The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

From Schools & Colleges
Importance of bio-infomatics highlighted
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24
Ravi Kumar director, Bio Minds Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad on Friday delivered a talk on “Bio informatics - scope and career prospects” at DAV College, Sector 10. It was followed by an interactive session of the speaker with students. The speaker highlighted the growing importance of bio-informatics and bio-technology in the field of Life Sciences. He pointed out the fact that bio-informatics holds a promising future in India.

FRESHERS: The second and final year students of the BCA department of Government College for Girls, Sector 11, organised a welcome party for the freshers on Friday. The group songs and dances performed by the students. The dance performances by Simmi, Niharika, Ankita were highly applauded by the audience. The highlight of the function was the song sequence presented by Nishi, Meena, Neha and Rinki. Shuchi was declared Miss BCA, Karishma and Samridhi were declared Miss Charming and Miss Well-Dressed.

PRESENTATION: The mass communication department of MCM DAV College organised a presentation on “ECHO-2007” on Friday. The students showcased the presentation on issues like India- Pakistan, The of role of women in India, nuclear deal, reality shows on Indian Television. They also presented the biography of prominent personalities like Laxmi Niwas Mittal, Sunitha Williams, Saurav Ganguli, Shahrukh Khan.

CLUB: As part of the ongoing orientation of the new batch at the Dev Samaj College of education, Sector 36, environment club of the college was inaugurated on Friday. The programme started with the college prayer followed by a play titled, ‘Khulli hawa ki talaash mein…’ by CEVA (Center for Education and Voluntary Association) Drama Repertory Company. The basic idea of this play was to explore the patterns, relationships between the “what’s” and “how’s” of issues concerning environmental degradation.

Mohali

BLESSINGS: The management, staff and students of Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dera Bassi solemnised Sri Akhand Path Sahib on beginning of the new session. The directors and principles of various institutes in and around Dera Bassi graced the occasion. Prof Avtar Singh, chairman of Sri Sukhmani Group thanked the parents and the students for the over whelming response to the institute as all the seats approved by AICTE have been filled.

INSURANCE: Tata AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd. launched a special insurance scheme for Guru Gobind Singh College of Modern Technology, Kharar. According to the scheme of the college, the students will have to pay Rs 120 as premium and in turn the student will be covered for Rs 50,000 towards accidental cases.

FUNCTION: The first batch of MBA students at Shaheed Udham Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Tangori, was accorded a warm welcome at a function organised by the Shaheed Udham Singh group of colleges here on Thursday.

Teej: Tiny Tots of Gian Jyoti Public School were attired in green clothes to mark the celebrations of Teej on Friday. Bindiya from Class IX got first prize in this competition, Parleenjit and Prabhjot from X and IX respectively were together placed in Second Position and Aayushi bagged III prize for the same. Lalit Saini from Class VII, Gaganpreet from Class VI and Shubham from Class VIII were placed in First, Second and Third Positions respectively for making splendid and matchless masks. They were praised for their superb creativity.

State of Govt Schools
Students prefer floor to benches
G.S. Paul
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24
Can you guess why nearly 50 per cent students in most government schools in the city prefer to sit on the floor than benches or chairs meant for them? The reason: Sitting on benches, they cannot read the blackboard. It has nothing to do with their eyesight. The fact is that it is the reflection or the glare from a side of the board which makes it difficult for them to read whatever their teacher writes on it.

A quick survey of various schools in the city by a Chandigarh Tribune team made startling revelations, not only about architectural flaws in the design of buildings but also their poor upkeep and maintenance.

It seems no one in the Chandigarh architecture department ever visits the schools after the buildings have been occupied.

A number of government schools across the city suffer from serious inadequacies, including buildings with little space, improper light and ventilation and improper electrical installations.

The situation worsens during rain when water enters classrooms. Officials say most classrooms of GMSSS-45 lack proper illumination and ventilation because of fault in its original drawing.

“In the original design, the main gate was being designed towards the main road, which is against norms. Ultimately, the same drawing was twisted at 190 degrees and this building was completed accordingly. This has left no scope for proper windows, corridors and doors,” disclosed an official.

Experts are of the view that the education department should be consulted at the time of approving the design so as to avoid defects like narrow corridors, poor ventilation and poor daylight. Keeping the strength of students in mind, the space in the GMHS, Sector 26, Police Lines building, is insufficient. As a result, classes are being held in corridors or the veranda of the building. Some primary classes are being run from the basement of the building with no light and ventilation. In the rainy season, the situation worsens as there is no outlet for storm water. At the GMHS, Sector 26, and Timber Market School, water gets accumulated during rainy days. The GMHS, Colony No. 4, is another glaring example of architectural flaws.

The staircase beam here has been kept at a height of just four and a half feet, with the result that students have to bend whenever they have to cross the lobby.

Now, PG diploma in yoga therapy
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24
The name of Government Yoga Health Organisation, Sector 23, Chandigarh has been changed to Government College of Yoga Education and Health.

After a visit by the home secretary along with director higher education to the college on Thursday, it has been decided to speed up the affiliation process of GCYEH with the Panjab University, Chandigarh.

The department of higher education would provide all the possible facilities for the newly started UGC course of post graduate diploma in yoga therapy.

The required staff would be recruited on contract basis for the college in case there is any delay in making any regular appointment of staff. The department would be purchasing the necessary equipment for the college.

Also, the education department has decided to make available books for the general public on no profit no loss basis.

	City girls bring laurels in mental maths Chandigarh, August 24 Two city girls, 9-year-old Dona Aggarwal and Yuthika Kapoor (10) who are undergoing training in Japanese Abacus and Mental arithmetic with SEMAS (Soroban Education for mental Arithmetic Systems) have made city proud by winning first and second position in their respective age group. Among more than 3000 students who had participated from all over the country in a national level competition organised by SEMAS in Chennai on August 19. The little champions were able to solve 100 sums of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in less than 8 minutes with a very high degree of accuracy. Rinku Kackria, regional head was also awarded the best franchisee award. — TNS
	Nabard grant for schools, says Kanwaljit Our Correspondent Mohali, August 24 Nabard has cleared a sum of Rs 123 crore for schools in Punjab and three schools in every district will be given Rs 50 lakh each so that proper building and infrastructure can be provided. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, cooperation minister, said this after inaugurating a newly constructed block of Government Elementary School in Phase VII here today. The minister said the education system had suffered badly over the years. There were no proper school buildings, infrastructure and adequate teaching staff. Private schools were more interested in making profits. It was necessary that ordinary people were provided good education at affordable cost. He said the government was determined to bring about improvement in the education system. The minister later also inaugurated a newly constructed block of Government High School, Matour. Students presented a cultural programme on the occasion.
	Water Woes Students rue poor infrastructure at dept Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 24 The University Institute of Legal Studies’ (UILS) cup of woes seems to be overflowing, literally. Following the heavy showers today, water accumulated in several places on the ground floor including the foyer of the building. Students were seen making their way, warily through the corridors wet with rainwater, holding their jeans and trousers up. However, the building is under construction and the problem is arising from that, say sources who did not wish to be named. These problems will be settled once the building is complete they assured. The students said the campus requires to be built up its infrastructure and get the space in order before starting any new courses so that classes are not disrupted and students not inconvenienced.
	National award for GMSSS-44 teacher Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 24 Surinder Singh, principal, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 44-B, here, has been selected for National Award for Teachers 2006, here, today. Surinder, a Ph.D (Physics) from Panjab University, has to his credit a teaching experience of around 22 years and has served in various schools of the city as a lecturer of physics. Surinder Singh

Custodial Death: Arrest SI first, orders HC
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24
“A poor man’s child has died and nothing seems to move. If the deceased had been a rich man’s son, the entire police and administrative machinary would have swung into action,” said Justice Rajive Bhalla, mincing no words while taking the UT police to task.

Justice Bhalla and Justice Uma Nath Singh were hearing a petition filed by Phulwati, mother of Anil Kumar, a Colony No 4 youth, who allegedly died in police custody at the Mani Majra police station.

The Bench asked SSP Dinesh Bhatt to file an affidavit regarding the investigation and the action taken against the accused.The case was adjourned till Tuesday.

The Bench seemed particularly peeved at the UT police’s slipshod investigation into the matter.The extent of UT police’s lethargy could be guaged from the fact that the SI accused of beating Anil to death has not been arrested so far.This despite the constant prodding by the court.

“We will not hear the case till you arrest the accused SI. You have not made even an attempt to arrest the accused,” observed an obviously irked Bench, which has already given a number of opportunities to the UT police to mend its ways.

The UT counsel came out with a ready excuse and replied that the police was waiting for CFSL and PGI reports and it was not shielding the accused SI.

Justice Uma Nath Singh observed: “Do you want us to direct the CBI to arrest the accused?.”

The counsel admitted that there had been ‘some irregularities’ but SSP, Dinesh Bhatt was himself monitoring the case now.

Justice Rajive Bhalla admonished the police with a barrage of caustic observations.

The proceedings witnessed an animated discussion on the evidence, injuries on the deceased’s person and the cause of injuries. The Bench, trying to explain the fracture on the left thigh of the deceased, observed that Anil was a weak-bodied youth.

“Have you forgotten rollers used by the police,” Justice Bhalla observed, puncturing the counsel’s argument that a thigh injury could not be due to torture.

The police also submitted photostat copies of the case diary before the court.

Colourful start to Teej fest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24
A heritage and Teej festival organised by the municipal corporation took off to a colourful start at Shanti Kunj here today. The day began with a series of cultural competitions among schoolchildren.

A traditional Himachali nati (a dance from) was presented by Rattan Dhiman and group from Rajgarh in Solan. Haryanvi dances were also presented. Punjabi folk dance jhumar was presented by Kulwant Singh and party of the Baba Pokhar Singh group. This was followed by giddha and other performances by college girls from Punjab.

The star attraction of the day was Manpreet Akhtar, a renowned Punjabi singer, who enthralled the audience.

Harjinder Kaur and Rajpal Singh, secretary-general, Punjab Arts Council, also danced to folk tunes.

Sitar recital for blind
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, August 24
Acclaimed sitar maestro, Padmabhushan Pandit Debu Chaudhuri will present sitar recital and interact with the audience in three separate programmes organised by Spic-Macay as a part of their envisaged 'Virasat-07' plan.

The first concert will be held at the British School Sector 70, Mohali on August 25 while the Institute of Microbial Technology, (IMTECH) Sector 39, will be the venue for second concert scheduled for August 26. The maestro will also perform for students of the Blind School in Sector 26 on arrival from New Delhi tomorrow. Art lovers however are welcomed to the concert, said the spokesperson of the Spic-Macay.

Former dean of the faculty of music and fine arts at the University of Delhi he hailed as the foremost exponent of the 'gharana' tradition, author and creator of eight new ragas.