Commonwealth Youth Baton Relay at JNU

Jawaharlal Nehru University Sports Office organised the Welcome of Youth Baton Relay on 2 August 2008 to commemorate the organization of III Commonwealth Youth Games 2008, at Pune.  The first ever Youth Baton Relay, analogous to the Queen’s Baton Relay of Commonwealth Games, was welcomed in Delhi at JNU in the presence of massive media coverage.  The baton was received at the main entrance of JNU by Mrs. Damayanti V. Tambay, Arjuna Award winner  in badminton and Dy. Director, Physical Education, and Dr. Vikram Singh, Assistant Director, Physical Education.  The baton exchanged hands en route among the JNU sports conveners and hostel presidents with around 250 volunteers following the convoy that reached the Vice Chancellor’s office near Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru’s Statue.  The mascot of the Commonwealth Youth Games, ”JIGRR” enthralled the audiences with his dance steps.  In a brief ceremony held near the VC’s office, the baton was handed over by Dr. Kamala Kumari, former JNU student and an ace mountaineer, to Prof. R. Kumar, Rector. Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Prof. Charanjit Singh, Chairman, University Sports Committee and Mr. Avais Ahmad, Registrar, JNU graced the occasion.  Mr. Suresh Kalmadi enlightened the gathering about the motive of Youth Baton Relay which is ”come out and play”.  The participation, involvement and enthusiasm of the JNU students was commendable.  Prof. R. Kumar lauded the efforts by the Sports Office and encouraged the JNU youth to take up games and sports in its true spirit and promised to further upgrade the sports facilities in JNU.  Prof. Charanjit Singh, Chairman, University Sports Committee, thanked the Indian Olympic Association officials and the foreign Commonwealth delegates and expected a good impetus to JNU sports in the course of Commonwealth Games.  The baton was then handed over by Prof. R. Kumar to Mr. Suresh Kalmadi on its way to Pune, where the Commonwealth Youth Games are going to be held from 12 to 18 October 2008.  JNU Sports office takes this opportunity to thank the JNU dignitaries, JNU community, the student volunteers and baton runners for extending their whole hearted support in making this programme a success.

Vikram Singh, Assistant Director, Physical Education

JNU Teacher Delegation visits Peshawar University

Five member teacher delegation of JNU, recently visited Peshawar University at the invitation of Peshawar University Teachers Association.  The delegation was invited to participate in a week long international seminar on 'Higher Education: Trends and Prospectus', organized by PUTA and All Pakistan Teachers associations with support from Peshawar University and a Norway based educational institution.  While fifteen Indian academicians were invited for the seminar, because of delay in grant of visa, only five scholars could attend the seminar.  Indian participants, all from JNU, included Professor Chaman Lal, former President JNUTA and Chairperson, Centre of Indian Languages, who also chaired one of the sessions of the seminar.  Professor Chaman Lal paid tributes to the memory of great freedom fighter brothers Khan Abdul Ghafar Khan, Known as 'Frontier Gandhi' in India and 'Badshah Khan' in Pakistan, and his brother Dr. Khan Saheb, in whose memory Delhi's Khan Market in named.  He also fondly remembered the young martyr of Mardan(NWFP) Harikishan, who was executed by British Government for his patriotism during freedom struggle.  He appreciated the participation of girls and women in all fields of higher education in Pakistan and their quality of scholarship.

Dr. M.M. Kunju, former secretary JNUTA, Dr. Raman Sinha, Vice President JNUTA, Dr. Akhlaque Ahmad, School Representative JNUTA, and Dr. Ikram, from the Centre of Indian Languages were the other members of the delegation, who were welcomed very warmly everywhere with lot of love and respect for India. A delegation of Peshawar University Teachers Association (PUTA) had visited JNU in the years 2003, 2007 and 2008.   The seminar was held in Barangali near the famous hill station, a beautiful summer campus of the Peshawar University.  Apart from taking part in the seminar the delegation also met the Vice-chancellors of three Universities of North West Frontier Province(NWFP).  At Peshawar, Vice Chancellor of Peshawar University, Dr. Ajmal Hayat Khan presented mementos and set of books to the members of the delegation and also for the Vice Chancellor of JNU.  The Delegation also met Dr. Ajmal Khan, grandson of Dr. Khan Sahib and Vice Chancellor of the newly established Islamia College University of Peshawar.  The Delegation was invited to visit Hazara University Dodial by its Vice Chancellor Dr. Ihsan Ali, but due to visa restriction, it could not do so.  On way back, the delegation received the hospitality of Punjab University, Lahore, and all four Vice Chancellors expressed the desire to develop friendly interaction with JNU and other Indian Universities through MOUs at various levels.  On its return, the delegation briefed JNU Vice Chancellor Prof. B.B. Bhattacharya about its discussions with Pakistani Vice Chancellors.

Chaman Lal, Chairperson, Centre of Indian Languages, SLL&CS

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