The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Chinese delegation visits PU
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9
A delegation from Jiangsu, China, comprising academicians visited Panjab University today. The members of the India China Friendship Association (ICFA) welcomed the delegations.

Among the visitors was the Mr Zhon Jigiu, Director JPPI, Tu Zhiping, Director of Division for Basic Education, Sui Piy, Deputy Director of division of Vocational and Community Education, Xiaonam Yu, Deputy Director of Division for International Cooperation and Exchange, Ding Wei Ming, Deputy Director of Changzheu, Municipal bureau of education and Zhang Duo, headmaster of Nanjing Vocational High school, Nanjing.

The head of the Department of Chinese and Tibetan language, PU, Dr N. Panda, presented the welcome speech and Dr Usha Sethi, former Professor of education, PU, presented the special address on the educational scenario in India.

From Schools
A day with mothers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9
Expressing the importance of ‘Mother’s Day’, students of Saupin’s School, Chandigarh and Mohali, celebrated the day with their mothers. Among the activities organized were rhymes by the pre-primary level students, along with games like passing the parcel, lucky dip and a catwalk by mothers wearing paper clothes made by students.

On this occasion the ‘Saupin’s Community service Organisation (SCSO) distributed gifts to the ‘mothers’ working on the school construction site also. The children stated that “It was an opportunity to facilitate such mothers who are seldom facilitated.”

Fete: An exhibition-cum-fete was organised at Guru Nanak Public School. Dr. G.S. Randhawa inaugurated the fete. The students had put up very interesting and informative projects of science, social studies, maths and environmental fields. All projects were eye catching and educative. The art and craft sections of both junior and senior wing left no doubt about the creative talents of students. Exciting games, delicious eatables and music attracted one and all to the fete. All visitors enjoyed themselves and had a time of their life.

Elected: Neha Shahi was elected head girl while Rishab Syal was chosen head boy in school elections held at St Peter’s Secondary School, Sector 37, here on Monday. Navraj Chakal and Bhavini Puri were chosen vice head boy and vice head girl.

PANCHKULA

Awarded: Manav Mangal School, Sector 11, bagged the running trophy in a declamation contest organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva organisation as part of Eshwarama week celebrations from May 1 to May 8. Monika and Sumit, students of Classes VIII and IX, respectively, received the trophy at a function organised by the organisation. Ms Monika who spoke on the topic ‘Love for the motherland’ was declared first where as Anshul of DAV School Surajpur and Neha of Andale Public second and third prizes, respectively.

In on the spot painting competition, organised by the organisation, in the 6-9 years category, Ms Deeksha of Blue Bird got first prize whereas Prabhat Mittal and Jatin Sharma (both of Manav Mangal school) bagged second and third prizes, respectively.

Students return from trip
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9
The first group of 29 students and teachers which attended an exchange programme between Chandigarh and Belgaum was back home on Thursday. The exchange was part of the Campaign for Peace City Chandigarh. It was organised by Srijan Peace Education Centre, Yuvsatta, the Dev Samaj College of Education, Gandhi Samriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi. The programme was conducted in association with Karnataka-based BIRDS (Belgaum Integrated Rural Development Scheme).

The first group comprised students and teachers of Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, and KB DAV Senior Secondary Public School, Sector 7, along with volunteers of Yuvsatta came back after a 13-day excursion to Belgaum. In New Delhi, they visited Raj Ghat and Gandhi Smriti. They also enjoyed sight-seeing and excursions to historic cities of Bijapur and Goa.

Group members shared their experiences among themselves in the presence of the Mayor, Ms Anu Chatrath, at DAV school on Friday. After the students narrated their experiences, Mr Pramod Sharma, coordinator, Yuvsatta, presented a vote of thanks. He informed that students from peace-district Belgaum would soon be visiting City Beautiful.

Engineering students demand fee refund
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9
Students of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology (DCET) at Panjab University today alleged that the university authorities were not refunding the excess money paid by them at the time of admission.

The students originally got admission to the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) at the PU and later on migrated to the DCET through internal counselling.

The students alleged that out of an amount ranging between Rs 33,000 and Rs 38,000 that should have been refunded to the students, only Rs 18,600 each had been refunded.

The students further alleged that they had met the university officials several times, but in vain. President of the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) Dalveer Singh said that the students were facing a lot of problem as their semester examinations were round the corner and constant visits to the university officials were hampering their preparations.

Sukhmani students get farewell
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, May 9
Students and management of the Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology bid farewell to the students of 2001 batch at a party organised on the institute campus..

Mr. Jaineet Singh and Ms Simrat Wahi were adjudged Mr and Miss Sukhmani. The outgoing students also shared their experiences of being a part of the institute for the past four years.

Prof Avtar Singh, chairman of the institute, wished the outgoing students a bright future.

He said life was full of challenges, but they should face them with courage
and dignity.

The institute director, Mrs Kanwaljit Kaur, wished them good luck and advised them that they should work with sincerity and dedication wherever they go.

Dr Y.P. Gupta, Principal of the institute, and Prof Gurpreet, Dean, cultural affairs, were also present on the occasion.

Genome study centre to get Rs 197.80 lakh
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 9
On the recommendations of the review committee, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has agreed to grant financial assistance upto March 31, 2007 and has thus allocated Rs 197.80 lakh (non-recurring) during the 10th Plan period in addition to Rs 100 lakhs approved during 9th Plan period for the National Centre for Human Genome Studies and Research, Panjab University. The UGC had established a National Centre for Human Genome Studies and Research in July 2002 as a project under “New Scheme” with a seed money of Rs 100 lakh.

Teachers get tips on human rights
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 9
A three-day national-level guidance and counselling seminar sponsored by the University Grant Commission started today at the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36. The theme of the seminar is ‘The education of teachers and teacher educators for human rights’.

The main aim of the seminar is to generate new ideas and initiate teachers to provide information about human rights. More than 50 persons from various degree colleges, schools and colleges of education participated in it.

While welcoming the participants, Dr Satinder Dhillon, Principal of the college, said the human rights played a significant role in every human being’s life.

An interesting theatre workshop on justice and non-violence was held by Amit Sinha, theatre activist from Jamghat, Ms Jaya Aiyer and Ms Meenal from Parwah (NGO) in New Delhi. Apart from this many activities like story telling, name claps were also organised in which all delegates participated.

Society offers aid to PU students
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 9
Sai Hardayal Lila Charitable Society Inc has invited applications from students seeking admission to professional courses in Panjab University. Two need-based candidates will be selected for the session starting in 2005.

The board of this charity will take the final decision of the applicant’s selection and the amount of financial need and notify the applicants. Tuition fee, up to the approved financial need, will be paid directly to the professional college. Applications may be sent to Surender Talwar, 2339 University Ave, Houston, Tx 77005, e-mail concept@wt.net.

Applications must include up to 1000-word essay, describing reasons and amount of financial aid needed and proof of admission to professional college/course. Income tax returns of last two years of applicant’s parents, certified by local court, and marksheet and two recommendation letters from school will be needed.

COURTS

High Court
Ban on ‘Jo Bole So Nihal’ film sought
Our High Court Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 9
Two more petitions have been filed seeking quashing of the censor certificate issued to the forthcoming Hindi movie Jo Bole So Nihal.

The petitioners, SGPC member Hardip Singh Mohali and the Sikh Students Federation have also sought that a ban be imposed on the release of the movie, which stars Bollywood actor Sunny Deol in the lead role.

Saying that the movie shows the Sikh community in bad light and also hurts the religious sentiments of the community, the petitioners have also sought that the music cassettes of the movie be also taken off the market.

Mr Mohali has also sought that directions be issued to the Union Government to appoint a Sikh to the Censor Board.

Meanwhile, film producer N.R. Pasichia was also impleaded as party to the case, even as counsel for distributor Ponty Chadha and T-Series sought time to file their replies.

The film is slated to hit theatres on May 13.

Some days back, the High Court had issued notice on a similar petition filed by Mr Amarjit Singh of Ludhiana.

He had stated that a song picturised on the hero of the film Sunny Deol has the words ‘Bole So Nihal’ in it. The song has Sunny Doel mouthing these words while he is dancing with girls on a beach.

The petitioner has objected to the use of these words in the song, saying that they are sacrosanct for the Sikh Community and their use in this way was not acceptable. He has said that the action of the respondents has inflicted a major insult to the community.

He has also prayed for withdrawal of posters of the movie offending the religious sentiments of the community.

Today, the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Mr Justice D.K. Jain directed that all the petitions would be heard together on May 11 when the arguments are likely to take place.

Attack on ex-SSP: charges to be framed on May 27
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9
The District and Sessions Judge, Mr MMS Bedi, today fixed May 27 for framing of charges against a Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) militant, Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, in a case relating to attack on a former Chandigarh SSP, Mr Sumedh Singh Saini.

Bhullar, who was earlier exempted from personal appearance, is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, New Delhi, following the award of death sentence by the Supreme Court in a case relating to the attack on the former Indian Youth Congress (IYC) chief, Mr MS Bitta.

Bhullar had alleged here on January 18 that the Delhi police had forced him to own responsibility for the terrorist attack outside the IYC office in New Delhi on September 11,1993. This confession was later used by the police to build a “fabricated” case against him in a TADA court, Bhullar had alleged.

Later, a three-Judge Bench of the apex court had awarded him death penalty. Subsequently, his mother had moved a mercy petition before the President of India for condoning the death penalty and the petition is pending with the Union Home Ministry.