GNE students block traffic
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 1
Protesting against the functioning of Punjab Technical University, the third year students from Guru Nanak Engineering College went on strike this today and blocked the traffic on the busy road.

The students said the university authorities were taking a long time to re-evaluate the results of their re-appear examination, that was declared on August 21. They said as per the result, more than 15 students of the college were being told to revert back and join the courses of first year. The students had been agitating that the results of re-appear examination were exactly same as those given earlier on regular basis. They alleged that this indicated that there had been some foul play on the part of the university officials.

The dharna of the third year students was also joined by the second year students from the college. They raised slogans against the PTU authorities and urged that some independent inquiry be ordered. They forwarded their representation to the university Vice-Chancellor and demanded that probe be ordered.

The students were backed by the members of the Sikh Students’ Federation (Mehta). The president of the association, Mr Gurcharan Singh Grewal, said the students were already frustrated over the high fee charges levied by the university and now they were being harassed on one issue or the other. He said the university authorities must concede to their demands or else they would complain about the issue to the President on September 4.

Free education scheme launched
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 1
“The TP Jain College of Education at Bhookhri Kalan, near here, will provide free education to poor students,” said Mr Sunil Bakshi, in charge of the college. From this session the college is starting postgraduate classes in political science.

Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, a former Minister for Technical Education, yesterday inaugurated the session. He lauded the efforts of the management and staff for setting up the college in the backward area.

A free education scheme was launched by Mr Pritpal Singh, president, Dukh Nivaran Gurdwara.

Dr Sunita Arora, Principal, said eligible poor students would get education from Class XI to MA free of cost.

She said students could also take admission to diploma in fashion designing free of cost or at reduced fee. This course will help the girls to set up their own enterprise.

A computer centre was inaugurated by Mr Pal Singh Grewal, a former president, Ludhiana Market Committee.

School teachers observe strike
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, September 1
Teachers of Sanmati Vimal Jain Senior Secondary Public School, Jagraon, observed strike and sat in dharna in front of the office of the school Principal in protest against the non-payment of their salaries for the past four months.

According to Mr Ramesh Bansal, president of the school, services of Ms Shashi Jain, Principal, were terminated on May 21, but in spite of her termination, she did not relinquish charge. She and some other persons started saying that they were the members of the new managing committee of the school. Later, Mr H.S. Grewal, Civil Judge Jagraon, granted injunction against the said persons directing them not to interfere in the affairs of the managing committee. Ms Shashi Jain and others filed a revision petition in the High Court.

The entire staff of the school has been going without salary since May 1. Ms Shashi Jain has allegedly siphoned off the entire collection to a new account to which the original management has no access. Staff members raised slogans against Ms Shashi Jain.

Daljeet Singh officiating DMCH Principal
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 1
Dr Daljeet Singh, Dean, Academics and Head of the Paediatrics unit of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) has been appointed as the officiating Principal of DMCH. He has replaced Dr S.C. Ahuja, who has recently resigned from the post.

Dr Daljeet Singh has been serving the institute since 1992. Prior to this, Dr Daljeet Singh was Professor of Paediatrics in Christian Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). In 1995, he became the Head of the Paediatrics unit of DMCH and in 1998, he became the Dean of Academics.

Mr Amrit Nagpal, secretary, managing society, DMCH, when contacted, said, “We are in the process of looking for a regular Principal, but it will take some time.”

Man convicted for death of wife
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 1
A fast-track court has sentenced Jarnail Singh of Burre village to six years’ rigorous imprisonment for causing death of his wife, Balbir Kaur, in October 1997, by strangulation when she refused to serve him hot meals.

Delivering the verdict, Mr A.S. Kathuria, held that it had been proved beyond any reasonable doubt that the accused had caused the death of his wife at his home. The sentence was given under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC.

The accused was booked on the statement of Lachhman Singh, father of the deceased.

However, during trial the accused pleaded not guilty.

‘Love Letters’ coming to city on Sept 12
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 1
The Durga Das Foundation, in association with Spice Telecom and The Tribune group of publications, will bring to the city a theatrical presentation from the stable of the talented Mumbai-based Rahul da Cunha, “Love Letters” on September 12 at Guru Nanak Dev Hall.

Starring Rajit Kapoor and Shernaz Patel, the play traces the trials and tribulations in the lives of both, spanning over five decades. The myriad emotions of hope, expectation, betrayal, sorrow, anguish, despair and joy are tracked by a dexterous interweaving of sequences and dialogues expressed via letters. The play might just signal a new empathy towards the lingering magic of snail mail as against the instant but cold impact of the electronic mail.

“Love Letters” has travelled extensively in India and abroad winning accolades for its cast, scriptwriter and director, Rajit Kapoor, model, television actor and screen star has dabbled in both commercial and meaningful, parallel cinema. Shernaz, who too experimented with television in the early 90’s, is now a committed theatre person who is credited with energising her performances with a livewire quality. Together they provide the perfect setting for bringing alive the multidimensional facets of a relationship, which has continued to evolve with time, never stagnating or degenerating.

The play is being organised as part of the Durga Das Foundation’s initiatives in bringing to the city high-quality offerings from the world of theatre, music, dance, art and culture. Partnering them in this endeavour has been Spice Telecom and The Tribune making it possible to host high-cost productions without passing the burden onto the audience.