School admissions: parents look for “influential” persons
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 11
With the start of admissions lobbying also begun for school admissions. Some top schools of the city remain attraction for parents to admit their wards. Yesterday long queues could be seen outside a school for forms.

There is no dearth of good schools in Ludhiana, but a few continue to remain a craze. Admission of children to a particular school adds to the status of parents. That has developed over the years, although results of other schools might also be better.

An official of a leading school management said that he had maximum number of visitors during December and January as admission in the school is on. He said the school had evolved a transparent system of admission.

Only a few schools in Ludhiana admit children through draw of lots. Others hold admissions by way of interviews. There are chances for manipulations.

People approach the Deputy Commissioner, the Commissioner Municipal Corporation, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the Senior Superintendent of Police, the officers of the Income Tax Department and even the Health Department of admissions.

Last year schools reported minimum or no interference from the administration. But still parents approach officials for admission of wards. A senior officer paid as why people were “mad” about a particular school.

Industrialists also claim to get a particular ‘quota’ in leading schools.

A senior school teacher of a reputed school said that it was true that officials approached the school authorities for admission. She said that it was the time when school management could oblige higher officials. “One can not run an institute without the cooperation of bureaucrats” she said.

Dr Mamta (not her real name) and husband Dr Puneet complained that they failed to understand the admission criteria of schools. Our son answered all questions and the interviewees seemed to be satisfied also. Still he was not through in a particular schools, she said.

Gill foundation scholarships for 2 students
Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 11
The Mewa Singh Gill Memorial Foundation today awarded scholarships to two brilliant and needy students in a function held at Punjabi Bhavan here today. The function was organised to mark the birth anniversary of late parliamentarian and eminent lawyer-Mewa Singh Gill.

Dr S.S. Johal, Vice-Chairman of the Punjab Planning Commission was the chief guest. He lauded the role of Mewa Singh Gill towards the society. A number of lawyers and political leaders attended the function.

The function was presided over by a senior lawyer, Mr Gurdish Singh Grewal, president of the foundation. The secretary, Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bajwa, welcomed the guests and highlighted the achievements of the foundation.

The scholarship of Rs 12,000 was received by Dr. R.P.Singh, Principal of Guru Nanak Engineering College for disbursing it to needy students. Mr Jagdev Singh Jassowal, Mr Diwan Jagdish Chander (both former MLAs), Dr D.S.Hira, Principal of Baba Banda Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib, were among those who attended the function.

SPORTS

Seema adjudged best athlete
Our Correspondent

Doraha, December 11
The 31st annual athletics meet for girls of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, concluded here yesterday evening. The chief guest, Mr Surinder Singh Virdi, former Chief Engineer and trustee of Ajit newspapers inaugurated the meet by hoisting the flag of the college. He exhorted athletes to take part in games as it kept an individual physically, mentally, socially and psychologically fit.

The guest of honour, Principal Hari Singh, retd, congratulated the management, principal, staff and students of the college.

The guests of the day were welcomed by Principal Jaswant Singh Gill and the vote of thanks was delivered by Prof Balwant Singh Pangali, general secretary, College Management Committee. Mr Tarlok Singh Jaggi, assistant secretary, too shared his views on the occasion.

Seema Rani was declared the best athlete of the college for the fourth time. The results of various events are as follows :

100m (Race) - Rajdeep Kaur (BA II)1, Seema Rani (MA I ) 2, Maninder Kaur (BA I) 3; 200m (Race) - Rajdeep Kaur (BA II) 1, Seema Rani (MA I) 2, Sandeep Kaur (BA I) 3; 400m (Race) - Seema Rani (MA I) 1, Rajdeep Kaur (BA I) 2, Maninder Kaur (BA I) 3; 1500m (Race): Seema Rani (MA 1) 1, Pardeep Kaur (BA II) 2, Veena Sharma (BA III) 3; High jump: Sandeep Kaur (BA I ) 1, Navdeep Kaur (BA III) 2, Maninder Kaur (BA I ) 3; Long jump: Seema Rani (MA I) 1, Rajdeep Kaur (BA II) 2, Manpreet Kaur (B.Com II) 3; Shot put: Manjinder Kaur (BA I) 1, Harpreet Kaur (BA II) 2 and Rajdeep Kaur (BA II) 3; Discuss throw: Rajwant Kaur (BA III) 1, Seema Rani (MA I) 2, Rajdeep Kaur (BA II) 3; 1500m Cycle race: Seema Rani (MA I) 1, Sukhwinder Kaur (BA III) 2, Balbir Kaur (10+2) 3; Chati Race: Amritpal Kaur (MA II) 1, Seema Rani (MA I) 1, Inderjeet Kaur (MA II) 3; Sack race: Sandeep Kaur (10+2) 1, Seema Rani (MA I ) 2 and Inderjeet Kaur (MA II) 3; Three leg race: Manpreet Kaur (BA I) 1, Seema Rani (MA I) 2 and Simajeet Kaur (B.Com III) 3.

Prof M.S. Bhandari, Head of the Hindi Department, won the musical chair. Prof Parkash Singh of Rara Sahib and Prof Gursharanjit Singh, Head of Commerce Department of the host college, had bagged second and third position, respectively.

Rajpreet adjudged best athlete
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 11
Rajpreet Kaur, a student of 10+2, was adjudged the best athlete in the annual athletic meet of Guru Nanak Girls College, Mullanpur Dakha, yesterday. The president of the Guru Nanak Trust for Education and Rural Welfare and former Chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, inaugurated the meet, a press note said.

Ms Karamjit Kaur, Director of the college, gave away prizes to the winners. At the end, all students and teachers danced together.