PU Senate poll preparations on
Deepkamal Kaur

Ludhiana, November 7
While the Panjab University Senate poll is scheduled to be held in September 2004, preparations have already started in the city. Candidates have not only prepared their minds for contesting the elections but have also started campaigning and arranging sponsorships. Since the university has already printed its forms to prepare fresh voter cards, the candidates, vying to be a part of the top decision-making body, have bought these and are busy preparing votes.

Hectic activities are on in the biggest constituency of graduates, not only just in terms of membership but also with respect to the number of voters. With over two lakh voters already on the electoral role, many fresh votes are being prepared. Since all graduates who had passed from Panjab University, or its affiliated college in or before 1999, and all post graduates, irrespective of their year of passing, will be eligible for the contest, the contestants are busy preparing votes of acquaintances falling in either of the two categories.

The contestants are preparing these votes with an intention to gain more supporters. While the university authorities charge Rs 15 for every fresh vote, the contestants do not take any money from the voter and pay for these from their own pockets.

Ludhiana candidates, who have already made up their mind for contesting this year, include Principal Harmit Kaur from Ramgarhia Girls’ College and Principal B.D. Budhiraja from Kamla Lohtia SD College, both representing the Principals’ constituency from the city in the present term and trying for the forthcoming term as well. Similarly, Prof Satish Sharma, a lecturer from Arya College, the top most winner in the lecturers’ constituency in the previous year will be vying for the sixth consecutive term now.

Also, Prof Mukesh Arora from SCD Government College, an Independent candidate, and Prof Rajinder Bhandari from Arya College, an RSS candidate, both representing the graduates’ constituency in the current term, are taking another chance this time. The new face this year will be Mr Rajiv Bhasin, a non-teaching staff member from Arya College. While Mr Bhandari and Mr Bhasin are yet to begin, Mr Arora has started building up his network in all parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu, where the voters take part in the poll.

Working as lecturers in the colleges, Mr Arora and Mr Bhandari are also eligible to contest in the lecturer’s constituency but they said that they preferred being close to students and wanted to represent their problems before the university authorities.

Mr Sharma, from lecturers’ constituency, has not visibly started canvassing but he certainly seems to be cashing on getting two major demands fulfilled for the benefit for the staff, including the setting up of a law college and starting orientation courses for teachers. He is also going to take up the case of underpayment among staff and getting timely 95 per cent grant-in-aid for the teachers’.

Contests galore at youth fest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 7
Punjab University Youth Festival (Zone -A) is in full swing at the SDP College for Women. The chief guest on November 6 was Mr Pritam Singh. Mr Ved Prakash, Mr Shammi Kapoor, Mr Lejkh Raj, Mr Onm Prakash Angrish, Mr Vijay Inder Gupta, Mr Rajinder Soi, Mr R.K. and Mr R.C. Kalia were also present.

The results of the competitions are as follows:

Essay writing: Neha of the Government College for Women 1; Mandeep of the Government College for Women 2; and Mehar Abbas of the SDP College for Women 3.

Poem writing: Hira Bedi of the Government College for Women 1; Jaskanwal Sohi of the Government College for Women 2; and Pavitarjit Kaur of the Khalsa College for Women 3.

Short story writing: Randeep Kaur of the Khalsa College for Women 1; Preeti Devgan of the Government College for Women 2; and Pragya Nayyar of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women 3.

Drama: Guru Nanak Girls College 1; MTMS College 2; and the G.N. Khalsa College for Women and the Khalsa College for Women 3. (Individual prize) : Ritika of MTMS College 1; Rajwant of GNG College, Model Town, 2; and Navneet and Jashanpreet Kaur of SDP College 3.

Histrionics: Jashanpreet Kaur of the SDP College for Women 1; Manu Dawar of G.N. Khalsa College for Women, 2; and Harpreet Kaur of Guru Nanak Girls College 3.

Contests at PAU
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 7
Collage and cartoon-making contests were held on the third day of the inter-college youth festival at Students’ Home, Punjab Agricultural University, here today. For collage-making contest, the theme was ‘Save environment’. Two students each from five colleges participated in the contest. The students used clippings of newspapers, magazines, and greeting cards to express their ideas.

The theme for the cartoon-making contest was ‘Illegal immigration’. While some painted Daler Mehndi flying pigeons, others depicted him flying aboard in a plane with members from his troupe. Nine students took part in the contest.

Contests in on-the-spot painting and poster making were held yesterday. In the painting competition, contestants were asked to sit in the lawns outside the examination centre and paint a landscape. The topic for poster-making was ‘Painting exhibition’.

Dr A.P.S. Mann, Director Students’ Welfare, said a debate would be held tomorrow morning. It would be followed by clay modelling, poetry recitation and ‘haas ras’ session in the afternoon session. On November 9, contests in creative writing would be held in the morning session in Students’ Home, while a quiz would be held in the Pal Auditorium. A rangoli competition would also be held on the same day in the afternoon session. The cultural part of the festival would begin on November 14. The valedictory function would be held on the evening of November 16.

‘Remove errors from textbooks’
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, November 7
Mr Baljeet Singh Ania, vice-president of the Anti-Corruption Federation, has urged the Punjab School Education Board authorities through representations, copies of which were given to the mediapersons here today, to remove errors from textbooks ment for schoolchildren. Action should be taken against persons responsible for the negligence, he has urged.

Mr Ania has pointed out that in the first part of social studies book for class X, in lesson no 7 at page number 139, there are mistakes regarding sources of power and raw materials these should be removed. These books were published from Jalandhar in 2000 and were supplied to Scheduled Caste students through the Social Welfare Department free of cost. It has been mentioned in the chapter that there are three thermal plants in Punjab one at Ropar and two at Bathinda. “Where the two thermal plants exist at Bathinda city,” he has asked.

Preetika wins declamation contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 7
United India Insurance Company Ltd. is observing a vigilance awareness week from November 3. A declamation contest was organised in its office yesterday on the topic: ‘Probity in Public Service vis-a-vis Corruption-Free Society.’ Students from local schools and colleges participated in it. The results are as follows:

(Schools) Ms Preetika Goel 1; Ms Poorva Bhatia 2; and Jagriti Sharma 3. Ms (Colleges) Ms Tarun Preet 1, Rachna Sharma 2; and Sanat Gupta 3.

Seminar to mark Legal Service Day
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 7
To mark the Legal Services Day, a seminar will be organised by the District Legal Services Authority under the supervision of Mr Baldev Singh, District and Sessions Judge and chairman of the authority, on November 9 in new judicial complex.

Mr Baldev Singh said apart from the seminar, a lok adalat would also be organised on this occasion. Cases pertaining to matrimonial disputes, motor accident claim, property disputes, rent cases and summary challans would be taken up for amicable settlement.

He appealed to the litigants to settle their disputes through lok adalats as it would not only save their precious time but also valuable money.

CULTURE

Uttam Singh honoured
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 7
Sirjan Dhara, a literary organisation, at a function held at Punjabi Bhavan yesterday conferred Samund Singh Ragi Award on music director Uttam Singh, who has given music in “Pinjar”. The award was presented by Mr Karamjit Singh Aujla, president of Sirjan Dhara, Dr Surjit Patar, president, Punjab Sahitya Akademi, Mr Varjinder Singh of Shaheed Memorial Society, Prof Kulwant Jagraon, general secretary, Sirjan Dhara, and Mr Gurbhajan Gill.

Prof Gurmukh Singh Award was presented to Principal Amatjit Kaur, Ms Gurcharan Kaur Kochar, and Mr Ranjit Singh, winners of best teachers national award for 2003.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Aujla praised the contribution of Uttam Singh in the field of music. Mr Jaswant Zafar read out the citation.

Uttam Singh emphasised the importance of music in culture. He said Punjab was the land of music and fine classical ragas. “We must preserve and propagate it. Music binds mankind. Roots of my music lies in gurmat sangeet and the folk music of Punjab. I like purity in music and hence I am pained to listen to vulgar lyrics and obscene videos of songs. Train your children to have an ear for music,” he said.

Mr Sukhdev Singh , Principal Hari Singh , Mr Ajit Singh and Mr Charanjit Singh honoured also Uttam Singh on behalf of Sikh Missionary College.

Khalid Hussein Khalid, writer, scholar and editor from Jammu, said music and culture does not recognise any boundaries.

Prof Waryam Singh Sandhu, Principal Prem Singh Bajaj, Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Uttam Singh inaugurated the office of Tamlin Turbians today. He was given a warm welcome by the team of Tamlin Turbians at their office at Feroze Gandhi Market. Tamlin Turbians is a bhangra dance troupe.

Cassette released
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 7
Sardari, an audio cassette by upcoming singer Dilbagh, was released by Manmohan Waris, a famous Punjabi folk singer, at a function here yesterday. Manmohan Waris said vulgarity that was creeping in Punjabi music was a serious issue. Television channels should not telecast vulgar videos as these influence youngsters adversely, he said.

Nima Loharki, Ruby and Preeti Shallu have penned the lyrics for the album. Waris congratulated the director of Paigam Records, Mr Tirath Rajpuri, and music director, Lucky Apra, for bringing out the album.