EDUCATION

On-job training made mandatory
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 1— On-job training (OJT) will be provided to students of vocational education courses to give exposure to the real job work place under a set of guidelines of the University Grants Commission.

A subject schedule says that 60 days' training is mandatory. It can be conducted for 30 days each at the end of the first and second years. In case the college is following the semester system, four periods of OJT of two weeks each may be conducted after the end of the second, third, fourth and fifth semesters. Slight variations can be permitted to maintain the stipulated period of 60 days for training.

Letters in this regard have been forwarded to the universities and institutions by the UGC. The job of drafting guidelines for the course is under consideration.

In addition to the OJT, the students will be taken out for a day or two or more to institutions concerned for industrial familiarisation. The plan will be undertaken under the joint supervision of the college co-ordinator and supervisory personnel of the enterprise.

It has been said that institutions could establish workshop facilities on the campus for undertaking a variety of jobs for the neighbouring communities and individuals on the basis of services rendered, like repair of electronic gadgets.

The main objectives of the programme listed in a communication with Dr Deepak Manmohan, Dean College Development, Panjab University, is to familiarise students with the world of work. The experience will also acquaint them with ethos, culture, tasks, inter-personnel relationships of the work situation in an enterprise concerned with production.

The move also seeks to motivate learners for continuous upgrading of knowledge. The experience automatically ensures skills for production of goods which either come as wage or self- employment. About 15 per cent marks in the subject are likely to be kept aside for hands-on experience.

The guidelines ask for more laboratory practicals and workshop training either in the institutions or service sector. Different stages of the training include visits to institutions for familiarisation with equipment, materials and services. The training provides a chance for actual participation in the production of goods and services.

The guidelines ask the involvement of personnel from an enterprise right from the beginning in planning, execution and evaluation of the on-job-training. The college faculty in charge is expected to liaise with the personnel.

Homoeo students’ stir continues
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The agitation of the students of Homoeopathic Medical College, Sector 26, seeking the removal of the college principal entered its 13th day today. These students have been protesting against the dictatorial attitude of the college principal, Mr K.K Dhiman.

Ms Nidhi Dubey, Secretary of the ABVP unit of the college, has sought the intervention of the Chandigarh Administration to resolve the issue. In a release issued here today, she has stated that the Adviser to the UT Administrator, Mrs Vineeta Rai, had assured the students that appropriate steps would be taken to resolve the issue at the earliest, but no steps have been taken in this regard so far. She further said that students will put up their case before the fact-finding commitee and highlight the issues of harassment and victimisation of the students by the Principal.

Empty college on January 1
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, Jan 1 — No student turned up here at Government College when it reopened after the winter break today. The teachers had to sit idle in the absence of the students.

According to teachers, after their term-end tests, students probably did not go through the notice regarding the opening of the college on January 1. They further said since Punjabi University was following five-day week and the colleges affiliated to it had a six-day week, the colleges were to reopen on January 1 and the university on January 3.

It is learnt that a holiday was declared by the principals of almost all colleges affiliated to Punjabi University, Patiala, today.

Ms Satwant Juneja, Principal of the college, said, "I did not declare a holiday so that there should be no loss of studies as the students will return after vacations. Moreover, the students also do not show any interest in studies."

COURTS

Billa moves HC against dismissal
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Jan 1 — Controversy over the dismissal of President of the municipal council H.S.Billa has taken a new turn with Billa moving the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging political vendetta by the Badal Government behind his dismissal.

Prior to last the dismissal of Mr Billa, the Local Government Department had removed him from the gubernatorial post on October 26. Citing Section 25 of the Punjab Municipal Council Act 1911, the department had said that he had failed to hold the mandatory meeting of the council at least once a month.

On three earlier occasions, he had taken the legal recourse to return. This time again, he has moved the high court, again alleging false grounds for his removal. Mr Billa said his plea had been admitted in the high court and the date of hearing fixed for January 10.

In the case of delay in payment to Rattan and Rattan Associates, which led to the dismissal of Mr Billa, the role of the Executive Officer of the council had also come under scrutiny. Sources said the Executive Officer had been served a charge sheet by the Local Government Department in this case.

Gas agency’s appeal dismissed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission had dismissed with costs an appeal filed by Sunshine Gas Agency here against the District Forum’s order, directing the release of a connection to the complainant, earlier denied, as he had refused to purchase the hot plate.

Pronouncing the order, the President of the commission, Mr Justice J.B. Garg, along with members, Dr. P.K. Vasudeva and Mrs Devinderjit Dhatt observed : “The counsel for the appellant has made a futile attempt to challenge the findings of fact and has argued that the dealer is prepared to go and inspect the premises of Surjit Singh, the complainant, provided he fixes any time and date for the aforesaid purpose”.

The commission also observed: “It is not the case that the complainant or some other member of the family was not found. There is no evidence that the dealer deputed any particular person for formal checking of the hot plates at the premises of the consumer”.

The commission added: “The non-execution of the impugned order itself reflects upon the misconduct of the appellant dealer. The conclusion is that the appeal is hereby dismissed, with costs Rs 2,000”.

The complainant, Mr Surjit Singh, had earlier alleged that his gas connection was not being released as he was not purchasing the hot plate.

CULTURE

‘The film industry has not given me my due’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 1— "The Hindi film industry has never given me my rightful due, and today when people say that my voice still sounds the same, I tell them that it hasn't been used much," said playback singer Mubarak Begum. She shot into fame in the 50s and the 60s with hits like Kabhi tumko tanhiyan mein, hamari yaad aayegi, from the Tanuja-starrer film Hamari Yaad Aayegi and Mujhko apney galey laga lo from Humrahi.

Mubarak Begum was in town in connection with the New Year celebrations last night, at a hotel in Sector 10. Speaking to media-persons this morning, the 70-year-old singer seemed to travel through the "golden era of music" while reminiscing the days of her youth.

Born in Rajasthan, Mubarak Begum got into Hindi films because of her "Abbaji" — Nazir Hussain's love for films, where he would take his little daughter regularly. She got formal training from Rizuddin Karim and Samad Karim, both nephews of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. "But I was later told that if I have to get into films, then classical music would not have to be pursued for long,"

Her journey into the field of music started with the All India Radio, Bombay, after which an uncle of hers introduced her to Jadan Bai, mother of Nargis. Mubarak Begum's break came with Phoolan Key Haar , starring Geeta Bali, in which she sang eight songs.

Commenting on the music of today, she said, "The days of singing disappeared long back. Today you can hear only the music and the instruments. Rest, in between one sometimes gets to hear a crow-like voice cawing to give the semblance of a song".

She further added that in all ages the music industry has had its own little "groups", because of which only certain people could survive. Hinting at the Mangeshkar sisters, Mubarak Begum said, 'Halwai se bair hain, halwai ki mithai se nahin' and added that both Asha Bhonsle and Lata Mangeshkar were her favourites.

She also said, "Music producers in our times never had the confidence to do it on their own, and thought that they needed the names of the already established ones. So work kept on becoming scarce for the likes of us." When asked about her last film, Mubarak Begum said, 'I do not remember."

Listing her favourite stars she said with a glint in her eyes that in today's era she rated the Khan trio of Shahrukh, Salman and Amir, as the best. Amongst the old timers Mubarak Begum said, "I have always like Yusuf Saheb and Amitabh Bachchan. Nobody can replace the two".

And female actors? "Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Suchitra Sen, Madhuri Dixit and Kajol", she said.

Meanwhile, this singer who has sung for some 250-odd films is now not engaged in any playback singing and sticks only to live concerts.

"Nobody asks me to sing for any films today, and also I myself would not want to be involved in the kind of artificial singing going on today."

Ms Millennium, Ms Cute Face
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 1 — Ms Manmeet, a student of ancient history at Panjab University campus here, was crowned Ms Millennium at a cultural programme-cum-beauty contest organised by Gulmohar Arts here today. Ms Malwinder won the Ms Millennium Cute Face title. Mr Amarpreet Singh was declared Mr Millennium, while the best Millennium Couple award went to Mr and Mrs Harish Khanna.

The programme comprised dances, acting and an informal beauty contest. The main attraction of the programme was Surinder from Mumbai who, with his mono acting, was a hit.