The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

COMPLETE GUIDE TO ADMISSIONS X
Fate of students hangs in balance
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28
Hundreds of students await their fate of admissions to postgraduate courses in majority of science classes at Panjab University which depends on declaration of results of the entrance tests.

The Master in Computer Application course has 40 seats. There are 10 seats in the NRI quota. The course in M Sc (Geology) has 20 seats. The interviews depend on the final result of the entrance tests.

The Zoology Department has 12 seats apart from five in the NRI quota. The admissions even here are based on an entrance examination which has been already conducted.

The Statistics Department has 30 seats, besides five in the NRI quota. The Botany Department has 20 seats, besides five in the NRI quota. Although results of the entrance examinations are still awaited, wishful candidates are required to submit their application forms to the department to qualify for the interview.

The Mathematics Department has 30 seats. Normal classes are expected to commence from July 2. This would be possible in case of second year students only. The Microbiology Department has 15 seats, besides five in the NRI quota. Admissions are given preferably to students of B.Sc (honours) from university. Outsiders also get admission in the department on their respective merit.

In case of entrance to M.Sc course in Bio-Technology courses, students appear in an examination conducted by Jawahar Lal Nehru University. There are 10 seats in the routine categories apart from five in the NRI quota and two having a vocational qualification in bio-technology.

Entrance examination for the Anthropology Department have also been completed. Apart from result of the entrance examination, final merit for admission also depends on the previous academic record.

Continuous internal assessment advocated
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28
A system of continuous internal assessment should be introduced in Panjab University, which will ensure year-round concentration on studies.

This suggestion was made by Prof Paramjit Singh, the Registrar, at a panel discussion on management of examination at Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, here today. He said teachers should be persuaded in a big way for examination duties.

Prof K.K.Bajaj argued that the falling credibility of the examination system needed to be restored. University should not feel reluctant to take hard decisions, including debarring those examiners from examination duty who spend only one-fourth of the total devised time in the evaluation work.

Prof C.M.Bahl said examination reforms must be aimed at improving quality of student based on their ability and improve overall quality.

Principal A.C.Vaid, Principal P.S.Sangha, Principal R.C.Jeewan and Ms Pankaj Vashisth , a lecturer at the host college, participated in the panel discussion.

Prof S.L.Sharma, programme co-ordinator, in his presidential remarks, said examination system needed thorough restructuring with a view to reduce unethical practices .

Prof Ramesh Kapoor, Dean College Development Council, in his valedictory remarks, said with a view to have result-oriented partnership between the university and the colleges, the CDC would be more active.

Prof B.S.Ghumman, speaking on the research projects for college teachers, argued that there was an overemphasis on teaching in colleges and in the process, research work suffered.

Prof J.N.Josh, chairman of the Institute for Development and Communication, said by definition college management must be student centered. In practice, however, in absence of proper perspective for students, colleges and other institutions of education digressed from student orientation of management.

SBI to handle PU fee deposit work
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28
The State Bank of India and Panjab University have entered into an agreement for the conduct of university fee deposit work for a period of three years. Mr D.L. Manwani, General Manager of the SBI, signed an agreement in this regard with Panjab University here today. The review of discussions will be held in January 2004.

The agreement was signed formally between the General Manager of the SBI and the Registrar of the university. Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, was also present on the occasion.

The bank offers education loans upto Rs 7.5 lakh for studies within India and upto Rs 15 lakh for studies abroad. Students need not to offer any security margin for obtaining a loan upto Rs 4 lakh. The rate of interest for loan upto Rs 4 lakh is 12 per cent. The loan repayment period will be between five and seven years, he said. Students desirous of securing the loan can contact the university branch of the bank.

The bank will be handling all types of cash receipts after due verification by the university authorities.

COURTS

Babbu Mann case adjourned
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 28
A local court today adjourned the case against Punjabi singer Babbu Mann till July 17. Acting on the civil suit moved by Mr Sandeep Kumar of Chandigarh and Ms Ranju Priya of Mohali, the UT Civil Judge (Junior Division), Ms Ritu Behl, observed that summon issued against the singer and music company had not been served yet, therefore, adjourned the case. Counsel for the local resident demanded a ban on the public performance of the singer in the public interest.

Babbu Mann had been dragged to the court of law for his song “Chak lo revolver, riflan, kabja laina hai” — title song of the album “Saun di Jhadi”, which was released recently.

The plaintiffs had sought ban on advertisement, exhibition, sale, distribution, and performance of the song.

Auction okayed, sale not to be confirmed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28
In less than 24 hours before a 2.38 acre site in SAS Nagar’s Sector 70 was to be auctioned, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed that “the sale shall not be confirmed” till the revision petition filed by city-based Architect Atelier, pending before the Punjab Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, was decided.

Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Nirmal Singh and Mr Justice K.S. Garewal, also issued notice of motion to the respondents for August 21. In their detailed order, the Judges observed: “The auction fixed for July 29 may take place as per the schedule, but the sale shall not be confirmed....”

In their petition, Architect Atelier had earlier sought directions to the state of Punjab, Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority and another respondent against auctioning “site number four located in the area for Group Housing Scheme in Sector 70 till the adjudication of the dispute”.

Giving details, counsel for the petitioners stated that the Punjab Housing Development Board, after interviewing the petitioner and assessing its financial position, decided to allot the land for the construction of multi-storeyed flats under the Group Housing Scheme.

He added that the stage of signing a memorandum of understanding, the price was, however, arbitrarily increased to Rs 2800 per square yard “which approximately came out to be Rs 1.35 crores per acre as against Rs 40 lakhs per acre as mentioned in the terms and conditions specified at the time of inviting the applications.”

He claimed that the enhancement of price was wholly arbitrary and “against the very objective of the scheme, which was to provide the houses at competitive rates”.

Petition dismissed

A revision petition filed by a Sector 35 resident, Mr Ropinder Singh Sachdeva, seeking the appointment of a receiver for the Chandigarh Club, was today dismissed as withdrawn by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the High Court, however, directed the trial court to decide the suit filed by the petitioner expeditiously. In his suit, the petitioner had challenged the election of Mr Ravinder Chopra as the president.

Seeking directions for setting aside the elections, the petitioner had also sought recounting of votes, besides the appointment of a receiver during the pendency of the suit.

CULTURE

Cultural extravaganza by kids
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 28
Tiny tots presented an extravaganza of cultural items at the concluding function of Sanjivni Preparatory School summer camp held in the auditorium hall of the Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, here today.

The function started with a Saraswati Vandana. Kids presented dance on various Punjabi numbers. They also performed on latest Hindi songs. The dances were choreographed by Rishab.

One-act play “Dhol Bhaja” gave a purposeful message to the audience. Children enacted characters of animals and birds and conveyed that status in society was determined by hard work and not by birth. The play was written, directed and choreographed by Anurag and Raj.

An exhibition displaying various items made by the children was also organised on the occasion.

The chief guest of the function was Harish Bhatia, a theatre artiste. He appreciated the performance given by the children. Tiny tots were given gifts by the chief guest. Welcome address was delivered by the director of the school, Ms Indu Luthra.

From mechanic to comedian
Parbina Rashid

Chandigarh, June 28
After living in the shadow of Bhagwant Mann for about a decade, this upcoming comedian finally gathered enough courage to establish his own identity. He is Jagtar Jaggi who recently released his first album “Gupp Hai Ji Gupp” and preparing himself to face the stage alone for the first time tomorrow.

“I had always been the “yes man” to Bhagwant and he grabbed all the limelight,” says Jaggi who worked with Bhagwant since 1991. “It took me three months of sleepless nights to finally come out of that comforting cocoon which Bhagwant’s reputation gave me over the years,” he says.

“We are still very good friends and I am willing to share the stage with him any time, but on equal grounds,” he adds.

This Jalandhar-born man had travelled far in his life. Jaggi who came to Chandigarh with no proper qualification nor money but with only a dream to make it big in life started as a scooter mechanic. “However, I always had this quality to make the people laugh,” says Jaggi. “When after a hard day’s work everybody used to be bogged down by stress and tension, my comic anecdotes used to come as refreshing change for my friends,” says Jaggi recalling his early days.

By the time Jaggi was discovered by Gaurav Trehan to anchor a programme called “Bhangra Pop” for ATN, Jaggi had already earned a name in the comedy circle in stage shows. “Those days (before he tagged along Bhagawant Mann) I used to get invited to act as a filler in functions if some singer recommended me,” says Jaggi.

But after the release of my first album “Gupp Hai Ji Gupp” I have received invitations to host a show and bring singers of my choice,” says Jaggi, who is clearly bowled over by this role reversal.

Jaggi has acted as lead comedian in a number of Punjabi feature films, including national award winner “Mahma Punjab Dee”, “Sukh” and “Nain Preeto De”. Along with Bhagwant Mann he has recorded about 20 audio cassettes, including “Kulfi Garam Garam”, “Maff Karo”, “Gustakhi Maff” and “Lallu Kare Kawallyian”. His video albums like “Akh Mattaka”, “Addi Tappa” and “Hai Shawa” has earned him a fair share of fame among the Punjabi audience.

How about spreading his wing to a broader horizon, like Hindi comedy. “I tried that by recording an album “Mithi Mirche”, which turned out to be a flop,” says Jaggi.