EDUCATION

Syndicate poll: 2 senators get equal votes, will share term
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 19
History was created in more than one way during the annual elections of syndicate members and Deans at Panjab University here today. While for the first time two senators who got equal number of votes were asked to share their term, holding the post for a period of six months each, a former Member Parliament from Chandigarh and senator Mr Satya Pal Jain was chosen as the Dean of the Department of Laws, the same department that had refused to admit him as a student 30 years ago.

While most of the representatives to the various Faculties on the Syndicate of PU for the term 1.1.2006 to 31.12.2006 were chosen unanimously by the senators, voting took place to elect members from the Faculty of Languages and the Medical Faculty.

Among the medical faculty, Mr R.C. Sobti of the Department of Biotechnology, PU, was declared elected when he got 19 votes but Mr Tankeshwar, Director, Computer Education, PU, and Mr Ashok Goel, fellow from the graduate constituency were locked in a tie with 17 votes each. Following a proposal of Dr K.K. Talwar, Director, PGI, who was chairing the elections, both fellows were asked to serve as syndicate members for six months each. A draw of lots was carried out to decide who would serve for the first six months following which it was declared that Mr Tankeshwar would serve his term from January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 after which Mr Ashok Goel would represent the medical faculty in the Syndicate. Incidentally Mr Ashok Goel is the only syndicate member elected for the second consecutive term.

Language fellows gave a clear cut decision in favour of Mr P.S. Gill, lecturer, SGGS College, Sector 26, Chandigarh, and Mr Gurdeep Sharma, Principal, S.D. College Hariana, Hoshiarpur, who got 17 and 16 votes, respectively, defeating P.S. Sangha (13) and Kamaljit Singh (10).

Mr B.C. Josan, Principal, DAV College, Abohar, Mr Ashok Sachdev of DAV College, Abohar, and Mr A.S. Dua, Dean, Colleges, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, would represent the Arts Faculty to the syndicate. Ms Puran Prabha Sharma, Principal, HMV College, Jalandhar, Mr Parveen Kumar Sharma of Arya College, Ludhiana, and Mr N.P. Manocha of GGDSD College Sector 32, Chandigarh, would represent the science faculty in the Syndicate.

Retired Principal Mr Tarsem Bahia, Dr J.K. Chauhan Of the Department of Laws, PU, and Dr Satinder Dhillon, Principal, Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, Chandigarh, would represent the Combined Faculty of business management and commerce, dairying, animal husbandry and agriculture, design and fine arts, education, engineering and technology and pharmaceutical sciences.

Retired Justice Mr S.K. Jain and Mr Prabhjit Singh, a fellow from the graduate constituency, would represent the Law Faculty in the Syndicate.

Senators also elected Deans and Secretaries of various faculties of Panjab University today for the term 1.2.2006 to 31.1.2007. Mr Satya Pal Jain was elected as the Dean, Law Faculty while Dr. Shahi K. Sharma would be the secretary.

“In 1975 I was refused admission by the Department of Laws in this university following a directive of Mrs Indira Gandhi who had issued a list of student leaders who would not be admitted here. I was a Masters in Political Science and went to DAV College, Dehradun, to do law,” he said today.

Dr K.K. Talwar, Director, PGI, would be the Dean, Medical Sciences, while Dr Sanjeev Handa would be the secretary. Prof T.R. Bhardwaj was elected for the fourth time as Dean, Pharmaceutical Sciences, while Prof V.R. Sinha has been chosen for the II time as the secretary.

Mr Keshav Malhotra was elected as Dean, Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry.

Pro-Pathak Syndicate formed
Chitleen K. Sethi
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 19
The Panjab University Vice-Chancellor, Prof K.N. Pathak, today received a major shot in the arm as almost all those elected to the Syndicate are those known for their pro-Vice-Chancellor stand. With the term of the VC ending in mid 2006, today’s syndicate election results could prove to be his biggest source of support for another extension in term.

On the other hand, with virtually no one from his group now in the Syndicate, Mr G.K. Chatrath a veteran in PU politics, would have to work a lot harder to have his say in the Syndicate.

From left to right (top) Satinder Dhillon, Puran Prabha Sharma, R. C. Sobti, Tankeshwar Kumar, Ashok Goyal, Ashok Sachdev, N. P. Manocha, Prabhjit Singh and (bottom) Amarjit Singh Dua, Parveen Sharma, J. K. Chauhan, S. K. Jain, Gurdip Sharma, Tarsem Bahiya, B. C. Joshan and P. S. Gill.

The elections that kept the senators on their feet through the day today ended on a rather interesting note. Magnanimity was put to test at the altar of politics. When both Ashok Goel, a fellow from the graduate constituency, and Mr Tankeshwar, a fellow from the Panjab University, were locked in a tie with 17 votes each, the Chairman of the election, Dr K.K. Talwar, Director, PGI, proposed that instead of having a reelection, the two senators should share the year-long term occupying the position for six months each.

A debate followed. While Mr G.K. Chatrath insisted that this could not be done since it was not done when a similar situation had occurred during senate elections, Mr Ashok Goel said the division of terms would be illegal. Mr Tankeshwar said he would accept any decision that was taken.

During an hour-long discussion, while some members supported Dr Talwar’s proposal, others said a reelection would be the best way out. During the course of the discussion, Mr Ashok Goel even offered to withdraw in favour of Mr Tankeshwar but this was not allowed by the Chairman.

Finally, when Mr Chatrath, who at one point of time had walked out of the hall with his supporting members, came back and said any decision taken by the chair would be acceptable to him. Dr Talwar declared that the name of the person who was to serve for the first six months would be taken out through a draw of lots. Not used to this method of selection, senators crowded around Dr Talwar as he picked up one of the two chits.

Mr Tankeshwar’s name was announced. But the matter did not end here. Another round of debate ensued when the Chairman insisted that every senator in the meeting sign his assent to the decision. Mr Ashok Goel who was not sure if he should sign, was finally cajoled to do so.

Members of the Senate today elected 15 representatives to the Syndicate, from five different faculties. The term of these syndics begins On January 1, 2006, and would end on December 31, 2006. Other than Mr Ashok Goel, none of the previous Syndicate members found a place in the new Syndicate formed today. Most faculty fellows followed the principle of rotation and chose candidates unanimously, however elections were held to the languages and medical faculty.

Cultural extravaganza by GMSSS-19 students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 19
As many as 200 young artistes of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19-C, presented a glittering cultural extravaganza held at Tagore Theatre today.

The school Principal, Ms Saroj Gupta, welcomed the chief guest. To mark the inauguration of the annual prize distribution-cum-cultural programme, the chief guest on the occasion, Mr Krishna Mohan, Home and Education Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, lighted the jyoti.

The programme began with “Ganeshvandana”, an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by spirited Tarzan dance. Next was energetic and enthralling performance by another group of youngsters highlighting the different stages in a man’s life.

A well-choreographed dance Ron and Rickey — with the young students swaying to the rhythmic notes of the western music showed the confluence of various dance forms. Patriotism, too, was well presented by the students in Vande Mataram. Waiting room, a play depicting the images of diversified culture of India, kept the audience spellbound for another half an hour.

The annual report was read out by the school Principal. She highlighted the achievement of the students in academic, sport and extracurricular events. Meritorious students were felicitated by the chief guest with certificates, mementoes and prizes. The current issue of the school magazine “Zephyr” was also released by the chief guest. Mr Mohan congratulated the prize winners and lauded the efforts of the students for making this show a success. He told the students to actively participate in cultural and sport activities while giving full attention to education.

The second half of the programme was marked by the spellbinding performances by the senior students in Holi dance sequence. Punjabi vibrance of passions came alive on the stage with “Balle Balle” beats in the concluding item when the bhangra dancers gave a scintillating performance and won the thundering applause from the audience. The programme culminated with the singing of the National Anthem.

Alumni meet
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 19
The annual meeting of the Alumni Association of SGGS College was held at Sector 26, here. The meeting was well attended by the alumnus, most of whom occupy prestigious positions in all walks of life.

Mr Bharpur Singh, former Principal of the college and presently secretary SES, accorded a warm welcome to all. Principal Dr Kuldeep Singh stressed on the importance of such meetings that create a bond with the alumni.

Mr Ajaib Singh, member PPSC, is the president of the association. Mr Bir Devinder Singh, former Deputy Speaker Vidhan Sabha, Mr Suresh Arora, IGP Police, Mr Navdeep, IG (Law and Order) Jaipur, Mr Pardeep, Director, Panchayats, Col K.J Singh, Mr Mandeep S. Sidhu, DC Moga, were among the many notable personalities present on the occasion.

Prof J.S Waraich, RMIT, Australia, also made it for the meeting. A dinner was hosted at the Chandigarh Club for all the alumni.

COURTS

Summons issued to commission agent
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 19
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Gulab Singh, has issued summons to a commission agent who is accused of having filed a false affidavit before the court. The accused has been asked to appear in the court on April 20, 2006.

The accused Harbans Lal is facing a trial in a case in which, a cheque bounced. He had reportedly filed an affidavit in local court claiming that the proceedings in the case had been stayed by Punjab and Haryana High Court. The complainant in the case, Dr Tarsem Lal Jindal, however, alleged that the High Court never issued any such orders.

In January 2004, Harbans Lal filed an affidavit in the court stating that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed the proceedings in the case and on the pretext, on next three consecutive dates, he got the adjournment from the local court.

Jindal alleged that on verification, it was found that in response to the petition filed by Lal, Justice M.M. Kumar in Punjab and Haryana High Court had only issued notice to him and Advocate-General, Haryana, for a reply and did not issued any orders, regarding the stay of the proceedings of the case.

JUDICIAL CUSTODY: An employee in the local SDM office, Balbir Singh, who is accused in a case of fraud, was remanded to judicial custody till December 24.

He was booked for his alleged involved in a case of registration of stolen vehicles on forged documents. He was arrested on December 16 and was on three-day police remand.