Chandigarh, September 19
A 14-year-old student used a mobile phone to surreptitiously click a picture of his teacher and later circulated it among his classmates via MMS, embarrassing her. In another incident, a teacher caught a student enjoying songs on FM in the classroom.

Such incidents are becoming increasingly common in city schools, if staff members are to be believed.

While the education department has imposed a ban on the use of cell phones by teachers in classrooms, the orders ironically, make no mention of the use of cell phones by students.

The use and misuse of cell phones in schools has came under discussion following the Karnataka Government’s latest strictures to ban mobile phones for kids under the age of 16 or students studying below Class IX.

The notice, which has been sent by the DPI (S), has directed the principals of the schools to ensure the implementation of these instructions and to take necessary action against the teachers who flout it.

DPI (schools) S.K. Setia, when apprised of this, conceded that it was a lapse on their part and he would issue fresh instructions on the matter. “We will ascertain how the part pertaining to the students was left out. Moreover, when the instructions were issued, this problem was, perhaps not so acute. I feel, strict strictures are required to avoid any unpleasant happening”, he said.

Another official claimed that 60 per cent of the unauthorised objects recovered from students during examinations were mobile phones, which could be used for cheating. “Still there are no clear cut instructions by the department. Features in cell phones like SMS and notes are, at times, misused for such purposes,” he added.

Parents have a mixed opinion. Some support the view that its usefulness is primarily for their children’s safety. “Students need mobile phones to get in touch with us while in school, tuitions, sports activities or for any assistance they may require,” Gayatri Kharbanda, a housewife said. For this, expensive sets with features like cameras and bluetooth are not required and basic sets would do.

Madhu Behl, principal of KB DAV-7 and CBSE helpline counsellor, was of the opinion that UT Administration should, on the lines of Karnataka, impose a ban on the use of mobiles by the students. “If the parents think they would be out of touch with children, then let them tell us which school is without a telephone. Moreover, it is the liability of principal and teachers to take care of students during school hours,” she said.

“A mobile phone has its advantages and usefulness and its use cannot be banned. However, there is no reason why students cannot be asked to switch off their phones during school hours. At work, employees are expected to switch off their phones during meetings so why can’t children be prepared for life after school,” Gurcharanjeet Sandhu, an executive with a computer firm said.

Chandigarh, September 19
The US has warned India of sanctions in case it failed to take effective steps to tackle human trafficking.

It continues to be a serious problem in India, says the latest US State Department Trafficking in Persons report in which India has been placed on the Tier II watch list for the fourth consecutive year because of its failure to tackle this multidimensional problem.

The report, released recently, states that though the Government of India is making significant efforts, it does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.

Taking the report seriously, Ambassador-at-large and director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and senior adviser to the secretary of state Mark P. Lagon was on a two-day visit here to gather first-hand information of the situation on ground. He held closed-door meetings with government officials and with the ministry of women and child development.

Tight-lipped about the report, he stated that the US had put India on the Tier II list following strict parameters.

Lack of any significant federal government action to address bonded labour, the reported complicity of law enforcement officials in trafficking and related criminal activity, and the critical need for an effective national-level law enforcement authority impede India’s ability to effectively combat its problem of trafficking in persons.

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) estimates that 90 per cent of sex trafficking is internal with women and girls from Nepal and Bangladesh being the main victims.

In September, 2006, the central government had established a two-person nodal cell, which, however, did not have any authority to investigate and initiate prosecutions of trafficking crimes across the country.

Some initiative has, however, been taken this year. Three state governments established anti-trafficking police units with substantial US and UNODC assistance. The central government passed a law in October, 2006, banning the employment of children as domestic help and in the hospitality industry. In a July, 2006, decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Maharashtra could seal brothels under the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA).

The report observes that the government did not take any substantial measures to prosecute its officials involved in trafficking-related corruption, though it arrested three of them for their involvement in such cases.

It also states that efforts to investigate and punish trafficking crimes during the past year were uneven and largely inadequate. Only 27 convictions for trafficking took place in 2006. At least 43 rescue operations led to release of 275 victims of commercial sex trafficking from their exploiters. However, vigorous prosecution of traffickers was not done.

India arrested 685 suspected sex traffickers, but there were no reported prosecutions or convictions this year so far.

The report quotes a study by the National Human Rights Commission that a majority of traffickers claimed to rely on corrupt police officers for protection.

The central government reported no protection services offered to Indian victims trafficked abroad for involuntary servitude or commercial sexual exploitation, and it does not provide funding to repatriate these victims. The government of Kerala, however, appointed nodal officers to coordinate with Indian embassies in destination countries to assist victims from the state.

The government of India relied heavily on NGOs to assist sex-trafficking victims. Though a few states operate such homes for victims, they do not receive any protection services, such as psychological assistance from trained counsellors. Many victims do not get long-term alternatives to remain in the shelter.

Andhra Pradesh, the state with the largest number of trafficking victims, now provides Rs 10,000 to sex-trafficking victims.

While the ministry of overseas Indian affairs instituted a system requiring women below 35 to obtain authorisation to go to the Gulf as domestic helps, it failed to educate those travelling overseas on common trafficking perils or resources for assistance in destination countries.

Chandigarh, September 19
Ad hoc, callous, anachronistic are some of the adjectives that best describe India’s approach towards the spectre of huge refugee influx.

For nothing else can explain the lack of a comprehensive national legislation to address the issue and that too in a country which is home to around three-and-half lakh refugees (World Refugee Survey 2003 figures).

How lethargic our policy makers are can be gauged from the fact that despite the ever-burgeoning menace of terrorism, which has assumed global proportions, the country has not considered signing the UN Refugees Convention 1951. The convention provides the platform to legally recognise the refugees and ensures protection to them.

“It eliminates, to a great extent, the threat posed by illegal migrants who otherwise would remain unrecognised and incognito,” Ranjit Malhotra, a city-based advocate, who spoke at length on the issue at the elite 15th Commonwealth Law Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, recently.

Malhotra highlights that people fleeing persecution and ending up in India are left at the mercy of government’s slipshod policies and the limited operations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Importantly, he was one of the few leading Indian lawyers, including the likes of Soli Sorabjee, and the only one from the northern region to attend the conference.

It is not that judiciary has not responded to the menace with wider anthropological and social implications.

The apex court, in the matter of National Human Rights Commission Vs State of Arunachal Pradesh (1996), had categorically stated that all ‘refugees’ within Indian territory were guaranteed the right to life and personal liberty.

Even the judicial nudge has failed to prod the government to enact a law. It cites financial crunch as the ostensible reason for not doing so. Another interesting, though convoluted, logic given by the government is that the UN convention of 1951 is too “Eurocentric” and thus unsuitable to address Indian needs.

Giving the details of the conference, Ranjit Malhotra stated that the theme of the 2007 conference- Governance, Globalisation, and the Commonwealth- embraced many of the current issues facing today’s Commonwealth lawyers and the communities which they served.

The programme featured a blend of these challenging issues-human rights, globalisation, corruption, HIV/AIDS, dispute resolution, the intersection of state and religious laws, discrimination and access to justice, to name but a few.

The conference was inaugurated by President Kibaki, who in his inaugural address called upon lawyers to help draft laws that would protect the environment, promote economic growth and check the advances of climate change which resulted in abnormal weather patterns.

Chandigarh, September 19
Roll Numbers for the supplementary examinations to be held from September 27 have been dispatched by the PU.

The following results have been declared:

B Sc (H S) 1st Year, Anthropology (Re-appear) July 2007, M Sc (H S) 1st Year, Anthropology (Re-appear), July 2007, M Sc (H S) 2nd Year, Biotechnology (Re-appear), August 2007, B Sc (H S) 1st Year, Biotechnology (Re-appear), August 2007, M Sc (H S) Bio-Physics, 2nd Year (A.S), April 2007.

Chandigarh, September 19
Thanks to Integrated Education for Mentally Challenged Children started by the psychiatry department of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, as many as 34 children have got admission in different government schools of the city. A batch of 25 more is also ready for admissions.

The initiative began when drivers of buses carrying students at Government Institute for Mentally Retarded Children, Sector 32, were asked to stop their buses some distance from the locality by the parents due to the social stigma, explained Dr B S Chavan.

“We decided to help these children in getting admission to schools to fight the stigma,” Dr Chavan, who is joint director of the institute said.

For the purpose, 34 children with mild problems were selected initially. But the task proved rather tough with most schools expressing apprehension about their ability to take in such students. Principals and teachers were of the view that it could affect the studies of other students. Also, these special children would be difficult to tackle.

Principals of 100 schools were invited to an awareness camp at the Government Mentally Retarded Rehabilitation Centre where they were introduced to the children. They were asked to observe the children at their respective classes held at the centre. The response was amazing with the principals expressing their willingness to admit the children in their schools.

Twelve-year-old Rohit from Dadu Majra was admitted to Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, Chandigarh.“The boy was admitted to Class I and was able to develop a good rapport with his classfellows despite the age difference,” said Sukhwinder Kaur, his classteacher.

“Contrary to our fears, he remains quiet most of the time and never hesitates doing his school work,” she says about him with fondness.

Jugnu (10) of Colony No.4, was admitted to Class I in the same school in May. His teacher C. Veena Jacob says he is trying hard to understand things.

Salim Raja, 13, was put in Class IV, but will have to be sent to Class I.

“There will always be limitations in the case of these children, yet we will have to provide them a chance to join the mainstream,” says Dr Chavan, adding there are more than 20,000 mentally challenged kids in the city.

Chandigarh, September 19
Though much has been promised to better the parking facilities throughout the city, little has actually been done. This especially holds true for the parking space behind the Sectors 7 and 26 showrooms located along the Madhya Marg.

Elaborate plans to increase and regulate parking space along the Madhya Marg have remained on paper. Some work to clean up the parking area behind the showrooms in Sectors 8 and 9 was done after the UT Administrator visited the area.

However, no such effort has been made to re-carpet the parking area behind Sectors 7 and 26 showrooms. The area, which has been facing neglect for years, could accommodate hundreds of vehicles, thus lessening the chaos in front of the showrooms.

Though the commercial area along the Madhya Marg is one of the busiest business hubs, the parking area and open spaces in front of the showrooms have not been beautified.

Shopkeepers of the Sectors 7 and 26 markets had petitioned to the UT Administrator a year ago. “The request was sent to the UT Secretariat for necessary action. Since then, we have been making rounds of the UT offices. Instead of helping us, the Administration is thinking of spending crores on multi-level parking,” said a trader operating in the market.

It is pertinent to mention here that even the recommendations of the sub-group set up by the Governor’s Advisory Council on building bylaws and architectural innovations has recommended utilisation of the parking space locate behind the showrooms.

Though no efforts are being made to use this area, it seems the officials want to gobble up the green space along the Madhya Marg to create additional parking.

Things have come to such a pass that vehicles are often seen parked along the main road. The parking lots of markets, particularly those of Sectors 7, 8, 9 and 26, are always running full, leaving others to park on the dividers in front of the markets.

In a fresh representation sent to the UT Administrator, the Madhya Marg Building Owners’ Association has assured cooperation in beautification and maintenance of the parking behind the showrooms. They believe that opening of this area would enable entry from behind the showrooms.

“If the area is beautified, people can be asked to park their vehicles behind the showrooms. The Sunday car bazaar can also be organised there,” a Sector 26-shopkeeper said.

Chandigarh, September 19
A group of 30 students from Suru River Valley, Ladakh, arrived in Chandigarh today as part of the excursion tour organized by the Army under Operation Sadbhavna.

These tours are meant to build bridges of friendship between Ladakhis and others residing across the country.

The tour in question was flagged off on September 10 by Brigadier R.J.S. Dhillon, Deputy General Officer Commanding 8 Mountain Division, from Kumbhathang.

During their Chandigarh trip, the schoolchildren from Ladakh spent most of their time at Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden. Needless to say, they seemed absolutely enthralled with the ambience which, they said, “Was unlike the depressing serenity of Ladakh”.

The children also visited Panjab University and enjoyed the lush greens, but the highest point of their visit was a meeting with Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd).

They also enjoyed their trip on CITCO’s hop-on, hop-off bus. The children are scheduled to return tomorrow.

Mohali, September 19
The booklovers of the township find it disheartening that the Sahibzada Ajit Singh Municipal Library and Samaj Vikas Kender lack adequate facilities. They complain that even the timings of the library do not suit them.

Though they have welcomed the move of the Municipal Council to run the library itself instead of handing it over to a private business house, they felt that the right kind of books were required to make it more useful.

Earlier, a private party was running the library from a building constructed by the civic body at the Silvi Park in Phase X, which terminated its operations on June 30. The House unanimously decided to run the library at its own level at a monthly meeting held on June 27. The MC took over the charge of the building on July 25 and posted a peon and a clerk there.

Anil Kakkar, a resident of Phase XI, a regular visitor to the library, complained that only some newspapers were available after the library was taken over by the council. Magazines were made available only on September 13. He said the morning timings of the library were from 8 am to 12.30 pm, which did not suit senior citizens. He suggested 10 am to 2 pm as the new timings.

J.S. Bhogal of Phase X said there were hardly any good books in the library. Most of the books available were of a publishing house based in Mansa, he added. He put forward the idea of stocking books of celebrated writers apart from some expensive books, which were beyond the reach of the common man.

The executive officer of the council, J.S. Thind, said the staff on duty had not brought to his notice that magazines were unavailable at the library, adding that office politics was behind this.

Thind said a complaint register had been placed at the library and visitors could give their suggestions to improve its functioning. They could even suggest the names of the books, which could then be purchased by the council. He said only a limited number of books (worth Rs 50,000) had been purchased so far.

Chandigarh, September 19
The Chandigarh Police, in collaboration with the Chandigarh Senior Citizens’ Association, is going to organise a brisk walk competition at Sukhna Lake tomorrow.

The event, scheduled to be flagged-off by UT IGP S.K. Jain at 6.30 am, would be organised for both men and women in the age groups of 60-65 and 66-70 years, which is an open participation. For the male participants in the age group of 60-65 and 66-70 years, the distance to be walked would be 3 km and 2.5 km, respectively. For female participants in the age groups of 60-65 and 66-70 years, the walk would be held for 2 km and 1.5 km, respectively.

The police said anybody willing to participate in the event could register for it with the association at the lake. The participants must bring a documentary proof of their age and should also be medically fit for participation.

Morning walkers go to parks for relaxation, fresh air and to enjoy nature. But it is now becoming increasingly impossible, going by the prevalent conditions at the city parks.

Even though the MC has provided a number of dustbins in the parks but since these are without lids, they have become a source of big time nuisance.

The garbage attracts stray dogs who draw it out, spreading it around the bin. The resultant foul smell is unbearable and the mess is a potential breading ground of diseases.

The public has been facing this nuisance since long. The Chandigarh municipal corporation should either eliminate the dogs from the city - which is a long pending demand of the people of Chandigarh - or arrange to replace all dustbins in the parks and other public places with the ones which are covered.

It will not only be a great relief to the morning walkers but will also be, overall, a welcome move.

G.K. Chopra, Chandigarh

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Chandigarh, September 19
The Crime Branch of the police seized 268 cartons of liquor which was being smuggled out of the city late last night. The police arrested driver and cleaner of truck. However, the kingpin managed to give a slip to it.

The liquor is worth about Rs 2.30 lakh, said the police and efforts were on to trace the kingpin. The liquor was loaded from industrial area and was being taken to Hoshiarpur.

In charge of crime branch inspector Satbir Singh said following secret information, a team set up a naka near marble market in Dhanas. They stopped a truck (HR-45-2997) and its search led to several brands of liquor.

The team arrested truck driver Surinder Singh and cleaner Raj Kumar, both residents of Hoshiarpur. However, the kingpin behind the liquor trafficking, Rashpal Singh, who was also travelling in the truck, managed to flee. He sped away in a car which was following the truck.

The police said the truck was specially designed for the purpose of liquor trafficking. It has a cabin behind the driver’s cabinet and its door open into the cabinet. A case under the Excise act has been registered in this connection.

Chandigarh, September 19
The local police booked two persons for reportedly duping a Dhanas-based marble trader of Rs 90,000.

Rohit Sharma and Kuldip Sharma, both residents of Rihor village in Panchkula district, had purchased marble, etc, from Ram Krishan, owner of Ram Krishan Marbles, but did not make payment for the same.

Police said Ram Krishan lodged a complaint that Rohit and Kuldip had purchased marble, tiles and other construction material worth Rs 90,000 from him on April 3. They gave him a cheque for the same amount. However, they later asked him not to withdraw the amount as they would make cash payment instead. The two then took the cheque back from the marble trader, promising to make the payment soon. However, they began dilly dallying and fed up with this Ram Krishan reported the matter to the police.