EDUCATION

Roll nos. for middle exam dispatched
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Feb 14 — For the middle class examination of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) beginning March 1, the roll numbers of the regular candidates have been dispatched.

An official of the board said the roll numbers of the regular candidates were dispatched by trucks to the 21 book depots of the board. The authorities of the respective schools have been asked to collect the roll numbers of their candidates from the depot concerned between February 16 and 22. The roll numbers of the private candidates had already been sent by post on February 3.

In case the private candidate does not get their roll numbers by February 28, he can contact the officials at the depot concerned to get the duplicate roll number. The schedule of the middle class examination is as follows: March 1 — English; March 2 — first Language ( Punjabi/Hindi/Urdu); March 3 — second language (Punjabi/Hindi/Urdu); March 6 — mathematics; March 7 — Sanskrit (additional language); March 9 — social studies; and March 11 — science (theory).

The date sheet of the class X examination is as under: English (March 13); other languages (March 14); Punjab A/ Punjab History and Culture-A (March 15); health science — open school ( March 16); maths/music (voice)/stitching and sewing (March 18); social studies (March 22); home science/ music (instrumental) — open school/ home science, deaf and dumb (March 24); Science/ music (tabla) /drawing (March 25); Punjab-B/Punjabi history and Culture-B (March 27); Agriculture — open school (March 28); Hindi/ Urdu (in place of Hindi)/drawing (March 29).

The date sheet for the 10+2 examination commencing on March 18 is as under: General English (March 18); maths (March 22); general Punjabi/Punjab history and culture (March 24); elements of electronic engineering (March 25); physics (March 27); computer application (March 28); geography (March 29); chemistry/economics (March 30); agriculture (March 31); biology (April 1); zoology (April 3); home science for girls only (April 4); Sanskrit (April 15).

Humanities Group — General English (March 18); maths (March 22); general Punjabi/Punjab history and culture ( March 24); rural development and environment/ music (instrumental) (March 25); history (March 27); psychology / computer application (March 28); geography/music (tabla) — March 29; economics /Gurbani music (March 30); other languages (March 31); political science (April 1); public administration/insurance (April 3), home science only for girls (April 4); physical education and sports ( April 5); religion/history and appreciation of arts (April 6); sociology (April 7); philosophy/ geometrical prospective and architectural design (April 8); education (April 10) ; business organisation and management/music vocal (April 11); Sanskrit /Arabic/Persian/ German and Russian (April 15); dance and book keeping and accountancy (April 17)

The Commerce Group examination will begin on March 18. The date sheet is as follows: general English (March 18); business administration (March 22); general Punjabi/ Punjabi history and culture (March 24); accountancy (March 27) theory practical and management (March 29); economics (March 30); management (April 1); Insurance (April 3).

A spokesman of the board said that all roll numbers would be dispatched by February 20.

PU staff unclear on retirement age
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 14 — Uncertainty prevails among Panjab University non-teaching staff following a decision to reduce their retirement age from 62 to 60.

A university circular on February 8 had asked 10 officials to vacate their posts.

An official from the Sports Department, Dr Ajmer Singh, is yet to leave the department, sources said. He is believed to have written to the Vice-Chancellor, saying that his post did not come under the category of non-teaching staff.

The resolution of the PU Senate in the circular says: "Enhancement of the age of retirement of the non-teaching employees of the university from 60 to 62 be not implemented till the approval from the Government of India was received".

A section of the employees has asked for clarification on which employees fell in this category. Mr Ashok Goyal, a Fellow, had asked whether the Registrar, the Finance and Development Officer and the Controller of Examination were being considered in the category of teachers.

Officials feel that the circular could have been specific about the categorisation of non-teaching section employees.

Interestingly, a Government of India's letter to the Registrar of Jawaharlal University says: "The benefit of enhanced age of superannuation of 62 years is available only to teachers and registrars, joint registrars, deputy registrars, assistant registrars, librarian, deputy librarians and assistant librarians".

The list also includes the director of physical education, deputy director, finance officer and controller of examination.

The staff have demanded a clarification and a clear written provision on the staff structure and various categories. A large section of them expressed anger regarding the way 10 officials were served information for their job's termination after the Senate decision. Knocking the doors of people who have served the institution at night is definitely ungracious, they feel.

University teachers seek payment of arrears
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Feb 14 — The All-India Federation of University Teachers’ Association (AIFUTA) has demanded the payment of arrears on account of pay revision in cash to the university teachers, a press release said here today.

Memoranda have been sent by AIFUTA to the Union Minister of Human Resources and Development, Mr M.M. Joshi, University Grants Commission Chairman, Prof Hari Gautam, and Education Secretary, Mr M.K. Kao, urging them to direct the state governments to make the payment, it said.

The AIFUTA national council at its meeting held at Hyderabad has lamented the fact that though the state governments were being paid 80 per cent of the expenditure on account of pay revision with effect from January 1, 1996, they were showing reluctance to pass on the money to the teachers. The HRD Minister had, earlier, assured the payment of arrears in cash in a single installment.

The AIFUTA also demanded at its meeting amendments in the statutes of universities to ensure more representation to the university teachers in governing bodies such as the Syndicate and Senate, incentives for post-doctoral research, implementation of enhancement in retirement age from 60 to 62 years in all the universities, transparency and openness in selection process and notification of modalities for placement in the super selection grade for professors.

The North Zone Council of AIFUTA will be meeting in Chandigarh on February 20 to consider the further course of action if the state governments of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K continue with the delay in the cash payment of arrears, the press note said.

Teacher awaits award money
By Sonoo Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 14 — While three school teachers who were given UT State Awards in 1999 and seven in the year 1998 are yet to receive their award money, an awardee for the year 1994 also happens to be in this queue, waiting to receive the same.

Mrs Surjit Kaur Brar, a former principal of IS Dev Samaj Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, who retired in August 1997, was given the State Award in 1994. The UT State Award for teachers includes a silver medal, Rs 1,500 on the spot and a sum of Rs 5,000 later or an extension of one year in the service. The cash prize money of Rs 5,000 is what Mrs Brar is still waiting for.

It was as per a policy of the Education Department, dated August 5, 1996, vide letter no DPI UT-SI-26133/88, that the decision to give one year extension had been removed. Meanwhile, Mrs Brar was given one-year extension by the school management, “which has nothing to do with the State Award”, she informed. As per sources, a total of five teachers were to get with State Awards that year.

According to Mrs Brar, she was asked to produce four affidavits declaring that she had been the principal of the said school and had won the award and had also not availed the cash prize money. “Despite repeated reminders, nobody seems to acknowledge the fact that justice has not been done”.

An order passed by the UT Education Department, requesting the District Education Officer (DEO) to draw an amount of Rs 5,000 and disburse the same to Mrs Brar was passed on August 12, 1999, but till date nothing has been done.

The former Principal added, “Earlier I was told that the money had been accounted for under wrong ‘heads’ because of which it failed to reach me. But what I do not understand what the problem could be now that I have not produced one but four affidavits that were asked for”.

Meanwhile, officials of the Education Department say that the matter would be sorted out at the earliest.

The conditions that have been laid down for recommendation for the State Award include a “spotless service” as a class-room teacher for 10 years and in case of heads of schools the teaching experience is required to be a minimum of 15 years. The teachers also require to have earned three outstanding reports in the last five years and the remaining two ACRs are needed to be either ‘very good’ or ‘outstanding’. Also, the results for the last five years of the teachers should be above the board’s or departmental’s pass percentage. In case of heads of institutions the results of the school as well as personal should also be above the board or departmental pass percentage.

In addition, the eligible teachers also need to prepare a file that states all the above besides, number of co-curricular activities organised; social community and service rendered; number of seminars and in-service courses attended; experimental innovations; publications if any and service in rural areas.

School annual day celebrated
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Feb 14 — Great fanfare marked the annual-day celebrations of JPA Public School and Toddlers Club Preparatory School in Sector 10, here today.

Named Blossoms, the programme brought out the talents of young children to the fore. Colourful musical items, including Little Red Riding Hood, Akbar and Birbal and Sita Swayamvar, were presented by children with vivacity.

Parents applauded their children throughout the performances. The Principal of the school, Ms Neena Atray, read out the annual report and informed the parents that expansion of the school was to be undertaken in the coming session in a big way. She also said the school would adopt computerisation and innovative methods of teaching as well.

COURTS

Order recalled in PPSC Chairman’s case
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 14 — Recalling an order directing the summoning of Punjab Public Service Commission Chairman Ravinderpal Singh Sidhu through publication in a suit for recovery filed by the Life Insurance Corporation, the UT Civil Judge (Junior Division) Mr Mahender Singh, today fixed March 22 as the next date of hearing.

Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Civil Judge observed: “File taken up today on an application under Section 151 CPC for recalling order dated February 4, 2000, moved by the defendant. Since the defendants have appeared in the court, therefore, there is no need of summoning them through publication. Hence, the order dated February 4, 2000, is recalled. Publication if any issued, be recalled immediately”.

Issuing the orders of summoning through publication, the Civil Judge, it may be recalled, had observed: “It appears that the defendant cannot be served through ordinary process of summoning. Let he be summoned through publication in newspaper The Tribune for March 22”.

Seeking the recall of the order, the defendant, in his application, had earlier stated that the applicant was “ready and willing to pay the amount claimed in the suit”.

His counsel had stated: “Though the amount claimed in the suit is not legally due, the applicant is ready and willing to pay the said amount to the plaintiff provided the plaintiff hands over the original papers of the house to the applicant in the court to settle the issue once and for all”.

Earlier, LIC, in the suit for recovery, had stated that Rs 3,68,987 was due from the defendants. The corporation had stated that the defendants “had failed to keep insurance policies in force which they had assigned as collateral security for repayment of loan amount and also committed default in regular payment of loan installment...”

The counsel for LIC had added that the defendants had applied for a loan of Rs 205,000 for purchasing a 532.80 square yard house in Sector 10 here.

CULTURE

Kite-flying to fame
By Kamal Preet Kaur

“Kite-flying taan saade khoon di ik ik boond vich hai," says internationally renowned kite-flying champion of Punjab Jaswant Singh. Hailing from Amritsar, Jaswant was recently in the city for the Basant celebrations, organised by the Environment Society of India.

Kite-flying is a hobby of this employee of Khalsa College, Amritsar. He is not only a champion kite flyer but also a kite maker. He has made various kinds of kites: a box kite, a snake kite, a fish kite and an aeroplane kite, to mention a few.

He started flying kites in his early childhood. He is a member of the Qila Kite Club, Amritsar, since 1964. It is because of his efforts that this club is now internationally known. Many foreigners come to meet him and learn the art of flying kites.

Mr Singh perfected the skill of under the guidance of Ustaad Mohan Lal Lahoria, a well-known kite flyer from Lahore. "Our club does not recognise a flyer unless he has some ustaad for himself. The ustaad tradition is very strong," he says.

Disappointed with the kite flying scenario in Chandigarh, he says,"Itthe taan kise nu kite flying baare kucch nahin pata, na hi flyers nun te nan hi organisers nu." Even kite-flying has some rules and regulations, but Chandigarh people are not aware of it, he grudges.

He is a four-stick kite specialist, the 'tukal' kite, which he says is most difficult to manoeuvre. He had once made a giant 'tukal', 7'x8', in size. He is proud to be the first man in the history of kite-flying in Punjab, who doesn't use his hands in any way during kite-flying. "I just use my chakri, and I am the only one doing so," he says proudly.

This champion, without any sponsorship from the state or the union government, has a long list of laurels to his credit. He has participated in two international kite-flying competitions in Kabul (1981) and Pakistan (1993) and many competitions within the country.

He was the winner of the contest organised by 'Topaz'. An entire chapter is devoted to this man, in a book 'A Kite Journey Through India' by Tal Streeter.

An annual report of the Singapore Kite Festival, also mentions him as a champion of Punjab. He gets a copy of this report every year. The Japan Kite Association has sent him a momento and literature on kite-flying in Japan.

Sheer passion has lead him on and on with kite flying. He has a collection of imported kites, kite flying equipment from various parts of India and a large number of books on kite flying.

He has also got 'kite' engraved on his gold ring.

"Mere ghar da gate vi kite di shape da hai," he says with a chuckle.

Sufi at heart, pop on demand
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 14 — Hans Raj Hans, a celebrated exponent of Punjabi Sufiana music, said his latest album Chorni was doing very well and had been received well in the world of Punjabi pop music.

Talking to newsmen here today, Hans Raj Hans said Sufiana music was very dear to him and there was no album without sufiana kalam in it. He said he was ready to dedicate his entire life to this music, provided some organisation came forward to sponsor him and his family.

About the success of his latest album, he said it met the requirement of the present crop of music-and-dance-loving youngsters.

"The aim of my singing is to promote both Punjabi and Punjabiat," he said. He also said he would not be overawed by any other consideration as he had dedicated himself to the service of Punjabi folklore. "If I had to change and sing to dancing girls, it is the demand of the present-day audience. However, at no stage I compromise with my singing," he said.

Belonging to a farmer's family of Shafipur village in the Jalandhar district, Hans Raj Hans got his formal training from Ustad Puran Shah Koti. In this field from his childhood, Hans used to practice for endless hours on the sand dunes, in the green fields or among the ruins to proclaim the feelings of his soul.

He is one of those few singers who have sung with a great singer like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

He has to his credit more than a score of albums, including gramophone discs and video compact discs. Some of his famous albums include Ek Dang Hor Mar Ja, Ek Kuri Mainu Ranjheon Farqir Kar Gayee, Balle Ni Rahe Rahe, Ashqan Di Kahdi Zindagi, Lal Garara, Kook Paipihey Wali and Jhanjhar.

He is the first artist with N-Card. He has otherwise sang in 26 Punjabi feature films. He is not only a performer but also a firm believer in the propagation and preservation of music. He likes western music as well and believes in the fusion of the two great traditions.