EDUCATION

PU scholarships for poor under scanner
Gayatri Rajwade
Tribune News Service

Panel’s recommendations  A fresh committee to be constituted to award scholarships in case the scheme continues  Plot at Panipat to be disposed off through an open auction  Amount accruing from the sale to be used to further the university’s academic requirements.

Chandigarh, August 16
The matter of a piece of land located in the Industrial Area in Panipat belonging to Panjab University and donated way back in 1960 seems to have opened a Pandora’s box. In a report submitted to the vice-chancellor, Prof R.C. Sobti, a fund accruing from the sale of a part of land, donated and converted into scholarships for poor and deserving students, has come under the scanner.

According to sources, the money is being given to candidates who do not deserve the scholarship. This, they say is in direct contravention of the spirit of a will which had bequeathed land to the university from which the endowment fund had been generated.

The report states that the affidavit submitted by the candidates to get scholarship is attested by the oath commissioner which has no legal sanctity and anybody can prepare it from the oath commissioner on the payment of just Rs 10 to Rs 15.

The scholarship is being generated by the interest accruing out of a corpus created out of selling three of the four plots of land (the unsold plot is at Panipat and which was vacated by the State Bank of India in April, 2007) donated to the university by a donor in 1960 was converted into scholarships for poor and deserving students.

This was done in accordance with the will of the donor which not only mentions scholarships from the income derived from the property but also states that the university is at liberty to use the money for academic needs that it deems fit.

What is inexplicable, say the sources, is that the scholarship which was started in 1976, does not seem to have criteria to identify what ‘poor and deserving’ will constitute.

In the report, say sources, Fellow Kehar Singh who was on the committee, is believed to have stated that a “foolproof and transparent” system needs to be evolved and one way of doing this would be by ensuring that the affidavit is attested by a first class magistrate.

Singh when contacted did affirm that the report had been submitted to the VC and that it was up to him to initiate action. He added that he had gone through all records from 1960 to date and, “I have indicated what was right as well as the shortcomings, pitfalls and grey areas.”

A member of the selection committee for these scholarships, speaking on conditions of anonymity stated that as far as he knew there were no discrepancies in selection and that each case was decided on the basis of their income and their merit. He further added that colleges and departments sent in the lists and selections were made on the basis of those lists submitted.

However, the report unearths other irregularities too. The State Bank of India in 2001 had agreed to increase the rent to Rs 20,000 from Rs 10,000. That decision, say sources, was never implemented resulting in a loss of approximately Rs 8 lakh to the university.

Instead, the university has been incurring an expenditure of approximately Rs 50,000 per annum by way of paying for the upkeep and security of the plot and premises after it was vacated by the bank. There was also a suggestion to open a shopping mall on this plot which has also been shot down.

“I have received the report only a few days ago. All this happened much before my time and I will have to read through all the previous paper-work before I comment. However, if there is any problem, it will be rectified immediately,” the VC said. 

PU dept students to step up protest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16
It has been barely 10 days since the first protest and students of the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) once again gathered outside their department to express their resentment and disappointment against the “step-motherly treatment” given to their department by the university authorities.

The students had gone on strike on August 6 and had decided to continue their protest till August 13 but had called it off after the authorities had assured them that their demands would be met. However, students say that nothing has been done since then.

They stated that VC Professor R.C. Sobti and DSW Professor Naval Kishore has said teachers would be appointed by August 13 but no appointments had taken place till date and the interview for the posts which were earlier scheduled for August 18 had been further postponed to August 26. “This means that the whole process gets delayed by a month as the Syndicate has just met and there is no further meeting scheduled,” they said. It was further promised that the canteen would be made functional by August 8 but it had not yet happened. As for the beautification of the department, the students said nothing had been done to repair and beautify the area outside the building except for the grass being cut.

The students said this time they have decided to go on indefinite strike and that they would now enter the classes only when the teachers are appointed and start coming to class.

From Schools & Colleges
Tricolour food festival
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16
The students of the Chitkara School of Hospitality celebrated Independence Day today by organising a Tricolour food festival on the college campus.

A team consisting of second year students Gaurav Bhatnagar, Neeraj Negi, Rohit Punj and Simranjeet Singh prepared special dishes, including Chak De India, Dal Hindustani and Tiranga Chawal, which became the flavour of the campus. Second year students Arjun Kaushal, Deepansh, Fiza Thakur, Vianaytosh Vashist, Neha Phutela, Mayank Kakkar and Shefali Saini created the ambience for the food festival. The festival was marked with great enthusiasm and flavour of patriotism among the students.

Fervour and enthusiasm

GCG, Sector 42, celebrated the 60th Independence Day with great fervour and enthusiasm. Santosh Kalra, principal of the college unfurled the national flag. On the occasion, large number of faculty members, non-teaching staff and students participated during the celebrations. The students of the college and NCC cadets presented patriotic speeches and songs imbued with the spirit of service to the nation.

Santosh Kalra in her address exhorted the students to work hard for unity and integrity of the country. Sweets were distributed after the recitation of National Song among the staff and students.

I-Day celebrated with zeal

Independence Day was celebrated with great zeal and fervour at Animaster’s Chandigarh centre. The institute was decorated with colourful tricolour balloons and flags. The celebration started with reciting the National Anthem.

Various competitions were also organised on the occasion for students. The main events were ‘Independence day theme poster making’, ‘Tattoos designing’, ‘2D and 3D poster making’. Prizes were distributed to the winners and runner up of all the events.

Ist prize for the ‘Independence day theme poster making’ competition was given to Aditi for her excellent theme on 61 years of Independence. Pushpinder was given first prize for sketching the poster of Bhagat Singh. Tejinder, Gurpreet Kaur and Arvinder were given the prizes for best designing in Digital arts. Master Naman, eight years old who showed his artistic works in designing was also awarded with a prize.

I-Day celebrated at KV High Grounds
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16
Patriotic fervour marked the 60th Independence Day Celebrations at KV High Grounds. The programme commenced with Monica, class X CBSE topper, hoisting the tricolour. Rajni Mishra of class XII gave a speech urging the students to nurture the torch of freedom by being noble in thought and action.

Another student recited a poem by Rabindrath Tagore. 'Where the mind is without fear', it was followed by a Group dance on the song 'Vande Mataram' by senior students and an enchanting action song by the tiny tots. A face painting competition for all classes was organised. Kartik of class VIII and Rishi and Jaya of Class I bagged the first position.

Patriotic fete

Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Government High School, Raipur Khurd, here. Chairman of zila parishad Bhajan Singh was the chief guest. The other prominent personalities present were DSP Davinder Thakur, SHO Jagir Singh and the representatives of panchayat samiti and gram panchayat. Students presented a colourful cultural programme. 

PU prof to deliver lecture in Malaysia
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16
Professor Jitendra Mohan, President, Asian Association of Applied Psychology, and former Professor of Psychology at Panjab University has been invited to deliver valedictory address on ‘Spiritual Psychology and Well-being’ at an International Seminar on Spiritual Psychology to be held on August 24 and 25 at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

As a resource person Dr Mohan will also be conducting a training workshop on ‘Enhancing Happiness’ at the Seminar in which about 500 participants from all over the world are expected to participate.

He has also been invited by the Director General of National Anti Drugs Agency of Malaysia, Government of Malaysia to deliver lectures on the peril of drug abuse in Asia and the need for international networking to gear up for this challenge and will also be visiting University Malaysia Sabah to conduct research workshops on Stress, EQ and Self Efficacy.

CULTURE

Tributes to Shiv Batalvi
Our Correspondent

Chandigharh, August 16
‘Eh mera geet kisse na gana’ with an anguished cry apparently emerging form his tormented soul, legendary Shiv Batalvi, the king of pathos seems to have cautioned his admirers not to partake his poetry of protest, frustration and intense emotions. But on the contrary the compelling charm, intensity and ardour of his timeless poetic creations have won people world over.

The record audience relished the musical tribute ‘Ikk Shaam Shiv de Naam’ held at the Randhawa auditorium here under the aegis of Punjab Sangeet Natak Academy in association with TPSMS Projects and consultants Limited. After the traditional lamp was lighted by music director Atul Sharma the acclaimed singer composer Parbhjot Bali, accompanied by Sarabjit Bhasin started the evening with a patriotic song ‘Mera vasda rahe Punjab.’

After the mundane start the musical soiree gained momentum as Ishmit brought alive the emotional outburst in her rendition of ‘Sajan ji’ and Prabhjot embellishing ‘Mainu tera shabab lei baitha’ with soothing Urdu couplets. It was however, Veen Kautish delineating the romantic psyche of Shiv in ‘Iokk teri akkh kasni’

The moods varied from grief to nostalgia as Parbhjot Bali and female singers doled out more soulful love songs of separation immortalised by Shiv, the solitary passionate singer. The accomplished set of musicians Vevel Sharma Dr Paramjit Singh led the accompanists. The chief guest Tejpal Singh of honoured the artists.