‘Walking with River Sarasvati-Recent Historical Cultural and Scientific Findings’ organised at PU

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Chandigarh February 4, 2022 

            Today i.e. 4th February 2022, The Department of History, Panjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board organised a one day international conference titled ‘Walking with River Sarasvati-Recent Historical Cultural and Scientific           Findings’ which was attended by Galaxy of Intellectuals. The conference was organized in blended mode (offline and online).

            Priyatosh Sharma, Chairperson, Department of History, Coordinator of the conference and Fellow, PU initiated the conference with the welcome of guests from different parts of the world. He gave the introduction about the department as well as the theme of the said conference.

            Prof Anju Suri, Dept. of History, Director of the Conference and Dean College Development Council, PU shared the relevance of organizing this conference at this point of time.  She also shared the different achievements and the work undertaken by the Dept. of History in the recent times.

            Mr. Dhuman Singh Kirmach, Deputy Chairman, Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board along with other dignitaries lighted the lamp to formally begin the proceedings of the conference. He shared the various ongoing projects of the Sarasvati Board and the importance of signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the states of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana to rejuvenate the river Sarasvati.         Dr. (Prof) A.R .Chaudhuri, Director, Centre of Excellence for Research on Sarasvati River, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, highlighted the role of interdisciplinary studies in context to river Sarasvati.

            Prof Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University addressed the audience and stated that Sarasvati is not simply a river with source of water but a cultural norm as a Mother in Indian Civilisation. He said that our Department of History at Panjab University may come with something concrete after today’s deliberations.

            Padam Shri Awardee Malini Awasthi, also blessed the audience with her words of wisdom while highlighting how river  Sarasvati has been an inspiration for the Indians generations in context to Indian Geography, Philosophy and Performing Art.       She also shared that as an artist, she considers herself as the creation of Maa Sarasvati. She also appealed the listeners to go back to their roots, read Vedas and develop the wisdom of differentiating between a myth and a fact.

            His Excellence Dr. Roger Gopaul, High Commissioner to India from Trinidad and Tobago congratulated the organizers for organizing such an important event on a pertinent theme. He also shared the importance of available text regarding ancient wisdom in higher studies.

            Maj Gen (Dr.) G.D Bakshi made an argument that it is high time to decolonise the minds and see the nuances related to River Sarasvati and Sind-Sarasvati Civilisation. He also focused on using the latest scientific technology like remote sensing and carbon dating in understanding the different aspects related to River Sarasvati. With the help of various maps and figure, he tries to debunk the theory of Aryan Migration as well.

            Dr A R. Vaidya spoke about river sarasavti not merely as flow of water but a whole entity including its banks , flaura and  fauna , people and writing traditions. There is need to fuse science with ancient texts to make it comprehensible in modern scientific terms.

            In this International Conference, three different technical sessions were organized under the chairmanship of Sanjeev Kumar, Deputy Director General, GSI, Paru Bal Sidhu, Chairperson, Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology,PU and Deepti Gupta, Dean International Students, Panjab University, Chandigarh. In these three sessions, 14 research papers from different faculty members, from various parts of the country along with researchers were presented.

            Sh Om Prakash Dhankar, President BJP, Haryana State acted as the Chief Guest for the valedictory session. He talked about the relevance of river Sarasvati and how the State Govt. of Haryana is committed to revive river Sarasvati and gift it to the people of this region as their cultural legacy.

            Sh. Uma Shankar Pachauri, Joint General Secretary, Bhartiya Sikhshan Mandal, was the guest of honor in this session. He discussed that how river Sarasvati acted as the soul of the Indian civilization which has influenced Indians since ages.

            Another eminent Dr. A.K Gupta Former Scientists ISRO talked about the need to have proper ordinance for the exploration of river Sarasvati and how all modern understanding backed by scientific inputs can resolve the various myths about Sarasvati.

            Prof Rani Mehta, Chairperson, Department of Sociology read the proceedings of the conference. Prof Reenu Thakur, Department of History gave a formal vote of thanks to all the dignitaries, paper presenters, University authorities, students, media personnel.

 पंजाब यूनिवर्सिटी द्वारा किया गया एक दिवसीय समावेशन और कल्याण: विकास और मुद्दे’ पर वेबिनार’

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Chandigarh February 4, 2022 

Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP) सामाजिक बहिष्करण और समावेशी नीति अध्ययन केंद्र, पंजाब यूनिवर्सिटी, चंडीगढ़ द्वारा 4 फरवरी को  ‘एक दिवसीय   वेबिनार” जिसका शीर्षक ‘समावेशन और कल्याण: विकास और मुद्दे’ आयोजित किया गया। इस अवसर पर मुख्य वक्ता, डॉ सलिल कुमार, सहायक प्रोफेसर, SGGS कॉलेज, चंडीगढ़, ने जैन धर्म के मतानुसार समावेशन व समावेशी विकास को मानव कल्याण के लिए प्राथमिकता बताकर उसका विश्लेषणात्मक वर्णन किया। स्वागत संबोधन में प्रोफेसर अशोक कुमार, डायरेक्टर, CSSEIP व हिंदी साहित्य की जानी-मानी हस्ती, ने कहा कि धर्म एक व्यापक विचार है, इसको पंथो, सम्प्रदायों की संकीर्णता में नही बाँधना चाहिए। सबको अपनी जिम्मेदारी का निर्वहन करना होगा व स्वयं को समाज के लिए सदैव तत्पर बनाकर ही हम समस्याओं का प्रभावी निराकरण कर  सबका कल्याण कर सकते है। वेबिनार का संचालन करते हुए डॉ कंचन चंदन, शिक्षक, CSSEIP, ने कहा कि मानवीय समता, बंधुता व मानवतावादी सोच के साथ ही हम सबका कल्याण कर सकते है और समावेशी समाज बना सकते है।

मुख्यवक्ता डॉ सलिल कुमार ने बताया कि ‘जैन’ क्या? ‘जिन’ शब्द उत्पति हुई है, इसका तात्पर्य है जिसने सब इंद्रियों पर विजय प्राप्त कर ली हो। समावेशी समाज के लक्ष्य हम “संयम ही जीवन है”, सम्यक दर्शन, सम्यक ज्ञान और सम्यक आचरण/चरित्र को अपने जीवन मे उतारकर प्राप्त कर सकते है। उन्होंने जैन तीर्थंकरों के माध्यम से समावेशन पर बल दिया। उदाहरण के लिए, ऋषभदेव/आदिदेव/आदिनाथ के ‘असि- सुरक्षा, मसि- व्यापार, कृषि – खेती’ को सभ्यता की नींव/ आकार देने वाला बताया। नेमिनाथ ने बलि का विरोध कर अहिंसा को प्रबल किया. महावीर स्वामी ने सत्य, अहिंसा, अपरिग्रह, अस्तेय में पांचवा व्रत ब्रह्मचर्य जोड़ा। जो समाज को स्पष्ट दिशानिर्देश थे कि क्या करना है, क्या छोड़ना है। मुख्यवक्ता ने बताया कि यदि हम जैन मत में शामिल रत्न, व्रत, तप व आचरण को अपने जीवन मे उतारे तो समतामूलक समाज की रचना कर सकते है। उन्होंने वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोण को रेखांकित करते हुए अनीश्वरवाद व अनेकान्तवाद पर बल दिया।

सभी पंथो, सम्प्रदायों और जातियों को ऊंच-नीच की भावनाओं को त्याग होगा, महिला-पुरूष में भेदभाव समाप्त हो को जैन दर्शन का अभिन्न अंग बताया। विकास व सबके कल्याण के लिए शीलों का पालन व एक-दूसरे के प्रति सदाचरण करना जरूरी है। उन्होंने आडम्बर विहीन व कर्मकांड विहीन समाज की रचना को समावेशी समाज का आधार बताया जिसमे नैतिक मूल्य सर्वोपरि हो। उन्होंने जैन मुनि धर्मप्रज्ञ व भूतपूर्व राष्ट्रपति अब्दुल कलाम की पुस्तक ‘सुखी परिवार, समृद्ध राष्ट्र’ के माध्यम से संदेश दिया कि परिवार एक इकाई के रूप में यदि समृद्ध होगा तो हम राष्ट्र को समृद्ध बना सकते है, और नैतिक मूल्यों को जीवन मे अपनाकर ही समृद्ध समाज को यथार्थ कर सकते है, इस सकारत्मक बिंदु पर अपना व्याख्यान समाप्त किया।

प्रोफेसर अशोक कुमार, डायरेक्टर CSSEIP, ने समाज के सभी वर्गों से आह्वान किया कि हमें जाति-धर्म और लैंगिक भेदभाव को समाप्त कर, धार्मिक संकीर्णताओं को त्यागकर ‘नए भारत’ का सपना साकार कर सकते है। इस अवसर पर यूनिवर्सिटी प्रोफेसर व CSSEIP के रिसर्च स्कॉलरो ने भी विचारगोष्ठी में भागीदारी की और सामाजिक-आर्थिक व्यवस्थाओं पर ज्ञानवर्द्धन किया व नैतिक मूल्यों को जीवन शैली का अनिवार्य अंग बनाने का दृढ़संकल्प लिया।

National Award for Panjab University Faculty

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Chandigarh February 3, 2022 

            Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, has brought the laurel to Panjab University, Chandigarh, by winning the “National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication through Innovative and Traditional methods”. The prestigious award is presented every year to an individual for outstanding contribution in the field of science and technology communication and promoting scientific temper, which has created a significant impact in the country during the last five years by the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

            The award carries a citation, a memento and a cash prize of two lakh rupees. Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, acknowledge the contribution of scientists, which works towards societal upliftment through disseminating scientific knowledge in an informed manner with the help of different media that percolate down to every individual in society. The award will be presented in New Delhi at a special ceremony to be held on National Science Day.

            Dr. Mor has been working in the field of environment and public health for the past 21 years. She is actively engaged in creating capacity-building training and workshops for professionals and the general public. She is actively involved in building scientific temperament to create awareness and motivate action for better health and the environment. Apart from her routine job responsibilities, Dr. Mor developed her interest in science communication, especially for children and the general public. Recently, during the COVID pandemic, Dr. Mor led the development of Information, Education and Communication material to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Her Comic series ‘Kids, Vaayu & Corona’ was adopted and released by the Ministry of Health, Government of India in early March 2020 to engage children and the general public. The first comic is available in over 20 international and national languages, also adopted by WHO and UNICEF. DST routinely highlighted this work in Science Outreach and Popularization of Science. To date, she has developed six comics of the ‘KIDs, VAAYU & CORONA’ series with scientific explanations to educate and teach children about the threat of Coronavirus and how to remain safe through simple precautionary steps.

             Her work highlights different aspects of COVID-19, i.e., how to engage children at home and explore their creative potential, to sensitize the public and children to adopt new norms of COVID appropriate behavior, to educate kids and the general public about vaccine development, to educate about COVID-19 vaccine for children including routine immunization. She also developed various infographic booklets to guide the general public about COVID-19 and engage them in best practices to prevent the death and disease burden. She also developed ‘Eco-Calendar’ to generate awareness about the environment and public health days and emphasize on creating mass awareness. She has authored more than 90 articles, including original research papers, reviews, and book chapters. Some of her articles are listed as highly cited by ‘ISI Web of Science’. Her articles are cited around 4900 times, and she has a HIRSCH factor of ‘34’ based on google scholar and other sources. She is also working with many states for wider outreach of COVID-19, air pollution and climate change awareness.      

WORLD WETLAND DAY CELEBRATION ON 2 FEBRUARY 2022

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Chandigarh February 2, 2022 

            On the world wetland day that is celebrated every year on 2nd February, the Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh in association with Punjab State Council for Science and Technology organised a webinar to discuss on this year’s theme ‘wetlands action for people and nature’. The webinar was part of the Eminent Guest Lecture series being organised by the department. The first distinguished lecture entitled “Wetland monitoring to ensure the well-being of people and nature” was delivered by Dr. J.A. Johnson, Scientist-E, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, India. He introduced different types of wetlands to the audience and emphasised on the effect of pollution, eutrophication and invasive species on wetland ecosystem. He also encouraged academicians and students to participate in monitoring change in water quality, habitat conditions and pollution in the wetland areas as an initiative for conservation of wetland to ensure wellbeing of people and nature.

            The second lecture entitled “Conservation significance of wetlands” was delivered by Dr. Gopi G.V., Scientist-E, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, India. The major objective of his talk was to provide an understanding of wetland ecology and conservation issues relating to wetlands and costal habitats. He also encouraged to develop passion for conservation and management of wetlands and wetland associated species and communities in younger generation. Further, he highlighted the biogeographic distribution of major wetlands of India ranging from Himalayan regions in the north to the Malabar coast in the south. He concluded by discussing various factors that are leading to the degradation of wetland and its loss.

The sessions were chaired by Prof. Sukhbir Kaur and Prof. Harpreet Kaur, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Dr. Y. K. Rawal, Chairperson of the department welcomed the eminent speakers. The program was coordinated by Dr. Archana Chauhan. More than 80 participants registered for the talk including students, research scholars and faculty members from Panjab University and adjoining colleges and institutions.

PU Results

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Chandigarh February 2,

This is to inform that the result of examination July/August & September 2021 (Golden Chance) of the following courses have been declared/made public today.

·        B.Sc. Third Year Examination, August, 2021 (Annual System Golden Chance – Compartment/Improvement of Performance)

·        B.Sc. (Home Science) 3rd Semester Examination (Golden Chance) September, 2021

·        M.Sc. Home Science (Foods and Nutrition) 1st Semester Examination (Golden Chance) September, 2021

·        M.A. Community Education and Development 4th Semester Examination July, 2021

·        M.Sc. (Honours) in Zoology 2nd Semester Examination July, 2021

·        M.A. Community Education and Development 2nd Semester Examination July, 2021

EMINENT GUEST LECTURE SERIES ON 2 FEBRUARY 2022

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Chandigarh February 2, 2022

     On the world wetland day that is celebrated every year on 2nd February, the Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh in association with Punjab State Council for Science and Technology organised a webinar to discuss on this year’s theme ‘wetlands action for people and nature’. The webinar was part of the Eminent Guest Lecture series being organised by the department. The first distinguished lecture entitled “Wetland monitoring to ensure the well-being of people and nature” was delivered by Dr. J.A. Johnson, Scientist-E, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, India. He introduced different types of wetlands to the audience and emphasised on the effect of pollution, eutrophication and invasive species on wetland ecosystem. He also encouraged academicians and students to participate in monitoring change in water quality, habitat conditions and pollution in the wetland areas as an initiative for conservation of wetland to ensure wellbeing of people and nature.

            The second lecture entitled “Conservation significance of wetlands” was delivered by Dr. Gopi G.V., Scientist-E, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, India. The major objective of his talk was to provide an understanding of wetland ecology and conservation issues relating to wetlands and costal habitats. He also encouraged to develop passion for conservation and management of wetlands and wetland associated species and communities in younger generation. Further, he highlighted the biogeographic distribution of major wetlands of India ranging from Himalayan regions in the north to the Malabar coast in the south. He concluded by discussing various factors that are leading to the degradation of wetland and its loss.

The sessions were chaired by Prof. Sukhbir Kaur and Prof. Harpreet Kaur, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Dr. Y. K. Rawal, Chairperson of the department welcomed the eminent speakers. The program was coordinated by Dr. Archana Chauhan. More than 80 participants registered for the talk including students, research scholars and faculty members from Panjab University and adjoining colleges and institutions.

Entrance Test conducted by the Punjab University, Chandigarh.

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Chandigarh February 2, 2022 

      School of Punjabi Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh has started process of admission to M.Phil. (Punjabi) academic session 2021-2022. Willing students may submit their application form for admission by 7.2.2022 (5.00 p.m.) in the office of the Department. Student, having master’s degree in Punjabi, with minimum 55% marks are eligible for admission. Reservation of seats will be as per PU rules.

               The admission to M.Phil. (Punjabi) is made on the basis on the M.Phil./Ph.D. Entrance Test conducted by the Punjab University, Chandigarh.  The admission form is available at https://dui.puchd.ac.in/includes/notice board/2022/20220125150540-admissionform-m.phil2021-22.pdf?202216010554. However, UGC-NET qualified students may also approach the Department for seeking admission. The schedule and any other notice will be uploaded on the notice-board of the departmental website (https://punjabi.puchd.ac.in).

Department of Punjabi at its own level

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Chandigarh February 2, 2022 

               School of Punjabi Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh has started the process for admission to M.Phil. (Guru Granth Sahib Studies) academic session 2021-2022. Willing students may submit their application/request for admission by 7.2.2022 (5.00 p.m.) in the office of the Department. Student, having master’s degree in any faculty/stream, with minimum 55% marks are eligible for admission. Reservation of seats will be as per PU rules.

               The admission to M.Phil. (GGSS) is made on the basis on the Entrance Test conducted by the Department of Punjabi at its own level. The medium of test will be in both Punjabi and English languages. The candidate may choose to attempt his paper either in Punjabi or in English.  

               The syllabi for the test will be Historical, Philosophical, Linguistic and Poetical aspects of Guru Granth Sahib Studies, and Comparative Studies of Religions.

SAIF PU receives STUTI Program-2021 grant by DST, New Delhi

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Chandigarh February 1, 2022 

            SAIF Panjab University has been granted with STUTI Program-2021 by DST, New Delhi. This one-year special program is aimed at human resource and its capacity building through open access to S & T Infrastructure. This will be achieved by organizing short term courses/ workshops on the awareness, use and application of various instruments and analytical techniques. Under the grant of this program, SAIF PU will be conducting 25 training sessions (in batch of 30 participants each) and 14 awareness programs (in batch of 50 school students each).  Various activities and awareness programs are planned to be conducted during the designated ‘Science Week’ from 22-28th February 2021 under the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. On the initiative of Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SAIF has already been working commendably in the direction of providing free of cost workshop on analytical instrumentation, technical training and awareness programs for the students of remote areas including Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh etc. The STUTI Program is an extension to the on-going efforts of PU in providing training and awareness to the budding science students and researchers across the country. PU Vice Chancellor, DUI and Registrar congratulated Prof. Ganga Ram Chaudhary, Director, SAIF, Chandigarh and his team on receiving this prestigious grant on behalf of PU Chandigarh.

Refresher course in Commerce, Management and Economics

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Chandigarh February 1, 2022 

A two week long in service online  Refresher Course in Commerce, Management and Economics was inaugurated today at the UGC- Human  Resource Development Centre Panjab University Chandigarh. Thirty five faculty members from different universities and colleges in eight states have joined the course. Participants from as far as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala are attending the programme. Resource persons from reputed Institutes IIndian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and Roorkee, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy New Delhi, Guru Jambheshwar University Hisar,  University of Jammu, Banaras Hindu University, University of Lucknow, Centre for Research in Rural Research and Industrial Development Chandigarh,  Punjabi University Patiala and Panjab University have been invited to deliberate on significant topics during the course.  In his inaugural address Prof Ashok Chakrawal, the Vice Chancellor Guru Ghasi  Das University, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh  sensitised the participants about the need for  larger component of experiential learning in syllabi and making syllabii market friendly which can translate into enhanced employability of the youth.



            In the  Presidential address, Prof VK Malhotra Member Secretary Indian Council of Social Sciences Research New Delhi  applauded the multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approach of the programme and merging of subject specific boundaries as highlighted  in the National Education Policy, 2020. Prof Malhotra highlighted that adding case studies of local areas would academically enrich the Local to Global component of Atmanirbhar Bharat.  Prof SK Tomar Honorary Director HRDC and Dean University Instructions Panjab University welcomed the guests and participants and urged them to enrich and refresh their knowledge and contribute towards learning of students. The course coordinators Professor Geeta Bansal and Prof Prof Harsh Gandhar briefed the participants regarding the workings of the multi-disciplinary course and apprised them of the objectives of the course which are subject updation and sharpening of pedagogical skills.