The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

University teachers’ dharna on August 14
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 23 — University teachers of the region have decided to hold a nationwide protest on August 14, if the Government of India fails to honour the assurances given to the teachers earlier this month regarding their long-pending demands.

This was decided at a meeting of the North Zone Council of the All- India Federation of University Teachers (AIFUTA) in Panjab University, today. Representatives from universities in Punjab, Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir discussed various issues which need sorting out by the government. These included the implementation of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) with effect from January 1, 1996 and not from July 27,1996 as wrongly notified; restoration of the CAS for the academic staff in the university, libraries, sports departments, adult and continuing Education etc; implementation of super selection scale for Professors and grant of increments on account of Ph.D, both with effect from January 1,1996 parity of doctoral increments in case of Readers irrespective of their appointment through CAS or open selections and abolition of dual pay scales of Readers as per the revised pay scales as already done in case of Professors.

The teachers also demanded that the discrimination against women employees of the Universities for the reimbursement of medical claims of their dependents should be done away with and the government should be more gender sensitive towards women in counting their past service with reasonable breaks.

It was also decided that in case the state governments in the northern region failed to enhance the age of superannuation from 60 to 62 years and continued to delay the payment of arrears, the universities of the region will organise protest rallies and dharnas on their respective campuses on August 29.

CULTURE

The unassuming girl and her earthy album
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 23 — Had it not been for the zing in her, her songs would have hit the market and died out. But they lasted despite the world not quite knowing who the singer was. These songs are fresh in memory, especially the one in which Neelam dances to Feeling Hot on the majestic beaches of Seychelles.

Remind Bina Mistry of the success of this song and she is exhilarated. She recalls, "I could never believe that I had sung so well. The sales proceeds made me believe that I could do better." Bina was unaware of the status of this number because she was back home in London when her song was playing in discotheques in the country.

The artist was in town today for the promotion of her latest album Hey Jire. She talked about her adventures, dreams, aspirations and struggles as a singer. "Singing comes from within and to me, it was always the first love," she said. She informed that she had bygone a number of things in life to be a singer. "I was a chartered secretary and then I went on to join a career in radio and television. I also worked with Zee in London. There I was looking after music, film and business programmes. But all along, I was conscious of what I was missing. Music was my first love. So I left everything else to pursue it," she said.

After Feeling Hot in 1995 and Dhola later, Bina has now come up with something very earthy in the shape of Hey Jire. The album has a wonderfully balanced collection of folk and pop to suit a wide section. The dominant tone is that of Gujarati folk and the lyrics are complemented by the strong percussion provided by Bina's husband, Prakash Mistry. Rest of the composing, arranging and engineering has been done by Neol Ram. The title song has been composed by Bina. She plays the roles of singer, composer and lyricist at the same time. Says Bina, "The songs were recorded in London and the video has been done by Colossus."

Quite a hectic schedule that must have been? "Yes, but life has always been hectic. I have been moving about in search of an identity. I am basically a Gujarati born in East Africa. From there, we moved to Bangalore, and then to London, where I spent a major part of my life," informed Bina. She specified her priorities. "I may reach anywhere in this career, but my priority will rest with my family. I will look after my family first. Singing will come later," she stated.

Bina performed to a packed house at Aerrizona later during the day. Her visit, she said, was fruitful. "Every artist is looking for an audience. I also came looking for that. I am grateful that the people received me so very warmly," she added.

Cultural evening at Press Club
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 23 — The Chandigarh Press Club will organise a cultural evening and a mega show in collaboration with NIFD, Chandigarh on July 28.

Leading models and singers from Mumbai would perform on the occasion include Sheetal Malhar, Bipasha Basu, Helen Brodie, Jesse Randhawa, Diandra, Kavita, Bhavna, Naseem, Mridula and Megha with Hugo ‘D’Souza as compere. The singers are Gursewak Mann and Devang Patel with dance Troupe Zenith.