EDUCATION

PU research scholars await grant
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — First year research scholars in Panjab University are facing trying times as the university is yet to release the scholarship grant.

Even after about 10 months of the work beginning on several projects, the grant is yet to come. Applications were submitted to the university following an advertisement in August, 1999.

Students, on an average, receive more than Rs 3000 per month. Some researchers, particularly those in hostels, are facing difficulties in clearing hostel and mess accounts.

Highly placed sources in the PU Administration conceded that the release of grants had been delayed. There have been slight changes in the procedure for release of grants. Earlier, those who figured on the merit list of the entrance examination were given the grants.

Students are scuttling between research guides and campus officials. As one guide can manage only a small number of scholars at a time, there were chances of several students being left out. Students complain of lack of clarity of the overall picture and procedures, if any.

Under the changed rules, the UGC scholarship aspirants have to apply to the department where they seek to pursue their research. Following interviews, the departments would send the names of deserving candidates to the university authorities who would forward the list to the UGC.

An official said that the change in procedure had delayed the results. There are 27 departments in all. Under the changed procedure, only those candidates who make it in the interviews would get grant from the university. Others can try their luck elsewhere.

The problem also persists with the research scholars who have entered fifth year in their work. Earlier, the university allowed the research work to continue with payment of additional grants. But, following a September 1999 circular, students were informed that no extension would be given. This made two students liable for huge payments incurred in the fifth year. One spent Rs 51, 313 while the other demanded Rs 32, 245.

‘Declare education fundamental right’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — Mr V. Ramswaroop, Senior Advocate of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has advocated that education should be made compulsory and included in the fundamental rights.

Addressing a seminar oganised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) here today, he said the primary education should of patriotic type as was the case in several other countries. The right to information should be provided to all and justice given to all at the earliest and at the minimum cost, he said.

Though there had been over 80 amendments to the Constitution, yet the problems still persisted largely due to the improper implementation, he said, adding that several articles were not relevant today.

The BJYM President, Mr Satinder Singh, while stressing the need for patriotism among the youth, regretted that the Constitution had failed to fulfil the expectations of the countrymen.

Tributes were paid to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 103rd birth anniversary.

Prominent among those present were Mr Dharam Paul Gupta, BJP President, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, a former Mayor, Mr Shakti Prakash Devshali, BJYM General Secretary, and Mr Sanjeev Chadda, BJYM Vice-President.

Students' fast enters second day
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — The fast unto death started by two students of Homoeopathic Medical College, Sector 26, entered its second day today.

The two students, who have been agitating against the "dictatorial and indifferent" attitude of the management for the past 35 days, will continue to do so till their demands are met. They have lost about 1 kg each.

Ms Priya Sareen, Joint Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), has warned the Administration of dire consequences if something unfortunate happens. She has condemned Mr R.P. Joshi and Mr C.L. Dhamija, President and Secretary of the management, respectively, for protecting the misdeeds of the Principal, who has been "victimising" students for the past nine years. She has threatened that more students will go on fast if the authorities concerned do not intervene at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Working Committee of the local unit of the ABVP, in a meeting held today, have unanimously resolved to come out on the roads if the Principal of the college is not removed till January 25. They have also condemned the behaviour of the Deputy Commissioner towards the students.

Representatives of the ABVP will highlight the commercialisation of education from tomorrow. Office-bearers from various colleges and the university have expressed solidarity with the students of the college.

Cultural activity competitions
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Jan 23 — The Lions Club Kharar organised an inter-school cultural activity competitions at the APJ Public School, Mundi Kharar, yesterday in which as many as 12 schools participated. The competitions were held in connection with the Republic Day celebrations. Mr Rajbir Singh Padiala, Vice-president, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal was the chief guest, according to a press note issued here today.

The results: Group A: solo song — Sangam Kaushal of Henderson Jubilee School, Kharar, 1 and Pushpinder Kaur of Nanak Jyoti Public School, Mundi Kharar, 2; solo dance — Devinder Singh of Henderson Girls High School, Kharar,1 and Sukhdeep Kaur of Indian Public School, Kharar, 2; group song — SN Public High School, Kharar, 1 and Henderson Girls High School, Kharar, 2; group dance — APJ Public School, 1 and Henderson Jubilee School, 2.

Group B: solo song — Basantpreet Kaur of Henderson Jubilee School 1 and Randeep Kaur of Henderson Girls High School 2; solo dance — Ranjit Kaur of Henderson Girls High School, Anamika of Tagore Neketan Model High School, Kharar, and Raghbir Singh of Giandeep Senior Secondary School, Kharar; group song — Vikram Public High School, Kharar, 1; group dance — Giandeep Senior Secondary School 1 and Henderson Girls High School 2.

COURTS

Directive on board meeting
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — Disposing of a petition filed by the “managing director” of the Nevadic Prosthetic Centre, Dr V.J.S. Vohra, the Company Law Board’s Principal Bench at New Delhi has directed that “without seeking modification from the Civil Court of its earlier order, no meeting of the Board will be held unless all the three directors are present”.

Pronouncing the orders, the Law Board observed “...at the time of death of Colonel D.S. Vohra, there were three directors... The civil court has specifically directed that all decisions of the Board would be taken by passing resolution to that effect by the meeting held by all three original directors of the company”.

The Board further observed: “In view of this, all resolutions passed by the Board of Directors without the presence of any of the three will have no validity”.

The Board added: “Since the first and the second respondent (Ms Baljit Kaur Vohra and Ms Hardavin Vohra) have held a Board meeting on their own without the presence of the first petitioner (Dr Vohra) on May 3, 1999 wherein various resolutions have been passed including distribution of the shares held by late Col. D.S. Vohra and appointment of Lt. Col. K.J.S. Vohra as an additional director and have also held another meeting on December 13, 1999 without the presence of first petitioner appointing Mr C.S. Vohra as an additional director, we declare that none of the resolutions in these meetings is valid and legal and as such the company will not act on these resolutions”.

CULTURE

50 take part in dance dhamaka
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — About 50 boys and girls in the age group of eight to 22 years participated in a programme, Dance Dhamaka 2000, organised by the Citi Entertainment Network at Tagore Theatre here this evening.

The programme was inaugurated by Wg Cdr S.S. Gyani (retd), Director, Saint Soldier Divine Public School, Panchkula. The various entries that came from the city and also from the surrounding areas, were divided into two categories — eight to 13 years and 14 to 22 years.

With the girls outnumbering the boys in the contest today, that ran for several hours, the evening turned out to be an entertaining show of songs and dances of both old and new numbers.

The judges for the contest were Mr Balkar Sidhu, Mr Bhushan Sood and Mrs Jyoti.

A glimpse into French culture
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 23 — Alliance Francaise, Sector 36, was bustling with activity this morning as around 50 little visitors between the ages of 5 and 14 attended the field trip to the institute, organised by the Go Bananas Kids Club.

The children were given an insight into France and its culture, traditions etc. A quick fun time quiz on French monuments at the exhibition of photographs by an artist Chirdeep, currently on display at the Alliance Art Gallery was also held.

This was followed by a visual treat as they saw a short film for kids. Last, but not the least, the kids had a great time outdoors where they were taught to play petanque, the popular French game with heavy metal balls.