The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

PU seeks share in self-financing courses
Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20
Panjab University proposes to charge 20 per cent of the consolidated fee for the self-financing courses being charged by the affiliated colleges from the forthcoming academic session (2002-2003).

The proposal will come up for consideration in the forthcoming Senate meeting, reliable sources said. The university proposed to use the amount as the ‘user fee’. It had been pointed out “the university spends its resources and manpower for organising and implementation of such courses. This includes finances from its limited resources. The government does not provide any support for such expenses”.

Prof K.N.Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, had referred the matter to the Senate on behalf of the Syndicate as per the authorisation conferred on him by the university House. The university incurred expenditure on course planning, examination and other related aspects of the course implementation that it had to bear from its own pocket.

The university also proposed to charge “Rs 21 per annum from students in affiliated colleges as sports fee”. The university proposed to charge $ 2000 US from B.Sc (honours) students under the NRI and NRI-sponsored category.

The university proposed a fee of Rs 1000 per month for general category students of the Post-Graduate Diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System course. Students in the foreigners’ category would pay Rs 5000 per month; NRI category would pay $ 2500 US per annum; and those sponsored by government and other institutions would pay Rs 12,000 per annum.

Students would pay $ 3000 US or equivalent Indian currency for students in the category of foreign NRI, NRI-sponsored and industry-sponsored seats for the M.Pharmacy course. They would also pay Rs 25,000 per semester (for three semesters) as contingency in addition to all other dues as per university rules.

The university proposed to raise the student fee for use of the holiday homes. The fee had been hiked from Rs 2 to Rs 10 per day from the students of the teaching departments and affiliated colleges. Students from other institutions were expected to pay Rs 20 each per day.

It had also been proposed that Rs 13,000 per annum be charged from a student of postgraduate diploma in computer application on account of fees and funds. In addition, university charges would also be levied separately.

‘Need to revive interest in mathematics’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20
Prof R.P. Bambah, former Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University and a Member of The Tribune Trust, said that it was very essential to build up enthusiasm among mathematics teachers to revive interest in the subject.

He was speaking on the “number game’’ at a seminar on simplifying the teaching of mathematics in the classroom, organised by the Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, here today.

While stating that it was most important to make the teacher interested, he added that faulty education system, which based success on the memorising-capability of the student, was also to blame. Prof Bambah said that mathematics needed to be taken up as a challenge for experiencing the thrill it entails.

Later, a resolution was passed for the formation of a society for the development of mathematics education under the chief patronage of Prof Bambah. He congratulated the college authorities for taking an initiative to revive interest in the subject.

Earlier, resource persons drawn from the Department of Mathematics, Panjab University, focussed on the causes of dwindling interest in the subject among the student community while suggesting the use of puzzles and magic squares, recreational techniques to keep the students involved. Speaking on “Making maths interesting for school children’’, Prof Sudesh K Khanduja said that it was up to the parents to do away with the maths phobia and make it absorbing.

“We are teaching drill mathematics sans the use of interesting puzzles and magic squares. This is a much more tedious exercise. In fact, the NCERT and the state education boards must give recreational problems at the end of each chapter,’’ she added.

Dismissing the myth that mathematics was for a gifted few, Prof VK Grover said that there was a need of professionalism on part of the teachers in handling the subject and students. He touched upon the technical side of the subject as well.

The other speakers included Dr Daljeet Singh, Dr VC Nanda and Dr Satish Shirali. The District Education Officer, Mr Brahmjit Kalia, also addressed the delegates. In her keynote address, the principal highlighted the need for making teaching and learning mathematics enjoyable and meaningful by bringing an attitudinal change in parents, teachers and planners.

Stephenians remember old times
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh , December 20
For over 100 old students of St. Stephen’s College (New Delhi) Old Students Association, Chandigarh chapter, this evening was time to rekindle the ‘spirit’ of the college days. For them it was the time to meet the batch mates, the seniors and of course the juniors.

The members had gathered at the Lake Club for a get together. ‘‘At such get together one feels a sense of bonhomie sans any formality,’’ said Mr Vijai Vardhan, a St Stephen College, New Delhi (1979 - 84) pass out and Secretary to Haryana Governor.

The percentage of boys in the St. Stephen college had always significantly exceeded their female counterpart and so was the scene this evening also. ‘‘I am enjoying meeting wives of former Stephenians’’, said Ms Amrit Gill, who was in the college during 1984 - 87 and was given company by another girl from the college.

The UT Superintendent of Police, Mr Parag Jain, who did his MBA and MA (1983 - 1988 batch), was of the opinion that bond of college was very strong. ‘‘It cuts across the barrier of caste, region, batch and rank and one simply feels great in the company of college friends,’’. Mr Jain along with Mr S.K Sinha, Mr Anupinder Singh Grewal and Mr Vijai Vardhan had organised the get together.

Relay fast by college staff
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20
The Joint Action Committee of non-government aided colleges comprising managements, principals, colleges and non-teaching staff began relay fast outside the office of the DPI (Colleges), Punjab, Sector 17, here today.

They were protesting against the decision and directions of the officials of the Punjab Finance Department to compensate the pending deficit of Rs 100 crore due under the 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme by raising the fee structure.

The other demands include release of details of the pension-cum-gratuity scheme and to bring the 30 unaided colleges under the grant-in-aid scheme.

The president of the local chapter of the PCCTU, Mr N.P. Manocha, and the secretary, Mr Karamjit Singh, said that the relay fast would continue till December 31 to draw attention of the public to the “nefarious designs of restricting education to the elite by raising the fee”.

The protesters who sat on fast today included Principal P.S. Sangha, Prof Lakha Singh, Prof Kulkit Singh, Prof Sata Singh, Mr Shiv Singh, Mr Hansraj and Mr Balbir Chand.

Folk, western dances by tiny tots
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, December 20
A dazzling display of dance and drama marked the annual function of Shemrock School held in Sector 69 here today. The tiny tots impressed the audience. As many as 600 students in the age group of three to seven years presented a medley of folk dances, action rhymes, western dances and plays. The function started with Saraswati vandana. The dandiya depicting the Radha-Krishna lila and the Haryanvi dance won tremendous applause, while the bhangra, giddha and Rajasthani folk dance added to the enjoyment of the audience. The plays “value of salt” and “the sky is falling down” were also impressive. The SDM, Mr Jai Pal Singh, was the chief guest on the occasion.

PU teaching work hit
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20
Teaching work in Panjab University came to a standstill on a call of the Panjab University Teachers Association here today.

Teachers are demanding implementation of the pension scheme, enhancement of retirement age to 62 and the central university status, besides other issues.

Teachers have threatened an indefinite strike in January in case their demands are not accepted. A mass dharna will be organised tomorrow, sources said.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
SP’s bail plea dismissed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20
Finding no merit, Mr Justice M.L. Singhal of the Punjab and Haryana HIgh Court today dismissed the bail application filed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sher Singh Cheema, accused of killing his gunman.

Cheema was booked by the Punjab Police for murder and attempt to murder under Sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code after the victim’s uncle alleged that his nephew was fired upon with an AK-47 rifle by the DSP, under the influence of liquor on August 16, 1999.

Seeking grant of bail, counsel for the petitioner had contended that the DSP was being implicated in a false case.

There was no cogent evidence to connect the petitioner with the crime.

After going through the documents placed on the record and the arguments, Mr Justice Singhal observed: “The petition is dismissed keeping in view the seriousness of the charge being faced by the petitioner”.

Court record summoned

Taking up an application filed by Haryana’s Director-General of Police S. P. S. Rathore for quashing of an order directing the addition of Section 306, IPC, regarding abetment to suicide, to the charge sheet, Mr Justice R.C. Kathuria of the High Court on Thursday summoned the trial court record.

Challenging the order passed on October 23 by CBI’s Special Judicial Magistrate at Ambala allowing an application for adding the section, Rathore, in his petition, had earlier claimed that order was illegal, manifestly wrong and deserved to be set aside.

Notice on plea for restraint in MP’s panel

The High Court on Thursday issued notice of motion on a petition filed by Mansa-based Punjab Panchayat Union and three other petitioners seeking directions to the state of Punjab and other respondents for restraining a Member of Parliament from setting up “hand-picked” committees for carrying out the works from the MP’s local area development scheme.

Counsel for the petitioner contended that according to the guidelines, the engagement of private contractors was prohibited and the works had to be implemented in the urban areas through commissioners or chief executive officers of the municipal corporations.

Speedy disposal of legal cases in Army stressed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20
A conference of Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Department officers posted in the Western Zone was organised at Headquarters Western Command in Chandimandir cantonment, near here, today. Coinciding with the raising anniversary of the JAG Department, the conference was held to deliberate upon important legal matters.

Inaugurating the conference, the Chief of Staff, Western Command, Lt Gen H.S. Kanwar, emphasised the need to have a speedy disposal of legal cases in the Army.

He said that discipline was the bedrock of the Army and military laws were intended not only to administer justice but also to ensure the maintenance of discipline.

In his address, the Deputy Judge Advocate General, Western Command, Brig P.S. Hooda, said that the JAG Department has been assisting the commanders at all levels in fair and quick dispensation of justice in accordance with the tenets of the Rule of Law and the principles of natural justice.

The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen S. Panmanabhan, Western Army Commander, Lt-Gen Surjit SIngh, and the Judge Advocate General, Maj Gen Nilendra Kumar, have, in their messages, greeted all ranks and civilians of the department.

The JAG Department plays a crucial role by rendering fair and objective advice to commanders at all levels, ensuring equitable dispensation of justice in the Army and upholding the rule of law.

One of the oldest departments of the Indian Army, with its origin dating back to the 18th century, it comprises a select band of legally qualified officers.

CAT Bar Association splits
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 20
The general body meeting of the Central Administration Tribunal Bar Association at an emergency meeting attended by about 100 members has expelled Mr H.C. Arora from association for allegedly making false complaints, said the secretary of the Bar, Mr D.R. Sharma.

Meanwhile, a large number of members of the CAT Bar Association, including many office-bearers, today submitted their resignations from primary membership of the association in protest against the alleged undemocratic way of functioning of the president and secretary.

The members and office-bearers who resigned from the primary membership held a meeting and formed a new Bar Association informed Mr H.C. Arora, convener of the new association under the name "Chandigarh CAT Bar Association".

NEW RELEASE

Padmalaya Telefilms Limited and Krishna presentation “Aamdani Atthanni Khurcha Rupaiya” is produced by the House of Padmalayas whose Amitabh Bachchan-starrer “Sooryavansham” could not click at the box-office. However, the Manmohan Desai of South India K. Raghvendra Rao, is coming back with a bang this time and has great expectations from “Aamdani Atthani........”. It is a remake of Raghvendra Rao’s hit Telugu movie. The film will be released today at Nirman, Chandigarh and K.C., Panchkula.

Rao’s latest attempt “Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya” is about how women can change the world and make it a better place to live, if given importance. The story belongs to middle class people. This is director K. Raghvendra Rao’s 99th directorial venture which will appeal to and touch families.

The film stars Govinda, Juhi Chawla, Chandrachur Singh, Tabu, Vinay Anand, Isha Kopikar, Johny Lever, Mink, Shakti Kapoor and ‘Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ fame Ketaki Dave. Rao is so confident of his product that he is releasing the film when Karan Johar’s “K3G” is doing good business. Govinda has a good role opposite Juhi Chawla.

Based on a story and screenplay by K. Raghvendra Rao, dialogues by Anwar Khan, cinematography by Srinivasa Reddy, choreography by BH Tharun Kumar and Lyrics by Sudhakar Sharma are major credits of the film. Himesh Reshammiya has come up with peppy tunes in true Govinda style.

“Aamdani Atthani........ looks like an attempt to give the audiences something different. The year 2001 will climax with the release of this film. D.P.