The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Senator’s plea on teachers’ past service
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 11
Dr R.P.S. Josh, a Senator of Panjab University, has urged the UT Administrator, to issue orders to the Administration to immediately implement the decision of the Centre and the UGC in the matter of counting of past service of teachers for their placement in senior scale or selection grade.

In a communication addressed to the Administrator, Dr Josh pointed out that the Administration had already committed itself to implement the decision while accepting assistance to the extent of 80 per cent of the additional expenditure for implementation of revised UGC pay scales to university and college teachers.

The Union Government, he said, had clearly mentioned that it would provide financial assistance to the extent of 80 per cent of the additional expenditure to such state governments, as wished to adopt and implement “The Scheme of Revision” of pay scales as per their terms and conditions.

Both the Punjab and the Chandigarh Administration had adopted the scheme and had already received financial assistance. The Central Government had emphasised that “the payment of Central assistance for the implementation of the scheme was also subject to the condition that the entire scheme of revision of pay scales, together with all condition, was implemented without modification”.

The UGC, in its regulation 8 under the caption “Counting of Past Services”, had laid down that previous service, without any breaks as a lecturer or equivalent, in university, college, national laboratory, or a scientific organisation (e.g. CSIR, ICAR, DRDO, ICSSR, ICHR) and as a UGC research scientist, should be counted for placement of lecturer in senior scale/selection grade provided that: the post was in an equivalent grade/scale of pay as the post of a lecturer; the qualifications for the post were not lower than the qualifications prescribed by the UGC for the post of lecturer; the candidate who applied for direct recruitment should apply through proper channel; the lecturers concerned possessed the minimum qualification prescribed by the university for appointment as lecturer; the post was filled in accordance with the prescribed selection procedure as laid down by the university/state government/Central Government/institution’s regulations.

Dr Josh said the Haryana Government had also implemented the decision and had already extended benefit of the past services to its employees.

As Punjab and UT had received 80 per cent assistance from the Government of India towards the implementation of the recommendations, there was no reason for delaying or not implementing that part of the obligation.

Commerce, science streams in demand
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 11
With each academic year the demand for seats in commerce and science stream in government schools of the city is rising.

The trend was witnessed during the ongoing admission to Class XI in the government schools. As all the seats in the science and commerce stream have been filled, a marked increase in the cut off percentage in the two streams has been seen.

Officials in the UT Education Department say that all the seats have been filled despite an additional 440 seats being added in the two streams.

“Seeing the rising demand the department would have to rationalise and add more seats from the next academic year”, said an official.

Barring Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 8 ( 50.6 %) and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 20 ( 56.2 %), the cut off in all other schools stopped at 62.2 per cent. Eight of the schools registered a cut off above 70 per cent.

The cut-off has gone up to 86.8 per cent from 83.6 per cent ( 2003). The cut off for GMSSS, Sector 35 stopped at 87.8 per cent from 84.4 per cent ( 2003).

In case of GMSSS, Sector 33, the cut off was locked at 80.8 per cent from 76.5 (2003) and 73.2 ( 2002).

In case of commerce, the cut off touched 75.5 per cent from 71.2 per cent (2003) and 72.2 per cent (2002).

In GMSSS, Sector 16, a student with 77.8 per cent marks was the last one to secure a seat.

The cut-off was 71.2 per cent ( 2003) and 67.2 per cent (2002). The cut off percentage for the two streams has been going higher in case of Government Model Senior Secondary School in Sectors 16, 33, 35 and 37.

The official said over the years the demand for the two streams was not being met with the existing number of seats. The limited seats in the private school in the city, offering the science and commerce stream, had added to increased demand at the government-run schools.

LIFESTYLE

Mini amusement parks hot with children
Monica Sharma

A toy train with dense grey smoke billowing out of the chimney — chugging down the tracks meandering through thick woods — crosses a bridge overlooking a pond with little ones playing. As the train comes to a halt, passengers get off at the station to savour tea and ride stationary bikes.

Over the years, the popularity of such mini amusements parks has increased along with their numbers. At present, there are at least seven such parks, including the ones at Sukhna Lake and Indira Holiday Home in Sector 24.

“Youngsters today may actually find it hard to believe, but one had to drive down beyond Panchkula for having fun with your friends until a few years ago,” says Rohit, a Class VII student, who is a regular visitor to such places.

“Things changed — for good — after open space near eating parlours at the lake was converted into an amusement park. For a change you could take a ride on a toy train or else have fun on stationary bikes. That also after paying a nominal amount from your pocket”.

As the place gained popularity, other entrepreneurs decided to go in for such parks. “An important development was the reintroduction of the toy train at Indira Holiday Home,” says Ravi Mehta who has been in the entertainment business for the past 15 years.

Withdrawn after an accident a few years ago, the train was again allowed to chug down in September last year,” he says. “Even after 10 months, you can hear excited shrieks of youngsters as the gleaming red and yellow train with ‘Jai Mata Di’ printed across the engine comes to a halt at the station”, he adds.

The entertainers at the home have now gone a step further. They too have created a fun centre for little ones. After paying Rs 50, youngsters can not only take a ride on the toy train, but also drive mini jeeps, enjoy ride in mini taxis and swing in a boat or splash in a pool.

The pool owner, Mukesh Kumar, says that it their prime attraction. “Just two feet deep, there is no danger of drowning. At the same time, the little ones can play with balls and rings”.

An artist of promise
Swarleen Kaur

“For me the most important thing is to derive satisfaction from my work. I take my work as a challenge and try to give it a unique touch”, says Mohali-based artist Charanjeet Kaur.

She is a fine arts graduate and a diploma holder in interior decoration . She put up her first exhibition in terracotta decoration pieces and block printed suit dupattas.

Every year she put up exhibitions on the eve of Divali in Ludhiana, Chandigarh and New Delhi. She has worked with various commercial establishments like CITCO and Trident, as well as for domestic projects.

Since 1991 she has been holding exhibitions of work in pottery, block printing, stained glasses, wall hanging and oil canvas etc.

She has specialised in making wall hanging in various mixed media like m-seal, paper-machie, plaster of paris and other hand-work.

She also experimented in traditional and other art forms like Warli-art from Maharashtra, Gujarati art from “kutch” region in Gujarat, Punjabi Folk Art from Rural Punjab.

Some of her paintings are based on Feng Shui principles, which are meant for material gains, prosperity, good-luck and good-relationships.

She intends to work more with various forms of murals and is keen to set up an export unit.

A carefully chosen mural or a piece of art can create the right ambience, be it home, office, hotel, restaurant or an educational establishment.

“I like to experiment with various forms for a mural be it wood, wrought-iron, mosaic, glass, cement, stone, tiles and so on”, says the artist”.

Murals can be made on new constructions or created during renovations. Murals can change the energy of a place, uplifting the mood of the occupants.

She is, at present, working on projects that create the feel of a perspective. Imagine looking out of the window of your house and having the view of the scene of your favorite hill-station, foreign or a landscape! It’s possible now with her new range of murals.

The Indian art customer has become aware of art and artwork than before. “But he needs to be more understanding. He should give the artist the space and respect to create something excellent for you. Often people want the best but are not willing to pay accordingly. Moreover by giving respect to an artist, you can draw the best out of him”, she said.

Debajit Chakraborty enthrals listeners

Debajit Chakraborty exhibited fine control over his instrument as he presented his recital at the 90th monthly baithak of Pracheen Kala Kendra in Sector 35 on Sunday.

Honouring the season, Debajit began the concert with raga “Mian ki Malhar”, one among his favourite ragas that offers an immense scope of creativity and imagination. As an amalgam of “Gaud” and “Kanhada”, the raga is mesmerizing in its structure, as was clear from Debajit’s recital. The instrumentalist approached the raga gently, expanding it gradually so that the soul of the melody is not lost in the haste of presentation. The musician’s progress within the raga was customary - alaap, jod, jhala.

Using his knowledge of two gharanas — Bishnupur and Rampur Senia — Debajit brought out each swara distinctly, serving the raga as a virtual treat to the listeners. This presentation was followed by raga “Surdasi Malhar”, which again reflected the charms of the rain and all its romance. From slow to fast tempo, the musician handled the raga with care, as if nurturing it every time he struck a note.

No wonder, the listeners were not lost in the maze of complexity, considered part of a classical presentation. They consumed the raga, as the musician served it - simply and delectably.

Later Debajit was also joined in his recital by Chiradeep Banerjee on the tabla. He concluded his recital with a tune in raga “Mishra Maand”. — TNS

Liquor brand launched

Alcohol happens to be the root cause of most health ailments, yet its consumption is increasing at such a pace that alcohol beverage manufacturing companies are being forced to increase their production capacity by 10 per cent or more annually.

Due to an increase in demand, these companies are faced with the problem of shortage of empty bottles.

The vice-president of the UB Group Spirits Division, Mr Dalip Garg, who was in the city to launch Derby Special Premium Whisky brand, said they had launched the brand in Rajasthan in September, 2003. The same was also launched in Punjab, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh, but due to shortage of packaging material (empty bottles), it could not be launched in Chandigarh and Himachal earlier. It would be launched in Delhi next month, he added.

The company, which recorded a turnover of Rs 2,000 crore in 2003-2004 has already sold 1.8 lakh cases of Derby Special in the country. It has a target of selling 5 lakh cases in 2004-2005.

The UB group claims a market share of 40 per cent. It has recorded sales of more than 35 million cases in 2003-2004. — TNS

Nek Chand opens showroom

The creator of Rock Garden, Mr Nek Chand, on Sunday inaugurated Shoe Mart, a showroom of shoes and leather accesories in Sector 22-A here on Sunday.

The air-conditioned showroom offers a wide range of leather footwear and leather accessories for men and women. — OC