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TAFE may set up distant learning
centres CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Western Australian TAFE College System may soon set up its distant learning centres in India to provide an international vocational education and training market, says its Managing Director, Dr Barry Bannister. An academician of over two decades standing, Dr Bannister was here to explore the possibility of starting such centres in Punjab and Chandigarh in association with the Australian Migration Agents (AMA). He met the Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, besides the Secretary, Technical Education, Punjab, and the Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar. He also visited a couple of educational institutions, including the Sector 45 St Stephen’s School, to see for himself the infrastructure available here. “The idea is to provide quality education at much cheaper rates to eligible students here as everybody cannot afford to travel to Australia for international vocational education. The cost of education, we estimate, would be around 50 per cent than as regular students at TAFE colleges in Western Australia. Plus, distant learning would save the students the cost of to and fro travel, living in Australia and other allied expenses. “At present, there are about 10,000 Indian students in Australia,” said Dr Bannister, maintaining that initially TAFE planned to introduce four courses through distant learning, including information technology (with focus on e-commerce), business administration and refrigeration. Initially, TAFE, in collaboration with the AMA, planned to admit only 20 students in each course at each centre with a maximum strength of 60 in each trade at three centres in Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. “But we will formalise this agreement only when an official delegation from Western Australia visits India, including Punjab, next year. Tentatively, the visit is expected to take place in April”, said Dr Bannister, maintaining that there were more than 30 universities, all recognised and registered, which offered admission to foreign students. Of the world-class universities, Dr Bannister said, Australia had three — Melbourne University, New South Wales University and the one in Western Australia at Perth. Australian universities, Dr Bannister maintained, offered good quality education and were comparatively cheaper. The education system in Great Britain was a little tough while the Americans had an amalgamated system. The Australian system was easy. Mr Robert Chelliah, Chief Executive Officer of the AMA, said: “Once they (students) pass out from an Australian university, they need no experience certificate before getting nomination for a job in Australia.” He explained that those joining courses through distant learning could also go and complete some of the courses in
Australia. Both Mr Chelliah and Dr Bannister said that evaluation and other work, including the award of diplomas and degrees to the students of distant learning, would be done by TAFE. Meanwhile, Dr Bannister will join the Australian Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Mr Richard Alston, tomorrow in Delhi when he arrives on a five-day visit to further strengthen bilateral business links. In October, Australia and India signed a memorandum of understanding on information industries. Mr Alston is leading a delegation from more than 20 companies with interests in developing business and investment relationships with India. “More than 100 Australian firms have a corporate presence in India, and the MoU is expected to generate more positive business outcomes,” Mr Alston said. According to sources in the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, one highlight of the visit will be the official launch of the Australia-India Information Industries Business Network, aimed at promoting trade and investment links in this key sector through information sharing, business missions and seminars. On December 8 Mr Alston will address Comdex India 2000, an international information and communications technology conference and exhibition, in Delhi. In Delhi, Mr Alston will meet the Minister for Information Technology, Mr Pramod Mahajan, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, and the Minister for Telecommunications, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan. He will also meet prominent Indian IT business figures in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. “India is looked upon by the Australian IT industry not just as an important target for the export of telecommunications goods and
services, but also as a potential business partner in Australian enterprises — especially in the information technology skills area,” Mr Alston said. India is Australia’s largest business partner in South Asia with trade between the two countries approaching $ 2.5 billion and investment totalling $ 700 million. |
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Drowned man’s body surfaces after 6
days CHANDIGARH Sources in the police department today confirmed that Surinder Kumar, a daily wager, had jumped into the lake on December 1, as he was “suffering from depression”. A senior police officer, when contacted, claimed that Surinder Kumar’s wife for four years had left him, along with their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, a few months back. Surinder’s father, Ram Lal, is a sweeper with the Maloya Police Chowki. His body was identified by his brother, after being pulled out in the morning today. The family, in the dark regarding the suicide, had informed the police soon after Surinder Kumar had disappeared. The police had flashed his description to all stations. The cops, in the meantime, had pressed divers into service, after receiving information regarding suicide by an unidentified person at the lake. PWD employee, Mr Rameshwar, strolling at the lake in the evening, had reportedly told them that a person had simply descended the stairs before going down into the water. The cops, according to sources, were expecting the body to surface on Tuesday — 96 hours after Surinder Kumar had taken the “extreme step”. Its failure to come up had lead to the speculation that the informer “might have been mistaken”. The body was sent for post-mortem examination at the Sector 16 General Hospital today. Senior officials added that inquest proceedings, under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code, had been initiated. They also claimed that further investigation into the matter was on and the police would proceed in accordance with the law, after receiving the post-mortem report. |
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Sec 8 SCO fetches Rs 2.83 crore CHANDIGARH Today’s collection was 35. 23 per cent over and above the reserve price of these plots that was fixed at Rs 13.40 crore. The average price, on a per square yard basis, works out to be Rs 40, 258 per square yard. This was Rs 720 more than last year’s average price of 39,540 per square yard. This year 4,502 square yards of land were auctioned as compared to 6,936 square yards last year. Land auctioned under various plot sizes from booths to SCOs and godown sites have been taken into account while calculating this average rate, said the Assistant Estate Officer (AEO) , Mr S.P. Arora. Last year the Administration had netted Rs 27.43 crore by auctioning 102 commercial sites. The had been 34.64 per cent, (Rs 6.76 crore), over and above the fixed reserve price of these plots calculated at Rs 20.67 crore. Meanwhile, the Estate Office wing of the Chandigarh Administration, the auctioning authority, held back 44 sites, it had proposed for auction, due to lack of good bids. One such site was a godown site, while the others were SCOs and booths. Among the sites in heavy demand were the booths. The auction will also mean that the Estate Office earns a fixed sum by way of lease money for a certain number of years. This is 2.5 per cent of the auctioned value. Thus a person who bid for an SCO for Rs 2. 83 crore will have to pay Rs 7 lakh annually as lease money. One of the highest bids was in the category of SCOs. A three bay SCO in Sector 8 was auctioned for Rs 2.83 crore while two bay SCOs
in A single bay showroom in Sector 32 went for Rs 42. 50 lakh. A dhaba site measuring 114 square yard, in Sector 35-C, was auctioned at Rs 36.70 lakh. A 23 square yard booth site in Sector 20 was auctioned at Rs 10.70 lakh. The average price works out to be Rs 46, 521 per square yard. The Assistant Estate Officer, Mr S.P. Arora, expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the auction. Yesterday, the Estate Office had netted Rs 16.19 crore by auctioning 46 freehold residential sites in the city. This was the first ever auction of freehold residential sites in the city and the reserve price had been fixed at 25 per cent more than the last year’s reserve price. Highest bids in each segment of plot sizes Type of plot Location Auction price SCO (III bay) Sector 8 Rs 2.83 crore SCO (II bay) Sector 8 Rs 2.32 crore SCO ( I bay) Sector 32 Rs 42. 50 lakh Booth (41 sq yds) Sector 20 Rs 23.30 lakh Booth (23 sq yds) Sector 20 Rs 10.70 lakh Site for bank Sector 40 Rs 41.20 lakh Dhaba site Sector 35 Rs 36.70 lakh |
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Postal strike
continues CHANDIGARH With only skeletal services being provided at certain post offices and ordinary mail
delivery suspended, residents had no other option but to approach courier services for the delivery of urgent mail. In fact, the business of a majority of the courier services had doubled over the past two to three days. Very few bookings could be made in city today and the post offices wore a deserted look. Not a single ordinary letter was delivered in the city and in Punjab, as about 93 per cent employees were on strike, demanding, among other things, upgradation of pay scales from January 1,1996, for all categories of employees like extra departmental employees, Group C and D, postal accounts, stenographers, drivers, workshop staff and casual labourers. The Chief Postmaster General of the Punjab and Chandigarh Circle, Mr ASIS Paul, told The Tribune that only very essential services like speed post, delivery of passports, sale of stamps and sale of examination forms were being carried out. Only about 540 post offices out of the 3,900 post offices were functioning, sources said. Mr Paul informed that 500 passports were dispatched by the department today in Chandigarh only and the passports would be dispatched to the district headquarters in Punjab from tomorrow and the general public could collect the passports from there. Besides this, postal stationery worth Rs 15,000 and postal orders amounting to Rs 28,000 were sold by the post offices today. |
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Braving the elements on icy
peaks CHANDIGARH Going by the experiences of two seriously injured BRO personnel recuperating here, each day is fraught with danger. It is not only enemy shells for those deployed in forward areas, but for even those working far beyond the range of enemy guns the danger lies in landslides, avalanches and frostbite. Tasked to clear a stretch of road 17,000 feet above sea-level and in sub zero temperature, sepoy A Shanmugam’s bulldozer skidded of the ice and fell into a crevice. Badly injured, his left leg had to be amputed below the knee. “About 8 km of road leading to the Siachen Glacier had to be cleared of snow to allow logistic support to the forward posts. There was about four feet snow on the road,” he recalled. “At about 8 a.m. I started off along with a helper. It was cloudy and snowing lightly and I finished clearing the stretch at about 3 p.m. While returning, the bulldozer slipped on a sheet of ice and fell about 10 metres into a frozen rivulet,” he added. Shanmugam said that it took his helper about half-an-hour to pull him out. They managed a lift from a army truck and were brought to the BRO camp where he was given first aid and then transferred to the Army Hospital in Partapur. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, he has spent 14 years in the force. Hari Ram, a Nepali, who has been working with the BRO for the past 12 years, has a different story to tell. While working at Leh, his left foot got exposed to frostbite and subsequently dreaded gagarine set in and spread across his leg, leaving doctors with no option but to ampute it below the hip. “My foot got exposed during road clearing work. I used hot water but it had no effect. Slowly my leg started turning black and did not respond to treatment undertaken at the local Civil Hospital, he said. The 40-year old Nepali has not visited his native place since he came here 12 years ago. Having difficulty in walking despite support, he says that though he has brothers and uncles back home, there is nothing for him to go back to. BRO officials say that the force has the highest casualty rate among any force deployed in such a terrain. “For every kilometre of road we construct high altitude areas, there are 2 to 3 casualties,” a BRO officer commented. He added that some measures have been introduced recently to bring down the casualty rate owing to inclement weather. Tented houses along the roads where work is under progress have been introduced recently and first aid facilities have been improved. |
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Last date for
PAN extended CHANDIGARH According to a press note, the last date has been extended from December 8 to 9. The tax payers, who had not been allotted their PAN numbers, could obtain priority allotment by using the website of the department
www.ccit-nwr.org/query.htm. Earlier, the address of the website was not correctly published in a section of the Press creating confusion among the tax payers. Following representation by the local Bar as well as the phone calls from the tax payers, the date has been extended, the press note added. |
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RUCHIKA CASE CHANDIGARH Most of the college-going youngsters who were interviewed said the guilty, irrespective of his position, should be punished. Surmeet Kaur, a student of the Government College of Arts, says that policemen are believed to be the protectors of the people and should step down if they get involved in such a case. She says that, this way, they will not be able to influence the proceeding in the case. Sidhant Ahooja, a student of the local Punjab Engineering College, said, “If Rathore is guilty, he should be given a severe punishment. This will encourage the other victims of such cases to speak up.” Sanjam Singh, another student of the Government College of Arts, said, “I was shocked to learn that Ruchika’s brother was framed in many false cases and tortured. Rathore should step down from his post and face the inquiry, if he is innocent.” Most students like Sanjay Dutta and Sukh Amrit Singh, students of the Sector 10 DAV College, said, “If the allegations are proved to be true, Rathore should be punished suitably, irrespective of his position.” “If powerful persons who misuse their power are not penalised, unfortunate incidents will continue to happen,” said Puneet Sood and Jagjeet Grewal, students of the PEC. They said a fair trial and justice would discourage persons of influence to misuse their authority. Most of the youngsters are disgusted with the legal system. They say that it is slow and favours those who have power. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Gunjeet Kaur and Sheeba Sharma of the Government College of Arts. “A 14-year-old girl was forced to end her life and nobody has been made to pay for it,” they said. “Our legal system often lets the guilty go scot free,” said Sanjay, “due to which, many victims are afraid to seek justice.” “One needs time to find out the truth in a case that involves a person with a rank of a DGP,” said Ravish Kala, a student of the Government College of Arts. He said the issue had been blown out of proportion by the media. |
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Pleasing the sense and intriguing the mind CHANDIGARH Vivan Sundaram needs no formal introduction. Those who are familiar with even a word of what visual art is all about know that India has had an extremely illustrious artist in Vivan, an artist so strong that shadows of his works are cast on communities not just in India but also abroad. Today the artist got down to recounting his travel through the three forms of art he has always cherished. From painting to sculpture to installation, as the presentation session was aptly titled, shaped into a very significant interactive session with the artist who has given an altogether different status to installation art in India. The high point of his personality as an artist is that he has learnt from situations and has never been tutored in formal sense of the word. The originality and the novelty of his imagination was thus reflected in each slide which focused on his works, which are based on specific themes. There is always a very meaningful end in each beginning the artist attempts. He began with showing slides of his 1991 exhibition which showcased the shift of the painter in Vivan towards a sculptor. The works seemed to be talking in colour and in form, As the artist himself said: “I was then painting familiar marks, but was fixing objects at the same time.” Another striking feature of his works was the extensive use of paper he made towards the beginning of learning. “Since I did not actually know the art form, I began learning just as a child does. I took a paper, stitched it, then strapped it over, also drew sometimes,” explained Vivan adding that he always believed in collaborating with others in fields of which he had little knowledge. Gradually the artist accepted challenges, and a 2000 kg stone column which he made later was an expression of his ambition. Among various other works which Vivan talked about today, the most encompassing were his installations, especially his installation exhibition on Bengal’s history at the Victoria Memorial some time back. Says Vivan: “After years of fantasising to occupy the space of Victoria Memorial, I proposed the idea which had been gaining form in my mind since about five years. The idea was to attempt a reconstruction of Bengal’s complex cultural lineage. I roped in many experts to help me on the project.” Despite being independent of any connections with Bengal, the artist produced a fabulous installation on the area. About his adventure, Vivan said: “My works of art have to be about things familiar to me and they should be contextual. Our work is like those of theatre artists and film makers who are playing with a script. Bengal has no singular past. Hence I chose to work on it.” In the installation which took the artist three months, similarities have been achieved between places. Since Vivan has lived in Shimla, he has tried to achieve the railway connection between Howrah and Shilma. So the red carpet in the Memorial was replaced with a railway station. Then there were bookhouses of literature, the symbolic sculptors with Bengali verses written on them. Vivan also got Tagore’s poems written on the 70 feet high dome of the Memorial. The entire work is very site specific, something basic to Vivan who studied painting first at MS University, Baroda and at the Slade School of Art, London. He has held 25 solo shows and participated in many prestigious annuals, biennials and triennials of art all over the world. |
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Growing tribe of private
sleuths CHANDIGARH There has been a tremendous increase in the number of cases in recent years, say the detectives, who receive cases pertaining to relationships, and also from organisations like banks. But more than 80 per cent of the cases pertain to matrimony, the detectives say. “In most cases, parents contact us to collect correct information about the background of prospective brides or grooms. “In some cases we are called upon to shadow husbands or wives, says Mr Ravinder Singh, branch manager of one of the early detective agencies to be set up in Chandigarh. “There are also cases pertaining to tracing anonymous phone calls, letters, etc.”, says Mr Mohinder Singh, a private detective operating in the city. Mr B.D. Chaudhary of a detective agency in Panchkula says they always take simple matrimonial cases that seek family backgrounds, although some employers appoint detectives to investigate the backgrounds of persons they intend to employ,” he says. Regarding the rise in the number of cases, he says people today are less hesitant to discuss their relationships. Some credit also goes to the detective serials on the TV which encourage people to obtain the services of private detectives. Banks and industrial houses employ detectives to get information about the soundness of parties that approach them for loans etc. Factory-owners hire detectives to get information about labour unions or some controversial issues. Mr J.H. Tanwar, a detective, says that in the coming years demand for such services will rise as people are becoming more inclined to utilise the services of these agencies. Even if they solve some problems of their clients, the detectives do not find the going very easy for themselves. Their problems stem mainly from the mushrooming unregistered agencies. According to Mr Vijay Singh Bhardwaj who claims to have solved more than 300 cases in 13 years, some of the agencies are not registered and are never checked. The police should maintain dossiers on private detectives and verify their backgrounds to prevent anti-social elements from operating in the name of a detective agency. |
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Holding of flower show
stayed SAS
NAGAR Confusion prevailed at the council office today as the authorities were unable to give any assurance regarding the holding of the event to desirous participants in the flower show. The postponing of the event also cannot be ruled out. The Deputy Director, Dr Karamjit Singh Sra, had in a letter to the council said that the resolution passed on the holding of the flower show in November was not clear. Besides, he said, sanction for the expenditure on the show had not been obtained from the Directorate. Dr D.S.
Saini, Executive Engineer, Horitculture, had gone to Ludhiana today to meet the Deputy Director to get the stay orders withdrawn but to no avail. It is learnt that the Deputy Director was not satisfied with the clarification given by the council official. He has asked for a proper detail of the expenses to be incurred. As the expenditure on the show was not part of the planned budget of the council, sanction under the law had to be taken from the Directorate. However, the council has sent the case for approval to the Directorate also. It is learnt that forms cyclostyled for the baby show were not being circulated by the authorities due to the prevailing
uncertainty. Orders for preparing the brochures, purchasing toffees for the participants of the baby show and putting up banners had already been placed. In certain cases some advance payments had been made. Some judges for the show had also been invited. Various schools had been requested to send participants for the show. The flower show was planned to be held in the Silvi Garden in Phase X here. It was to include an on-the-spot painting competition and a baby show. An advertisement in this regard had also been given in
newspapers. Mr J.P. Singh, who was the Administrator of the council when the resolution for the flower show was passed, was interested in holding the event as he felt that such shows were being held regularly in Chandigarh and Panchkula but not in SAS
Nagar. The holding of the show here had become easier for the council as an executive engineer had recently been posted here to take charge of the council’s horticulture wing. Under the resolution an estimated expenditure of Rs 1.50 lakh was cleared for the purpose. |
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Discussion on
civil rights CHANDIGARH Prof G.S. Gosal talked about Persistence of caste disabilities despite Constitutional provisions. Dr Rajesh Gill, organising Secretary of the event, said that the Act was concerned only with the violation of civil rights in the public domain and ignored private areas where most of the violation took place. Mr Satya Pal Jain, a former Member of Parliament, stressed the need for inculcating nationalism among persons to curb caste demarcations. Dr Raj Mohini Sethi introduced the topic. Ms Madhvi Kataria, Director of the Department of Social Welfare, gave the presidential address. |
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Phariwallas expect solution by
today CHANDIGARH Mr Partap Singh said the association had got a message from Mr Tandon that a solution regarding the rehabilitation of the phariwallas would be worked out at a meeting here tomorrow. Following assurance, the phariwallas did not protest today, he claimed. However, when The Tribune contacted Mr Tandon he denied any such communication. He said: “I have not invited any member of the association.” Mr Tandon said they had proposal of rehabilitation of phariwallas, but that could be possible only through peaceful discussion and not through a violent agitation. The Mayor, Ms Shanta Hitabilashi, said that the problem could only be solved at a meeting of the House with the councillors arriving at a consensus.” Mr Partap Singh denied the allegation of Mr Tandon that the association had any political affiliation. Phariwallas were earlier rehabilitated in Sector 40-C by the Chandigarh Administration, but the corporation removed them following protests by the shopkeepers of one area. Hundreds of members of the Old the Phari Market Association burnt the effigy of Mr Tandon in Sector 22 on December 6 and had announced that the agitation would continue until their demand was fulfilled. |
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Website of IT Department PANCHKULA The website will contain information on subjects generally required by tax-payers. Essential income tax forms have also been provided on the website which can be easily downloaded by tax-payers for filing income tax returns. The website will also provide information about the location of various offices in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the jurisdiction of the assessing authorities along with their telephone numbers. Mr J.S. Ahluwalia, Chief Commissioner, Income Tax, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh region, informed that a news bulletin had also been made available on the website through which the tax-payers could get information about the departmental important developments and decisions. |
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Workshop on urban
management CHANDIGARH Mr Rashpal Malhotra, CRRID, laid emphasis on the training of local government officials, as perceived by the World Bank, being important for the future growth. The participants comprising presidents, executive officers and other senior officers of municipal corporations and councils of Punjab, sought transfer of functions, powers and share of the state taxes to the elected bodies. They also demanded autonomy for the local bodies. Mr J.P. Gupta, former Chairman, Punjab Finance Commission, informed that the participants were apprised of the innovative measures for financing urban infrastructure which requires large funds. He reiterated that contributions by the Central Government are nominal and transfer from the state government are small and are not likely to increase. While delivering the valedictory address, Mr Tandon emphasised on the internal resource mobilisation by tightening financial controls and by bringing in efficiency by inculcating work culture and larger output by employees. |
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‘Need to check pollution’ CHANDIGARH These views were expressed by Justice Kuldip Singh at the inauguration of a refresher course on environment at Panjab University here today. Increasing load of traffic was not a good omen, he added. Mr M.K. Mriglani, Finance Commissioner, Haryana, spoke on the issue highlighting the current needs while Prof A.K. Sahni, DUI, spoke on the aspect of health hazards. Dr A.S. Ganju from a cancer research institute in USA was the key speaker. Prof Gopal Krishan, Director of the Academic College, proposed the vote of thanks. |
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Water supply affected SAS NAGAR An entrepreneur Amardeep Sharma said the staff of the civic body came to rectify the fault but left without completing their job. He said more than 400 plots had been affected by the water supply failure. |
BRO man’s suitcase
stolen CHANDIGARH The suitcase contained his identity card and paybook, besides his original educational certificates, movement order and some cash. According to him, the suitcase was on the roof rack, when the bus halted at Ambala, but when it reached Chandigarh, at about 8.00 p.m., the suitcase was missing. Poppy husk found Pedestrian hit Amplifier stolen Liquor seized Arrested SAS NAGAR Poppy husk seized Car theft Two booked |
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Man stabbed
for Rs 250 CHANDIGARH Mr Abdul Khalik, was reportedly returning home when he was assaulted at about 9.15 p.m. In a complaint to the police, he alleged that the assailants stabbed him with a sharp weapon in his back and arm before snatching his purse. The four, he added, escaped from the spot after leaving him injured. Taking up his complaint, the Chandigarh police has registered a case of causing hurt while committing robbery and common intention under Section 394 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. A senior police official, when contacted, said further investigations into the allegation were on. He added that police was on the look-out for the four and they were likely to be arrested soon on the basis of evidence collected from the scene of crime. The officer further added that the possibility of the four being members of an organised gang could not be ruled out. Chances, however, were that the assailants were drug addicts or drunkards, he concluded. |
CMA foundation day function CHANDIGARH Dr
K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, and Mr T.T. Thomas, president, All India Management Association, will express their views on health-care management. |
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