Chandigarh, February 23
DAV College teachers unit in its meeting today unanimously decided to boycott the college annual functions and intensify their struggle for its genuine demand of encashment of earned leave as provided by the Panjab University and UT Administration rules. The union also decided to hold a dharna once a week in front of the principal’s office in support of their demands of earned leave encashment and grant of provident fund on the total salary.

The union president professor Anil Sarwal noted that the union had been requesting the governing body of the college through every possible means to agree to their demands regarding retirement dues.

Chandigarh, February 23
Sun Microsystems delivered an innovative and simplified computing infrastructure to connect users and desktop applications at the Chitkara Institute of Engineering Technology (CIET). Sun claims that their system is delivering better performance, enhanced security, and greater uptime based on the Sun Ray architecture solutions. The combined solution is expected to help reduce total cost of ownership by up to 30 per cent over a PC environment by reducing administration and improving productivity.

Chitkara is the first educational institution in the region to invest in this state-of-the-art technology.

Sun is a leading provider of open network computing solutions to colleges and universities around the world, powering academic, research and high performance computing systems, campus administration, digital libraries and student instructions systems. In addition, Sun is committed to connecting the world's students to the Internet, beginning with primary and secondary schools and extending to all levels of higher education.

Chitkara selected the Sun Ray architecture solution as the primary component of its campus network. The solution allows Chitkara to keep up with the pace of multimedia applications, communications and daily operations. Additionally, it provides advanced network level security to protect the privacy of students and faculty.

These features, along with superior solution design are expected to deliver significant improvements to the way that systems are managed, maintained and upgraded.

"When evaluating the options presented to us for the upgrade of our campus IT systems, the choice was easy with the clear benefits that Sun's thin-client computing architecture delivers," said director CIET Dr Madhu Chitkara.

At Chitkara, Sun has installed 4 high end SUN servers with the best in class Solaris operating system. 300 thin clients are spread all over the campus connected on Nortel switches through a Fibre backbone.

The Sun Ray architecture is comprised of Sun Ray thin clients and Sun servers. By moving resources to a central location on the network and removing complexity, a much more flexible and easy-to-maintain environment is achieved.

Sun Ray thin clients are stateless devices, meaning that the applications, operating system, and data all reside on the server. The architecture enables system administrators to maintain and upgrade the system and applications at the server level, eliminating time consuming maintenance on individual desktops.

"The innovative technology of the Sun Ray architecture is an excellent fit for higher education, providing students with a new way to learn and keep pace with changing technologies," said Himanshu Chawla, General Manager - Partner Sales, Sun India. 

Chandigarh, February 23
Panjab University will introduce courses in MBA (biotechnology) and MA (police administration) from the forthcoming session. This was decided during the syndicate meeting held here this evening.

While approving the introduction of these new courses syndicate members, however, decided to discontinue with MA (music) offered to students appearing as private candidates. Syndicate members felt that private students of MA (music) face a lot of difficulty in completing practical training. However, the course will be offered to handicapped students who wanted to take it up as private candidates.

The syndicate set up another committee to give recommendations regarding what action has to be taken against Ajmer Singh, former director of sports in the university. Ajmer Singh had allegedly misappropriated Rs 1.65 lakh and a committee headed by H.L. Sharma had found him guilty.

At a syndicate meeting in July 2006 it was decided that charges be framed against him supported by documentary evidence and thereafter a complaint be filed with the Chandigarh Police.

The resolution on converting the discipline of geography from arts to science moved by R.K. Kohli was rejected unanimously.

The syndicate constituted another committee headed by syndic Devi Sirohi to review the recommendations made by the committee that had considered the revision of syllabus and admission criteria for BSc (home science) at Government Home Science College here. It was felt that the college should follow the UGC norms with regard to the teaching of the subject.

The UGC guidelines state that in the teaching of undergraduate home science courses there should be 45 per cent teaching of core subjects and 55 per cent home science courses. However, the system proposed by the committee would have meant that there will be only 25 per cent teaching of core subjects and 74 per cent of home science subjects. The proposed system also led to the reduction of teaching hours at Government Home Science College to just 4.5 hours a day and the reduction in periods per week from 52 to 16. The new committee will review these recommendations.

Announcing relief to candidates who have cleared MA I and are waiting to appear for MA II exam can now do so within five years of having cleared MA I. Earlier, this limit was three years. The syndicate also approved changes in the university calendar in this regard. Women employees of the university were also allowed to seek medical reimbursement.

The syndicate also decided that blanket affiliation/continuation of affiliation in the case of add-on courses (certificate/diploma/advanced diploma) for all years should not be granted at the first instance itself. Subject to a satisfactory conduct of the course at the preceding level, application for the affiliation/continuation of affiliation at the next higher level (of the three-tier system) would be considered.

The syndicate members also felicitated R.C. Sobti, vice-chancellor, on his having been appointed a member of the standing committee of the Association of India Universities (AIU) for the duration of the tenure of the office. He has been elected to the executive council of the Indian Science Congress Association and nominated to the task force on chronic diseases of the DBT, Government of India.

The members also approved the dates of the following events: National Science Day on February 27 and 28, special senate meeting on March 1, annual convocation on March 7, Chandigarh Science Congress on March 10 and 11. The Chandigarh Science Congress would be inaugurated by Kapil Sibal.

Chandigarh, February 23
The University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS) of Panjab University has been granted the status of Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi.

Chandigarh, February 23
A Diet nutrition counselling session for the parents was conducted at Government Model High School, sector20 D, here, today.

The session was held under school health program to bring awareness regarding healthy diet for school children. A team of dental, dieticians and pharmacist doctors interacted with parents and teachers regarding important dietary issues under the supervision of Dr Paramjyoti, Nodal Officer, School Health.

More than 200 parents participated in the program. Deputy DEO Chandigarh Administration Rajesh Minhas was the chief guest on the occasion. The school principal Anil Sharma thankfully appealed to the parents to chalk out a proper diet plan to supplement proper energy and vigour to keep the illness away thereby ensuring long life of their kids. He also advised neither to skip the meals nor to consume meal at irregular timings.

Chandigarh, February 23
The birth anniversary of ‘Lord Baden Powel’, Founder of Scouts and Guides movement, was celebrated as Thinking day at Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2, 3 BRD Air Force Station, here, today. An ‘All Faith Prayer’ was held by scouts and guides. Principal Ranjana Bassi blessed the children and encouraged them to enrol themselves in this movement to become good citizens. At the end, sweets were distributed among students.

The programme commenced with a Prayer. It was followed by various competitions. Guide Tullika of IX C enlightened the students about the life of Lord Baden Powell. Kanta Sikri, In charge of the Scouts and Guides, emphasised the importance of this day.

The most appealing of the various competitions were one act plays based on the principles of Scouts and Guiding. The first position was secured by Lotus Patrol in the skit, ‘Scouts are Loyal.’

An awareness rally was also organised under the leadership of Shri J.K.Pawar on the occasion. The programme concluded with vice-principal Amita Sharma conveying her best wishes to the participants. Later, light refreshment was distributed among students.

Ambala: The birth anniversary of Lord Baden Powel founder of Scouts and Guides, was celebrated in Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 here yesterday The principal, Mrs Shyam Chawla, paid floral tributes to Lord Baden Powell. The students recited prayers and songs, a cultural programme was also presented by the students.

Chandigarh, February 23
Students of the postgraduate Department of Mathematics, DAV College, Sector 10, organised a farewell function for the students of MSc II. Inaugurating the function, principal S. Marriya congratulated the students and wished them a very bright future. The students presented a variety programme, including a fashion show, songs, dances, etc.

Chandigarh, February 23
Lack of communication between the district magistrate and the UT’s Tourism Department over allowing stalls and swings during the three-day Rose Festival to an organiser, M/s Three Star Exhibitor, has became a source of embarrassment for the Chandigarh Administration.

Irritated over the changing stand of the Administration by first allowing, then canceling and again allowing the event, the organiser today moved the district courts against the Estate Office.

A suit for restraining the Estate Office from interfering in the holding of events has been filed in the court of civil judge (junior division) R.K. Singla.

Controversy also persisted over the Administration allowing a private exhibitor to run an exhibition in Parade Ground, Sector 17, after cancelling its permission. The condition put up by the Administration of not allowing commercial stalls was being openly flouted by the organiser, Innovative Group Pvt Ltd.

Sources revealed that due to lack of communication between the Estate Office and the Tourism Department over not allowing stalls along the Jan Marg, the Estate Office booked the space for Rs 1,05,000 to allow Three Star Exhibitor to install swings and stalls from February 21 to February 27. But when the organiser inserted an advertisement to invite interested parties, the anomaly was pointed out and the permission withdrawn. But it was again issued with an amendment that the permission was only for installing swings.

To add to the confusion, the Tourism Department allowed another company, Mittal and Company, Pinjore, to install swings at the same place as had been allowed by the Estate Office to Three Star Exhibitor. After noticing the error, the permission to Mittal and Company was withdrawn. 

Panchkula, February 23
Even as the debate to open or close entry points between sectors rages, Sessions Judge JR Chauhan has set aside the court order directing the opening of entry points while asking the same court to hear both the parties afresh.

While the case will be brought up again in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Anshu Shukla, the sessions court has also said that the new decision be given in the light of the written reply filed by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The latter had said that they had been unable to present their case earlier.

The next date of hearing has been fixed for February 26 in this regard. While businessmen have demanded the opening of these entry points recently closed by HUDA on the request of the Police Department, the police has sought permanent closure of these points to bring down accidents in the city.

So, while the business fraternity and the police are at daggers drawn on the issue, a final decision is awaited with eagerness by both parties. President of the Sector 7 Market Welfare Association BB Kochhar said the closure of entry points was not provided for in the master plan as well.

"We have checked up with the authorities concerned and have found out that the closure would also amount to violation of the master plan. Besides, the closure has meant monetary loss to us. So, we have to do something about it," he stated.

Chandigarh, February 23
Omprakash Chourasiya’s contribution to Indian classical music remains unmatched. A vocalist par excellence and now a santoor player of repute, he is credited with the revival of several rare art traditions like dhrupad and vrindagaan (choir singing), which go back to the Vedic age. In fact, till such time as khayal surfaced on the classical music scene of India, choir singing was the norm.

For Chourasiya, who served as Director of Ustad Alauddin Khan Music Academy, Bhopal, reviving the glory of choir singing was a challenge. But he worked towards it consistently, besides promoting old forms like Raigarh kathak, pakhawaj, sarangi and veena. At his institute Madhukali, people from all backgrounds and all age groups are welcomed, as long as they have a desire to learn music.

In Chandigarh today to open the Brahaspati Sangeet Samaroh with his recital, Chourasiya spoke to The Tribune about Madhukali and the need to make music available to all. Ironically, Chourasiya himself could not get what he so passionately wanted. A gold medalist in vocal singing from Benaras Hindu University, he had to give up singing because of a malignant ulcer in his stomach.

“It was very frustrating. I had already spent 10 years learning vocal music and tabla under Pt Lalmani Mishra of Benaras gharana. Then one day I was asked to give it all up , if I wanted to live. And I did.”

Chourasiya’s guru inspired him to take up santoor, which was easy to master for someone who had taken lessons in tabla. Chourasiya acquired a new skill. Today he is second only to Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma in repute and he is also humble enough to admit that Pt Sharma is his ideal.

Chandigarh, February 23
The delectable strains of mixed musical melodies wafted across the rosy and fragrant ambience of Rose Garden as acclaimed ghazal maestro and playback singer Vinod Sehgal presented his choicest compositions in Sham-e-Ghazal today.

The event organised by Chandigarh Tourism was a testimony to the fact that ghazal is the ultimate in lyrical expression.

After being welcomed by Vivek Atrey , Director Tourism, Vinod Sehgal commenced with ‘Sun malka mari’. Hit ghazals from Mirza Ghalib mesmerised the audience.

With his expertise as a maestro, he brought the delicacy and fineness of feeling and expression. He also rendered “Hothon se chhu lo” immortalised by Jagjit Singh. But his hit Punjabi numbers “Kurti satt rang di” ‘Long da lishkara’ ‘Peeni pai gayi’ drove the audience crazy.

Chandigarh, February 23
Madhukar Anand has a difficult legacy to keep. This disciple of Pt Birju Maharaj has imbibed the best of Lucknow kathak and is now on his way to mastering the nuances of the form. A dance professor at the Department of Dance, Punjabi University, Patiala, Anand was in Chandigarh today for a kathak presentation. The recital, which was part of the opening presentation at the Brahaspati Sangeet Samaroh, shone with the finesse of his master.

After Ganesh Vandana, Anand danced on another composition, written, composed and choreographed by Pt Birju Maharaj, whose tutelage Anand sought years ago. Not that it was easy to get Pt Maharaj as a guru, Anand was lucky to be known as a close friend of the legendary dancer, who has changed the very dimensions of kathak in India.

“Pt Birju Maharaj rescued kathak from the trammels of gharanas. He uplifted it to great heights. I am proud to be part of his life. He has enriched my form immensely,” Anand said earlier during the day. For him, the association with Pt Birju Maharaj came as a blessing. “Before I met him, my dance lacked wisdom and vision. But after getting trained in his styles, I feel more at ease with the form. Pt Birju Maharaj’s excellence lies in the elegance with which he treats mundane expressions. He actually brings themes to life.”

Anand is most impressed with his guru’s indulgence in abstract art. Only recently, he directed a production called “Journey of a file in a government office” and another one on the many uses of iron. “Only my guru has the brilliance of making the usual look unusual and inspire everyone around him with hope. At Patiala, I am trying to pass on the same legacy,” he said.

At Law Bhavan Auditorium today, Anand exhibited the best of Pt Birju's style. He was the second performer of the day, the first being Omprakash Chourasiya, who presented a santoor recital. The samaraoh will continue for two more days.