EDUCATION

Library fails to attract students

THE library of Satish Dhawan Government College for Men came into existence in 1920 simultaneously with the beginning of the college. The library is situated at one end of the college and has a double- storeyed building.

To cater to the strength of nearly 4,000 students, four librarians, two restorers are employed. Malkeet Singh, Librarian, said the library possessed 92,103 books and subscribes to 17 newspapers in three languages and about 50 magazines and journals. The students had to pay Rs 30 as security money. They depend on the UGC and amalgamated fund for buying new books but these funds are erratic.

The college offers seven postgraduate courses namely Hindi, Punjabi, English, geography, commerce, economics and mathematics. Hence the library has to provide textbooks and other help books for all subjects. The library has purchased books on computer courses also. It functions from 9 am to 3.30 pm. For the evening college, there is a separate library section. In a day around 150 books are issued. Mr Malkeet Singh said, "The students who wish to appear for competitive exams can make good use of the library. We have some rare books with us. Generally the teachers use them for references."

On the first floor of the library, a special Sahir Ludhianvi Art Gallery is set up to honour him. In a big hall the round tables with rows of chairs around them but all were vacant. The library was quite empty barring 4-5 students. It seemed the students were not really interested in coming to the library. A random survey of the library reveals that only 10 per cent students use the library. One boy said, "I have never been to the library. I do not think any teacher motivates us to consult extra books about our subject. If I want a book, I buy it."

Harpreet Singh, a Ist year student, who was on the wheelchair, said, "I use the library sometimes. Actually for me to get out from the wheelchair is quite tough. So I cannot go to the library as often as I wish to. But I must say that library should stock the latest books to help us increase our knowledge."

Mr Sharma, who has been the restorer in the library for the past 22 years said, "Definitely the taste of students have changed. Earlier, they used to read general books, fiction but now they only study textbooks. We check the books when the students return to see whether they are in good order if the book is torn then the student has to replace the book."

Sarika Sharma and Pooja Kapoor, both students of MA I (Hindi) said, "The books are issued to us on fixed days. We want that books should be issued to us everyday. "

On the first floor of the library, one saw three or four students huddled together studying seriously. Surinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh of MA I (economics) said, "We are studying editions dated 1939, 1947 etc. These editions are outdated. We want books of latest editions. The students who come from villages and have studied in Punjabi medium, do not find textbooks in Punjabi."

Vivek Kumar, a BA II (arts) student complaint, "We are not allowed to go and look at the books. We have to first see the catalogue then name the book and then only we will get it."

The surprising thing about the library was that the reading room was situated away from the library. Its location was very inappropriate. Just adjacent to the reading room was the canteen. Behind the reading room was a cycle shed. The room itself looked shabby. Mrs Jagjit Kaur said, "The students come here to consult the syllabus and read the Employment news."

Jaswinder and Jagdev, students of BA I visited the reading room everyday for reading the newspapers and magazines. They said that they were not distracted by the noises coming from outside."

Librarians commented that they wanted the library to be computerised. They have already written to the UGC about this upgradation of library. The library needs more rooms to store the books as the number of students and the staff has increased but library has not increased its rooms proportionately.

— Asha Ahuja

COURTS

163 cases settled in Lok Adalat
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 6 — To settle the pending cases relating to municipal corporation on the spot with mutual consent, two Lok Adalats were organised in the District and Sessions Court complex here today, in which 163 cases were presented, out of which 53 were settled with mutual consent of both the parties and compensation of around Rs 56,000 was awarded.

Giving details, Mr S.S. Arora, District and Sessions Judge said the first Lok Adalat was presided over by Mr D.K. Monga, Member Secretary, Punjab Legal Services Authority, while Mr K.R. Sikri, advocate and Mrs Rubby Fernandez, member, District Legal Service Authority present as members. The second Lok Adalat was presided over by Mr H.P.S. Mahal, Additional Director, Punjab Legal Service Authority and Mr A.C. Gupta, advocate and Mrs Pappu Avinash Singh

According to Mr Arora, most of the cases related to octroi and house tax disputes. He said the litigants had given a good response to get their cases settled in the Lok Adalats, with mutual discussion and the officers concerned of municipal corporation had also extended their full cooperation in the process for dispensation of justice.

The District and Sessions Judge said the concept of Lok Adalats was proving very helpful in disposing of the long pending cases in the courts and through this process, a lot of time and money, both of the courts and the litigant public, was being saved. He further said that the government had also set up a district-level Legal Service Authority, under his chairmanship, to provide free legal service to the poor litigants, who were unable to pay for legal assistance.

Mr Arora informed that to create awareness among people regarding the free legal service, being provided by the government, a seminar was being organised on legal service day on November 9 at District and Sessions Court complex, which would be addressed by judicial officers, administrative officers, lawyers and social workers.