EDUCATION

PU teachers on mass leave today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 12
All teachers of Panjab University will proceed on a day’s casual leave on March 13 in protest against the ‘callous’ attitude of the university authorities towards their demands.

A statement by the Panjab University Teachers Association said that if the demands were not looked into at the earliest, them the association would go in for an indefinite agitation .

Fellowships for PU students

Three chemistry students of the M.Sc Honours School, Panjab University, have been awarded the prestigious Summer Research Fellowships — 2003, by the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore. The total number of fellowships in chemistry is 25 and students from all over India compete for these.

A statement said the students selected were Sangeeta, Amandeep Kaur Sangha and Astha Sethi.They would work with a leading scientist on a frontline research project in the student’s chosen area of study.

Fine arts course for physically, mentally challenged 
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 12
A special diploma course in fine arts for speech-and-hearing-impaired persons is being introduced at Government College of Arts, here. Provisions will also be made to accommodate mentally challenged persons in the course.

The four-year course is proposed to commence from the 2003-04 academic session. Recommendations by the Board of Studies in Fine Arts in this regard, which were finalised on March 10, have been forwarded to Panjab University’s Syndicate.

Sources said that one seat each would be instituted in each of the four disciplines being offered by the college in its four-year bachelor of fine arts (BFA) course. These include painting, sculpture, applied art and graphics (print making). While speech and hearing impaired candidates would be free to seek admission in any of the four disciplines, mentally challenged would be permitted to apply only for painting and applied art.

While the minimum educational qualification for the BFA course was plus two, those applying for the special diploma course need to have a matriculate degree only. Further, the entrance test for such candidates had been done away with. The fee structure for the diploma, however, would be the same as for the regular BFA course.

Some changes in the existing BFA syllabus had been incorporated to suit the requirements of the diploma course. Sources said that minimal theory would be taught in the diploma course. The practical work, which formed about 70 per cent of the academic activity, would be the same as in the regular BFA course. Diploma students would also have to appear for the same practical examination as BFA students, though the theory examination would be different.

Meanwhile, the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) had accepted the college principal’s proposal to introduce master of fine arts courses in all four disciplines being offered by the institute.

FROM COLLEGES
333 SGGSC students get degrees
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 12
The 34th annual convocation of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, was organised here today in which as many as 333 students were awarded degrees. The Registrar of Panjab University, Prof Paramjit Singh, was the chief guest and delivered the convocation address.

Exhorting the students to have a clear focus in life, he said no amount of education could substitute for hard work. He said a good infrastructure and able faculty could be of no help if students themselves were not analytical or inquisitive.

The recipients of the degree included seven postgraduate students and 20 honours students. Gurmanjot Kaur was declared all round best student for the 2002-03 session, while Sonali Puniani was awarded the Roll of Honour for excellence in academics. Mandeep Kaur and Deepika Saini were awarded the college colours for outstanding performance in academics.

Arts college function

The annual cultural and prize distribution function of the Government College of Arts, Sector 10, was organised here today. The UT Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, was the chief guest. Addressing the students, Mr Gujral lauded the efforts of the students and their contribution towards various functions organised by the UT Administration.

Earlier, the college Principal, Mr Brahm Prakash, highlighted the achievements of the college. He said the participation of students in events like Chandigarh Carnival, Rose Festival and Plaza Carnival gave them an opportunity to explore their talent.

A colourful cultural programme, which included folk-dances and songs, was also presented by the students. The winners of most outstanding work award in different disciplines are: Applied arts: Monika Angrish; painting: Rajesh Tenghur; graphics: Pritpal Singh; sculpture: Dharam Jit Singh.

Winners of Special Plaza Carnival Award are: Applied arts: Priyanka; painting: Ravneet Kaur; graphics: Amanjot Chaudhary; sculpture: Gurpreet Kaur; overall achievement: Hement Kumar. Best athlete (boys): Vijay Kumar; best athlete (girls): Amanjot Chaudhry; best badminton player: Charu Diwan; table tennis (boys): Rohit Bagga; table tennis (girls): Deepika Bakshi.

Seminar

A seminar on “Economic Status of Women in India” was organised at Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, here today. Around 50 participants from Panjab University and various colleges in the region participated in the seminar.

In her inaugural address, the SDM (South), Chandigarh, Ms Madhvi Kataria, emphasised the need for women to take independent decision. She was of the opinion that there could be no change in the social, economic and moral status of society without an active role played by women.

In his keynote address, Dr S.L. Sharma stressed the need for imparting education to women for the social and economic uplift of society. A panel discussion was also organised.

Blood donation camp

As many as 450 persons donated blood at a camp organised by Punjab Engineering College in association with the State Bank of India and the PGI. The camp was inaugurated by the Adviser to the UT Administrator, Mr Virendra Singh. The UT Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, and the Chief General Manager, SBI, Mr Yogesh Aggarwal, were also present. Several students and teachers who had donated blood several times in the past were also honoured.

Seminar on women

A seminar on women empowerment was organised by the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, at Palsora Colony here today. Inaugurating the seminar, Dr C.L. Narang from the Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Panjab University, said it was unfortunate that sex ration in the region had gone down.

The college Principal, Dr Satinder Dhillon, said NGOs, voluntary associations and social workers should come forward to generate awareness among people on women issues.

Moms join kids in taking exams
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 12
Around 46 mothers joined their children in taking the two-day Hindi, mathematics and general knowledge exams at the Government High School, Sector 29, yesterday. They took written and oral tests.

This is an alternate education programme and equivalent to formal system of education under the National Literacy Mission.

SCHOOL WORLD
ENTER ENGLISH

Words can be likened to wings. Unless you have the power of words your flight to success will remain restricted.. In this world governed by wisdom, language is your only key to the door that opens to destiny. But often the students are faced with the big question of where to start and how to retain the vastness of English language. For those who wish to taste the delight of the language, the Tribune, beginning from today, will earmark space for English, covering its various elements — words, idioms, quotes, sentence making and so on. If you have laboured hard to court the language and have not been able to know where to start, consider your search as over from today. Just turn the leaves of the Chandigarh Tribune every Thursday and enter the world of English....

KNOW YOUR WORDS

parley \PAR-lee\, noun

MEANING:

• A conference or discussion, especially with an enemy, as with regard to a truce or other matters.
• To speak with another; to confer on some point of mutual concern; specifically to have a discussion with an enemy.

• It was very difficult to understand what the project was all about, after his inscrutable explanation of the same.
• There is nothing mysterious to a seaman unless the sea itself, which is as inscrutable as destiny.

IDIOMS

• Ace in the hole

We shall have to hang fire until others arrive.

COURTS

Court allows Bhattal’s plea
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 12
A plea moved by Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Punjab Agriculture Minister, for not allowing private counsel to appear on behalf of the complainant, Mr Balwant Singh Dhillon, was today allowed by a local court in a case registered against her pertaining to alleged corruption and embezzlement of Rs 20 lakh.

While allowing Mrs Bhattal's plea, the UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr Balbir Singh, said in its order that “the complainant or his counsel has no right to address at the time of hearing arguments for framing charges and disposal of the application for dropping the proceeding against the accused.”

Meanwhile, the Judge held that “the complainant and his counsel only can assist the Public Prosecutor and act under his directions as per provisions of law.” The Judge stated in his order that “the complainant or his counsel can only submit written arguments and that also after evidence is closed, and obtaining necessary permission of the court.”

The Judge further held that “the reply filed by the complainant, acting on an application filed by Mrs Bhattal for dropping the proceedings and discharge, cannot be read at the time of decision of the application as the same has been filed by the complainant without authority.”

Earlier, arguing before the Judge, the complainant’s counsel had cited a number of judgements of the apex court, claiming that private counsel had the right to participate in the proceedings as the case involved embezzlement of public money.

On the other hand, counsel for Mrs Bhattal had strongly opposed the plea to allow private counsel and also cited a number of judgements to support his claim. Claiming that the complainant had no right to engage private counsel in a case, counsel for Mrs Bhattal had argued that since the state had taken cognisance of the matter, the complainant’s counsel had no right to address the court. 

4-yr RI for city resident
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 12
A city resident, Mangat Ram, was today sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment in an attempt to murder case by a local court. The accused was also fined Rs 300 for stabbing Rajesh by the UT Additional and Sessions Judge. The police had registered a case of attempt to murder against the accused in Sector-39 police station on February 9,2001.

CULTURE

Odissi’s grace and vigour brought alive
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 12
As always, the Pracheen Kala Kendra lived up to its reputation of showcasing tradition at its best. In attendance at Tagore Theatre this evening was a troupe of delightful Odissi performers who, on the one hand, reflected the grandeur of the ancient dance form through pure sequences and on the other displayed the critical balance of body and spirit by performing awesome feats.

In both their acts of grace this evening, they introduced the audience to the quintessential elements that define Indian dance traditions irrespective of the place of their origin and practice. The occasion was an evening of festivity dedicated to Lord Jagannath Puri. Taking charge of the affairs were performers of the Udayan Cultural Academy, Shree Jagannath Puri, who transported the magnificent treasure of Odissi from the sculpted walls of its temples to the performance space of Tagore Theatre.

The beginning was made with the customary tradition of Odissi — the Mahari dancers appeared on the stage with their offering to the Lord of the temple. The Mahari tradition, exclusive to women performers, dominated Odissi in the 11th century. This style of dance was essentially devotional and underlines the very essence of Odissi which, like many other Indian classical dances, was limited to temples for a long time in history. The presentation came from Gayatri Khuntia and Nibedita Pratihari.

In the second stage of presentation the roles reversed with men taking charge from women. Reflecting the change in social norms of acceptability, today’s presentation progressed in phases — from the one in which girls offered gracious devotion to the Lord to the one in which men, dressed as women, perform a more vigorous form of Odissi, which is less heard of and lesser seen.

In this stage Rudraprasad Swain and Pratap Barik performed Gotipua, a more aggressive form of Odissi, marked less by grace and more by vigour and alacrity. Poise and composure were the hallmarks of this Gotipua presentation in which the two childish-looking performers held the audience captive with their tremendous control over flesh and bones. As mudras of Odissi took a back seat, heroism came to the centre stage, with boys, dressed as girls rolling all over the stage in queer postures. Their performance drew immense applause.

Then came the abhinaya of navadurga based on the Bhagwati stotra. This item again brought back Odissi in its pure form, with technique and grace dominating the style.

From dance to drama, the Udayan Cultural Academy packed the evening well. The conclusion was as praiseworthy as the rest of the evening was. Titled Srimati samarjani, a swang, the presentation was a form of story telling through dance. A musical drama, the item fitted well in the graceful scheme of things.