The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

PU ROUND-UP 2001
Valiant bid to reconstruct academic edifice
Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 26
In a brave effort to reconstruct the crumbling academic edifice, Panjab University this year made a valiant effort at several fronts.

The overhauling for timely conduct and declaration of examination results has been able to usher in a ray of hope for further improvement. The session, this year began in the second week of July. This ensured more teaching days.

Interestingly, against the University Grants Commission stipulation of 180 teaching days in an academic year, the university planned 194 this time. Certain admission dates had to be rescheduled because the results cards did not reach the students despite declaration of the results. More teaching days were lost due to the teachers’ agitation in affiliated colleges.

The Panjab University senate passed the UGC circular on a minimum 75 per cent attendance in classes candidate for appearing in the annual examination. There were protests from student quarters. So this had to be postponed till the next academic session (2002-2003). Another related development was the university plan to give 10 per cent weightage in the annual examinations to house examinations by adding 10 per cent marks to the aggregate.

The result card will carry the attendance statement as well. This is possible only in case the university is able to conduct two house examinations and a special examination in February-March. Since the past few years, the September examinations have not been possible.

The university was accorded the ‘five star’ status by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. However only one affiliated college has gone in for NAAC inspection. The university successfully hosted the All-India Vice- Chancellors conference in December under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities. This was the third time the university hosted the event.

The university gave permission to nine colleges to commence M.Sc (Information Technology) this year. It constituted committees to look into different problems faced by colleges.

The university noticed that there were lesser takers for vocational courses one of the major reasons being that despite the popular notion that students of vocational streams got direct easy employment, the job market has shown nothing worthwhile.

The issue of a possible fee hike rocked the universities and colleges in the state during mid-year. A high-powered committee comprising the Vice-Chancellors, Deans and ministers recommended fee hike. However, the matter rests with the state Cabinet.

Another issue, was reaffiliation of colleges to universities. The matter also rests with the state government.

Another issue that surfaced was non-payment of the UGC pay scales to several teachers working on a temporary or part-time basis in colleges despite their having cleared the UGC NET examination.

The university could not hold meetings of the syndicate throughout the year due to litigation in the High Court regarding election in the graduates constituency of the Senate. The issue was finally resolved with announcement of the election on December 30. The university also did not have a regular Dean College Development Council.

Financial matters have constantly remained a weak spot with help lessening from the UT Administration and the Punjab Government. A UT communication in January said it would adhere to the grant on the pattern of Punjab. This meant a big loss. A communication of the UT Administration to remove teachers above 60 years of age led to teacher a agitation.

The university ordered a high-level probe into the alleged financial bungling during the tenure of the earlier Vice-Chancellor. The matter remains undecided. Another officer who found himself in the financial controversy was the Finance and Development Officer. He was suspended in June. Dr B.B.Goyal, University Business School, was held guilty by the Senate for tampering with the result of a candidate.

Saying it through dance
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 26
Graceful movements with the underlying message of educating the NSS cadets on environment problems assuming acute proportions was what Jyoti Srivastava’s dance performance at MCM DAV College, Sector 36, this evening was all about.

The Delhi-based dancer, along with her troupe, began her performance with Ganesh Stuti followed by pure dance, concluding with a prayer to the Sun God.

Amidst the chanting of eight shlokas, the danseuse prayed to Lord Surya to bless the world and wipe out the growing pollution and save the people from calamities and destruction. An oddissi folk dance based on the same theme was also presented.

“The idea is to reach out to the public through these students in the audiance. All these NSS cadets are at critical stages of their careers and it is during this time that we can sensitise them to problems ailing the world. For this particular reason, I chose this dance form,” she explained.

In the abhinay piece, the dance performance depicted Radha’s friend describing the beauty of Lord Krishna. She tells her that Lord Krishna is surrounded by ‘gopis’ and has no time for her. The next performance shows the gopis dancing.

The dance performance organised at a ‘National Integration Camp for Women’ at the college, was inaugurated by Justice DV Sehgal, Lokpal, Punjab. Cadets from various states, attired in their state costumes, welcomed the chief guest.

The Principal, Ms Usha Gupta, was present on the occasion.

Women remain victims of dowry: NCC officer
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 26
The NSS cadets of Home Science College, Sector 10, in collaboration with the NSS Department of Panjab University, observed an “awareness Day’’ at Khuda Alisher here today.

As many as 200 students from the college and social workers, members of panchayats and gram sevaks participated.

While launching the campaign against cruelty on women, Dr CL Narang, Director, NSS, Panjab University, said ignorance of rights on the part of the women was the rootcause of the problem. Blaming sex-determination tests for the declining sex ratio, he said awareness or safety and security of the girlchild among the masses was the need of the hour.

The Programme Officer of the college, Ms R Barinder, said observing 2001 as “Women Empowerment Year’’ could not change the attitude of the people.

Another programme officer of the college, Ms Rashmi, said a survey report of villages revealed that a number of women were victims of dowry and faced torture at the hands of their husbands.

Meanwhile, at Government College for Girls, Sector 11, the role of the NSS volunteers in case of a crisis was discussed at a seminar held on the problems being faced by the country today.

Addressing the volunteers, Dr Narang said under “Women Empowerment Year’’, the volunteers held the task of creating an awareness among the women on their role, status and rights.

He said in literacy played a major role and ignorant women were abused and beaten up in their homes. Other problems included that of rising pollution levels, illiteracy and need for national integration.

The Principal of the college, Ms Vijay Lakshmi, exhorted the students to play a positive and active role in society while appealing to them to keep the spirit of social service alive.

As a part of the 10-day NSS camp, cadets participated in a cleanliness drive under the “dignity of labour’’ programme. The camp was visited by Dr CL Narang.

On the occasion, Sudhir Kumar of BA II recited a self-composed poem, where he urged the NSS volunteers to join hand in uprooting the evils of society.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Grant increment to teachers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 26
After three teachers furnished proof of their presence in the office during a strike in 1978, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the state of Punjab, the District Education Officer and another respondent to grant one advance increment to the petitioners.

Pronouncing the orders on a petition filed by JBT teacher Amarjit Kaur, along with two other petitioners, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Amar Bir Singh Gill and Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar also quashed an order passed on October 13, 1999 vide which their claim for premature increment for non-participation in strike was turned down.

In their detailed orders, the Judges added the increment would be effective prospectively. The Judges observed: “The petitioners are admittedly regular employees and have furnished on record sufficient proof of their presence in the office at the relevant point of time, that is on February 8, 1978.... The writ petition is allowed”.

Plea against recovery allowed

Allowing a writ petition filed by a Biology lecturer along with another petitioner, the High Court has quashed an order issued by Punjab’s District Education Officer directing the recovery of money from their pay.

Seeking the quashing of the orders, Shashi Kiran and another petitioner had earlier contended that the orders were issued on the ground that the pay-scales of masters and mistresses had not been correctly fixed. Arguing before the court, counsel for the petitioners had added that the orders were passed without affording effective opportunity of hearing.

After going through the documents and the arguments, a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Ms Justice Bakhshish Kaur, observed: “We allow the petition. The impugned order is quashed. The respondents are at a liberty to pass orders afresh in accordance with law”.

CONSUMER COURTS
N Rly directed to pay compensation
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 26
The UT Consumer Court while coming down heavily on the deficiency in the services of the Northern Railways, in a significant order in favour of passengers today directed the Chief Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, New Delhi, to refund the cost of the railway ticket and pay a compensation of Rs 1,000 to a city resident for issuing ticket when the train had already been cancelled.

The grievance of the complainant, Maheshwar Pandeya, was that he was to take up journey by the Janta Express train from Delhi to Patna on April 4, 1998 and he booked a ticket on April 4, 1998. After reaching Delhi, the complainant came to know that the train had been cancelled since long.

The complainant enquired from the railway authorities as to how the tickets had been issued when the train had already been cancelled but they failed to offer an explanation. Thereafter the complainant filed an application to Chief Commercial Manager, Northern Railways, for refund of the tickets and compensation for harassment suffered by him due to railway authorities. The railway authorities agreed to refund to him Rs 245 only for the tickets without giving any compensation. The complainant then filed a complaint in the consumer court seeking refund of Rs 245 as cost of railway tickets and compensation for harassment and costs of damage.

No one appeared before the court on the behalf of the Northern Railway. Therefore, the Northern Railway was ordered to be proceeded against exparte and the case was fixed for exparte evidence.

After going through the evidence the Consumer Forum observed that the fact stated by the complainant had not been contradicted by the Northern Railway and evidence led by him had also gone unrebutted. Therefore, the forum was of the view that the train, which was earlier scheduled to run from Delhi to Patna and had been cancelled since long and the complainant was kept in dark till he actually reached Delhi and he had to return to Chandigarh. The Railway authorities failed to accommodate him in some other train. This clearly shows deficiency in service on the part of the Northern Railways.

Therefore, the Consumer Forum allowed the complaint and directed the Northern Railways to refund to the complainant the cost of the ticket along with Rs 1,000 towards costs of compensation for the harassment and damages suffered by him.

The forum further said that the order should be complied within one month of the receipt of the copy of this order failing which the Northern Railways shall be liable to pay interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum on the amount of Rs 245 from the date of the filing of the complaint till realisation.

In another case in UT Consumer Commission has dismissed the appeal filed by the Modi Korea Telecommunication Limited against the order passed by District Consumer Forum-II.

The forum had directed the company to refund the amount of Rs 5,983 with interest at the rate of 10 per cent annum and a compensation of Rs 1100 to the complainant. Dr Jasbir Singh Dhody, for harassment caused to him. The Consumer Commission said in its order that the appeal moved by the company was dismissed subject to the direction that the complainant should get the balance amount of Rs 5,983 of the security in respect of a pager on his handing over and returning the pager.

CULTURE

Santa dances to Punjabi tunes
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, December 26
A scintillating performance by the Cancerian dance group set the ball rolling at a cultural evening organised by the Punjab Cricket Club in association with Daava events to celebrate Christmas at the PCA stadium here last evening.

Hot numbers like ‘Ek ohda gora rangh’ and ‘Bilo yar de’ was enough to bring the revellers to the dance floor.

From the Punjabi pop, the scene changed to Russian ballet from a troupe from Delhi. A person dressed as Santa Claus danced to the tune of Punjabi numbers with kids joining him. He distributed sweets among them. Due to some problem, some guests could not make it to the venue as they were allegedly denied entry.

Christmas functions were also held at different hotels in the town. Hotels were bedecked for the occasion.

Vanity is no longer the domain of women
A. S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 26
Do you think that women are more conscious of their looks than men? Think again. Men spend more time preening themselves before the mirror than women. And if you don’t believe it, ask Shashank Devsare, a celebrated designer of men’s wear who is making a pile selling men’s exclusive apparel in different parts of the country.

“Men are very conscious of their looks”, says Shashank who was in town today for the launch of his designer label, “Vash”, at Ram Chander and Sons in the fashionable shopping centre in Sector 17.”Men know what they want. Therefore, we cannot make them accept whatever we offer”.

During an interview with TNS, Shashank said that while designing a dress he keeps in mind the requirements of the client as also the occasion for which he wants it. “Sometimes, I hold a counselling session for the whole family on the kind of dresses which can be worn by them on an occasional wedding or any other festivity. I tell them about the colours, cuts and combinations which will suit them. And whatever I design, I make sure that the wearer stands out. Beige and black are my favourite colours”.

Shashank observes that there is a growing trend among the people to go for old, ethnic dresses. “I think people are greatly influenced by what they see on the TV these days. Dresses worn by main characters inspires the views to copy them. The trend these days is to go for ethnic complete with a safa (turban)”.

Realising long time ago that signature stores were the order of the day, Shashank Devsare retails his classy formals, cool casual and classic bridals from a well spread chain of stores that span the entire nation — Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Surat and now Chandigarh. The Vaibhav Shashank exclusive store for men’s wear is a distinct statement in style.

After a graduate degree in English and a diploma in commercial art, he did two advanced programmes from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi. This was the learning ground and the beginning of a new career.

During his stint at NIFT, he studied under one of India’s numero uno designers, one who dresses the Miss India’s — none other than Hemant Trivedi. Shashank shifted to Mumbai after finishing his course. A two-year stint at Sheetal Design Studio under Hemant was a perfect training ground. “Ï learnt a lot under Hemant Trivedi. He was perfect and his guidance and technics were useful,” says Shashank, reminiscing his association with him. Although Shashank was trained as a women’s designer, he was asked to do a men’s line at Sheetal.

This line was appreciated and Shashank went back to Delhi armed with confidence and enthusiasm.

In Delhi, the market for men’s wear was just booming and here he had an opportunity to work as a design consultant with study by Janak and Gopalsons, both market leaders in men’s designer wear. Shashank literally crafted the fashion philosophy of both stores.

He also designed clothes for Villa Appearances, a store at South Extension II, Delhi. “Taking up men’s wear was a challenge and I had already done a line at Sheetal”, he says. It was from 1994 onwards that he set up his studio-cum workshop-cum factory at Shahpur Jat, Delhi and began his label ‘VASH’. Retailing his men’s suits, shirts and bridegroom wear to begin with, Shashank made quick inroads into all big stores retailing ensembles for the groom.

Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Calcutta and Hyderabad...you name the city and he was there. Not just in India but the merchandise is now also available at top retail stores in the UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa and Malaysia. His sherwanis and Jodhpuri’s had a special audience with the NRI community overseas. “Indian weddings happen all over the world and my ensembles for the groom were an instant hit.”, says Shashank.

After presence through the shop-in-shop concepts and retail in large stores, Shashank decided it was time to open his own signature stores in mini metropolises to begin with where the market is prolific and buzzing for more.

He called his store ‘‘VASH’’ which was crafted into a design studio the possibilities of which stretched as far as his imagination could. Today his stores in Jaipur, Delhi, Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jodhpur and Hyderabad are situated in the happening bubs of all the metropolises. Vaibhav Shashank presents some of the most stunning creations to complement life’s most cherishable moments. A board meeting, a vital date at the club, a formal dinner at the Ambassador’s residence or an occasion as personal as your Wedding. You can just walk into any ‘‘VASH’’ store and walk out as a transformed man.

A perfectionist in design, Shashank, who crafts each piece himself believes everything starts with the textiles. Paying a fitting ode to the great India textile trove, Shashank feels for the loom like a revivalist — working with various textile schools for his bridal-wear, he works with a range of the textiles that stand for quintessence. Textiles like soft wools that exude a textural story, fine brocades that turn in the regal wrap and weft, Scottish checks that ring in the old and fine cottons that fight the tempestuous Indian weather.

He handpicks his textile story with care. In the cut and style, he is ahead of times, setting trends and experimenting with existing realms of design to craft a whole new storyboard. At any time there are at least a dozen styles in blazers to choose from. In shirts he prefers a strong colour, keeping fuss at bay. HIs suits offer a variety of cuts and silhouettes with detail emerging in exquisite button and symmetrical styles in pockets and elegant embroidery detailing. This year, in fact, his embroidery packs in the glitter with Swarovski. There is, of course, subdued dabka, aari and zardozi, too, in minimal style, subtle tones and intricate designs. Swarovski crystals used in some garments are developed (on Shashank’s specifications) and imported directly from Austria.

Shashank also brings out a limited edition of shirts. The fabric for these is imported and the design is certainly stylish and ideal for the young crowd. The shirts and ties (made in the same material as the shirts) are smart. A range of trendy garments is available in ‘Leather Effect Fabrics’.

However, it is ‘OCCASIONS’ that is his raison d’etre. The sherwanis with safas from Vaibhav Shashank are simply captivating. His Sherwanis pack in the punch with contemporary cuts rubbing shoulders with heritage embroideries and his exquisite range of accessories for the groom take the breath away.