EDUCATION

Fee hike by private schools ‘unreasonable’
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, March 26—A deputation of the Rashtriya Abhibhavak Sangh, led by Mr HS Pannu, Chief Patron, submitted a memorandum regarding malpractices by private schools to the Director, Secondary Education, here today.

The deputation highlighted that the private schools in the district charged exorbitant admission fee, annual charges, building fee year after year. They added that a meeting of parents and representatives of these schools was held by the previous Deputy Commissioner where it was decided that these charges would be taken only once. However, despite the assurance, schools continue to charge these funds.

The Sangh informed the Director that books prescribed by the competent authority are not introduced in the schools. Private publications are used and a similar practice is followed with regard to stationery and uniform. The deputation demanded that the policy of admission to these schools should be rationalised for government employees since securing a place in these schools is difficult when the employees are transferred.

The deputation touched upon the issue of fee hike by schools each year. Terming it as ``unreasonable and unjustified’’, they said that the fee hike should be rolled back.They lamented the ``unreasonable’’ transportation charges by private schools.

The members demanded the constitution of a committee in each district under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, which had representatives of schools, parents’ associations, education department and local organisations.

166 graduates get degrees
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 26 — As many as 166 graduates of arts and commerce streams of Dev Samaj College for Women were conferred degrees by the Principal V. Bhargava for the years 1997, 1998 and 1999 here today.

Among the awarded was the first batch of commerce graduates of the college.

The chief guest, Mrs Anuradha Gupta, said for these young degree achievers this is just the beginning of the game of life, which is full of difficulties, uncertainties and opportunities.

The principal presented the college report, highlighting the cultural, academic and sports achievements of the college in the current session.

Annual college convocation
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 26 — Nearly 160 graduates of the Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh, received degrees from the Principal, Mrs Harjit Kaur Khanna at the annual convocation and the prize distribution function of the college, here today.

Mr K.A.P. Sinha, Joint Secretary, Finance-cum-Director Public Instructions (Colleges), Chandigarh was the chief guest. Miss Kavita Singh of BA I and Miss Pamela Chadha of BA III won the first and the third position, respectively, in the Panjab University April 1999 examination. Nearly 200 students received academic and sports prizes.

Sharanjit Kaur of BA I, was the best athlete of Panjab University, Kuldeep Kaur was the best outgoing students of Art faculty, Menna sofat of B.Com III was the best outgoing students of commerce faculty, Kavita Singla of BA II was the best all round student, Amanbir of B.Com I and Rajni of B.A II were the best cadets of NCC in Army, Air and Naval wings, respectively. Pallvi BCA-I was the most regular student of the year, Miss Navdeep Kaur BA II, the best NSS worker during 1999-2000. Miss Rajni Devi was the participant in the Republic Day parade, Miss Pamela Chadha and Miss Kavita Singh of BA III and BA I, respectively, were awarded the roll of honours and special trophies for their merit positions in Panjab University during 1999-2000.

Teachers discuss problems
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 26 — Government Teachers Union (GTU) held an emergency meeting of the executive committee here today to discuss problems of the UT cadre teachers, working in the Chandigarh schools.

At the meeting, the members unanimously condemned the action of the Chandigarh Administration in taking the teachers on deputation from other states violating its own rules. At present, more than 30 per cent teachers are on deputation from various states.

The GTU demanded an inquiry into such “ violations” by the Administration. It also demanded that all pending demands of the teachers about promotions, confirmations, release of seniority lists, formation of transfer policy, clearance of step-up cases, review of admission & examination policy, reduction in workload of teachers, teacher-pupil ratio and revocation of suspension orders of teachers should be accepted without delay.

COURTS

Forum orders HUDA to refund money
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, March 26 —The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered the Haryana Urban Development Authority to refund Rs 66,163, interest of 10 per cent on Rs 2,91,951, and Rs 10,000 for mental agony and harassment to Ms Veena Dhand for deficient services.

In her complaint, Mrs Dhand stated that Raman Kumar’s plot in Sonepat was transferred in her name through a reallotment letter in 1992. Thereafter, she deposited Rs 2,96,951 from time to time and paid the outstanding amount. In 1997, she asked for the physical possession of the plot and followed it up with a reminder. In the face of inaction, she sought a refund of the amount deposited by her.

In response, HUDA directed her to send the consent for surrender of plot and the original allotment letter which she complied with promptly. This was followed by repeated reminders for refund of the deposited amount with 18 per cent interest but HUDA remained adamant on refunding the amount without interest. However, in 1998, she accepted their demand and received a cheque of Rs 2, 25, 788 but made a demand for the balance amount, besides compensation on other counts.

In response, HUDA filed a written statement wherein it was contended that possession was offered to the complainant in 1998 and was made aware of the HUDA policy regarding surrender of plot after which she submitted her documents.

The Bench observed that the reallotment in favour of the complainant was made in 1992 but HUDA failed to deliver possession of the same in seven years though all instalments had been deposited along with cost of enhancement. For this reason, there is no justification for not refunding the complete amount alongwith interest. The inordinate delay in the delivery of the possession of the plot tantamounts to deficient service on the part of HUDA, the order added.

CULTURE

A treat for the eyes and ears

On the second day of the Bhaskar Rao Festival, art lovers were given a treat for the eyes and ears. The evening began with Bharatnatyam dance performance by Debjani Mujamdar from Kala Mandalam, Calcutta.

In an hour-long programme she tried to provide a glimpse of different aspects of this dance form, incorporating compositions from different languages of the South. Beginning with kirtanam of Lord Mahesha, she went on to present Sawal Jawab set to Aditaal. Giving concrete form to the seven notes of music through gestures, she tried to explore the blissful cosmic creation in Chidambara Rahasyam set to raga and taal Malika. A composition in Sanskrit in the praise of Lord Krishna’s beauty Adharam madhuram was the last item. Her performance failed to evoke the subtle nuances of this dance form. Her troupe included S.G. Kutti for vocal support, S. Hariharan on the flute, K.A. Balaji on the veena, Mohan K. Kutti on nattuvangan (somewhat like majira) and G. Suryanarayan on the mridangam.

The vocalist sister duo Sulochana Brahaspati and Saryu Katekar captivated the audience by their electrifying performance. Beginning with Maru Vihag, a raga to be sung in the first quarter of the night, they chose to sing compositions of their guru Achrya Brahaspati. The magic of alliteration coupled with controlled voice effect created an ambience of a clouded sky in Ghanan ghanan badra and out came a taan like a lightening from Sulochana’s thunderous voice. Cooling the effect was sweet and cool melody of Saryu’s subdued feminine voice. This was followed by a popular traditional composition in raga Bahar ‘Fagva brij dekhan ko chalo ri’. Their singing struck an instant rapport with the audience who respondend with enthusiastic applause. The vocal recital concluded with a glimpse of tappa gayaki. The sisters were assisted in their vocal rendering by Ustad Sabri Khan on the Sarangi.

Long-awaited performance of Swapna Sundari, the famous Kuchipudi and Vilasini Natyam exponent, remained only a visual delight since the dancer, who is also an accomplished vocalist, did not sing for her dance items. She presented the pure Kuchipudi ‘Nritta’, ‘Jatiswaram’ ahythmic combination of swar and tall, traditional ‘Shabdam’ where the artiste enacts many roles on a musical refrain. She was given vocal support by Vasanta Gopalkrishnan, on nattuvangani and on mridangam by R. Mohan Krishna, on violin by C.S. Anugu, and on tavil, an old percussion instrument used in the temples of the South, by Murthy.

— Vandana Shukla