EDUCATION

Private college teachers observe strike
Our Correspondent

Doraha, August 25
Teachers of private aided colleges in the district observed “Poll Manifesto Reminder Day” today following a call given by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union.

A two-hour strike from 12 noon was organised by the union members to press the government to implement their long-pending demands.

Area secretary, Punjab University, Dr Parminder Singh, district president Dr Khushwinder Kumar and executive committee member Prof Kuldeep Singh in a press note said the day was observed to press the government to recall and implement its poll promises so that teachers could work in an economically safer atmosphere.

Also the unionists reiterated that the recommendations of the Johal Committee report should be followed if further deterioration of higher education was to be prevented.

They also asked the government to submit its timely report through a special committee formed by it to consider the demands of teachers, especially merger of 50 per cent DA for which a budgetary provision had been made.

Also the restoration of 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme, implementation of pension-cum-gratuity scheme, absorption of staff affected by shifting of 10+2 classes, pay parity for DPEs and librarians were among their chief demands.

The unionists said they would observe Teachers’ Day on September 5 as “Black Day” as teachers would go on a mass casual leave and march to Matka Chowk, Chandigarh, to participate in the state-level protest rally.

Meanwhile, Dr Parminder Singh, unit president, AS College, Khanna, Prof S.P. Shoree, and unit secretary Prof A.K. Singla, presented a memorandum to Parliamentary Secretary Harbans Kaur Dullo and President PPCC Shamsher Singh Dullo.

General secretary PCTTU Dr Jagwant Singh, along with other office-bearers handed over a memorandum at the Chief Minister’s office and to general secretary PPCC Upinder Sharma at Punjab Congress Bhavan in Chandigarh today.

Samrala: In the series of protests against the Punjab Government, the Malwa College, Bondli, unit of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, observed a two-hour strike and held a protest dharna in the college.

Addressing teachers, the union president and state executive member Prof Baldeep Singh lambasted the state government for backing out of poll promises.

He stated that the present Congress government had promised to implement pension and gratuity scheme for teachers of non-government-aided colleges of the state and restore the 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme. The government has failed to merge 50 per cent DA with the basic salary of teachers and grant rural area allowance to the rural colleges’ teachers as promised in the election manifesto of the Congress

Prof Jagmohan Singh, Prof Jagdeep Singh, Prof H.S. Kler and Prof Baljeet Singh also addressed the teachers and condemned anti-education policies of the government.

Schoolchildren celebrate Janmashtmi
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 25
Janmashtmi was celebrated in BVM Shishu Vatika, Cemetery Road, with great joy. Tiny tots of pre - nursery came dressed up as Radha, Lord Krishna. A jhoola was especially decorated for Lord Krishna, Radha, and gopian. Classrooms were also decorated like Brij Bhoomi. Mrs Indu Bala, Principal of the Vatika, gave away appreciation certificates to all participants.

Ek Prayaas, an institute for children with special needs, Ferozepur Road, celebrated Janmashtami today . The function was presided over by Mr S.K. Sharma, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana. Mrs Nivedita Mannan, Principal, welcomed the chief guest.

After traditional puja, a vibrant cultural programme was presented by students, which included dances and songs.Ms Samira Bector principal traced the history of this school for mentally and physically challenged children, and how to instill confidence in them and teach them skills like candle making, pot painting.

Mr Sharma said he would extend help to Ek Prayas in his personally as well as officially. He promised that special children could also enjoy the fruits of the fast developing infrastructure of the city as independent and self sufficient residents.

The school campus of Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School resounded with chants of Jai Gobind, Jai Gopala’ as they celebrated Janmashtami in the school here today.The unique part of the celebration was that the pot filled with butter and milk was placed highwas broken by girls. Meanwhile the other girls and boys sang ‘gobinda a la re ‘

The ‘jhoola ceremony’, an important part of Janmashtami was performed by the Director and Founder Principal, Ms Avinash Kaur Walia. The students sang hymns and performed dances.

Kidzee Rainbow School celebrated Janmashtami by organising a kids satsang on the occasion. All kids prayed to Lord Krishna . They cut a cake and wished Happy Birthday to Krishna.The whole school resounded with the sounds of Hare Rama, Hare Krishna’.

Little Blossom Nursery School celebrated Janmashtami by decorating its premises with flowers and rangolis. The children came dressed up like heroes from the folklores of Krishna. A scene where Krishna steals butter and his mother chides him was very nicely depicted. Principal Kochar spoke in detail about the birth of Lord Krishna.

Painting competition
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 25
A district-level painting competition was held at RS Model Senior Secondary School here today. Ms Shewta Verma, chairperson of the District Children’s Welfare Council, gave away prizes to the winners.

As many as 115 students from 11 schools of the district participated. The results are as follows:

Age group 5to 8 years: Sushil Kumar Yadav of RS Model School (1): Siraj Bedi of Tagore Public School (2) and Divnoor Kaur of Guru Nanak Public School (3).

Age group 9 to 12 years: Lovleen Saini of RS Model School (1); Isha Srivastava of Sacred Heart Convent School (2) and Suresh Bhagat of RS Model School (3).

Age group 13 to 16 years: Tripti Kushwaha of Tagore Public School (1) Navdeep Kaur Grewal of RS Model School (2) and Sukhjeet of Tagore Public School (3).

Special category: Age group 5 to 10 years: Karamjit of Red Cross Deaf and Dumb School (1) Gagandeep Singh of Red Cross Deaf and Dumb School (2) and Amandeep of School for Deaf Children, Tagore Nagar (3).

Special Category: age group 11 to 18 years: Gurdeep Singh of School for Deaf, Tagore Nagar, (1) Aman Goyal of School for Deaf, Tagore Nagar, and Lovjeet of Red Cross Deaf and Dumb School (3).

GCW girls celebrate Teej
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 25
Teej was celebrated with great fervour at the Government College for Women here today. The college wore a festive look with teachers and students attired in traditional tikka, bangles and phulkari. Girls sang songs of sawan and enjoyed swings.

Ms Neelam Dawar, wife of Mr Surinder Dawar, Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab, graced the occasion. She was given a warm welcome by the Principal. In her address, she exhorted the students to remain in touch with the rich culture of Punjab. She also lauded their efforts for organising the function with great zeal and interest. A special cultural programme was organised in which prizes were given to best charkha, chakki, rangoli, sawan queen etc.

An exhibition associated with the rich and unique cultural heritage of colourful bags, durees, phulkaris, crochet work, hand embroidered bedsheets and table clocks etc were exhibited.

The prize for best rangoli was given to Sonia and Aswinder came second. In mehandi competition, Nisha came first, Pooja second, Nishu Lakhi third and Ridhi Jain fourth. Best “Charkha” prize went to Veerpal and Jaspreet got prize for best “chakki”.