Situated on NH 21 near Ropar, the IT Park Railmajra would be a self-contained mini-township offering five plots each of 1000 and 2000 square yards. These prime plots would be available under the General Scheme to IT / ITeS / Electronics / Knowledge Industry.

On this IT Park, which is situated in the vicinity of institutes like IIT Ropar and Rayat & Bahra Institute, Punjab Infotech will be spending Rs.8 crore for basic infrastructure development.

Punjab InfoTech’s recent tie-up with Rayat & Bahra will facilitate the companies at IT Park to avail facilities like Guest House, Conference Rooms, transport, etc at nominal cost.

Mr. RK Verma informed that the state of Punjab offers enormous competitive and locational business advantage for the IT Industry as compared to other states in India. There are various initiatives being taken by Government of Punjab to promote IT in the state including no restrictions in terms of turnover or employees for procuring plots, exemption from statutory power cuts, load hours and weekly off power cuts as per the IT policy.

The government has decided to follow cluster approach to develop knowledge hub in an around Mohali upto Ropar with integrated support services required by IT/ITES and knowledge industry. Our meet has been a huge success as number of investors has evinced interest in the Railmajra IT Park for expansion of their businesses, added Mr. Verma.

Punjab Infotech has also made provision for Service Apartments at the IT Park. IT Units/Parks will have permissible FAR of 300% on gross area of the project.

The changes to Australia’s skilled migration program, announced on 8 February 2010, reflect the evolving needs of the Australian labour market. These specific labour market needs are determined by an independent statutory authority – Skills Australia.

The embassy stated that no students from any country will be sent home on 1 July. The skilled migration visa is completely separate to the student visa. No student, whether from India or elsewhere, currently studying in Australia is going to be asked to cease their course because of changes to our skilled migration program. They will be allowed to complete their studies. Many have visas that enable them to study courses for several years.

But it is important to remember that student visas allow people to come to Australia on a temporary basis for a specified period to undertake study at an Australian educational institution. There is no guarantee of migration just because someone holds a student visa. Any suggestion to the contrary is a misrepresentation of Australia’s clearly stated policy.

The Australian Government stated that it has provided generous transition arrangements to ensure those international students who were in Australia when the changes were announced on 8 February 2010 have every opportunity to fulfil their objectives. If their objective is to complete their studies, they will be free to do so. If their objective is to shift to another course of study, they will be free to do so subject to meeting the entry requirements. If their objective is to stay in Australia to work after the completion of their studies, they can apply for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa under the old arrangements, which will give them 18 months with full work rights. They can use this time to find an employer-sponsor, find a state-government sponsor, gain a new skill or get work experience. These are very generous transition arrangements by any measure.

These transition arrangements apply until the end of 2012 and extend to all people who held student visas at the date of the announcement (8 February 2010). These arrangements provide students with both the time and the opportunity to explore their options in the Australian labour market before making a decision on their future.

Those who are able to demonstrate that they can meet Australia’s skills needs as articulated in the requirements for a permanent skilled visa will still have the opportunity to achieve permanent residence. . The success of an individual applicant will depend on whether they meet the requirements for a visa that exist at the time they make an application.

More information on the changes to the Australian skilled migration program can be found at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-gsmchanges.pdf

Dr. Avinish Jolly expressed that there is a need for the community to come forward for management of their waste. Our day-to-day habits like reducing the garbage, recycling it and reusing it would help in controlling the pollution and providing a clean environment. He said that every household produces approximately 1? kg of waste every day and it is very difficult for the Municipal Corporation to manage the same. It is, therefore, necessary for everyone to develop some ethics in relation to environment rather than using our democratic way to throw it here and there.

Mrs. Renu Gandhi, Programme In-charge and Assistant Professor from the Department discussed that there is a need to manage water resources in our daily life. Potable water should not be used for irrigation purposes. Everyone should contribute his bit in saving the precious water. She expressed that we should not throw garbage in the water ponds which pollutes the precious water which produces harmful gases in the atmosphere. These ethics would help in saving the environment for future.

Mrs. Amita Khanna, Principal of the School emphasized the need to educate the community and develop ethics among them. Ms. Pushpanjali from the Ashoka Club of the school while proposing vote of thanks expressed that they would have camps in the schools so that the basic environment in the village Khuda Lahora would improve.

To further mark the spirit of the day, Professor R.C. Sobti, also inaugurated, under PU’s “Village Upliftment Project” the Three-month-Computer Application Course at Government Senior Secondary School, Khuda Lahora at 9 A.M. He also announced the adoption of the village for the propagation of environmental consciousness and sustainable development.
At 10.30 A.M., Professor R.C.Sobti, the Vice Chancellor, also inaugurated a photo –exhibition on “Environmental Awareness” at the Students’ Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

The Association of Indian Universities organises Student Research Convention in three phases namely University Level, Zonal Level and National Level to identify and encourage young talents with research aptitude and to initiate an intensive research culture in selected group of institutions. After two days of deliberations nine research proposals out of twenty four presented were recommended by an expert panel to represent the North Zone Universities in the National Meet out of which four were from Panjab University. All the student representatives were awarded commendation certificate by the Association of Indian Universities for their excellent presentations.

The student team was accompanied by Prof.Alok Srivastava of Department of Chemistry and Dr. Harish Kumar of University Institute of Engineering Science and Technology. Professor Alok Srivastava gave a public lecture on the topic of Radiation and Health under the aegis of Chemical Society of Jammu University and was also invited by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Varun Sahni for a discussion. Prof.Srivastava shared his views on collaborative research opportunities besides the efforts required at University Level for the safe handling of radioactive and chemicals.

Christened as “Navjyoti- A Kiran Bedi Initiative”, a replicable project, was today launched from Chandigarh in association with Aryans Group of Colleges (AGC).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was today signed between Dr.Kiran Bedi and Dr.Anshu Kataria,Chairman,Aryans Group of Colleges in Chandigarh Press Club. As per the MoU, 11 deserving students for MBA & 11 students for BBA would be selected by Dr.Kiran Bedi and her Navjyoti team. The selected students would get paid for education by the Aryans group.

Dr. Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group said that, “We feel very privileged to be chosen for Navjyoti, ‘A Kiran Bedi Initiative’. Under this, Aryans group will fully contribute towards the costs for 11 MBA & 11 BBA students. This includes not only the tuition fees but expenses on uniforms, books, and etc. The selected candidates would study at Aryans campus located at Nepra, Chandigarh-Patiala highway, near Chandigarh. The total education cost of around 30 Lakhs for the above students would be borne by Aryans Group of Colleges (AGC).”

Dr.Bedi said that in India higher education needs to be made inclusive. And it cannot be possible unless we widen opportunities for the deserving ‘Have Nots’. She said she is encouraged by this generous support offered by AGC. She said that “We both have more plans ahead for the deserving students”

The selected candidates should be in position for the coming academic session. The selection process would start in first week of July at the Aryans campus, led by Kiran Bedi and her team. Dr. Bedi further added that selection of the candidates would be done on merit-cum-means basis.

Mr. Pavan Choudary, author & management guru said that Dr.Kiran Bedi wants to start a special IIM for those deserving students who have marks but no money. Other organizations, NGOs, colleges could similarly come forward to make higher education inclusive.

Highlights:

Ø “Navjyoti-A Kiran Bedi Initative” was launched today.

Ø Dr.Kiran Bedi & Aryans Group of Colleges (AGC) have joined hands for the project.

Ø Selected 11 MBA & 11 BBA students total education expenses would be borne by AGC.

Ø Selection process will be led by Kiran Bedi at Aryans campus.

Ø Selection would be done on merit cum means basis.

The Prime Minister of India had asked for an affirmative action by the Business Houses to help the disadvantaged section of the society. It was accepted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and it suggested some constructive measures. Out of the many initiatives suggested by CII, the Chairman of Vardhman Group Of Companies chose to undertake a training programme which is known as Capability Enhancement Training Programme. The objective of this programme is to enable students to compete on merit and to make them employable.

50 students from different colleges of Punjab are participants to the programme this year. The participant colleges are S.C.D. Govt. College and Arya College for Boys, of Ludhiana; Govt. Mohindra College and Govt. Bikram College of Commerce, Patiala; D.A.V. College, Jalandhar and Govt. College, Hoshiarpur. The trainees have different educational backgrounds- B.Com, B.B.A., B.C.A. and B.A.

The students are provided food and lodging facilities free of cost. Besides that, they get a daily allowance of Rs. 55.

Taking into account the needs of industry, the programme was designed by Col. (Retd.) P.S. Choudhry, GM, Education and Administration, Vardhman Group. Students are trained in the areas of Quantitative Aptitude, General English, General Knowledge and Public Speaking. These are the main areas that a candidate is tested on, for any kind of job. Besides these, they are trained in personality development and communication skills.

Apart from the above, sessions on Career Awareness are taken by Dr. Ashwani Bhalla of S.C.D. Govt. College, Ludhiana. The students got acquainted with the opportunities in Insurance, Banking and Retail sectors; Financial services and Manufacturing concerns. A separate session on opportunities in the Indian Army was held by Director, Recruitment, Indian Army (North Zone).

Implementation of this program is different from that of the traditional education system. It is an effective tool of learning. Teachers from some of the best colleges in Ludhiana as well as professional trainers train the students in English, Quantitative Aptitude, General Knowledge, Communication skills, Stress Management etc. Tests are conducted to assess the progress of the students. Two summer trainees (MBA HR) from University Business School, Chandigarh, appraise the performance of the students on a regular basis. They try to identify gaps, if any, in the required level of competencies of the students and give them personal attention.

To enable the students to face an interview, whether for job or for higher studies, exercises on interview tips, public speaking and awareness of economic terms are held. Students also underwent Psychological testing to judge their personality and were counseled by Dr. Anuradha, a renowned psychologist. To keep themselves fit, students do Yoga regularly and play sports such as Volleyball, Badminton and Table Tennis, in the evening.

Besides academic training, the students are also motivated to succeed in life. Mr. S.P. Oswal, Chairman, Mr. Sachit Jain, Executive Director and other senior managers of the Vardhman Group addressed the students on the importance of being work-oriented.

Students are also exposed to some aspects of Management, through Lectures and team exercises. Thus, overall development of personality is being emphasized. The students get opportunity to appear for interviews for Campus Recruitment.

After four weeks of this 35 day training programme, the students themselves feel a positive change in their personality. They have incorporated discipline in their routine. The day starts with an hour of Yoga. Lectures continue through the day and in the evening, the students do their assignments in small groups. As a result of this rigorous academic training as well as training on communication skills, the students have started thinking seriously about their careers. The programme, they say, has provided them the direction in their life. They are willing to start their career with confidence and energy.

*They feel that there is a huge difference between the college education and the course that is followed at this programme. According to most of the students, discipline, punctuality and work culture were missing at college and that the emphasis was on theoretical aspects of education. Extra-curricular activities and personal attention were lacking in the system. Hardly anything was done to make them job-ready.

In fact, our GDP growth could have gone up further had it not been for lackluster agriculture performance, which rose by a mere 0.2%, and lower growth of community, social and personal services.
Mr. Kajaria however said that despite the positives, there are still numerous challenges, both domestic and global, which could come in the way of a decisive economic recovery. Firstly, the world economy has still not fully recovered as has been demonstrated by the recent crisis in the Euro-zone. Secondly, inflation remains a major concern especially that of food prices which show no signs of abating despite the arrival of fresh crops. Besides, industrial recovery is still fragile and has yet to pick up in a big way.

Hence, it is important that steps be taken to push up growth in the economy. For this it is important to develop a strong political will to implement the unfulfilled reform agenda in real earnest. Stepping up investment in agriculture is a priority so that our dream of achieving 9% plus growth rate becomes a reality. In fact, there is need to augment agri infrastructure and irrigation facilities to somewhat negate the impact of poor monsoon. Besides, credit availability to industry, particularly the SMEs, at cost effective rates should be ensured. The government should also give attention to exports so that the fluid situation in Europe has a least impact on our exporting units, Mr. Kajaria added.

Announcing the awards in New Delhi, Varghese said “these awards will lift the understanding of Australia and Australian society among Indian university faculty and research scholars. Australia and India have much to learn from each other through collaborative research and these awards will expand the scope of that collaboration. I congratulate the awardees and wish them well with their travels and research.”

Australia’s multiculturalism and cultural coexistence were underlying themes among successful applicants this year. Professor Priyankar Upadhyaya of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) will work on the challenge of managing diversity; Ms Lovepreen Kaur from Max Healthcare plans to research the experience of Indian students in Australia. Professor Caldeira from the University of Goa, a 2010 awardee, will use her fellowship to draft a Master’s course on ‘Multimedia Readings of Australia’.

The AIC fellowships provide an excellent opportunity for awardees to extend their knowledge of Australia and Australian Studies, and to develop collaborations with scholars in Australia. The fellowships are part of the AIC Australian studies program to promote academic linkages.

“First hand exposure to the nation has made me totally restructure the course I had initially designed” said Professor Caldeira, a 2009 awardee currently in Adelaide.

Since the introduction of the fellowships in 2003, 17 senior and 18 junior fellows have undertaken the 6 – 10 week visit to Australia, spending time at participating universities. Many of the awardees have continued their strong interest in Australia, and several have become champions of Australian studies at their home institutions.

Successful awardees for 2010 include:

Professor Priyankar Upadhyaya, Malaviya Centre for Peace, Banaras Hindu University will conduct a research on “Managing Diversities Peacefully: Learning Experiences from Multicultural Cities in India & Australia”

Research topic for Dr Nidhi Singh, Department of English, University of Rajasthan at Jaipur is “Making Connections: South-Asian Immigrant’s Search for Cultural Coexistence”

Mr Arindam Das, Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata will work on the theme “Indo-Australian Dialogue: Indian Diasporic presence and the rethinking of culture, economy and politics”

Dr Parmod Kumar, Dept. of English, IGNOU will examine “Writings from the Fringe: A comparative study of Australian Aboriginal and Indian Aborigines (dalits) through their autobiographies, memoirs et al”

Ms Lovepreen Kaur, Department of Mental Health, Max Health Care, will study “perceptions of safety and the acculturation experience among Indian students in Australia: A pilot study of North Indian and Punjabi Students in Melbourne and Sydney”

In its seventh year of operation, the fellowships program is being managed by a consortium of Australian Universities, on behalf of the AIC. The consortium is led by Monash University, and includes the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland and the University of South Australia.
The Australia-India Council was established by the Australian Government in 1992 to promote linkages between Australia and India in a range of areas, including Australian studies.

Apart from heading the Shock & Detonics Division he is also leading a team of scientists involved in ballistics evaluation of body and vehicle armor, material characterization at high strain rates and response of materials to hyper velocity impact. He played a lead role in creating state of art experimental facilities consisting of Two Stage Light Gas Gun and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar facilities which has made TBRL a unique laboratory where the projectile can be launched to velocities from 300 to 8500 m/s under one roof. His division is supporting all test & evaluation requirements from sister laboratories of DRDO, CSIR, DAE, armed forces, paramilitary forces, academic institutes and private industries.

He has the expertise of establishing Quality Management System in R & D environment and as MR of TBRL he successfully designed, documented and implemented Quality Management System (QMS) in the establishment as per ISO 9001:2008 International Standard. Implementation of QMS has brought an improvement in the working of laboratory through streamlined activities and better control of documents and traceability of records.