EDUCATION

PCCTU to hold rally today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 5
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union will hold a protest rally in front of the office of the managing committee of Dev Samaj College for Women at the Dev Samaj Bhavan in Sector 36 on November 6.

The rally is being organised to lodge a protest against the suspension of a lecturer of Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozpore, Ms Harbans Kaur. A large number of teachers in non-government-aided colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh are expected to participate in the rally.

In a press note issued here today, Prof N.P. Manocha, district president of the Chandigarh District Council of the PCCTU, stated that the management had not responded to the efforts of the union to resolve the dispute amicably and that a committee constituted by the Panjab University Senate on September 30, had also failed to settle the matter.

The secretary, Mr Karamjit Singh, said that the Executive Committee of the PCCTU met yesterday and decided on starting a four-day chain dharna.

Free camp: Raahat, a health awareness club, organised its first free dental and eye-check up camp at Government College for Girls, Sector 11, for the college students on the college premises, here today.

Inaugurated by Ms Vijay Lakshmi, Principal of the college and chairperson of the health club, 200 students were examined for eye and dental infections by Dr K.P. Singh, an ophthalmologist and Dr Dhavneet Dhir, a dentist at a private clinic.

The convener, Ms Gurdeep Kaur Dhir, said that the club had organised lectures in the arena of self-development and was conceived with the idea of creating health awareness.

Stalemate on: The stalemate over the holding of the Panjab University Zone B festival continues with the venue still undecided. While lack of infrastructure is stated to be the primary problem in the holding of the youth festival, financial constraints with most private colleges, is another reason for the lack of enthusiasm in hosting the fest for the boys’ colleges of the city. 

Founder’s day celebrations at Vivek school
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 5
Vivek High School celebrated founder’s day on the school premises today. The junior wing students staged ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a play based on Ronald Dahl’s original story.

As the adventure for the lead character Charlie unfolds among fabulous sets, who by a stroke of luck wins a golden ticket, to explore the mysterious chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka, one is left panting with desire to have a piece of chocolate created by Wonka. So much was the effort to create a proper ambience for the chocolate land that as soon as Charlie and his companions enter Wonka’s factory, the organisers sprayed perfume with chocolate smells among the audience.

The characters were played by class III students who showed maturity in acting and dialogue delivery. The costumes and make up for the characters were done in good taste.

The script was adapted by Ms Amrit Grewal and directed by Ms Kalpna Sarkaria, Ms Nillu Sarin and Ms Indu Kheterpal. The dances were choreographed by Ms Inderjit Grewal and Ms Swapna Mohan while music was given by Mr Rajender Singh and Mr Neeraj Sharma. A choir team comprising 19 students of the school sang delightfully. The play was produced by Ms Komal Anand.

The founder’s day celebrations had started yesterday with a prayer session. An inter-school quiz competition would be organised by the school tomorrow which will be followed by another play production "The Crucible’ by the senior wing students of the school at the Rock Garden.

Stage performance by kids
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, November 5
It was an enthralling stage performance by the junior wing of Yadavindra Public School which presented an adaptation of the classic film, “Sound of Music”, here this evening.

The young artistes, who had earlier given a display of their talent on Saturday evening on the school premises, sang and danced with such verve that one was immediately transported to the unforgettable world of Captain Von Trapp, the children and their lovely nanny, Maria.

Maria with her love and understanding won over the seven children of Capt Von Trapp, a widower. In the beginning, the children tried to play some tricks on Maria, but in no time she was able to win them over by bringing happiness into their lives. So much so that even Capt Trapp, who posed himself to be a big disciplinarian, fell to the charms of the lady and finally married her.

The roles of Maria, Capt Trapp and the Rev Mother were played by Parvaz, Parth and Aakanksha, respectively. Students of Classes IV and V presented the play which was directed by Ms Harinder Kaur Sandhu. The singing and music were taken care of by Paulus Paul and his brother Ondre.

Ms P.K. Sarkaria, headmistress of the junior school, said drama had been introduced as a hobby in the school. It was especially relevant in today’s world of preoccupation and nuclear families.

Dr H.S. Dhillon, principal of the school, said students from 10 schools had been invited to see the play today but only three of them had responded to the invitation. He said schoolchildren from the slum had also come to see the presentation.

Paper-reading contest for teachers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 5
A teacher of Government High School, Sector 40, bagged the first position in a paper-reading contest organised for primary school teachers on “Erosion of essential values in the present scenario,” here today.

The second prize went to Ms Santosh Thakkar, GHS-30. The Director, SIE, Ms. S Tangri, presided over the function. She said that values in the present set-up were vanishing and self-interest was beginning to dominate the scene.

In another paper-reading and handwriting contest held for students of Classes IX and X at the GMSSS-33, 72 students participated in the paper-reading competition, while 60 took part in the handwriting contest.

The competitions were organised in collaboration with the UT Education Department’s calendar of sports and allied activities, 2001-2002, under the administration of Mr Karan Singh, Sports Secretary and Principal, GMSSS-33.

HONOURED: The Residents Welfare Association, Sector 55, and the Handicap Association of Palsora Colony, honoured Bahadur Singh, headmaster, GHS-40, here today, for his services in educating slum and handicapped children of Palsora Colony. Free blankets were distributed among 51 children on the occasion.

Youth event to be held in 134 cities
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 5
In the largest youth event of its kind, college and school students, their parents and teachers in 134 cities and towns all over India will be able to participate later this month in a youth abilities enhancer programme, titled “Fun-filled successful studying”.

As many as 467 seminars will be conducted in these cities and towns, making it the largest event of its type ever conducted in the country.

The seminars are being organised by the Self-Confidence Institute in association with Zee TV Group and will be completed by April 2002.

The main objective of the seminars will be to show students how they can spend quality time with their family and friends, enjoy parties, outings etc ... and yet be successful in their studies.

The entry to the seminar will be free. The seminars will be interactive and the presentation will be made on a large screen with the help of a LCD projector, according to a press release.

The presentation will teach youth how to set their goals and effectively manage their time and avoid procrastination.

There will also be a quiz with attractive prizes which will include a car, two-wheelers, cameras, music systems etc. Entry to the quiz will also be free.

The seminars will be conducted by the authors of a self-help book, titled “Successful studying” by Aneesh Bhanot and Jasmeet Dhamija, founder-promoters of the Self-Confidence Institute.

The seminars will start from Jammu on November 23 and the route for the next five months will be Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Batala, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat and Sonepat.

Vocational courses for police school pupils
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 5
In an attempt to project itself “people-friendly”, the Chandigarh police, in association with the Government of India’s Jan Shikshan Sansthan, today launched vocational courses for the students of Government Model High School, Sector 26, popularly known as police school. Senior Superintendent of Chandigarh Police H.G.S. Dhaliwal and other dignitaries were present at the occasion.

The duration of courses range from two days and two weeks and shall impart knowledge about food preservation, art of canning chairs, soap and detergent making, besides the art of candle making. The courses will be conducted in the afternoon from 2 pm to 3.30 pm so that regular studies are not affected.

The courses have been designed for encouraging students to take up professions which require low capital, and ones that can be developed into small and medium enterprises through individual initiative.

The courses are being offered at nominal fee ranging between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per student for the entire duration. The successful trainees shall be issued certificates. In addition to the Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Government of India’s Food and Nutrition Board, shall also depute an expert for conducting food preservation course and issuing certificates. 

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Haryana told to curb ad hoc appointments
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 5
Coming down heavily on the Haryana Government for allowing ad hoc employees to continue, instead of making regular appointments, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Chief Secretary to look into the matter and ensure the framing of a uniform and rational policy.

Issuing directions, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Mr Justice Jasbir Singh, observed: “It has been observed that in a large number of cases, ad hoc or fixed salary appointments are being made resulting in the denial of a regular pay scale. This is a serious matter which gives rise to discrimination.

In their detailed order, the Judges asserted: “Even though the courts have laid down that if there are regular posts, the government should look into the matter and make regular appointments, but it has been found that employees have been working for years and even though the posts are regular, regular appointments are not being made and persons working on ad hoc basis are allowed to continue on the plea that the work is of a temporary nature. The matter requires consideration at the highest level in the government.”

The Judges concluded: “We direct that a copy of this order should be sent to the Chief Secretary to the Haryana Government to look into the matter and ensure the framing of a uniform and rational policy in the matter. A response in this regard should be conveyed to the court by the next date of hearing.” The case will now come up for further hearing on December 4.

Book scandal report put on record

In a progress report submitted before a Division Bench of the High Court here in the library book scandal case, the Joint Director of Punjab Vigilance Bureau today stated that some of the publishers had changed the first page of the old books before fixing new prices and supplying them to the Education Department.

Giving an example of two such cases, the Joint Director added that Surinder Kumar, owner of Jalandhar-based Ravindra Parkashan, had supplied a book “Mor Sada Kaumi Panchhi” — by changing the first page and subsequently affixing enhanced costs on it. Another book, “Sada Rashterpati”, was purchased from Ravindra Parkashan for Rs 40 each whereas the same book was being printed by the language department at a much lesser price”. In this process, the government suffered a total loss of Rs 1,10,002, he claimed.

The Joint Director further claimed that on the basis of reliable information, an FIR was registered against retired Director of Public Instruction (Schools), along with two other officers, besides two owners of publishing houses. All five accused, he added, had been arrested in the case. After going through the seven-page report today, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Ashutosh Mohunta, put the same on record. The case will now come up on November 21.

In its petition, Nav Sahitya Parkashan had earlier sought probe by the CBI into the “scandal in the purchase of the library books for government schools in Punjab at considerably higher rates and not associating the approved source of purchase — the book branch of the office of the DPI (Schools)”. They had alleged that books were supplied after changing the cover even though this was not required. They had added that the state exchequer had suffered substantial loss as the books had been supplied at exorbitant rates”.

Notice to Bansi Lal, ex-ministers

Taking up public interest litigation filed for “exposing the loot of public exchequer by politicians”, Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice M.M. Kumar of the High Court on Monday issued notices of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal, along with two other ex-ministers, Ram Bilas Sharma and Krishan Pal. Notice were also issued to three relatives of the ministers. The case will now come up for hearing on January 21.

In his petition, Surinder Garg had earlier contended that the exchequer was being looted by politicians in order to benefit their own kin. Quoting a newspaper report, he had claimed that the politicians had been distributing permits for plying buses between Rajasthan and Haryana for a distance of 67,000 km which, he contended, was against rules.

Demolition not illegal: Haryana
Legal Correspondent adds

In the writ petition filed before the High Court by Haryana MLA, Karan Singh Dalal, seeking the registration of an FIR against Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, his son Abhay, and others, a reply was today filed on behalf of the state in the form of an affidavit by Mr Rai Singh, Under Secretary (Home).

He stated that no illegality had been committed in demolishing the structures, on the land of the Palwal Market Committee, constructed by the petitioner and his brother.

DISTRICT COURTS
Hearing adjourned in blast case
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 5
Hearing in the case of Sector 34 bomb blast was adjourned for November 11 by a local court today. The accused — Sher Singh and Gurbax Singh — appeared before the UT Additional and Sessions Judge.

It was alleged that the accused had planted a bomb in a scooter parked in Sector 34 on June 30, 1999.

Beant case: One of the accused, Paramjit Singh, in the Beant Singh assassination case failed to appear before the District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S. Bhalla in the special makeshift court room at Model Burail Jail today and the judge adjourned the case for November 19.

However, the accused appeared in the court after the judge had left the court. The accused stated that he was not informed by the authorities about the hearing. On the other hand, the jail authorities claimed that they had already informed the accused about the hearing. Meanwhile, another accused in the case filed an application for speedy trial.

Police remand: An accused, Baiju, who was arrested by the police for carrying 2 kg of charas, has been sent to police remand till November 8 by a local court. It was alleged that the city police had arrested a Kajheri resident and seized the charas from Sector 45.

Remanded: An accused, Babli, allegedly involved in a murder case, was sent to judicial remand till November 13 by a local court. The other two accused in the case had already been remanded to judicial custody.

It was alleged that Babli, along with Baljinder Singh and Rajbir Singh, had murdered Ajmer Singh. The police had registered a case under Sections 302, 201, 342, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code against the accused.