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| Tuesday,
October
14, 2003,
Chandigarh, India
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Tribal treats in store for Chandigarhians Chandigarh, October 13 The AITSA’s aim behind organising the event is to raise money and get people know about the tribal students living in Chandigarh. According to
Lalrindika, a student from Mizoram, cuisines from at least five tribal communities will be available at the food festival. “Five tribal communities have confirmed their intention to participate in the festival.
Lahotis, who are Ladhakis from Himachal, Kinnoris from the same state, Mizos from Mizoram and Tangkhul and Kabui Nagas from
Nagaland, are going to take part in the festival,” Lalrindika said. Coupons of Rs 50, which will double as admission cards are being sold. These coupons will give the buyers an opportunity to taste cuisines of a particular community participating in the food fest. A carnival will also be held where people can participate in ‘tambola’ games, target shooting and other entertainment activities. Dances will also be organised at night. The programme will start around 10 in the morning and end 12 hours later. Mr M.
Kithan, an IAS officer from Nagaland, who is currently working as a Special Secretary in the Haryana Government’s Home Department, said although he was not aware of the event, he wished the organisers all success. “I am not aware that the association intends to hold a carnival. However, I extend my best wishes for the event to be a success,” Mr Kithan said. Regarding housing problems being faced by tribal students in Chandigarh, Mr Kithan said they had their own set of troubles. “Everyone faces housing problems in Chandigarh. It is not restricted to the tribesmen alone. However, the Chandigarh Administration’s not recognising tribesmen is posing problems for them since without it, they cannot draw certain benefits. The students especially are in trouble as they do not have any hostel arrangement,” Mr Kithan said. “Students generally take rooms on rent, ranging from Rs 2,600 to Rs 3,500 per month. However, they face problems as some landlords do not tolerate the mingling of students in their rented accommodations. This often leads to altercation between a tenant and a landlord,” he said. Meanwhile, the AITSA is currently holding a sports week that commenced on October 10 at the Panjab University ground for tribal students living in Chandigarh. The week will see football, volleyball and other events being held for these students. |
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Rangoli competition adds colour to library fest Chandigarh, October 13 The major attraction of the fest was a declamation contest which saw a large number of participation from both boys and girls. The topics included “Will TT revolution affect the use of book?”, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some to be chewed and digested”, “Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man and writing an exact man” and “Books are man’s never-failing friends.” Though a majority of the participants for poster-making and slogan-writing contests picked up topics related to books and library, a few others explored themes based on environment and other contemporary issues. The rangoli competition at the Library Hall added colour to the fest as a large number of students showcased their creative talent using traditional motifs. The participants used accessories like ‘diyas’ to match the festive mood of the season. Addressing the students, Prof M.M. Sharma, Senator and Syndic, Panjab University, stressed on the importance of healthy competition and humility among students. He encouraged them to develop the virtues of patience and tolerance which would reward them well in life. Speaking on this occasion, Dr A.C. Vaid, Principal of the college, highlighted the changing scenario of higher education. “The future will see foreign universities establishing centres in our country. In the cut-throat competition that will follow, only the best will survive,” he said. The winners of various contests are as follows: Declamation: First —Harleen Kaur from GGDSD College, Sector 32, and Geetanjali from GCG sector 11; and second: Ajay Singla from Panjab University Rangoli: First — Harmanjot Kaur from Government College of Education, Sector 20, and second — Lisa from GGS College, Sector 26. Poster-making: First — Ajay Singla from Government College, Sector 46, and second — Monika Singh from Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36 Slogan-writing: First — Priya Saini from GCG, Sector 11, and second: Amrita from Government College of Education, Sector 20. |
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Chandigarhians careful spenders, says study Chandigarh, October 13 The study shows that only 30 per cent of the respondents are hedonistic, impulsive spenders. Seventy per cent are either “sceptics” or judicious with their money. This classification has nothing to do with age, income, professional background or gender. Across demographic groups, people showed the same characteristics. What does this mean for marketing professionals? It is not enough to target your product or services at a demographic group only — the youth or young adults. Marketeers need to understand the psychographic profile of their potential customers. Does this also mean that liberalisation and competition are affecting the consumer’s behaviour? Does he carefully evaluate alternatives before spending his money? The CMTR study has much in it that marketeers can mull over. Meanwhile, at a brief function, Dr
Y.S. Rajan, Vice Chancellor, Punjab Technical University, launched PAAR — Trackers, the market research division of
CMTR. PAAR — Trackers will offer market research services on a commercial basis to industry. The faculty and students of CMTR have conducted market research both as capability building and a demonstration exercise. Two projects relating to cola drinks and the CII consumer fair were presented during the function. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rajan emphasised the need for continuous interaction between technical education and the industry. Earlier, Mr
H.V. Krishnamurthy highlighted three shortcomings in management education—the inability of students to apply theory in practice, develop a bias for action and practical implementation of strategy. All these can be addressed through the involvement of students in research projects, he said. Welcoming the chief guest, Mr
V.K. Dewan, Director, CMTR, promised more such studies focusing on brand tracking and public perception on the functioning of various commercial organisations and government departments. |
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CAMPUS NOTES REPRESENTATION to students in the Panjab University Senate has become an issue of debate. A move to give them seats in the Senate has not got the official nod. However, it has also not been rejected leaving a scope for more development. Principal Tarsem Bahia, Principal of A.S. College, Khanna, and a Fellow of the university Senate, had moved a resolution to this regard earlier this year. The issue had figured in the last Syndicate meeting (September) during discussions on making two student representatives the members of the university Senate. The proposal came up for discussion on a resolution of Principal Bahia. Prof Charanjit Chawla and Mr Ashok Goyal spoke in favour of the resolution saying student voice should be given a representation in the House. Mr G.K. Chatrath and Principal P.S. Sangha however differed on the draft of the resolution. The proposal regarding student representation in the Senate earlier this year was assigned to a committee. The committee while accepting the proposal had said two student representatives should be given an opportunity to sit in the university House. One of the two will be the president of the Panjab University Campus Student Council and another one was to be chosen from among the student representatives in affiliated colleges of the university. The committee had asked the university to send a representation to the Chancellor that till the time the calender was amended to give representation to students in the House, he should exercise powers to nominate two representatives to the Senate. The committee had suggested that the Dean University Instructions and the Dean Student Welfare should also be made the ex-officio members of the university Senate. This was not taken positively by the House. A member of the Senate said students had every right to have their voice in the House. He said a sizeable time of the House proceedings was spent in matters concerning service matters, problems of colleges or enquires against college or university employees. The issues of the students, were usually pushed to the background. Concern on this front has been voiced in the Senate by several members on several occasions earlier. A research scholar said in a number of cases decisions concerning the students’ interests were taken without taking their opinion. This was followed by the routine ‘dharnas’ and other forms of agitation by the students. In certain cases the students had to follow the Senate members to their houses to make their point. Quoting certain incidents it was pointed out that colleges started charging the revised fee without any consultation with the students. This had led to a spate of agitations. Even while making decisions regarding the syllabus, examination, attendance and other matters concerning students, it was fair to at least hear their point of view. Representation in the Senate is seen as an important step in the direction of giving more powers to the students council. The council now was rarely associated with the handling of the critical matters, including the use of amalgamated funds. Even while making other decisions, students’ view was rarely heard.
Visit The Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Institute of Canada has invited Prof Daljit Singh, Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, to the Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference and the sixth Conference on Process Integration, Modelling and Simulation for Energy Saving and Pollution Reduction to be held in Ontario from October 26 to October 29. He will be presenting a paper on “Thermochemical Degradation of Agricultural Residues”. Prof Daljit Singh is a distinguished chemical engineer who has worked extensively on agricultural residues( and other biomass) in the country and USA. He has published over 125 papers and is the recipient of the prestigious Fullbright Award, the UNESCO/UNDP scholarship, and a commendation medal and a certificate from the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers for his work on “energy, chemicals and polymers from agro residues”. Prof Daljit Singh has recently returned from USA after an extended tenure as a counsellor at the Embassy of India in Washington (USA).
UBS ratings down The Business Today, a reputed magazine, has not mentioned with its latest edition the name of Panjab University anywhere in the list of best business schools of the country, as has been repeatedly claimed here. The Business Today, had earlier conducted such rankings in 1998, 2000 and 2002. The current model is based on a different model than the earlier ones, it has been claimed. The write-up admits that most of the business schools submit fake data which had been taken into account while calculating the ratings this time. The university school, however, is not affected by the ratings because it claims of very nice placement results which proved the worth of any business school. “Different publishing houses have different criteria for calculating the ratings and the results were more than often different”, a teacher said. |
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Nursery teachers visit SOS Village Chandigarh, October 13 The purpose of the visit was to educate the students about orphans and the SOS concept of mothers who bring them up in a family. The SOS Children’s Village of India is a non- profit, NGO, committed to the care of orphans and the homeless. The NTT students and teachers donated Rs 1,300 to the village and distributed sweets and clothes to the children. The NTT in charge, Ms Sweety Bahl, described the visit as a valuable lesson for the students regarding how children belonging to different communities, social backgrounds and religions live together as a part of a large family. |
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NCC camp concludes Chandigarh, October 13 According to the camp commandant, Lieut-Col Dalbir Singh, the aim of the camp to foster the spirit of comradeship, leadership qualities, values and discipline among the cadets. The rigorous training included PT, drill, firing, weapon training and map reading. Cultural events were also organised during the camp. |
Propagating the purity of kathak
Chandigarh, October 13 A disciple of kathak maestro Pandit Rajendra Gangani, Swati concentrates more on the technical part, refraining herself from overdoing the ‘abhinaya’ part. From her solo performance at Pracheen Kala Kendra, Sector 35, on the occasion of its monthly Baithak programme, one can safely say Swati’s forte is adherence to the purity of the art form. Starting her performance at Pracheen Kala Kendra with Krishna Stuti, she moved onto present what she does the best — a few typical items of Jaipur repertoire in “Teen Taal”. “Thaat”, “Uthaan”, “Aamad”, “Tode”, “Paran” and “Chakradar Paran” all flowed with an ease in both padhant and movement execution.Swati concluded her performance with a Thumri. A diploma holder from Kathak Kendra, Swati has a number of duet and group performances to her credit. A recipient of the National Scholarship instituted by the Ministry of Culture, Swati has also been assisting her guru in conducting kathak workshops all over the
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Writing off the beaten track Chandigarh, October 13 With 10 novels to his credit, apart from a PhD in English from Harvard University, Krishna Baldev is especially known for his social concerns as a writer. And whereas many of his plays have not been rated as socially relevant, he clarifies, “I never write anything that is socially irrelevant. My writing can be easily recognised for its message. My particular obsessions are hunger, poverty, besides some abstract concepts which some readers may find “socially irrelevant”. My work, Maya Lok fits well into this genre. So does Dard la dawa, which is a pun. Let me add, I love punning.” Vaid was talking during an interactive session organised by Abhinet’s Director Prof Harish Bhatia at Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi office in Sector 34. Recalling his childhood days in Pakistan, he said, “My high school teachers gave me a certain sense of the language. I studied English, Urdu, Persian and as I developed interest in Urdu I realised it was not so different from Hindi, which I learnt later.” Thoroughly fascinated by Hindi as a language of dreams and expression, Vaid never writes fiction in English despite having earned a PhD in English from Harvard University. “I was never tempted to write in English, like many authors of the past as well as the present age. I am also not among those who write for money. I have, however, translated all my works into English.” With experimentation in its base, Krishna Baldev’s works are indeed classic pieces of literature. The finesse of his expression may have something to do with a host of inspirational factors that press upon him while he struggles with thoughts and the pen, but he explains, “More works are a result of compulsion as a writer. Some are divinely inspired, so to say.” Treating form as superior to content, Vaid says, “I am quite conscious about my style and technique of writing. I am always sure that content must not dictate the form, which is basic to any piece of good writing. Unity of expression is important for short stories. Finally many elements go into the process of creation through which you resolve your conflicts with self and others.” With a long career as a teacher first in Delhi, then in Panjab University’s English Department and finally at Harvard University for 17 years, Vaid said, “I could have been an IAS like my counterparts. But I thought teaching and writing was the only combination that could ever suit me.” Currently busy with another novel that deals with a failed suicide, Vaid said, “I have written extensively about boredom not in literal sense of the word, but otherwise. My work is non-commercial, experimental, innovative and off the beaten track.” Despite a rich repertoire, Vaid has a few awards to his name. These include the Shiromani Sahityakar Award of the Punjab Government and the Sahitya Samman of the Chattisgarh Government. Awards or no awards, Vaid’s literary journey continues, as he says, “I never write with readers in mind. I write for my satisfaction.” |
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