The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Include religious texts in syllabi: Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — There is an urgent need to evaluate the education system not just in India but the world over, said Mr K. P. S. Gill, former Director-General of Punjab Police, on the concluding day of the "Yugantar" conference of Rotary (District 3080) at Panjab University here today.

Mr Gill said 'true' education needed to be re-defined because the times and requirements had changed. Wider introduction of religious texts and other related issues from the extensive world of literature suited the present times, he said.

Mr Gill added that computers had come to stay, but they could not be a substitute to books. Suitably designed gadgets and students aided with this facility would have an edge.

Mr Gill was honoured with the 'Yugantar achievement award for excellence'. Dr Gulshan Thukral, a member, was congratulated on the occasion. Irina Brar was honoured for her achievements in golf. Another honoured member today included Ms Meena Kapoor, the first Indian woman who has made it to the senior body of the Inner Wheel (international level).

Mr J. Forest of Rotary International, while presiding over the function, said even if you cannot speak a language, your affection can convey the message.

Millennium Carnival held
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Feb 20 — It was a day of joyous celebrations for students and staff members of Woodlands House School in Sector 8, who organised their Millennium Carnival here today.

The show commenced with a welcome song presented by tiny tots. Girls dressed up in traditional costumes enthralled the audience with a Rajasthani folk dance. Contests in painting, singing and dances were held. Over 300 students attended the carnival.

Games like Hoopla, lucky dip, four corners, building blocks and treasure hunt, were the main attraction. Surprise gift items for the spectators added to the excitement.

The academic in charge of the school, Ms Vijay Baksh, stressed upon the need for overall personality development of the children. Results:Painting Group A :Aadesh Singal (1); Aakrity (2) Group B:Sambhav(1); Parikshat (2) Group C:Sakshi (1); Nishant Goel (2) Singing: Vikram Dheer(1); Yash Kheterpal (2)Best out of the waste: Simran (1); Yamini (2); Manav(3) Childrens Dance: Sarthak (1)

Students enjoy school fete
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — It was a day of fun and laughter for students and staff of Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41, as well as parents of the wards, at an exhibition-cum-fete organised today on the school campus.

The function today was inaugurated by Dr Hukum Chand, Director of the State Institute of Education, Sector 32.

The colourful exhibition provided a festive look to the school campus today, in which various handicraft items were on display. Students had displayed painted pots, items made out of waste material, tie-and-dye, embroidery and knitting for visitors. All these items were the work of the students as part of their respective class projects over the past one year.

Also on display today were various science models, including that on current problems like AIDS and pollution and health. Students were seen giving enthusiastic demonstrations of the working of these models to visitors.

The four houses of the school also had put up various eatables' and games' stalls. Stalls which proved to be major attractions were those selling bhelpuri and noodles. A special request stall had also been put up by the Class X students.

The fete came to an end with a bhangra performance and announcement of a lucky draw by Dr B.N.S. Walia, Chairman of the National Educational Development Trust.

School holds function
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — A programme of music, dance and drama was presented by the students of Lohia International School, Mani Majra, on the school campus here today.

The programme — Darpan-The Looking Glass — was chaired by Mr Dhanik Lal Mandal, a former Governor of Haryana and Chairman of the school. All 122 students participated in the function.

The programme began with Saraswati Vandana. Actions songs on Hindi and English nursery rhymes were presented by students of nursery and upper kindergarten. The highlight of the day was a war dance in which kids danced to the tune of Santana.

A skit on Akbar and Birbal was presented by children. They also presented a Western dance on the number Close to You. Other items included a Haryanvi dance, a bhangra number, a skit on environment and a dance on the number Purdah Hai Purdah.

Ms Elizabeth Kahlon, Principal of the school, read out the annual report. Mr Mandal concluded the programme by distributing prizes to meritorious students of the 1998-99 academic session.

CULTURE

Golden voice Mann eyes silver screen
By Sonoo Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — "My next big project is to act in a film, about which I am very excited," said, Harbhajan Mann, Punjabi pop sensation who has given hits like Oye-Hoey and Husan Jawani and is seen singing in the promos of Hindi film Papa the Great. He has made India his base after living in Canada for many years. He was in the city yesterday to perform at the annual function of the district conference of the Rotary International 3080 in Law Auditorium of Panjab University.

In an exclusive interview with the TNS, Mann, in his accented English, spoke about his music and a mega-budget Punjabi film he said he was about to star in. "I cannot reveal the details about it right now, but I am looking forward to the experience" he said. When asked if appearing in Bollywood film songs was a step in this direction, he said, "Not really, and I am also not emulating any other singer in this respect (read Daler Mehndi). Also, it is film world which need us, not we who need it. However, I realise that since the reach of Hindi films is wide, it is easier to get exposure, so, I have accepted some offers." Mann will also be seen in Raj Kanwar's next film, Farz, in a song Ankhiyan in which he will dance along with Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta.

Later, he also said he would not venture into too many films because it would be unfair to his fans and audiences who bought his albums.

He said his next album would be released sometime in June this year, "which would again have a mix of both dance and folk songs".

He learnt music at a very young age from Dhadis, Kavishers and later, formally in Canada from Sheikh Hamid and Balbir Singh Bhangu. He said, "I came back to India because I really wanted to make music, something which could not be done sitting in a foreign land."

Asked if he expected such instant success, he said, "Not at all, rather I could have failed miserably, but, by God's grace I am here." Commenting on a sudden rise of new artistes in the field of music in India today, Mann said competition was always welcome in every field. "Not only does it give people more choice but also in the end, it is the best which lasts," he said. For the time being, he is facing competition from within his own family. His brother, Gursewak Mann, is also cutting an album shortly. "We will not be competing really," said Harbhajan.

On the importance of video albums, the Galan Goriyan singer said videos served an important purpose of advertising the singer. If the singer and the melody were good, a good video support could make a song super hit. Dressed in a conventional black coat and trousers, Mann said, "I don't think that wearing flashy clothes really helps. Maybe initially, that also if the singer does not have much confidence in his voice."

Well, Mann certainly has that, and he has promised "more of himself" for the city crowd next month when he performs on the Panjab University campus.