The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Schools to have Green Army
Vishal Gulati
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 23
Concerned over lack of environment awareness among students, the Centre has asked the state governments and the union territories to raise the National Green Army in schools by forming eco-clubs to undertake action-based programmes for protection, preservation and improvement of environment.

This concept was discussed at the state environment ministers’ conference held at Coimbatore recently.

The scheme, evolved by the Department of Environment and Forests and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, has proposed setting up of at least 100 eco-clubs in selected schools in each district. Each club will have a membership of 35 to 50 students from Class V to XII. All Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and schools affiliated to the CBSE and ICSE will be covered.

The clubs will organise and conduct activities on environmental themes, which are of immediate relevance to the area by holding seminars, discussions, awareness camps, rallies, street theatre etc. Some of the themes are: disposal of household and hospital waste, water and air pollution, afforestation and maintenance of public areas.

The resource material in relevant languages will be produced by the Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, the CPR Environment Education Centre, Chennai, and other agencies of the Ministry of the HRD.

Of course, the success of the programme will depend upon the involvement of the state governments since the responsibility of selecting the schools, organising training programme for teachers, distribution of resource material among the clubs etc lies with them.

Even the NGOs (Non-government organisations) can act as facilitators for launching the campaign. These can provide the requisite inputs for the functioning of the clubs in the form of resource personnel, material, training etc.

The responsibility for implementing the programme in all schools at the district level will rest with the District Implementation Committee. The clubs will be free to prepare work- plans and implement them within the grants made available to them. Initially, the Ministry will provide Rs 1,000 per club, per annum, for running the club.

The Punjab Government has already taken the lead having identified the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology as the nodal agency to implement the formation of the National Green Army. It is working on a comprehensive policy.

The government has constituted a state-level monitoring committee with the Principal Secretary, Science and Technology, Ms Romilla Dubey, as its Chairperson. The other members of the committee are the Chief Conservator of Forests, the Director, Education, the Director Public Instructions (Secondary), the Director, Health, and the Chairman, Pollution Control Board, among others.

At the district level, the Deputy Commissioners will head similar committees.

The Council has identified 27 master trainers in each district who will further mobilise teachers to start the campaign. A three-day training course for them was organised by the Council at its office here, which concluded yesterday.

The Ministry has sanctioned Rs 15 lakh to the Council for the scheme. The Council plans to start 1,700 clubs in the state with a membership of nearly 85,000 students.

What makes the scheme different from the others is the fact that each student will be honoured and the club will be graded on the basis of their performance. Even the students will be provided green caps and arm bands.

Exhibition concludes
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 23
The state science exhibition, 2001, organised by the State Institute of Education in collaboration with the NCERT, New Delhi, and the Department of Science and Technology, Chandigarh Administration, at Parade Ground in Sector 17, concluded with the declaration of the winners here yesterday.

The exhibition, which was divided in urban and rural categories at the junior level, was won by Government High School, Sector 26, in the rural category and Government High School, Sector 7, Government Model High School Sector 28, and Government Model High School, Sector 44, in the urban category. At the senior level, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 20, were declared the winners in the urban category. There was no participants from the rural areas.

About 24 judges adjudged the entries on the basis of innovative ideas and the utility of the models coupled with the way of presentation, said Mrs S. Tangri, Director, State Institute of Education. The final list of the winners in other categories was in the process of competition and would be declared soon, she added.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
More vigorous action against rash drivers
Legal Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 23
A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice A.S. Garg today directed subordinate courts to ensure that in cases of extreme negligence and rashness and only where the evidence and circumstances so warranted, a charge under Sections 304/302, IPC, might be framed along with an alternative charge under Section 304-A of the code.

The above direction was given by the Bench on the basis of a news report in this daily in which it was reported that five conductors and drivers of a Haryana Roadways bus had taken the vehicle out of the depot for a joyride and after collecting free liquor and food from a dhaba, caused a collision with a car, killing five members of a family. It was opined by the Bench that in such cases and in similar matters not necessarily arising out of the motor accidents, which are the result of a utter callousness, prosecution of an offence punishable only under Section 304-A may not be in order and the circumstances may warrant more vigorous action.

PPSC member’s affidavit on record

Mr R.C. Gupta, a member of the Punjab Public Service Commission, in his affidavit filed on behalf of petitioner Harjit Kaur Randhawa, refuted the statement made by the counsel for the PPSC Chairman to the effect that no interviews had taken place without specific information to this court. He alleged that on October 31, the Chairman was proceeding with the selection process for various posts. It was then stated on behalf of the commission that except for the interview for the PCS (Judicial), no other steps were taken.

The Bench after hearing arguments allowed the application for putting the affidavit on record. The hearing of the case would take place on December 5.

HFC debarred on sale of unit

Mr Justice M.L. Singhal of the High Court on a revision petition filed by Bhanu Industries Pvt Ltd, Hisar, issued notice of motion to the Haryana Financial Corporation and directed that the corporation shall not put the industry unit of the petitioner on sale.

The petitioner which had taken a loan from the Haryana Financial Corporation had defaulted in repaying the loan. Mr Justice M.L. Singal had on October 5, vacated the temporary injunction granted by the courts below in favour of the plaintiffs.

DISTRICT COURTS
Sub-Inspector gets bail
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 23
Two city policemen who were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in a corruption case, were granted bail today by a local court. Sub-Inspector Om Parkash and Head Constable Devinder Kumar were arrested by the CBI while accepting bribe from a local resident.

It was alleged that the CBI sleuths had laid a trap for the accused, both posted in the Police Station, Sector 31. CBI officials had reportedly been approached by an NRI, Mr Harish Kumar, who was asked to pay the bribe. The duo were allegedly nabbed by CBI sleuths near Air Force Cross with the bribe money of Rs 2500.

It was alleged that on November 13, Harish Kumar visited the police station with his cousin, Ravi.

The accused reportedly demanded a bribe of Rs 4000 for closing the case. While the duo paid Rs 1500 on the spot, it was agreed that he would pay the remaining amount within a few days.

CULTURE

Glimpses of Kashmiri embroidery
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 23
Mumtaz Shah is one of the many traditional craftsmen of Kashmir who have suffered a lot due to the ongoing turmoil in the Valley. Exquisite embroidery as well as walnut wood furniture works created in Kashmir are struggling for a breather. With the local market down in dumps due to a suffering tourism industry and the export to Gulf countries diminishing considerably, there has been a mass exodus of artisans from the Valley to other cities of India. The market might have been hit hard, but the one thing that remains is the spirit of the average Kashmiri artisan to fight.

Like others in his fraternity, Mumtaz Shah also embodies this spirit. He has been in the city for three days trying to build market goodwill in favour of Kashmiri shawls, which are known the world over for their intricacy, finesse and patterns. He has come with a whole lot of stock of pashmina, which he will be displaying in the city from tomorrow. What makes Mumtaz Shah stand out is not just the fact that he has often been rewarded by the state government, but the fact that his works exude beauty. The base he uses is fine, bought as it is from Ladakh.

He has close to 50 colours available in his stock. The hallmark of his work is that shawls have been weaved and embroidered with silk threads. These have been created in Srinagar. It may be mentioned here that silk thread cannot be used for embroidery anywhere except Srinagar due to climactic conditions. The thread cannot stand moisture at all. Each shawl has been created by different artisans to secure unity of design.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Mumtaz said, “Many like me are waiting to explore opportunities in other cities. We are not looking for money. We are looking for appreciation. Our morale is very low these days. We need appreciation to lift it.” Mumtaz will exhibit his works in Sector 8.

The magic of nautical charts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 23
Her works are about freedom of execution. Lack of training in art has come handy to Mumbai -based artist Smiley Puri, whose works, now on display at Art Folio in Sector 9, are rough and rugged. The brush does not follow a set path. It doodles all over the base, creating patterns which at times even amuse the artist.

A strange base though, but nautical charts, as used by Smiley in her works, come across as fresh, challenging and interesting, of course. The artist retains the basic elements of these charts and instead of painting the whole surface, she just uses spots. “The idea is to blend the originality, both of the charts as also of the works,” said the artist who has about nine group exhibitions to her credit.

The plane of her thought is vast. It traverses many a path — from the beauty of Ganesha and the magic of painting on wood to the refreshing seascapes. As for the medium, acrylic is a favourite with Smiley who loves to swear by their unpredictability. Oils also find place in her works. The blend of the two creates a good visual appeal.

The works, which were inaugurated today by the Adviser to the UT Administrator, Ms Neeru Nanda, will be on the display till November 29.