The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Talent-2001 — A treat of cultural extravaganza
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
“Talent-2001”, the inter-college cultural extravaganza at MCM DAV College, Sector 36, here today unfolded a treat for the audience with the programme being a blend of entertainment and information.

All packed into one, the cultural programme entailed a general knowledge quiz, a paper reading contest, an environment fest and a fashion show based on the five elements of nature, air, water, sky, earth while the last round featured khadi wear.

The quiz, covering a wide rage of subjects from current affairs to business, economy to environment, elicited tremendous response from the colleges with as many as 13 teams turning up for participation.

In keenly contested rounds which ended in a tie between teams, the first position was bagged by Anant Moudgil, Ranjot Singh and Aman Wadhawan from Government College, Sector 11, while the boys of DAV-10, Kunal Sharma, Sameer Sharma and Gaurav Sood, came second, and the third place went to Neha Bansal, Manika and Prerna of GCG-11.

The paper-reading contest, with its topic on information technology and role of computers and Internet in globalisation, was presided over by former Principal of DAV College, Mr R.C. Jeewan. The participants primarily focussed on the Internet revolution.

However, the Environment Fest, a significant part of the programme dominated the day. Inaugurated by the Education Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, the programme included various competitive and non-competitive events.

Paint a T-shirt generated a lot of excitement among the students as a team of three got together to paint it. While one student stood wearing the T-shirt, the other two were given 45 minutes to create and paint.

A vibrant dance sequence, ending with a giddah performance, came in for a lot of appreciation. Speaking at the function, Mr Gujral said he appreciated the attempt of blending learning with fun and laughter as also creating an environment of awareness among the students.

An exhibition-cum-sale of environment-friendly products was also held. Folders, file covers, dry flower arrangements spoke volumes of the efforts put in by the students of the “World We Want” workshop.

The Principal, Ms Usha Gupta, presented the vote of thanks. She spoke of the various pursuits of the college and its endeavour to promote conservation of environment.

The results are as follows: Paragraph writing: Gitika Mehta-MCM DAV (1), Preeti Mehta-DSCE-36 (2); Paragraph reading: Rajiv-SGGS-26 (1), SD College (2); Competitive T-shirt modelling: Kunal-DAV-10, Mohit-SD College (2); Paper reading: Ridhima, Tahira-SD College (1), Alka and Saachi-MCM DAV (2), Anu and Ravneet-GCG-11 (3).

Grand double by GHS-32
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
Government High School, Sector 32, scored a grand double as its students Narvinder Singh and Prabhjot Singh stood first in their respective categories in the state-level paper reading competition (Punjabi) for boys held under the aegis of the Education Department at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, here on November 3 and 5.

In the competition for class VI to VIII,in which as many as 67 students from various government and private schools of Chandigarh participated, Narvinder Singh of Government High School, Sector 32 stood first.

In the competition for class IX and X held yesterday, Prabhjot Singh, also from Government High School, Sector 32, stood first.

Earlier, in the paper reading competition for girls organised at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 32, Sandeep Pal Kaur and Karamdeep Kaur, both from Government High School, Sector 32, stood second in the class VI-VIII and class IX-X categories, respectively.

PU Fellow’s election challenged
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
For the first time in the history of Panjab University, two elected fellows have filed an election petition to the Chancellor challenging the election of another fellow Dr Ajaib Singh on grounds of his “ineligibility to contest the elections”.

Mr Ashok Goyal and Mr Pawan Valecha, fellows from the graduates constituency of the university Senate, have said that under Section 16 of the PU Act, the election of Dr Ajaib Singh should not be approved. He was “ineligible”. It has been pointed out that the Registrar of the university had failed to discharge his duties as laid down in the university act.

In another election petition, Mr Banwari Singh, a lecturer at DAV College, Abohar, has also challenged the election of Dr Ajaib Singh. In a copy of the petition submitted to the Registrar, it has been pointed out that Dr Ajaib Singh was ineligible to be elected. Interestingly, Mr Banwari Singh was placed 16th on the list of candidates in the graduates constituency after counting. In case Dr Ajaib Singh is not allowed to join as a fellow, Mr Banwari Singh is likely to enter the house.

Mr Gopal and Mr Valecha have also sought a personal hearing from the Chancellor regarding the case.

It has been pointed out that activities of the Centre for Adult Education cannot be equated with the normal teaching. Dr Ajaib Singh does not impart instructions to students appearing for the university examination.

It has been pointed out that the Returning Officer (the Registrar) who had accepted the nomination forms of Dr Ajaib Singh for the graduates constituency had earlier rejected the nomination of Dr Ajaib Singh for the Arts faculty.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered declaration of results of the graduates constituency in the university senate but had also pointed out that “Chancellor had the jurisdiction to say whether Dr Ajaib Singh is eligible to contest the elections”.

Teachers put off dharna plan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union today decided to postpone its four-day relay dharna outside the office of the managing committee of the Dev Samaj College for Women at Dev Samaj Bhavan in Sector 36 following a positive response from the authorities to resolve the suspension of a lecturer.

A rally, attended by over 100 teachers from aided colleges, was earlier organised to lodge a protest against the suspension of a lecturer of the Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepore, Ms Harbans Kaur.

Prof N.P. Manocha, district president of the Chandigarh district council of the PCCTU, stated that the management had agreed to have table talks with the executive committee of the teachers shortly. “Keeping this in mind we have decided to postpone our dharna in accordance with their requests,” he said.

It may be recalled 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 in settling the matter.

The Secretary, Mr Karamjit Singh, said that the executive committee of the PCCTU would meet the management by November 10 and a final decision on the dharna would come only after the meeting.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Punjab told to act on 30,000 cops’ pay
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
Disposing of a writ petition regarding the possibility of 30,000 employees working with the law-enforcement agencies not getting their salaries, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, comprising Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice A.K. Goel, today observed that the matter was required to be redressed by the Punjab Government and directed that the copy of the petition should be sent to the Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police.

Taking suo motu notice of a report published in an English daily, Mr Justice Amar Dutt of the High Court had observed: “From the report, it seems that 30,000 employees working in the law-enforcement agency are not likely to receive their salaries. This may spread dissatisfaction among the ranks and disrupt the functioning of the law-enforcement machinery at a time when it should be working at peak efficiency to meet the possible threat to the nation on account of the disturbed conditions on the subcontinent”.

The Judge concluded: “In my opinion, this is a fit case in which the High Court, after taking suo motu notice, should intervene in order to alleviate the problems that are likely to be faced by members of the force and the public at large on account thereof”.

Summons to top Customs officer

Taking up a petition filed by a Hisar resident alleging violation of the orders directing the issuance of 15-days notice before arresting him, Mr Justice R.L. Anand of the High Court today directed Delhi-based Commissioner of Customs (General) R.K. Gupta and three other officials to appear in the court on the next date of hearing.

Issuing the directions on a petition filed by Mr Sudhir Goyal, Mr Justice Anand also issued notice to the Commissioner and two another respondents asking them to show cause why they should not be punished for committing contempt. The case will now come up for hearing on December 3.

Alleging willful disobedience of the orders, Mr Goyal, in his petition, had earlier contended that he was arrested in spite of the orders passed by the High Court on March 8. He had added that the respondents had not even issued a 15-day notice in writing before arresting him and as such were guilty of committing contempt of court.

Notice to Chautala on quota denial

On a petition filed by Panipat-based Haryana Organics seeking directions to the state of Haryana and other respondents to re-allocate the quota of country liquor for 2001-02, a Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr Justice Jasbir Singh, on Tuesday issued notice of motion to Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala and other respondents.

In their petition, the company had alleged that the action of non-allocation of the quota was “illegal and arbitrary actuated by mala fide reasons as the company was identified with former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and his relatives”.

Staff plea on past service allowed

Allowing two petitions filed by gram sewaks, clerks and peons, Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill on Tuesday directed the state of Punjab and another respondent to count the past service rendered by the petitioners with the Punjab State Social Welfare Advisory Board before April 1, 1974, for computing pension and other benefits.

In their petition, Kapur Kaur of Nawanshahr and others had earlier sought directions to the respondents to count the past service rendered by them with the board before the project takeover with effect from April 1, 1974.

Delivering the verdict, the Mr Justice Gill observed: “Since the case of the petitioner has been admitted by counsel for the respondents during the course of arguments, the state of Punjab and another respondent are directed to count the service rendered by the petitioners with the board....”

DISTRICT COURTS
Rash driving cases: 2 acquitted
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 6
A local court today acquitted an accused, a resident of Ropar, in a rash and negligent driving case. The accused was acquitted for lack of evidence.

It was alleged that the accused, Harbansh, who was driving a truck, had killed Ranjeet and injured several other persons on December 22, 1996. The police had registered a case under Sections 279, 304-A of the IPC against the accused.

Meanwhile in another case of rash and negligent driving, a local court acquitted another accused a CTU driver, Rajinder.

Hearing adjourned: Hearing in a contract killing case, on Tuesday adjourned till November 12 by a local court. It was alleged that the two accused, Balwant Rai Vashisht, and Sant Kumar had hired a man to kill a timber merchant, Harjinder Singh.