Chandigarh, October 9
The entry of foreign banks in the wake of the liberalisation and globalisation policies of the Indian government has made banking the career of the future attracting the best talent in the country, says Pran Verma, zonal head of the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF), New Delhi.

Talking to The Tribune after launching a diploma course in banking and finance, an add-on course to churn out specialised banking professionals in collaboration with the Manipal universal learning, Verma said banking was undergoing a sea change as banks had now resorted to multi-tasking to service the customers.

Since banking touched all aspects of life, the IIBF, which has over 650 institutional members, besides 2.3 lakh individual members, has come out with the diploma course to produce competent bankers “ready to provide complete service” to the customers, Verma said, adding that the six-month course distance learning course would be available both online and offline after graduation. Since the course was open to all streams of studies.

In the era of cut-throat competition in the banking sector, the qualified officers would cut the training costs of both the public and private sector banks substantially, the expert said, adding that the course was also open to the in-service officers. About apprehensions of lesser openings in the banking sector following rightsizing in the public sector banks, Verma claimed that the boom time seemed to be ahead for this sector in the wake of the globalisation, growth in business and large-scale retirements of bank officials.

He also informed that institute’s portal--www.iibf.org.in-- provided unique service in the form of finance quotient, which helped anyone to test his level of knowledge in various banking and finance areas.

Chandigarh, October 9
Dr R. C. Sobti has appealed to all staff members (both teaching and non-teaching), research scholars and students to voluntarily observe “No Vehicle Day” on the first Monday of every month.

RESULTS DECLARED: The Panjab University has declared the results of MSc (2nd year) (honours), microbiology, MTech (nano-science and nano-technology) (4th semester), the examinations for which were held in April/May, 2007. The students can see their results in their respective departments, colleges and on the university website, according to the joint controller of exams, PU.

Spic Macay’s 30 years: Spic Macay has completed 30 years, working endlessly to inspire the youth to imbibe our rich composite cultural heritage through integrating cultural activities in educational institutions. The first advisory board meeting for Haryana would be held on October 12 at Haryana Raj Bhavan. It will be presided over by Dr A.R. Kidwai. Eighteen governors, so far, have been the chairpersons of advisory boards state-wise, guiding and presiding over the meetings and also advising vice-chancellors to make budget provisions for such activities.

RRC’s new avatar: The Regional Resource Centre (RRC), PU, will become the department of community education-cum-development on October 13. T. K. A. Nair, principal secretary to the Prime Minister of India, will be inaugurating the newly created department. Stating this here today, Dr R.C. Sobti added that the departments of adult and continuing education, Population Research Centre and Dr Ambedkar Study Centre of the PU would all collaborate with the RRC in serving the community.

PU anniversary: On October 14, the university will celebrate the 126th anniversary of its inception at Lahore by inviting three celebrities from arts, social sciences and sciences to speak on “University’s Heritage - A New Perspective”. The celebrities will be Dr B.N. Goswamy, Dr G. S. Bhalla and Dr H. Y. Mohan Ram. Dr Mool Chand Sharma, vice-chairman, University Grants Commission, will be the chief guest and Ramesh Inder Singh, chief secretary, Punjab, will preside over the session. The process of honouring the university’s alumni will continue at all functions being organised to commemorate the diamond jubilee celebrations, Dr Sobti added.

Chandigarh, October 9
The training programme in research methodology organised by the ICSSR, started with the elaboration of theoretical constructs and their significance for social science research on its second day.

Prof Manjit Singh traced the epistemological roots to the famous debate between rationalism and empiricism of enlightenment era and emphasised on its importance for a good research work.

Elaborating the importance of theory and abstract ideas, Dr Surinder Shukla spoke on the ‘Conceptual Foundation of Research’ and various models available in the existing literature.

Prof Randhir Singh, retired professor of political science from Delhi University, spoke on the Marxist methodology in social sciences. He stated that social sciences, by their very nature, have to be ‘subversive’ of the unjust social structure in order to create a fair society.

Prof Gurjeet Singh, vice-chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, spoke on various types of research designs available for the social sciences and explained to the young scholars, how to select an appropriate research design for the given problem at hand.

Dr V.K. Anand, librarian, PU, in his lecture, said more than 4,000 journals were available online with the library. He also stated that the library was spending Rs 6 crore annually on these resources.

Prof B.S. Ghuman, dean, faculty of social sciences, delivered a lecture on formulation of hypothesis and their significance in social science research.

Chandigarh, October 9
A marathon musical extravaganza marked the annual festival celebrations of the Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training at the Kalagram here today which hobnobbed with exuberant bustle.

Pammi Bai at the annual function of Frankfinn at Kalagram in Chandigarh on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

The mega event, titled Razmatazz-2007, featured over 300 student artists in the panorama of fusion music and dance items besides a colourful fashion show.

The highlight of the grand show was a scintillating performance by acclaimed folk maestro Pammi Bai and his troupe comprising 22 musicians and dancers.

Attired in Punjabi bhangra costume, Pammi Bai took the centre stage amidst applause and commenced his performance with soulful renditions of Sufiana verses of Bulle Shah, Shah Hussain and others, before doling out a popular duet song ‘Ni mein paani bhare...’ with model-vocalist Rajvinder Virk.

Alka Hasan joined Pammi for an immaculate presentation of ‘Ari ari...’ and other songs.

Notwithstanding the disturbing sound system, Pammi kept the audience spellbound with perfect support and synchronistion from his musicians and vocal support singers.

Pammi was at his best as he displayed his virtuosity as a folk dancer and singer in ‘Putt jattan de’, ‘Gidhe vich nachdi’ and the ultimate ‘Malvai Gidha’.

The Frankfinn students, too, gave pulsating dance performances.

Earlier, Chandigarh branch head Kamal Saini welcomed chief guest Kiran Choudhury who inaugurated the annual event.

Samir Valia, VP, corporate communications, Frankfinn, presided over the grand function and honoured the meritorious students.