The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

World’s youngest CEO to introduce student management system
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18
Virtual classroom concept in Punjab schools may still be in its formative stage. But you can give full marks to the world youngest CEO Suhas Gopinath for his plans to bring out virtual report cards through 'student management system’ in government and private schools across the state.

Once the schools pass the state-of-the-art and extremely economical software, the parents will be able to monitor their child’s progress through internet without taking time out of their busy schedule for visiting schools.

This is not all. The just-out-of-his teens CEO of US-based multinational software giant "Globals Inc" also plans to set up a “research and development centre” at Chandigarh to make the most of local talent passing out of so many engineering colleges in the state. One such centre already exists in Bangalore.

In Chandigarh on a short visit for associating with German-based Convergent Technologies, the 20-year-old CEO says the student management system also informs the parents through “Short Message Service” or e-mail if their child has failed to turn up for classes even for a single day.

The software has already been installed in 945 Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country, along with schools in Nigeria and European countries. It carries information on the student's score, his rank and appraisals by the teacher. It also compares his performance with classmates.

The report card also reflects the student’s capabilities, his behaviour in the classroom and interaction level with friends.

The system further saves the students from embarrassment as it reminds the parents to pay their child’s dues.

“After setting up an office in Chandigarh in another few months, we plan to work out the modalities for marketing the system in government and private schools,” he asserts.

The young entrepreneur also plans to interact with Panjab University and other students in the state. "Through my experience and success story, I wish to tell them to become job providers, instead of just job seekers," he says.

Pulling out his own little tale from the recycle bin of his memory, the young entrepreneur from Bangalore says it all started with an e-mail ID gifted to him by his brother on his 12th birthday.

The little present opened the internet and software world to him. At 14, he was recognised as the world's youngest professional web-developer. Awed by his work, a fortune 500 company offered him a job.

"I then decided to float my own venture. But as the Indian rules do not permit a minor to launch his company, I had to start the operations from across the seas,” he recalls.

The information technology giant, with offices in over 11 countries, now offers cost effective software, internet and mobile technology solutions for small and medium enterprises. His strategy for the company includes steady growth, low cost pricing and a focus on small and medium enterprises.

Challenges ahead for medical librarians
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18
Speakers laid stress on the role of medical librarians in the present era of information and technology at the inaugural session of a three-day national convention “Emerging trends in medical librarianship” at the PGI here today.

Prof Vinay Sakhuja, Dean of the PGI, inaugurated the convention, which was organised by Dr Tulsi Das Library for the Medical Library Association of India (MLAI). Professor Sakhuja appreciated the role of library professionals in the information on patient care research. Dr R.P. Kumar, Chief Librarian at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, spoke on emerging trends in medical librarianship and challenges for medical librarians.

The association presented Dr Kumar with the first fellow award while the second fellow award was given to Mr N. Mariappan, Librarian of Madurai Medical College. The MLAI-SJ Kulkarni Award was given to Mr A. Thaivanayagam, a Librarian from Tamil Nadu, for his efforts in the development of medical librarianship.

The GM Kumar Best Paper award was given to Dr S.K. Pandey of the IHBAS, Delhi.

Prof H.R. Chopra, former chairperson of the Department of Library and Information Science, who was the guest of honour, and Prof Kusum Joshi, chairperson of the Library Committee, also spoke, said Mr Raj Kumar, organising secretary of the association.

Arrested teachers released
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18
At the instance of the Punjab Government, the UT Administration today ordered the release of 133 protesting teachers and other employees of the government aided schools of Punjab lodged in Burail Jail.

The protestors, including 68 women, from Moga district, courted arrest on the first day of the agitation on December 4. They were arrested by the police under section 188 of the IPC for allegedly violating prohibitory orders by violating Section 144 of the CrPC imposed near the Punjab Civil Secretariat, where they breached in.

Saupin’s students enthral audience
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18
Students of Saupin’s School, Sector 32, took the audience on a fascinating journey of music, dance and drama during the school’s annual day celebrations at the LECMA Air Force station auditorium here today. The school is organising its annual day celebrations for four days till December 21.

Mr Krishan Mohan, Home Secretary, Chandigarh, was the chief guest on the first day. The programme started with a lamp lighting ceremony, followed by a cultural extravaganza where the students of levels 2, 8 and 9 entertained the audience. The students were divided into four groups.

Some of the performances on Monday were a Hindi play, a puppet show and Punjabi Khichdi. The students also enthralled the audience while they performed the Salsa and other foot-tapping dances. The fusion dance prayer and English song “ Heal the world” brought forth the message of spreading peace and happiness. The students gave another spectacular performance in the English play-’The necklace’ directed by Mr Zubin.

All performances received a generous applause from the audience, a majority of proud parents. The programme ended with a message by the Headmaster.

Xmas at Xavier's
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18
Students and staff of St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, Chandigarh, celebrated Christmas today at the school grounds.

The Vice-Principal, Mr V.V. De Rozario, addressed students and explained the significance of the festival.

Later, a dance was presented to mark the occasion. Sweets were also distribued.

COURTS

GCM upholds earlier order on weapon loss
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18
A general court martial (GCM), re-convened to consider its earlier verdict of finding two army jawans not guilty in a weapons loss case, today upheld its earlier order.

The court, held at Ferozepore this week, had held Naib Subedar Madan Lal and Hav Krishan Kumar not guilty of all seven charges faced by them under different provisions of the Army Act in August. The court’s convening authority, however, did not agree with the verdict and ordered that the court be re-convened this month to review its findings and verdict.

In his closing address, defence counsel, Col S.K. Aggarwal maintained that a weapon was not lost by the jawans, but hidden under a conspiracy to cover up other deeds. He contended that the trial of the two jawans was done with mala fide intentions by the then General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, Major Gen B. Sivashankar.

The defence contended that the court of inquiry (CoI) into the alleged loss of weapon was completed on May 19, 2005, where as disciplinary action against the two jawans was ordered in April.

The presiding officer of the CoI, Col T. Ravindra, also did not depose before the court during the trial. The court also observed that two fresh witnesses who deposed after the court re-convened, did not come up with any fresh evidence.