EDUCATION

PU to reintroduce PG course in defence studies
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 1 — After a gap of three years, a postgraduate course in defence studies at Panjab University is on the verge of resurrection, with its reintroduction from the next session.

The course was scheduled to come up for discussion at the meeting of Board of Finance recently. Prof K.N. Pathak, the Vice-Chancellor, confirmed work on reintroduction of the course, closed three years ago.

“The decision came as a surprise. What was the point of canceling a course at the postgraduate level while it was being offered at the undergraduate level,” a senior teacher of the defence studies department said. There was a proposal of introduction of a centre for internal security a couple of years ago. The House had cleared the proposal, but nothing concrete came up in the direction of implementation or announcement.

Reliable sources confirmed a meeting of a subcommittee had been called on December 4 to study the outline of the syllabus. The comittee consists of Dr Pam Rajput, Mr P.R. Sharma, Maj-Gen Himmat Singh Gill and Prof M.M. Sharma.

Sources pointed out an interesting point on the agenda. The course was discontinued from July, 1998. The papers in the December, 1998, meeting featured the syllabus of the course.

Non-availability of regular teachers was cited as one of the main reasons for closure of the course. Sources cited lack of clarity on status of the course as another reason. The political science department, which was the mother department, wanted independence from additional burden.

Studies on Pakistan had often being highlighted as a core area, which needed concentrated study. Prof Pathak said the outline of the course was still being drafted. He opined that Pakistan was an important area for study, but other international borders also needed to be incorporated.

The Vice-Chancellor has discussed the matter with Lt Gen J.F.R. Jacob and with Mr Rakesh Singh, Finance Secretary, who are said to have assured requisite grant for the start of the course. The draft lists posts of a reader and a lecturer. Guest lecturers and co-ordinators also figure in the planned list.

The course was earlier being run in the Arts Block IV. The proposal underlines expenditure on building, furniture and library books, besides others.

Sources said the centre for internal security was primarily not envisaged as a teaching department. There was also hope of bringing in cash attached to the course. Nothing significant has occurred in this direction.

Annual function of Tribune school
 Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 1 — The sports day-cum-annual prize distribution function of Tribune Model School was held on the school premises yesterday.

The chief guest, Mr R.N. Gupta, General Manager, The Tribune, congratulated the students for their captivating display and gave away academic and extra-curricular prizes to students.

COURTS

Acquittal in MC head’s murder set aside 
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 1— The Punjab and Haryana High Court today set aside the acquittal of Vakil Singh, Rajinder Pal, alias Chhinder Pal Singh, Prem Singh, Tarsem Singh, alias Malla, and Hardial Singh, alias Diala, for the murder of Mr Sampuran Singh, president of the Municipal Committee, Talwandi Bhai in Ferozepore district.

A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice A.S.Garg and Mr Justice H.S. Bedi handed down this order and directed the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ferozepore, to take a fresh decision after hearing arguments in case and to deliver the judgement within four months of this order. “However, no chance of fresh evidence is to be afforded to either side,” it said.

According to prosecution, Vakil Singh, Chhinder Pal Singh and Prem Singh entered into a conspiracy with Tarsem Singh and Hardial Singh. The latter two, armed with fire arms fired at Mr Sampuran Singh in the early hours of November 15, 1986, and seriously injured him. The bandolier and revolver carried by him were snatched by the assailants. Mr Sampuran Singh later succumbed to his injuries. An FIR was registered by Mr Jarnail Singh, his nephew, at Ghali Khurd police station under Sections 302, 307/34 and 120-B. IPC, against all the accused for prosecution. But the trial court acquitted the accused.

The Bench observed that the trial court did not discuss and appreciate the statements of the eyewitnesses and did not analyse their evidence to make out the case for acquittal or conviction and remanded the case to the trial court for fresh orders.

Contemt notice to Irrigation Secy
Our Legal Correspondent adds

 Mr Justice M.L. Singhal issued notice of motion to Mr Rajesh Chabra, Punjab’s Secretary for Irrigation and Power, for January 18 on contempt petition filed by the SYL Workers Union through its president, Mr Hoshiar Singh Rana.

The case was slapped by the employees of the SYL as they were allowed the benefit of Provident Fund shares by the Commissioner under Section 7-A of the Provident Fund Act. The Commissioner’s order was challenged by the government in a writ petition.

The High Court admitted the writ petition but declined a stay and directed the government to deposit the Provident Fund arrears within one month. The government filed an appeal before the Supreme Court which was dismissed.

In spite of the orders of the High Court declining the prayer for stay of recovery, the government issued an order on October 17, directing the Chief Engineer to effect recovery of the shares deposited by the government. The petitioner, contended that the recovery amounted to interference in the judicial proceedings which was contempt of the HC order under Section 2 of the Contempt of Courts Acts, 19971.

9 get pre-arrest bail
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 1 — Kuldeep Singh and eight others were granted anticipatory bail today by the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S. Bhalla, in a criminal intimidation case. The case against the accused has been registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 323 and 506 of the IPC on November 23.

It was alleged that, Mr HKS Chandel, the employee of the State Bank of India, Sector 17, was attacked by the accused with sharp-edged weapons on November 23 about 3.20 p.m.

Remand extended
The UT Judicial Magistrate (Ist Class) on Friday extended the judicial remand of Jhia Lal and Sobh Nath allegedly involved in a double murder case till December 5.

It was alleged that the accused along with their companions had allegedly killed the two employees, Roop Lal and Nand Kishore, who were sleeping inside the liquor shop owned by Lada liquor on August 17.

The accused Jhia Lal and Sobh Nath had been arrested by the special crime staff of local police on August 22 in a case of theft and criminal conspiracy under Section 420, 120-B, of the IPC.

Lawyers abstain from work
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 1 —Lawyers of the local District Courts today abstained from work in protest against the non-declaration of holiday on the occasion of martyrdom day of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib. This was stated by Mr N.K. Nanda, president of the District Bar Association, in a press note issue here today.

CULTURE

Magical notes by flute maestro
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 1 — Lilting tunes of mellifluous compositions featured in an enchanting performance by Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, a flute maestro, organised by the CII during the Agro Tech 2000 here today.

Simple settings in a graceful atmosphere was a nice ambience for the event. Except for movements before the stage in the opening minutes, the crowd swayed to the soulful notes.

The evening started with gentle notes filling the air till the tabla joined the rendering of the music. The celebrity is a disciple of Annapurna Devi.

A beautiful sight was the moulding of the tunes with rapid finger movements and closed eyes. He also gave a composition based on the South India tradition following the opening composition. The raaga was almost a conversation with self at times. Rapid intense expressions were followed by serene notes.

Theatre losing lustre
By Parbina Rashid

CHANDIGARH, Dec 1 — A depressing set and a serious scene from a famous Badal Sircar play, a perfect combination to rouse meaningful thoughts. But it failed to rub off the cheerfulness of a handful of youngsters watching the play and they found better pleasure in a packet of popcorn.

Theatre has lost it’s charm with the young generation, giving way to satellite channels and discotheque. “Theatre still has the power to capture audiences. However, ever since the rise of the nouveau rich class in Chandigarh in the 80’s and 90’s, theatre has lost its place as a mode of entertainment,” says Prof Kumara Verma, Chairman, Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University.

Indian theatre is passing through a transitional phase, limiting itself only to a handful of the elite, said Vinod Sharma, a student of the Department of Theatre. In Chandigarh it is not the medium that can provide a livelihood. So more and more students are switching over to the electronic media, chipped in Vikash Mehta, another student of the department.

Art of any form has always been the domain of the elite, said Mr Gurcharan Singh Channi, Chairperson of Chandigarh Natak Akademy. “If the audience is lukewarm, it is because there is a crisis of ideas,”said Mr Channi, adding that there had been very few innovations in the recent past. “The basic purpose of theatre is to jolt you, hit you with an idea. But theatre these days is based on dead ideas, and is enacted by dead people”, he added.

Besides the works of a few including Gurcharan Singh Channi, Gursharan Singh, Neelam Mansingh and Zulfiquar Khan, most of the plays staged here are lacklusture, says Mrs Madhur Kapila, a theatre critic. People expect from theatre entertainment as well as food for thought and unless theatre provides both, nobody is going to take interest in it.

Though the electronic media has captured a sizeable audience, still there are people who prefer a good play, says Mr Gursharan Singh, a famous name in street theatre. It is just a matter of capturing them with a good theme, he says.

Ms Neelam Mansinngh says there is no dearth of audience if a play conveys a good message and is done tastefully. It is mostly the lack of funds that has hit most of the theatre groups here, she says.