PU to offer online courses next year
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 13
The department of Correspondence Studies, Panjab University, is all set to undergo a change. From the coming session, the department is all set to offer its courses online. Efforts to help put things online and to make programmes for the same are already under- way.

To begin with, students will be having only one course-diploma in statistics online. The next course being worked upon is the newly-introduced diploma in human rights. The courses will be available online from the next session of the university.

Students will not only be able to fill and submit their admission forms for the concerned courses online, they would also be able to forgo the required contact programme one has to attend. The departments is revising the existing syllabi to make it more net friendly and is also trying to ensure that students can have their problems addressed through e-mails.

Stating that it was the need of the hour to have courses online, Prof Devinder Singh, Chairperson, Department of Correspondence Studies, said it was ongoing task that required time. “We have to put all study material online to ensure that the students can access any thing they want and that is what is taking us time.”

While the department is readying itself for this change, it has also to train its own staff to be computer savvy to help implement the same.

MoU on strategic alliance signed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 13
The Centre for Industry-Institute Partnership Programme (CIIPP), Panjab University, and the Chandigarh Management Association (CMA) signed an MoU today to establish a mutually beneficial strategic alliance and evolve a process of understanding and cooperation between them.

The CIIPP and CMA also aimed at creating an environment for the utilisation of human and physical resources of the industry, improving the quality of education and research at Panjab University and making the same more relevant to the social and industrial needs.

Prof. K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor on the behalf of Panjab University, and Mr B.M. Gulati, president, CMA on the behalf of the Chandigarh Management Association, signed the MoU. Amongst others who were present included Prof Veer Singh, DUI, PU, and Prof Satish Kapoor, Chairpersons, UBS, Prof A.K. Saihjpal, Professor of Commerce and Honorary Director, CIPP, and Prof Pasricha, Secretary, Chandigarh Management Association.

Last date extended

Chandigarh, October 13
Panjab University had extended the last date from November 3 to 10 for the receipt of examination forms without late fee for the B.A./B.Sc./B.Com./B.B.A./B.C.A. Part-I, II & III and M.A. Part-I & II and O.T./M.I.L. for candidates who are appearing in the private capacity in the annual examination of April 2006.

In case of regular/college candidates the last date will remain the same i.e. December 3 as already notified, according to the Controller of Examinations, P.U. TNS

COURTS

Advocates start chain fast over shed’s demolition
Our Correspondent

Panchkula, October 13
The members of the District Bar Association resorted to a chain fast at the district administrative complex today to augment their protest against the demolition of 50 sheds in the final stage of construction in the judicial complex.

Association president Satish Kadian, talking to mediapersons, disclosed that the first batch of six Bar members, — Ravi Sharma, Ashish Yadav, Umesh Mataur, Ajay Sharma, Pushpinder Badhran and Jiwan Singh — sat on the 24-hour fast today at 10 a.m. after a protest rally was held by all Bar members within the complex. The next batch of volunteer advocates would replace them tomorrow morning, added Kadian.

Terming the demolition by the administration as uncalled for, Mr Kadian said the construction for temporary sheds was initiated after a verbal approval of the City Magistrate on September 20 last while the demolition carried out in the early hours of October 10, came as a surprise to them. The 106 chambers, already allotted to advocates, were too less to accommodate 450 lawyers.

Sources in the district administration, however, negated the claims of the protesting lawyers with respect to the construction of the sheds. They maintained that no verbal consent or written approval by a competent authority was given for the construction of permanent structures. Meanwhile the Bar Association has planned to intensify their protest. 

Murder case: release of two sought
Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 13
A delegation of residents of Chajju Majra and Khuni Majra villages, near here, today met the SDM, Kharar, demanding the release of two persons, arrested by the police in connection with the murder of three persons of a family in Chajju Majra in early August this year.

The residents told the SDM that the police had recently nabbed a gang of tribals that was responsible for the crime and the case had been solved. But the police was still not letting go of the two local men, Chajju and Ravinder, who had been arrested initially by the police on the statements of the victim’s family. The family of the victims had alleged that the tribal gang had been hired by these two persons for committing the crime.

The SDM, Mr D.S. Sandhu, has forwarded the memorandum given by the villagers to the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, for consideration. The DSP, Kharar, Mr Rajbachan Singh Sandhu, said the case was in the court and they would follow the directions given by the court.

Lawyer convicted, released on probation
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh October 13
Over 11 years after Vijay Sharma, an advocate of the District Courts, created ruckus in a courtroom, a local court today convicted and released him on probation. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Ms Neerja Kulwant Kalson, released Vijay Sharma on probation after his counsel, Mr NS Minhas, promised that he would not indulge in any such activity for the next one year.

It may be recalled that the advocate had allegedly created ruckus in the court of Mr I.C. Aggarwal, the then Additional Sessions Judge, on March 19,1994, during the pendency of a matrimonial dispute.

A case was registered against him on the complaint of Mr Sham Lal Kathuria, the steno of the Judge.

CULTURE

Passionate expressions in art
Gayatri Rajwade
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 13
It is all about personal influences and reflections that find passionate expressions in art. Two distinct styles echoing with parallel experiences and individual impressions of thoughts and feelings is what artist couple Ram Kumar and Bharati Sharma’s work demonstrate.

Showing at the IndusInd Art Gallery till October 19, the works of the two artists are mingled on the walls but the medium remains the same. Watercolours on cartilage and hand-made sheets show off distinctive styles living in harmony under a single roof.

Ram Kumar Sharma brings to his paintings a lifetime of experiences, travels and inspirations. “Things around us cannot only give us ideas but can stimulate us towards great creative surges. People, their behaviour and the elements of nature with human beings inspire my work.” Patience and watching, two works, drawn from a stray dog opposite the home resonates this interaction.

There is fluidity to his work, which is reflected through a draping effect, “Just like water is thrown on a surface and it goes is own way”. Subdued dark colours, purples, yellows, muted greens (Early Morning, At Rest) along with a stylised signature format-the crossbar technique to create textures-give the paintings a random yet definitive imagery. For this intense artist, his work is a celebration of life. “I enjoy every moment of visualisation, colour contrasts and the freedom that art affords.”

For his wife Bharati, art is the culmination of a lifelong desire to express her inspirations. “This is a childhood fascination and at this age I got the environment.” For her it is nature and emotions attached to their surroundings that speak to her (Protection, Pouring, Riyaz).

Vibrant colours, definite shapes and images and deep impression of nature in all their vividness define Bharati’s work.

The arms depicting bangles in celebration of Karva Chauth titled Celebration Outside and Celebration Inside, Tandava, an outpouring after Tsunami and Holiday, an idea of a school bell at rest, juxtaposed against a quiet backdrop of a school are all painted with depth and feeling.