EDUCATION

PTU students complain of out-of-syllabus papers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 12
After several complaints of out-of-syllabus question papers for BSc (IT) students last fortnight, now hundreds of students taking PGDCA course at study centres of the Punjab Technical University have also been complaining of similar problem in question papers.

Students of PGDCA (first semester) said they had taken two examinations till date and at least 50 per cent question papers in both were out of syllabus. They said since their attempt had not been well in the first two papers, they did not feel like preparing for the remaining two tests.

The students said they had appeared for ‘‘Computer Technology’’ examination on February 6 and for ‘‘Networking Technology and Operating System’’and both the papers had probably been set from the syllabus of MSc (IT) course. The students said when they complained to their centre head in this regard they were told to attempt the paper and he assured them that some grace marks would be awarded to them by the university.

Mr H.S. Gurm, Vice-Chancellor of the university, however, when contacted, refused to comment on the issue. However, Mr K.S. Kler, examination controller, said he had received several phone calls from the PGDCA complaining of papers being out of syllabus. He said he had told the students to write to their centre heads as to who should further forward the representations of the students so that proper inquiry can be made. He said similar representations had also been received by the students of BSc (IT).

Commenting on the issue, Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, President, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union, said PTU was playing with the career of hundreds of students. He said repeated anomalies on part of the PTU like out of syllabus questions sending wrong question papers to examination centres and postponing examination time and again were a sign of carelessness on the part of the university authorities in dealing with students.

Demanding resignation of Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Minister of Technical Education, Punjab, and also a candidate for Assembly elections from Kila Raipur, Prof Sodhi said he had failed to check the dealing of the university authorities. He also blamed him for allowing the university to carry on with courses run by franchises on the campus of Panjab University colleges and other private bodies.

GRD Academy students visit UK
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 12
Students from GRD Academy who had gone to the UK on an invitation from South Yorkshire Police Force are back after spending three weeks.

The team included eight girls between the age group 14 and 17 years alongwith Ms Ravina Gandhi, Headmistress, and Ms Manmeet Grewal, school counsellor. The team members said they visited schools and universities of Bradford, Leeds, Seffield and London. They said student exchange programmes were also planned during the visit.

The team also went to the recruitment and Training Cell, Child Abuse Cell and Crime against Women Cell at the South Yorkshire Police Headquarters and New Scotland Yard Headquarters. Ms Gandhi said she was planning to open a Child Abuse Cell in Ludhiana with the support of the Human Rights Commission.

PAUTA denies canvassing charge
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 12
The Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Association (PAUTA) today termed the “explanation sought for canvassing” as an infringement on their fundamental rights. Office bearers claimed that the teachers who were told to explain were actually attending rallies as part of audience. In a statement here today, the president and secretary of the PAUTA, Dr Hari Singh Brar and Dr M.L. Gupta, said as a voter each teacher had the right to listen to the viewpoint of candidates by attending their rallies. “Without such participation, they will not be able to make a rational choice,” they claimed.

Both functionaries claimed that none of the office-bearers had ever canvassed in favour of or against any particular party or candidate. “We respect the right of every citizen, including PAU teachers, to exercise their right of franchise judiciously after a careful analysis of the policies of different parties. They are free to make any decision in this regard. As a voter every teacher has the right to listen to the viewpoint of candidates as part of audience.”

CULTURE

Cultural troupe visits Mauritius
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 12
A Punjab Police cultural troupe led by ASI Harvinder Singh Bajwa visited Mauritius to participate in cultural events organised to mark the arrival of Indian labourers at Mauritius 167 years ago.

The troupe performed at the auditorium of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture. Mr Mote Ram Das, Art and Culture Minister, Government of Mauritius, Mr Vijay Kumar, High Commissioner of India, Mr M.M. Sharma, director of the centre, and other dignitaries enjoyed Punjab folk-dances on the inaugural day.

Mr Bajwa said the troupe gave performance at Radisson Hotel, Mauritius, in honour of Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, HRD Minister, who had especially gone there to participate in the celebrations. Mr K.L. Likhi, IPS, accompanied the troupe to Mauritius as its head.

The troupe gave performances in bhangra, jindua and malvai gidha at Vill Poste de Flacq, Public Garden Venue, Port Louis and other places of human interest. Mr Bajwa said the artistes who represented Punjab included Hardeep Singh, Harinder, Narang, Sher, Tirath Raj, Karam Raj, Anita Rani, Kulwant Kaur, Kamaljit Kaur, Amanjyot Kaur, Ajay Kumar, Ashok Kumar (drummer), Harvinder, Jasvinder, Gurbhej, Sukhwinder, Ravinder and Jatinder. They underwent extensive training and under the noted singer, Pammi Bai.

Police mementoes, coloured turbans and roll of honour were presented to Mr Paul Berenger, Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, and Mr M.M. Joshi, HRD Minister, India. Mr M.R. Dass, Mr Vijay Kumar and Mr M. M. Sharma along with diplomats of other countries also graced the occasion. The troupe also enthralled the audience at Vacaos and the Belle Mare Water Park, Bambous, Rodrigues, Phoenix, Bon Accueil Esperance Trebuchet.