Chandigarh, March 7
Holding that the convict IPS officer, occupying such a high position, has shaken the faith of the common man, who reposes faith in such offices, the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Nazar Singh today sentenced former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director Saji Mohan to five-year rigorous imprisonment in a case of corruption, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on him.

The court also sentenced co-accused Balwinder Kumar, former NCB Superintendent, to five-year rigorous imprisonment in the case for criminal breach of trust.

“The convicts are all associated with an organisation whose responsibility is to protect the law. Each human being reposes faith in such organisations, whereas the convicts have shaken that faith. Being placed at such high positions, they committed an inexcusable sin, while their responsibility was far greater than what one expects of a common man,” said the court while pronouncing the order.

The accused had pleaded before the court that they were sole breadwinners of their families and a lenient view should be taken.

“Though they have been convicted, both convicts continued to plead innocence. They said their family members were suffering without the head of the family. The argument that a lenient view may be taken as they are in custody for a long time has been taken care of while awarding the sentence. This court shall always sympathise with the families of wrongdoers as they also suffer whenever a convict is punished. However, the law must take its own course. Keeping in view the entirety of facts and circumstances of the case, the age of the convicts, antecedents, seriousness and gravity of the offence on which they have been held guilty and that both the convicts Saji Mohan and Balwinder Kumar have already been convicted and sentenced in an earlier case, these convicts are sentenced to five years for criminal breach of trust,” said the court.

The case

On March 4, the court had convicted 1995-batch IPS officer Saji Mohan for embezzling Rs 13.8 lakh during his tenure as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director here. The court convicted Saji Mohan in a case of corruption, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy under Sections 409 and 120-B of the IPC and under Section 13 (1d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Saji Mohan was booked by the UT police on January 30, 2009, for corruption and criminal breach of trust after the NCB had submitted a written complaint to police about Saji embezzling Rs 13,81,250 in a property attachment case. The amount was to be deposited in the State Bank of India but was never deposited, it was alleged.

It was during the investigation of the drug pilferage case that the NCB had stumbled upon the embezzlement of funds.

Drug pilferage case

On March 11, 2013, the court had sentenced Saji Mohan and former NCB Superintendent Balwinder Kumar to 13-year RI in a drug pilferage case. The ATS, Mumbai, had first booked the IPS officer in January 2009 when he was caught with 12 kg of heroin following which the NCB, Chandigarh, began probe which revealed that Saji Mohan, during his tenure as NCB Director here, mixed slaked lime in the drugs.

Chandigarh, March 7
The entry of a Gypsy belonging to the Punjab Police to “rescue” a thief who was caught while stealing the tyres of a car at Pushpac Society in Sector 49 last night has raised serious doubts over the functioning of the police.

Three persons entered the society in Sector 49 in a Punjab Police Gypsy. They had reportedly come to rescue the thief.

The incident occurred late last night when a resident noticed three persons stealing the tyres of a Verna car and raised the alarm.

Anil Mahajan, a resident of Pushpac Society in Sector 49, was woken up at 2.30 am by his neighbour who noticed the three persons removing the wheels of Mahajan’s car.

Soon, residents gathered at the spot. Mahajan saw a car moving at a great speed. “We stopped the car on suspicion and found its jack missing. The driver told us that he had come to visit an acquaintance in one of the flats. However, we found that no person in the society was known to him, which confirmed that he was the thief,” he said.

As the residents caught hold of the person, he called someone for help. Soon, three persons came in a Punjab Police Gypsy. “The three were in civil clothes (wearing pyjamas). We took all of them to the police post and lodged a complaint,” he said.

Anil said he was shocked to find that the three were let off by the police. The thief, however, was arrested.

Inspector Rajesh Shukla, SHO of the Sector 34 police station, said the thief, identified as BPO employee Mohit Kumar of Phase X, Mohali, was arrested while his two accomplices managed to escape.

Security wall Congress councillor Bhavna Gupta (top) has alleged that MLA DK Bansal is trying to take false credit for a security wall project.

Panchkula, March 7
Congress men have locked horns over the name on a foundation stone in Sector 16 here. The fight between Congress councillor Bhavna Gupta and local MLA DK Bansal has turned ugly. The Vidhan Sabha today issued a notice to the Deputy Commissioner (DC)-cum-MC Commissioner, the Panchkula Mayor and the Executive Officer (EO) in this regard.

The Vidhan Sabha has given them seven days to file a reply. The notice was issued after a complaint was received by the Vidhan Sabha stating that the MC House, at a recent meeting, had passed a resolution for demolishing the foundation stone of a security wall bearing the name of MLA DK Bansal.

Bhavna Gupta alleged that “false credit” was being taken by the MLA as she had already laid the foundation stone of the security wall on September 17. The stone was again laid by the MLA on October 25 with his name on it.

She said, "The MC House passed a resolution that the stone bearing the MLA's name will be demolished within 24 hours. However, it is yet to be removed. I have submitted a fresh memorandum to the Mayor now."

Bansal said, "I went to lay the stone as the Administration had called me." He said, "I have no objection if they demolish the stone. I am not interested in taking credit for the project. All I want is the development of the city."

Mayor Upinder Kaur Ahluwalia said, “I had recommended that since the stone also had my name, it should be replaced with Bhavna's name.”

DC-cum-MC Commissioner SS Phulia said, "For us, both are respectable persons. The issue can be solved by sitting across the table."

Ranjeeta Mehta, president of the Haryana Mahila Congress Committee, said, "Bhavna’s father RC Gupta was present when Bansal laid the foundation stone. Several officials of the administration were also present. So why this unnecessary fuss when there are so many sensitive development issues to be taken care of in the ward. "

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

Through these lines, Lord Byron describes a woman's beauty that encompasses the best of every physical feature. The 21st Century woman, however, has gone a step ahead, broadening the definition: beauty is in having the vigour and potential to do any task once a woman sets her eyes on it.

On International Women's Day, the Chandigarh Tribune brings to you glimpses from the lives of a few such women based in the city who have fought odds to carve a niche for themselves in their respective professions that are mostly dominated by men.

Delivering smiles

For 53-year-old Bimla Devi, age and gender is no bar. From climbing a number of stairs to knocking at the doors of strangers, she has enough physical and mental strength and courage to do her job of delivering registered letters.

A postwoman, she loves wearing her khaki attire and delivering smiles along with the letters to the residents. Initially, Bimla Devi was a little afraid of visiting slums, but in the past three years she has found that those staying in slums are more welcoming. Women even offer her tea when she goes there for delivering letters.

"Our safety is in our hands," says Bimla Devi.

"Whenever anyone crosses the limit, just give him a slap," she clarifies.

It's all about the mindset

"Just a well-built body is not enough; you need guts to be a bouncer," says Kiran, a mother of three.

Chandigarh is one of the few cities in India that has female bouncers, and 34-year-old Kiran, or Kiran Didi as she is affectionately called by many, is one of the few female bouncers in the city.

She has been in this profession for 10 years, earning a livelihood and enjoying the work, she says.

"But I was a little scared when I stepped into a discotheque for the first time," admits Kiran.

In 2013, Kiran was awarded IBN-7 Zindagi Live Award by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sheila Dixit. In the same year, Gurukul Vidyapeeth and S-4 Trust conferred International Women's Day Award on her.

"Women think that they are weak. They should change this mindset," says Kiran, who also got Grah Lakshmi Award last year.

"It is not an easy job. I have to deal with all kinds of people and there is the problem of odd working hours," she says, adding that a supportive husband makes it all possible.

Taking challenges head-on

Their love for the uniform has made these two women conquer all challenges. Inspector Harjit Kaur and Inspector Poonam Dilawari are station house officers at the Sector 3 and Sector 19 police stations respectively. People see them as efficient police officers.

"I don't feel there is any difference between a man and a woman; it is the work that speaks for itself," says Inspector Dilawari, who first joined the UT police in 1990 as a constable and has been an SHO for two years.

"My job is a challenging one and I love it," she says.

Inspector Dilawari has recently returned from Liberia in West Africa where she spent 18 months as part of a UN Peace Keeping Mission.

Inspector Harjit Kaur likes taking the challenges head-on. Credited with solving major criminal cases such as the Pooja murder case, NRI kidnapping case, Monica Goyal suicide case, the woman officer says she feels proud to don the responsibilities of a station house officer.

Harjit Kaur joined the UT police as an assistant sub-inspector in 1989 and was also on deputation with the CBI for two years.

Contributed by Ritika Jha Palial, Aneesha Sareen, Aarti Kapur, Deepankar Sharda & Bhavya Bhatia

Desk job not her cup of tea
Mukesh Solanki, a senior travelling ticket examiner (TTE) with the Northern Railways, was badly injured in an accident a few months ago. It was her passion for the work she had been doing for that past six years that motivated her to return as soon as she could. Being a sportsperson, Mukesh—who was earlier working in the parcel section—always wanted to remain on the field rather than desk. Mukesh says she has learnt to judge people by their body language, which is useful for catching violators. She says, initially, men caught for any violation did not take her seriously and misbehaved with her. However, there are also those who appreciate the female staff for the work they are doing, she says. Things have changed in the past 10 years. From hardly 10 per cent women in the section, the number has grown nearly four times, proving that women are up for challenges, says Mukesh.

Senior travelling ticket examiner Mukesh Solanki checks the platform ticket of a person at the Chandigarh railway station. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Chandigarh, March 7
In about a fortnight, the Chandigarh Administration will forward the draft master plan to the UT Administrator for further communication.

Following UT Administrator Shivraj Patil’s approval, the same will be sent to the Union Ministry of Urban Development for the final notification.

As the case came up for a resumed hearing, UT Chief Architect Sumit Kaur submitted an affidavit stating that the objections to the master plan had been looked into and decided.

Kaur claimed that for the purpose of deciding the objections, the entire issue had been divided into different categories such as residential, commercial, village, traffic and industrial.

The objections were initially invited in November 2013, and the second opportunity was again granted in December.

In the next 15 days, the matter would be forwarded to the administrator for his approval before being sent to the Union Ministry, the high court was told.

Taking up the issue of Chandigarh’s master plan, the high court had in September, set a four-week deadline for the Union Ministry of Urban Development to take a decision on the proposal sent by the Administration on the regional plan.

The proposal on the constitution of a regional plan committee was sent by the Administration to the Union Ministry of Urban Development long ago. However, the ministry is yet to take a decision on the issue.

The Administration, during the course of the hearing, had informed the high court that they have received 165 objections on the draft master plan of the city from individuals, states as well as institutions.

UT’s counsel informed the Bench that it would not be possible for them to decide on the objections within a time frame.

A public interest litigation (PIL) in the matter has been filed by Gurbax Singh Shergill for preparing a composite regional plan for the Tricity for the future planning of the periphery of Chandigarh. The high court had on December 23, 2009, directed UT to finalise the master plan.

UT Chief Architect Sumit Kaur submitted an affidavit stating that the objections to the master plan had been looked into and decided. For the purpose of deciding the objections, the entire issue had been divided into different categories such as residential, commercial, village, traffic and industrial. The objections were initially invited in November 2013, and the second opportunity was again granted in December.

Chandigarh, March 7
It was an action-packed day for the local unit of the Congress today. Local leaders first celebrated clearing of Pawan Kumar Bansal's name for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat by the Central Election Committee in Delhi only to learn later that the announcement for the seat had been deferred till the next week.

Congress workers received a message from Delhi in the morning that Bansal's name was cleared and would be announced today. The workers immediately called photojournalists and started celebrating outside Bansal's residence in Sector 28.

Expecting announcement of the Congress candidate for the Chandigarh seat today, the sitting MP's wife Madhu Bansal and son Manish Bansal also joined the party workers in celebrations. Workers danced to 'dhol' beats and distributed sweets.

However, later, they learnt that the announcement on Bansal's candidature was deferred following which the celebrations were stopped.

Sources said earlier, the Central Election Committee had cleared Bansal's name for the Chandigarh seat. But later in the evening, controversy erupted within the Congress camp in Delhi with regard to candidatures of Bansal for the Chandigarh seat and Suresh Kalmadi's wife and Ashok Chavan for two seats in Maharahstra.

As Bansal's name had come up in the Railgate, Kalmadi's name in the Commonwealth Games scam and Chavan's name in the Adarsh scam, the party decided to defer the announcement to the next week, the sources added.

In the afternoon, Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC) president BB Behl said the party had finalised Bansal's name and it would be announced by the evening. However, in the evening, Behl said the announcement had been deferred.

AAP campaign

Continuing her poll campaign, AAP candidate Savita Bhatti on Friday visited the Police Lines in Sector 26 along with a group of volunteers and met family members of the Chandigarh Police. She also visited the Police crèche.

Congress padyatra in Raipur Khurd

The local unit of Congress took out a door-to-door padyatra in Raipur Khurd. The villagers said they were satisfied with the development in their village. They claimed that it was only because of the efforts made by sitting Congress MP Pawan Kumar Bansal that they had nothing to complain about.

Jannat Jahan visits mosques

BSP candidate Jannat Jahan and party's chief coordinator Hafiz Anvar-ul-haq visited mosques in sectors 31, 26, 20 and 45 for canvassing. Jannat told people that they must vote so that they could show door to the 'corrupt' Congress. She claimed that Congress MP Pawan Kumar Bansal did nothing for social welfare. — TNS

Chandigarh, March 7
Taking out an election-related procession or using loudspeakers at an election meeting without prior permission can attract criminal proceedings against the candidate or his supporters under Section 144 of the CrPC. Not only this, those intimidating or bribing voters could also face criminal action.

To ensure that the Model Code of Conduct was enforced for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the District Magistrate-cum-Returning Officer for the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency, Mohammed Shayin, today invoked Section 144 of the CrPC. The orders would remain in force from March 9 to May 7.

In the orders, the District Magistrate stated that during the General Election, criticism of other political parties shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.

There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosque, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda.

The instructions further read that all parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are "corrupt practices" and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling stations.

Chandigarh, March 7
City Congress leaders are using almost a similar slogan used by the party’s Delhi unit during the Assembly elections held in the state recently.

The slogan of Delhi Congress, ‘Anubhav hai raftar hai, Sheila fir iss baar hai’ (We have experience and pace, Sheila (Dixit) will be back again), which was ultimately rejected by voters during Delhi Assembly elections, is being replicated by Congress leaders in the city for sitting MP Pawan Kumar Bansal.

The Congress leaders are sharing the slogan, ‘Vikas hai raftar hai, Pawan Bansal fir iss baar hai’ (We have development and pace, Pawan Bansal will be back again), on social networking sites along with Bansal’s photo.

‘AAP will replicate Delhi performance’

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteer Gurjusjit Singh said in Chandigarh, the AAP would repeat its Delhi performance. “Only the AAP will put brakes on corruption unleashed by the Congress,” he said.

Bansal’s ‘raftar’ was good in Railgate: BJP

On words like ‘vikas and raftar’ being used in the Congress slogan, BJP leader Arun Sood said Bansal only developed business of his family members and relatives. Bansal’s speed was good in Railgate and booth scam, he said.

Following AICC slogan: Cong

Chandigarh Congress social media general secretary Gurbax Rawat said they only used the AICC slogan with some modifications.

The AICC provided this slogan to Congress workers in states and union territories, she said.

Chandigarh, March 7
Major sweets shops, fast food joints and restaurants in the city are all set to play a vital role in encouraging electorate to vote.

Following directions from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the UT Election Department has roped in two chains of sweets shop to spread the message of exercising the right to franchise.

Apart from affixing stickers of voting-related messages on sweets boxes, Sindhi Sweets and Gopal Sweets have been asked to display the messages on the premises of their shops.

Election Department officials said the private establishments have volunteered to bear the cost of stickers.

Besides sweets shops, efforts are on to rope in fast food outlets to spread the message of casting their votes. This would help the election department to rope in young voters.

Other eating joints are being asked to offer discount of up to 30 per cent if customers show their voter ID card and prove that they had cast their vote.

The Election Department has elaborate plans to sensitise the voters to the importance of voting.

Already, the department has announced to give surprise gifts and cash vouchers to the first ten voters during the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

Sources said apart from involving business establishments, the department had appointed campus ambassadors in different colleges to create awareness among young voters.

City residents, who have voter ID cards but want to make some correction in these, can get it done till March 22.

How to get correction in voter ID card made

Download Form No. 8 from www.ceochandigarh.nic.in or www.eci.nic.in or collect it from the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Chandigarh, III floor, Additional Town Hall Building, Sector 17, Chandigarh.

Submit the duly filled form along with related documents at the CEO office in Sector 17.

Officialspeak
Our main aim is to increase the voter turnout. However, registered voters, who find errors in their voter ID cards, can visit the office of Chief Electoral Officer in Sector 17. Staff in the Election Department will provide them every help in rectifying the errors.
Tilak Raj, UT Joint Chief Electoral Officer

UT Election Dept Helplines

1950 or 0172-2700322

You can send your election-related queries at letters.ct@gmail.com

Contributed by Rajinder Nagarkoti

Panchkula, March 7
United States national Suzzane bid adieu to her shores and settled in India with her husband to help him out in maintaining peace between India and Pakistan.

Suzzane married Suresh Aggarwal, a resident of Sector 4, Panchkula, who runs an NGO for maintaining peace between the two nations.

Suzzane also holds music workshops for children at Sector 12 in Panchkula where she teaches various instruments that are popular in the West.

“Two months ago, I shifted to India with my husband as we wanted to work for peace. Presently, my husband is preparing a documentary and I am helping him in that,” said Suzzane.

Suzzane met Aggarwal at a friend’s party in the US a few years ago when the latter was working there as a scientist.

“It feels great to help people in India. We want to bring some modernisation. I was a student of music in the US and I want that kids should not go abroad to learn these things,” she added.

Suzzane has also worked for autistic children in the USA. She helped them to speak. “From the very beginning, I had an inclination towards social work. It was difficult for me to shift to a country where I haven’t stayed before but my husband and I decided to get into this work,” added Suzzane.

Chandigarh, March 7
Five persons were injured when a domestic gas cylinder exploded at their resident in New Colony, Dhanas, today evening.

The in charge at the emergency ward, Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, said two of the five injured persons were discharged after first aid.

The other three — Om Parkash (8), Pooja (18) and Bimla (40) — suffered 30 to 40 percent burn injuries and are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

SHO, Sector 11, Malkiat Singh, said the blast took place due to gas leakage in the house. — TNS

Chandigarh, March 7
A noted literary figure of Chandigarh and Haryana Sahitya Akademi Award winner, Shakuntala Brij Mohan (94), passed away yesterday.

She had 13 books to her credit and many of her short stories were published in various newspapersand magazines, including Sarita.

Defying the age barrier, she penned her first book ‘Dhoop Chhanv’ at the age of 70. It was after the demise of her husband, who was a renowned author and a mathematician, that her writing career began. A graduate from Banaras Hindu University, Shakuntala Mohan, drew inspiration from the life around her and ended up writing 13 books of short stories, revolving around the theory of equal status for women.

Her work got her the prestigious ‘Haryana Sahitya Akademi’ award in 2001 and was also honoured by various literary societies of Haryana and Punjab over the years.

She was residing in Chandigarh with her elder son Krishna Mohan, who recently retired as additional chief-secretary Haryana.

Chandigarh, March 7
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) today dismissed the plea of Dr AK Gupta, Medical Superintendent of the PGI to declare him Professor from 1995. Earlier in 2010, the CAT had decided in his favour, the judgment was then quashed by the High Court and the case was then reverted to CAT. Gupta was appointed MS-cum-additional professor in 1996, but he approached the CAT in 2010 for considering him as full-fledged professor, after a delay of around 14 years.

The high court in its order dated March 13, 2012, had remanded back the case to the CAT with the observations that the merits of the controversy between the parties had not been considered.

The high court had given the judgment on a petition filed by around 40 faculty members of PGI in 2010, after they were perturbed with CAT's decision of February 24, 2010, to consider Dr AK Gupta as professor since 1996. CAT's order had allegedly made Gupta a professor with an experience of around six years and 11 months only compared with the requisite experience of 14 years. Other faculty members, who had much more experience than Dr Gupta, objected the decision.

However, Dr Gupta chose to move the Supreme Court against the orders of the High Court.

The case

In May 1995, PGI had advertised the post of MS-cum-professor of hospital administration. But at that time, Dr Gupta had an experience of only six years, 11 months and 11 days as against the required experience of 14 years. He was selected by the selection committee as additional professor instead of a full-fledged professor with effect from January 9, 1996.

Later, Dr Gupta approached the CAT on the pretext that since he appeared for the post of professor, why he was he given the post of an additional professor instead of a professor.

On February 24, 2010, CAT had given a decision in his favour that he should be treated as professor with effect from 1996, giving him all the consequential benefits and seniority as per the law and his eligibility. An appeal preferred by medical superintendent (MS) A K Gupta of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) against Punjab and Haryana high court order of March 2012 that did not give a green signal to his appointment as professor had failed to find favour with the Supreme Court too.

Chandigarh, March 7
The University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) at Panjab University has allowed all the students who are in the merit list of the entrance test conducted for the five-year BCom-LLB (Honours) integrated course last year to take part in the counselling for the 60 additional seats.

The decision has been taken on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Earlier, the institute had announced that only those students who had taken admission to the first semester of any other law course would be allowed to sit for the counselling.

The counselling will be held on March 10. All the details regarding admissions are available on the PU website: www.puchd.ac.in

The additional seats (presently in the second semester) were sanctioned by the Bar Council of India.

Chandigarh, March 7
The Centre for IAS and Other Competitive Examinations at Panjab University will conduct mock interviews for those aspiring to join the judicial and civil services.

The decision was taken on the directions of newly constituted advisory committee. The centre plans to the start a new batch next week. The centre has tied up with bureaucrats, legal experts and distinguished university professors to help the aspirants sharpen their interview skills.

The students will get tips and feedback on all the aspects of an interview.

Workshop concludes

A national workshop on mass spectrometry was organised by the sophisticated analytical instrumentation facility at Panjab University. Eighteen participants from different fields of science attended the five day workshop.

Chandigarh, March 7
A many as 435 students were awarded for their contribution to academics, cultural activities and sports at the prize distribution function of MCM DAV College today.

The event began with the annual report presentation by the principal, Dr Puneet Bedi. The report highlighted exceptional accomplishments of the college in the academic year.

The academic achievers got cash prizes and trophies. The exceptional performers got the roll of honour. Teachers were also felicitated for their achievements. The college teams were awarded for their performance at the zonal and inter-zonal youth festivals.

The chief guest, Upmanyu Basu, financial adviser to the University Grants Commission, unveiled the annual newsletter on the occasion.

Inspiring the students to undertake humane endeavors, the Rotaract Club donated Rs 65,000 to Rotary Heartline project, an initiative to support cure and care of needy heart patients.

Chandigarh, March 7
It was a different experience for Sahil Khanna, who got placed last year at AVSAR, when he came to hire professionals for his company ‘Step Up’ during AVSAR 2014, organised at the Panjab University today. Interestingly, this time UBS pass out Sahil was not nervous rather was excited to take interviews of the applicants to hire 40 candidates.

Talking about the candidates who appeared in AVSAR 2014, the sales and marketing executive said the applicants were very confident.

Another representative of Lovely Professional University, additional dean, Rohit Dhand said the universities should focus more on the skills of the students which they produce for the commercial markets. He said any firm which turn up to hire the students look for complete package from intelligence to good communication skills. But, a majority of the institutions do not consider all this.

VE Commercial Vehicles, senior vice-president, Amanpreet Singh Bhatia said, “These days candidates have a mindset that academic marks are not given weightage by the companies but overall personality development is a must.” Bhatia said it was other way round as all top companies consider the academic output of the candidate as well.

During the visit of the PU Vice-Chancellor, Arun Kumar Grover, SK Chadha, honorary director, mooted up a proposal that the counseling of students should be started from the first year immediately after their admission in the university. He suggested that the university should hire professionals for the counseling of the students living in the hostels.

Out of 600 applicants, around 150 candidates were shortlisted for the final call from various companies.

Chandigarh, March 7
Postgraduate Government College for Girls, Sector-42, organised its 28th annual convocation. 128 degrees for post-graduation, 56 for B Com (Hons), 18 for Biotech (Hons), 93 for BA (Hons), 25 for BCA, 28 for B Ped, 39 for B Com, 86 for B Sc and 88 for BA, were given to the pass outs.

As many as 21 roll of honour awards were given to the outstanding students. The college distributed 13 prizes to students holding positions at the college level.

Paramjit SinghJaswal, vice-chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, was the chief guest. While addressing the students Dr Jaswal emphasised that education is a tool for transformation which further facilitates competition at the global level.

Professor Parvinder Singh, controller of examination, Panjab University, also attended the event.

Principal Mani Bedi told about the new academic programmes in the subjects of PG diploma in cyber crime, post-graduation in commerce and UGC sponsored career oriented programme in cosmetology.