PUTA plans dharna on Oct 18
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 13 — Executive members of the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) will stage a dharna at the venue of the Senate meeting on October 18 to demand enhanced representation of the university teachers in the university Senate.

In a release note issued here, the President of PUTA has pointed out that at present, the number of university teachers in the Senate is far below the representation of other categories proportionately. The issues which the Senate takes up and the academic deliberations revolve more around the university teachers and a lesser representation to them would adversely affect the academic growth of the university.

Members have also demanded immediate release of arrears because a period of nearly four years has passed from the date of implementation of new grades. They will also press for the immediate implementation of a viable pension scheme. Few other demands include immediate processing of pending CAS applications and acceptance of feeder grade as per the UGC guidelines, rectification of errors in pay fixation, resolution of long-pending anomalies, elimination of gender discrimination against women employees in the reimbursement of medical bills of their dependents, construction of more houses and proper maintenance of existing houses.

SFI meeting: The local unit of the Students Federation of India (SFI) at a meeting held here on Wednesday took certain decisions. According to Jagmeet Singh, Secretary of the SFI, a seminar on " Privatisation and commercialisation of education'' will be held on October 26 on the campus. Dr Harjinder Singh will present a paper on this topic. It has also been decided to organise cultural programmes and Natak mela in the university campus in November. The decision of Punjabi University, Patiala, to hike the fee was condemned as a step towards commercialisation and privatisation of education. It was decided to extend support to the students of the university in their struggle against the fee hike.

Tamas reflects bhisham's life
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 13 — Reflection of personal life is central to Tamas, said noted author Bhisham Sahni at a function in his honour at Punjab Kala Bhavan here this evening.

The much-acclaimed work draws characters from real life. Personal bonding made a big difference in presentation and even response. One real-life character was fictionalised into having died. However, its identity was so visible in the words that an old-timer wrote from Patna that the character was still alive in Ambala.

The award-winning book was written in 1972-73. Sahni went to visit Bhivandi near Mumbai with his brother Balraj Sahni, noted film actor, where a massacre took place. "The sight revived old visions of the India-Pakistan division and the book came up," he said

"I feel for Punjab from the core of my heart although I am not based here currently. A lot of pre-Partition days were spent in Pakistan. In fact, I am proud to be from Punjab. But times have changed," he said on an emotional note.

He said the days of the Indian freedom struggle had their distinct character. His brother Balraj Sahni did not carry on with the family business which disturbed his father. Balraj went to various places and joined radio stations and theatre which kept him away from home.

Bhisham Sahni who was sent by the father to look for his brother also got deeply involved in the pursuit of literature. He joined the popular theatre group,PTA. Disappointed, the father came to Mumbai, but after watching one of his shows, he said with a sigh of contention, "If this is what you are doing then I have no objections"

When questioned by a member of the audience about comments on design on a literary creation, Bhisham said,"The heart makes the story and not scheme. In the process of carrying on design, the end result is compiled and presented to readers. Presentation of human values and its influence on the reader is indispensible for the value of any creation."

Banana, papaya dearer
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 13 — Banana, papaya and golden variety of apple have become costlier in the local market during the past four days.

Except for these fruits, there was no major fluctuation in fruit prices. The price of papaya jumped from Rs 15 to Rs 20 a kg in the local market and from Rs 12 to Rs 15 in the wholesale market.

A dozen of banana, priced between Rs 15 and 16 a few days back, could be purchased for Rs 20 today. Its wholesale price went up from Rs 110 to Rs 125 per 100 pieces as there were lesser arrivals from Maharashtra.

Though there was no change in the prices of Kinnaur and delicious varieties of apple, 'golden' variety became costlier as its price rose from Rs 30 to Rs 40 a kg. The wholesale price increased from Rs 400 to Rs 550 per 17 kg pack. Delicious and Kinnaur varieties were priced at Rs 25 and Rs 50 a kg, respectively, during this period.

Grapes could be purchased for Rs 70 a kg in retail and for Rs 150 per 2.5 kg in the wholesale market. Cheekoo was available for Rs 40 a kg in retail and for Rs 200 per 8 to 10 kg pack in the wholesale market. Orange was priced at Rs 50 per dozen in retail and at Rs 450 per 11 dozen in the wholesale market.

The price of mausambi came down during this period. A dozen of the fruit, priced at Rs 60 for the past two days, could be purchased for Rs 50 today. The wholesale price came down from Rs 120 to Rs 100 per three dozen.

GMHS-28, GMSSS-22 score wins
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Oct 13 — Government Model High School, Sector 28, and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, scored wins over Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, respectively, in the UT inter-school football (under-14) tournament being played at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, here today. Both teams won 1-0.

In handball, GMHS-37 and DAVSS-8 will meet in the final of the under-17 section, while DAVSSS-8 will take on SGGSS-35 in under-14 section final. In the semi-finals, GMHS-37 defeated SGGSS-35 21-20 and DAVSSS-8 trounced GMSSS-19 12-1.

Results — football (u-14): GMHS-28 b GMSSS-21 1-0:GMHS-29 b GMSSS-40 1-0; GMHS-26 b GSSS-38 4-0; GMSSS-22 b GMSSS-23 1-0; handball (u-19): GMSSS-23 b GSSS-38 (w) 19-05; (u-14): DAVSSS-8 b GNPS-36 8-6; SGGSSS-35 b GMSSS-19 10-8; (u-17): DAVSSS-8 b GMSSS-19 12-1; GMHS-37 b SGGSS-35 21-20.

SPS teams win: Hosts Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, surged ahead in under-14, under-17 and under-19 sections in the UT inter-school volleyball tournament.

In basketball, SPS-41 and DAVSSS-8 scored easy wins. In kho-kho, being played at SGGSS-35, the hosts entered the final of the under-17 section.

Results — volleyball (u-14): GMHS-26 b GMHS-36; SN-22 b GMSSS-33; GHS-7 b SGGSS-35; SPS-41 b SGHMS-38; (u-17): SPS-41 b GHS-29; DAVSSS-8 b GHS-40; GMSSS-19 b GHS-26; GMSSS-19 b GHS-22; (u-19): DAVSSS-8 b SN-22; SDPS-32 b GMSSS-22; SPS-41 b GSSS-27; SGGS-35 b GMSSS-19.

Basketball: (u-14): AKSIPS-41 b GSSS-45 26-0; NPS-18 b GNPS 37-2; (u-19): DAVSSS-8 b GNPS-36 97-26; GMSSS-20 b GMSSS-19 31-26; (u-17): GMHS-26 b SN-22 34-6; DAVPS-8 b BV-27 32-12; DAVMS-15 b St Stephen's-45 51-10.

Kho-kho — (u-14): GHS-30 b GHS-38 by four points; GHS-32 b GNSSS-30-B by 22 points; SGGSSS-35 b GHS-35 by one turn and one point; GHS-29-B b GHS, Dadu Majra by one turn and five points; (u-17) semi-finals: GHS-32 b GMSSS-37-B by one turn and ten points; SGGSS-35 b GHS-35 -D by one turn and three points.

Football championship: The Chandigarh Football Association will organise the Chandigarh senior women football championship for Deepak Kapania memorial trophy from October 18 to 22 at Football Stadium, Sector 17, according to Mr Ravinder Talwar, President of the association. He said 30 probables would be selected prior to their participation in the national championship. Entries close on October 16.

Volleyball tourney: The second CBSE volleyball tournament (Cluster XI) will begin tomorrow at SD Public School, Sector 32, according to Mr L.V. Sehgal, Principal of the school. Five girls' and 12 boys' teams will participate. Mr Yog Raj Sachdeva, Regional Officer (CBSE), will inaugurate the tournament.

Cricket tournament: The Lions Club International Region (VIII and IX) will hold the first Lions trophy cricket tournament in the under-16 boys section in the third week of October. Entries close on October 18.

J.C. Gupta: The Sports Department, UT Administration, posted Mr J.C. Gupta, Senior Assistant (officiating as superintendent) as Incharge, Shooting Range, Sector 25, as a stop-gap arrangement on administrative grounds.