The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

‘Inculcate reading habits among kids’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14
Advising students to read books, the Superintendent of Police, Mr H.G.S. Dhaliwal, said while they put the reader in a better frame of mind, they help to make the right judgement as well. He was speaking at a debate on books and libraries organised by the Chandigarh Librarians Association at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, here today.

Lauding the efforts of the association in taking up the challenge of rekindling interest of the student community in books, he appealed to students to participate in contests and competitions for greater exposure to the outside world.

The debate was the third in the series of contests organised by the association as part of the on-going Competition Master Library Related Competitions-2001 to popularise books and libraries among the school and college students.

Teams from 12 schools of the city participated in the debate on the topic, “Reading makes a complete man” where participants presented their point of view on the topic forcefully.

On the one hand were speakers who resented total dependence on books, advocating for practical experience and on the other the speakers said without books and information it was not possible to be a complete man.

The results are as follows: Government School category: Vikas Popli and Manglesh, Institute for Blind (1), Harneha Gulati-GSSS-SAS Nagar, Aviral Vyas and Harleen Kaur-GMSSS-35 (2). Public/private/convent schools category: Jayant Misra-DAV-8 and Malika Singh-DAV-15 (1), Gaurav and Udit-St Stephens (2), Prerna Dharni-Hansraj Public School and Amanpreet Bhogal-St Xavier (3).

Orientation course: A 10-day orientation course for senior principals of Navodaya Vidyalayas began at the Navodaya Leadership Institute in Sector 25, here today.

The course was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Prof K.N. Pathak, who appreciated the Navodaya Vidyalayas for their contribution to society.

While stating that the orientation courses were essential for professional growth, he added that these aimed at development of knowledge, skill and attitude. He added that the principals of the schools had a multi-dimensional role to play as heads.

Earlier, the Deputy Director, NVS, New Delhi, Mr Kuldeep Singh, welcomed the chief guest and spoke on the importance of training to educational administrators.

The Director, NLI, Mr BR Gautam, apprised the guests and participants of the content of the course. The orientation programme is being attended by 27 principals of the JNV.

Lohri celebrated: The festival of Lohri was celebrated with enthusiasm by the Bharat Vikas Parishad at Dev Samaj Senior Secondary Girls’ School, Sector 21, here today. A fancy dress contest followed by a programme of dance and music was presented around a bonfire lit in the school grounds.

The programme began with “Vande Matram’’ by the students, members of the Bharat Vikas Parishad, and students of Amar College, Sector 21 and 37.

The participants danced to the beat of folk songs and beats of Rajasthani, Gujarati, Haryanavi and Punjabi music. Prizes were given to the participants by the Bharat Vikas Parishad.

Later, the National Director of the Eye Donation Project, Dr K.L. Passi, spoke about the activities of the parishad.

Traffic awareness drive for students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14
TVS Motor Company in association with the Chandigarh Traffic Police today launched a traffic awareness campaign in the city schools and colleges to promote TVS scooty.

Mr Vijay Pal Singh, DSP, Traffic, inaugurated the campaign at the Government College for Girls, Sector 42. He explained to the students traffic rules and their importance.

“We have started this campaign to make people, especially the youngsters, aware of traffic rules in order to avoid accidents” said Mr Manish Singh Rathod, project manager, TVS Scooty, while addressing a press conference.

The awareness campaign, which will continue till January 25, is also being conducted at Patiala and Ludhiana. “We are planning to reach other cities in the region shortly,” said Mr Rathod.

He said the TVS will involve students in this campaign by organising various programmes, including lectures, quiz and practical training on traffic rules.

The campaign will be organised at Government Model School, Sector 16 (tomorrow), followed by the Khalsa College for Girls, Sector 26, St John’s School, Sector 26, Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, Dev Samaj Polytechnic College for Women, Sector 45, and St Xavier’s School, Sector 44 . A quiz contest on traffic was organised at the GCG, Sector 42, in which Harsimranjit of BA (III) bagged the first prize, whereas the second and third prizes went to Natasha Singh, BA (III) and Surabhi BA (II) .

Later, the students were also given practical training about traffic rules. A movie show was also organised.

PU students stage dharna
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14
More than 80 supporters of the Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) along with members of the university’s handball team staged a dharna outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office here today.

The students are protesting against what they claim is the delay being caused by the university authorities in deciding to send the university’s handball team to the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held later in the year.

Three students, Devinder, Shaminder and Rashpal, went on a fast following the dharna and the situation was diffused after the Dean students welfare reportedly assured the Director and Assistant Director, Sports, PU, to tell the protesting students that very soon financial aid will be arranged for the team to be sent to Malasia for the games.

Mr Malwinder Singh Kang, president, PUSU, who was leading the protest, stated in a press note that if college principals failed to provide grant for their students who were members of the team then they will launch an agitation in the colleges too.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Students Association, PU, have also come out in support of PUSU in the matter. They have stated in a press note that the callous attitude of the university will only intensify anger among the student community.

Bank gives computers to schools
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14
Punjab National Bank (Northern Zone) donated six computers to three city schools here today.

The computers were donated by Mr U.S. Bhargava, General Manager of the bank, to the Sector 8 DAV Senior Secondary School, the Sector 27 Moti Ram School and the Sector 23 Government Senior Secondary School.

Mr Bhargava said these computers were for the use of students and the PNB was also planning to donate many more such computers to educational institutions. “The PNB is also opening a library-cum-reading room in rural areas as part of its community welfare programmes,” he said.

He said the PNB also sponsored ‘cancer seal’ in association with the Cancer Society of India. Rs 50 lakh were collected through the sale of cancer seals and donated to the Indraparastha Cancer Society that managed the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre of New Delhi.

COURTS

Bar Council issues notices to 30 advocates
Kiran Deep

Chandigarh, January 14
The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, taking serious note of a number of complaints filed by litigants against them, today issued notices to advocates.

Well-placed sources reveal that the council has issued notices to as many as 30 advocates belonging to Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The advocates have been directed to file replies within a fortnight from the date of the receipt of the notice.

The sources reveal that the complaints are of different nature where the complainants have prayed for taking disciplinary action against the advocates as they had allegedly misinformed and cheated them.

In a complaint against an advocate, the complainant has alleged that he had engaged an advocate for suit for permanent injunction of a plot. The advocate had filed the case after getting all inputs and taken some blank papers from him for legal purposes. Later another person filed a suit against the complainant regarding the same property. After receiving the summons from the court, he went to the office of his advocate. But the advocate refused to file the case on behalf of the complainant as he had himself filed the case against him on behalf of another person. He alleged that as the advocate had in his possession the blank papers, he apprehended that the advocate might use them against him.

In another complaint, an advocate had filed a complaint against another advocate alleging that he had enrolled himself with the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana by producing a fake degree. The complainant said that he had not done his LL.B from any university.

There is another complaint where the complainant advocate has alleged that he was misbehaved by another advocate when he appeared in the court in connection with his case.

There are many complaints where the complainants had alleged that their counsel had failed to appear before the court for their cases despite the fact that they had paid money in advance.

In a similar complaint the complainant has alleged that although he had paid the initial amount to his counsel, he did not appear in his case before the court and finally the court passed verdict against him.

In another complaint the complainant has alleged that his counsel failed to attend his case. Therefore, he had to spend some days in jail.

The secretary of the Bar Council, when contacted, said that notices had been issued to advocates so that they could clear their stand. He added that the council had the power to cancel the licences of the advocates or can fine them, if found guilty.

HIGH COURT
Dangi firing case given to CBI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today entrusted the case pertaining to the firing at Haryana’s former minister Anand Singh Dangi’s residence to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The orders directing CBI probe into FIR No. 164, registered at Meham police station on July 8, 1991, were pronounced by a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Nirmal Singh, on a petition filed by Mr Dangi against the CBI the Union of India and other respondents.

The High Court has already entrusted the “entire case” to the premier investigating agency. Disposing of the petition filed by Mr Dangi last year, the Bench had directed that the CBI “shall now complete the investigation in FIR No 130 registered at Meham police station on May 17, 1990”. FIR No 130, along with two other cases, were registered by the police in connection with Amir Singh’s death and the violence at Dangi’s house.

Convict acquitted in explosives case

In a complete reversal of events, a Kurukshetra district resident, sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years after being accused of hiding explosives along the Indo-Pak border, was today acquitted of the charges framed against him by Mr Justice M.L. Singhal of the High Court.

Allowing an appeal filed by Mr Charanjit Singh, resident of Diwana village, Mr Justice Singhal also set aside the orders passed by Ferozepur’s then Additional District and Sessions Judge convicting and sentencing the appellant. Charanjit Singh was earlier booked by Punjab Police under the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act after he allegedly told the police during a case’s investigation that 5 kg RDX, an AK-56 rifle, along with other explosives, were concealed in a plastic bag 3 km away from the border at Bala Magha area. The prosecution had added that the explosives were subsequently recovered.

The accused, when confronted with the incriminating evidence against him had, however, denied the allegations. Claiming to be innocent, he had asked for a trial. After going through the evidence and hearing counsel for the parties, the then Additional Sessions Judge had on February 15 last year observed: “The prosecution has been able to establish that the accused was possessing AK 56 assault rifle, a magazine and 10 live cartridges”.

ADGP told to examine complaint

The mystery shrouding a Sangrur resident’s death in 1993 moved towards a solution today with Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel of the High Court directing Punjab’s Additional Director-General of Police to examine the grievance of victim’s brother in accordance with the law.

Delivering the verdict on a petition filed by Inderjit Singh of Jhalour village, Mr Justice Goel also directed that the inquiries already conducted in the matter would also be examined by the ADGP. In his petition, he had alleged that a detailed inquiry conducted by Patiala’s Deputy Superintendent of Police had clearly revealed the involvement of the victim’s wife and another advocate in the crime. Giving details, he had added that his brother Bhim Sain Bawa, was murdered on May 31, 1993.

History sheet ordered closed

Allowing a petition filed by an Amritsar district resident Sarabjit Singh alias Lovely, Mr Justice V.M. Jain of the High Court has ordered the closure of history sheet opened at several police stations in the area.

Pronouncing the orders, Mr Justice Jain also directed that the petitioner’s name should be deleted from surveillance register No 10. In his petition, Sarabjit Singh had sought directions to the state of Punjab, the Director-General of Police, Amritsar’s Senior Superintendent of Police and three others to delete his name from the registers being maintained at Sadar and Vijay Nagar police stations, along with Verka police post.

Ms Yadav relieved as HC Registrar
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14
The Registrar (General) of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Ms Nirmal Yadav was reportedly relieved from her post after a full-court meeting of the High Court Judges was held in the afternoon today.

According to highly placed sources in the High Court, the decision regarding the appointment of the new Registrar would be taken at another full court meeting scheduled to be held next week.

The decision had to be deferred today as it was yet to be determined whether the successor was to be an officer from the Punjab or Haryana cadre, High Court sources added. They further claimed that Additional Registrar-cum-Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice of the High Court, Mr Tara Chand, would hold additional charge as Registrar for the time being. Ms Yadav was not available for comments.

CONSUMER FORUM
Co. told to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 14
The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has dismissed an appeal moved by Premier Motor Garage, Industrial Area, against the order passed by the UT District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II.

The forum held Premier Motor Garage guilty of deficiency in its services acting on the complaint filed by a city resident. It also directed Premier Motor Garage to pay a compensation of Rs 25, 000 to the complainant and direction was issued to it to get the vehicle registered by paying up-to date penalty. The amount was ordered to be paid with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum.

The complainant, Mr Balwinder Singh, had purchased a mini-door autorickshaw from Premier Motor Garage (opposite party) for a sum of Rs 1, 42, 500. He alleged that the opposite party had not provided a trade mark of the vehicle, therefore he was unable to get registration number.

The complainant said that the vehicle had been purchased from the funds which he had obtained from a financier, but he could not ply the auto-richshaw due to non-grant of the registration number. The complainant said that he was in great difficulty in paying the instalment of loan taken from the financier as he had to pay a monthly instalment of Rs 5566.

The complainant also alleged that the vehicle had been run before its sale as its meter showed the reading as 2882 at the time of delivery.

The complainant had stated that Premier Motor Garage did not have the necessary trademark number for registration in the state of Punjab, therefore it should be directed to take back the vehicle and refund Rs 1, 42, 500 with interest at the rate of 24 per cent per annum till the date of actual payment along with compensation at the rate of Rs 500 per day. A separate amount of Rs 10, 000 was claimed as compensation for harassment caused to him. The complainant had also prayed for a sum of Rs 7000 towards the cost of litigation.

CULTURE

A satire on education system
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 14
Hungarian writer Fritze Karinthi might have written the play Refund, a satire on the faulty education system years ago, but the loopholes in the system rightfully pointed out by him still exist in the Indian context. This was the theme of the Hindi version of the play “Ek Aur Chakravhyau” adapted and improvised by Zulfiqar Khan under the aegis of the Theatre Age that was staged at the Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16 here this evening.

The play revolved around an unemployed youth, who after 11 years of searching for a job in vain came back to his school demanding refund of the fees he paid to get an education that proved useless for him. Divakar (played by Manjit Saini), on the brink of tuning into a violent character, threatens to sue the authorities at consumer court for not getting the value for his money.

However, pent-up frustration ultimately gets drawn into the whirlpool of cunningness of his peers who conspire against him in an effort of not letting him make any dent into their smooth sailing. So when the Principal (played by Navrang) calls for an emergency meeting to tackle the situation, the four main allies join hands and form the Chakravhyhu, from which Divakar failed to come out.

The play is not only a blow to education system, but also highlights corruption, terrorism and youth unrest in our nation. It ended with the message that some reforms are a must for the current education system which, instead of producing educated unemployed, should focus on making students self-reliant and independent to create some alternative means of livelihood for them.

The play was directed by Ajay Rana, who was assisted by Vikram Rana. Geeta Chawla, Virpal, Harpal Singh, Ajit Rana and Baljider played the other characters in the play.