Chandigarh, May 4
Following the publication of news in Chandigarh Tribune headlined ‘PU panel on the funds diversion fails to meet’’, Vice-Chancellor (VC), K.N. Pathak, Panjab University, has issued a letter to the members of the committee to hold a meeting.

The VC had constituted a committee to look into the alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs 36 lakh by the centre 
for Environment and Vocational Studies.

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.

“The meeting of the committee will be held on May 9. I had the raised the issue at the last meeting of Senate. I had explained the background of these vocation studies diploma. I even elaborated that the funds were being allocated with approval of the Senate and the Syndicate to this course for four years.

According to me, this course should be restarted immediately and the committee should look into the diversion of funds too. Remaining issues will be decided by the committee”, Dr Kamaljit Singh, Botany department, one of the committee members said.

Other members of the committee are Mr Kehar Singh, chairperson, Prof R K Kohli, co-coordinator, centre for Environment and vocational studies, Prof M.L. Sharma, chairperson, Botany department and finance and development officer, convener.

Chandigarh, May 4
Students of the Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology (CIET), Rajpura, made a record when the top four positions were bagged by them in the Electronics and Communication Engineering, fifth semester examinations held by Punjab Technical University in December, 2004, the results of which have been declared.

This is consistent performance by Chitkara students with their names featuring in the top 10 list in the different streams of engineering of B.Tech Courses. As many as 12 students secured top 10 positions.

In the fifth Semester of electronics and communication engineering, Geetika stood first with 89.882 per cent marks while Amandeep Singh was second with 89.059 per cent marks. The third position was bagged by Ravish Goyal with 87.529 per cent marks and Isha Jain was fourth with 87.294 per cent marks.

In the fifth semester of computer science and engineering, Ruchi Arora topped the list and came first with 88.667 per cent marks while Gaurav Bagga stood 10th with 85.111 per cent marks

The fifth semester of electrical stream also showed excellent performance by Chitkara students. Inderjit Singh was second with 87.889 per cent marks, Rajat Kumar Sharma stood fourth with 86.444 per cent marks, Deepika Saini fifth with 85.889 per cent marks, Shilpa Punj sixth with 85.111 per cent marks, Paramjeet Singh is eight with 84.778 per cent marks and Upneet Kaur Pannu ninth with 84.778 per cent marks.

In the fifth semester of mechanical branch Vikran Karwal took the third position with 86.889 per cent marks while Vipul Sharma was fourth with 86 per cent marks.

In the third semester of electronics and communication engineering, Ashu Jindal was second with 88 per cent marks, Jaspreet Kaur third with 87.73 per cent marks, Ashima fourth with 87.60 per cent marks while Avika Dhingra stood seventh with 87 per cent marks.

In the third semester of mechanical branch, Darshjit Singh Sandhu stood fourth with 85.44 per cent marks.

Dr (Mrs) Madhu Chitkara, Director, announced that all these toppers will be honoured by Dr Ashok Chitkara, Chairman, Chitkara Educational Trust and will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 5100, Rs 3100 and Rs 2100 respectively, which is a regular feature of the college to encourage and appreciate the hard work put by the students. She said, “These results speak for themselves the untiring efforts, dedication and perseverance of the faculty. In a span of just over three years, CIET has made its presence felt in the region and has carved a niche for itself in technical relevance.”

Chandigarh, May 4
The Rayat and Bahra Group has opened its corporate office at Sector 34, to provide interactive facilities for the convenience of students and their parents today.

Mr D.P. Singh, Deputy GM, Indian Bank, was the chief guest on the occasion and he inaugurated the office.

Discussing the salient features of the newly opened office, Vice Chairman, Rayat and Bahra Group, Mr Gurvinder Singh Bahra, explained that a helpdesk will be available to students for all kinds of queries related to admissions, examinations, student information and placement at the Central Office.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr Bahra said comfort and convenience of students and their parents was the uppermost in their mind. The commitment to adhere to quality standards had been their driving force. 

Chandigarh, May 4
The Sector 76 to 80 Plot Allotment Sangharsh Committee, Mohali, today alleged that PUDA was not properly contesting the ongoing case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

After a meeting of the committee held here today, members of the committee said PUDA was not making serious efforts to settle the case which was going on for the past four years.

Members of the committee said on one hand PUDA had announced to acquire land for more sectors in Mohali, and on the other hand it was not through with the housing scheme for the five sectors.

The committee has appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and direct PUDA to allot the plots at the earliest.

Chandigarh, May 4
Eversince the inception of institutionalised society ‘woman’ has been extolled a goddess but in reality it does not accord with this idealistic exaltation. The literary genius of Balwant Gargi sculpted a classic play ‘Loha Kut’ which brought alive the twisted tormented life of a ‘woman’ to redefine male chauvinism.

The theme of the social play, hailed as the crowning endeavour of Gargi in Punjabi literature though written and staged during the pre-partition days is relevant for all times too come.

The play was staged at the Tagore Theatre today by the ‘Theatre for Theatre’ group. The audience saluted the literary prominence of Late Balwant Gargi and the directorial elegance of Safdar Hashmi award winner, Sudesh Sharma. Structured in the deep pastoral ambience the production underlined the element of conflict between the manmade prejudices and traditional mindset.

Young Beno revolts to express her love to marry Sarvan against the wishes of her father , Kaku a blacksmith by profession, but only to be snubbed and subjected to perpetual torture. Her sentiments and passions are termed to be for mere sexual gratification. Caught in the dilemma of holding on to the old family tradition and rituals and the aspirations of a young daughter, the slumbering conscience of her mother, Santi, too awakenes and she follows her daughter by getting rid of her demanding and ruthless husband after 18 years of marriage.

The Director, Suresh Sharma successfully dealt with the sensitive and subtle themes of social prejudices and human relationships with ample support from actors and good light and sound effects. Young Bhavna brought out the character of Beno with verve and intellect along with versatile Anita Shabdeesh and Gopal Upmanyu. Naresh Bhagat, Shanti Saini, Kanchan Gupta also impressed with their performances.

Chandigarh, May 4
The Rotary Club of Chandigarh Midtown will raise money for its proposed mobile diagnostic centre for mentally challenged by organising a charity premiere of Ajay Devgan starrer “Main Aisa Hi Hoon” at Nirman Theatre on Thursday.

The mobile centre will visit each and every household in the city and its vicinity to screen children suffering from any mental ailment. The project would work under Dr Joginder Mukherjee, clinical psychologist and counsellor, Government College of Education, Sector 20.

“We are planning to train the young girls in the area for taking proper care of such patients. By imparting this skill, an employment opportunity for the girls will be created and the patients would also received adequate care,” explained Dr Mukherjee, while addressing mediapersons here today.

The entire cost of the project is Rs 10 lakh and the club has received the amount from Rajya Sabha member Dr Farooq Abdullah and producer and director of the movie, Harry Baweja. Both would be the lifelong patrons of the proposed centre.

The donor cards for the premiere are priced at Rs 1,500 for a couple. “All proceeds will go towards making the centre a reality.”