The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Teachers, students face uncertain future
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 19
Thousands of teachers and students of private schools running in residential buildings in Chandigarh face an uncertain future following failure of the UT Administration to allot them alternative sites.

With the deadline for removal of private schools from residential buildings in the city set by the Punjab and Haryana High Court drawing near, the managements of the schools have been forced to launch an agitation from tomorrow.

Nearly 5,000 teachers from private schools will stage a dharna tomorrow at the Matka Chowk to highlight their plight and press for the acceptance of their demand for either relaxation of norms for allowing private schools to function in private residential buildings or allotment of alternative sites to them.

According to Ms Uma Wadhera, President of the Association of Private Educational Institutions, most of the schools now facing closure have been functioning in the city for the past up to 40 years. There are 87 such schools in the city and 220 in the periphery of Chandigarh.

Their total student population stood at around 35,000. They gave employment to about 5,000 young teachers, most of them women.

“We have been catering to students from middle and lower middle classes”, said Ms Wadhera in an interview with TNS here today.

“We have been fulfiling an important need of society and have also been making our humble contribution towards ensuring that UT remains a cent per cent literate territory.

But I am sorry to say that the UT Administration has been treating us rather shabbily and taking a very narrow view of the whole situation.

Instead of getting a sympathetic hearing, we have become the butt of scorn and ridicule from certain officers of the Administration”.

She complains that while the Administration has been going out of its way to relax norms to accommodate the concerns and interests of various categories of users in the city, including a five star hotel, it has been showing uncharacteristic rigidity as far as private schools are concerned.

It has allowed hotels and guests houses to function in SCOs even in the City Centre in Sector 17 by relaxing norms. It has permitted nursing homes to operate in residential houses by relaxing norms.

It has also given relaxation in norms for allowing IT units, PCOs and STD booths photostat outlets etc to function from residential houses.

Doctors, architects, chartered accountants and lawyers too have been allowed to use a portion of the residential premises to carry out their professional activities.

“I don’t know why the Administration turns unhelpful and unresponsive whenever we approach it for either relaxation of norms or allotment of alternative sites”, she wonders.

Ms Wadhera says that both the present Congress MP, Mr Pawan Bansal, and the former BJP MP, Mr Satya Paul Jain have been doing everything possible to take up the issue with the UT Administration and secure a better deal for them. But all their efforts have nor borne any fruit so far.

Rally, dharna by college teachers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 19
Over 6000 teachers of non-government colleges in Punjab and Chandigarh today held a rally at Matka Chowk in protests against the failure of the Punjab Government to release their salary bills amounting to Rs 33 crore.

The college teachers also proceeded on mass casual leave to participate in the rally.

The Punjab Government has released on average 66 per cent of its committed liability under 95 per cent salary deficit grant-in-aid scheme during the past four years.

More than 100 colleges in Punjab are affected by the financial crisis.

Addressing the rally, Dr Jagwant Singh, General Secretary of the Union, demanded alternative salary model based on Johl Committee recommendations covering pension gratuity scheme and all unaided posts and institutions absorption of staff affected by shifting of 10+2 classes and pension gratuity scheme of 1996.

Mr S.S. Hundal, President of the union, said the executive committee members of the union would march to the Chief Minister’s residence to register their protest.

Fee concession for PU staff’s wards sought
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 19
Wards of Panjab University employees studying in any of the campus departments would be exempted from tuition fee while they would get 20 per cent concession in the other funds.

This was decided at a meeting of the Joint Consultative Machinery held at Panjab University, here today. Comprising members of the various organisations of the non-teaching staff, officials of the Administration and chaired by Senator, Prof M.R. Aggarwal, the recommendation made by the JCM would be forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor for action.

Among other demands of the employees that have been approved are the purchase of a new bus for the staff, sanctioning conveyance allowance to employees who are called on duty on holidays and are residing outside the campus, construction of scooter garages for residents of B-Type houses and installation of an automatic lift in the Administrative Block of the university.

The demand charter of the non-teaching employees had asked for a formation of policy for ex-cadre posts, providing refreshment during overtime and increase in promotional quota for secretarial staff from 25 to 50 per cent. These demands were deferred after discussion.

Schoolchildren display talent
Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 19
Students involved in the Tribune-in-Education programme excelled in various competitions organised by The Tribune at Gian Jyoti Public School, Phase-2, here today.

As many as 360 students from more than 60 TIE Schools participated in the slogan writing, collage making, newspaper reading, etc competitions.

The competition was declared open by Mr J.S. Bedi, Chairman of the school, and Ms Ranjeet Bedi, Principal, Gian Jyoti Public School, by lighting the lamp.

Stage was conducted by Mr Ravjot Singh and Ms Kuljeet. The TIE team, including Anita Sharma, Shanta Nayar, Anupama Chopra, Lily Banerjee and Reenu Katoch, assisted in making the fest a complete success.

Chief Guest O.P. Arora, AGM, The Tribune group, exhorted the students to work hard for success.

Mr B.M. Kalia, coordinator, TIE Programme, proposed a vote of thanks.

The results of various competitions are as follows:

Paper reading: 1 Tanvi, St. Soldier Divine Public School; 2 Anmol Dutt, Saupins Sector 32, Chd.; 3 Ishrat, Mount Carmal, Chd.

Slogan writing: 1 Deepika Rathore, Govt Model Se. Sec. School, Sector 20; 2 Amandeep Singh, Handerson Jubilee Sr. Sec. School, Kharar; 3 Manesui, Dev Samaj School.

Poster making (junior category): 1 Ankita Diwan, D.A.V. Public School, Sector 8, Chd; 2 Mainakpal, Mount Carmal School, Sector 47, Chd.

Poster making (senior category): 1 Ritu, G.M.S.S.S., Sector 35, Chd; 2 Prabhdeep Kaur, Gem Public School, Ph-3BII, Mohali.

Collage making (junior category): 1 Apeksha Jain, Ramandeep Kaur, St. Kabir High School, Sector 26, Chd; 2 Gurpreet Singh/Kahkasha, Swami Tirth Public School, Ph-IV, Mohali.

Collage making (senior category): 1 Seljha & Hina: Sardha Sarhitkari Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 40-D, Chd; 2 Anjali & Ravneet D.A.V. Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 15, Chd.

Mock press conference: 1 Ayush Mahajan, D.A.V. Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 15, Chd; 2 Rohit Sachdeva, Chamanlal D.A.V. Public School, Ph-VII, Mohali; 3 Guneet Virk, St. Soldier Convent School, Ph-VII, Mohali.

Consolation prize: 1 Kirandeep Kaur, Govt Model High School, Sector 36, Chd; 2 Deepak Chauhan, Govt Sr. Sec. School, Sector 27, Chd.

COURTS

High Court to have new-look collegium
Our High Court Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 19
With it now clear that the Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Mr Justice B.K. Roy and two of his seniormost colleagues, both members of the High Court collegium, being transferred out, the High Court will soon have a new-look collegium.

While Chief Justice Roy is reportedly being transferred to Bihar — his home state — Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice V.K. Bali are likely to go to Andhra Pradesh and Madras, respectively.

Incidentally, even though Mr Justice Altamash Kabir has been informed about his transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he will be the Chief Justice, he is not likely to assume charge till Mr Justice Singhvi is shifted out. The reason is that Mr Justice Singhvi is senior to Mr Justice Kabir.

After the transfer of the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Singhvi and Mr Justice Bali, the collegium, the highest decision-making body in the High Court comprising the Chief Justice and two senior-most Judges, will also change.

Sources say that there is a strong possibility of some Judges, senior to Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice SS Nijjar, the next seniormost Judges, being transferred from other High Courts to this High Court.

It is also learnt that a Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Sources also did not rule out the transfer of some other Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

CULTURE

‘Molly Sweeny’ to be staged at Tagore Theatre
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 19
The Durga Das Foundation in collaboration with Spice Telecom and The Tribune group of publications, brings to the city a sensitive portrayal in a theatrical presentation called ‘Molly Sweeny’, directed by Mumbai-based Rehaan Engineer and acted by Shernaz Patel, Vijay Crishna and Rehaan himself.

The play is a gripping monologue between the three central characters, tracing their emotional highs and lows.

It revolves around Molly Sweeney who is blind since infancy, and her husband Frank’s combining ophthalmology and philosophy to help restore her sight. His passionate search ends with his meeting a world-renowned eye surgeon, who is a fearless doctor, respected and celebrated and how his dormant ambition of proving himself one last time comes alive when he meets Molly.

Scheduled for October 26 at Tagore Theatre, donor cards for the play will be available from tomorrow at Nehru Bhavan in Sector 24, on a first come first serve basis.

LIFESTYLE

Fitness Trail
Steer clear of gym ‘pitfalls’
Renu Manish Sinha

Ask friends or colleagues to refer to a good gym.

The gym should be conveniently located near your house or work place or on the route in between.

Cost is a major factor. If it is going to be a long-term commitment, consider whether you can spare Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 every month. But if it is just a six-month or an yearly induction period into exercising, a high-end expensive health club may be a better option.

Do your homework. Visit the gym and check all facilities thoroughly before joining.

Ask for a trial session before you join. Many city gyms offer a free trial period.

Read the fine print. Before signing any joining forms, read carefully for any hidden costs. Also ask about cancellation clauses in case things do not work out.

A colleague recently landed up with a lockjaw. Reason — her trainer at the gym was a former bodybuilder who believed in the old “akhara” school of thought. He had tried to jerk her over-worked sore muscles to give her relief but she landed up in a orthopaedic clinic instead.

Fitness is no longer a ramble in a nearby park and the lifestyle industry trying to cash in on the craze for looking good. Mega model hunts, beauty pageants, film star contests, etc. all fuel this craze.

Numerous gyms and health clubs have come up in the city and its satellite towns to cater to the needs of a growing number of people looking to own fab bods.

Unfortunately many of these so-called gyms or health clubs leave a lot to be desired as far as facilities are concerned. Many of these gyms are cramped, poorly equipped, badly lit and are often staffed by weight-lifters or body-builders.

So what should be the specifics of a good gym, we asked a few pros and regular gym goers for pointers.

But before deciding on a gym define your goals. May be you want to lose weight or you want professional help to build muscles or just to keep fit. Whatever your reasons, various gyms offer different services and packages. So choose one according to your needs.

Sachin Abraham, a fitness pro from Mumbai, is currently in the city to train the staff of a recently opened health club in Sector 9, Chandigarh. Sachin is a certified instructor from the BFY Sports and Fitness (a US fitness certification course). His advice — check for the credentials of a trainer and other staff at the gym ( My lockjawed colleague will certainly heed this advice now).

Instructions from an unqualified instructor may leave you with some exercise injuries affecting your health in the long run.

A qualified trainer can also provide correct guidance to over-zealous fitness enthusiasts about using different equipment and the amount of time one should spend on these.

Running for 45 minutes on the treadmill may benefit Madonna but for an out-of-shape 40 plus housewife doing so may just give her sore muscles and none of the perceived benefits.

There are a number of institutes in India and abroad that grant certifications to trainers. In India, Kaizad Kapadia of K-Elevens, Leena Mogre, Talwarkars, Reebok, etc. are some recognised fitness bodies. While international bodies conducting exams for certified trainers include the American Council of Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFFA), the International Sports Science Association (ISSA) etc.

Apart from the certification, ask about the experience of the trainer, says Micky Malhotra, owner of a gym in Sector 32, Chandigarh. A trained instructor should be able to gauge your needs correctly and provide a fitness programme based on your needs and not on his ability.

For Rahul Verma, an interface designer with Quark Media House, Mohali, who is a regular gym goer, quality of the equipment is a top priority. The same thought is echoed by Sachin and Micky too.

Branded or foreign-made equipment usually has in-built safety standards that are normally not found in local-made machines, says Sachin. Also check the durability of machines whether they are old or worn or being maintained properly, advises Micky.

Take a tour of the whole gym to check other facilities. Check the floor space, whether there is enough room to walk among machines. Whether there are an enough number of machines for everyone’s use, especially during the perk hour. Also in case of unfamiliar machines whether there is an adequate trained staff to guide you.

Also check whether the gym is air-conditioned or not, because during summers a hot and humid gym can be a health hazard, opines Micky.

Ambience of a gym is important too, says Rahul. Cheerful bright interiors, brightly lit rooms, friendly and attentive staff and good, peppy music can be a motivating factor, he adds.

Hygiene is another vital aspect, says Sachin. So check the washrooms, shower stalls, water cooler. Also check if the gym area is being sprayed with disinfectant periodically and whether the gym is properly ventilated.

Whether there are enough clean towels for the use of clients. Whether the equipment is being wiped clean of sweat after every use. Are trainers and other staff follow hygiene procedures like changing shoes before entering the gym area.

Do members also change into gym shoes? (A concept certainly not popular in Chandigarh, rues Sachin.)

Also ask whether the gym can provide the services of a dietician or doctors, especially orthopaedic or sports medicine specialists.

So with pros’ tips under your belt it is time to tighten its loops a cinch or two. Happy exercising.

Professionals take over youth fests
Rajmeet Singh

The fun and ingenuity of youth festivals is missing. Since it is the professionals who now decide the fate of winning teams in festivals. The forthcoming Chandigarh Zone Youth Festival would be no exception. Beginning October 25, there would be a little chance to see original performances by college teams.

As the stakes were high, some of the colleges were paying as much as Rs 1 lakh (for a single event) to trainers to refine the performance of teams.

For bhangra and gidha items, the professional were charging anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000. Inquiries revealed that for packages priced between Rs 15,000 and Rs 1 lakh, different colleges in the city had hired professional groups to train their teams in bhangra, gidha, drama, group dance, ghazal and qwwali.

Principal of a government college, said the spirit of youth festival defined that a college had to prepare for events from the resources and expertise available with it. The teachers were supposed to train their teams.

With this new trend of hiring professionals now, the managements of private colleges were better placed as compared to government colleges as far the financial resources were available. “The private colleges were spending over Rs 1 lakh on hiring professionals whereas the government college authorities have to take sanction from the administration.” he added.

Though the money spent on such activities was inclusive in the fee charged from students, the private college did not mind spending something extra to get better results.

Another principal said, “The rules and regulations issued by the Department of Youth Welfare, Panjab University, clearly defines that accompanists are allowed. But it has led to colleges hiring professionals to train their teams in all acts”. TNS

Ramayana scene enacted at Sukhna
Swarleen Kaur

The “religious potential” of the Sukhna was harnessed on Tuesday with the enacting of a scene from the Ramayana. The sequence was the “kewat” taking Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman across the Saryu river. Attired in saffron clothes, the artistes became the centre of attraction.

It evoked mixed reaction from people gathered there. Mandeep, a student of Khalsa College, Sector 26, said: Gone are the days when people used to go to watch Ramlila with devotion. Now it has become an entertainment.

I remember once I had gone to seen Ramlila in Sector 7, and some artistes were fighting behind the curtain and they could be heard shouting. Today, Ramlila has lost its charm. Some scenes are frivolous. Also, a woman should play Sita’s role. Ramlila is a good medium to teach children traditional values but these should be performed in a better way. Some sanctity should be attached to the drama.

Gauri, a student of dental diploma, said: “I wonder why Ravana is always shown in bad light. I have studied the Ramayana. Agreed that he committed many mistakes, but he also had some good qualities. Lord Rama also took “Agnipariksha” of Sita.

“Most of the artistes fight with one another and use abusive language. People hardly feel respect for them. One can see Sita smoking off stage. Once my little nephew asked me if Sita used to smoke?” she says.

Sudheer, a young businessman, said: “Ramlilas should be staged at limited places and in a proper manner so that we could give some respect to the traditions. The sacred sentiments attached to the epic should be taken care of.”