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| Tuesday, May 1, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Jacob’s surprise visit to press, polytechnic Chandigarh April 30 The Administrator, accompanied by the Home Secretary, Mr Raminder Singh Gujral, reached the Government Printing Press at 11: 40 a.m. and could hardly find any employee working and found most of the halls empty and machines un-attended. The workers had reportedly gone for lunch, which was to officially start at noon. The Administrator went to various sections and was appalled to see obsolete machinery choking precious space while some machines had not been operated on for years. The General, while expressing anger on the poor work culture in the Government Printing Press, said that old lino-press machinery should be phased out. He asked the Home Secretary to constitute a committee to conduct a complete feasibility study of the press. He said that there was an urgent need to have a modern machine. Mr Gurmel Singh, Controller, Printing and Stationery, informed the Administrator that there are 630 workers in the different sections the Press. The Home Secretary informed the Administrator that last year this printing press showed a deficit of Rs. 1.00 crore. This year it’s earning has reached Rs 75 lakh to Rs.80 lakh, out of which over Rs 50 lakh are being spent on the salary of the staff. He said that this year the printing press would break even. Mr Gujral informed the Administrator that three colour-offset machines and computers have been ordered. He said that all old machinery except three machines would be phased out and staff would be re-trained on modern machines. The Governor asked the Controller to enforce punctuality in the staff. He asked the Home Secretary to submit the report on streamlining the press within 15 days. Later, the Administrator paid a surprise visit to Government Polytechnic for Girls, Sector 10. As preparatory holidays are going on in the College, most of the classes were not on. The Principal of the college was not available. The Vice-Principal informed the Administrator that this college was having strength of 540 students, out of which 200 students were putting up in hostels. The Administrator went to various labs and computer rooms. Students complained that six computers in computer labs were out of order and they do not get sufficient time on computers. The Governor asked the Home Secretary to look into the problem. He asked the Home Secretary to look into the possibility of opening a cyber-café to benefit hostlers. Later, the Administrator went to the hostels and was appalled to see stinking toilets, that too without lights. The corridors were dark and dingy. Students complained that there were no water coolers while geysers in the hostel work erratically. He was angry to see open the electricity junction boxes with loose wires hanging around. He asked the Home Secretary to provide one water cooler and get the hostel repaired at the earliest. In the kitchen of the hostel mess the Governor was shocked to see plates were being washed over an open manhole. He was unhappy to see the unhygienic conditions in the kitchen and asked the contractor to improve it. The visit of the Administrator to both these places was without any notice, and he spent two and-a-half-hours. Dappar (Lalru), April 30 The function started with “Saraswati Vandana”, which was followed by a skit ‘‘Kaun Bara’’ based on the theme of the ego. The function included a patriotic songs, including “Sare Jahan Se Achha”, group songs in Bengali and Tamil, apart from folk dances. A qawali ‘‘Watan ki Had Se Dushman ko Bhagane ka waqt Aaya’’ was the main attraction. Col M.S.S. Krishanan, appealed to the teachers to inculcate the spirit of patriotism among students. He also donated a sum of Rs 2,500 for the Art and Nature Clubs of the school. He assured that computer education would be started in the school soon. The students were given prizes for outstanding performances in different fields on the occasion. Earlier, the school principal, Ms Daljit Kaur, read out the annual report and thanked the chief guest. |
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Exams should be abolished I’ve never been an indoor person. Always had to head out and stay out till the maternal summons sounded. And having outgrown even that a few years ago, I just haven’t sat still in the house for two straight hours since ages. So you can imagine the plight of yours truly now, at the years end, when the pile of untouched books seems just too high and the days far too few to even comprehend the insurmountable task of absorbing these sordid facts before me. Yes friends.... the daunting examination finally stares us in the face, instead of just looming from afar. There go the drives, singing Wonderwall in the car, there go the few jogs at the lake and the many pizzas at The Hut, there go the rambles in the rain and the movies we could never sit through... there goes Freedom. Amen. Having reached the point when it finally hits you that death row is approaching, I’m deep into the studying routine now. One can even say that I’ve pulled up my socks and got down to it. But whichever way you say it, it doesn’t make the situation any easier. I will persist in being bitter about the whole affair. According to me exams, as an institution, should have been abolished decades ago. It’s not the constant tension, the mindless cramming, the guilt-ridden breaks or the hyperventilating relations I mind so much as the curtailment of my movement. I believe God had never meant us to spend 24 hours of his seven days... including the one when he rested... stuck inside four walls trying to fit in enough information into out tiny little brains to have given premature death even to Cain. That is just plain unnatural. I would rather go and talk to a few trees than be in this eternal deep commune with my dusty books. But then again, even these simples things in life, which by theory are the most pleasing anyway, must be given up during these trying times of examinations. Car keys must stand surrendered and the bird must remain caged... voluntarily. Divya Kaushik |
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Colourful
show by students Chandigarh, April 30 Air Cdre Ambrish Kumar, VSM, AOC, 3 BRD, presided over the function. The president, AFWWA, 3 BRD, Ms Reeta, gave away the prizes to the students who excelled in various co-curricular and sports activities. The cultural programme was an extravaganza of colourful dances and songs. The function started with invocation of goddess Saraswati. Various dances including Rajasthani, Haryanvi and Bengali dance were presented by the students. Patriotic song depicting Bhagat Singh, Rani Jhansi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders was appreciated by all. The audience lauded the performance of Dipesh who despite being handicapped performed a dance sequence. The chief guest, Air Cdre, Ambrish Kumar, lauded the performance of kids. He announced an award of Rs 5,000 for the school. The Principal, Mr Hargopal, read out the annual report of the school. He also informed that 20 teachers of the school were trained by Intel in teaching through computers. The fifth issue of the yearly magazine “Abhivyakti” was also released by Air Cdre, Ambrish Kumar. As many as 26 scouts and guides who became the proud recipients of the Rajya Purskar were also honoured on this occasion. Ms Annie Thariyan proposed the vote of thanks. Kendriya Vidyalaya, 2 TBP, BTC, Bhanu, also organised its annual function. Dances of various states were presented in a group dance, “Samanvaya” to give the message of unity in diversity. A Kavi sammelan and a Hindi play were also presented by the students. The chief guest, Mr S.C. Nayar, ADIG, 2TBP, BTC, Bhanu, applauded the efforts of the students and announced a cash prize of Rs 500 for those who presented “Saraswati Vandana” and “welcome song”. He also announced an award of Rs 7,000 for the school students. College holds workshop
on team-building Chandigarh, April 30 Short-term courses Chandigarh, April 30 |
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BHATNAGAR TRIALS Chandigarh, April 30 Colonel Srivastava had earlier claimed that he had sent a recall notice to the accused at Bhopal on June 3, 1999, and produced a copy of the same. The defence had then claimed that the copy produced by the witness was fabricated. Today, the defence produced a copy of the accused’s leave certificate which mentioned the leave address as Ratnagiri, near Goa. The certificate is also a part of the exhibits of the summary of evidence. The CO also testified that the medical records of another Regimental Officer, Capt Surinder Kumar, were not available in the unit. When asked by the defence counsel if it was mandatory to prepare a medical record of any officer who reported sick, the CO replied that he did not recollect the exact ruling on this subject. The CO said it was incorrect to suggest that he was intentionally concealing the medical records of Capt Surinder Kumar, though it was mandatory to maintain such records. There were arguments between the defence and prosecution counsel over a supposed remark made by the latter. The defence counsel contended that the remark amounted to “teaching” the witness. He also contended that he had overheard the prosecution counsel saying that certain records in a unit were destroyed after a year and demanded that this be brought on record, but the court declined. The court also disallowed two questions put to the witness by the defence concerning the records of Maj Luv Verma as Officer Commanding, Siachen Battle School, and those of Major Bhatnagar’s promotion as Major in 1997. Meanwhile, in the other ongoing trial of Maj V.K. Madhan of 2 Rajputana Rifles the examination-in-chief as well as cross-examination of Lt-Col A. Kyastha got over. The major part of the day’s transaction revolved around legal procedures concerning “refreshing” of the memory of the witness. The prosecution wanted to show the witness certain notes and documents, to which the defence objected. Following submissions by both parties and the advice of the Judge Advocate thereon, the court decided to partially allow the prosecution’s submission. The court permitted the witness to go through some notes he had made during the examination of Major Madhan, but declined to grant permission to go through the contents of a letter written to him by Col M.B. Ravindranath, CO, 2 Rajputana Rifles.
13 chambers for lawyers Chandigarh, April 30 However, the lawyers were not sure in the morning whether the allotment would take place or not, as 72 lawyers had filed a complaint at the local court while one had filed a complaint at the High Court for the stay of allotment scheduled to be held today. But the situation became clear towards afternoon, as the local court dismissed the plea for stay of allotment. In the allotment of one chamber case, the High Court has ordered maintaining of the status quo and issued a notice of motion to the Chandigarh Administration. In the presence of about 40 lawyers, the allotment was started at about 4 p.m, half-an-hour late from the scheduled time. The 13 lawyers were allotted slots by draw of lots by the UT Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mr Prithi Chand. Surprisingly, only two of the advocates to whom slots were allotted were present there. The names of the allottees were Mr Bhupinder Singh, Kulwant Kaur, Mohinder Pal, Ms Harjeet Kaur, Mr Balwant Singh, Mr V.C. Kalia, Mr V.P. Chathrath, Mr Kuldeep Singh Bamba, Mr Naveen Malik, Mr Satpal Bansal, Mr Kuldeep Singh, Ms Adarsh Pal Kaur, and Ms Veena Rani. Many disappointed lawyers left the place only after an assurance from the SDM that they would get the slots in the next phase of allotment. It may be recalled that the 70 lawyers had moved a complaint for the stay of the allotment, as their names had not been mentioned in the list prepared by the Administration. In another case, the advocates had moved a complaint that the administration should not direct the Principal allottee to select a co-allottee from the list prepared by the Deputy Commissioner. Talking to the Chandigarh Tribune, the UT Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mr Prithi Chand, said that “ The administration will allot the rest of the vacant slots after the clearance of the objection raised by the advocates.” Mr Prithi Chand informed that the administration had constituted a committee comprising UT District and Sessions Judge, officials of the Estate Office and members of District Bar Association to decide on the next phase of allotment and to clear the objections raised by the advocates about the rest of the vacant slots. He also added that the administration would complete the allotment process before May 15. The president of the District Bar Association, Mr H.S. Hundal, said that the problems of chambers for advocates would be solved soon.
Inaction on probe report alleged SAS Nagar, April 30 Talking to mediapersons, Mr MS Bahra, secretary of the council, said after the scam was highlighted, the Chief Minister had ordered an inquiry. A preliminary inquiry report was submitted on March 7, but no action had been taken against the defaulting officials, he said. The chairman of the council, Mr ADS Anandpuri, claimed that the vigilance bureau had left the role of the Excise and Taxation Department in collecting fee for the stone transported for doing stone pitching. He said in connection with a pending PIL in the High Court, the council had urged the court to mark further investigations in the case to the CBI due to alleged involvement of the politically connected people. He claimed that the members of the council were receiving threatening telephone calls from the officials involved in the scam. Alleging that there was rampant corruption in the drainage department , he said the council had urged the State Government to conduct an inquiry in to the execution of drainage works under NABARD costing about Rs 60 crore. Sculptures’ exhibition opens
today Chandigarh, April 30 This nine-day exhibition will display about 30 sculptures, including Dancing Girl, Draconian Love, Lord Ganesha, Shiva Parivar, Dancing Peacock, Madonna, Hippy Dancers, Tandava - Nritya and Evolution.
Piara Singh has been working in this field for the past 30 years. For his sculpture titled ‘Kissan’, Mr Piara Singh was awarded by Punjab Lalit Kala Academy in 1985. He retired as Currator of Museums from the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums, Punjab. |
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