The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

PEC to develop innovative computer devices
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 2
A Netherlands-based firm has approached Punjab Engineering College (PEC) here for collaborating on a project to design and develop some computer input devices which will be more user friendly and cause considerably less fatigue than present day conventional devices.

Though the specifics relating to design are being kept under wraps, it is understood that some unique concepts are being developed, which so far have not been used by designers undertaking similar jobs. “The new equipment will be vertically oriented rather than being horizontally oriented as is the case presently,” said Mr V.S. Sharma, a consultant with the collaborating firm, Maarshan Projects BV.

Studies conducted worldwide have revealed that horizontal orientation of palms, that is palms facing downwards, while using a keyboard or a mouse, causes severe strain and stress on fingers, wrists and forearms, especially while working on computers for long periods. The strain, according to studies, can be reduced considerably if the orientation of palms is vertical, that is palms are facing inwards.

The project is expected to begin in July and is estimated to take about two years. Infrastructure for design and development, including computer hardware and software, is said to be available at PEC.

If the project yields the desired results, it may lead to the establishment of the first computer ergonomics centre in the country. Experts have defined ‘computer ergonomics’ as the applied science related to the physical design of computer equipment vis-a-vis user’s interaction for least fatigue and discomfort. While a lot of attention is being given to this subject in the western countries, it is a relatively a new field in India.

While the team is expected to consist of two faculty members and about 10 students pursuing their Masters’ degrees in electronics engineering and computer sciences at PEC, some technical support and finances for equipment and material will be provided by the collaborating firm.

For evaluating the levels of muscular stress and fatigue generated by the new equipment, facilities available at the PGI here may also be used. Another option is to get evaluation done in the Netherlands.

The firm’s director, Mr Hans Te Maarssen, had visited PEC about a month ago and held two rounds of talks with the college authorities. Presentations on the project were also made before students and faculty members of the departments concerned. Mr Sharma told Chandigarh Tribune that the paperwork for inking the deal was complete and the final approval from the UT Administration was required.

Coaching centre opened
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 2
Free coaching classes for students appearing for engineering and medical entrance tests were inaugurated by the UT DPI (Schools), Mr D.S. Mangat, at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, here today.

This is the first time that such a course has been introduced in the city. Nearly 40 students have been enrolled for the one-month course. The initiative to start the course was taken by the school authorities in a bid to reduce the financial burden on parents by private tutorials. The science faculty of the school has prepared exhaustive notes and assignments for the students.

Centre not to shift courses
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, April 2
The Centre for Design and Advanced Computing has decided to postpone the shifting of its DOEACC courses from its campus in SAS Nagar to the Regional Computer Centre in Chandigarh for six months. The decision has been taken following a protest by over 100 students doing these courses in CDAC who refused to be shifted from here to Chandigarh.

The shifting of various DOEACC courses being run by the Central Electronic Design and Technology of India, SAS Nagar, to the RCC, Chandigarh, was an outcome of CEDTI’s merger with the CDAC, Pune, that took place in February. In March, students of the A, B, and O level courses were told that they would have their classes in RCC and would also have to shift campus. Students protested against this stating that the RCC lacked a hostel and also did not have enough infrastructure.

The students demand is justified as most of these students are from other states, many of them hailing from the northeast. “We had the option of joining the RCC earlier also but we chose the CEDTI because of its facilities. And now we are being told to shift which is unfair,’’ said a student.

Orientation programme
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, April 2
Dikshant International School yesterday began its orientation programme for new children with a welcome concert by kindergarten teachers, which was followed by a magic show.

About 50 children and their parents participated. “Children will be made to interact with their classmates so that they get familiar with the school. The school has also started a buddy system, wherein a new child will be introduced to an elder child of the school who will be his “buddy”. The buddy will look after his junior in the school and in the playground," said the school Principal, Ms Garima Dikshit .

SCHOOL WORLD
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KNOW YOUR WORDS

practicable \PRAK-tik-uh-buhl\ adjective

MEANINGS

Capable of being done, accomplished or put into practice; feasible

Capable of being used; usable

SENTENCES

My friends did not accept my proposal of holding a party deep in the forest as they did not find the idea practicable.

The wireless sets were too heavy; they could not be used as practicable tools of command in the field.

foment\Foh-MENT\ FOH-ment\ transitive verb

MEANINGS

To nurse to life or activity; to incite; to abet
State of unhealthy excitation
To instigate groups or people, often in bad sense.

SENTENCES

Politicians often foment trouble within party cadres in order to secure their own positions of power.
The ISI-sponsored terrorist outfits in Kashmir are fomenting terror to ensure that the cauldron of hatred keeps burning.
The government finally decided to meet the rebel leader, who had long been fomenting insurgency in the North East areas of the country.
There has been no peace in the neighbourhood ever since some ruffians began fomenting trouble.

missive\MIS-IV\ noun

MEANING

A written message, a letter
Epistle, note, despatch.

SENTENCES

After years of separation from her husband, she finally decided to send a missive to him.
My friend returned from college only to find a mysterious missive in her mail box.

IDIOMS

Scratch the surface

Meaning

If you scratch the surface of something you deal with it or experience only a small part of it.

SENTENCES

The investigation agency has been probing the murder case, but has not yet been able to solve it. It has only scratched the surface of the case so far.

My brother has been offered a prestigious job by a finance company. He is only scratching the surface of what he can do.

Know your onions

MEANING

Know a great deal about a certain subject.

Have thorough knowledge of something

SENTENCES

She knows her onions in the field of music.

COURTS

Double murder case: hearing on June 3
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, April 2
The UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ms Sneh Prashar, today fixed the hearing in the infamous liquor shop double murder case for June 3. The prosecution has so far recorded the statements of four witnesses and more 10 witnesses are yet to be questioned.

The murders took place on August 17, 2001, at a liquor shop of the Lada group in Sector 24 in which two salesmen were murdered. The accused decamped with cash worth Rs 64 lakh. The two prime accused namely Laxman and Mewa Singh had been declared proclaimed offenders.

As per the prosecution, the five accused murdered Roop Lal and Nand Kishore while they were sleeping in the shop.

Jhia Lal and Sobh Nath, both co-accused, were arrested on August 22, 2001.