EDUCATION

Uneasy calm, subdued campaign
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20
Call it the lull before the storm. An uneasy calm prevailed in most of the city colleges on the eve of student bodies’ elections here today. While party supporters led a subdued campaign in the almost empty hostels today, most of the day scholars left early with no classes being held.

With two days to go for the week -long autumn break in colleges, there was a strong possibility of a poor turnout for voting tomorrow as most of the hostelers had gone home. Only those committed to a party or an individual would leave the comfort of their homes to come and vote.

Sources stated that the decision of the Panjab University and various college authorities to prepone the autumn break was done keeping in mind the election date so as to minimise the students’ involvement and ensure relative peace and order. Police personnel were deployed outside each college to ensure that no untoward incident took place tomorrow.

Voting would start at 9.30 am in the colleges and the results were expected by early afternoon. The colleges bore a festive look, with colorful string banners adorning the sky. With battlelines drawn, party members and supporters shouted slogans in groups wearing party stickers and leaflets on their clothes. At MCM DAV College and GCG, Sector 11, the colour code of red and white by followers of the two opposing candidates was being followed.

Ramandeep Singh Pannu was elected unopposed as the president of the Government College for Men, Sector 11, along with his team of vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary. The main contest at DAV College, Sector 10, was between the ABVP-supported presidential candidate Harpreet Singh Shahi and DAV College Students Union and DAV College Students Association combine candidate Balwinder Singh. The college vice-president and general secretary were elected unopposed.

At GCG, Sector 11, no one would contest the post of the college president following cancellation of nomination papers of both candidates at GCG Sector 42, Surbhi Singh, was elected unopposed as general secretary. Hemjit Singh of the ABVP and Harpreet of the SOPU would contest the post of the college president.

At Government College, Sector 46, there would be a contest between five parties — ABVP-PUSU SAGC combine, SUGC, DSU and SOPU. For the post of college president, Bhaskar Luthra of ABVP, Bhupinder Sharma (Montu) of SOPU, Jatin Kumar Hellan of Democratic Students Union (DSU), Ramandeep Singh of Students Union of Government College (SUGC) and Upkar Singh of PUSU and Students Association of Government College (SAGC) were in the fray.

At MCM DAV College, Sector 36, four college students —Karamdeep Grewal, Kiran Raghav, Tanvi Singh and Sukham Sidhu — would contest the post of president. These candidates claimed that they were independent of any political group.

At GGDSD College, Sector 32 the post of president had Harman Rekhi of SD College Students Association and the ABVP, Jagdeep Singh of College Union and the SOPU and Nikhil Sharma of PUSU as candidates. At SGGS College, Sector 26, Birinder Singh Dhaliwal of College Student Union and Amandeep Singh of Khalsa College Students Union would contest the post of college president.

Governor visits night school
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 20
Students of a night school in Bapu Dham, Sector 26, here, were dressed in new clothes today to welcome the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R Jacob (retd).

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor stressed upon the need of extending education network in the slums and to motivate parents to send their wards to schools. Most of the students of the school work during day time to earn livelihood for themselves and their families.

Mr Atul Khanna, Director, Durga Das Foundation, informed the Governor that the foundation would be opening another night school at Indira Colony in November. The foundation is already running two night schools and two creche in the city villages and colonies.

Earlier, the children sang ‘hum honge kaam yaab’, ‘Sare janha se achha Hindustan hamara’ and ‘Yeh Himalaya sa parvat’.

The Governor later distributed T-shirts and sweets to the students. Later, General Jacob interacted with the colony dwellers and listened to their problems.

‘10 lakh students contribute to NSS’
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 20
Nearly 10 lakh students of 3000 Haryana schools are making regular contributions to the National Small Saving Scheme to achieve a target of Rs 1,222 crore this year.

This was said here yesterday by the Zonal Director, Haryana, Mr Hemraj Kapur, at a state-level function held at Senior Girls Secondary School, Sector 15, here today.

The function, organised to inculcate the small saving habit in students, was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Jyoti Arora, who urged private schools, farmers and labourers to make contributions.

Mr Kapur said two crore students in 50,000 schools in the country were contributing to the scheme and collections by August had gone up to Rs. 373 crores.

A debate was organised and first three winners were given awards.

The District Education Officer, Ms Pupul Khatri, the Joint Director, Savings, Mr M. R. Budhiraja, and the Deputy Director, Mr B. K. Bhardwaj, spoke on the occasion.

‘Hindi Pakhwara’ at Sector 47 KV
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20
“Rajbhasha Pakhwara” was organised at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sector 47 to highlight the importance of Hindi in the day-to-day functioning. Various programmes and competitions were held. The events in the annual fortnight-long celebrations included display, translation, essay writing, poetry, skit, speech, etc.

In the “samapan samaroh” today, the students presented among other attractions, a quiz and antakshri.

On the occasion, Principal M.P. Mahajan stressed the need for making Hindi a unifying force of the nation. Mr Shyamlal Vij, former KV Principal, who was the chief guest, praised the efforts of the students in propagating Hindi language. He also gave prizes to the winners.

Seminar on Indo-Japan ties
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20
Recent developments , especially in the area of Information Technology in India, have put the country on the diplomatic agenda of Japan.

These views were expressed by Prof Purnendra Jain, Head of the centre for Japanese Studies at Adelaide University, while addressing a seminar on ‘‘ India and Japan: Foreign Policy’’ at the Department of Political Science at Panjab University here today. He said with the visit of the Prime Minister of Japan last year to India and expected visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Japan were signs of a new phase in the relationships between the two countries.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Costs imposed for bid to mislead court
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20
Imposing costs of Rs 10,000 on a Sirsa district resident for “trying to mislead the court”, Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today ruled that “any party seeking discretionary relief from any court must make a candid disclosure of all the facts”.

Pronouncing the orders on a revision petition filed by Shish Pal of Jamal village, Mr Justice Nijjar further ruled: “The parties are duty bound not only to disclose the facts which support the case put forward by the parties, but also to disclose the facts within their knowledge which may prima facie not support the case. Thereafter, the parties are at liberty to explain the facts which may appear to be against them”.

Referring to the current case, Mr Justice Nijjar observed: “Prima facie I am of the view that the petitioners have tried to mislead this court to the effect that an order dated June 4, 1999, had been passed after an agreement was reached between the parties.... After hearing the arguments at length, this court examined the order passed by the trial court. A perusal of the order shows that after hearing counsel for the parties, and after perusing the record, the application had been decided on merits. There is no whisper anywhere of any agreement between the parties”.

The Judge concluded: “The order was passed in the presence of counsel for the parties. Therefore, it leaves no doubt that the petitioners were aware of the exact order that was passed. The petitioners have persisted at trying to mislead the court at every stage. In these circumstances, this court has no option but to dismiss the revision petition with costs of Rs 10,000”.

Plea against suspension admitted

A Division Bench of the High Court today admitted a petition challenging the orders whereby Sub Divisional Officer (Irrigation), Arun Malik, was placed under suspension allegedly due to political rivalry of his relative with Chief Minister O. P. Chautala.

The Bench, comprising Mr Justice S.S. Sudhalkar and Mr Justice A.K. Goel, however, declined the prayer for staying the orders. Pronouncing the orders, the Judges observed: “After hearing counsel for the parties and considering the circumstances of the case, we feel that though the petitioner’s case requires further consideration, he has not been able to make out a prima facie case for the grant of stay”.

The Judges concluded: “Lest the merit of the case should be affected, we do not wish to record our views on the allegation of mala fide or malice. The writ petition is admitted and ordered to be listed for final hearing on December 3. The prayer for stay is declined at this stage”.

In his petition, the SDO had earlier submitted that he was being harassed as his brother-in-law, Randeep Surjewala, had contested elections against the Chief Minister.

Civic body poll stayed

In less than 24 hours before elections to the post of president of the Ghanaur Municipal Council in Patiala district were scheduled to be held, Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel of the High Court stayed the same.

Delivering the verdict on a petition filed by Ghanaur MC “president” Ajay Kumar, the Judge observed: “I find prima facie case in favour of the petitioner. Accordingly, fresh election to the post of the president, scheduled for tomorrow, will remain stayed till further orders”.

In his petition challenging no confidence motion against him, the petitioner had earlier contended that the resolution was passed on the basis of show of hands and not through secret ballot as required.

DPI summoned

Issuing notice to state of Punjab, a Division Bench of the High Court on Thursday directed Director of Public Instruction (Primary) to be present in the court on November 7. The orders were passed by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice J.S. Narang, on a petition filed by a retired Block Primary Education Officer of Samrala, Jagdish Singh, and other petitioners.

The petitioners had earlier challenged the withdrawal of increment of higher responsibility granted to them following promotion as head teacher and head teachers of the centre. Counsel for the petitioners had submitted that the action was illegal and arbitrary.

Directive to DGP on traffic lights

Taking up a public interest litigation for the enforcement of traffic rules and the maintenance of signal system, a Division Bench of the High Court today directed the state of Haryana to file affidavits by the Commissioner, Home Department, Director-General of Police or Superintendents of Police in various districts.

In his petition, Mr Harish Kumar Puri of Kurukshetra had earlier asked for the construction of rumble strips along with traffic signals at the crossings. He had stated that his 27-year-old son, Ashok Puri, had died on May 14, 1996, due to failure of the signal system.

Order to Dy AG on cops’ prosecution
Legal Correspondent adds

Mr Justice N.K. Sud of the High Court today directed Punjab’s Deputy Advocate-General to seek directions from the state of Punjab regarding the CBI’s request for permission to prosecute police officials indicted in a charge sheet submitted by it on March 25 last year by Patiala’s Special Judicial Magistrate. The investigation agency had sought permission for the prosecution of DSP Manjit Singh (now SP), Inspector Joginder Singh (now retired DSP), and other police officials.

Pronouncing the directions, Mr Justice Sud further directed that in case no direction was received, Punjab Home Secretary would appear in the court on October 16.

CBI had registered a case under Sections 302, 120-B in1998 against certain police officials on May 9, 1997 following court directions while taking up a petition by Dharam Singh of Patiala.

Courts to have fire extinguisher
Kiran Deep

Chandigarh, September 20
The installation of a yard hydrant system has been started in the District Courts and will be completed within two months to ensure the safety of hundreds of daily visitors.

According to information, a 12-foot deep water and 35-foot-wide tank is constructed and every floor of the building will be connected through pipes with tank. Fire extinguisher will be installed in the building.

At present there are 19 courts— six in old building complex and 13 in new building complex — 108 permanent chambers and about 200 temporary chambers on the courts premises. Documents and record files are either kept in the wooden cupboard or lying in the open.

Sources said in 1999 a fire in a record room of the Punjab and Haryana High Court destroyed a large number of valuable documents. Many public interest litigations were filed in the courts to strengthen the fire services in Chandigarh. The high court had directed the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh to ensure the safety of the building.

The District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, when contacted, said there was a great need of fire safety equipment in the courts. He informed that every care would be taken to ensure the safety of the visitors and the court records. The work would be completed soon, he added.

The Station Fire Officer, Mr S.K. Gosain, said every building of the height of 15 metres or more than it must have fire safety equipment under the Fire Protection and Safety Act. Mr Gosain informed that in yard hydrant system the motor was attached to the water tank and it helped the water to reach at every floor of the building.

The president of the District Bar Association, Mr H.S. Hundal, said the fire safety equipment was necessary in the courts.

Notice of motion to Administration
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20
Taking up a public interest litigation seeking the extension of lal dora of 22 villages in Chandigarh, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion to the Chandigarh Administration and other respondents for November 6.

In his petition taken up by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice M.M. Kumar, Major Harminder Singh had earlier sought directions for the regularisation of houses constructed around these villages. Counsel for the petitioner, Mr Ranjan Lakhanpal, had added on the petitioner’s behalf that the existing lal dora had not been extended since 1886, although the population of the city had increased many times.

CULTURE

Artistic coat to biological mysteries
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 20
What happens when Science meets Art ? The result is a photo- series of biological jargons like blood cells , monocytes, liver and kidney cells of human body in bright colours which is indeed a visual treat even to a layman. As many as 66 photographs related to human and animal body by the scholars of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Paris, are being exhibited at the Gallery of Alliance Francaise in Sector 36.

It is amazing how these amateur photographers have wrapped the basics of human mechanism with an artistic coat making the photographs not only visually appealing but also informative. For it is an wonderful way to learn that those round cells in soothing colours captured by Camile G. Wermuth that reminds us of a beautiful chain of beads actually is the process that helps blood clotting or The Madropores a monocyte that resembles a bright yellow sunflower has an important function to perform - to fight against the infections that invade the body.

The artistes have given a free reign to their imagination while giving a caption to their creations. Claude Le Goscogne calls his picture of the uterus cells "Aircraft" while Guy Daculas visualised his mastoidal cavity as ‘Geological Enchantment’. The frontal cross section of the brain of a rat was aptly called ‘Mask’ which indeed looked like a scary mask.

The exhibition was inaugurated yesterday by Dr Sudha Suri, head of Radiology Department, PGI. The inauguration was followed by a 20-minute documentary film" Diatoms and butterflies." However, it came as a disappointment for the onlookers as the lecture on "Medical Imaging" by Dr Marie Francoise Chevallier, Director of Scientific Information and Communication of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, which was a part of the exhibition had to be cancelled as the INSERM decided not to send their professors due to the troubled international political situation.

The programme is being organised by the Alliance Francaise "Le Corbusier" de Chandigarh in collaboration with the French Embassy and the Department of Science and Technology, Chandigarh Administration.

Money showered on qawwals
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 20
The urge to pursue a life with verve in preference to the one guided by religio-social symbols marked the qawwalis of Iqbal Rehmat’s group here this evening.

The eight-member Iqbal Rehmat group from Malerkotla kept the audience spellbound at the Food, Crafts and Cultural Mela, organised by the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation.

Rendering their unique sanjhi (Urdu and Punjabi mix) qawwalis interspersed with witty and sarcastic remarks, they got the audience to clap through out the show.

The Punjabi qawwali ‘’Me tan pi li hai’’ had the audience shower money on them, with people lining up to offer money in traditional fashion.

The different voice mix of Iqbal Rehmat, Shamim Iqbal, Nanak Shah and Manik Shah, coupled with rhythmic tabla and harmonium, cast a spell on the listeners.

‘’Yeh dunia ek mandar... izzat, abru, iman bikti... mandir bikta, masjid bikta ... ae mere rab tujhko bhi bech gaye hote log’’ shred the hypocrisy of the people to pieces.

‘’Jo me yar ne nal bol bethi’’ brought forth the resistance of society to healthy man-woman relationship.

The programme was part of the daily cultural evenings in the fair, which was visited by over one lakh persons in the past five days.

NEW RELEASES

Film Folks production and Venus Tapes and Records presentation Ajnabee is a romantic suspense thriller. The main features of the film are inimitable Adnan Sami singing Mehbooba mehbooba... with Sunidhi Chauhan and Akshay Kumar acting with Bipasha Basu. The film will be released tomorrow at KC (Chandigarh) and KC (Panchkula).

The director-duo, Abbas-Mastan, are back to their favourite genre thriller with a baseline ''Never trust a strange....'' It is a romantic film full of twists and turns.

The film is based in Europe and stars Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Kareena Kapoor and introducing Bipasha Basu. As expected from an Abbas-Mastan film, Ajnabee has energetic music by Anu Malik and Sameer.

Ajnabee has been picturised in exotic locales and its photography and choreography are beautiful. Vijay Galani is the producer. Johny Lever and Sharat Saxena also star in this film.

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Shri Siddhivinayak Films and Jetendra's presentation Kyon Ki Main Jhooth Nahin Bolta will also be released tomorrow at Batra (Chandigarh) and Suraj (Panchkula). Kyon Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi-fame producers Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor are back with their lucky 'K' factor on the silver screen. The film is reportedly based on Jim Carrey's Liar Liar. It is a sequel to Biwi No 1. Kyon Ki... is written, edited and directed by David Dhawan. It stars Govinda, Sushmita Sen, Rambha, Anupam Kher, Sharad Kapoor and Satish Kaushik. Anand Raj Anand has composed the music. Dev Kohli has penned the lyrics. The main asset of this film is Govinda-David Dhawan team with their near perfect record. — DP