MGSIPAP organises re-orientation workshop for PR professionals

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 19

 With a view to imparting professional skills to the Public Relations Officers of the Punjab Government and equipping them with the latest technological advancements in the field, the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Punjab (MGSIPAP) organized a three-day’s orientation workshop which concluded here today with Outward Bound Learning Programme.

 The focused themes taken up during the workshop by the media management experts include Ethics of Public Relations: Time management, Communication skills, Media Management and developing positive attitudes to various developments in the changing global scenario. Besides this, the thoughtful lectures were also given by the Media experts on Managing Public Relations Campaigns,  Processes, Procedures and Practices to be followed in crisis like situations and also to take feedback from the stakeholders for further remolding and rejuvenating policies  and programmes beneficial to the society at large.

    The experts who gave lectures to the participants included Col. (Retd.) Mr. B.M. Sabhlok, Mr. C.J. Singh, Ms. Ekta Gupta and Mrs. Sudha Sabhlok. The Public Relations officials were also given tips on preparing Press Notes, organizing Press Conferences, liaison with the Media, to conduct surveys, gather Public Opinion and Research in Government Plans and their successful implementation for fulfilling aspirations of the people.

Sukhbir seeks special security package for Punjab

 by Punjabnewswire4u

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH, APRIL 16

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today sought a ‘Special Security Package’ for border state Punjab to overcome the challenges posed by inimical forces and to combat narco-terrorism effectively. 

Speaking in the meeting of Chief Ministers on Internal Security presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mr. Badal made a forceful plea demanding extension of scheme providing funds for Modernization of police force by minimum 10 years, increase of modernization budget from Rs 30 crore to Rs 150 crore, allocation of Rs 50 crore for training and equipment of Special Security Group, allowing raising one more Indian Reserve Battalion besides introducing basic change in the allocation of budget from Union Government making the schemes state specific.

Seeking a special package from Union Government to tackle left wing extremism, Mr. Badal pleaded that state should be considered category ‘A’ instead of category ‘B’ looking at historic roots of Naxal agitation in Punjab. He also advised to have separate state specific conference quarterly besides annual conference on Internal Security.

Mr. Badal, who is also holding the portfolio of Home Ministry in Punjab, underlined the threats in the state and sought National support to combat these elements. He said that Punjab being a border state with 553 kilometer long international border with Pakistan that adjoins with troubled Jammu and Kashmir was influenced by sensitive geographical location coupled with various outfits active in the neighbouring states. He said that the matter gets further compounded with interstate dynamics and national issues having bearing on the state matter besides socio-economic and politico-religious issues affecting the sensitive state.

 He said that we should not forget the fact that state has passed through turbulent period of violence in ’80 and early ‘90s in which 11694 innocents including 262 family members of policemen and 1780 security personnel including 6 IPS Officers were killed. He said that the fact that out of 271 gallantry awards to the security personnel in this period, 42 were awarded posthumously was indicative of resolve of Punjab Police to tackle violence head on.

He said that Punjab was perhaps the only state which has successfully fought with both Naxalism and Terrorism. Mr. Badal said that Naxal movement was controlled in the 1960s and early 70s and terrorism in the 80s and early 90s. Advising caution against their re-eruption Mr. Badal said that being a border state we continuously face threats from across the border for the revival of terrorism and there was a long continuous threat for revival of Naxalism. He underlined that our state was continuously fighting these Battles, besides this facing continuous flow of Weapons, Explosives, Drugs and Fake Currency from across the Borders.

Emphasizing the need for effective sharing of intelligence regarding movements and threat perceptions of important personalities at interstate and international level, Mr. Badal said that advance information was imperative to tackle the situation effectively.

Reiterating the resolve of SAD-BJP Government to tackle Narco-Terrorism, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was worst sufferer with its geographical proximity to ‘Golden Crescent’ comprising of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, largest producers of illegal opiates. He said that drive of Punjab Police against Narco-Smuggling could be gauged from the fact that Punjab accounted for 1/5 of total heroine recovery in the country. He said that Government was giving special attention to combat drug trafficking and an anti-narcotic task force under Inspector General of Police has been established with each districts having separate anti-narcotic cells. He sought installation of ‘Special Equipment’ in the border area to freeze signals of Pakistani SIM cards being used by smugglers.

The Deputy Chief Minister said In order to fight all these problems we have Recruited more than 18000 policemen in last 3 years, set up a Special Security Group (SSG) on lines of NSG ,established SWAT Teams, created independent cadre for the Intelligence Wing, introduced Commissionerate System in major towns , increased State Police budget from 1500 crore to 3000 crores in the last 5 years.  He said that to change the traditional image of Police and to provide Single window service to citizens Saanjh Centres have been set up, Right to Service Act Implemented as a major initiative towards Community Policing

Emphasizing to equip police force technologically, Mr. Badal said that today wars were won by technology. He lamented that in India, Internal Security gets the least importance in our Budget. Looking at the allocation of funds for modernization in the Budget which is approximately 1000 crores per year Mr. Badal said that this budget was a pittance when compared to while Defence  that gets 1,93,000 crores, even NREGA gets 30000 to 40000 crores per year.

Stressing the need  to take preventive measures rather than curing it, when the problem become in full blown, Mr. Badal said that we do not believe in this theory. He said that for example to tackle Naxal Problem, Terrorism, we spend thousands of crores on CURE rather than spending a little amount onprevention.

           Laying stress on capacity building of police, Mr. Badal said that Union Government must help the state in improving infrastructure, providing better manpower and financial resources at Police Station level, equipping police force with modern weaponry and gadgetry, improvised Non-Lethal Weaponry.

Seminar on “Recent Trends in Chemical Engineering”b

 

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

MOHALI, APRIL 15

Aryans College of Engineering (ACE) organized a seminar on “Recent Trends in the field of Chemistry” in the college campus at Village Thuha, Chandigarh-Patiala Highway near Chandigarh. Dr. Manmohan Chhibber, Faculty, Thapar University, Patiala was the keynote speaker of the event. Dr. Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges (AGC) presided over the function. Dr.P.B.Mahapatra, Director, Aryans College of Engineering welcomed the guest.

While addressing the students he highlighted   the importance and application of chemistry in various branches of engineering. He further added that Chemical engineering principles are used to produce DNA sequences in large quantities. He also stated that the completion of the “Human Genome Project” is seen as a major development not only advancing chemical engineering but genetic engineering and genomics as well.

Dr. Chhibber also explained few lessons from the social insects like ants, have been an inspiration and subject of study. The successful techniques used by ant colonies have been studied in computer science and robotics for solving problems for example, Ant colony optimization and Ant robotics.

He also stressed that the fundamental principles of chemical engineering underlie well beyond the boundaries of the chemical industry and chemical engineers employed in a range of operations outside traditional areas.  The nuclear industry makes similar demands on the chemical engineer, particularly for fuel manufacture and reprocessing. Chemical engineers are involved in many sectors of the metals processing industry, which extends from steel manufacture to separation of rare metals.

Dr. Chhibber also laid emphasis on finding solutions through chemical engineering to at least two of the world’s major problems i.e. supply of adequate fresh water through desalination of sea water and environmental control through prevention of pollution.

Also present on the occasion were Prof. D. C. Kataria, Vice- Chairman, Aryans Group; Mrs. Rajni Kataria, Treasurer, Aryans Group; Dr. (Mrs.) Parveen Kataria, Director General, Aryans Group; Dr.Manjula Kataria, Principal, Aryans College of Education & Chandrama Singh, Registrar, Aryans Group.

Baisakhi and Ambedkar jayanti celebrated in Golden Bells

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir) MOHALI, APRIL 12
The festival associated with the harvesting i.e. Baisakhi and ‘Ambedkar Jayanti’,  birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was celebrated with gusto and gaiety in Golden  Bells Public School, Sec- 77, Mohali. Students from the senior classes gave  speeches on the topic like ‘History of Baisakhi’ covering topics like why we
celebrate it and how’. Not only this, students spoke on the life history of Dr. B.R Ambedkar. To commemorate the birth of Khalsa Panth, five religious students were traditionally dressed as ‘Panj Piaras’ who recited verse from the scriptures.
Poem recitation competition was held and through poems students from junior and senior wing showed harvesting by acting as farmers thereby telling and showing us the real pictures of North Indian farmers. This festival also stands for the dawn of the New Year in Northern India. Various competition like turban typing for
senior boys were held and students of class- VIII sang a melodious song related to occasion. School’s Bhangra team performed an energetic Bhangra.
In end, Chairman of the school Col C.S Bawa (Retd.) spoke on the importance of
the day and encouraged students to follow the footsteps shown to us by our Gurus.

GNDU Vice-Chancellor gets three-year extension

 by Punjabnewswire4u

AMRITSAR, APRIL 3

The Punjab Governor and Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Mr  Shivraj Vishwanath Patil  has given three-year extension to Prof. A.S. Brar as Vice-Chancellor of GNDU.

            This information has been received from Punjab Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh vide letter no. PRB-2G-2002/GNDU/2232 dated, Chandigarh, April 2 2012. According to the letter, the Guru Nanak Dev University Act 1969 as amended from time to time, the Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar is pleased to extend the term of appointment of Sh. Ajaib Singh Brar, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar for a period of three years with effect from 14-07-2012. 

This extension by the H.E. Governor of Punjab happened only due to the innovative and scientific approach of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ajaib Singh Brar. Due to his initiatives the University Grants Commission has awarded Guru Nanak Dev University as the Centre with Potential for Excellence and sanctioned Rs. 50 crores for updating. With this status, now the University has included in the best ten high status Universities of the Country.

During his tenure a record Grants of Rs.170.65 Crore from Govt. of India, UGC and State Government has received

            Due to personal interest of Prof. Brar, It is important to mention in the context of efforts of the University to reach out to the rural poor, an organization named Progressive Education Society has been formed to help and train children from poor families of the rural Punjab and to equip them to crack IIT-JEE.

Introduction of Credit Based Evaluation System from the on going session is a big step in the direction of improvement in the academic standards by Prof. Brar. This is the first University in the region to start this system. It will not only raise the standards of teaching but will also bring about transparency in examination and evaluation. This system is based on the Trust on the integrity of teachers.

            In rich cultural heritage, the University is getting in to oblivion at a fast pace. A heritage village is being constructed because of his personal interest to show case our rich cultural past in on an 11 acre piece of land at the University Campus.

            Earlier, Prof. Brar joined as Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar since 15th July, 2009. Prior to joining as Vice-Chancellor of this University, he was the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Lucknow.

During career span of more than 35 years of Prof. Brar, places him not only in the top bracket of committed teachers and researchers but also able administrators. He has a vast experience of working in the field of education, research at prestigious National and International Institutes in various capacities. Prof. Brar has worked in the fields of catalysis, Mossbauer Spectroscopy, Photochemistry and in the field of NMR Spectroscopy of Polymers. He has international recognition in these fields.

Prof. Brar joined IIT Delhi as Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 1982 and rose to the position of Professor (Higher Academic Grade - HAG).  He had also been Joint Professor, Centre for Polymer Science and Engineering, IIT Delhi.  Prof. Brar did his B.Sc. from Faridkot, Punjab in 1968 and M.Sc. from Punjabi University, Patiala in 1970. He did his Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 1977.  He got UNESCO fellowship in 1974 while doing Ph.D.  Prof. Brar joined as Lecturer in Chemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in 1976 and served the University for six years.

Prof. Brar has published more than 210 papers in refereed International and National journals and 50 papers in the proceedings of conferences / symposia. Prof. Brar has delivered more than 115 lectures in conferences / symposia at various Institutes /Universities. He has delivered invited lectures at American Chemical Society conferences and at leading universities in USA, Europe and Japan. He delivered lectures in Japan on the invitation of JSPS and in The Netherlands on the invitation of The Royal Academy of The Netherlands for Arts and Science.

Prof. Brar is having research collaboration with RWTH, Technical University, Aachen, Germany (ranked as the best Technical University in Germany). He was a visiting faculty at RWTH, Aachen during June-July in 2005 and 2006. Prof. Brar has guided 25 Ph.D. students and 20 M. Tech. students. He has sponsored projects of Rs. 1.50 crores and established High Resolution NMR Center at IIT Delhi.

Prof. Brar was Chairman GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering) 2002, 2004 and JMET 2002, 2004. He was chairman for conducting DRDO-SET 2004 (Defense Research and Development Organization - Scientist Entrance Test), through which, about 600 scientists were recruited for various DRDO laboratories. He was Head of the Department of Chemistry, IIT Delhi . Prof. Brar was awarded Outstanding Research Award, IIT Delhi in 1994.  He is Fellow of the "National Academy of Sciences" and “Punjab Academy of Sciences.  

Here are a few achievements of Dr. Brar as Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar since his joining - Started Batch of 50 rural students in +1 Non-Medical, as per policy of the Punjab Government to prepare rural students of Punjab for admission to Indian Institutes of Technology and other National Level Engineering Entrance Tests.

The University regained the highest sports Award in the country Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for the year 2009-10. The university has won National Championship in Inter-University Youth Festivals in the year 2012. The university has been National Champion for 10 times. The University won the Overall Championship in North Zone Inter-University Cultural Competitions in November 2009, 2010, 2011 and was Runners up of National Cultural Trophy in 2009.

The University has risen to rank 13 in the top 50 universities of the country, as per recent survey conducted by ‘India Today’. The University has 11^th Position, out of the 500 universities, in Science Publications in the Scientific Analysis of some disciplines : Comparison of Indian institutions with other International Institutions.

First University to introduce on-line admissions to its courses/on-line counselling for State Level Admissions. Computerization of Examination and Registration Branches. First University in the State to introduce Credit Based Evaluation System. Earmarked Rs. 10.00 Crore for purchase of sophisticated instruments. Decentralization of Examination System. Conduct of examinations, declaration of results, as per schedule, before 30^th June each year; and commencement of classes as per schedule. Swapping of Supervisory Staff in the examinations. Revision of all the courses and increase in number of seats in various courses.

Introduction of Pre-Ph.D. courses in all the University Departments. Grant of 50 Ph.D. Fellowships every year funded by the University. Waiving of Tuition fee from the students studying in the School of Punjabi Studies and the Department of Guru Nanak Studies. Merger of Applied Chemistry and Applied Physics Departments to their parent Departments of Chemistry and Physics, respectively.  Centre for Genetic Disorders in the Deptt. of Human Genetics.  Similarly, Sugar and Alcohol Technology has been separated from Applied Chemical Sciences and merged with Food Science & Technology.  On the same pattern, School of Legal Studies merged with the Deptt. of Laws at Regional Campus, Jalandhar.

Starting of Rural Colleges in Verka, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts under the Punjab Govt. / UGC scheme at a cost of Rs. 1.5 Crore for each college; and two Regional Campuses - one at Sathiala (with cost of  Rs. 9 Crore for the Centre and 5 Crore for Hostel)  and Fattu Dhinga (Sultanpur Lodhi), Distt. Kapurthala.

Introduction of New professional courses in Shaheed Ram Singh Pathania Memorial College, Niari, the constituent college of the University. Starting of MCA 3-Years course at Guru Nanak Dev University College, Jalandhar. New Astro-turf for Hockey Ground with a cost of Rs. 12 Crore and addition of Velodrome costing Rs. 1.20 Crore conforming to international standards.  Extension of Hockey Stadium costing Rs. 4.50 Crore. Establishment of Internal Quality Assurance Cell. Introduction of Semester System in all PG courses. On-line submission of examination admission forms. Detail of marks on the Website and through SMS. Construction of ASC Guest House with support from UGC and Emerging Life Sciences building.  Further,  New Lecture Theatre Complex under construction. Construction of new IT Block at Regional Campus, Jalandhar, Extension of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Bhawan with eight Lecture theatres with a seating capacity of more than 120 students and ramp for physically handicapped, extension of Physics and Chemistry Blocks, extension of renovation of Gymnasium and Boundary wall at ASSM College, Mukandpur.

Installation of new Sewerage Treatment Plant at Regional Campus, Gurdaspur. Opening of branch of State Bank of Patiala at the Amritsar Campus. Shifting of University College, Jalandhar in new premises allotted by the Govt. of Punjab on Ladhowali Road, Jalandhar.

Starting of Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib with a grant of Rs. 47.05 Crore from UGC. University granted the status of "University with Potential for Excellence" entailing a grant of Rs. 50 crore by UGC.

Approval of Centre on "Genetic Basis of Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Punjab" by UGC under the Scheme "Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area" (CPEPA) entailing a grant of Rs. 6.15 Crore. University selected by the Deptt. of Science & Technology, GOI to receive support of Rs. 9.00 crore for 3 years under the programme "Promotion of University Research & Scientific Excellence (PURSE)" for incentivizing R&D activities.

Installation of X-ray Machine costing Rs. 28.5 lacs, Incinerator with a cost of Rs. 11.5 lacs to dispose off the bio-medical waste, Hot Air Woven, DCA Vantage HBA IC Analyzer in the Clinical Lab, DEXA Machine and increase in the facilities at the Health Centre and renovation of building. Echocardiography Machine for heart patients and Random Access Chemiluminiscense Analyzer for conducting all Harmone tests and fully Automatic 5 parts Haematology Cell Counter Lab Analyzer and Blood Chemistry Analyzer being installed in the Health Centre.

            Prof. Brar is Chairman, Convener and Member of 24 State and National Level bodies and committees. He is also Life Member of 5 Important national and International bodies.   Prof. Brar received 10 prestigious Awards and Honours of National and International repute. He also Contributed to Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) of National Level. He has supervised about 32 Ph.D. students

 

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

MOHALI, APRIL 3

Aryans Business School (ABS) organized a Seminar on “Emerging Challenges in Global Business” in the college campus at Vill. Nepra (Banur), Chandigarh-Patiala Highway, Near Chandigarh. Mr. Kamal Singh, Director-CMD, All India Management association (AIMA), New Delhi was the keynote speaker of the event. Dr. Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges (AGC) & President, Chandigarh Management Association (CMA) presided over the function.

The speaker enlightened the students on the changing business scenario. Mr. Singh opined that business has become extremely challenging due to certain global developments such as entry of new emerging economies, changing consumer trends worldwide, technological advancements, and fast infrastructural & communication developments.  

These global challenges have resulted into new business environment and the implementation of new strategies in different business areas worldwide such as mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, joint ventures, diversifications etc.  Mr. Singh stressed that the key idea for the industry, is to understand and put forth the undiscovered challenges and develop strategies to combat these. The Global meltdown would require a new focus and dimension to our curriculum and financial strengths.

While addressing students he also highlighted the leadership qualities like passion to win, flexibility, efficiency, quality etc. being looked for in today’s global scenario. He cited examples of eminent personalities like Mr. B.M. Munjal (Chairman, Hero Group), Mr. C K Ranganathan (CMD, Cavin kare) and Mr. Ratan N Tata (Chairman, Tata Group) who emerged as efficient leaders in their respective disciplines. 

While sharing his views with the students on this topic Dr. Anshu Kataria thanked Mr. Kamal Singh for sharing his valuable knowledge with the students. Also present on the occasion were Prof. D. C. Kataria, Vice- Chairman, Aryans Group; Mrs. Rajni Kataria, Treasurer, Aryans Group; Dr. (Mrs.) Parveen Kataria, Director General, Aryans Group; Dr.P B Mahapatra, Director. Aryans College of Engineering;  Dr.Manjula Kataria, Principal, Aryans College of Education & Chandrama Singh, Registrar, Aryans Group.

Badal gives approval to fill all vacant posts of teachers/lecturers on regular basis

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH APRIL 2
       Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today gave in principle approval to fill all the vacant posts of the teachers in schools and lecturers in the colleges on regular basis to ensure smooth
functioning of these government educational institutions in the state.
       Presiding over a review meeting of school and higher education here at Chief Minister’s Office this morning, Mr. Badal directed the Principal Secretary Higher Education and Secretary School Education to
immediately initiate the process of recruitment so that these teachers could be appointed at the earliest.  He called upon the officers to ensure the recruitment process in a transparent and fair manner to attract the best available talent from the open market to achieve high standards of education.
 Mr. Badal also asked the Secretary School education to look into the viability of establishing the state level teachers’ recruitment board for the selection of teachers in the state to cope up the enormous task of recruiting almost 10000 to 12000 teachers, who retire every year.   The Chief Minister further asked
the school and higher education departments that the recruitment and promotions of the teachers should be regularly done every year so that no vacancy was kept pending.
       The Chief Minister also declared that the year 2012 and 2013 would be exclusively devoted to the overall development of government schools and higher institutions infrastructure equipped with well trained and highly qualified human resources to emerge Punjab as a front runner state on the educational front in the country.
       Mr. Badal also directed the Secretary School Education to immediately done away with the prevalent practice of deputation of teachers from one school to another.  He also gave go ahead to the village
panchayats to spend money on the repair and upkeep of schools, which would now be a fit charge on the funds of panchayats.
       The Chief Minister also directed that the 25% of the discretionary grants placed at the disposal of ministers must be utilized for the upgradation of infrastructure in the government schools.
       Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also asked the (DPI Colleges) to fill all the vacant posts of Principals in the colleges at the earliest to ensure their proper functioning.  He also directed the Principal
Secretary Higher Education to chalk out a detailed action program in consultation with the Principals to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment in all the Govt. colleges and submit a detailed report
within a fortnight.  The Chief Minister also asked the higher education department to prepare a comprehensive proposal for seeking requisite funds from governemnt for the development of colleges in a
holistic manner.
       The Chief Minister also decided to affect the transfers of teachers in all the government schools from April 10 to May 10 so that all the teachers were in place at the new stations well before the start of
new academic session 2012-13.  With a view to ensuring continuity of the teachers till the completion of academic session, the Chief Minister also decided to retire them only twice a year i.e. March 31
and September 30 irrespective of their date of superannuation.
       The Chief Minister also agreed to the proposal of school education department to only allow three months ex-India leave to the teachers subject to the approval of administrative secretary and leave period
exceeding three months would now be approved in ‘rarest of the rare cases’ at the level of Chief Minister.  It was informed in the meeting that the foreign leave was blatantly misused by the teachers thereby
hampering the school education to a great extent.
       Mr. Badal also asked the Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Malooka and Rural Development & Panchayats Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra to work in tandem to evolve a strategy to bring overall
improvement in the system of school education through synergy in the schools under the control of Departments of School Education and Rural Development & Panchayats.  He also stressed the need to upgrade the infrastructure equipment and human resources in all the schools be it primary, upper primary, high and senior secondary to impart the best education to the students because the school education was a gateway to the higher education.
 He also asked the school education department to put up a detailed proposal for the upgradation of upper primary schools from primary, upper primary to high and high to senior secondary as per the norms under Right to Education Act.  He further said that requisite land for the upgradation of these schools would be
provided by the state government.
       The Chief Minister also gave nod to re-constitute the school management committees which were primarily entrusted with the task of running affairs of the schools on day to day basis.  The new
committees to be re-constituted would now comprise of 13 members; amongst them 9 would be from parents of the students besides a sarpanch, a panch, a social worker and a teacher.
       The Chief Minister also asked the officers of the School and Higher Education departments to personally visit the schools and colleges to interact with the Principals and staff to apprise themselves with the short comings in these institutions and to rectify them in an effective manner according to their felt needs.  He also advised the Secretaries to undertake extensive field visits to acquaint themselves with the current status of the educational institution and also to interact with the staff and students in order to get proper feedback. He called upon the officers to work with utmost dedication, sincerity and professional commitments to transform the education system where it was affected by certain ills which could be easily mitigated.
       Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Malooka, Rural Development & Panchayats Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Principal Secretary Rural Development Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary Higher Education Mr. G. Vajralingam, Secretary School Education Mr. Hussan Lal, Mr. Gaggandeep Singh Brar and Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, both Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. Sukhjit Pal Singh, besides the officers of higher and school education department.
…