 |
|
| Saturday,
March 1, 2003, Chandigarh, India
|
|
||||
PU Sports Dept in financial mess Chandigarh, February 28 The commission has opined that several lakhs had not been accounted for in the Sports Department. The first action proposed in the ‘Abridged text of the fact finding report’ says “the enabling regulations requires to be amended to incorporate the current rates by the Panjab University Sports Committee”. It is relevant to mention that each student contributes Rs 25 annually as sports fee and another Rs 30 as sports facility fee. The amount is relevant in the context that there are approximately more than one lakh students of the university and affiliated colleges who contribute towards this fund which is not directly reported in the university budget. It has also been pointed out that from the beginning funds of the council were not a part of the university current account. Referring to the budget estimates from the past few years, it has been indicated that incorrect figures had been reported under the “actual” head. It has been prescribed that after the budget draft was ready, these should be thoroughly checked up from the university Finance and Development Officer. The report mentions that the budget was never approved before commencement of the financial year to which it was related. It has been recommended that the body should frame a calendar for the budget including dates by which various steps leading to presenting of the budget be taken. The commission has noticed that there were highly abnormal amounts (over Rs 1 crore) maintained by the department under the head of current account. It is felt that the department was losing the desirable rate of interest on the amount (over Rs 4 lakh). The Vice Chancellor is said to have commented that Rs 50 lakh from the amount be shifted to the PU Building Fund. There are several cases reported about failure of proper auditing of the accounts. It has been pointed out “ the Resident Officers were overseeing the Post-Audit work and signing all these audit reports as well. Why over these so many years they too failed to notice that the concerning rule was not being complied with?” There is a suggestion to “clip” the “assumed” powers of the director of sports keeping in mind the money amounts involved. The university “may consider creation of a cell for internal audit”. A shop in the city has been indicted in the report to be behind a sizeable portion of purchase of sports related activity which is under cloud. Pointing out loopholes, the commission has recommended that “ this shop deserves to be black-listed for future dealings by every department or office of the university either for good or for a fixed number of years, as may be legally fit”. The commission recommended cancellation of the license of the canteen contractor as well. There is mention of ‘hanky-panky’ in purchase of several other items as well. The report has been submitted by Mr H.L. Sharma, a former Finance and Development Officer, of the university. |
|
Music Dept holds viva
on 2-day notice Chandigarh, February 28 It is a matter of great concern that PU Music Department authorities, who have already flouted norms by withholding the results of M Phil (Music) exam conducted in April last year, today conducted the viva of four M Phil (vocal) students on a notice of barely two days. This despite the fact that as per PU regulations at least two week prior notice for viva is mandatory to be given to the student and the guide concerned so that both of them can prepare themselves to face the board and answer questions satisfactorily. However, in the case of the department concerned many rules seem to have been relaxed. Chandigarh Tribune enquiries revealed that the hapless students, three of whom had submitted their thesis by the stipulated date of May 31, 2002, hardly had time to prepare for the viva. The Tribune found another glaring fault in the system being followed by the HoD of the department. This stems from the fact that there is no fairness being practised at any level, especially in the case of conducting viva of M Phil students. The three students who submitted their thesis in May 2002 have been treated at par with the fourth student who submitted his thesis in December 2002. Further, five students of M Phil (instrumental) have been called for viva on March 5. Out of them also, one of the students has submitted the thesis in January this year, while the others had submitted their thesis by the given date of submission last year. Another obvious question that comes to mind pertains to why the department waited for a year to conduct the viva of students who submitted their thesis last year in May. Also, how could the same department which delayed the viva of above-mentioned students for a year, manage to fix March 5 as the date to conduct the viva of those M Phil students who submitted their thesis just a month back. While the HoD, Dr Pankaj Mala Sharma, maintains that the results of M Phil are pending with the authorities for clearance, sources blame the delay on some other reason. They say that entire delay has been caused to adjust marks of some students, who had received less marks from examiners. With discrepancies surfacing too often and the HoD of the department still not ready with the results, the issue calls for a proper enquiry to determine the reasons behind undue delay. |
|
India holds key to dinosaur mystery Chandigarh, February 28 Stating that fossils of dinosaurs were very common in this part of the world, he said remains of the earliest species as well as the most advanced forms of dinosaurs were found in India. “India is famous for dinosaur eggs and nests. Nowhere in the world are they found in such abundance. Thousands of eggs and hundreds of nests have been found from various parts of peninsular India,” he remarked. The first dinosaur fossils in India were found as far back as 1828 in Jabalpur by a British general. He had come across some very large bones while talking a walk around the cantonment. They were sent to the British Museum in London. Among the important sites known for dinosaur fossils, Dr Sahni listed Jaisalmer and Kota in Rajasthan, Kutch region and the area around Ahmedabad, Nagpur belt in central India and Tiruchillapati in the south. Remarking that dinosaurs evolved and became extinct because of a catastrophe, Dr Sahni said they ruled the earth for about 115 million years after appearing about 250 million years ago. In comparison, man has been around for only four million years. Stating that evidence gathered by scientists at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, suggested that dinosaurs were wiped out after a large meteorite struck Central America, he added that high levels of iridium had been found in dinosaur fossils in India. The CSIO web-site, www.csio-india.org, was also formally launched on the occasion. An open day was also organised, where all CSIO laboratories were thrown open to schoolchildren as well as the general public. |
FROM COLLEGES
Chandigarh, February 28 In her annual report, the college Principal, Ms Usha Kheterpal, highlighted the students’ achievements in academics, sports as well as extra-curricular activities. Prizes were given to 352 students for excellence in various fields. The roll of honour was given to 16 students for their performance in sports and cultural activities. Special scholarships were also awarded. The Shrimati Nirmal Vasudeva scholarship of Rs 6,000 per annum was shared by three students — Thinlas Angmo, Rajeshwari and Leela Rani — while the Mrs Rina Sarao Scholarship of Rs 600 was awarded to Kavita. GCG Sector-42 function At Government College for Girls, Sector 42, the Chief Executive Officer, Chandigarh Housing Board, Ms Varsha Joshi, presided over the 21st annual prize distribution function. As many as 349 students were awarded prizes for excellence in different fields. Thirty-six students received mementos for securing various positions in Panjab University zonal youth festival, while another 31 students were given merit certificates for participation in extra-curricular activities. Debate on “brain drain” The young speakers’ club of SGGS College, Sector 26, organised a debate on “Brain drain is better than brain in drain”, in which students of various colleges took part. In his remarks, the college principal, Mr P.S. Sangha, who was the chief guest, encouraged students to take part in such contests as it helped growth of human mind. Harkirpal and Sajjan Singh of the Department of Political Science, Panjab University, bagged the first and second positions, respectively, while the third prize was shared by Neha of the host college and Karan Bhardwaj of Government College, Sector 11. Seminar on science A seminar on science, technology and scientific attitude was organised at Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, here today to mark the National Science Day. Around 50 participants from various educational institutes attended the seminar, which was inaugurated by Mr Vivek Atray, Director, UT Department of Science and Technology. The Director of Computer Centre, Panjab University, Mr C.M. Behl, highlighted the importance of information technology and the role played by computers in transforming the life of the common man. A special show was also presented by Mr Sarjeet Talwar from the Rationalist Society, Punjab, to drive home the point that various tricks performed by magicians were actually based on science. Science day competition To mark the National Science Day, intra-college competitions, including poster making, essay writing, paper reading and quiz, were organised by the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, in association with the UT Department of Science and Technology. The chief guest was Mr G.S. Bains, project director in the Department of Science and Technology. The winners of various competitions: Essay writing: Sonika, Rita, Saroj. Poster making: Parminder, Seema, Amrit. Paper reading: Gaganpreet, Kamalpreet, Ritu. Quiz: Gaganpreet and
Aarti. Competitions held Ambala:
Several competitions were organised today by the Sanskrit Department of GMN College,Ambala Cantonment. In
debate, trophy was won by Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar. First prize was won by Karuna Kumar, second prize by Satya Keto and the third prize by Piyush. In declamation contest, the trophy was won by Gurukul Kangri University. While Karuna Kumar stood first, Satya Keto was second and Nirja Sharma stood third. In poetry recitation competition, trophy was won by Sanskrit College, Ambala Cantonment. While Arun Kumar stood first, Asha Singh was second and Dharam Pal stood third. Consolation prize was won by Mukesh Kumar. In quiz, Anil Kumar stood first. Suresh and Charu Sharma were declared second and Devendra stood third. An inter- college paper reading contest was also organised today by the Science Association of the
college. The topics were human cloning- a moral dilemma, adulteration- a crime against society, marvels of bio-engineering, space exploration- in the light of Colombia tragedy, cyber crime and cosmetics- a boon or a bane. The first prize was won by Vani Jain while Darshan stood second. The third prize was won by Vivek Kumar and Neha Chopra. Annual function DAV College, Ambala city, organised its annual cultural function here today. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Hardeep Singh Doon, was the chief guest. The Principal of the college, Mr V.K. Sehgal, while addressing the students said it was one of the oldest colleges of the state. Mr Doon inaugurated the function by fighting the traditional lamp. He asked the students to work hard to achieve good positions in the examination. Mr Doon also distributed prizes among the students. The students presented a colourful cultural show. ‘Eco Quiz-2003’ “Eco Quiz- 2003” was organised by the Post Graduate Department of Economics, SA Jain College, here today. Around 200 students of different classes participated in the competition. The Principal of the college, Dr C.L. Singla, while speaking on the occasion emphasised the need to work hard to meet the global competitiveness. Seminar on entrepreneurship SAS
Nagar: become a good entrepreneur one has to be highly focussed and speedy, said Dr Dinesh Gupta, Professor, Department of Commerce, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Dr Gupta was addressing a gathering in connection with a seminar organised on “Entrepreneurship in North-West region — problems and prospects” at Government College, here today, where he was the chief guest. The seminar had been organised in association with the ICSSR. He said there was a need to change the training process in schools and colleges. There was not a single business school throughout the country that had faith in its students. He felt enterprise was an attitude that had to be inculcated at the family level. Giving an example of Bill Gates, Dr Gupta said one had to jump into a venture without thinking about the outcome if one wanted to become a successful businessman. Dr B.B. Tandon, former Dean and Chairman, University Business School, Panjab University, said few entrepreneurs who broke the shackles and contributed to progress were not given due recognition and appreciation. A lot of hurdles were created by bureaucrats and politicians. He said there were only 6 per cent women entrepreneurs in India. In China one third of the women were entrepreneurs, while in Japan the figure was double than that of men. Dr S.K. Kanwar, Head of Department of Commerce at the local Government College, said the aim of organising the seminar was to make students aware of entrepreneurship. |
|
FROM SCHOOLS Chandigarh, February 28 Each member of the delegation was presented a copy of the Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography, "My Experiments with Truth". They also appreciated the cultural programme presented by the students and praised Indian dance sequences and symphony of music. Annual
function: A colourful cultural programme marked the annual prize distribution function of DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8 today. A former Lok Sabha MP, Mr Satya Pal
Jain, was the chief guest. The programme started with Saraswati
Vandana, followed by a skit titled "Gadda" a satire on the indifference of the society towards the problems and sufferings of the common man. Several folk dances and group items were also presented by the students. The school's annual report was also read out by the Principal, Mr Ravinder
Talwar, who highlighted the achievements of the school in academic, sports and extra-curricular activities. Kathak performance:
Padma shree Kathak dancer Shovana Narayan was in town in connection with a series of SPIC MACAY functions which was sponsored by The Tribune and The Chandigarh Administration. Shovana kept her performance to the level of students, showing short compositions to demonstrate different aspects of Kathak through the language of rhythm and
abhinaya. Starting her recital with Saraswati Vandana, Shovana demonstrated an action of
'Teer Kaman' which hooked the kids' attention. She kept throwing questions at her audience as she in signature style acquainted them with
'chakra's, 'chal' and abhinaya and then switched over to "Krishna
leela" like "Makhan Chor" and "Kalia daman" making the kids to take interest in the show. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 123 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
