Chandigarh, September 26
On a call given by Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) 24 college teachers, including three women lecturers, courted arrest today.

Working in the aided colleges affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University from Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Nawashahr, the teachers participated in large numbers in the protest rally held in front of DPI Colleges (Punjab), Sector 17.

The teachers violated Section 144 and later walked to the police station in Sector 17 to offer themselves for court arrest, raising slogans against the SAD-BJP government for its indifference to their demands. They were later remanded to judicial custody till September 27.

Earlier, the president and the general secretary of the union met the Punjab Chief Minister, who agreed to constitute a committee to resolve the teachers’ demand. A three-member committee would make recommendations to resolve the teachers’ long-pending demands.

Union president Prof S.S. Hundal said if the government did not accept their demands, they would continue their agitation of court arrests and on October 5 (World Teachers’ Day), the executive committee of the PCCTU would court arrest.

PCCTU General secretary Dr Kuldip Singh criticised the Badal government’s for failing to keep the promises made during elections. Meanwhile, general secretary, All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation, Prof V K Tiwari extended his full support to the PCCTU agitation.

Vice-president, PCCTU, Prof Anil Sarwal said the non-teaching employees’ union and principals’ federation had extended their full support to the ongoing agitation and the managements’ federation and students’ unions too were likely to extend support.

Meanwhile, the principals’ association of the GNDU area decided not to work so as to enable the teachers to participate in the rally. Principal Rita Bawa addressed the rally and condemned the apathetic policies of the government. 

Chandigarh, September 26
The Department of Sociology organised a weekly seminar on ‘Daughters’ Rights in Joint Family Property’ by Prof Basant Kumar Sharma of the Department of Laws today.

With the Amendment 2005 in Hindu Succession Act, 1956, (which replaced Section 6 of this Act) daughters have become coparceners in their own right in joint family property by birth, like sons, he said. Prior to this amendment, the daughter had a succession right in the father’s share of property and she could not claim so long as her father was alive. However, it is yet to be seen whether this amendment would benefit and empower women in times or would it create a conflict.

Meet concludes: The two-day seminar on ‘Challenges in Plastics Industry’ organised by the Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology and the Indian Plastics Institute concluded today. Department HoD Prof Daljit Singh said a major highlight of the seminar was the increasing focus on environment and resources by all participants, including representatives of industry, government and academia. Refresher course: A refresher course organised by the Department of Psychology in collaboration with the Academic Staff College on ‘Research Methods in Social Sciences’ concluded today. The course began on September 6 and 31 college teachers attended the meet.

Mohali, September 26
It seems one hand does not know what the other is doing at the Punjab School Education Board. The board’s secretary Pavitterpal Kaur issued a press note yesterday announcing a unique scheme open to all technical institutes in the state, which the board’s chairman D.S. Dhillon thought should not have been issued, as no such scheme existed.

The secretary stated in the press note that all those running technical institutes in Punjab and interested in starting Classes IX to XII in the science group should apply to the board by October 1, 2007. Students admitted in such institutes would be allowed to attend classes from October 15 and a decision regarding waiving the 75 per cent attendance rule for such students would be taken later.

The press note further stated that such institutes could apply to the board for affiliation of Classes I to XII by November 30 as a special case. “Amendments in the affiliation rules for such institutes would be sought from the Punjab government," concluded the communication.

The chairman D.S. Dhillon said it was not needed that this note be issued as “those who had been allowed to run such classes had already been chosen. Some companies wanted to encourage study of science and offered to run science classes in some government schools in Punjab. A few of them were allowed but this is not a scheme, which is open to all. Please ignore the press note,” he said. The secretary could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Chandigarh, September 26
A ten-day NSS camp got underway at Government College for Girls, Sector 42, with the principal, Santosh Kalra, doing the honours today. More than 175 NSS volunteers would attend camp.

Adviser of college’s NSS wing Dr Gurdev Singh welcomed the chief guest and highlighted the achievements of NSS during the past years. He elaborated that more than 500 students had enrolled for NSS during the current session. During the camp, the volunteers would be involved in community services in the adopted village, Khajheri.

As part of the ongoing 10-day NSS regular camp at GGDSD College, Sector 32, around 100 volunteers attended the seminar on stress management through Art of Living today. Head, Department of German language, Panjab University, Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan delivered the lecture. He talked about the importance of meditation in controlling stress. A ten-day NSS camp kicked off at Government Home Science College, Sector 10, today. Principal Dr Sukhvarsha Narula inaugurated the event as students put up a colourful cultural programme to mark the occasion. About 100 volunteers are participating in the camp.

The principal highlighted various activities of NSS to the students and encouraged the volunteers to spread the feeling of selfless service. The unit would be providing training on nutrition and health education, embroidery, knitting and painting, etc, to the women of the adopted village, Khuda Ali Sher.

MEMORIAL LECTURE: The Department of History and library of the Government College, Sector 46 today organised a memorial lecture on Shaheed Bhagat Singh today. The freedom fighter’s nephew Prof Jagmohan Singh delivered the lecture. Former editor of Desh Sewak Dr Prem Singh, trustee Desh Bhagat-Yadgar Hall Bibi Dalbir Kaur and reader, Punjabi Department, Regional Campus Jalandhar, Dr Raghbir Kaur were the guests of honour. Dr K.S. Saluja welcomed the chief guest and HoD, history, Anita Berry introduced the topic.

FRESHERS’ PARTY: The Department of Psychology, DAV College, Sector 10, organised a freshers’ party for the students of MA (psychology). A cultural programme was presented on the occasion and Umesh Pandey was adjudged Mr Fresher and Paimal was declared Miss Fresher.

Chandigarh, September 26
The Chandigarh Librarians’ Association thanked Punjab government and Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal for removing the anomalies in librarians’ pay scales by adopting the UGC-recommended and Government of India-approved pay scales.

With this move, the government met the long-pending demands of the librarians for restoration of complete parity with the teachers. The association has urged the UT Administration to follow suit at the earliest so as to extend the benefit of career advancement scheme (CAS) and pay fixation at 14,940 to both the UT cadre librarians (working in government and private colleges and other libraries) and those on deputation.

Chandigarh, September 26
A delegation of NSUI student activists, led by state president Nitin Goyal, met UT home secretary Krishna Mohan and finance secretary S.K. Sandhu today and submitted a memorandum demanding state honour for cricketer Yuvraj Singh.

Goyal said most of the state governments had announced special rewards for the players from their respective states. Vice-president Kushal Singla asked the UT Administration to recognise the significant contribution made by Yuvraj.

Meanwhile, general secretary Pulkit Jindal requested the officials that besides a cash reward, the administration should also honour Yuvraj and organise a massive state welcome function for him. The finance secretary, who is also the UT sports secretary, assured that the Administration would honour the Indian player. — TNS

Chandigarh, September 26
In the light of the setting sun, the placidity of the evening sprung to life as the ‘young warriors’, the first and second year students of the Department of Indian Theatre at Panjab University, put up an impassioned marital arts performance.

It was the culmination of a 20-day workshop in thang-ta (Manipur) and tai chi conducted by martial arts exponent from the National School of Drama, Delhi, Guru S. Biswajit Singh.

He is in fact here for the second year running and believes this workshop is an essential tool for training actors as it not only helps them explore their own bodies but also the space around them.

Having been a part of NSD since 1989, he is credited with developing martial arts into a full-fledged curriculum, having learnt how to use it in performances from the doyens of Indian theatre like Alkazi and Thiyam.

“These forms open up tremendous possibilities both physically and in terms of performances because it helps you achieve flexibility and energy, both of which are important aspects for an actor,” he emphasises.

This is precisely what chairperson of the department, Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, hopes to achieve. “I am always hungry for whoever can share their skill sets with these students for I believe this is one way of increasing their theatre vocabulary,” she states.

And despite the gruelling schedule, the students are not complaining. Nisha Sharma, who is participating in this workshop for the second time, said: “We were not so serious in the first year. But now I realise our movements are much more controlled.” Apart from the flexibility, balance, strength and stamina that come from being a part of this workshop, Nisha feels her confidence has got a tremendous boost.

Chandigarh, September 26
The Consumer Forum-I today directed DTDC Couriers to compensate the complainant on account of misplacing her courier. The company has been asked to pay Rs 4,500 for negligence and causing harassment to the complainant, Suman.

The complainant stated that she had booked a parcel on October 13, 2006 to be sent to her daughter in Bangalore and added that the parcel contained her daughter’s birthday gift. For this consignment, the courier company charged Rs 480 from the complainant. However, the courier did not reach the complainant’s daughter, for which no satisfactory reply was given by the courier firm. The respondents admitted that the courier was booked but stated that the complainant had not disclosed the contents of the parcel.

The forum stated that the complainant had deposited the courier with goods worth Rs 4,000 and important documents with the courier company. They stated that the records showed negligence in service by the respondents.

The forum stated, “The complainant has suffered mentally, physically and financially and is also entitled to Rs 450, which were charged by the respondents to book the parcel.” 

Chandigarh, September 26
Contesting the decision of the Consumer Forum-I, the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) has filed an appeal before the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission but, the commission has directed it to pay Rs 6 lakh compensation as pronounced by the forum.

The Consumer Forum-I had directed the corporation to pay compensation of Rs 1 lakh to complainant Gurjeet Singh on March 26, 2007. The complainant stated that he had moved an application for the allotment of an industrial plot in Focal Point at SAS Nagar.

He was allotted a plot measuring 500 square yards with a letter dated June 7, 2001, and was given the possession lettter. He added that he had paid Rs 1,74,000 within 45 days from the issue of the letter.

After visiting the plot, the complainant found that there was no provision of electricity and development in the area. Also, basic amenities were not provided.

The decision was pronounced in favour of the complainant so the respondents filed an appeal before the state commission.

The complainant averred that they had suffered as their factory could not be started due to electricity supply.

The state commission stated, “The complainant has made an investment in shape of construction of the building and purchase of machinery for which they must have taken loan and must be burdened with interest. Thus the compensation is enhanced to Rs 6 lakh instead of Rs 1 lakh.” 

Chandigarh, September 26
Walking into Ahmed Shujau’s space, you experience strange tranquility. Ask him what makes his art serene, and he says: “I communicate through silence. It’s a language everyone understands. When I use it, it no longer matters, if I am a Maldivian. I am an artist and that works.”

Shujau’s artworks, on display at Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi in Sector 34 State Library, are an extension of his philosophy. They are calm as an ocean. Each work takes off from a unique Maldivian nuance and becomes universal. There are dreamy landscapes, splendid horizons, white sand beaches and Maldivian belles - all captured on silk screens which have then been embossed on to the canvas. The technique is unique in its projection of prints as paintings. And it looks promising.

The very first work helps the viewer establish an instant connection with the Maldives, where Shujau belongs and works. It’s about inked lines that portray Maldivian scenery by showing a day in the life of the islanders.

Elongated reflections of moored boats and the sun on calm waters are reminiscent of the relationship between the ocean and the islanders. A little ahead, Shujau displays the pole, the fishing vessel and the rudder, which guide Maldivians through stormy waters of the ocean. It’s their lifeline and the colours have been carefully chosen to project their need.

A separate series on three marine creatures with uniquely wild characteristics adds another chapter in Shujau’s depiction of the Maldives through art. Some other pieces capture the nature’s halt in the island harbour under the setting sun; yet others are splashes in yellow and gold - which create the effect of moving winds and dancing waves.

At times one wonders why the Maldives’ most successful artist should come all the way to show art in Chandigarh. But Shujau has his reasons. Every city offers ideas that enrich artist’s mindscape. Professionally, Shujau has been deriving ideas from across the globe. He is basically a conceptual artist and has been doing a lot of view drawings for resort bids. Besides, he has tried illustrating, set and pavilion designing. Last year, he even won the pavilion bid for the official visit by the President and the first lady of Sri Lanka.

But plain, innocent art is Shujau’s first love. And his passion is especially reflected in his series on Maldivian belles. The work is captioned: “This one is a tribute to the culture and lifestyle of a true Maldivian belle”. All other works, too, celebrate Maldivian life and beauty, and effortlessly so.