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January 4, 2003, Chandigarh, India |
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User-friendly technology sought
for exams for the blind SAS Nagar, January 3 Suggesting that advanced technology should be used to make the examination system for the blind user friendly, Mr Rattan stated that the system of arranging for writers for blind candidates in examinations needed to be replaced. ‘‘Why cannot we give these students dicta phones so that they record their answers which can then be transcribed and marked?’’ he questioned. Mr Rattan was addressing a gathering of visually impaired students and instructors at the state-level convention on education for the blind held at the education board office here today. Organised by the National Society for the Child Artists here the convention was held on mark the eve of the Braille Day which will be celebrated all over the world tomorrow. Three visually impaired persons were also honoured at the convention by the chief guest. These include 74-year-old Pyara Lal Agarwal who received the Braille Samman 2002, Ms Kamla who received the Braille Award 2002 and Ms Rubina who received the Sur Samman 2002. Each awardee was also given a shawl and a silver coin as part of the award. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Pyara Lal Aggarwal highlighted some of the problems being faced by the blind students during examinations. He stated that the education board was never able to declare the results of the blind students on time. He also demanded that the examination time be increased by about half an hour for the blind candidates and also the board should ensure that the writers deputed for them were available on time on the day of the examination. The other awardees also spoke on the occasion and Rubina recited a self-composed poem. Speaking at the convention, the Principal of the Blind School, Chandigarh, pointed out that there was a need to sensitise the employees of the education board that the visually impaired had to be dealt differently. The vice chairman of the Board, Mrs Hardayal Kaur, assured the students that she would look into the various suggestions
favourably and ensure that her employees were sensitised about the needs of the handicapped. She also stated that the board would hold a meeting to see if the examination time could be increased. Mr Rattan, however, pointed out that there was really no need to have meetings etc to decide on these matters. ‘‘What is needed is dedication and everything is possible. Remember, dreams can be seen only with eyes closed. No one can stop you from dreaming and that is what makes a person want to achieve,’’ he said. He promised on the occasion that he would ensure that the various books being read by the blind students were updated. Mr Ajit Sailani, convener, earlier stressed on the need for better cooperation from the public for the blind. ‘‘There are enough policies but what is required is a genuine desire to implement
these, 'he said. The convention was conducted by Mr Sham Singh. As many as 60 persons from Punjab and Haryana participated in the convention. |
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PU defence
department to be expanded Chandigarh, January 3 The Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Prof
K.N. Pathak, told TNS that the department would be expanded on the lines of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), New Delhi. Pointing out that there is no institute north of New Delhi engaged in carrying out in-depth research on defence and strategic affairs, he said : “This region deserves such a centre.” The IDSA, funded by the Ministry of Defence, is the country’s most well known think tank on defence and security matters. Besides having a full time faculty dealing in various aspects of military matters and geo-strategic issues, it also publishes regular papers and offers research fellowships. Professor Pathak said that a suggestion to get funding for the department from the Defence Ministry is also being considered. The Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at Panjab University, at present has on its faculty a reader and a lecturer. A post of professor has been lying vacant. A chair of excellence, entitled Maharaja Ranjit Singh Professor was also established about a year ago by a Senate resolution, but it is yet to see an incumbent. Admitting that the department is facing a problem in recruiting teachers, faculty members said that most of the academicians coming forward do not have the desired level of eminence and expertise. A large number of senior ex-defence officers well versed with security issues are available, but they do not meet the stipulated UGC norms on appointment as professors. The department’s honorary co-ordinator T. R. Sharma told TNS that the department’s research would focus on the security issues relating to the north-western states of India, specially Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. The department would also create a comprehensive data bank for reference and research on issues relating to these states. The focus could be expanded at a later stage to cover the north-eastern states, he added. Research and analysis would be in addition to regular post-graduate teaching being carried out in the department. While 15 students were enrolled in MA-I in 2001, 35 students, including five sponsored by the armed forces and para-military services, were enrolled in 2002. |
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NSS team leaves for R. Day camp Chandigarh, January 3 The camp will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium till January 31. The contingent was given a warm send-off. Assistant Programme Adviser Gopalji emphasised on the need for a good team spirit and encouraged them to show their best performance at the camp. The NSS State Liaison Officer, Punjab, Mr
S.M. Kant, was also present on the occasion. Mementos were presented to several NSS programme officers during the function for their performance and efforts in preparing the team for the camp. |
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Protest
by ayurvedic staff Chandigarh, January 3 Terming the
retrenchment as illegal and arbitrary, the president of the College
Employees Union, Mr Lalsoo, said that neither an inquiry or
chargesheet nor any show-cause notice had been issued to the employees
before taking the decision. Condemning the illegal action, he said
that it was against the principles to get patients treated by
contractual staff as was the proposal of the college authorities. |
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Lecture
on terrorism Chandigarh, January 3 |
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Hearing
adjourned Chandigarh, January 3 |
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Lawyers
threaten fast today Kharar, January 3 At the meeting, it was also resolved to meet the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Inspecting Judge of Ropar and other judges and apprise them of the working and conduct of the magistrate. It was also resolved to give a call to the Ropar Bar Association and Anandpur Sahib Bar Association to observe a strike on January 6.
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A showcase of vibrant
Myanmar culture Chandigarh, January 3 Starting the show with a musical item, dancers took the audience to the Pue and Bagan period, when the earliest evidence of Myanmar traditional dances were traced through historical findings and
archaeological evidences. The dancers followed a delicate pattern of body movement, accompanied with beautiful music. The vigorous rhythm was the hallmark of the second item in which four young male dancers, dressed as princes, competed with each other with brilliant vitality. The spiritualism was depicted in the following item, complemented with another dance item in which the dancers paid tribute to the Count of Pakhan, believed to be the guardian angel for the people living in the area. Performing a popular folk number, the dancers gave the audience a taste of festivities which are an important part of the Burmese people. The dance item was called ‘U Shwe Yoe and Daw Moe’ and had all members of the troupe dressed up in funny costumes, moving vigorously in synchronised movement. To keep up with the Indian taste, the troupe also performed a few item the audience could relate to. One of them was a song from ‘Kuch kuch hota hai’ by Nyan Win and Ei Nyein Chaw, vocalists of the troupe while others staged Ramayana, a grand royal play based on Valmiki’s original epic. Two scenes ‘Rama and the enchanted deer’ and ‘Sita rejecting dasagiri’s courtship’ gave a fair idea that Ramayana was closely interspersed with the Myanmar culture. |
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