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Couple killed in roof collapse
Chandigarh, July 11 Following an hour of intensive efforts three rescue teams of the fire and emergency department evacuated the couple from the debris. The victims were rushed to PGI in an unconscious state where they were put on a life supporting system. However, they later succumbed to their injuries at about 3 am, the police said. Lal earned his living by selling cigarettes and tobacco products outside a liquor store in Sector 30. The couple was sleeping on their ground floor room in the dilapidated double storied house when its roof broke down. The police said initially the ramshackle roof of the top floor of the structure collapsed and fell on the first floor roof, crumbling down on the ground floor roof, which in turn collapsed under the weight of the debris. The fire department received information about the incident at about 1:36 am and pressed three fire tenders in the rescue operation. The cops were also informed and later arrived at the scene, assisting the firemen in their efforts. According to the police the houseowner, Baldev Singh, said he had asked Ramji Lal on several occasions to vacate the house, as it was in a bad shape and urgently needed repairs, but the latter refused to budge. Manimajra police station SHO inspector Partap Singh said today being Sunday the postmortem on the bodies could not be conducted at PGI. Inquest proceedings under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code had been initiated, he added. This is the second incident in a week of a roof collapsing due to rain in the city. Last Thursday a 65-year-old ex-serviceman, Darshan Singh, died in Dadu Majra Colony and his wife and daughter-in-law were injured when a cantilever of their house collapsed.
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Pak spy fooled govt officials to get fake IDs
Chandigarh, July 11 The arrest of the 24-year-old alleged secret agent had led to the revelation of chinks in the income tax department, the UT election department, transport authority, New Delhi, (from where he secured his driver’s licence) and PSEB. Investigators are now trying to find out how he managed to fool these departments or if he had obtained these vital documents with the connivance of insiders in these departments. Sources said the investigators had conducted a search at Ali’s house in Sector 44 late on Saturday night in the presence of SDM (south) Prerna Puri, area councillor Vijay Rana and Kusam Sharma, president of the resident welfare association of army flats. They seized certain documents including a voter ID card issued in Chandigarh, a passport acknowledgement and a PAN card, restricted documents pertaining to the Indian army and a purchase bill for a camera. The police claimed Ali illegally entered India through the Nepalese border. The voter ID and PAN cards seized from him were issued in his fictitious name, Pawan Kumar, with the address given as house no 1844, near Saini Gurudwara, Burail. He used to receive money through Western Union Money Transfer and had accounts in Axis Bank and Union Bank of India in Chandigarh, the police added. Meanwhile, Ali today moved an application in a local court seeking permission to talk on phone to his family members in Faislabad, Pakistan. Ali mentioned two phone numbers of his family in the application. The court later granted permission while remanding him to police custody for three days. It also directed the cops to allow him talk to his family in the presence of the investigating officer and record the conversation. The sources said Ali had changed six accommodations during his two-and-a-half years stay in Sectors 43 and 44 and in Burail in Chandigarh. He had come to the city from Bikaner in Rajasthan. The police now intends to take him to Bikaner to find out his links there. The cops have quizzed two city residents, Santosh and Rajiv, who were his friends. It has also directed the owner of the house in which Ali was residing to inform them about the people visiting the latter’s accommodation. It is learnt that two women who work at a beauty parlour came to meet Ali at his residence. A police officer stated the cops had learnt Ali has a two-year-old son besides five stepchildren, including four sons and a daughter. “His wife’s name is Firdos. Though according our information Ali came to India four years ago we’re yet to crosscheck the details”, he added.
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PEC Counselling
Chandigarh, July 11 Chandigarh quota of PEC (general category) finished at last rank 16,913 in metallurgy. Counselling up to All-India rank 20,000 in AIEEE finished today and counselling for AIEEE rank 20,000 to 30,000 will be held on July 12, said PEC officials. — TNS
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Admn move on dyslexic students irks parents
Chandigarh, July 11 The UT administration’s insensitivity towards dyslexic children in city schools has now created a panic situation among parents of these special children. The parents of these children claim that the administration’s lack of commitment to provide inclusive education to students with special needs is the root cause of the problem. The UT education department officials, however, allege that there was dearth of space in the school and no other rooms were available for constructing e-classrooms. The resource centre of dyslexic students is being shifted to a government school in Sector 29, which is inconvenient for students who hail from Naya Gaon, PGI, and other nearby sectors, claim parents in a letter to the Chandigarh Tribune. On the other hand, dismissing parents’ plea, education department officials claim that the centre is being shifted following permission from the staff at the centre. Parents have also alleged that instead of lending assistance to NGOs like Joy Lal memorial trust, which is running a programme called ODE at this centre, the education department seems to be in a “hasty modernisation mode.”Besides resource centre at GMSSS, Sector 8, a few more resource centres in the city working for dyslexic students, its mentor even provides special training to BEd students of Panjab University and has been invited as a resource person by government of north-eastern states. The centre has been training government and private school teachers to handle students with special needs. “We have only been informed to shift. The primary problem with dyslexic students is that they can’t adjust to new environment. Parents have approached me and have asked to intervene, but till the administration shows commitment for inclusive education, as instructed by the Union government and the MHRD, the problem would persist,” said Bharti Kapoor. Earlier, in 2009 despite repeated promises by the former Director Public Instructions (Schools), there had been a delay in providing extension to this special resource centre.
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Water-borne diseases on the rise
Chandigarh, July 11 As the temperatures have soared after the rains, the number of summer-related diseases has also seen a drastic rise. Doctors have reported as much as 20 per cent increase in water-borne diseases, including viral fever, diarrhoea and gastric flu. Dr OP Dutt, a gastroenterologist, said the number of patients with diarrhoea has increased steadily in the past couple of days, especially from villages like Makhan Majra, Behlana, Hallo Majra and Raipur Khurd. In the past two days about a dozen diarrhoea, viral fever and even two cases of eye flu or suspected conjunctivitis patients have been admitted to the GMCH-32. The total number has touched to more than 150 in the past 10 days. “During this season, bacteria multiply extremely fast, and germs, flies and dust add to the problem,” the doctor explained and said that stale, roadside, spicy and uncovered food should be avoided. Overflowing garbage containers, scattered filth, stagnant water and foul smell expose the chinks in the ‘preparedness’ of the local Municipal Corporation authorities to ward off seasonal diseases this summer. Villages having been turned into garbage dumps and the MC authorities seem to be awaiting outbreak of an epidemic before swinging into action. Puddles of stagnant water just on the entrance of Raipur Khurd, Behlana and Hallo Majra has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Due to the apathy of the MC authorities, the area has been turned into a garbage dums. More than 20 new patients arrive daily at the GMCH-32 and this proves that viral and water-borne diseases have affected many sectors and rural clusters of the city. This is boom time for quacks in the villages. The qualified doctors too have started giving precautionary tips to people to protect themselves from these diseases. “We have nowhere else to go than to seek treatment from the quacks, as they have their clinics close to our residence,” said Suresh Kumar, a painter contractor residing in Raipur Khurd. “The consultation fee of specialist doctors and cost of hospitalisation is unaffordable for us. Bt in view of our limited resources, we tend to cut corners and save whatever we can on medical treatment, so we go to the quacks. Another resident of Hallo Majra said about the government hospitals, mobile vans and ESIC dispensaries, the less said the better. “Situation in the GMCH-32 is no better, where medicines have to be purchased from outside, most of the tests are conducted outside and one has to pay the staff for each and every service.” Child specialist Dr Renu Duggal said about 24 children suffering from fever, loose motions, vomiting etc reported to the hospital daily. She said with the increase in temperature, the number of cases was expected to rise. Flies hovering around or settling on uncovered food items and fruits on rehris and shops is a common sight here. The sugarcane juice extracting machines also invite flies. The settling of flies and dust on uncovered food items besides impure drinking water are major health hazards for the people. Meanwhile, the UT health authorities had organised a workshop on Friday here to raise awareness on malaria, viral and dengue fever among the executive officers of the MC, block development and panchayat officers, senior medical officers and representatives of public health. The doctors, however, feel that impure potable water and heaps of waste everywhere are the main cause of diseases threatening the health of the people, especially that of slum dwellers and the villagers. However, Raghbir Singh, former sarpanch of Raipur Khurd village, said that he had given many representations to the Health Department and MC authorities to fill up the open space where water accumulated during rains, but without any positive results.
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UT issues advisory
Chandigarh, July 11 Disclosing this, Dr MS Bains, Director, Health and Family Welfare, UT Administration, said that all cases reported from various dispensaries and hospitals were being investigated by officers of the NVBDCP. Control measures are initiated immediately on receipt of the information. With a view to minimizing the vector density, fogging operations and DDT spray are being carried out in sectors, villages and labour colonies. Special survey teams have been deployed to gear up the Aedes larval survey work and intensification of anti-larval measures. Bains said that all SMOs/MOs had been asked to be vigilant and keep a watch on the fever and diarrhea cases in their respective areas. Special teams have already been deployed for the distribution of chlorine tablets in vulnerable areas. The department is fully geared to tackle all vector and water-borne diseases. In keeping with the guidelines issued by the Central Government, June was observed as the anti-malaria month during which various IEC/BCC activities were carried out. Four anti-malaria camps and advocacy workshops were also organised. Special march was taken out from Sector 18 to the roundabout of Sector 18,19, 20 and 21 (Malaria Chowk) as a part of the IEC activities. July will be observed as the anti-dengue month in which three advocacy workshops will be organised in motor markets, Bains added.
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Post rains, vegetable, fruit prices escalate
Chandigarh, July 11
Traders at the Sector 26 vegetable and grain market said that pre-monsoon rains that lashed the region had also hit them badly as they were not able to supply fruits and vegetables to the neighboring cities. Ali, a vegetable vendor at Sector 26 vegetable market said number of customers coming to the market had gone down considerably, as the rising vegetable and fruit prices had already hit the common man.
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Folk dances come alive
Chandigarh, July 11 The folk dance competition organised by the Gurukul Vidyapeeth and S-4 Trust as a part of — Sur with Tal talent hunt programme — witnessed vibrant folk dances like kalbelia, ghoomer, bhangra mix and many more. The panel of judges included noted kathak and folk maestro Usha Sharma, director Haryana Kala Parishad and bharatnatyam exponent, Suchitra Mitra. Rinku Kalia, CEO of Sur with Tal talent hunt, and Col Ashwani Sharma disclosed that winners from the ongoing contests like Voice of Chandigarh, dancer, laughter champion and cultural Olympiad will perform at the mega nite to celebrate the birthday of melody queen, Lata Mangeshkar on October 1 at the Tagore Theatre. Meanwhile, educationist Manmohan Garg, spirit behind the talent hunt, lauded the enthusiasm of budding artistes.
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Expert: Hypnotherapy a non-invasive treatment
Chandigarh, July 11 “It has long-term healing effects on a person who has lost all hopes of treatment. We have also seen few cases wherein the medical fraternity lost all hopes in curing a disease and hypnotherapy has come to the rescue,” he said. Cheema added, “Hypnotherapy believes that the thought process plays an important role in our lives. This thought process decides an individual’s personality, actions, development and even diseases. “It is generally believed that diseases are the outcome of negative thoughts that harm the body. Many interpersonal relationships for which the medical fraternity has no treatment, hypnotherapy has the answer,” he said. Dr Sunil Prakash and Dr Ritu Singh, certified clinical hypnotherapists from the California Hypnosis Institute said that hypnotherapy was a non-invasive treatment, which was covered under alternate medicine. The patient is first induced into a relaxed state and then interrogated about the problem. This relaxed state is called trance. “During trance a patient is in a relaxed state and in full control of his or her actions. Information comes from subconscious mind after bypassing the conscious mind,” he added.
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The Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16, favourite venue for art, cultural and intellectual activities in Chandigarh, has donned a new avatar. The open area in front of the Randhawa Auditorium presents a beautiful sight with a number of sculptures, created by master craftsmen from all over Punjab, during a recent workshop. Besides, enhancing the aesthetic look of the area, which houses the office of the Punjab Arts Council, the organisation controlling the Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Lalit Kala Akademi and the Punjabi Sahit Akademi- the sculptures show that the robust Punjabis are no less in classical arts. While the Punjab Kala Bhavan may have done a good job on classical arts front, but on performing arts scenario much needs to be done. Old timers still fondly remember the “Thursday musical evening” at the Kala Bhavan and it was years ago that the musical, dance and theatrical bonanza was discontinued at the premier venue. Can we resurrect those performances at the Kala Bhavan aimed at giving a fillip to the vast-vanishing performing arts of the land for five years? Snakeman
To save snakes from the wrath of urbanites has become a passion for 26-year-old P Raju, who is in Army at the ‘N’ Area of Chandigarh. Due to his “snake saving team” comprising two other jawans, he is now known as the “Snakeman” of ‘N’ Area. He is also educating children about the fallacy of panicking myths surrounding snakes. On Friday, with the assistance of Sriram Bhattacharya of Hyderabad and Rajinder Thakur of Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, he held a snake awareness workshop
for children at nearby Behlana village. "Children should understand most snakes are not venomous and they only bite out of fear," he said. Children were also taught the "dos and don'ts" during a snakebite. Raju claims to have caught more than 150 snakes to save them from the wrath of humans. He has kept the records of length, weight and record of salient features of all snakes especially cobras, which he has caught although he has no formal education in life sciences. Now, he and his team reach any household on the periphery of Army area at a phone call to catch the snake live, which they set free inside jungle areas away from the city.
Football in rain
Only the soccer players dared to reach in the water-filled grounds during the rain and played. “It’s fun, playing the game in the rain,” said Vicky Jindal of Sector 8. The other member of the group, Mohit was of the view that football fever was on and playing on the water-filled ground was just part of it.
Aerocity craze
The GMADA scheme of plots at Aerocity in Mohali has caught the fancy of rich and the poor. While several real estate agents have reportedly submitted the applications in bulk to mint money putting lakhs on stake, several applicants from lower strata of the society could be seen standing in queues in the banks expecting to become rich overnight after the draw. And the easy terms and conditions for financing the earnest money by banks were sufficient to let them muster the courage to play the gamble. “It is worth putting Rs 6,000 at stake to become rich overnight,” said Sona Lal, a rickshaw-puller standing in queue at a bank in Sector 38. Though it would not be possible to deposit the allotment money, the sale of plot in open market would fetch lakhs, reasoned Sona Lal.
Water logging
in Panchkula
Even though the Panchkula administration had laid new storm water drains in the city to check water logging on city roads, but commuters faced problems while driving their vehicles through sand and grit that spreads on roads after the rain. Several people have received injuries as the vehicles slipped near the roundabouts. The people were now waiting for the administration to come out of its deep slumber to remove the rubble from the city roundabouts. — Contributions by Pradeep Sharma, Anil Jerath, Akash Ghai,
Arun Sharma and Sanjay Bumbroo
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23-yr-old woman electrocuted
Chandigarh, July 11 According to neighbours, Rekha was shifting a table fan at her house when she was electrocuted. The body was sent for post mortem.
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Sikh hero hailed
Chandigarh, July 11 The speaker informed that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was deputed by the 10th master of the Sikh Faith, Guru Gobind Singh, to avenge the death of his tender-aged younger sons Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh. This action became necessary when the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar sidelined the issue of punishing Wazir Khan of Sirhind on whose orders the two ‘sahibzadas’ had been “brick-walled” alive.
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Eight inmates flee juvenile home
Ludhiana/Zirakpur, July 11 Two inmates out of eight were residents of Mohali district. They were involved in various criminal activities at the area. The fugitives have been identified as Irbanpreet Singh, a resident of Zirakpur, Sanjeev Kumar, alias Sunny, a resident of Sector 70, Mohali, Narinder Singh, a resident of Ward No 2, Banur; Rajwinder Singh, a resident of Ahmedgarh, Vipan Kumar, a resident of Ludhiana; Vipan Singh and Jeevan Singh, both residents of Moga and Sandeep Kumar. Irbanpreet Singh was undergoing the jail term in 17 criminal cases, including murder and robbery. Four cases of car theft were registered against him at Zirakpur police station. However, the Zirakpur police, suspecting that they might be again active in Mohali district, had arranged nakas at various places. The other accused, Sandeep of Nakodar, was booked in four criminal cases. The other six accused who fled from the juvenile home were also booked for grievous offences. The matter came to light this morning when eight inmates were reported missing during the head count. According to officials, one of the accused scaled the wall situated on the backside of the juvenile home. He then cut the iron bars and escaped from the premises. The other accomplices also scaled the wall and fled away. They then entered the residential area adjacent to it. A turban and a table were used for scaling the 15-foot wall, while an iron blade was used for cutting the grills. How the inmates managed to take the iron blades inside the juvenile home is still a mystery. ADCP (Headquarters) RK Bakshi, ACP Hardayal Singh and SHO Gurtej Singh rushed to the spot following the incident. There were only six guards to handle 96 teenagers lodged in the juvenile home. The staff of juvenile home was caught napping. The officials were tight lipped about the incident and did not allow the media to enter the premises. Social security officer Anita Gupta said the department was investigating the matter. She refused to give the details. Sources in the juvenile home said the escape was meticulously planned. The accused were planning to escape from the jail for the past one month.
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Orchard contractor ‘thrashed’ by police
Panchkula, July 11 Puran Chand, in his complaint to the superintendent of police Maneesh Chaudhary, said the police officials of the Chandimandir police station not only thrashed him and other members of his family, but also took away domestic items worth Rs 5 lakh from his house. Puran said he had visited the police station, along with his family members, today as the police had summoned them with regard to a criminal case registered against them. He said he had taken on contract a six-acre mango farm in Sultanpur from one Anil Sharma, a resident of Sector 7, here for the past two years. He said this year the contract was for Rs 60,000 out of which he had already paid Rs 30,000 to Anil and rest of the money was to be paid in April next year. He alleged that Anil demanded the remaining amount from him and when he expressed his inability to pay the same the latter got a case registered against him in the police station. SP Chaudhary said a criminal case was already filed against the victims and the inquiry had been marked. He further said independent inquiry had also been marked in the alleged police highhandedness and those found guilty in both the cases would be dealt with as per law. He said on July 8 some police officials visited his house and told him that a case had been registered against him and told him to report at the police station the next morning. He said he, along with his daughter Monica, son Manish, nephew Ramesh and other residents of his village, arrived at the police station. He alleged that some police officials started beating them mercilessly in separate rooms. He alleged that his daughter was beaten up by male police officials with their service belts while the women constables present there stood as mute spectators. He said after getting released from the station they got themselves medically examined and the medical report has confirmed the injuries.
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PGI doc gets ‘Punjab Ratan’ award
Chandigarh, July 11 Singh has many awards to his credit. He is one of the distinguished urologists at the national and international level. He is the member of five international professional societies. He has more than 135 Publications in reputed national and international journals. His works have been cited extensively and some has been abstracted in Campbell’s Urology, which is called encyclopedia in urology and a reference book of urology the world over. His work on common urological problems in the region such as urinary stone and urological Cancer has added new information to the world scientific literature. He received the DUSCON Urology Gold Medal for his outstanding contribution to basic research in urology. He also got the best paper award during the102nd Annual Conference of American Urological Association in May 2008 at Orlando, Florida, USA. He is a member of the Senate, Panjab University, Chandigarh, and the Senate, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab. He has been elected as the president of the North Zone Chapter of the Urological Society of India. He was a member of the governing body of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, for three years.
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Sec-45 assault case victim dies
Chandigarh, July 11 The police had already arrested Sonu Shah of Burial and his accomplices Prince, Dilbar, Sulhwinder Singh and Anil in the case. Two other accused in the case, Parveen and Monti are still absconding. The assault had left Mehboob, Akbar, Chander, Taslim, Abdul, Sazid and Sadam injured. On June 24, a group of persons allegedly kidnapped Ram Lal’s brother Raju, forcing him to give a statement in favour of Sanu Shah and his accomplices. The police had registered a case of kidnapping against unidentified persons in this connection two days after the incident.
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ESIC to open medical colleges Chandigarh, July 11 The college at Punjab may be set up at Lalru where the ESIC has proposed the State to open a hospital, ESIC director BB Puri said. The ESIC would set up nursing colleges and training institutes for paramedical staff so that there is no dearth of experts, he added. The wards of employees with the corporation would have reservation in these educational institutes, Puri said, adding that the students passing out of these institutes would have to serve for a fixed period at ESIC health centres. The ESIC de facto has amended its Act to remove hurdles in the way of development and to make the scheme more lucrative for the employees under the insurance scheme and employers too, Puri claimed. The amendments effected from June 1 include outsourcing of services at hospitals, hiring of services of super specialists at market price and relaxation of age for dependents of insured persons. The ESIC can now outsource the services to any agency that fulfils its terms and conditions. Moreover, the ESIC is free to hire the services of super specialists offering them perks in the prevailing market, Kapur said. Counting the steps being taken to liberate the conditions for the welfare of insured persons, Kapur said the age for dependent children had been extended from 18 to 25. Even those who were debarred in the past after they attaining the age of 18 can again get benefit as dependent till the age of 25. Henceforth, the parents drawing pension to the extent of an amount to be fixed by the ESIC within a few weeks would also be eligible to avail benefits as dependents. Even the unmarried employee covered under the scheme after the death of parents can extend the benefit to siblings, he added. Besides, the factories with or without power employing 10 or more workers have to get registration under the ESIC Act.
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AC buses in UT Chandigarh, July 11 Deposing before the court, Anil stated that in 2008 when notification regarding plying of AC buses on City roads was issued, there was no Home Secretary and the power to issue such a notification was with the Finance Secretary UT, Sanjay Kumar. Complainant Arvind Thakur also moved an application to summon Special Secretary concerned with the Punjab Transport Department MP Singh, Secretary to the Punjab Governor DS Jaspal, Principal Secretary with the Transport Department and UT Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar with all relevant documents. Thakur has also requested to summon MP Gurdas Das Kamat with details of his correspondence with Shiv Raj Patil, who was the Home Minister then and at present, the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator. He said the court had issued summons to MP Singh, DS Jaspal and Gurdas Kamat to appear before the court on August 13. Thakur said in 2007, the administration had granted permission to private buses to ply on Chandigarh roads. The Administration then granted 73 permits for operating AC buses from various destinations in Punjab to Chandigarh and vice-versa.
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College principals moot joint counselling
Chandigarh, July 11 In what caused a trouble for students and college staff, counselling for this course was going on simultaneously at Postgraduate Government College, Sector 11, and DAV College, Sector 10. Clueless, where to go first, the students were rushing from one college to another. During the counselling session at Postgraduate Government College for Girls, Sector 11, an “outside UT pool” student who was ranked 12 in the entrance exam claimed that a student with rank 20 was allotted the seat. Students alleged that the college authorities didn’t take attendance and allotted the seat to a candidate with a lower rank. The girl submitted a complaint to the college principal (a copy with the Chandigarh Tribune). Dismissing students’ plea, college authorities said the girl was lying and even misbehaved with teachers on duty during the counselling. However, college principal Achla Dogra, said: “After the girl submitted the complaint, I directed the committee to submit a report and it was found that the girl was not present during the counselling and has even mentioned in the letter that her brother was present at the venue. Teachers couldn’t wait and had to proceed.” For other than UT pool, there were three seats for MSc (chemistry) in the college and 20 seats for the UT pool. Another government college principal narrated a similar counselling woe. “One of the candidates whose name was called out had gone to the college canteen. By the time he returned, the candidate with a lower rank was allotted the seat. The counselling for the same course was taking place at three different colleges. The students and the college staff faced problems due to this,” he said.
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Open House Response Reported Panjab University decision that “in future, in the proceedings of the meetings of the Syndicate and the Senate, only resolved part be included”, defies all democratic norms and procedures. The framers of Indian Constitution opted for Parliamentary Democracy where representatives of the people with different ideologies and opinions debated on issues and arrived at decisions with consensus or majority. The proceedings of two Houses are published in the form of debates which included the opinions expressed by the members and logic behind the decisions taken. The same procedure is followed in all the democratically elected bodies in the country such as the State Assemblies, Municipal Councils/Corporations, Zila Parishads, Block Samitis and even Village Panchayats. Panjab University Senate and Syndicate are democratically elected bodies and its members have every right to not only express their opinion on academic issues but also that it should be published in the proceedings. Omitting discussion part from the proceedings of the University Senate and Syndicate defies all parliamentary logic and is tantamount to throttling the voice and opinion of democratically elected members of these august bodies. Such a decision reminds of “Tughlaqi Firmans” of Medieval Indian history. Institutions grow with discussions and debate and not by whimsical decisions. Panjab University with its 128 year old history and with its expanse over 70 odd teaching departments along with 175 affiliated colleges is a glorious institution. Debate and discussions as published in the proceedings of its Senate/Syndicate meetings are its heritage worth preserving. Therefore the decision of including only resolved part in the proceedings should be taken back. All democracy-loving citizens of the country need to come together and prevail upon the University to give up this self-destructing path. Dr Mohammed Khalid Let our future know our reasoning
The article in the Open House on relevance of recording discussions in the senate by Sanjeev Singh Bariana in the ‘Open House’ column was thought provoking and an eye opener by giving a glimpse of the ways our academic institutions try to conceal more than they reveal. Democracy, Transparency and Accountability are the pillars of good Governance and decision making process in all walks of life more so in academic institutions. The discussions and different view points are an asset for rectification and a different way of looking at the issues. The same are helpful for the progeny also. Let us not circumvent the right of coming generations to have a look into and learn from the process of decision making followed by their fore fathers. Pyara Lal Garg Reasoning more important than conclusion
Reasoning is more important than the conclusion. Discussion is more important than the decision. That is why schools, colleges and universities are opened in the first place. As the Italian socio-economist, Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923) put it : 'give me the fruitful error any time, full of seeds, bursting with its own corrections. You can keep your sterile truth for yourself. One wonders whether scientists adhered to scientific methodology only as long as it furthers their career. Once they come to executive power they wipe their mind clean of all inconvenient memories. Just as the Vice-chancellor chairs the meetings of the University Syndicate and senate, the Chancellor presides over the sessions of the Upper House of the Indian parliament. The procedures adopted in these two great institutions should be mutually consistent. Let us now see who follow whom. Rajesh Kochhar Encourage healthy criticism
The decision of Panjab University to alter the recording the proceedings as pointed out by Sanjeev Bariana in the Open House (July 5) in most unfortunate and undesirable. No system can remain static. There have to be certain alterations and amendments to make any system more responsive, more transparent and clearer so that the public should know the working of a public undertaking especially the educational institutions like Punjab University . This was possible only through reasoning and reasoning needs to be open to others, as well. The university needs to answer reasonably why it altered the 128 year tradition of recording the proceedings. In fact, it is people’s representation and the frank and free opinion of the members that is most essential to the senate till the time university continued with this format of administration. With the coming of RTI Act 2005, it is obligatory for every public authority to justify its decisions to the affected persons. The University has its lofty standards and rich past, it must also show courage to invite healthy criticism, it must be user’s friendly and should not venture any thing for which they get scared and hide things. Capt Amar Jeet Kumar A student differs
The story in the Open House on recording senate proceedings mentions the names of the four senators, giving the common people the impression as if they were the only pillars, pioneers and purveyors of parliamentary propriety and justice in the entire community of PU teachers. Are there no other brave hearts for fair play or stakeholders in the so-called “parliamentary proceedings” in the University? Some space may have been given to other voices and views prevailing in the University on this issue. By recording only the resolutions of the Senate and the Syndicate in the proceedings, the University administration shows its concern for saving time, wasting plenty of paper and human resources, and speedier execution of “resolutions” and “decisions” at the ground level. If almost five thousand year old tradition of democratic governance, exemplified in the Vedic Sabha and Samiti or even the Western democratic tradition starting from the Magna Carta can undergo infinite number of changes down the history, why should we make such hue and cry when only 128 year old history of “recording the proceedings of the Senate” undergoes a procedural change. Nishtha B.AIII
(Hons)
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Recruitment for data entry operators
Mohali, July 11 During a recent recruitment drive, the board selected 46 data entry operators. Instead of giving preference to the candidates, who cleared the typewriting test (as had been mentioned by the PSEB in its advertisement), some of the candidates who failed in the test were given preference. Information regarding the selection criteria sought under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act) by one of the unsuccessful candidates has revealed that out of the total 46 selected candidates, 10 candidates could clear Punjabi typewriting test and nine could clear English typewriting test. Only six candidates could clear both Punjabi and English typewriting test. In its reply, the board has stated that passing both typewriting test was not mandatory. “In the advertisement, the board had stated that the candidates passing the test would be given preference,” said Narinder Kaur, who sought the information under the RTI Act. Details given by the board have revealed that a number of selected candidates have less numbers in Class X, Class XII and PGDCA and had less working experience and some of them even failed to clear the typewriting test. Still they were selected. To cover up their wrong doing, the selection committee gave marks for NCC and NSS certificates, a condition not mentioned in the advertisement. Similarly, 20 marks were fixed for interview.
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Skill generation course in skincare launched
Chandigarh, July 11 More than 50 women and girls in the age group of 15 to 35 years got themselves enrolled for the said course. While speaking on the inaugural session, Ajaib Singh, director, department of lifelong learning and extension, highlighted that the course was need based and the demand to start the course has come from village sarpanch, Rakesh Kumar. He further added that the course was a continuation of the village upliftment project launched by PU Vice-Chancellor RC Sobti in June. Dr Prabha Vig, an assistant from the department, highlighted that the participants would enhance their personality by learning different types of skincare and facials, makeup on different occasions, manicure, pedicure and different types of hairstyling. The village sarpanch said this course was going to enhance the employability skills of women and girls.
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A clarification
This is to clarify that the number of seats in MSc microbial biotechnology, which is being offered by Guru Gobind Singh
Khalsa College, Sector 26, is 15.
The final eligibility score for the course
was calculated by considering BSc aggregate marks in addition to the OCET conducted by
Panjab University recently.
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Vegetable prices in the city have soared so much that many families are cutting down on intake of vegetable. The prices of vegetables have increased by about 30 per cent during the past one week. The price of tomatoes, which is used regularly in Indian meals, has shot up to Rs 40 per kg. People at the wholesale vegetable market in Sector 26 complained that, even though they were shelling out more money to purchase the vegetables, the vegetables were not fresh.
Though the Rain God forced all sportspersons in the city to remain indoors this week, but the football players were certainly an exception.