EDUCATION

Bihar students barred from seeking admission
Blanket ban by PU
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 8 — Fate of even meritorious students of the Bihar Intermediate Board seeking admissions in Panjab University hangs in balance due to the university blanket ban on their admissions.

No clarifications and unresponsive attitude of the Bihar board to verification regarding previous results of the candidates led to the university taking the strict decision regarding banning their admissions. The ban has also been extended to Mahila Gram Vidyapith, Allahabad, this session.

The decision was taken following a resolution by the Syndicate which arrived at the decision to ban admission following discovering cases where the Bihar board had not responded to inquiries regarding previous results where the university was suspicious. Sources said certain cases of fake certificates were also detected.

The issue has come to the centrestage following representation by meritorious students of the Bihar board seeking admissions in PU undergraduate courses. They insist that it was for university and the Bihar board to arrange for procedural cooperation. The students should not to be blamed for the attitude of the board. Fake admissions, if any, could be verified by the authorities, they have pointed out.

In a letter to the Chief Justice of India, one of the admission seeker had stated that “non-response of the Bihar board to the university queries was an administrative problem and had nothing to do with the students. Even meritorious students are affected by this ban. Even Delhi University, one of the leading institutes in the country, does not bar Bihar board students.”

A complainant mentions that his sister secured 76.2 per cent marks from the Bihar Intermediate Board in 1999-2000. She was, however, denied admission in Panjab University.

The letter mentioned the PU decision as ‘arbitrary and violative of the fundamental right of quality. “It is prayed that the letter be admitted as a public interest litigation and the university directed to admit board students so that meritorious students do not suffer”, the letter stated.

University sources, however, said the decision had to be taken following no reply by the authorities concerned. The actual status of several results was doubtful. Certain flaws were also found in the result cards which needed to be re-checked. Allowing such students to have a graduate degree of the university would mean giving a bad name to the varsity. The university sources pointed out that the Bihar board did not seem to be serious in resolving the issue going by the present status.

A senior functionary said that the board should also be asked to answer the issue clearly. Fake degree racket, if any, should be communicated to university.

40 volunteer teachers honoured
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 8 — Cursing prevailing illiteracy in society, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr SK Monga, said the need of the hour was to make people literate. He was speaking at a district-level function organised in Sector 16 to observe Literacy Day.

Mr Monga said illiteracy was a stumbling block in the progress of the country and it was the responsibility of every educated person to make people around him literate.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner and vice-president of the District Literacy cell, Mr M.P. Bansal, said parents must put their children in schools and treat the girl child equally with regard to education.“One educated woman can make three households literate,” he stated.

Enumerating the activities of the cell, the secretary, Mr I.P. Singla, said “Jago abhiyan” had been started in the district to make people literate under which 2580 literacy classes were in progress and the volunteers had already ensured literacy for 9850 persons.

He added that to achieve 100 per cent literacy, the district had been divided into seven parts, five in the rural area and two in the urban area. Further, these seven parts had been divided into 30 parts.

At the function, 40 volunteers teaching under the scheme were honoured. Also, students from various schools presented songs and plays to mark the day.

Workshop on urolithiasis from October 31
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 8 — A three-day conference on urolithiasis and the tenth meeting of the Uroliathiasis Society of India ( USOI) will be held from October 31 to November 2. Being sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, the Department of Urology, PGI and the Chandigarh chapter of the USOI, the conference would focus on the advances made in the techniques and research and managements in this field.

According to organising secretary, R.K Jethi, although stones can be lodged in any part of the urinary tract, the incidence of occurrence of urinary stones has shifted from the lower to the upper urinary tract.

He said “since Chandigarh is the epicentre of urinary stone belt of India and no medical treatment has been actually discovered until now, the symposium will serve its purpose by bringing together specialists from India and abroad.

As many as 15 delegates from the USA the UK, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran and Germany. Are expected to participate in the programme.

The deliberations will include a CME programme on “Recent advances in the techniques employed in urolithiasis research and management”;

Britannia quiz results
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 8 — Sixtythree teams from Chandigarh, Amritsar, Patiala and other regions from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana participated in the fifth Britannia Heritage Quiz — Edition 2000 organised by Aishwarya Ltd held at Shivalik Public School, here today. Earlier the quarter final written contest was held and 24 schools qualified for the semi finals. These 24 schools were divided into four groups with six schools in each group.

There were eight rounds of questions on various subjects.In the final round best six scoring schools amongst the 63 schools had a neck and neck competition.Three schools emerged as winners.St John’s High School, Chandigarh bagged the first position. The three runners up were Sant Nischal School, Yamunanagar (first) D.H.D. SD School, Ambala Cantt (second) and Guru Nanak Public School, Ludhiana, (third). St Edward School Shimla and Bishop Cotton School, Shimla were the special prize winners.

The organiser of the Britannia Heritage Quiz , Mr Tejwant Singh explained the objective of the competition. He said this type of contests help to make the students aware of various subjects like art and culture, environment, science, history and many other.

The quiz hostess Ms Kalindi Badola anchored the show. All participants were given certificates of participation and gift hampers from Britannia. The top winners won a trophy and air ticket to Singapore from Sri Lanka Airlines and wrist watches from the Singapore Tourism Board.

Deptt of Psychology declares vacancies
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 8 — The Department of Psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, has declared some seats vacant under the foreign/NRI sponsored category. Those who are interested in admission may apply at the department till September 11.

Some seats for admission to B.Sc (I) (Hons School) and B. Pharmacy have been declared vacant. All those students who have been interviewed as well as the late applicants (80 per cent and above marks in CET) are required to come for transfer/admission on September 11 at 9.30 a.m. to the Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University.

Free coaching in gurdwara
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 8 — Sikh Missionary College (circle Chandigarh) has started coaching for needy students of classes X and XII free of cost in the subjects of English, mathematics and science and commerce.

The faculty comprises teachers from Panjab University and various colleges.

For the benefit of students who could not appear in the selection test, another test is being conducted on September 10 at the Sector 34 gurdwara.

Sikh Missionary College also provides scholarships to needy students and organises subsidised computer classes, free kirtan and Gurmat classes and martial arts (gatka) classes.

COURTS

Cop restrained from harassing plaintiff
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Sept 8 — Ms Harinder Sidhu, Civil Judge, Kharar, yesterday restrained the incharge of the city police post, Mr Jaswant Singh, Head Constable, working as MHC, and Mr Jagdish Chand from harassing and interfering in the day-to-day life of the plaintiff, Mr Padam Dev, on the basis of a compromise reached at earlier.

Mr Padam Dev, working in the Civil Hospital here, had filed a suit for declaring the compromise dated August 6 as illegal as it was made under duress. He pleaded that his wife was an agent of real value investment company, with its office at SCO 30, Sector 41-D, Chandigarh.

Mr Jagdish Chand deposited some amount in the company through his wife. He alleged that some of the amount was outstanding against the above said company.

The plaintiff was called on August 6 to the city police post and was forced to enter into a compromise under pressure. He was threatened that he would be booked in a criminal case if he failed to agree to their terms.

He had to move an application for grant of anticipatory bail before the Additional Sessions Judge, Ropar. It was stated by the police that there was no case pending against the plaintiff and his wife.

Civil suit dismissed
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 8 — Civil suit filed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate D.S. Rajput against the former Director-General of Police, Punjab, Mr P.C. Dogra, a former SP, UT, Mr C.S.R. Reddy, a former Deputy Home Secretary, Mr Gurmail Singh, and others for seeking damages worth Rs 60 crore in defamation and harassment case was today dismissed by the UT Civil Judge (Junior Division).

The complainant had alleged that he was falsely implicated in many cases by these officers during their term. The Judge observed that the complainant had not filed a court fee for seeking damages and was not present in the court.

CULTURE

Web site for actors, models launched
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 8 — Gulmohar Arts, today, launched a free website for upcoming models and actors.

The brainchild of Mr Ravinder Pal Kalra, a noted play director and art photographer, the website, www.modelglamworld.com, has been launched with a view to provide an international platform to aspiring models and actors/actresses. The portal was inaugurated by Baby Japjot, a nine child model, who is the youngest model to feature on the website.

The portal would help the advertisement companies, theatre and film units and media companies to spot talent and help minimise the role of the middlemen, who often exploit the young aspirants, said Ms Megha Kalra, director of the organisation.