EDUCATION

ICSSR Chairman’s stress on research
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6
Research is of paramount importance in identifying the priority sectors on the national agenda for future development. Setting the priorities right was the need of the hour.

This was said by Prof V.R. Panchamukhi, Chairman of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, in his address on “ Social science research and ICSSR” at ICSSR Complex, Panjab University, here today. He was delivering the Prof Brij Narain memorial lecture.

Panchamukhi said agriculture was one of the engines of growth. However, a general glance showed that even in Punjab where agriculture was a top priority once, it did not enjoy the same status. Bio-technology, information technology and solar energy were certain areas which needed more attention at the moment.

Research should undertake studies of current relevance. People are talking about globalisation and macro-economics but it was meaningless without care on micro-economics. Unemployment if not addressed at the right time can be a road to big trouble in future.

The paradigm of market economy needed a rethought because the gap between the have and the have-nots has a big bearing on the overall economy. Education, regional disparity and social insecurity cannot be handled by market economies. There are certain areas where the state cannot turn a blind eye, Panchamukhi said.

He also expressed concern over erosion of values, need for science in micro-fundamentals, keeping national interests on top priority, and to get out of intellectual servitude. He said the ICSSR was setting up a committee to see the functioning of the regional centres of the ICSSR.

Concern over dropout rate in rural schools
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, September 6
A campaign is being launched to bring about an improvement in the education sphere in the SAS Nagar and Kharar subdivisions.

This was stated by Mr Birdevinder Singh, MLA, Kharar, while talking to mediapersons here today. He said the matriculation results this year were very poor. The pass percentage in many schools was as low as 17 and 21. In a school at Manauli village, only 23 students had cleared the examination out of the total strength of 123. He said even the dropout rate of students was the maximum in the area.

He said the reason why these areas were being neglected was the proximity to Chandigarh. Teachers, who had their links with high-ups, had got themselves posted in the schools of both subdivisions and were not involved in their work. He said in future action would be taken against teachers who failed to give good results and efforts were being made to convince the dropouts to join schools once again.

The MLA further said that a number of people were facing problems linked to the Chandigarh-Ludhiana railway line, work on which was in progress. He said he had fixed up a meeting with senior officials to sort out the problems. The meeting would be held on September 13 at Kharar.

Freshers’ party at GGDSD College
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6
The freshers’ party at GGDSD College, Sector 32, was a thorough entertainer, here today, with the freshers’ being made to feel at home by the seniors.

The programme began with a welcome address by the Principal, Dr A.C. Vaid, followed by the lighting of a lamp. Ghazals, songs and dances, the function had it all.

However, the highlight of the day were Mr and Miss Fresher contests. Titles were given after three rounds of sashaying down the ramp Out of 17 girls and 11 boys, six boys and six girls were shortlisted.

A question-answer round decided the three who made it to the finals and a final question to them made the choice easy for the crowning of Mr and Miss Fresher. The titles went to Dhruv and Soman.

The programme was organised by Charu Vaid, Preeti Mahajan, Varun, Nikki and Gaurav.

Lecture held

The Department of Political Science, DAV College, Sector 10, organised a lecture by Dr Vishnu Prakash Srivastva, a professor of mathematics, Delhi University, on “Cultural attack on India and its implications”, here on Friday.

The function was organised by former Panjab University Mathematics Prof V.C. Nanda, a member of the Chandigarh Chapter of the Azadi Bachao Andolan. Dr Srivastava spoke about the negative impact of the multinational corporations. Citing various examples, he explained how there played havoc with Indian society. He emphasised the need to use domestic goods.

The Principal, Mr S.C. Marriya, appreciated the work of the organisation. Prof B.K. Gupta introduced the chief guest. The function began with “Vande Mataram” and ended with the National Anthem.

Vocational course students given prizes
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 6
As many as 260 women attended the prize distribution ceremony organised for the Stenography Vocational Training Course for women students by the Surya Foundation in collaboration with Social Welfare Advisory Board at Hallomajra here today.

The Founder Director, Dr Ramneek Sharma, gave the details of the course and other activities covering five states of North India. Dr Sharma informed that the course was started in June 2001 and was completed in June this year. About 95 per cent candidates were declared successful in the course, claimed Dr Sharma.

The Head of the Department of music, Panjab University, Ms Pankaj Bala applauded the efforts of the Surya Foundation in this field of Social Welfare Work. The member Social Welfare Advisory Board, Ms Nancy Ganju, addressed the gathering on issues, including women empowerment and how such courses can go a long way in getting them employment.

In the stenography course, Bharti got the first position whereas Geeta and Sonia secured second and third positions, respectively. In the beauty care course Neelam got first position and Meenakshi secured first in dress designing course. They were awarded prizes and certificates.

Bhagyatara award for Ganesh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6
Panjab University has selected Dr K.N.Ganesh for receiving the Bhagyatara National Award for his contribution to synthetic organic chemistry.

The field of specialisation also covers “application of synthetic organic chemistry in innovative design and development of aligo-nucleotides and peptide nuclic acid analogues has potential anti-sense drugs”.

The award has been instituted in memory of parents of Prof M.K. Jain, an alumnus of PU, currently settled in the USA. Dr Ganesh is currently a Deputy Director in the division of organic chemistry at the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

The Bhagyatara scholarship for a girl student securing highest marks in the CET has been earlier awarded to Shruti of the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Workshop at school
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 6
A workshop on drug deaddiction was organised at Moti Ram Modern Public School by the district deaddiction centre today.

Ms Neeraj Anand, Director of the Deaddiction Centre spoke to students about how a child falls prey to this menace. A declamation contest and poster making competition was also organised on the occasion.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Principal’s pre-retirement transfer stayed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6
If allegations in a writ petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court are to be believed, a polytechnic principal was transferred at the fag end of her career after earning the wrath of a minister’s personal assistant.

In her petition taken up by a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice S.S. Grewal, Ropar’s Principal of Government Polytechnic for Women Simrat Singh had alleged that she was transferred against government instructions to Bhikhiwind even though just four and a half months were left before her retirement on attaining the age of superannuation.

Giving details, she had alleged that the personal assistant of a minister approached her to verify and sign certain certificates pertaining to his close relative, but upon her refusal he became annoyed. Soon after her transfer orders were issued.

Taking up her petition, the Bench, ordered that the operation of the orders transferring her from Ropar shall remain stayed. The Judges also issued notice of motion to Punjab’s Advocate-General.

DC told to correct poll rolls

The High Court today directed Karnal’s Deputy Commissioner to carry out corrections in the electoral rolls prepared for the municipality poll, in accordance with the law.

Issuing the directions on a petition filed against the state Election Commission and others by Babu Ram of Chotte Mangal Pur village, a Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr Justice Virender Singh, observed that the respondents had admitted that an inquiry conducted by the Deputy Commissioner had revealed errors in the electoral rolls”.

In his petition, Babu Ram had sought directions for quashing the voters’ list of ward No 1 of Karnal municipality as it did not include voters of the entire village.

Counselling for student allowed

Allowing a Gurdaspur district student to provisionally appear for B.Ed counselling, a Division Bench of the High Court today ordered that her admission would, however, depend upon the final decision of the case.

In her petition taken up by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice S.S. Grewal, Monika Rani had claimed that the action of the coordinator of B.Ed entrance cell in not considering her in the science category of non-medical, and thus denying her admission in the course, was illegal.

Permitted to attend BDS

Acting on a petition filed by a Faridkot student against the state of Punjab, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences and other respondents, a Division Bench of the High Court today directed that the petitioner shall be provisionally permitted to attend BDS classes at her own risk and responsibility.

In her petition taken up by the Bench headed by Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta, Ms Harveen Kaur had stated that the Indian Medical Council did not impose a condition for MBBS course that a candidate who failed, or got supplementary in more than one subject, could not carry over in the next higher class. Therefore, the rules framed by the Dental Council of India were illegal.

Demolition stayed

Issuing notice of motion for October 3 on a petition filed by 11 Gohana residents, a Division Bench of the High Court today stayed the demolition of their shops till then.

In their petition taken up by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr Justice Virender Singh, Ramesh Kumar and 10 other petitioners had sought directions to Gohana’s Sub Divisional Officer and other respondents against demolishing their shops situated in Ambedkar Chowk in an illegal manner. They had claimed that Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala was approached by them during his visit to Gohana but no action was taken.

DISTRICT COURTS
Four robbers get 4-year RI
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 6
Four persons were today sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for four years in a robbery case by a local court. The four accused—Naveen, Rajinder, Vikas and Hari Kumar— were sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment by the UT Additional and Sessions Judge. The four were also fined Rs 500 by the Judge. The accused had allegedly committed robbery in Dhanas village. The charges against the accused were framed on January 15, 2002. The police had registered a case against the accused under Section 395 of the IPC on September 11, 2001.

Convicted: Four youth who had allegedly assaulted a security guard deployed at the entrance of the Kasturba Hostel, Panjab University last year were today convicted and released on one year probation by a local court. The accused—Shiva, Pawan, Sanjay and Kuldip— were convicted by the UT Additional and Sessions Judge.

The complainant, a security guard, had lodged a complaint with the police that the youth had assaulted and beaten him when he stopped them from entering into the girls’ hostel. Then the police had registered a case against the accused under Sections 307, 332, 452, 353 147, 148, 149, IPC, against the accused on April 12, 2001.

Plea dismissed: A bail application moved by the President of the Panjab University Students Union (PUSU), Malwinder Singh Kang, was today dismissed by a local court. Students of Panjab University including the President of the Panjab University Students Union(PUSU), Malwinder Singh, had been arrested by the UT police in a case of attempt to murder.

Statement recorded: The statement of the victim in the rape of a resident of Shimla was today recorded before the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in the evening in a local court. The girl made statement before the magistrate for an hour during the in-camera proceeding.

Special Lok Adalat
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 6
With a view to settle various cases amicably, including matrimonial disputes, summary cases involving traffic offences, a special Lok Adalat will be held in the District Courts Complex tomorrow.

Giving details about the adalat, the UT Additional Sessions Judge-cum-a permanent Lok Adalat Judge, Mr Sant Parkash, said Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi, a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman of the UT State Legal Services Authorities, would inaugurate the adalat in the morning. He said 17 Lok Adalat benches had been constituted under the chairmanship of the District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S. Bhalla, including the Labour Court to deal with various types of cases such as accident cases, matrimonial disputes, rent matters, recovery matters, summary cases involving traffic offences and cases under the Shop Act.

He said any person ,who wished to get the matter settled in the Lok Adalat could approach him or the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum- Secretary of the District Legal Service Authority, Mr C.L. Mohal, in the District Court Complex, Sector 17.

Meanwhile, Mr C.L. Mohal, the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate said about 2,300 summons had been issued to litigants in summary cases involving traffic offences and cases under the Shop Act. Mr Mohal added that lenient view would be taken while deciding these cases. For the convenience of litigants, two make-shift reception-cum-enquiry counters, will be set up near the main gate of the District Courts, he said.

CULTURE

An ensemble dedicated to women
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 6
Streaks of self-consciousness fill her works and even though there are no titles hammered on to the canvases, Punita’s works speak for themselves. They stand in isolation to each other, telling a different tale at their respective levels.

The oil painting exhibition by Punita, who has just returned from Canada to get a taste of Indian soil and culture, makes a statement of sorts. Most of the works revel in the magic of womanhood, while at the same time span its no-so—magical consequences. For the artist, the mental state of Indian women seems to be a major inspirational force. Largely controlled than in control, the women carry on their faces a strange sense of alienation to their surroundings.

It is this alienation which Punita captures in a host of colours which have been used on the canvases to give power to the feeling and the theme being portrayed. So most of the colours belong to the family of mustard — a colour which spells a languid mood and little hope.

There are some works which reflect the dreamy side of a woman, who, despite being jilted and degraded does not cast away her hopes. She clings on to them just like a honey bee clings on to the flower to nectar, little concerned about the thorn that might prick her.

Largely, the works walk the path of maturity, although they do not spell utter perfection. The technique of execution does not seem to the artist’s priority. Her priority in the exhibition is only to put across a message of hope for those belonging to her own genre. No wonder she paints with freedom writ large over the canvas.

Inaugurated here on September 4, the works will be on the display till September 8 at Punjab Kala Bhawan in Sector 16. They can be viewed between 10.30 pm and 6.30 pm.

NEW RELEASES
A pleasant surprise in store

TIPS Films, that have given super hits like Raja Hindustani, Kya Kehna and Raaz have returned to film making in a big way. The Tauranis are ready to take cinegoers by surprise with their new film ‘Dil Hai Tumhara’ which opens on Friday at Piccadily, Chandigarh, Suraj, Panchkula.

V Channel V J Ranvir makes debut in the film. DP