EDUCATION

Management bodies to meet today
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — To discuss the course of action after a recent notification issued by Panjab University, members of the Non-Government Colleges Management Federation of Punjab and Chandigarh will meet in GGN Khalsa College, here tomorrow.

According to Mr Gurbir Singh Sarna, secretary of the federation, a notification has been issued by the university to management bodies of all colleges calling for restructuring as per the new calendar. All colleges have to include one nominee of the DPI (Colleges) and another of the Vice-Chancellor in the management.

All members of the federation have opposed the move. They say that this will only lead to red-tapism, and delays in the decision-making process.

College students withdraw strike
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — Following a meeting with the Principal, Mr V.K. Mehta, students of the local Arya College for Boys decided to withdraw their strike today.

In the morning, students raised slogans against a lecturer of Punjabi, Mr Satish Joshi. They said the lecturer was forcing them to join the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad as he was part of its local unit. They also said he threatened all those who refused to join the group.

They wanted that the lecturer should either be made to apologise for his actions or expelled from the college. Later, after a meeting between representatives of students, senior lecturers of the college and the Principal, students decided to withdraw the strike. The meeting was held at the residence of the Principal.

Student said Mr Mehta had told them that he would look into the matter and make sure that they were not harassed. They said students would attend classes tomorrow and if the issue was not resolved till Monday, they would resume the strike.

Mr Mehta has been on leave for the past few days due to illness. When contacted, he said he had told the students that he would come to the college on Monday and investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, Mr Joshi said the allegations against him were politically motivated and baseless.

KVM library attracts readers

The Kundan Vidya Mandir School’s library has a beautiful exterior as well as interior. It has many firsts to its credit. It was the first school library here to be totally computerised. The computerisation helps in accessing all registers maintained by teachers and in operations like adding a new book or writing off an old one. It also helps in maintaining students and staff library cards.

It was the first library that displayed every data regarding books. The reading room is very spacious and airy.

The main library is in the basement which is lit nicely. There are small cubicals where students can sit and consult reference books. The Assistant Librarian Ravi said, “I have been working here since 1980. I think the students have become more fond of reading these days.”

Which are the favourite magazines of students and teachers?

“The students like to read Education Today, Chemistry Today, Manorama, whereas the teachers like to read Inside-Outside, Femina and India Today. We get Rs 1 lakh grant to buy books annually.”

Ms Susie, an English teacher, said, “I find library very useful for getting material for preparing quizzes. I conduct a lot of quizzes. I also train students for declamation and debates and the library books come in quite handy. Usually the teachers who are teaching senior classes come to the library to do reference work. Library Science is an optional subject for plus one and two students.”

This correspondent found out that students of science subjects were visiting the library frequently for reference work, whereas arts students visited the library for reading magazines and newspapers. Alka, Isha and Payal of plus two arts said that they went to library to read magazines. Mansi of the same class said,” We come very rarely to the library. We come here during our library period only. Actually we have no time to do extra reading as we go for tuitions.”

Vidhi of plus 2 class said, “The library is very calm and we can concentrate here. Reference books for practical work are available. In my opinion, 50 per cent students make use of our library. I come here to do serious reading and not read newspapers.”

Manik Jolly of plus 2 (Medical) shared his views. He said, “Library is very important in my life. By reading English literature I improve my expression, my knowledge, I read conceptual books on science subjects. I read books on current affairs. I wish to join the Air Force so general knowledge is very important. Our library has fine books on competitive examinations which are of a great help to me.”

— AA

PAU’s course for farm women
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — The Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural university, will start the next one-year correspondence course for farm women from January, 2001. Giving information about this course Dr Gurdev Singh Momi, Professor and Head, Department of Extension Education, disclosed that Primary pass rural women could seek admission to this course by sending applications on the prescribed form by November 30, 2000. This form is available from the Professor and Head, Department of Extension Education, PAU.

Dr Momi further explained that the trainees would be sent lessons every month for a year, covering subjects like food and nutrition, home management, child development, fruit and vegetable preservation, control of domestic insects, kitchen gardening and family life. PAU has been running this course for the last three decades and thousands of farm women have acquired new knowledge sitting right at home.

In-service training course
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — The Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, organised a two-day in service training course on entrepreneurship in agriculture for Agriculture Sub Inspectors of the Department of Agriculture, Punjab Government. Dr Ravinder Kaur Dhalowal, course coordinator while explaining the objectives of the course said field functionaries of the Agriculture Department can play a great role in developing entrepreneurial qualities among the farmers to face the challenges of the World Trade Organisation. Dr H.P.S. Naqqi, Professor, Food Technology, discussed the food processing technology with the trainees while Mr Ramandeep Singh Jassal made the trainees aware about various marketing problems likely to be faced by farmers in the near future. Mr Jaswinder Singh Bhalla gave a very interesting lecture on the importance of subsidiary occupations. Dr Gurmeet Singh and Dr Manjit Singh gave the latest information about information technology. Sixteen agricultural Sub-Inspectors from different parts of Punjab participated in the training course. 

COURTS

64 cases settled in Lok Adalat
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — Sixty four cases were settled in the labour court today, according to the information available, Mr Sattish Aggarwal, Presiding Officer of the court, presided over the Bench. Mr O.P. Mehta and Mr M.S. Bindra, advocates, were also on the Bench.

An amount of Rs 1,42,280 was settled . There were 65 cases before the Lok Adalat and 64 were settled. The minimum amount settled was Rs 5,000 and the maximum was Rs 50,000.

CULTURE

Cultural show by students
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — Whiz Kids Wonderland — an annual cultural nite of Guru Nanak International Public School — was organised on the school campus here yesterday.

The programme began with a shabad recital, followed by a puja dance. Children presented a song Chanda Mama. The song item Prem Se Hum Ko Jeene Do promoted unity in diversity. Dance items performed on the numbers Meri Chunar Ud Ud Jaaye and Aayo Re Maro Dholna were appreciated by all those present. Later, students also performed dandia.

The chief guest on the occasion was Mr K.K. Kapila, Commissioner of the Income Tax. The Principal of the school, Ms B. Gulati, praised the students for their effort. Mr P.K. Kahlon, Director of the school, Mr Paramjit S. Sarna, President of the school management, Mr Gurbir S. Sarna, its Secretary, and Mr Harbhajan Singh, Manager of the school, were also present.