EDUCATION

‘Higher education neglected’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — Teachers needed to be more firm in shouldering responsibilities in a changed academic environment.

This was stated by Master Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab, while presiding over a panel discussion on ‘Save Higher Education’ organised by the Panjab University Teachers Association, at the ICSSR complex, here today.

Master Mohan Lal said that PUTA should prepare a clear line of demands in a written form . He assured moving of the demands in the cabinet.

The panel for discussion included, Dr Ashok Sahni, the DUI; Prof P.P.Arya a former president of the PUTA; Dr Anirudh Joshi, a former DSW; Mr Satya Pal Jain, a former Member of Parliament and Dr Satya Pal Gautam, a former PUTA president.

Dr Devi Sarohi, president of the PUTA welcomed the guests. She said that education in the era of globalisation needed State and Centre planning, for the quality of teaching rendered to children.

Prof Ashok Sahni said that we first need to identify what we were referring to as higher education and what it needed to be saved from. Payment of teachers was also an area of concern.

He said that state funding for education was of paramount importance till 1970s. The government now expects the universities to manage themselves, which was difficult. Professor Sahni said that universities like Howard and Cambridge had independent stock exchanges and resource avenues through research products. This was totally absent in the Indian scenario.

Mr Jain said that student representatives should also be made part of deliberations on education. He said children securing even 80 per cent marks found it difficult to enter professional courses. This was an area of concern.

Science exhibition concludes
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — The three-day State Science Exhibition organised by the State Institute of Education, Sector 32, concluded at Parade Ground in Sector 17 here today.

Nineteen senior secondary and 48 secondary schools took part in the exhibition. Students exhibited around 335 models in 69 stalls. There were three categories: rural, urban and model schools.

In the rural senior secondary level category, the first position was bagged by Government Senior Secondary School, Mani Majra. In the urban category the first position was bagged by the DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8. In the model schools category, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, Sector 16 and Sector 37 bagged the overall first position and in the secondary level, Government Model High School, Sector 36, got the first prize.

The models on designs for construction and maintenance of roads by the GSSS, Sector 16, and cleansing industrial pollution by the GSSS, Sector 10, and solar power operated cooler cum AC by GSSS, Sector 37, were adjudged best in the senior category.

Many models on the theme of information technology and the ways how to dispose of industrial waste were also displayed.

The exhibition received a tremendous response from the public. Students from various schools like Yadvindra Public School, Vivek High School and many other public and private schools visited the exhibition.

Ms Asha Gupta of the State Institute said the aim of the exhibition was to encourage the students to develop interest in science and show their creative skills. She said such exhibitions helped a layman appreciate the relevance of Science in everyday life. ''Science is returning to traditional solutions of problems. Development is essential but it should be sustainable and cost effective,'' she said.

The exhibition was a showcase of five themes on different fields of science itself. The models on railway accidents were also prepared by students and they suggest various ways to avoid accidents.

There was one model of traditional chulha. It is made of mud and chimney has been erected showing evasion of smoke which is different from the traditional chulha. A few models had shown how bio-pesticides, organic manure and bio-fertilizers can replace chemical fertilisers. Maximum models displayed applications of multimedia and Internet and satellite communication. Companies also approached the students with offers to launch the products in the market.

The message conveyed through this exhibition was that science and technology can lead to effective management of environment and enhance the standard of living.

CULTURE

Captivating performance by Rahmat
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — The two-day North Zone Cultural Meet—2000, organised by the local Income Tax Department came to a close here today.

The highpoint of today’s programme was the qawwali presentation by Irshad Rahmat Ali qawwal and party from Malerkotla.

Welcoming the chief guest, Mr Ashwani Luthra, Commissioner, Income Tax, commended the high standards of programmes presented by the participants. Mr Raj Narain, a Member of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, was the chief guest.

Meanwhile, the jugalbandi by renowned artistes Ustad Mehmood Dholpuri on harmonium and his son, Fakruddin Dholpuri, on sarangi was the highlight of the first day of the meet yesterday.

This was followed by the staging of one-act play — Nawa Janam — by the Punjabi Cultural Theatre Group and the Institute of Progressive Arts. The play was written by Gursharan Singh and directed by Kuldeep Bhatti.

Pradeep Dutta from Yamunanagar and Neelam Chauhan of Chandigarh regaled the audience with popular old melodies. Gidha by the students of the local Pracheen Kala Kendra was also performed. Comedian couple Jaspal Bhatti and Savita Bhatti entertained the audience in their inimitable style.

Shivan won the first prizes in classical music(instrumental) and light music (instrumental). William George won second prizes in these categories.

In classical music (vocal) and light music(vocal) Prakash Parnekar won the first prizes. Rajinder Prakash won second prize in classical music(vocal) and Shakti Singh bagged the second prize in light music(vocal).BK Kalia and Budh Singh were given the consolation and special prizes, respectively.

Earlier, the meet was inaugurated by Ms Surinder Paul Kaur, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax. Mr Luthra in his welcome address, emphasised the importance of holding such cultural events and active participation by the staff and officers of the Revenue Department.