PU cancels book exhibition
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
Panjab University has cancelled the book exhibition of M/s Atma Ram and Sons, a university-based book house, which was scheduled at the university library shortly.

Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, said the booksellers were unnecessarily making a hue and cry over not being informed about the exhibition. The book store on the campus was a part of the university surroundings and was in regular touch with the university functioning. It had offered an exhibition which was accepted by the university in interest of the students and teachers.

Professor Pathak said the university plan of exhibition was opposed by booksellers from the city. The university had not taken any conscious decision of not letting outsiders for approach the university. The matter will be discussed in detail. However, there was no wrong intention in the exhibition as the university was only indulging in student friendly activities.

The Chandigarh Booksellers Association in a press conference here yesterday pointed out lack of transparency in purchase of books of Panjab University library.

It has been alleged that a particular bookseller (Ms Atma Ram and Sons) based on the campus was being treated as a favourite. The university allowed the bookseller to organise a book exhibition in the library without even informing others.

Repeated visits to different offices of the university did not yield any positive results for the association which “forced them to speak at a public forum”, it was pointed out.

The association has questioned the wisdom and objectivity of the decision in not informing, let alone consulting, any other bookseller.

The university maintained that the total sum involved was not very high but around Rs 4 or 5 lakh only.

12-day camp for students begins
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
Students from nine colleges and 12 schools in the city are attending a 12-day training camp being organised by No. 2 Chandigarh NCC Battalion. The camp, which is an annual feature, began at the Air Force Station, High Grounds, here yesterday.

According to a statement issued here, the camp aimed at developing leadership qualities among the cadets, inculcating a spirit of adventure, co-operative living and social service, conducting training in arms and military subjects and selecting and training cadets for Republic Day.

In addition to drill, weapons training, field craft, map reading, battle drills, games and trekking, lectures will be conducted on career in armed forces. Knowledge on social issues and environment will also be imparted to those attending the camp. Activities like social service, blood donation and AIDS awareness campaigns will also be undertaken.

An interesting aspect of the camp is to involve cadets in providing an efficient and effective administrative back-up. 

Essay writing, reading contest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
An essay writing and reading contest on “Teachers’ accountability and contributions towards oneness of humanity and world peace” was organised by World Peace Mission to commemorate “Teacher’s Day” in Sector 16, here yesterday.

Fourteen contestants presented their papers in Punjabi, Hindi and English. Special honour was given to Ms H.K. Bhatia, Principal of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 47, and Mr Krishan Rahi and Mr Om Prakash, both teachers at GMSSS, Sector 44 and Sector 46, respectively.

Mr Nek Chand, creator of Rock Garden, said a teacher acted as a mirror for students. The Director of the World Peace Mission, Mr Avtar Singh, gave details of the work carried out by the organisation in the field of education.

Results of essay competition (in the order of merit): Punjabi — Dr Harjeet Kaur (GMSSS - 46) and Mr Ravider Singh (GMHS - 12); Hindi — Ms Renu Gupta (GMSSS - Mani Majra) and Ms Satish Kumari (GMSSS - 37); English — Dr Anjana Kumari (GMSSS - 46) and Ms Monika Chopra (GMSSS - 33).

Four teachers get Saboo award
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
Four city teachers have been conferred with Tara Chand Saboo Excellence Awards .

The awards were conferred by Mrs Shobha Verma, wife of the Punjab Governor. Mr Karan Singh, Principal of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, Mrs Kimmy Dhanoa of St John’s School, Sector 26, and Dr Brij Rani Shukla and Mrs Satinder Walia of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45. were the recipients of the awards. Mr Karan Singh, has announced that he will donate Rs 50,000 for building a room in school in his hometown, Panipat.

This year the jury comprised Mr H.K. Dua, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune Group, Justice N.N. Goswami, former Judge of the Delhi High Court, Dr T.N. Kapoor, former Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, and Dr P.S. Chari, a plastic surgeon with the PGIMER.

Interactive outing for school kids
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 10
It was a day out for at least 300 students of Chandigarh Baptist School, Sector 45 and Stepping Stones School, Sector 38 who took part in various fun-filled activities at Shanti Kunj in Sector 16 here yesterday. The trip was sponsored by The Tribune as a part of its Tribune in Education programme.

Starting a day with a round in the garden, the children from three schools who belonged to class I to class V took part in games like races, relay races, cap games and others. The major attraction of the programme was a fancy dress competition in which the participants were required to dress up as jokers.

Tribune in Education has been conducting educational programmes to imbibe reading habits among children and also to provide entertainment through such interactive outings so that the children gets exposure and learn from each other.

Life term for killing paramour
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 10
A city resident, Rakesh Kumar, was today sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court for killing his paramour, Asha, by setting her on fire. He was also fined Rs 5000 by the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla. In case of default of fine, he will undergo two more months rigorous imprisonment.

Asha was married to Balram Singh, who was in the BSF. The couple had a daughter and had also adopted another child. Two years ago before the incident, the woman had reportedly developed an illicit relationship with Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Sector 25.

On May 7, 2000, Rakesh Kumar had visited the woman’s house and had some quarrel with her. He later poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze. She was admitted to the PGI with 98 per cent burn injuries, where she died after some days. In her dying declaration to the magistrate, Asha said that she was burnt by Rakesh by pouring kerosene on her.

Challan filed to pre-empt Dr Swapna’s bail
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
The Chandigarh police has filed challan against Dr Swapna, wife of Mandiv Sapra, with out the DNA report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to pre-empt her from seeking bail on the completion of 90 days of her arrest.

Sources in the police said a supplementary chargesheet will be filed after the DNA report was available.

The report would confirm whether the blood found on the scissors and on bedsheets was that of Sapra to confirm that scissors were used to kill him by his doctor wife.

Gold and silver on canvas
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10
Architect Shailendra Dewan loves to obliterate colours from his scheme of creation. But that does not imply he does not have a way with them. His canvases, although devoid of hues, exude a certain vibrancy, which is earthy beyond comparison.

Vast and rich, Shailendra Dewan's works, being displayed at Art Folio in Sector 9, have something else to compensate for colour. With 24 karat gold leaves and silver tinge adding sparkle to the works, Dewan naturally did not require any other embellishment. The use of rare mediums not only makes his ensemble resplendent in its earthiness, it also makes his works "hard to procure".

Beautifully executed, the paintings in oil soothe the senses and cast a classic spell on the mind. Distinct to the hilt, they reflect the colour of the sun, complimented with golden flakes here and there. The themes are rooted in liberation of expression, of living and of existence. Even the figurative work does not sport complete images. While silhouettes charm the viewers, faces on the canvas remain diffused, adding an element of surprise and suspense to the collection, rightly titled, 24 K (K for karat).

The painter, who is an architect and an interior decorator in Delhi explains: "If you have to draw faces in great details why not have photographs on the canvas. They are more true to life than drawings. I love to suggest forms. That helps me meet the challenge of creating something out of nothing. Earth inspires my senses. That's why you see colours of the earth in close company of gold and silver. There is no place for pretension on my canvases. Gold is pure, so is silver. The expression is pure too."