EDUCATION

Each PU Department will have its own admission process this year
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — Following the failure of a common entrance programme for smooth admissions in social science departments of Panjab University last year, the university will have separate admissions for each department for the session 2000-2001.

The move comes following various difficulties in the smooth conduct of the admissions, causing undue delay during the last session. The admission committee sat through the nights then preparing the merit lists. However, the first list on display was full of errors .

Each department now prepares its own merit list. The interviews will also be done at the individual level. This overcomes one big lopsided feature during last year's admissions. The central controlling point of the admissions suffered as other venues did not have sufficient workers and volunteers for guidance.

The issue features in the forthcoming academic meeting of the university as also other changes in admission-related provisions for the forthcoming session.

On a suggestion of the Chairperson of the Sanskrit Department, it has been recommended that candidates who obtain 50 per cent marks in the entrance examination for the course be admitted to the first year. The department allowed candidates who obtained 40 per cent marks in the written examination as eligible for admissions last year. The percentage has been increased to 50.

Admissions to the bachelor of engineering (agro-processing) will be made on the basis of marks obtained in the entrance examination (non-medical and medical) conducted by Panjab University.

On working out the percentage of seats in the reserved categories, if the number contains a fraction above half (0.5), an additional seat if created, will be treated as one seat. In allocation of 25 seats for a department, with different numerical difference in aspirants, the seats are likely to be increased to 26.

Seats in the reserved categories which remain unfilled till August 25 will be transferred to the open category.

The university has fixed additional seats in a number of courses on payment of a higher tuition fee. These include University Business School (MBA I and II) - 10; master of computer applications (MCA) - 5 '; bachelor of engineering (chemical) - 10; bachelor of pharmaceutical science - 10 ; Department of English (Part I) - 15; Department of Geography - 4 ; and Punjabi (MA I) - 10.

For admissions to MA (physical education) in addition to the merit of examination, additional weightage will be given for the first position in all-India inter-university contests or a senior national-level contest - 20 marks ; second position in the university level and the national level contests - 15; third will get 10 marks; first in inter-zonal gets 9 marks; second gets 8 and the third gets 7.

For entrance in the MBA department, the written examination shall have 85 per cent weightage. The group discussion and the interview each will have 7.5 per cent.

Students enrolled in the Correspondence Department, casual students, external students and those pursuing bridge courses will not be eligible to participate in the inter-college tournament. Students can pursue sports for one more year than the normal length of the academic programme.

Controversy over appointments continues at university
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — New appointments in Panjab University continue to be the centre of a hot debate on possible ‘ suspicious interested favours’. More fuel adds to the raging fire of controversies, which gains momentum and coincides with the Syndicate meeting, scheduled for tomorrow.

Procedural faults have been pointed out in appointments in Mathematics Department. The issue of Dr Vandana Rakesh, wife of the UT Finance Secretary, in English Department was the ignition for the drama.

Despite claims of fair play, Fellows are likely to ask for justifications in few cases . A senior fellow said the university provided bio-data of only selected candidates. Often, it was discovered that many eligible candidates were not even called for interview.

In interest of the university, it would be better if the university could give a clear picture of the situation and give answers where doubt was pointed out, a senior Fellow said. An ongoing feature on the campus is receipt of unsigned letters to Senate members and even the press, which by and large does not disclose the sources.

Responding to a news report in the Tribune, more communication has flown in from different quarters, which points out a need for a re-study of the cases. One letter said MA and M.Phil candidates had been recruited in certain cases where PhDs were not called.

Earlier, there was a hue and a cry over an appointment in the History Department, where the candidate allegedly filed differing bio-data in related courses. A Sanskrit Department appointment was stopped because the father of the candidate was on the interview panel.

Also interesting is the item pertaining to appointment of Mr Devender Marwaha, Vice-Chancellor’s secretary, as the Assistant Registrar. The academic record of the candidate is being shown as very poor. He also jumps two steps up his posts, which is being questioned on the campus from several quarters.

It is also being argued that Mr Marwaha does not qualify according to UGC norms. The item was deferred even while on the last agenda. Syndicate members may ask for details of other more than 35 candidates for the post.

Another letter calls certain recent appointments as ‘ an unprecedented academic hoax in over 100 years history of the university’. Appointment of a Professor of Bio-technology is being questioned.

Interestingly, remarks of the Vice-Chancellor in a meeting, where Dr Rupinder Tewari appeared, were that he left the meeting after insulting the committee, saying it was biased and he knew who was going to be selected, which the committee resented. Syndicate’s displeasure should be conveyed in unequivocal terms to him.

This was when he appeared in the Microbiology Department. His appointment was confirmed recently, which was questioned by a section of faculty saying that syndicate had decided on no appointments till next meeting. It was argued that the appointment was not new as he joined because the upper candidate in merit did not join. He is also said to have conveyed his sorry to the university.

Another hot talk is introduction of project on a Lajpat Rai Study Centre. Prof Indu Banga is being proposed as a Faculty Adviser, while Prof J.S. Grewal has been proposed as an Honorary Director not withdrawing any honorarium. The move has already been objected to by a section of faculty, saying that a chair in Lala’s name exists. Also people related with the chair now did not have direct academic record in the subject.

Talking to the Tribune Prof Banga pointed out that the immediate move was creation of a centre. Initially, the committee only would work out in direction of giving a form to the new centre and later, the others could take over. The recommendations would be forwarded for further action. A fresh look at the chair was basically a subject related work promotion, from where teachers from other faculties could work.

The existing chair literally ceased working after Prof Shanti Swaroop quit long time back. Prof Grewal was working without any financial gains and basically stealing time from his already hectic schedule.

The Syndicate will also study a proposal of the Vice-Chancellor of allowing at least six students of Economics Department to appear in annual examination. They were being held up because of shortage of lectures. There were a least three more cases of other departments.

There is also a proposal of increasing seats in Masters of Education from 10 to 25 in the local Government College of Education. The BBA and BCA entrance examination is also likely to be phased out.

St Xavier’s website launched
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — The website of St Xavier’s Senior Secondary Schools was launched by Mr Denzil B Atinkson, Member of Parliament, here today. The Xavarians studying will get the benefit of the opportunity of the gates to knowledge with limitless frontiers.

The site sections include information, profile, calendar, patron Saint, activities, latest news, Xavarian alumni, hostels and labs. These sections provide information about the school, list of holidays, information of hostel and co-curricular activities the school is having.

The school plans to make available on the web information to the students regarding the correct homework. A page has been prepared exclusively for Xavarian alumni who can feed in their particulars and information about themselves and the same can be viewed by other alumni and current students. Any person outside Chandigarh and abroad seeking information on the school or hostel, can view photographs and information about the hostel.

The website has been designed by Mr Alex Kumal Gadela who is studying computer in Panjab University.

Meanwhile, all-India Inter School Debate-2000 organised by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi, was hosted by St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44-C, Chandigarh, today.

The result of the debate are: St Kabir Public School, Sector 26, (Vijay Subramanian and Neha Bhatt 1; Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, (Saandra GS and Simarpuneet Kaur) 2; and St Xaviers Sr Sec School, Sector 44-C, Chandigarh (Pearl Stanley and Lovleen Kaur) 3.

The Best Speaker award went to Simarpuneet Kaur from Yadavindra Public School, Mohali.

St Soldier’s kids are carnival champs
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR, April 29 — The two-day carnival organised by Tetra Pak concluded with the final events being held at Yadavindra Public School here today.

The carnival began yesterday at St John’s High School, Chandigarh.

Thirtyone schools from Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar took part in the carnival here. Six teams each for ‘antakshri’ and quiz participated in the finals. Parents or teachers were allowed to accompany children in the quiz. Each team had four participants.

Some questions were also thrown open to the audience and the winners were given fruit juice packs. Mr Derek O’Brien, well-known quizmaster, asked a question on cricket to the audience. Though the question was a bit tough, one of the parents whose children are studying in YPS was able to answer it. And the prize he got was one full month’s supply of fruit juice.

Mr O’Brien said such carnivals had earlier been held in four cities but the response they got from students, teachers, parents and the Press in Chandigarh was the best.

The quiz ended on a rather stern note as Mr O’Brien became a bit harsh when he heard one of the teachers sitting in the audience was trying to “pass an answer” to a question to the students of a school.

Ms Isabel Nygren, wife of the Managing Director of Tetra Pak, along with Manpreet Brar, a former Miss India, gave away the prizes.

St Soldier’s School was declared the overall champion of the carnival. The runners-up slot went to St Anne’s School and the third position to Shivalik School and St Stephen’s School.

The other prizes were as under:

“Antakshri”: Moti Ram Arya School 1; St John’s School 2; and Little Flower School 3.

Quiz: St Anne’s School 1; St John’s School 2; and Carmel Convent School 3.

Cheering squad: Yadavindra Public School 1; and St Kabir School and Carmel Convent School 2.

The carnival was sponsored by Dabur with Verka as associate sponsor.

CULTURE

From London to India — music is taking him places
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — When the world knew little about what Punjabi pop music was all about, he was rocking London with the freshness of his rhythm. There was everything in his songs — from melody to variety. No wonder then that the Heera band which he founded in the 1980s abroad with another singer friend named Kumar did wonders in the world of music.

And shortly after Palwinder Dhami sang the famous number Maar chadappa and Do ven janiya, his band was doing rounds of the finest night clubs of London. For years, the Heera magic continued to please the Indians abroad who had never imagined that Punjabi music could be so invigorating and soothing at the same time. And interestingly, he has never had any formal training in music.

Today, his band is no more but its aura remains. And as the two members of the band separate to seek an independent identity in the world of Punjabi music, Palwinder Dhami tells The Tribune that he has no regrets. “Music never dies with people or with bands. It flows through and through,” says the singer whom you might recognise more for the role of Gurbachan Singh (Shaheed Udham Singh’s friend) which he played in the recent dream project of Raj Babbar.

Further, Dhami is quite confident of making it big in India as he tells us, “If Daler Mehndi can, why can’t I? In fact, Daler was introduced for the first time in 1995 when I had come to perform at Dr Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi.” Moreover, Dhami has performed widely across the world in Kenya, Pakistan, Australia, Europe and USA. When asked if the response was encouraging, Dhami said, “It had to be, because music speaks one language, the language of the heart.”

The city might also well remember Dhami as the only artiste who has shared the stage with Jagjit and Chitra Singh during the Chandigarh Carnival performances. Ask him about the city and he knows more than you do. “I have often been here, but now you will see me more often. I am finally back from London and I will settle in my hometown Jalandhar. In this era of music where all and sundry are singing, I want to tell the world what real music is all about.”

Dhami, who has come back to India in search of his moorings, was yesterday in town on a promotional tour for his latest solo Punjabi album, Kya Baat Hai, which is currently being shown in bits and pieces on the MTV. The artise informs, “Magnasound has released my cassette, but at present, only small portions of the song are being shown. The entire song will be on air after two weeks or so once we are sure that the market is ready to receive our stuff.”

Apart from music, Dhami is also getting quite active on the front of acting. He has already about eight films to his credit.

He also has offers for roles in serials to be shortly aired on the Alpha Punjabi channel. “ I am already shooting for these projects. I hope I get a good standing here too,” he says. And as far as his future plans go, he is not thinking too much, he says. “There is no point in planning. It is best to take one day at a time and do one’s duty. But yes, music will be a part of my life always and it will be the prime activity I will remain engaged in.”

Galaxy of frames for art lovers
By Priti Verma

CHANDIGARH: The arty people of Chandigarh, these dull and drab months of summers will have something to look forward to. Rather they will have something to talk about animatedly. And the subject of discussion will be the opening of a new art gallery. Can one hear the bees buzzing all around?

Oh yeah! that is what the artistically parched city needs. The number of art galleries as compared to the exhibitions held is insufficient, is the opinion of the experts. The arrival of the new gallery and that too in the heart of the city, Sector 17, based in the prime location, opposite Ghazal Restaurant/Hot Millions, is definitely going to give a fillip to the entire scenario.

Well, well it be called Rayman’s Art Gallery, doesn’t it have a French ring to it? The force behind its opening is an ex-judical officer, Mr M.S. Nagra. Though being in a serious kind of a profession he was inclined towards painting. He reminiscences: “Whenever I went to Mumbai, Delhi, Paris, London, Thailand, I always made it a point to visit the galleries.” He kept on buying art works for his personal collection. One day after retirement when he was contemplating as to how to keep himself occupied he struck upon this idea. This idea was eagerly approved by his wife and daughter after whom this gallery has been named.

His second daughter, Rayman, herself is an ex-student of College of Arts with specialisation in Applied Arts. After her pass-out Mr Nagra got all the more interested in clever play of paint and brush. Gradually he kept on adding to his own collection. As he owned the premises he wanted to utilise it aptly. What better idea than this could have been!

It did not take long for Mr Nagra and Rayman to give form to their notion. Just six months back they reached a decision, and since then have been working day and night to see their dream come true. What prompted them to go ahead? To this the proud owner remarks, “The idea is not to earn money but to give something beautiful to the people to see. It is a dignified trade and involves beauty which is always good to have around oneself”.

This place is surely going to be a virtual feast for the eyes. “It will have varied paintings like oil, water colour, three dimensional work, P.O.P for sale and display,” claims Rayman. The themes too will be as varied as the colours of a rainbow — Hindu mythology, Sikh heritage, Punjabi, Haryanavi, Rajasthani rural background, miniature works including original works by renowned artists like Manish Pushkale, Paresh Chandra, Tapan Dash, Tarun Mazumdar and other local artists.

The gallery will house European reproductions and Indian Original works. On the day of the inauguration May 2, 2000, there will be about 100 miniatures and 50 other frames brought in from all over India for art lovers to swoon over.

Narahari Sharma gets Sangeet Ratna
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — Koride Narahari Sharma, the famous exponent of classical music belonging to Dharmapuri village in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh, presented a rare feast of Carnatic music at the Bhaskar Rao indoor Auditorium of Pracheen Kala Kendra here last night.

The maestro began his recital with Guru prarthana and followed it by varnam, a composition of various ragas. he moved on to a grand Kacheri programme with “vathapi Ganapathim bhaje hum”, a Dikshitar composition in raga Hamsadhwani, with popular kerthans and krithis. His thillana (Vrindavani) was highly appreciated.

Narahari Sharma was accompanied brilliantly on the violin by K.L.N. Murthy. The mridangam accompaniment came from P. Jaya Bhaskara, a disciple of Yella Venkateswara Rao. The ghatam and the morsing were ably played by G. Venkatesha. It was an enchanting evening made memorable by the presence of a large number of South Indian music-lovers residing in the city.

Narahari Sharma was awarded the title of Sangeeta Ratna by the kendra.

Organising theme parties in style

IN this jet set age, it is the younger people who are setting the trends — be it fashion or socio-cultural scene. Some youngsters love to be different. They dare, take the initiative and ride high on the crest of success by treading off beaten path. One such youngster is Sunayana Bhinder, Director, X-Factor Entertainment Enterprises, an event making company of City Beautiful.From her looks, she looks like a girl-next-door. Her easy mannerisms do nothing to suggest that she is a die-hard career girl and a successful one at that. Behind her smiling face is a girl of grit and determination who means business — whose management and organisational style of gala events is already a talk of the town. Who can forget her Rain Dance Party held at Fun City, Go-Karting bash, Holi Dhamaal, Valentine and Halloween Dance Party, to name a few?

In fact, Sunayana has introduced a new concept in entertainment in Chandigarh by organising several theme parties and gala events in her typical style and has completely transformed the socio-cultural scenario of this once ‘sleeping city’. She has unleashed a wide spectrum of pulsating, vibrant, loud, electrifying and exciting atmosphere.

“The socio-cultural scene of Chandigarh is no longer the same as it was a few years ago,” she admits. “Earlier, the first thing that would strike an outsider was a total lack of entertainment in the city. But not today,” she adds. According to her, in today’s fast paced age of cultural fusion, as the influence of certain western rhythms has seeped into our social fibre, the moods and tastes of the present generation, too, have undergone a change. The young psyche is geared to new socio-cultural scene with plethora of theme parties in the city recently. Sunayana is apparently in great demand as event organiser of the City Beautiful. Whatever the kind of event, she carries herself with aplomb.

Petite and unassuming, Sunayana loves to do things in style. Her every show is different and has something exciting to offer. For instance, she created artificial rain for the rain dance party held at Fun City last year featuring fire-eaters, jugglers, tatto-makers and Calypso dancers of Goa for giving a proper ambience for the event. At Go-Karting bash, she had Shivani Kashyap of ‘Ho Gai Hai Mohabbat’ fame and the winner of the best video Channel V award, to sway the glitterati of City Beautiful to her hot numbers. This was followed by Valentine and Halloween Dance Parties where she built up a ramp inside the pool where all models were dressed up in fairy costumes. For Valentine Party, she erected the dance floor in the shape of heart.

“My idea is to provide fun to the audience,” she remarks. “Everyone wants to have some fun in life. Whatever the age of a person, a lively celebration is surely enjoyed by everyone. That’s why I make it pretty sure that there is something for every taste,” she avers.

A product of Auckland House School, Simla, Sunayana went to Delhi and did a three-year course in fashion designing and technology. After a brief stint with an MNC in Delhi, where she worked as Public Relations Officer, she came back to Chandigarh to stay with her parents. She wanted to do something on her own. Do what?

She didn’t have an idea until an opportunity came her way. It so happened that one of her friends was having party in Ludhiana. As Sunayana was free, she asked her to give her a helping hand.

Combining creativity with precision, she decided to organise the party in an innovative way. She put up some stylish decorations and added some extra fun to make the event lively and entertaining, which proved to be big hit.

Everybody enjoyed the event and applauded Sunayana for her efforts. After that, she was flooded with offers to organise events in similar manner. Creativity coupled with ingenuity was one of the virtues that prompted Sunayana to launch her own X-Factor Entertainment Enterprises Company in 1998 at Chandigarh. And, she was in business. Today she is virtually swamped with assignments.

“Managing gala events and mega shows is not an easy job,” she admits. “Such adventurous events really test the initiative, self discipline and toughness of the person involved. The audience is very demanding and there are thousands of spectators being catered to,” she adds.

To make an event successful her finger has to be on the pulse of the audience. She has to be alert, brisk, cheerful. She sees to it that a show in managed and presented in style.

What’s required is a good deal of ‘showmanship’ to put pep into any programme, to make it really successful. “For this, there must be variety in the items, for monotony and sameness prove deadly,” she avers.

Today Sunayana Bhinder enjoys a huge clientele not only in City Beautiful but also in the neighbouring states. Within a short span of time, she has carved a niche for herself in the city. She owes her success to her parents who have always supported her.

— Anjana Datta

Hi-tech digital studio that gives pix in seconds
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — The city's first digital photo studio became operational today.

According to Mr Tejbans Singh Jauhar, the studio, which has been commissioned in collaboration with Kodak, will give the customers pictures within seconds thus making a revolution in studio photography.

The printing with this new digital imported machine will not be done by normal laser jet but will be processed on a patented thermal dye tub printer.

The new system provides for retouching, finishing like removing scars with the help of computerised systems.

It is an integration of existing technology with digital technology to give excellent results. The pictures can be stored or archived on CDs . The system also provides for different sizes of printouts — from a stamp size to 4inches by 7 inches. The system does not use any chemicals and is highly eco-friendly.

Mr Jauhar said that with this system, even old images can be scanned, retouched and finished.

The system also has facilities for black and white print outs. It is much better than polaroid photography . In the new system, images can be stored for posterity on CDs and even hard disk drive of a computer.

Junior Fellowship for Manmeet
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — Manmeet Pal Singh, an upcoming artist, has been awarded Junior Fellowship by the Ministry of Culture, to support his painting talent.

Though being deaf and dumb, Manmeet has become a great artist.He was encouraged by his parents to develop his talent, and has always portrayed true expression through his paintings without any professional guidance.

At the age of seven, he was encouraged by an artist from Oxford University. Thereafter, he worked quite hard. His first exhibition was held in 1995 in Chandigarh, where his works were appreciated by the public, artists and the media. He held five more exhibitions, including one at New Delhi, which were highly rated and appreciated.

Despite his inadequacies, Manmeet comes out as an extraordinary human being. He donates major part of his earnings through his art and has given money for Kargil widows and Orissa cyclone-affected families.

Pak artiste Fakhar Zaman to visit city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — The famous Pakistani writer, poet and social activist Fakhar Zaman will shortly be in town on an invitation from the Punjab Arts Council. The artiste is at present in Delhi attending the SAARC Writers' Conference as leader of the Pakistani delegation.

Zaman will stay in the city for three days. He will deliver the 16th Balraj Sahni Memorial Lecture, being organised by the council in collaboration with a Mumbai-based Punjabi Kala Kender founded by the late Balraj Sahni.

Punjabi Kala Kender will also take this occasion to honour five prominent theatre personalities for their life-long contribution in the field of drama and culture. They are S. Bhag Singh, Ajmer Singh Aulakh, Devinder Daman, Tera Singh Chann and Kewal Dhaliwal. They will all receive mementos, cash, gifts and citations from Fakhar Zaman. The lecture will be presided over by Dr Satinder Singh Noor, a veteran Punjabi critic from Delhi University.