The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

Teachers, students to be motivated
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 6
Concerned over the “poor performance” of non-model government schools in Class X examinations conducted by the CBSE, the UT Education Department has decided to “motivate school teachers as well as the students”.

According to Public Instructions Director D.S. Mangat, ‘’No doubt, the results have been kind of bad this year. But this decline is not just limited to the non-model schools. The main reason for this not-so-good performance of these schools, however, is the lack of motivation among the teachers as well as the students.”

The other reason, he explained, was: ‘’The students of non-model schools are from relatively poor sections of society. They do not get proper guidance at home. For them, education has no, or little, significance. This is not all. Children go away to their native villages for about four to five months in the middle of the session for farming and other chores, breaking the link.”

Regarding the solution, he said: “Nothing can be done overnight, but we will do our best to ensure that the performance of non-model schools also improves. No doubt, the teachers are taking pains, but we will ask them to put in some additional effort.”

It may be recalled that there was a vast difference in the results of the model and the non-model schools. While the pass percentage of the model schools was above 75, in case of ordinary schools, it was just over 25, pushing down the entire pass percentage in government schools to 47.83.

Commenting upon the difference in the results of model and ordinary schools, Principal of Sector 16 Government Model Senior Secondary School Ram Kumar said, ‘’With the same teachers and infrastructure, it is really surprising to see that the results of model and non-model schools vary so much.”

He added: “The admission procedure is the same for model and non-model schools. It is done with a view to ruling out the possibility of any discrimination. Model schools are, however, English-medium whereas non-model schools are Hindi and Punjabi-medium. This, nevertheless, is no excuse for poor result. In ordinary schools, the teachers need to put in additional efforts as the students may not be getting proper guidance at home. The teachers should be taking extra pains and they should give more time to the academically weak students so that their performance can be improved.’’

Giving suggestions, he said, ‘’There is a lack of systemised planning in the non-model schools, which needs to be checked. Also some kind of tabs should be kept on the teachers. Regular classes, proper homework and routine tests should be conducted to improve the results of these schools.’’

Bright colours, little hands & smiles
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 6
Bright colours, tiny little hands and just smiles all around. This is the scenario of the Camlin and Zee education workshop, Elves At Work - 3, organised by Ideas Unlimited. This two-week-long workshop, started on May 22, aims at giving the children an overall personality development. A week-long computer programme on basics of computer at ZED Institute and an art and craft programme by Camlin mark the highlights of this workshop.

A total of 85 children enrolled are divided into two groups on the basis of their age (two-and-a-half to five and six to twelve). Different teachers are allotted to the two groups. All the material needed for the art and craft programme is provided by Camlin. The range of items taught to the little hands starts from little paintings and moves up to puppet-making and piggi-bank making. The colours used are exclusively of Camlin, and the material used is recyclable.

“At one side where the computer programme makes the little ones familiar with this age of computers, the programme of art and craft on the other makes them familiar with the world of colours. We aim to make the children learn, but with fun,” says Ms Vimi Singh, Director, Ideas Unlimited. Further she said, “We stress on the social behaviour of the children by making them perform skits, which help them to identify good over bad.”

This ‘learning with fun’ workshop ending on June 8 still has two great gifts for its Elves — a sizzling party at Mr Burger to rock them and an IQ test — which will give the feedback of their work.

On regular requests by the parents, the organisers plan to extend the workshop.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Returning Officer’s order set aside
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 6
Allowing a writ petition filed by a candidate for the panchayat samiti elections from Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today set aside the orders passed by the Returning Officer rejecting her nomination papers.

Delivering the verdict on a petition filed by Karamjit Kaur, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice J.S. Khehar and Mr Justice M.M. Kumar, also imposed costs of Rs 10,000 before asking the petitioner to appear before the Returning Officer at 4 pm today itself. The Bench also allowed another petition by Ms Sukhwinder Kaur of Panderi Arian village in Hoshiarpur district. She too was seeking the quashing of an order rejecting her nomination papers.

In her petition, Karamjit Kaur had earlier claimed that her nomination papers were rejected on the ground that her son, sarpanch of Bangi Ruldu village, was “keeping panchayat funds in his hand”. Terming the rejection orders as “without jurisdiction”, her counsel had added that the mother could not be penalised for the actions of her son.

In the other petition, Ms Sukhwinder Kaur had contended that on May 31, she was informed by the Returning Officer that wrong serial number had been filled in by her. Arguing on her behalf, Captain Sandeep Bansal had added that the necessary corrections were made within 15 minutes, but still her nomination papers were rejected. Quoting the provisions of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, he had added that the Returning Officer could even overlook topographical mistakes in the nomination papers.

Notice on security

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday issued notice of motion for July 18 on a petition filed by former Cabinet Minister Sikander Singh Maluka seeking directions for providing adequate security “abruptly withdrawn with the change in government”.

Accusing the state of adopting “party-based system of providing security”, instead of “need-based system”, counsel for the petitioner had added that protection was being provided to those supporting the ruling party. Claiming to have been receiving anonymous threats calls, counsel had added that the petitioner’s safety was in danger. He had further added that about a month ago, an Akali Dal (Mann) candidate was shot dead two days after security was withdrawn. Another Akali Dal candidate too was assassinated, he had concluded.

No final orders

Taking up a petition seeking directions for prohibiting the state of Haryana and other respondents from taking action against Faridabad’s elected Municipal Councillor Daya Shankar Giri, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday directed that proceedings in furtherance of a show cause notice may continue, but final orders will not be passed. Issuing the directions, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice J.S. Khehar and Mr Justice M.M. Kumar, also issued notice of motion for July 17. In his petition, the Councillor had earlier stated that one Gajender Pal had filed a civil suit against him stating that he was not qualified as he had five children and one was born in 2000. The suit was, however, withdrawn. The State Election Tribunal too had rejected an application in this regard. Later on, the Councillor filed a petition against the Mayor. Soon after it, a show cause notice was issued by the Commissioner of Gurgaon division.

SEC 37 KIDNAPPING INCIDENT
Youth remanded in judicial custody
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 6
One of the alleged kidnappers in the yesterday’s kidnapping incident of two youths from Sector 37 here, Amit Grover, was remanded in judicial custody by a local court today. He was arrested by the police at the roundabout of Sectors 37, 38, 40 and 41 this afternoon. His sister and co-accused are yet to be arrested.

The accused was produced before the UT Judicial Magistrate(First Class), Mr Sanjay Sandhir, who remanded him to judicial custody till June 19. The magistrate also issued a notice for June 7 on the bail plea moved by the accused.

When the accused was produced before the magistrate, he made statement before the magistrate that he was falsely implicated in the case, and there were some influential people who are behind the incident. After hearing his plea, the magistrate remanded him to judicial custody.

As per police sources, Amit was in the city along with his advocate today for obtaining anticipatory bail but he was arrested by the police before he could reach the court.

Amit and his sister had allegedly kidnapped Hemant and Dinesh from Sector 37 last morning, who were later found by the police late last evening. Amit is a student of law in Pune and his parents are in finance business besides having business in coal.

According the sources, Hemant and Deepak, who are paying guests in Sector 37, were “forced” to sit in Indica car (HR-02-F-5387) by the brother-sister duo. Hemant and Deepak are from Yamunanagar and are here preparing for the TOEFL examination. According to police sources, Amit was suspecting that Deepak used to misbehave with his sister.

It has been alleged that Amit along with his sister came to Deepak’s residence to warn him. “Amit’s sister and I were classmates in Yamunanagar but I had never misbehaved with her”, claimed Deepak. Hemant and Deepak were made to sit in the car by the duo on the pretext of solving the matter at some other place outside the house. However, they were allegedly taken to Yamunanagar.

“Once we were in the car, Amit accelerated the car and was in no mood to let us out of the car”, said Deepak. In the meantime, the landlord, who had heard loud noises coming out of the room of his paying guests and later saw them entering a car, sensed danger and informed the police.

	DISTRICT COURTS Rapist sentenced to 7-year RI Our Correspondent Chandigarh, June 6 A resident of Kumhar colony, Jai Bhagwan, was sentenced to seven-year rigorous imprisonment in a case of rape, by a local court here today. The accused was convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment by the UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Ms Sneh Prashar. The judge has also ordered for the payment compensation of Rs 7, 000 to the victim out of the amount of fine, if realised from the accused. The mother of the victim had stated in a complaint that the accused, Jai Bhagwan, resided in their neighbourhood. The accused used to come to their house. Once he proposed her for marriage. She further stated that on June 8, 1998, at about 10.30 am, she, along with her daughter, went to the ISBT, Sector 17, to board a bus to her native village, Loharu, in Haryana. There she went to toilet and her daughter kept on sitting outside. The accused came there and kidnapped her daughter, she said. On the basis of the statement of the victim’s mother, the UT police had registered a case against the accused under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC against the accused. Later the accused was arrested and the girl was recovered from his custody. The statement of the girl was recorded before the magistrate. She was medically examined and charge of rape was also added in the case registered against the accused. Murder accused acquitted The UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C.L Mohal, on Thursday acquitted a juvenile arrested by the UT police in a murder case. The accused was acquitted as the parents of the deceased made statement before the court that the boy arrested by the police had not murdered their son. The accused was booked by the police under charges of kidnapping and murder. The mother of the deceased made statement before the court that the accused had neither injured her nor killed her son. The father of the deceased had also said before the court that the boy arrested by the police had not committed murder of his son. Two acquitted A local court on Thursday, acquitted two persons — Tek Ran Chohan and Shiv Kumar Joshi — in a case of assault. The complainant, Mr Hardeep Singh, had alleged that the accused had caused injuries to him in Sector 7. Bail granted Jaswant Singh allegedly involved in a land scam in Mauli Jagran was granted bail by a local court here on Thursday. The accused was granted bail on the furnishing of a bail bond of Rs 20,000.
	Temple demolition stayed Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 6 Issuing the notice of motion to the Chandigarh Administration and other respondents for June 11 on a petition filed by the management of Shiv Manas Mandir, Phase II, Industrial Area, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the demolition of the temple for the time being. In its petition against the Administration, the Finance Secretary and the Assistant Estate Officer, the mandir authorities had stated that certain officials of the Administration had visited the temple in May and had threatened the demolition of the structure on the ground that the road separating Sector 31 and Phase II, Industrial Area, had to be widened.
	Attachment orders for Lahore bus Our Correspondent Chandigarh, June 6 In an interesting case, a local court has issued attachment orders of the DTC bus in which the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, along with other personalities had gone on a historic trip to Lahore in 1999. The attachment orders were issued after the DTC failed to pay a compensation to a city resident in an accident claim case. Sources said Ms Shanti Devi had filed a case against the DTC, alleging that her husband was killed after being hit by the bus in the city in 1999.

CULTURE

NEW RELEASES
Bhagat Singh remembered

Six filmmakers and one legend - Bhagat Singh. One film by Iqbal Dhillon has already been released. Two more Bhagat Singh movies will be released today along with a Yash Chopra invitation 'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai.

With Tips Films 'The legend of Bhagat Singh, Raj Kumar Santoshi has captured one of the most magnificent chapters of Indian History in his emotionally and aesthetically opulent manner. This is undoubtedly one of the most talked about movies of the year. The techno whiz Santoshi and producers Ramesh Taurani and Kumar Taurani has presented 'The legend of Bhagat Singh' in the grand manner with Rs 20 crore plus budget. The heroic saga of this fear less patriot will be screened from today at K.C. Chandigarh.

It was not that Bhagat Singh did not love life, its just that he love his country much more. Let us proudly salute: The mind that truly thought ... The heart that truly bled ... The soul that truly felt....

The extraordinary character of Bhagat Singh is enacted by Ajay Degan. It also has Sushant Singh, D. Santosh, Akhilendra Mishra, Raj Babbar, Amrita Rao (Ab Ke Baras fame), Farida Jalal, Bhaskar Chatterjee and Sanjay Sharma in important roles.

The screenplay is by Anjum Rajabali and Cinematography by K.V. Anand. The music of this film is composed by A.R. Rahman and lyrics penned by Sameer.

The Deol banner's latest film, '23rd March, 1931, Shahhed' is a crucial film for Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. This is a Dharmendra presentation and will be released today at Batra Chandigarh, K.C. Panchkula and Bassi Mohali.

Guddu Dhanoa, the director of '23rd March, 1931, Shaheed' has pinned high hopes on this film because everybody will feel proud of being an Indian after seeing this film.

Bobby Deol play Bhagat Singh and Bhaiya Sunny Deol play Chandrashekhar Azad. Aishwarya Rai and Amrita Singh also play key role. The story is by Manoj Kumar. The soundtrack of 23rd March, 1931, Shaheed' is composed by Anand Raj Anand. The total budget of this film is Rs 16 crore.

Both film maker claims the best Bhagat Singh of all. Will both the movie work? The audience will decide today which is the best.

'Tere Liye', a musical film based on five band members was first directorial debut of young Sanjay Gadhvi. The film could not click at the Box-Office but impressed the filmmaker Yash Chopra who gave him a good chance to direct his new film 'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai'. The film stars Uday Chopra and Jimmy Shergill and introduces sensational beauty Sanjana.

'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai' opens today at Piccadily. This film is inspired by the hit Hollywood blockbuster 'My Best Friend's Wedding! Uday Chopra and Jimmy Shergill both loves the same girl. Later, they agree to let the girl chose her soulmate. It is a completely different film, claims Sanjay Gadhvi.

Despite having a marriage theme, the film is more or less a love story. It has cinematography by Sunil Patel, choreography by Ahmed Khan art direction by Sharmistha Roy, lyrics by 'Javed Akhtar and music by two young composers Jeet - Preetam (Jeet Ganguly, Preetam Chakraborty both from Bengal). D.P.