100 more seats for B.Ed course
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3
With the recruitment of additional teachers under way, the Government College of Education, Sector 20, will be adding 100 seats to B.Ed course from the coming session.

This would take the number of seats being offered by the college for the course to 300.

According to sources, the appointment of 15 college lecturers has been cleared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

In addition, four posts reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), are expected to be filled shortly.

Sources said Panjab University had accorded its approval to increasing the number of seats, while the additional posts were sanctioned by the UT Administration some time ago.

A team from the National Council for Technical Education (NCTE), New Delhi, is scheduled to inspect the college in May.

Approval from NCTE is mandatory before admissions to the additional seats are made.

Education department officials said as per laid down stipulations, the teacher student ratio for running B.Ed classes should be 1 : 12.

The recruitment of additional teachers would take the faculty strength up to 26, making the college capable of accommodating the increased number of students besides running M.Ed courses.

The case for increasing the faculty strength had been initiated about a-year-and a-half ago, following which the number of sanctioned posts was increased from 20 to 35

Sources said when the proposal to recruit more lecturers was mooted, the stipulated teacher-student ratio was 1 : 10.

Later it rose to 1 : 12. Consequently, the number of sanctioned posts for lecturers in the college has become surplus.

Sources said the college surrendering the surplus seats couldn’t be ruled out.

Sources added that the matter of filling the four posts for OBCs, had been referred to the Central Government on technical grounds for clarification of some eligibility criteria.

Career options in armed forces discussed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3
A talk show on career options in the armed forces was organised by “Chavi” at the Food Craft Institute here today. The Governor of Punjab, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), was the chief guest on the occasion.

The purpose of the programme was to motivate the youth to opt for a career in the armed forces.

Besides the GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lieut-Gen S.S. Mehta, other panelists included Dr Ranjana Malik, former president, Army Wives Welfare Association, Maj-Gen S.S. Pathania (retd), Col A.B. Singh (retd), Wg Cdr Bhupinder Singh (retd), Capt Chetna from the Corps of Signals and Dr Rakesh Data from the Centre for Defence and National Security Studies, Panjab University.

Interaction between the panelists and audience highlighted many issues pertaining to career in the armed forces. Eligibility criteria for candidates vis-a-vis the requirements of the forces were also debated upon.

The benefits and the style of life offered by the services, besides ways to attract the cream of the youth towards the forces, were among the main issues that featured in the discussion. Students also got an opportunity to clear their doubts about chosing a career in the armed forces.

Poster-making contest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3
A poster making competition for spreading awareness on HIV and AIDS was organised by the NSS unit of MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, here today. The theme of the competition was “Live and Let Live”.

According to a statement issued here today, 22 students from various colleges took part in the competition, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as part of the World AIDS Day Campaign — 2003.

The judges for the competition were Dr Vanita Gupta from General Hospital, Sector 16, Ms Anita Gupta from Government College of Art, Sector 10, and Dr J G Jolly.

The winners of the competition are Pallavi Bagga (GCG - 42), Aashima (GC — 11) and Sandeep Kaur Walia (GCG - 42), respectively.

PU council move to address student issues
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3
The Panjab University Campus Students Council has launched a “council on your doorstep” programme, under which its members will visit all teaching departments and hostels to take stock of students’ problems and grievances.

According to a statement issued here, the council will try to solve the problems on its own and if a way out is not found, the matter will be referred to the Dean Students Welfare (DSW). The council has also sought the participation of department chairpersons and hostel wardens in the campaign.

The statement added that the main areas of focus would be the campus infrastructure, canteen facilities, adequate provision of potable water and cleanliness of toilets. The issue of hike in fees will also be taken up by the council with the authorities concerned.

MD, Director get 1-year RI
Our Correspondent

Kharar, March 3
Ms Preeti Sahni, Judicial Magistrate, has convicted Mr Parminder Singh, Managing Director M/S Shivehem Pvt Ltd, and Ms Surinder Kaur, Director, of the same company, both residents of Chandigarh, of an offence punishable under the Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year and a fine of Rs 1,000 each. In default of payment of fine, they would have to further undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for 15 days.

Mr Amar Nath Sharma had complained that the accused had taken a loan of Rs 3 lakh. The cheque which had been issued by them in discharge of their liability had been dishonoured due to insufficient funds in the account of the accused.

Hardeep takes to pop music
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 3
After singing Punjabi folk songs for almost two decades, Hardeep has now taken to the world of pop music with his latest album “Aashqan Di Rail Gaddi” which was released in the presence of Hans Raj Hans, Jasbir Jassi and Arjuna Award recipient and former captain of the Indian hockey team Ajit Pal Singh at Chandigarh Press Club in Sector 27 here today.

The album includes eight songs with all real colours of Punjab. Music has been given by famous music director Jawahar Wattal and the video for all songs are being directed by Rajiv Pasbola.

Hardeep has included one of his most popular unrecorded number “Charh Ke Tun Doli” which he has been singing at all his live shows ever since he introduced the song to his audience in 1982. Rest of the songs has been written by Jaspal Moni.

A former national hockey player, Hardeep is not novice in the field of music. A fan of Gurdas Mann and Punjabi folk, Hardeep has given eight hit albums to Punjab a few of which include ‘Chandigarh Shehar Di Kudi’, ‘Ishq Di Balle Balle’, Sayion Ni Mera Dil Le Gaya’ and ‘Munde Gabroo Punjabi’.

He has over 3,500 stage shows to his credit in India, USA, Canada, England, Germany and Australia.

Hardeep at present is working on a new album”Hits of Hardeep”, a compilation of all his hit numbers which will be out by July.

‘Tukde Tukde Zindagi’ — a bold portrayal
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 3
Inter-religious marriage, identity crisis and the insensitivity of the society towards widows — the play “Tukde Tukde Zindagi” addressed boldly all those issues through two main characters — Ram Dei and her husband, with a gripping storyline that managed to implant a few seeds of social conscience to its audience at the Tagore Theatre here this evening.

Based on Ranjit Rahi’s two short stories “Nadeen” and “Kachh de Tukde” and adopted by Sahib Singh the story was bold in its approach — portraying the plight of a woman who lives alone in the society which is cruel to her, leaving her with no option but to get married to her late husband’s friend — a Granthi of a Gurdwara.

Their search for a new life and her ultimate death in a Hindu- Sikh riot leaves a question mark in our mind — how liberal we are in the actual sense?

The play was directed by Narinder Sanghi and the music was given by Harminder Sohal, Baljit and Prem. The cast included Sahib Singh in the role of the ‘Granthi’, Rosy in the role of Ram Dei, Sumeet Sood, Harmeet Kaur, Malkit Singh and Mahinder Dogra.