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| Saturday,
August 24, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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PU appoints mediator to resolve
impasse Chandigarh, August 23 Dr Deepak Manmohan, Chairman of the Sheikh Baba Farid Chair, has been given the charge by the Vice-Chancellor to “work out the differences between the warring parties”. The Law Department had cancelled the admission of Malwinder Singh Kang for failing to attend 33 per cent lectures in the first 10 days of the academic session. The Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) had alleged that Kang had submitted a ‘fake medical certificate’ and maintained that he was involved actively in various activities on the campus during the period under question. Kang, however, denied that he had submitted the certificate. He blamed the other students’ body for making allegations even before he was summoned by the Board of Control. PU appointed a committee to look into the matter which included Justice D.V.Sehgal, Mr Ashok Goyal, Prof Bal Krishan and Dr M.M. Sharma. Mr Gopal Krishan Chatrath did not attend the meeting. The committee concluded that Kang be re-admitted and a probe should be ordered into the whole episode. The committee pointed out certain flaws in the department inquiry, also. The university, however, could not implement the decision because students’ tempers flared on the campus and the rival camps set up their tents at the entrance to the Law Department. The university yesterday asked the students to abstain from dharnas otherwise the university would approach the UT Administration. However, the warming had no effect on the students as they continued to be seated at their respective camp sites throughout the day today. Prof Nirmal Singh, Dean, Student Welfare, said the university was making all efforts to reason it out with the students. Dr Manmohan met Kang and Harveer Singh, president of SOPU, individually. However, nothing substantial came out of the discussions. A senior fellow said the university would have to take a decision at the earliest because the delay was sending signals of weak administration. First, the Board of Control gave a decision which was reviewed by a committee. Now, one-man mediation is expected to work the ‘wonders’. Meanwhile, a press note issued by SOPU claimed that one of its activists, Pardeep Paul Singh, was sent to the General Hospital as his condition had deteriorated. Two new students joined the indefinite fast today. |
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UGC team begins visit to
PEC Chandigarh, August 23 The college has already submitted its report to the UGC and is hopeful of positive results. The team of the UGC has come under the convenership of Dr S.K.Joshi. The team consists of experts who will go through details of inspection and evaluation. The status, if accorded, promises better quality of education with higher level of technological inputs for students. The budgetary allocation from the Central Government will remain the same not affecting fee hikes or additional expenses for students. More autonomy will be allowed in decisions relating to academic, financial and planning matters. A society will be formed for controlling the PEC in its new form. Service conditions for teachers and other staff will remain unchanged. In the last week of May, the MHRD had decided to upgrade the PEC and this was followed by a visit of a team of the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). The new status will also mean more money for research as the PEC will become eligible for the UGC grants. The upgradation will come into force from session year commencing July 2003 as many finer details of implementation of the changed status need some time, sources said. |
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PU flayed on reservation
policy Chandigarh, August 23 A meeting of the commission was convened in Delhi recently which was also attended by the PU Registrar. In an official press note the commission said, “it is quite disgusting to find that out of 259 professors and 224 readers working in the university, there were only two representatives of the SC category and they also came on the basis of individual merit and not the reservation policy”. As regards the category of lecturers, it has been pointed out that there were only seven individuals working at present. The commission has been receiving a number of representations to the effect that PU has not been implementing the rule of reservation. Therefore, the commission had to take up the reviewing. The PU Registrar was asked by the commission to provide details of the employees. The meeting was attended by representatives of he University Grants Commission, Ministry of Human Resource and Development and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. |
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FROM COLLEGES Chandigarh Cyber crime: To generate awareness among te youth about Cyber crime, a talk was given by Mr H.G.S. Dhaliwal to students of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, here on Friday. While dwelling upon “Cyber crime and youth”, Mr Dhaliwal acquainted the youngsters with the various devices evolved to nab criminals. Although laws had been enacted to tackle the menace, a lot more was required to implement them effectively, he said. Maintaining that no computer crime was foolproof and criminals always left behind some clue on the network. He advised the students to keep away from such crime. Mr P.S. Sangha, Principal, also spoke on the occasion. OC Talent hunt contest: A two-day talent hunt competition organised by DAV College, Sector 10, started on Friday with a declamation contest in which at least 32 students put forward their viewpoints on a wide range of topics. The participants spoke in all three languages — English, Hindi and Punjabi — on the given topics that included empowerment of women, corruption, Western influence on Indian culture, students in politics and importance of sports in education. In the English category, the contest was won by
Ayush, while Ravish finished in second position. In the Punjabi category, Amit and Pritpal Singh were declared first and second, respectively. Amit won the first prize in the Hindi category, followed by Deepak in the second position. The participants were judged by Mrs Swatantra Kapoor from the department of English, Mrs Manju Sharma from the department of Hindi and Ms Harinder Kaur from the department of Punjabi. The second part of the function was Histrionics in which seven students took part. The contest was won by Rochak Kohli, followed by Raminder Singh. Mr R.Chaudhary from the department of Physical Education and Mr Ghanshyam from the department of Political Science judged the event. OC |
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St Stephen’s, St John’s kids win
contest Chandigarh, August 23 About 15 schools from Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali took part in the contest which was won jointly by St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, and St John’s School, Sector 26. Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, bagged the second prize while Hans Raj Public School, Panchkula, was declared third. Shishu Niketan school was adjudged the best cheering team for its innovative Fanta slashes, boards and original slogans. The panel of judges comprised Ms Reshma H. Singh and Ms Shruti Mala. |
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Snake charmers rid school of
cobras Chandigarh, August 23 The 5-foot and 4.5-foot long cobras had been spotted by the Headmistress of the school, Ms Sukhbir Kaur, and villagers had been informed. The villagers had gathered with sticks and weapons to kill the pair on Monday but retraced thinking that Monday and the cobras were both associated with Lord Shiva. It took an hour for the snake charmers, who charged Rs 1,000, to catch snakes whose fangs were then removed. |
HIGH COURT Chandigarh, August 23 In a ruling, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice S.S. Saron, also directed that the payment should be made within three months. In his petition, the victim’s father, Dr S.S. Bali, had contended that the ex gratia claim was rejected by the respondents on the ground that Major Bali had died, not from war injury, but due to sickness owning to high altitude of the area. Going into the background of the case, he had submitted that Major Bali was posted at the international border in the Kargil sector and had died on October 26, 1998. He was also awarded with Sena Medal for his act of courage, counsel had submitted. He had further submitted that the officer had died at the border while facing the enemy and as such his death should be considered a battle casualty. Don’t disburse dues to corpn staff
Taking up a petition filed by Allahabad Bank seeking directions to the state of Haryana and another respondents to deduct the amount of personal loan granted to 26 employees of Haryana State Minor Irrigation (Tubewells) Corporation from their retrenchment compensation, a Division Bench has directed the state and the corporation against disbursing the terminal dues till further orders. Pronouncing orders, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr Justice N.K. Sud, also issued notice of motion to the respondents for September 13. In their petition, the bank had also sought directions to the corporation and the state to ask the employees to deposit the amount with them. Stay on recovery
A Division Bench on Friday stayed the operation of an order passed by Jagraon Municipal Council whereby the recovery of Rs 71, 000 from an employee had been directed. The Bench, comprising Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice S.S. Saron, also issued notice to the state of Punjab and the Council’s Executive Officer for October 29. It was submitted by Mr Sudhir Kumar that the orders of recovery and the stoppage of increments with cumulative effect had been passed in an illegal and arbitrary manner. He had added that the penalty was imposed on the allegations of misappropriation, while the High Court had earlier observed that misappropriation had not taken place at all. Should litigants get relief over strike?
Should judicial officers continue to discharge their normal duties when advocates abstain from work in response to a strike call given by the Bar Council or the Bar Association? The issue will be examined by a Division Bench. Taking up a petition filed by a Mansa resident, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall, added that the court would also examine the issue pertaining to the entitlement of a litigant to compensation in case he suffered due to the advocates’ abstention from work. In their detailed order, the Judges observed: “In this petition filed by a litigant whose case was adjourned due to strike by advocates at Mansa, many issues of great public importance affecting the system of administration of justice arise for consideration. For the time being we deem it proper to examine whether the judicial officers should continue to discharge their normal duties... and whether the litigants who suffer due to the abstention of advocates from court work are entitled to be compensated”. The case will now be heard on September 12. |
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Court order to restore girl to
parents Chandigarh, August 23 Delivering the verdict, Mr Justice K.S. Garewal of the High Court also directed the Station House Officer of the Mani Majra police station to “keep a friendly surveillance upon her for the next six months in order to see that she lived as a law-abiding citizen and lead a peaceful life with her parents”. Mr Garewal observed: “Uma’s father is present in court. Her return to her parents may be the best option at this stage. It will be expected that her parents will look after her and help her to stabilise her emotionally and prevent her from trying to reach Mumbai or Muscat....” It may be recalled that the CBI had earlier stated that as per an inquiry conducted by it Uma, unwilling to stay with her parents, wanted to go back to Muscat. Inspector R.D. Sharma of the CBI had added that Uma had left for Muscat in connivance with one Alisa and was working as a nurse in a hospital. Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier directed the investigating agency to look into the matter while taking up a petition filed by Uma’s mother. She had alleged that Uma was abducted on December 15, 2000, while she was going for her knitting classes. It may be recalled that an FIR in the matter was registered at the Mani Majra police station on December 23. The police, after investigating the case, had, however, submitted an untraced report, according to the petitioner. |
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JE’s remand extended Kharar, August 23 |
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Beant Singh case adjourned Chandigarh, August 23 |
Reviving the rare art of Tibetan
thangka Chandigarh, August 23 Based on Tibetan mythology, the thangkas, meaning paintings in Tibet, take months to be completed. And after a single artist finishes working on each piece, Tibetan mythology stands reflected to the viewer, in its most divine and exuberant form. Although the art form originated centuries ago and was nurtured with care, it is now facing extinction. For years now, Asha Chopra has been dedicated to the revival of this fascinating art which has been mastered by the Thakali tribe. She has created a gallery for thangkas at her Delhi house. Although originally the thangkas were created only by monks, the art later travelled to homes of common Tibetans. Says Ms Chopra: “Earlier these works were kept safely guarded in monasteries lest an evil eye should fall upon them. Only the monks could create a thangka, but as their popularity increased, monks felt that they could not handle the demand. That was when people came in.” Earlier the thangkas, executed on lavish silken bases, with exuberant Chinese borders were made only by Tibetan women. As financial constraints mounted, canvases replaced silk and Benaras brocades replaced Chinese borders. “Themes of these works, however, remained constant. They revolve around goddess Tara, Buddha or the mandala (the wheel of life). The detailing is immense. Someone who can create such marvellous works cannot be uneducated,” says Ms Chopra, recalling the days when she first fell in awe of the art form. “We stayed in Darjeeling and Sikkim for long and hence it was natural to come under the influence of Tibetan art. In Sikkim I chanced upon thangkas, executed in gold leaves, silver and vegetable dyes. I was so taken in by their finesse that I went to the village where they were being made,” she says. Learning about the poverty of the people engaged in preserving the art, Asha took upon herself the task of popularising the art all over the world. She became a regular visitor to the small village in Gangtok, inspired artisans to create thangkas and marketed them in various cities of India, as also abroad. Along with her daughter Amrita Seth, Asha Chopra has adopted a full village in Sikkim, where this work is being done. The art lover admits, “For those who have been a part of the beautiful world of thangkas, it is very difficult to dissociate. Also known as Pauva paintings, thangkas have been made from times immemorial. They came to India with the Dalai Lama in 1959. Ever since they have been created to earn a livelihood. Now the situation has worsened. With a very restricted market, the artists are shifting towards land tilling. Our concern is to preserve the form and promote artists. I began selling thangkas with 20 paintings. Now the market has gone global. In India, Fabindia backs our exhibitions in Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi.” After exhibiting widely, even abroad, Asha Chopra is bringing the rare art works to Chandigarh. The exhibition will be put up in the city between October 11 and 13. |
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Giving
message of emancipation to women Chandigarh, August 23 The beginning of a “Kya Main Azad Hoon,” a powerful social statement by playwright Daljit Singh was well made at Pracheen Kala Kendra here today. In the opening sentence itself, the theme of the play stood bared before the audience which was then led through sequences narrating the tale of a woman’s helplessness in a greedy society. The script was presented powerfully through the medium of a “sutradhaar”, who appears on the stage and talks about the evil of “sati” and burning brides for dowry. The plot progresses with a squint-eyed boy played by Surinder Kumar rejecting women in line on the issue of insufficient dowry. Hundreds of names are thrown to him, but he declines to enter into a marital bond with any of those, finally settling for a woman working in a government department. Though his greed is initially gratified, it later grows and assumes grave proportions so much so that he ends up burning his wife for dowry. Raising questions on the behalf of women, the playwright handles a very sensitive issue with great dignity. Finally, the play, directed by Zulfiqar Khan, underlined women’s emancipation as the only solution to the outstanding issue of crime against women. Actors included Surinder, Vijay Machal, Veerpal, Balwinder, Jyoti and Ravi. The play, produced by Theatre Age, was also viewed by Director, Public Relations, UT, Mr Vivek
Atray. |
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Taste of success after
struggle Chandigarh, August 23 After years of wading through tough waters, the well-deserving city boy Vikrant Kumar is now beginning to get buyers for his art. Although he does not like to put it that way, but the bitter fact is that dearth of money marred his prospects gravely. Despite winning a host of prestigious singing contests and despite assisting the best of music makers, Vikrant took time to be where he is today. A winner of Rafi Ratan award consecutively from 1990, to 1993 and again in 1997 and 1998, Vikrant is now cutting his albums, finally. With the backing of T-Series which has already released an album of devotional songs wherein he has sung alongside famous ones like Sonu Nigam, Vinod rathod and Sukhwinder Singh, Vikrant is now ascending the road uphill. With T-Series he has done some 25 albums. Universal is also now backing him with a Hindi album, which will have lyrics by Shyam Balkar who gave the hit lyrics of hans Raj Hans’s “Chorni”. Music is being done by Sanjeev Srivastava. In town to celebrate his success with his near ones, Vikrant took off some time not only to sing Mohd Rafi songs for the gathering but also to talk about his journey from the assistant of music director Jaidev Kumar to a solo singer of some standing. Having learnt singing from his father Nirmal Marwaha, Vikrant went on to be awarded later by people as famous as Hasrat Jaipuri, Rajendra Kumar, wife of Mohd Rafi, Narendra Chanchal, Shashi Kapoor and Sushmita Sen. The young boy says, “I performed extensively in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore where I held at least 100 shows and won many awards. The sad part was that own country recognised me much later. I have assisted in the music which made Hans Raj Hans, Harbhajan Mann and Jassi. But for myself I had nothing because I had no money.” But now the tide is turning in Vikrant’s favour, He is doing playback singing for two film projects and he is being approached for many more. He is also singing in “Heer Ranjha” and “Chote Bade Namune” being aired on Zee Alpha Punjabi. However, Vikrant wants to hit the big screen and with a promising range and melodious voice backing him, his horizon may not be very far away. |
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