EDUCATION

Students burn effigies
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The effigies of the principal, secretary and President of the managing committee of Homoeopathic Medical College, Sector 26 were burnt in front of the college gate by agitating students of the college this afternoon.

The chain fast started by students entered its fifth day today with another group of students sitting on the strike. In a press release issued here today, Mr Alok Garg, president of the ABVP unit of the campus, criticised the “biased attitude” of the Administration, who despite repeated requests had not tried to resolve the matter. He also condemned the indifference shown by the Deputy Commissioner, “who was apprised of the prevailing situation but failed to take any action”. He further alleged that the report of the fact-finding committee was totally ignored by the management.

The elected representatives of the student bodies of Government College, Sector 46, SGGS Khalsa College, Sector 26 and DAV College, Sector 10, assured the protesting students all possible support in their ongoing agitation.

The ABVP students also condemned the Secretary of the management, Mr C.L Dhamija, for “misleading” everyone on the issue of the eligibility of the principal, Mr K.K Dhiman. Both state and the central council of homoeopathy found Dr Dhiman ineligible as Principal as is evident from the correspondence of these two councils, the release added.

Dhanwantry society sacks chief
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — In a sudden development, members of the Shri Dhanwantry Educational Society, in their managing committee meeting, have removed Mr Venod Sharma, a former Union Minister, from the post of the President of the society.

Dr D.K. Gupta, one of the founder members of the society, has been elected President in his place. Mr R.K. Garg has been elected Secretary in place of Dr R.D. Gupta.

The resolution was passed by a majority of 17 members out of 22 on January 2 under Rule 12 of the society. Dr Nirmal Bhatia, Vice-President, said this decision had to be taken in view of the deteriorating condition, falling academic standards, maladministration, indiscipline and financial irregularities in the functioning of Dhanwantry Ayurvedic Medical College.

In the resolution, members observed: "Since Mr Venod Sharma, President of the society, has lost the confidence of members of the society, he ceases to the President with immediate effect."

Ms Bhatia said the resignation of Dr R.D. Gupta was also accepted with immediate effect. Dr Gupta had submitted his resignation on medical grounds in 1998. It was taken up in meetings but he was asked to continue.

The decisions were ratified at the meeting of the society, by a majority of 15 members, on January 14. Members condemned the "unparliamentary behaviour" of a member at the last meeting in December, in the presence of Mr Sharma. They said such members should be removed from the society.

A copy of the resolutions has been sent to the Registrar Firms and Societies and Panjab University for information.

The committee, constituted by the Panjab University Syndicate, had earlier directed students of this college to deposit their fees with the university cashier due to financial irregularities. It had also suggested that staff members who did not meet eligibility criteria should be relieved for some time to acquire the desired qualifications.

The staff should be paid salaries in accordance with the University Grants Commission, it had added. It had directed the committee to take an annual fee of Rs 52,000 from each student. The students were earlier depositing Rs 2.27 lakh at the beginning of the course in the first year.

Money for Student Centre
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — Money has been sanctioned for the extension of Students Centre at Panjab University, according to a press note.

The amount was given by Mr Satya Pal Jain, a former MP, out of the Local Area Development Fund, in August, 1998. He said he was told by the Deputy Commissioner that the project would cost Rs 9.37 lakh.

Out of the amount, Rs 7.02 lakh had already been released. The remaining amount will be released by the administration in due course, while watching the progress on the project.

Mr Jain said the university had been asked to take up the work immediately. June 2000 has been marked the last date for its completion. The university is expected to send monthly progress report to the government.

Group song, skit competitions
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — An inter-school skit and group song competition on books and libraries was held at St John’s School, Sector 26, here today. The programme was held as part of the Competition Master Library Related Competitions-1999, being organised by the Chandigarh Librarians Association (CLA) in collaboration with different educational institutions of the city.

The function was presided over by Mr D.S. Saroya, Director Public Instructions(DPI), UT. Results: Inter school group song, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35 (1); St Stephen’s School, Sector 45 (2); Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 45 (3), inter school skit competition: St John’s High School, Sector 26 (1); Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35 (2); Little Flower School, Panchkula (3)

Class VIII exams from Feb 8
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Middle Examination of Class VIII will begin on February 8. This has been announced by the Education Department, UT.

The pattern of question papers of three subjects — English, Hindi and Social Studies — have been changed from this year. The English question paper has been changed only for the model schools.

This year the question paper and the answer sheet would be the same, and the answers would have to be marked on the question paper itself. The students of model schools will not be able to take the question paper back with them.

The type of questions pertaining to grammar in the subject of Hindi have already been decided, whereas in the subject of Social Studies the number of questions in the question paper will be decided at a later stage.

COURTS

Plaintiff alleges harassment
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — In a replication submitted in the suit against Mr Charanjit Singh — Political Secretary to Punjab Co-operative Minister R.S. Brahmpura, besides another defendant, Sector 15 tenant Baljit Singh today alleged that the purpose of deploying the security in the house was to pressurise him into vacating the premises.

Claiming harassment, the plaintiff stated that “no such security was provided to the political secretary of a minister”. Alleging interference in the possession, he added that “due to ulterior motive” a tent had been pitched in the back yard near the plaintiff’s kitchen.

Denying the allegations of pressurising and threatening the plaintiff by posting police personnel, Mr Charanjit Singh, along with another defendant, had, on the last date of hearing, stated that the security had been provided to him by the Punjab state.

In a written statement to the suit for restraining the defendants from interfering in “the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the premises”, Mr Charanjit Singh’s counsel had also stated that the plaintiff could not question the grant of security essential for the safety of the defendant.

Earlier, in his civil suit, Baljit Singh had also asked for directions to the defendants “to remove all the security personnel deployed at the main gate or anywhere on the ground floor.”

His counsel had alleged that the plaintiff, on December 8 last year, was not allowed to enter the premises by the security personnel. He was not even allowed to park the car inside the house. The personnel, “at the instance of the defendants”, had also used filthy and abusive language, he alleged.

Defendants summoned in Nevedac case
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — On an application by the Managing Director of Nevedac Prosthetic Centre, Dr V.J.S. Vohra, for directions to a respondent to allow bank operations, the UT Civil Judge (Junior Division), Mr A.K. Bishnoi, today permitted the summoning of certain defendants for tomorrow through munadi and fixation.

The counsel for Dr Vohra stated that the summons were being avoided by certain defendants. He subsequently submitted an application seeking permission to deposit the munadi fee in the interest of justice.

Dr Vohra, in his application, had earlier sought directions for restraining Hardavin Vohra and other respondents from interfering in the smooth functioning of the centre. Directions to the respondents against “instigating the employees of the Centre” were also asked for.

The plaintiff further sought declaration to the effect that the appointment of any defendant as an additional director was illegal, nonest and bad in the eye of law. He also asked for restraining such defendants from acting as director of the centre.

Claiming great hardship for employees of the centre, Dr Vohra stated that the bank, in utter violation of the court orders, has stopped the operations after a letter was written by certain defendants.

He added that the employees would not be paid their salaries as a result.

CULTURE

Saigal remembered with fondness
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Environment Society of India today morning organised K.L. Saigal Commemoration function at the Government Museum, Sector 10, on the 53rd death anniversary of this singer.

The function was inaugurated by Mr Pran Neville, a former diplomat and author of several books, including a biography of K.L. Saigal. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Neville urged the government of India to confer the Bharat Ratna Award on Saigal and also requested the Chandigarh Administration as well as the Punjab and the Haryana Governments to build a Saigal auditorium in the city.

Mrs Arvind K. Sharma, Principal of the Gandharv Mahavidaylaya, sang Raga Bhairavi, one of K.L. Saigal’s favourite raga, with excellent support from tabla and sarangi players.

An audio cassette of Bengali songs of Saigal was released by a three-year-old Bengali child, Sayen Dey, who later sang ‘Eklukh Chhonya Lagey’, and won a thunderous applause from the audience.

The number of entries for K.L. Saigal Bengali songs was 50, and the number of entries for Hindi songs was 18. The elderly people who participated in today’s function included J.S. Grewal, Bhupinder Singh, Radha Chopra, R.S. Chopra, and Jatinder Singh Khanna.

The society today also honoured 30 Bengali and 15 Punjabi children for rendering their musical tributes to this great singer.

PU gears up for youth festivals
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — Panjab University and adjoining colleges are gearing up for youth festivals on different platforms shortly.

An inter-college cultural festival will be organised by the local DAV College on a large scale. Dean Youth Affairs, Dr Nirmal Dutt said events would be organised on January 20, 21 and 22.

Fifty four colleges, including those affiliated to Panjab University and even from Haryana, have been invited for the festival.The main contests on the first two days will feature vocal and instrumental music.

Other main contests in the cultural festival include one act plays and bhangra.