Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula

Alchemist Group forayed into provision of Healthcare in 2006 with the acquisition of a 100-bed hospital at Panchkula. The Hospital is being refurbished to create a state of the art JCI compliant hospital. The completely renovated and upgraded facility will be available to the community from the third quarter of 2007.

The hospital will be centrally air-conditioned. It will have steel modular operation theatres with independent air handling units and .3-micron hepa filters with a laminar air flow. The NFP A certified medical gas system is being supplied from Tri- Tech, USA. The Central Sterile Supply Systems are from Steris, USA. The laundry systems are from Image, Malaysia. It is being equipped with a GPS supported Master Clock system first of its kind in the country for any hospital. The hospital is being networked to enable a paperless, film-less environment for functioning. All critical systems like electricity, gases have backup and fall back systems installed to ensure 100% uninterrupted availability.

The hospital will have the best of medical technology including the Dual source CT scanner, Flat Panel Cath Lab for interventional Cardiology, a 3D C-Arm System for surgery, Digital Fluoroscopy System, Integrated patient Monitoring Systems in Critical Care Units and several other technologies. The hospital will offer all clinical programs in an institutional framework adopting the best of accreditation and credentialing norms. Standards, Quality, Appropriateness, Transparency and Ethics will be the guiding parameters to govern this initiative.

Alchemist Group has also recently taken over the management of a 500-bed Medical College Hospital in Gujarat.

Contact Information

ALCHEMIST HOSPITAL
Sector 21
Panchkula, Haryana
India - 134112
Phone: +91-172-2520171-2-3
Fax: +91-172-2561404, 2561039, 2520175

Sliver Oaks fully equipped multi speciality Hospital

Welcome to Silver Oaks Hospital - one of the most comprehensive healthcare providers in North India. We have accredited Medical Officers from almost all specialty areas.

Our priority is high quality, cost effective patient care founded on excellent practice. We have one single multi speciality hospital that is fully equipped to handle each and every conceivable medical problem. We strive as a team to provide services and care which improves the quality of life of our patients.

Silver Oaks Hospital is a 100 bedded multi-speciality hospital built on 1.2 acres of land having 70000 sq ft of covered area. It is situated in Mohali satellite town of Chandigarh (a thriving metropolitan and most ultra modern city of India).

With 30 disciplines running in the hospital it is considered a centre of excellence in Orthopaedics (bones & joints), Cardiac care, Psychiatry and EndocrinologyThe one hospital that meets all your demands for quality, efficiency and affordability. Has a 14 bedded ICU, CCU equipped with modular monitors, digital ventilators, defibrillator, central medical gas systems and all other support measures. The equipment configuration and level of medical care and support is equivalent to any international corporate hospital.

The hospital has centrally air conditioned premises, state-of-the-art Equipment, the most qualified and experienced doctors and an efficient and trained Paramedical staff ensures that you receive services that are at par with the best in the country.

It is the only renal Transplant center in Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and it is the 4th in punjab.

*Built on 1.2 acres of land having 70000 sq ft of covered area. Silver Oaks Hospital is situated in Phase IX, Mohali 1.5 km from Chandigarh.

*100 bedded multi-speciality hospital with state of the art facilities for comprehensive and advanced medical care.

*30 disciplines running in the hospital.

*Affordable to all classes of society with provision for indoor facilities with General Ward, Twin Sharing to Deluxe Rooms.

*Has a 14 bedded ICU, CCU equipped with modular monitors, digital ventilators, defibrillator, central medical gas systems and all other support measures. The equipment configuration and level of medical care and support is equivalent to any international corporate hospital.

*Multi-speciality OPD 09:00 AM to 06:30 PM.


Contact Information

Silver Oaks Hospital
Phase IX, Sector 63
S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) - 160 062
Punjab, India
Tel: +91-172-2211303
+91-172-2211308
+91-172-2211309

Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh

In view of the ever increasing population of the city of Chandigarh, a second 500-bedded General Hospital had become a necessity not only for catering to the needs of patients in the southern sectors of the city but also to cater for patients from the satellite townships of Panchkula and SAS Nagar. The first 500-bedded General Hospital in sector 16 remains choked with the flow of patients from the first phase sectors of the city and the surrounding states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and western parts of Uttar Pradesh. The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, located in sector 12, Chandigarh was conceived as a premier referral centre for the northern states of India.

The second General Hospital in Sector 32 had been planned to serve the second phase sectors, thereby relieving pressure on General Hospital, Sector 16 and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), so that the latter could serve as a first rate referral hospital.

Chandigarh, best educational facilities in the country. Besides the Panjab University and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, it has an Engineering College, College of Arts, College of Architecture, a number of Government and Private Degree Colleges and other prestigious and important research institutions. Somehow, the city had lacked a Medical College for graduate studies, i.e. MBBS. The deficiency was most glaring. GMC provides opportunity of a career in medicine to many promising students who were denied of this opportunity because of ‘domicile’ restrictions imposed by the states in which these colleges are located.
Broad Objectives of the Project

The hospital, intending to meet the medicosocial needs of various communities of different economic status, has been obliged to adjust its various services/facilities of general nature and teaching to the present requirements of the society in North India. The broad objectives of the 500 bedded multi-disciplinary teaching hospital are cited below :

*To provide comprehensive health care, encompassing preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care to the residents of North India drawn from the urban/semi-urban and rural areas.

*To provide out-patient, in-patient and round the clock maternity and emergency care services of all basic and supportive general specialties. These services would be provided free to the poor whereas the more affluent component of the society will add gradually to the government revenue.

*To provide round the clock facilities of intensive care unit, coronary care unit, burns unit and neonatal intensive care unit.

*To provide round the clock state of the art diagnostic services/facilities in clinical pathology, including blood bank, clinical biochemistry, microbiology and radiology, including ultrasound and CT scan.

*To provide few specialised services in clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic fields like in cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, neonatology, neurosurgery, urology, plastic surgery and burns, etc.

*To act as a free medical institution for direct/first level contact for patients and also as a secondary level referral centre for the referred cases from nearby smaller/large hospitals (Government/private), health centres, polyclinics and dispensaries situated in North India.

*To act, specifically, as a regional overflow multi-disciplinary institution (north region) for the referred cases by linking horizontally with other peripheral 100 bedded and 500 bedded general hospitals in the north, with other major teaching institutions and larger multi-disciplinary hospital situated in other parts of Chandigarh.

*To reduce considerably the present workload of other hospitals, especially the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh and thereby offer maximum relief to the economically weaker section and middle section of the people residing in rural and semi-urban areas of Chandigarh.

*To participate in various national health programmes, including National Family Welfare Programme, by linking with various Government/private hospitals and health centres(horizontally and vertically) and providing necessary infrastructure and facilities as per their demands.

*To fulfill the glaring deficiency of an undergraduate Medical College in the Union Territory of Chandigarh which offers the best educational facilities in all other fields. The Government Medical College will be attached to the teaching hospital.

*To act as a centre for Continuing Medical Education Programmes for various categories of technical and non-technical personnel of different disciplines working within and from other various sized hospitals.

*To render facilities for conducting research activities relating to different specialties, as and when required.

*Last but not the least the hospital, as a measure for future expansion, in response to the changing trend in hospital services, would also provide facilities/services (clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic) of various other specialties in future depending upon the real needs of the population.

The Government Medical College, Chandigarh was started during the year 1991 in pursuance of the No Objection Certificate issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, vide their U.O.No. 12013/31-90ME(P) dated 15-01-91. The defacto Government Medical College was started in the Prayaas building, Sector 38, Chandigarh after the foundation stone laying ceremony was performed by the former Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Chandra Shekhar on 20 January, 1991 in Sector 32 on the quilt of 36.09 acre of land allotted by the Chandigarh Administration. In the first instance, the construction for this College and Hospital was started with the outlay of Rs. 100.00 Lac earmarked in the annual plan for 1991-92.
Hospital Planning

The hospital building is being constructed with the highest specifications available in the country so that it can be kept hygienically clean and relatively infection free, in the patient’s interests. Crevices, projections and other designs, which can collect dust and cobwebs, have been avoided in the construction. Such infection harboring designs have been eliminated.
Bed Distribution and Architectural Design

Based upon modern technology and the utilization of the modern approach for the building of any complex, specially a large hospital, the Chief Architect, Chandigarh Administration, had evolved a new concept based on the modular system. He proposed the system with self-contained modules for different functions with vertical requirements and a central core which will take away the use of unending corridors of the traditional hospital buildings constructed in the past.

Contact Information

Government Medical College & Hospital
Sector 32
Chandigarh
India
Tel: +91-172-2665253, 2665545, 2669180, 2669182
+91-172-2669569, 2662201-04, 2663301, 2663303
Fax: +91-172-2608488

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh : A Profile

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh was conceived in 1960 as a center of excellence which would endeavour to develop patterns of teaching in postgraduate medical education in as many branches as possible and attempt to produce specialists in several disciplines of medicine. It was also envisaged that these specialists would spread out in the country in various medical colleges and medical institutions and impart medical education of highest standard to the students and set up nucleus of excellence in their own institutions. The PGIMER was also given the responsibility to broaden the horizons of medical knowledge by intensive research in the field of health.

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh was mandated to

1. Provide high quality patient care.
2. Attain self-sufficiency in postgraduate medical education and to meet the country’s need
for highly qualified medical teachers in all medical and surgical disciplines.
3. Provide educational facilities for the training of personnel in all important branches of
health activity.

4. Undertake basic community based research.

Mission Statment

The mission of PGI is "service to the community, care of the needy and research for the good of all".

History

The PGIMER owes its inception to the vision of late Sardar Partap Singh Kairon, the then Chief Minister of Punjab and the distinguished medical educationists of the then combined state of Punjab, supported by the first Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru who considered the institutions of scientific knowledge as temples of learning and the places of pilgrimage. The institute started in 1962 and Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru inaugurated the hospital now named “Nehru Hospital” on 7th July 1963. The Institute was originally under the Government of undivided Punjab. After the reorganization of the state, the administrative control of the institute passed on to the Union Territory of Chandigarh in November 1966. The Institute became an autonomous body under the Act of Parliament in 1967 functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, with the following mandate.

* Provide high quality patient care.

* Attain self-sufficiency in postgraduate medical education and to meet the country’s need
for highly qualified medical teachers in all medical and surgical fields.

* Provide educational facilities for the training of personnel in all-important branches of
health activity.
* Undertake basic community based research.

The Institute is continuing to achieve the objective of service to the community, care of the needy and research for the good of all. The Institute has shown the way to the entire nation in the sphere of health care and medical training.
Patient Care

1. The Nehru Hospital, the most vital part of the Institute, caters to the need of very sick and has about 50,000 annual admissions. The Institute has important diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, which are important compliments to the parallel clinical specialties.

2. A comprehensive emergency department (140 bedded) with divisions catering to medical, pediatric, surgical emergencies and trauma round the clock is a remarkable feature of the Institute. The new emergency block has attached laboratory, X-ray and operation theatre facilities. The department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging has facilities for MRI, CT scan, ultrasound and caters to the emergency services besides the routine service.

3. The Institute is actively involved in the community health services. The department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health along with departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology are busy conducting studies pertaining to the community health needs.

4. Advanced Pediatric Centre (300 bedded) is a multi speciality facility dedicated to the care of children. The centre which was inaugurated in 1997 by Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then president of has been equipped with modern facilities for treatment, teaching and research. The centre provides a 24 hours emergency service and a pediatric intensive care unit. It has a separate pediatric outpatient department. The centre provides speciality services in the field of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Allergy and Immunology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Genetics and metabolic diseases. The department also has a super specialty of Neonatology with Neonatal Intensive Care facilities.

5. Super speciality of Gastroenterology is housed in a separate building with all modern facilities for treatment, teaching and research. The department has its own laboratory facilities - biochemistry, enzymology, microbiology, virology, radiology and pathology services. In addition, the department has a full-fledged section of pediatric gastroenterology.

6. Drug de-addiction and treatment centre has well functioning outpatient, inpatient, and outreach components. Active liaison with fellowship groups and other centres is maintained which in turn helps in the aftercare, rehabilitation, and manpower development.

7. Round the clock emergency services are provided for issue of blood and blood components. Mobile unit of the department of Transfusion Medicine conducts voluntary blood donation camps within and outside Chandigarh.

8. New OPD Block houses most of the out patient departments which are fully functional. It also has physiotherapy services, minor operation theatres for short surgical procedures. It also houses the DOTS centre for giving supervised treatment to patients of tuberculosis.

9. Advanced Eye Centre was inaugrated by Sh. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Hon'ble Vice President of India in the august presence of Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss Hon'ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday, March 18, 2006. The Advanced eye Centre has introduced several new advanced technologies, some of which are among the first in India and include Optical Coherence Tomography, Heidelberg Retinal Tomography, Prefrential Hyperacuity Perimetery, Confocal Specular Microscopy, Eye Bank Specular Microscopy, Fluorescein and Indocyanine Green Angiography, Variety of Lasers, Computerized Perimeteric Techniques, Frequency Doubling Technique for Perimetery, High Resolution Ultrasonography, Ultrasonic Biomcroscopy, Corneal Topography, Automated Computerized Refractors and highly sophisticated electrophysiological techniques. All sophisticated ocular surgical procedures viz: IOL Implants for complicated cataracts, Lasik Surgery for removal of refractive errors, Trauma Surgery, Oculoplastic Surgical Procedures, Endoscopic DCR surgery, Galucoma and Vitreo Retinal Surgery including Laser Surgery for premature babies even in the incubators are routinely performed. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Retinoblastoma has been introduced.

Teaching / Training

The Institute has met the objective of providing educational facilities for the training of personnel both medical and non-medical in all the important branches of health activity. The Institute has attained self sufficiency in postgraduate medical education and runs a continuous, full time residency program in most of the specialties of medical sciences e.g. medicine, surgery, pathology, etc. There is a full fledged institute of nursing called National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE) which imparts quality nursing education.

The Institute is involved in research for the rural and community related environment and health problems. There has been a steady progress in developing new research methods and strategies for the benefit of patients. The focus of research has been on tackling diseases like diarrhoea, tuberculosis, malaria, amoebiasis, HIV, leprosy, hepatitis, anaemia, leukaemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, thalassemia, dental caries, stone disease, cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Various modern techniques are available to conduct studies like flow cytometry, chromatography (HPLC, FPLC), molecular biology, and genetic studies.Every year nearly 400 research articles are published for the institute in national and international journals.

A number of departments have been designated as research centres by WHO and various national agencies. WHO designated Centres include:

* Clinical research in human reproduction (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
* Mental Health Centre (Psychiatry)
* Quality Control in Clinical Chemistry (Biochemistry)
* Coagulation (Haematology)
* Clinical Parasitology
* Blood Transfusion and Haematology

The Institute has been recognized by National AIDS Control Organisation and has a voluntary testing and counseling centre (VCTC) located at the fourth floor of the research A block. The institute provides free drugs for treatment of HIV patients.

The founders of this Institute Prof. Tulsi Das, Prof. Santokh Singh Anand, Prof. PN Chuttani, Prof. BN Aikat, Prof. Sant Ram Dhall and Prof. Bala Krishna laid the path of excellence for the Institute.

Fortis Hospital, Mohali - Super Speciality in Heart

With a vision to provide the state of Punjab world class cardiac and multispeciality care, Fortis Hospital Mohali came calling in 2001 and was quickly a focal point of healthcare for the residents of North India.

Late Dr. Parvinder Singh, who architected the glorious evolution of Ranbaxy Laboratories, dreamt ‘to create a world class integrated health care delivery system in India, entailing the finest medical skills combined with compassionate care’, a mission well carried forward by his sons - Malvinder M. Singh as CEO & MD, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, and Shivinder M. Singh as CEO & MD Fortis Healthcare Limited.

As the flagship hospital of Fortis Healthcare Limited completes six years of existence, the brand has undoubtedly made a promise to the people of the region. The commitment levels of all those who have brought it to this point have been fierce and uncompromising. Working relentlessly towards patients’ satisfaction, the top brass is passionately involved in each process of qualitative improvement, adding new disciplines, dimensions and domains into the fabric of healthcare, with ‘quality’ certainly the keyword. It is the CEO and MD of Fortis Hospital Mohali, Mr. Shivinder Mohan Singh (the first COO of FHM), and his carefully handpicked team of administrators, along with a top-notch medical faculty, who make the organization vibrant, dynamic and upwardly mobile. The Chief Operating Officer of FHM, Mr. Ashish Bhatia, is unmistakably the driving force behind the project, having been handed over the baton by stalwarts such as Mr. Daljit Singh, the second COO, who is now the President, Strategy & Organizational Development, Fortis Healthcare Limited, and Mr. Jasbir Grewal, the third COO, who is now Vice President Operations.

Promoted by Ranbaxy, India’s largest pharmaceutical company, Fortis enjoys a lineage that has become a benchmark of corporate excellence. Following the ambitious growth trajectory of Ranbaxy very closely is the Fortis network of hospitals, which in a relatively short time span of time has established itself as a premier healthcare chain with as many as 13 hospitals across 6 states of North India. The credential of the doctors can leave anybody awestruck. These comprise of some of the best names in the trade, with the widest experience and unlimited research to their credit

Into its 7th year, Fortis Hospital Mohali, set on a sprawling 8.22 acres, is the veritable torch bearer of these super specialty centers of excellence across the country. While a compelling two hundred founder employees continue to faithfully steer the large, organized team to new heights, many new departments have been introduced and policies created, to ensure a stable, healthy growth. Initially a cardiac care center, Fortis Hospital Mohali, has not only found a place amongst India’s most advanced cardiac hospitals, but is now also a well-recognized multispeciality facility with accomplishments in numerous high end procedures such as Cardiac Remodeling, Pediatric Arterial Switch Operation, Total Knee & Hip Replacement, Aortic Aneurysms, Tumor Surgery, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernias, Kidney Tumor Removal and Racial Dissection for Oesophageal Cancer to cite a few.

Been awarded the Best Design Award by the prestigious American Institute of Architecture in 1999, patient centricity is at the heart of the institute with all efforts geared towards giving patients the highest degree of personalized care. Modern medical services matched by abiding concern to treat patients with empathy and compassion ensure that all patients at Fortis receive the best treatment in the shortest possible time. Taking the concept of personalized care to the next level is 1:1 patient to nurse ratio in ICUs and ICCUs. Other top of the line facilities at the hospital include:

* Multi-speciality medical center with day care facilities.

* Out patient care to fulfill the local demands.

* NABL certified path lab.

* State-of-the-art blood bank.

* Ultra-modern operation theatres with laminar flow and shadow less lighting

* A 24 hours emergency ambulance service

* A dedicated emergency & trauma center

* Mohali's only 24hr chemist shop

* Free home collection of pathology samples



Contact Information

Fortis Hospital, Mohali
Super Speciality in Heart
Sector 62, Phase - VIII
Mohali - 160 062
Punjab, India
Tel: +91-172-5096222
+91-172-5096400
Fax: +91-172-5096221
Emergency No.: +91-172-5096700

Taj Chandigarh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh, the capital of the states of the Punjab and Haryana set at the foothills of the majestic Himalayas, was planned by the French architect Le Corbusier after India’s independence. The young-at-heart, fast-growing and progressive city is striking for its urban planning, impressive buildings with brise-soleil facades, well-organized sectors and broad tree-lined avenues.

Taj Chandigarh celebrates the dynamic spirit of Chandigarh in its sophisticated architecture and interiors. The newly built hotel, located in Sector 17, the city’s prime business and shopping area, is a comfortable 30-minutes drive from the airport and a 15-minutes drive from the railway station. Taj Chandigarh is the city’s finest hotel and is well suited to both business and leisure travellers to Chandigarh.

Contact Information

Taj Chandigarh
Block 9,
Sector 17-A,
Chandigarh - 160017
India
Tel: +91-172-6513000
Fax: +91-172-6514000

Hotel Mountview, Chandigarh

Welcome to the world of Hotel Mountview at Chandigarh - a city that is the hub of travel to the adjoining states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The Hotel is the only five star Hotel in the Region North of Delhi. Against the backdrop of the Shivalik Hills, surrounded by lush green lawns, the hotel is located in an excellent & pleasant environment blended with the tranquility of the Leisure Valley & the famous Rock Garden.

You will find an ambience of comfort, luxury and warm hospitality set amid beautiful, landscaped settings of the 'The City Beautiful'.

Contact Information

Hotel Mountview
Sector 10,
Chandigarh - 160011
India
Tel: +91-172-4671111, 2740544, 2740444
Fax: +91-172-4644414, 2742220
Email: mountview@citcochandigarh.com

Hotel Shivalikview, Chandigarh

Chandigarh - the City Beautiful where sun, space and verdure create aesthetic panoramas of life every day welcomes you. Savour the best facilities and services of this modern hotel located in the heart of the city whether on business or a pleasure trip. The second biggest hotel in the city is reputed for impeccable standards of service and luxury.
Location

Hotel Shivalikview is located in City Center,Sector-17. The Hotel is 13 kms. from Airport; 9 kms. from Railway Station; 1 km. from Bus Stand.
Accommodation & Amenities
The centrally air-conditioned hotel has 104 luxurious rooms and 4 suites with attached balconies, running hot and cold purified water, direct dial telephones, channel music and cable TV, private balconies room service round the clock.
'YANGTSE' Chinese Cuisine

An unforgettable experience of Chinese cuisine. The roof top restaurant is popular for dine and dance in style. Situated on the sixth floor, the restaurant offers a panoramic view of the Shivalik hills, Leisure Valley, Jan Marg and the City skyline. Live band in attendance enlivens your musical pulse.
'BAZM' Mughlai Speciality Restaurant

Mughlai speciality restaurant serves sumptuous food. For in an exotic ambience in hurry A lavish buffet is spread out during lunch for Business luncheons. A well stocked bar to complement the spirits.
Whispers

Located on the sixth floor, provides a grand view of the city. The bar is well stocked with Indian and imported spirits.

* BAZM BAR: A well stocked bar at Lobby Level. Ideal for a quick bite as well as a relaxed tete-a-tete with friends over a drink.

* 'LE CAFE': COFFEE SHOP: Elegantly appointed coffee shop serves a mouth watering array of South Indian, Continental and Indian snacks.


Banquets & Conventions

* 'MAJLIS': BANQUET HALL: A 500 capacity hall, the largest in the city, suitable for weddings, receptions, parties and even conferences.

* 'THE PARTY': The private room located on the roof top is ideal for conferences and cozy get - together up to 40 persons.

* CONFERENCE ROOMS: Two well appointed rooms for smaller conferences and meetings upto 40 persons on the 2nd and 3rd floor. Modern audio video conference facilities available.

Guest Services

* BUSINESS CENTER: Well equipped business center having Computer, Internet, Fax, Photostat & Secretarial facilities.

* GUEST SERVICES: Tour & travel desk, In house travel agency, Beauty parlour, 24 hour currency exchange, Complementary breakfast for residents in bazm, Credit Cards accepted, Same day laundry & cleaning service, Doctor on call, Shopping arcade, Safe deposit lockers.

Contact Information

Hotel Shivalikview
Sector 17E,
Chandigarh - 160017
India
Tel: +91-172-2700001, 2700277, 2700278, 2700722, 2700733, 2700744, 4641888,4642888,4643888 4644888, 4644451-4644454
Fax: +91-172-2701094
Email: shivalikview@citcochandigarh.com

History of Chandigarh

Chandigarh, derives its name from the temple Chandi Mandir located in the vicinity of the site selected for the city. The deity 'Chandi', the goddess of power and a fort or 'garh' lying beyond the temple gave the City its name.

Chandigarh is a modern city with a pre-historic past. The gently sloping plain on which Chandigarh exists, was in the aeons past when the Himalayas were young, a wide lake ringed by a marsh. The fossil remains found at the site testify to a large variety of aquatic and amphibian life which that environment supported. Some 8000 years ago Chandigarh was home to the Harappans. Their potsherds, stone implements, ornaments and copper arrow-heads unearthed during the excavation in 1950s and 1960s testify this. Area near the Church of Sector 18, Sunbeam Hotel, Sector 22 , Indira Holiday Home, Sector 24, CII Complex, Sector 31 etc. were some of the sites from where a lot of relics of Harappans Civilization were found and excavated.

Chandigarh was conceived as the capital of Punjab, in lieu of its lost capital of Lahore after the partition of the country in 1947. But Punjab was divided a second time in 1966, and Chandigarh is today the capital of the states of both Punjab and Haryana. However, the city does not belong to either. Chandigarh is now a Union Territory, administered by the Government of India.

Chandigarh belongs to its people. They love the city, and are proud of the quality of life it continues to provide. Chandigarh is one of the greatest experiments in urban planning and modern architecture of the twentieth century. A bold venture which came to fruition with the juxtaposition of a great vision that the India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru nurtured, and the genius of a French architect Le Corbusier and his team. Today Chandigarh is 114 square kilometers of pulsating modern town famous for its architecture and landscaping the world over. It combines elegant architectural forms with wide tree-lined avenues, green belts and gardens and offers a idyllic living experience to its residents and visitors.

THE STORY OF CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh has become synonymous with a certain kind of architecture, along with planned landscaping, not found in the older cities of India. And so we begin the story of Chandigarh.

Chandigarh was designed and constructed as the new Capital of the State of Punjab. The second important objective was to rehabilitate the refugees from Pakistan. The search for the new Capital began immediately after independence and by early 1948, the choice for the new Capital was finally narrowed down to three sites which came to be known in order of preference:

• Ambala site

• Chandigarh site

• Ludhiana site.

The cost of acquisition for Chandigarh site was much less as compared to Ludhiana and Ambala site. The Chandigarh site was also at a safe distance from the Pakistan border. It was felt that instead of siting the Capital at the existing town, it would be better if a totally new town was built for that purpose. The Government of Punjab in consultation with Government of India in March, 1948 selected the Chandigarh site which was located in the Kharar Tehsil of Ambala District.

The city was to be built in two phases over an area of 28000 acres of land in 58 villages. A total of 21000 persons or about 6228 families were likely to be affected. The local people vehemently opposed to the idea of the New City. They formed Anti Rajdhani Committee (Anti Capital Committee) and protested against the Government move to site the new Capital here. The work proceeded at slow pace for about two years. It was only in December, 1949 that the Architect was selected and the government reached the final decision of constructing the capital at the Chandigarh site. The early development of the City was guided by Shri P.N. Thapar, a member of Indian Civil Services who became Administrative head of the Capital Project in 1949 and Shri P.L. Varma, Chief Engineer of Punjab.

Although eager to build a new capital that would compensate for the loss of Lahore, the Indians were nevertheless poorly equipped to carry out their intention. Administered by a large and sophisticated bureaucracy trained in the impersonal idiom of colonial rule, India was still woefully inexperienced in technical areas. Architectural schools were virtually nonexistent, indigenous architectural tradition had practically faded and local craft skills were visibly on the decline. Initially, the Government of Punjab approached American town planner Albert Mayer who along with architect Matthew Nowicki became the key planners for the new city. Albert Mayer was appointed as project architect on 28/12/1949.

Albert Mayer was a Graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and he started his career as a Civil Engineer. World War II brought Mayer to India as a United States Army Civil Engineer. He built airfields in Bengal. After the end of World War, he started his Indian career by proposing to build model villages to the new Government of Pandit Nehru. He built some villages in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh . The master plan conceived for chandigarh by the American team had a fan-shaped outline filling the site between the two seasonal river-beds. The plan also had the sectors concept which in this case were called Super Blocks. Each Super Block was divided into three parts, the middle part of which was devoted to the provision of public amenities like shopping, recreation, education and health. At the northern edge of the city was the Capitol Complex against the panoramic back drop of the Shivalik hills. The City Centre was sited in the middle, and two linear parklands ran from the northeast to the southwest. Mayer sought to create a self-sufficient city, restricted in size and surrounded by green belts. Areas were clearly demarcated for business, industry and cultural activities. On 31/8/1950, his co-planner Nowicki died in a plane crash and Mayer could not continue the work.

This vision of Chandigarh, contained in the innumerable conceptual maps on the drawing board together with notes and sketches had to be translated into brick and mortar. Administrator P N Thapar and Chief Engineer P L Varma then went to Europe to look for a substitute. Le Corbusier, eminent architect and urban theorist, was finally selected (20/12/1950) to carry forward this task. Le Corbusier was to be the author of the master plan and the designer of the principal buildings. The rest of the work was to be carried out by a team of three foreign architects, who would be stationed in Chandigarh. They were Maxwell Fry, his wife Jane Drew and Corbusier's cousin Pierre Jeanneret.

He retained many aspects of the original concepts and its components : the Capitol and the City Centre, besides the University, Industrial area, and linear parkland. Even the neighbourhood unit was retained as the basic module of planning. However, the curving outline of Mayer and Nowicki was reorganised into a mesh of rectangles, and the buildings were characterised by an 'honesty of materials'. Exposed brick and boulder stone masonry in its rough form produced unfinished concrete surfaces, in geometrical structures. This became the architectural form characteristic of Chandigarh, set amidst landscaped gardens and parks.

The revised master plan was finalised in early 1951 and the work on the sites began soon after. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone of Chandigarh on 02/04/1952 at a spot which is now in Sector 9. The earliest activities were building of roads and laying of service infrastructure. The earliest permanent constructions were pockets of all categories of government houses spread out all over the City. Included in this phase were shops, schools for various age groups, a health centre, a cinema and a swimming pool and Maxwell Fry's government press. Sector 22 with all its facilities and variety of type designs was developed earliest to serve as the model neighbourhood. In the absence of City Centre, it soon became the cultural focus of the City.

The capital of Punjab was officially shifted from Shimla to Chandigarh on 21/9/1953. The President of India Dr. Rajendra Parsad inaugurated the City on 7/10/1953.

Art and Culture

The Cultural Complex (Sector 10)

Chandigarh is the cultural capital of the region. Many artists and writers live in the city. The frequently held exhibitions, and performances by singers, dancers, musicians and actors have inculcated among city residents a desire for the best in performing visual and plastic arts besides literary encounters.

Le Corbusier earmarked a portion of Sector 10 as the Cultural Complex which would include an Audio-Visual Training Institute, a Museum, an Art Gallery, and a 'Miracle Box' ( which never got build ) and later replaced by the Science Museum.

At present there is the Government College of Arts, the Government Museum and Art Gallery alongwith a separate 'Pavilion for Temporary Exhibitions' - now converted into the City Museum. The 'Miracle Box' has been substituted by the Museum of Evolution of Life, not designed by Le Corbusier, but located in the Cultural Complex. The Theatre for Performing Arts was later realised as the Tagore Theatre designed by Aditya Prakash in Sector 18.

Lalit Kala, Sahitya and Sangeet Natak Academy

These three bodies devoted to art, literature, music and dance/drama respectively function in co-ordination with the UT Administration and have their offices in the State Library Building, Sector 34. They conduct numerous lectures, exhibitions, performances and festivals throughout the year.

Pracheen Kala Kendra (Sector 35)

This is a private teaching institution offering degree courses in Hindustani vocal and instrumental music, Kathak and Bharatnatyam among the Indian Classical dance and also folk dances and song. The Pracheen Kala Kendra organises a week-long festival of music and dance every year in March as well as smaller programmes -baithaks- on the 11th of every month. No tickets are required for these programmes. Anyone may attend.

Theaters and Auditoriums

Theatre	Address
Open Air Theatre (2 Number)	Rock Garden, Sector 1
Open Air Theatre	Open Hand, Capitol Complex
Open Air Theatre	Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16
Bal Bhawan - Open Air	Sector 23-B
Tagore Theatre	Sector 18-A
Auditorium	Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10
Bhargava Auditorium	PGI, Sector 14
Auditorium	Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15
Auditorium	Pracheen Kala Kendra, Sector 35-B
Auditorium	Polytechnic for Women Sector 10-D
Auditorium	Home Science College Sector 10
Auditorium	Government College for Girls, Sector 11
Auditorium	Government College of Arts, Sector 10
Auditoria (3 in Number)	D.A.V. College, Sector 10
Auditorium	Government College of Architecture, Sector 12
Auditorium	Law Department Panjab University, Sector 14
Auditorium	Government College of Education, Sector 20
Auditorium	Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23
Auditorium	Indira Holiday Home, Sector 24
Auditorium	Centre Polytechnic, Sector 26
Auditorium	Teacher Technical Training Institute, Sector 26
Auditorium	Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, Sector 30
Auditorium	Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36
Auditorium	Mehar Chand Mahajan College for Girls, Sector 36

Architecture of Chandigarh

Chandigarh is one of the most significant urban planning experiments of the 20th century. It is the only one of the numerous urban planning schemes of Le Corbusier, the famous French architect-planner, to have actually been executed.

It is also the site of some of his greatest architectural creations. The city has had far-reaching impact, ushering in a modern idiom of architecture and city planning all over India and has become a symbol of planned urbanism. It is as famous for its landscaping as for its architectural ambience. Most of the buildings are in pure, cubical form, geometrically subdivided with emphasis on proportion, scale and detail.

Le Corbusier summed up his work on the city in an "edict", reproduced here in full:

EDICT OF CHANDIGARH

The object of this edict is to enlighten the present and future citizens of Chandigarh about the basic concepts of planning of the city so that they become its guardians and save it from whims of individuals. This edict sets out the following basic ideas underlying the planning of the city.

HUMAN SCALE

The city of Chandigarh is planned to human scale. It puts us in touch with the infinite cosmos and nature. It provides us with places and buildings for all human activities by which the citizens can live a full and harmonious life. Here the radiance of nature and heart are within our reach.

SECTORS

This city is composed of sectors. Each sector is 800 meters by 1,200 meters, enclosed by roads allocated to fast mechanised transport and sealed to direct access from the houses.

Each sector caters to the daily needs of its inhabitants, which vary from 5,000 to 25,000 and has a green strip oriented longitudinally stretching centrally along the sector in the direction of the mountains. The green strip should stay uninterrupted and accommodate schools, sports fields, walks and recreational facilities for the sector.

Vehicular traffic is completely forbidden in the green strips, where tranquility shall reign and the curse of noise shall not penetrate.

ROADS

The roads of the city are classified into seven categories, known as the system of 7 Vs, as below: V-1 -- Fast roads connecting Chandigarh to other towns; V-2 -- arterial roads; V-3 -- Fast vehicular roads; V-4 -- Meandering shopping streets; V-5 -- Sector circulation roads; V-6 Access roads to houses; V-7 -- footpaths and cycle tracks.

Buses will ply only on V-1, V-2, V-3 and V-4 roads. A wall shall seal the V-3 roads from the sectors.

AREAS OF SPECIAL ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST

Certain areas of Chandigarh are of special architectural interest. Where harmonised and unified construction of buildings is aimed at, absolute architectural and zoning control should remain operative.

Along V-2 central, dual carriageways Madhya Marg and Uttar Marg, where skyline, heights, character and architecture of buildings as planned shall not be altered.

No building shall be constructed north of the Capitol Complex

Along V-2 beyond dual carriageway areas are reserved for cultural institutions only and shall never have any residential buildings

CITY CENTRE

The central plaza in Sector 17 was designed by Le Corbusier as "Pedestrian's Paradise". No vehicular traffic will be permitted in the plaza.

INDUSTRIAL AREA

Only such industry as is powered by electricity would be permitted in the Industrial Area, so that atmosphere is saved from pollution.

THE LAKE

The Lake is a gift of the creators of Chandigarh to the citizens to be at one with the lake and its environments and its tranquility shall be guaranteed by banning noises.

LANDSCAPING

The landscaping of this city is based on careful observation of the vegetation of India. Selected ornamental trees, shrubs and climbers have been planted according to colour schemes to beautify it. In future planting and replacements, these principles must be kept in view. There should be no haphazard replacements, so that the avenues retain their harmony and beauty.

The Leisure Valley, the Rajendra Park and other parks shall be developed as parks only and no building other than already planned shall be permitted.

NO PERSONAL STATUES SHALL BE ERECTED

The age of personal statues is gone. No personal statues shall be erected in the city or parks of Chandigarh. The city is planned to breathe the new sublimated spirit of art. Commemoration of persons shall be confined to suitably placed bronze plaques.

TRUTHFULNESS OF BUILDING MATERIALS TO BE MAINTAINED

The truthfulness of materials of constructions, concrete, bricks and stone, shall be maintained in all buildings constructed or to be constructed.

The seed of Chandigarh is well sown. It is for the citizens to see that the tree flourishes.

Life Style

People of Chandigarh were accustomed to a casual and leisurely lifestlyle which has now gradually changed to a fast and busy one. People are peaceful friendly and broad minded. This reflects in the fact that Chandigarh has now become a trendsetter in fashion.

Also the Chandigarh Carnival that is held every year in the sector 17 plaza is a major center for boosting and bring across the people of Chandigarh the talent of its residents, as people perform on stage and large crowds gather around to see and enjoy what the upcoming artists of the city have in store. Also many art exibitions are held in various auditoriams of the city creating a creative enviornment, all year round.

Life in Chandigarh is peaceful largely due to efficeint state run administration. All the government offices are surprisingly well maintained and up to date. SBI, the telecom department and the central bus service are few examples. Chandigarh is also responsible for the birth of the word 'GERI' which basically means patrolling or moving around in an area. This word got its meaning from the youth of the city studying in the various city colleges and the University located in the northern part of the city. Whenever the students get a time-out from their lecture and busy schedule, they along with their friends go around the various city colleges and Panjab University to check out the crowd and flaunt their ride !

The people of Chandigarh, being influenced by closeness of Punjab, are very friendly and warm. Especially the Chandigarh youth. Although this city houses a lot of Senior Citizens and Retired Majors, but yet both the generations have a capabale understanding. Youth of Chandigarh hang around, with a steam of eating joints, chick cloths, and happening music. People of Chandigarh have there main concentration on education. It boasts of many world renowed educational institiutes. The city does not have a night life and most of the occasions or celebration die out at about 10:00 PM, and the regular days are limited upto 9:00 PM. Although this does not implies that the city is completely dead after 9:00 PM. A nice and decent crowd is regular at cool pubs and discs, the number of which has been increasing in Chandigarh.

Rose Garden

This is Asia's largest rose garden, Zakir Gulab Bag spread out over 30 acres of land, in sector 16. Here bloom 50,000 rose-trees of 1600 species. One can only see the flowers and cannot pluck them. Named after India's former President, Zakir Hussain, the garden was established in 1967 under the guidance of Chandigarh's first Chief Commissioner late Dr. M. S. Randhawa. Apart from roses emphasis was given on trees of medicinal value and some unique specimen trees to enhance the beauty of the garden. Some of the medicinal trees planted here are bel, bahera, harar, camphor and yellow gulmohar. It is located next to the city centre. Affording a sight to behold during spring, the rose plants have been planted beautifully in carved-out lawns and flowers beds.This garden is the venue of the annual Festival of Gardens, an event listed on the national calendar of fairs and festivals. This is one of the main cultural events of the city drawing thousands of visitors.

Rock Garden

Chandigarh has the distinction of having a unique world-acclaimed Rock Garden. It consists of art objects, fashioned from industrial and urban waste. It is situated between the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake in Sector 1. It nestles amidst 20 acres of woods in the form of an open air exhibition hall, theatre trove and a miniature maze all rolled into one vast fantasy land of art and landscape. It is without doubt, a tourist spot that is a must on the itinerary of every visitor to Chandigarh.

THE CREATOR

The Rock Garden has become almost a heritage site. Artists and connoisseurs from all over the world flock to see this unique and amazing creation. The concept is daring, the appeal perennial. Visitors leave in admiration, only to return again. The creator of the Rock Garden, Nek Chand, was a Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project. He roamed the Shivalik Foothills and picked up stones resembling bird, animal, human and abstract forms. He brought them on his bicycle. The first seven years (1958-65) were spent collecting natural material, urban and industrial waste. Gradually his collection mounted to a staggering twenty thousand rock forms of amazing beauty. These were deposited around a hut which he had built for his work and contemplation. He built the Rock Garden from this improvised hut which was located by the side of a stream.

COLLECTION

Since the site where Rock Garden stands today was also used as a dumping ground for urban and industrial waste, Nek Chand picked up pieces of foundry lime-kiln and metal workshop wastes and also shaped them with his creative genius, resembling human, animal or abstract forms. These pieces have been innovatively displayed as sculptures in the garden.

Also, on display are shapes sculptured by using a variety of discarded materials such as frames, mudguards, forks, handle bars, metal wires, play marbles, crowns of soft drink bottles, porcelain, auto parts, broken bangles, pieces of slate, burnt bricks and even human hair recovered from barbers' shop.

Nek Chand salvaged a variety of debris from demolished structures, waste from lime kilns, discarded street lights, electrical fittings, broken sanitary ware, crockery etc. thus demonstrating how urban and industrial waste can be fruitfully recycled and used in creative pursuit.

KINGDOM

In the true spirit of a make-believe `kingdom’ the Rock Garden has fourteen different chambers, like the forecourt : housing natural rock-forms, a royal poet’s and a musician’s chamber complete with a pond and a hut; the main court (Durbar) where the king’s throne adorns the place with natural stone forms depicting gods and goddesses lining the place; a swimming pool for the queen, etc. Another phase of the garden comprises the grand palace complex, minars, water falls, an open air theatre, a village, mountains, over bridges, pavilions and areas for royal pleasures. The tree and root sculpture offers a powerful counterpoint to the existing vegetation.

An open air theatre and a vast pavilion with a centre stage are the other highlights of the Rock Garden where art and culture blend amidst the rustic and exotic environs of the garden.

The Teej Festival, when the Rock Garden assumes a festive look, holds a special attraction for tourists …. Young damsels partake in the fun and frolic by swaying on the giant swings, while others adorn their hands with traditional Mehandi (henna), amidst joyful songs and dances.

As you stroll through the Rock Garden, enjoying the awe inspiring creation, you may find yourself face to face with the unassuming, down to earth artist Nek Chand himself, in flesh and blood, working at or supervising his 'kingdom'.

Panjab University, Chandigarh : A Profile

Panjab University is one of the oldest reputed universities in northwest India. The university is located in Chandigarh. The university is located at Sector-14, Chandigarh. The Panjab University was established in 1882 and then moved to Chandigarh in 1956. The origins of Panjab University can be traced to the pre-partition University of the Punjab in Lahore (now in Pakistan), founded in 1882 as the fourth teaching and affiliating University in South Asia under the British Raj (after the Universities of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras). Following the Partition of India, Lahore became a part of Pakistan and a separate twin Panjab University was moved to Chandigarh in 1956. Currently its one of the most reputed university in India. With extensive placements for almost all the students.

Mission of the University

"The University has been incorporated for the purposes, among others, of making provision for imparting education in Arts, Letters, Science and the learned professions and of furthering advancement of learning, the prosecution of original research, with power to appoint University Professors, Readers and Lecturers, to hold and manage educational endowments, to erect, equip and maintain University colleges, libraries, laboratories and museums, to make regulations relating to the residence and conduct of students and to do all such acts as tend to promote study and research".

History and Present Infrastructure

Panjab University has a long tradition of pursuing excellence in teaching and research in science and technology, humanities, social sciences, performing arts and sports. The University support excellence and innovation in academic programmes. Promotes excellence in research, scholarship and teaching and is committed to attracting and supporting the best students and recruiting faculty who excel at teaching and research. For more than a century, it has served various societal needs with distinction. The glorious traditions of the University, established during the period of more than 125 years of its long service to the nation and since its inception in 1882 at Lahore (now in Pakistan), are a source of inspiration for the present generation of faculty members and students. By virtue of its age, experience, achievements and philosophy, the Panjab University is a University of national character and stature, in so far as it has drawn both its faculty and students from all over the country and abroad. Its faculty includes some of the most distinguished scientists and academicians in arts and humanities. The University continues to attract celebrated scholars from abroad to visit and interact with the faculty and students. Over the years the reputation of Panjab University has grown into one of innovative teaching research and community outreach.

After the partition in 1947, the University was constrained to function for almost a decade without having a campus of its own. The administrative office was located at Solan and the teaching departments functioned from Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Delhi and Amritsar. It was in 1956 that the University was relocated at Chandigarh. Its red sandstone campus, designed by renowned French architects, came up within a few years. The University campus was designed by Pierre Jeanerette under the general guidance of the legendary Le Corbusier. Till the re-organisation of Punjab in 1966, the University had its regional centers at Rohtak, Shimla, Jalandhar and its affiliated colleges were located in the state of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and U.T. of Chandigarh.

With the re-organisation of Punjab, the University became an Inter-State Body Corporate catering to the newly organised states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and U.T. of Chandigarh. Gradually, the colleges of Himachal and Haryana were affiliated to the universities in the respective states and the Panjab University was left with the affiliated colleges in U.T. of Chandigarh and some parts of Punjab. Presently, the U.T. administration of Chandigarh and the state Govt. of Punjab share the maintenance deficit of the University in the ratio of 60:40, respectively.

The annual budget estimates of the University amount to Rs.131.79 crores for 2006-2007.

Panjab University, with its 46 teaching and research departments besides 10 Centres/Chairs for teaching and research on the main campus located at Chandigarh, has 150 affiliated colleges spread over Punjab and Chandigarh, Regional Centres at Muktsar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Department of Vishweshavaranand Vishva Bandhu Institute of Sanskrit and Indological Studies (VVBIS&IS) at Hoshiarpur.

The main campus at Chandigarh is spread over 550 acres in sectors 14 and 25, the sector 14 having the main academic and administrative buildings, besides a health centre, a sports complex, hostels and residential area.

The Central A.C. Joshi Library of Panjab University has a holding of over 6 lac books and 1.5 lac periodicals some of which are rare collections from the 19th century. The University Library has been recognised as one of the six national centres for data-information-distribution in the UGC?s INFLIBNET programme. The library works provide services which most effectively meet the needs of faculty, students and staff of the University community. Our book and journal collection is augmented by a variety of online sources.

The Indian Council of Social Science Research has set-up its North-Western Regional Centre on the Panjab University Campus. The Centre runs a library, a seminar complex and a guesthouse for visiting scholars under its study-grants programme.

The Gandhi Bhawan on the university campus attracts scholars as well as tourists from all over the world for its magnificent architectural structure, its library and auditorium.

The Panjab University has four museums and the department of Indian theatre has its own theatre lab, which is unique in the country. The university has a Botanical Garden and a Garden of Medicinal Plants on the campus.

The office of the Panjab University Students? Council is located in the Student Centre. The student centre is the hub of students? activities?academic, cultural, social and political. The Students? Council consists of the departmental representatives and other office bearers i.e. President, Vice-President, Secretary and Joint-Secretary directly elected by the students from the various teaching departments on the campus. The Dean Student Welfare is ex-officio Chairman of the Council. The Students? Council organises youth festivals, both national and international, academic debates, literary and cultural events and educational tours.

Recognizing the excellence in teaching and research, the UGC and more recently DST, have recognized a large number of departments under various Programmes such as SAP/DRS, COSIST, CAS and FIST, respectively. The departments covered under various UGC and DST programmes are:

SAP: Anthropology, Botany, University Business School, Education, Geography, Geology, Political Science (Geo-Politics), University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philosophy, Statistics, Sociology and Zoology.

COSIST: Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physics, Zoology.

CAS: Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics

FIST: Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology, University Centre of Instrumentation & Microelectronics, Chemical Engineering and Technology Statistics, Physics, Geology and Biophysics.

The University has been recently selected by the UGC as the "University with Potential for Excellence in Bio-Medical Sciences.? Initial Grant of Rs. 5 crore has been released by the UGC under the scheme.

Earlier, the University was identified as one of the six centres in the country for super-computing facilities to serve the entire north-western region in Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), DST. The Government of India has also identified the University as a Special Centre. The university takes pride in having been able to provide Internet connection for more than 1000 terminals for the use of faculty members and students. All the buildings of the university including hostels are connected through ATM and Gigabit technology. The university has distinction of extending Wi-fi facilities to students in their hostel at specified locations. The university has extensively used its website www.puchd.ac.in in providing information to students and the general public.

The University also has a DST supported Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre along with Central Instrumentation Laboratory (CIL) and University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) to serve the scientific community on the campus and in the region. The Centre for Industry Institute Partnership Programme (CIIPP) has been active in promoting formal and effective academic-industry interface.

The University has a coaching centre for training for IAS examination and allied services as well as other competitive examinations. The ministry of Social Welfare, Govt. of India has sanctioned a grant of Rs. 4.1 lacs for the Coaching Centre to provide training to the SC/ST candidates.

During the last five years, the University has started the process of networking of the campus and completed it successfully. Having been identified by the DST as one of the six centres in the country, the University has set up super-computing facilities to meet the needs of the laboratories and industry in the north-west India.

The Energy Research Centre was established in 1983 at Panjab University to promote R&D and Extension activities in the emerging field of Renewable Energy. It has emerged as a major focal point of R&D and extension on energy and environment at national and international level. Pioneering work in the area of solar thermal energy Storage, Solar Detoxification, Biomethanation of agricultural/industrial/forest wastes, Biomass combustion and gasification, Indoor Air Quality, Energy and Environmental Conservation and Management and Hydrodynamics of Polymeric Solutions is being carried out at the Centre. The Energy Research Centre has professional contacts with a number of reputed International Institutes such as University of Florida, USA, University of Cincinnati, USA, SRI International USA, and Lakehead University Canada etc. A number of students from developing and developed countries have undergone training in the area of energy and environment at the Centre. The faculty of the center has won a number of International Fellowships and the national awards for their pioneering work. The Centre has also helped the states of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, U.T. Chandigarh, J&K State, and North Eastern states in solving problems associated with energy planning & management and Environmental protection.

The University was also chosen for participating in the project, International Collaboration for Research for elementary particles and the large Hodron Collider (LHC) CERN, Geneva CMS Experiment with a Government of India grant of Rs. 2.49 Crores. A large number of faculty members were sanctioned Major Research Projects by the UGC and other agencies.

The university takes all necessary steps to achieve close working relationship with other universities in order to cooperate on exchange programmes.

The University has an International Exchange Programme with Sweden under the auspices of European Law Students? Association (ELSA), an Exchange Programme with the British Council in the field of Public Administration. The University also has International Exchange Programme with the universities of Manotoba and Kyrghyzstan as well as Simon Fraser University, Canada. The university has the office of the Dean of Foreign Students which looks after the academic affairs of overseas students from over 15 countries. The Dean?s office is in constant touch with educational organization around the world to identify suitable students for various courses taught at the University. Working directly with the Regional Director of ICCR, the Dean helps to facilitate the admission of foreign students. Cross-cultural experience provides opportunities to lay the ground work for regional cooperation.

The University received a substantial donation of Rs. 1.75 Crores for the construction of Aruna Ranjit Chandra Hall from Dr. R. Chandra, an alumni of the University. The university has recently started Dr. H. S Judge Institute of Dental Studies at its south campus in Sector 25. Dr. Harvnash Singh Judge and Mr. Pawan Bansal, MP (Lok Sabha) provided grants worth crores of rupees. The first batch of BDS students has already been admitted in the session of 2006-07.

The University has been doing its best to restructure its existing courses, start new courses, undertake research projects and initiate new policies to meet the new challenges emerging from rapidly changing technological, socio-economic and educational environment. The University hopes to generate an academically vibrant environment through inter-disciplinary lectures/seminars which will go a long way in giving an impetus to major structural changes in the courses taught at the University as well as promoting an active participation in the cultural pattern of our society. The University has introduced many new courses in emerging areas and vocational studies during the last few years. These include courses such as M. Tech. in Microelectronics, Nano Technology and nano science, Master's in Business Economics, Master's in E-Commerce, Honours School in Computer Science on the Campus and B.B.A. and B.C.A. in the affiliated colleges. The UGC has given a grant of Rs. 1 Crore to start academic programmes and research activities in Genomic Studies and M.Sc. (Human Genomics) has been started from the academic year 2002.

The University has set up the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) from the academic session 2002-2003, University Institute of Legal Studies from 2004-05, Swami Sarvanand Giri PU regional Center at Hoshiarpur for Engineering courses from session 2006-07.

Information Bureau

The University Employment Information & Guidance Bureau provides employment information and advice to University alumni. There is also a unit of information and Advisory Bureau that guides students in regard to their studies abroad.

Halls of Residence

The Panjab University offers 7 hostels for about 2,000 men students and 6 women's hostels accommodating about 1500 students.

Health Services

The university has on the campus a health centre. It has six full time Medical Officers comprising of General Practioners; a medical specialist, a surgeon, a dentist and an Ayurvedic Physician. Besides these, there are four part time specialists in the areas of Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Opthalmology and radiology & three part time General Practioners.

Sports

The University has playgrounds, a gymnasium and a swimming pool of high standard for its sports activities. Recently, the University has been awarded Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) trophy for the year 2004-05.

Details of courses being offered on the University Campus/ Regional Centers.

Ph.D. Courses: University Offers Ph.D. in following disciplines:

Centre for Women Studies, Defence Studies, Economics, Gandhian Studies, Geography, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Chinese/ Tibetan, English, French, Hindi, Punjabi, Russian, Urdu/ Persian, Anthropology, Bio-Chemistry, Bio-Physics, Bio- Technology, Chemistry, Computer Science & Applications, Computer Science and Engineering, Chem. Eng. And Tech. Environmental Studies, Geology, Microbiology, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, History of Arts, Indian Theatre and Music.Lib. and Information sciences.

Postgraduate, graduate and diploma courses
1.	M.Phil.	Economics, Gandhian Studies, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Women/Gender Studies, English, Guru Granth Sahib Studies, Punjabi, Physical Education, Music, Botany, Physics, Statistics and Zoology.
2.	B.E.:	Chemical , Food Technology, Biotechnology , Electronics & Communication Engg. , Information Technology, Computer Science & Engg. , Mechanical Engg. , Electrical and electronics Engg Also at Swamy Sarvanad Giri PU Regional Center, Hoshiarpur
3.	M.Tech /ME :	Instrumentation , Microelectronics , Nanoscience & Nanotechnology . Polymer (Full time + Part time), Chemical, Electronic and Communication Engg.
4.	Other Professional undergraduate and postgraduate courses	BDS, LL.B, LL.M., B.Pharma, M.Pharma, M.Lib. & Information Science, M.A.Physical Education, M.B.A.(Executive) Regional Centres Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Muktsar: LL.B,.M.B.A , MCA, B.A. Hons (Education) B.Ed.
5.	B.Sc, M.Sc. (Hons. School)	Biochemistry , Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science & Applications, Microbiology and Zoology, Anthropology, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Geology, Mathematics, Physics
6.	Master's Courses (M.Sc and M.A)	Biotechnology, Human Genomics, Environment Sciences Mathematics, Statistics, Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Defence and National Security Studies, Economics, Education, French, Geography, German, Hindi, History, Panjabi, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Urdu, M.Ed., M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling), M.Ed. (Educational Technology). M.A. English, Gandhian and Peace Studies, History of Art, Indian Theatre, Music (Instrumental + Vocal), Sanskrit. Mass Communication and Journalism(2 yr. course). M.Com.(E-commerce), Solid waste Management, medical physics, Police Administration, Social Work, Human Rights and Duties, Masters in Public Health, Nuclear Medicine.
7.	Certificate Courses	Chinese, French, Functional Panjabi, German, Persian, Russian, Tibetan, Urdu.
8.	Diploma Courses	Chinese, French, Forensic Science and Criminology (Anthropology Dept.) , German, Panjabi Language and Culture, Persian, Russian, Tibetan, Translation English to Hindi, Translation English to Panjabi, Diploma in Translation (French) and Urdu.
9.	Advanced Diploma Courses	Chinese, French, German, Proficiency in Interpretership for Tibetan, Persian Russian and Urdu.
10.	Postgraduate Diploma Courses	Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems . Regional Centre Ludhiana: Postgraduate Diploma in Export Management.
11.	Department of Evening Studies	B.A. B.Com. M.A. English, Economics, History and Political Science.
12.	Post-M.Sc. Courses	Post-M.Sc. Course in Accelerator Physics, Advanced Scientific Computation (Physics Department)

Distance/Correspondence Education

The present study programmes consist of the following courses : Bachelor of Arts (Three Year Integrated Course), Bachelor of Commerce (Three Year Course), Bachelor of Library & Information Science (One Year Course).

Master of Arts (annual system) in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Economics, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology.

Master of Commerce ( Two Year Course, Annual System), Master of Finance & Control (MFC) (Two Year Course). Master of Education (M. Ed.) (For in-service teachers) (Two year Course).

Diploma in (i) Post Graduate Diploma in Health, Family Welfare and Population Education (ii) Diploma in Statistics, (iii) One Year? Post-Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication (iv) Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). Certificate Course in Vivekananda Studies.

Over the years there has been a steady progressive improvement in various areas of teaching and research and Panjab University has been playing a leading role in the academic life of our society and has been one of India?s premier universities. The level of participation we expect and the assignment we set reflect the high standard of the University. Its growth and development can be traced from its notable beginnings to today?s eminence and tomorrow?s aspirations. The University history and its distinctive qualities in areas of teaching and supervision indicates in more ways than one the contribution it has made to the intellectual life of generations of students both from India and abroad.

Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh : A Profile

After partition of the country, the Punjab College of Engineering & Technology, Lahore (formerly known as the Maclagan Engineering College) of the pre-partitioned Punjab remained in Pakistan under the name of "East Punjab Engineering College". From December 1947, it functioned in the premises of the Thomson engineering College, Roorkee now known as Indian Institute of Technology (Roorkee). In 1950, the word "East" was dropped and the college was named as "Punjab Engineering College". At the end of year 1953, the college shifted to it's own premises built at Chandigarh and started functioning here from January, 1954. In 1994 this institution was adjudged the best technical college in India by the National Foundation of Engineers.

It occupies a 146-acre campus with facilities for all sorts of sports, a gymnasium and swimming pool, playing fields and numerous specialized laboratories and libraries for the various engineering disciplines. Up to 1962, the college comprised of engineering departments of Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Thereafter the college expanded & five new departments in the fields of Aeronautical Engineering, Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Production Engineering and Computer Science Engineering were added gradually. Recently a new department of Information & Technology has been added. In the year 1957, Highway Engineering was added as the first post-graduate course in the college. Gradually other post-graduate courses were subsequently added. Presently there are eleven post-graduate courses leading to Masters of Engineering degree in Highways, Structures, Hydraulics and Irrigation, Rotodynamic Machines, Electrical Power Systems, Environmental Engineering (Interdisciplinary), Electronics Metallurgical Engineering and C.I.M. Facilities for post-graduate studies exist for regular as well as for part time students .The college has facilities for research work leading to the award of Ph.D. degree in engineering in certain selected fields of different disciplines. The college also offers consultancy services in different disciplines. PEC has been conferred the Deemed University status in 2004.

Location

The college is situated in Sector 12 at the north end of Chandigarh. The premises of the college is within a few minutes walk from the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat, the Panjab University, Post graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research (PGI). The campus is 9 Km from the Chandigarh Railway station and 5 Km from the main Bus Stand.

Campus

The college campus extends over an area of 146 acres of the land situated close to the beautiful Shivalik hills. The campus is divided into various functional zones like hostels, Main College Building, Administration Block, Residential Complex for staff and faculty and a shopping centre. In addition to Lecture theatres, tutorial rooms and drawing halls, the college has an Auditorium, library, computer centre, reading rooms, workshops and well equipped laboratories. The college has spacious playgrounds, tennis courts, squash courts, swimming pool, gymnasium and a students centre. There is a branch of State Bank Of India and a post office in the campus. Adequate Hostel facilities for both boys and girls are available in the campus.

Vision

To become a centre of excellence in the technical education and research, and to occupy a place amongst the most eminent institutions of the nation.

Academic Overview

PEC has been conferred the Deemed University status in 2004, before this the college was affiliated to the Panjab University, Chandigarh. The PEC - Deemed University offers a wide range of academic programmes at the undergraduate, the postgraduate and the research levels.

The PEC offers four-year Bachelor degree programmes in Aeronautical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Communication, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Production Engineering. Master of Engineering is offered in Civil Engineering (Highways), Civil Engineering (Irrigation and Hydraulics), Civil Engineering (Structures), Environmental Engineering (Inter-disciplinary), Electrical Engineering (Power Systems), Electronics Product Design & Technology, Mechanical Engineering (Rotodynamics), Electronics Engineering, Materials and Metallurgy, Computer Integrated Manufacturing.

At the postgraduate level, the college offers a 4 semester programme leading to the degree of Master of Engineering (ME) in different disciplines. The admission to these courses is based on the percentile score of applicants in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). A special provision exists for 6 semester part-time ME courses for the candidates sponsored by the industry and the various Government organizations. Facilities for doctoral research are available in all departments.

Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh : A Profile

Chandigarh – the largest and the most daring experiment in modern urbanism has become the for architects from all over the world. Chandigarh’s pre-eminence as an ‘International City‘ rests largely on the world renowned architect Le Corbusier; who developed its master plan in 1951, based on his urban planning theories and his masterly architectural works.

What is not so well known is the fact that the 20th century's greatest architect also succeeded in getting Chandigarh College of Architecture (CCA) established as an integral part of the great Chandigarh Experiment. His conviction was that the creation of built environment, however brilliant and consequential, cannot be fully grasped- much less perpetuated – if the principles regulating its concept are not properly understood through study of various components of the city in use.

CCA aims at developing its unique inherent potential and location and to inspire, support, sustain and continue academic programs whereby professionals –trained in the tradition of modern urbanism ushered in by the incomparable master- could extend the frontiers of Creativity in the pursuit of serving the Family of Man -- efficiently, comprehensively, beautifully. The Chandigarh College of Architecture (CCA) was established on 7th August 1961 and was set up as a part of the great “Chandigarh Experiment” to impart education in Architecture.

Academic Ideology

We believe that architecture, the Great Mother Art, is an ambient social art and it seeks to render comprehensive service to mankind by meeting the complex challenges of contemporary life.

In the light of the profession's new role, we train our students by exposing them to live problems, situations and circumstances. Teaching, throughout the course of five years, is based on an inter-disciplinary approach which in addition to classroom learning through lectures, slide talks, discussions, assignments, comprehension tests, etc. entails numerous site visits and on-the-spot studies. Students are encouraged to make their own observations of facts, to analyze and to evaluate them so that they may learn to reckon the relevance and applicability of investigative studies to the program requirements of creative course work in architectural design.

The College has a well qualified and experienced faculty duly reinforced by visiting faculty of eminent professionals drawn from the field in the disciplines of architecture, planning, urban design, engineering, humanities etc.

Main Thrust

Our main thrust is on the all encompassing nature and scope of Architectural Design. The concept and direction of architectural design, however takes shape gradually through the development of the 10-semester course. Beginning with an introduction to the theory and application of Basic Design, exercises in critical appreciation and creativity culminate in a research and/or design thesis in which a student gets an opportunity to handle all phases of architectural design. This attempt ranges from the choice of the subject of thesis, case/prototype/library studies, analysis, identification/statement of the problem and the objectives to the formulation of client’s, architect’s brief and hence to the planning and design solution.

The States We Serve

This college caters to the needs of architectural education largely of the north-western region, covering the States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. In addition to this there are 5 (five) seats which are reserved for nominees of states from the northeastern parts of the country which are deficient in architectural education. This lends a more heterogeneous character to the college broadening knowledge of diverse cultures and lifestyles.

Live Exposure

In the light of the profession’s new role, CCA trains the students by exposing them to live problems, situation and circumstances. Peoples, places, objects and events are thus our major inputs in imparting instruction in architecture. Teaching throughout the course of five years is based on an inter disciplinary approach which entails numerous site visits and on the spot studies in addition to class room learning through lectures, slide-talks, discussions, assignments, comprehension tests, etc. Students are encouraged to make their own observations of facts to analyse and to evaluate them so that they may learn to reckon the relevance and applicability of investigative studies to the programme requirements of creative course work in architectural design.

Academic Changes

During the course of its checkered career, CCA has undergone many changes. The semester system was introduced in 1972.

We have now introduced a two-tier scheme with effect from the academic session 1985-86. The 10 semester course is to be offered in two tiers: Stage One, from first to sixth semester and Stage Two, from seventh to tenth semester. Stage One consists of theoretical subjects, tutorials, workshop practice and studio work for a basic grounding in the knowledge about architecture and its tools and skills. Stage Two comprises a six month practical training followed by a large number of elective courses and studies of urban problems, professional practice, town-planning and a thesis. Recently, in 1998 a comprehensive review of the syllabi was undertaken to ensure greater cohesion progression and integration of the various related subjects and their inter-relationship with others.