The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

3000 participate in Trio Olympiad-2000
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — Almost 3000 students from the city and suburbs participated in the “Trio Olympiad-2000” held here today. Almost 10000 students participated throughout India in the test. The test was conducted for “Physics, Chemistry and Biology Olympiad” for the senior secondary class students and Science Olympiad for classes IX and X students.

The Olympiad was organised by “The Educationist”, a voluntary educational organisation . As many as 150 schools participated in this Olympiad throughout India.

The top three positions of each Olympiad in each class will be awarded trophies, merit certificates, cash prizes and free subject books. The school toppers of each school will also be given merit certificates.

The merit holders of the Olympiad for Classes X and XII from each participating school will be invited for a free coaching camp and science workshop in January next year.

The schools which participated included Shishu Niketan Model School, Sector 22-D, Ajit Karam Singh International Public School , Sector 41-B, I.S. Dev Samaj Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 47.

Senate to take up Goyal case
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — The Panjab University Senate is all set to deliberate over the case of Dr B.B. Goyal, of the Department of the University Business School, who has been indicted for giving 42 marks to a candidate who deserved a zero.

The candidate in question had his answer-sheet filled with only Radha Swami words and was awarded a zero in the first checking. The candidate figured on the list of those who had applied for re-evaluation. The marks increased to 42, which came to light of the administration.

An inquiry was conducted under Mr P.H.Vaishnav. Dr Goyal was indicted in the act of ‘favouring’ the candidate. The report said “I cannot resist the conclusion that Mr Goyal has favoured the candidate of the impugned answer-sheet by giving him 42 marks when he deserved a zero”.

The report also say that “decision is of little consequence whether it arose out of negligence or out of a conscious favour being done to candidate with prior consent”.

The matter was forwarded to the syndicate. The case was postponed following questions on the conclusion. Prof P.P.Arya, a former president of the Panjab University Teachers Association, sent a note to the authorities asking questions on the ‘loose points’ in the decision.

The university in reply to all questions has claimed a fair play in the judgement. The note clearly says that the paper could have gone to Dr Goyal and no one else. There are also certain problems highlighted in identifying the man on the marking of the answer-sheet correctly.

Dr Goyal on his account has denied the allegations. He alleges foul play by certain seniors and even the supporting staff members, saying his service was a proof of hard work.

A senior fellow said that the case needed a thorough study but it would be wrong to start with a decision of holding the teacher guilty. The teacher is an experienced hand at the university examination system. It would only be ‘ foolish’ to give marks on a virtually blank paper. He knows that in case there was an increase of more than 15 per cent marks, the paper goes to the third examiner.

It is also being pointed out that the candidate needed to be identified. A cross questioning by a university panel had all chances of coming up with the ‘real’ truth. “A guilty deserved punishment, but it would only be fair to give him a fair chance to plead innocence,” the fellow added.

NCC wings in two more schools soon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — With two more city schools opting to establish wings of the National Cadet Corps on their campus, the strength of the Junior Division is expected to increase by 100 cadets.

The schools have approached the Second Chandigarh NCC Battalion, in this regard and the modalities are being worked out. The battalion, responsible for all the NCC Army Wing activities in colleges and schools in the city, has two divisions — Senior Division (SD) for college boys and Junior Division (JD) for school-going boys. The SD has 960 cadets and with the addition of the 100 cadets, the JD will have as many cadets as the SD.

In the Sector 45 St Stephen’s School, the NCC activity might be introduced for students from January 15. In the Sector 26 St Kabir School, it will be introduced from the coming academic session.

Soon, the NCC cadets will regularly visit regimental centers or Army units. According to a letter received here from the NCC Headquarters past week, 500 cadets from each NCC group will be taken on such visits. The Chandigarh NCC Group has four units — The First Chandigarh NCC (Girls) Battalion, The First Chandigarh NCC Air Squadron, The First Chandigarh NCC Naval Unit and the Second Chandigarh NCC battalion. Several such groups form an NCC Directorate that represents one or more states.

The purpose behind visits to Army units is to motivate students to join the armed forces. The visits help them get accustomed to the Army way of life.

Meanwhile, the NCC has started sending cadets to the Indian Military Academy to familiarise them with the training activities there. Recently, 10 Army Wing cadets of Chandigarh underwent a 12-day attachment training in the IMA.

CULTURE

Scrap turned into art objects
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Dec 24 — The entrance to the cave leading to the art and craft exhibition by students of Doon Public School, Sector 21, was a riot of colour. The door to the cave opened on Saturday with the cutting of the ribbon as a rumbling sound came from inside.

On display were painted earthen pots, clay models and glass paintings among others. In different shapes, sizes and colours, the pots were prepared by students with finishing touches of teachers.

Nursery students had made various objects from disposable glasses, egg trays on display were also, thumb paintings, vegetable paintings of tiny-tots. Little lamps made out of throw-away glasses were the highlight of the section.

A variety of candles decorated with coloured paper, stars, glitter were an attraction at the exhibition. Murals of papier mache in bamboo frames were appreciated most by parents of students.

Empty tins, oil bottles, cans, broken plates, ceramic tiles, twigs had been transformed into elephants, ceiling fans, birds. People queued up to get their portraits made by an artist associated with the school.

The fete included stalls of eatables, games, swings and joy rides. Santa Claus distributed gifts and charmed the little ones.

At Yavnika, Sector 5, the students of Adhunik, a kindergarten school, put up a cultural programme to mark 15 years of its establishment. Dances, songs and skits were among the many items presented.

Shail’s album released
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — After receiving lukewarm response for his first album “Hello,”Shail Oswal is back with his new Indi pop album ‘Kahan Hai Tu’, a collage of romantic, techno and rap songs.

Addressing mediapersons here today , this husky voiced singer said the videos on two particular songs Kahan hai tu and Zoom have been shot for family viewing.

Born in an industrialist’s family, Shail’s mother Aruna Oswal is a classical vocalist. He started training in music from childhood and started performing at eight.

The album is a collection of eight love songs. The title track Kahan hai tu, a ballad, Zoom a rap and Tera Chehra are worth listenning. The songs have been written by Timon Singh, Sophiya and Zoheb Hassan and music is by Biddu.

Later, as a part of the promotional tour called “Search” Shail along with others performed songs from his newly released album at the Gymkhana Club in Sector 6, Panchkula.

Zenith, a Delhi-based dance group and Mangal Singh’s peppy numbers from his forthcoming album “Koka”.Sanjay Sadha, a Delhi-based lawyer who mimicked the politicians, proved to be entertaining. The event was presented by Lucky Star Entertainment and hosted by Joe Batth.