EDUCATION

Probe sought into flying squad’s report on exam centre
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 15
Residents of Kanganwal village have urged the authorities of the Punjab School Education Board to investigate an incident in which a flying squad team had tried to relieve the staff at an examination centre allegedly on flimsy grounds. Another team, which visited the centre at the same time, had reported the centre to be running smoothly. The board authorities had, however, directed the district authorities not to shift the staff.

The residents, led by Mr Sinder Singh and Ms Satya Devi, Sarpanch, alleged that exploiting his position as head of a flying squad team, Mr Joginder Singh Aulakh, Principal, Government Senior Secondary School, Amargarh had tried to tarnish the image of Government Senior Secondary School of Kanganwal village.

Terming his action to be “vindictive,” the residents alleged that the officer had tried to relieve the staff posted at the centre on flimsy grounds and had reported that the Controller and the Superintendent were in hand in glove in supporting mass copying there.

A perusal of the report by the squad in the examination centre showed that no objectionable material was found either from the students or the staff posted at the centre. Some handwritten and printed material had been collected from the fields adjoining the school. Presuming that the material had been thrown by the candidates from the windows of the centre, the squad construed that mass copying was going on and recommended the immediate shifting of some staff members posted there. As the team had taken the material away, it could not be ascertained whether it was relevant or not.

Interestingly, the other squad, led by Mr Rishi Pal, had reported the centre to be running ideally. It was a sheer coincidence that the two squads had visited the centre at the same time in the morning session.

Demanding an inquiry, the residents urged the authorities to appoint an impartial officer who might observe the functioning of the centre in future so that the candidates were spared unnecessary wastage of time on the pretext of a search. 

Probe ordered into cutting of trees on PAU campus
Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 15
Following a complaint lodged by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the employees and teachers of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, has ordered an inquiry into the felling of a large number of trees in the main PAU Campus.

Through a letter dated March 9, 2005, Mr D.K. Tewatia, Assistant Inspector-General of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests (Forests Protection Division), has asked the Secretary, Environment and the Forest Department, Government of Punjab, to probe the felling of trees on the PAU campus and send him a detailed report immediately under intimation to the complainant.

In a press note issued here today, Dr Balwant Singh, convener, JAC, has said that he complained to the Ministry of Environment and Forests last month that the PAU had allegedly got felled about 15000 healthy trees on the sprawling 1300-acre campus of the PAU without obtaining the mandatory permission of the authorities concerned of the state and the Central Government. The trees, he claimed, had been planted by founders of the university to maintain ecology of the area and to protect crops in the research areas from elements of nature, such as storms, strong winds etc.

Denying the charges, a senior university official maintained out that the trees had a fixed life span. The trees cut were sold in open auction and the money was utilised for the university development. Moreover, the official disclosed, that the university ensured that an equal number of trees were planted in place of those cut. The official said the trees along the boundary wall of the university were not uprooted but were cut from the ground level. The second crop of these trees is already mature.

The official also clarified that these trees did not fall under the forest or environment Prevention Act and everything was done in a transparent manner and legal procedure was followed.

The official said, although the university had no intimation so far about the inquiry, but the university would always welcome any inquiry and present all facts and details before the inquiry officer to bring truth before the public.

Girls’ school to be named after Shaheed Sukhdev
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 15
In order to fulfil the long pending demand of setting up a suitable memorial of Shaheed Sukhdev, the state government has decided to rename Government Girls Senior Secondary School Bharat Nagar, as Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Government Girls Senior Secondary School.

This was announced by Mr Harnam Das Johar, Education Minister Punjab, after holding a meeting with the members of Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust held here, last evening. Members of the trust who attended the meeting included Mr Vinod Thapar President; Mr Deepak Thapar, chairman; Mr Sandeep Thapar; Mr Ashok Thapar, Mr Dalip Thapar, Mr Sher Singh Thapar and Mr S K Thapar. In the meeting the members presented a memorandum to the minister demanding the setting up of the memorial before March 23, 2005, the martyrdom day of Sukhdev.

Mr Johar informed that a function would be organised in the school on March 23, to perform the ceremony of renaming the school by putting up a proper signboard. Mr Johar also said Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar, who was hanged along with Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Shaheed Raj Guru had brought special honour to the city of Ludhiana through his contribution to the freedom movement.

The minister said the state government was committed to set up memorials of the martyrs of the freedom movement. He said a statue of the martyr along with Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Rajguru had already been installed on Jagraon Bridge.

He said Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust and family members of Sukhdev had been stressing for setting up of a separate memorial of the martyr in the city, as he belonged to Ludhiana.

Mr Johar added that a special plaque inscribed with life history of Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar would also be installed on March 23 in the school. He assured that a separate sports wing would also be set up in the school and required grant would be released at the earliest.

Mr Vinod Thapar, president of the Shaheed Sukhdev Memorial Trust and other members thanked Mr Johar for fulfilling the demand and said. It would be a suitable tribute to the great martyr. 

580 get degrees
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 15
The annual prize distribution function of Master Tara Singh College was held today. Dr K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh, was the chief guest. The function started with recital of shabads.

Ms Madanjit Kaur Sahota, Principal, welcomed the chief guest and read the annual report of the college. She highlighted future plans of the college. Dr Pathak in his address stressed the need for educating girls. Thirteen students were awarded roll of honour, 19 got college colours, 80 got postgraduate degrees and 500 graduate got degrees. Degrees were given by the chief guest and the Principal. Mr Swaran Singh, president, managing society of the college, presented a vote of thanks.

Prizes given to 45 students
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 15
The Annual Prize Distribution Function of SDP Senior Secondary School, Basti Jodhewal, was held here today. Mr Balraj Bhasin, President of the SDP Sabha was the chief guest on the occasion. The Principal Mr Jasveer Singh Chauhan, teachers and students welcomed the chief guest.

A cultural programme, ‘Aao Jhumein Nachein Gayein’ was put up by tiny tots. A choreography based on ‘Women empowerment’ was presented by students. A fancy dress show by tiny tots was also held.

The purpose of fancy dress was to boost the morale and confidence of students. The Chief guest gave away prizes to meritorious students, Mr Ved Prakash Gupta, Mr Lekh Raj Arora, Mr H.K. Chugh, Mr Sanjeev Gupta, Mr Dhari Shah Singla were present on the occasion. At least 45 students were awarded on the occasion.

Hamara School
School which inculcates will to win

“WILL to Win” is the motto of GMT Senior Secondary Public School. The motto inspires both the students as well as teachers. The students are inspired to inculcate the spirit of sacrifice, devotion and dedication. The school is located on the GT Road, Jalandhar Bypass and boasts of a majestic building and sprawling lush green lawns and it is equipped with ultra-modern scientific amenities.

GMT, which stands for Gur Kaur Memorial Trust, is leaving no stone unturned to realise the cherished dream of providing all-round education to the students. This was the wish of late Sardarni Gur Kaur Thind, the real inspiration behind the institute.

Under the aegis and the dynamic leadership of the directors, Mr K.S. Thind and Mr J.S. Thind, the school is striving for excellence. Within a short span of time, the school has earned a name in the academic world by showing excellent results in the C.B.S.E. examinations. The school offers all the streams of education (medical, non- medical, commerce, humanities) to the students up to +2 level.

The well stocked library provides books on various subjects. The furnished laboratories of physics, chemistry and biology help the young scientists to shine.

The school provides a well-managed separate hostel for boys and girls serving very hygienic and nutritious meals. Well furnished dormitories equipped with modern facilities can accommodate more than 120 students in hostel.

The students are well versed in modern computer education from nursery onwards to keep pace with the competitive world. The extra curricular activities, seminars, debates and other competition are organised to bring out the hidden talents in students.

From time to time various medical camps are organised under the supervision of distinguished doctors to keep the students hale and healthy. The school provides excellent transport facilities at subsidised charges for its students. The school has a fleet of 15 buses, vans and autos. 

Principalspeak

Education has a multi-faceted role to play in a nationwide effort to intensify human resource development. The main task is to strengthen the base of the pyramid which constitutes a billion people.

It may be a bit complex to envision with precision, the future shape of education in India but given our tradition which has always put a high premium on intellectual and spiritual attainment we are bound to succeed in achieving our objectives.

Education is an all-round development of personality. Plato said the purpose of education was not to fill a empty vessel, but to turn the eye of soul towards light.

To excel the educational institutions need to create environment for teachers and students to face new challenges in life with good support, hence we provide such environment.

We stress on importance of learning and how to differentiate it from teaching. Education should empower the learner to become an independent life-long learner so that he/she keeps updating himself/herself throughout life.

To achieve this purpose, we, at GMT, inspire our teachers and students to follow the school’s motto. We have made big strides in very short time and will continue to do so.

HEALTH

Tips to prevent heartburn

More than 50 per cent of the population has heartburn. Heartburn is even more common during pregnancy, with about one in four women reporting it daily at some point during their pregnancy. Heartburn is a burning feeling in the middle of the chest caused by acid leaking upwards from the stomach into the esophagus, or swallowing tube. Normally, the muscular esophagus acts like a one-way valve allowing food to enter your stomach after swallowing, but not letting anything go back up. When the esophagus is too loose where it connects to the stomach, strong stomach acid seeps back through the opening and causes heartburn. Because the esophagus doesn’t have a protective lining like the stomach, it can be burned by the acid causing pain and sometimes damage. Heartburn can also cause night time cough, wheezing, and in some cases difficulty swallowing food due to scarring of the esophagus.

Acid indigestion is a similar burning discomfort, but in the pit of your stomach. It can be caused by acid irritating the stomach lining or duodenum. Acid indigestion is believed to happen not just because of too much acid, but also because of too little protection from the mucus lining of the stomach. Prevention and remedies

To prevent stomach acid and indigestion, take these simple steps :

Never lie down after a meal. Allow two to three hours between eating and bedtime.

Take your breakfast, lunch and dinner on time. Delay can lead to stomach problems.

Smoking hastens heartburn.

Alcohol, irritates the stomach and the esophagus.

Eat smaller meals, and avoid late night snacks.

Being over-weight can worsen heartburn.

Try propping up the head of your bed 3 inches with books or blocks under the legs of the frame. It’s hard for stomachacid to go uphill into your esophagus.

Avoid tight-fitting clothes, such as tight belts and waistbands. If heartburn persists for one to two weeks despite home treatment, consult your physician. — Dr Anil Dheer

SPORTS

MC Club win by 40 runs
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, March 15
Thanks to fine batting by Salil (55) and Deepak (39), Municipal Corporation Club recorded 40-run win over Unique Club in a cricket match played here at the Satish Chander Dhawan Government College ground. In reply to Municipal Corporation Club’s total of 171 runs, Unique Club could gather 131 runs.

Brief scores: Municipal Corporation Club- 171 all out ( Salil 55, Deepak 39 and Dharminder 23; Abhi Behal 3 for 38 and Dheeraj 2 for 29).

Unique Club- 131 all out (Harjeet 34, Dheeraj 34 and Abhi Behal 19; Rajesh Sharma 4 for 20, Deepak 2 for 28 and Dharminder 2 for 28).