& V I C I N I T Y
Monday, February 8, 1999
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C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
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Monday, February 8, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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UK varsity proposes MIT
course in city ‘Fundamentalism
a sign of insecurity’ Pekinese
declared best dog |
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 Camaraderie marks 'Run for
Fun' |
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'Nukkad
nataks' depict anguish Return
money with interest, car company told CTYC
calls it ‘eyewash’ Petroleum
dealers oppose tax on Punjab pattern Price
rise draws flak |
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UK varsity
proposes MIT course in city CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — Young professionals, including executives, who want to specialise in Information Technology can now hope to get postgraduate degrees from the University of Sunderland in England by studying at Punjab Engineering College (PEC) here. A team of four experts from University of Sunderland, which visited the city this week, made presentations both for the senior functionaries of the Chandigarh Administration and Punjab Engineering College (PEC). It is now proposed to start postgraduate course in computer-based information systems; Master of Information technology (MIT) and MBA (Engineering). Initially, 15 to 20 students will be admitted in each of the three courses. The proposal, however, is subject to approval by the Chandigarh Administration. When contacted, the Secretary, Technical Education, Chandigarh Administration, Mrs Anuradha Gupta, confirmed the proposals reached during the visit of the Sunderland officials early this week. "If all goes well, admissions for the next academic session will be made in September, 1999. There have been broad agreements on most of the issues, including sharing of fees. The University of Sunderland will now send us a detailed financial memorandum on the basis of discussions held this week.Once the memorandum is approved in principle, a formal MoU will be signed," she added. The University of Sunderland, considered one of the best institutions in computer education, engineering and information technology in England, has also been requested for strengthening of IT component besides providing technical advice and support for undergraduate courses already run at the PEC. By providing the basic infrastructure and other facilities to students, who will study by distance learning, the PEC wants to share the fees to be collected from students on a 50:50 basis. The finances so generated are proposed to be spent for improving physical infrastructure and faculty development programme. Besides, a portion of the funds so generated could also be used for offering scholarships to certain meritorious students, Mrs Gupta added. Besides, other procedural details, including criteria for admission, evaluation of courses and their relevance the curriculum here, have also been worked out . The PEC authorities are proposing that the bachelor of engineering degree from Panjab University or other recognised universities could be made the pre-requisite for admission to all the three postgraduate courses proposed to be introduced. Since the new courses will be part time, they will need little on campus teaching as most of the teaching will be mostly through distance learning. The degrees so awarded will be internationally recognised. Once the proposal comes through, it will provide an impetus to the academic environs of the PEC where a high speed data communication node has already been set up. The Administration has already earmarked 10,000 sq ft to be furnished fully for use by incubating software export-oriented industry. With the commissioning of NODE and furnishing of the plug and play area, the Administration proposes to extend on an hourly basis the facilities to the software industry in a big way. Because of the continuos emphasis on computerisation, the alumni of the PEC is well accepted outside. For example, Tata Consultancy has picked more than 60 students this year from the college. Students from any area of engineering, including aeronautical engineering, electrical or mechanical engineering are exposed to computer-based applications in their respective areas during their initial years at the college. That is why the absorption rate of the alumni in the industry is very high. The NODE and plug and play
facilities will also help the students sharpen their IT
skills, Mrs Gupta added. |
‘Fundamentalism
a sign of insecurity’ CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — There is no importance of liberty without economic security for citizens. This was stated by Dr Mohamed Sahbi Basly, Ambassador of Tunisia, at a seminar on 'World understanding and lasting peace' organised by the Indo-Tunisia Friendship Society at Punjab University here today. Talk of human rights does not make sense in countries where a vast majority does not have shelter or enough to eat, he said. He also dwelled on various features of Tunisia and the rapid progress it has made since its independence in 1956. Only 5 per cent of the population lived below poverty line in Tunisia. More than 60 per cent of its population constituted the middle class and about 80 per cent was literate, he informed. Mr Basly said tourism had played a major role in economic growth and overall development of Tunisia. A country with a population of nine million, Tunisia was visited by 4.5 million tourists every year. This generated revenue worth $ 1.5 billion, which was about 12 per cent of the GDP. Earlier, Prof B.K. Sharma, Director of the PGI, who was the guest of honour, said fundamentalism was basically a projection of insecurity that individuals felt for their groups. Unless basic human instincts were tackled, there could be no improvement in any type of relations, what to talk of international relations. Mr G.K. Chatrath, a former Advocate-General (Punjab), and Mr Dayal Pratap Singh Randhawa, President of the Campus Students Council, said India deserved a permanent seat in the UN Security Council as it represented a significant geo-political area. A resolution on world
peace was read out by Dr Ajaib Singh. Mr Anmol Rattan
Sidhu, President of the local chapter of the society,
welcomed the guests. Those present included the
Advocates-General of Punjab and Haryana and the Dean
University Instructions. |
Pekinese
declared best dog CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — The 26th and 27th All-Breeds Championship Dog show were organised by the Chandigarh Kennel Club at the Leisure Valley here today. While the pekinese (exhibit no 5), owned by Mr and Mrs Prabir and Rita Auddy of Calcutta, was declared the best in the 26th dog show, Irish setter, Birrenmada Manhatan, (exhibit no 70) of Mr Sharat Sharma and Mehar of Gurgaon was declared the second best. The German shepherd (exhibit no 179) of Mr AIS Bhinder and Sanjay Desai was the third best and a boxer--vaga bonds on the road — (exhibit no 124), owned by Mr Ajit Singh from Jalandhar was declared the fourth best. The best puppy award went to German shepherd-Aajkal-owned by Mr Ajmer Singh of Ludhiana. Ch. Munjal's Jetsetter, a dobermann was given first prize for the best Indian breed. The following are the prize winners in the 27th dog show: Best in show: German shepherd, Raja, (exhibit no 175) owned by R.K. Fashion Knit. Second best: Pekinese (exhibit no 5) owned by Mr and Mrs Prabir and Rita Auddy of Calcutta. Third best: German shepherd, Aajkal, (exhibit no 172) from Ludhiana owned by Ajmer Singh. Fourth best: Labrador (exhibit no 102 owned by Mr Adarsh Chhibber of Faridkot. Best puppy in the show: German shepherd, Aajkal, (exhibit no 172) owned by Mr Ajmer Singh of Ludhiana. Best puppy bred in India: German shepherd Raja (exhibit no 175) owned by R.K. Fashion Knit of Ludhiana. The Adviser to the Administrator, Mr Jagdish Sagar, distributed the prizes. Mr Roberto Tesoro
(Philippines) and Mr Philips John (India) were the judges
for the shows. |
Don't ignore
blurred vision, says doctor CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — The two-day international symposium on "Uveitis and intraocular inflammations" ended at the PGI here today. Talking to The Tribune, Dr Emmett Cunningham from the Francis Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco (USA), said eye infections were one of the most common causes of uveitis. Eating contaminated food, bathing in contaminated water and living in insanitary conditions were some of the most common reasons for the infections. A majority of the eye infections could be treated if detected early, he said, adding that symptoms like redness in the eyes and blurred vision should not be ignored. Improved hygiene coupled with having clean food could decrease the incidence of uveitis, which, he claimed, affected the most productive group of the population. Dr D.N. Shah from the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Kathmandu, talked about a new disease entity — seasonal hyper acute pan uveitis — prevalent in children in his country. The causes of the disease which is only found in Nepal, were not yet known, he said, adding that the eye sight of one eye of the children suffering from the disease was lost within a short span of three days. Till date 60 to 70 cases of the disease had been detected which first surfaced in the seventies, he added. Though research has been going on yet till date no cure had been found for the disease. The harsh terrain, poverty and illiteracy had made the treatment of uveitis a challenging disease for the ophthalmologists in Nepal, though the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh was doing a yeoman's service in spreading awareness about various measures to prevent blindness. Prominent among those who
spoke in today's session were Dr Rathinam, Dr BL Sunitha,
Dr Amod Gupta, Dr James Puklin, Dr JS Saini, Dr Ashok
Sharma and Dr Virender Sangwan. |
Camaraderie
marks 'Run for Fun' CHANDIMANDIR, Feb 7 — The spirit of camaraderie was all pervasive at Raina Stadium where all ranks of the Army and their families converged to participate in a 'Run for Fun' organised by the Army authorities today. More than 5000 Army personnel, their wives and children exhibited their prowess as runners by participating in running events designed for different age groups. The event, which, attracted the onlookers the most was 'Lady with toddler', an event in which as many as eight women ran after clinging their kids on their backs. Mrs Tulsa Devi cornered the first position, while Ms Phool Rani and Ms Rona won the second and third positions, respectively. Different lengths of routes were marked for as many as seven various age groups. The longest route was that of the event for men up to 40. Starting from Raina Stadium, the event spread over a distance of 8 km passed through Jessore Marg, Pine Marg gate and Basantar Marg before culminating at the stadium. Earlier, the event was flagged off by General H.B. Kala, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command. He also gave away the prizes to the winners. The results of different events are as follows: Gents below 40: 1-Naik Manjit Singh; 2-Sepoy Mano Onan and 3- Lance Naik-Kesher Yadav. Gents between 40 and 50: 1- Naib Subedar Kartar Singh; 2-Subedar-Ram Aasra; 3-Naib Subedar Balbir Singh; Gents above 50: 1-Subedar Major P. Natarajan; 2-Major Sardul Singh and 3-Subedar Ishwar Dutt; Children above 12: 1-Sunil; 2-Surinder Singh and 3-Kapil Thakur; Girls over 12: 1-Roopy;
2-Tanya Sidhu and 3-Lisa Sidhu. |
'Nukkad
nataks' depict anguish CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — Social evils prevailing in the contemporary society and the barbaric murder of Graham Staines formed the theme of two 'Nukkad nataks' staged by artistes of the Catholic Mission of Communication of India at the Sector 19 Church here today. The first of 'Nukkad nataks' depicted the sense of indifference which is creeping into the minds of people towards the sufferings of their fellow-beings. The scene opens with an injured person lying in a pool of blood. The victim, a stranger to the city, is helped by none other than a local resident, who takes him to hospital. The irony of fate is that the person, who helps the stranger, is tested HIV positive after he is persuaded by doctors to donate blood. The second play dealt with the tragic death of the Australian missionary, Graham Staines, in Orissa and the service rendered by him towards society, particularly for the betterment of leprosy patients. In the first scene, the missionary is seen working tirelessly even during late hours. After he is about to retire after much persuasion by his daughter and wife, he again started helping the ailing community, when someone sought his help. The scene moves on to a group of people discussing "conversions" and suddenly a leader descends on the scene, saying India's culture was being destroyed by a group of people under an "International conspiracy". When someone among the crowd raises the issue of attacks on Christians, the leader, while assuring that adequate preventive measures would be taken, calls for a 'debate' on the issue of conversions. During the third scene,
the missionary, who was shown busy with his work, was
attacked and killed by a group of masked men. When a
group of Christians started planning to retaliate the
attack, Graham's daughter came forward with a plea to
forgive the killers as the essence of the religion was
"forgiveness and love". |
Return money with interest, car
company told CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (II) has ordered the Pal Peugeot Company to refund Rs 25,000 with 9 per cent interest to a local consumer who cancelled his booking for a car in 1996. The forum passed the order on a written request filed by Dr Manoj Kumar Sood, a resident of Milk colony, Dhanas. Dr Sood in his complaint alleged that he booked a car which he subsequently cancelled by sending a letter to the company in 1996. Despite repeated requests he did not receive the compensation.The company did not file any reply and the local dealer did not turn up before the forum. After going through the details, the forum allowed that the booking amount of Rs 25,000 should be paid along with 9 per cent interest from the date of booking till the date of actual payment. The company will also have
to pay Rs 2,200 as costs of the proceedings.
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CTYC calls
it ‘eyewash’ CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — The visit by senior officials of the Administration and municipal corporation recently was a mere eyewash for the residents of Mani Majra. Most of the problems, however, persist. This was stated by a spokesperson of the Chandigarh Territorial Youth Congress, Mr Manjit Sahdev, in a press note here today. The main problems include
absence of an approach road to the complex; faulty
drainage; disappearing green belt; absence of water
boosters and lack of police assistance booths. |
Petroleum
dealers oppose tax on Punjab pattern CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 – The Chandigarh Petroleum Dealers' Association has opposed the bringing of tax structure on petroleum products on a par with Punjab. Terming the strike by their Punjab counterparts on this issue tomorrow as "misconceived", the president of the association, Mr Arjan Singh, alleged that any increase in tax would drive away sales to the neighbouring states. This besides causing revenue loss to the Chandigarh Administration, would unnecessarily burden the common man. He refuted the allegations that there was smuggling of petroleum products from Chandigarh to neighbouring states. Mr Arjan Singh said though the association sympathised with the Punjab petrol dealers as Sales Tax was high in the state, yet they should approach the state government to get the tax reduced as per the practice worldwide. He claimed that the petroleum products were imported into the city after paying 4 per cent central sales tax. This coupled with local tax worked to 5 per cent tax on petrol. As Chandigarh has no
revenue worth the name from the agriculture and the
industry, it must maximise sales and collect whatever
revenue it could from all sources, he added. |
Price rise
draws flak CHANDIGARH, Feb 7— Jan Shakti, a social organisation, organised an open discussion on "Price hike and the forthcoming Budget" at Lajpat Rai Bhavan, Sector 15, here today. Speakers criticised the government's decision to raise the prices of essential commodities like wheat, rice and sugar. The increase will hurt the persons in the unorganised sector as their earnings have not risen proportionately, they said. The speakers expressed concern at the huge fiscal deficit of over Rs 85,000 crore. They suggested that tax evaders should be covered under an Act like TADA and strict action should be taken against them. Prof V.C. Nanda, Dr P.P.
Arya, Mr Onkar Chand, Mr V.P. Vadhera, Mr P.C. Suri and
Mr R.P. Puri were among those who spoke. |
CHANDIGARH, Feb 7 — Mr Satish Chander, Assistant Director, Punjab Health Services, today fell to his death from the fourth floor of the PGI here. Mr Chander, who was reportedly suffering from jaundice and admitted to a private ward in the PGI, fell from the fourth floor accidentally, police sources said. Though the police has ruled out the suicide theory, further investigations are on. Suicide: Ajay Sharma, a resident of Pipliwala town (Mani Majra) allegedly committed suicide on Sunday morning by jumping before a railway engine near the local railway station. Dead: Prem Chand, who was admittted to the PGI on February 4 after he fell from his bicycle near the Chandigarh Housing Board chowk, on Sunday succumbed to his injuries. Arrested: The police arrested Naveen Singh, an employee of a local cable TV channel, on the charge of exhibiting two Hindi films without copyrights. A police team raided the channel's office and seized a VCR, a television set and cassettes of the film. A Delhi-based firm, Impact, reportedly had copyright of the films. Case registered: Mr Vishnu Avtar, a resident of Alwar in Rajasthan, in a complaint to the police has alleged that his Maruti van has been stolen by a person who travelled in the vehicle. A case has been registered. Car stolen: Mr Ankur Sood, a resident of Sector 16, Panchkula, alleged that his car (CH01-F-1499) had been stolen from the Community Centre, Sector 37 here. A case has been registered. Hurt: Bishu, a resident of Sector 18, who was working in a house in Sector 8, was seriously injured when he fell from a height of about 10 feet. He has been admitted to the PGI. Cash looted: Burglars broke in to the house of a former Registrar of Panjab University, Prof D.P. Verma, in Sector 15 here on Friday night and decamped with cash, jewellery and other items. The thieves broke into the house and ransacked the entire place. According to the information available, Prof Verma was away to the PGI, Chandigarh, to attend to his wife who has been admitted there. According to the police,
the thieves took away Rs 30,000, jewellery, a camera and
some other items. The police has registered a case and is
investigating the matter. |
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'Jeevan Shakti' for cancer-hit THE second Saturday of February is celebrated as "Cancer Survivors' Day". To celebrate this day a function will be organised on February 13 at DAV College Mini Auditorium by "Sahayata Cancer Sahyog", a voluntary support group in Chandigarh formed by cancer survivors and family members and friends of patients with cancer. Survival statistics for cancer have improved dramatically during the past three decades. Today nearly 50 per cent of cancer patients may expect to be alive and free of disease five years after diagnosis. This has occurred largely because of early diagnosis and combined modality therapy (e.g. surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy). This improvement in long-term survival has altered the perception of cancer from a uniformally fatal illness in all, to a chronic illness for several age groups. This alteration in perception of cancer has led to a greater focus on the long-term psychosocial and mental health needs of cancer patients. Survivors are best suited to reach out to those confronting cancer. Such volunteers can help decrease the sense of alienation and isolation felt by patients, because of their unique knowledge and credible information, which comes with having been through the same experience. The "Jeevan Shakti" award to be presented to the best survivor is a fitting tribute to the courage and fighting spirit with which people have overcome this disease, to live their normal lives and to get back into the mainstream of society. Hope has finally entered the arena of cancer. With hope comes realisation that there is a chance to do better than just survive, it is possible to live positively with cancer. After all, there is "Life after cancer!" Culture calendars The Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation, Markfed, has been making a concerted and conscious effort to project culture and heritage of Punjab through its much sought after calendars. Beginning in 1995, Markfed has been bringing out a series of four-leaf calendars each year to depict various aspects of art and culture of Punjab. The calendars are based on paintings by Jarnail Singh, an eminent artist, who specialises in history and art of Punjab. Each year he contributes four paintings for the calendar.He started with "Phulkaris" in 1995. The paintings pertained to use of Phulkari in marriage and other ceremonies. In 1997, it was the turn of household chores, including churning of curd to make lassi. In 1998, Jarnail Singh picked on traditional marriages in Punjab and this year, it has been on the festival of "Teean". Each year, Markfed prints about 12,000 calendars. Some of these find their way into home of expatriate Indians settled in Middle East, Europe and North America. All the dealers and distributors of Markfed products also get these calendars. Besides the paintings, each leaf carries a picture of Markfed products. Honoured Noted urologist and head of the Urology Department, PGI, Prof S.K. Sharma, has been awarded the Urological Society of India, President's Gold Medal for the year 1998-99. The medal was conferred upon him during the 32nd annual conference of the society held in Bhubaneswar recently. The doctor has been honoured for his outstanding academic and organisational contributions for the growth of urology in India. Prof Sharma has also been selected to deliver the late Dr P.N. Kataria memorial oration of the North Zone Chapter of the Urological Society to be delivered during the IXth annual conference of the society at Agra in October this year. Fits and starts The enforcement staff of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), it seems, acts only when a problem is highlighted in the Press or courts direct it to perform a particular job. At least this is true as far as the removal of encroachments in the subway connecting Sector 22 with Sector 17 are concerned. The major part of the subway, which was encroached upon by the shopkeepers for displaying their wares, was cleared last month only when a local court asked the MCC to do so. The MCC had similarly sprung to action when the problem was highlighted by this newspaper a few months back. "Underground subway", reads the board at the entrance. Can a subway be overground? Beautiful cards Mr Robin Gupta, who is currently Commissioner of Ferozepore, sends designer greeting cards year after year. These generally carry the picture of some monument from the area where he is posted, a poem by him on this beautiful building or place and the expression of greetings in a lyrical style. This year he picked up Sargarhi as the theme. Who says IAS officers are not creative? And Dr R.D. Anand, a senior teacher in the Department of Chemistry, Panjab University has been sending his "New Year" wishes to coincide with Republic Day. So the receipt of the card this year did not come as a surprise at all. The card reads: "We the people of India begin our New Year on January 26 when We replaced They". The card also has a small poem in Hindi conveying good wishes for major festivals throughout the year. Tradition honoured By choosing Mr G.P. Chopra for award of "Padmashri", the Union Government has in fact honoured a tradition in ideal education. Mr Chopra is a teacher and an educationist of long standing. After retiring as Principal, Hans Raj College, Delhi University, he has been serving the DAV College Managing Committee in various capacities, including General Secretary and President. During his tenure, the DAV movement has further proliferated by 142 new schools and two new colleges. He has taken education to remote corners of the country, particularly to the backward and Adivasi areas. As the President of the DAV College Managing Society, he has the credit of getting judicial verdict from the Apex Court in favour of Sanskrit being included as an elective subject in the school curriculum. He is credited with visiting 178 DAV institutions during the last 12 years. This grand old man, a karmayogi, is a living manifestation of the percepts and tenets of DAV movement. |
Back from Monte Carlo It was a matter of pride for Panjab University that Prof S.K. Kulkarni, department of pharmacology, was the only scientist to represent India at an international conference at Monte Carlo ( January 26-31). More than 1500 medical experts, pharmacologists, clinical pharmacologists and cardiologists from 55 countries participated in the conference to debate on new strategy of managing hypertension, a primary cause of all cardiovascular diseases. He was invited to the global meeting entitled "international forum on angiotension-II receptor antagonism: a goal for prolonged quality of life for the patient." Topper A topper and an allrounder is Ankur Aggarwal. Son of Dr S.K. Aggarwal, Director, Technical Education, Chandigarh Administration, Ankur had topped the list of successful candidates in BE — in all branches of engineering of Panjab University - by securing 84.54 per cent marks. An alumnus of Punjab Engineering College, Ankur not only excelled in academics but his research paper was also adjudged the best at a recent national symposium. Ankur is a talented TT player and has participated in various national level tournaments. He led Punjab Engineering College team which won the title twice. Ankur has also been associated with AIESEC besides being a member of the IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organisation. He has a flair for computers and has joined Tata Consultancy Services. Free flow The Public Health Wing of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), it seems, has no maintenance system worth the name if a ruptured water supply line in Sector 47 is any indication. Thousands of litres of potable water is literally going down the drain daily from the pipeline for the past several days with the authorities looking the other way. This is despite the fact that residents have brought the matter to the notice of several officials, including Mr Kuldip Singh, SDE, Public Health Division No 3, under whose jurisdiction the area falls, many times. The stock reply of the officials had been that the leakage would be plugged soon but to no avail, allege the residents. So much for the periodic
"use water judiciously" campaigns of the civic
body! |
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