EDUCATION

Techies mesmerised by IAF
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20
Around 50 Students of the IITT College of Engineering, Pojewal, have visited the Air Force Station, Chandigarh, as a part of their training.

Having watched on TV the dare-devil acrobatics of the 'jaan-baaz pilots' of ' Surya Kiran' on Air Force Day, the students were a inspired lot, full of "josh" to get acquainted with the life, training and professionalism of this mighty force.

According to Mrs Rama Sinha, Chairperson of the IITT Society, the students attended a highly motivating and educative presentation on the Indian Air Force.

The students evinced great interest in flying activities, Air Traffic Control, inventory of IAF fighters, transport fleet, choppers and attack helicopters and the role of aeronautical, communication, computer and instrumentation engineers.

In the brainstorming session, the students shot many professional and technical queries, which were answered in a crisp and professional manner by the officers of the Indian Air Force. The AOC gave extremely valuable, educative and meaningful tips to the students. "Whenever, wherever you are, strive for Excellence," he advised the students.

A movie 'Akash Jodha' depicting breath-stopping feats of the pilots was also presented.

PU girl selected in IES
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20
Archana Naresh, a research fellow of the Economics Department, Panjab University, has been selected for the Indian Economic Services by the U.P.S.C. She is the only candidate from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh to make it to the I.E.S.

“There were 13 seats in the IES of which only six were for students of the open category. I am elated with my success. I think it is all about poise, confidence and the way you present yourself before the interview panel, in addition to a lot of hard work,” she said.

Archana Naresh topped Panjab University in B.A. (Hons. in economics) and stood second in the university in M.A. (economics) examination.

She passed the N.E.T. and J.R.F. of the U.G.C with distinction.

Teachers stage dharna
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20
Teachers under the aegis of the Association of Private Educational Institutions today staged a dharna because of the failure of the UT Administration to allot these institutions alternative sites.

Carrying placards teachers raised slogans and later submitted a memorandum to the Administration.

A rally was also held which was addressed among others by Ms Uma Wadhera and Ms Sushma Manrai. Speakers stressed that teachers and students of these schools being run from residential buildings in Chandigarh faced an uncertain future because the high court had ordered the stoppage to their operation as existing rules did not permit it.

The UT Administration instead of taking a sympathetic view of the situation had turned a deaf ear to their pleas for allotment of alternative sites.

According to Ms Wadhera, president of the association, most of these schools have been functioning in the city for the past 40 years.

There are 87 such schools in the city and 220 on the periphery of the city. Their total student population stood at around 35,000. The number of teachers working with these schools stands at 5,000.

MCM DAV College holds IT-fest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20
The Department of Computer Science and Application, MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, organised an IT-fest for various IT-related events like paper presentation, quiz and skits based on IT. Around 70 students participated in the events and more than 300 students attended the function.

Prof B.D. Budhiraja, Dean, College Development Council, PU Chandigarh, inaugurated the function by lighting “deepshikha.” The Principal, Dr (Ms) Puneet Bedi, gave away the prizes to the winners of various events.

She also stressed organising more such functions at regional and national levels so that students could benefit from the interaction with students of other IT institutions. She also announced that M.Sc (IT) would be started from the next session.

The winners in the events are as follows: Paper presentation — Anupriya (B.Sc III) (1), Amanpreet (BCA II) (2); IT quiz — Sakshi (BCA I) and Garima (B.Sc I) (1), Neha and Ruchi (BCA III) (2); Skit based on IT humour: Neha, Ruchi, Niti, Neha, Roshni and Kashish (1). A special prize of best actor was given to Niti of BCA III.

COURTS

Seminar seeks quick disposal of consumer cases
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20
A seminar on 'consumer rights and senior citizens', organised here today by the Senior Citizens Association, stressed upon the need to settle consumer cases in a fixed time frame and curb the dilatory tactics adapted by lawyers.

Addressing the seminar, Lieut-Col(retd) Sarwan Singh, president of the Consumer Forum, Chandigarh, said their NGO had launched a consumer education programme by distributing literature and organising the annual consumer fairs.

Mr H.S. Walia, a lawyer, while tracing the legislative history of the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 and the UN General Assembly resolution of 1948, stressed on the need for creating awareness among the consumers.

A former president of the association, Brigadior(retd) Keshav Chandra, revealed that the association assisted the senior citizens by informing them about their rights, privileges and responsibilities.

Giving senior citizens a forum to exchange views on issues of common interest and identifying the issues to be taken up with authorities are the other activities of the association, he added.

Other prominent speakers were Ms Kulwant Dhaliwal, a consumer rights activist, Mr V.S. Sodhi and Col Sukhdev Singh, vice-president and secretary -general, respectively, of the association.