The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Conveyance charges for evaluators up
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13
The conveyance charges for local evaluators on examination duty with Panjab University has been raised to Rs 50 from the existing Rs 30. The fee for evaluators travelling from Panchkula and SAS Nagar has been raised to Rs 60.

A decision in this regard was taken at an emergency meeting of the local principals called by the Vice-Chancellor today following information that teachers were threatening boycott of work in case the evaluation fee was not raised.

Principal A.C.Vaid was deputed to visit the examination centre. He informed the teachers about the hike, following which the evaluation work resumed. It was highlighted that the university was strongly working on timely compilation of the annual examination results.

Earlier, the evaluation work was held up briefly today when teachers decided to go on a strike in protest against not raising of evaluation fee per paper and the problem arose when two teachers from the campus said they would go ahead with the evaluation work, to which the agitators objected.

PU to set up genome research centre
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13
As part of diversifying research in fast coming up fields, Panjab University plans setting up a Centre for Applied Genome and Research.

A University Grants Commission team is set to make a tour of the university shortly, Prof K.N.Pathak,Vice-Chancellor, confirmed while talking to the Tribune here on Friday.

The centre is an interesting development, going by the changed scenario of research in the area. Approximately 30,000 genes have been identified . This is very important for identification of possible personality traits.

Professor Pathak said that the PGI and the IMTECH would be the main collaborators in the project. A formal signing ceremony is scheduled for Monday. The two premier institutes collaborating in the scheme promises serious work in the field.

Give your best to the country, Justice Sehgal
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 13
The qualities which students imbibe during their college must be carried forward into the future. All that is needed today is a relentless spirit of service to the society without expecting rewards. Try to give your best to the country”, advised Justice D.V. Sehgal to students, while delivering the convocation address at the annual convocation of DAV College, Sector 10, here yesterday.

Justice Sehgal added that history tells us about the problems which the country had faced, but history remembers only those heroes who faced these problems head on, to ensure peace and progress.

As many as 400 students of the college were given away degrees by the College Principal, Prof R.C. Jeewan. These included, 65 Bachelor of Science students, 56 students from the Commerce stream and 279 from the Arts stream.

Justice Sehgal, in his speech, shared his life experiences with the young graduates. In an impressive oration, he analysed in detail social ills like illiteracy, over population and corruption. Justice Sehgal, said that in the past three decades corruption had become a part of the Indian environment. Corrupt politicians, businessmen, bureaucrats, non-government organisations and of course, criminals all played their respective roles in the world and citizens continued to be permanently cheated.

On the occasion, the Principal of the College, presented the annual report of the college and highlighted the achievements of the college in academic, co-curricular and sports fields.

In sports, the college won the Sir Shadi Lal Shield for general efficiency and excellence in sports for the 30th year in a row. Mr Jeewan said that the college had produced many international sporting stars and this session, two students, Yuveraj Singh, and Dinesh Mongia, had joined the National Cricket team.

He also said that in academics, the pass percentage of the college was higher than the University percentage and 200 students had made it to institutes of excellence in Technical Education, which included the IITs. Earlier, Prof B.S Bahl, Principal, DAV College, Jalandhar, formally welcomed the Chief Guest.

COURTS

Court martial acquits Major of all charges
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13
An Army Major being tried by a General Court Martial for alleged dereliction of duty during Operation Vijay has been acquitted of all charges. According to information reaching here, the GCM concluded in Akhnoor last week.

The courts’ decision has been forwarded to the higher authorities for confirmation. While the offence was related to the jurisdiction of the Leh-based 14 Corps, the trial was conducted under the aegis of 16 Corps located at Nagrota near Jammu..

It is learnt that Major Ajit Singh of 16 Grenadiers was being tried on two charges under Section 63 of the Army Act. As per information available, he was charged for failure of command in his company and for refusing to go for the attack when ordered to do so. It is pertinent to mention that the officer had carried out nine successful attacks to evict intruders and it was on events related to the 10th attack when some problems cropped up.

The trial lasted about four months. It is understood that the defence had managed to establish severe irregularities in the court of inquiry and the summary of evidence. A court martial is based on the findings and recommendations of these two independent investigations.

It is learnt that a senior JCO of Major Ajit Singh’s company is also facing court martial proceedings on similar charges. His trial is yet to commence.

The Army had initiated court martial proceedings against three officers, all of the rank of Major. While the aforesaid trial is the first to be concluded, two other trials are currently in progress at N-Area in Chandigarh. Major V.K. Madhan of 2 Raputana Rifles and Major Maneesh Bhatnagar of 5 Para are being tried on similar charges.

CULTURE

In search of the infinite
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 13
Baldev Gambhir’s first solo exhibition in the city is already being talked about. Although his works opened for the public only yesterday at the Indus Ind Art Gallery, word about them has travelled far and wide. No wonder then, that the second day of the show also drew as many crowds as did the first day. In Gambhir’s works there is a lot of play on imagination, which is capable of transporting the viewer to another land.

This time, the show comprises about 20 creative landscapes, all in oil colours. The artist is creating his own world, which transcends the visible one. The strokes are bold, forceful and instantly capture the imagination. The surrealist paintings seek to explore a world beyond this world. The language of strokes differs in each painting, probably to match the altering thought process of the artist. What is uniform in all the works is a sense of exploration which the artist is trying to reflect.

In their entirety, the series is an attempt to see what lies beyond the defined boundaries of existence. As the artist puts it, “Beyond Horizons, as the show is called, is a search for the infinite. Horizons change as the artist transcends boundaries to explore new visions through the inward eye.”

The exhibition was inaugurated yesterday by Mr D.P. Arora, IAS, and will be on till May 19.

From villain to director
Parbina Rashid

Chandigarh, May 13
Though popularity of Punjabi TV channels are slowly fizzling out, but local artistes working for them have not loose heart. Gurkirtan, whose name synonymous with ‘villain’ of Punjabi pictures, is one such person who is making an effort to infuse some life in this ailing industry by directing a couple of teleserials.

“Though a majority of the channels are on the verge of closing down, there are still a few like Zee Alpha Punjabi and Lashkara which have sufficient viewers,” said this villain-turned-director. “So making of good serials or light entertainment programmes justifies one’s effort,” he added.

Talking about the serials “Mitti da Bawa” and “Virasat”, which he is about to direct, Gurkirtan said these serials were an effort on his part to jolt the easygoing Punjabis who are loosing their own identity. “You will be surprised to know that in many villages of Punjab even a position like sarpanch is being occupied by a non-Punjabi,” he added.

Gurkirtan says direction gives him full freedom to explore his own creativity. “However, there are a few hiccups in this line as apart from the obsolete technical equipment one has to work with scanty budget is the major problem a director has to deal with,” said the artiste.

“Due to budget constrains one has to complete one episode of 20 to 23 minutes footage in one day, whereas every episode of Hindi serials with 12 to 15 minutes footage are being shot in two days,” said Gurkirtan.

A veteran theatre artiste and founder of the group, The stage, Gurkirtan is still in love with stage plays. After the controversial play, Singh Soormey, last year he has conceived the idea of another play Neem de Patte.

“Though monetary gain in theatre is almost nil, but it is the only medium that satisfies the creativity of an artiste to the fullest extent,” said Gurkirtan.

This Patiala born man came to the stage in 1976 and continued there till 1991 after which he moved towards the big screen. His debut film Jat Jeona Mourh made him an overnight sensation as ‘Dogar’ villain. However, his fame reached the zenith with the release of Saheed-e-Mohabbat and Saheed Udham Singh only a couple of years back.

Gurkirtan enjoys a busy schedule with five of his serials namely Do Akal Garh, Rano, Puran Bhagat, Kamli and Apni Mitti going on air.