EDUCATION

Guru Nanak Education Trust headed for showdown
Vimal Sumbly & Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, March 12
The Guru Nanak Education Trust, which runs the Guru Nanak College for Girls, Model Town, Ludhiana, is headed for a showdown, with the secretary of the trust Mr Prithipal Singh, announcing that he would set and circulate a broader and wider agenda which would be discussed during the trust meeting scheduled for March 29. He pointed out that according to the trust rules, which have been admitted by the president, Mr Gurbir Singh himself, it is the secretary who calls the trust meeting and sets the agenda and not the president.

Earlier, Mr Gurbir Singh, had issued a notice for meeting of the trust. One of the main agendas of the meeting was the removal of the secretary, Mr Prithipal Singh. Mr Prithipal Singh countered this, quoting the trust rules, saying the president could not call the meeting. In a significant retreat, Mr Gurbir Singh later asked Mr Prithipal Singh to summon the meeting of the trust with the same agenda. Mr Prithipal Singh maintained that he would look into the matter and set the agenda himself.

He regretted that Mr Gurbir Singh, was playing into the hands of the principal Ms Chiranjit Kaur Mahal. He reiterated his allegations against her husband Prof SS Mahal that he was directly interfering in the day-to-day affairs of the college and was even issuing direct instructions to the teachers. He asserted that he stood by his allegations of misappropriation of college funds, lack of discipline and certain questionable activities which are not warranted in a girls’ college. He named some teachers who had either left or gone for long leave, as they were allegedly harassed.

Mr Prithipal Singh alleged that Mr Gurbir Singh was blindly trusting the college principal Ms Mahal. He asked how should he (Mr Gurbir Singh) explain signing blank cheques and leaving these at the discretion of the principal. He produced some copies of the blank cheques signed by Mr Gurbir Singh for reasons best known to him.

The secretary maintained that he had always held the interest of the college paramount and had never allowed the funds to be wasted and the image of the college harmed. He said he would continue to raise objections against the questionable behaviour of the principal. She has to be answerable to the entire trust and not the president alone, he pointed out.

The Guru Nanak Education Trust has frequently remained in news and not always for good reasons. A few years ago a few trustees, including senior Akali leader and former Minister, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, and others owing allegiance to him, were removed under questionable circumstances. The issue is pending in a court. Although Mr Prithipal Singh sided with Mr Gurbir Singh at that time, he regrets now that the president has been trying to pack the trust with his relatives and favourites including Prof SS Mahal, the husband of the principal. He said he was looking into the legal aspects of the matter and would explore all options to ensure that the trust does not go into the hands of a coterie which has been misusing it for its own ends.

Students honoured on annual day
Our Correspondent

Doraha, March 12
The Commerce and Economics Association of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, celebrated its annual day today. Dr A.K. Vashisht from Panjab University, Chandigarh, was the chief guest on the occasion. He was also invited as a resource person to share his views on the ‘Banking sector in India.’ Dr Vashisht congratulated the members of the association for arranging such programmes for students.

Dr Surjit Singh, a professor of economics at a university in Pennyslavania, USA, too spoke on the theory of Indian development and the challenges and tasks ahead. Prof Gursharanjit Singh, Head of the postgraduate department of commerce, welcomed the guests. Prof Gagandeep Singh read the annual report of the association. He said that the association had organised a number of programmes for the benefit of students. He said that the association in collaboration with the Ludhiana Stock Exchange organised an investor awareness series.

Various students were honoured on the occasion. Daljit Kaur of BA III, Amandeep Kaur of B. Com I and Amandeep Kaur of B. Com III were given prizes standing first, second and third in rangoli competitions, respectively. Ranwinder Singh of BA III was honoured for standing first in the drawing from life competition. Sarbjit Pal of M.Com semester IV, Yashpreet Singh of B.Com II, Hardeep Singh and Harpreet Singh of B. Com I, Inderjit Kaur of BA I, Ramanpreet Sharma, Anu Khanna and Lalit Babbar of M.Com semester IV, Anish Bector and Abhey Bector of B. Com III, Vikas and Shaveta of B Com I were honoured for making presentations of the issue of Union Budged 2005-06.

Mr Jaswant Singh Gill, Principal of the college, presented the vote of thanks.

Hamara School
A school unique in many aspects
Asha Ahuja

Wylie Memorial High School, founded in 1961, is one of the oldest English medium schools in Ludhiana. The school has active links with schools in England, Scotland, Wales and Kenya. Students and teachers from these schools have visited Wylie Memorial School and interacted with the staff and students here. The visiting faculty has been appreciative of the work done here and has integrated some teaching practices into their curricula.

Wylie Memorial High School is perhaps the only school in the region which gives its students a brief break after every class/ period. Speaking to this correspondent, the manager of the school, Mr Sunil Pillay, stated that this practice was incorporated in 2003 which he claims has improved the teaching - learning process. A short break, taken in the midst of hard work, has a therapeutic effect even in adults. It relaxes the mind, strengthens the body and prepares the students to tackle the next subject The result has been the creation of an education system that is truly free of stress.

The school representatives visit its partner schools every year. The representatives are chosen from amongst the students and teachers who are given an opportunity to visit schools in the UK. These ‘Little Ambassadors of India’ are given freedom to interact with their peer group in the UK, both within and outside school. That the people of the entire town of Dornoch in Scotland keenly await their arrival every year speaks volumes for the rapport that Wylie enjoys with the community at large. Teachers who have travelled to the UK, and have worked there under various exchange programmes, have returned to incorporate good teaching practices which have enhanced the learning experience amongst students here. Under an ongoing teacher Exchange Programme, teachers from Wylie will be visiting and working with a school in Aylesbury, England, this year.

The school promotes an international flavour, yet it manages to retain and nurtures a taste that is truly Indian. Wylie Memorial High School has made deep inroads into making the Indian education system truly world class.

‘Sankalap divas’ at DD Jain College
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 12
The birth centenary of Behn Devki Devi Jain was celebrated as ‘sankalap divas’ at DD Jain Memorial College for Women, here today. The programme started with Namokar Mantra, Mr Narinder Jain, president, DD Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana, extended a hearty welcome to all. Ms Sarita Matta, lecturer in English, DD Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana paid rich tributes to Behn Devki Devi Jain and introduced everyone to ‘sankalap divas’ .

Aditi Gupta, a student, recited a poem on Devki Devi. The students of DD Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana ,presented a group song. Ms Antima, Lecturer in music vocal, sang a bhajan. Dr Sarita Maharaj spoke on the significant role of women in society. Ravinder Muni spoke on the importance of ‘sankalap. divas’. Jitendra Muni also spoke on the occasion. Mr Amar Muni, great grandson of Acharya Samrat, Mr Atam Ram, expressed his thoughts on the occasion.

Shiv Muni blessed all those present at the occasion. He is head of all Jain sadhus and sadhvis and is the grandson of Mr Atam Ram.

He conducted the sankalap ceremony. All those present were under a spiritual spell for some time.

In the end, Mr Surinder Dawar, secretary, Parliamentary Affairs, sought the blessings of Muni ji and announced a donation of Rs 1 lakh from his official quota for the construction of a big hall in the college campus.

Art and craft exhibition: Aakriti Club of the Department of Fine Arts and Home Science of Ramgarhia Girls College held an exhibition of the art and craft items prepared by students on March 12. The colourful panorama showcased the various forms practised by students in the classrooms as well as workshops conducted by the respective departments.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Mrs Rajinder Kaur, wife of Ranjodh Singh, president, Ramgarhia Educational Council who appreciated the efforts of the students.

The main attraction of the exhibition was the work done by students of ‘gemology and jewellery designing’ who had put up their own creations of jewellery — danglers, pendants, anklets and bracelets. Principal Harmit Kaur lauded the endeavour of the Fine Art and Home Science Departments and wished them success in future also.

Interaction with singer: The postgraduate music students of Ramgarhia Girls College had a good time interacting with famous singer Nirmal Sandhu. The college had organised this direct interaction with the singer. He was welcomed by Ms Harmit Kaur and Mr Ranjodh Singh.

The girls started the programme by singing the shabad ‘de shiva var mohe’ . Then it was the turn of Nirmal Sandhu to sing for the students.

They were thrilled to hear him in person. Later, during the interaction , they asked him several questions about the intricacies of music which he answered patiently.

French delegation visits PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 12
Under the leadership of Mr Philippe Mangin, a high-powered 25 member French delegation visited PAU today and held a meeting with Dr Govinder Singh Nanda, Director of Research.

The delegation included members of big farm associations of Franch, agricultural cooperatives, Ministry of Agriculture and Research Institutes of France.

In his welcome address Dr Nanda described the agenda of the meeting and gave the history of PAU since its inception.

He said PAU had five constituent colleges — College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, College of Veterinary Science and College of Home Science.

COURTS

Sessions Judge visits Khanna courts
Our Correspondent

Khanna, March 12
The Sessions Judge, Khanna, Mr Harbans Lal, visited the Khanna Civil Courts here today. The judge inspected the courts and held a meeting with the members of the Khanna Bar Association. The members expressed satisfaction about the working of the courts.

Mr Harbans Lal appealed the members of the association to cooperate to make the national level lok adalat being organised at Ludhiana on April 10 a success.

Mr Nahar Singh, president of the Bar Association, Khanna, welcomed the Sessions Judge.

Mr S.K. Khanna, senior advocate, also addressed the meeting. Mr H.S. Dhillon, Mr Munish Khanna, Mr P.S. Gandhi, Mr Teja Singh Billing, Mr Shamsher Singh Gill, Mr Manjit Singh Sahota, Mr Kapil Dev Deveshwar, and Mr Harminder Mander were prominent among those present.

CULTURE

‘Nalayak’ launches its music
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 12
Vivek Shaque, hero of Punjabi film ‘Nalayak’ was in the city with the director Ravi Nishand to release the music cassette and CD of his film. Addressing the media , he said the film was an out and out comedy which was subtle and carried a message. He said, “Since I had acted in Gadar with Sunny Deol, he has appeared in this film in a climax scene which is very important.

For that scene we went to Mumbai to shoot it . Rest of the film is shot in and around Chandigarh. Jaspal Bhatti too has acted in our film and added panache to the movie.”

He said,”Usually the protagonist is a superman and possesses multi-dimensional talents. But in ‘Nalayak’ the hero is like millions of medicore people and the movie is a tribute to them.

Incidentally Vivek is the co-producer of the film, and has played the lead role of unworthy (Nalayak) person in the film. Vivek said that ‘Nalayak’ was a common expression used by parents for their wards. Nobody could claim that he/she had never been called ‘Nalayak’ in one’s life.” According to Vivek this film was a kind of tribute to all ‘Nalayaks’ of the world.

The film is a comic thriller in the real sense of the term. Vivek said, ‘The hero thinks life is a joke and sails through it till a murder is committed and then he sits up and takes stock of the situation and changes. Since the film is a comedy thriller, music ,too, is in tune with the mood of the film. There are three dance numbers. Apart form that Vivek has fitted in a sad song also in the film. The script has been written and directed by Ravi Nishand. Baba Sehgal has been presented by Timma Films, producers of the film, in a new avtaar. He has composed music along with Anand Raj Anand.

Dev Kohli’s lyrics are in tune with the modern Punjabi taste and tunes of Anand Raj Anand and Sehgal are fast and catchy. Film’s title song “Nalayak hai, Nalayak hai” has all the ingredients to be a chart buster, apart form this ‘kurhi maar gayee ae modha fattee chak diyan ge’ and Nee kurhiye khich kanda, are other songs. Dev Kohli has written five lyrics while Major Littranwala has written one. Singer Shakner Sawhney too has penned a song for the film and has sung it too. Other songs have been sung by Baba Sehgal, Jaspinder Narula, Brijesh Ahuja and Jolly Muherjee.

Apart from Vivek Shauq film’s star cast includes Arti Puri , Rana Jung Bahadur, Gugu Gill, Jaspinder Bhalla and Gurpreet Ghuggi. The film will be released in April.

HEALTH

Drug de-addiction camp held
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 12
The Yuvak Sewavan Club, Jhuner village, and the local Hind Hospital join the organised an eye care and drug de-addiction camp that concluded at the hospital on Friday. Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, MLA, Sunam, inaugurated the camp while Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla was the chief guest.

According to Dr Surjit Singh Nijjar, SMO, more than 1,100 patients were examined for various ailments. A team of ophthalmologists examined more than 925 patients for eye ailments. More than 100 patients were operated for inserting intra-ocular lenses provided free of cost. The operations were performed at the Hind Hospital.

Dr Anshu Gupta examined more than 100 patients suffering from psychiatric problems and drug addiction.

The chief guest, on behalf of Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, MP, presented a grant of Rs 1.5 lakh to the club.

Ms Karamjit Kaur, member SGPC, Dr Sunit Hind, Dr Jyoti, Dr Jyotsana Kapoor and Dr Jagtar Singh, president of the club, were also present on the occasion.