EDUCATION

Science seats filled in two more schools
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, July 9 — As many as 1084 students have been admitted to several government schools, in the ongoing admissions to class XII. Two more schools have been added to the count, where the seats for science stream have been filled. In science stream, 74 seats for general category have been filled both at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10.

As informed by the official sources, the cut-off percentage of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, was 77.60 per cent and of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, was 75.60 per cent. The present position of admissions in schools in different streams is science seats —948, commerce seats — 110, humanities seats — 15 and vocational seats — 11.

Reserved seats in every stream are available in all the schools. On July 10, teachers are expecting more than 600 students for the admissions in the category of 70 per cent marks and above. Parents feel satisfied with the kind of arrangement the government has set up for admissions. According to them, this time it is a clean and clear process of admissions. According to official sources, 496 students were expected to turn up for the admission today. Almost 519 students reported, out of which 454 students were admitted today.

When blindness does not come
in the way of success
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The Institute for the Blind Sector 26, is helping a lot of people find their way around. Despite being visually impaired, the students have overcome their disability and perform beyond expectations in every field.

“It is with the co-operation of the parents and the teachers that we are able to attain success in the results. Though the students are physically handicapped, but that in no way hinder their performance. They are biologically blind but the eyes of their brain are wide open,” says Mr K.R. Principal of the institute.

The school came into existence in 1972. The institute has government-aided staff. There are almost 100 students and 22 teachers to bring out the best. The students who are provided education free of cost. The struggle with darkness is led by the headmaster, Mr J.S. Jayara, who being visually impaired himself has overcome his handicap and pursued his drive for excellence in all fields, says Col. J.S. Bindra, Manager of the school.

This year students of the institute for the blind have achieved 100 per cent result in the Class X examinations conducted by the Punjab School Education Board. Vikas Popli topped the school with 79.5 per cent marks and Kuldip Singh bagged the second position with 75.6 per cent marks. The institute is functioning smoothly and maintain impeccable standards in the welfare of the visually impaired. The students have enormous potential and also the ability to fulfil their desired ambitions, informed Mr J.S. Jayara.

Maj Gen Rajendernath, Chairman of the institute, has served the institute for the 17 years and has given not only direction put also his affection to the students. The school has scaled great height under his able guidance. All the teachers, students and other staff members are a closely knit family. “I appreciate the hard work put in by the teachers to strengthen the credentials of these students,” said Mr J.S. Jayara.

“We teach the children through special methodology Books are transcribed into Braille language. The students participate in extra-curricular activities and sports with great enthusiasm. They are taught through audio cassettes, computers and other methods. We are helped out by the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped at Dehradun,” says Mr J.S. Jyara.

The school is run by donations and assistance by the public. These students if provided with basic amenities can perform miracles. They have a healthy competitive spirit and are not less than anybody.

Applications for scholarships
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The Guru Harkrishan Educational Society, Chandigarh, has invited applications for scholarships to financially poor but bright students who during the academic year 2000-2001 plan to seek admission to vocational, managerial, technical, medical, educational and other postgraduate courses.

Mr A.S. Rawel, Honorary Secretary of the society, said that since its inception in November, 1986, the society had helped 2,427 needy students. This year the society proposed to award 350 scholarships amounting to Rs 6 lakh. The scholarships are valued at tuition fee payable by the student plus a minimum of 25 per cent of the tuition fee, subject to a maximum of Rs 500 per month.

The students, who have secured at least 60 per cent marks in their last examinations and whose parental income does not exceed Rs 7,000 per month, are eligible to apply. They are advised to send their applications through the principals of their institutions. The forms are available in the office of the society.

‘Chandigarh fit to be a convention city’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 9 — “Chandigarh is a fit place to be a convention city,” says Vivienne McCabe, Director, Studies, Events Management, Southern Cross University, Australia.

Making a presentation on “Global trends and career opportunities in tourism and events management” here this morning, Ms McCabe said Chandigarh was similar to Canberra in Australia.

Political and bureaucratic commitment, willingness and commitment of the city as a host community and establishment of a convention bureau were mandatory before turning Chandigarh into a convention city, Ms McCabe said.

She said that Chandigarh could study convention centres at Cairns and Canberra before developing its own. Talking about conventions and events management, Ms McCabe said that 80 per cent of the convention business comes from the domestic market and the remaining 20 per cent from the international market. Australia, she said, would be number one in events and conventions management this year.

Last year, she said, more than 25,000 Indians went to attend conventions and events abroad.

In Sydney, studies have revealed that an average participant in an international event or convention would spend as much as Aus $ 80 a day and stay in the city for almost eight days. Another observation made was that participants did undertake sight-seeing tours before or after their event.

As far as training of personnel is concerned, those admitted to these courses in events and conventions management have 96 per cent placement. The conventions generate both direct and indirect employment in tourism, hotel and accommodation sector, food and beverages, transport, travel and attractions (museums, tourist resorts) sector.

The subject is quite popular as many governments have asked their tourism boards and corporations to give events and conventions management due importance.

Chandigarh, she said, was not only a gateway city to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir but also a multicultural town with a wide range of hotels, thriving business community, lively events programmes, besides being a city of education and entertainment. As such it was fit to be a convention city.

Dr Gulshan Sharma, Director, Institute of Tourism & Future Management Trends (ITFT), which organised the presentation today, said that ITFT would organise on its own an international conference of FEAST in February next year. The FEAST conference would be attended by 300 delegates, including 170- from abroad.

In September next year, he said, the ITFT in collaboration with the CII (Northern Region), was planning another international mega event in the city.

Earlier, Mr Rabinder Seth, Consultant ITC and a Travel Writer, said that Hong Kong was emerging as events and conventions capital of Asia. Chandigarh, he said, could become convention capital of North India. But it will take some time for the city to plan a convention centre in the next three to five years. Initially, the city could go for a medium size convention centre with a capacity up to 1500 delegates.

He also formally released a book by Ms Vivienne McCabe on events management.

College teachers plan protest
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union has decided to hold a mass dharna at Matka Chowk on August 9 in protest against the non-implementation of a pension scheme by the Punjab Government, a press note said yesterday.

The PCCTU also said there would be protests on August 18 by Punjabi University colleges, on August 25 by Panjab University colleges and on September 1 by the GNDU colleges. The protests aimed to draw of the public attention towards the harassment of Prof Amrik Singh by the police recently, the press note said.

The press note said despite political commitment, no action had been taken in regard.

“Teachers are also demanding DA as due. One demand includes making the DPEs and librarians equal to the rank of lecturers,” Prof Charanjit Chawla, General Secretary said. A meeting of the senior executive of the body was held in MTSM College, Ludhiana, yesterday which was headed by Ms Kuldip Kaur, Principal of the college.

CULTURE

Deepa Bhavani to feature in monthly baithak
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The occasion is here yet again and art lovers from all over the city are waiting for it.

A lot of talent is already awaiting for the 42nd monthly baithak programme of the Pracheen Kala Kender.

As informed by the kender officials, July 11 has been chosen as the day for holding the monthly ritual where a platform is offered to talented persons. The programme, to be held on Tuesday at the Bhaskar Rao Auditorium, this time will feature renowned bharatnatyam dancer Deepa Bhavani Shankar.

Deepa Shankar has received her initial training from none other than the revered guru of this dance form, Padma Sampath Kumaran. She has been trained in the Pandanallur style and she already has a number of solo classical dance performances to her credit. She has also been a member of the Sahitya Kala Parishad which she joined in order to seek advanced training in bharatnatyam.

Deepa, who also has been awarded by Dehali Kannadiga, a leading Kannada monthly for her contribution to the field of classical dance, will perform before the art loving public of the city.

Interestingly, the baithak tradition, has especially been conceived with a purpose of bringing the hidden talent to light. Also, as far as the viewership of the performances is concerned, it is open to one and all.