EDUCATION

MDU hike in BEd admission fee upsets poor students
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, May 13
The decision of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak to abolish the paid seats in BEd courses in the new academic session of 2003-2004 and almost double the admission fee has come as a shocker to the aspirants and the college authorities alike. It is felt by the college authorities running BEd courses in the town that the hike in fees might discourage students of the poor families to seek admission in the coming academic session. According to the principal of local Hindu College of Education, Dr N. K. Bansal, there are 15 colleges of education under MDU in the state and out of them only two colleges are economically self-dependent. The remaining 13 colleges are either government ones or are sustaining on government aid.

Dr Bansal said that there are 1,610 BEd seats in these colleges and earlier 50 per cent of these used to be paid seats. The admission charges for a non-paid seat were Rs 13,200 and for paid seat Rs 43,200 last year. But now, the amount for a seat has been fixed at Rs 27,295, he said. One Sujata Chaudhary, interested in seeking admission in BEd course this year, said that the increase was discriminatory and beyond the reach of students from poor families.

However, another student, Jitender Kumar, appreciated the decision of the university to abolish paid seats, but criticised the hike terming it as improper. Harish Vats has not even applied for admission in this year’s course due to the hike.

42 PGIMS students get degrees in Rohtak
Our Correspondent

Rohtak, May 13
Mr Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of Law and Justice and Commerce and Industry awarded the degrees to 42 postgraduate (MD/MS) students at the convocation of Pt B D Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences today.

Dr (Maj-Gen) Virendra Singh, Director, PGIMS declared the convocation open while Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala released the souvenir.

The Chief Minister distributed medals to 180 MBBS students and Maj-Gen (retd) Bhim Singh Suhag, Vice-Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand University, gave medals to 45 BDS students. Degrees to 180 MBBS students were awarded by the senior faculty members of PGIMS, Rohtak.

Addressing the gathering, Director, PGIMS said that the institute was started under the name of Medical College, Rohtak in 1960 which was renamed as Pt B D Sharma Medical College, Rohtak in 1994 and subsequently upgraded to a PGIMS in 1995.

He said that among the landmark facilities recently made available at the institute included Lala Sham Lal Super Specialty Centre, spiral C T Scan, de-addiction centre and facility of colour Doppler. Besides, he said the approval of the government had already been obtained and orders placed for the Cardiac Cath Lab and MRI facility.

Dr (Maj Gen) Virendra Singh said that nearly 10 lakh patients were provided with consultation and treatment in the out-patient departments during the last year. Out of them, he said 58,884 patients were admitted as indoor patients. The upgraded Accident and Emergency Department provided services to 77,988 patients during the same period, he added. The institute, at present, has 25 clinical and basic departments and 11 super specialty departments.

Referring to the Medical College, the Director said the college admitted 150 undergraduate and approximately 140 postgraduate degree and diploma students every year. There was a competent medical faculty which included 212 specialists, he said. Commenting on the Dental College, he said it was started in 1981 with an annual intake of 20 students which had been increased to 60 BDS students at present. As many as eight MDS students get admitted to various specialties every year. The Director claimed that around 70,000 patients attended the dental outdoor and nearly 18,000 dental operations were performed during the last year.

The PGIMS Director declared the convocation closed and it was followed by a vote of thanks by Prof S S Sangwan, Dean, PGIMS.

CULTURE

GLITZ&GLAMOUR
LIFW’s venue under wraps
Smriti Kak

While fashion buffs in Mumbai and Delhi continue to eulogise the virtues of their city, hoping to play host to the annual fashion event, the Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW), the choice of the venue continues to remain under wraps. Contrary to assumptions that the venue is a well-kept secret for fear of an ‘alien attack’ or perhaps just a gimmick to enhance the appeal of the show, the organisers claim there are fiscal reasons behind the hubbub.

We were told that the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), is looking for a tax exemption from the state government of the host city. With Delhi and Mumbai being the hot spots, the annual fashion event is likely to be held in either of the two cities, but on the condition that designers will be exempted from paying taxes that run into crores.

The organisers claim that since the event does not make any money by way of selling tickets to the shows, they should not be asked to pay taxes. Needles to say that the delay in announcing the venue is causing anxiety to the organisers and the participants. But the choice of venue notwithstanding, the LIFW 2003 which sticks to its stance of promoting the ‘business of fashion’, is scheduled for July 18-24 and is expected to have visitors including international buying houses, domestic trade buyers, the textile industry as well as sponsors and designer guests.

Besides the designer shows showcasing “prêt-a-porter” as well as diffusion collections during the week, the event will also host a range of interactive ‘business of fashion’ seminars covering various facets of the industry, including fashion and lifestyle related activities.

Announcing Lakme’s continued association with the event as the title sponsor, Mr Vinod Kaul, executive director, FDCI, said, “the relationship is an evidence of the underlying synergy between fashion and beauty. The year 2003 has been very encouraging for the Indian fashion-design industry, vis-à-vis corporatisation of fashion, with leading corporates actively looking at tying up with designers. Also, new retailing formats have taken up designer wear prêt as a part of their merchandise offer”.

He attributed the trend “in large part to the continued encouraging response received over the years at the Lakme India Fashion Week”. The third Lakme India Fashion Week 2002, which was organised in Delhi, witnessed participation from 53 designers from across the country, and the event turned out to be a huge success, generating business of over Rs 20 crore. 

Publication on apparel launched

Global Apparel, a monthly o n apparels has been launched in the Capital. The publication provides details about the Indian fashion designers, pattern makers and textile designers. The publishers claim that it is not just an apparel and textile journal, but is “an information specialist, a problem solver, providing technology updates to the garment industry and synergising know-how at a maximum integrative level.”

Anil Kapoor Award for meritorious student

Actor Anil Kapoor, despite his versatility, remains under rated. From a stellar performance in Virasaat to smashing one in Taal, Anil Kapoor refuses to be slotted as an actor of limited scope. Though the actor may not boast of countless trophies, he has good reason to feel proud. The Asian Academy of Film and TV has announced the establishment of the Anil Kapoor Award, to be given to a meritorious student each year. Also present on the occasion to announce the award was actress Shabana Azmi.

Speaking on the occasion, she said that women are active in all spheres of life, including the media.

Ms. Azmi suggested that there should be a scope for providing scholarship to the women students at the institute.

Deepika's new ensemble in the Capital

Deepika Govind’s ‘Style Unwired’ collections were presented in the Capital recently. The collection showcases a range of unique fabrics and pure blends developed by the designer herself in association with the Central Silk Technologies Research Institute, Central Silk Board.

The new fabrics are unique, substantial and innovative. Divided into themes, ‘Divine Romance’, ‘Rebel Streak’, ‘New Roots’, ‘Green Noil’, ‘Graceful Dance’ and Culture mix’ among others, the collection has been created in association with IBM.


A model in Deepika Govind’s creation.

Hoping to make it big in Bollywood 

Here is one actor who claims to have done is homework well. Having made his debut in "Nayee Padosan", Delhi boy Anuj Sawhney claims that he worked hard to face the camera. A student of Shri Ram College of Commerce, Anuj had dabbled with advertisements before taking the plunge in the tinsel town. Apart from featuring in ads, including Nescafe, Kodak Films and Surf Excel, he has also shot a music video with Madhuri Dikshit for "Kahhin na kahin koi hi".

Talking about his latest venture, Anuj said, “it’s a story about three guys who fall in love with the same girl in their neighbourhood. And when the secret that each one of them loves the same girl is revealed, each tries to put down the other. Silly tricks by these guys and the soulful music makes the film a must watch”.

A hackneyed plot aside, the film’s hero hopes to make it big in Bollywood. With stars in his eyes, the MBA graduated remains “indebted” to his ‘godfather’ Nitin Manmohan for having given him a chance to display his histrionics. The dreamer in him is carried onto his screen avataar as well.

“I play a character who is the boy next door with good looks, MBA degree and dreams of becoming Sachin Tendulkar”.

Before the public can judge the ‘Nayya hero’, here is what he has to say: “I give 200 per cent to my work. I compete with myself alone and have to better myself every time I perform. Quality of work is of utmost importance to me”.

Music inspired collections

For the kids who want to pay that extra attention to their summer wardrobes, Weekender Kids and Toonworld have launched a vibrant collection for the summer time.

Jukebox DJ, Dice Texch 92, Essentials and All Out make the section for the boys while for the little girls, the offers includes Fruit Punch, Gypsy and Sweet Devil Line.

The collections have been inspired by a whole lot of things, including music, numbers and games. Targeted at kids between two and 12 years, the Toonworld summer collection has a line featuring pool clothes adorned with cartoon clips. The colour apart the clothes have a fruity flavour as well.