Chandigarh, January 12
“Our endeavour should be to make Indo-Canadian institutional collaboration more effective on a long-term basis. For this, we have the support of the Canadian and the Indian Governments.”

This was stated by the Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Prof K.N. Pathak, here today, during an interactive session among the Canadian Health Minister, Mr Ujjal Dosanjh, the students and the staff held at the Law Auditorium of the campus.

Professor Pathak said the foundation for an extended academic collaboration had been laid with the setting up of the Canadian Studies Centre (CSC) at Panjab University and a Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies and Research (CICSR) in Canada.

Stating that the common objective of the two centres would be to undertake research, he added that the centres would also facilitate exchange of scholars and students in the future. “The close affinity of Punjab with the Indian diaspora in Canada provides sufficient strength for a provision of regular flow of funds from both the governments,” he stated.

Professor Pathak assured the donors that the funds made available to Panjab University would be utilised judiciously according to the university rules. “The returns on this investment by way of providing policy inputs for strengthening academic, trade, social and community ties between Canada and India would be mutually beneficial at both ends,” he said. The Vice-Chancellor also sought Canada’s collaboration in the field of dental sciences, stating that India was lacking in this particular area.

Speaking at the function, Mr Dosanjh, who was accompanied by his wife, said he always wanted to obtain a degree from Panjab University but never got an opportunity to do so. He expressed happiness on the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the universities of Canada and India. Responding to the Vice-Chancellor’s appeal for help in dental sciences, Mr Dosanjh said he would do all he could to promote collaboration in the area. He dwelled on the need to strengthen Indo-Canadian relations.

Later, he took questions from the university faculty and students about issues facing the South Asians, Indo-Pak relations, healthcare and its management in Canada among other areas. The Dean University Instruction, Prof J.K. Gupta, presented the vote of thanks.

Chandigarh, January 12
On the eve of the Vivekananda Jayanti, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) decided to launch a 10-day campaign against the politicisation of education, beginning tomorrow. During the campaign, a series of events demanding Indianisation of education will be launched.

Celebrating Yuva Divas, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the ABVP organised a seminar on “Indianisation of Education” at Gandhi Bhavan, Panjab University, here today.

Former MP Satya Pal Jain targeted the education policy which, he said, was driving away the youth from India’s culture. “The British wanted to keep us away from our culture. However, even after 57 years of Independence, we have not yet changed the distorted old system. Our students must know their history and culture,” he emphasised.

Mr Saurabh Joshi, local BJP secretary, spoke about the organisational attitude and the purposes of the ABVP. He declared to launch a campaign against the education policies of the present Central Government which, he claimed, were playing with and politicising the whole education system.

Mr Kusum Sharma, member executive, spoke on the life of Swami Vivekanand and his teachings. Mr Yajvender Yadav, BJP secretary, Panjab University, presented the vote of thanks.

Seminar: The Centre for Vivekananda Studies, Panjab University, organised a seminar on “The Life and Works of Swami Vivekananda” at the Department of Philosophy to celebrate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda.

In a session chaired by Prof Dharmanand Sharma, four students, Kavita Chauhan, Munish, Pankaj Srivastava and Lallan Singh Baghel, read papers on “Practical Vedanta”, “Universal Religion”, “Varnasrma”, and “Dharma versus Casteism” in the light of Swami Vivekananda’s thought and the social philosophy of the Swami.

In his presidential remarks, Professor Sharma held that Swami Vivekananda addressed the youth of the country for it is the youth of any nation who represent the future of that country. “If the young people do not have any dreams, that culture will surely turn somnolent,” he said. He called upon the youth of India to achieve their goals for a glorious India.

Awarded: Dr R.K. Pathak, Chairperson, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University and Co-ordinator of Special Assistant Programme in Anthropology sponsored by the UGC, has been elected as Sectional President of the Section of Anthropological and Behavioural Sciences of 93rd Indian Science Congress to be held at Hyderabad in January 2006. Professor Pathak was invited to chair a session and judge the “Young Scientist Award” of his section at the recently concluded 92nd Indian Science Congress at Ahmedabad.

Chandigarh, January 12
A two-day entrepreneurship development programme started at GGDSD College, Sector 32, here yesterday. The programme has been sponsored by the Industries Department, Chandigarh. Lectures on management and finance were delivered on the first day of the programme.

Prof Ajay Sharma, a consultant with Abza, spoke on computerised accounting and management of small-scale industries. In the last session, lecture was organised on “Opportunities Scanning and Identification”

Chandigarh, January 12
A cultural programme marked the prize-distribution function of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, here today. UT Home Secretary Krishan Mohan, who was the chief guest, gave away prizes to students.

The students who had excelled in academic and co-curricular activities were honoured. Principal of the school Suman Sharma read out the annual report of the school. DPI (Schools) D.S. Mangat and DEO Rajesh Chaudhary were present.

Comprising well-known 13 women painters, a group, ‘We’, has come forward to extend a helping hand in re-habilitating the tsunami-hit people. The painters have organised an exhibition at the Indus Ind Bank art gallery and initially put up their 25 paintings for sale to raise funds in aid of the tsunami victims.

Inaugurating the exhibition, former Principal of College of Architecture Aditya Parkash appealed to the people to buy the art works at a liberal price and become a partner in the noble cause.

Talking to the Chandigarh Tribune, the President of ‘We’, Prof Sadhna Sangar, said: “Women artists being highly sensitive by nature are more rooted into art traditions and art is relevant only if it is perceptive to the needs of society. This has inspired us to donate our precious paintings”. Neenu Viz, a housewife and secretary of the group, said the participants in the exhibition had reduced the prices of exhibits substantially so that a maximum number of people could join in the endeavour. Some alluring titles of paintings include ‘Before tsunami’ and ‘After tsunami’ by Bharti Vandana, ‘The inner fire’ and ‘Nature’ by Sadhna Sangar, ‘Three faces’ by Geeta Bawalia, ‘Chhatar Chhaya’ and ‘Snow Rest’ by Neenu Viz, ‘Sea Shore’ and ‘Lonesome night’ by Shivani and ‘Waiting’ by Anju Pasricha.

‘Web Work’ by Alka, ‘Dard ka darya’ and ‘Jungle’ by Nirmla Singh, ‘Lehron ka tandav’ by Darshnajit, ‘Birds Series’ and ‘Flowers’ by Gayatri are some of the titles which exude the beauty of art.

The exhibition and sale of paintings is open till January 19 between 10 am to 6 pm and the sale proceeds will be remitted to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, said Sadhna Sangar. OC