EDUCATION

BCA students' dharna outside VC office
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Dec 4 — More than 100 students of the bachelors in computer application (BCA) course of the various colleges in the city sat on dharna outside the Vice-Chancellor's office on the Panjab University campus here today. They were demanding that their three-year course be upgraded to a four-year bachelor in information technology (BIT) course on the pattern of Delhi University.

Today's dharna was in continuation of the dharna by these students and their parents outside the V-C's residence yesterday, demanding upgradation of the course. The students state that they have been taken for a ride as, according to them, the Vice-Chancellor had promised to look into the matter favourably regarding this upgradation once they got a written recommendation from their respective colleges. But after this had been done, the VC has refused to upgrade the course.

The students give example of Delhi University where the BCA course has been extended by another year and choice was given to the students to do the three-year course and pass out with a BCA degree or study for another year and pass out with a BIT degree.

The university authorities, meanwhile, have clarified that the university has already constituted a high-powered committee comprising principals of affiliated colleges and the university faculty under the chairmanship of the Dean University Instruction which has been processing the students' demands. But the university has yet to explore the feasibility factor, including the pattern of the education policy that a technology degree course cannot be awarded without the permission of the AICTE.

The Vice-Chancellor has written to the AICTE, the Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University, and the UGC to seek clarification on certain technical points and the university is waiting their response. The authorities have also clarified that the UGC Act does not allow conferring of degrees arbitrarily and a set procedure has to be followed and the VC has no authority to give assurances till all formalities are completed.

The students had first contacted Prof M.M. Puri, the then Vice-Chancellor, in April, 2000, with this demand and held a peaceful demonstration in June reiterating their demand. The students met the VC on November 8 who, according to them, was favourable to their demand. He had asked the students to get a recommendation to this effect from the respective colleges. The college principals strongly recommended the students' representation and they met Prof Pathak again on November 30 when the VC, according to the students, refused to consider it and they decided to protest.

It is also learnt that the Delhi University's decision to convert the BCA degree into BIT degree is under scrutiny. Sources also state that during the parents' meeting with the Vice-Chancellor yesterday, the VC offered to start the masters of computer information sciences (MCIS) course, admissions to which will be open to all computer graduates. But most of the students refused this offer as they feel that the said course will not be recognised by companies abroad. A section of the students also demanded that if the authorities cannot upgrade the course to BIT then there should be a complete five-year BCA degree open to all.

The students state that they are going to be on the round-the-clock dharna till their demands are met, while the authorities have requested the students to attend their classes and route their demands through the colleges.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh District Congress Committee (Rural) has accused the Vice-Chancellor of adopting indifferent and hard posture towards the genuine demand of the BCA students. Mr K.K. Kapoor, Chairman of the Sports, Culture and Foreign Affairs Cell of the party, said when Delhi University could convert the BCA course into BIT, then why PU could not do so. The party appealed to all the political parties to come forward and support the cause of the students. 

Harkrishan School clarifies stand
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Dec 4 —The Sri Guru Harkrishan Public Educational Society, Sector 38, Chandigarh, has clarified that the issue of upgradation of the school from primary to secondary and Senior Secondary, (with reference to the welfare society statement in a news report published on December 1), had been decided by a division bench of the Haryana and Punjab High Court in December 97. As a result, the upgradation of the school stands validated, a press note said here today.

Regarding the allegation that the upgradation of the school had resulted in increase in traffic on the roads around the school, the society has clarified that the school timings are different from those of other schools and vehicles of students and staff, including visitors, are parked inside the school premises and there has never been a traffic jam on roads around the school.

As far as the allegation of commercial activities going on in the school was concerned, the society has stated that since there are no arrangements of women of Sector 38-D nearby for aerobics, the school’s girl students are joined by them during their aerobics session in the evening.

Similarly for skating, other children of the Sector joined in at the rink race during the school skating timing. The society also claims that these women and children are charged lessen than what the other schools in the area charge outsiders for using school facilities.

COURTS

Contempt notice to HSSC chief, director
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Mr Justice ML Singhal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued contempt notice to Haryana Staff Selection Commission Amir Chand Chawla and Director of Secondary Education RK Mahapatra on a petition filed by Mr BK Sharma, Science master of the Government Middle School, Kohlapur (Kurukshetra), to show cause why contempt proceeding should not be launched against them.

The respondents violated the High Court orders handed down to them on May 16 in which it directed the Director of Secondary Education and the HSSC chief to grant a relaxation in the maximum age limit as they had became over-aged during service.

However, the contemners did not issue a roll number to the petitioner to appear for the written examination held on November 26.

MLA’s objections to plea dismissed

Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill of the High Court today dismissed the preliminary objections raised by the Dadri MLA, Mr Jagjit Singh, in an election petition filed against him by the defeated candidate, Ms Shakuntala.

Mr Jagjit Singh had sought dismissal of the election petition alleging that certain facts and allegations in the petition had not been properly verified. He alleged that the court did not verify the charges.

Mr Justice Gill dismissed the plea of Mr Jagjit Singh and fixed further hearing of the case for December 12.

Ms Shakuntala had sought a recount of the votes alleging that the staff had mixed many of her ballots with those of her opponent. 

CULTURE

Talent hunt in dance forms
From Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, Dec 4 — Rhythmic movement of feet, complemented by cheerful expression, regaled the audience at the auditorium of the Government Polytechnic for Girls, Sector 10, where the Sanjivni Medical and Educational Trust in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown organised a prodigy hunt in dance forms here today.

The objective of the show was to recognise the talent of children at a tender age and to help them to pursue it in a professional way, said Dr Indu Luthra, the managing trustee of the trust. There is also a provision of scholarships for the needy children, she added.

The programme started with a presentation by the tiny tots of Sanjivni Preparatory School with about 15 kids swaying to the tune of the title song from the Bollywood hit Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. There were four categories, semi-classical, classical, folk(solo) and folk(group).

Participants performed folk dances of different states, starting with the energetic bhangra of Punjab to the colourful folk dances of Rajasthan and sober, yet graceful dance forms of Bengal. Harleen Kaur danced to the tune of Dupatta tera sat rang da and Apeksha’s performance on Rajasthani folk dance showed perfect combination of body movement and expression. Himanti’s performance in the semi-classical category stole the show.

More than 70 participants from 13 schools of the city took part in the competition. Mr B.C. Gupta, Secretary Labour and Employment and Vice-President of the Cricket Board, was the chief guest of the evening. Prominent personalities, including Ms Sobha Koser, a famous kathak dancer and Dr Usha Dhawal, principal of Home Science College and Ms Rekha Lalit Azad were on the panel of judges.

Kathak dance drama
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — A kathak dance drama was performed by artist from Lukhnow at the Government College for Girls in Sector 11. As part of the Agro-tech cultural evenings, this one hour dance programme enthralled the 300 plus audience here today. The dance drama, Akath kahani Prem Ki, is based on a story written by Bhartendu Harish Chandra called Shri Chandravali. The dance performance was presented and directed by Kum Kum Adarsh, director of Shakuntala Neruj dance centre in Lukhnow.