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| Thursday,
May 2, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Doctors feverish as MD exams approach Chandigarh, May 1 Although with time, perceptions about the examination have changed, yet everyone agrees with one voice that preparing and appearing for the test has been the most stressful period of their lives. Senior faculty members, who have cleared this test and many subsequent ones feel that things are much easier now, since in their times, rarely one out of a batch of 3 to 4 MD students was bestowed with the degree. ‘‘And years elapsed before a single student passed,’’ an Emeritus Professor at the PGI states. Also recalled fondly are the efforts they had made to keep the Head of the Department happy. ‘‘Although there used to be external examiners to judge you, the HOD could make all the difference. One unfortunate mistake during the two year stint as MD student and you have had it. And an HOD in those times was like a lion, the king of the department and if you have done something that is not to his or her liking, you can rest assured that the claws will be coming down on you soon.’’says the Professor. The pass percentage has gone up over the years reaching even 100 in most of the PGI departments, but the dread of the examination remains and so does the vision of the HOD as demi-god who has to be kept in good humour all the time. The process starts when admission to MD takes place. The senior residents tell newcomers who in the department is hard to be pleased and has to be kept in good mood. ‘‘There are HODs who are strict and others who are friendly. But all have their whims and fancies and the earlier you know their likes and dislikes, sooner you shall be on the right track to get an MD degree’’, says a junior resident. Other than the HODs, there are senior faculty members who, too, have to be kept happy. But senior residents and junior faculty are also helpful. ‘‘They advise, give notes, and teach the tricks of the trade. The senior faculty, too, is inaccessible, and since we are working and interacting more with the junior faculty, they are our mentors and guides.’’ says a junior resident. With no provision of any preparatory leave, these doctors are doing their routine duties and literally burning the midnight oil. Most of those who are appearing for the tests have not slept enough for weeks and some of them are even using stress busters to keep their cool. Shuttling between their rooms and the hospital for duties, examination, they look weary. Many who were living with their families have sent their spouses and children home. ‘‘It is stressful and risky too. You never know if you are going to clear the exam or not. But we are taking no chances,’’ says a resident who has asked his wife to go home and come back only after the exams are over. There is also a dark side to it. ‘‘High stress levels at times lead to abnormal behaviour. We as seniors try to help as much as possible but there have been cases of nervous breakdown and some years ago, a resident had committed suicide. This is unfortunate and more cooperation among juniors can help prevent such happenings.’’
says a PGI faculty member.  |
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Award for Science & Technology Dept Chandigarh, May 1 The department, which had been selected for the second prize, would be presented with the award by the Union Minister of State for Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Mr M. Kannappan, during the annual conference on “Implementation Strategy for Renewal Energy Programmes during the 10th Plan”, scheduled to be held on May 7 and 8 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, said the Secretary of the Department, Mr M.P. Singh, today. During 2000-2001, the department had distributed 600 solar lanterns and 125 solar home-lighting systems under the SPV Programme, Mr M.P. Singh said, adding that the items had been distributed among the urban and rural beneficiaries at subsidised rates. The department had also been selected for the award of excellence for the sale and promotion of solar cooker during 1996-97. |
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Fairytale classrooms for kids Chandigarh, May 1 Already a riot of colours, despite being in its preliminary stages, the work of art comes with a message to the kids. Well thought-out and discussed threadbare, the teachers, Mr Sanjiv Arora of GSSS-20, Mr Surjit Singh of GHS-47, Ms Harveen Pal Kaushik of GMHS-44 and Ms R. Justine of GMHS-42, are taking pains in making the exercise a success. Cutouts of Disney characters adorn the walls explaining the 'rights and' wrongs, to children. They have been displayed to convey different times of the night and day and the good habits a child must follow. Another wall uses different seasons to convey the festivals of the country, while still another focusses on the environment. This depicts a majestic forest with its flora and fauna. A thick undergrowth with trees and animals right from the rabbit to the squirrel, from the lion to the bear living in camaraderie as a brook flows by, the message lies in preserving the scene just so for a better future. With innovation working overtime, the teachers have thought of utilising the windows on the fourth wall in the room to make a train while the rest of the space would be painted to show other modes of transportation. Despite working for a number of hours at a stretch, the artists are non-committal about when they would be able to complete the project, despite the department having given the
deadline of a month for the purpose. Meanwhile, at the school, recently upgraded from a middle school, development works are moving at a fast pace to equip it to meet the demands of the new classes. Whether it is the setting up of science laboratories or painting the pre-nursery and nursery classrooms, the UT Education department has pitched in to hasten the work, since the new academic session is already underway. Under the upgradation project, the school is all set to wear a new look. Right from the inclusion of aesthetics to keeping the students fit, the plan entails the opening of a Home Science laboratory with the Education Department introducing it as a subject in addition to music and fine arts. The already existing Fine Arts lab is also being augmented with the latest as a part of the upgradation scheme. Also, a basketball court has been recommended to revive interest of students in sports and work is already underway to stock the latest in fiction as part of the expansion of the library is in progress. |
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PU official’s suspension revoked Chandigarh, May 1 Mr Sharma was facing charges of misappropriation of university funds and majority of expenditure on this account pertained to the fund for higher education and research. While the preliminary inquiry pointed out several faults on account of spending by the
FDO, the formal inquiry later gave him a clean chit on all accounts. The issue figured strongly in the last Senate meeting. Some of the fellows, led by Mr Gopal Krishan
Chatrath, boycotted the second day’s proceedings on account of not revoking the suspension of Mr Sharma. Prof
K.N.Pathak, Vice- Chancellor, said he would take a decision in this regard at his own discretion after going into details of the case. Senior sources said the university had sought a legal opinion on the issue and also gone through details of the Senate. The university has, meanwhile, constituted a committee to look into the allegations of financial misappropriation during his tenure. The committee, headed by Mr Swaraj
Kaushal, includes Mr R.L.Bhatia, Principal Tarsem Bahia, Mr S.S.Virdi, Principal P.S.Sangha and Mr Jaswant Gill. |
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Laboratory opened Dera Bassi, May 1 The laboratory is equipped with a 128 Kbps uncompressed wireless and wireline operational through glide ISP. Besides, the institute has also introduced correspondence courses in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from the forthcoming session, said director of the institute. |
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Use of help books in schools banned Panchkula, May 1 The officers stressed upon the need to make maximum use of textbooks prescribed by the state education board. They opined that these books were full of information and knowledge and the teachers as well as the students should go through them particularly. Chaired by Ms Surina Rajan, Director, Secondary Education, the meeting was attended by Ms Jyoti Arora, Deputy Commissioner, Ms Phool Khatri, District Education Officer, along with the District Primary Education Officer, the Sub Divisional Education Officers, principals and headmasters of various schools and some prominent educationists of the district. The need to continue the admissions for higher classes — Class V to above — and check the drop out rate at government schools were also emphasised. Being an era of computerisation, the need of better computer education for the students of VI standard onwards was also discussed. |
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Bar panel takes oath Chandigarh, May 1 The newly-elected President of the Bar Association, Mr Hawa Singh Hooda, and the Vice- President, Mr Sukhjinder Singh Behl, were congratulated by the outgoing President, Mr G.K. Chathrath. Mr Hooda was twice appointed the Advocate-General and the association President. |
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Beant trial adjourned Chandigarh, May 1 |
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Accused sent to Burail jail Chandigarh, May 1 The accused had been sentenced by the apex court to five years of rigorous imprisonment in a case under the Arms Act in 1990. The court had issued a re-arrest warrant against the accused as he had not appeared before the court after conviction and was absconding. |
Like father, like son — Kunal turns director Chandigarh, May 1 Years may have passed him by, but there is something very familiar about Kunal Goswami, who appeared relaxed after inaugurating Groomers, a television and film institute in SAS Nagar this evening. Sitting across the table, he outlined his ideals with conviction, something which is part of his celebrated lineage in the film industry. And as he shared his past and present, reflections of a legend silhoutted in his eyes. A question on Manoj Kumar followed naturally. “As for many others in the film industry, he has been the biggest source of inspiration for me also. Being his son, I was naturally exposed to the world of films, which was however, much more refined, mature and beautiful than it is today. I was groomed in an ambience of goodness. That was a different age altogether when my father and his friends used to celebrate each other’s successes. Now the world of films is more about personal gains than about general well being,” said Kunal. Seemingly perturbed over this transition of the film industry, Kunal chose to centre the discussion on the film which he is directing. “It is an adventure-based film with a good amount of special effects. The cast, the music maker and many other things are yet to be finalised. As of now, I am ready with the script, which is challenging. The idea here is to present something which is not run-of-the-mill. The likes of which is being done by some film-makers these days.” From Kunal’s talk, it did not appear he had done just nine films in his entire career. “That is the way, it is,” said Kunal, who also made a special mention of Farhan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan in his conversation about the new breed cinema, which has become the order of the day. The issue of big budgeting also surfaced. “In fact, no film is a small-budget film these days. But the real point is what are you offering after spending such a large quantum of money. If you are offering song sequences shot in seven days at a stretch, you are not offering much in my view.” Well-versed with the ways of the industry, the actor-turned-director said that it was not too wise to think far ahead. “We are in a field where a failure can make you think differently and a success can help you sell anything. So you build your choices with time. As of now, I have many good scripts lined up, but the screening job remains to be done,” he said. Having taken long to come back to action (Kunal’s last film was released two years back; he also did a serial titled ‘Alag Alag’ for DD), Kunal seems to have his stakes clear. Apart from films, he has two commercial ventures to sustain him — some restaurants in Delhi and a roaring travel agency business in Mumbai.” Said Kunal, “It is important to have something to fall back upon. There is a lot of risk here.” Although he exhibits an urge to outgrow his father’s, shadow, Kunal draws heavily from his rich repertory. “I can talk endlessly about ‘Shor’, a film which captures life and its shades in a delightfulway. It is a thin story, but the way it has been enriched with emotional handling of sequences is beyond imagination. I still hold my father in great awe whenever I see the way the film shapes up.” Dreaming to make it big someday, Kunal is pinning all his hopes on his new venture now. “As a director I will be primarily concerned about the content. The one thing I have learnt from my father is that as a director, you are responsible to the viewer and you must cater to his instincts. Even if you can give them one issue to ponder over, you have succeeded in your job. All films my father made had an underlining message, which will prick the viewer’s conscience for a long time to come.” |
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Interactive workshop begins Chandigarh, May 1 Specifically targeting the ways to work with children, this workshop was attended by 24 persons. A 15-day affair, the workshop will focus on interactive methods to help people who either work or want to work with children and young people. To conclude on May 15, it is being conducted by Harleen Kohli, Munna Dhiman, Aarti and Anuradha Bhasin, resource persons for the Centre for Education and Voluntary Action (CEVA). The first day of the workshop was devoted to two basic issues — introduction of participants and some important question related to kids. The introduction happened in a very interesting manner. Pairs were made out of the participating people and each one in the pair was asked to introduce another. Following the introduction was
redressal of the basic question “What are children like?” For any set of people approaching children it is important to know everything about their aspirations and feelings. That was the reason the workshop started with the answer of this real question. Following this answering session, was a session full of fun which saw the participants learn many other things by simply playing with one another. As told by the resource persons, the workshop will focus on sharing sessions which will include tips on theatre skills, felicitation of creative expression in young people, the art of story telling, the process of evolving theatrical presentation and image creation by children. The participants will try out skills on how to organise cooperative games. They will also brainstorm on the ways to organise activities for youngsters and also on how to handle their energies. |
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