Chandigarh, February 8
The Department of Economics of MCM DAV College here organised an inter-college business quiz. Prof M.R. Aggarwal, an economist and an authority on international trade, was the chief guest. He stated that efficiency was the watchword in the present economic scenario and inspired the students to strive for the best.

As many as 14 teams from various colleges of the city participated in the written preliminary test, of which four teams qualified for the finals. After eight rounds of quizzing MCM DAV team (Niju Gupta and Grisham) won the first place, followed by the team from SD College-32 (Nayna Talwar and Ritesh Tomar) and another team from SD College (Namrata Walia and Gautam Sood) in the second and the third position.

Mohali, February 8
Indian Infrastructure Equipments (Quipo) today conducted campus interviews on the Chandigarh Engineering College campus at Landran for BE (Mechanical) students.

Company officials present on the occasion included Mr Nihar Ranjan Karmee, DGM, HR and Mr Rajesh Khanna, Senior Manager, Technical. The selection procedure included a pre- placement written test, group discussion and technical and HR interviews.

The selected candidate will be offered an initial salary of Rs1.59 lakh per annum during the training period along with other facilities whereas on the completion of training they will get Rs 1.8 lakh per annum along with performance-based incentives, he said. — TNS

Chandigarh, February 8
Members of the teaching and non-teaching staff of SGGS College, Sector 26, here staged a silent protest in the college against the termination of services of a teacher of the college.

These teachers along with the non-teaching staff formed a human chain outside the venue of a two-day national seminar that began at the college today. The teachers were carrying placards listing the demands. They also welcomed the chief guest of the day, Ms Shobhaa De, with a bouquet outside the venue after the session. The teachers said they were forced to do so as all other forms of protest had been banned by the college authorities.

The Principal, Dr Kuldeep Singh, said the teachers were not following court orders with regard to protests. He added that such forms of protest only showed them in a poor light. “Since the matter is subjudice I don’t see the logic behind such protests,” he said.

Meanwhile, a plethora of scholars and academicians from all over India assembled at the college today to discuss issues and problems related to trends in Indian writings in English. Prominent among them were keynote speaker Shyamala Narayan, Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia University, guest of honour Anil Raina, Chairperson, Department of English, Panjab University, Prof Bhargavi Rao, Osmania University, Andhra Pradesh, Prof Pushpinder Syal of Panjab University, Prof Sonjoy Datta Rao and Prof Sumita Aggarwal, University of Allahabad, Prof A.K. Awasthi of Dr H.S. Gaur University (MP), Prof Gautam Ghosal of Vishwa-Bharti, Santiniketan, Dr Niladri Chatterjee of Kalyani University, West Bengal, and Ms Divya Bhatnagar, GN College, Mumbai.

The Principal stated that Editor-in-Chief, Penguin Books India (P) Ltd, Ravi Singh, A.J. Thomas, Assistant Editor, Indian Literature, Sahitya Akademi, Mr Sridhar Balan, senior consultant, Ratna Sagar Pvt Ltd, will conduct a special session tomorrow.

Chandigarh, February 8
She is just the way she comes across in her works. There is no fiction at all in her works of fiction. Shobhaa De is equal to her writings. Delivering a mesmerising speech at SGGS College here today Shobhaa De said, “ I am merely a trader of words, words are my currency, writing is my vocation, it’s my livelihood. For me writing is like the Ganga, its just flows unbridled.”

In the city for the inauguration of a two-day national seminar on 'Trends in contemporary Indian writings in English’ organised by the Postgraduate Department of English at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College here, Ms De said the writing that did not  touch ones heart even if it was clinically correct and skillfully penned down was  failing in its purpose.

“Its appalling when writing is categorised. Who has the right to say that this is a good work or a mediocre work or pulp fiction? Literature finds its own readers. At the end of the day who makes or breaks a writer is not the critic but the reader,” she said. Please rise above this labelling and writing should not be driven by trends. Don’t pre occupy yourself with what the critics say and don’t beg for recognition from the best, followed the appeal.

Talking to The Tribune later Ms De added that a writer should never become a victim of his own or someone else’s construct. “My opinion on marriage now might change in 10 years. I would be a coward not to accept it. A writer has to be fearless. It takes courage to accept change.”

Having a dig at publishers, Ms De said Indian publishers were not ready to take risks with new authors. “It might startle you but a best-selling book in India means it has sold 5000 copies. Writers should be compensated and paid for the years of effort that they have put in. And the author should have no shame in demanding and getting what you think is your market value,” she said.

Indian writing in English has a great future and the young writers today have come of their own. They have shrugged off their colonial hangover. Their voices are no longer shackled and are not trying to write like someone else but their own self. “May a thousand writers bloom and lets get the literature we deserve,” she said.

“If you want to write, just pick up a pen and start. What are you waiting for? There is no other way to begin. I don’t choose subjects for my writing. Subjects choose me. The book is within waiting to be written,” she suggested young authors.

Shunning the role of a writer as an ambassador or having a “duty” to perform, Ms De said, “I am not a preacher nor am I writing for a noble cause. I am here to reflect society and that’s all. But I do what I feel is in my capacity to do for others. I don’t talk about it,” she pointed out.