EDUCATION

Nandini, Renu top middle exam
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 30 — Ms Nandini of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, Chandigarh, has stood first in the Middle Standard Examination-2000 in Model schools, securing 654 marks out of 700. Ms Renu Bala of M. R. A. Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, Chandigarh, stood first among the Ordinary schools, securing 646 marks out of 700 in the examination, conducted by the Education Department, Chandigarh Administration, in February.

As many as 12,235 candidates appeared in the examination, out of which 8066 appeared through ordinary schools and another 4169 appeared through Model schools. The overall pass percentage is 76.63. The pass percentage of ordinary schools is 69.90 and in Model schools it is 90.15.

The result gazette will be available to the government and private schools and other private organisations on March 31 in Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, Chandigarh, at 9 a.m. against cash payment of Rs 175 per copy, a press release of the Education Department said today.

Speakers suggest exam reforms
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 30 — The existing examination system is full of flaws harming student interests. This was the central idea to a University Grants Commission workshop and seminar on ‘ examination reforms’ at the Evening College auditorium in Panjab University here today.

Speakers also put forth several recommendations for the much- needed improvement. One speaker added that it would nice if the ideas during the workshop were put into practice rather than the workshop being merely an academic exercise.

Prof Jitender Mohan, of the Psychology Department, said the entire examination system looked like that of rejection. In a competitive exam less than one per cent got seats in leading professional courses. The rest 99 per cent were ‘ rejected in a sense, he added.

The rest of the candidates face a total change in their lifestyle. Failures on this account were definite reasons for the increasing instance of suicides. The children could not take the pressure, he said.

Prof J.N.Joshi, a former Dean University Instructions said there was a confusion about deciding whether objective-type or essay-type questions were better for the exams. For essay-type answers candidates should be asked to limit their answers within a laid-down parameter. There was also a need to study and improve the ways for marking answer-sheets of candidates. The checker should justify the numbers that he gave on various answers, he added.

Prof R.K.Kohli of the Botany Department, concentrated his paper on evaluation in the science stream of the campus. “The system to learn, teach and evaluate has been a total failure.The papers promoted more of repeating answers than learning”, he said.

Often the syllabi were not completed during an academic session. The will of administration seemed questionable. Evaluation was often related with evaluators’ moods, he stated. He suggested that we should revert back to the semester system. This had been introduced in several science streams.

Dr Ramesh Pandey, Evening Colleges, felt the necessity for such an academic event. Dr Rama Sharma , Chairperson of Evening Studies and Dr S.K.Trehan, a former DUI, were also present on the occasion.

Mr B.L.Gupta, a former Registrar, said the university conducted 500- odd examination in an year. The area needed an overall survey and timely action for improvements, he added.

Four students highlighted the student problems during examination. The speakers were introduced by Mr S.K.Gupta, a former Co-ordinator of the Examination Reforms Committee. The serving Registrar and the Controller of Examination were missing from the venue despite invitation.

PU science exams postponed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 30 — Panjab University is understood to have postponed theory and practical examination of the science stream students for the current session, highly-placed sources and a Panjab University Campus Students Council press note said here today.

The practical examination, scheduled for April 3, will begin from April 10. The theory examination would commence in May, sources said. This was preceded by a student agitation earlier in the day.

Students protest
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 30 — Students of science departments of Panjab University staged a dharna today in protest against dates of commencement of examination, despite non-declaration of reappear examination conducted in December, 1999.The protesters led by the Panjab University Campus Students Council president, Dayal Pratap Singh Randhawa, marched from Student Centre till the office of Dr Sodhi Ram, Controller of Examination.

They raised slogans against the university authorities for mis-management of the examination process.Senior university officials are reported to have met at a common platform on account of examination concerns today.

Students claimed to have shut exit ways for a couple of officials.Major demands include declaration of the results of the re-appear examination at the earliest, postponement of examination — both practical and theory, and announcement of date of declaration of results along with the date of commencement of examination.

Meenakshi is all-round student
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 30 — As many as 50 students received prizes for excelling in various fields at the annual day celebrations of Food Craft Institute, Sector 42.

Air Commodore S.K Banerjee, AOC, Air Force Station (12 Wing), who was the chief guest, gave away the prizes. Meenakshi Verma of Cookery was awarded a trophy for being the all-round best student of the year. While Sandeep Gill of Food and Beverages and William Lee of Cookery were given trophies for being the 'Gentleman of the year', Simardeep Siddu of Food and Beverages was declared 'Lady of the year. Hitesh Kumar of Front Office was adjudged the sportsman of the year and Rubina of Housekeeping was declared sportswoman of the year. Sunil Kumar of Front Office was given a prize for being the most regular student.

Air Commodore Bannerjee emphasised on the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving one's goal in life. He also lauded the role this premier institute is playing towards the promotion of the hospitality industry, tourism and society. He later congratulated the award winning students and also the faculty members under whose guidance, the students have brought laurels to the institute.

He further stressed on the need to tap the tourism potential of the country.

The Principal, Mr Alok Shivapuri, read the annual report highlighting various professional activities, workshops, seminars and training programmes organised by the institute in the year 1999-2000. He pointed out that the institute has been granted permanent affiliation by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology. Besides the regular courses, the institute also conducts short-term courses for the housewives and the public from time to time. The institute will shortly have a 24-room training hotel, which will go a long way in producing excellent professionals for the hotel industry.

The programme which commenced with a Saraswati vandana concluded with a colourful and vibrant bhangra in the lawns of the institute.

COURTS

Kidnapper gets 3-year RI
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 30 — A Goa resident accused of kidnapping a plus-two student was today convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years, besides being fined Rs 1000, by the UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr S.K. Goel.

The convict, Ramit, was further directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for another two months in default of payment. He was earlier booked for kidnapping by the Chandigarh police under Sections 363 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint of a Sector 37 resident.

In a written complaint submitted to the police, he had alleged that his daughter, studying in plus two, had disappeared on October 7, 1994, and her whereabouts were not known.

The accused, when confronted with the incriminating evidence against him, had, denied the allegations against him. Claiming to be innocent, he had asked for a trial.

Arguing before the Additional Sessions Judge, his counsel had contended that the accused was being implicated in a false case and was liable to be acquitted.

CULTURE

Safri boys shoot for album
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 30 — Balwinder Safri of Safri Boys, a band from the UK, was at the Ebony, Sector 9, here today to shoot for a dance number Bangra ta penda for the album Inferno.

The lyrics of the eight dance numbers of the album have been written by Jandu Litran. The band is here to shoot the song to get the true Indian image in the song.

Balwinder’s first song which stole the show was Jatti di doli le gai kahar. He has been singing since his childhood and has a music degree. He said he was particular about good lyrics and preferred folk. He loves to blend it with western music to enable it to reach out the younger generation. His team consists of nine persons.

Models from Delhi danced to the tunes of Bangra ta penda in the relaxed atmosphere.

Graceful movements
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, March 30 — The dance by Ms Prem Puneeta at the monthly programme of Swami Ram Tirtha cultural centre was graceful. A graduate from the local Government College for girls, Sector 11, Prem charmed with her facial expressions and eye movements.

In the Krishan Bal Lila and Kath, Udat, the changing moods of anger, laughter, and sorrow were emphasised on. In item, she portrayed the rain and clouds in her foot steps.

Other items were presented by students of the centre, the solo tabla performance by a child, Amar Vikram, was exceptional.