Chandigarh, December 12
The battle for chairmanship of the department of mass communication, Panjab University, is giving anxious moments to the students. They fear that the ongoing tussle between the staff will adversely affect the forthcoming placement season.

“It’s the chairman who coordinates with different companies and media houses for the placements in advance. The year is drawing to an end and in the absence of a head, it will be difficult for us to get good placements,” said a student.

Though Sanjay Wadwalkar, a professor in the department, has staked claim to the post, officials in the university maintain that as per the rotation rule followed by the PU, Mohanmeet Khosla is the next in line for the post.

Jayant Petkar vacated the chairman’s position after his tenure ended on November 30.

When contacted, Mohanmeet Khosla maintained that there was much confusion on the issue. “On his last day in office, Petkar announced that the dean university instructions (DUI) would take over charge of the department. As for my claim to the post of chairmanship, there is ambiguity regarding the rules,” he added.

According to sources, in a representation given to Prof R.C. Sobti, Wadwalkar has claimed that he should be made the chairman since he has been promoted as professor. By virtue of his seniority, he should be given the position.

The VC first sought legal opinion on the matter, which seconded his contention. Later, a committee was constituted under Satya Pal Jain which is to table its report shortly.

It is for the first time that a committee has been formed to decide on the issue of headship. This is being done under “pressure”, say sources. Wadwalker refused comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, department students have been forced to postpone two important events - media fest and alumni meet - slated for this month.

“Brochures for the media fest are ready. We are only awaiting message from the chairman which has to be carried in the brochure,” said a student.

When contacted, the VC said a final decision would be taken once the committee submitted its report in a day or two.

Chandigarh, December 12
“Listen and believe in what your child says because children can be abused physically or emotionally when they are rejected, berated or continuously isolated,” said Dr Kulpreet Dhillon, centre coordinator, Child Helpline, while interacting with parents and teachers during a session held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 32, here, today.

This interactive session on ‘Child Abuse and Protection’ was organised to make the people aware about the types of child abuse, its identification and prevention. Raji P. Srivastava, director, higher education, and DPI (S) S.K. Setia presided over.

Citing various instances, Dr Kulpreet said it was both boys and girls who could be abused. “The children who spend most of their time with tutors, domestic help and drivers are more prone to abuse. Further, some close relative, uncle, some family friend, who comes home frequently, can also be the culprit. One must have surprise checks and if you witness a child being harmed or see any sign of abuse or if the child tells you about abuse, assure him or her that he or she has done a right thing by telling the truth and affirm that they are not responsible for what happened. Seek intervention of the police and other authorities concerned,” added Dr Kulpreet.

Raji P. Srivastava urged the parents and teachers to give their unconditional love, care and support to avoid any kind of physical or emotional abuse. “The children sometimes become problematic, but the teachers should contact counsellors at the Child Care helpline instead of giving them corporal punishment. Our goal is not producing academic brilliance out of our schools, but personality building to make them civilized human beings,” Srivastava added.

Father Sebastian of Don Bosco Navjeevan-24 and Priya Ojha of YTTS also enlightened the audience about child abuse and its preventive measures.

Meanwhile, an exhibition on ‘Child Abuse and Protection’ was also put up. 

Mohali, December 12
Chandigarh College of Education, Landran, celebrated Human Rights Day today. This special day was dedicated to the great protagonist of human rights Sri Guru Teg Bahadur for his sacrifice to protect the basic rights of humanity. Chief guest Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, former president of the SGPC, said Guru Teg Bahadur taught humanity to the world. He further said Guru Teg Bahadur worked throughout his life to save the honour of the citizens of our great land. The guru was also a versatile poet and embodied the message of freedom, courage and compassion. To mark the day the students of the college formed a human chain and exhibited placards depicting the need to protect human rights. Various competitions were also organised.

Science Congress: The National Children Science Congress and State Council for Science and Technology organised a Science Congress at Shivalik Public School yesterday. The focal theme for the congress was ‘Biodiversity nurture, nature for the future?’. As many as 78 schools of 20 districts participated in this programme.

LET’S TALK: Are teenagers children or adults? Why are we not given responsibility? Why do parents and teachers suspect us even if we have normal interaction with girls in our class? Can boys and girls never be just friends? These and many other questions formed the backbone of the interactive session that school children from 11 schools of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana, participating in ‘Let’s Talk’ programme asked from the expert panelists here yesterday. The programme was organised by Health Plus, a company dedicated to take care of the health needs of school children. The expert panellists included Sarabjit Singh, former DGP, Punjab, D.S. Bedi, principal, Shivalik Public School, Dr Kakli Gupta, a child psychologist. Nitti Sarin, social activist, and Dr Rohit Sahni of Health Plus. 

Chandigarh, December 12
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, holding an immigration consultancy firm deficient in services, has directed it to pay Rs 15,000 as compensation to a Sector 22 resident.

The petitioner, Jagdish Chand, had moved the forum alleging deficiency in service on the part of Solution Consulting, an immigration consultancy firm at Chandigarh and Delhi.

Jagdish Chand had applied for a New Zealand visa in 2003 through Solution Consulting. He had also deposited Rs 62,800. He said his visa application was declined saying that he did not qualify for it under the general category.

He applied for a refund, but nothing came of it. The forum directed the immigration consultants to refund the money and pay compensation, besides Rs 2,000 as cost of litigation to Jagdish Chand.

Chandigarh, December 12
“Though there are a plenty of performers in the realm of classical music and dance in India, but very few had been endowed with the art of expressing themselves in words as they do in stage performances,” observes the Grammy Award winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. ‘Nritya Abhigyan’ authored by kathak guru Shobha Koser has given a new dimension to the Jaipur school of kathak dancing for both students and connoisseurs alike, he claims while releasing the first edition of the book here at a function.

Later, talking to The Tribune, Shobha Koser said the book attempted to document the origin and history of Indian classical dances and was a comprehensive study of the dance art from the stone age to the Moghul period. She said she wanted to bring all material under one wrap in an appropriate sequence so as to portray a cogent picture of the different facets of Indian classical dance.

She also explained the circumstances which led her to pen down her first literary work. Dedicating the book to her parents, she lauded cooperation of her life and dance partner Madan Lal Koser. The book covers both theoretical as well as practical aspects of dance in detail along with the biographies of reputed artistes.

Former principal of Government Postgraduate College, Mansa, Punjab, and former head of the dance department at the GCG-11 Shobha Koser is the only professional dancer of repute from the north-west in the post-independence era. She has a large following of disciples under the guru-shishya tradition. Shobha gives the credit for her achievements to her gurus Kanhaiya Lal, Kundan Lal Gangani and her danseur husband Madan Lal Koser for his unwavering support. 

Chandigarh, December 12
The Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society, Chandigarh, will hold Rafi Memorial Nite on December 15 at Bhargava Auditorium in the PGI. Noted playback singer Suman Kalyanpur will be the chief guest. The society will also honour her with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution in the field of light music.

She will give away Rafi Award to the winners of the competition held in July this year. Nearly 40 male and female singers from various states of north India will participate. Haryana deputy CM Chander Mohan will preside over the function. G.S. Grewal, MD, Markfed, and Vivek Atray, DPR, Chandigarh, would be the guests of honour.