EDUCATION

Over 200 colleges take part in Lakshaya 2001
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19
Over 200 colleges of northern region participated in two-day Lakshaya-2001 IT destination redefined which concluded here today.

The two-day programme included a large number of events such as paper presentation (mgs), paper presentation (IT), dumbs charades, mock press conference, face painting, cartooning, fiction story writing, solo dance, drama and bhangra. There was a great rush of students seeking information about information technology, BCA, BBA, M.Sc., IT and their prospects.

Mr Vivek Atray, Director of Information Technology of the Administration, said the Society for Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC) had been set up under the Department of Information Technology for implementing various plans of the Administration to promote the IT industry in Chandigarh. The Chairperson of the society was the Adviser to the UT Administrator.

Spelling out the details, Mr Atray revealed that the centre also provided organised short-term courses for executives of corporate bodies, including private companies. High-end training was carried out for the executives as per their requirement. The other facilities available at the centre of excellence were Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCOBA), Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSO), Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 and SOL Server 2000, Mr Atray stated.

Lakshaya 2001 witnessed an unprecedented participation of more than 80 teams from a large number of institutions in the region. The teams travelled from Amritsar, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, SAS Nagar, Bathinda, Yamunanagar, Hisar, Ambala, Nangal, Rajura, Hoshiarpur, Nakodar and Zirakpur, among others.

One of the highlights of the day’s function was a technical paper presentation on information technology. Apart from the appreciable quality of paper presentation, the question-answer session deserved special mention.

The team of Shilpa and Puneet Grover from PMN College, Rajpura, bagged the first prize in the paper-reading contest in the IT section. Kshitij V. Joy from the host college bagged the second prize. The winners in the technical paper ( management) category included Priyanka from BBK DAV College, Ambala, Rajat from Panjab University Business School and Sheetal Chhabra from PMN College, Rajpura. The winners in the cartoon contest were Shweta Singh from GCG, Sector 11, and Amandeep Kaur from Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36.

Jasleen and Sukhmeet from GNG, Ludhiana, were first in the face-painting contest. Monica and Sapanjeet from GMK, Sirsa, were second. The group song contest was won by DAV College, Ambala. The team of DAV College, Amritsar, was second. The third place was secured by Chaudhary ISKN College, Kaithal.

Ambedkar Students’ Association formed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19
The formation of a non-political organisation — the Ambedkar Students’ Association — was announced at Panjab University here today.

The underlining goal of the new front is to act as a watchdog over the interests of the students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and other economically weaker sections.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Poll panel has no role after result
Tribune News Service

The Judge also allowed two writ petitions and set aside the impugned orders vide which the elections of the petitioners — Katabo Devi and Jagat Singh — were set aside. Challenging the orders passed by Kaithal’s Additional Civil Judge, Katabo Devi’s counsel had contended that the petitioner, earlier elected sarpanch of Badsikri Khurd gram panchayat, was declared defeated by a margin of three votes, even though six votes had been rejected and 11 were missing.

Ex-minister’s bail plea dismissed

Dismissing the bail application filed by former minister Upinder Sharma convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case, Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice A.S. Garg of the High Court on Wednesday directed that his appeal should be heard within six months.

Sharma, along with other accused in the case, was booked by the Punjab Police for murder and attempt to murder under Sections 302 and 307, IPC, after BJP leader Raj Kumar Garg died in 1992. According to the prosecution, Garg was killed and nine others injured after a group of protesters were fired upon outside a police station. They were protesting against the arrest of another leader. Giving details, the prosecution had added that the accused had instigated his gunman to open fire.

In his detailed order, the Additional District and Sessions Judge had observed that the accused “had not only influenced the bureaucrats, but also prevailed upon the police and was successful in protecting the security man who had opened fire and got the same cancelled. However, he could not mould the pen of the judicial officer who, while disagreeing with the police report regarding the cancellation of the case, committed it for trial”.

Magistrate’s bail order revoked

Coming down heavily on a Kaithal magistrate for granting bail to the director of a forest company in a cheating and a criminal breach of trust case, Mr Justice K.C. Gupta held that the magistrate would not have granted bail to the accused “had she applied her mind” to the facts of the case”.

The Judge also cancelled the bail granted to the director, Ram Pal Garg, and ordered the issuance of directions for taking him in custody. “No reason has been mentioned in the order issued by the magistrate. The said order has been passed in a perfunctory manner”, he observed.

Referring to the allegations against the petitioner, the Judge concluded: “Public interest demands that such types of persons who have swindled public money and have fleeced innocent people, should not be enlarged on bail because they pose a threat to the society. Hence bail to Ram Pal Garg, vide order dated July 31 last year by the magistrate, is cancelled. “

Show-cause notice to coop official

Issuing notice to Punjab’s Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies Amrik Singh, Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill asked him to show cause why proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act should not be initiated against him for not complying with the orders.

Mr Justice Gill also directed the respondent to file his reply within 15 days and fixed October 30 as the next date of hearing in the case. The petitioner, Swaran Singh, had earlier alleged that the Deputy Registrar had refused to accept the relevant record even though he, on the court’s directions, had submitted it.

Registrar summoned

Issuing notice on a petition filed by a volleyball coach alleging contempt of court, Ms Justice Bakhshish Kaur of the High Court directed the Registrar of Guru Nanak Dev University, R.S. Bawa, along with a senior sports functionary to appear in court.

In her petition, Bhupinder Pal Kaur had earlier alleged that the respondents had backed out of an undertaking given in court wherein it was stated that the orders granting additional charge of Director of Sports had been withdrawn. The respondent was, however, given the additional charge of Director of Sports later.

DISTRICT COURTS
7-yr RI for minor’s rape
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19
A resident of Bapu Dham, Indira Singh, was sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000, in a case of rape. It was alleged that the accused had kidnapped a minor girl on May 5, 1999, and allegedly raped her for 17 days. The city police had recovered the accused and the girl from Bapu Dham on May 19, 1999. The police had registered a case under Sections 363, 366 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code against the accused.

ADJOURNED: A local court on Wednesday adjourned district court shootout case till October 1.It was alleged that the shoot out took place on July 6, 1998, when the accused, Harvinder Singh, allegedly involved in the murder of Harjit Singh, was being produced in the local court.

It was alleged that the supporters of the accused, Harvinder Singh, had fired shots at the victims’ supporters when they raised slogans against the Punjab police. The city police had arrested 18 persons under Sections 147, 148, 149, 307, 338, 353 of the IPC and 25, 27, 54, 59 under the Arms Act. There were more than 62 eyewitnesses of the case.

Murder accused’s bail plea rejected
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19
In just over a year after two liquor vend employees were murdered, Mr Justice K.C. Gupta of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today rejected the bail applications moved by two accused in the case.

The two — Sobh Nath and Jiya Lal — were earlier booked by the Chandigarh Police for murder, criminal conspiracy and other offences under Sections 460, 302 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code after salesmen, Roop Lal and Nand Kishore, were found dead in the Sector 24 liquor vend. According to the prosecution, a sum of Rs 64 lakh was also looted by the accused.

Seeking the grant of bail, the accused had contended that they were being falsely implicated in the case. Counsel for the petitioners had added that the two had nothing to do with the offences and were being falsely roped in by the police.

After going through the record and hearing detailed arguments in the case, Mr Justice Gupta observed: “Keeping in view the circumstantial evidence, I do not think it is a fit case where bail should be granted to the petitioners. Both the petitions are consequently dismissed”. 

Forum’s decision upheld
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 19
The UT Consumer Commission has dismissed the appeals filed by Dr Rohit Grover Eye and ENT Hospital, Sector 35, and New India Assurance Corporation against the order passed by the District Consumer Disputes Forum-II.

The UT Disputes Redressal Forum had allowed a complaint of Mr Rajinder Singh, a resident of Sector 46, against the appellants —Dr Rohit Grover and New India Assurance Corporation. It had directed the appellants to pay a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh to the complainant, including the costs of the case and compensation for harassment undergone by him. The appellant, New India Assurance Corporation had provided an insurance cover to Dr Rohit Grover, the other appellant, regarding his practice as a surgeon.

The complainant, Mr Rajinder Singh, had stated in his complaint that he had some problem with his eyesight and had consulted Dr Rohit Grover in this regard in October 1993. The doctor examined him and told him that he was suffering from cataract in both eyes and that he needed to be operated upon for cataract removal. The complainant said the doctor had assured him that his eyesight would become normal after the treatment. The complainant, accepted he advice and it was decided to operate the left eye first. A sum of Rs 4,000 was charged as fees by the doctor and the operation took place on October 21, 1993. After the operation, the complainant visited the hospital of Dr Rohit Grover a number of times as he could not see properly through the operated eye. The complainant, however, was given assurance that the eye sight would become normal with the passage of time.

Later the complainant filed a complaint before the forum which awarded a compensation to him. The commission observed the forum had rightly held the appellants negligent and deficient in rendering service to the complainant. The forum had awarded a consolidated compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh, which was not unjust or excessive, the commission observed.

CULTURE

Down-to-earth attitude sets Noyonika apart
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19
A strong portfolio boasting of 700 shows, an enviable sun-kissed look said to be in vogue and a great height — all these assets have yet not served to sweep this lanky Bengali girl off the ground. “Down to earth” term still applies in her case, and it has always been — right from the days when, as a college girl, she modelled for the new Oberoi hotel in Mumbai till this day when she is rated as “glamour incarnate” in the world of modelling.

Meeting the leading model Noyonika Chatterjee dispelled many a notion about her personality. Face to face, she came across as someone very different, very Indian, and very proud to be an Indian.

In the city to inaugurate a store Noyonika kept her warmth alive all through her presence. Though the morning, that marked the inauguration of the store in the busy Sector 22 D market brought some amount of confusion, the same waned as moments passed.

Noyonika said fashion predictions in case of India are not easy to make. “That because we are mainly a land of two seasons — winter and summer. Also because unlike the West we love to play with colours. We are a vibrant country, which revels in brightness. There is more to Indian garments than just black and white. Hence as many permutation combinations. “ Noyonika added that the Indian styles had to get a lot lighter. “Trendier clothes are a must owing to our geographical patterns. We have to increasingly design garments which may look heavy but which must feel light,” she said.

Settled still for modelling, Noyonika shortly plans to devote more time to her two long standing projects — that of promoting pottery which she learnt from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and then from Pondicherry, and that of establishing modelling schools. “I plan to come to Chandigarh also, because this city is still new to modelling as a profession. Also because North Indians are beautiful people, both in terms of looks and height. This land offers a lot of potential for my project.”

Even after winning over so much of adulation as a model, Noyonika still believes in keeping her head on her shoulders. “That is very important and that is also the real way to remain respected. My family has a big role to play in this regard. They never made me feel that I was doing something “really great.” So even while I ascended the ladder of success, I kept my feet firmly on ground, so I that did not fall.”

A niece to the celebrated theatre man, Shoumitra Chatterjee, who has often been spotted in Satyajit Ray productions, Noyonika has not diverted towards acting. “No Bollywood business for me. That is for sure. I would like to model for a while and then give back my experiences to other modelling aspirants.”

Keeping notes of tradition alive
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19
A 5,000-year-old folk music tradition of ‘Braj’ — the land of Lord Krishna and patronised by the first Jat king of the country — Surajmal, of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, since 16th century, is still alive courtesy farmers of one village of Haryana.

The theme beat of the Surajkund Craft Fair getting lakhs of the people in the Western music-swayed Delhi to dance to their folk tunes for years, has come to the city in the Food, Crafts and Cultural Mela, organised by the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation at the Parade Ground.

Farmers of Banchari village of Faridabad district falling in the Braj area separated in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, have kept the tradition alive not as part of their profession but for the love glory of being associated with what has been bringing Lord Krishna among the masses.

Their ‘nagada’ and song tradition finds mention in the epical period of Lord Rama too, the leader of the folk performance group, Mr Ranjit Singh, told Chandigarh Tribune.

They are thought to be the only school of the tradition which is otherwise quite popular in the whole of the “Braj”area but is followed in their own way at different places, he said.

The size of the “nagada”, generally built in the old capital city of the Bharatpur princely state, Deeg, could be as big as sufficient for the people to dance on it.

These ‘nagadas’ are claimed to be the only domain of the Braj area Jats who beat them on the ripening of their crops apart from at the time of Holi when they sing “Rasias” (songs to remember mortal Krishna as a complete human being one from amongst them). The tradition also has been part of the wars of Jats and has also been popular amongst Gurjars.

The farmers mesmerise with combination of their music instruments ‘nagada, manjira, been, khanjari, thali, dhandhari and khartal played with dhamal, “rasias” and other folk songs veering around Krishna.

Mr Ranjeet Singh said their folk art has crossed national boundaries and they have been getting invitations from abroad but as they are not professionals they have only been able to spare time for a show in Dubai. Played and sung in three, five and seven ‘Taals’ along with “rasias”, the folk musicians claim that the response to their art has been preferred to Western music wherever they went.

They have regularly been called by North Zone Cultural Centre for their performances, he added.

He said though the art is liked by the people and the whole of Braj region has been enjoying it in a haphazard manner, yet the practitioners of the classical folk art emanating from the village are very few.

The group said their art has been recorded in the form of a cassette but the government has not yet been able to bring it out in the market.

The assimilation of life of the Krishna in their songs called ‘Rasias’ is reflected in their popular songs like ‘’Bharat me phir ao bagad ke, Mohan, Madan, Murari’’ (come back to India Krishna).

‘’Mohan Khelan ayo re hori, Barsane ki galian mein,’’ (Krishna comes to play holi in the village of Radha, Barsana).

Powerful works on women’s liberation
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19
There was a lot of purpose attached to the 18th annual painting workshop organised by the Haryana Cultural Affairs Department. Based on the theme of women empowerment (in relation to the current year being that of Women Empowerment), the concluding day of the workshop saw 15 powerful works being put together in various mediums by the nine participating artists. Interestingly, where all earlier annual shows have involved both girls and boys, this one was kept exclusively for women’s participation.

The works stand out for the themes of liberation and freedom being underlined in various hues of fire — orange, red and saffron. The symbols used are also amazing. Where one painter uses a parrot to signify the liberation flight, another uses birds in general. Some works have been jointly brought out. Adding further power to the show were the works created at random by Viren Tanwar and Satwant Singh, who visited the Haryana Panchayat Bhavan to interact with the participating artists, namely Monika, Ashima, Priya, Vubha, Aman, Rashmi, Aditi, Shweta and Puja. Powerful works on women’s liberation

The Director, Public Relations, Haryana, Mr Rajesh Khullar, also visited the venue and admired the works by artists. All these works will now find a place in Haryana buildings.