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Come, Weigh Your Australian Dream, First Hand!

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

With India and Australia recently raising the level of their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic level, the country Down Under, which is home to three of the top 20 and nine of the top 100 world ranking universities, is eyeing a greater share of the pie of Indian students studying abroad.

Australia is already one of the top four destinations for Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad, apparently for better career prospects, and eventually getting an opportunity to seek permanent residency there. As per the latest QS World University Rankings 2024, released in June 2023, three of the top 20 and nine of the top 100 world ranking universities are Australian. Also, 95% of all Australian universities are included in the global rankings.

Dr Monica Kennedy, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, Austrade, interacting with the media in Chandigarh on Tuesday regarding the upcoming Study Australia Roadshow in the city.

Photo courtesy: Ajay Jalandhari

At any given point in recent years around 1,00,000 Indian students have been enrolled in Australian universities, especially in the Melbourne region, out of the total 5,00,000 foreign students the country attracts. But the Australian government has recently made its offer packages for foreign students coming to study in Australian universities more lucrative to attract larger numbers, especially from India.

Rolling out an outreach programme in this direction, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) on Tuesday announced that a Study Australia Roadshow will  be organised at Taj Chandigarh on September 4, a first of such roadshows planned in six cities pan India, the other cities up next being New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Interacting with the media in Chandigarh, Dr Monica Kennedy, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, Austrade, based out of the Australian Consulate General in Mumbai, said the event will bring under one roof 26 world ranking Australian universities, government representatives of Australian states and territories, departments of education and home affairs.

It will provide a great opportunity to interested students, parents, education leaders and even school counselors to get their queries regarding all aspects of studying in Australia addressed first hand, she said, adding that during their interactions they will also be able to better understand the emerging trends in the education sector of Australia and get valuable insights into choice of universities and destinations Down Under.

The visitors will be able to cover key aspects that students need to consider before deciding on studying in Australia – from fees, popular intakes and highly sought after courses to life as a student in Australia, Dr Kennedy shared.

The Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, Austrade, emphasized that though Australia is a large country, with just over 25 million population and only 43 universities, it has one of the best education systems in the world, tightly regulated to safeguard the interests and rights of foreign students.

Not only are three Australian universities among the top 20 and nine among the top 100 universities in global rankings, besides 95% of all Australian universities being world ranked, the variety of courses in a gamut of academic streams and spheres of skill training offered in these universities is extremely diversified and geared to produce industry ready work force, she stated.

Plus, the country offers a safe environment with a very low crime rate, which gives confidence to foreign students to study in Australia, she noted.

Under tweaked student visa rules, Indian students studying in Australian universities can now work in the country for up to eight years without requiring visa sponsorship.

All international students in Australia holding student visa are allowed to work a maximum 48 hours per fortnight while studying, so that they are able to keep a balance between their academics/training and work. However, when academics/training is not in session, there are no restrictions on their work hours.

Addressing the issue of increasing cost of living, which adversely impacts foreign students too, Dr Kennedy said through this is a worldwide problem, Australia is reasonably placed in this regard with inflation hovering below 7% and unemployment pegged at 3.6%.

The Australian universities in the top 20 QS World University Rankings 2024 are The University of Melbourne (14th), The University of New South Wales, Sydney & The University of Sydney (joint 19th).

The other universities in the top 100 are Australian National University, Canberra (34th), Monash University, Melbourne (42nd), The University of Queensland, Brisbane (43rd), The University of Western Australia, Perth (72nd), The University of Adelaide (89th) and University of Technology, Sydney (90th).

What: Study Australia Roadshow
When: September 4, 2023
Where: Taj Chandigarh
Timing: 1:30 p.m. onwards

For more information:
www.studyaustralia.gov.au/india
https://www.facebook.com/StudyAUOfficial/ 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

To keep in touch, drop an email or call :
kochhar.apr@gmail.com
9815617676

Nothing Can Beat A Photographer’s Unique Perspectives

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

The wow pictures speak for themselves, and one might think there isn’t much of a need to write about them. But it always makes good reading to know what goes on behind the scenes to capture those wow moments. So here we are in conversation with, and sharing the exceptional clicks, of a talented and passionate Nature photographer, a relatively late starter, who is increasingly making his presence felt in this fascinating field.

Sitting in his expansive shop, retailing garments in Chandigarh’s City Centre, Anuj Jain (45) could go as a typical businessman, deftly overseeing the walk-ins and walk-outs.

Nature photographer Anuj Jain

Photo courtesy: Anuj Jain

But there’s a clear differentiator. His observant eyes are apparently wired up to a very discerning brain which allows him to quickly identify and lock on to an opportunity, which he then pursues with utmost commitment and extreme patience to produce remarkable Nature photography, recognised by international professional magazines and organisations.

A selection of this engineer-businessman’s amazing Nature and wildlife clicks is reproduced as part of this write-up some of which have found their way into international professional magazines like Nat Geo India, National Geographic Traveler India, The Times UK, Daily Star UK and Sanctuary Asia, besides the UN Annual Calendar 2021.

The interesting part is that Anuj, by choice, does not travel to far off places and necessarily depend on high end equipment to capture wildlife, especially birds, in their natural habitats. Most of his works of art have materialised during his numerous trips to the far side of the Sukhna Lake, Thapli Nature Camp and the local parks in and around Chandigarh.

He also does not believe that a person can pursue serious photography only if he/she has a knack for it. He feels that interest in photography can be inculcated and developed at any age. Giving his own example, he says though he always harboured a deep interest in Nature and wildlife, he took to serious or productive photography quite late in life.

Anuj purchased his first camera, a basic Olympus point-and-shoot digital camera, when he enrolled for a two-year MS in engineering course in the USA way back in 2001. He did some photography to capture the fun moments during his various outings during this period, including a trip to the famous Niagara Falls. He unfortunately lost his entire collection with his laptop, which was stolen.

After his return to India he nearly completely lost touch with photography for over a decade, before, having planned a leisure trip to the Kruger National Park in South Africa in 2014, he gifted himself a first basic DSLR camera, a Nikon D3200 with 18-55 mm & 55-200 mm lenses and also did a very short duration basic course in photography to learn the controls of the camera.

However, his photography in the world famous game reserve was nothing much to write home about, though he did continue to pursue it to justify his investment in the camera.

Gradually, as he became more and more comfortable with the Nikon D3200 and his frames began to get noticed, he upgraded to a Nikon D750, a camera he used for seven long years before very recently pampering himself with a real high end Nikon Z8.

During this journey in pursuit of photography, Anuj tried his hands at capturing landscapes, street life and still-life photography, but in 2019 he began to focus on birds, and soon realised that he felt most comfortable and satisfying doing that.

“Fortunately for me, I started receiving success at every stage whether in terms of my photographs being displayed in photo exhibitions, prominently carried in prestigious professional magazines, or winning photographic contests,” shares Anuj.

Ever since then, he has been concentrating exclusively on framing these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat, and giving the world of photography remarkable frames which tell a story.

He feels, “In Nature photography, especially, it is important to be able to capture those fleeting moments which inspire awe in the beholder. It is painstaking work, observing the behaviour of the birds in their natural habitat without disturbing them, while at the same time being mindful of your own safety. And, when the birds are comfortable with your presence, and go about their routine, wait patiently for that story-telling moment and make sure to capture it in your frame in a split second.

“Having a good understanding of your gear, using the right equipment, understanding the light and the background, and using the right shutter speed are other important factors to be kept in mind for optimum results. Having a mentor helps. You can always fall back on him for a critique of your work and advice,” he adds.

YouTube is another good teacher for Anuj. He closely follows the works of exceptional photographers, Mark Smith for example.

In his opinion, despite tremendous advancements in photographic technology and the challenges posed by the deployment of AI (artificial intelligence), there is nothing to beat a good photographer’s “unique perspectives”.    

Failures are an integral part of any pursuit, more so in Nature photography, Anuj says and advises against getting disheartened. “Patience and persistence pays, though luck also plays a role. Learn to enjoy the moments spent in the lap of Nature while going about your work. There cannot be a more natural form of meditation,” he avers.

 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

To keep in touch, drop an email or call :
kochhar.apr@gmail.com
9815617676

Transforming Mindsets Key To Future: Prof Renu Vig

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

Public universities in India find themselves at crossroads, their relevance in an increasingly competitive and transforming world being at stake. Fortunately, the realisation appears to have finally sunk in that bold, innovative and path-breaking corrective measures need to be taken quickly to arrest the slide into potential oblivion.

Orchestrating this thought process Panjab University’s first women vice chancellor Prof Renu Vig made some candid observations while delivering a lecture on ‘Vision for Panjab University, Chandigarh’ in the Prof BM Anand Auditorium of the university’s Physics Department on Friday.

Panjab University’s first woman Vice Chancellor Prof Renu Vig delivering a lecture on ‘Vision for Panjab University, Chandigarh’ at the Prof BM Anand Auditorium on the university campus, on Friday

Photo By: Life In Chandigarh

This was the concluding lecture in the series ‘Vision for Institutions’ organised by the Society for Promotion of Science & Technology in India (SPSTI) from 2021-23 to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence.

A day before the university received its first ever highest NAAC A++ grade with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.68 from a maximum 4 points from the National Assessment & Accreditation Council, Prof Vig said fundamental changes needed to be made in mindsets and motivation levels raised to new heights at all levels, in tune with modern times.

Aptly, she was speaking from the auditorium named after Prof. BM Anand, who, as first head of Physics Department of Panjab University, Chandigarh, with his high level of motivation, commitment and innovation, found an opportunity even within the limited resources at the command of a fledging department post Partition, and helped it on its way to becoming one of the premier physics departments of the country. He was a lifelong learner himself and inspired others who came into his influence to do the same.

Expressing her thoughts while running a presentation on the Vision Document @ 1947 adopted by the Panjab University, the vice chancellor said in keeping with the times, nomenclature and curriculum of courses across all teaching and research disciplines needed to be modified urgently, faculty needed to be made more broad based with the induction of industry experts, and their motivational levels raised.

Though the level of research happening in the university was quite high, she felt that many faculty members and other researchers were happy working in their individual silos. This needed to change as sharing of data had become critical with the rapid transformations happening around us. Intra departmental and inter departmental collaborations were the need of the hour for optimising the outcomes of the research efforts, she said, adding that inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approaches should also be deployed.

At the same time, we have to marshal funds for the maintenance and renovation of old and dilapidated infrastructure for teaching and research, Prof Vig said and expressed optimism that the recent approval of Science & Technology cluster for the region led by Panjab University and IIT Ropar, and opening of centrally sponsored RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) labs in various disciplines to foster enhanced learning, research and innovation, will go a long way in raising the level of research and resulting in much needed incremental funding to the institution.

Comparing expenditure, and revenue sources, of Panjab University to two of the top universities in the world Harvard and Stanford, she said while Panjab University matches allocations in percentage terms for research activities with them, these universities are optimising their allocations on establishment in a far better way. We are spending an estimated 83% of our Rs 750 crore annual budget on salaries, pensions, other benefits, alone.

While 36% of Harward’s revenues come from endowments, a staggering 61% of Stanford revenues are contributed by cutting edge healthcare services, including running of hospitals, provided by the university, she added.

Describing the university alumni as a pillar of strength, she hinted that in the future it will be involved in a much more meaningful way in making Panjab University a future-ready university by helping in designing modern courses and curricula, attracting industry experts as faculty and forging associations and collaborations with the industry as well as foreign universities.

 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

To keep in touch, drop an email or call :
kochhar.apr@gmail.com
9815617676 

Five High Ranking Univs Among 55 Coming To City

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

Universities from across all continents, except Africa, are represented in the latest top 100 QS World University Rankings, but universities, colleges and institutes mostly from US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and now even Dubai, which woo students through education consultants in India are the ones which come lower down in the rankings.

Apart from other activities, these education consultants resort to organising higher education conclaves where they bring the prospective student recruits face to face with the representatives of largely overseas universities, colleges and institutes, but also some better known Indian universities.

Almasto Kapoor, CEO of Silver Fern Education Consultants (2nd from right) and Gaurav Soni, representing Cambrian College, Canada (2nd from left) addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on Thursday to announce HEC 2023.

One such consultants, Chandigarh based Silver Fern Education Consultants, on Thursday announced 2023 edition of its Higher Education Conclave (HEC), to be held at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Industrial & Business Park Phase I, Chandigarh on August 13.

Sharing details with media persons, the CEO of Silver Fern Education Consultants, Almasto Kapoor said five of the high ranking universities will be among the 55 odd overseas universities, colleges and institutes from US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai participating in the higher education conclave, which will also see presence of some reputed private Indian universities.

On perusal of the latest QS World University Rankings, your own news website LifeInChandigarh.com learnt that among the high ranking world universities named by Kapoor as participating in the conclave, University of Nottingham (England) is ranked 100th, University of Alberta (Canada) 111th, University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada) 112th and Queen Mary University of London 145th. Another university Deakin University (Victoria, Australia) has jumped 33 positions within a year to be ranked 233rd.

Representatives from Cambrian College (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) also addressed the media to vouch for the ethical practices of Silvers Fern Educational Consultants based on their decade old partnership.

During the media interaction, Kapoor and the representatives of the Canadian college addressed various concerns among prospective students and their parents about the authenticity and standing of the overseas higher educational institutions and role of educational consultants pitching for these institutions, especially in the wake of the current standoff in which several India students are facing deportation from Canada.

Kapoor’s advice to students and parents, while choosing an educational consultant, is that they should not resort to shortcuts and do due diligence. Not just one, but 4-5 educational consultants must be approached and evaluated before making an informed choice, just like when we are buying a car, he adds.

Another area where people go wrong while sending their children abroad to pursue higher studies is that they limit their financial planning to just the first one or two semesters of the chosen course of study and leave the rest to fate. “This is very wrong. Exhaustive financial planning needs to be done for bearing the expenses on tuition fee, accommodation and food for the entire duration of the course for a smooth ride,” is his advice.

Gaurav Soni, Manager, International Recruitment and Business Development, South Asia and Middle East, Cambrian College, Canada, while admitting that the overall scenario for part time jobs and accommodation in Canada right now is challenging, at the same time asserts that as far as the 2500 odd overseas students enrolled for various job oriented courses in Cambrian College are concerned, getting part time jobs is not much of a problem. 

What: Higher Education Conclave 2023 organised by Silver Fern Education Consultants
Date & Time: August 13 (Sunday), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Hyatt Regency, Industrial & Business Park Phase I, Chandigarh

 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

To keep in touch, drop an email or call :
kochhar.apr@gmail.com
9815617676

 

Silent Women Awake! Avail Easy Solutions To Intimate Issues

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

There are over a billion post menopausal women in the world today, and sadly around 1/6th of them are in India. One of the factors for this is that the average age of menopause of Indian women (46.5 years) is much less than their counterparts in advanced countries (51-55 years).

This, and many other gynaecological issues and remedies, including in the area of functional gynaecology and intimate aesthetic gynaecology, were discussed in a two-day International interdisciplinary conference Cosgynae-23 held in Chandigarh on July 29-30. 

Some of the delegates at the inaugural ceremony of the Cosgynae ’23 conference held in Chandigarh.

Photo Courtesy : Cosgynae "23

This information was shared with media persons during a briefing about the deliberations midway through the concluding day of the conference, on Sunday, by a panel of well known doctors from the field of obstetrics & gynaecology and functional and aesthetic gynaecology led by Dr Preeti Jindal, Organising Chairman of the conference.

More than 70 medical experts from across India, and a few from abroad, attended the conference organised jointly by the Indian Society of Aesthetic and Regenerative Gynaecology (INSARG), Mohali Obstetrics & Gynaecology Society & The Touch Clinic.

Latest developments in the field of women’s health, including gynaecological issues, anti-ageing, post-menopausal health, infertility and functional & intimate aesthetic gynaecology were discussed during the two-day conference.

Among the key speakers was Dr Ayman El-Attar, world renowned aesthetic physician and surgeon, who is also President & Founder of the American Aesthetic Association.

The medical experts highlighted that women, especially in developing countries, for various reasons, tend to hide their intimate issues and prefer to suffer silently, rather than sharing it with family members and consulting medical experts.

Among these intimate issues is painful menstruation, excess white vaginal discharge, involuntary urinary leakage, absence of periods, PCOS, infertility, menopause, pain during sex and post pregnancy stretch marks. Due to some of these issues women are hesitant to venture out of their homes, fearing embarrassment in public.

These women are silent sufferers for no reason since, due to rapid advancement made by medical science, most of these intimate gynaecological issues are easily treatable with modern machines without having to resort to surgery, the experts asserted.

Leading gynae and aesthetic gynae experts from India and abroad briefing media persons about the deliberations held during the two-day Cosgynae-23 conference held in Chandigarh on July 29-30.

Apart from these, intimate aesthetic gynaecology issues like vaginal laxity are coming to the fore. The enlargement and looseness in the vagina, due to age and other factors, inhibit normal activities of women like discomfort while doing fitness activities and while wearing clothes, and satisfaction to both sexual partners.

In this context, the experts dwelled on the topic of regenerating the functions of a woman’s genitalia through stem cell and other therapies and surgical procedures like vaginal tightening.

A topic of serious concern discussed during the conference was the high prevalence of male and female infertility especially in India, with as many as 15% couples in the country not being able to have children by indulging in normal sexual activity.

The experts pointed out that while reasons for this are many, the key reason is the sharp decline in the quantity and quality of male sperm, as also primary ovarian insufficiency among females, which happens when ovaries stop functioning at an age earlier than normal and do not produce typical amounts of the hormone ‘estrogen’ or release eggs regularly.

Among other factors, late marriages or delayed decision to bear child, the environment one lives in, overuse of mobile phone and intake of steroid infused protein powders taken while gymming, also play a role.

The experts shared that while most of the infertility issues are curable, and the success rate of various treatment modalities is high, there are other practical options available to such couples like IVF and adoption of a child/orphan.

Another remedy is Fertility Preservation, a process of saving or protecting eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue so that a person can use them to have biological children in the future.

Evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) & automation in embryology, anti-ageing therapies with stem cell & micro needling platelet rich plasma (PRP), laser, and radio-frequency were among the other topics taken up for discussion.

Apart from Dr Ayman El-Attar and Dr Preeti Jindal, other prominent speakers in the conference were Prof Doaa M. Saleh, President of International Association of Aesthetic and Urogynecologists (IAAUG); Dr Alexander Bader, President-Founder, European Society of Aesthetic Gynecology (ESAG); Dr Judy Wei, Medical Director, Wei Aesthetic Institute; Dr Ragini Agrawal, President of INSARG, one of the organizers; Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Dr Sharon Li, Dr Jaideep Malhotra, Dr Prerna Keshan, Dr Keshav Malhotra and Dr Prabhu Mishra.

 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

To keep in touch, drop an email or call :
kochhar.apr@gmail.com
9815617676

MSMEs Gear Up; Nothing Can Stop India’s March

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

Manufacturing will be a critical driver towards realising India’s full socio-economic development potential in the coming years. The sector looks set to boost its share in the GDP to around 25% by 2030, and contribute at least 7.5 trillion US $ in the projected 35 trillion economy when independent India turns 100 in 2047.

These notes of optimism struck by industry stalwart, Kamal Bali, Chairman, CII Southern Region & President and Managing Director, Volvo Group, India, in the inaugural session of the sixth edition of ‘CII Northern India Conference on Achieving Excellence in Manufacturing’, on Friday, mirrored the industry wide bullish mood around “India’s rise”. The theme of the conference was ‘Powering the Disruptive Technologies’.

Dr Buta Singh Sidhu, Vice-Chancellor, Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University, Bathinda, addressing the CII Northern Region Conference on ‘Achieving Excellence in Manufacturing’ in Chandigarh, on Friday

Photos By: Life In Chandigarh

Acknowledging that India will never become a China, he asserted that despite the fact that “our chaotic and complex democracy” is not going to change much in the future, and “we will continue to remain argumentative”, nothing will stop India from leapfrogging into the future and become a world leader.

Giving a power point presentation, and later interacting with the delegates and CII members, Kamal Bali opined that amid the global uncertainties and turmoil, caused essentially by the pandemic and the Ukranian war, while most of the other large economies are showing low growth rates and spiraling inflation, India has acted responsibly. The result, not only is India the fastest growing economy but the resilience it has shown is remarkable, he shared.

Expressing the view that growth in per capita GDP is more important than growth in GDP per se, he said it is heartening to note that going by current projections it is expected to double from an estimated US $ 2300 to US $ 4500-5000 by 2030. “Imagine what will happen when it touches US $ 10,000 by 2047! Along with being the world’s factory, India will also become the world’s largest market.”   

However, moving forward, some mega trends or shifts are expected to reshape our business landscape, the key shifts being sustainability & energy transition, digital & emerging tech, partnerships, innovation, people focus and geo-political. We need to prepare and rationally align our businesses in tune with these transformations, he added.

While underscoring the crucial role of collaborations and partnerships in the future business landscape, Bali gave the example of rivals Daimler (Mercedes-Benz Group) and Volvo Group putting a billion US $ each to together work on hydrogen cell technology.

Sharing another example of Volvo Group entering into a strategic alliance with Samsung SDI to develop battery packs for Volvo’s electric trucks, he said Volvo had committed between 2 and 3 billion US $ in eight such partnerships.

The Volvo Group India boss expressed the view that MSMEs had to play a key role in the manufacturing sector’s push for raising its share in India’s GDP to around 25% and for that they need to scale up their businesses and manufacturing capacities.

MSMEs account for majority share of jobs in the industry, but they do not scale up, despite the rich entrepreneurial culture, he said, adding that 90% of the MSMEs in the country are micro enterprises. He stressed further that the share of MSMEs with less than 50 employees is estimated to be 85% as compared to a mere 25% in China.

Advising the MSMEs to henceforth prioritise rational upgrade of technology in manufacturing and business processes, and skilling and upskilling as a perpetual exercise, Bali said this is the key to fulfilling the 10 million jobs required each year. At the same time, he emphasized that it is essential to align the emerging jobs and the required skills to ensure that the skilling also brings value addition to the employment.

Extolling the northern region’s traditional prowess in manufacturing, Bali expressed confidence that the MSMEs of this progressive region will once again take the bull by the horns and lead manufacturing to new heights by bringing innovation and quality back on the agenda.

(From left to right) Sriram Kannan, Dr PJ Singh, Kamal Bali and Madhavkrishna Singhania participating in the iaugural session of the conference

In his address, Sriram Kannan, Managing Director, CLAAS India Ltd, while emphasising that manufacturing excellence is not a destination but a continuous process, highlighted the importance of a skilled and motivated work force in such endeavour.

Dr Buta Singh Sidhu, Vice-Chancellor, Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University, Bathinda while acknowledging the big gap between the academia and the industry in the region, sought the cooperation and support of the industry to urgently bridge this gap so that job ready work force can pass out of educational institutions. He also sought the indulgence of industry organizations like the CII to include industry leaders in the board of studies of higher learning institutions.

Madhavkrishna Singhania, Deputy Chairman, CII Northern Region & Deputy Managing Director & CEO, JK Cement Ltd, stressed that as an industry, we must prioritize supply chain efficiency, cost-effectiveness, design-led approaches, and technological advancements to seize emerging opportunities.

Dr PJ Singh, Chairman, CII Punjab & CMD, Tynor Orthotics Pvt Ltd, urged the MSMEs to adopt the right machines, the right processes and reduce waste to realize the full potential of advanced manufacturing, while at the same time being mindful of the environmental impact of their operations.

Besides focused sessions on ‘Transforming Railway Manufacturing: A Journey of Excellence’, ‘Smart Manufacturing Powered by Industry 4.0’, and ‘Green & Sustainable Manufacturing’, a Vendor Development & Registration Meet with Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, Mahindra & Mahindra Swaraj Division & International Tractors Limited was also organized.

In this meet, procurement & sourcing teams from these companies interacted with existing & prospective suppliers & vendors.  The requirements and processes required to be an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) to these companies were also shared.

Around 130 delegates from industry across the region attended the conference and the Vendor Development Program.

 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

To keep in touch, drop an email or call :
kochhar.apr@gmail.com
9815617676

A Stern Outlook Hid A Gentle Giant Of A Human Being

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0

From being an outstanding, highly committed and innovative scientific researcher, teacher, mentor and strict disciplinarian at work, to a soft-spoken, sensitive, indulgent, humane and lovable person in social life, Punjab’s noted physicist Bal Mokand Anand (1905-1998) can be seen as a role model for young Indian students, especially those with limited means.

Indian edition of a book ‘Bal Mokand Anand: His Life And Science Across The Partition of India’, based on documented facts and accounts of colleagues, students, family and friends, and written by Germany based science teacher and historian Prof Rajinder Singh, has mirrored the various facets of the personality of the “life learner” who helped a fledgling Physics Department of Panjab University post Partition on its way to becoming one of the premier physics departments with international status in the area of Experimental High Energy Physics.

Photo Courtesy: Panjab University Chandigarh

The book was formally released by former Panjab University Vice Chancellor Prof KN Pathak on July 21 in the auditorium of the Physics department of Panjab University Chandigarh named after Prof. Anand. Among those present were the writer Prof Rajinder Singh, who has 42 books and 140+ articles in journals to his credit, former PU Vice Chancellor Arun Grover, among others.

It has been published by The Physics Association of PU’s Department of Physics and Chandigarh Vigyan Parishad with generous support from the large Anand family.

On this occasion, Prof. SM Yusuf, Director, Physics Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, also delivered the 7th Prof. BM Anand Memorial Lecture on the topic ‘Revealing Spin Quantum Entanglement By Neutrons’. He is a noted physicist with expertise in magnetism & neutron scattering.

In the preface to the book, Prof Rajinder Singh has mentioned that a large part of Indian literature, as far as history of physics is concerned, deals with big names like CV Raman, MN Saha, SN Bose and Homi Bhabha.

To set a new trend, the Germany based science historian began with biographies of equally important physicists, who majorly influenced the development of science and technology, but who were lesser known because of not having discoveries/inventions to their credit. This book on Prof BM Anand, suggested by Prof. Arun Grover, is one such effort.

Contribution

File Photo of Prof Bal Mokand Anand
Photo Courtesy: Prof Arun Kumar Grover

In the book, the author notes that Prof Anand, the first head of the Physics Department of Panjab University Chandigarh, was credited with noteworthy research in the fields of Vacuum UV Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy. He was  known to be a wonderful mentor to the students, and always pushed them to lea to themselves make instruments for research rather than procuring them from outside.

The famous physicist and Padma Vibhushan awardee Prof Yash Pal, once his student, while delivering the 1st Bal Mokand Anand Memorial Lecture on the topic “Learning to do Physics with Bal Mokand Anand” remembered Prof Anand  as a motivator who taught him the art of learning and doing Physics in a practical way.

The book highlights that Prof Anand made up for the lack of resources in the department with his dedication and innovative ideas to maintain the standards of teaching and atmosphere of serious research.

He formed various research groups in high energy particle physics (nuclear emulsion), optical UV spectroscopy, experimental nuclear physics and mass spectrometry and was instrumental in establishing joint research programmes with the likes of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Atomic Energy Establishment Trombay (AEET), Bombay.

He also generously invited leading physicists from other parts of India and abroad for lectures/short courses to give the students the best of Physics as far as possible. Among those who visited for talks were the likes of Yash Pal, SN Biswas, Homi J Bhabha, Raja Ramanna.

The strong foundation of teaching and research in the department, laid by him, was lifted to greater heights by his successor as Head of Physics Department, Prof Harnam Singh Hans, with the induction of more mode research instrumentation.

Birth &  Early Life

Bo in a small village called Domel in Campbellpur district of Punjab province, now in Pakistan, in a family with humble means, Bal Mokand was the only child to his parents. He lost his mother when he was just two years old. The child was initially cared for by his maternal aunts (mother’s sisters).

Education

He received his schooling at various places, starting with primary school at village Thatta, followed by elementary school at Nankana Sahib and primary school in Peshawar. Records suggest that in 8th grade he was at Frontier High School, Peshawar Cantonment. In 1922, he finished matriculation getting first class and first position in the school.

Career

He joined DAV College Lahore taking FSc (Faculty of Science) Medical group, his first love. But with much needed scholarship not on offer in the course, he had to opt for BSc. He graduated with Honours in Physics in 1926, and in 1928 completed his MSc, getting first class and 2nd position in order of merit in the university.

Appointed lecturer in Physics at Punjab University in Lahore, he held the position from 1934 to 1947. After Partition “Panjab University” was relocated to India, partially in Hoshiarpur and Delhi. From 1947 to 1950, he had the status of Reader at the ‘East’ Panjab University.

File photo of inauguration of Prof BM Anand Auditorium by Prof Yash Pal. Then PU Vice Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover and former Vice Chancellor RP Bambah look on.
Photo Courtesy: Prof Arun Kumar Grover

Quite late in life, Bal Mokand Anand availed of a Government of India overseas fellowship scheme to work with 1950 Nobel Prize winner in Physics, CF Powell, at Bristol, United Kingdom. Initially working as a research scholar, he later enrolled in the PhD programme, completing it in 1953.

On his retu to India, the PhD degree enabled him to get the position of Professor, Chairman and Head of Department of Physics Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, holding this position from 1953 to 1963 and from 1964 to 1967.

Post Retirement Life

After retirement, he chose to join his children, most of whom were residing in different parts of the USA. Bal Mokand Anand and Ram Lubhai had 7 children and 11 grandchildren. He eventually passed away in 1998, a nonagenarian.

His family members recollect that his favourite pastimes were going out for walks which he did not miss even on rainy days, photography, playing the popular card games of the times and bridge, gardening, among others.

Probably, the greatest testimonies to Bal Mokand Anand’s indomitable spirit is one of his maternal grandchildren Vinay Chaudhary’s recollections from Anand’s three decades long stay in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

In one of his recollections, quoted in the book, Vinay, separated from his granddad by 70 years, and then living not far away from his home, shares, “I recall going to the beach. Just being a child and being surprised. Most of the time, I was seeing my grandfather sort of a fragile man. But then there I was swimming in the waves, and I looked next to me and, there was ‘bauji’ swimming, dunking under waves and really enjoying himself. The first time I saw that, it just blew me away. I never expected my 80 or 85 year old grandfather to swim in the Atlantic Ocean with me. It was a blast! It was fantastic.” 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

To keep in touch, drop an email or call :
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M: 9815617676

AAP Councillors Bring Shame; Break Glass Bangles, Bottles

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

Members creating ruckus in any legislature is normal, and the House meetings of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh (MCC) are no different. But by deliberately and dangerously breaking bangles and glass water bottles and tumblers in the 325th General House meeting of the MCC on Tuesday, apparently as a mark of protest, a couple of angry Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors brought probably the biggest shame to the House ever.

The AAP councillors – Prem Lata and leader of the party in the House Jasbir Singh Laddi – resorted to violence when eight of AAP’s 13 councillors were suspended by Mayor Anup Gupta for the rest of the day’s proceedings and were being ushered out of the House by marshals.

Marshals stand by to evict the suspended AAP councillors

Photos By : Life In Chandigarh

These eight AAP councillors were collectively cornered in the House today by all the BJP, Congress, lone Akali Dal and the nominated councillors, demanding an apology from them over their “unwarranted” defamatory comments made at a press conference against councillors who were part of a recent official study tour organised by the MCC to Goa.

Soon after the House began proceedings, following an unusual 9-minute delayed start, the issue was raised by Senior Deputy Mayor Kanwarjeet Rana, who brandished a copy of a Hindi newspaper cutting carrying the allegations made by councillor Daman Preet Singh on behalf of all the eight AAP councillors who had attended the press conference that it was not a study tour but a tour for brashtachar and sair sapata (corruption and tourism).

Agitating councillors, brandishing copies of a Hindi newspaper report, demad an apology from AAP councillors

Describing the allegations as wild, unfounded, unwarranted and irresponsible, he demanded an unconditional apology from Daman Preet Singh on behalf of the eight AAP councillors because it had hurt the dignity of the House as a whole since it was an official all party tour in which the AAP councillors did not join by their own choice.

Kanwarjeet’s demand found instant resonance across the House as not only BJP, but Congress, Akali Dal and nominated councillors also joined issue, vociferously demanding an apology. Both Daman Preet and Jasbir Singh Laddi tried to divert the issue my linking it with the previous alleged use of abusive language by member of Parliament Kirron Kher against Jasbir Singh Laddi in the House, and asserting that no action had been taken against her.

A nominated councillor pointing to the smashed water bottles and glasses

The agitated BJP, Congress, Akali Dal and nominated councillors then trooped into the well of the House, raising slogans denouncing the AAP and demanding an apology. After Daman Preet refused to budge despite repeated calls by Mayor Anup Gupta to withdraw his  allegations and apologise to the House, he asserted that if the councillors could not uphold the dignity of the House they had no right to remain in the House.

He ordered all eight AAP councillors to be suspended for the remaining period of the House meeting and directed the watch and ward staff to usher them out of the House.

At this stage  AAP councillor Prem Lata, well known for her furious and belligerent behaviour in the House, removed her glass bangles and threw them at the Mayor’s podium. The shards of the broken bangles narrowly missed hitting the Mayor, Municipal Commissioner Anindita Mitra and Joint Commissioner Gurinder Singh Sodhi.

Jasbir Singh Laddi inspecting his injured left hand

Coming to the aid of Daman Preet, while he was being physically removed from the House by the marshals, Jasbir Singh Laddi quite deliberately and violently swept the glass water bottles and tumblers off a table, earlier occupied by AAP women councillors, smashing many of them to pieces. He himself received cut wounds in the process and was seen repeatedly examining and wringing his injured left hand.

The drama lasted for well over two hours and as the proceedings resumed and the AAP behaviour continued to be bashed by non-AAP councillors, Jasbir Singh Laddi staged a walkout with the remaining AAP councillors.

 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

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Bring Greater Focus On Mental Health, AI, Says Kalyan Banerjee

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

The third in line of Rotary International presidents from India, Kalyan Banerjee (2011-12) has emphasised on the need for Rotarians to adapt to the rapidly changing global environment, especially in tackling increasing issues of mental health in the aftermath of the pandemic and challenges likely to be posed to the society with the rapid pace of development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Speaking as chief guest at the installation ceremony of the new team at Rotary Club of Chandigarh for the year 2023-24, where the collar of presidentship was passed on from Vinod Kapoor to Anil Chadda, Kalyan Banerjee said this is important while designing and executing various programmes and activities for their greater relevance and impact.

Rtn Anil Chadda (centre) being congratulated on his installation as President of Rotary Club of Chandigarh for 2023-24 by District Governor for RI District 3080 Arun Mongia (left) in Chandigarh on Monday. Applauded by RI Past President Kalyan Banerjee, the chief guest for the occasion.

Photos By: Rotary Club of Chandigarh & Life In Chandigarh

Incumbent Rotary International President Gordon R McInally has spelled out that this year the club’s focus will on three presidential initiatives that Create Hope in the World: Prioritising mental health, building peace through virtual exchanges and empowering girls.

The chief guest also joined other Rotary members on the dais, including Rotary International past president RK Saboo and Rotary International District 3080 Governor Arun Mongia in releasing Rotary Club of Chandigarh’s coffee table book listing out various projects undertaken by the club in the city and elsewhere during its 65 years of existence.

Board of Directors for 2023-24

Earlier presenting his report for the year 2022-23, Rtn Vinod Kapoor listed out various initiatives and activities undertaken by Rotary Club of Chandigarh, including vocational training courses and scholarships for the underprivileged, blood donation camps, heart surgeries, gifting of prosthetics, nutrition for TB and other patients, etc. He also highlighted that the club collected 97,000 US $ as members’ contributions for the Rotary Foundation, the highest ever in a year.

Coffee Table Book being released

Later outlining his vision and some of the projects to be undertaken during 2023-24, Rtn Anil Chadda said besides continuing with various ongoing projects, an MoU had already been signed last week with Dr BR Ambedkar Sate Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali for creation of a first of its kind facility in Punjab of a Human Milk Bank for premature babies.

The club will also be initiating a programme for the development of thinking skills among students in both private and government schools, besides launching a ‘Rishtey’ project to take care of senior citizens, he added.

RI past president RK Saboo recalled how Rotary Club of Chandigarh began its journey by donating a mortuary van in 1961, and how the club had given to the city two Chief Justices of India and six Supreme Court judges.

Describing Rotary Club of Chandigarh as an iconic club of RI District 3080, its District Governor Rtn Arun Mongia mentioned that the club had won for two years consecutively the award of best club in the district.

Listing out various achievements of RI District 3080 and ambitious future plans, he said this year targets for scholarships to needy students, blood donations, eye check-ups for students, etc had been enhanced. He sought the support of all Rotary clubs in the district to achieve these targets.

Sharing that 200 more members had been enlisted in various Rotary clubs in the district, he said a target has been set to achieve member strength of 5,000 in the district. This year the endeavour is to collect US $ 1 million as members’ contribution towards the Rotary Foundation, out of which US $ 300,000 has already been committed, he added.

Led by Anil Chadda, the Rotary Club Chandigarh’s board of directors for 2023-24 are Vice President Praveen Aggarwal, President-elect Jatinder Kapur, Secretary Col. Alok Batra, Treasurer Pawan Kumar Pahwa,  Joint Secretary Dr. Aman Bhatia, Director Club Service Baldev Garg, Director Vocational Service Sartaj Lamba, Director Community Service Teena Avninder Virk, Director International Service Aman Agarwal, Director Special Projects Abha Joshi Sharma, Sergeant-at-Arms Shuchita Luthra and Editor past President AP Singh.

Assisting the Board will be RI past president Rajendra K Saboo, past district governors Madhukar Malhotra and Praveen Chander Goyal and immediate past president Vinod Kapoor.

 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

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Rotary Club Chandigarh Lends Hand To Feed Premature Babies

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
-
0

India has one of the highest incidences of premature/preterm or low birth weight babies in the world, and the demand for donor breast milk far outstrips the supply through the not-for-profit human milk banks (HMBs) set up in government hospitals. Considering the scenario, an initiative by Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Mohali with the help of Rotary Club Chandigarh in setting up a dedicated HMB on the AIMS campus is laudable.

On Thursday, Dr (Mrs) Bhavneet Bharti, Director Principal of AIMS Mohali signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rtn Anil Chadda, President of Rotary Club Chandigarh, in this direction.

Dr (Mrs) Bhavneet Bharti signing the MoU with Rotary Club Chandigarh President Anil Chadda in the presence of other doctors and Rotary members at AIMS Mohali on Thursday

Photo By: Life In Chandigarh

Out of a project cost of around Rs.1 crore, a substantial amount of Rs 31 lakh is being contributed by Rtn Subhash Garg from Yamunanagar, a philanthropist and past district governor of Rotary, to defray cost of plant and equipment for the project through Rotary Club Chandigarh.

At the MoU signing ceremony at AIMS Mohali, Dr Bhavneet informed a select gathering, comprising doctors from the hospital and Rotary members, that civil works had been completed and a dedicated block in the institute has already been readied. Various equipments are in the process of being procured and installed. All efforts are on to make the human milk bank functional within August this year, she added.

Emphasizing on the dire need for human milk, especially for the preterm babies (those born before 37 weeks of gestation, or weighing less than 2.5 kg), she said their nationwide numbers are believed to be 3.5 million every year. The number of HMBs in the country are  proving inadequate in meeting the current demand, hence the need for opening more such banks, she shared.

The milk for the bank is obtained from donor mothers through a voluntary effort without payment and later pasteurized and preserved under controlled conditions for up to 6 months. Likewise it is given at no cost to the needy.

The donors can be mothers attending well baby clinics, mothers whose babies are in neonatal intensive care units, those who have lost their babies but are willing to donate their milk, or lactating staff in the hospitals, and motivated hyper lactating mothers from the community at large.

It’s accepted worldwide that breastfeeding is the best method of infant feeding because human milk continues to be the only milk tailor-made and uniquely suited to the human infant. All mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed their infants.

However, when a mother, for some reason, is unable to feed her infant directly, her breast milk should be expressed and fed to the infant. If mother’s own milk is unavailable or insufficient, the next best option is to use pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM).

In India, the burden of low birth weight babies in various hospitals is estimated to be upwards of 20% with significant mortality and morbidities. Feeding these babies with pasteurized human milk can significantly reduce the risk of various infections.

Rotary Club of Chandigarh Credits

Rotary Club of Chandigarh, into its 65th year of existence, has to its credit setting up of Rotary PGI Serai, state-of-the-art Blood Bank in Sector 37, a Rotary Vocational Training Centre in Sector 18, International Dolls Museum in Sector 23, besides having done over 700 free heart surgeries of children, informed Rtn Pres. Anil Chadda.

 

LifeInChandigarh.com  by APR Media House is an enjoyable digital reading startup, which keeps you abreast of the latest meaningful happenings of interest to large sections of folks in Chandigarh tricity, and expats from the region. It has been promoted by a public spirited senior journalist and media consultant with a view to encourage good quality and healthy journalism, a dire need of the times.

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9815617676

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