The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

‘Focus on the common man in research’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 3 — The deliberations of the Indian Social Science Congress, during the third day of the conference, addressed the issues of Public Health policies and the perspectives of democracy with special focus on democratic institutions. Prof K.S. Sharma from Hubli, Prof Sumaya Panda, Prof T. R. Sharma of Panjab University and Prof Sucha Singh Gill from Punjabi University, Patiala, addressed the plenary sessions in the morning. In the afternoon, there were seven parallel sessions devoted to papers on economic development, education for all, history, quality of life and psychological dispositions, ecology and healthy growth of children.

During the three days of deliberations, there was a general consensus that social scientists in India have to address the issue of bringing the concerns, needs and aspirations of the Indian people into focus of their research. Many speakers were highly critical of the elitist orientations of research, which tended to legitimise the anti-people policies of the state by fudging statistical data to mislead the public and serve the interests of International financial institutions. If social scientists do not become sensitive towards the people’s movements, the urgent need to articulate pro-people policies in the sphere of education, health, ecology, employment, the organs of the state are likely to become more authoritarian and oppressive, though the governments may seem to be weaker than in the past.

In the symposium on History, convened by Dr M Rajivlochan of the Department of History, Panjab University, the consensus that emerged was the need to encourage further field-based research. It was felt that the subject of history was going through a crisis at the moment, because of excessive dependence on archival research which had resulted in field-based work, interaction with public and society being given a back seat.

Prof N.P. Chaubey, General Secretary of the Indian Academy of Social Sciences and Dr Satya Pal Gautam of the Department of Philosophy, Panjab University, has been coordinating the proceedings of the Congress.

Teachers to stage dharna
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 3 —The Punjab and Chandigarh Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) has decided to stage a dharna on March 5 at Matka Chowk, here to protest against the non-implementation of the Social Security Act, according to a press note issued here today.

Prof Charanjit Chawla, General Secretary of the PCCTU said the teachers were disheartened as the implementation process had been delayed. The PCCTU has also urged Mr N.K. Arora, Chief Secretary, and Master Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab, to take urgent steps to honour the decisions of the constitutional bodies.

127 students get prizes
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 3 — More than 127 students of the Dev Samaj College for Women in Sector 45 here received prizes from Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, Mayor, Chandigarh, at the annual prize distribution ceremony held in the college today.

Anju Sood of B.B.A. (third year) was adjudged the best student of the session while Harleen Sachdeva of B.Com (third year) won the prize for being the best speaker. Poonam Rani was declared the best sportswoman for the session and Ekta bagged the prize for being the best dancer. Gurpreet was given a prize for best mono acting.

The Mayor congratulated the students for their efforts and blessed them for achieving even greater heights in future. Mr Goyal also inaugurated the new library hall of the college. Earlier, the Principal, Ms Vimal Bhargava, read the college annual report. A brief cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.

Role of IT in commerce stressed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 3 —The Department of Commerce of SGGS College, Sector 26, organised a seminar on information, education and commerce at the college here today.

Prof R.C. Kaushal, chairman of the department, highlighted the need of information technology in the field of commerce at various levels. Mr Nirmaljit Singh Kalsi, Director, Technical Education, Punjab, presided over the inaugural session of the seminar. He stated that changes in the field of IT were taking place at an alarming rate.

The chief guest in the morning session was Mr Bharpur Singh, secretary, Sikh Education Society. Prof S.C. Vaidya, Dean Faculty of Business Management and Commerce, Panjab University, presented a paper and emphasised that IT is a tool which can be effectively used by the common man.

Prof Dinesh Gupta of MBA Department of Panjab University, Prof Shashi Gupta, Mr S.K. Sharma, Mr S.K. Gupta and Mr A.K. Sahajpal were among those who read papers in the morning session.

In the afternoon session, Prof Charanjit Singh Cheema from GNDU, Prof P.P. Arya and Mr. Jagwant Singh read out their papers. The session was chaired by Prof S.P. Singh, former Chairman, UBS, PU, and the chief guest in this session was Mr G.S. Brar, Vice-President Sikh Education Society.

Earlier, Prof Paramjit Singh, organiser, welcomed the delegates and the Principal, Mr P.S. Sangha thanked the guests.

Seminar on teaching of maths held
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, March 3 — The Nursery teacher training department of DAV School, Sector 15-A, organised a day long seminar for “Teaching of Mathematics” here today. The seminar was inaugurated by vice-president and permanent chairman of lok adalat, DAV College Managing Committee, Justice D.V. Sehgal.

About 24 schools participated in the seminar. Justice D.V. Sehgal stressed upon the relationship between maths and logic. He quoted the examples of Bertand Russell and Ramanujam.

The Advisor, DAV College Managing committee, Mr Mohan Lal, gave directions regarding teaching and learning of mathematics. He laid emphasis on the need to teach mathematics in an interesting way. The workshop was attended by as many as 70 teachers.

The main aim of the seminar was to make mathematical concepts a funfilled activity for the tiny tots. The principal of the school, Ms Rakesh Sachdeva, felicitated the chief guest. A cultural programme was also presented by the students of nursery teacher training classes.

HIGH COURT
Company restrained from shifting plant
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 3 — Issuing notice of motion for March 23, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today restrained Faridabad-based K.G. Khosla Compressors Limited from transferring the plant and the machinery, besides other movable and immovable property of the company.

In their petition taken up by Mr Justice V.K. Jhanji of the High Court, petitioner G.M. Makwana, working as a manager with the company, along with three others, had contended that the organisation was taken over with the intention of shifting the infrastructure, the plant and the machinery to Pune for selling 27 acres on the Delhi-Faridabad road and for getting rid of the employees.

They had also claimed that termination notices were also issued to 69 employees of the company. Injunction against the termination was initially granted by the trial court on January 5 but on February 7 the appeal of the employees was dismissed by the Additional District Judge, they had added.

Counsel for the petitioner had further stated that the company’s appeal was, meanwhile, admitted thereby vacating the injunction against the company granted by the trial court.

Notice on notification

On a petition filed by the Voluntary Health Association seeking the quashing of a fresh notification for constituting advisory committee at the state level, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice of motion for March 23.

In their petition against the state of Punjab and the Director Health Services and Family Welfare, the association had earlier contended that the notification was vague.

Giving details, the association had stated that the notification mentioned as members gynaecologist from Civil Hospital in SAS Nagar, besides Medical Genetician from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, without specifying the names and the designations of the persons.

DISTRICT COURTS
Nigerian awarded 10 yr RI
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, March 3 — A resident of Nigeria, Joseph, was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment today by the UT Additional District and Session Judge, Mr R.C. Godara, in a case under the NDPS Act. The case against the accused was registered under Section 21 of the NDPS Act, at the Sector 39 Police Station, on August 25, 1995.

It was alleged that the police, during a search operation recovered 65 gm of smack from the accused’s possession. It was pleaded that the accused was a first time offender and was married with a small child, therefore, a lenient view be taken.

The Judge observed that because of the involvement of foreigners like him had increased, therefore severe punishment was necessary. As such, the accused was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh. In case of default the accused has to undergo six months more of rigorous imprisonment.

Held for selling adulterated milk

The UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today sentenced a resident of Ambala, Jeet Ram to six months rigorous imprisonment in a case under the Food Adulteration Act.

The Food Inspector apprehended the accused, Jeet Ram, and found in his possession about 10 litre of mixed milk for sale. The Inspector purchased 750 ml of mixed milk against payment of Rs 4, as a sample. The sample was sent to the Public Analyst for analysis. As per report the sample was found to be adulterated. The report revealed that the sample was deficient in milk fat (solids).

It was pleaded by the convict that he was a first-time offender and the only bread winner of the family and that if he was sent behind bars, the entire family would starve and a lenient view be taken in the matter of sentence.

The Magistrate observed that the accused was found selling the milk, which was found to be adulterated, which is used by every individual in our society and which can adversely affect the health of every human being. As such, the convict was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of six months and to pay fine of Rs 1,000.

Sukhdev sent to remand

Sukhdev Singh, allegedly involved in the murder of Sector 32, woman, Ms Prem Lata, was sentenced to police remand till March 5, today by the UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class).

Ban to hamper media coverage
By Kiran Deep

CHANDIGARH, March 3 — The order on the ban of photography in the District Courts Complex has shocked human right activists and scribes covering courts. They feel the step will curb the freedom of the press. Instead of deploying enough security personnel in the court premises, the Administration had taken the step just to get rid of the security problem.

However it is not yet clear as to who had passed the decision regarding the prohibition. The District Courts Authority claims that the order had been passed by the Chandigarh Administration and the Police Department, in view of need for additional security in the courts. Boards displaying these orders have been put up at the various entrance gates of the courts, indicating that photography was banned by order of District Courts Authority.

When the Tribune contacted the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Parag Jain, he said “The Police Department have not passed any order regarding banning of photography in courts and neither sent any letter to the District Courts Authority. It is the District Courts Authority’s decision to restrict cameras in the court premises”.

Human rights activist and General Secretary of Lawyers for human Rights International, Mr Navkiran Singh, said, “It is necessary to enhance security in courts, instead of putting restriction on the press. The authorities can increase the number of security personnel and every visitor, including persons carrying cameras, can be checked at the entrance.” Meanwhile, the General Secretary of Lawyers for Social Reform, Mr Arunjeev Singh Walia, has also given a representation to the District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, against imposing a ban on photography inside the complex. It was requested that the orders be withdrawn as they might effect the efficiency and working of the courts.

Mr N.S Minhas, President of Sikh Lawyers Association, said that “the step has restricted scribes and it has now become difficult for journalists to highlight the problems of Courts. There is a need to enhance security in the courts, but not at the cost of freedom of the press. Now its not possible for the scribes to highlight the problems of the convicts and victims of police torture through photographs.

Mr N.K Nanda, President, of the District Bar Association feels that the step was taken as a security measure and soon the bar would take the matter to the Courts Authority, to find some alternative.

A reporter of an English daily said that sometimes it was necessary to carry a camera to highlight the problems of the courts.

The District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, calrified to The Tribune that it was an administrative decision and any one could take photographs but after taking due permission from the District Courts Authority.

CULTURE

Foto Show inaugurated
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, March 3 — Seventy outstanding pieces of work conveying strong emotional feelings and a esthetic sense have been exhibited at the Punjab Kala Bhawan here as part of the Second Annual Foto Show, organised by the Friends of Photography. This five-day long exhibition was inaugurated by Haryana Chief Secretary LM Goyal.

Benu Sen’s Mother, The Flame, Beauty is Born, and Adit Agarwal’s Last Prisoner, and Here is Spring, SR Mandal’s Hope, For the Souls are among the prominent exhibits.

A rare moment of birth of a butterfly has been captured by BSN Reddy. Other pictures include Partha Sarathi’s Nature and Honeymoon, Sanjay Kumbhkarni’s Mount Happiness which depicts rare moments of serenity and happiness in life. In the wildlife section, TNA Perumal’s Peacock, Barn Owl and Grass Hopper and H. Satish’s Magpie Robin Male with Feed, Elephant Charging make the nature come alive.

Subhas Sapru’s Quake Devastated Bachau series shows the darker forces of the nature. In contrast, Inderjit Premi’s Home in Paradise Mountain No 1 and A Long Way to Go capture the mother earth at its best.

The pictures, which are fine examples of various darkroom techniques like montage, solarisation, bass relief, tone separation and different texture screen, have got awards in many international and national exhibitions. The exhibition will conclude on March 7.

Gurdas Mann sings in aid of quake-hit
Tribune News Service

Gurdas Maan performs in the aid of those hit by the Gujarat earthquake, in the Sector 42 Sports Complex, Chandigarh, on Saturday night.
— A Tribune photograph

CHANDIGARH, March 3 — It was Gurdas Maan all the way at the Sector 42 Sports Complex tonight.

Performing at a charity show, organised by Strides, an event management company, and the UT Red Cross, in aid of earthquake victims of Gujarat, Maan’s golden voice reiterated its beauty once again in a span of less than two months here after meeting with an accident near here on January 9. He established instant rapport with the audience as he took to the mike, telling a waiting audience “bilkul theek thaak hai” (everything is all right), obviously referring to his miraculous escape in the accident.

Expressing his gratitude to his fans for his “second birth”, the veteran singer went right into business and what followed was the pure magic of Maan’s rich voice. Starting off with an invocation to Ma Saraswati, he weaved a medley, culminating into “Mori rakhiyo laj gurudev”.

By the time, he started the next number “Tere Ishq da girda painda”, a sizable portion of enthusiastic crowd, which had been waiting for the singer for one-and-a-half hours, was on its feet. The police had a tough time controlling the crowd, which virtually went berserk. Ultimately, crowd had its way as the programme went on.

Shifting the focus to the popular numbers like “Ik tu howe ik main howa”, “Chhalla”, “Apna Punjab Howe ghar di sharab howe”, “Mamala Gadbad Hai” and “Jadugarian”, he succeeded in driving home the point why he was so popular on the Punjabi music scene.

The programme was preceded by a heart-rending documentary on the Gujarat earthquake. The Adviser to the UT Administrator, Ms Neeru Nanda, was the chief guest. Also present on the occasion was Mr M. Ramsekhar.