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PEC faculty members await notification Chandigarh, December 31 Well placed sources in the Administration informed that the notification would be issued soon and certain clarifications are being sought from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. A society which has been formed to run the affairs of PEC is due to meet next month and it will then form a search committee to find a Director for the PEC in its new avtaar as a deemed university. Meanwhile, the Principal of the PEC, Dr Kapoor, has written to the Adviser requesting him to take an early decision. He has also asked the Chandigarh Administration to re-designate his post and name him as the Director of the PEC. Without this he cannot continue once a notification is issued by the Administration about the status of employees. Well placed sources in the Administration said a final decision on what is to be done regarding the principal would be taken next month. It is likely that there would be no mention of change in designation. Dr Kapoor who was appointed as Principal of PEC through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had joined the PEC in March 2002. Sources in the field of education cited examples saying the Administration in May last year had adopted the order of the Union Ministry of Human Resources, dated March 15, 2000. In this order the post of Director of the deemed university is the same as that for the post of Principal PEC. A letter of the minority dated October 16, 2003 says the grant of deemed university status to PEC is subject to condition that it will adhere to the guidelines and instructions issued by University Grants Commission and also the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and are applicable for deemed universities. On the other hand, when the Technical Teachers Training Institute, Sector 26 was converted into the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) its Principal, Dr O.P. Bajpai, was redesignated as Director of the newly converted institute. Actually, the Memorandum of Association (MOA) signed between the Administration and the MHRD for the purposes of the NITTTR and for the PEC varies at this point. While in the MOA of the NITTTR it was mentioned that the Principal will be re-designated as Director, in case of PEC the MOA keeps out the clause of making the principal the Director, sources said. The MOA of the PEC is yet to be approved by the MHRD. It is awaited if the MHRD will want to follow the NITTTR model or will accept the MOA in its present form. |
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Higher education needs new direction, says expert Chandigarh, December 31 The work is an attempt for reflection, introspection and course correction for India’s leading education funding organisation. It contains in lucid style, a compilation from various policies and planning documents, books, reports of commissions, committees and workshops, highlighting trends, developments and the growth of education in India since 1781. Dr Kuldip Kaur said until 1781, education in the country was largely available in the “madrasas”. The East India Company gave recognition to the “madrasa” as a forum for formal education in Calcutta. This was the initiation point for formal education in the country. The associate research coordinator is a doctorate in education from Panjab University and has been working at CRRID for the past nearly 20 years. She has authored at least six books, including ‘Education in India’, ‘Madrasa Education in India’ and ‘Promotion of Small Family Norms’. The book refers to published and unpublished works and various documents to chart the evolution of education in the country. The first section describes the policies, planning and implementation of recommendations starting from 1781 when the indigenous “madrasa” system was opened as a channel of higher education. The second section mentions the source material consulted by the researcher and the third section is devoted to statistical data. The work has identified several areas of higher education that need reforms. These include admissions, curricula, teaching, research, administration, management, autonomy, accountability, planning and financial management. The book outlines the development of higher education in India, in the pre and post-Independence eras. It has been pointed out that the quality of research was not high enough to produce any admirable results. Research in social science is little related to problems of development. Universities and colleges have not shown any significant desire to make a contribution for the uplift of the rural population. Dr Kuldip Kaur said the system of teacher training had, by and large, remained unchanged since Independence. It had failed to keep pace with the social, political, economic and industrial changes that have gone into the making of modern India. Despite recommendations by various committees, the work of teacher education has not improved. Much of the teacher education was irrelevant. On the government’s education policy, Dr Kuldip Kaur said there existed a wide gap between the intention and implementation aspects. |
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PU extends date Chandigarh, December 31 Students will be required to pay a late fee of Rs 150. Copies of prospectus are available at the university fee counter at a price of Rs 200 and at Rs 260 through a bank draft drawn in favour of the university Registrar. |
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A clarification Chandigarh, December 31
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HUDA employees remanded in judicial custody Panchkula, December 31 The trio were arrested by a team of Haryana Vigilance Bureau for accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000 at HUDA office in Sector 6. They were reportedly caught red-handed by the VB while accepting bribe in a flat re-allotment case. The JMIC has also remanded Dr Vinod Arora and his nephew Amit Arora, suspects in the Panchkula triple murder case, in judicial custody, today.
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He doesn’t compromise on tradition He believes in promoting Punjabi culture and traditions through his songs. Little wonder, Punjabi folk star Pammi Bai descended upon Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16 clad in a casual jacket over regular trousers, unlike some of his counterparts with pendants hanging around their necks. As he flashed his signature smile at the admiring crowd, the organisers accompanying him made the reason behind his visit clear — Pammi Bai is here for the release of his latest album ‘Giddha Malwian Da,’ they said. For those unaware about Pammi Bai’s credentials, he is the one “who does not compromise on tradition”. You will always see him crooning in Punjabi dress. Even models in his videos are traditionally dressed. The locale is essentially rural. So many times you will see him sitting on a tractor or by swaying by side of a well. In most of his albums, Pammi Bai tries to portray his personal experience. Otherwise, Pammi Bai or Paramjit Singh Sidhu lives in Patiala. “Extremely conversant” with traditional forms of Punjabi folk dances in particular, he has been disciple of legends like Bhanna Ram Sunami, Mangal Singh Sonami and Lal Singh. Pammi Bai’s first album was “Majhe Malwe Doaba Diya Boliyaan.” Commenting upon westernisation of Punjabi music, Pammi Bai claimed that he was working against the popularity of vulgarity in music albums since last four years. It was distortion of Punjabi culture. As such it is not acceptable to the masses, he said. Punjabi music, he asserted, has witnessed a downfall “because every artiste wants to rise overnight without struggling”. Commercialisation, he insisted, should not be the only aim of a singer. He should also struggle to promote heritage. Claiming himself to be different from others, he asserted, “I have no competition with anybody. My objective is to popularise Punjabi culture all over the world”. The government should also come forward and make a cultural policy for all singers, he insisted. Talking about his experiences, he said, “non-resident Indians are real fans of Punjabi music. I noticed this while performing in different countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, China and Denmark”. Singing, he said, “comes to me from within. I do not even remember when I started singing. It always was a hobby for me, but I never thought of adapting it as a profession”. After airing some of his hit songs on a giant video screen, Pammi Bai asserted that his album focussed on different colour of Punjabi culture, including marriage rituals, besides relationship of husband and wife against rural background. Giving details, he added that music in his album was by Kuljit. First song of the album was Heer Ranjha written by Sahib Sabhi. The shooting of the album was conducted by Akram Sheikh from Mumbai at Jakhepal village in Sangrur district. |
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Eating Out
The New Year brings an exciting new experience of a day out for the people of Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and even the adventurous neighbouring town dwellers. Thanks to the first multiplex of the region, Fun Republic in the old Dhillon complex in Mani Majra. For it’s not just about going out, grabbing a bite and rushing home. It’s about going out to the multiplex, watching any one of the four Hindi and English movies playing in its plush theatres on the top floor, having popcorns (sweet or salty) and coffee, and ending the day with a tummyful of snacky meals at the Food Court on level two. And if the kid insists on the happy meal of MacDonald’s, fulfilling his wish would entail just a trip to the ground floor. As they say: Pet bhar ke movie dekho at Fun Republic. Before that, you can go shopping in the retail stores of big brands, most of which are still coming up. The Food Court being branded as Food Federation is spread over an area of 6,000 square feet around the atrium. It offers a plethora of choices to the guests with seven counters serving special cuisines. For those who dig North Indian specialties, I recommend the Tikka Express counter, It dishes out the best of non-vegetarian stuff. Like their delicious murg tikka wrap — marinated chunks of chicken tikkas, murg seekh or paneer tikkas wrapped cosily in butter naan or roomali roti are sure to spice up the day even of weight watchers. This is the promise of the young and beautiful Verma couple who have started this business after surveying the market as far as Thailand! Then there are the mouthwatering cheesy pizzas and pastas from Pizza Hut. That’s a company that needs no introduction. The south of India is represented by Sagar Ratna, one of the best sambhar-dosa-idli-uttapam-vada churners in the North.
Then there is Cinemasala. Straight from Ahmedabad, this specialist is out to woo clients whose taste buds tickle with chaats, gol gappas, kachoris, gulab jamuns and halwa and other veg snacks. Catering to the popularity of Chinese cuisine, there’s Fen Fang. All the way from Mumbai, this counter serves a variety of hot and fresh combos and kid’s menus with a vast range of choices. To quench your thirst is the official beverage — Pepsi. Plus the coffees brewed at the Café Coffee Day stall at the entertainment centre, draw you with aroma wafting across the atrium. And an ice-cream counter is soon to complete the pretty foody picture. So go to Food Federation that offers the best all under one roof.
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Businessmen flock to city for celebrations REVELLERS, particularly businessmen, rushed all the way to the city from Ludhiana as the dancers unfolded the mystique of Arabia during “Jalwa” organised at Forest Hill Golf and Country Club near Chandigarh. Chandigarh was the “place to be in” for some of the tycoons on the New Year’s Eve. That is why barons from Amritsar, Bathinda, Patiala, even Abohar and Fazilka, also drove to the city for witnessing the great dance, also to twirl around the dance floors on December 31. They came not only in cars, but also in tourist buses. The vehicles remained parked along the road outside till the celebrations concluded well past midnight. The preparations had started early. Even before advertisements appeared in the newspapers, the telephones had started ringing in the hotels with people from all over the region eager to make reservations. Some even promised to send the payment in advance. A hotelier explained, “Celebrations in city have always been elaborate unlike some other cities in the region. You have singers crooning gazals and disc jockeys from outside mixing music. And then there are cool invigorating drinks.” No wonder, money was no problem as they pulled out hard cash from their wallets. “The reason is not very hard to see,” claimed Ludhiana-based garment dealer Ravi Kapoor soon after checking in at Sector 35. “Throughout the year we work round the clock. So why should we hesitate before pulling out money for dancing on floors illuminated by crazy lights. New Year’s Eve is the only time we indulge in ourselves. I think it’s justified.” He added, “The programmes at Ludhiana and other cities in the region are worth the money being charged by the organisers. They are fine. It is only that we want to celebrate the occasion in style. You see New Year Eve comes after 365 days. Now what do you say?” |
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It’s my life I am Shikha Monga, pursuing a diploma course in fashion designing at NIFD, Chandigarh. I have always believed in living life to the fullest.
Though I have not been a very academic person, I always had great inclination towards art and craft. I loved dressing up my dolls and even did sketching. When I was in class VIII, I knew what I wanted to do with my life-I wanted to become a fashion designer. That’s when I started sketching dresses and even designed my own clothes. With time, my work improved and I started getting appreciation for my designs, which further motivated me. When I was in college, I got an offer from an enterprising woman who owns a store in Sector 17, Chandigarh. She offered me the clothing section in her showroom, but my priority at that time was to complete my graduation. Now that I am a graduate and will soon complete my fashion-designing course, I have big plans for myself. I plan to work hard, improve my creativity and make a name for myself in the fashion world. As told to A.S. Prashar |
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