EDUCATION

Parents against KG admission tests
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — Kindergarten admissions have commenced in city schools. Parents are rushing to leading schools for their wards’ admissions, with each school having its own procedure for admission.

It is difficult to get one’s child admitted to kindergarten in any of the leading schools of the city without clearing admission tests. The kids appear in the test and the parents are tense, a parent says. The parents feel that the children have to read several books to clear the test at a tender age of four or five years.

“More than 600 students apply for 132 seats. It is not possible to admit all the candidates. The idea behind interviewing the parents is to have an idea of the environment and culture at the home of children,” says Br C.D. Abreu, Principal of St John’s High School.

Says Ms Tanu Batra, a parent, “We have to prepare the kids to appear in tests at different schools. Such a small brain has to learn many things just to get clear the interview for admission in any of the leading schools.”

Says Mr Ashish Bhargav, another parent, “The interview is more of a parent’s interview than of the children. We have to keep on asking questions regarding different topics to the child.”

Says Ms Ridhi Chopra, another parent, “The tests for kindergarten classes should be abolished. If the child fails to clear the test, the parents take out their frustration on the child. This causes bad effect on the mind of the child. If tests are compulsory, these should be on the easier side.”

“Toddlers who do not know the meaning of test and interview should be kept at a distance from these till the child reaches Class III or IV. It can also demoralize the child to some extent if he or she fails to clear the test,” says Dr Manoj Singla, a psychiatrist.

“Draw system is the best for admission. The tests should not be encouraged for smaller classes. Test if needed should not be so tough,” says Mr D.S. Saroya, Director Public Instructions (Schools).

COURTS

HC notice for SAI regional director
From Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice to the UT Administration, regional director, Sports Authority of India, Northern Centre, Sector 42, Dr P.C. Kashyap, and Mr Ajit Singh, Assistant Director-cum-Drawing and Disbursement Officer, SAI, for February 13, on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a local advocate.

The petitioner had filed a petition under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, seeking directions to the UT Administration to register an FIR against Dr P.C. Kashyap and Mr Ajit Singh. It was alleged that Dr Kashyap had misused his official position for his personal gain. On May 24, he purchased a briefcase worth Rs 1570 from Meena Apparels, Sector 17, for his official use. He altered the figure 5 to 8 in the bill, enhancing it to Rs 1870, alleged the petitioner.

It was further alleged that on April 16, Dr Kashyap purchased 22 carat gold jewellery worth Rs 3594 from Zevar, NAC, Mani Majra. On the back of the bill, the storekeeper and assistant director (stores) had verified the value of article without mentioning the folio of the stock register. This clearly indicated that the material had not come to the store in reality. Later Dr Kashyap claimed reimbursement of the said amount against the advance obtained by him from the department. Dr Kashyap had indicated on the back of bill that it was presented to some VIP functionary, but the name of the VIP was not mentioned, alleged the petitioner.

Dr Kashyap got a tender notice published in a Hindi newspaper, inviting tenders for sports kits, equipment, sports science equipment, office and hostel furniture and fixtures, linen, kitchen equipment, air-conditioners, staff, sanitary services and catering services for the sports hostel. The tender forms could be collected from June 22 to 26 till 3 pm. The committee constituted for opening of tenders and its allotment was to meet on June 28 at 3 pm in Sector 42 office of SAI.

It was alleged by the petitioner that the committee met at its scheduled time on June 28 and found the tender notice to be of poor quality. It was reported by the committee that the same should be advertised again. The petitioner alleged that Dr Kashyap placed the orders to Standard Sports and Furniture Goods Workshop Cooperative Industrial Society Limited, Nagpal Nagar, Malout, on June 27, one day before. The goods were supplied and received the same day. It was alleged that Dr Kashyap later got the firm mentioned above registered with National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India in August 2000, which was mandatory for government departments.

It was also alleged that Dr Kashyap favoured a firm from Patiala, which was not a SAI approved firm, for supply of boxing rings at the new SAI training centre at Mastuana Sahib, Sangrur, and at Anandpur Sahib. The approved firm from Ambala was not given orders.

It was further alleged that Dr Kashyap got his TA claims settled for Rs 8 per km for his personal car after colluding with another SAI official Mr Ajit Singh, who was Drawing and Disbursement Officer. The rates for the officials who used their own car for official car was Rs 4.50 per km for plains and Rs 5.50 pere km for hills. It was alleged that after taking the DDO concerned into confidence, Dr Kashyap had got TA bills settled, causing huge loss to the department.

Rail passenger allowed damages
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The UT Consumers Disputes Redressal Forum has allowed the complaint of a city resident, Mr Nischal Gupta, and granted him a compensation of damages of worth Rs 11,000. Mr Gupta, had filed a complaint against the Station Superintendent, the General Manager of the Northern Railway and the Union of India through its Secretary, Ministry of Railways, for delay in train without any information.

The complainant alleged that he had traveled from New Delhi to Chandigarh by the Shatabdi train on June 5,1999. The schedule time of departure was 5.15 p.m. and train was supposed to arrive at Chandigarh at 8.17 p.m. but the train got inordinately delayed without any information to the passengers. The train left New Delhi railway station at 7.20 p.m and on the the way it halted at a number of places, which otherwise were not regular stoppages.

The complainant further alleged his old parents had come to the railway station at Chandigarh to receive him and they remained there up to 12.15 p.m. because no information or announcement was made at the railway station regarding the late arrival of the train.

Moreover, except for the initial services of food, he was not served with snacks or other eatables during the long hours consumed by the journey. All this constituted deficiency in service resulting in undue harassment, physical discomfort and mental torture to him and his old parents. He had filed the complaint before the court for a compensation of Rs 50,000.

The forum had observed that deficiency in services of the Northern Railway and the complainant and his aged parents had been put to avoidable harassment and inconvenience both physical and mental. The forum allowed the complaint and consolidated damages of Rs 11,000, including cost of the case to the complainant.

Jail for rash driving
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The UT Judicial Magistrate today sentenced Rajinder Kumar to one year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 500 in a rash and negligent driving case. It was alleged the accused, who was driving a bus had hit the scooter of Madan. The victim was died in the accident. The case against the accused had been registered under Sections 279, 338, 304A of the Indian Penal Code on April 29, 1994.

Bail granted
The UT Additional District and Sessions Judge today granted bail to Krishna under the Immoral Trafficking Act. The accused Krishna was arrested by the city police along with one girl from Sector 20.

The accused was granted bail on medical grounds and on the furnishing bond of Rs 15,000.

In another case the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sant Parkash, today granted the bail to Gurpreet Singh, in a case of theft. The case against the accused had been registered on December 3. The complainant, Iqbal, had alleged that the accused had stolen his car. The accused was granted bail on the furnishing bond of Rs 10, 000.

Man acquitted
The UT Judicial Magistrate today acquitted Phagwan Das in a case of rash and negligent driving. It was alleged that Phagwan Das, who was driving a HRTC bus had hit the Scooter of Partap Singh. The case against the accused was registered under Section 304 A of the Indian Penal Code. The accused was acquitted because of the lack of evidence.

CULTURE

Ample proof of Sikh craftsmanship
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The experience of touching history and feeling the pulse of splendid times that have gone by is rare. However, today, the entire Sikh history, in a colourful package, was to be unraveled before art lovers of the city.

When the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), inaugurated the largest ever show of the Sikh heritage in the Government Museum and Art Gallery here today, there was amazement in the eyes of those present there. The exhibition, titled Piety and Splendor: Sikh Heritage in Art, presents Sikhism as it has progressed through times.

The show that was organised earlier in the National Museum by the Department of Culture came across as a meaningful enquiry into aspects of the Sikh art. There are 190 items on display, including Sikh manuscripts, drawings, armaments, jewellery, textile items and medals.

Gen Jacob said the exhibition was aimed at spreading the message of Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa Panth. There are sections that provide an insight into the encounters and discourses of the Gurus. Priceless exhibits have also been brought here from the National Museum of New Delhi, Kila Mubarak and Sheesh Mahal Museum of Patiala, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum of Amritsar and the State Museum of Shimla. There are exhibits that belong to the local Government Museum and Art Gallery as well.

Beginning with paintings on the life of Guru Nanak and portraits of the ten Gurus, the exhibition unfolds into display of Sikh art, textiles, jewellery, arms, paintings and manuscripts. The textile section features bagh and phulkari works on cotton, with floss-silk embroidery. The jewellery section is laced with gold sets, pearls and beadwork. Then there are paintings by artists like Sobha Singh, Sushil Sarkar, S.G. Thakur Singh, D.N. Sharma, Manishi Day and Phulan Rani.

Among the collections is a replica of the throne of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Gen Jacob said the throne was a proof of fine craftsmanship of the Sikhs. Gen Jacob said, this year, the Institute of Comparative Theology would be opened in Government Museum here.

Dr B.N. Goswami, a noted art critic, was also present on the occasion. He said the Sikh art had remained neglected for a century and this exhibition was aimed at exploring aspects of the Sikh heritage. 

Musical tributes to K.L. Saigal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — A musical feat marked the celebrations of the K.L. Saigal commemoration day. Among those who participated in the celebrations and paid musical tributes to the great singer were local music experts of repute.

Most of the songs sung on the occasion were the ones rooted in Rabindra sangeet, with the first song of the evening coming from Mr Arvind Sharma, Head, Department of Music, Panjab University. The function was inaugurated by Dr Arun Sud, Director, CAPARAT, at a local hotel.

The show was organised by the Environment Society of India on Saigal's 54th death anniversary and the most delectable performance of the evening came from Arvind Sharma who sang a Saigal song in raag Bhairavi. This was followed by devotional songs by Dr Tajinder Khanna of the Department of Music, Government College for Girls, Sector 11, and Mrs Indira Gupta. Yet another powerful melodious performance came from four-year-old Sayen De who sung Bengali songs of K.L. Saigal. Then there was a dance sequence of Saigal's song Pakhi aaj kon katah koy by three girls. The show was compered by Prof H.S. Dilgir.