EDUCATION

Confusion marks refresher, orientation courses
Chitleen K. Sethi
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18
While efforts are on by leaders of various sections of college lecturers to seek an extension in the time period for completing the orientation and refresher courses in their subjects by another two years, a variety of questions are confronting those who have already done these courses.

The biggest problem is being faced by those lecturers who had done these courses while working in private colleges affiliated to one or the other university of the region. These lecturers, many of whom have joined government colleges, are faced with a dilemma if the courses they have done while in private institutions will be counted in their service in the government colleges or not.

The officials of the Education Department in both Punjab and UT are not sure about the answer and state that a clarification about this can be sought only from the UGC which conducts these courses.

All regular lecturers serving in the various colleges have to do at least one refresher and one orientation course in order to be promoted to a senior-scale lecturer. In case the lecturer is a PhD, he or she is exempted from doing a refresher course. All these courses should be conducted by the UGC through the various staff colleges of universities and in case they are conducted by some other organisation, it has to be recognised by the UGC.

Then there are lecturers of specific subjects who have done courses which were considered to be recognised by the UGC as equivalent to either a refresher course or an orientation course, but have now been declared invalid by either the Punjab Government or the UT Administration.

A refresher course in Hindi was held by the Human Resource Development Ministry, Government of Karnataka, at MCM DAV College of the city. This course was attended by more than 50 lecturers in Hindi which lasted for three weeks. However, this course later was not found valid by the Education Departments of the UT Administration and the Punjab Government.

There is also the case of those lecturers in English who had done the postgraduate diploma in teaching of English from the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages at Hydrabad. This diploma had been declared to be equivalent to two refresher courses in English for the promotion of lecturers to senior-scale. But these lecturers who have done this course in the early nineties have been told that their diploma is not valid as a course. Many of these teachers are now starting all over again with orientation courese in the subject.

Some lecturers in English have also pointed out that many of the UGC conducted courses in collaboration with the city’s Regional Institute of English are not being recognised at the administration’s level.

Also continuing is the problem of lecturers who had done the inter-disciplinary refresher courses in environmental studies and gender studies in place of refresher courses of their subject which were either not available or to which they had failed to get seats in. These courses are not being recognised by the Punjab Education Department though the UT Education Department is recognising these courses as a valid courses.

Dr R.P.S. Josh, who has contacted the UGC Chairman for redressal of these anomalies being faced by college lecturers, states that the UGC has written to the Kurukshetra University clarifying that the environment studies and gender studies courses are valid courses which can be done in lieu of a specific subject. “All that is needed is a similar letter from the UGC to the Punjab University and some part of the problem will be solved”, he says.

Mountaineering team meets Governor
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18
A 25-member mountaineering team of students of Sainik Schools of India, who successfully scaled the Shitidhar and Ladakhi peaks on June 10, was today felicitated by Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand, and his wife Sudesh Kumari at Haryana Raj Bhavan.

The Governor complimented Mr J.S. Gulia, the team leader, and other cadets, who succeeded in climbing the peaks. He appreciated the courage, skill and patience of the cadets. He wished them a bright future and hoped they would carry on such ventures in future also.

Commander V.K. Verma, Principal of Sainik School, Kunjpura (Karnal), said the Shitidhar and Ladakhi peaks were climbed in the Alpine technique and it was the first mountaineering expedition of all Sainik Schools in the country under one banner. This was the first expedition to open route to Shitidhar peak in 2001, and the expedition consisted of the youngest member to have climbed the Shitidhar peak. 

Pro-lecturer step hailed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18
The Chandigarh District Council of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) has welcomed the decision of the Director Public Instruction (Colleges), UT Administration, to release the advance increments to the private college lecturers with research degrees in the city in accordance with the UGC notifications of 1996 and 1986.

Prof N.P. Manocha, president of the council, stated that it was a demand which was long due. ‘‘But we would like to take this opportunity to request the Administration to take a similar decision in the case of our colleagues in government colleges who, too, have been waiting for more than 10 years to get their dues,’’ he said.

Dr R.P.S. Josh, PU Senator, has welcomed this ‘‘pro-lecturer step of the UT Administration, but has requested the Administration to expedite the case of government lecturers also.’’

For Prof Anil Mankotia who has been fighting for advance increments for government college lecturers with research degrees in the 1986 grades states: ‘‘It is just half the battle won. Complete justice will be done only when the Administration takes a similar decision for its own employees in the government colleges.’’ 

SOPU’s charge against PU
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18
The Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) has blamed the university authorities for not cooperating with the students’ organisations. They have claimed in a press release that copies of the result gazette are being made available to Syndicate members which are of no use to them, whereas student organisations have to pay hefty amounts to get these.

SOPU President Santokhvinder Singh Nabha said in a press release that the university authorities did not seem to make a conscious efforts to help the student orgainsations regarding concession in providing the result gazettes.

MA (I) Punjabi result today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh June 18
The results of examinations held by Panjab University in April and May in MA (I) Punjabi, certificate course in Chinese, diploma course in Chinese, certificate course in Russian and diploma course in Russian will be declared by the university tomorrow. Results of MA (II) Punjabi and MA (II) political science were declared on June 17.

The copies of the gazette for the results already declared are available and those which will be declared tomorrow will be available at the PU main enquiry counter on all working days from 7.30 pm to 1.30 pm and on the telephone numbers 784869 and 534818.

PEC students call off strike
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18
The five-day boycott of the students of the first year bachelor of engineering, Punjab Engineering College, ended today with the PEC authorities reaching a compromise with the students. The time has been now set at 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the PEC authorities with a lunch break.

COURTS

HIGH COURTS
Sale of plots in Punjab mandis stayed
Tribune News Service

It may be recalled that in a similar petition before the High Court two city advocates had sought directions to the state of Punjab and four other respondents for declaring the alleged diversion “illegal and invalid”. The petitioners, Karam Chand and Anil Pal Singh Shergill, had also stated that the Chief Minister should also “explain to the court as to how the amount was being spent without specific projects and without the prior approval of the projects by the Boards”. Each penny, they asserted, should be accounted for to win public confidence.

Writ petition on reservation

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday allowed two writ petitions filed by Ludhiana’s Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, along with Amritsar’s Dr Sachin Wadhawan and 10 other doctors, seeking the quashing of a notification dated January 5 to the extent that it provided reservation for admission to post-graduate medical courses and permitted admissions to candidates having less than 50 per cent marks.

Seeking the quashing of the notification, the petitioners had earlier stated that the same was “illegal” and “totally arbitrary in nature”, besides being contrary to the law laid down by the Supreme Court.

Giving details, counsel for the petitioners had stated that as per the Supreme Court orders there could not be any reservation in the medical super-speciality courses.

He had added that the notification was also against the mandatory provisions of Post-Graduate Medical Regulations framed by the Medical Council of India. He had added that as per the regulations, candidates would not be eligible for admission to the course unless they had qualified for the course with 50 per cent marks.

After going through the documents placed on the record and hearing the arguments, Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr Justice R.C. Kathuria of the High Court allowed the civil writ petitions with costs.

Recruitment of constables

On a petition challenging the recruitment of 1600 male and 85 female constables in the Haryana Police by a Panipat district resident and five other petitioners, Mr Justice S.S. Sudhalkar and Mr Justice K.S. Garewal of the High Court on Monday fixed June 25 as the next date of hearing.

Seeking directions for quashing the recruitment process, Ms Neelam Ahlawat and others had earlier stated that the police authorities had refused to register their names in the recruitment registration register claiming that the High Court order, directing Haryana DSPs to accept the applications without insisting on the deposit of Rs 500 as fee, was not applicable in their case as they were not Schedule Castes.

They had added that the High Court, while taking up a petition filed by certain SC candidates, had directed the respondents to accept the application of the petitioners and other “similarly situated” candidates. Their names were not registered as they were not “similarly situated”, counsel had added.

It may be recalled that Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Nirmal Singh had directed the state of Haryana and the police authorities on June 2 to “get a specific notice inserted in Hindi, English and Punjabi newspapers of June 3, 2001, indicating that the applications presented for registration will be accepted by the authorities concerned without insisting on the deposit of Rs 500 as fee”.

The Bench, however, clarified that the “registration of applications of the candidates without fee would be provisional and subject to the final adjudication of the writ petition”.

Police remand extended
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 18
The police remand of Bhupinder Jit Singh, a resident of Moga, was further extended yesterday by the UT Judicial Magistrate in a case of dowry death. He was declared a proclaimed offender in a dowry death case early this month.

The case against the accused was registered under Sections 306, 34, 304B, 489-A of the IPC on January 29 in the Police Station (South). He was declared proclaim offender after the anticipatory bail plea moved by the accused was dismissed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

CULTURE

A media-savvy Anchal Kumar
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 18
One thing you can safely say about super model Anchal Kumar is that she is media savvy. Looking at the grace and fluidity with which she handled a group of media persons at her residence at Sector 16 today, it was hard to say that she just flew from Indore after a hectic working schedule.

Anchal, who wanted to surprise her father on Father’s Day but eventually missed due to the delay of her flight, says intense professionalism, which is an integral part of this modelling profession, teaches one to handle all sort of situations in a cool manner.

“Even when you have lost three nights of sleep and are on your edge, you have no option but to maintain a smiling face and look pretty,” she says. No wonder she has achieved such name and fame at the tender age of 21. Four years in this line and she has bagged a number of prestigious assignments — Sunsilk, Rexona, Hero cycle, Diet Coke, Emmami Gold Termaric — just to name a few.

The Gladrags Mega Model of 1999, Anchal is equally at ease with ramp shows. Which is her favourite area? “All three”, she says. The third being music videos. Her latest video “Tera Chehra Hai Aaina” based on Jagjit Singh’s ghazal which was released two years back was an instant hit.

“I like doing commercials as people affiliate you to the product. Ramp shows put me in direct contact with the live audience and working for albums gives me a chance to bring out my acting talent,” says Anchal. Does it also mean taking a step towards Bollywood?

“I have left the option open. But right now I am heavily booked with modelling assignments that there is not even a breathing space, says Anchal, who does not believe in rushing things. Her first brush with the glamour world was through the ABCL Star Hunt competition five years back when she stood out as one of the ten finalists.

Talking about the qualities one should have as a model, Anchal says being-down-to-earth, yet professional, helps here. While entering this profession one should have an open mind and no compromising attitude. “The ability to read people’s psyche also helps a lot,” says Anchal, who is currently working for her graduation in psychology and English literature by correspondence.

Talking about her forthcoming projects, Anchal informs she is working for another music video whose name she could not disclose. “Besides, I am preparing myself for a fashion show in New York this coming August and another show in Malayasia”.

Rajasthani folk dance, music at kids’ workshop
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 18
Tender feet twirled all around the concrete stage in Sector 23 Bal Bhavan here as kids in bright colourful lehnga-cholis and kurta-payamas rhythmically swayed to tunes of Rajasthani songs on the concluding day of a summer workshop, organised by the Ghoomer Academy of Arts today .

The evening began with traditional Saraswati Vandana by Vandana Kashyap followed by folk-song “maand paramparik gayan”. The crowd was enthralled as group dances — ghumar and lehriya — were performed by senior and junior group members. Lok geet, kalbeliya, manjira naritya, lok naritya, tera tali and bhavai were the other items presented by children.

Artists from Alwar, Rajasthan, Amit Sharma and Ganshyam Chaudhary conducted the workshop in folk singing and dancing.

Earlier during the workshop held from June 9 at Sector 8 DAV Senior Secondary School, training was imparted to about 50 participants. They performed dances and crooned folk songs during the summer workshop. The chief guest on the occasion was the Chief Administrator, HUDA, Mr N C Wadhwa.

Children were also imparted training in Rajasthani folk singing and dances under the inter-state cultural exchange programme. The theme of the workshop was folk dances and music of Rajasthan.

The dance forms in which local students were imparted training included teratali, ghoomer, banjara, manjira, bhavai and kal belia.

In vocal music, training was imparted in various forms of singing like mand gayan, lok geet gayan, mumal geet and Nain katari geet. The ghoomer academy had organised this workshop in collaboration with the Nehru Yuva Kendra. Other highlights of the workshop included a lecture on personality development, confidence building and communication skills, which was delivered by Joint Director, Youth Services, Mr S M Kant.

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr Ravinder Talwar, principal of the school. The academy, according to its president, Mr R D Garg, has been organising various programmes, including Inter-State Cultural Exchange Workshop aimed at national integration hobby classes for children, vocational training in tailoring, cutting, cooking and soft-toy making. Under this project, women from weaker sections of society are imparted training for courses of different duration.

The inter-state cultural exchange programmes aimed at national integration are being conducted every year by the academy under the scheme of Department of Youth Welfare, Ministry of HRD, Government of India.

Kalagram to have craftsmen from all over India
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18
Kalagram, which began functioning here under the auspices of the North Zone Cultural Centre from May 7, has started gaining popularity.

A crafts bazaar and cultural programmes are being organised here daily. Timing for the crafts bazaar are 6 pm to 9.30 pm and for cultural programmes and activities from 8 pm to 9.30 pm.

According to an official press release here today, the crafts bazaar and cultural programmes will be held at Kalagram daily in the coming days on a regular basis. Craftsmen have been allotted stalls for 15 days to exhibit their handicrafts and products and to sell them also. The NZCC will invite at Kalagram craftsmen from all parts of the country so that art lovers get to know the variety of handicrafts and craft items made in India.

At Kalagram, free accommodation is provided to the craftsmen who come from other parts of the country. Apart from this, two-way fare is also given to the craftsmen by the NZCC.

Cultural activities are also organised at the Kalagram by the NZCC on the open air stage situated there. People are daily entertained by young amateur artistes of North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and J and K, who present folk dances, folk songs, folk theatre, songs, ghazals, classical and Sufi songs etc. Apart from this, the NZCC will try to bring folk artistes and singers from all over India at Kalagram for performing. Kalagram is also organising workshops for folk dances, paintings, mask making, music etc for children. 

Dance show audition
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18
Audition for the dance show, “Naachi sadde naal”, to be telecast on Alpha TV Punjabi, will be held at Punjab Kala Bhavan, Sector 16, on June 20 and 21.

According to Vicky Sahani of Pratham Media Entertainment Private Limited, the organisers of the show, 16 boys and 16 girls in the age group of 16 to 24 years, will be shortlisted for the final shooting. Similarly, four children in the age group of 6 to 12 years will also be selected.

Two groups of boys and girls each and four couples will also be shortlisted for the final shooting to be recorded at Bal Bhavan, Sector 23, from June 23 to 25, he said.