The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

150 students honoured at DAV convocation
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — The annual convocation of DAV College, Sector 10 was held today. The chief guest of the evening was Dr G.D. Sharma, former Secretary, UGC, New Delhi. The other distinguished guests were Mr A.C. Aggarwal, Mr Shashi Gupta, Mr K.K. Sawal, Mr D.V. Sehgal.

The function started when the students dressed up in black gowns entered the packed auditorium, in an impressive academic procession, to the accompaniment of deliciously composed and sweetly sung Vedic hymns. Justice D.V. Sehgal (retd) Vice-President, DAV College Managing Committee, welcomed the chief guest and spoke on the history of the college and also highlighted the values that power the institution.

Mr G.D. Sharma addressed Principal R.C. Jeevan, faculty members of the College and the students. He congratulated the teachers and the students who had worked for attaining degrees in arts, commerce and science and social science. He said: “Even after decades of development, we still are not spending the stipulated 6 per cent on education.” “A large number of students are enrolled in arts, science and commerce, which account for 80 per cent of the students. This means a large number of students are pursuing liberal art, commerce and science courses, and very few are enrolled for professional and vocational courses. This I call the lopsided development,” he observed.

Mr Sharma said, the percentage of eligible young population attending educational institutions was very low, technical education was not spreading fast and educational reforms were still not initiated. He observed that curriculum should be reformed in universities and the method of transaction of knowledge from the teacher to the student should be changed so that students can face the challenges of the future more ably.

Principal R.C. Jeevan read out the annual report of the achievements in sports and studies and co-curricular activities. He said the college won P.U. Sir Shadi Lal Shield for general efficiency and excellence in sports for the 29th year in succession. This was made possible through the national and international level performances by the players and athletes in various sporting events. While retaining the highest standards of academic excellence, reflected in brilliant results, the college teams participated and won running trophies and highest awards in all types of co-curricular activities. The Principal paid tribute to Major Sandeep Sagar and Capt Vikram Batra, who laid down their lives defending the frontiers of their motherland during Kargil conflict.

More than 150 arts graduates, 40 commerce gradutes and 40 science graduates were conferred degrees. Most of the students had excelled in one or the other field.

Certificates, medals for meritorious students
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, March 25 — The local Government Degree College today held its annual convocation and prize distribution function where certificates and medals were given to meritorious students.

As many as 75 students, 53 in arts and 22 in commerce, who passed out in 1998-99, were given degrees.

Besides, three students were awarded the Role of Honour and five were given the College Colours for their performance in academics and extracurricular activities.

Gurbakash Arora (BA-III), and Parminder Kaur ( BA-II) were declared the best students in the fine arts group. Jaminder Kaur and Kulwant Kaur were given prizes for best performances in poetry recitation and declamation contests, respectively.

Renu remained first in folk song and Shabad gayan competition, while Rubi and Dimple stood first in gidha.

Mr Parminder Singh Sidhu, a former College Principal, who was the chief guest, emphasised the need to fight drug abuse and advised the students to take part in extracurricular activities and social services.

Earlier, Ms Satwant Kaur Juneja, Principal of the college, read out the annual report and welcomed the chief guest.

Farewell function for kids
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — Tiny tots of Sanjivini Day Care Centre and Preparatory School gave a farewell today to the students who have graduated to the KG and are joining other schools. These kids had entered the school when they were a year old.

A fancy-dress competition was also organised as part of the farewell function. The children looked pretty in costumes of bride, bridegoom, soldier or a fairy. The Judges of the competition were Ms Indira Sehgal, Lecturer of MCM College, Ms Rekha Banerjee, General Secretary of the YWCA, and Ms Lalita Agarwal, a former President of the Inner Wheel Club of Chandigarh.

Dr Indu Luthra, Principal of the school, said the motto of the school was to help the child become self-reliant, besides aiding kids in their physical, intellectual and personality development. "We also have regular medical examinations of kids. I am also happy that 15 of my students have got admissions in good schools of the city," she said. Parents also lauded the efforts of the school.

The winners of the fancy dress competition are as follows: Category I (age group 1 to two-and-a-half) — Jhilmil (Krishna), Pallavi (Punjabi bride), Rohan (Punjabi bridegroom); (age group two-and-a-half to 4) — Rohit (Andhra Pradesh bridegroom), Swarna (Gujarati bride), Jyoti (Oriya bride); Category III (age group 4 to 8) — Rebu (Clown); Special prize for Ratna.

Classes X, XII papers cancelled
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, March 25 — The Punjab School Education Board has cancelled the mathematics paper of the class X examination ( morning session) conducted at two centres located in B.K.Senior Secondary School, Ghee Mandi, Amritsar-31 (block-I) and 32 (block-II) following reports of mass copying and use of other unfair means.

Besides, the class XII paper of business statistics (commerce group) held at PBN Senior Secondary School, Hall Gate, Amritsar-38 and the General English paper conducted at Arya Senior Secondary School, Dhuri-I (Sangrur) (both papers of evening session) had also been cancelled due to similar reports.

The centre and date of re- examination of the above mentioned papers would be intimated later, said the spokesman.

11 UT kids win NTSE awards
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — Eleven students of Chandigarh have won awards in the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) 2000.

The talent examination is conducted for classes VI, VII, VII, IX and X. Chandigarh students who have won the awards are: Class VI — 9th position: Kaiti Ashok, Sacred Heart School; 75th position: Ankita Chakarverty, Sacred Heart School; Class VIII — 22nd position: Shiv Anand, St. Kabir School; 37th position: Himani Datta, DAV Public School; 67th position: Akanksha Arora, Carmel Convent School; Class IX — 18th position: Prapyush Dev, St. Johns' School; 23th position: Kusha Goyal, Sacred Heart School; 50th position: Divyanshoo Rai Kohli, St. Johns' School; 85th position: Priyanka Khandelwal, Sacred Heart School; Class X — 45th position: Arpita, Sacred Heart School; 49th position: Gaurav Gupta, Motiram Arya School.

The prizes that are given away in each category are as follows: classes VI and VII — first three prizes: Rs 500 per annum upto Class X; classes VIII and IX — first three prizes: Rs 750 per annum upto Class XII; Class X — first three prizes: Rs 1000 per annum upto degree level. Around seven more students in each category are awarded Rs 500 each and another 75 winners are awarded books.

Dr Ravinder Kumar Kohli, Regional Coordinator of NTSE, was thrilled at the performance of Chandigarh students. He appreciated the evaluation work done by the organisers. Initiative needed to be taken by schools to encourage students to take NTSE examination as these gave exposure to students and enabled them to bridge the gap between them and students of other regions, he said.

‘Change exam system’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — "The examination system of Panjab University needs a change and teachers have to show an inclination for participating in this mission," said Dr Sodhi Ram, Controller of Examination, here today.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of a three-day workshop on Transformation of Print Material into Self-learning Material organised by the Department of Correspondence Studies.

Dr Sodhi Ram said there was a lack of general will to accept a change and ensure transformation of the existing system. An honest movement would show results within a year or two.

Dr Sodhi Ram said the question-paper system pattern of the PU also needed a relook. The pattern of question-papers of subjects like Punjabi, English and social sciences differed. Even the GNDU in Amritsar presented a better picture. The system needed a definite change, which needed discussion.

In the workshop, 31 teachers of various disciplines participated. The thrust was on how to make the learning material more effective and communicative for distance learners. Dr C.R.K. Murthy and Dr Sanjay Mishra were the resource personnel for the workshop.

Prof Santosh Sharma, Chairperson of the department, announced an action plan for the first phase for transformation of print material into self-learning material. The department will produce study versions of material on history, economics and political science in Hindi and Punjabi mediums also.

COURTS

CAT restores jail warder’s job
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — In a significant decision, a Division Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) restored job to Jai Narain, a warder in the Central Jail, Tihar, New Delhi. He was dismissed from service for, believe it or not, possession of four bundles of biris.

The dismissal was based on an inquiry report written and signed by the Presenting Officer. The Inquiry Officer admitted that he merely forwarded the report prepared by the Presenting Officer and had not prepared it himself.

While responding to the applicant Jai Narain’s petition, the Bench comprising Mr Justice Ashok Aggarwal, Chairman, and Mr V.K. Majotra, member, ruled that the report prepared by the Presenting Officer was no report in the eyes of the law. The Bench observed that the Inquiry Officer’s role is similar to that of a judge. It was his duty to draw up the report.

African remanded for counterfeiting currency
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — The UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Mr Naval Kumar, today remanded an African national, accused of possessing counterfeit currency, in police custody till March 27.

The accused — Luwise — was yesterday booked by the Chandigarh Police for counterfeiting currency notes, under Section 489-A of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint of Mr Amit Kumar.

According to the prosecution, the currency note, handed over by the accused to the pump attendant, after getting petrol filled in the scooter he was riding, was found to be counterfeit upon checking.

The prosecution added that the accused, when questioned, had furnished false information. His house address, besides other details of the college he was studying in, were found to be incorrect upon verification.

Case against two city advocates
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — The police has registered a case against two city advocates for assaulting and criminally intimidating a lecturer teaching in a local college. A deputation of women lecturers met the IGP and urged him to ensure that justice is done

A case under Section147 \ 149 \ 323 \ 364 \ 452 \ 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against D. S Narula and S. S Narula at the north police station.

According to police sources, Dr Charanjit Kaur Sohi, a lecturer of SGGS College, Sector 26, was alone at her house in Sector 10 when the accused accompanied by more than 15 persons, started breaking the boundary wall of the house. Hearing the commotion she rushed out in her night dress and confronted the duo. She pointed out they were trespassing in her house, hearing which, the duo reportedly pushed and shoved her, and in the ensuing melee her dress got torn.

Just at that time a family friend happened to drop in. Seeing all the commotion and her condition, he rescued her and took her into the house. All the while, the accused were threatening her with dire consequences. Terrified at the incident, she locked herself in a room and informed the police.

Sources said the accused are occupants of the first floor and were allegedly trying to break the wall to have another entrance even though the house already had two entrances.

CULTURE

Harmony to bring Manna Dey to city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — A newly-formed event management group — Harmony — has announced that it will bring one of the last living legends of the Indian music, Manna Dey, to the city in May this year.

Giving this information at the formal launch of the group, comprising mainly artistes and music-minded people here today, its Chairman, Sushant Sharma, informed that besides bringing the music industry legends face-to-face with the city audience, the group would give an opportunity to the upcoming local talent to share the stage with them.

This would help the local talent in two ways. One, it would considerably reduce their struggle period as they would share the stage with some of the leading names in the music industry. Two, it would help promote the regional talent which did not have many opportunies to show their talent now, he added.

Sushant, who comes from a known musical family and has earlier worked with the leading singers such as Jagjit Singh, Ghulam Ali and Roop Kumar Rathod for many years, felt that the city had a large fan-following of such maestros as Manna Dey. The members of the group, being in the music, knew the pulse of the leading artistes better and were in a better position to bring them to the city.

Unlike the other event management groups, which were in the business just to mint money, Harmony will present the show free of cost for the music-loving people. Collection of funds for charity purposes and their use for organising shows for the special children would be an integral part of the activities of the group, he informed.

Answering a question on the sources of funds for organising the mega shows, he claimed that the city should not be found lacking in sponsors as they come forward whenever a top class artiste performed in the city. As they did not have any “middlemen”between the artistes and their group , the sponsors should not be any problems for top artistes when even run-of-the-mill singers find sponsors in the city, he reasoned.

Besides Manna Dey, Harmony will bring a series of top artistes, including playback singer Suresh Wadekar and bhajan singer Hari Om Sharan in the near future.

An evening in memory of Pawan moves audience
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 25 — The 30th Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan organised by the Pracheen Kala Kendra was inaugurated by Lt Gen J.F.R. Jacob, Governor of Punjab at the Tagore Theatre, which was packed to capacity. Paying a tribute to the renowned tabla player Pawan Kumar who died in a car accident, famous vocalist duo Pt Rajan and Sajan Mishra dedicated the evening to his memory .

The duo began their rendering in raga Marwa, a vilambit khayal in Ektaal ‘‘piya more anat des gayilva, no jane ghar kab aave’ was an appropriate choice for the feeling and mood they wanted to express this evening. The duo began the alaap with ‘Hari Om’ and went on to elaborate the raga with beautiful combinations of notes in all the three octaves. The elaboration had a striking technical virtuosity which was blended with beauty of presentation, particularly in lower and medium octaves. The duo blended their voice and presentation in such a manner that it enhanced the expression of the raga. The repetition of the refrain ‘‘unke daras ko ankhiya taras gai’ in different manners to enhance the pathos of the refrain was particularly noteworthy, so was the use of the ‘tihaais’ rendered with a powerful blending of their voice. The other two bandishes in the same raga, ‘Guru bin gyan no pave’ and ‘Javo ji chhodo ji bainya mori’ were diversely opposite in presentation and mood and it required great skill to do justice to both. The duo received thunderous applause many times while performing. They concluded the recital by an all time favourite Durga stuti set in raga Durga ‘Jay Jay Durge Mata’ which was composed by their guru Pandit Ramdasji. They were supported by Mehmood Dhoulpuri on the harmonium and by Mohammad Akram Khan on the tabla.

The second item for the evening was a Kathak dance recital by Rajendra Gangani, an upcoming artiste of great repute from the Jaipur gharana. The technical perfection and footwork in Teentaal mesmerised the audience while the richness of Jaipur Thhat was expressed in his versatile innovations. The artiste was accompanied by Fateh Singh Gangani on the tabla, Sardar Surjeet Singh Namdhari on the Sarangi and Vijay Sharma on the Sitar. Vocal support was rendered by Vijay Parihar.

— Vandana Shukla

Rich in dynamism, sophistication

BHARATNATYAM, the dynamic and sophisticated classical dance of Tamil Nadu, enjoys an enviable position in India and abroad. One of the oldest Indian dance forms, it was regularly performed at social functions like weddings, in addition to religious rituals and court ceremonies.

A type of religious dance in its early form, it originated in the 9th century AD when a number of new temples were constructed in South India. At that time, devdasis were respected as servants of God, and financial assistance from public funds was provided to them to pursue their art. The earlier styles were improved upon and a new spirit infused into this dance by four brothers, called Tanjore Quartet, in the early 19th century. They studied all the aspects of basic dance movements and organised them into a systematic series. They also composed music to supplement and enhance the impact of the dance. But Bharatnatyam came under a cloud during the British regime, which could not understand the intricacies of this dance and confused it with nautch dance performed by prostitutes.

Literally meaning ‘Dance of India,’ the name Bharatnatyam was coined about fifty years ago. Prior to that, this dance form was known by different names like Sadir Kacheri, Chinnamelam, Adal and Dasiattam. According to one credible story about the origin of the new name, it is said that it has been created by combining the syllables of three important ingredients of this dance form. Thus Bha has been taken from Bhava (expression), ra from raga (melody), and ta from tala (rhythm). According to another theory, this dance form has been christened after the name of sage Bharat, the author of Natyashastra. (Bharatnatyam is based on the doctrines of Natyashastra).

Abhinaya Darpana, the text devotedly followed by the exponents of Bharatnatyam dance, describes ten body poses. Araimandi is half-sitting position. Muramandi refers to full-sitting or squatting pose in which the dancer sits on toes with her knees spread outwards to the sides. In motitam, the knees are dropped to the floor alternately. Parshvasuch refers to the position in which one knee is placed on the floor, while in samasuchi both the knees are placed there.

The position of hands play a significant role in Bharatnatyam as they frame the dancer’s body in symmetrical lines, conveying her relationship with the universe. The usually exhibited positions include natyarambha in which outward stretched hands are held at shoulder level. Akin to ancient sculptures depicting female beauty, dolahasta is the position in which hands rest along side of the dancer’s body.

Talking about abhinaya, Leela Samson, the famous Bharatnatyam dancer says: “To be able to communicate emotion sensitively, intelligently and innovatively, the dancer must, first of all, be completely familiar with the verse. Then, she must be able to transfer to the singer her need for a particular interpretation of the musical phrase to suit her enactment. The singer also must be knowledgeable and sensitive, with control over her medium and, what is more, a lively interest in the dancer’s attempt to understand and interpret. It is not enough to sing the nuance, but to sing it with feeling and at the right moment. This interdependence in creative work is the magic of Abhinaya.”

The mesmeric effects of a good performance follow a kind of crescendo in terms of impact on the spectators. Catharsis comes with the varnam, which is the high point of the performance. The linear body symmetry and graceful body poise along with enchanting hand gestures (Hastas) of the Bharatnatyam dancer are indeed a testimonial to the pinnacle of elegance that a human can reach.

— Thakur Paramjit