Delay in exams worries students
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 13 — The academic session for colleges all over the country which began with teachers’ strike has ended on an equally sour note with the postponement of examinations, putting a lot of students in a tight spot.

The delay in the commencement of examinations will have a direct bearing on the declaration of results which is likely to take about six to 10 weeks after the beginning of the examinations. Further, the duration between the commencement of exam and the declaration of results will vary from exam to exam with the B. Com result taking much less time for compilation than that of the arts stream which has a large number of students.

The delay in results will lead to problems for students taking their final year examinations in the various streams this year, besides leading to delay in the beginning of the new session this year. This is against the decision of the Syndicate and Senate in their respective meetings to have academic sessions beginning early. These students will not be able to apply for admission elsewhere for want of their final year result which will put them at a disadvantage since the problem pertains to colleges of Punjab and those affiliated to Panjab University.

Sources point out that the university can conduct examinations by employing staff for the purpose in spite of the adamant stand of the management and principals of these colleges. This can be done if the Punjab Government gives a nod for the use of buildings but the university authorities are hoping the government will sit up, take notice and work out a solution to the problems of the colleges. Again, the university does not want to get into a confrontation with the various colleges over the issue.

“Though such colleges can be dis-affiliated yet such drastic action against them is unlikely even if it cannot be ruled out completely,’’ Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh, Dean, College Development Council, opines. These colleges had given in writing in December that they were willing to conduct examinations in their respective colleges as a matter of routine.

The authorities have not committed about the commencement of the postgraduate examinations along with those of the BBA and BCA courses. Till date, however, there was no change and the declared examination dates stand. These will be looked into on a day-to-day basis and any likely change will be notified, the authorities add.

Speaking about the unusual circumstances and prevailing conditions, the Joint Controller of Examination, Mr Ashok Raj Bhandari, said: “In case a candidate cannot take the examination on the appointed date due to unavoidable circumstances, a decision for a special chance in September can be taken at the level of the Vice-Chancellor or in the meeting of the Syndicate. The decision will vary from case to case but will not be taken up as a policy matter.’’

With the university all geared up to conduct examinations, waiting for the green signal to go ahead, they are also working on a plan to open extra centres for evaluation of answer sheets to enable early declaration of results.

Meanwhile, parents and students are a harried lot over the frequent postponement of examinations and are critical of the time the principals and management have chosen to press for their demands.

Shivani Sharma, a final year student of Government College for Girls, Sector 11, rues,"Every time we begin to get serious about our studies, there is a notification that the exams are being postponed. To press for demands at a stage when the future of the children is at stake does not befit the principals and management.’’

A parent of a B. Com student, Mrs Shama Gupta, says, “Even if the colleges succeed in eliciting from the government what they are demanding, the precious time our children lose will not return. How will we benefit in the process is a debatable question.’’

Row over animals haunts circuswalas
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 13 —“This circus is not like Raj Kapoor’s film ‘Joker’ or even like Sharukh Khan’s television serial ‘Circus’. This is totally different”, said 22-year-old Naushad, a trapeze artiste, a Bengali, who has been a circus performer since the age of 14 and is these days in the city with his circus, from Calcutta to perform in front of the Chandigarh crowd.

From the outside, it does look like the circus of the silver screen complete with curious onlookers, bright lights, loud filmi music, roaring lions, dancing elephants, swinging, dancing dare-devil performers and clowns of all shapes and sizes. But once inside, what is visible is the innumerable makeshift and apparently not-too-comfortable tents for the circus performers, stench of raw fish and meat near the cages of the wild beasts, heavily and garishly made-up young performers and the absence of that romance and glamour that one connects with the world of circus.

“The circus is a dying art today. Our circus is among the largest in the country, with more than 350 people, which includes 200 artistes. And we spend something to the tune of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per month on our people and animals, but ourselves run into losses. There is absolutely no support from the government or the people at large, and instead there are all kinds of stories revolving around on how we treat our animals and our people,” said the manager of the circus, Mr M.B.K. Nambiar.

This circus has 22 tigers, 10 lions and seven elephants, besides Pomeranian dogs, Tibetan sheep and some rare birds like the South African Macau which was bought for “a price of Rs 3 lakh for one pair”.

The circus management, while wailing about the fact that “most of the circuses in the country today are struggling to survive”, mentioned that in a city like Chandigarh it did expect a larger crowd but the “tercentenary celebrations have taken away some of our audiences”.

On the subject of “cruel treatment” towards animals, another manager of the circus, Mr H. Pillai, said: “These animals are our bread and butter, and so how can anyone think that we ill-treat them”. While going round the various animal cages, in which lions and tigers could be seen either lazing or roaming about restlessly, Mr Pillai added: “The kind of lions and tigers we have are not even to be found in the zoos. When the female tigers and lionesses are breeding or have young cubs we do not take them out to perform”. But what about the small size of their cages? “We do take them out as well,” he said.

Bheem Bahadur Lama, who has been training lions for the past almost 22 years and whose wife “loves to keep the lion cubs with her and treat them like her kids”, said: “It is a whole lot of nonsense when media and the government project us like villains who are cruel to the animals”.

Talking about his “risky” job, he said: “Whenever accidents have taken place, they have been caused due to the trainer’s fault, not otherwise. The kind of love these animals give us in return for our affections and care is amazing”.

For the18-year-old Kiran, who performs along with the tigers, the job does not “seem risky anymore”. She said: “There was a time when I felt afraid, but now it is just work I have been doing this for quite some time now. But after marriage I would leave this and like to settle down.” Added the 16-year-old Giani from Nepal, who performs with dogs: “I like to work here. But when asked about how much she earned, she just laughed. Apparently her guardians get her pay packet, since all her need are met at the circus itself.”

For the midget clowns, circus is an easy way out to earn money. Tinku, called a “master joker” here, is a 10- year-old midget who says that he likes working here, but would certainly “love to go to school”. For the 18-year-old Ram Singh Rai “this job is good enough as it gives me free food and lodging and even medical facilities, and I get paid Rs 3,000 per month as well”.

In fact most of these young boys and girls have come from poor families of Bihar, Bengal and Nepal to “earn some money for the families”.

The circus also carries an in-house teaching facility, where young educated girls and boys take up the responsibility of teaching the younger ‘kids’ around.

Interestingly, romance and marriages among fellow performers now seem to be a rare case in circuses. Said Mr Pillai: “Most of these boys want wives outside because then it gives them the opportunity to have their families settled at one place. And for the girls, most of them would like to leave this after marriage”.

Reiterating this, Naushad, who married a fellow performer, said: “My wife does not work any more because I do not like that. And I would certainly not like my children work in the circus”.

But whether it is the controversy over banning the use of animals in circus, or the exploitation of young boys and girls to entertain audiences, the fact remains that even now circus does keep the home and the hearth running for many. “If I leave these animals outside in the jungles, do you think that they will be able to survive? These lions and tigers do not even know how to hunt. And what will happen to all these boys and girls who are not educated enough to earn their livelihood otherwise?” Mr Nambiar says.

Power cuts irk villagers
From Our Correspondent

BARTANA (ZIRAKPUR), April 13 — With the rise in mercury, Zirakpur and its surrounding villages are facing frequent and unannounced power cuts. Residents complain that power supply is irregular during each summer.

Though the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) claims that during this summer power supply will be regular, but this area tells a different story. On an average, Zirakpur and its surrounding areas face five to six hours of power cuts. Residents complain that no prior notice is given about these cuts.

Mr Daljit Singh, of Singhpura village says that even during power supply the voltage remains low. “Our electric gadgets become decoration pieces as they do not function with such a low voltage”, he says. Most of the residents complained that no serious attention has been paid to the power problem for years.

Residents feel that this summer will also be without proper power supply as the cuts are being imposed when summer has just begun. The area also witnesses frequent power tripping, causing damage to electric appliances. Gadgets of residents of Bartana village were damaged due to a sudden increase in the voltage about one and a half months back. Residents further complain that during every summer there are at least two or three occasions when electricity remains disrupted for more than 30 hours.

Mr Rakesh Saini, who runs a confectionery store at Bartana village, complains of losses in business due to irregular power supply. He says that bakery products get spoiled because of low voltage.

Residents of the locality say that they have to face further problems as the electricity maintenance staff does not attend to their complaints on the telephone.

Sources say that the infrastructure at Zirakpur is not enough. Consumption of electricity goes up in summer, they say. A new 66 KV sub-station near Bhabhat village is to be inaugurated soon, which will be beneficial for the area.

Continuous power failure creates water problems in villages. Most of the villagers have their own water provision, as there is no rural water supply system in most of the villages. In the recently-laid water supply pipes, the residents complain sub-standard pipes. According to Mr Gurbachan Singh, the plastic pipes are leaking.

Kanwal in classic mould
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 13 — Kanwal Thakar Singh (now Pannu), who ruled the badminton scene of Punjab for 14 years and carried the state’s name to the international women’s badminton arena, was among the sportspersons honoured at the Mata Saheb Kaur Istri Sammelan during the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib.

A unique blend of brain and a sportsperson's spirit, Kanwal has always been a fighter. For a decade she won the Punjab women’s singles title and in combination with her sister. Kiron (married to film star Anupam Kher) she won the doubles crown for eight years.

She became the national badminton champion twice. Her arch rival was Ami Ghia.

Her fine game called for hours of practice. But that in no way took her away from studies. She was always a bright student. She capped her efforts by emerging as the gold medallist securing record marks in MA (History). The record stood in her name for several years.

And to add to the brains and sports, she went on to win the Sports Queen title organised by the Chandigarh Sports journalists Association.

In Badminton she touched new heights when she became the only Indian girl to win a match in the Uber Cup. Her other achievements were a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games and two bronze medals in the Asian Games.

Being a sister-in-law of film star Anupam Kher, Kanwal got several film offers, including Raj Kapoor’s “Ram Teri Ganga Maili”. But she shied away from the Bollywood arclights.

She went on to win the prestigious Arjuna Award.

Married to Jatinder Singh Pannu, whom she calls “my hero”, she is hoping to start coaching lessons soon.

Bumper yield raises spirits
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 13 — The bumper crop of wheat has brought smiles to the farmers and traders alike which are abundantly visible at the local grain market. Compared to last year, the arrivals have registered an increase of more than 40 per cent this year.

The Sector 26 grain market, which saw a trickle of arrivals last year during the corresponding period, is a beehive of activity this year, with labourers unloading, cleaning and packing the fresh crop at the loading platforms, under the watchful eyes of farmers.

The market is covered with the “edible gold” and the buyers make the rounds and eye the best mounds before the auction begins in the afternoon. There is no provision for auctioning at night.

Mr Mehanga Singh, a farmer sitting on a freshly-stacked row of wheat bags says, “Last year the yield was less and many farmers preferred to sell at the mandis closer home instead of bringing it here. The difference in prices here, compared to other mandis was more than Rs 20-30 per quintal, last year, which meant that a farmer made a profit after deducting transportation expenses”.

But when pointed out that the arrivals were low last year, he said it was mainly because of the low yield. The weather had also played truant at some places, he added.

Similarly, Atma Singh and Didar Singh, both farmers, said that though the prices were almost the same, they preferred to sell it here than in Morinda because of the instant payment by the commission agents. Moreover, they had been selling their produce here for the past many decades.

Mr Satinder Singh, a farmer who was getting his produce unloaded from his trolley, said that the facilities here were better than in other mandis. Many of the mandis in the nearby areas were still “kutcha” ones, which resulted in damage to the crop, he said. The farmers also suffered loss on account of pilferage of wheat by the cleaners, he added.

Mr Brij Jain, a commission agent, said the produce was selling at rates varying between Rs 550 and Rs 555 per quintal. The market had witnessed low arrivals for the past two years and they were all looking forward to doing good business due to the bumper crop. For the first time in the past few seasons, they had persons working round the clock.

The arrivals had picked up in the past few days, though the farmers had been bringing their produce since April 1.

Other commission agents were also of the same view. There are 25 persons who have trading licences in the market.

Officials of the Market Committee said that farmers had been bringing their produce since March-end and each bag contained 95 kg of wheat. The farmers had been selling their old stocks and the price varied between Rs 600 and Rs 650 per quintal. Now, the price was between Rs 550 and Rs 555, though the highest price today was Rs 553 per quintal. As many as 45,000 bags had been sold till today compared to approximately 37, 000 bags received last year, sources added.

Too many trucks in too little space
Transport area blues
By Devesh Anand
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 13 — A trail of trucks passing through the Industrial Area here comes to a screeching halt as there is little parking space at the overcrowded Transport Area in Sector 26. A self-appointed traffic regulator directs these truck drivers to park in all vacant spaces on the roadside adjoining some schools and right up to the golf course.

An onlooker asks: “Is it be possible to house 300 truck operators in just about 29 booths marked for them in the transport area? “Nearly 2,000 loaded trucks reach this area every day and an equal number leaves the city. Planners of City Beautiful must not have dreamt of a situation like this in which one has to perform the miracle of sqeezing a 1000 mammoths in a few 100 sqm. Obviously, the transport business has grown tremendously in the past four decades.

Mr H.S. Nagra, General Secretary of the Chandigarh Transporters Tenant Welfare Association, and some other transporters point out that about 25 years ago, 29 plots were allocated by the Administration. Now 300 transporters are operating, mostly from booking offices rented out to them by the 29 plot holders. The offices cannot hold more than two persons at a time. Loading and uploading of trucks becomes difficult if these are not parked properly.

Mr Nagra says the allotments were made by the Administration a few years ago. Most of the transporters backed out because of the high rate of Rs 15,000 per sq foot demanded by the Administration. Since then the authorities have shied away from listening to the grievances of the transporters.

The booths are clustered so closely that it becomes difficult for the customers to reach them. The goods lie scattered on the road, uncared for. There is hardly any parking place for the incoming and outgoing trucks. These have to be parked near the schools, causing inconvenience to the public.

This area, encompassing Sector-26, including the Grain Market and the adjoining Bapu Dham Colony happens to be the most polluted. Choke drains, backyards of the low buildings, hutments, and all possible places are used by the people working or living in this area for want of adequate public conveniences.

The water supply is negligible, a drainage system and fumes, dust and stink are enough to choke the throat. In Bapu Dham Colony roads are in a dilapidated condition, replete with potholes. In the parking area there exists a fish market also. Tea stalls, dhabas, squatters, ragpickers, coolies, rehriwalas add to the confusion. Make-shift, shelters, canopied stacks of goods, present an extremely shabby look through the haze of gasoline-charged aerosols laden with burnt hydrocarbons.

Bapu Dham Colony has spread its unlawful wings right up to Transport Area Illegally constructed houses are mostly used for commercial purposes. Inhabitants use “kundis” to steal electricity.

The Administration had planned to shift the transporters to Sector-39. Much polluted water has flown down the Sukhna choe but no action has been taken by the Administration either to shift this business or to improve the civic and commercial facilities in this sector. If the goods transport section is shifted from Sector-26 some traffic problems faced by commuters between Chandigarh and Panchkula can be solved. Many transporters believe that the Administration is using delaying tactics.

If the proposal is still alive, then they should be allotted land for their offices, parking of trucks, building warehouses, godowns or sheds and at least a dispensary. Now is the time to act, as the problems of this area are getting compounded with every passing day. The proposed shifting of the area has now become a crying need.

Problems of Saidpura industrialists
From Bipin Bhardwaj
From Our Correspondent

SAIDPURA, April 13 — The various local small-scale industrialists have to face a lot of problems due to the ill-maintained roads, frequent power cuts, non-working of telephones and the increased rates of octroi imposed on them.

The government has been ignoring them since they have set up their units, complain industrialists. The poor condition of roads and regular power cuts without prior information make things worse for them.

According to Mr P.C.Sedha, President of the Small-Scale Industrial Association, due to the poor condition of roads the vehicles used to transport goods get damaged quite often. The deep potholes in the roads make the problem worse.

A delegation of industrialists had met Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, last year. He had assured them to solve the problem after the rainy season but nothing had been done so far, Mr Sedha said.

At a pre-Budget meeting with industrialists on February 8, the minister had also promised to recarpet the roads and widen the Dera Bassi-Barwala road within a month but no action had been taken, he added.

''Regular power cuts for long hours make the industrialists suffer as they fail to meet the supply orders placed by customers,'' Mr H.S. Kohli, Secretary of the association, said.

Officials of the Electricity Department, when contacted, said that the power shutdowns were due to some technical problems. No prior information was received by the department itself regarding the power cuts.

Mr Kohli alleged that the telephone services in the area were poor. Telephones remained dead for days together leading to a communication gap with the customers.

The telecommunication authorities, however, have denied the allegation.

The industrialists complain that the octroi has been raised manifold by the authorities without any criterion which also adds to their burden . "Due to this huge increase in octroi we cannot compete in the market. This affects our business," lamented Mr Kohli.