School to refund fee (property tax) to parents

Delhi Govt. told Delhi HC

23.11.2011

Coram: Hima Kohli J

Delhi Government Counsel today informed the Court that a show cause notice dated 8.11.2011 has been issued to the school management asking them to refund the fee charged from the parents on account of property tax. The Court directed the Delhi Government to take final decision within 2 weeks and based on the decision, action should be taken against the school. CAG has also been asked to file their reply to the writ petition. The case was adjourned to 29.02.2012.

On the last date of hearing i.e. 03.10.2011 the High Court had issued notices to the St. Lawrence Convent Public School, Delhi Government and CAG on the petition of the parents filed through Advocate Ashok Agarwal challenging the action of the school in arbitrarily increasing fees and other charges in the academic years 2010-11 & 2011-12 under various heads including that of property tax. “The school had subjected the hapless parents to pay Rs.429/- per student on account of property tax which was impermissible in law”, submitted Mr. Agarwal.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

DISTRICT EAST, ANAND VIHAR, DELHI-110092

No.DE.47/D.D.E (E)/Pr. Branch/2011/1400                                        Dated: 08/11/11

SHOW CAUSE NOTICE

1.     Whereas, various complaints against St. Lawrence Convent Public School, Geeta Colony received sin the District made by President St. Lawrence Convent School Patents Welfare Association reg.severe fee hike by the school.

2.     Whereas, the school charged property tax from the parents due to the demand raised by MCD against the school. This is not in accordance with Govt. rules. The school accepted to withdraw the decision of charging property tax from next quarter of fee. The school should refund the property tax charges so far immediately in addition to aforesaid decision.

3.     Whereas, SMS charges are optional for parents. The school should clearly notify it to parents that these charges are optional and should not force it on parents.

4.     Whereas, the increase in the school fees in the year 2011-12 in about 30-50% which is not justified. The school fails to produce justification and minutes of meeting of SLMC in which it is approved in presence of Govt. Nominee. The enormous increase in the fee in not justified. The increase upto 10 to 15% may be allowed and rest of the fee hike should be withdrawn immediately.

5.     Whereas, the fee charged under head Physical Education charges, maintenance charges, are not justifies. The sale of school bags, school uniform, holding marriges and other commercial activities in the school affiliated to CBSE are not acceptable under DSEAR, 1973 & should stopped.

6.     The school should develop a system of redressal of grievances of parents and complaints as to uphold its image and noble cause of imparting education.

The manager/HOS of the school is therefore directed to submit explanation on the above mentioned deficiencies observed by the team members within 2 days, failing which action as deemed fit shall be taken against you under DSEAR Act, 1973.

(Neelam Verma)

Dy. Director of Education/RDE (East)

To

The Manager/HOS,

St. Lawrence Convent School,

Geeta Colony,

Delhi.

Aneurysm was like a time bomb

Another life saved by Dr.Bedi at CMC H

Ludhiana//November 19//Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

Dr HS Bedi with patient Tejinder Singh,the Heart Team and the special blood saving machine

An innovative invention along with timely and skilled vascular surgery has helped in saving the life of Tejinder Kumar - a vegetable seller of Fazilka. He sustained a fracture of his collar bone (clavicle) due to an accident. The bone bent inwards and damaged the subclavian artery (which supplies the hand) producing a swelling due to an aneurysm – a weakness of the artery. The swelling started to compress his air pipe (trachea) leading to difficulty in breathing. He was referred to Dr Harinder Singh Bedi– Head of Cardio Vascular Endovascular & Thoracic Surgery at the Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. On examination and further investigation it was found that the aneurysm was like a time bomb and could burst at any time with fatal consequences . He underwent a vascular surgery. On opening the swelling there was a massive leak of blood at high pressure. This was sucked into a special sterile machine which has been specially developed at the CMC & H using innovative measures. About 2.5 litres of precious blood which would have been wasted was transfused back into the patient. The aneurysm was reapired and Tejinder is now well.
The other members of the team are Dr Allen Joseph, Dr Arun Gupta, Dr Paul Sudhakar, Dr Udeyana Singh, Dr Saurabh, Dr Deepa Thomas. Dr Bedi said that the intricacies of the machine were handled by Mr Jairus Wilson and William P Sagar along with Mr Mathew. Mr Jairus and Mr William are the senior most perfusionists in Punjab.
Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC & H – said that it was the excellent team work plus the innovation of the heart team that had allowed a safe surgery in such a complicated case.

High Court notice to DU

M.A. (MUSIC) ADMISSION CRITERIA
New Delhi// November 19//
Delhi High Court (A.K.Sikri ACJ & Rajeev Sahai Endlaw J) on Friday has issued notices to Delhi University, Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, Ramjas College and Shri Avinash Kumar Jha on the petition filed by Ms. Babita Rawat through Advocate Ashok Agarwal questioning the validity of the admission criteria for M.A. (Music) (Hindustani Vocal) which solely based on 100% performance at the Entrance Test.  “Rule 3 of the Rules, Regulations and Eligibility Conditions for admissions 2011-12 in M.A. (Music) (Hindustani) whereby the merit list is drawn solely on the basis of performance at the entrance test (practical) is arbitrary, discriminatory, unjust, illegal, unconstitutional, violative of Articles 14, 15 & 21 of the Constitution of India read with the provisions of Delhi University Act, 1922”, argued Mr. Agarwal.

The petitioner states that she has been denied admission in M.A.(Music) despite the fact that she secured 63% marks in aggregate in B.A.(Music) in the academic year 2011-12 while studying in Ramjas College. She also stated that Avinash Kumar Jha who was not eligible to be even registered for the course has not only been selected but also granted admission in M.A.(Music) in Ramjas College.

“Merit list is drawn solely on the basis of the performance in the entrance test (practical).No written test is taken at all.  Even no record of entrance test (practical) is prepared and maintained by the Selection Committee. The decisions to select candidates are solely at the whims and fancies of the members of the Committee. Such a criteria is open to discrimination, favoritism, arbitrariness and therefore, impermissible in law”, submitted Mr. Agarwal.

Next date of hearing is fixed for 27.01.2011.

for more detail Advocate Ashok Agarwal maybe contacted at his mobile number-09811101923

Something to cheer about

‘The hearts of Punjabis should not just tick–they should beat strongly’
Ludhiana//16 November 2011// Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria//

Dr. Bedi during a camp (File photo: The Spis News)

In the current era where heart disease has touched epidemic proportions in India according to WHO there is something to cheer about. Just simple lifestyle changes and regular exercise can dramatically reduce the chances of suffering from a heart attack.    

At a recently concluded cardiac check up camp conducted by Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of Cardio Vascular & Thoracic Surgery at the Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana- some very positive findings have come up. At the camp a comprehensive cardiac checkup was performed on a cross section of the community of Samana and all surrounding areas. 400 patients were examined at the camp which was jointly organized with the Registered Medical Practitioners Association, Samana. All patients underwent a thorough examination by superspecialist doctors along with special blood tests. A unique feature was the addition of a dietary consultation and of supervised yoga therapy for all patients and attendants.  It was found that people who exercised regularly or performed yoga had their hearts in good shape, and had cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control. Dr Bedi was very encouraged with these findings for they suggest that a simple regimen of exercise, prudent diet, weight control and regular checkups could indeed keep the hearts of Punjabis in good shape. He stressed that the aim of preventive medicine was – ‘The hearts of Punjabis should not just tick – they should beat strongly’.

Interestingly similar reports have been found worldwide. Currently around one in five menopausal women die from heart disease. But according to new research by exercise scientists at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), this shocking statistic could be reversed if women took just 30 minutes to exercise, 5 days a week. Similarly a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that walking briskly for half an hour cut the risk of premature death in men and women by 44 percent.

There is some confusion about the type and intensity of exercise required. For cardiovascular fitness, you need to do a minimum of 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week, working hard enough that you break a sweat or are mildly out of breath. If you work out on a treadmill you should walk at a speed of at least four miles per hour on a level. If it’s on an incline, you can go a little more slowly.

Aim for a target heart rate during exercise.  Make monitoring your heart rate an integral part of your workout routine. It's a safer, more effective way to exercise, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

Here's how to calculate your target heart rate range:

- Estimate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220.
- Determine your lower-limit exercise heart rate: multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.6.

- Calculate your upper-limit exercise heart rate: multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.9.

For most people, working out at the lower end of the heart rate range for a longer time is better than exercising at the higher end for a shorter period.

Punjabis have a genetic predisposition to heart disease. You can’t do anything about your genes just yet—but you can lower that risk through lifestyle changes. Diet, yoga, exercise, regular physical checkups—all of these can help. Diabetes and high blood pressure can be detected and kept under control. It is time that we invested in our health and fitness now to ensure a real quality of life in later years – just as we plan a financial pension plan for our future. So, strap on your sneakers and start striding in the park.

A call to be alert against Diabetes

Understand the serious impact of diabetes
World Diabetes Day Celebrated
Ludhiana//14th November, 2011//Shalu Arora and Rector kathuria

World Diabetes day is a call to all those who are responsible for Diabetes care and can contribute to control it. For a diabetic patient, this is a message for empowerment education so that he can follow proper ways whether diet food or exercises to improve his health. And for general public this is a call to be alert against Diabetes and understand the serious impact of diabetes.
Giving Information regarding the camp Dr.Marry John, HOD, Medicine department said that World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes - it’s escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, the Day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day on Monday 14th November, 2011 the department of Medicine at CMC & Hospital organized a free medical camp where around 300 patients were medically examined and given free blood sugar test to assess the risk of developing the disease. Patients were also offered free counselling by the specialists of diabetes and endocrinology department. A presentation on Diabetes education and self care was screened. Quiz competition for children with type 1 Diabetes was held. A diet display was also organized by the department. Patients also underwent free body mass & fat analysis test, blood sugar, diabetic foot.

Write about the violations of right to admission

MISSION SCHOOL ADMISSION 2012 HELPLINE

RTE Task Force taking initiative 

New Delhi//November 12, 2011//

RTE Task Force (Social Jurist Initiative) volunteers with Advocate Ashok Agarwal would be visiting Shastri Park Jhuggies (near ISBT, Kashmere Gate, Delhi) on Sunday 13 November 2011 from 8 am to 10 am to meet the parents and the students of the area from door to door. The sole aim of the visit is to share with them the right of admission of children including children with disabilities in government and recognized private schools (under 25% quota of free seats) arising out the provisions of the RTE Act, 2009. The students would be encouraged to write RTE PIL Postcard to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice about the violations of their right to education. Handbills containing Helpline Nos. 9868529459, 8826456565 would also be distributed among the people. Parents and students may take legal assistance totally free of costs through these Helplines between 10 am and 5 pm on all days except Sundays. Friends and well wishers who wish to volunteer themselves to the Cause may join us at 8 am sharp on 13 November 2011 at Shastri Park red light crossing. People can also join us at facebook. Ashok Agarwal, Advocate, advisor, Social Jurist may be also contacted at his mobile number-09811101923

Mahila Congress Pb to organize 4 state level rallies

Dr Malti Thapar directs all Mahila Congress units to be in party discipline

Chandigarh// November 10, 2011//Kalyani Singh

Mahila congress Punjab will organize four state level rallies at Ropar, Kapurthala, Dharamkot and Amritsar in the month of December which will be adrresed by Smt Anita Verma, President, All India Mahila Congress. This was stated by Dr Malti Thapar after chairing the first meeting of the mahila congress. Dr Thapar also announced the formation of state body within next fortnight with 2 senior vice presidents, 7 vice presidents, 7 general secretaries, 7 secretaries, 1 organizing secretary, 1 treasurer, 1 media advisor, 1 office secretary, 11 executive committee members and joint secretaries.  Three Zonal rallies to be addressed by Incharge Punjab affairs Dr. Anita Babbar at Hoshiarpur, Patiala and Gurdaspur.

Dr Thapar directed the mahila congress workers to ensure maximum participation of the mahila workers in the ongoing Punjab bachao rallies being organized by Pradesh congress. She also asked the mahila workers to work for the coming vidhan sabha elections and work with the senior party to ensure the victory.

Urinary Incontinence is embarrassing but treatable”

According to an UK Expert

Ludhiana// November 8, 2011//Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

Dr Meena Dass, MD, FRCOG, Consultant Uro-Gynecologist at the Barnsley NHS Hospital Trust, UK, who will be visiting the Department of Urology at CMCH on 12-19 November-2011, in a telephonic interview said that Urinary Incontinence in women is embarrassing but it is treatable. Urinary incontinence means that you can't always control when you urinate. As a result, you wet your clothes most of the time during the day and night. This is embarrassing, but it can always be cured. Urinary incontinence can be caused by many different medical problems, including weak pelvic muscles or diabetes, after repeated child births, obesity and as part of aging in the females. Stress urinary incontinence is a disturbing condition when urine leaks because of sudden pressure on your lower abdominal muscles, such as when you cough, laugh, lift something or exercise. Stress incontinence usually occurs when the pelvic muscles are weak, for example after childbirth or surgery. Stress incontinence is common in women. Surgery can be helpful. It is usually done if other treatment modalities haven't worked or if the incontinence is severe.

Dr Meena Dass described the new surgical technique of “Tension Free Vaginal Tape – Obturator Approach (TVT-O)” and highlighted its advantage over various other surgical procedures for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SIU). Dr Kim Mammen, HOD of Urology, CMCH, emphasized that the TVT-O Technique and the use of similar slings, is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) who do not improve with medications. It improves the quality of life and makes the patients dry.

Dr Meena Dass along with Dr Kim Mammen and the Urology Team including Dr Francis Sridhar Katumalla, Dr George Mathew, Dr Shafiq Ahmed and Dr Amit Tuli will be available to treat patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence. We hope to see many patients coming into our hospital “wet” and going  home “dry”, said Dr Kim Mammen, Professor & Head, Department of Urology, CMCH. Dr Meena Dass will be available for consultation from 12-19 November-2011 at the Department of Urology with prior appointment. The contact telephone for prior appointment: 0161-5026999 Extension: 5026 [Urology Office].

 “I was unable to go for any social functions because I was always wet but, now after this surgical procedure, I am absolutely dry and I do not have to wear any pads. I do not smell of urine and I feel more confident of myself” said one of the patients who was recently operated at CMCH Urology Department. Dr Kim Mammen highlighted that the cost of this “Tension Free Vaginal Tape – Obturator Approach (TVT-O)” which is imported is available at a subsidized rate and for genuinely poor and need patients few of these Tapes can be made available free of cost through Philanthropists and charitable agencies.

Miracle in Ludhiana

Mohali woman becomes mother at the age of grandmother’ 
Ludhiana//November 3, 2011//Inderpreet Ahluwalia

Joy seems no bound for 68-year-old Hakim Singh since the day he heard the news of his 60-year-old wife Jaspal Kaur giving birth to a child, therefore, ending 40 yaers of barenness in their married life.
The sexagenarian couple gave birth to a baby boy at local Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and was discharged today with both the mother and son in “pinks” of their health.

“You can not put this joy of becoming a mother at the age of grandmother merely in few lines or words”, said a visibly enthused Jaspal Kaur.  Hailing from Rampur village in Mohali and married for 40 years, the couple had been trying, without success, to have a child, until Kaur entered menopause. All those years , in the search for a child, the couple made several visits to temples, Gurdwaras, hospitals, and even babas but only met disappointment.

“Undaunted by all odds, we kept on trying and later a year back visited Dr Sumita in Ludhiana for the first time. The treatment followed for few months and nine month ago I was told my wife was pregnant”, said the proud father Hakim Singh.

The couple said they had been yearning for a child and never believed in selective gender. “We were missing the joy of being a  parent despite being happily married. We never prayed for a boy or a girl and had been only trying to invoke wahegurus blessings to get a child. Perhaps our prayers were true and carried no malice and He gave me a chance to become a mother when my fellow villagers are already a grandmother of two to three children”, said Jaspal Kaur.

Dr Sumita Sofat of Sofat infertility centre where the couple was treated during pre-pregnancy satge, said, Kaur conceived pregnancy with the use of a donor egg . “She became pregnant through in vitro fertilization process . Her medical examination and health check up indicated that she would be able to survive a high-risk pregnancy and finally she delivered a baby boy at DMCH via Caesarean section”, said Dr Sumita.

Punjab Bachao Yatra

Thousands of Mahila Congress workers gather at Moga
Mahila Congress Pb.to launch 24 hour help line 
A step taken for women of Punjab: Dr Malti Thapar 
Moga:November 2, 2011

Mahila Congress Punjab will shortly start a 24 hour helpline at Congress Bhawan Chandigarh for the women of Punjab who are harassed and tortured at the family or social or administrative or political level. Stating this as a historic step, Dr Malti Thapar, President, Mahila Congress Punjab said that Mahila congress will provide moral and legal support to such females who are deprived of their rights in any way. This 24 hour helpline number will be intimated to the general public through media. Dr Thapar announced this today at Moga, while she was speaking at the rally held on the second day of Punjab Bachao yatra.

Dr Thapar said that number of cases of atrocities on the women have increased manifold during the last four and half years of this Akali Dal Badal and BJP rule. The crime rate in Punjab has gone up leaving behind Bihar also. Women in the state are feeling insecure and unsafe in the goondaraj of Akali Dal Badal. Everyday the silent protesting teachers or the Aangan vaadi workers are picked up by the Punjab police on the directions of S Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is the home minister also, and beaten mercilessly in front of everybody. 

Dr Thapar questioned S Harsimrat kaur Badal, MP that What is the use of just grabbing cheap publicity by holding daughter of poor people and branding it as “Nanhi Chaan”? Can the present regime give any authenticated data on the female foeticide in the state during the last four years?Dr Thapar assured the president PPCC, Capt Amarinder Singh that Mahila Congress will be his right hand in the coming vidhan sabha elections and will fight with the Pradesh Congress to throw this government out of power. Dr Thapar requested Capt Singh that while drafting the manifesto special attention should be given to the issues relating to the women of Punjab.

Dr Thapar pointed to S Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab that by making cancer specialization hospitals in Malwa belt won’t serve the purpose of common man, come to Dharamkot and see where Punjab is going? For the last 15 years Akali Dal has ruled in this constituency but S Parkash Singh Badal should see the plight of the people there. There is no school, college, hospital, roads or transport. People are living in pitiable conditions without even safe drinking water and electricity. Old age pensions and shagun schemes are also not being distributed by the government. Even the money to be given in the MNREGA is not being paid to the workers.

Vasan Eye Care enters Ludhiana

World’s Largest Chain of Eye Care Hospitals

Ludhiana, 31st October, 2011:The Chennai based Vasan Eye Care group promoted by Dr A.M. Arun, which is world’s  largest  network of eye care hospitals, is opening up another Superspeciality eye hospital in Ludhiana . The group  has plans to open 5  more hospitals in Punjab including Chandigarh, in the first phase. This was stated today by Mr. S. Sudheer, Director Operations , on the  Pooja ceremony organized at  Ludhiana site to mark the opening of the Hospital.
According to Dr A M Arun, Chairman, Vasan Eye Care,  this is the first step in a series of launches that will make Vasan Eye Care’s services available to every person in the region. Ludhiana being a hub of intense industrial activities, we hope our affordable eye care solutions will benefit the society. We plan to expand our service to the rest of the regions of North India, bring the Vasan Eye Care brand to a 125 hospitals strong enterprise,” He also said that the group has massive expansion plans across Punjab, in both urban and rural areas so as to enable different sections of society to get world class eye care at their neighborhood. Hospital projects in  Jalandhar and Amritsar are also on the verge of completion and the operations will start soon.

Mr. Sudheer, informed that the new  hospital at Ludhiana is spread across 18200 sqft space and is strategically located on Ferozpur road opposite Punjab Agricultural University Gate No-1 . It will be  a super specialty hub with cutting edge technology and super specialist doctors. The hospital will have 7 super specialty ophthalmologists and host all the technology for eye care. The centre will have 5 state of the art Operation Theatres, diagnostic stations, optical outlet, various clinics and Pharmacy, etc. The hospital will have services spanning across 38 eye care specialties and include treatments for Cataract (MICS), advanced treatments for Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Lasik Laser Treatment for freedom from glasses and contact lens, Computer Vision Syndrome Clinic, Cosmetic Clinic, and much more. There will be exclusive departments for Diabetic Eye Care, Pediatric Eye Care.

Dr. Bedi of CMC got the best award

Vascular disease is a major health problem in India

Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of the Cardio  Vascular & Thoracic Surgery Department of the Christian Medical College & Hospital – was awarded the prestigious best paper award at the Vascular Society of India Conference in Mumbai .
Dr Bedi told that numerous International & National Experts from UK, USA, Germany and all over India gathered at this conference to discuss the latest in the management of vascular diseases.  Vascular disease is a major health problem in India . 1 in 20 people over 50 years of age have vascular disease -  the total number of cases being over 42 million. Vascular disease is not just "poor circulation." Vascular disease comes in various forms: peripheral arterial disease affects the arteries taking blood to the arms and the legs, carotid artery disease affects the arteries taking blood to the brain, and renal artery disease limits the blood flow to the kidneys causing high blood pressure or renal  failure.

Prof Peter McCollum – Prof of Vascular Surgery from UK - led the eminent panel of 6 International judges.  45 papers had been chosen for the Challenging case session. Dr Bedi spoke about a very challenging case of renal failure – Mr Suwinder Singh a 65 year old gentleman - who had previous shunt procedures -  in various hospitals in Chandigarh and Delhi -  for hemodialysis . He developed complications due to which the dialysis shunt had to be modified many times so that finally it produced the complication of gangrene in the hands . The dilemma was how to save the hand and at the same time have a functioning shunt as the patient needed twice a week hemodialysis to keep him alive. An innovative hybrid endovascular procedure was done and a stent put in his hand artery to prevent amputation . A new shunt using an imported graft was constructed in the leg. This functioned well and the dialysis was successfully carried out via this graft in Chandigarh.  Dr Bedi told that the CTVS Dept of CMC & H was referred complicated cases of dialysis graft failures from all over Punjab  - but this case was the most challenging. The judges panel and the audience appreciated the paper and it was awarded.

Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC & H – told that the CTVS Dept of CMC was one of the oldest in the country and treatment of all vascular disorders was being done here with the latest techniques including endovascular ones.

Amnesty International Hosts Screenings of Documentary on Persecution of Baha'is in Iran

Persecution of Baha'is in Iran is Focus of Documentary Film With Screenings in New York, Los Angeles and Boston by Amnesty International USA

Screenings Taking Place as Iran Steps Up Harassment of Baha’i Religious Community, Imposing Harsh Prison Sentences on Educators 

(New York) – On Friday, October 28, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) will co-host the U.S. premiere of the documentary film "Education Under Fire,” which examines the persecution of Iran’s Baha’is and their systematic exclusion from higher education.  The screening at Columbia University will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, leading academic experts and a representative of the Baha’i community. Amnesty International will host additional screenings November 5 in Los Angeles and November 11 in Boston, including discussions with actors Rainn Wilson and Nazanin Boniadi at the Los Angeles screening. 

All screenings are open to the public and are free of charge. 

"Education Under Fire," directed by Jeff Kaufman, examines the struggles of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) to provide Baha'i youth with an opportunity for a college education. 

Seven members of the BIHE faculty were this week sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison for supposedly threatening national security in Iran.  A dozen professors have been detained and several are in prison for doing nothing more than trying to provide an education to Baha’i students, according to Elise Auerbach, Iran country specialist for Amnesty International USA. 

“It’s outrageous that Iran is criminalizing the pursuit of education for an entire minority group,” said Auerbach. 

Amnesty International estimates that over 100 Baha'i are currently imprisoned in Iran. The Baha'i have been arrested, tortured and even executed for their beliefs. 

The BIHE was founded in 1987 in response to the Iranian government's campaign to deny Baha'is access to higher education. The Iranian authorities carried out a series of raids and arrests of BIHE faculty and staff in May and June; statements in the government-linked press indicate that the BIHE has been declared illegal. 

The Columbia screening and discussion from 6-9 p.m. will feature Professor Negar Mottahedeh of Duke University; Professor Hamid Dabashi of Columbia University; Bani Dugal, principal United Nations representative of the Baha'i International Community; David Hoffman, the film’s executive producer; and Jeff Kaufman, the director; Mani Mostofi of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran; and Professor Mina Yazdani of Eastern Kentucky University 

A second New York screening will take place on Saturday, October 29, at 8:00 p.m. at New York University, Kimmel Center, Room 913 at 60 Washington Square. 

Amnesty International will co-host a screening in Los Angeles on November 5 at 8:00 p.m. in the California Ballroom of the Four Points by Sheraton LAX. The screening will feature a panel discussion featuring Nazanin Boniadi, the British-Iranian actress (CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother”) who is an  official spokesperson for Amnesty International USA; actor Rainn Wilson, (NBC’s “The Office”) and a member of the Baha’i faith;  Kaufman, and Elise Auerbach, the Amnesty International Iran specialist. 

A screening will be held in Boston on November 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the MIT Stata Center with a discussion moderated by Josh Rubenstein, Northeast regional director, Amnesty International USA; Rainn Wilson; David Hoffmann; and Fatemeh Haghighatjoo, women's rights activist and former member of the Iranian Parliament. 

What:         Screenings of "Education Under Fire" with panel discussions 

When:                 Friday, October 28, 2011, 6 - 9:00 p.m. - Columbia University 
                        Saturday, October 29, 2011, 8 p.m. - New York University 
                        Saturday, November 5, 2011, 8 - 9:30 p.m. - Los Angeles 
Friday, November 11, 2011, 7 - 8:30 p.m. - Boston 

Where:        October 28: Columbia University
Altschul Auditorium (417 International Affairs Building)
116th Street and Broadway, New York 10027 

        October 29: New York University 
        The Kimmel Center (Room 913) 
60 Washington Square South, New York 10012 

        November 5: Los Angeles 
        Four Points by Sheraton LAX (California Ballroom) 
        9750 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 
        
        November 11: Boston 
        MIT Stata Center 
        32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 

               

# # #

Dr.Sunaina brings laurels to the City and the State

“Best All India Post Graduate Student at the Annual BiteIn Awards 2011”Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria
Ludhiana// October 19, 2011 // 
In the second season of the BITEIN DENTAL AWARDS, held at Melhua, The Fern an ecotel at Hiranadani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai on October 2011, eleven awards were given to outstanding people in the field of dentistry. Dr. Sunaina Jodka MDS, who just completed her post-graduation from Christian Dental College, CMC, Ludhiana was one of the final four nominees in the category of the “Best All India Post Graduate Student at the Annual BiteIn Awards 2011”.

On this occasion, Dr. Abi M. Thomas, Principal, Christian Dental College congratulated Dr. Sunaina and said that, “to be among the top four post graduate dental students among more than two thousand post graduates from all over the country is a remarkable achievement”. The criterion for selection was based on the overall performance during the post graduate course.

Christian Dental College, CMC is running the post graduate programme in the field of Pediatric Dentistry since 2002 and is catering to specialized dental care for children. Dr. Sunaina had also won the best paper award at the National Pediatric Dentistry (ISPPD) conference held at Hyderabad at 2009.

VJAS moved PMO for CBI probe in fact finding report

More than Two Million Bogus Students on role 
Rs.20 thousand crore scam
Nagpur –18th October 2011:

Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS ) has moved PMO urging him for the CBI probe on the shocking fact finding report of mega survey done by Maharashtra Govt. from 3rd October to 5 october of this year which was being tabled before the Maharashtra Govt. cabinet on 19th October in order to check the truth strength of students and to know the exact truth of the role of the students on which state is spending more than Rs.10,000 crore as grant-aid after the Maharashtra cabinet took decision on report submitted by as Dr Shrikar Pardeshi—District Collector of Nanded in Maharashtra who undertook such survey in his district from 6 to 10 september and found more than 1 lakh 40 thousand as bogus and school are getting the aid on the basis of this fraudulent students ,it is estimated that final report of state level survey revealed the shocking fact that in a progressive state like maharshtra has made completely mockery of “Sarwashkisha Abhiyan” and ther are more than 2 million student found missing from school and they in fact bogus and shown in order to get aid and staff salary which is practice continued since 1985 after state Gvot flooded the Govt. aided school opened by MLA/Ministers of ruling parties and more than Rs.20 thousand crore is amount of mega scam which likely to be largest scam of the Maharashtra after it’s formation since 1960, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti informed in press release today.
“We are following the survey since it was initiated in Nanded District popularly known as ‘Pat Tapasani’ and ,we are finiated with the response of state Govt. after the report Nanded was submitted to state cabinet who decided to conduct it throughout state and it was done in Maharashtra with help of more than 1 lakhs staff and police force between 3rd and 5th October even after lot of efforts of local politicians ,final report shows that in Maharashtra more than 2million students are bogus and each year the school management are getting bogus grant to tune of more than Rs.2200 crore amounting to tune of Rs.20 thousands crore in last 15 years hence only CBI probe can bring truth and book all culprit who have mockery of education in Maharashtra. we are expecting the Maharashtra chief minister prathiraj chavan who has ordered such massive survey and brought the truth before nation will ask centre for the CBI probe in alleged irregularities and this bogus student scam” Tiwari added.
In a representation it is allged that initial district administration of Nanded conducted school wise survey to find out the exact number of students in government-aided schools in his district, little did he know that the statistics would be a shocker. In the 3,475 schools inspected, about 140,000 students were found to be bogus and nearly 4,000 excess teachers were found to be catering to these students. The loss to the government exchequer in the district was Rs 150 crore. What’s more, most of this money seems to have gone to the owners of these educational institutions, who are politically influential.
The exercise was undertaken in early September this year. Later, in early October, a similar survey was conducted across the state. Of the 20 million registered students in state-aided schools, 2.1 million turned out to be bogus. There were 65,000 teachers in excess and the loss to the state exchequer stood at Rs 4,000 crore. This included money for mid-day meals and books drawn in the name of these bogus students.
In the past there have been numerous school inspections by the education department, but never one on this scale. The exercise had to be undertaken because rampant corruption and bribery among education officials had led to the suppression of facts about school enrolment in the state. That was until Dr Pardeshi decided to risk it, a risk because three-fourths of the schools surveyed belong to political heavyweights of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.
After the school education department realised that there were bogus students and teachers registered across the state and huge sums of money was going into the coffers of institution owners, it decided to implement a pilot project in one district. Nanded was chosen because it had made headlines for cracking down on cheating in SSC and HSC exams.
The district collector planned the entire exercise, and shared it only with a handful. The district’s borders were sealed on the appointed day and Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was imposed. At the pre-decided time, officials raided the schools and verified each student of all 3,475 schools. The survey involved 466 Class I and II officials and took four days to complete. When the school managements felt the noose tightening, they started ‘importing’ students from neighboring districts. However, these students were easily identified because of the imposition of Section 144 in the district.
On the completion of this survey, Dr Pardeshi made a PowerPoint presentation before the state cabinet. Though the cabinet was divided over accepting the ‘Pardeshi model’, as the exercise is being called, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is adamant that it be implemented.
It is a common practice among educational institutions to ‘import’ students from other schools when inspections are conducted. According to information available on previous inspections, school owners knew of these inspections in advance. Once a school was inspected, students and furniture would be taken to the next school on the survey list. Though officials did realise that they had seen the same students in other schools (often in multiple schools), no one dared take on the politicians.
The Chief Minister has threatened stringent action against erring schools. But when schools are owned by relatives of ministers, it is an open secret that few would be booked. So far, the names of school owners involved in this fraud have not been revealed. But it is only a matter of time before they become public.
Education malpractices in the state have increased alarmingly. There has been a steady decline in the quality of students and teachers. With excessive political intervention in the education sector, the education department had become ineffectual. “In a coalition government, no hard decisions can be taken. It is bound to hurt one of the coalition partners. Let us see what action is taken now. Even if registrations are cancelled, owners of such institutions make sure their political godfathers get it revoked. It is a win-win situation for such institutions,” says an official of the education department.
Many in the state’s education department believe that successive governments have lacked the will to clean up the education system in the state.
“We are planning move in high court once PMO reject our demand ,we are hopeful that state Gvot . Will take step to curb this massive corruption in next cabinet” Tiwari added.

Appeal for Aniket

Ludhiana, October 18, 2011 : Master Aniket, a 11 years old boy (Unit no: C7153608) from Ludhiana presented with symptoms of chronic kidney disease stage 5. His primary diagnosis was posterior urethral value and underwent surgery at the age of 8 months. For the last 2 years, he has been on dialysis (initially hemodialysis and subsequently on peritoneal dialysis). He developed recurrent episodes of peritonitis due to which his peritoneal dialysis catheter had to be removed.

He is presently still critical. I would request all those who are able to generally contribute to his treatment without which he will not be able to sustain life. His father, Anil Kumar is working with an employer in a small shop and in view of his son’s ill-health has not gone for work for 2 months. His father has 4 children, 2 daughters and 1 more brother younger to Aniket.

Kind hearted philanthropists and well-wishers can help this poor and deserving patient by sending in their contribution to the Medical Superintendent, CMCH, by a crossed cheque in favor of “CMC Ludhiana Society” with Aniket’s name mentioned at the back of the cheque, along with a covering letter. Kindly do your best to support this family in their time of need and May God help in recovery.

For further details or enquiry Please contact Dr. Timothy Rajamanickam : 9646500156

Dr. Timothy Rajamanickam,

Associate Professor

Department of Nephrology

“Food and Nutrition for Nurses” was released in CMC

The book was the need of the hour

Ludhiana, October 17, 201:  A book titled “Food and Nutrition for Nurses” was released in Christian Medical College & Hospital Ludhiana, an embrasure for the people to understand the subject through nurses. An another step forward to bring the subject to the masses . The book was released by the Director, Dr. Abraham G. Thomas. The book was the need of the hour. This book is first of its kind in North region.

The Author, Mrs. Ruma Singh, is working as a Chief Dietician and has been serving the institution for last 25 years and teaching the students ever since. She says that the book is an asset to the students of Nutrition & Dietetics, Paramedical students and students of Nursing and it will serve as a practical guide to one and all. She further adds that a lot of rich experience and hard work has gone in this project.

Published by JAYPEE Brothers Medical Publishers, New Delhi, was appreciated by the management and the students of B.Sc. Nursing at CMCH. Mr. Bhupesh Arora, General Manager, from the publisher’s end was also present to grace the occasion.
The program was started with a word of prayer by Rev. Stanley Thomas. It was attended by the Principal, College of Nursing, Mrs. Ponnamma Singh and the Nursing Faculty, Principal, Christian Medical College, Dr. S. M. Bhatti and all the Hospital Administration and guests.--Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria 

Swamy announces panel against corruption

CHENNAI: Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy on Friday announced forming of anAction Committee Against Corruption in India (ACACI) with special focus on illegal money flow in and out of the country. 

The ACACI consists of members including former Haryana DGP and former CBI joint director BR Lall, academician MD Nalapat and former IAS officer V Sundaram among others.

"The ACACI will leverage existing national and international laws and move internal and global institutions to discover and recover illegal funds deposited in secret banking channels in about 77 countries," he told reporters here after a meeting of the committee.

"Our areas of focus would include nationalisation of illegal accounts in foreign banks and plugging tax evasion. ACACI has been set up to fight corruption in the space left vacant by two major movements against corruption, led by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev," Swamy said.

While Hazare's efforts were focused at revamping present laws and making them free of loopholes, Ramdev concentrated on mass mobilisation, Swamy noted.

"The ACACI will focus on specific action against macro corrupt acts, especially in the criminal misconduct of high level public officials and illegal money flow in and out of the country," he said.

Asserting that he had no differences with Hazare or Baba Ramdev, Swamy said he would participate in the yoga guru's proposed padayatra. "We will work in harmony," he added. --Abhishek Joshi