EDUCATION

Eco-friendly school building
By Akanksha Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 15 — Saupin school in Chandigarh is promoting the South African Technology utilised for constructing buildings. The school is about to complete the temporary construction of the school building in Sector 32 using this technology. The key construction material used is the hydraulically compressed earth blocks (CEB). The material of this low-cost building can be reused.

The (CEB) comprises of cement, sand and soil. Each block weighs approximately 10 kg. The soil used is the local soil of the region. In this case the blocks consist of 6% cement component, 30% sand and 64% soil.

The cement is used to strengthen and firm the blocks. After the blocks are hydraulically compressed, they are kept under plastic sheets for two days and then for 14 days water is sprinkled on them. A machine produces 150 block per hour. The cost incurred per block is between Rs 5 to Rs 7.

Ecologically, it’s green, said an architect. The blocks made by using the hydraulic machine and hydraulic compression technology do not need heat to strengthen them. In the region, with a composite climatic conditions, compressed earth blocks are much cooler in summer and warmer in the winter. It has the earth feel to it and absorbs less amount the energy, he added.

Saupin School building under construction has 18 classrooms, 2 office rooms, two staff rooms, and three toilets. After a year-and-half when this building will be dismantled, the material that is the compressed earth blocks and the micro concrete roofing (MCR) can be reused. The blocks do not need mortar for construction.

The MCR is put with wires, hence can be easily dismantled. Only ten per cent of the material would get wasted when the building is dismantled, disclosed the architect.

Other places where the buildings with this material stand are Lucknow, Hyderabad, Delhi and Cochin, to name a few said an engineer at the sight.

MA 1 paper not from syllabus
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 15 — Students of MA I (English) in Panjab University today complained that the paper in History of English Literature and Practical Criticism did not adhere to the syllabi norms.

Talking to The Tribune, students said the paper in first place had an erroneous heading which read "Literature and Criticism", missing the history part. It was also complained that question numbers II, V and VII also did not adhere to the syllabi norms.

CULTURE

Photographs capture tourist destinations in HP
By A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, April 15 — The exhibition of photographs, titled Prakriti — Ek Aur Sakshatkar at Indus Ind Bank Art Gallery gives an exclusive image of various tourist destinations of Himachal. “The inspiration for photography comes mainly from the beauty of nature to me,” said Avinash Chandra Joshi.

The photographs are remarkable and every photograph is full of colours. These portray Chitkul Sangla Valley, Pin Valley in Lahul Spiti and Kulu dussehra.

Photographs show snow clad glaciers, mighty and majestic Himalayas, gushing water in springs and waterfalls.

Avinash was fond of photography from the very childhood. He spent his early childhood in the serene, verdant beautiful surroundings of Garhwal Himalayas. The ever-changing landscape of hills presents a rainbow of vivid colours.

Some of the interesting works of Avinash Joshi are Rewalsar Lake, Bhaba Valley, Origin of Pin River in Spiti, Nako Lake in Kinnaur, Mud Village, and Pin Valley.

His works have been used by magazine of Indian Airlines such as Swagat, Sahara India, Nation Fortnightly and weekly magazines. Recently, HP Tourism extensively used his photographs for desk as well as wall calendars.

Dance workshop concludes
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 15 — A dance workshop organised in Indira Holiday Home by the Chandigarh Institute of Performing Arts concluded here yesterday.

The aim of the workshop was to make foreign artists aware of Indian culture and arts, said Mr Shyam Juneja, Director of the organisation. He also said the Bulgarian artists were also given education in folk and classical dances, giddha, bhangra and martial arts, besides Indian culture.

Renowned dancer Suchitra Mittra and Ms Deepti Rishi, Principal of St Soldier Divine Public School in Panchkula, also spoke on the occasion.

An effective portrayal of ‘ego’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 15 — The exploitation of a woman seeking a congenial world where her husbands seeks his individual growth, free from all strings of daily life, was central to ‘Vyaktigat’, a Hindi play staged at Tagore Theatre here this evening.

The play by Dr Laxminarayan was directed by Nimma Dandona. She also plays the central role. “Main”, her ‘egoist’ husband has been effectively played by Vijay Dindorkar. The other two members of the cast were Anjali Savita and Sanjeev Bishnoi.

The play is a portrayal of a modern wife whose wants are suppressed by the husband for his personal gains and happiness. The “ I “ of the man dominates the play.

The man progresses with a thirst for material gains. The wife wants only peace. Only after two months of their marriage, the man gets her a necklace. Such questions as” How much did it cost? where from did you get it? who gave the money?”, by the wife announce the beginning of different quests in life.

He wants to keep pace with the “fast” times. She values small things.The man wants her to ignore small matters like his taking bribes. She says the state of politics will be only be what a common man lives in his daily life.

The wife shows him the way to serenity , but he cannot follow it as the burden of material goods leaves him crushed.

The stage setting was rather simple. It also seemed at times that script centralisation on two characters only disturbs the concentration.

Colourful dances by kids
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 15 — Students of Pracheen Kala Kendra in the 4 to 12 age group today presented a colourful programme of kathak and folk dances at the kendra auditorium.

The programme was choreographed and directed by Mrs Samira Koser. It began with Saraswati Vandana followed by a recital on the casio of Raaga Bilawal in teen taal and a composition Hum Honge Kamyaab.

Mr Kamaleshwar Sinha of Visva-Bharati, who gave away over 100 certificates to the tiny tots described the programme as an evening dedicated to the muse of the spheres.