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PMET result declared in 72 hrs
Chandigarh, July 7 Following the leak of the question paper, officials of both universities had decided not to take any chances with the results. A joint committee of seven persons was constituted under the chairmanship of the PU Dean University Instruction, Prof Veer Singh. This seven-member team was supervised by the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor, who sat along with the team members for over 21 hours during which the actual result was compiled. The work of declaring the results began at 9 am on July 4. The number of question paper booklets was reconciled with the number of OMR (answer) sheets. The attendance at various centres was also taken into account and signatures of the various observers on each of the OMR sheet were crosschecked. This task was completed at 12.30 am and when the officials were satisfied, the scanning of the OMR sheets began. By 9.30 pm, the scanning of over 9,000 OMR sheets was completed. During this period, the PU VC also visited the centre to satisfy himself with the progress. The answer keys of various sets of OMRs were opened at 9.30 pm and these were keyed into the computers. Following this, a manual checking of each set of OMR sheet was done and once the answers were confirmed, the final marking was done on computers. The merit list was prepared according to the ranks and the gazette printed by 6 am on July 5. The merit list was then put on the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences website yesterday morning. The university declared the results yesterday evening.
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538 seats allotted to sports wings
Chandigarh, July 7 Last year, the number of seats was 526. The eligibility for the enrolment in the wing is participation in state level or national level tournaments. In the scheme, the wing players will be provided with nutritious diet daily. The wing period will be from August 1 to January 31, 2007 for schools while for sports centres, it will start from August 1 till February 28 next year. For the smooth functioning and supervision of the wing trials, the department will appoint coordinators and chief coordinator. The sports wings will be provided a nutritious diet during the training programme everyday. The school trials will start on July 13 and will be held till July 17 at various schools .
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Polytechnic staff submit memo
Chandigarh, July 7 According to a press note, the Joint Secretary assured the delegation that their genuine demands would be favourably considered. He advised the delegation to stop the agitation started by employees. The main demands of the employees include restoration of the polytechnic status, implementation of the AICTE norms in the institute, no academic restructuring on a Sangrur institute pattern, restoration of the joint cadre of Group C and D employees and withdrawal of arbitrary post and orders.
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Aided college Principals stage dharna
Chandigarh, July 7 Dr Satinder Dhillon, Dev Samaj College of Education, Chandigarh, Dr Janmit Singh, Principal, DAV College, Hoshiarpur, Dr Preet Mohinder Pal Singh, Khalsa College, Garhshankar, Dr Satwinder Singh Dhillon, Khalsa College, Gardhiwala, and Dr Jagdish Bains, Dev Samaj College of Education, Ferozepore, staged a dharna in front of the DPI(C), Punjab, Sector-17, Chandigarh. It was stressed that the grant-in-aid of non-government privately-aided colleges had been reduced from 95 per cent to 55 per cent. They said the non-government privately-aided colleges were on the verge of closing because these were facing a difficulty in selection of teaching staff due to the ban imposed by the Punjab Government. The Principals are demanding that the ban on recruitment against aided posts of teaching/non teaching employees be immediately withdrawn, grant-in-aid pension and gratuity be paid to all employees of the colleges in total, the Principals be given the Professor grade without any further delay, grant be given to unaided colleges on an annual basis and retirement age of Principals/lecturers serving in non-government colleges be enhanced from 60 to 62 years.
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Workshop on genetic engineering
Chandigarh, July 7 The participants were imparted practical training in the field of Gene Cloning, Gene Sequencing and Bioinformatics. The function was presided over by Prof S.S.Bari, Registrar, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He laid emphasis on the need of creating manpower in the field of Biotechnology. He applauded the organisers of this workshop for giving hands-on training to the participants in highly skilled techniques like gene cloning and bioinformatics. Dr (Mrs) Jagdeep Kaur, president of the workshop, highlighted the activities of the workshop. The participants not only conducted sophisticated experiments but also gained from lectures delivered by imminent scientists who came from prestigious institutes like JNU, New Delhi, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, and PGI. Prof R. Tewari, organising secretary, welcomed the delegates. Speaking on the behalf of the participants, Dr O.P. Ahlawat, a scientist at the National Mushroom Centre, Solan, thanked the organisers of the workshop.
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Award for PU professor
Chandigarh, July 7 She has guided more than 18 students for PhD and 36 for MPhil. She has two books to her credit — “Samagana Udbhava Vyavahara Evam Siddhanta” published from Katyayan Vedic Sahitya
Prakashan, Hoshiarpur, in 1996 and “Samaveda Samhita” published in the book entitled “Sanskrit Vanmaya Ka Brhad Itihas Vol. I Ved Khanda” by the Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit
Sansthan, Lucknow, in 1996. She has more than 15 research papers to her credit.
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Sukhmani students going abroad
Dera Bassi, July 7 Nitin Rawat will go for training to
U-Mtech Company Limited, IK-San City Jeon Bak (Korea). Earlier, Puneeta Malhotra had completed the training on IBM-certified “specialist rational-oriented analysis and design 2000” which had accorded her the status of an ‘IBM specialist’. Over 115 students of the 2002-06 had already been given job offers by reputed companies, it added.
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Ole Rafaelsen award for PU prof
Chandigarh, July 7 Dr Anil Kumar will present his research findings and award will be given in an open ceremony of the forthcoming Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacolgicum
(CINP) 2006 conference to be held in Chicago, USA from July 9 to July 13.
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PTIs continue dharna
Chandigarh, July 7 Many of these agitating teachers have played for the country at the national and even international levels. Although a number of employees unions from the state have assured them support, no official from the Punjab Government has heard them so far, they say.
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MSc (biotech) interviews
Chandigarh, July 7
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Judges’ appointment: legal luminaries
differ with panel
Chandigarh, July 7 In its report carried in The Tribune today, the panel has proposed that the pre-1993 system, when the Chief Ministers of the states, too, had a say in the selection of Judges, should be reintroduced. This, the committee said, would streamline the system of appointment of Judges and also make it more transparent. However, legal luminaries, including retired Judges, do not find much merit in the recommendation. At the same time, almost all persons also emphasised the need for making the present system — of a collegium of Judges recommending names for elevation — more transparent and open. “The present system is certainly not perfect. The objective behind the judgements of the Supreme Court in cases pertaining to the appointment and transfer of Judges has not been achieved fully. There are many changes that could be introduced to make the present system more workable and effective. But, to say that involving politicians would make the system better is completely wrong. It will only make things worse. There is need for evolving a better method by improving upon the present system,” says Mr M.L. Sarin, Senior Advocate, Punjab and Haryana High Court. Former Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge A.S. Bains also does not support the committee’s view. Strongly opposing any kind of direct involvement of politicians in the appointment of Judges, Justice Bains says if politicians are involved in the process, the judiciary will lose its independence. “The present system is certainly better then the previous one. However, one feels that there is still some room for improvement. The collegium must be more transparent while recommending names. All good lawyers should be adjudged fairly,” he adds. Another former Judge, Justice G.R. Majithia, feels the old system is effective. “All the good and highly-regarded Judges of the Supreme Court were appointed under the previous system,” he says. However, the chairperson of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, Mr Harish Rai Dhanda, is dismissive of both systems. “If the earlier system was a failure, the present system has proved to be a bigger failure. There is a general feeling that relations and not merit work when it comes to recommending names. But, to go back to the old system and involve politicians will be a huge disaster. While the judiciary still enjoys the faith of the common man, the same can’t be said of politicians. Earlier, we had politicians who had morals and could be expected to make good choices. But, not today’s politicians. I believe that for the judiciary to retain its pre-eminent position, it will need to pull up its socks and try to get better judges by keeping merit as the main criterion,” Mr Dhanda says. Former Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association secretary Munish Jolly is all for persisting with the current system and says involving politicians would be a big mistake. “A majority of the cases in the High Courts and the SC are against executive decisions. How can we hope that politicians won’t bring in their own persons to turn the judiciary pro-government?” Mr Jolly says. Punjab and Haryana High Court lawyer Raman Walia, too, feels the present system is working just fine. “Were there no vacancies earlier when appointments were being controlled by the executive? So, why this sudden noise over vacancies?” he asks.
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Bar association to run paid parking
Chandigarh, July 7 The corporation has allowed the bar association to run the paid parking on an annual fee of Rs 1 lakh. The bar association will be paying the money to the corporation after charging the parking fee from visitors. Earlier, the money collected from the visitors by a private contractor, who was “illegally” manning the parking, was not being deposited with the corporation. The daily collection from the parking runs into about Rs 1,000, if one goes by the past record of the Municipal Corporation. As per the new arrangement, the bar association has appointed a private contractor who would be paying anything between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 per month. Few years back, the corporation ran paid parking at the courts. But the private contractor at the courts had neither been approved by the Chandigarh Administration nor by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. No parking fee would be charged from lawyers and the court staff. The litigants would have to pay Rs 2 for a two-wheeler and Rs 5 for a four wheeler. Mr N.K.Nanda, President of the District Bar Association, said the arrangement with the contractor had to be worked out. He confirmed that a meeting was held with the Mayor of the corporation and some paper formalities had to be completed. Earlier, the contractor, Mr Amarjit, was running the facility on behalf of the District Bar Association. The daily collection of about Rs 500 was deposited with the bar. The bar would be issuing its own parking stickers to lawyers and the court staff.
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CITCO magnanimity for Pak artistes
Chandigarh, July 7 It will also extend facilities and support to them for performing cultural activities aiming to promote tourism and culture of the City Beautiful. Similarly, the Pakistan Tourism Corporation would also extend all- round support for holding cultural activities in Pakistan so as to create goodwill and more harmonious relationship between two neighbouring countries, the Managing Director, CITCO, Mr J.S.Bir said today. It is worthwhile to mention here that the CITCO has given a warm welcome to a cultural troupe of Pakistan, led by Ms.Madeeha Gohar of Ajoka cultural group of Pakistan, at its Punjabi-style eatery, “Baithak” at Kalagram. Ms Gohar was highly impressed with the CITCO’s Punjabi-ethnic ‘Vehra’ as it reminded her of the
similarity in cultural traditions of the two countries. Impressed with the hospitality and warm welcome given by the CITCO, Mrs Gohar has decided to stage a play called ‘Dukh Dariya’ with Pakistani actors in Chandigarh in October 2006. On this occasion, Neelam Man Singh, a renowned artiste, also appreciated the warm gesture of the CITCO. |
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Mashelkar shows how high technology can work for poor
PGI director lists achievements
Chandigarh, July 7 This and much more formed the crux of Dr
R.A. Mashelkar, CSIR Director-General’s inaugural address on the occasion of PGIMER’s Foundation Day today. But before broaching the topic at Bhargava auditorium, the scientist made a measured reference to the ongoing threat to the autonomy of institutes of higher learning like AIIMS. He began by saying, “These are testing times in many ways. One is looking at the freedom to operate by way of autonomy for institutions of excellence. On the one side is this challenge, on the other is the one posed by social asymmetries.” The argument progressed in the backdrop offered by grim statistics - 1.2 billion people in the world live with less than one dollar a day, 120 million children are not in primary schools and 800 million people go to bed hungry every night. “The challenge for scientists is to fuel social and policy innovations to address poverty and illiteracy issues and take healthcare, education and connectivity to those who live in far flung areas,” Dr Mashelkar said while making plentiful references to Computer Based Functional Literacy
(CBFL) which has changed the face of literacy campaigns in India. It imparts literacy by helping poor understand functions instead of alphabets. The initiative’s preciousness is underscored by the fact that India has 200 million illiterates; illiteracy is reducing at the rate of 1.3 per cent per annum. “At this rate it would take 20 years to clear the backlog. That is why initiatives like CBFL are important. CBFL has imparted literacy to 40,000 people, at the cost of just Rs 100 per person,” said the visiting expert, who spoke of how CSIR was promoting competitiveness among the youth in the country. The CSIR has developed New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative, under which it developed a multifunctional personal computer which costs just Rs 10,000. The focus of this initiative is also on promoting competitiveness among the youth who are responding positively to competitions. Very recently the CSIR honoured a school student from Jabalpur who developed a dual face Braille system, in which the script is written as well as read from left to right. Another area of CSIR’s concern is applying technology to people’s hygiene and health. “A special mention needs to be made of Jaipur foot which is strong enough to make people run. We have also been using cattle to power reverse osmosis equipment in villages where electricity is a problem.” That CSIR’s innovation is bearing fruit is clear from the fact that in some village schools where it has installed reverse osmosis equipment to provide clean water, the attendance has drastically improved. Students drink clean water and take some home. It just costs them four paise a litre - too meager a cost for purity! |
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PGI to have ultra-modern animal house for research
Chandigarh, July 7 The stage for the function was, however, set by the PGI Director, Prof K.K. Talwar, who offered a historical profile of the PGI before talking about post-1967 days when it became an autonomous body under an Act of Parliament. As of today, the distinguished teaching faculty is the backbone of the PGI and it consists of 292 highly qualified medical teachers who also conduct research. No wonder extra mural research grants attracted by the faculty has grown from Rs 7 to Rs 14 crore. About 44 new projects have been sanctioned in the last year by various national and international funding agencies. The PGI is also a WHO-designated research centre for human reproduction, mental health, quality control in clinical chemistry, clinical parasitology and blood transfusion and hematology. The Director pointed out how the PGI faculty had excelled in medical education and research. This year many faculty members have been the recipients of various awards, including the Padma Bhushan. “The institute provides a healthy environment for advanced medical education and research. Since its inception, it has upgraded several existing facilities and has even established newer facilities to provide state-of-the-art care to our patients,” said Prof Talwar, referring to the Advanced Pediatric Centre for Children, Advanced Eye Centre, De-addiction Centre and the telemedicine initiative that linked the PGI and Punjab. Since then, the PGI has provided over 500 consultations to doctors working in remote areas. About future initiatives, the Director said, “These facilities have also been extended to various medical colleges in the adjoining states to provide tele-education. The proposal to connect the PGI with some medical colleges is under process. Bone Marrow Centre of the PGI has started and this is a great boon for patients suffering from cancers and serious blood diseases. Advanced Mycology Centre is also being established. The department of Biotechnology has been given a Rs 7.5-crore grant for stem cell research.” Another grant of Rs 7 crore has been sanctioned to set up a new regional cancer centre. An ultra-modern animal house for research in small animals is also under construction. Besides, computerisation of the institute is being finalised. About the clinical load, the Director said the hospital catered to more than 1.2 million outdoor, half a lakh indoor and 40,000 emergency patients every year. The vision of the institute includes a cancer centre, advanced trauma centre, a centre for translational medicine, including stem cell research, a paramedical school and upgradation of various ongoing clinical facilities and existing infrastructure.
On the occasion, Dr Mashelkar inaugurated the exhibition mounted to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and drug addiction. Schoolchildren watched a puppet show and magic show which was staged at Zakir Hall. For the exhibition, the contributions have been made by the departments of Internal Medicine, Blood Transfusion, Immunopathology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Dermatology and Community Medicine in collaboration with the State AIDS Control Society. Other highlights of the exhibition were street play, interactive session and live counselling. The exhibition will be open tomorrow till 1.00 pm. Later during the day, Dr Mashelkar gave commendation certificates to the following PGI employees: Shashi Anand, Harbhajan Singh Bhatti, Kishori Lal, Chaman Lal, Sada Nand, Raj Bahadur Walia, Amrit Edwin, Suresh Kumar, and Charan Kaur Bedwal. |
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Laureus sports awards
Chandigarh, July 7 |
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