New initiative to refresh the memories of Jaspal Bhatti

Monday12th August 2024 at 4:30 PM

His statue will be unveiled on 14 August, 2024

Chandigarh: 12 August, 2024: (KK Singh//Education Screen Desk)::

There was an era of Janaab Jaspal Bhatti Sahib. That era never returned after his departure. His laughter was not just a joke. It was not just a joke either. He did not hurt anyone by making fun of them but he brought out the evils that had entered the society in such a way that big scandals like scams were exposed in a laugh. The person listening or watching his presentation did not just laugh but was forced to think something very seriously. Only Jaspal Bhatti Sahib knew how to make his viewers and listeners think about the reasons for the sad condition of the society without saying anything bitter or without speaking any harsh words. This was his great quality.

Perhaps his hidden motive was to awaken a thought, not worry about reality. He used to awaken consciousness in bursts of laughter. He would not talk of sorrow, nor cry, nor discuss any grief, but would very gracefully expose the reasons that cause pain to society. His candid style was visible even when he used to draw cartoons in a famous English newspaper long ago. People used to wait for the newspaper every day to see the message of his cartoon.

The management of PEC i.e. Punjab Engineering College (Deemed University) has taken the initiative to refresh his memories.

Punjab Engineering College Old Students Association (PECOSA) of the renowned Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh is going to organize a special inaugural ceremony of the Bust of Padma Bhushan Awardee Shri Jaspal Bhatti on 14th August, 2024 from 4:00 PM onwards, outside the PEC Auditorium to remember, honour and celebrate the esteemed Engineer, alumni of Electrical Engineering batch of 1978, legendary Indian Television Personality. 

The honorable Director, PEC, Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Kumar Bhatia would graced this auspicious ceremony as chief guest, along with Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Kanda (Head, Alumni, Corporate and International Relations) shall be the Guest of Honour on this occasion. This whole event is organized by Er. Teekam Chandar Bali (President, PECOSA) and Er. H.S. Oberoi (Gen. Secretary, PECOSA). This evening would be fully dedicated to our esteemed alumnus Er. Jaspal Bhatti and his life. 

This much awaited event would be graced by his friends, other alumni, faculty members and current batch of Students. 

CME on "Oncology Update"

Saturday 10th August 2024 at 6:10 PM

Organized by IMA Ludhiana in association with Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute

Ludhiana: 10th August 2024: (The Education Screen Bureau)::

IMA Ludhiana in association with Rajiv Gandhi Cancer institute and research Centre organised CME on "Oncology Update" on 09/08/2024 at IMA House, BRS Nagar Ludhiana.This educational program was well attended by  doctors of the city.

Speakers for the day were Dr Jaskaran Singh Sethi and Dr K. M. M. Vishvak Chanthar who made attendances aware about the newer project the CyberKnife and techniques in managing various cancers in females.

Dr  Manoj K Sobti, past state president IMA & member Punjab Medical Council and Dr Harpreet Singh, Dr Jaspal Singh and Dr Atul Mishra were the Chairperson.

Dr Manoj Sobti emphasized about the importance in keeping oneself aware about the newer updates in the field of medical science to excel in the field and for the betterment of the patients

Dr Pritpal Singh, President IMA Ludhiana welcomed the Speakers and the Chair persons.

Dr Rohit Rampal, Secretary IMA Ludhiana conducted the proceedings of the day.

Dr Karmvir Goyal Member Punjab medical council announced two creditors for this event.

Among other present were - Dr Sunil Katyal, President IMA Punjab, Dr Gaurav Sachdeva Dr Bimal Kanish, Dr P S Jassal, Dr Avinash Jindal, Dr Jugjit Singh, Dr MS sethi, Dr Manakaran, Dr Junish Bagga, Dr Manbir Khurana, Dr Sahil Bassi, Dr Sagar Bassi, Dr Dhiren Bassi and others

An orientation programme by Doaba Group of colleges

Thursday 8th August 2024 at 2:55 PM

The universe also helps those who work hard with dedication-Manjit Singh

Kharar (Mohali): 8th August 2024: (Education Screen Bureau)::

An orientation programme was organized by the group for the new students taking admission in various courses in Doaba Group of Colleges. The main objective of this programme was to make the new students aware of the rules of Doaba Group, to familiarise them with the internal structure of the group and to adapt them to the new environment. The programme started by reciting Sri Sukhmani Sahib Ji in the campus and then praying to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj for the success of Doaba Group. After this, Doaba Khalsa Trust President HS Bath, Managing Vice Chairman SS Sangha, Management members Mr. KS Bath, Madam Ramanjit Kaur Bath and Group Executive Vice Chairman Sardar Manjit Singh lit the lamp.

Later, Dr. HS Bath, President, Doaba Khalsa Trust welcomed the new students and emphasized the need for positive attitude and enthusiasm to reach the goal along with regular studies. He appealed to the students to plant as many trees as possible and save Mother Earth. After this, the directors and principals of various colleges of Doaba Group addressed the students and gave information about various courses and curriculum. On this occasion, the students who secured first, second and third positions in the last semester were honored by the group. Not only this, the alumni working in the prestigious companies of the group shared their experiences with the freshers while remembering their college days and said that nothing is possible without hard work.

Addressing the students present at the end of the program, Sardar Manjit Singh said that in the 25-year journey of Doaba Group, Doaba Group has provided job placement to thousands of students. Almost every company from all over the world has visited Doaba Group of Colleges. During this, he told the names of different companies and also told the total number with figures that how many students have been given jobs by Doaba Group in which company. 

Motivating the students, he further said that if people do something with a desire, then the whole universe starts helping them in fulfilling that desire, provided the person should have hard work and honesty to achieve that thing. In this way, this program organized for the students became memorabl

UNESCO announces 15 awards for young researchers

These young researchers working in biosphere reserves

संकेतक फोटो

UNESCO News: 8 July 2024: (UNESCO//Education Screen Desk)::

UNESCO continuously encouraging young researchers. Now another happy news came regarding this. UNESCO announced 15 awards for young researchers. All these 15 young researchers are from different locations.

On 4 July, the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme presented 15 young scientists from 11 countries with awards of up to US$5,000 each to support their research projects.

Marine mammals : one white swimming above a submerged one in Valdes Biosphere Reserve, Argentina

The Principality of Monaco is funding seven of these awards again this year for research projects with a focus on marine, island and coastal issues. On 5 July, the Man and the Biosphere Programme’s Council decided to name these grants the “MAB Young Scientist Awards - Prince Albert I of Monaco” in honnor of his contribution to ocean exploration and science.

MAB Young Scientist Awards:

The winners are, in alphabetical order:

Maryury Yorleny Aleman Avilez, Honduras

She will be documenting the use of natural resources in Cacique Lempira, Señor de las Montañas Biosphere Reserve and how it affects the economy of Indigenous Peoples. She will also attempt to document the ancestral knowledge of these communities.

Blaise Binama, Rwanda

He will be studying invasive plant species in forests that have been recently restored or are still undergoing restoration in Gishwati-Mukura Biosphere Reserve. The lack of knowledge of these invasive species is hindering restoration efforts. He also plans to suggest strategies for controlling invasive plant species that minimize the environmental impact and operational costs.

Julia Cristina Garcia, Brazil

She will be analysing the diversity and geographical distribution of academic research targeting the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and will identify trends, patterns and knowledge gaps. She will also be analysing the impact of this research on the Brazilian network and the Sao Paulo City Green Belt Biosphere Reserve to inform policies and recommendations for biosphere reserve management.

Saleem Haddad, Jordan

His focus will be on the Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves Network. He will assess the effectiveness of management of biosphere reserves in the network, the effect of decisions made by the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere programme on the evolution of individual biosphere reserves and the opportunities for cooperation between biosphere reserves and related challenges.

Brinda Kashyap, India

She will be addressing the various challenges that rhinoceros populations face in Manas National Park, a World Heritage site, when it comes to their conservation. Using geospatial data, future land cover simulations and socio-economic impact assessments, she will develop a habitat suitability model for rhinoceros populations that will include scenarios for the future impact of climate change on the rhinoceros’ habitat and conservation needs. 

Xenabeth Lazaro, United States of America

She will be studying the behaviour of sub-Antarctic bats in Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve in Chile to fill knowledge gaps about bat species in the southern hemisphere. Notably, her findings on the bats’ interaction with local communities on Navarino Island will help stakeholders to identify habitats to prioritize for conservation and aid them in determining which trees to conserve and which to designate for logging purposes.

Faith Vihenda Obwoyere, Kenya

She will be assessing conflicts between humans and wildlife in Mount Elgon Biosphere Reserve and whether there are land-use practices and seasonal climatic variations which affect the intensity of these conflicts between local communities and primates and/or elephants. Her research will provide essential evidence-based knowledge for conflict management.

Pascal Sibomana, Rwanda

He will be updating the plant inventory in Gishwati–Mukura Biosphere Reserve and initiating the first baseline reference library of genomic data for 100 rare and threatened plants in the biosphere reserve. This reference library should serve as a model for other national parks in Rwanda, including the Volcanoes Biosphere Reserve.

GCG's student Mehak Bansal did another amazing feat

Monday 8th July 2024 at 2:52PM

She came fourth in the university-a wave of happiness in GCG

Ludhiana: 8th July 2024: (K.K. Singh//Education Screen Desk)::

Government College for Girls in Ludhiana is one of the very old colleges. It is a matter of good fortune to get admission in this college. By studying in this college, many girls have achieved personal success in the struggle of life, while they have also brought laurels to the family and the country many times.

In connection with similar achievements, another good news has come from this college. A student of the B.Com. department of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana gave a brilliant performance in the sixth semester university results.

A student of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana once again demonstrated her talent in the B.Com. final semester examinations conducted by Punjab University, Chandigarh. Mehak Bansal secured fourth position in the university. Principal Mrs. Suman Lata appreciated the hard work and dedication of the students. She congratulated the Head of the Department Mrs. Sarita Khurana and other teachers of the department for their tireless efforts and hard work. She blessed the students to achieve similar achievements in the future.

There is a wave of happiness in the college due to this news.

5 day long FDP organized by EIC, PEC

 Friday 5th July 2024 at 4:23 PM

 It was held in collaboration with NITTTR

Event ended with high grace and historical moments

Chandigarh: 05th July 2024: (The Education Screen Desk)::

The Entrepreneurship and Incubation Cell (EIC) of Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh organized AICTE approved Faculty Development Program (FDP) on Design Thinking and Innovation Management in Startups in collaboration with National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh from 1st July to 5th July, 2024. Today, the Valedictory Ceremony of the 5-day long FDP was graced by esteemed Senior Faculty Member Prof. Uma Batra, as Acting Director of the Institute, Prof. Arun Kumar Singh (Head, SRIC), Dr. Rajesh Kanda (Head, Alumni, Corporate and International Relations), Dr. Harsh Vardhan Samalia (Coordinator, NITTTER), Dr. Simranjit Singh (Convener, PEC) and Dr. Sudesh Rani (Coordinator, PEC). 

The convener of the FDP, Dr. Simranjit Singh briefed about the session and shed light on the valuable knowledge gained in this 5-day long FDP. He also expressed his gratitude towards the esteemed delegates and all the participants. He emphasis on the fact that these FDPs would definitely came up many startups by the end of this year. He also shared insights on the working and activities performed by EIC, PEC. 

Coordinator for this FDP, from NITTTR, Chandigarh, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Samalia, expressed his deepest regard towards all the esteemed dignitaries and coordinators of the FDP. He also shed light on all the sessions and gave useful insights gained from various speakers through out the week. He also shared the knowledgeable takeaways from visit of TBYF, at IIT Ropar. He provided his valuable insights on the Intellectual Property Rights in the field of Startups.  

Prof. Arun Kumar Singh (Head, SRIC), talked about the mindset for initiating startups. He also shared the various funding schemes and organizations to promote our students for startups and convert them from job seekers to job provider. 

Dr. Rajesh Kanda, (Head, Alumni, Corporate and International Relations) gave his valuable insights to initiate startup programs for the students in the coursework. He also expressed his urge to cooperate in any of kind work from the Alumni Office of the institute. 

Prof. Uma Batra, expressed her deepest regard for being a part of valedictory session. She also applauded the organizers and participants of this FDP. She shed on the importance of bringing the innovative experiments from the labs to the market-oriented industry. To bring out that gap between academia and industry, it is necessary to analysis the usage of our innovations in the real-world. We should look at the problems of industry as well to solve them out through our technologies up to an extent. She also emphasized on the Intellectual Property Rights, on building a supply chain, manufacturing of the product, cost of the product, and advertisement cost as well. Lastly, she remarked on the thought of starting from the scratch. 

   

This 5 day FDP had provided the participant with deep thinking in designing and Innovation Management of startups. It had given specific insights in modern technological skills for Innovative Products. 

The main Resource Persons of this 5-day FDP were inclusive of Dr. Harsh Vardhan Samalia, Mr. Hitesh Gulati, Prof. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, Prof. MD Singh from Thapar University, Ms. Indu Aggarwal, Dr. Deepak Jain, Dr. Niraj Bala etc. would provide insight on the team building, corporative leadership, Women's Entrepreneurial Perspective, Innovative Management, knowledge of Incubators etc. 

The main patron of this FDP was Director, PEC Prof. Rajesh Bhatia (Ad Interim), along with Director, NITTTR, Prof. Bhola Ram Gurjar. Dr. Simranjit Singh, (Convener PEC), along with Dr. Harsh Vardhan Samalia, (Coordinator, NITTER), were the main coordinators for the whole FDP. The organizing team included Dr. Sudesh Rani, Dr. Jaskirat Kaur, (Coordinators, PEC), Dr. Nidhi Tanwar (CMH, Faculty), Dr. Ajay Kumar (EED, Faculty), Dr. Jasvinder Singh (PIED, Faculty) conducted the whole workshop very brilliantly. Along with these insightful sessions, there was also a one day visit to TBIF, IIT Ropar as well. 

Dr. Sudesh Rani (Coordinator, PEC) provided a vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and participants for successful conductance of this FDP. 

Nalanda Mahavihar: Did Bakhtiar Khilji Destroy it?

Thursday 27th June 2024, 8:58 AM 

What we need to preserve from the Buddhist period is a spirit of free debate and logic 

The campus of Nalanda was inaugurated formally by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on 19th June (2024) in presence of Ambassadors of many countries like Myanmar, Srilanka, Vietnam, Japan, Korea among others. Most of these countries are the ones where Buddhism was spread by the preachers sent by Emperor Ashok. Initially the idea of reviving Nalanda as a premier global University was floated by the then President A.P.J Abul Kalam in 2006 and later ratified by Bihar Assembly and UPA Government. 

On the occasion; Modi stated that this University was burnt by foreign invaders in 12th Century. He was just parroting the popular perception that Bakhtiyar Khilji, the courtier of Mahmud Ghori had burnt it.

This perception is an add-on to the other such ‘social common sense’ that Muslim invaders destroyed the Hindu Temples and spread Islam by force. Incidentally the propagation of these understandings began with the introduction of communal historiography by the British and later picked up with big gusto by the communal streams, Muslim communalism and Hindu Communalism. While the propagation of myths propagated by Muslim League against Hindus is playing havoc in Pakistan, in India it is RSS which has played this up, leading to Hate against Muslims in our society to the extent that Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel had to write this about RSS, “All their speeches were full of communal poison. It was not necessary to spread poison in order to enthuse the Hindus and organize for their protection. As a final result of the poison, the country had to suffer the sacrifice of the invaluable life of Gandhiji.”

When Modi was mouthing that Nalanda was burnt by foreign invaders, this falls in the same category of falsehoods which are used to spread the Hatred against Muslims. Nalanda had a glorious residential University, spread out in a large area in Rajgir Bihar, built by Gupta's in the sixth century. It was a Buddhist center as Archeological evidence shows. Primarily it was for study of Buddhist philosophy, in addition Brahminical scriptures, mathematics, logic and health science were also taught. Its tradition of open discussion and logic were so high that it attracted students and scholars from various destinations. It was supported by the Kings, later with the coming of Pala and Senaa dynasty its patronage was reduced and withdrawn. Patronage was redirected to new Universities, like Odantpuri and Vikramshila in particular.

This was the beginning of the decline of Nalanda. Who set fire to the great library housing millions of books, Manuscripts and rare collections? While it is being attributed to Khilji, particularly after the coming of the British, there is no single primary source mentioning this. Khilji’s primary goal was to loot and plunder. On route from Ayodhya to Bengal he did attack Kila-i-Bihar thinking this is a forte with wealth. On the way he plundered wealth and killed people. Nalanda was not on the route, rather far away from the route, and he had no reason to attack a University. Most of the primary sources related to history of that time do not mention Khilaji coming to Nalanda. Tabakat-a-Nasiri written by Minhaj-e-Siraj has no mention on these lines. Two Tibetean Scholars, Dharmaswamin and Sumpa were keenly studying the history of India, particularly related to Buddhism, in their books also; Khilji is not mentioned as the one who either came to Nalanda or burnt it. Taranath, another well known Buddhist scholar from Tibet also does not mention any such fact.

Interestingly Buddhist structures of importance like Ajanta, Ellora, and Sanchi stupa were also not the subject of ire of ‘invaders’! Nor do the Indian historians Jadunath Sarkar and R C Majumdar endorse Nalanda being destroyed by Khilji. So how it got burnt and lost its historical importance. Many stories abound apart from the Khilji destroying it, being most prevalent.

Prof. D. N. Jha, the authority on Ancient Indian History in his essay, ‘Responding to a communalist’ in compilation of his essays (Against the Grain, Manohar 2020, pp 185 onwards) gives an excellent summary of the relevant part of the book ‘History of Buddhism in Indian’ by Tibetan monk Taranath. “During the consecration ceremony of the Temple built by Kakutsiddha at Nalendra [Nalanda] ‘the young naughty Shamans threw slops at tirthika beggars (Brahmins, added)…Angered by this one of them went for arranging livelihood and the other sat in the deep pit and engaged himself in ‘Surya Sadhana)…He performed a sacrifice and scattered the charmed ashes all around which resulted in the miraculous fire.”

History of Indian Logic p. 516, cited by D R Patil, ‘The Antiquarian Remnant’ in Bihar says that this incidence refers to the actual scuffle between Buddhist and Brahmanical mendicants. The latter propitiated the Sun God, performed a sacrifice and threw the living ambers and ashes from the sacrificial pit to Buddhist temples. This is what led to the burning of the great collection of books at that time.

We also need to register that this was a period when the attacks against Buddhism were coming up as the resurgence of Brahmanism was coming up in a big way. After the period of Ashoka when India became Buddhist in large measure, the notions of equality ruled in a big way. Due to this the Brahamanical rituals declined leading to a big dissatisfaction among Brahimins. A bit later when Ashoka’s grandson Brihdrath was ruling, his commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Shung murdered Brihdrath and became the ruler unleashing an anti Buddhist persecution.

All reliable sources point to the fact of Brahmins burning the library as revenge. Bringing in Bakhtiar Khilji fits into the general Islamophobic propaganda against Muslims and at the same time hides the true story of the e   persecution of Buddhism during that period.

What we need to preserve from the Buddhist period is a spirit of free debate and logic as the underlying base of education. In present times our Universities are being stifled by the imposition of a culture of obedience and subordination in the matters of academia. The knowledge cannot be imbibed or developed under such conditions. 

If we can learn this from the tragic history of the struggle between Buddhism and Brahmanism in India, it will be a crucial aspect of the development of academia in the country.