EDUCATION

School staff to get pay by cheque
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, March 10 — From the next month, employees of government schools would be paid their salaries by cheques and not in cash, said Mr S. S. Sidhu, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, while addressing a meeting of government officials here today.

This decision was taken after a school employee, Mr Inder Singla who had drawn Rs 4,39,581 representing the salaries of the staff from the local branch of the State Bank of Patiala, was shot dead and robbed of the cash, on March, 3.

Mr H. S. Bhullar, DSP, has appealed to residents and industrialists of the area to submit the names and photographs of their employees and relatives staying with them within 15 days.

He further appealed to the residents to come forward and help the police in nabbing the culprits involved in different cases and solve untraced crimes. "Accidents on the ‘killer’ highway can be reduced only if the residents follow the traffic rules and educate the villagers about them," he said.

Youth fest ends with contests galore
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 10 — Karnataka University, Dharwad, was declared the over-all best in the musical contests at the International Youth Festival which concluded in Panjab University here today.The second place was secured by MG University, Kottayam.

MG University won the first place in the fine arts events while the second place went to Government College, Sector 46.

The main events for the day included a declamation contest, orchestra, plenary lecture on 'Human relations' and the valedictory function.

The valedictory function started nearly an hour behind schedule. Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister of Punjab, made an early entry . He, however, left the venue before the arrival of other guests after receiving a memento.

The main guests for the afternoon included Mr Dhindsa, union minister, and Mr Om Prakash Chautala. The function started with a sangeet vadhyan by students of the Government College for Girls, Sector 11. Mr Dayal Pratap Randhawa, President of the PU Students Campus Council, in his address mentioned the success of the festival. Mr Chautala contributed Rs 5 lakh for student needs.

Dr V.K.Bansal, Dean Student Welfare, while talking to The Tribune said nearly 300 delegates had participated. As many as 31 had come from foreign countries. Keeping in mind that it was the first festival of such a magnitude, it could best be termed as successful.

Lack of financial aid from government agencies was pointed out as an area which needed attention.

A visit to the organising office revealed regular communication from foreign lands. Students were asking for a delay in the function as they had not received the papers for their journey to India.

The Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, won the creative writing contests in the over-all category. Dev Samaj also secured the first place in the dance contests. The second place was secured by DAV College, Jalalabad (West).

The first place in the literary contests category was shared by Punjab Engineering College, GGDSD College and GCG, Sector 11, all local colleges.

In the theatre events, the first position was secured by PEC and the second place went to the Dev Samaj College of Education.

The winners in the creative writing contest were: Yogeet Sharma (Dev Samaj, Sector 36), Simrandeep Kaur (GCG, 42), Neetu Rani (Dev Samaj, 36), Vikas Dogra (Department of Mass Communication, PU), Neelabh Chatley( Dev Samaj 36) and Vijay Shandily (English Department, PU).

The winners of on-the- spot painting contest were Reena Marwah (GCG-11) and Jobin Joy (MG Karnataka). The winners in the collage making contest were Binoy Chacko (MG Karnataka) and Kapil Singh Verma (Fine Arts Department, PU). Anoop R. (MG Kottayam) and Kapil Singh Varma won the poster-making contest.

Kapil Verma and Poonam (Dev Samaj, 36) won the clay modelling contest. Shammi (GC, 46) and Aparajita (GCG, 11) won the rangoli contest. DAV, Jalalabad (West) won the folk dance contest. The second prize was secured by Dev Samaj, 36.

MG Kottayam won the quiz contest while the second place went to PEC. Rajan Vishal from GGDSD College won the debate contest while the second prize was secured by Maneesha from GCG, 11. Anuj Sharma, PEC, and Rajan Vishal won the elocution contest. Ruby Charak, GCG, 11, won the poetry recitation contest.

Basavkumar Mardur (Karnataka University) was first in the classical (solo) contest while Kuldeep M. (MG Kottayam ) was second. Ravi Kiran (Karnataka University) won the classical instrumental (solo) percussion contest. The second place went to Kiran. N. Kiran (MG Kottayam). B.V.Prakash (Karnataka University) and Kuldeep M. were the winners in the classical (instrumental) contest.

Kuldeep M. also won the light (vocal) contest while the second place went to Jatinder from the local GGDSD College. GCG, 11, won the orchestra contest. Amnu won an individual prize. GCG, 11 won the group singing contest. The second place went to Dev Samaj, 45.

PEC won the one-act play contest while Dev Samaj, 36, was the runners-up. Rajini was the best actress while MM Madhayam Viyog was the best actor.

Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar, won the mime contest while GCG-11 was second. Gurpreet Kaur (Dev Samaj, 45) and Prerana (GCG,11) won the histrionics contest.

India enchants foreign students
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 10 — Alina of Romania described India as a land of monumental history. She was speaking at the International Youth Festival in Panjab University which concluded here today.

Alina said she had not expected anything glorious before the visit. She said she had been wrong. Alina says that she has earlier visited Norway.

She feels touched by the reception and the care she received during her stay with a local family.

Alina is not an isolated case. Similar responses, expressing satisfaction at the visit, were also given by a cross-section of other foreign visitors.

Ivana of Croatia said her journey by train from Delhi to the city had left her fond memories. She said the land was indeed fascinating.

Innocent of Nigeria says that he has been in India for the past eight years, nearly. His has had mixed experiences. Dur to the differences in the lifestyles here and in his country, foreigners found it difficult to adjust here.

Tshewang Rinzin of Bhutan likes the set-up in the local areas. He likes the friendly atmosphere here. He is a student of the three-year LlB course.

Prashanta Banerjee of Bangladesh views the festival as a right platform for the exchange of ideas which can help strengthen traditional friendships. Sarju Singh of Nepal, too, likes the city. Oranchal of Thailand is a postgraduate who is staying locally and has adjusted well to the local setting.

Khadijeh of Iran also said the festival had been satisfactory for him.

The visitors also said the information about the festival had reached their countries late which gave their institutions less time to look for and prepare the teams better.

'Evaluation of papers has changed'
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 10 — A five-day workshop on the 'Evaluation of literature' at the post-graduate level concluded in the English Department, Panjab University, a press note said here today.

Organised in collaboration with the British Council, the workshop focussed on change in the examination system. It was pointed out that the evaluation of the papers had changed drastically .

The workshop also took up possible changes in the question papers for the forthcoming examination. Prof Alan Durant from Middlesex University, an expert in pedagogy, led the proceedings. Dr Pushpinder Syal, Chairperson, said the workshop would be followed by a discussion with paper setters and examiners.

COURTS

N.K. Nanda re-elected bar body chief
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 10 — Defeating his rival by margin of 151 votes, Mr N.K. Nanda was today re-elected as the President of the District Bar Association. While 561 votes were polled in his favour, Mr Amar Singh Chahal got 410 votes.

Mr Amarjit Singh Gujral was elected the Vice-President, while the Secreatary’s post went to Mr Beny Parshad. For the Joint Secretary’s post, Ms Jagdeep Kaur Bajwa was declared victorious. Mr Vinay Bhandari, meanwhile, is the treasurer.

For Mr Gujral, 440 advocates stamped the ballot papers. His nearest rival, Mr Munish Chaudhary got 437 votes, while 82 votes were polled in Mr P. Rai’s favour.

Mr Beny Parshad defeated his rival Mr Malkit Singh Jandiala by 61 votes. While 378 votes went in his favour, Mr Jandiala received 317 votes. Mr K.S. lamba got 231 votes, while 48 votes were polled in Mr Vijay Sharma’s favour.

Ms Jagdeep Kaur Bajwa was, after polling 587 votes, declared elected as Joint Secreary. Venita Sajwan got 383 votes. For the treasurer’s post, Mr Vinay Bhandari received 517 votes. Mr Ranjit Singh Dhiman got 441 votes.

E1-Zee TV restrained
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 10 — Restraining El-Zee Television from stopping Zee Cinema’s signal to the plaintiffs, UT Civil Judge (Junior Division), Ms Paramvir Nijjar, has issued notice to the respondents for May 5.

Seeking directions for restraining the respondents from “changing the technology from analogue to digital”, plaintiffs — Modern Complex Cable and Deepak Tandon — had earlier alleged that the same would result “in stopping the supply of signals of Zee Cinema channel”.

Claiming the causing of an “irreparable loss and injury”, the plaintiffs had added that a new decoder would have to be purchased. Counsel for the plaintiffs, in the suit, had also added that the defendants should be directed to replace the decoder if the technology was changed.

Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Civil Judge observed: “The agreement dated May 9, 1995 and certificate in favour of the plaintiffs issued by Zee Cinema for operating the signal of Zee Cinema, as well as demand drafts in favour of the defendants placed on record, show a prima facie case in favour of the plaintiffs at this stage”.

The Civil Judge further observed: “Accordingly, keeping in view the agreement dated May 9, 1995, and further the fact that the change in technology from analogue to digital would result in stopping the supply of signal of Zee Cinema to the plaintiffs and which would tantamount to prima-facie violating the agreement placed on record, the respondents are restrained from stopping the supply of the signal of Zee Cinema channel to the plaintiffs, directly or indirectly by resorting to any method or technology, inclusive of change from analogue to digital till May 5, 2000”.

Case against Judge to come up on March 22
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 10 — The case against Bathinda Civil Judge M.S. Walia will come up for consideration on framing of charges before UT Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge for Central Bureau of Investigation cases, Mr. S.S. Lamba, on March 22.

At the very onset today, the accused, requesting for another date, stated that his counsel would not be appearing before the court due to the on-going strike by the advocates.

Personal bail, surety bonds forfeited
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 10 — Summoning a UT Sub Inspector through non-bailable warrants for being “absent without intimation” in a criminal intimidation case, UT Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate H.S. Madaan has directed the forfeiting of his personal bail and surety bonds.

Pronouncing the directions in the open court, the ACJM observed: “Maninder Singh is absent without intimation. His personal bail bonds and surety bonds are forfeited to the state. Let he be summoned through non-bailable warrants and notice to his surety and attesting witnesses be issued for May 3, 2000”.

Rejecting an application for exemption from personal appearance moved subsequently by counsel for the accused, the ACJM observed: “Since his bonds have already been forfeited to the state and warrants of arrests issued against him, as such the application cannot be allowed. However, in case the accused surrenders in the court, then a lenient view may be taken.”

Earlier, in his complaint before the court, Sector 16 resident Iqbal Singh had alleged that his daughter-in-law along with other accused, including the cop, had trespassed the house on July 3, 1998.