EDUCATION

‘Order’ of schools on books irritates many parents
By Monica Sharma

CHANDIGARH, April 1 — It is that time of the year which parents dread. Yes, the new academic session is beginning and parents are making a beeline for the bookstores in the city.

Such is the commercialisation these days that many schools, apparently in collusion with booksellers, charge exorbitant rates. The condition of many schools to buy books and other paraphernalia from a particular store makes the going tough for the parents. There are schools which supply the books on the premises itself.

The rates of the things on offer keep rising year. A parent says,’’ The UT Education Department has prescribed a separate set of books for English and Hindi-medium schools. The Hindi-medium books are cheaper than the English medium ones.

Earlier, the used books could be used by the younger siblings but now parents have to go in for separate sets for their children. The syllabus changes with each session. Mr Parveen Kumar, who was buying books for his son who studies in the fifth standard, said, “We are forced to buy new books each year due to the change in the syllabus and unlike old days cannot go in for second-hand books.’’ The Hindi-medium books would set him back by Rs 500 to Rs 600.

Another parent, getting books for the second standard opined, ‘’ I have bought a big bundle of books but I don’t know whether half of the books will ever be used. The shopkeepers make a big bundle to attract the parents and then justify the high rates. He paid Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 for the books.

A women, buying books for her son in fifth standard and a daughter in the first class, paid nearly Rs 2000 for two sets of books. She was of the view that shopkeepers tend to charge heftily from the parents whose wards studied in convent schools. A case in point is that for binding they charge Rs 7 while it is done at half the rate elsewhere.

Parents feel cheated the moment they are told to buy from a specific shop for the books while they feel that they cant get the books cheap from other shop in the city. Mother of an “LKG student lamented,’’ Children are asked to get a set of crayons? scissors and poster colours which are not allowed to be taken home by the kids. How can teachers use 40 pairs of scissors and crayons? Parents are forced to buy useless things which only benefits the schools and the shopkeepers.

The rates of books vary from class to class. A set of the second standard would cost Rs 832, for fourth class Rs 1012 and Rs 830 for third class.

Well-off parents are least bothered for the rates and buy from specific upmarket shops. Ms Yashu, mother of a kid, said,’’ I don’t think the rates are high and even if they were its my duty to buy books for my child.’’ Each parent has his \ her individual perception. Ms Shilpa, another parent said ,’’ This is nothing but organised looting by schools and the shop- keepers. The books are sold at expensive and unreasonable prices.’’

Ms Parvati, who belongs to the lower strata of society, feels,’’ Its tough to get my children educated because of the soaring prices. Some schools are understanding and charge nominal rates for the books and the fees are not high.

A bank manager said , “It should not be the criterion that we have to buy books from a particular shop only. We are forced to do so as books bought from elsewhere are not allowed to be used.”

Machines inflict scars: Pandaya
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 1 — Machines in the current times inflict deep scars on humanity, said Dr Pranav Pandaya from Shanti Niketan, Hardwar, at a function in Panjab University here today.The moods needed to be changed for serenity.

Family development programmes underlined by Dr Pandaya said that a ‘pancheel’ system be followed. Systematic planning and organisation, industriousness; thriftiness, modesty and cooperation were the other factors highlighted.

Dr Pandaya also stressed the awakening of women’s power by education, providing safety and self-reliance.He also spoke on ecological balance needs and promoting ideal marriages without dowry, pomp and show. Development of the cottage industry was another important aspect.

Dr Pandaya is the director of Brahmavarchas Research Institute and is the motivating force behind Shantikunj, Gaayatri Teerth.

Born in 1911, Dr Pandaya departed from worldly life to preach on June 2, 1990. He centres around ‘gayatri mantra’ in his talk.

Dr Pandaya also addressed a gathering of the local entrepreneurs on ‘stress management’ at a function organised by the Mohali Industries Association at SAS Nagar earlier during the day.

He also addressed a gathering at Hans Raj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula. He elaborated on virtues definitely needed during the current times to preserve the glory of the glorious Indian civilisation.

COURTS

Jailed for selling without licence
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 1 — For selling exposed-to-dust provisions without licence, UT Chief Judicial Magistrate Sant Parkash yesterday directed a shopkeeper to undergo imprisonment till the rising of the court, besides imposing a fine of Rs 500.

The accused — Anil Kumar of Sector 26 Grain Market — was further directed by the CJM to undergo imprisonment for another 15 days in default of payment.

He was earlier booked under Section 16 (1) (a) (11) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. According to the prosecution, he was found "selling pulses, dhania and rice without licence". Arguing before the CJM, the public prosecutor had stated that spices, including turmeric powder and chilies, were exposed to flies and dust.

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

Seeking his acquittal, the defence counsel had contended that the accused was being implicated in the case due to previous enmity with the food inspector.

Today, pronouncing the orders in the open court, the CJM observed: "The prosecution has been able to bring home the guilt against the accused and the accused is hereby held guilty and convicted."

Defacement of walls: notice issued
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 1 — On a civil suit against the defacement of city walls, the UT Civil Judge (Junior Division), Mr Naval Kumar, today issued notice to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, the Executive Engineer (Enforcement Wing) and the Senior Superintendent of Police, besides eight other respondents, for April 4.

Pronouncing the orders in the open court on the suit filed by city residents Hriday Pal Singh and Yogesh Vinayak, the Civil Judge observed: “No ground is made for the grant of ad interim injunction. Notice of the suit as well as the stay application be issued for April 18”.

Seeking directions to the respondents to remove “all advertisement material, including posters, banners, handbills and stickers from bus stops, lamp posts, pedestrian sub-ways, electricity junction boxes which deface the city”, the plaintiffs had also asked for restraining the cinema halls from “pasting or advertisement materials”.

They had contended that Section 7 of the Chandigarh Advertisement Control order, 1954, prohibited the pasting, affixing or displaying of advertisement material, including posters and banners.

Counsel for the petitioners had added that irreparable loss would be caused if the respondents were not restrained. Their “civil rights to clean surroundings” would also be affected, counsel had added.

CULTURE

Paintings welcome Navratras
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, April 1 —Sixteen professional artists participated in the two-day art workshop which was inaugurated at Satsang Bhavan, Mansa Devi Temple, here today.

Mr Abhilaksh Lekhi, Administrator, HUDA, inaugurated the workshop, whose purpose is to welcome the Navratra festival and promote the art. The workshop is organised by the Mata Mansa Devi Puja Sthal Board.

‘Spirituality’ was the theme painted on the canvas with the help of oil paints. Professor Prem Singh, a participant and Principal of Government Art College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, informed that the theme was chosen as both religion and art were correlated and both originated from myth.

Sandeep Joshi, Prem Singh, BK Verma, VP Verma, Satwant Singh, RK Sharma, Nirmal Prakash, Rajneesh, Bharti Sharma and Ms Nirmala Singh, were among the participants. The paintings will be exhibited from April 5, on the first day of the Navratra festival.