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PU panel on ‘funds diversion’ fails to meet
Chandigarh, May 3 The seriousness of the university authorities in the probe can be gauged from the fact that the six-member committee headed by Mr Kehar Singh has not met even once despite the huge amount involved. The centre of vocational studies was renamed as Centre for Environment and Vocational Studies in 2001. The vocational courses which have practically became non-existent and have no takers continued to receive funds for four years. The funds allocated for vocational studies were allegedly diverted to a postgraduate course in environmental studies which falls under the faculty of science without seeking the approval of the Senate. Strangely, Prof R.K. Kohli, Coordinator, Centre for Environment and Vocational Studies, who is alleged to have diverted the funds for promoting postgraduate environmental studies, has been made a member of that committee. The expenditure incurred continued to get the approval of the auditors for years. Mr Gopal Krishna Chatrath, senator, Panjab University has written a letter to Vice-Chancellor in this connection. According to Mr Chatrath, a probe was required to find out the circumstances under which the auditors approved the expenditure incurred on the items which has nothing to do with the vocational studies course. Ironically the agenda of the committee is to only examine the necessity for Vocational Studies Diploma in the university. “A member of committee will look into allegations raised against himself is a violation of norms. But this has become a rule rather than an exception in the PU campus these days”, Mr Chatrath said. However, Vice-Chancellor K.N. Pathak only said he was looking into the matter”.
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Glitter and glamour at school function
Chandigarh, May 3 She presented the annual report for 2004-2005, highlighting the academic and co-cirricular activities of the school. A fascinating array of folk dances of Orrisa, Nagaland and Kumaon lend a rhythmic aura to the venue. Kaka Hathrasi’s Hindi skit “Free style gawahi” aptly highlighted the ridiculousness of the modern life style in a satirical mode. The chief guest, Air Cdre S.P.S.Virk, 3BRD and Mr Manjit Singh graced the occasion. Ms Manjit Virk, president, AFWWA (L), gave away the prizes as incentives to the talented achievers in various academic and associated arena. The chief guest Air Cdre S.P.S.Virk, VSM, praised the school for its unstinted quest for perfection. The celebration concluded with an alluring display of the famous folk dance of Punjab, the bhangra and ended on a solemn note of National Anthem. Contest held:
IDMA Foundation for Sustainable Development Organisation held its essay competition at Vivek High School in collaboration with the ECO Club of the school, here today. The topic was ‘How my school can contribute in reducing air pollution in Chandigarh’. Anisha Bedi of Class IX and Inayat Khosla of Class X , students of the host school, won the first and second prize. This was conducted to create awareness among school children and to make Chandigarh pollution free. MOHALI :
Saupins School, Sector 70, organised a Hindi song competition at the school premises here today. The students presented melodious Hindi songs. The event of the day was judged by some parents. The competition brought out a lot of budding talent. A group of children from Saupins School Chandigarh and Mohali, recently participated in Katha Utsav held in India International Centre, New Delhi from April 27 to 29.
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PUDA told to pay Rs 53,000 compensation
Chandigarh, May 3 The commission, dismissing the PUDA appeal against the orders of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II, held the authority guilty of mental and physical harassment of Mr Harbhajan Singh, a resident of Sector 68. Mr Harbhajan Singh, was allotted an HIG house in Sector 68 in 1999 at a total cost of Rs 11.94 lakh. The 45 per cent of the total amount was paid by him within 60 days of the receipt of the allotment letter before taking possession. The balance was to be paid in 156 monthly installments of Rs 10,050 each. According to a clause of the allotment letter, the allottee had the option to pay the balance in lump sum in a period of 60 days, which would entitle him to a rebate of 10 per cent of the total price. In accordance with the clause, the allottee paid Rs 5,32,980 on January 13, 2000. And even after the full payment, Mr Harbhajan Singh was allegedly given a rebate of only 7.5 per cent and was charged an excess amount of Rs 29,860. He had alleged that the possession of land was delayed for a period of over 13 months, which had inflicted financial loss on him.
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Dancing their way to happiness
Kalagram is resonating with the sounds of music these days, and at the heart of revelry are 200 children from the slums of Chandigarh. The occasion seems routine but is not really one, certainly not for these children who hardly get to see the face of fun. For them, the word “workshop” spells nothing less than “celebration”.
Naturally they are paying attention as if there is no tomorrow, and are thoroughly enjoying their new found roles - some are actors in the theatre workshop going on under Kulwant Bhatia; some are singers under the guidance of Arjun Jaipuri, and others are dancers, keen to hit the stage along with their instructor Anuradha Arora. For the first time, the North Zone Cultural Centre is sponsoring a special workshop for slum children who could exhibit their talent. Confident and dignified, they defy their “difficult” circumstances to prove their worth. As all instructors admit: “They are uninhibited, hence pliable. Unlike most children form urban settings who take time to let go, these love flow with the instructions. It is a pleasure to direct them because they are ready to surrender and then evolve.” Irrespective of the nature of workshops, the children are doing well. At present, they are most excited about the grand finale which will take place after a month. It will feature a stage presentation by
the slum kids who are too keen to deliver. Among the participants are about 72 children from DAV, Sector 8, Chandigarh. The rest are from Mauli Jagran, Vikas Colony and Sectors 8 and
9 Panchkula. TNS
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Students are not trained to think, says Meera Nanda
“Our education system does not awaken students. Neither are the students trained to think or to reason. They are given prepared answers and told to follow it. Questioning is not welcomed at all”, said Meera Nanda, a scientist turned philosopher who has authored books like “Prophets Facing Backward” and “Breaking the Spell in Dharma” in an interview with Chandigarh Tribune today.
Meera Nanda is also a John Templeton Foundation Fellow in Religion and Science in USA. She did her MSc in Microbiology from Panjab University in 1979 and Ph D in Biotechnology. She is a crusader against the powerful anti-science establishments in India. She has also done a doctorate
in philosophy. Recalling her days in Panjab University she said: “Once my professor told me to find out how the DNA works in just 15 minutes. But it took me months to understand the concept completely. I found it so revolutionary. From that day onwards there was no looking back for me.” In the city to deliver a talk at a seminar at Panjab University, she questioned the claim that Hinduism has scientific basis. She said Hinduism was lacking in the sensibility of justice and equality. It has still been supporting caste system, she said. Her books have received widespread appreciation in America and in India. But many of the critics, who believe in the Gandhian philosophy, were not considerate towards her work. Explaining the title of her book “Prophets Facing Backward”, she said: “Our prophets propagate that we should go back to our traditions while facing the future. But it is time to realise that most of the old traditional values are of no use today.” She has also her share of work in the field of journalism. She worked in a daily newspaper for three years. But she found journalism limiting and moved
to the USA where she secured a second Ph D in science from there. Now she has been living there from past 20 years. Meera is planning a book on the holistic sciences in Hinduism soon.
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