EDUCATION

Eyeing BPO pie, govt steps in to rev up graduates' skills
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 23
The Department of Higher Education, Punjab, in collaboration with the Punjab Infotech has introduced a programme- Punjab Training on Soft Skills (PTOSS)- in 25 government colleges of the state to provide basic training to students to face Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) culture.

According to sources in the Higher Education Department, there was a need to develop communication skills and soft skills amongst students of government colleges in order to grab the emerging job opportunities.

Since BPO provided the youngsters an opportunity to earn good money and become financially independent, such training was a must, they added.

The Global Voice - a leading training institute has been selected as the training partner for this prestigious project. The course includes modules on communication skills, voice and accent, global culture, customer care, computer proficiency etc.

The training programme is meant to upgrade the skill set of the people in Punjab to meet the manpower requirements of the service-sector and BPO companies.

Today, a seminar was conducted at the SCD Government College by the training partner of the programme, which was attended by a large number of students from arts, science and commerce streams. Prof R.K. Miglani, Head, Department of Commerce, on this occasion said the basic aim of the PTOSS was to understand the work culture of BPOs.

Dr Malkiat Singh, Principal, SCD College, said with opening of economy and arrival of MNC's, the business environment had undergone a dramatic change and competition had become very intense.

The Programme Nodal officer, SCD College, Prof Ashwani Bhalla, said the PTOSS was promoted by senior industry professionals having extensive experience at both national and international levels.

School functioning suffers due to lack of staff
Mahesh Sharma

Brahampur (Mandi Ahmedgarh), November 23
The village that emerged as pioneer in being adopted by Canadian International Development Agency for improving life of its residents three years ago failed to impress upon the authorities to post sufficient staff at Government Senior Secondary School.

Ever declining strength of students at the school worries social leaders of the village as further decline might invite cancellation of senior classes.

Besides other laxities, computer laboratory, set up by contributions from a philanthropist of the village, faces closure as the government has failed to provide even a computer instructor.

According to Mr Bimal, a social worker of the area, the village school was upgraded with the persuasion of Swami Braham Chetan ji during SAD regime about five years ago but the Education Department failed to provide sufficient teaching and non-teaching staff.

At present only three teachers (1 Physical Education teacher, 1 Art and Craft and 1 Social Sciences teacher) were trying to teach students of seven senior classes, from VI to class 12. One post each for science, English, mathematics, social science and Punjabi was vacant at present.

The strength of the students has also declined during past years. The attendance board showed that only 141 students were admitted to seven senior classes and no student got admission in class IX.

Dr Gurjit Singh and Brig Zora Singh , who had earlier played a key role in bringing aid worth Rs 1.25 crore for development of the village, donated seven computers for enabling students to learn at least the basics of the modern science but the computer laboratory remains closed these days as authorities had declined to send an instructor. Though the donors managed to send one teacher for about 18 months, they ultimately withdrew their hand.

Situation in the primary section is also not better. Students have to pay an extra fee to fund two underqualified teachers who had been arranged by the village panchayat. Mr Ranjit Singh, sarpanch, expressed the hope that the school would be getting more teachers after the process for appointing fresh teachers was completed. "However, we have arranged two girls to teach primary classes. I know nothing about their qualification but am of the opinion that a class X passed teacher can well teach primary classes," said Ranjit Singh, when asked about the justification of appointing under qualified teacher at a meagre pay of Rs 600 per month.

Panchayat dole for poor students
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 23
The Panchayat of Chhapar village near here presented woollens and shoes to the needy students of Government High School at a function presided over by Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, MLA, Kilaraipur.

Thanking Baljit Singh, an NRI of the same village, for showing concern about the well-being of poor students, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha claimed that the NRIs had played a significant role in development of their respective native areas.

He called upon the social and political leaders to guide youths of their respective areas and help them shun addiction.

Mr Ajaib Singh, Sarpanch, and Ms Asha Devi, Head Teacher, of the school passed a vote of thanks.

City girl tops PTU’s BCA exam
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 23
The Punjab Technical University (PTU) has released the merit list of BCA and MCA (Regular) examinations held in May 2006. The students of Khalsa Institute of Management and Technology (KIMT) for Women have done well in these examinations.

Dr R.S. Gupta, Director, KIMT, in a press statement today said Shipra Jain topped the university's BCA examination by securing 89 per cent marks in aggregate of all semesters.

COURTS

Bar President talks tough, refutes allegations
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 23
The District Bar Association (DBA) President, Mr Naval Kishore Chhibber, today strongly refuted the allegations levelled against him by the Secretary of the DBA, Mr Rajneesh Gupta, terming the same to be baseless.

He said the annual elections of the DBA were going to be held next month. That's why his opponents had started mudslingling in order to tarnish his image but the voters knew each and every thing.

Mr Chhiber said the demand of referring the matter relating to the controversy of proposed voters’ list to the committee under provision) of Clause 10 of the DBA constitution was illogical, since the said committee had already been scratched by the general house vide its resolution on February 4, 2006. The general house had authorised the President to form a new committee for scrutinising the voters’ list, added Mr Chhibber.

Mr Chhibber claimed that in yesterday's general house meeting, it was resolved that the matter regarding the correction and scrutiny of voters’ list of eligible members should be handed over to the 'screening committee', which comprised senior lawyers-Mr Parveen Talwar, Mr M C Sehgal, Mr P Lall, Mr Ajit Kumar, Ms Sushma and Mr Vijay Sharma. The said committee should submit its report before November 30, 2006.

'' Actually, I am going to contest the elections for the post of DBA Presidentship again following the persistent requests of my fellow colleagues. My opponent candidate is apprehensive of his defeat. He is trying to misguide lawyers for getting their votes,'' added Mr Chhibber. He further said if they (opponents) wished they might stage a dharna against him. In a democratic setup everybody had right to raise his voice. But the atmosphere should not be spoiled for certain personal goals.

Meanwhile, the office-bearers of the Group of Friends Advocates condemned the decision of Mr Hemant Kalia, Mr Balwinder Goel and their supporters for announcing to launch dharna against Bar President, in a meeting held here today. Mr Naginder Singh-president, Mr Harpreet Singh Garcha, Mr Rajinder Warraich and Mr Gurpreet Singh alleged that these lawyers were trying to vitiate the atmosphere of their association.