403 students conferred degree
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — Panjab University today honoured three eminent personalities by conferring upon them Honoris Causa doctorate degrees at the 49th annual convocation held at the university auditorium here.

Those honoured include a former Prime Minister, Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, a renowned author Dr Mulk Raj Anand and a Canada-based scientist, Prof Ashok Vijh. Besides them, Dr Harnam Singh Shan, a former Professor and Chairman, Guru Nanak Chair and Head of the Department of Punjabi and Sikh Studies, was also conferred with a degree of Doctor of Literature ( D.Litt.).

While Mr Gujral was given a degree of Doctor of Laws ( Ll.D), Dr Mulk Raj Anand was conferred a degree of Doctor of Literature (D. Litt) and Prof Ashok Vijh, a degree of Doctor of Science ( D.Sc.). All the four recipients are illustrious alumni of Panjab University.

The degrees were given by the Vice Chancellor on behalf of the Chancellor, who is the Vice President in case of PU. Hence, the VC would first read out the statement of the degree and then confer the same.

As many as 523 students received their degrees, medals and prizes at the convocation from the Panjab University Vice Chancellor, Prof. M.M Puri. Carrying on the past few years trend, girl students who came to receive these awards once again outnumbered the boys. Of the 403 students who received their degrees, 233 were girls. Similarly, of the 120 medal winners, 85 were girl students.

According to figures available, a total of 64 doctorate degrees were awarded in languages, 42 in sciences and 27 in various disciplines of arts. As many as 25 doctorate degrees were awarded in education, five in commerce, four in chemical engineering and technology, three in design and fine arts, two in pharmaceutical sciences and one in laws.

Meanwhile, a glaring case of alleged manipulation by the university authorities came to light at the convocation. Ms Dimple Malik, who was awarded a medal and a merit certificate for standing first in public administration in April 1997-98 but was deprived of the same today on the ground that she is second and not the topper. Incidentally, she had topped the MA part II public administration course in April 1998 and was honoured with a certificate of merit and medal for coming first by the Dean students welfare.

Her parents are highly resentful on the issue as to why they could not be informed about the authorities’ decision to give the medal to some other student. They allege that neither did the authorities listen to them nor allow them to attend today's function.

Poor response to UGC scheme in colleges
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — Libraries and infrastructure improvement in colleges affiliated to Panjab University seem to have taken a backseat if response to a UGC scheme is taken into consideration.

Only six colleges affiliated to the university have applied for funds under the special scheme. The University Grants Commission, in a letter to the universities in the north, has proposed Rs 10 lakh for colleges which are between 50 and 75 years old.

The response to the UGC letter has not been "very encouraging" in a large number of universities. The letters, sent "on top priority", sought completed proposals by October 11, but the response has been poor.

The applications for funds have been marginal for the funds under special scheme in Panjab University. Those who have applied for the scheme include GGDSD College, Haryana, Government Colleges for Men and Women, Ludhiana, and Dev Samaj College in Ferozepore .Others which could have applied are AS Khanna College, Khanna, DN College, Moga, SGGS Mahilpur, DAV College, Hoshiarpur, and Government College, Hoshiarpur, among others.

The Dean College Development, Dr Deepak Manmohan, said the UGC had sent letters even earlier. The response had been poor. The office sent letters for communication in March and another one recently which could not draw more colleges.

During times of poor availability of finances, the scheme promises more reading material for students. The money would be helpful, particularly in making available the annual reports of leading projects in various subjects.

The proposals will be compiled and decided on the basis of the number of years of affiliation. The UGC communication says that the budget requirements under the scheme for the year 1999-2000 will be communicated to the headquarters on reception of requisite information from deans and directors of universities.

The UGC handed out another letter of communication for information regarding special schemes for teachers in isolated borders in colleges and universities. The response from the institutions concerned has been extremely poor.

The letters have been addressed to the universities of Jammu and Kashmir, Amritsar, Patiala and Chandigarh.

Gujral not to contest anymore
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — "I have decided to quit contesting for Parliament," said Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, a former Prime Minister, while addressing a press conference here today. He, however, will continue to be in the political arena on other fronts.

Mr Gujral said public and intellectual affairs were areas of his interest. "The political dream, nurtured with ideas of all-round development, dissolves at one stage when everyone thinks of retiring and I have decided to do so," he said. Distancing himself from political parties tops his plans for the future.

Reacting to the Army takeover in Pakistan, Mr Gujral said it happened due to dissatisfaction with the dissolved parliamentary body. Army only overthrew the government to express its dissent.

Indian forces did a magnificent job and displayed remarkable heroics in Kargil. The war was a humiliating experience for the Pakistan Army, he said.

Mr Gujral also said it was unfortunate that Punjab had not managed its finances ideally, leading to the current situation. Punjabis wanted regular supply of water and electricity and nothing free. This was a community which held self pride the foremost, he said.

He said many projects intended for the Jalandhar area from where he won the last elections were still to be completed. The progress of these projects needed thorough investigation, he added. A 10-crore project on water supply in the city was another significant contribution.

When asked to comment on the expectations from the newly-elected BJP government, Mr Gujral said it was too early to comment on it.

PU toppers want practical courses
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — It was a proud day for over 100 students who were awarded gold medals for their outstanding performance in various disciplines and extra-curricular fields at the 49th annual convocation of Panjab University held today.

Expressing their gratitude to their alma mater for the degrees and awards they received, some of them suggested changes to make it better in the future. Most of them stressed the need for revising the syllabi and making courses in various disciplines more job oriented.

Parveen Aggarwal, an M.Com topper, said the university was still following outdated 20-year-old methods and techniques of teaching. She advocated changes in the syllabi and job oriented courses. Change in teaching methods would also yield a better result. She is a college lecturer and resents that one has to be a regular student for one year, even for doing research. This should also be done away in the interest of students, she said.

Kewal Krishan, who received Dewan Bahadur Wali Ram Taneja Medal for topping the M.Sc (anthroplogy) course, was all praise for the university. He was thrilled that his hard work had been rewarded. He said his teachers not only taught him the subject but also prepared him to face the challenges in life. He is in charge of the mortuary in Government Medical College, Sector 32. Rimpi, who has topped the B.Ed course has high appreciation for the standard of education in the university.

However, Gurmeet Nanda, a topper of the M.Sc (chemistry honours) course, who is doing her doctorate, says that research facilities need to be improved in the university. She stressed that more facilities should be provided to research scholars in laboratories and they should be allowed to use these same for more hours. The infrastructure in laboratories should be improved and authorities should also concentrate on general upkeep of the campus. She said university medals were in silver and not gold which was disheartening.

Ankur Aggarwal was awarded the HMT Gold Medal for standing first in the BE Mechanical Engineering course. He said various courses in technical institutions should be upgraded in accordance with the changing needs of the industry. He is working as a Systems Engineer in Tata Consultancy, Delhi. He thanked his parents and teachers in Punjab Engineering College for his achievement. According to him, frequent interaction with representatives of the industry would ensure better placements.

Sanjivni Gupta was on top of the world as she received four medals for topping the MA (economics) course and for being the overall topper of the social sciences wing. Having scored 70 per cent marks, she received Chander Prakash Memorial Gold Medal and Attar Chand Kapur Medal for topping the economics course and Gadgil Gold Medal for her top position in social sciences stream. She is satisfied with the academic teaching in the university departments, which she says is next only to that in Delhi University. However, she wants more academic events to be organised on the campus. The faculty should encourage students to participate in various academic and cultural events for an overall personality development.

Rimpy, a student of the Department of Indian Theatre, who received Mohan Rakesh Memorial Award and Prabhat Memorial Gold Medal for securing 76 per cent marks, was elated after the convocation. "Such honours only encourage you to do even better," she said. Being an artist, she said the university auditorium should be more spacious, so that more persons could be accommodated during major functions like convocations.

Antar Jyoti Ghai who received a university medal for topping the MA political science course also said the syllabi should be more practical. During the course, students should be made to visit the Legislative Assembly, Parliament and the Supreme Court for a better understanding of the subject. Students should also be encouraged to conduct researches and surveys in new fields, she said.

Pooja Sehgal, who topped the M.Sc (honours) course in child development, called for some administrative changes at the college level. Criticising the delay at the viva-voce level, she said that it should be held early so that students aspiring to join other courses did not waste their time.

Himani, got AC Bali, 1998, and K.K Grover, 1999, Gold Medals for her performance in poetry recitation contests.

Good governance ‘must’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral today ascribed the military takeover in Pakistan to its "continuous misadventure in Kargil" and said India should remain vigilant on the unfolding of events in that country.

Talking to mediapersons after delivering the convocation address at the 49th annual convocation of Panjab University here, he said that it was unfortunate that "democracy has been unceremoniously terminated in Pakistan".

He expressed the hope that the new regime in Pakistan would resume bilateral talks with New Delhi on contentious issues. Mr Gujral termed the reaction of the Vajpayee government to the emergency in Pakistan as "appropriate". The need of the hour was to wait and watch and remain alert for meeting any eventuality. He said the present crisis in Pakistan would not affect exports to that country.

Delivering the convocation address, Mr Gujral emphasised the need for good governance and exhorted the youth to make a collective effort for usher in a "cultural revolution of our own type ... a sampuran kranti based on the path shown by two of the greatest men of the century, Mahatma Gandhi and Mr Nelson Mandela, to recreate an India that will be cured of the many venal ailments that now are eating into its vitals".

Mr Gujral recalled with a sense of gratitude his association with Panjab University. Describing the 20th century as the most gory and at the same time the most creative in human history, he said "as we stand on the threshold of the next millennium, there is a felt need for us and other new nation-states to introspect to assess how far we have succeeded or failed in building our respective nations."

"We have to dispassionately evaluate our strengths and weaknesses if we are serious about making governance more humane." he opined.

Elaborating on the key elements of good governance, Mr Gujral advocated the "rule of law which gives dignity to the weak and justice to the powerless."

It is the duty of civil society to ensure that the rule of law is maintained, that power is not unduly concentrated and that all civil liberties and human rights are given the fullest protection. The subversion of law by those charged with maintaining it constitutes the very anathema of civilised conduct in a democracy," he said.

On other significant elements of good governance, Mr Gujral emphasised on special care for the disadvantaged and the weak, tolerance, broad-mindedness and self-reliance. He advised the youth to keep an open mind to new ideas and made a fervent appeal to "redouble our efforts in eradicating illiteracy, universalisation of basic education, improving the quality of education and taking affirmative steps to enable all children to complete primary, secondary, vocational and higher education."

He often referred to works of Noble Prize laureate, Prof Amartya Sen. He congratulated the youth who had excelled in new areas such as software programming, computer sciences, medical and engineering fields for doing the country proud.

Turban tying contest held
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — An inter-school turban tying competition to commemorate the tercentenary of the Khalsa was organised at Guru Nanak Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Sector 30, here yesterday. According to Dr Lal Singh Dhaliwal, Principal of the school, children from local schools as well as from various parts of Punjab participated. The participating schools included Guru Nanak Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Sector 30, Chandigarh, Lawrence Public School, Phase VI, SAS nagar, SJS Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Anandpur Sahib, Saint Soldier International School, Sector 28-B, Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, YPS, SAS Nagar, Guru Teg Bahadur Public School, Sector 15, Sant Isher Singh Senior Secondary School, Phase VII, and Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kharar.

The competition was held in three categories. While category 'A' comprised students of classes VI, VII and VIII, category 'B' was restricted to students of classes IX and X. Category 'C' included students of classes XI and XII. The time limit for the three categories was 10, seven and five minutes, respectively.

The results: category 'A' — harkaran Singh (YPS) 1 and jagpreet Singh (GTBPS, Sector 15) 2; category 'B' — Amandeep Singh (SGGSSSS, Sector 35) and Manpreet Singh (GTBPS) 1 and Amrinder Benipal (YPS) 2; and category 'C' — Tejinder Singh (SGGSSSS) 1 and Jaspinder Singh (Saint Soldier) 2.

The prizes, according to Dr Dhaliwal, will be given at the school's annual function in December.

Captivating dance by Swapna Sundari
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Oct 17—A scintillating performance by renowned danseuse Swapna Sundari at the Mansa Devi temple here today as part of the on-going navratra mela enthralled the devotees who had flocked to the temple in large numbers.

Delightful dance movements coupled with expressive eyes and mesmeric music were a feast for the eyes and ears. A judicious blend of vasant raag and adi taal added to her vigorous dance performance during ‘Jatiswaran’ where movements worked in tandem with the music and lyrics, containing elements of ‘lasya’ and ‘tandav’.

The multi-faceted personality, soloist, dancer, choreographer all rolled in one, experimented with facial expressions as she oscillated between the different moods of Goddess Durga and the humble devotee expressing her love and devotion to the goddess.

In her performances during the one-and-a-half hour presentation, she brought alive the flower-bedecked stage with her effervescent movements and elaborate footwork, capturing the essence of the moods of Lord Shiva and Parvati and portrayed these effectively to the awestruck audience which sat glued to its seats. A prayer dance in appreciation of Parvati marked the end of the programme.

Also, Mr Pravir Dutta, accompanying the dancer, a dance teacher in one of the schools in Delhi, gave an equally versatile performance for the `tandav’ of Lord Shiva.

The whole show was about class, finesse and a polished performance by an agile dancer who gave presentations with grace and ease. This was her first performance at Mansa Devi.

Earlier, speaking to TNS about the classical dance form catching up with the young, Swapna Sundari said though Odissi was gaining ground very quickly, Kuchipudi was still the hot favourite. “The number of students enrolling themselves at dance schools has gone up considerably and the 20-odd forms received by well-known institutes has shot up to as many as 300, making selection difficult,” she added.

However, she contended that there were not many who made it big as stage performers since it required a lot of hard work and dedication. “In spite of the number having gone up, we have not seen many new faces on the classical dance horizon for the simple reason that by the end of the day the primary consideration is earning your daily bread and butter. Making it to the big league does not come with guarantees which forces the novice to look for alternatives and most of them settle down as dance teachers in schools and institutes,” she informed.

The Finance Minister of Haryana, Mr Sampat Singh, was the chief guest. Also present were Mr S.K. Monga, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer of the Mansa Devi Board and Mr Vivek Joshi, Director, Industries.

Cultural centre stone laid
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — Former Prime Minster Inder Kumar Gujral laid the foundation stone of a cultural centre-cum-auditorium of the Punjab Arts Council (PAC) in the Punjab Kala complex, Sector 16, here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gujral said that the complex would provide a soul to the city since even with all its beautiful architecture there always has been something amiss here. He suggested holding seminars and deliberations on having a cultural policy for Punjab in the next millennium.

Also present on the occasion were stalwart writers, Dr Mulk Raj Anand, one of the founding members of the PAC, Mr Bhisham Sahni and Mrs Sheila Gujral, wife of Mr Gujral, and Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, the newly elected member of Parliament.

The programme today began with a lot of hiccups with sometimes the sound system going off and sometimes the master of ceremonies forgetting to even acknowledge those present on the dais. In fact, for some time the guests seemed almost forgotten and lost with members of the Punjab Art Council busy honouring and gifting blankets to three writers/artistes of the region. It was only after almost one hour that somebody remembered that Mr Bhisham Sahni was also present on the stage and had not been acknowledged.

Those honoured included Dr S.S. Johal, Prof Pritam Singh, Mrs Shobha Koser and Mr Mehar Singh.

This Rs 2-crore complex is being constructed under a central government scheme of giving grant of Rs 1 crore to every state for the creation of such complexes.

As a matching grant of Rs 1 crore had to be collected by the PAC, this amount has been assured to it by Dr Kartar Singh Duggal, eminent writer and Rajya Sabha member, since Dr Duggal is entitled to a Rs 2-crore grant under the Member of Parliament Rural Development Scheme (MPRDS), which also covers the cultural and sports fields.

This stone-laying ceremony was followed by a cultural programme.

Update on respiratory diseases
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — The Department of Pulmonary Medicine of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research here today held its 14th annual update on pulmonary and critical care medicine at the PGI. The programme focussed on various respiratory diseases like tuberculosis, asthma and eosinophilia.

The session, attended by about 150 delegates, started with a quiz on pulmonary diseases.

In a special session held on cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, experts carried out demonstrations on a dummy and discussed how patients of road accidents, drowning, cardiac arrests and electrocution could be saved if they could be given cardio-pulmonary resuscitations within the first few minutes of the accident. Prof J. N.Pande from the AIIMS, Delhi, highlighted the importance of restoring brain functions at the earliest.

The first symposium of the day was on tuberculosis in specific situations, including young children, pregnancy, HIV infection, diabetes, liver diseases and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.

Dr D.Behera coordinated the session on the role of eosinophilia cells in lung disorders, since these cells are particularly important in the case of asthma patients.

The post-lunch session was an interactive session of clinical rounds and general discussion, in which the panellists presented various cases on approaches to diagnosis and management. Dr S. K. Jindal, Head of Pulmonary Medicine, PGI, discussed various issues relating to anti-tubercular drug resistance, drug toxicity and treatment and guidelines.

Other speakers included Dr V. K. Vijayan, Director of VD Chest Institute, New Delhi, Dr Jagmohan Varma, Dr Subhash Varma, and Prof P. R. Gupta. The update was inaugurated by the Director PGI, Dr B. K. Sharma.

‘Birthday Honours’ staged
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — It was like experiencing a journey back to school days when the Chandigarh Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) staged Paul Jone's hilarious play, ''Birthday Honours'', at Tagore Theatre last evening.

The costumes, the acts, the stage set-up and even the actors — all reminded of plays put up during student days with a lot of enthusiasm of a dilettante. The huge audience, a rare phenomenon during most stage productions, however, seemed to fully enjoy this comic story of how a doctor is slated to be knighted by the Queen and how his ambitious socialite mother-in-law tries to keep a check on her flamboyant daughter.

The play had three directors, Nikita Singh, Meera Singh and Meeta Mann. Meera Singh, as the interfering mother-in-law was delightful and her presence in this production seemed to fill the entire stage with loads of fizz and fun.

The others in the cast included Kanwaljit Singh, Harinder K. sandhu, Gurminder Singh, Kavita Das and Subhadra Jhina.

''Birthday Honours'' seemed kind of unusual on the city stage because not only did it have a whole range of pretty faces in the play but also used a whole lot of "adult comedy" to its advantage.

SNIPPETS

Sanitation ignored,says councillor
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR, Oct 17 — Mrs Daljit Kaur, Municipal Councilor, has accused the local civic body of neglecting sanitation in two villages falling in her ward.

She said the council had not provided any safai karamchari for Mohali and Shahi Majra villages. There was filth and garbage all around and residents were falling ill.

The councillor said a fish market in Mohali village had become a nuisance to residents. The market, she alleged, was being run illegally in connivance with council officials.

Mrs Daljit Kaur said she had approached the council officials concerned several times pleading for better sanitation, but to no avail.

Cops helped nab assailant: lawyer
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — Ms Varinder Pal Brar, an advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, today denied that three Punjab Police cops, who were arrested by the Pinjore police for allegedly beating up a truck driver, had been attached to her.

In a signed statement, Ms Brar said these cops had helped her nab the truck driver and his accomplices who had made an attempt on her life.

She stated that she got an FIR (No 138) registered against them under Sections 307, 341 and 34, IPC at Pinjore police station on October 7.

Rs 100 found in answer booklet
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Oct 17 — It is unfortunate but true that a plus two examinee inserted a hundred rupee note into his answer booklet probably to appease the examiner and get good marks.

According to information, the note was recovered by a paper checker of Ropar district. The examination was conducted by the Punjab School Education Board.

The paper checker has added Rs 1 to the amount and has donated Rs 101 for a social cause.

Decision against selling liquor brand
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 — Following raids by the Excise Department on a number of liqour shops yesterday, local wine contractors have decided to suspend sale and purchase of two breweries.

At a meeting held here today, liquor contractors ''unanimously'' decided to suspend the sale and purchase of the products of United Breweries and Herbertson Industries, particularly the Bagpiper whisky, said a statement signed by nearly half a dozen contractors. The statement, however, did not explain what exactly led them to take the step.

Foreigner dies in mishap
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Oct 17 — A foreign national was killed when he was crushed by an unidentified vehicle on the Kharar-Ropar road near Ban Majra village on the night of October 15.

Mr Ashwani Kapoor, DSP, Kharar, said that the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained as no paper was recovered from his possession.

He said he is tall, fair and about 27 years old. His body has been sent to the PGI, Chandigarh. The Kurali police has registered a case.

Kharar youth murdered
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Oct 17 — Surjit Singh (23) was allegedly murdered in Khizrabad village of Kharar tehsil yesterday. His body was recovered from the fields.

Mr Ashwani Kapoor, DSP, Kharar, today said that the deceased has gone out at about 8 p.m. on October 15. When he did not return the whole night, his family members thought that he has gone to see the Ramlila.

The next morning, Surjit’s cycle was found lying near the fields and his body recovered from near the motor.

The DSP said that the deceased was attacked on his forehead.

The Kurali police has registered a case under Section 302.

Resentment by residents
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 17 —Residents of the 12 type houses in Sector 23 are sore over the alleged apathy of officials of the Sector maintenance booth towards their houses.

They have alleged that in spite of a number of requests, the officials have shown reluctance to visit the houses regarding repair and whitewash of the houses.

"If they agreed and fixed time, they failed to turn up that day, leading to a lot of inconvenience to us," said Mr Raman and Mr Sandeep, residents of the locality.