Chandigarh, September 6
Referring to the Report on Higher Education submitted by the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) under the chairmanship of Sam Pitroda to the Prime Minister in November 2006, as “divisive”, AIFUCTO (All India Federation of University & College Teachers’ Organisations) today released their alternative policy on higher education in Panjab University today.

It is an unofficial document but one that “belongs to the people, the teachers, students and other stakeholders in the system of higher education,” says Dr V.K. Tewari, general secretary, AIFUCTO.
“While the mantra today is inclusive education, yet the way higher education is developing, people are being excluded from it,” he said. He advocated strengthening of education by keeping it within the ambit of public domain instead of ‘leasing’ is out to private players and excluding all those who could not afford private education.

The alternative policy suggested by them was preceded by a critique on the NKC’s report as the AIFUCTO is demanding a national debate before the implementation of the report.

“We have sent our alternative policy to the President, the PM, the UGC chairman and the planning commission but nobody has responded with our request for a discussion,” said Dr Tewari.

He said a survey done by the Association of Indian Universities which revealed a shortfall of 3.3 lakh teachers in higher education. “How are we to meet this demand unless we make higher education accessible and affordable to all,” he asked.

Elaborating, Dr Tewari said the problem lay in the report inviting private capital in the expansion of higher education. “Degree granting power is very significant. We fear that degrees will be sold in a big way by private universities,” he said.

However, while private universities and colleges were being derided for their “profiteering” role in higher education, it was also concluded that the government had withdrawn from its responsibility in providing quality education to its citizens which is why private players had also benefited from coming into the education sector.

The meeting was attended by PUTA president Dr A S Ahluwalia and Secretary, Professor Manjit Singh and fellow R N Sharma.

Chandigarh, September 6
In the second phase of its agitation, the teachers working in the non-government aided colleges of Chandigarh struck work after the second period in support of their long-pending demands and to express solidarity with the teachers who have offered themselves for the court-arrest on the ‘Teachers Day’.

In the morning, teacher’s representatives led by Prof S.S. Hundal and Prof Anil Sarwal, president and vice-president of PCCTU respectively enquired about the well being of their members at Burail jail.

Prof Rakesh Mehta, president Chandigarh District Council said, “Providing adequate grants to the aided colleges for the timely disbursement of salaries is the moral responsibility of the Punjab government.” He added that agitation would be further intensified if the Punjab Government does not agree to the legitimate demands of the teachers.

Teachers of the aided colleges of Chandigarh would cease work again on September 7 after the second period and assemble in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Sector 17 where the teachers who courted arrest yesterday would be brought from the Model Jail, Burail for the hearing before the Executive Magistrate”.

Chandigarh, September 6
Though the exact date for the students’ polls at Panjab University and city colleges this year has not been announced still most of the colleges are doused in the election frenzy.

While almost all colleges have prohibited sticking of banners and posters on the campus walls, it seems students care two hoots about the orders.

For students, posters still seem to be a big hit when it comes to campaigning for their favourite candidates. Though at DAV College, Sector 10, most of the students have found exceptional ways to show their support.

Students including girls can be seen roaming around with party stickers on their notebooks, arms, handbags and even clothes. Similar sights can also be seen at other colleges.

Interestingly, though girl students form a major vote bank for the students’ elections every year, the trend has always been on the contrary.

The boy's canvass for their candidates extensively while the fairer sex prefers to be mere audience.

While rumours regarding the date of elections go on, it would be only decided after the hearing of the PIL on September 12.

On the other hand, if the experts are to be believed, the elections can be held only after September examinations. 

From Colleges

Chandigarh
launch: Xplora Design Skool (XDS) launched its Global Design campus in Gurgaon in collaboration with British Columbia Institute of Technology, Canada on Thursday. Announcing the collaboration at a press conference organised, Preeti Dhariwal, managing director of the Xplora Design Skool said, “Under the collaboration with BCIT students from all across South East Asia will get an opportunity to study at Vancouver, Canada.” The students can enroll in for a digital animation course of one-year besides a postgraduate diploma in animation, multimedia, web specialisation. — TNS

Chandigarh, September 6
Taking up the Manimajra custodial death case, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the sealing of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) record in the matter.

The Bench, comprising Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice Rajive Bhalla, also reserved orders in the case and suggested the respondents to consider the feasibility of compensating the young widow or any other family member.

At the very onset of the case, the judges also questioned a junior scientist with the CFSL regarding certain observations in the report. The Bench, on the last date of hearing, had raised serious questions over certain observations made by experts in the CFSL and post- mortem reports.

In her petition against the UT administration, UT SSP, SHO of police station Manimajra and others, petitioner Phoolwati had contended that on July 11 her son Anil Kumar was taken away by the police in connection with a case.

The next day they were informed by the police about his death in an accident. Petitioners stated that the family had come to know that during the investigation he was brutally beaten by the police. Holding one sub-inspector Narender Singh responsible for the death, the petitioner had claimed that a concocted story about the victim's fall from a building was narrated.

Chandigarh, September 6
The department of information and public relations, Punjab, has proposed an amended advertisement policy suggesting that no photographs of political leaders, who are not holding any government office, shall appear in advertisement or display.

This was submitted in an affidavit by director (information and public relations) A.S. Bains in response to a public interest litigation by advocate H.C. Arora. The petitioner had sought directions to the states of Punjab, Haryana and the union government to recover the expenses incurred on the advertisements inserted in newspapers on the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi on August 20, 2005.

The affidavit also said the contents of advertisement shall be in conformity with the Punjab and Haryana High Court orders. It added that the photographs of national heroes, freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives, or other prominent personalities and religious gurus may be used for display advertisements.

The High Court, in its order on July 18, 2006, had observed that advertisements which had photographs of Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had absolutely no concern with the administration in Punjab and Haryana though undoubtedly they reflected the leadership of the ruling Congress.