The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

UGC okays benefits to outsiders joining as Readers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given approval to the grant of service benefits to “outsiders” joining Panjab University as Readers for the purpose of promotion under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). The provision would come into force from March 13, 2004.

In a communication to the university, the UGC has allowed taking into account previous years of service put in by Readers, something which was denied to them till now. While the services of lecturers, joining the university faculty from colleges, were counted for the purpose of eligibility for Readership in the department, this was not counted in the case of readers seeking eligibility for Professor’s post. Following the letter from the UGC which was tabled and accepted at the recent meeting of the Syndicate, the university has extended the last date of receiving applications by a fortnight. The last date has been extended from April 30 to May 15, according to information.

The new rule, welcomed by the teaching fraternity, would ensure greater inter-university mobility. Before this provision, any Reader joining the university from outside used to lose the benefit of years of service put in during his previous employment.

While the pay of the Reader would be protected, he would be the junior most in the department at the time of joining. Besides, every newly appointed Reader was required to put in eight years of service before being eligible for applying for the post of Professor under the CAS.

Though this letter of the UGC was tabled at a meeting of the Syndicate earlier also it was withdrawn following protests from within the faculty. The staff, already on the rolls of the university, was sore about the fact that, if effected, the provision would mean “outsiders” superseding the faculty from within the department with fewer years of service, putting them at a disadvantage.

Canadian delegation visits CIIS
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4
A four-member high - level Canadian delegation from Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, is on a two-day visit to Canadian Institute for International Studies (CIIS), Mohali.

Dr Bill Gordon (Associate Vice-President - University Affairs), Ms Cassandra Sines Thompson (Dean - Health Sciences), Ms Katheleen J. Beatty (Director - International Education & Training) and Ms Cherylyn Cameron (Coordinator - Programme Development, Institute of University Partnerships and Advanced Studies) are part of this delegation. A delegation from Georgian College visits its extension campus at CIIS, Mohali, twice a year.

The delegation reviewed progress in the existing courses being offered by the institute. It is also looking at the possibility of adding more courses. Georgian College that has 50 Course Programmes running at present in Canada is also exploring the introduction of new courses to add to the existing four being offered at CIIS, Mohali, namely Mechanical Engineering - Automotive Manufacturing Programme, Business Administration - Automotive Marketing Programme, Computer Programmer Analyst (CPA) and Bachelor of Computer Sciences (BCA)

This would be influenced to a large extent by the industry demand, national as well as global. Automotive product design course is being introduced from this session.

The delegation is also exploring potential for nursing education in India to fulfill the requirement for nurses in India and abroad.

Also, with nearly 500 students at present at CIIS, Mohali, the delegation is also looking at various sites (of 30 acres) in the vicinity of Chandigarh to expand the existing campus.

Before visiting CIIS, Mohali, the delegation from Georgian College met representatives of industries and hospitals all over the country.

Results of 10 PU classes by month-end
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4
Panjab University will declare results of 10 classes by the end of this month, according to the tentative schedule presented to the Syndicate recently. Though the university would declare the results of courses with fewer candidates in comparison to BA and B.Sc in May, the results of all three years of BA and B.Sc are scheduled to be declared by the end of June.

The maximum number of students, 45,488 in all, are appearing for BA I examination this year, BBA II has the least number of candidates with only 191 students having taken the examination. All results would be declared by June 23 and printing of detailed marks cards of candidates would also begin with the declaration of results.

According to the schedule, the number of Unfair Means Cases in every examination would be compiled between May 12 and June 3, depending on the conclusion of the various examinations.

Vaidya to head PU coaching centre
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4
The Dean of University Business School, Panjab University, Dr S.C. Vaidya, has been appointed Honorary Director of the IAS Coaching Centre of the university.

Trained in management in India and abroad, Dr Vaidya has been engaged in teaching and research in management accounting, cost management, technology and business development for over three decades.

He has been consulting and training executives in leading organisations both in the industry and the government. His forte is been designing control systems.

AWARDED: Dr Naresh, a well-known poet and professor of modern literature at Panjab University, has been selected for a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his contribution to literature by the Jan Parishad of Madhya Pradesh.

An organisation involved in creative activities, it has also included Dr Naresh’s profile in its “Who’s Who in India”, which is being released shortly.

Dr Naresh, an author of over 60 books, has already received a number of awards from state and Central governments and international bodies.

Row over change of subject
Our Correspondent

Mullanpur Garibdass (Kharar), May 4
The panchayat and residents of this village have alleged that some of the class XII students of Shri Munna Lal Puri Government Senior Secondary School who wanted to change their optional subject from political science to physical education were today turned out of their classes. The students had earlier requested the school Principal to change the subject, which was reportedly turned down.

The panchayat members and over 50 villagers today met Punjab minister and Morinda MLA Jagmohan Singh Kang and urged him to intervene in the matter.

Later in the day, the DEO (Ropar), Mr J. P. Singh, met the Principal, Mr Ramesh Sharma, and asked him to allow the change of subjects if permitted. When contacted, Mr J.P. Singh said the matter would be solved in a couple of days. “If the rules laid down by the Punjab School Education Board allow, the students would be allowed to change their subject,” he said. The Principal could not be contacted.

The villagers have also made a representation to the Punjab Education Minister in this connection. Mr Arvind Puri, president of the Youth Welfare and Sports Club, Mullanpur, told Chandigarh Tribune that if the school authorities continued to harass students, the villagers would be forced to stage a dharna outside the school.

COURTS

High Court
Amount spent on removing hoardings sought
Our High Court Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 4
A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked governments of Punjab, Haryana and the Chandigarh Administration to tell it how much amount was spent on removing and covering hoardings highlighting achievements of ruling parties.

Resuming the hearing in a public interest petition on the issue of removal of hoardings put up by political parties in power in Punjab and Haryana as well as in Chandigarh, the Bench also asked the governments to tell what procedure was adopted to remove or cover the hoardings.

The Bench later adjourned the matter to May 17.

Notice issued

A Division Bench of the High Court on Tuesday issued notice of motion for July 5 on a petition filed by a lawyer, seeking security for himself and his family on the ground that some property dealers and Forest Department officer are issuing threats against him.

In his petition, advocate R.K. Verma, who resides in a rented accommodation in Sector 8 in Chandigarh, has claimed that Conservator of Forests H.K. Sharma and some property dealers have been trying to forcibly evict him and his family from the house.

Saying that despite making numerous applications to senior government and police functionaries nothing has been done to protect his family. Mr Verma has also sought registration of case against the accused as well as an inquiry by the CBI in the matter.

The Bench comprising Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice Rajive Bhalla issued notice of motion to the respondents. The case will now come up on July 5.

LIFESTYLE

Fitness Trail
Walk your way to good health
Renu Manish Sinha

Correct walking technique

Keep your eyes ahead and look straight.

Shoulders should be pulled back and kept square.

Abdominal muscles should be pulled in while walking.

Heels should strike ground first with foot rolling forward through its arch. The action should be heel-to toe, heel-to toe.

Arms should swing loosely during a slow walk but during a brisk walk elbows should be at 90° from the body.

With the rain god taking the heat out of the harsh summer, it is difficult to resist the call of the great outdoors. Even the die-hard couch potatoes have forsaken their calling for a lungful of fresh air. Everybody is out to enjoy the prevailing cool weather by taking to either walking, cycling or swimming.

While these activities are a nice way to enjoy the season, these are also good options to keep the body fit.

Dr Renu Kaila, a city-based physiotherapist, says these activities are gentle yet effective ways to keep fit in summer without succumbing to the ill effects of heat.

Walking is one of the simplest exercises. It has many advantages and benefits. You can do it anywhere. Apart from a sturdy pair of sneakers, no special equipment is needed. And no training or instructor is required either for this most basic of form of exercise. You’ve been practicing it ever since you took your first step as a baby.

According to Dr Kaila, walking is good for every age group and can suit every kind of lifestyle whether sedentary or active. A brisk walk of 40-45 minutes at least five times a week can take care of a basic yet effective fitness routine.

For beginners though, Dr Kaila recommends a walk lasting not more than 30 minutes. She also recommends a 5-minute warm-up schedule, including stretches, shoulder mobilisation exercises, knee benders etc.

Walking strengthens ankles, knee and hip joints, back and shoulder muscles. Deep breathing is also advised during walking.

Walking is low-impact exercise during which various body joints are mobilised. Walking improves blood circulation, movement of joints and is beneficial for people suffering from backache, stiffness, numbness, diabetes, or heart patients. Old people with stiff joints can also benefit by walking. Walking is a good way to beat stress. But the walking routine should be regular. Also if you feel breathless, take a short break but do not discontinue the walk, advises Dr Kaila.

For people having a sedentary lifestyle, Dr Kaila recommends an after-dinner walk of 25-30 minutes.

Swimming is another exercise which not only keeps you fit but also a cool way to beat the summer heat.

Swimming is a resistance exercise. As we push the body against water the whole of vertebral column is in motion. Hence swimming is a good fitness option for people with back problems. Major muscle groups as well as various big and small joints of the body are active during swimming. Swimming strengthens arms, shoulders and back muscles. It is also a fast way to burn calories and overall tone body as a brisk swim can provide a cardiovascular workout to body.

However, Dr Kaila, cautions that before plunging into the pool, 5-10 minutes of warm up exercises are vital as are the correct movements or strokes. Jerky movements can lead to shoulder dislocation and back problems.

Cycling is another option for people who do not know swimming and find walking boring (though it is not). Cycling is good for thighs, legs and the cardiovascular system. At least 15-20 minutes of brisk cycling can provide a good cardio workout to the body.

However, people above 40 or those having painful knees or weak knee or hip joints or suffering from arthritis or even having a sedentary lifestyle should look for some other fitness option or consult a doctor before taking up cycling, cautions Dr Kaila.

Go in for colourful clothes, accessories

Say goodbye to the dull and staid summer. This year the summer season brings in a riot of colours. So bid adieu to white, black cream, and beige accessories in the wardrobe and renew it with the pink, lilac, yellow, burnt oranges and lime green accessories.

From clothes to accessories like footwear, jewellery and purses, and not just for the women, the city residents are treating themselves to the bright spring colours. Perhaps, the wish to retain the cheerfulness in their dress code, even if the sun God remains merciless and sets the temperature soaring, is responsible for the new style mantra of Summer 2004.

Keeping up with the trends, as showcased in the Lakme India Fashion Week, and other fashion events of the year, the city’s fashionistas are celebrating colour. From shoes - for men and women - in reds, blues, violets and burgundys, to handbags in snazzy yellow and purples, and the coloured gemstones for ornaments to the men’s wardrobe getting playful in lilacs, peaches and oranges- the summer fashion is undoubtedly playing with varied hues on an artist’s palette.

The jewellery box looks dull with gold and diamonds

Gold is passe’. It is boring and with prices sky rocketting, The city women now have a penchant for stocking jewellery in each colour possible— preferably in all colours to match the dress. Agrees Mr Subhash Kataria, proprietor of Delhi Jewellers in Sector 17, " With the demand for coloured jewellery on the rise, we have stocked almost 200 colours of pearls alone, leave aside the wide variety of coloured precious and semi precious gemstones. Other than the basic colours of white, yellow, pink, black, green and blue, in pearls, the customers regularly demand different colours." Strings in blue sapphires, peridots, rubies, emeralds or the multi coloured strings in amethysts, rubies, citizens and corolines are also the hot selling items in jewellery. The price range starts from Rs 300 to Rs 25,000.

Sling bags are a style statement, and the brighter the better

With purses and handbags being more of a style statement than a useful accessory to carry your add ons, even these come in colourful hues. Its out for the black and tan handbags, the fashionistas predict lime yellow, pink, blue and lilac as the must have’s in your wardrobe. The soft colours in handbags are also available at Samsonite outlets. Price range starts from Rs 890 to Rs 2000.

Colour for shoes... red or burgundy

It is not just the women who are experimenting with the red, violet and canaray yellow shoes to add a dash of colour to their get- up. The shoes for men are available in red, burgundy or aqua blue. So if you have been squirming at the white shoes sported by actor Jeetendra or Govinda in their hey days, go to the nearest shoe boutique to see the stocks of red and burgundy formal shoes for men. Says Mr Amit Sukheja of Mochi ," While the red formals are more popular with NRI’s on a shopping spree while on a holiday here, or the Africans residing here, the burgundy coloured formal men’s shoes are hot favourites with the city youth." He adds that the young as well as the not-so-young women prefer the coloured sandals, with the strappy ones ruling the fashion scene. Price range starts from Rs 2500 to Rs 5000 for men’s footwear, and Rs 790 to Rs 1990 for footwear for women.

Bright goes the men’s wardrobe

Bored of the blue, brown or black and white in their wardrobe, the city men are experimenting with wine red, peach, pink and burnt orange. Though the trousers and/ or jeans remain in the basic colours, the shirts get colourful. The shop windows are full of these bright coloured uppers for men. Says Aditya Bali, an Engineering student, " I prefer the colourful shirts and tees as they have an extra effect on the get up. Looking bright and beautiful is no longer the domain of women." TNS

Sheen will be seen in ‘Sheen’

She is articulate, ambitious and adventurous. Sheen, the young girl from Lucknow is out to make her debut in a film also titled “Sheen”, which is Ashok Pandit’s new venture. Paired opposite model-turned-actor Tarun Arora, the film sees the actress essaying a gamut of emotions.

Coming from a corporate culture (she was in the Corporate Communications department of Sahara, where she was spotted by Sahara Supremo Subroto Roy, who promoted her to filmdom), Sheen says that her foray into films might be incidental, but she is giving her best shot.

Beginning her film career with a South Indian film,‘Itlu Sravani Subramaniam’, Sheen says that she has worked her way up. “It is a coincidence that the film’s title is also ‘‘Sheen’’. Sheen means ‘‘snow’’. When Mahesh Bhatt and Ashok Pandit met up with Subroto Roy to discuss the script of Sheen, he suggested my name to Ashok Pandit. But Ashokji finalised it only after he met me and was convinced that I would fit the character of his film.”

The film, which is to release later this week, is non-commercial. It is based on displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir more than a decade ago. “I play the role of Pandit Amarnath’s (Raj Babbar) daughter. Terrorism is spread all over Kashmir, and at some point, every one is forced to leave the valley. My character is also forced to leave and live in the refugee camps of Jammu. I then become an active worker in the refugee camps as well as struggle to survive in the refugee camp,” is all she reveals about the role. — TNS