The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

PU signs MoU with N-science centre
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21
Panjab University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nuclear Science Centre (NSC), New Delhi, for collaboration in joint academic activities and research.

Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor of PU and Dr Amit Roy, Director of the Nuclear Science Center, had signed the MoU, official sources said here today.

The agencies in unison will take up exchange programmes between faculty and research scholars. Collaborative projects will be submitted to various funding agencies, jointly. Research instrumentation facilities and library facilities at both the institutions will be made available to each other.

The NSC will be recognised as a research center for Ph.D programme of PU. Senior scientists of NSC will be recognised as research supervisors for the candidates working in the university.

The project will make joint appointment of experimental nuclear physicists at the level of lecturer or reader, who will be on rolls of the university and whose research activities will be primarily based on NSC accelerator.

The faculty from both the respective institutions will be invited for delivering lectures.

The evaluation of the research activities will be done by the director of the NSC with a representative of the university.

The evaluation of the teaching activities will be done by the university.

The annual self-assessment form will be evaluated by respective authorities of both the organisations.

The memorandum will be reviewed as and when needed by the parties concerned.

PUTA submits memorandum
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21
The Punjab Government should extend a helping hand in getting the proposed amendments in the regulations enhancing the age of superannuating notified without further delay.

Regarding this the Panjab University Teachers Association in a memorandum submitted to Lieut-Gen J.F.R.Jacob, Governor of Punjab, here today has demanded his intervention. As a part of the ongoing struggle for enhancement of retirement age from 60 to 62, members of PUTA staged a ‘dharna’ in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

The teachers have threatened to boycott the classes incase their demands were not met by January, 2002.

The University Grants Commission has already issued a notification regarding the service conditions.

The UGC provides for enhancement of retirement age upto 62. The UGC has also permitted the universities to further extension in service after superannuating upto 65 years.

Tiny tots celebrate X’mas
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 21
The entire building of Kinder World School here seemed to be enveloped in the red and green festoons during the Christmas celebrations held today. Chirpy tiny tots of the School seemed to be taken in by the Christmas spirit, who were singing carols and calling for Santa Claus.

The students enacted the birth of Jesus Christ with one of the students Oorja, dressing up like Mother Mary and her class fellow, Shreyansh, enacting the part of Joseph. Three of the students also enacted the role of Three Wise Men from the East , who came to see the Lord after his birth with lots of gifts.

One of the staff members had also dressed up as Santa Claus and most of the children were flocking to him. Later the students were distributed sweets and gifts by the school Principal, Ms Vandana Beri, and the Administrator, Ms Geeta Madan.

Woodlands House School, Sector 8, also celebrated Christmas here today. Children were told the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the meaning behind exchanging gifts. Every class from pre-Nursery to Class IV made buntings and decorations to decorate the Christmas tree and the school campus.

According to Ms Baksh, Principal of the school, the purpose behind all this is to make the students have sense of belongingness, sharing and to show sympathy towards needy and the poor.

Wonder Years School, too, held Christmas celebrations. Parents and Kids enjoyed the celebrations equally as they played games, danced and received gifts from Santa. Various events where the students and there parents were both involved as in carry your child race; musical chairrace etc. were also organised.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Public School organised a two-day cultural function based on the theme “Unity in diversity” in which the students performed action rhymes , plays and western dances that impressed the audience. The spirit of joy was made complete with a host of fun-filled activites like games and quiz and was further enhanced by Santa Claus distributing gifts among the students.

In a similar function, students of Blue Bird Model School, Sector 16, celebrated Christmas by decorating a tableau and a play based on the birth of Lord Jesus. Sound of Christmas carols filled atmoshere and exchanging of gifts completed the essence of the occasion.

NIFD students celebrate Xmas
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 21
Students of the National Institute of Fashion Design began festive season celebrations with a glittering Christmas bash on the NIFD campus in Sector 8 here today.

The textile design students played innovatively with yards of white and red cloths to create a beautiful ambience and decor that set off the mood on the occasion. A fully decorated Christmas tree with Santa Claus distributing gifts to all added flavour to the bonanza.

Besides dancing to the peppy music and Christmas carols played by DJ Ranbir and Aman, the students also took part in fun games like antakshri and dumb charades. The soaring Christmas spirit bridged the gap between the faculty members and the students as every member of the institute became a part of the party.

Mr Anil Behl, general manager, Pepsi was the chief guest on the occasion. He inaugurated the celebrations by joining the students on the dance floor.

Annual day celebrations
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 21
The two-day annual day celebrations by St Joseph’s High School, Sector 44, concluded with the senior wing students presenting a colourful variety programme at Tagore Theatre here today.

The programme started with a “vandana” song in which girls attired in colourful dresses matched their steps in a semi-classical dance form.

As the evening rolled in, audience were carried to a fantasy land where the Moon and stars reigned and sometimes to the fast track lifestyle, where the East-West fusion is the bottom line, with dance items based on Indi pop song.

However, the ethnic flavour of true Indian culture remained intact through items like Quawali, Bhangra and Rajasthani dance numbers.

Giving a touch of drama, the students also performed a puppet show and two plays, one in English emphasising on mother’s status in a family, and the other in Punjabi titled Toya, a satire on the inefficiency of government officials.

Today’s function was inaugurated by SSP, Chandigarh, Mr Parag Jain with the lighting of a lamp.

The students of the junior wing presented patriotic songs, dance items and a play, “The Frog Prince”. Mr B.S. Bassi, IGP, was the chief guest on this occasion.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
SP told to probe MLA’s conduct
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21
Acting on a petition alleging misuse of security guards, Mr Justice K.S. Garewal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed Faridkot’s Superintendent of Police to personally inquire into the conduct of MLA Mantar Singh Brar, besides another resident of Sandhwa village.

Delivering a verdict on a petition filed by Mr Jatinder Singh Randhawa of Ramgarh village in Jaitu tehsil, the Judge also directed: “In case it is found that the respondents are misusing the security guards provided to them by the police, then they should be withdrawn forthwith”. Hr ruled: “This direction is necessary because it is expected of members of the Legislative Assembly to follow the law and not to break it as alleged by the petitioner”.

The Judge added: “The SSP may use his good offices to try and have this (land) dispute settled once and for all because the allegations reveal that the petitioner has been unfairly treated by the respondents and the petitioner stands on a much weaker position as compared to a respondent who is a sitting MLA of the constituency where the land is situated”.

PPSC told to withhold result

Taking up public interest litigation filed by a Sangrur resident, the High Court today directed the Punjab Public Service Commission against declaring the result of the selections being carried out for filling the posts of Deputy Superintendents of Police, besides Deputy Superintendents of Jails.

Issuing the directions, a Division Bench headed by Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi also directed that the PPSC “may proceed with the interviews “for selecting the DSPs and the Deputy Superintendents of Jails”. The Bench also issued notice of motion on the petition for January 23.

Appearing in person, Mr Vijay Kumar Syal, in his petition, had contended that the rules and proper procedure prescribed for selecting officers was not being followed. He alleged that selections were being made after accepting huge amounts of money. He had also contended that the result of the examination was declared on November 13 followed by the physical fitness and endurance test on November 23. All 76 candidates participating in the process were declared successful.

Oil firm extensions closure upheld

Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Ashutosh Mohunta of the High Court today upheld the instructions issued by the Union Government directing public sector oil marketing companies to close down extensions by dealers and to transfer all consumers enrolled through these counters to the newly commissioned distributors.

Pronouncing the orders on a petition filed by All-India LPG Distributors Federation, the Judges observed: “The instructions issued by the government ensure equitable distribution. These are not arbitrary, unfair or unjust. In fact, the instructions promote equality. These are founded on consideration of equity and fair play. They conform to the terms of appointments. These are not illegal or violative of Article 14 of the Constitution”.

Speaking for the Bench, Mr Justice Gupta added: “New distributors had been selected and appointed. They had created the necessary infrastructure. In this situation, continuation of the extension counters would have resulted in loss to the newly appointed dealers. It was, thus, directed that the extension counters should be closed so that the consumers may be available to new dealers and their agencies could become viable”.

Allotment stayed

Issuing notice of motion for February 18 on a petition seeking the quashing of a decision taken by a committee rejecting the tender of a Mumbai based consortium “for acting as an agent on behalf of the Punjab government for running on-line lottery system”, a Division Bench of the High Court today stayed the allotment till further orders.

In their petition taken up by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Amar Bir Singh Gill and Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar, Venture Business Advisers Private Limited Consortium had claimed that as per unofficial information the tender amount submitted by the petitioner was almost double the amount submitted by another firm. As a result, a loss of several crorer would be caused to the state exchequer, they had contended.

Stay on recruitment

On a petition filed by a Mansa district resident seeking directions to the state of Punjab, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Minister Ranjit Singh Brahampura against making recruitment to the posts of clerk, joint accountant, data entry operator, besides peon-cum-chowkidar, a Division Bench of the High Court directed that action in pursuance of an advertisement issued in this regard shall remain stayed.

In his petition taken up by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Ashutosh Mohunta, Mr Charanjit Singh had contended that as per instructions, the respondents had to adjust him and other similarly situated surplus staff before making fresh appointments.

CULTURE

Twenty rare folk crafts under one roof
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21
The significance of folk crafts is immense and any effort made for their preservation is valuable. Among the many societies consistently working towards uplifting the status of traditional crafts of India, one society is the Haryana State Karigar Association.

The two-pronged strategy of the association, which is presently holding an exhibition of these rare arts at Lajpat Rai Bhavan in Sector 15, is to hunt for artisans and get them registered with the government and also further a direct contact between consumers and artisans.

The current exhibition, which opened about two days back, is being sponsored by the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, Government of India, Ministry of Textiles. The level of works being exhibited at the show can be gauged by the fact that five national award winning artisans are participating in the exhibition.

Rajinder Prasad Bondwal of Bahadurgarh, who is also general secretary of the organising society, has won a national award for his skill at carving sandalwood products. He has spent three years (1995 to 1997) in Tunisia to promote the Indian art there. Bondwal carves intricate figures out of a single piece of sandalwood. Brijballabh Udaywal has been awarded by the government for his block printing finesse. Ghasi Ram from Moradabad has been awarded by the Centre for his bronze crafting.

Altaf Jaan and Ghulam Mohammad, paper mache artisans from the strife-torn Kashmir, are displaying a great range of handcrafted paper mache. They are also carrying a whole lot of Pashmina, both pure and silk. Both of them are national awardees. Among other significant participants are Master Prem Lal, Farooq, SL Sachdeva and PC Naudiyal, all registered crafts persons with the Ministry of Textiles. Master Prem Lal, who is locally stationed has been into jute products for long. He creates beautiful phulkari patterns with jute. His jute manjas, panels, furniture sets are being lapped up by the foreign market. He has also trained 10 artisans in the craft so that they can be self employed.

Farooq from Delhi is into the making of magical toys. He not only has magical toys, but is also teaching the magic skills to all visiting customers free of cost. S.L. Sachdeva’s door hangings made out of rare products and P.C. Naudiyal’s handcrafted garment range is exquisite. Displaying Punjab’s phulkari is Puneet Madan, a registered crafts person, who has a whole range of phulkari products — bedcovers, baby towels, baby garments, dining table covers and so on.

Talking about the need to promote artisans, Rajendra Prasad Bondwal said, “It has been about three years when the Haryana CM announced that the state would soon have a handicrafts school and also an artisan development board. But no such thing has yet come across. We want more state aid to save the languishing arts and crafts of India”.