Core committee plans competition
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 28
A consortium of sorts, involving various principals of affiliated schools in the state, has decided to form zonal councils and organise inter school competitions among students of their schools . Disclosing this here yesterday, Mr Rajinder Sharma, Principal, Everest School, Ludhiana, and president, Association of Affiliated Schools, Punjab, said that this is the first effort of its kind to provide a platform to the students of affiliated schools to participate in different games at the state level.

In this context, principals of various schools that met in Mohali earlier this week have decided to prepare structure for the formation of zonal workshops to conduct inter school competitions in the state. The main items on the agenda were: formation of zonal councils and conducting of inter school competitions.

It was decided to form a committee at the district level in order to conduct zonal workshops. For this purpose the state has been divided into two zones — Bathinda zone and Jalandhar zone. The nine districts comprising Bathinda zone are — Sangrur, Bathinda, Patiala, Ferozepur, Mansa, Moga, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib and Muktsar.

The nine districts comprising Jalandhar zone are — Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahar, Gurdaspur and Ropar.

The zonal councils would hold seminars and sport events, inter school competitions, workshops for teachers on school procedures and rules.

The district level, the committees will comprise four members each. Junior teams will include students up to 8th class and senior team will comprise students from Class IX to plus two.

IGNOU programmes from Sept 13
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 28
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is going to conduct a massive, nationwide video teleconferencing programme for its fresh batch of students. The programme will be organised on September 13 and 14 at the IGNOU study centres at Guru Nanak Girls College, Ludhiana, Doaba College, Jalandhar, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjabi University, Patiala, and the IGNOU Regional Centre, Khanna.

More than one lakh students are likely to take part in the programme from different parts of the country.

During the programme, freshly admitted students will be informed about the way they were expected to study in the IGNOU.

They will also be informed in detail about the facilities which are available to students and tips will be given to them on how to make the best use of these.

Dr Umesh Chandra Pandey, regional Director of IGNOU for Punjab and Chandigarh, said that students of Punjab and Chandigarh could participate in the teleconferencing from 5 downlinking locations presently available at Khanna, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Chandigarh and Patiala. The students, who have taken fresh admission for July 2003 session, are being asked to assemble at the downlinking locations of the IGNOU video teleconferencing network.

It is notable that the IGNOU’s video teleconferencing network has downlinking locations at more than 1000 places all over India. It is being carried out through the Gyan Darshan TV channel of IGNOU, which is first 24-hour education channel of India.

Dr Pandey further said that the induction meeting was one of the most important scenes in the academic session of the IGNOU as students and faculty members were introduced to each other and students were made familiar to the distance mode of education.

He said that Vice-Chancellor of the IGNOU himself would be available to address the students. It would be valuable opportunity for the students of Punjab to directly interact with the top brass of the university and raise queries.

Dr Pandey called upon all students to attend the programme in a big way Dr U.C. Pandey also said that the Gyan Darshan Channel is free to air channel and university is keen to popularise the channel among the general public.

He emphasised that cable operators can play a vital role in extending this facility at the doorsteps of the general public. He called upon all cable operators to provide this channel to the general public. He informed that the university had introduced the toll-free telephone facility available from selected places in Punjab.

Virtues of selfless service extolled
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 28
A seminar on teachings and philosophy of Guru Granth Sahib was organised at Guru Nanak College for Women, Gujar Khan Campus, here today. Sant Daljit Singh, Chicago Wale, Prof Sushil Kaur presided over the seminar. The function started with the singing of the shabad, “De Shiva var mohe, shubh karman te kabho na taron”.

Sant Daljit Singh advised the students to follow the tenets of Guru Granth Sahib and do selfless service to humanity. He said the year 2004 will mark the completion of 400 years of recitation of Guru Granth Sahib. Since the chief teachings of the holy Granth revolve around equality of human beings and peace among the people, efforts are on to persuade the USA and the UK to declare 2004 as “Year of Guru Granth Sahib” with peace as its theme. The intellectuals from all religions will be invited to participate in seminars held on the Granth Sahib.

The main speakers on the occasion were Mr Prithipal Singh Kapur, ex-pro VC Guru Nanak Dev University, Prof Balwinder Singh and Principal Surjit Singh Bhatia. They explained the philosophy of Sikhism contained in Guru Granth Sahib. They highlighted the concept of Sikh gurus and their belief that there is only one God.

They also explained that there were several aspects of the Granth Sahib and the Sikh scholars should bring all different aspects forward to the masses.

The winners of painting, declamation, debate competitions were awarded prizes by Sant Daljit Singh Ji. Principal Anup Kaur Bansal presented mementos to the speakers and thanked the guests.