The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

‘Teachers must give sex education in schools’
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, July 2
Tall, lithe and pretty 13-year-old Sheena ‘s life lay in a heap of ruin as to her horror and her parent’s horror too, a painful discovery was made that she was pregnant. The family was shattered. Actually Sheena was friendly with a school mate and since she was ignorant about sex , she was lured into sexual exploits with that boy.

There are many teenagers who get pregnant out of ignorance and face serious consequences of pre-marital sex. Some are vilified and raped and become pregnant . Either the parents take them for abortions or the child delivered is thrown at birth time ( as reported in the media) or given for adoption. But the fact remains that while the boy goes scot free, the girl ‘s future lies shattered both emotionally and mentally.

Ms P. Singh, a retired teacher of Convent School, says .”Sex education is the need of hour. Young children after puberty become very curious about sex. As it is they are getting very suggestive but incorrect information regarding sex from their friends, television advertisements and some scenes from movies. Their curiosity is aroused but they do not know whom to go to and thus land in trouble while experimenting . If they are taught in schools and have correct perspective and knowledge about sex, they will not get caught in any trap. Education has become more relevant with the dreadful diseases AIDS gripping young persons.”

Similar views were shared by Mr Lakhwinder, a lawyer. He said,”I feel the students of Class X and above must be given knowledge about sex. The boys sometimes get sexually transmitted diseases and go to quacks for treatment as these quacks display boards saying that they are ‘specialists in sexual diseases’. The boys get half baked information from their friends. They cannot discuss their problems either with their families or teachers as ‘sex’ is taboo and still considered a dirty word. Hence the students must get correct knowledge in schools. Biology teachers could teach about it or Moral Science teachers should teach about the sanctity of sex.”

Ms Pooja , a post graduate student , says, “Yes, we should be told about true facts about sex. As we are growing, hormonal changes in our bodies are taking place and we do not understand the needs of our body . We do not know whom to turn to. Sometimes concerned teachers caution us to safeguard ourselves from the people we know as she said that 70 percent of molestations and rapes are committed by the known people. Generally she said that protectors only become predators. I have found her advise to be helpful and feel lucky that I have a teacher who was bold enough to familiarise us with the hard realities of life. So I feel that all girls should be made aware of the pitfalls of being lured into sexual relations.

Vidhu, a mother of two teenaged daughters, says," After the MMS scandal of a girl of Delhi Public School, Delhi, I do get nightmares about my daughters, I have spoken to my daughters about this delicate topic ‘sex’. But I feel they would feel more comfortable if they were addressed by their teachers. With more and more young people acquiring AIDS , it is of paramount importance that students should have clear cut ideas of consequences of wanton sex. Since society is getting more permissive, the interaction between the two sexes is increasing , and hence I feel both boys and girls should know everything about sex. Boys of my friends have acquired STD as their friends pushed them to experiment sex with prostitutes. Since we are getting so open about everything , so why should sex be wrapped under covers.”

From Colleges
Arya College introduces MA (Punjabi)
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
Arya College, is going to introduce MA Punjabi (Co-Education) from the current session (2005-06). According to a press note, a Panjab University inspection team visited the college in May, 2005 and found that college had adequate infrastructure and qualified staff for running this course.

The college already runs MA history, political science, M.Sc (Information Technology) and M.Com. The college offered fee concession and other facilities to meritorious students and sportspersons. The college Principal, Dr S.M. Sharma, said results especially of BCA I, II and III/B.Sc. I, II and III were excellent and much above the university pass percentage.

Talk on CAT: A talk, ‘How to Crack CAT, was organised by Top Careers and You (TCY) at its centre here today. City students got an opportunity to interact with IIM alumnus.

The talk was delivered by Mr Jasdeep Singh, an alumnus of IIT Delhi (from where he passed out as an Electronics Engineer) and IIM Ahmedabad.

He spoke to the students about time management as an important criteria for CAT. He also stressed upon group discussion and personal interview (PI) and advised the students to read newspapers and collect data on the current affairs.

“I play a lot of video games, which have enhanced my logical skills to a great extent”, said Jasdeep.

The talk also addressed the concern of the choice of institute in case one gets multiple calls. Jasdeep gave his own preference to IIM A, B and C. The talk ended with a question-answer session with students.

Campus interview: Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance held a campus interview at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Vocational Studies (GGNIVS). Mr Vineet Ahuja conducted the interview session for MBA students. After various round of interviews, four students were short-listed. Short-listed candidates will be called for final interview at the company office. According to a college press note, such interviews were being regularly organised in the institute to enable students to kickstart their career.

Canadian varsity don for tie-up with PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 2
Dr Gerhard Gries, a senior professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada, who was on a two-day visit to Punjab Agricultural University, held a special meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, on Thursday.

Dr Gerhard offered to develop a collaborative programme between PAU and Simon Fraser University, whereby scientists of the two universities would work together to learn the mechanism of communication of insects and evolve new biological ways of insect and pest control.

He remarked that PAU had good human resource as well as good infrastructure for research, and collaboration of the two universities would yield good results for farmers of both the countries.

Dr Gerhard further said that the university was always willing to collaborate with other universities for mutual benefit.

Dr K.S. Aulakh, while welcoming the offer of Dr Gerhard Gries, informed him that PAU had already signed an MoU with the University of British Columbia for exchange of students at undergraduate level and any proposal of collaboration with Simon Fraser would be welcome.

The VC further said that Punjab farmers spent a lot on pesticides for control of American bollwarm on cotton crop.

PAU would welcome all technical assistance to develop a better biological method of bollworm control.

This not only would save extra expenditure on chemicals but would go a long way in checking chemical pollution of Punjab soils, he remarked.

PAU Diary
Farewell given to Dr G.S. Nanda
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 2
A function was organised in the committee room of the PAU Vice- Chancellor, to bid farewell to Dr G.S. Nanda, Director of Research, who retired on Thursday after attaining the age of superannuation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr K.S. Aulakh, VC, said the services rendered by Dr Nanda would always be remembered. He said Dr Nanda had developed 17 wheat varieties including the most important, PBW- 343, which has occupied more than 90 per cent area in Punjab.

Dr Aulakh said Dr Nanda’s work had been recognised at national as well as international levels. He is the recipient of Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award.

Applications invited: PAU has invited applications from the non-resident Indians (NRIs)/wards of NRIs/NRI sponsored/ industry sponsored candidates for admission to undergraduate and master’s programmes and from Kashmiri migrants to B.Tech. ( Agri. Engg.) for the academic session 2005- 2006.

Giving this information, Dr V.K. Sharma, Registrar, PAU, said candidates educated and residing abroad would be considered for admission without appearing in the relevant entrance tests provided they fulfilled other prescribed qualifications given in the prospectus.

Diversification: Punjab Agricultural University will conduct a camp at KVK Budh Singh Wala in Moga district, to generate awareness among farmers on diversification in agriculture. Dr K S Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, said farmers would be motivated for cultivation of moong, soyabean and maize in order to adopt the scheme of diversification in agriculture.

Under the guidance of Mr Kulbir Singh Sidhu, IAS, Commissioner, Ferozepore, all agricultural officers and rural development officers, progressive farmers of the area and the scientists working at KVKs and Farm advisory service centres would attend the camp, he said.

Aptitude test for MCA aspirants
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 2
Top Careers and You (TCY) will conduct a scholastic aptitude test here tomorrow.The objective of the test is to create awareness amongst the student fraternity about MCA as a career option and the various colleges one can apply to.

According to a press note, the MCA entrance examination is held predominantly by the universities of Pune, Delhi, Punjab, JNU, IIT, Roorkee, and Thapar etc. The aptitude test consists of questions in mathematics, reasoning, computer, GK/verbal.

The scholarship-cum- diagnostic test will exemplify the level of aptitude in students. Individual feedback and detailed analysis of the test will be provided after the test in respective centres. The experts will discuss strategies and quicker ways to tackle different sections. Mr Rakesh Kumar, project manager, says on the basis of performance in this test, students will get a fee waiver up to 25 per cent at all TCY centres. Selected students will be put in a batch, beginning from July 6 at its Ludhiana centre.