EDUCATION

Human evolution and Shivaliks
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, March 1 — A three-day national workshop on Human Evolution organised by the Department of Anthropology of Panjab University began here today.

In his welcome address, Prof R.N. Vashisht, Chairman of the department, said the workshop would focus on the theoretical and practical dimensions of various aspects of human evolution through key papers by participants, followed by practical and field training. He said the participants would also discuss the methodological and other dimensions of human evolution and review the status of human evolutionary studies in India with a view to setting up an agenda for the future.

While presenting his paper on Status Review of Human Evolutionary Studies in India, Prof Praveen Kumar Seth of the University of Delhi, said out of 12 to 15 different human-like species evolved in the past, only a few existed with change, while most of these died? He said human understanding of the evolution of the hominoids and hominids had lately evolved into a multi-disciplinary pursuit, involving geologists, ecologists, molecular biologists and zoologists.

He said Falconer and Caultey were the first to discover primates' fossils in the Shivalik Hills of north India in 1836. Shivalik hominoid material based on its distribution and geological locations in the Indian subcontinent showed that the bulk of the material came from the miocene-pliocene beds in the Potwar region of Pakistan, around Ramnagar in Jammu and Kashmir and in Haritalyangar in Himachal Pradesh. He said the collection of primates' fossils from Shivalik Hills might include the vestiges of man's earliest ancestor. While quoting Oldham, he said modern forms of life had originated during the Shivalik period. He said a thorough reconnaissance of Shivalik Hills might yield material crucial to the understanding of critical phases in human evolution.

Prof (retd) G.C. Mohapatra of the PU, speaking on Dimensions of Human Evolution, said the speculation on evolution was as old as mankind itself. From the primitive belief of the pre-historian society to the modern era, the matter had been treated with utmost passion. The study of human evolution had travelled a very long distance to enter the era of molecular biology. "With the advent of synthetic DNA, not only the creation of new lifeforms is artificially possible, but also modern man is redesigning his own species," he said.

Prof D.K. Bhattacharya of the University of Delhi, said an important feature of these studies was that in spite of an enormous number of evidences of evolution, forthcoming studies were still not unanimous on the path and the process of humanisation.

A book, Anthropology at the Turn of the Century, an outcome of the contributions of researchers who participated in a national seminar in February 1999 in the department, was also released by Prof Sahni on the occasion.

Aanchal toppers given prizes
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 1 — The annual prize distribution function of Aanchal Preparatory School, Phase XI, SAS Nagar, and Sector 35, Chandigarh, was held yesterday and today, respectively.

Mr Jaswant Singh Wasa and Mrs and Mr Kamal Batra, parents of topper students of the school, gave away the prizes to the children for the various competitions held throughout the year.

Prizes for the academic achievements for the session 1998-99 and certificates to those children who had participated in the Inter-School Athletic Meet were also presented on the occasion.

The programme began with the children paying their respects to God Almighty, with the bhajan Raghupati Raghav followed by various items, including rhymes.

Tanmay, Jatin, Shivant and Shabad won the maximum number of prizes from the senior category whereas Tanya, Kanha and Amy were the main prize winners amongst the juniors.

The Principial, Mrs Sood, applauded the children for their enthusiasm and wished them best of luck for the forthcoming annual examinations.

COURTS

Bigamy accused denied bail
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 1 — The bail application moved by a city resident, accused of remarrying without divorcing his first wife, was today rejected by UT Additional District and Sessions Judge Mr S. K. Goel.

The accused — Harsh Kumar — was booked by the Chandigarh Police for rape and criminal breach of trust under Sections 406, 498-A, 420, 376 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the prosecution, the applicant, after having drinks, had told his second wife that "he had already solemnised marriage with a number of ladies".

Today, pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Additional District and Sessions Judge observed: "A perusal of the photographs placed on the police file show that the parties were married. It is also not denied by the applicant-accused that he has a living wife. The divorce proceedings are yet to be finalised. It shows that the applicant-accused has entered into marriage with the complainant while having a living wife".