EDUCATION

Questions out of syllabus
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 24 — Students of BA IInd year, who appeared for Public Administration (Paper A) today, have alleged that nearly 26 marks questions were out of syllabus.

Of the total 100 marks paper of ‘‘Personnel Administration’’ (with special reference to India) nearly 20 marks long answer questions and 6 marks short answer questions were not in accordance with the syllabus prescribed by the university. A majority of the students who were unable to attempt these questions have appealed to the authorities to take a lenient view and give them grace marks.

Meanwhile, students of BBA IInd year who also appeared for their cost management paper today have alleged that nearly 60 per cent of the question paper was not in accordance with either the syllabus or the book prescribed by the colleges. Atleast three questions of 16 marks each were not from the course taught to them. Hence, students were unable to attempt 48 marks paper of the total 80 marks. One of the students pointed out that no question from these topics was set in the December papers. Hence even the teachers did no find them important from the examination point of view.

Mr Umesh Sharma, a private tutor coaching the BBA and B Com students, has pointed out the discrepancies in the university syllabus. Certain topics in the syllabus are not mentioned properly in detail and students find it difficult at the time of preparation. He has urged the authorities to compensate the student adequately by giving them grace marks.

Students unhappy with PU official
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 24 — Office-bearers of the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUSCS) at a meeting held today under the presidentship of Mr D.P.S. Randhawa condemned the alleged dictatorial attitude of the Deputy Registrar (DR), Mr Verinder Kumar. They have alleged that he has been showing an indifferent attitude towards the students.

In a memorandum submitted to the DSW, Prof V.K. Bansal, they have sought action against the DR. If this is not done, they would be forced to launch an agitation for the transfer and removal of Mr Kumar.

However, the DSW said that he had not received any such memorandum.

Teachers hold dharna
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 24 — Members of the Punjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) today staged a dharna in front of the VC's office to seek a resolution of such long-pending demands as processing of CAS applications.

In a press note issued here today, Mr Harjinder Singh, Secretary of PUTA, pointed out that these applications were invited in June, 1999, but they remain unattended till today. Nearly 100 readers in Panjab University with service of 10 to 14 years are still waiting for their promotions.

The other demands of PUTA include implementation of feeder grades as per the UGC guidelines, release of grants by the UT and Punjab Government to the university on time, payment of arrears to all teachers of the universities in the north zone, enhancement of number of seats in the Senate for elected representatives of PU teachers, increments for Ph. D. holders, rectification of errors in pay fixation and other anomalies, construction of more houses, construction of more houses etc. They have also demanded encashment of earned leave, ending gender discrimination in reimbursement of medical bills to the dependents of PU employees, immediate filling of all positions, increase in the amount available for research, streamlining the release of cheques from funded research grants in PU.

COURTS

HC notice in mosque case
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 24 — On a petition for quashing the orders of Punjab Urban Development Urban Authority’s Chief Administrator rejecting the petitioner’s representation for allotment of land in S.A.S. Nagar for building a mosque, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice for May 9.

Claiming the allotment of site to the Punjab Police, religious organisation Anjuman Falah-e-Daarain, in a petition taken up by Mr. Justice Swatanter Kumar and Ms. Justice Bakshish Kaur, had also asked for directions to the respondents for allotting them the land.

Counsel for the petitioner had stated that the denial of the allotment was ‘‘discriminatory and without valid reason’’. The Muslim community, it was further stated, had ‘‘the right to worship at a place where they had been worshipping for the last 13 years’’. Everyday, at least 1000 Muslims gathered there five times a day to offer prayers.

Going into the background, counsel had stated that an acre had been reserved for building the mosque in 1989. On February 9, counsel had added, an order was passed, intimating that ‘‘no site was ever reserved for building a mosque’’.

CULTURE

More a labour of love, less a piece of art ...
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 24 — “Not to think, only to feel; and feel with all the heart.” —

That’s art to Rahul Bakshi, who has covered long streches of struggle to give sense to his passion. And what is his passion all about? Ask him and his innocent eyes glisten in reply. “I have been robbed of the qualities you have been bestowed with. But there’s something in me which you don’t have. I can say it all in colours. So I don’t have to be sad that words strike me late.”

Rahul’s maiden work, “First Step”, now on display at the Indus Ind Art Gallery, nowhere reflects immaturity. The work, he very fondly, dedicates to his late father, Mr H.S . Bakshi, “is a powerful web of strokes and colours.” There are portraits of one and all who made a difference to make human lives better. Rahul has made portraits of Mother Teresa, J.L. Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Guru Nanak. On the spiritual inclination of his work, Rahul says: “I feel associated with all of them. And while I sketch them, a strange feeling of contentment overpowers me. I feel complete.”

There’s also a sharp focus on the film personalities, Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachhan being the favourites. “I love watching them on screen and I have always yearned to portray them in my art. I have worked very hard on these portraits.” So he has. Says his mother Balwant Bakshi, the woman behind his finesse: “Right since school days he would spend hours sketching. His hard work has done wonders.”

The finest of all his works are the small, refined sketches in oil paints. The works are powerful and exhibit freedom at the same time. Renowned artist and former principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture, Aditya Prakash, who was present on the inauguration of his exhibition, lauded his works and told us: “His sketches reflect freedom and economy at the same time. He has not wasted space. There’s a distinct flow that adds charm to the work and the colour blends are very potent.”

As about the theme, Rahul adores women for he is ever conscious of the efforts his mother has made for him. “Had it not been for her, I would never have been what I am today. She has never lost faith in me and she has been a guiding star. I have painted women from all regions — Punjab, Himachal, Rajasthan. I feel women form is the best form in the entire creation. She symbolises energy.”

Rahul’s graduation from the city College of Arts also came through with great difficulty, as informed by his mentor and principal, Arts College, Mr Prem Singh, who inaugurated the exhibition. “No seat was vacant when he approached us. His mother then met the Vice-Chancellor and a special seat was created for him.”

Mr Singh who guided Rahul through his tough times was full of praise for his work. “He has no fixed notions. His art reflects the easiness of expression. He works in his own studio at home and it is this diligence which has made this exhibition possible.”

Diligence? “Yes, of course,” smiles a determined Rahul, “Nothing is impossible if one has the courage of conviction. Deterimation negates all infirmities.”

We all agree. After all, streams flow where rocks are.

Theatre gives us joy, not food: experts
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 24 — All that we see or seems is but a dream within a dream, so wrote Edgar Allan. And what he wrote is relevant in all aspects of life, for beyond what is visible lies a lot of invisible reality.

The saying once again became true during the two-day deliberations on the relevance of Punjabi theatre (Rubaru), organised by the Sarghi Kala Kender. As one sat with five great Punjabi theatre luminaries who had gathered to share the many travails they had faced during their journey, one felt there was a lot in the realm of Punjabi theatre. It comprised the artists and their incessant struggle. It also consisted of a dying tradition of Punjabi theatre art which never received its due from various governments.

Mr Jagdish Fariadi, a Bhatinda-based theatre artist, who chaired the first session, said, "During our times director had complete control over the script and it did not matter if I had written it. I have worked a lot in this field but no effort of mine has ever been put to paper, courtesy lack of funds for theatre. Theatre gave us satisfaction, but no food. The government has been very callous towards our needs."

This callousness reflects from the fact that the state government never framed a well-defined cultural policy. Talking in this regard, Gurcharan Singh Jasuja, a famous Punjabi playright from Delhi, said, "It's very sad to note that there is no money for preserving this fine heritage." He also informed of how he had written many plays but had hardly been able to present them due to lack of fund allocation.

Meagre funds have sure taken their toll and many precious scripts have been lost. Some artists are, however, in favour of self-generaton of funds. Mr Gurcharan Singh Gill, a non-conformist artist from the city, says, "You can't let an art die because your government has been caught sleeping. There are ways to overcome problems. If funds are less, let us all mobilise the public and generate money."

National Vice-Chairman, Indian People's Theatre Organisation (IPTA) Tera Singh Chann, talked of how sometimes even the "very modern" communists oppose the entry of women in the field. The Chariman, Punjab Arts Council, Dr Harcharan Singh, also shared his opinion about the lurking danger which the great art was facing.

There are many more problems, like the lack of proper places for staging plays. 'Raising these vital points is very important,said Sanjeevan Singh, President, Sarghi Kala Kender, the man behind the show. He said the purpose of calling the experts was to give them a platform from where they could voice their grievances. "These are men who have devoted a lifetime to theatre, but have never cribbed for reward. Our objective was to connect them to the people and the government.

Interestingly, Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu, Cabinet minister, Printing and Stationery, Punjab, present on the occasion, announced a grant of Rs 10,000 for Sarghi Kender.

A demand for indoor auditoriums in districts and open air heatres in tehsils was made on the occasion. Another suggestion was formation of script banks to preserve scripts. The gathering also voted for introducing Punjabi theatre as a subject in schools and also making Punjabi, the language in hospitals, courts and institutes of higher education.