EDUCATION

PAU runs on whims or rules?
Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 11
Is Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) being run on the whims and fancies of the authorities or the rules? The answer seems to be the former if the decision of the appointment of the new Comptroller is any indication.

Mr Gopal Dass who took over as Comptroller on November 9, was not selected by the board of management of the university at its meeting held on July 30, 2001, though his name was recommended by the selection committee after interviewing five candidates.

However, Mr Dass was appointed on November 8 by the board at its meeting held at Chandigarh. Eyebrows are being raised on the fact that while the board had not cleared his appointment at the last meeting without assigning any reason, but later appointed same person on the same post after three months.

The members of the board were tightlipped after attending the meeting and were not willing to tell the Press about the latest developments although the news spread like wild fire on the campus. The sources informed Ludhiana Tribune that decision of the board was not disclosed as the authorities wanted signatures of members on the minutes of the meeting to avoid any controversy later.

Earlier, a representative of the Punjab Government who had raised an objection on the appointment of Mr Dass at the last meeting, was transferred and the authorities had taken the matter to the board again. The representative at that time had said that the government would send an official to the PAU on deputation.

But later the government had shown its unwillingness to send a Comptroller on deputation and the authorities had taken up the case of Mr Dass again. A member of the board was also learnt to have written to PAU authorities to take up the issue of appointment again.

Mr Dass had moved the high court recently challenging the decision of the board for not appointing him as the Comptroller of the university although his name was recommended by the selection committee. The matter is still pending with the court.

The post of the Comptroller was to be vacated by Mr S.K. Bhatia on July 31 but he was given an extension of six months by the board. The PAU had interviewed five candidates on July 22 for this post and the selection committee had recommended the name of Mr Dass. Mr Bhatia had retired from the post on April 30, 2000, but at a special meeting of the board, he was granted extension and the post was also advertised. 

Inter-school quiz contest
Our Correspondent

Machhiwara, November 11
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Public High School, Machhiwara, got the first position in the inter-school quiz contest organised by C.S. Monu Memorial Welfare Society. Shree Guru Ram Rai Public School and Chopra Public Senior Secondary School secured the second and third positions, respectively. As many as nine local schools participated in the contest.

The score of all the schools is as Shaheed Bhagat Singh Public High School (55), Shree Guru Ram Rai Public School (50), Chopra Public Senior Secondary school (45), Government Senior Secondary School (40), National Model High School (40), Government Senior Secondary Schools (Girls) (35), Shakti Public Senior Secondary School (25), Dasmesh Public School (15) and Nav Shakti Public High School (10).

Mr Anil Sood, president, Nagar Panchayat Machhiwara, was the chief guest and Mr Sushil Luthra, a counciller, and Mr Shakti Anand, a former president of the Arhtias Association, were the special guest of honour. On the occasion, the society honoured Dr Harinder Pinky and his wife for making a commitment to donate their bodies after death for medical research.

The members of the Machhiwara Blood Donors Association, Mr Nand Kishore, Mr Rajiv Jain and Mr Rajiv Kumar Sharma were also honoured for donating blood for 15, eight and six times, respectively.

Cultural items were also presented by schoolchildren.

Inter-school painting competition
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 11
About 4,000 students from 60 schools of the city had a relaxing and wonderful time at the Hero Cycle Painting Competition held at Hardy’s World this morning. The function was organised by Talent Search India. The students were totally engrossed showing their creativity under the open sky. They could be seen caught in the power of artistic expression and imagination, coloured with shades of their dreams.

There were five sections depending on the age groups. The first section was open to the students of Classes II and III and they could draw and paint on any topic. The Group B had students from Classes IV and V and their topics were Divali, birthday dance, my cycle, rainy day whereas students from Classes VI and VII were asked to draw Divali, cycle race, city scene or children day. Classes VIII and IX were asked to draw Divali, Hero Cycle rally, road safety and say no to fire crackers. In the last group comprising students from Classes X to XII, the topic was Divali, Hero Cycle rally, any portrait and fight against terrorism.

Different strokes of colours by young and budding artists, who gave vent to their feelings in the form of rainbow of colours, could be witnessed at Hardy’s World.

The function was inaugurated by Mr S.K. Rai, Managing Director , Hero Cycles Limited. Others present on the occasion were Mr S.P. Gosain, Deputy Speaker, Punjab, Mr M.M. Vyas, Chairman, Improvement Trust, Ludhiana, and Mr Deepak Baweja, Chairman Talent Search India.

The painting competition was followed by a colourful cultural programme presented by different schools of the city. GMT School presented a dance on the popular song ‘bhumro’ from the film ‘Mission Kashmir’ . The students of the same school presented vigorous and colourful Rajasthani as well as Haryanvi dance. Ritambra Public School charmed the audience with their western number. Nritya Bharti School presented a western parody, a dance based on ‘Alli Alli’.

The event was a perfect platform for young art lovers to show their painting skills and the young dancers to display their delicate movements of hands and feet.

GK test for children
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 11
The Ludhiana unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised a general knowledge test for school students. The test was conducted at eight centres in different parts of the city. However, the maximum students appeared in the test at the Bharatiya Vidya Mandir centre where it was inaugurated by the Deputy Mayor, Mrs Santosh Aneja.

Giving details of the test, the secretary of the city unit, Mr Mohit Goyal, said that about 1,500 entries were received from 50 different schools. The test related to the Indian history, particularly in reference to the freedom struggle. The nature of the test was set in the ABVP perspective which believed that so far it was a distorted version of history which was taught to the students.

Later, addressing a press conference, the city unit president, Mr Sandeep Kapoor, said the ABVP will press for redrafting of the history textbooks published by the NCERT. He said the history books being taught in schools so far were presenting distorted view of history. He criticised those people who were opposing this move of the government.

The ABVP leader supported introduction of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) which, he said, was necessary in the wake of spread of terrorist organisations across the country. He also justified the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) alleging that they were indulging in anti-national activities.

Mr Kapoor disclosed that the results of the general knowledge test will be declared on December 15 and the winners will be honoured on Vivekanand Jayanti on January 12.

HEALTH

Medical check-up camp
Our Correspondent

Amloh, November 11
As many as 280 patients were checked up by a team of doctors of Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh, at Machhrai Kalan village, 3 km from here, yesterday. Free Medicines were given to the patients, according to Mr H.S. Singh, Principal of the Medical College, here today.

The camp was organised by the Baria Welfare and Sports Club, Machhrai Kalan.