EDUCATION

ITI students submit memorandum to CM
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 27
The students of Industrial Training Institutions (ITIs) here submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, through the Deputy Commissioner to protest against the proposed move of privatisation of the education.

The Punjab Students Union, the Punjab Students Federation and the Punjab Students Union (Randhawa) jointly organised a protest rally today which started from Chhatar Singh Park and concluded at DCs office. Hundreds of students participated in the protest rally.

Mr Navdeep Jodhan, State Convener ITIs Action Committee Punjab, in a press statement today said that government had increased the fee structure of ITIs manifolds, which was injustice to students. The students said that they would never let the ITIs go in private hands. The smooth functioning of ITIs had been affected due to shortage of raw material. Mr Jodhan stressed that government should ensure regular supply of raw material. The agitated students also demanded restoration of vocational training in certain trades. The posts of over 800 instructor were lying vacant for the past several years, which needed to be filled immediately, said the students.

The students alleged that government policies were anti-student and anti-people. The privatisation move would ruin the careers of thousands of meritorious students. He said that intelligent students who can not afford to pay huge fees would suffer in this whole exercise. The students threatened to intensify their agitation if their demands were not accepted.

Opinion divided on scrapping CET
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 26
More and more people, including those involved with education, are supporting the idea of scrapping the Common Entrance Test (CET) for engineering college admissions in the state. While a good number of people, particularly the parents, have been maintaining that the test should be abolished, given the number of vacant seats after the admission process is completed, some academicians and those associated with the field of education want the system to continue. Talking to the Ludhiana Tribune, they said, an entrance test was the best way to judge the ability of the students. However, those against holding of the entrance test have been arguing that the admissions should be granted in accordance with the merit secured by the candidates in their board or qualifying examinations.

According to Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, general secretary Shiromani Akali Dal, and former minister the CET exam should be scrapped. It was mental as much as financial strain for both the students and their parents. He said last year almost 4,300 seats lay vacant. There were more seats and few takers. If the merit of the students was to be judged, it could be on the basis of their plus two results. Brilliant students could get seats in their favourite colleges and favoured branch. “The PTU is making money by holding these tests. It should ask the government for grants and not put pressure on the students and parents. In the present scenario, the CETs have lost their significance”, said Mr Grewal.

Mr G.K. Dua, Co-ordinator, Gujranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, said there was absolutely no need for the test. Almost 3,000-4,000 seats lie vacant every year. The Ptu has kept 15 per cent reserved seats for students from the border areas, SC/ST. They could always make their separate merit list. The tests were nothing but a harassment for both the students and parents. “The tests are a kind of burden these days, when there are few takers”, said Mr Dua.

However, Dr K.N.S.Kang, Director, Punjab College of Technical Education, said there was a need for the tests as through these tests, students could be evaluated on the same platform. The merit could not be based on plus two examinations because of different boards. “Every student will opt for certain favoured branches and reputed colleges. If merit is not judged, meritorious students could suffer. There will be a difficulty in assessing the credibility of students”, said Dr Kang.

Mr M.S. Grewal, Registrar Punjab Technical University, said the university held the tests to judge the merit of students in its system of evaluation. Otherwise there could be no common platform to judge them as students came from places like Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir etc. “To prepare a common merit list, a corelation factor is needed and the CET is the only solution. We are in favour of retaining the tests for the time being but the situation can be reviewed at a later stage”, said Mr Grewal. 

From Schools
KVM council takes oath
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 27
The office-bearers of KVM City Branch took an oath to perform their duties sincerely. The oath-taking ceremony was led by the school captain Master Natansh Gupta.

Chief Guest, Principal of KVM Mr S.C. Saxena lighted the lamp and addressed the students and told them the values of discipline, commitment towards duties and their importance. Students of class V sang a song. Vote of thanks was given by Headmistress, Mrs Namita Raj Singh.

Dental check-up camp

Ryan International School organised a dental check-up and awareness camp in the school from April 25 that ended today. 1900 students were examined by the specialised team of dentists headed by Dr V.K. Kapila, Reader Department of Community from Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College Hospital and Research Institute, Ludhiana. During the check-up, the children were educated regarding maintenance of oral hygiene and dietry habits.

Moreover, an interactive session for senior students was taken up by Dr V.K. Rana and Dr Vikram Prabhkar, Principal and Vice-Principal of the college respectively, on the second day of the camp. The teams of the doctor were highly impressed by the students and the school. Speaking on the occasion, Principal Ms Jaishree Gupta said that it was earnest effort to provide the best of evrything that they could do to the Ryanites, whether it included opportunities in the field of culture, sports or health for after all a healthy mind stays in a healthy body.

Hockey Olympian joins PAU faculty
Tribune News service

Ludhiana, April 27
Recipient of Arjuna Award and former Captain of Indian Hockey Team, Mr Ramandeep Singh Grewal has taken over as Deputy Director Sports in Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Mr Grewal said that he wanted to take the University to the level of international fame in the field of sports. He said that Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh also wanted that the PAU should achieve the higher in this field.

Mr Ramandeep Singh Grewal said that programmes would be drawn up so that students from all constituent colleges of the university could be able to participate in the games and for this, they will be given the technical guidance. He said that PAU students will have to work very hard to compete with the players of other universities for better results. He said PAU had produced three hockey olympians.

The staff of the Directorate of Sports welcomed Mr Ramandeep Singh Grewal. 

CULTURE

Professor with a penchant for photography
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, April 27
City-based photo artist Prof Kanwaljeet Singh was given a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a plaque, by Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu, the famous cricketer and Member Parliament, on April 23 in Amritsar at the Indian Academy of Fine Arts (IAFA) Amritsar. A photograph sent by Prof Kanwaljeet Singh to the 71st Indian Academy of Fine Arts Photographic Competition won him the first prize, which was presented to him on April 23. Photographers from all over the country had sent in their entries in the competition.

Mr Kanwaljeet Singh is an Assistant Professor of Electronic Engineering in Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana. Photography is his hobby.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, he said, ‘‘Actually I took to artistic photography in 1991. I have won awards at National and International level as 300 of my photographs have won acclaim. I took my photographic exhibition titled ‘Frozen Frames’ from Ludhiana to other cities of India and it was well appreciated. The exhibition was sponsored by North Zone Cultural Centre.’’

His photographic work gained popularity and he was invited by several organisations in Canada and they offered him sponsorship.

He took his work based on people and land of Punjab aptly titled ‘Meri Dharti, Mere Log’ to several cities of Canada like Vancouver, Toronto, Surrey etc.

He was awarded by the Punjab State Lalit Kala Academy in 1997.

He told Ludhiana Tribune that for the past few years there had been a great shift to digital cameras. ‘‘Now due to digital cameras, one does not have to make prints as one can see the results in the computers only.

The speed of cameras has increased manifold. But still the man behind the camera and his way of handling the camera , his skill and his sensitivity matters more than the camera.

‘‘My favourite subjects are the land of Punjab and its people. I have captured all moods of people of Punjab at different times ranging from dawn to dusk.

I have clicked photographs of Golden Temple for a calender printed abroad. Similarly the different shades and hues of Punjabi Culture have been used in a calendar ."

His slide shows have also gained him a lot of appreciation and specially the one titled ‘‘Sunflowers have Blossomed again.’’