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Punjab to restore full share of grants to PU colleges Chandigarh, December 15 Responding to the demand for a central university status for Panjab University by a section of Senators, Mr Johar categorically ruled out any chances of the Punjab Government allowing the same. “If allowed the Punjab Government was willing to take full responsibility of Panjab University. If there was a need for a central university the government will allow opening of a new university.” Mr Johar assured the House that he had already discussed with the Chief Minister the matter of restoring full 95 per cent grant and an action was expected at the earliest. He said he would call university officials to brief him on the issue. After a long discussion on a pension scheme for university employees, the Senate decided to constitute a committee to work out a viable plan for implementation of the pension scheme which has already been accepted by the Senate. The members include Prof Satya P. Gautam, Prof R.D. Anand and Mr Sanjiv Bandlish. The university has decided to offer teaching in law courses on the campus in Hindi and Punjabi mediums also. The implementation aspect, however, is not going to be an easy proposition because of non-availability of suitable teachers to handle the teaching in mediums other than English. Meanwhile, the Senate approved five new posts for the department where care could be exercised in recruiting teachers comfortable in Hindi and Punjabi languages. Dr Harjinder Laltu and Prof Gautam have been elected members of the board of finance. Mr Satish Sharma, Dr S.M. Handa, Dr Tankeshwar Kumar and Dr Usha Gupta have been elected members of the academic council. The university deferred any decision on the matter pertaining to an inquiry against Dr Rakesh Datta of the Department of Defence Studies. He is alleged to have supplied wrong information to the university regarding his work experience while seeking appointment here. The university has decided that honours degree will be conferred on those students who secure at least a second decision in their graduation examinations. It has also decided to give a chance of compartment in the honours degree in undergraduate classes. |
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Students allege coercion by teacher to join tuition Panchkula, December 15 The students allege that they have already approached the school authorities in this regard, but no action has been taken against the teacher. The teacher, Mr J.R. Khosla, has been re-employed by the school after he retired a couple of years ago. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, one of the harassed students said the students of both medical and non -medical streams in the school were being indirectly asked by the teacher to change their physics tuition classes and join his group. “ A number of students have succumbed to his tactics after being allured with being allotted 100 per cent marks in final practicals and those who haven’t have to face his wrath”, he said. Another student said while the students who had joined his practical classes could get away with anything, even the smallest of mistakes committed by those who haven’t joined his tutition classes were not overlooked and they were punished by not being allowed in the practical classes. Students also allege that since Mr Khosla is almost 80-year-old, he tends to forget his lectures in the class. “He has the old ways of teaching, which does not fit in with today’s education. It is a question of our future as we are in Class XII, but the school authorities seem to be little interested in our complaint,” he says. When contacted, the school Principal, Dr V.P. Paul, said tuitions were totally banned by the school. He said he was not aware of any teacher coercing the students to take up tuitions, but promised to look into the matter. About the teacher being re-employed, Dr Paul said they were unable to get a qualified physics teacher, so the services of Mr Khosla were taken. |
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Students present cultural extravaganza Panchkula, December 15 Speaking on the occasion, he lambasted the government for failing to recognise his contribution in the world of sports. He said a lot of favouritism had crept in awards selection committees and those who would be hand-in-glove with politicians would be honoured, while the deserving candidates would be left behind. He said he did not know the technique of athletics nor did he have expensive sports shoes. “I used to run barefoot, and it was my own will and determination that helped me succeed,” he said. The cultural extravaganza was a splash of colours with students presenting various song and dance numbers. This was followed by the annual prize distribution function, where Milkha Singh gave away the prizes. Other than the academic toppers, special prizes for community services, regular attendance and to merit card holders were presented. |
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Cultural programme marks annual day Zirakpur, December 15 Earlier, Major Gurcharan Singh (retd), Managing Director, thanked the chief guest and read out the school annual report highlighting its achievements in different fields. The students were awarded for their performance in academics and other co-curricular activities on the
occasion. |
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Computer literacy award for St John’s Chandigarh, December 15 Chosen from among the schools of the city in the private and government school category, these schools were recommended by the Department of Information Technology, Chandigarh Administration, to the Centre for the awards. The recommendation was based on a survey which was carried out by a committee consisting of the Department of IT, NIC and the Education Department and other experts. The schools were evaluated on the basis of the computerisation level, faculty, software and hardware availability. “Computers is a way of life in St John’s. We have facilities and these are put into practice. We update our hardware as and when needed. Though formal computer education begins from Class III, we supplement classroom teaching with multi-media presentations and have a lot of emphasis on project work. All our teachers are computer literate and use technology to aid teaching,” says the Principal of St John’s, Ms P.
Cheema. |
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NSS volunteers hold rally Chandigarh, December 15 As many as 200 volunteers marched through the colony raising slogans on issues ranging from illiteracy, drug abuse, education of the girl child and AIDS. A street play depicting the ill-effects of drugs and creating awareness on AIDS was also staged by these students. Students practiced yoga for relaxation of mind and body. |
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SDM’s notices to 7 persons in cop suicide case Panchkula, December 15 The SDM today recorded the statements of Jasbir, brother of deceased constable, three doctors who had performed his post-mortem and a person named by the victim in his suicide note as being responsible for his death. Mr Inder Singh said the inquiry could take another two months as he had to examine a number of witnesses. The cop had shot himself with a .9 mm pistol at Sector 5 police station on the night of October 10. In a suicide note, the cop had allegedly accused senior police officials in the state, including the Director-General of Police (DGP), of harassing him by implicating him in false cases. The suicide note said he was taking the extreme step because of the harassment meted out to him by DGP M.S. Malik, AIG Welfare Mr M.S. Malik, Senior IPS officer Mr Navdeep Singh Virk, who is at present on deputation to the Union Government, DSP Jagwant Lamba; Stenographer to SP, Yamunanagar Mehar Singh, Head Constable Raj Pal posted at Ambala and a property dealer Hardeep Singh Jaggi. Jaiveer, who had been transferred to Madhuban, had handed over the charge of the maalkhana to Head Constable Krishan Kumar on October 9. Though the charge was handed over after the cash was counted, Head Constable Krishan Kumar complained to the Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Bakhshi that cash worth Rs 95,000, stacked in two packets, was missing from the maalkhana, yesterday. |
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Cancellation report in
Kansal case filed Chandigarh, December 15 The CBI pleaded the closure report might be accepted as the investigation agency did not substantiate the allegation of corruption and possessing disproportionate assessts levelled against Mr Kansal.
— OC |
Chinese Santas flood city markets
SANTA is back in Chandigarh with his snow-white beard flowing with the breeze and a golden vest covering his traditional red attire. Even though Christmas is about 10 days away, he is already crooning “jingle bells” and other carols. He has brought along with him Christmas trees and other decorations all the way from China and Germany. Just in case you have missed meeting him, drive down to any card and gift shop in the city. You will find him there with bag full of dreams and gifts, including cars, trains and other toys. You do not have to do much for seeing him in action. A little tap on his shoulder is enough to make him sing and sway with an electric candle in his hand. As you wait and watch, he taps his golden feet on the glass shelve in sync with music. There are others also, standing two feet high under dazzling lights. They do not dance and sing, but say “ho, ho, ho,” as you pick them up. Santa imported from China is not very expensive either. You can take it home by pulling out anything between Rs 1,200 and Rs 2,500 from your wallet. This is not all. You can also carry home Christmas trees and other imported decorative items. You can buy Indian stuff too, but the “local” Santas are not “that attractive”. Otherwise also, they are in a habit of standing still. This is not all. They do not sing or dance. Elaborating on the difference, Ms Raman, owner of a jewellery and gift shop in Sector 11 here, says, “Christmas trees made in India are also available, but the finish is not so good. In fact, these look odd. Instead of creating the effect of snow on the leaves with the help of cotton like the Chinese do, Indians simply paint the tips white”. She adds, “Moreover, variety is lacking. As far as Chinese things are concerned, you have trees that look real with alluring red ribbons, colourful blinking lights, bright twinkling stars in silver and gold, besides bells and small gift boxes. And the price is almost the same”. Agreeing with her, Ms Krishna Sahoonja, also involved in card and gift business, asserts, “Chinese manufacturers have always been sensitive towards the needs and desires of customers. That is the precise reason why they are flooding the Indian market with dolls that sing Hindi songs. Realising the popularity of Christmas in India, they are now exporting Santas and trees, along with other decorations”. Explaining the reasons behind the popularity of Christmas in the city, she says, “Youngsters today need an opportunity to celebrate, regardless of the religious considerations. That’s why, kids today organise parties not only on Divali, but also on St. Valentine’s Day and Friendship Day, besides Halloween. In fact, Christmas today is almost as big an occasion as Divali; Valentine’s Day is even bigger than it”. Her husband Diwakar Sahoonja adds, “In today’s world of ostentation where show-off is considered a positive value, parents encourage their little ones to celebrate foreign festivals. By doing so, they not only allow them to be a part of the elite crowd, but also show how modern they are in their approach”. |
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It’s my life HI, I am Vinil Malik, a 15-year-old student of class IX at Bhavan Vidyalaya. I live in Sector 38 and love singing. I started singing when I was 11. I sang my first song on stage two years ago when I participated in the Yadgare-e Rafi competition. I got inspired to sing from my one and only guru Mohammad Rafi. My mother has always encouraged me. I remember the day when I sang the first song at home “o sanam tere ho gaye hum.” She liked my singing so much that she virtually forced me to participate in the society function. I was the finalist of this year’s Mohammad Rafi awards. These days I am taking training in classical music from Malwinder Singh, I started my singing career with these competitions. I don’t have any knowledge of classical music. I draw inspiration from my mother Sunita Malik. My father is no more. He died in a road accident when I was 1, but my mother tells me that he too used to sing very well. My mother wants me to do engineering as it has become very difficult to become a professional
singer. As told to Chitleen K. Sethi |
Over-dyed denims, woven trousers, knitted He was in Chandigarh for launching winter collection of Buddy Davis. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune soon after the launch, the General Manager said the youngsters should remember that winter collection should not only aim at keeping them warm and snug, but should also look trendy. He added that their aim was to give customers a complete wardrobe solution. As layering was very much in fashion, their whole range was designed keeping the concept of layering in mind. Giving details of the latest fashion, he asserted, the outdoor range should ideally include over-dyed sweaters, jackets, shirts and cargo pants. "You can also go in for embellished denim shirts with hand embroidery or asymmetric stripe shirts. These can be teamed up with jackets", he added. As far as the jackets were concerned, the ones with fur lining and multiple layers were the latest in vogue. "In case of knits, there has been a major shift from circular knits to flat knits in winters of 2003," he revealed. Commenting on the prices, he said, "The basic polo shirts starts from Rs 395, while jackets and overcoats are costing upto Rs 2200".
— TNS |
20 girls to compete for “Face of Year” contest Zirakpur, December 15 The beauty pageant is being organised by the company to promote its new product, “Sanwali Saloni Fairness Cream” and to provide a platform to the budding female models of the region. Ms Taniya, Production Manager, and Ms Parvesh Handa, Brand Manager of Ayur Herbals, claimed that fresh and budding models, aged from 15 years to 23 years, are bing provided a stage to show their talent. More than 250 entries were received for the pageant and out of them 45 were selected. On the basis of overall personality test, only 20 girls were shortlisted for the mega show, said Mr Eddy Singh, creator of the event. Sunil Bansal, event manager, revealed that events of the beauty pageant are scheduled to be held in Chandigarh at Hotel MountView and at VLCC on Tuesday, at Thunder Zone, on the Mohali-Fatehgarh Sahib road, on Wednesday, and at Hotel Imperial in Ludhiana on Thursday. The grand final will be held at Hotel Marc Royal in Zirakpur on Saturday. The events that would be the part of the pageant include Ms Body Beautiful and Ms Photogenic, Ms Beautiful Skin and Hair, Ms Beautiful Smile and Eyes, Ms Cat Walk, Best Talent, Best Costume and Personality. A panel of models, TV anchors, including Nikita Anand, Femina Ms India 2003, Sylvie, famous beautician, Ms Simran Sachdeva, super model Gladrags 2002, Raja Bundela, noted producer and actor, will judge the events. |
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He was present at a Sector 35 hotel to attend a press conference in connection with his latest movie, “Shreeman Chanakya”, the shooting of which will begin in January, next year. He will be working in another Punjabi movie, directed by Ravinder Ravi. Primarily a cricketer, Yograj started working in movies 23 years back and has done about 150 films. He started acting “accidentally” — this is what he claims. “I never thought of working in movies, I just started as a villain in Punjabi movies,” he asserts. It is not that he has done negative roles only. He has many a positive role to his credit, but is better known as a villain for his performance in “Badla Jatti Da”. His favourite movies include “Jatt Punjab Da,” “Insaaf” and “Vichhoda”. The earlier Punjabi films were liked by all for their traditional touch where culture was depicted through traditional attires, including “chadra-kurta” and Punjabi suits. “Most of the Punjabi films were a remake of Pakistani movies,” he asserted. Commenting on the current scenario, he said Punjabi movies should be more family oriented. “The difference lies between the attitude of new directors. The directors want to inculcate modernisation, but the culture should not be left behind. Women are the pride of Punjab and should be projected with respect”. About his own work, he says, “I was never choosy about my films — that is a blunder which I committed. Talking about his son Yuvraj he says, ‘’ I want to see him as a living legend in cricket. He has a long way to go’’. His younger son is into body building and might also enter films following his father’s footsteps. Yograj belongs to Kanech village near Sahnewal. He comes from the family of Joga Singh, who stayed with the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh
Ji. — OC |
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OVER-dyed denims and corduroys, besides designer jackets, woven trousers, mufflers and knitted shorts are hot in cool winters of 2003 — at least this is what General Manager of Maral Fashions Atul Aggarwal has to say. 
YOGRAJ Singh is back in action. Not in the cricket stadium, but in movies. He will be starring as a villian in his second Hindi movie. His first Hindi film was “Insaaf Ki Devi”, starring Jetendra and Rekha.