Chandigarh, July 29
The Panjab University authorities seem to have given up on the upkeep of the campus. The ground near hostels number 4 and 7, which was used for playing cricket, is now all wild growth. The ground was at one time used for inter-hostel tournaments. The hostels, too, present a sad story where complaints overflow just like the drains in the bathrooms.

Sportspersons on and off the campus have expressed resentment over the condition of the ground. However, this has failed to move the authorities. The potholed entry points to the ground are filled with rainwater, blocking access to it.

“Last year there was a track in this ground where many hostellers used to jog but this year the ground is not in a condition to be used by anyone,” said law student and hosteller, Rohit Bajaj. Also, the boys’ hostels are plagued with uncut grass, peeling paint, insanitary bathrooms and poor drainage systems.

“Most of the times the drainage system of the bathrooms gets clogged which causes inconvenience. The water supply is available only for a short span. There are water storage tanks but the employees on duty are not particular about turning on the water motor. That’s why these remain empty,” rued a new Patel Hall hosteller.

Rohit Sharma, a hosteller residing in Hostel No. 5 said, “The toilets and urinals here need to be cleaned twice a day but the sweepers do this only once a day.”

Panjab University Students’ Union (PUSU) organising secretary Ankush Watts said PUSU had submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor regarding the poor upkeep of the campus.Dean (students welfare) Nawal Kishore said, “I am not aware of the actual position of the ground as my concentration is diverted to Sector-25 complex these days, anyhow the ground will be revamped within two days.

The hostel washrooms are being renovated and further I have a plan to paint all the hostels,” he added.

Chandigarh, July 29
A month-long workshop on cultural education and skill building is being held at St Kabir Public School, here today. The workshop specifically for classes IV to VIII has been focussed on attaining higher grounds in international education and cultural tolerance within students and to promote peace and prosperity. Maddie and Brijal from USA, Medon from Japan, Rebekka from Germany and Meg from China are conducting these workshops.

Mohali
PARTY: Freshers party at the D.A.V. Public School, turned out to be a bonanza of fun and frolic, as students gathered at the multimedia auditorium of the school. It started with a welcome note from school principal, Jaya Bhardwaj. Kalyani Gupta was adjudged Ms Fresher whereas Divyaroop Anand was declared Mr Fresher. Anubhav Khurana defeated her rivals to be declared as MsCharming and Madhu was declared Ms Best Dressed.

COMPETITIONS: Saint Soldier International Convent School here in collaboration with Environment Protection Society, SAS Nagar held its 10th Annual Essay and Painting Competition on July 28. Environmental studies subject is part of Government of India National Environment Awareness Campaign 2007-2008. The results would be declared in November when the prize distribution function will be held to mark Children's Day.

Mohali, July 29
“Van Mahotsav Week” was celebrated in the campus of Desh Bhagat Institute of Management anhd Computer Sciences at Mandi Gobindgarh in which Nidhi Srivastava, district forest officer of Fatehgarh Sahib was the Chief guest. A NSS camp was organised wherein 200 students planted 1000 saplings.

SEATS: The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has approved 120 more seats for Indo Global Engineering College, Abhipur, in computer science and electronics engineering. Col R.S. Khera, head training and placement cell, said 49 national level companies visited the college for campus placement this year, in which 7300 students from 63 engineering and MBA Colleges participated. Those selected have been offered salaries ranging from 1.5 lakh to 4.5 lakh per annum.

SESSION: Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT), here began its new session on Saturday.

The new students seeking admissions in various courses offered by the institute number to 180. The institute had also invited experts from garment industry, retail market, art, design, management and related fields to address the students and apprise them about the fashion industry.

Landran
PLACEMENT: Chandigarh Engineering College, Landran (CEC) will begin the new session with a joint campus placement drive by a leading multinational U.S. Tech Solutions tomorrow. As many as 1,773, students of B.Tech/MCA of 2006 and 2007 batches from 23 colleges of Punjab and Haryana including Government Colleges, GNDU Amritsar and Punjabi University, Patiala will participate in it.

Chandigarh, July 29
Rich melodic tributes were paid to the legendary Mohammad Rafi, a peerless maestro by the Yaadgar-e-Rafi society at a musical contest held at a function titled `Rafi finals and Rafi awards-2007’ at the Tagore theatre, here today.

The participants were supposed to sing songs of music director, O.P. Nayyar. The songs were allotted after a draw. The largely attended event was supported by the Department of Public Relations and Culture Affairs Chandigarh, with the Tribune group of newspapers as the media sponsor.

As many as 16 boys and 12 girls, selected after many rounds of auditions from among 200 aspirants vied for the final laurels in junior and senior category today, disclosed RD Kailey.

With the advent of spurt of TV channels and holding competitions like Sa Re Ga Ma, Indian Idol or Voice of India, many the incumbents for today’s competitions had cultivated their voice by learning classical music. Over 45 winners in our ‘Rafi Memorial Competitions had participated in the above national TV shows.

The music composer Raman Kant and his array of illustrious musicians were at their best while JK Singh of AIR Lucknow conducted the show with admirable competence. All the 28 singers presented 36 songs immortalised by Mohammed Rafi and composed by OP Nayyer.

The results are:

Category Senior Male — Vinal Malik (I), Deep Kataria (II), Chander Kant (III), Senior Female —Sarmishtha Bannerjee (I), Priyanka (II), Phaguni (III)

Junior Male - Laksya Kapoor (I), R.Kartik (II), Kshitij Bansal (III)

Junior Female — Pritika Bhasin (I), Rupali Chhabra (II), Jyotsha Kapoor(III)

Consolation — Samabhav Anand and Sukhna Singh.