The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Exciting contests mark Jamboree-2002
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, July 18
Quiz and spelling competitions, spin a yarn and sandwich-making contest marked the first day of Jamboree-2002 at the Government Museum auditorium in Sector 10 in which students of 22 city schools participated.

Students were quick to answer the quiz questions and write the correct spellings. Their response was equally good in the informal category events which started with crossword puzzles followed by a caption contest. Painting competition and calligraphy contests, too, were held. The one appreciated by the students and visitors alike was the sandwich-making competition. Armed with knives and forks, the students made sandwiches in the shape of pyramids, even human faces.

The Students’ Zone, which is organising the event for the second consecutive year, said, “The response of students was beyond our expectation even on the first day”.

It said debate, dumb charades, group song competition, paint your face, slogan contest, painting competition, creative writing and rangoli-making contests would be held tomorrow.

The results of different events in the formal category are as follows:

Quiz — Arun, Pulkit and Vineet of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16 (1); Akhil, Ishan and Reuben of St Kabir School, Sector 26 (2); Utsav, Manas and Arastu of DAVC (3). Spin a Yarn — Sunny of Manav Mangal School (1); Gurleen of DAV Model School in Sector 15 (2); and Harmeet of Shivalik Public School (3).

Spellings — Simranjeet Kaur of St Kabir School, Sector 26 (1); Saumya Chopra of Bhavan Vidyalaya (2); and Himanshi of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16 (3).

The results of events in the informal category are as follows:

Caption contest — Kavisha of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sector 26 (1) and Niharika Singh of SD School (2). Sandwich-making contest — Aarohi of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16 (1); Jesveen of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sector 26 (2).

Painting competition — Kanika of SD Public School (1) and Ketan Kamboj of St Kabir School, Sector 26 (2).

Old-timers blocking hostel seats
Raw deal for PU freshers
Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 18
Old-timers blocking hostel seats for freshers continues at Panjab University. A number of them have completed their postgraduation and enrolled for another one just to secure a seat in the hostel. There is also a section that attended classes of first year only and secured admission in a new class this year.

The problem is not a new one. There is a case of a former student leader who spent nine years on the campus shifting one department after the other. This is just one among many others. The most common excuse was that they were not interested in an MA degree but were preparing for competitive examination. They wanted hostel accommodation to avail the library facilities as well an academic environment to promote their studies.

While students preparing for competitive examinations supported their act saying they were enrolled judiciously as per the admission norms, there was also a section who came to the campus only for whiling away their time. “ I am here just for fun and have to go back to my family to take over the family business”, a supporter of a student body said.

Hostel wardens express knowledge of the existing practice but express their helplessness in denying admissions in case the case was referred by the teaching departments. A first step in this direction needed to be initiated by the teaching departments. A senior student pointed out that students changing streams at the postgraduate were not merely blocking the hostel seats, they were also hindering many deserving fresh graduates from joining the university classes.

Chand Singh Madaan, a former chairman of the Haryana Students Association, said students who pursued research in any particular postgraduate degree should be allowed to continue the use of the hostel facilities. In case of students changed streams just for availing university facilities, the university needs to draft a clear line of action that would facilitate deserving students a seat.

Harveer Singh, president of the Students Organisation of Panjab University, said there were certain students who wanted to pursue a professional line like LLB. In case of failing to qualify in the first attempt they enrolled in some other degree. There were certain genuine cases. However, this was not denying the fact a number of hostel seats were blocked by old timers enrolling in new courses. The university needs to look into the affair and draft a clear line of action.

Dr Manoj Kumar, warden of hostel II, said he felt sorry for freshers who were denied seats only because some old-timers who were not serious in their studies blocked them. Seniors at the cost of loss to freshers should not reap the recurring benefit of a seat in the department or the hostel. There was a need to have a clear-cut rule on the issue.

Dr Kiranpreet Kaur, warden of Sarojini Hall, said the number of girl students changing their educational streams only for hostels was very insignificant. Any move to stop such a practice will have to be initiated at the department level first. Dr D.V. Rai, warden of hostel I, said he was aware of the problem. The university should make an effort to help serious students by regulating the admission process.

BCA seats
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 18
Seats continued to remain vacant in the BCA course at the ongoing centralised admissions at Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, on the second and last day of counselling for the course here today.

The day began with the filling of 41 seats of the UT and general pool.

Later, admissions for the reserved category began as per schedule and concluded with the dereserving of vacant seats. In all, 76 of a total of 320 seats remained vacant at the conclusion of admissions to the course.

While MCM DAV College, Sector 36, achieved the distinction of being the only college to have a cut-off percentage above 60, most others remained below the 55 per cent mark.

Admissions to B.Com for all 10 city colleges would begin tomorrow and continue till July 22, the last day being kept for admissions in the reserved category.

College

Seats avail able

Seats filled

Highest %age

Cut off

MCM DAV

40

34

87

62.8

GC-46

40

29

70.4

52

SD-32

40

37

90.2

51.2

GC-11

40

34

83.2

53.4

SGGS-26

40

30

82.4

54.4

GGS-26

40

29

78.4

54

DAV-10

40

38

81.8

54

DSCW-45

40

12

73.6

56.2

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Science graduates can opt for arts subjects
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 18
Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice S.S. Grewal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in a significant judgement, have ruled that a science graduate can opt for additional subjects in the field of arts.

The judgement is significant as, according to university counsel, a science graduate cannot opt for any arts subject “and vice versa”. Arguing before the court, counsel had contended that a student passing BA examinations could only opt for arts subjects and a B.Sc student could only opt for science subjects.

Today, delivering the verdict on a petition filed by music student Saurabh Sood against Panjab University at Chandigarh, the Judges ruled: “A perusal of above regulation shows that a candidate who has qualified BA or B.Sc examination can appear ‘in any one or more subjects’. He can offer additional subjects ‘except the subjects in which he has already passed the examinations’. He can do so at ‘any subsequent BA or B.Sc annual examination’. The plain language of the regulations suggest that the candidate is at a liberty to qualify in an additional subject or subjects at a subsequent examination. Nothing more”.

The judges also ruled: “The regulation does not say that a graduate in arts shall be entitled to opt for one or more subjects in arts only or that a graduate in science shall be entitled to opt for additional subjects in the field of science alone”.

Speaking for the bench, Mr Justice Gupta held: “In any case, there appears to be no good reason for reading such a restriction into the provision. The aim of education is to discipline the human mind. Every system of education is calculated to ensure a harmonious development of personality. Inter-disciplinary studies are not barred under the regulations. The plain language of the rule does not suggest that a graduate in science cannot study music as an additional subject”.

Referring to the current case, Mr Justice Gupta further held: “It is admitted position that after having passed the B.Sc examinations, the petitioner applied for permission to appear in additional subject of Music. The university entertained his request.... But having allowed him to take BA part I examination in music, there appears to be no justification for cutting short his efforts and debarring him from appearing in parts II and III. Still further, it deserves to be noticed that the petitioner has done well in his examination. He has admittedly secured 164 marks out of 200 in BA part I. He is not trying to remain on the rolls of the university for mere fun. He is actually interested in the subject and is wanting to qualify at least as a graduate in music. We find no reason to exclude students of science from the study of sound”.

Notice to Punjab on SGPC’s plea

Taking up the SGPC’s petition seeking the quashing of a notification whereby the previously constituted Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission was ordered to be restored, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion to the state of Punjab, Amritsar’s Deputy Commissioner, the Chief Minister and other respondents for August 19.

The committee, in its petition taken up by the Bench headed by Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi, had earlier sought the quashing of a notification rescinding an earlier notification vide which Manmohan Singh Brar, Ajwant Singh Mann and Amrik Singh were appointed as Judicial Commission members on its reconstitution.

Going into the background of the case, the petitioners had contended that on January 6, 1999, a notification was issued removing Mr Dara Singh, Mr Kashmir Singh and Mr Raghbir Singh as members of the Judicial Commission and appointing other members in their place. Mr Dara Singh and Mr Kashmir Singh subsequently filed a petition in the High Court challenging their removal and appointment of other members. The matter was referred by a Division Bench of the High Court to a larger Bench. The judgement was reserved after the conclusion of the arguments.

However, during the assembly elections in February, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, considered a rival of the Shiromani Akali Dal, joined hands with the Congress party. As a part of the design to enable Mr Tohra regain his lost position, the Congress government has issued the impugned notification.

The describing the notification as a “blatant interference in matters pertaining to Sikh religion”, counsel for the petitioner had added that the same was “illegal and liable to be quashed”.

CULTURE

New Release
An enjoyable family entertainer

Vashu Bhagnani of Puja films first time teams up with actor Anupam Kher to present a family entertainer ‘Om Jai Jagdish’. With this film Anupam Kher at last turned director. The film opens today at K.C. Theatre, Chandigarh. It is a family film about three brothers and their relationship. ‘Om Jai Jagdish’ stars Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. Waheeda Rehman plays their mother. Mahima Chaudhary, Urmila Matondkar and debutant glamour doll Tara Sharma are their love interests.

Anupam Kher’s directorial debut is based on a Malayalam hit film. It centres around a mother, her three sons and daughter. The film explores relationship within the family and between sibling and their lovers.

The main assets of ‘Om Jai Jagdish’ are Anupam Kher’s enthusiasm, Vashu Bhagnani’s reputation as producer no 1, a star-studded cast and a tested formula. This film brings home what we have lost or are in the process of losing.

Raju Kher, Anu Kapoor, Satish Shah, Rakesh Bedi, Liliat Dube and Parmeet Sethi also star in ‘Om Jai Jagdish. This film has story by Rahul Nanda, dialogues by Raman Kumar and Rumi Jafri. Sameer has penned the lyrics. Another brilliant score from Anu Malik.

This film has everything associated with a Vashu Bhagnani film — wonderful performances, excellent music and good technical qualities. In short ‘Om Jai Jagdish’ is a total family entertainer. DP

A matter of stones and hearts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 18
After a vibrant show on water and its grandeur structured by Tarun Chopra, Alliance Francaise Le Corbusier de Chandigarh has now put together some full-of-life stone creations for art lovers of the city. Created by Nitin Dutt, currently pursuing his masters in fine arts in sculpture from the Department of Art, Michigan State University, the exhibition opened yesterday at the gallery of Alliance Francaise, Sector 36.

Nitin has mounted his mixed media installations, apart from some of his finest stone sculptures, the primary area of his interest. After having presented the famous Apple series at Gallery Ganga Tat in Varanasi and a special performance installation titled When I met myself at Samne Ghat, Varanasi, this show by Nitin is all about issues related with cultural displacement and dislocation. The artist uses his medium to effectively explore the hardship, the complexity and the confusion that mark the process of displacement from homeland.

Nitin Dutt, who is basically a stone carver, engaged in reviving the very-ancient art of stone carving, has tackled the wide issue of cultural displacement very sensitively. As a problem solving process, Nitin's present works and methodologies centre on an approach of imparting this age-old medium a contemporary and universal spirit. Through his special dealing of the medium and his out-of-the-world effects, he succeeds in initiating a dialogue through the stones. He works with perfection to transform lifeless stones into a lively medium, in fact a rich spiritual space which offers scope for intellectual thought and analysis.

An MFA in plastic art from the Faculty of Visual Art, Banaras Hindu University, Nitin has also displayed his works in the USA and India. His last exhibition in Chandigarh was titled My Diary.

A serious exercise in comedy
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 18
The comedy album titled Chhankatta-2002 and its video format was formally presented to the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, by Jaswinder Bhalla and Bal Mukand Sharma.

The Chhankatta-2002 album, produced by Lucky Star Entertainment, is an attempt by the two comedians and yet another artiste, Neelu, to make a satire on the national and international political scenario. Besides other social problems, corruption has been widely handled. A message of vegetarianism has also been conveyed. Mr Jarnail Ghuman is executive director of the project, while Surinder Bachhan has composed music.

Mr Amarjit Singh Samra, Minister of State for Revenue and Culture, Mr G.S. Atwal, Parliamentary Secretary, Cooperation, Dr B.C. Gupta, Financial Commissioner, Cooperation and Mr A.R. Talwar, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, were also present on the occasion.

Singing the tunes of Punjab
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 18
All his life he has been more into the academics of dance. But of late J. Dutt, known as the master of bhangra in his hometown San Francisco, is shifting focus towards the elements of music and popular one at that.

And for a break, he could not have asked for anything better than the support of Daler Mehndi’s music company DM Music, which is all set to launch the USA-based singer in his maiden album titled “Kudi shikaran lagdi ae”. Created with the idea of cashing in on the rustic Punjabi tunes, the album is laced with eight songs, enriched with the beat of bhangra.

Ask the jubilant singer what it feels like being back on the soil of Punjab and singing Punjabiat, and he flashes back a sure smile: “It feels like home. Not that San Francisco is not a home. That place has also given me tremendous recognition, not just as a bhangra coach but also a performing Punjabi. However, something was missing. I was lucky to have been spotted by Daler Mehndi, who has given me a fine launchpad from where I can talk to the world in the language I know the best — the language of music.”

Music is Dutt’s forte and it has been since the time he sung alongside star Punjabi singer Gurdas Mann in 1982. Gurdas has done lyrics for Dutt’s album due for release shortly.

Bracing up for the new role in India, Dutt feels music will carry him forward, despite the saturation that prevails in the Punjabi pop world. “I am a trained classical singer, a trained bhangra dancer. I have full faith in the academics of my profession.” It is yet to be seen if Dutt’s academics and DM Music’s support will take him far enough.