EDUCATION

Teachers demand restoration of pension scheme 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 25
Demanding the restoration of pension scheme, thousands of employees of Punjab state aided schools held a protest rally here today under the banner of the Punjab State Aided School Teachers and Other Employees Union.The teachers assembled in the Chattar Singh Park holding banners and placards and from there they marched up to the Deputy Commissioner’s office to submit the memorandum.

According to Mr Gurvinder Singh Saini, state press secretary of the union, all aided schools in Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, Kapurthala and Ludhiana districts were closed as the school staff participated in the rally. At the rally, the teachers raised slogans against the Punjab Government, particularly the Finance Secretary.

Earlier, addressing the teachers, Mr Gurcharan Singh Chahal, president of the union, said that the steps taken by the government to withdraw pension was autocratic and had left the teachers with long service disheartened. He said the government was also being urged to fulfil their other demands, including merger of 50 per cent DA with the basic salary, lifting of ban on fresh recruitment, approval of the appointment of 34 primary teachers appointed during May 2002 to January 2003, release of arrears of revised grades, instalments of 1996, release of grants for the past four months, rural allowance, practical allowance for science teachers and uniform and cycle allowances for Class IV employees.

Mr Ramesh Sharma, general secretary of the union , said that the teachers would intensify their agitation if the government failed to restore the pension scheme.

Sacred Heart girl gets best cadet award
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 25
Inayat Dhanda, a ninth standard student of Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, has been declared as the best cadet in the NCC. She will be presented with a silver medal at a function to be held in New Delhi on January 27.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune on phone from New Delhi, Inayat said that she was very excited. “With the blessings of Almighty and elders, I have been able to achieve this award”, said Inayat.

She said that about 17,000 cadets representing 16 directorates of the NCC participated at the national level Republic Day camp. She represented Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh and competed with cadets from other 15 directorates.

“We had to pass through many competitions, including firing, drill competition, four written papers on general knowledge, IQ, health hygiene etc. Then we had two interviews with ADG-NCC and DG-NCC, respectively. It has been an excellent experience”, said Inayat.

She said that she was very enthusiastic about meeting the VVIPs, including the Chief Minister of Delhi, Vice-President, Defence Minister and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force at New Delhi. “Meeting Rajyawardhan Rathod was really wonderful. We have been invited by the Prime Minister for lunch on January 27”, said Inayat.

Ms Mala Dhanda, Inayat’s mother, said that she was proud of her daughter. She said that the family always encouraged her. “Inayat’s birthday was on January 2 and when we wished her, she said she felt homesick. But in the evening, she called me to say that she was very happy and cut a cake with the Commanding Officer and the whole contingent. She wants to become a doctor to serve the humanity”, added Ms Dhanda.

Old students’ meet at Govt College for Women
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 25
The Old Students Association of the Government College for Women had a get-together of old students and faculty of the college in the college auditorium here today. It was an opportunity to rekindle the old association with the alma mater and establish new contacts for teachers and old students.

The function began with a song by college students. Floral tributes were paid to the founder Principal of the college Ms S. Sen, who served the institution for 10 years and nurtured it, bringing it to the level of a premier institution for girls in the region.

Ms Kusum Ahuja, Principal, extended a warm welcome to the participants. Prof Rashmi Grover read out the report of last year’s activities. Prof Balbir Bajaj read out the financial report of the association. Three old students were honoured on the occasion, including Ms Suchinta Khurana, of Shishu Niketan Senior Model School, Chandigarh, Dr (Ms) Darshanjot from Mohali and Ms Harbimal Bajwa, a retired school lecturer.

A documentary film was also shown which was made on the diamond jubilee. A medley of photographs related with the college were also shown. A colourful cultural programme and light music items received a standing ovation from the audience. A new executive committee of old students was formed with Principal Ms Kusum Ahuja — president, Ms Manjit Sodhia — vice-president, Ms Varinderjit — secretary, Ms Sarita — joint secretary, Ms Balbir Bajaj — treasurer and Ms Rashmi Grover.

The new executive included Ms Narinder Sekhon, Dr Sarbjot Kaur, Ms Maninder Kaur, Ms Kumud Ghai, Ms Nimita Sharma, Ms Pritam.The Principal nominated the co-opted members Ms Sunanda Joshi and Ms Paramjit Kaur by virtue of their being in charge of the college council and the GCTA president, respectively.

Two student members will also be undertaken from the graduation and post-graduation for representing the students. The Vice-Principal, Ms Narinder Sekhon, proposed a vote of thanks. 

COURTS

Arrest warrant against transporter
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 25
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has issued arrest warrant against Harminder Singh, alias Tinku, of 96 Transport Nagar, Ludhiana, for not complying with the orders of the forum.

Earlier, the consumer forum had directed M/s Delhi-UP, Madhya Pradesh Transport Company to pay Rs 16,848 along with 9 per cent interest while deciding the complaint filed by Rajesh Kumar Verma, proprietor of M/s Captial Traders in October 2003. The accused was branch manager of the transport company.

The complainant had alleged that he had booked goods worth Rs 16, 848 through the said transport company for sending the same to M/s Ajmera Sales, Bhopal. But the goods never reached there. The transport company was summoned but it did not opt to contest the petition. After going through the record, the forum had passed orders against the transport company.