Chandigarh, August 24
At 14, Surina Diddi feels she can write a book on her experiences! Working with underprivileged children at Pustak school in Sector 25, proved more than a summer holiday project. “I am happier, grateful and more optimistic now. Working with children far less fortunate than me has made more aware person.”

Born in Chandigarh, the grand-daughter of women’s rights activist, Sheila Didi, Surina has been actively involved with social work in New Jersey, where she lives. Her efforts contributed to opening of a Red Cross Society in her school which has of 30 active members. On a birthday one year, she asked all her friends to donate money to the Aruna Asaf Ali Fund, set up for the development of women and children, instead of buying her birthday presents.

Talking about her experiences at Pustak. She said: “The first few days were difficult. I was not used to the surroundings but soon after As I started reading out stories, teaching them a little bit of general knowledge, science and English.” That is not all; she spent time motivating these youngsters to continue in school and the importance of personal hygiene, even giving them little prizes.

Pustak is one of the education centres run by the Youth Technical Training Society, a non-government organisation working towards the education, health and development of underprivileged children and youth.

Surina hopes to motivate Indians in the USA to adopt these centres so that the needs of these children are looked after.

Her inspiration comes from Mohan Bharghav NASA seientist played by actor Shahrukh Khan film “Swadesh” and a ‘Time’ magazine article on poverty alleviation. 

Chandigarh, August 24
Pankaj Malviya, Chairperson, Department of Russian studies, Panjab University, delivered a lecture on “Russia of Yesterday and Today”, on its campus today.

He portrayed a comparative picture of Russia of 1981 when he went there to study Russian language and of 2001 when he revisited Russia to attend an international seminar.

“The general feeling among the Russian people during early 1980s was that of feeling proud of their history, culture, and system they build up during the period of post-world war II,” he said.

He said the worst affected section of Russian society were women.

“Under the influence of socialist and cooperative system they got ample opportunities for employment and played a very vital role in the economic growth of the country. The breaking up of the USSR has also devastated the hard-earned position of empowerment of the women.

“Husbands, for whatsoever the reasons, are deserting them to fend for themselves. It is easier for the men folk to leave behind the children with their mother, who is forced to earn livelihood by any means,” he averred.

Mohali, August 24
The Punjab School Education Board Non-Teaching Employees Association has condemned the move of the government of carrying out amendments in the act of the board.

Mr Bhagwant Singh, Bedi, general secretary, stated in a press note yesterday that the move of the government was going to affect officials and employees of the board. He alleged that the step had been taken to provide a cover to employees linked with Sarv Sikhya Abhiyan who had indulged in corrupt practices.

He requested the Central Government to intervene in the matter as it had caused great resentment among employees.

Chandigarh, August 24
Fighting a long legal battle over their termination, a number of Inspectors in the Income Tax Department have once again approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The Income Tax Department had terminated their services in 2001, stating that the nomination letters issued by the Staff Selection Commission were forged.

Hearing a bunch of applications moved by the terminated inspectors, the tribunal today issued notice to the Union of India, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, North Western Region and Secretary, Staff Selection Commission.

Challenging the order the applicants stated they had been removed arbitrarily without complying with the principles of natural justice. Earlier, when the applicant had moved the tribunal in 2001 and 2003, the tribunal had directed the department to conduct an inquiry. The department terminated their services following an inquiry. After this the applicants have moved a civil writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in May 2005. The high court had directed the applicant to approach the tribunal.

The applicants have stated that they joined against the post of inspectors advertised in 1989. The selection was made on the basis of written test and interview. The Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, North West Region, Mr Vijay Khanna, in an order dated November 10, 2003, stated that the Staff Selection Commission had intimated the department that no nomination letter had been issued in the name of the candidates.

Chandigarh, August 24
An exhibition “Hamari Kala”, organised by the Home Science Department, was held at Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector-26, Chandigarh, today.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the Principal of the college, Dr (Mrs) Harinderjit Kaur, who congratulated the students on their success.

The exhibition depicted immense talent of the students who had made numerous articles mostly out of waste.

Display of the colourful rangoli, handicrafts suits, embroidered suits, cushion covers, sceneries, crochet mats, handkerchiefs, traditional pakhis, tie and dye duppattas and bed sheets, various paintings of saw dust, glass, embossed, anchor, meenakari voiced the hard work and time devoted by the students.

Several items like lamp, vases, bags, clocks, tablemats, photo frames, dolls were all made out of the left-over waste products.

Mrs Bupinder Singh (HOD), Mrs Shama Kochhar, Mrs Anita Walia and Mrs Amandeep Kaur, lecturers of the Home Science Department, under whose supervision the students worked hard year-long, were proud to be associated with such an activity.