Jalandhar, September 4
Two teachers from rural areas of the district will be rewarded for their dedication towards the teaching profession during Teachers’ Day functions to be held tomorrow.

While Jasvir Singh Sandhi, a Punjabi teacher from a government school at Jamsher Khas here, will receive national award to be given in New Delhi, Sudarshan Kumar, a primary teacher at Johal village near Goraya, has been chosen for the state-level award to be presented at Sainik School, Kapurthala.

Of the 30 years of service he has put in, Sandhu has taught mostly in rural areas. Beginning from Government Middle School at Bharoli village in Nawanshahr, he has worked in various schools of Doaba region. Sandhu is said to have been rewarded for using various innovative techniques in teaching, which he refused to divulge today.

“I am in Delhi at the moment and would like to share my methodology with the entire media when I reach back so that other teachers too could adopt it for better understanding of concepts to the students”, he stressed.

Sudarshan Kumar has been heading a primary school at Johal village since April, 2003. Ever since he joined the school, the one-room building has seen much expansion. While there were earlier just 15 children for five classes, the school located in a small village this year got 108 children, thanks to the effort of Sudarshan Kumar. “When I was asked by the DEO to join this school, I told him that I would not be able to stay here for there was hardly any infrastructure. There was no motivation either as the strength was too low. The DEO managed to change my mind as he gave me a challenge to improve the lot of the school, which I accepted at the first go”, he recalled.

“I worked day and night, never took any medical or privileged leave and even came to the school regularly during summer vacation trying to mobilise resources for the construction of more rooms, arranging for furniture and getting stationery and uniforms for the students. As the setup improved, more and more children joined the school every year. I also owe my success to the NRIs and villagers who supported me for the cause”, Kumar said.

Jalandhar, September 4
Distance Education Council of IGNOU has granted recognition to PTU distance education programme. The PTU courses have been approved as eligible for getting central government jobs. The decision directly affects future of around 1.5 lakh distance education students of the PTU.

IGNOU conveyed the decision in a letter addressed to Dr S.K. Salwan, vice-chancellor PTU. The letter states that the courses have been given ex-post-facto recognition.

It means that the students having passed through the PTU distance education till date will also be eligible for employment and promotions in central government organisations.

The DEC of IGNOU issued public notices to all the universities in India that its approval was mandatory for starting distance education courses or else the students would not be eligible for government jobs.

PTU authorities say they had submitted their proposal in year 2004, but no decision was taken. The DEC directed that all universities must first seek its approval before starting distance education courses.

PTU objected to such a notification since it affected more than 50,000 students who had been enrolled with PTU at that time.

PTU failed to get an approval despite its commitment to follow all DEC norms and guidelines.

Some aggrieved PTU students from Himachal Pradesh had also approached the High Court. The court, after considering all aspects and the replies of the UGC and DEC, decided that neither the DEC of IGNOU nor the UGC was competent to interfere with the DEP of PTU.

However, IGNOU filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court of India but IGNOU could not get any relief. D.S. Sekhon, president, All India PTU DEP Associates, has confirmed the development.

Jalandhar, September 4
The city-based Atam Valves Pvt. Ltd. has recently been awarded the national award 2006 for quality products in small scale sector by the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises. The award was presented by union minister Mahabir Prasad during a function on August 30 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. It carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh, a trophy and a certificate.

Talking about the award, MD Vimal Jain said, “It was a great honour to receive such a prestigious award, that too at the national level. As our firm is celebrating its silver jubilee this year, the award has added to the festivities.”

The firm, situated on the outskirts of the city, currently employs about 250 workers. It has been manufacturing valves, corks and boiler mountings for the last 25 years. It not only caters to the needs of the Indian market but also exports material. Crediting success to employees, Jain said “The award is an outcome of the hard work of the employees and the dedication of my son Amit Jain.”

“It was in 1982 that Atam Valves Pvt. Ltd. came into existence. Initially it was tough to create a niche in the Indian market, but finally we managed it,” Jain reminisced. “After receiving the award, our top most priority would be to maintain quality. Our next target is to grow to 100 crores,” he added.

Besides being an entrepreneur, Jain is also the president of the local SS Jain Sabha, which is running 3 schools and a hospital. He is associated with Manav Sahyog Society, an NGO, which again is working in sectors of health and education. 

Phagwara, September 4
In a bid to boost the morale of the handicapped players, the Punjab government will be providing all the facilities to them. This was stated by the Punjab Social Welfare Minister Ch Swarana Ram and PWD Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa.

The duo was here to inaugurate the State Level Power Lifting Championship being held here. The ministers also announced a grant of Rs 25,000 each for the Punjab handicapped Powerlifting Association. Later, in the championship, in the 48-kg category, Randip Singh (Tarn Taran) won gold medal, Gurdip Singh won silver medal, and Ravi Kumar won bronze medal. In the 52kg-Hira Sandhu (Firozepur) won gold medal, Kuldip Singh (Jalandhar) won silver medal and Baljit won bronze medals.

In the 56 kg category Chetan Sharma won gold medal and Rajesh Bal won silver medal. — OC