The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

CAMPUS ROUNDUP
Fewer foreign students in PU
Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Chandigarh
The number of foreign students in Panjab University has been on the decline over the past few years.

The university and colleges in the city used to attract a significant number of foreign students and it was common to see these students in the university market, moving around in groups. Those who joined any of the colleges in the city, were mostly staying in private houses. The past few years have seen a fall in the number of foreign tenants.

The university authorities confirm that in 1997-98 there were 248 foreign students in the university and colleges affiliated to it. In 1998-99, the number was 246, but it fell to 220 in 1999-2000. It fell further to 187 last year.

These students come from nearly 20 countries, mainly Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal, Etheopia, Iran, Nigeria and Kenya. The university has a special cell to give counselling to foreign students. They can take their problems to this office which takes them up with the authorities concerned. Their problems relate mainly to delay in the release of sponsorship, stay in hostels and outside, and admission-related problems.

The Dean of Foreign Students maintains a close liaison with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) regarding the foreign students. He is also expected to maintain liaison with the Dean of University Instruction and also with the principals of the affiliated colleges in Chandigarh with regard to the welfare of foreign students.

The dean’s office helps them in organising cultural programmes and sports functions. The dean lays down the guidelines for the admission of foreign students to colleges affiliated to the university and records the particulars of each student. Foreign students can approach this office for assistance in getting accommodation in hostels or in private residential houses.

Foreign students wishing to join a teaching department or a college are required to obtain an eligibility certificate from the Deputy Registrar (General), PU. The registration fee for a foreign student is $413.

Strong messages from enthusiastic tender hearts
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 30
The tiny tots in colourful attires joined hands together to form a “Guldasta” which was the opening act of the concluding ceremony of the month-long workshop organised by Pracheen Kala Kendra under the guidance of eminent playwright Gursharan Singh. Four plays “Guldasta”, “Laalji”, “Patey Khan- Nadu Khan” and “Samaaj” were staged on this occasion by children aged between three years to 17 years at the Tagore Theatre in Sector 18 here today.

Directed by Jaspal Deol, the play “Guldasta” conveyed the message of strength that lies in unity. Enthusiastic toddlers dressed up in colours of the rainbow stole the hearts of the audience with their innocence and simplicity of presentation.

The second play “Laalji” which depicted the eternal flight between the good and the evil, conveyed the message that if united good can triumph over the evil. Directed by Dilawar Sidhu , the main character “Lalaji” symbolised the good element in the play. Children in the attires of dogs, monkeys, sparrows and crows made the play come alive.

“War inflicts pain “ was the message that came across the third play “ Patey Khan- Nadu Khan” the two warrior groups which caused sufferings to their natives in order to achieve power. Children with their convincing dialogue delivery and facial expressions spread the message of peace.

The play was directed by Bashir Ali, Amrit Pal and Abhijit.

The highlight of the evening “Samaj” strongly portrayed the atrocities on women meted out in the male-dominated society. Directed by Suleman Bhatt, the play showed the tragic steps often taken by the women to escape the agony and pain.

The participants of the workshop were awarded certificates by Mr M.L. Koser, the Registrar of Pracheen Kala Kendra.

PU admission date extended to July 2
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 30
Panjab University has extended the last date of acceptance of admission forms till July 2, official sources said here today.

The earlier last date of submission of forms was June 28. There were complaints from a section of students that they were not able to submit the forms because they did not get the detailed marks cards (DMCs).

It was pointed out that students were keen on submitting their DMCs along with the admission forms because the final merit would be calculated by adding up the marks in the particular subject to the grand total of the subject in which the students was seeking admission.

The DMCs are ready but for the last moment verification of tabulations, sources said.

PU admission interview dates
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 30
To cause minimal discomfort to students applying for seats in different teaching departments, Panjab University has fixed different dates for interviews between July 2 and July 14 this session.

The Department of Anthropology will interview the candidates who have qualified in the entrance test for the M Sc (honours) Part I are on July 10.

Interviews for the Zoology (honours) Part I will also be held on July 10.

Interviews for MA (Punjabi) Part I will be conducted on July 3.

6,000 students submit forms
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 30
About 6,000 students have submitted their admission forms to get admission in various Government Senior Secondary schools on the last day of submission of forms here today.

There are about 2,700 seats for medical and non-medical and rest of them opted for Arts and Vocational courses. However, it is learnt that students with high percentage of marks have opted for sciences.

Ashok Bhandari PU officiating Exams Controller
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 30
In an important decision, Mr Ashok Raj Bhandari was today appointed officiating Controller of Examinations, Panjab University, by the Vice-Chancellor.

Mr Bhandari, currently the Joint Controller of Examinations, is expected to take up his new assignment on July 2.

The post of Controller had been lying vacant after the arrest of Dr Sodhi Ram by the CBI. Dr Sodhi Ram is currently facing trial for “questionable acts in the conduct of examinations during his tenure”.

COURTS

Subba Rao for national judicial commission
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 30
The Chairman of the Bar Council of India, Mr D.V. Subba Rao, is all for a national judicial commission.

The Jodhpur meeting of the Council approved the setting up of the commission to deal with the appointment of upper judiciary i.e. judges of high courts and the apex court. Even the recent meeting of the Council held at Shimla, too, endorsed the need for the commission.

Mr Rao said that general feeling in the Council has been that through the Commission, the Executive will be empowered to make upper judiciary appointments and order transfers. Many countries have national judicial commissions.

Even the major national political parties have supported the setting up of the commission in their election manifestos, says Mr D.V. Subba Rao, who made a brief halt here on his way back home after the Shimla conference. He took a day off to visit the Golden Temple, Durgiana Mandir and Jallianwala Bagh at Amritsar.

Talking to The Tribune, Mr D.V. Subba Rao said that after signing of GATT and WTO agreements, it may not be easy to oppose the entry of foreign lawyers. “It comes under the service sector which are covered under GATT and WTO agreements. What we can try and do is to limit foreign lawyers to handle cases pertaining to law of the country of their origin or the country they belong to. Some of the law firms, “he said,” have already setup their offices. The Bar Council does not oppose any foreign qualified lawyer from practising in India”.

Mr Subba Rao, who is closely associated with the Cricket Control Board, has been to Chandigarh before but as a cricket administrator.

Mr Rao said that in the Shimla conference main issues discussed were: Human Rights and their impact; judicial activism — benefits and pitfalls; appointments in upper judiciary; legal and judicial system in the estimation of general public and public interest litigations (PILs).

He said that general feeling has been that PILs have done lot of good but members wanted that the courts must show some restraint particularly in case of rights of undertrials, bonded labour and other such areas.

About the legal and judicial system Mr Rao said that delays have been eroding the image of the present system. People’s satisfaction was perhaps at the lowest ebb in cases pertaining to land disputes and other such areas. People want quick justice. Lawyers, too, must adhere to their professional ethics and the code of conduct.

The major emphasis of the Bar Council, he said, has been on improving the quality of legal education. Without quality education, we cannot have good lawyers and good judicial officers, he said, maintaining that keeping in view the challenges of the 21st century, there is need to revise and review the syllabi and course curriculum and introduce courses on emerging areas. The number of law colleges, too, need to be restricted as the quantity affects the quality.

With liberalisation and globalisation, certain changes have to be made. There has been a demand from a section that the lawyers should be allowed to advertise. Though soliciting is a taboo and the council prohibits it but in order to compete with foreign lawyers, there may be some relaxation with regard to advertising limited to the specialisation of a lawyer.

The Bar Council has also advocated need for amending the Contempt of Courts Act. Though public has right to criticise the judgments. “Truth should be a defence under the Contempt of Court Act,” says Mr D.V. Subba Rao.

The Chairman of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council, Mr H.S. Mattewal, told Mr D.V. Subba Rao that the Punjab Government had decided to implement the Advocates Welfare Act. Further, he said that the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council has been taking all its decisions unanimously.