Chandigarh, April 9
BCA (III) students who appeared for the Panjab University examination for computer graphics and multimedia today complained that the university had changed the pattern of the question paper. The students pointed out that the university had made 40 per cent of the paper compulsory while according to the earlier pattern only 20 per cent of the paper was compulsory.

According to the prescribed format, the paper is divided in three sections: section A, B and C. Out of which section C is compulsory and carries 20 marks. Sections A and B have four questions each out of which two are to be attempted from each section.

However, in today's paper, the prescribed format was not followed. Section C carried 40 marks instead of 20 marks.

There was no internal choice in Section C. Students alleged that it would be difficult for an average student to secure even 33 per cent marks. They added that the paper was very lengthy. “After attempting sections A and B, we barely had any time and space in our answer sheet to attempt section C,” they said.

Chandigarh, April 9
His calculations have paid-off. In addition to so many titles and prizes, mathematician Prof Kaumarya Manoj has been selected for “International Gold Star” award for his “countless” contribution to the field of education. The award will be presented by Delhi-based India-International Friendship at Katmandu on April 12.

The former IIT, Delhi, professor is “well know” in the city’s academic circles. Hailing from Patna, he takes weekly classes at a private school in Panchkula, besides encouraging the students to practically play with mathematics at a private college in Hamirpur. So far he has addressed seminars in over 500 schools spread across 14 states in the country.

The award includes prize money of Rs 50,000, a memento and a shawl. It will be presented to him after a special seminar on “Indo-Nepal friendship”.

In all 25 eminent professionals, including seven from India, have been selected for the award for their contributions to education, politics, science, medicine, arts, engineering, social science, architecture and software development.

Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral and Central Bureau of Investigation’s former Director, Joginder Singh, has also been bestowed with the honour. The other eminent recipients include: Mother Teresa, Sunil Gavaskar and Sunil Dutt.

Visibly excited, Prof Manoj says the award is being presented to him for his book “Probability Theory”. For most of us, advanced mathematics and engineering may be nothing less than Latin, but this is his fifth book on the subject.

Sitting next to you, the mathematics-magician makes it look so easy. If three people pick up 20 kg of load in five days, how much will seven pick in three days? Even before you comprehend the question, the performer has the answer ready. With the wave of his pen, he jots it down in less than half a minute.

“Just like any other game, mathematics is fun,” he says. “You only need to learn the art of playing it. Once you know the technique of hitting the answer, it’s all about practising”.

No angles to it; Prof Manoj is a genius. Without applying formulae and with zero knowledge of algebra, you can calculate his intelligence by listening to him for just 10 minutes.

Chandigarh, April 9
The process for accommodating over 7,000 children began at two government schools in Mani Majra today.

According to the education department officials, 1,236 students took entrance test at Government Model High School, Mani Majra, while another 1,022 students appeared at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Modern Complex, Mani Majra.

At least 912 students were admitted to Government High School, Mani Majra town, while around 150 students got admission to the primary classes of Government Primary School-1, 2 and Indira Colony.

This comes in the wake of guidelines issued by the Chandigarh administration in this regard recently.

Under the guidelines, admissions to GMSSS, Modern Complex, Mani Majra, and the GMHS, Mani Majra, are to be made through an entrance test, while the rest of the schools will offer admissions on “first-come-first-serve” basis.

According to DEO Kamla Bains: “This is the first phase of holding admissions to both schools. The second and last phase will be held shortly and decision would be made after working out the modalities.”

With a view to helping students displaced from the schools that were shut down in the residential areas of Mani Majra, the Chandigarh administration had decided to accommodate them in the existing government schools.

The decision on closure of schools running from the residential areas was taken by the administration on the recommendations of a committee constituted in pursuance of the orders passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. — TNS

Chandigarh, April 9
The Panjab University authorities have decided to introduce one-window system for enquiry/information from tomorrow. The new enquiry office will operate on the ground floor behind Aruna-Ranjit Chandra Hall where the persons seeking information will be asked to fill in a form pertaining to their enquiry between 10 am to12 noon and the reply will be provided at 3 pm. Those reporting late for seeking information would get their reply the next day. Entry to the administrative block will be restricted.

She described the importance of communication in parenting. She also laid emphasis on inculcating the value system in kids. She said with the emergence of nuclear family, media exposure, IT revolution and globalisation have brought several new challenges in the life of both parents and their kids. — TNS

Fun games

Sikander topped in the Class VII obstacle race trailing Aameen and Miljot to the second and third places in a special event ‘Pagal Gymkhana’ held at Yadavindra Public School, here, today.

During the event, fun games were organised for everyone right from Class I to XII students, teachers, administrative staff and Class IV employees of the school. — TNS

Chandigarh, April 9
The defence today challenged the jurisdiction of the general court martial (GCM) trying two colonels and a JCO for alleged misappropriation of ammunition, on the grounds of pre-trial irregularities.

Defence counsel Col S.K. Aggarwal (retd) submitted before the court that the Commander, 121 Brigade, Brig Rajeev Bhalla, had improperly and without authority ordered the recording of summary of evidence (SoE) even though he was not the commanding officer of Col Vishal Bhargav, one of the accused.

He further contended that the Brigadier had mechanically and arbitrarily got the SoE recorded and recommended that the officer be tried by GCM without complying with the statutory and mandatory provisions of holding investigations as per provisions of Army Rules.

Stating that neither were witnesses examined nor were documents scrutinised, the defence claimed that a colonel and NCO who had deposed before the SoE were not competent to make statements pertaining to any of the charges.

The defence maintained that the first court of inquiry (COI) into allegations of ammunition being dumped into the Indus had not blamed anyone, while in the second COI no fresh evidence was brought on record.

Seeking permission of the court to examine witnesses in support of its contentions, the defence also placed before the court the record of the hearing of charge and argued that no such step actually took place, thereby violating laid down procedures.