EDUCATION

Jacob stresses education for all
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28— “we must have compassion and love for the unfortunate children who do not have facilities of education” said Lieut-Gen (retd) Mr J.F.R Jacob, Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, in a science exhibition organised by the Sri Aurobindo School of Integral Education here today. Mr Jacob, earlier inaugurated an exhibition of art and craft organised by students of the school.

He appreciated the work done by the students. On behalf of the children and teachers of the school, a bank draft for Rs 15,000 was presented to him for Gujarat earth quake relief fund. Later speaking to the students, the Governor expressed happiness over the fact that the school was adopting one slum to educate the children of that slum. He said we must have compassion and love for the unfortunate children who do not have facilities of education. He also said that education was the right of every child and we should not deny him this right.

The exhibition depicts various science models prepared by the student. Mr Jacob took keen interest in various models. Mr B.K. Menon, chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Chandigarh, said the school aims at overall development of children and that art and craft, which is the culmination of creativity, is one of the important subjects.

Is the education board flouting rules to benefit favourites?
By Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Feb 28 — The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) authorities appear to have pushed the rules and regulations under the carpet while doling out benefits to its “favourite” candidates seeking “regular” employment in the board . Before creating the post of the Officer-on-Special Duty (OSD) to the Chairman, a post of an Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) was converted in to a new post of pharmacist grade-II in violation of its own guidelines.

Appointment of the “selected” candidates against the new posts were today approved at a board meeting. The post of ANM was converted into the pharmacist grade -II post despite a board decision (dated July 5, 1999) scrapping powers of the then Chairman of the board to convert any post. The powers were given to the Chairman by the board members on November 11, 1993 and it continued till 1999.

Sources in the board said a woman had joined on a contractual basis as pharmacist as the post of the ANM was lying vacant. In December last year, the board authorities mooted a proposal to convert it into the pharmacist grade-II post citing certain requirements in the dispensary of the board. The candidate working on contractual basis as pharmacist was interviewed and selected against the converted post. A post of Chief Pharmacist, two pharmacist already exist in the board.

Interestingly, the board in an earlier meeting had recommended conversion of the post of the ANM into that of telephone attendant.

The sources said like the regular post of the OSD to the Chairman, the item of converting to the ANM post into Pharmacist grade-II was not taken to the finance committee meeting, which has the Finance Secretary as its member. As per an order of the board passed in January, 1999, any item of this nature has to first go to the finance committee, then to the regulations committee and then put in the board meeting for final approval.

The Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, when asked about the alleged anomalies in the creation of the posts said he was not aware of it but said he would enquire in to the matter. He said though the board was an autonomous body, new posts could be created subject to approval by the Education Secretary, but added that he said he was not aware of the methodology adopted by the board in approving the posts. 

Satinder declared best student
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — Satinder Pal Singh Sidhu was declared the best student for the session 2000-01 at the annual convocation of the Sector 26 Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, here today. Puran Chand was adjudged the best sportsperson.

More than 280 students were awarded prizes for excellence in various fields and 224 students got graduation degrees. Five postgraduate degrees and 13 honours school degrees were also given.

Mr Raminder Singh Gujral, UT Home Secretary, presided over the function and delivered the convocation address.

He asked students to choose careers of their interests instead of looking for a quick success in popular professions. He asked students to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak — work, share and pray.

The college authorities told Mr Gujral that only 24 out of 76 posts for non-teaching staff had been filled and the administration should take note of it. The Punjab and Chandigarh Teachers Union submitted a memorandum to the HS, urging him to look into the issue of granting pension to teachers.

The Principal of the college, Mr P.S. Sangha, read out the college annual report. Sonali Puniani got the college roll of honour for topping the first-year BCA course of Panjab University. Hermani was honoured for topping the final-years B.Sc. (Zoology) course.

53 student contestants honoured
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — As many as 53 winners of the X State-Level Vocational Competitions held at GMSSS, Sector 47, here today by the Education Department, UT.

Nearly 350 students participated in the competitions organised in November.

Result are:

 Fashion designing: Renu Arora GGSSS, Sector 20-B I; Jasvir Kaur GGSSS, Sector 20-B II; Manpreet Kaur GGSSS, Sector 8-B III; Amandeep GGSSS, Sector 8 B consolation; and running trophy: GGSSS, Sector 20-B; Textile designing: Harpreet GGSSS, Sector 20-B I; Surinder GMSSS, Sector 32 II; Gurleen GGSSS, Sector 8 III; and running trophy:GGSSS, Sector 8; Hotel Management and Catering Technology: Damanjeet (GMSSS-10) Information technology: Rohit (GMSSS, Sector 33) I, Kulwinder Singh (GMSSS, Sector 33); Harpinder Jit Singh (GMSSS, Sector 33) I; Harsimran Singh (GMSSS, Sector 33) II; Anand (GMSSS, Sector 23), Shanu Gulati (GMSSS, Sector 23) both III; and GMSSS, Sector 33 running trophy.

Shorthand: Neelam Sharma (GMSSS, Sector 37) I; Navjeet (GMSSS, Sector 18) II; Anil Pandey (GMSSS, Sector 23) III; and GMSSS, Sector 37 running trophy; Typing: Anita Kumari (GMSSS, Sector 37) I; Neelam Sharma (GMSSS, Sector 37) II; Jyoti (GMSSS, Sector 37) III; and GMSSS, Sector 37 running trophy;

Health care and beauty culture (yoga): Sonia (GGSSS, Sector 8-B I; and Mangal (GGSSS, Sector 8-B) II;

Beauty culture: Parveen (GMSSS, Sector 40) I; Renu (GGSSS, Sector 8-B) II; and GGSSS, Sector 8 Running Trophy: Basic electrical technology: Narinder Kumar (GSSS, Manimajra), Balwan Singh (GSSS, Manimajra) both I; Jatin Sharma (GSSS, Manimajra), Suresh Kumar (GSSS, Manimajra) both II; and GSSS, Manimajra running trophy: Refrigerator and air conditioning: Vijander Singh (GSSS, Manimajra), Mandeep Singh GSSS, Manimajra both I; Suraj Bhan (GMSSS, Sector 23), Ram Karan (GMSSS, Sector 23), Punit Pathak (GSSS, Manimajra), Gulshan Kumar (GSSS, Manimajra) all II; and GSSS, Manimajra running trophy: Automobile technology: Lakhwinder Singh (GSSS, Manimajra), Amit Singla (GSSS, Manimajra) both I; Ravish Kumar (GSSS, Manimajra), Laxman (GSSS, Manimajra), Surinder Kumar (GMSSS, Sector 23), Rajesh Kumar (GMSSS, Sector 23) all II; and GSSS, Manimajra running trophy: Electronic technology: Gagandeep ((GMSSS, Sector 23) I; Vineet (GMSSS, Sector 40) II; and GMSSS, Sector 40-B running trophy: Food service and management: Sandeep Bansal (GSSS, Sector 27) and Shanu (GSSS, Sector 27) both I; Bakery and confectionary: Rajiv Kalate (GSSS, Sector 15) I; X-ray techniques: Santosh (GMSSS, Sector 10) I; A.N.M. Neelam Rani (GSSS, Sector 15) I; Stenography: Lakhmi (GSSS, Karsan) I; S.F.T. Sunil Kumar (GSSS, Manimajra) I; Marketing and salesmanship:Amandeep Singh (GMSSS, Sector 19) I; Medical lab technology; Garima Grover (GMSSS, Sector 32) I; and Accountancy and auditing: Suman Lata (GMSSS, Sector 18) I. 

Dr Amar Singh heads teachers’ body
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 —Dr Amar Singh, head of the Biology Department at the Government College for Girls, Sector 42, has been elected president of the Indian Association of Biology Teachers (Colleges) for a term of two years, stated a press note issued here today.

He is an added member of the science faculty of Panjab University, a member of the Indian Botanical Society and the Indian Science Congress Association. He has 19 research papers to his credit.

7 PU readers promoted
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — As many as seven readers of Panjab University denied promotions on two earlier attempts have been promoted as professors.

A decision to this regard was taken by a committee chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, sources said here today. Prof Gopal Krishan , Prof N.K.Oberoi, Dr R.D.Anand, Mr G.K.Chatrath, Prof Charanjit Chawla and deputy registrar ( establishment) attended the meeting.

Teachers who have been upgraded include Dr V.R.K.Murty (physics), Dr Romesh Pandey (economics), Dr K.K.Anand (political science), Dr (Mrs) Subhashni Wasudeva (political science) Dr (Mrs) Santosh Gupta (English), Dr Mohan Singh Aneja (English) and Dr A.L.Devesar (Mathematics).

The case of Dr D.L.Datta (history) who retired in 1996 will be taken up separately.

The posts have been upgraded with effect from January 1,1996. The committee has decided to fix their salaries notionally, sources added.

COURTS

HC directions on IMA representation
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Union of India and the state of Punjab to dispose of within two months the representation of the Indian Medical Association seeking directions against the construction of an over-bridge at level crossing number 135-A on the Chandigarh-Patiala highway.

In their petition taken up by Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice K.C. Gupta, the IMA had earlier contended that the over-bridge would result in accidents, besides causing pollution.

Giving details, counsel for the association had added that commuters going to Patiala and coming from Ambala and Chandigarh would cross Rajpura from the over-bridge without entering the city and using the bypass.

Taking up their petition, the Judges observed: “Let the petitioners make a representation to the Union of India and the state of Punjab. If any such representation is made, the same will be disposed of in accordance with law within two months of receiving it”.