Chandigarh, Tuesday June 1, 1999
Chandigarh, Tuesday June 1, 1999 |
Donation drive irks
parents “Shabad Sabhyachar”
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Donation
drive irks parents FAZILKA: Private schools are known for charging exorbitant fees on the pretext of maintaining “high” standards of education. But the authorities of the Army School, Fazilka, appear to have surpassed all others in fleecing the parents of students. According to sources, the teaching staff of the Army School under reported pressure from senior Army officers have started a fund collection drive for “school welfare and for raising a building”. The teachers have been collecting huge amounts ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 10,000 from each family of a student. The target is to collect Rs 2 lakh. On the other hand, there are reports of misappropriation and misutilisation of funds. Insiders reveal that a paltry sum has been spent on erecting poles and cementing a play ground in the school premises. Similarly, the expenses shown on a room constructed recently are exagerated manifold. This is despite fact that a building fund of Rs 5,000 is charged from each of the 700 students every year. On the education front, all is not well. The school is without a regular Principal for about the past one year. The officiating incumbent is reportedly not qualified for the job. There is resentment among parents and students against the “coercive” collection drive. They want a probe into the accounts. When this correspondent
tried to contact senior Army officers for their version
of the controversy, they refused to comment. However, a
junior officer stated that the funds were being collected
for the “development of the school and upgrading the
standard of coaching”. |
“Shabad
Sabhyachar” AMRITSAR: A book “Shabad Sabhyachar” published by Khalsa College here and edited by Sikh scholar Dr Harchand Singh Bedi was released by Rajya Sabha member Balwinder Singh Bhunder here last week. This is the first book published by a college to mark the year-long tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. The book contains research-based articles. Among the scholars who
have contributed their articles are Dr Darshan Singh, Dr
Jasbir Singh, Dr Satinder Singh Noor, Dr Kirpal Singh
Historian, Bedi Lal Singh Sahitkar, Dr Jagbir Singh, Dr
Shaharyar, Dr Harnam Singh Shan, Dr Gurdarshan Singh
Dhillon, Dr Wazir Singh, Dr Mohinder Kaur Gill, Dr Sewa
Singh and Dr Dharm Singh. |
Victimisation “galore” PATIALA: The newly appointed Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia has set a clear task for himself. He minces no words while saying that several faculty members were victimised during the tenure of his predecessor and he intends to give them succour. He has made fresh appointments and appointed a bitter critic of the former Vice-Chancellor as Dean, Colleges. While he justified the appointment in an exclusive interview, he also made clear that he would not act on the behalf of any faction and was determined to take all along with him. He said he had promised himself on taking over charge that he would not seek another term to ensure his functioning was not weakened. “What I cannot do in three years, I will not be able to do in six years”, he said. Here are excerpts from the interview. Q: Have you found victimisation to have taken place under the previous Vice-Chancellor? A: Ever since I have joined, I have seen more files pertaining to petty victimisation than those on projects and schemes undertaken by the university. Victimisation has been continuing in the university for a long period over trivial issues. There have been many complaints, all of which have been referred to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor will examine the cases and decide whether provisions of the university statues have been transgressed. He will submit a report to me in this regard within a month. Following this, I will take a decision on cases within my power and refer those which need the Syndicate’s approval to the Syndicate or if need be to the government. Q: What about reviewing decisions of the former Vice-Chancellor in the last 15 days of his term? A: A circular has been issued to all departmental heads in this regard as there is a possibility of some decisions having been taken at the last minute and having been recorded in back dates. These will be identified. Q: You have relieved some officials, besides making important changes? A: I have relieved some examination coordinators as they had been working in the capacity for a long time. Moreover, excess responsibility had been entrusted to a retired official. I believe there is a need to creat checks and balances for which the entire examination system is being overhauled. As regard other officials, Officer on Special Duty to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr S.S. Pahal, had resigned on his own. I have appointed Dr S.L. Singla as the new Dean, Colleges, as I feel he is an energetic person who will be effective in the job. Moreover, I did not want my staff to handle the work of the Dean, Colleges, as was being done earlier with the OSD looking after the job. Q: There is a feeling that Dr Singla has been rewarded for his opposition to the previous Vice-Chancellor? A: The job has been given to Dr Singla after due consideration. I have told him to take the job not as a reward but as a challenge to prove that people were forced to agitate as they were not made partners in the management earlier. Q: What message have you given to the faculty? A: I have told them to liberate themselves from the persecution syndrome and to move towards performance. I have told them that it was the duty of the university to get the genuine demands of employees accepted, but the employees on their part must achieve academic excellence. I have made it clear that my appointment was not determined by any particular group and that the entire faculty would get representation. I have listened to suggestions and discussed issues with both factions of the PUTA leadership. Both groups are now equally keen to join hands and lend me cooperation. Q: What will be your priorities? A: Punjabi University, was set up for the specific task of propagating Punjabi which I feel has taken a back seat over the years. I want the university to become a global centre for the development of Punjabi. Besides it has been decided to set up Guru Kashi University at Damdama Sahib. A regional centre for computer education would also be established at the historic town of Jaito and is likely to become operational in mid-June. Q: Any lead being taken by the university in the state? A: I
have set up a high-level working group headed by former
Vice-Chancellor Dr H.K. Manmohan Singh which will conduct
a survey for future economic planning of Punjab. The
working group is being entrusted with the task of
preparing a socio-economic perspective for the first
decade of the coming century. VICE-CHANCELLOR, Dr Joginder Singh Puar took over the reins of Punjabi University in March, 1993, when the state was waging a battle against militancy. He is credited with providing a bold administration at a crucial hour. Dissension in the faculty became acute after he got an extension in 1996 during the chief ministership of Mr Harcharan Singh Brar. A section of the faculty increased the tempo of the agitation against him, claiming they were being victimised. Talking to the Tribune on Sunday, Dr Puar said 15 days in the job was too short a time to assess his six-year tenure as head of the university. He said people would assess his success or failure in the job and neither he nor the new Vice-Chancellor were fit to comment on this. Here are excerpts of an interview with Dr Puar. Q — The new Vice-Chancellor, Dr J S Ahluwalia has said the faculty was victimised during your tenure? Comment. A — No victimisation was done by me. However, I did not tolerate indiscipline. I took action against those who deserved it. What I know is that 13 persons of a total faculty of 460 were agitating since the last year or so. You can see their history. They are shirkers and blackmailers. Q — Your comment on a review of the alleged victimisation cases by the Vice-Chancellor as well as recommendation for review by the Syndicate? A — It is the Vice-Chancellor’s prerogative to review any case he wishes to. If the Syndicate wants to reverse its own decisions, it is also free to do so. However, in this case the Syndicate will be responsible for the repercussions. Q — What about the university’s decision to review all decisions taken by you from May 1 to May 15? A — If decisions of a former Vice-Chancellor are to be reviewed by the pro Vice-Chancellor (a junior), I have nothing to say. On my part I did not take any policy-decision during the last three months of my tenure. No favouritism was done by me. I specifically told heads of departments coming to see me that decisions on their cases would be taken after May 15. Q — Dr S L Singla’s appointment as Dean, colleges has been described as “making those who were agitating earlier partners in management.” Comment. A — Dr Singla has not produced a single research paper in the past six years. This fact can also be gauged from a look at his self-appraisal report. Q — Dr Ahluwalia has claimed that the basic purpose of the university to develop Punjabi language, culture and literature took a back seat in the past. Do you agree? A — I don’t want to contradict anything. However, more basic material was prepared in Punjabi in the past four to five years than ever before. An encyclopaedia was prepared and dictionaries compiled. However, if he (Dr Ahluwalia) feels the required amount of work in Punjabi was not done, it is his turn to do it now. Q — Your comments on the announcement by Dr Ahluwalia that Guru Kashi University will be established at Damdama Sahib and why the project could not materialise earlier. A — The university was not paid a penny for development of the Regional Centre at Damdama Sahib for two years. Whatever development took place at Damdama Sahib was at the initiative of the university. We did what was within our reach. Q — What about the issue of seeking an extension which Dr Ahluwalia has said he will not do? A — It
is a good step. However, saying it right now at the
beginning of his term does not carry much weight. |
Technical fault in swimming pool LUDHIANA: The newly constructed swimming pool at Punjab Agricultural University here built according to international standards has formally been made operational. Work on the pool began almost three years ago. It has been completed at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The pool has a 60-metre deep tank and a filteration plant. Although a technical fault has been detected in the filtration plant, officials in the office on the Director, Students Welfare, claim that this will be repaired in a fortnight. A regular coach/lifeguard has also been appointed. The swimming pool will be open not just to students, staff, faculty members and their families, but also outsiders. Dr M.S. Bajwa, who is officiating as Director, Students Welfare, informs that they have already proposed rates for the use of the pool. For the students of PAU, the proposed admission fee is Rs 50 per head per season along with a membership fee of Rs 400 per head per season. The faculty members will have to pay Rs 50 as admission fee and Rs 500 as membership fee. For children below 12, the proposed rate for the use of the pool is Rs 400 per head per season. Outsiders will have to pay Rs 200 as admission fee, Rs 2000 as security (refundable and a membership fee of Rs 1500 per head) or Rs 1800 (per couple). In addition, the pool can be rented for a day (8 hours) for Rs 15000 or for half a day (4 hours) for Rs 8000. The swimming pool will be open to member only for the entire swimming season from April 5 to October 15. « « « « There is widespread resentment among the student community over the acute water shortage being faced by hostel residents for almost a fortnight now. Residents of university hostels complain that even drinking water is in short supply. However, the university authorities claim that the current water shortage is a temporary problem as two tubewells have failed to function and as soon as these are repaired, the problem will be solved to a large extent. The university has already deposited money for installing small submersible pumps in all hostels. In order to ensure a regular supply of water in the hostels bathrooms, the university will be constructing separate overhead tanks on each floor. The university has already allocated Rs 20 lakh for the purpose. « « « « Come May and the university is a buzz with activity with fresh admissions to various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. This year onwards, the university will be conducting a combined entrance test (CET) for admission to B.Sc Agriculture (Hons), B.Sc (Hons) Home Science and B.V.Sc. and A.H. Students who have appeared for their Class 12 board exams in either the medical or non-medical stream will be eligible for applying and a written test will be conducted in Physics and Chemistry (compulsory) and Biology/Mathematics (optional). This year the number of
seats offered for most undergraduate courses and for all
postgraduate courses have been reduced. No seats will
offered for masters in Human Development and M.Tech. in
Mechanical Engineering. However, the university has
introduced M.Tech. in Computer Sciences and Engineering
with seven seats being offered for the course. |
I am in Class X and am learning kathak from a private tutor. I am interested in taking up kathak as a career. Since our family is shifting to Delhi, could you please tell me about the reputed institutions in Delhi that teach kathak. Shalini Varma, Ludhiana Classical dance is probably the most demanding and precise of all dance forms. And you have absolutely done the right thing by beginning your kathak lessons at such an early age. It takes nearly 7-8 years of training to become a professional dancer. The life of a dancer may seem glamorous and exciting, and while this may be true for a minority, the reality of gruelling daily practice combined with stage performances can be somewhat different. Dancers need to keep their bodies in peak condition at all times. So you must be prepared for the regular and disciplined sadhana that will determine your taiyari — be it in the style of the Jaipur gharana or Lucknow gharana. Some of the leading institutions in Delhi that impart training in kathak are:
Besides these, reputed dancers like Uma Sharma and Shovana Narayan also run private dance academies. I’m a 16-year-old keen on taking up a professional course after Class XII. As I am interested in interior designing, could you please tell me what subjects should I opt for in Class XI. Ruchi Gupta, Chandigarh The eligibility for most of the diploma courses in Interior Design is a pass in Class XII. But if you are desirous of joining the School of Interior Design, Centre for Environmental Planning & Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad, which offers one of the best courses in interior design, then you must opt for the Science stream in Class XI with Physics, Chemistry and Maths as subjects. CEPT offers a 5-year course for those with 50% aggregate in Class XII and 65% aggregate in Class X. Selection is through a written test followed by an interview. I am doing BSc in statistics. After graduation, I wish to join the computer industry. Could you please tell me about the computer courses that I can take up along side graduation and also the job prospects in this field. Rajat Narula, Bathinda Even before you select an institute, you must first chart out your future plans. You must be quite clear why you wish to take up a course in computers. Do you see yourself as a hardcore programmer, systems analyst or EDP manager? Or would you prefer to go into computer sales and marketing or service engineering or do you wish to be a knowledgeable computer user, regardless of the profession you pursue? If you are not interested in a full-fledged career in computers, i.e., if you only need to use computers for business correspondence or accounting purpsoes, you don’t need to do a course in any of the programming languages. You just need to get the hang of some of the relevant word-processing or accounting software or database management systems (DBMS), most of which are menu-driven and user-friendly. If you wish to use the computer as a designing tool, you could master the elements of a graphics or multimedia package for designing or graphic applications. The more adventurous can learn to use animation packages or web-page designing for the internet. However, if you wish to focus on computers as a career avenue, that calls for serious preparation. Again depending on whether you wish to go into hardware or software, you will have to choose the appropriate course of study. While most ads for programming jobs ask for a BE/BTech/MCA, a good postgraduate diploma in Computer Applications from a reputed institute would come a close second. A bewildering array of computer courses are on offer — both in the formal education sector as well as in the private sector. A great deal of care and caution is called for in selecting the right course. Before you enrol, do check out the institute’s credentials and track record. I am a service personnel. I am interested in doing a diploma in automobile engineering, either part-time or through correspondence. Could you please suggest some of the government or private isntitutes offering the same? D K Das, Ferozepur As per our records, there are neither part-time courses nor diploma courses in automobile engineering offered through correspondence. However, the Annamalai University, Directorate of Distance Education, Annamalainagar 608002, offers a 1-year Certificate course in automobile technology through correspondence. It is a distance learning programme with contact classes. The eligibility is a pass in Class X. I am Class XII student and wish to make a career in films. Could you plese tell me as to how I can become a film director? Pankaj Das, Chandigarh Creativity and the ability to think in perspective are essential attributes required of a Director. Equally important is an in-depth knowledge of the medium which should be honed to perfection not only in terms of handling people and equipment but also in the deft handling of the script, music and setting. The responsibilities include managing and coordinating the unit and shooting schedules. Since film-making is a complex art and science which involves huge amounts of money, logistics and technical expertise, it is best learnt at a good film school. The following institutions offer courses in Direction:
However, if you are talented and in a terrible hurry, you could pick up the skills on-the-job by apprenticing with a Director or even an Assistant Director who is willing to take you on. At least that’s how many of the world’s finest directors picked up their skills until the advent of formal professional education in this field. With formal training, on the other hand, you would start off straightaway as an Assistant Director. Gaining practical hands-on experience is as necessary as acquiring knowledge of cinematography, but above all, creativity is the fundamental quality you must possess. Alternatively, you could
also try television. It is relatively easier to break
into and can serve as a springboard to Bollywood. Also,
if you are serious about a career in this industry,
you’ve got to be in one of the major film and TV
centres in the country, preferably Mumbai, Chennai or
Delhi. |
Armed Forces Jun 15 Additional Directorate General of Recruiting, Rtg TGC Entry, AGs’ Branch, Army HQ, West Block III, RK Puram, New Delhi 110066. Technical Graduates Course Short Service Commission (Technical Course) Elig & Appln Form: See Employment News dated 22-28 May, ‘99. Computers Jun 15 Electronics Regional Test Laboratory (North) Training Centre, STQC Dte, Deptt of Electronics, Gol, Electronics Niketan 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003. DOEACC ‘O’ Level Course (1-yr) Elig: 10+2 OR ITI Certificate (1-yr) after Class X. Appln Format: See leading newspapers. June 18 Guru Nanak Dev University, MCA (3-yrs) Elig: Maths at 10+2; BA/B.Sc./B.Com (10+2+3); BE/BTech with Maths/Stats/Computer Sc./Application as electives at graduation level with 50% agg or BCA with 50% agg. Selection Procedure: Entrance exam on Jun 30 ‘99. Appln Form: Send Rs 200/- by DD favouring “Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar” to the Registrar, at above mentioned address till Jun 15 or Rs 175/- in cash at counter till Jun 17. Jun 14 Punjabi University, Union Building, Patiala 147002. Entrance Test for admission to PG Diploma in Computer Applications Elig: Residents of Punjab, pass marks in graduation with Punjabi up to Matric level. Appln Form: Send Rs 155/- by DD favouring “Registrar, Punjabi University, Patiala” to Co-ordiantor, PGDCAET-1999, OR Rs 125/- in cash at counter. Forms are also available from the office of the Principal of Govt. College of Education, Mohali, Ropar and Sangrur, and Montgomry College of Education, Jalandhar. Correspondence Courses Annamalai University Study Centre, 51A, Institutional Area, Tughlakabad, (Near Batra Hospital), New Delhi 110062. Tel: 6987638
Appln Format: Contact the In-charge at the above mentioned address. Education Jun 15 State Institute of Education, Sector-32, Chandigarh. Elementary Teacher Training Elig: 50% agg at 10+2-level (45% for SC) Entrance Test: July 18, ‘99. Appln Form: Send Rs 30/- by DD favouring “Director, State Institute of Education, Sector 32, Chandigarh” at above mentioned address or Rs 10/- in cash at counter. Engineering Jun 18 Delhi College of Engineering, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042 BTech in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Communication Engineering (Part-time) (4 yrs) Elig: Pass in State Diploma in Engg (3-yrs) with 1-yr experience in an approved engg works/organisation in Delhi and will continue to hold employment in and around Delhi for the entire duration of the course. NOC from present employer. Selection Procedure: Entrance exam on July 18 ‘99. Appln Form: Send Rs 220/- by crossed DD favouring “Coordinator, BTech Entrance Examination” payable at SBI (Code No 7687), New Delhi, along with a self-addressed envelope (25 X 18 cm) to Coordinator, BTech (Part-time) Office or Rs 200/- by crossed DD at counter. Jun 15 School of Aviation Science & Technology, Delhi Flying Club Ltd., Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi 110003 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence Training Programme (3-yrs) Elig: SSC (10+2) with 60% agg in PCM & English OR BSc (P) with 55% agg in PCM. Age: As on 1.7.99: 20-yrs for 12+2 students and 22-yrs for BSc students. Entrance Test: June 27, ‘99. (No separate intimation will be sent). Appln Form: Send Rs 250/- by DD favouring “The Delhi Flying Club Ltd, Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi” along with application on plain paper with comlete bio-data enclosing mark sheets of Class X and Class XII exams to The Director (Training) at above mentioned address. Fashion Designing Jun 10 Society for Self-Employment (Govt of NCT of Delhi), E-26-27, Flatted Factories Complex, Jhandewalan, New Delhi 110055 Fashion Designing (1-yr) Elig: Females, who are residents of Delhi, with a pass in Class XII and in the age group of 18-25 yrs. Appln Form: Rs 20/- in cash at counter. Library Sciences Jun 30 Indian Statistical institute, Documentation Research & Training Centre (DRTC), 8th Mile, Mysore Road, Bangalore 560059. Associateship in Documentation & Information Science. Elig: BLib Sc/BLISc or Master’s in any discipline/4-yr degree such as BE/MBBS, etc. with 2-yrs work exp in library/documentation centres. Appln Form: Send Rs 50/- by DD favouring “Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore” to the Head, DRTC, at above mentioned address. Management Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar 125001, Haryana. Jun 10. 1. Bachelor of Pharmacy Jun 14 2. MTech Computer Sc and Engineering 3. MCA 4. Master of Information Tech Elig: 1) Intermediate or 10+2 with 50% agg (45% for SC/ST) in PCB or Maths or Dip in Pharmacy with 50% agg. For (2), (3), (4) Consult Prospectus Selection Procedure: Entrance test. Appln Form: Send Rs 150/- by DD favouring “Registrar, GJU, Hisar” payable at Hisar to AR (Academic) at above mentioned address clearly mentioning the course or Rs 125/- in cash at counter. Jun 12 Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Technology & Science, Patel Nagar, Dehradun 248001. Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) (F/T, P/T) Elig: Degree from any discipline with 50% agg (45% for P/T). Minimum Age 19 years. Selection Procedure: Entrance Test on June 19 ‘99. Appln Form: Send Rs 530/- by DD favouring “Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Technology & Science” payable at Dehradun or Rs 500/- in cash at counter. Jun 14 I.B. College (Affiliated to Kurukshetra University), Panipat Tel: 38259 Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) (3-yrs) Elig: 10+2 with 40% agg in Commerce or 50% agg in any other discipline. Selection Procedure: Academic record, interview and group discussion. Appln Form: Send Rs 325/- by DD favouring “Principal, I.B. College, Panipat” at above mentioned address or Rs 300/- in cash at counter. Caring (Career
Information & Guidance), New Delhi. |
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