EDUCATION

Pathak opens seminar on Himalayan Geology
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 6
A two-day national seminar on “Recent Advances in Himalayan Geology with Special Reference to the North-West Himalaya” was inaugurated by Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, at the ICSSR Complex, here today.

Prof K.S. Valdiya, INSA Golden Jubilee Professor, J.L. Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, discussed the significance of dynamic Himalaya in relation to the river systems, their migration, flash floods, landslides, climate changes and environmental degradation.

Prof B.R. Arora, Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun, discussed the extension of Trans-Aravalli conductor into the Himalaya in relation to fluid phase and seismicity. Prof R.Y. Singh, Chairman, Department of Geology, welcomed the delegates while Prof R.K. Kakar highlighted the theme of the Seminar in relation to the current researches.

Thirty scientists from all over country are presenting their papers at the seminar which would continue till tomorrow. A day-long field trip to the Darlaghat section has also been planned. The seminar is being co-sponsored by the DST, New Delhi, WIHG, Dehra Dun, and the Indian Geologists’ Association.

Selected: Piyush, a student of M. Sc. (II Year), Geology, Panjab University, was selected as one of the 10 best authors in an essay competition organised by the APG (Association of Petroleum Geologists) affiliated to the AAPG (American Association of Petroleum Geologists), for the topic “Role of Earth Science in Disaster Management”.

She was the only candidate from Chandigarh invited to attend the second APG conference at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, from September 24 to 26. The conference was attended by reputed earth scientists from all over the world.

Le Corbusier memorial lecture held
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 6
Mr Jagdish Sawhney, a well-known architect, today said that Le Corbusier was not rigid nor did he have fixed ideas. Elasticity was visible in a large number of his works, where he had designed modern buildings which blended beautifully with traditional surroundings.

Delivering the “Le Corbusier Memorial Lecture 2004” at the Chandigarh College of Architecture at a special function held to mark the birth anniversary of the designer of Chandigarh, Mr Sawhney said Le Corbusier died in 1965. During the past 39 years, there had been a lot of changes in the world. The whole lifestyles of people had changed as had their approach. This necessitated a change in the architectural designs as well. But this did not mean that the buildings designed by him should also be changed.

He pointed out that several buildings designed by Le Corbusier in different parts of the world had been changed. But after sometime, many of them had been restored to their original design and had become “collectors’ buildings or heritage buildings”.

For instance, there was a building he had designed in Marseilles in France in which certain changes had been made. But it had now been converted into its original design and housed a hotel where people paid extra to go and stay there.

The lecture was attended among others by Mr M.N.Sharma, a former associate of Le Corbusier and former Chief Architect of Chandigarh, and Ms Renu Sehgal, Chief Architect of Chandigarh.

COURTS

720 cases pending before Lok Adalat
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 6
Telephone subscribers continue to be at the receiving end of the telecom companies if the number of complaints against them at the Permanent Lok Adalat is any indication.

Despite tall claims of the companies regarding the grievance redressal system, complaints against them are piling up with the result that 720 complaints of the postal and telephone services are pending with the adalat.

The adalat, comprising Mr R.P. Bajaj, Chairman, and Mr K.C. Jaggi and Mr J.S. Kohli, members, has decided 143 cases from January 1 to September 30.

On the other hand, the adalat received very few complaints relating to the other areas under its jurisdiction. Set up under the Legal Services Authorities Act, it had been set up to provide speedy justice to persons having grievances against the public utilities services.

This adalat hears complaints regarding transport service, power and water supplies, sanitation, hospital and dispensary services, insurance and services rendered by the Estate Office.

Data collected by Chandigarh Tribune revealed that a maximum of 569 complaints were received in April. In September itself, the adalat was flooded with 131 complaints.

A look at the complaints against other departments showed that only nine complaints regarding the water and power supplies were pending till September-end. While the figure for the transport services was six, it was four in case of insurance services. Interestingly, the adalat failed to receive any complaint against the hospital, dispensary and sanitation services. 

CULTURE

Displaying environmental concern in colours
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 6
Punjab Kala Bhavan is hosting a poster colour exhibition by Gurdeep Kaur. A teacher at Guru Harkrishan Public School, Sector 40, Gurdeep Kaur has done well to choose environment and pollution as her theme, especially in view of the fact that these are global concerns now.

Employed as fine arts instructor at Pracheen Kala Kendra, Sector 35, Gurdeep Kaur has lent voice to outstanding concerns of our depleting environment. She covers almost all aspects of the environment from green cover and its degradation to loss of forest lands and tree felling.

Figurative and loud, the show centres on pollution of air, water and noise; forest burning and tree felling, global warming and its long-term consequences and the negative impact of ultraviolet rays.

In all, the artist endeavours to send across a message that to save culture it is important to save nature and its manifestations.

The show will be open till 6 pm tomorrow.