EDUCATION

'Teachers need to be friends and guides'
By Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 6 — Hard work put in the right direction coupled with an expert guidance is the perfect recipe to achieve success. The results of students of Shishu Niketan School here speak for it. Eight students of the school have scored 90 per cent marks and more in the CBSE Class X examinations.

Out of the 564 students who took the examination, 562 have qualified. About 85 students have scored 80 per cent marks and more. Besides, 60 per cent students are first-division holders. R. Arun has stood first in the school and second in the city with 94.8 per cent marks. After him are Rachna Kukar and Amit Sharma with 91.2 per cent and 90.6 per cent marks, respectively.

The Principal of the school, Ms S. Khorana, who is also the founder of the school, is happy at the performance of her students. "A teacher feels elated when her students perform excellently in examinations because indirectly, it's the teacher's success," she said.

She established the school way back in 1953 when there were not many schools in the city. Now, she has come a long way and students from other places like Morinda, Kharar, Mohali, Panchkula, Dera Bassi and Zirakpur come to study in the school. She has observed generations of students in her lifetime.

"Today's children are more sensitive and the sense of self-respect is rooted so deep inside them that you have to treat them very carefully. You have to be friendly with them and at the same time, enforce certain rules as well."

"We monitor the performance of students by giving weekly tests to them. Secondly, I have divided the school in five wings. Each wing is assigned various duties like discipline, decoration and cleanliness. The wings are awarded according to the performance of students. This inculcates a spirit of competition among them," she said.

Parents of Rachna Kukar, second topper of the school, are feeling on top of the world. Mr Harish Chandra, Rachna's father is an Executive Engineer in the Haryana Irrigation Department. He says, "Sometimes, I wonder at students of today's generation who score so well despite the all sorts of pressure. They have to do well in sport and other extra curricular activities. To add to these, are the pressures of modern life."

"Schools play a leading role in shaping the lives of students. In my daughter's case, the school has indeed proved to be a motivating factor. I moved her to this school two years ago. She picked up in studies in no time. Teachers encouraged her from day one and monitored her performance regularly," he says.

"Besides giving quality education, the school helps in developing the overall personality of students. Rachna is focused on her career, aware of what she wants from life and can take decisions on her own. She has chosen software engineering as a career on her own," says Mr Harish.

Rachna's mother, Ms Poonam Kukar, a housewife, is overjoyed at her daughter's success. "We are proud of her. I was expecting that she would get even more marks because Rachna had worked hard. The credit goes to her teachers who work hard to clear any doubt that a student has." 

Place to transform child’s vision
By Ruchi Bhandari and Amandeep Kaur

CHANDIGARH, June 6 — Summer workshops are here to stay, and for reasons not far to seek. This time around they are tapping the untapped potential of a child’s character...his naturality which if properly explored, can do wonders.

Those in the business of running such workshops are making this saying more than true as the instructors are themselves witnessing children drawing whatever they think and contemplate. “Because of their sensitivity and spontaneous approach they come out with some excellent works,” point out Mrs Ranbir Kaur and Ms Nita Kapoor of Creative Kids Workshop which aims at exploring the hidden creativity and talent of students through creative crafts.

These arts include making flowers out of matchsticks and toys out of socks. Water painting, story telling and some wonderful outdoor activities are also encouraged rather than just imposing a rigid routine on them.

“Any art that deals with children gives you ample scope for freedom of thought and expression. Here at the workshops, children are free to depict their fantasies and use any colour in their paintings. I have myself learnt many new concepts from them.” says Harpriya Singh, an instructor.

Children are also taught to dance on catchy numbers like ek pal ka jina, nimbura nimbura and Punjabi pop numbers like mera long gwacha. Not only this, water games are also a highlight of the workshops. “Water games are my favourites,” says Shivani, a school student.

Apart from dances, music, art, games, story telling are another sources of attraction for the children. Says Mrs Ranbir Kaur, owner of one such school: “These days most parents do not read out stories to their children due to paucity of time, but our workshop is one such place where children can gratify themselves with this art. They enjoy listening to fanciful stories which are narrated in an impressive manner. Our aim is to satisfy innocent queries raised by children. Where does the fairy queen live? And when they are gratified with an answer which convinces them, they develop faith in the art. That is our accomplishment.”

And rightly so, as one gathers from the cheerful ambience around. Summer workshops are proving to be parallel schools which don’t offer grades but transform a child’s vision towards life. Here there are only rewards, no punishments. 

COURTS

Jain’s bail plea dismissed
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, June 6 — Former UT Home Secretary N.K. Jain’s application for regular bail in a corruption case was today dismissed by Special Judge for CBI cases-cum-Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr Lakhbir Singh.

Pronouncing the orders, the Special Judge observed that the accused was previously holding a high official position and could, therefore, “overawe” the witnesses and could also interfere in the investigation of the case by exerting his influence.

Jain, booked in a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Superintendent K.B. Goel, was arrested by the premier investigating agency after he surrendered before it on May 9.

It was alleged in the First Information Report that Jain was operating in tandem with Goel to receive money from parties interested in the settlement of their cases pending before the Administration. Jain, it was also alleged, had dropped a charge sheet against Goel, who had paid him Rs 25,000 for the purpose.

Jain had also allegedly asked Goel to get in touch with persons interested in the settlement of their cases. He had also allegedly passed favourable orders in all such cases, indicating that the parties concerned were accommodated by breaking rules. The FIR also stated that as per the evidence, Goel was collecting money from people.

About Rs 2 lakh was allegedly collected from Mr Baljit Singh, who was promoted from the rank of Sectional Officer to that of Assistant Secretary, State Transport Authority. Mr Amarjit Singh, driver in the Weights and Supplies Department, had also paid money for being promoted as Inspector in the Weights and Measures Department, it was alleged.

CULTURE

Comedy serial’s mahurat held
From A Correspondent

PANCHKULA, June 6 — She wakes up looking for a hubby. For Lord Shiva had told her, in her dream that the first unknown person she saw would tie the knot. Gama Ki Beti, the 26-episode comedy serial for Zee TV filmed in the city today, is all about an innocent girl’s effort to get married to the man of her dreams.

A maiden venture by the National Academy of Drama, the serial had its mahurat today. The clap was given by designer Sharan Kumar. Based on a new theme, it is a blend of romance and suspense with comedy.

The story is about a simple and innocent believer of Lord Shiva, who appears in her dream and offers her a wish. She asks the Lord about her would-be husband. In reply, the Lord tells her that the first unknown person she sees in the morning will marry her.

The writer and director of the serial, Pankaj Kumar Virat, has done two telefilms. There are 20 debut characters in the serial. Gama’s role is being played by Rakesh Sharma, while Sapna is Amrit Kaur and Gulshan Verma plays the police inspector. Model Aanchal Kumar will give a special appearance. Most of the actors are students of the academy but some actors from outside have also been given a break. The location for shooting is both indoor and outdoor.

“The cost of production of an episode was approximately Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh, informed Pankaj. Music has been composed by K.S. Chawla. The title song is by Dinesh Tundwal.

“Script writing, acting and direction are my love and passion. Much concentration and dedication is needed to maintain a balance between all these fields. I am confident of this serial doing well. My idol is Raj Kapoor,” said Pankaj.