Chandigarh, May 18
Yadavindra Public School student Gurinder Pal Singh has topped the non-medical stream in the region in the ISC (Class XII) exam, scoring 92 per cent marks. And, he has achieved this feat practically without tuitions.

“I relied on self-study and would put in six hours of study everyday. In fact, it was the pre-boards that finally set the mood for serious study. I worked very hard to make up for my lack of tuitions. Only in the last month before the examination, I enrolled for tuition for a quick revision of mathematics,” he says.

His father, Mr Gurmit Singh, PA to ADGP, and mother, a teacher at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, says, “It is a proud moment for us. He gave it his best shot — preparing all year round. We never had to tell him to sit down with his books. He was a conscientious student all along and we were expecting a good score.”

However, while his parents may be ecstatic about the score, Gurinder is not very happy with his achievement. “I was expecting to do better. I lost marks in chemistry and English. What is done can’t be undone now but I am hoping I will be able to compensate for this loss in competitive examinations,” he added.

Chandigarh, May 18
A three-member delegation from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, USA, led by Prof Mark S. Rosentraub, Dean, visited the Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, today to explore the possibilities of an exchange programme, both for students and faculty. Other members of the delegation were Prof Sheila N. Samuels, Director, College Development, and Ms Simerjit Grewal, Student Assistant with the office of the Dean.

Prof B.S. Ghuman, Chairman, Department of Public Administration, while making the presentation, said the Department of Public Administration had its strengths like job-oriented and multidisciplinary masters programme; well-developed infrastructure; students from across the country and international students; diversified and active faculty; two international and two national research projects; department having close networking with faculty of public administration in the Departments of Correspondence Studies and Evening Studies; Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi; and civil servants.

Prof Mark S. Rosentraub gave a brief introduction about the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, which in terms of city management and urban policy has been ranked second in the USA for consecutive three terms. Prof Mark S. Rosentraub supported the case for collaboration with the Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, based upon the similarities in the curriculum as well as specialisations of the faculties at both institutions. Other motivating factor to work with Indian institutions like Panjab University, according to him, has originated from emerging close relationships between the USA and India.

Elaborating on the financial aspects of the collaboration, he cited successful collaboration with international universities in Korea, Jordan and Croatia. In these cases, the resources are mobilised under the Community-University-University Partnership. He stated that in Ohio there was a sizeable Indian community and its help on the pattern of other ongoing international collaborations could be sought for mobilisation of funds for the exchange programme.

His lecture was followed by a discussion about the proposed collaboration, in which faculty members from the department and the departments of Correspondence Studies and Evening Studies, along with research scholars, took keen part.

Terming it as a beginning, Prof B.S. Ghuman, Prof Mark S. Rosentraub, Dr R.K. Sharma and Prof Sheila N. Samuels emphasised upon the commonalities and hoped for strengthening of relations further.

Finally, it was agreed that there are great possibilities of working together on the aspects, such as exchange of faculty, joint research, PhD programme, one semester course of masters and MPhil programme at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, USA, and transfer of credit to Panjab University.

Mr Sudhir Sharma, Reader, Department of Public Administration, proposed a vote of thanks.

Mohali, May 18
Shivalik Public School celebrated rhyme time in the school here today.

About 155 tiny tots of classes LKG and KG mesmerised the audience. Principal Mrs Satwant Bedi was the chief guest.

The function started with prayers seeking the blessings of the almighty. A prayer, ‘God bless mummy and daddy’ made everybody emotional. This was followed by a fairy dance which was well coordinated by the teachers.

Various nursery rhymes were played with children enacting the characters. The children danced to their heart’s content to the tune of a number entitled “Party Dance”. The show concluded with yoga exercises.

All the tiny tots were gifted colour boxes as a token of appreciation. This was followed by an enthusiastic photo session with their parents.

Chandigarh, May 18
The Bar Association of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the district courts today demanded speedy action against those who allegedly assaulted a practicing advocate of the high court, Ms Anjali Kukar, on Tuesday night.

The association in a representation to the SSP, Chandigarh, demanded the arrest of the guilty, failing which they threatened to observe strike.

The lawyer was allegedly attacked by her landlord at her residence in Sector 35. She alleged that when she returned home, her landlord started hitting her with a rod because of which she sustained injuries on her arm.

She added that she was not on cordial terms with her landlord and a case to resolve a dispute was already pending in the court for the same. Anjali added that she had been repeatedly threatened by her landlord and had even lodged a complaint.

The police has registered a case under Section 325 and 506 of the IPC.