The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

‘Invest in human resource development’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — Proper human resource development is the need of the hour. Brain drain is eventually turning out to be brain gain. Expressing this here today, a former Vice-Chancellor of Benaras Hindu University, Prof D.N. Misra, said, “Although information technology professionals have succeeded in projecting a good image of our education system, yet there is a need to invest in human resource development if we want to be competitive in the global markets.”

He was delivering a talk on human resource development at the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Sector 30, here today on the occasion of the foundation day of the Council for Industrial and Scientific Research (CSIR).

On the occasion, the CSIO Director, Dr R.P. Bajpai, honoured staff members who have completed 25 years of service as well as those who retired from service during the past two months. Earlier, while welcoming the chief guest, he highlighted the significance of the CSIR foundation day.

Various laboratories and departments of the CSIO were thrown open to the general public today. During the day, a large number of students from various schools were taken around the laboratories, which provided them an opportunity to witness live demonstration of various instruments developed at the CSIO, besides interacting with scientists.

A tree plantation drive was organised on the CSIO campus. Prior to this, an open quiz for staff members and an essay writing competition for wards of the CSIO personnel was also organised.

The winners of the essay competition in the order of merit are as follows: upto Class V: Tarun, Divya Chhabra; Classes VI to VIII: Harinder Pal Singh, Aman Sharma and Nupur Gupta; and Classes IX to XII: Amit Aggarwal, Rajat Gupta and Meenu. The prizes were given away by Prof Misra.

300 participate in tourism quiz contest
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — More than 300 students participated in a quiz spreading awareness about the Indian tourism. Students from various colleges in Northern India participated in the semi-finals of the India Tourism Quiz Contest held on the eve of the World Tourism Day, here today.

Winners of the semi-finals will participate in the final of the contest to be held at Delhi in December. Semi-Finals will be organised at Gangtok for the eastern region, Bangalore for the Southern region and at Goa for the western region in November this year. These contests are organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism, UT, CITCO, and the Institute of Tourism and Future Management Trends.

Coordinator, AITQC, Mr Gulshan Sharma, informed that about 1 lakh students from more than 45 universities and 100 colleges of India would have been benefited with tourism awareness programme when we come to the conclusion of the quiz contest by the end of this year.

The main objective of this quiz is to create public awareness about the economic and social benefits of tourism development. Through these type of interactive programmes the youth are also made aware of the extraordinary attractions and rich heritage of the country. The Fiat Siena car, dedicated to the quiz contest by the Fiat Auto Limited will be named ‘’ Tourism on Wheels’’ which will carry the audio visual presentations, library, literature and other material promoting the message of tourism, said Mr Sharma.

There were three rounds in the quiz. In the first round the participants were asked to fill up tourism crossword puzzle and write a slogan for promotion of tourism. Five students, Sumit Anand from D.A.V. college, Tanzila Amjad from G.G.S college for women, Radhika Singla, Nandita Pathak and Aashee Rehani from GCG, had got the awards for best slogans.

Then came the visual round which exhibited India’s myriad tourist attractions, the winners were Sugandha Taneja, Ashima Arora, Rashmi Dixit, Neeraj Verma, Gaurav Sood, Rajatpal Gupta, Deepak Chauhan, Sumit Anand, Manmeet Kaur, Pikee Sharma, Geetika, Nidhi Garg, Archana, Radhika Singla, Garima Gupta, Ashee Rehani, Nandita Pathak, Nitin Dogra, Anjali Soni, Dhanya Nair, Deepak Sharma and Ruchi Bedwal.

In the music round Shalini Sharma, Rajni Shahu, Deepti Dhawan, Harmeet Kaur, Mukesh, Jasmine Kwatra and Prashant Parmar were the winners. The students were asked questions related to the culture, customs, traditions, monuments, places, festivals and the scenic beauty of India.

The chief guest, Ms Varsha Joshi, MD of Citco and Mr D.S. Jaspal, Secretary Civil Aviation, lit the lamp and inaugurated the quiz. Col A.B. Singh, Chairman, Hot Millions, Mr Man Mohan Singh, President, Hotels and Restaurants Association, Mr Ashok Sanghwan, Director Tourism, UT, Mr Raman Sikka, GM, Times of India and Mr Vikas Malhotra from Air France were among the other eminent guests present on the occasion. Dr Gulshan Sharma, Coordinator, All India Tourism Quiz Contest anchored the programme. Gift hampers and prizes were given to the winners.

City boy excels in computers
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — True. Computers have really changed our lives.It is even true in the case of Nakul Goyal, a final-year BCA student of the Regional Institute of Management and Administration, Chandigarh, whose hobby to work on computers has today placed him on the top of the world. Yes, this city boy has been certified as one of the top 15 Windows 98 experts in the world and the only one in India by Brainbench, a company which gives certifications on the net.

With his certification as Master Windows 98 Power User, Nakul ranked first in the country among 1,781 students who have completed the test. Scoring 99 per cent in the test, his rank is 19th in the world.

Another achievement to his credit is the top position in the country in the MS Frontpage 2000 developer examination also.

With such achievements, this computer savvy lad, who has already developed as many as 14 websites and is developing portals, has already started receiving job offers from premier national and international companies, including those in San Fransico and Kuwait, as web consultant and system analyst. “But my plans for the future are first to get further education in computers abroad. “It may be surprising, but the truth is that, apart from his BCA and three-month computer crash course, Nakul has not gone in for any advanced computer courses. “I have and I am learning from experts on the Internet only”, he says. Despite that he is well versed with almost all the latest computer languages and the Internet.

COURTS

Impose fines on cellphone drivers
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — It was revealed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court that 27 pc of all accidents occur due to the use of cellphones while driving vehicles.

In view of this fact, conceded by counsel for the state of Punjab, Haryana and UT, Mr Justice Swatantar Singh directed the administration that there should be no relaxation in challangs and imposition of fines on those using cellphones while driving.

The Judge further directed that it would be mandatory for all four-wheelers to provide seat belts and use of the seat belts while driving would be compulsory for the driver as well as for occupants of the four-wheelers.

The Judge added that all vehicles would provide seat belts for the passengers of the vehicle and that while enforcing these directions, the administration should ensure that those vehicles without seat belts, are provided such belts cars. A case in tinted glasses used on a car was adjourned to October 4.

Notice to Punjab on PCS appointments

In a writ petition alleging violation of reservation policy while filling up 28 posts in PCS Executive Branch, a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mrs Justice Bakhshish Kaur, issued notice of motion to the Chief Secretary and Secretary of the Punjab Public Service Commission for January 18. The write petition was filed by Ms Anjuli, an aspirant for appointment to PCS Executive.

It was contended on behalf of the petitioner that she appeared for the examination for PCS (EB) in the Scheduled Caste category and was shown at Serial No 3, in the result list of the selected candidates in the SC category.

According to the petitioner, as per the state government policy of June 6, 1974, 25 per cent of the seats are to be filled from amongst the SC candidates in direct recruitment to the Civil Service. As per this policy seven out of the 28 seats were to be filled from amongst the candidates belonging to the SC category, but only six posts were offered to the candidates belonging to SCs caste category. The petitioner, who was eligible to be appointed against the seventh PCS post as per merit, was appointed as Excise & Taxation Officer an allied service in gross violations of the reservation policy.

PTU notice on fee revision quashed

FOC adds: A Division Bench consisting of Mr Justice K.S. Kumaran and Mr Justice N.K. Sood today allowed writ petitions filed by students of the lateral Engineering Entrance Test, 1999, of institutes situated in the state of Punjab. The Bench quashed the public notice issued by the Punjab Technical University on August 12, 1999, by which it was notified that LEET-99 students would be charged a revised fee and the information-cum-admission brochure be amended.

It was submitted by counsel for the petitioner, Kamal Bhatia and others that the state government revised the fee for engineering colleges in Punjab from the 1999-2000 academic session on March 15, 1999. The Punjab Technical University, however, issued a brochure subsequent to that date laying down that the fee structure of preceding year (1998 batch) would be applicable to LEET-99 students. This specific provision could not be amended to the detriment of students appearing for the entrance test. It was further contended that if the impugned notice was allowed to stand it would amount to discrimination in as much as students admitted through CET-98 would be charged a lower fee than students admitted through LEET-99, although both get identical instructions in same class.

It was contended on behalf of Punjab Technical University and various engineering colleges in the state of Punjab that the prospectus can be amended and the university be empowered to change the fee structure unilaterally.

The Division Bench, however, accepted the contentions raised by counsel for the petitioner and held that after holding of the entrance test, the specific provision given in the prospectus could not be amended to the detriment of the students. The Bench directed that the fee structure would be at par with that of the preceding year, as per the information-cum-admission brochure. The excess fee charged from students earlier was directed to be adjusted in the fees to be charged for subsequent years, the Bench ruled.

Plea for fresh probe dismissed

The High Court today dismissed a petition filed by Bachittar Singh demanding reinvestigation into the murder of his son, Dheeraj Singh.

Pronouncing the orders, Mr Justice V.M. Jain directed the petitioner, a resident of Harpalan village in Rajpura, to approach the trial court “giving sufficient cause for reinvestigation”.

The petitioner had earlier alleged that Jagir Singh, Harshand Singh, Jaspal Singh and Goldy, all residents of Marian village, were responsible for the murder of his son, but the police had arrested only one of them and filed a charge sheet in the trial court. The petitioner moved the High Court seeking reinvestigation either from (CBI) or the criminal branch of the Punjab police.

However, the Patiala police told the court that “except levelling allegations the petitioner had not produced any eye-witness or documents against the persons.”

6-year RI in case of fraud
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — Sampuran Singh, a resident of Ropar, was sentenced to six-year rigorous imprisonment by the UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr S.K Goel, in a forgery and immigration act case.

The complainant, Jatinder Singh, alleged that the accused had allured his brother, Gurjinder Singh, and seduced him to make payment of Rs 3.20 lakh for sending him abroad. The complainant alleged that he had paid the accused Rs 3.20 lakh in his Sector 22 office. The complainant further alleged that accused did not disclose the whereabout of Gurjinder Singh and about the amount.

The judge observed that it was proved that the accused was not authorised as a recruiting agent under the Emigration Act and was involved in forgery. Therefore, he sentenced the accused to six-year rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 6,000.

Anticipatory bail

The UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr R.C. Godara, granted anticipatory bail to a city resident, Varinder Singh, in a dowry case.

In a complaint the wife alleged that the family of the accused tortured her for not bringing sufficient dowry. Counsel argued that the offence allegedly committed by the accused and co-accused was only under Section 498A, thus custodial interrogation of the accused was not required. He argued that the accused was not likely to misuse the concession of bail.

Bail in assault case

The five persons involved in an assault case were released on bail today by the UT Judicial Magistrate (Ist Class). It was alleged that accused Harpinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Paramvir Singh, Amardeep Singh and Navdeep Singh had assaulted Amit Abhol, a resident of Hoshiarpur, in Sector 15 on September 25. The judge released all the five accused on furnishing a bond of Rs 5,000 each.

Police remand

Burail resident Harjinder Singh was sent to two-day police remand today by the UT Judicial Magistrate (Ist Class) in a theft case. It was alleged that the accused had stolen the stepney of a scooter which was parked in the Leisure Valley parking lot. The accused had been caught red-handed.

CULTURE

Exotic prints from Hussain, Bawa and Smart
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — These may not be the original works of M.F. Hussain and Manjit Bawa, but they still strike a chord. More precisely the prints of Hussain eulogise the womanly grandeur of Madhuri, the woman for whom Hussain says, “I waited for 30 years before I could make Gaj Gamini with her.”

The charm of prints, graphics and serigraphs by Hussain, Manjit Bawa and the traditional artist Vasudeo Smart is exotic, and the Art Folio has managed the best prints possible. Hussain’s prints are all about the diverse moods of Madhuri, and show her sometimes as the hazel-eyed Nisha of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, and sometimes as the enchanting Shakuntala of Gaj Gamini, the film which has been Hussain’s dream ever since the past 60 years.

The prints by Hussain reflect the many facets of a woman’s character and bare her magnificence, innocence, her dilemmas and her resolutions. One sentence which dominates most frames is the Madhuri song in which she wonders over the pleasant twists of time which lead her from adolescence to youth. Hussain makes the words stand out in dark on his frames — Ye kaunsa mod hai umr ka....

There is a whole Madhuri-Mc Bull serigraph series by Hussain in which he paints the rhythmic stance of Madhuri and writes on the frame underneath — “Her electrifying dance of freedom erupts like a volcano in various forms.”

In another print, the Gaj Gamini is shown as engaged in mundane matters. The work highlights the very genesis of the movie, Gaj Gamini, which Hussain does not even want to term a movie. The film, which stars great people like Shabana Azmi, comes across more as a co-mingling of two art forms — the artist’s canvass and the movie man’s camera.

Manjit Bawa’s freedom is also exhibited in his very luminous prints which display a range of emotions and figures at the same time. The feature which stands out is a typical Bawa feature — resplendence and absolute liberty of thought and its portrayal. The works are however soft in expression despite the bright colours employed, and on display are the lilac-bodied prancing horses, the indigo bull and the flute player who has not been titled by the artist. Thus there is immense scope for imagination by the beholder.

Yet another enriching collection comes from an artist who is wedded to the traditional Indian art form. A student of the J.J. College of Art, Bombay, Vasudeo Smart was a contemporary of progressives like Raza and V.S. Gaitonde. He, however, chose to remain loyal to the classical style of painting and later evolved a distinct style of his own.

His traditional inclination is visible in all his works which also exhibit the influence of Sanskrit on him. As one watches his works, his allegiance to Kalidasa also becomes visible in the form of strong romanticism and mystic images.

Smart has spent major portion of his life in Benaras which acted as more of an inspiration for him. Under the tutelage of Guru Jagannath Ahiwasiji, Smart later went on to win the Fresco Fellowship. It was after receiving this scholarship that Vasudeo Smart moved over to Benaras and joined Benaras Hindu University.

The exhibition of limited edition prints, graphics and serigraphs will be on the display till September 30 from 11 am to 7 pm every day.

Chandikrit-2000: a big draw in city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — Chandikrit-2000, organised by the Department of Industries, concluded last night. There are approximately 3,000 industrial units and the Director of Industries, Mr R.K. Kaushik, had asked all major industrial product manufacturers in the small-scale industrial units to display their wares.

More than one lakh people visited the three-day exhibition while trade enquires worth Rs 34 crore were made. The local Industries Department gives guidance and assistance from time to time to the local industrialists so that the products manufactured by them can come up to the international standards.

The exhibition had unique feature — the toys manufactured at Chandigarh. The Director Industries stated that massive participation by fellow industrialists and the extremely encouraging response by the people of Chandigarh has encouraged industrialists to improve the quality of their products so as to capture the market.

Also for the first time on-the-spot painting and quiz competitions were organised by the department.

The spot painting competition has more than 300 entries from students and there was a melee of children and parents at the site. Winners of the painting competition in order of merit are: Hardeep, Government High School, Khuda Lahora; Khushbu Bhardwaj, Government Model Middle School, Mani Majra; Navjeet Kaur, Government Model School, Sec 37.

Group B: Vinay Ahuja, Shivalik Public School, Sec 41; Davinder Singh, Govt Sr. Sec. School, Sector 20-D; Parvinder Kaur, Govt Model Sr. Sec. School, Sec 20-D.

Group C: Sonika, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16. Amrintder Singh, Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 20-D, Anu Dhiman, Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 20-D.

11 teams from various schools participated in the quiz competition held on September 29. After a tough competition, the following participants were declared winners.

Aditya Jain and Vikas Kaushal, Govt Model Senior Secondary School, Sector-16, Siladitya Chatterjee and Kanay Jerath, St John’s High School and Misha Model and Sahil Sethi, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35. Anirudh and Lokesh Kaushal, Shivalik Public School, Sector 41.