Ludhiana, September 26
Dr Raj Kumar Mahay, professor and head, department of agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, will be the new registrar of the university. The current incumbent Dr V.K. Sharma retires on September 30, after the longest tenure of about five-and-a-half years.

The appointment is likely to be approved by the board of management of the university in its meeting scheduled for tomorrow. The agenda of the meeting has already been circulated.

With the appointment of Mahay, the university has continued the practice of appointing an in-house registrar, that too, from the faculty itself. Sharma was the first non IAS/PCS registrar of PAU and he proved to be quite successful.

A certain section of employees within the university had suggested that PAU should revert back to the practice of having a bureaucrat as the registrar. However, it neither found favour with the university authorities nor the government. Appointment of a bureaucrat as the registrar was said to be contributing towards creation of an alternate power centre in the campus.

Moreover, the experiment of appointing an in-house registrar had worked well in other universities in the region. No other university in the region, particularly Punjab or Haryana, has a bureaucrat as its registrar.

The interviews for the post of registrar, dean, College of Engineering, additional director, research, and additional director, communications, were held on September 23.

Dr A.S. Binning, an Indian-born American scientist, is learnt to have been appointed dean, College of Engineering. Binning is currently based in California. He is learnt to have been prompted to join PAU after M.S. Kang, another eminent Indian-born US-based scientist, took over as the vice-chancellor of the university.

While Dr Jagtar Dhiman of the department of pathology has been appointed additional director, communications, Dr M.S. Aulakh of the department of soils, has been appointed additional director, research (agriculture).

Ludhiana, September 26
The student leaders of Punjab Agricultural University, who went on strike the day India won Twenty20 World Cup, alleging abusive behaviour from a hostel warden, agreed to arrive at an amicable solution after extended parleys with vice-chancellor Dr M.S. Kang, here, today.

Dr Tejwant Singh, director, students' welfare, was also present during the discussion. It may be noted that some property in hostel No. 1 was damaged by the inmates of the hostel.

The students were demanding expulsion of the warden, Dr J.S. Kang. However, the VC emphatically pointed that only reasonable demands could be met. He said vandalising property and hooliganism would achieve nothing in the temple of learning where students were to carve their careers.

Underlining the importance of dialogue, he said issues could not be resolved by destroying property or burning effigies. They, being the students of science, should try to discover truth systematically rather than being agitated by one-sided version of the story. “Mob culture will never see a rainbow at the end of the tunnel,” he added.

Assuring the students of justice, Dr Kang said an enquiry committee, consisting of the university officials, would look into the matter and the students could plead their case there. However, the students should, in the meantime, call off the strike, join classes and take exams as the war-path would only jeopardise their careers, he stressed.

The student leaders agreed to the suggestions given by the vice-chancellor. They said they considered themselves a part of the PAU community and would work towards a peaceful atmosphere in the university. 

Ludhiana, September 26
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Ludhiana, seems to be divided with two factions levelling allegations against each other.

One faction has expressed concern over the recent incidents where the union’s name was “misused” by a few “anti-social elements” while the other maintains that no leader was expelled from the party and these were mere rumours.

Addressing a meeting of the office-bearers and executives of the union here today, Jaspreet Singh Ahluwalia, member, coordination committee, NSUI, Punjab, said a few miscreants were wrongly appointing presidents, general secretaries and other members of the union at some colleges and fooling students. “They are misusing the union’s name. If anyone has been appointed, he or she must show the appointment letter on the letter-head of the union to the members. We will file a suit against a person if he or she is found to be guilty,” said Ahluwalia. He also added that the NSUI would discuss this issue with Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, the newly-elected PPCC president.

Meanwhile, another NSUI faction led by its vice-president Amritpal Shori, stated that Kamaldeep Singh Khera, who was union’s president for two years,had been reappointed. “Khera’s name has been forwarded by national president Nadeem Javed. I have not been expelled by anyone and all these are rumours. We are very much united and working for the students,” said Shori outside GGN Khalsa College today.

Mandi Gobindgarh, September 26
Desh Bhagat Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology celebrated World Tourism Day here yesterday.

A.K. Malhotra, general manager, CITCO, delivered the keynote address to mark the occasion of while Elizabeth Noe, secretary, tourism, Chandigarh, presided over the event. Manmohan Singh, owner of Aroma, Chandigarh, was the guest of honour. Dr Zora Singh, chairman, and Shalini Gupta, director, welcomed the guests.

A.K. Malhotra, Elizabeth Noe and Manmohan Singh emphasised upon the linkage between tourism, airlines and hospitality. They discussed the essentials of the profession.

The students of hotel management and BSc (airlines) presented a cultural show on the occasion.

After the conclusion ceremony, the gathering headed towards the department of hotel management where students had worked on various themes like: Punjabi, Diwali, incredible India, seven wonders of the world and birthday of tourism.

The Punjabi theme was awarded the first position while birthday of tourism and seven wonders of the world were awarded second and third positions respectively.

COURTS

7-year RI for raping minor
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 26
A fast track court has convicted Manoj Kumar of Bhagalpur district, Bihar, in a rape case. He has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years. A fine of Rs 5000 was also imposed upon the accused.

Delivering the verdict, R L Ahuja, presiding officer of the court, said the prosecution has succeeded in bringing home the guilt of the accused and has proved its case against the accused beyond all shadow of reasonable doubt.

The accused was booked under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC at Model Town police station, on June 4, 2004, following the statement of Kamlesh Sharma, father of the victim girl. Later, Section 376 of IPC was also added after the medical of victim.

The complainant had stated to the police that his elder daughter-Jeenat aged below 14 years was working as servant in a kothi at Model Town. On March 14, 2004, his daughter was reported missing by the owner of the house. Later on, it transpired that the accused had taken his daughter after inducing her.

On the other hand, the accused had pleaded that the girl was a consenting party. She never lodged any protest when she travelled to his native village in Bihar. She stayed with her for about four months but not lodged any protest with the villagers or police. He also produced one affidavit allegedly sworn by her, stating that she was 18 years old.

However, after appreciating the evidence on record and hearing the arguments advanced by Additional Public Prosecutor, Nisha Garg, the judge held that she was below the age of 16 years at that time. As per law, even if she was consenting party her consent was immaterial. The accused was held guilty and convicted.