The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

No academician VC in most state universities
Haryana Govt flouts UGC norms on appointment
Sunit Dhawan/TNS

Gurgaon, June 13
The tall claims of the state authorities regarding improving the quality of higher education notwithstanding, most of the state universities in Haryana have non-academician Vice-Chancellors as of now.

This despite the fact that the UGC recommendations regarding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors maintain that only the persons having 10 years of teaching experience as university professor should be appointed Vice-chancellors.

The UGC recommendations are supposed to be binding on the state authorities as far as higher education policies and decisions are concerned.

However, the Haryana Government has preferred a former politician, a former defence services officer, an engineer and a former UGC official to run the affairs of the state universities.

Former Haryana MLA and minister ML Ranga is the present Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, and is also looking after Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, in the same capacity.

Lt Gen (retd) DDS Sandhu is the VC of Kurukshetra University while retired Haryana Engineer-in-Chief HS Chahal is the Vice-Chancellor, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, and also the acting VC of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak.

Similarly, former University Grants Commission (UGC) Joint Secretary Pankaj Mittal is looking after the affairs of Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan.

“If left to the politicians, the post of Vice-Chancellor will always be governed by political considerations. But the utter failure of the UGC authorities in getting their own recommendations implemented raises serious concerns and makes the matter even more unfortunate,” observes Prof Bhim Singh Dahiya, a former Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University.

Noted academician and expert on Haryana affairs DR Chaudhary maintains that academicians as well as aware and well-meaning citizens should come forward and put up concerted efforts to oppose the appointment of non-academic persons as Vice-Chancellors.

Dr Raj Kumar, the president of the Haryana Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations (HFUCTO), asserts that the state Higher Education Council, constituted to improve the quality of higher education in Haryana, should have members representing the college and university teachers instead of political appointees.

If left to the politicians, the post of Vice-Chancellor will always be governed by political considerations. But the utter failure of the UGC authorities in getting their own recommendations implemented raises serious concerns and makes the matter even more unfortunate.

— Prof Bhim Singh Dahiya, a former Vice -Chancellor of Kurukshetra University

VC of Gurukul Kangri varsity felicitated
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, June 13
The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Gurukul Kangri University (GKU), Haridwar, and Rajya Sabha Member, Dr Ram Prakash, was honoured at a function organised by the Nagrik Abhinandan Samiti on the premises of Gita Niketan Awasiya Vidyalya here recently.

Braham Swarup Brahamchari, Chairman, Shri Jai Ram Ashram Institutions, presided over the function while Bhupinder Singh Johar, an industrialist and an educationist from Yamunanagar, was the guest of honour.

In his address, Dr Prakash said after joining the GKU, his main objective would be to make the GKU number one university in the country. He would try his best to take this university, established in 1902, to great heights besides maintaining its achievements in the past.

In his presidential address, Braham Swarup Brahamchari said before and after the Independence, the GKU had remained ahead in rendering good education and Sanskaras (culture) among its students.

Thirty merit students from Classes X and XII were honoured by giving them mementos. Students also presented a colourful programme.

Focus back on regional parties, says Chautala
Sunit Dhawan/TNS

Om Prakash Chautala

Gurgaon, June 13
The INLD leadership has accused the Congress regime in Haryana of indulging in a multi-hundred-crore “electricity scam”, wherein the state authorities allegedly sold “surplus” electricity at Rs 2.20 per unit and then purchased power at Rs 7 to Rs 9 per unit.

Addressing a news conference following a state executive meeting of the party here recently, INLD MLA and party president Om Prakash Chautala’s son, Abhey Singh, said the party’s state executive had decided to launch a statewide mass awareness campaign to expose the alleged misdeeds and corrupt practices of the state government from June 15.

He demanded immediate arrest of Congress MP Naveen Jindal for his alleged involvement in Rs 52,400-crore scam pertaining to the wrongful allotment of coal blocks and sought a high-level inquiry under the supervision of a serving Supreme Court or High Court Judge.

Abhey, who was accompanied by INLD state president Ashok Arora, also warned the party leaders pursuing their personal agendas and vested interests against indulging in anti-party activities for their personal gains.

On the other hand, in a written message read out at the meeting, INLD president Om Prakash Chautala described the party workers as his “real power”.

Chautala asserted that the INLD, which is said to have a mass base mainly in villages, had faired very well in the recently concluded Municipal Corporation elections, which indicated their growing support base in the urban areas as well. He congratulated the party members on the achievement.

In a veiled attack on the BJP, Chautala pointed out that the people were fed up with the Congress government and wanted to uproot it, but no viable alternative was in sight as the other parties were grappling with internal strife.

He maintained that in the given situation, the regional parties held the key as they were not only aware of the grassroots problems, but also knew the solutions.

The INLD chief urged the party workers to reach out to the people and learn from past mistakes. The party will extend support to any party in order to keep the Congress away from power, he added.

Faridabad MC favours 50% cut in house tax rate
Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, June 13
The Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) has forwarded to the government a resolution favouring 50 per cent reduction in house tax rate. The resolution was adopted at its House-meeting recently.

Only the units measuring more than 250 sq yd in Faridabad will fall in the resolution’s ambit.

MCF secretary Mukesh Solanki said the resolution would have to be ratified by the government to come into effect.

Om Prakash Rakshwal, leader of the BJP in the House, who raised the issue along with his party colleague, Ajay Bainsla, said the present annual budget of the state provided for 50 per cent reduction in the house tax rate throughout Haryana. However, the government had left the quantum of possible reduction to the local bodies concerned, they added.

In a controversial move, the House, in a separate resolution, decided that the MCF will accept online bids from the public only for a tender relating to a project worth more than Rs 10 lakh. Presently, the ceiling is on the tender value of more than Rs 5 lakh.

Corporation members alleged that the present low ceiling delayed implementation of development works.

The move to raise the ceiling is seen by many as a retrograde step as it militates against the trend of e-governance in government departments.

The members forced a discussion on erratic supply of water in several pockets in Faridabad especially since the start of the summer. A decision was taken to direct the authorities concerned to take remedial measures immediately. This includes optimal operation of tube wells, many of which need repairs.

World Day Against Child Labour
Study material distributed among children
Our Correspondent

Ambala, June 13
A large number of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in the work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedom. Out of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour.

On the World Day Against Child Labour, Emax Group of Institutions organised a series of activities in labour colonies for the purpose of preventing child labour and to generate awareness about the requirement of basic education in the human life.

“I have no idea what the child labour day means. Yes, I want to go to school and study, but my father is no more. So I have to work with my mother here for the whole day to earn some money to help in running the house," Ramesh, a child labourer at a brick kiln told the students. Books and copies besides other study material were also distributed among the child labourers .

PR Bansal, chairman of Emax Group of Institutions, said the International Labour Organisation had estimated that 165 million children between 5 to14 years of age are involved in child labour.

“Many of these children work for long hours, often in dangerous conditions. Child labour is closely associated with poverty. Many poor families are unable to afford school fees or other school expenditure,” he added.

Maharana Pratap's 473rd birth anniversary observed
Nawal Kishore Rastogi

All-India Rajput Mahasabha chief Thakur Attar Lal honours a valiant ex-serviceman. Photo by writer

Rewari, June 13
Memorial conferences to mark the 473rd birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap, the legendary hero of Mewar, were held at various places in the Ahirwal region recently.

Besides ex-servicemen, citizens of nationalistic bent of mind from Rewari, Kosli, Mahendergarh, Narnaul, Bhiwani and other places of the region participated in a state-level commemorative convention held in the auditorium of Maharana Pratap College of Education at Dhanonda (Mahendergarh), about 40 km from Rewari, recently.

While Thakur Attar Lal, state president of the All-India Rajput Mahasabha (AIRM) and a prominent social activist of the region, was the chief guest, a noted footballer and a former educationist Tara Chand Sharma presided over the proceedings.

Besides Jaivir Singh Nambardar, grand son of the legendary Victoria Cross awardee late Subedar Ram Swarup Singh, social activist Chanderpal Rampura and Omvir Singh Tanwar, a lawyer of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, were the guests of honour.

As many as 105 valiant ex-servicemen from Mahendergarh, Ateli, Kanina, Satnali and other areas of the region were honoured for their heroism displayed in the Sino-Indian conflict as well as the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971.

They were presented shawls and citations at the samaroh. Paying tributes to Maharana Pratap, Thakur Attar Lal asserted that Pratap’s secularism, patriotism and indomitable courage possessed relevance for the Indians in the present times as well.

He also urged the Central as well as the state governments to effectively and speedily address the concerns of the ex- servicemen.

Similarly in his presidential address, Tara Chand Sharma said that lively remembrance of our legendary heroes on such occasions stimulated the participants to work for the welfare of society and the nation.

Likewise a district-level function was held under the joint auspices of the district Rajput Sabha and the Maharana Pratap Jayanti Samiti at Maharana Pratap Chowk here.

Paying homage to the unrivalled hero of Mewar, OP Singh, Inspector-General of Police, South Range, district Rajput Sabha chief Ompal Singh Chauhan and others called upon the young generation to follow Pratap’s ideals in letter and in spirit.

Simultaneously Shaheed Bhagat Singh Yuva Jan Kalyan Morcha organised a memorial conference at Narnaul.

13 major projects to come up in state
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 13
Industrial investments to the tune of about Rs 4,800 crore, which are in pipeline, will soon mature as 13 major projects will come up in Haryana.

While stating this here yesterday, a spokesman for the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) said these projects included the project of Lotte involving investment of Rs 300 crore, We-Fang Rs 500 crore and Nestle Rs 250 crore. Other such investments are Jaquar Rs 200 crore, UIDAI Rs 280 crore, Kyo Bearing Rs 500 crore, Fujitsu Rs 185 crore, EEL Rs 120 crore, Kerry Rs 100 crore, SJN Cylinder Rs 150 crore, Denso Rs 500 crore, Panasonic Rs 1,200 crore and Reliance Retail Rs 500 crore.

He said an investment to the tune of Rs 21,000 crore was envisaged from over 4,150 projects for which plots had been allotted by the HSIIDC. Also, an investment of Rs 5,500 crore is envisaged from Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki Motorcycles and of Rs 15,000 crore from Reliance-METCO Project.

He said the Rs 1,830-crore Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway project, being developed on a BOT basis, includes Rs 1,200 crore for construction and Rs 630 crore for land. An economic corridor would be developed along this expressway where a number of townships and hubs would be developed.

He said under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project, a band of 150-200 km was being developed on both sides of the DFC alignment to create a base in this band with globally competitive environment and state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities.

Under this project, regions like Manesar-Bawal and Kundli-Sonipat and industrial areas of Faridabad-Palwal and Rewari-Hisar were to be created within the DMIC influence region in Haryana.

Manesar-Bawal Investment Region (MBIR) is being taken up for development in the first phase.

He said some early bird projects under the DMIC initiative, which would attract huge investments, had also been identified. These included MRTS between Gurgaon-Manesar-Bawal with project investment of Rs 30,000 crore, Global City Project, including exhibition-cum-convention centre facility, in Gurgaon district and a logistics hub in district Rewari involving an investment of Rs. 3,000 crore.

He said since 2005, the state had been able to attract industrial investment of over Rs 60,000 crore.

This includes an investment of Rs 21,000 crore for projects in respect of plots in the industrial estates of the HSIIDC, Rs 24,000 crore of the Indian Oil Corporation’s PX/PTA project and Refinery expansion and Naptha Cracker Plant, Rs 11,000 of Maruti Suzuki for its projects at Gurgaon-Manesar and of Rs 4,500 crore by RHSL/METCO, he added.

He added that these investments had come as a result of the industry friendly climate created in the state by the state government and the initiatives taken by the HSIIDC, which is the nodal agency for industrial development in the state.

NEET: Ashutosh Nagpal first in state
Our Correspondent

Ashutosh Nagpal

Kurukshetra, June 13
Ashutosh Nagpal of Gita Niketan Awasiya Vidyalaya, Kurukshetra, has clinched the first position in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) /Medical Entrance Test in the state. The test was conducted on May 5, 2013, and the result was declared on June 9, 2013.

Stating this here recently, Rishi Goel, the Principal of the vidyalaya, said besides clinching the first position at the state level, Ashutosh has managed to obtain the sixth position at the national level too.

Ashutosh hails from a middle class medical family and has been outstanding throughout his school days. Before this feat, he also cracked the coveted National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) and won a national scholarship.

Vidyalaya president Vishav Raj, manager Pawan Saini and Principal Rishi Goel have extended their wishes to him for his outstanding achievement.

11 students get placement
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, June 13
As many as 45 students of BTech Mechanical (final year) participated in a campus-placement drive, organised by the Geeta Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT), Kanipla, on its premises, 12 km here from here.

Sanjay Saraf, vice-president of Paracoat Products Ltd, started the recruitment process with a written online aptitude and technical test, which was followed by group discussions.

The shortlisted students went through personal interviews following which 11 students got placed.

The company offered a pay package of up to Rs 2 lakh to each of the selected candidates besides providing ample opportunities for their future growth.

The students expressed deep gratitude towards the management and training and placement division of the institute.

The GIMT management congratulated the students and wished them a bright and a successful career.

Two held for kidnapping
Our Correspondent

The accused in the kidnapping case in police custody at Sonepat. Photo: BS Malik

Sonepat, June 13
The police has arrested two youths for being involved in the kidnapping of 9-year-old Harsh from the Sector-15 market in Sonepat on June 3. They have been booked for extracting a ransom of Rs 16 lakh besides jewellery from the boy's father for his release. The accused has been identified as Amit of Suwana village in Jhajjar district and Vishal of Shahdra in Delhi. Vishal and Amit are the student of DCR University, Murthal.

While talking to mediapersons here today, SP Arun Singh said Amit and Vishal were nabbed late last evening by a police team from the Bahalgarh road. The police has also recovered Rs 98,000, jewellery and a stolen car used by them for the kidnapping.

The SP said soon after kidnapping of the boy, they demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh from boy's family, however, the family settled the deal and paid Rs 16 lakh and jewellery to them. After receiving the ransom, the accused released the boy on June 5.

After receiving a complaint about the kidnapping, four police teams were formed under the supervision of DSP Ajit Singh to nab the accused. The SP said a breakthrough was achieved after the arrest of Mohit, a resident of Chandni Chowk, Delhi. He runs a communication shop at Shahdra and had issued six SIM cards to them on the fake identity.

The SP said the accused were today taken into the police custody to recover the remaining amount and jewellery. The police is also investigate the possibility of the involvement of any other person in the case.

Three held for murder

Kaithal, June 13
The Dhand police arrested three persons on the charge of killing a man and injuring another following a minor dispute over the use of a submersible pump at Sankra village of the district . All the the accused were produced in the court, which sent them to the police remand till June 14 .

Giving details of the case, a spokesperson of the police said a submersible pump was installed in front of Parveen Kumar's residence at Sankra village. Nafe Singh had been running a workshop near the Pawan's residence. The submersible developed some problem following which Parveen had some altercation with Nafe Singh who along with his brothers attacked Parveen and his brother Bhim, who got seriously injured in the incident . They were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Kaithal. Later, Bhim was referred to the PGI, Rohtak, where he succumbed to his injuries yesterday. The police has arrested Tek Chand , Fateh Singh and Sanju in the case. The police is yet to arrest the other accused. — OC

Newly married woman shot dead

Sonepat, June 13
Mamta, a resident of Bidhal village, was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne armed youths while she was standing at the entrance of her father’s house in the village late Tuesday evening. Her mother Sheela Devi and younger sister Jyoti had gone out of the house to fetch water from a tap. When returned, they found her body lying in a pool of blood.

The police reached the spot after getting information. After preliminary investigation, the body was sent to the local civil hospital for autopsy. On the complaint of Sheela Devi, the police has registered a case of murder against unidentified persons. The victim got married 10 months ago and had come to meet her parents five days ago.

In another incident, Sarla, a 30-year-old widow of Gangana village was found hanging from a fan at her in-laws house in the village on Tuesday evening. Her husband Prem had died six months ago.

A case of murder has been registered in the Baroda police station against victim’s brothers-in-law Joginder, Satyavan and Rohtas. However, Daya Nand, her father-in-law, and some residents of the village, said she had committed suicide after a youth, Anil of Katwal village, was caught by her in-laws and villagers at their house and was handed over to the police.— OC

Special cells for senior citizens in Gurgaon police stations
Sumedha Sharma
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, June 13
As the brutal murder of 77-year-old woman brought to the fore the poor state of security for senior citizens in the city, the Gurgaon police has decided to open special senior citizen cells in each of its police stations in the city.

Under the project, which will start from the police stations in East, special three-member teams will be constituted, which will look into the complaints of the senior citizens.

"We already have such a committee at the district level, but as an extra effort we are going to start them at the police stations in the city. We have chosen East as

majority of the senior citizens live in this area. The teams will be dedicated to dealing with the complaints and problems of senior citizens," said Police Commissioner Alok Mittal.

According to the plan, the teams will update the list of all registered senior citizens and urge others to join in.

A few days ago, Jasveer Kaur (77) and her husband Manmohan Singh (81) were getting their house whitewashed when a robbery attempt was made, in which Jasveer died while her husband suffered serious injuries. Their maid was involved in the robbery bid. Though the police managed to reach maid's rented accomodation, it couldn't get much information as her credentials were not verified.

"Verification is a key to the senior citizens' security. Thus, we have written to the DC to issue orders putting the onus of verification on landlords and employers. We don't say that people should get all legal

formalities done, but they should have information about the residential address, permanent address, contact number, two references and photo of a tenant or an employee. This will be of great aid to us," added Mittal.

Widening of road
Govt told to decide on district admn's proposal
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, June 13
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Haryana Government to take a decision on the proposal of the district administration, in which the road between Lal Batti chowk and Bal Bhawan was to be made four-laned after shifting the boundary walls of some government buildings, including the sadar police station.

The Nagrik Parishad, Sirsa, had moved the High Court after the Haryana Police Housing Corporation started construction activities on the site of the sadar police station.

The Parishad was of the view that the construction, if allowed, would end the chances of four-laning of the zigzag road that had become a bane for the local residents.

The Nagrik Parishad had produced a letter written by a former Deputy Commissioner to the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council in this regard.

The letter stated that in order to provide a sufficient carriageway to the traffic from the railway crossing up to the Bal Bhawan, a committee was constituted to suggest ways and means for the purpose.

The committee had recommended that the boundary wall of the canal lining circle office, old DC residence, police station sadar, MC, DSP residence, working women's hostel, old residence of judicial officers, library and Bal Bhawan should be shifted to provide 60 feet path.

The High Court has disposed off the writ petition with the directions to the government that a decision on the proposal of the district administration should be taken within two months.

4 Hisar varsity students get placement
Tribune News Service

Hisar, June 13
Four students of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, got placement in Hospimax Healthcare Private Limited, New Delhi.

Ravish Garg, chairman of the department, said Akshay Vats, Alok Kumar Shukla, Narender Pandey and Tarun Kumar had their eighth semester industrial/professional training at the company.

On the basis of their performance during the training period, the company has decided to appoint these students.

Akshay has been placed in the critical care division.Alok and Narender will be a part of the vitro diagnostics team of the company.

Tarun Kumar was placed in the endoscopy division.

The Vice-Chancellor, ML Ranga, and Registrar Prof RS Jaglan congratulated the students and staff of the department for this achievement.

Seminar focuses on professional ethics among teachers, pupils
Tribune News Service

Fatehabad, June 13
Shaheed Baba Deep Singh College of Education, Aherwan, Fatehabad, organised a national seminar on the topic, “Social and Ethical Issues in Teachers' Education”, in the college recently.

The national seminar was organised in collaboration with the National Council for Teachers Education (Haryana chapter). Dr Aseem Miglani, Professor and chairperson of the Mathematics Department, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, inaugurated the seminar.

Dr Mamta Chaudhary, Principal of the college, said the main objective of the seminar was to identify and cultivate ancient Indian and modern social, ethical, moral and professional values among students, teachers, researchers, administrators etc.The sub-themes of the seminar were—Development of Professional Ethics Among Pupil-Teachers, Human Values and Teacher Education, Social Skills and Teacher Education, Indian Social Structure and Teacher Education, Indian Culture and Teacher Education and Ethical Issues in Teaching-Learning, Evaluation and Research.

Dr Virender Siwatch, patron, SBDS Group of Institutions, Aherwan, and Harmeet Singh, secretary, SBDS Group of Institutions, Aherwan, were present as special guests during the seminar. As many as 150 dignitaries attended the seminar and 50 of them presented their papers on the sub-themes.

3 HUDA residential sectors to come up in Gannaur
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, June 13
With an objective to provide better living facilities to the residents of the Gannaur region in the district, the state government has planned to develop three HUDA residential sectors in the area adjoining the National Highway-1 (NH-1) near Gannaur.

Though the development of a world class fruit and vegetable market in the 600 acres along the NH-1 is already in progress, there was no HUDA residential sector in Gannaur subdivision of the district. According to the District Town Planner, Dilbag Singh, the joint action committee had already given its permission for the development of three sectors in the area. "We have sought permission from the government to begin the land acquisition," he said.

He said in view of increasing demand for residential sectors near Gannaur, a proposal was prepared and it was sent to the government for approval. A joint inspection team had carried out the inspection of the proposed land and submitted its recommendation for the development of the sectors, he added.

Sectors- 7, 8 and 13 will be developed at the area between Barhi and Teha along the NH-1. The area proposed for developing the sectors is a prime location because of the proximity of the Barhi Industrial Area, vegetable and fruit market and a number of properties of the real estate companies.

Rohtak doctor elected to executive panel of DCI
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Rohtak, June 13
Dr Sanjay Tewari, Principal of the Postgraduate institute of Dental Sciences (PGIDS), Rohtak, has been elected as Member of the Executive Committee (EC) of the Dental Council of India (DCI). It is perhaps the first time that a Professor of Dental Sciences from Haryana has been elected to a body of this stature that controls the affairs and functioning of around 300 dental colleges and institutions in the country.

Dr Tiwari, who is already a co-opted Member of the DCI, was elected to the EC in the election during the two-day meeting of the General Body of the national-level council, which concluded at New Delhi on Monday. The DCI is an autonomous body constituted by a Parliament Act and regulates dental education in India.

It is learnt that Dr Tiwari polled 37 votes out of of 57 cast by members of the DCI from all over India. His main rival in this election was Dr Vivek Sharma from Rajasthan, who could manage only 20 votes for this post. This is for the first time since the inception of the DCI in 1948 that a Member from Haryana has been elected to the EC of the DCI. There are a total of six members in the EC which include the President and the Vice-President of the DCI.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Pt BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Dr SS Sangwan, has congratulated Dr Tewari on this achievement. He described it as a matter of pride for both the health university and the health-education fraternity of the state and claimed that it would be a motivating factor for the dental fraternity and the students of the PGIDS to excel in the related field.

Waste management projects to be set up in 25 Sirsa villages
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, June 13
Over 70 villagers turned up with grievances during the Night Halt Darbar of the Sirsa Deputy Commissioner, J Ganesan, at Mallekan village, about 20 km from the district headquarters.

The complaints ranged from denial of the BPL status, power problem, lack of amenities and several other personal and collective problems.

Ganesan took up the complaints with heads of various government departments, who were present during the darbar in the village.

Many complaints were redressed on the spot while the DC directed the officers to address the other problems speedily.

The Deputy Commissioner visited the village bus stand, the anganwadi kendra, the primary health centre, the school, the panchayat bhawan and other government buildings to assess their functioning.

Addressing villagers, Ganesan said solid and liquid waste management projects would be set up in 25 villages in Sirsa under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA).

He said a sum of Rs 2 to Rs 4 lakh would be spent in each village under the project. One shed would be constructed in each of the villages for storage of garbage.

Solid and liquid waste would be sorted separately under a shed. The waste would be converted into 'kenchua khaad' (vermin compost).

He said the district administration would hand over these plants to the panchayat for their smooth functioning.

He said 322 villages in the district were "Nirmal Villages". As many as 39 villages had been included in this category during the financial year 2012-13 and such villages would be rewarded under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.

A sum of over Rs 85.23 crore would be spent on undertaking work regarding sanitation in villages under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.

The ADC, Shiv Prashad Sharma, SDM, Ellenabad, Prabhjot Singh, SDM, Sirsa, Sant Lal Pachar, and sarpanch Sandeep Kaur Bajwa were among those present.

HJC to raise farmers' issues
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, June 13
The Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) will organise a state-level rally of farmers in Gurgaon in July. This was stated by Kuldip Bhambu, chairperson of the farmers’s wing of the party.

Bhambu, who is on a three-day tour of Faridabad to study the issues of farmers said his party was conducting a state-wide survey on the problems of farmers.

“The HJC will also confront the government on the basis of the data and put pressure on it to solve farmers’ grievances. The party will press for increase in the support price of agricultural produce ,” he added.

Bhambu said his party was making efforts to expand its base among the farming community.

The HJC leader was critical of the state for not implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.

"The commission has favoured a profit margin of Rs 500 per quintal over and above the cost price of agricultural produce while determining their support price," he said.

According to him, as per the commission’s recommendation the support price of wheat should be Rs 1,400 per quintal but it was much below than that. Kuldip Bhambu said farmers were agitating at three places in Faridabad district to press for enhanced compensation against acquisition of their land.

The recently appointed state vice-president of the farmers’ wing of the Haryana Janhit Congress, Tejpal Sharma, added that the party would try to maximise its base among the farmers in the state on the basis of its policies.

Fatehabad school Principal selected to global teachers' community
Sushil Manav
Tribune News Service

Fatehabad, June 13
Narender Gilhotra, Principal of Aryan’s Gurukul School, a private school in Fatehabad, has the distinction of being the only teacher from the country to have been selected to the Google Teacher Academy (GTA) - a global teacher’s community created by Google - an American multinational corporation specialising in Internet-related services
and products.

Google selected Gilhotra as a participant at the Google Teacher Academy, held in Sydney, Australia, from June 7, 2013.

The Google Teacher Academy was a two-day intensive programme that recognises educators who are doing innovative and exciting things in their classrooms with technology, and Gilhotra was honoured to be selected and represent India as he was the only teacher from the country.

His subject of presentation on YouTube was ‘Motivation and Learning”.

Earlier, Gilhotra has worked to train teachers in government schools on Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation, Right to Education and Child Psychology in 2010-2012.

As many as 50 participants - 21 from Australia, eight from New Zealand, four from Singapore, three from Japan, two from Korea, one each from Vietnam, Malaysia, Canada, Thailand and Nepal - got hands-on experience with Google's products and technologies like Maps, Drive, Earth, Calendar, Google Docs, YouTube and Blogs during the GTA.

They learnt about innovative instructional strategies, and received resources to share with colleagues.

Upon completion, the participants of the academy become Google Certified Teachers who share what they learn with other educators in their local regions and beyond.

Gilhotra, who is thrilled to be among those selected, said: “It was an amazing time with those teachers from various parts of the world. It’s all about sharing of ideas through techniques, whether we talk about classroom or teachers’ community”.

“I think technique can play a major role in education. We have been experiencing a time of transformation, particularly in education as we have seen the adoption of Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation in the past three-four years. Now, the next step should be adoption of technique in the classroom. We see children are more curious and excited in learning through technical tools,” Gilhotra said.

“I feel social networking sites can make good contribution to teaching and learning. If our students as well as teachers are capable of sharing/commenting about their projects, assignments or their work, it will take us to lead the world,” he added.

Google certified teachers are exceptional senior secondary level (K12) educators with a passion for using innovative tools to improve teaching and learning.

They are recognised experts and widely admired for their commitment to high expectations for students, lifelong learning and collaboration.

The topic of integrating technology into education is a controversial yet vital conversation we all need to have.

The Google Certified Teachers' programme was launched in 2006 with the first academy held at Google headquarters in Mountain View.

The programme has since held several academies across the US, Australia, and the UK, expanding the ranks of Google Certified Teachers to over 800 educators worldwide.

The GTA is produced by Google, in collaboration with the Computer Using Educators (CUE, Inc), an educational non-profit organisation.

Hotel chain’s debut in Gurgaon
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, June 13
Hyatt Hotels Corporation formally launched Hyatt Regency-Gurgaon here recently. The 16-floor hotel boasts of having the largest meeting and event space of over 40,000 square feet and inventory of 451 rooms, supposedly the biggest in the city. Spread over six acres, Hyatt Regency-Gurgaon is located along the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway No.8 near the Kherki Daula toll plaza.

“This is an exciting time for us to be in Gurgaon, which has emerged as one of the largest corporate and residential hubs in the country.

With the opening of Hyatt Regency Gurgaon, we endeavour to provide encompassing experiences, unparalleled services and a larger canvas to paint any event,” maintained Federico Mantoani, General Manager, Hyatt Regency-Gurgaon.

Maulina Gupta, Director (Sales and Marketing) at Hyatt Regency-Gurgaon, also addressed the press conference organised to mark the event.

Movies This Week
Fukrey

A still from the movie, ‘Fukrey’

Directed by: Mrighdeep Singh Lamba

Mrighdeep Singh Lamba who had earlier made ‘Teen Thay Bhai’ is back with yet another comedy ‘Fukrey’ which revolves around college life.

The movie is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the maker of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and ‘Rock on’.

‘Fukrey’ has some hot and steamy scenes picturised on Pulkit Samrat and Priya Anand.

Ali Fazal, Manjot Singh, Varun Sharma, Richa Chadha, Visakha Singh also stars in this comedy which opens on Friday across Haryana.

Ram Sampath has composed the music using his signature style music with a Punjabi punch.

Watch it at single screen theatres and multiplexes near you.

Ankur Arora Murder Case

Directed by: Suhail Tatari

‘Ankur Arora Murder Case’, is a medical thriller based on a real-life incident where a boy dies in the operation theatre due to medical negligence.

Kay Kay Menon, Tisca Chopra, Vishakha Singh and Arjun Mathur play lead roles in this flick. Other cast includes Ashish Jain and Paoli Dam. The film, produced by Vikram Bhatt and directed by Suhail Tatari, has been shot in hospitals and some studios in Mumbai.

The movie releases on Friday at theatres across Haryana.
—Dharam Pal