EDUCATION

‘Substandard’ technical institutes face closure
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, April 21 — The Punjab Government has decided to close down all those technical education institutions that provide substandard education in the state. The institutes with inadequate infrastructure and equipment in their laboratories will be closed by March 31, 2001.

Mr J.S. Garcha, Technical Education Minister, made this statement while speaking at the annual function of the Regional Institute of Management and Administration in Babhat village, near here, today.

He disclosed that two teams have been constituted to pay surprise visits to all institutions providing technical education in the state. After receiving their reports, the government would take action to improve the quality of education.

Mr Garcha further claimed that eight technical education institutions would be opened in the state in the current year and about 25 more the next year. Within its three-year period, the government has opened over 15 such institutions, he added.

As many as 12 meritorious students were awarded at the function. A cultural programme was also presented by the students to mark the day.

Earlier, Mr Gurcharan Singh, Chairman of the institution, read the annual report and welcomed the chief guest. He also demanded more seats in the BBA and BCA courses.

The minister also inaugurated a website of the institution on this occasion.

BCA paper not from syllabus
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 21 — Students of Bachelors of Computer Applications (part II) course appearing in the annual examination of Panjab University, complained that their MIS paper was out of syllabus to a large extent.

Students of the local GGDSD College gave a written complaint to the college Principal through the subject teacher, seeking redressing by the university. Students also met the college Principal.

Sources said similar complaints had been received from other colleges as well.

Hansraj Day celebrated
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, April 21 — Mahatma Hansraj Day was celebrated in DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, here yesterday.

An inter-school declamation and essay writing contest was organised as part of the celebrations. The topic included Arya Samaj movement, teaching of Swami Dayanand Saraswati and life of Mahatma Hansraj.

Chetan of Class IX stood first and Ravinder of the same class stood second. Anu and Ankita of Class VIII got the third prize. In the essay contest, Priya Gill of Class X stood first, Vaishali Palta of Class XII stood second, while Rohan Jain and Jyoti Mahajan of Class X stood third.

Punjabi book wins accolades
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 21 — A compilation of criticism in Punjabi literature by a Panjab University teacher is making its mark in academic circles.

‘Vihvin sadi di Punjabi kavita: vichar te vishleshan’ ( 20th century Punjabi poetry: thought and analysis’) by Dr Manjit from the Punjabi Department of Panjab University is a compilation of 23 research papers.

Prominent personalities covered in the book include Bhai Veer Singh, Nanak Singh, Prof Mohan Singh, Dr Harbhajan Singh, Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Dr Vishvanath Tewari, Dr Jagtar and Surjit Pattar, among others.

Dr Manjit Singh has been associated with the cultural activities on the campus over the past nearly a decade.He has guided five doctorate degrees.

Dr Manjit has nine significant publications to his credit. Man da mausam and antar are his poetry compilations. Glimpses of modern Punjabi literature is in English, while other works include Marzi Appo apni, Punjabi natak ate rangmanch and a translation from Hindi dhian kiun.

Dr Manjit has featured in a number of television programmes for Doordarshan, Jalandhar, besides radio talks and stories on the All India Radio.He has also been on the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademy and the Punjab Sangeet Natak Academy.

The UT Administration honoured Dr Manjit with a medal on eve of Republic Day, 1997.

CULTURE

Youngsters sway to Anamika numbers
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, April 21 — Youngsters swayed to “peppy” songs of Anamika as disco lights flashed on the specially decked up stage at the Sector 17 Parade Ground here today.The spectators, particularly children and youngsters,joined in the revelry enthusiastically.

The programme marked the launch of a local paper. The chief guest, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab, lit the lamp before the programme got underway. Other features were laser animation show and laser beam show. Another beam show was on Vande Matram. Anamika enthralled the audience with her new album songs Sona Disda,Tumko Piya,Chadti Jawani.The crowd was ecstatic and jived and clapped to her numbers Intezaar and Kala Shah.Next on her list was a medley of popular Hindi music and Bhangra music with dance troupe Joshilay.

The programme also featured a performance by Mika.His songs included Din nahin langda ,Sawan mein laag gayee aag and Saari raat boliyan paengiyan.Also present at the function was Member of Parliament Abhey Chautala.

Workshop on portraiture
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, April 21 — A two-day workshop on portraiture is being organised by the Photographic Society of Chandigarh in collaboration with Kodak India at Saxsons Digital Studio and Photographic Institute in Industrial Area here from tomorrow. The workshop, being conducted by Mr Rajeev Nawani, a portraiture expert, is part of the concluding ‘ photo-week’ organised by the photographic society.