of five persons, the CIA staff claimed to have busted a gang of looters and drug peddlers involved in a number of crimes in the city.

The kingpin of the gang who was identified as Manjit Singh, alias Latti, was wanted in many cases registered at Gurdaspur and Mohali districts, besides Sadar and Rambagh police stations here. He has been declared proclaimed offender by a court.

Other members of the gang include Gurpreet Singh, alias Vicky, Sandeep Singh, Surjit Singh and Ranjit Singh all residents of near the Gurdwara Tung Pai, Batala Road here.

The police recovered two pistols, four live cartridges, three sharp-edged weapons, besides 300 gm of toxic powder and 750 intoxicant drugs from their possession.

Vikram Sharma, in charge of the CIA staff, said the police teams led by Surinderjit Singh and Bhupinder Singh laid a naka near Gujjarpura where they were arrested.

A case under Sections 399/402 of the Indian Penal Code, 21/22/61/85 of the NDPS Act and 25/54/59 of the Arms Act has been registered against them.

Amritsar, July 12
One Jagdish Singh of village Nangal Guru in Jandiala was stabbed to death by several persons over a minor dispute. The accused were identified as Gurpreet singh, Sukhdev Singh, Kala Singh, Mahinder Singh and Rinku. They have been booked by the police.

Kulbir Singh, father of the deceased, in his compliant to the police alleged that an altercation had erupted between Jagdish Singh and Gurpreet Singh over some minor issue in the evening of July 10. However, the matter was settled at that time.

On very next evening when Jagdish had gone to answer the nature’s call in the fields, the accused stabbed him. He was immediately rushed to Manawala hospital from where he was referred to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The police authorities said the accused were absconding after committing the crime and raids were being conducted to arrest them.

Meanwhile, in another incident one Rano, a resident of Gumtala village died when she was pushed by one Surinder Singh of Fatehwal Ajnala (now Janjhgarh, Gumtala).

Inait Masih, her husband in her complaint lodged with the Cantonment police stated that mobile phone of his brother Roshan was out of order and it was given for repair to accused Surinder Singh. He said when he along with his mother and brother had gone to take the mobile an altercation took place between them. He said the accused pushed his mother who fell down and died on the spot. Police authorities said a case has been registered under Section 302 IPC in this connection and raids were being conducted to arrest the accused. 

Tarn Taran, July 12
Ravinder Singh, Civil Judge (Senior Division)-cum-secretary, Free Legal Services Authority (FLSA), said women should be made aware on their rights.

He was addressing a seminar, organised at National Public School, Naushehra Panuan, 16 kilometres from here today by the FLSA.

The social organisations and enlightened section of the society have to work hard for the purpose. The seminar was attended by a large number of political, social, religious representatives besides women folk .

The Civil Judge said that women and the children need equality and their rights should be protected at every stage. He said that education, proper diet should be guaranteed to every child.