EDUCATION

Injustice leads to violence: Badal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 11
The days of violence in Punjab were manifestation of people’s anger against “injustice”, which was being meted out to them. One big reason for violence is injustice, said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister of Punjab, here today.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day regional dialogue on “Dimensions of violence: culture, society and state” at the ICSSR complex in Panjab University.

“I do not want to be political. Plainly speaking, the intensity of anger grows with prolonged state injustice. Even today people at the helm of affairs and even academicians were unaware of a dormant volcano of dissatisfaction of people, lying at the grassroots. The social gaps could burst anytime, leading to an unmanageable situation”, Mr Badal said.

Unemployment and inequality were the two biggest factors, which hold the key to prosperity. No effective planning was being done on this front.

Mr Badal said lack of opportunities led to frustration and even suicides are common.

Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, said that we have resources and sufficient experience to study violence and recommend possible solutions.

Prof B.N. Ray from Delhi University, spoke on various aspects of violence, including “legitimate violence”. People were trained to behave aggressively and even got paid for it. He was referring to the police and the state army, besides other forces.

Prof Raj Mohini Sethi, chairperson of the Sociology Department, said that violence had its bearing on several factors, including religion and culture.

Prof A.K. Dasgupta, member secretary of the Indian Association of Social Science Institutions, gave a background to the association’s programme of a national-level study on the subject.

Workshop on ceramics
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, April 11
A workshop on ceramics for students of Classes VIII and IX was conducted at Ajit Karam Singh International Public School here today.

The workshop was conducted by Ms Sarah Hagen, a graduate of the University of Colorado, USA, in ceramics in collaboration with Gary Arts, SAS Nagar. She introduced the children to the vast and creative field of ceramics.

She made the students aware of the use of ceramics in making of various things which include decorative pots, artistic bricks, porcelain wares and in space shuttles. Ceramics is also used in making of computers as it can withstand high temperature.

The students also visited Gary Arts, a ceramic factory. The students baked the things made in furnace and learnt to paint and glaze them further. The children tried their hand in making small things with ceramic.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
No job protection for seasonal workers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 11
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, in a significant judgement, has ruled that the factory authorities are not at fault if all seasonal workers are not given work in the subsequent seasons as well.

Mr Justice S.S. Sudhalkar of the High Court held: “After a mill has changed the technique from old to new, and requires less number of workers, it cannot be said that the mill is at fault if all seasonal workers are not given work in the subsequent season provided that seniority is not disturbed”.

The observations were made by Mr. Justice Sudhalkar while dismissing the petition filed by the Yamunanagar-based Saraswati Sugar Mills Union. In its petition, the union had earlier asked for directions to the respondents against terminating the services of the labourers working with the mill for a substantial number of years.

Counsel for the petitioner had stated that the union was representing 900 employees working for the past 14 years. He had added that the respondents, in deviation from the settled policy, were employing casual workers “from the open market through contractors”. This was against the labour laws, he contended.

Restraint upheld on co-op director

Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill of the High Court has upheld the orders passed by Hisar’s Deputy Registrar of Societies restraining the director of a cooperative society from functioning.

Delivering the verdict on a petition filed by Mr Balwan Singh of Hansi, Mr Justice Gill observed: “The petitioner is holding a very responsible post of a director. Instead of setting an example to the other members of the society and the public at large, he himself created a nuisance not only on the premises of the society but also on the road from where he was arrested and thereafter medico-legally examined”.

Mr Justice Gill added: “The petitioner was arrested and after his medical examination, a kalendra (report) was prepared. Mere acquittal of the petitioner does not absolve him of the serious charge of having liquor at office.... I find no infirmity in the order passed by the Deputy Registrar of cooperative societies. This writ petition is dismissed.”

In his petition, Balwan Singh had earlier alleged that the orders were passed by the Deputy Registrar on March 31, 1999, without holding an inquiry or giving him an opportunity of hearing.

Denying the allegations levelled against him, his counsel had added that the petitioner had been implicated in a false case and had been acquitted by the trial court.

Madhan was fit, medical officer told CO
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 11
The Commanding Officer (CO) of 2 Rajputana Rifles, Col M.B. Ravindranath, today stated before the general court martial trying Major V.K. Madhan that on June 25 the accused was ordered to proceed to Dras so that he could be sent on recce, but he refused on the pretext that his knee injury was still giving problems.

He said that the accused had reached Mugalpura after escorting the mortal remains of a battalion officer, Major Vivek Gupta, to Dehra Dun and thereafter proceeding on two days’ leave. The accused had been detailed for escorting the body of Major Gupta, who was killed while assaulting Tololing on June 14.

The CO stated that he reached Mugalpura on June 26 and briefed his officers and men, where he also spoke to the accused about his injury. Colonel Ravindranath testified he had told the accused that the records stated his medical condition to be “Shape — I”, which implied that he was capable of undertaking any task. He added that he told the accused that no excuses would be accepted unless he was medically certified to be unfit.

Later, the CO stated, he asked the regimental medical officer about the accused’s problem and was told that the accused was fit. He added that he discussed the situation with his second-in-command, Lt-Col Sandeep Kala, and then counselled the accused, telling him that his actions were jeopardising the task of the entire battalion.

On this, the CO stated, the accused replied that it was not out of fear but because of his injury that he was not taking part in the operations. Thereafter, the CO added, he ordered him to go to the Kajal fire base by mule or be carried by troops, but he refused.

Having failed to convince the accused, the CO stated, he decided to give him another chance and told him that he would be referring him to the superior medical authority (Field Surgical Centre) and if it was then found that he had no major problem, disciplinary action would be taken against him.

On July 2, the CO stated, Colonel Kala told him that the accused had called him up, saying that he was shocked and humiliated by the events, adding that he was willing to come up to Kajal since he was mentally and physically fit for any task.

The CO testified that though he had told Colonel Kala that he had no task for the accused, the accused came to Kajal on July 3 and agreed to go on recce of Point 5100, which had been secured by own troops on July 1-2. He said that while he was at Kajal, he had on June 28, received a sealed report from the Field Surgical Centre. Colonel Ravindranath then produced the report before the court to be brought on record. He also produced another letter written by him to the higher headquarters on July 10, giving the background and facts of the case and his recommendations.

Colonel Ravindranath also testified that the accused continued to perform the duties of Company Commander till mid-August, before he was attached with 603 EME Battalion. During this period, the CO said, the accused was tasked to recce Point 5060, which involved climbing steep slopes and negotiating rocky terrain.

After the examination concluded, the defence counsel, Major R.S. Randhawa, submitted that some new facts had emerged during the examination and hence some time was required to prepare for the cross-examination. He requested adjournment till April 13. The court decided to reassemble on April 16.

Bail granted in case of girl’s abduction
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, April 11
In a case of alleged abduction, Girdhari Lal, a resident of Indira Colony, was today granted bail by the local court as the complainant revised his statement. The complainant, Vishwa Karma, had moved an affidavit that his daughter had not been kidnapped but had gone with the accused, Girdhari Lal, after seeking permission from her maternal uncle and she was above 18 years.

Vishwa Karma, a resident of Indira Colony, had registered a complaint against Girdhari Lal and alleged that the accused had abducted his 14-year-old daughter, Sonbarsa, when she had gone to the market to purchase milk on March 19. A case against the accused was registered under Sections 363 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code on March 22.

The complainant had stated that the accused had abducted the girl with the intension to marry her. It was alleged that the girl was recovered from the village of the accused in Uttar Pradesh.

The girl had given a statement that she was not raped by any person. She had also not given her consent for a medical examination.

The judge observed that a report for cancellation of the case had already been submitted, therefore, the accused was granted bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 20, 000 with one surety of the like amount. 

CULTURE

Bone china brought alive
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 11
Hand painting on stoneware has existed since times immemorial, and this art has manifested itself in various forms — that of hand painting on bone china products, being one of them.

This is precisely the area which has drawn the interest of S. Bhalla and Payal Johar of Delhi, who arrived in the city today to put up their first exhibition of hand-painted bone china products. With this exhibition, the duo will announce the launch of its first spring summer collection of table ware and accessories. The new collection will have colours ranging from yellow, blue and lime to green, olive and orange. The 40 exquisite pieces of fine bone china will be available at competitive prices ranging from Rs 35 to Rs 600. Among the products being exhibited are rice plates, dip bowls, gravy boats, Mexican mugs, and a wide range of other table-top accessories.

The exhibition will open for the public at Art Folio in Sector 9 tomorrow and will go on for three days. Each product is unique, not only in conception, but also in the execution of the idea. Talking about the venture which was started about two years ago, Payal said, “We are into bone china tableware which is hand painted. The colours we employ are bright and gay, as the objective is to make cheerful stuff. We lay a lot of emphasis on coordination of various products. So we have plates, cups, soup bowls, flower vases, and each product can be matched with other. As far as the selling strategy goes, there is no hard and fast rule to sell sets of products. We are happy to give away single pieces as well.”

The best thing about the products is the power of their motifs which comprise flowers and fruits.

The finishing is excellent on account of the high quality of colours, which have negligible lead and cadmium, and are thus healthy when being used in tableware products.

On being asked the reason for choosing Chandigarh for their first exhibition, Payal exclaims. “Because people here have an eye for beauty. They are very cultured.”