EDUCATION

Education system has become defunct: Kohli
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16
The education system in India has become virtually defunct, said Mr A. R. Kohli, Governor of Mizoram, in his talk on ‘Reforms in education’ organised by Panjab University Business School here today.

The quality of education is best judged not by the number of job seekers but by the number of job creators. The Indian system has failed on this account. One of the reasons is adherence to an age-old ‘babu system’ which makes one either ‘not to act because others were “not doing so’ or by thinking” what difference will actions of a single man make”, he said.

Mr Kohli said “ We have taught students how to pass an examination and not how to manage practical affairs of daily life. This was not possible without a positive mental attitude”. Mr Sodhi said the 19th century was the age of dependence where the “Big” dominated the “Small”. The 20th century witnessed independence. The 21st century was one of inter-dependence where one had to work massively on networking.

Mr Kohli was conferred the honorary membership of the PU Alumni Association. He is a graduate of Panjab University, and did his M.Sc (chemistry) from Kurukshetra University and belongs to the first batch at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kolkatta.

Prof R.J. Hans Gill, Dean, University Instructions, Prof Paramjit Singh, Registrar and Prof K.K.Mangla, chairman of the University Business School were also present.

Students present cultural programme
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, October 16
A cultural programme was organised by students and staff of Deepmala Public School to mark the seventh prize distribution function of the school here today.

The students presented various cultural programmes, including group dance, bhangra, giddha, one-act play and fancy dress competition. The one-act play, depicting consequences of drug addictions, was the highlight of the function and appreciated by the audience.

Mr R.R. Bhardwaj, Deputy Chairman, Punjab Planning Board, was the chief guest on the occasion. He appealed to the teachers and the parents to inculcate moral values in the student besides good education. He also appreciated the role of private schools in providing education to children in far flung areas.

Earlier, Ms Anita Mittal, Principal of the school, read the annual report and thanked the chief guest and others present at the function.

The students were also given prizes for their achievements in co-corricular activities and studies.

Mr Amrit Pal Singh, president, Dera Bassi Municipal Council, Mr Prem Singh, president, city Congress, Dera Bassi, Mr Avtar Singh, Director, Punjab Chemical and Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mr Sukhbir Singh Saini, Director, Punjab Cooperative Agriculture Development Bank, Dera Bassi, and Mr Krishan Pal Sharma, member, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, were also present.

PU function to feature Mangat
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16
“Agaaz”, a cultural programme to welcome freshers, will be organised by the Panjab University Campus Students Council on October 21, Malwinder Singh Kang, president, said while addressing a press conference here today.

The eagerly awaited annual function will feature Balwinder Mangat, a popular Punjabi singer whose “Sohni Kudi” has topped the popularity charts. Kang said giddha’ and ‘bhangra’ were the hot favourites of students on the campus and the “agaaz” will ensure top quality presentation on both accounts.

A cultural committee was announced which will function under Dr Surinder Sharma, Director of the Youth Welfare Department. Other members of the committee include Samarpratap Singh, convener, Balwinder Singh, co-convener and Nidhi Pandey cultural secretary.

Bid to empower disabled kids
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16
Over 150 persons from various Technical Teachers Training Institutes (TTTIs) of India, project heads from polytechnics, senior administrators, bureaucrats and heads of NGOs today participated in the national-level seminar on “Mainstreaming persons with disabilities in technical and vocational education” at TTTI, Sector 26, here today.

The seminar was held to discuss important issues for empowering the disabled, including infrastructure, education and training, innovations in education, training and rehabilitation, inclusive education, job placements, institutional and individual case studies, networking for enhancing effectiveness of schemes for the disabled.

The better part of today’s event was a beautiful exhibition of works created by disabled children from various institutions like the Vatika School of Deaf and Dumb in Sector 19. On display were candles and other crafted products made by these children. Besides the exhibition which will remain open tomorrow between 9 am and 5 pm, disabled children also put up an impressive cultural show in the evening. They exhibited tremendous talent, enthralling the gathering.

It may be mentioned that the TTTI, Chandigarh, along with three other TTTIs located in Bhopal, Kolkata and Chennai have been instrumental in institutionalising the centrally sponsored scheme for mainstreaming persons with disabilities in technical and vocational education since March 2000. The TTTI, Chandigarh, alone has helped 15 polytechnics in the northern region in the implementation of the project. With the help of the TTTI, Chandigarh, more than 1,400 disabled students have benefited through formal, and non-formal skills development programmes.

After the inauguration of the seminar by Dr S.B.S. Mann, former Director Principal, GMCH, Sector 32, Dr O.P Bajpai, Principal, TTTI, Chandigarh, welcomed the participants, apprising them with the centrally sponsored scheme in focus. He also highlighted the role of TTTIs in executing centrally sponsored project in 50 identified polytechnics in the country. Mr Yash Paul Mahajan from the TTTI, Chandigarh, presided over the inaugural function. He also inaugurated the exhibition of works by disabled children.

COURTS

Judges’ transfer issue to be referred to BCI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association has decided that a number of resolutions regarding the transfer of local judges should be sent to the Bar Council of India (BCI) and “matter be pursued by the association’s Executive Committee”. The decision was taken during association’s General House meeting chaired by the President Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu.

According to secretary of the association Surjit Singh Swaich, the requisitions regarding the transfer of local judges, and an interview with BCI Chairman D.V. Subba Rao published in The Tribune, were discussed in the meeting.

Members at the association agreed that a number of resolutions in this regard had already been passed since 1981. As the BCI was already seized of the matter, the General House further resolved that the copies of the resolutions should be sent to it, Mr Swaich added.

The members also resolved that in case BCI failed to organise a conference by January next year, a national conference would be held by the Bar on the issue, Mr Swaich said.

It was also decided that “any news of the Bar Association or regarding its affairs would be issued only under the president or the secretary’s signatures”. Any advocate giving news without authority would “be dealt with accordingly by the General House”. Moreover, a specific proforma has been laid down for moving any requisition. Also, one per cent out of stamp welfare fund would be given to the High Court Clerks Bar Association.

It may be recalled that the BCI Chairman had, during his visit to Chandigarh, clarified that the local judges could not be transferred just because their kin were practising in the same courts. 

Jalota to perform in city
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16
With autumn on its way out, winter round the corner and the festive season peaking, the Durga Das Foundation, Spice Telecom and The Tribune group of newspapers bring to Chandigarh an evening of soulful music by Anup Jalota, the king of bhajans and devotional songs, on October 31 at Nehru Bhavan in Sector 24.

With a sizeable following in North India, Chandigarh has always had a special place in Jalota’s mind. Performing to packed audiences he has invariably got followers, devotees and first time listeners swaying to the gentle, lilting and uplifting notes of his music. Carefully chosen lyrics, his choice of bhajans has always been simple, heart-warming and energising. He maintains: “bhajans have a lot of power. They can give you strength and direction besides healing and being therapeutic.”

Invites to the music evening will be available from October 18, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., at Nehru Bhavan in Sector 24, on a first-come first-serve basis.

Classic mix of style and talent
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16
Chandigarh’s date with fashion never seems to end. Even before one batch of trendsetters leaves, another arrives on the scene to make a better style statement. There is surely something extra special about the city’s clientele that every brand worth a name kicks off most of its promotional campaigns from here.

In town today were the makers of Seagram’s Blenders Pride, who are all set to bring “Magical Nights” to Chandigarh and then to Ludhiana. Featuring a unique clothing show, meant to boost the brand market, Magical Nights will blend rhythm and fashion to cast a spell on the audience tomorrow from 7 pm onwards at Forest Hill Resorts in Naya Gaon, near here.

Roped in for the special evening, which will showcase unbridled designs from the West, coupled with traditional Indian attire, are models of the order of Meher Bhasin, who was in the city to inaugurate a designer store in Sector 35 just about a week back; Divya Jaitley, a former Femina Miss India finalist, who was also here a week back to inaugurate a nail art studio in Cleopatra in Sector 8; and, of course, the dashing Mansi Scott, who casts as much spell with her stage presence as she does with her “husky voice” which she renders for the famous South Indian heroines Rambha and Simran, among others.

The dusky dame commented, “I often sing for Koti, who is considered the A.R. Rahman of the South”. Making it clear that her role in presentations is never of the nature of fillers, Mansi said she had earned a great deal of appreciation in the socialite circles back home in Mumbai, where she sings at major glamour shows and functions. Blessed with a tremendous range, Mansi is known for singing melodious as well as loud numbers with admirable ease.

She said, “I love live presentations, which are so much on the decline. My shows are not just about plain rendition of melodies. They are about juxtaposing styles and involving the gathering thoroughly. You will see some part of my talent tomorrow, when I sing, as the models sashay down the ramp and dancers instill life into the show.” Mansi was here about a year back when she performed during the launch of Wills Spring Summer Collection at the Chandigarh Golf Association grounds.

As for Meher Bhasin, she has been best at compering for the past some years now. Offering a classic mix of style and talent, Meher will host the show tomorrow. Also present will be about five male models, led by Rohit, who rose to fame with his famous “Kodak ad”. Having done theatre with Nadira Babbar in “Ek Jut” and with Satyadev Dubey, Rohit is all set to make his debut in an Hinglish production titled “De-tour”, being directed by Anand Raghuraman.

After the show in Chandigarh tomorrow, the group will travel to Ludhiana for promotions.

New Release

A treat for the classes
Showman Subhash Ghai’s ‘Jogger’s Park’ is a Rs 1.5-crore small film which will hit the silver screen today at KC, Chandigarh. It is touted as a mature love story of 60- year-old man falling in love with a young woman. It is full of bitter-sweet moments and also has its share of flaws as well. This one is directed by the late Anant Balani of ‘Mumbai Matinee’ fame.

Perizaad Zorabian, who was into theatre and modelling before being selected for ‘Bollywood Calling’ by Nagesh Kukunoor, has bagged a perfect role in ‘Jogger’s Park’. This is Subhash Ghai’s first low budget film which dwells on Perizaad Zorabian’s friendship with Victor Banerjee in a suburban park in Mumbai. Abha Dhulia, Vidya Dutta, Khalid Siddiqi and Hiten Tejwani are in supporting roles.

‘Jogger’s Park’ has four Hindi and two English songs penned by Zameer Kazmi, Subhash Ghai, Usha Uthup, Sameer Neisha and beautifully composed by music director Tabun Sutradhar. This is Mukta Arts presentation. A treat for class audience.— D.P.