The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Prize distribution function held
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 17
The Department of Correspondence Studies, Panjab University, organised its annual prize distribution function here today. The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, Mr Inderjit Singh Sandhu was the chief guest on the occasion.

Wishing students a bright career in life, Mr Sandhu, while addressing the gathering, said that in a highly competitive world, degree-holders should not be found wanting in their qualifications and that they should explore new avenues and set high aims. He also observed that the university’s distance education programme is keeping pace with modern times in deploying all resources of educational technology.

Highlighting the achievements of the department, the Chairman, Dr Ujjagar Singh Sehgal, said that every teacher in the department was being provided with a separate telephone so that students were able to contact the teacher concerned directly. He said that the department was also proposing to start a Master of Library Science course as a well as diploma courses in computer science and hotel management.

While the chief guest gave away prizes to those students who excelled in academic courses, Maj Jiwan Tewari, one of the founding directors of the department gave away prizes to winners of the creative writing competition organised by the department.

Justice Jain nominated

Justice S.K. Jain, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has been appointed as a Fellow of the Panjab University for the remaining term of the Senate. The nomination has been made against the vacancy that had arisen owing to the demise of Justice D V Sehgal. A communication from the office of the Vice-President of India, who is the Chancellor of the university, has been received here to this effect.

NET examination

Candidates wishing to appear for the UGC — NET examination at Chandigarh centre should send in their application forms along with the prescribed fee to the Registrar, Panjab University, Chandigarh by April 25, 2003. According to Dr R K Gupta, coordinator UGC—NET, forms sent to the UGC’s Delhi office will be rejected.

Memorandum submitted

Members of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council today submitted a memorandum to the Dean University Instruction, Prof S.K. Sharma, seeking a chance for students of political science and law departments to reappear in examinations. The council has also sought that the libraries of all departments should remain open till 5 pm in view of the examinations approaching.

Nitin awarded Gian Devi running trophy
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 17
Nitin Sharma, an outstanding sportsman of DAV College, Sector 10, was awarded Smt Gian Devi running trophy at a prize distribution function held on the college premises here today. The trophy has been instituted by the college Principal, Mr S.Marriya, in memory of his mother.

Nitin was among the 450 students who were handed over prizes by Justice R. N Mittal (retd.), who is the vice-president of the DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi.

Hanish Arora, who stood first in BCA - III, Panjab University, was awarded a gold medal and Rs 15,000 while Ms Nidhi Sood was awarded a silver medal and Rs 4,000 for securing the second position in M.Sc. (IT) - 1st year, Panjab University. The two have also been placed on the roll of honour.

403 students get degrees

As many as 403 students were awarded degrees during the 18th convocation of Government College, Sector 46, on the college premises here today.

In his convocation address Swami Brahmashananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Chandigarh, advised the students to serve humanity and follow the noble and righteous path in life. The college Principal, Mr S.C Nijhawan, earlier had declared the convocation open.

Among those awarded degrees were 23 post-graduates, 218 graduates in arts, 106 in commerce, 29 in BCA and 27 graduates in BBA. A prize distribution function was held on the occasion.

Teachers defer agitation
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 17
Members of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) have deferred their agitation following a meeting with the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh today. The members had planned to court arrest on March 20 in support of their demands.

According to a statement issued by the union’s general secretary, Dr V K Tewari, the Chief Minister has decided to hold a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on March 20 to consider the demands of the college teachers. The Finance Minister, Mr Lal Singh and chairman of the high-powered committee on fiscal reforms, Mr Surinder Singla were also present.

The Chief Minister was apprised of the financial difficulties being faced by the colleges in view of the 10 per cent cut being imposed by the state government over the past few years. The teachers also demanded that 95 per cent grant-in-aid be restored to the colleges. They pointed out that a large number of colleges in the rural and semi-urban areas are on the verge of collapse due to the non-release of grants.

Meanwhile, members of the Non-Government Colleges Federation of Managements of Punjab and Chandigarh organised a dharna outside the office of the DPI (Colleges), Punjab, in Sector 17 today. They were demanding implementation of the pension-cum-gratuity scheme as well as the restoration of the grants-in-aid by the state government. They also expressed their support with the PCCTU.

Students take joy ride
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 17
It was altogether a different experience for students of Sector 8 Little Kingdom riding on “Hop on hop off” bus.

Excited shrieks filled the air as the enthusiastic students saw familiar roads and landmarks from the top of the bus. They boarded the bus from Sector 17 Shivalikview Hotel before reaching Sukhna Lake for enjoying lunch and ride on the toy train. On way to the lake, they saw Rose Garden, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Rock Garden and the Panjab University campus.

According to a press note, the trip was part of the curriculum.

DISTRICT COURTS
Badal appears in case against Amarinder
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 17
The SAD President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today appeared in a local court in a criminal complaint filed by him against the Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, for evidence. Mr Badal had filed the complaint against Capt Amarinder Singh alleging that he had been involved in spreading and publishing false reports about his assets and properties.

Mr Badal appeared in the court of UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C.L. Mohal, in the morning. After hearing the arguments of Mr Badal’s counsel for about 20 minutes, the CJM adjourned the case till April 15 for further evidence.

Mr Badal also alleged in the complaint that immediately after assuming office, Capt Amarinder Singh had launched a vicious campaign to defame and intimidate SAD workers and leaders. He further alleged that the Chief Minister, had defamed him through letters and advertisements issued in the media before the Assembly elections last year showing that he owned assets worth Rs 35, 000 crore, including assets in Australia, the USA Switzerland, Delhi and Jodhpur. Mr Badal had prayed that the present complaint under Sections 499 and 500, IPC, be entertained for adjudication and Capt Amarinder Singh be punished in accordance with law.

Mr Badal also alleged in the complaint that even during the course of the Assembly elections Capt Amarinder Singh as the President of the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee (PPCC) with the connivance of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), particularly its President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, got a number of false, misleading and defamatory posters, advertisements published in the newspapers.

Hearing adjourned: A local court today adjourned the hearing in a case registered under the Arms and Excise Act against the former Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) Chairman, Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu, till March 31.

The case against the accused was registered after the seized of 14 bottles of foreign liquor, 250 rounds of .12 bore gun and 225 rounds of Springfield rifle from his house in Sector 39.

Corruption case: Hearing on an application moved by a senior Punjab IAS officer, Mr Bikramjit Singh, for supplying complete documents in a chargesheet filed against him by the CBI in a corruption case was today adjourned till March 24 by a local court.

The CBI had filed a chargesheet against Mr Bikramjit Singh under Sections 5(1)(e) read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Section 13(1)(e) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, accusing him of “amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income”.

Three acquitted: Three persons — Ravinder, Kashmira and Neelam — suspects in an attempt to murder and dowry case, were today acquitted by a local court as the witness in the case turned hostile. The case against the three was registered under Sections 307 and 498-A of the IPC.

Book on Bhaskarbua Bakhle released
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 17
The only other thing that competes with music on the scale of eternity is time. Melodies, like fresh breezes of spring, have filled the hearts of admirers with a strange sense of gratification for ages. Even as decades come and go, music, like religion, continues to be observed, thanks to those who enriched it with divinity.

Among the many stars shining on the horizon of Indian classical tradition, Devgandharva Bhaskarbua Bakhle can be conveniently termed among the brightest ones.

For ages, there has hardly been any documentation that offers an insight into the life and works of maestros. After a long time, this day at Pracheen Kala Kendra saw the release of a beautiful piece of documentation titled ‘Devgandharva — Gyanacharya Bhaskarbua Bakhle’. Brought to life by Shaila Sudhir Dattar (grand daughter-in-law of the maestro), the book unveils the genius of Bhaskarbua Bakhle, the man who was respected for his style by political leaders of the order of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi.

To call this work a book will amount to dismissing its significance. Purely based on research and facts, the labour of love is a virtual reflection of the life of the legend, as he was and as he grew to be.

Ashok Vajpeyi, famous poet and art critic, who released the book today, said, “Indian musical tradition is blessed with complexities, subtleties and range. It is not easy to analyse the content of our tradition, which is boundless and inexhaustible. Any document that tries to bring into focus the shades of our musical tradition is welcome. We may document to any extent but we, somehow, lack the ability of intelligent analysis. Bhaskarbua Bakhle was a master of his tradition. In his style he reflected the nuances of three ‘gharanas’. How beautiful it would be to understand the chemistry of this maestro’s work and also to make an effort to analyse how his work was different from that of other maestros of his times. To that extent, Shaila Dattar’s effort is praiseworthy.”

Earlier, Shaila Dattar, who was accompanied by Sudhir Dattar, grandson of Bhaskarbua Bakhle, talked about the document. She was introduced to the gathering by Mr Kamleshwar Sinha, who lauded her effort as unmatched.

Initially written in Marathi, the book has been translated into Hindi by Dr Shrirang Sangoram. The work has already been awarded nine times.

Prof Yashpal delights audience
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 17
Every now and then, we keep waking up to the power of music. Irrespective of the place of origin, the style of presentation, the language, the tradition and the technique, music, in every form, manages to put the seething senses to peace. Only four days back, the world was treated to a hearty news that said “ Bryan Adam’s music brings a patient out of coma”.

This day at hotel Aroma was also about the power of another form of music the Hindustani classical vocal music, as imbibed and perfected by one of the greatest living doyens of the Agra gharana — Prof Yashpal Sharma. The reputed founder of the Panjab University Music Department, Prof Sharma is trained in the traditions of the Agra gharana by Ustad Wilayat Hussain Khan and Ustad Yunus Hussian Khan. A strong believer in the guru-shishya tradition, Prof Sharma said music is no longer considered religion. Himself having taught music for 35 years, he has reached a singular conclusion, “Music is a mere formality these days. It is no longer considered a tradition that needs to be respectfully learnt and furthered,” he said.

Courtesy the Triveni Sangeet Sabha, the organisation dedicated to the promotion of Indian classical musical traditions, the gathering at Aroma had the privilege of listening to Prof Yashpal Sharma, who sang with the vibrancy of youth. He sat in concert for about two hours till the thirst of music lovers was quenched. A master of his style, Prof Sharma wove a beautiful tapestry of ragas, doling out one master composition after another. The best part of the evening was his detailed musical documentation of Holi, the festival of colours that stands round the corner.

Sung in various forms, Holi became the main subject of musical recital this evening. Prof Sharma began rendering holi in rag jog. Starting with alaap, he went on to present dhamag (Aaj hori khelat ri..)

After raag jog, Prof Sharma presented yet another form of Hori — in raag Shahane. The gathering craved for more of his masterly compositions, as he presented a self-composed piece Holi khelat nandlal, gopal. Then came hori presentation in raag kedar (Kanh kunwar albela, kaisa chhail chhabeela..). There was a touch of Prof Yashpal Sharma’s genius in today’s presentation, most of which was marked by his own compositions. He composes pieces under the takhallus of Sagun Piya.

After treating the audience to his chosen repertoire, Prof Sharma went on to present two compositions in evergreen raag Bhairavi. He had earlier commenced the recital with raag shyam kalyan. The vocalist was accompanied by Paramjit Singh on tabla, Prof Gurmit Singh, Prof Harvinder and Kashish Mittal.