Chandigarh, December 7
In what will provide rural students of Punjab a golden chance, Panjab University is planning to conduct a mock test for students aspiring to become engineers, doctors and professionals in other related areas. For the first time ever, the mock entrance test would be conducted specifically for those students studying in different districts of Punjab. Prof A S Ahluwalia of the department of Botany, Panjab University, has been made the coordinator of the examination. Though the date is yet to be finalised, the examination is proposed to be conducted in the third week of February next.

“The idea is to build confidence among the rural students who have the potential but sometimes due to lack of exposure and right direction are unable to crack the entrance tests”, said Prof Ahluwalia.

The university has its affiliated colleges in Malout, Abohar, Ferozepore, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and Faridkot. These colleges, around 170 of them, will be made centres which would disseminate the information among the students studying in schools nearby and conduct the test. Doing away with all the difficulties one faces in filling an application form, there would be only single paged application form. The proposed centres will also provide all assistance to students in filling up of the application form as well.

A core team for the purpose will be also be made by roping in teachers from the departments of biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics who would set the paper and would also counsel the students on academic queries, if any, and guide them on alternative careers such as pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing, B.Sc (honours) and others.

The university has also offered to conduct the test for students from those districts where the university has no affiliated colleges. Finally, the feedback of the test will not only be in terms of marks but to reach out far ahead, there would be a column at the end in the test sheet where in the students can write their difficulties as regards the questions. A week-long intensive programme would then follow to eradicate those difficulties.

Chandigarh, December 7
PU syndicate elections for the next year have been scheduled to be held on December 9 wherein all 85 active members of the senate will exercise their voting right.

Three members each from the faculties of science, arts and combined and two members each from the faculties of languages, medical and law will be elected.

A keen contest is likely, particularly among the faculties of medical, languages and combined.

With only two days left, various permutations and combinations among the members are in full swing. This time, the group known for the rotation system is sure to violate its own decision taken three years ago.

According to sources, Prof G.P. Chopra, president of the DAV managing committee, has cleared names of Prof D.R. Gupta (non-teaching) and principal B.C. Josan (teaching) (earlier part and parcel of the rotation group).

He, however, has deleted S. Marriya’s name as he is due to retire in February.

It is learnt that Upkar Krishan president, GGDSD managing committee, has declined to contest for the syndicate berth. Dr A.C. Vaid has put in his name to contest for the second time.

Manjit Kaur, Ravinder Kaur, Hardiljit Singh, Dhirender Tayal and Naval Kishore are also contesting. Names of Dr S. Handa and Dr S.K. Singh from the PGI also figure in the rotation group.

Among the G.K. Chatrath group, many of those, who could not make it to the syndicate last time, are again in the fray. G.K. Chatrath is also likely to contest again. 

Mohali, December 7
“Young talents are the assets of nations,” said Prof P. Rama Rao, director of NIPER, while speaking at the valedictory function of the first winter school on “Nanotechnology in Advanced Drug Delivery” organised at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) here yesterday.

He gave the ‘Budding Nanotechnologist Award’ to Amit Bhatia, PhD scholar from Panjab University, Chandigarh, Kavita Bhayani, Agarkar Research Institute, Pune, and Rahul R. Shelke, UICT, Mumbai. The assessment of the award was based on abstracts submitted by the participants and presentations that were evaluated by a team of experts from India and abroad.

Dr M.J. Blanco-Prieto, University of Navarra, Spain, expressed her gratitude for the successful and well-organised winter school. She said all the latest facilities associated with nanotechnology in advanced drug delivery were available at NIPER.

Dr R. S. Verma, IIT, Madras, Dr B. Steitz, EPFL, Switzerland, Prof P. Caliceti, University of Padua, Italy, congratulated the participants.

Chandigarh, December 7
Cold weather conditions failed to dampen the high spirits of the students who thronged the venue of the maiden function of the newly elected Panjab University Campus Students Council, ‘Aaghaz-2007’ at Law Grounds, Panjab University (PU), today.

The crowd, comprising college and university students, danced along with the participants of bhangra, gidda. There were around 12 items, including traditional dances and western performances. Students of Ankur School on the campus also gave scintillating performances. PU vice chancellor Prof R.C. Sobti was the chief guest.

Punjabi singer Surjit Khan regaled the audience with his numbers till late evening. However, by the time he reached the venue and started doling out his numbers, many students had left. 

Chandigarh, December 7
A three-day cultural bonanza organised by Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21-C, Chandigarh, commenced at the auditorium of Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, here today. The programme started with prayers to Goddess Saraswati. Children of the primary section presented the play ‘The Enchanted Shirt’. Hindi play ‘Doctor’ by children presented how in lure of earning more and more, man had become careless and was playing with the lives of people. Through a beautifully worded song, children appealed to the Almighty to restore peace and happiness in disturbed Kashmir. Principal Sanjay Sardana read out the annual report. DPI (S) S.K. Setia gave away prizes to the students and teachers who showed excellence in academics or sports.

Mohali, December 7
Students of Anee's School celebrated their fifth annual function here this evening. The programme started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by chief guest Rajpal Singh, member of the Indian Hockey Team. Principal Navdeep Verma read out the school report. The play “Aaj Ka Bharat” beautifully portrayed Gandhi’s dream of an independent India. The function concluded with a vote of thanks by director Aneet Goel.

ANNUAL SHOW: Pratibimb, the annual show of DAV Public Senior Secondary School, aimed at bringing forth the latent skills of the students, was held on the school premises today. The exibition showcased the students’ creations in the fields of arts, science, social studies and mathematics. Mohali SSP R.S. Khatra inaugurated the exhibition. Justice A.L Bahri, chairman of the school, was the chief guest.

PANCHKULA
CONFERENCE: A team of six students from Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, participated in the 4th Model United Conference organised by Delhi Public School, RK Puram, New Delhi, at India Habitat Centre. The conference was held in association with the global classrooms project of the United Nations Association of USA. Aruj Grag, who represented the country in General Assembly (plenary), won a commendation certificate and Aanchal Verma, representing the country in ECOSOL, also won a commendation certificate for her paper. Other members of the team were Christina Humtsoe, Tanushree Sharma, Tanvir Dhillon and Anuradha Dhingra.

Chandigarh, December 7
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by an Army officer, challenging the initiation of inquiry proceedings and subsequent action against him, on the allegations of giving false evidence on oath.

The order “attaching” Lt. Col Youdhvir Singh for further disciplinary proceedings was issued on July 27, 2006, after a Court of Inquiry was convened on December 19, 2005, to investigate the circumstances under which the Commanding Officer of 1 Horse, Col K.D. Singh, sustained severe injuries on December 5, 2005. The petitioner was a witness in the inquiry.

The Union of India and other respondents had stated that the first Court of Inquiry was cancelled due to technical reasons, while the second remained inconclusive. On the basis of the third Court of Inquiry, it was decided to initiate proceedings against the petitioner for giving false evidence on oath.

In his petition, Lt Col Youdhvir Singh denied the allegations of falsely deposing in the matter. He added that other witnesses had been coerced into giving false statements by Major General B.S. Grewal of the 33 Armed Division and other officials to spoil the career of Col K.D. Singh.

In a written statement filed on behalf of the respondents, it was, on the other hand, contended: “It was alleged that the officer met with a road accident. Accordingly, a Court of Inquiry was convened by the Headquarters 39 Armoured Brigade.

During the course of investigations, it was felt the injury was not sustained as a result of accident, but as a result of beating by unknown person”.

Later during the course of arguments, counsel for the respondents, Kamal Sehgal, argued that the Court of Inquiry was convened not against the petitioner, but against Col K.D. Singh. On the basis of deposition during the Court of Inquiry, it was found that the petitioner had given false evidence on oath.

After going through the records and arguments, a Division Bench of the High Court, headed by Justice Hemant Gupta, ruled that at the current stage of proceedings, they did not find any flagrant violation of the rules or inherent lack of jurisdiction, which may warrant the quashing of proceedings.

Consequently, they did not find any merit in the petition and the same was dismissed.

Chandigarh, December 7
Taking up a petition filed in public interest for an independent probe and registration of case into the alleged misappropriation of funds by office bearers of the Indian Red Cross Society's branches in Punjab, Haryana and UT, the Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday asked deputy commissioners of Ludhiana, Sangrur and Patiala to produce relevant records.

A Division Bench of the high court, comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Mahesh Grover, also issued a notice of motion on the petition filed by a Ludhiana based NGO, Resurgence India.

The petitioner claimed that in addition to the central government funds, money collected locally for Kargil war, Orissa cyclone and Gujarat earthquake was found to have been misappropriated and used for purposes other than for which it was collected”.

Elaborating, the petitioner claimed that the funds had been siphoned off and used for other purposes such as bearing the cost of cars, mobile phones, furniture, crockery, furnishing, air conditioners, refrigerators, car fuel and paying telephone and mobile bills, besides hotel and restaurant bills.

In its petition against the union government, the CBI director and the secretary-general of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), the NGO also sought necessary action for ensuring punishment to all involved in the case.

Counsel for the petitioner Anil Pal Singh Shergill also sought directions for immediate seizure of records of the district and state branches.