The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

PAUTA chief writes to CM
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 5
Demanding increase in the age of superannuation, the Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (PAUTA) has sent a written communication to the Chief Minister, Punjab, here today.

Stating this, Dr A.S. Joshi, president of PAUTA, has written that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in its letter (dated October 31, 2003) had enhanced the age of superannuation of its scientists and teachers and those working in state agricultural universities from 60 to 62 years. The ICAR had also directed the Chief Secretaries of the states to issue necessary directions to the state agricultural universities for the implementation of the decision.

Dr Joshi said the PAUTA executive committee had met the Vice-Chancellor on November 3 and demanded the implementation of the ICAR directions. The Vice-Chancellor had conceded to their demand and had written to the Financial Commissioner (Development) on November 5. On December 3, PAUTA representatives had met the Financial Commissioner and urged him to implement of the same letter. Pursuing the same case, the members had then met the Chief Secretary on December 7. But despite repeated efforts, the orders were yet to be implemented, resulting in resentment among the members of the association. Dr Joshi said the inordinate delay in the implementation of ICAR orders was causing resentment among the scientific faculty.

Contests test students’ creative skills
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 5
The Home Science Department of Ramgarhia Girls’ College organised flower arrangement, mehndi, rangoli, embroidery and bindi making competitions here today.

The aim of the competitions was to bring out the talent of the students besides developing an aesthetic sense in them. More than 50 students participated in various competitions. Ms Ritu Sood, Head of the Home Science Department expressed happiness over the over-whelming response to the various competitions. She said traditional art forms like mehndi application rangoli and embroidery were a vital link to the native culture and must be encouraged.

In rangoli-making competition, Satinder won the first prize. Chetna Aneja and Rupinder also won prizes in the contest. Prabhjeet, Sukhdev and Varinderjit got first, second and third prizes, respectively, for embroidery competition. In bindi-making contest, Reshu, Poornima and Kavita were declared first, second and third, respectively. Taruna won the first prize for mehndi contest, followed by Asha and Gurpreet.

COURTS

Technology courts big success in Singapore
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 5
“The judicial system in Singapore is much effective, equipped with modern technology in comparison to our country, and I would share my experiences with the government and try to persuade it to take steps for modernisation of the judicial system”, These observations were made on his return from Singapore by Punjab’s Additional Advocate General, Mr Harpreet Sandhu, here yesterday.

Mr Sandhu, who hails from the city, told Ludhiana Tribune that he had brought back with him the computer-based models of the Singaporian Supreme Court which if adapted to Indian courts would go a long way in modernising the Indian judicial system besides making the legal process speedier.

Mr Sandhu said that he had interactions with the Registrar, Supreme Court, and Senior Registrar at Singapore Academy of Law Ms Thiyan Yee Sze, who expressed the wish of the Singapore Government to have better inter-legal ties and co-operation with the Indian judicial officials.

The Registrar informed that the first technology court came into existence in the Supreme Court of Singapore with the initiative of the then Chief Justice, Mr Justice Yong Pung How, in order to develop a judicial system which is of high efficiency and quality, a courtroom which would allow the lawyers to present their cases more effectively.

In technology courts, the electronic filing system is an integral part of the information and communication system. Documents can be projected via video and can also be shown to the witnesses giving evidence via video conferencing. Even oral testimony can now be recorded via a digital recording system. In addition to archival purposes, the Judge is able to play back the evidence stored in video cassettes, and digital video discs in reviewing the evidence.

Lawyers can even store their own records and notes in an electronic form. They are even allowed to use their notebook computer during court proceedings and connect to the Internet or their office systems from courtroom, apprised Mr Sandhu.