EDUCATION

B.Ed admissions go hi-tech
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — To facilitate smooth counselling-cum-interview for admission to B.Ed, the Dev Samaj College of Education has introduced the broadcast information system in the college premises. This system would help the students and parents to access the latest information about the subject combination, total number of seats, available seats and candidate’s marks on the monitor.

The college has installed eight monitors at various places. The data is being updated every few minutes. An auto refresh is fed in the system that changes the display automatically every 4.5 seconds.

The network is made possible with the help of centralised data base administration server installed in the college laboratory and engineers are updating the data. Such a scheme has been launched for the first time in the city. “I wanted a similar type of system to help the students last year also. But there were some difficulties.

This year, with the help of the Panjab University authorities, this kind of network has been made a success. This will ensure transparency in the admission procedure,” said the Principal, Ms S. Dhillon.

A Delhi-based company, Penta-infoway, is the brain behind the scheme. It will help the students coming from all over Punjab seeking admission in B.Ed for the next 10 days. Students seeking admission in 24 education colleges all over Punjab will be provided with counselling for admission.

Punjabi spell check software sought
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, Aug 17— A workshop on ‘Teaching subjects at the school level in view of future needs’, has been conducted by the Punjab School Education Board. The two-day workshop which concluded here today, recommended that Punjabi should be standardised and a spell check software for the language be designed and developed.

Introduction of vocational education from class VI to link the academic and professional needs of the industry was also recommended in the workshop. Besides, proposals regarding reduction in the curriculum of history and making social studies more activity oriented and based on the vocational content present in the subject, were also made. Emphasis was laid on teaching the learning process of sciences at senior secondary level and correlating the curriculum of all subjects in classes IX and X..

Inaugural session of Vidya Bhavan
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — Addressing 16th inaugural session of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Dayanand College of Communication and Management, Mr Ram S Varma told teachers and students that knowledge revolution was influencing the education system in many ways. In the present context the teacher could not afford to be merely a knowledge provider. “The essence of teaching lies in the teachers ability to create an insatiable search of knowledge in the students which must continue till the very end.’’

Mr Varma said that Vidya Bhavan had the advantage of men like Mr R.K. Saboo, an industrialist and Rotarian, as well as Lacocca of Indian Management, Padamshri Chandra Mohan. He recalled the contribution of men like Mr Jaisukhlal Hathi, the then Governor of Haryana, in the establishment of the Chandigarh Kendra of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 1978-79. He said that it was a pioneering effort of a great visionary like Kulpati K.M. Munshi, which resulted in founding of the Bhavan in November, 1938, for preservation and fostering of the ancient Indian culture.

Mr Saboo, Chairman of the Chandigarh Kendra, observed that the college had made a niche for itself in management and communication studies.

CULTURE

Anyatha — a recreation of traditional charms
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — When rich mediums and novel ideas are put together what emerges is art — verdant as the newly grown grass. Today, a part of this freshness could be breathed in the environs of Alliance Francaise Art Gallery where Bhopal talent has got together to produce strong aesthetic effects in the exhibition titled Anyatha.

On display are the works by five artists from Bhopal, all products of the Indore School of Art, and all supporting a history of shows, both big and small. The youngest in the lot, Vishal Bhuwania, is just 21 years of age and already has about five group shows to his credit. His six works which employ mixed media on paper are titled Gothic Surface. The creations reflect the artist’s attempt to depict various periods in the form of layers which he uses to give a three-dimensional effect to his works. The medium is not important to Vishal. He is specifically concerned about the thought process which he bares through his works which are priced at Rs 4,000 each.

Most pleasing to the eyes are the works by Siraj who brings something which is highly uncommon at least in this part of the country. His tribute to the Unknown Sculptor of Khajurao comes across as a fresh idea which finds shape in ceramic stoneware. The images have been minutely designed, and all the seven works have an instant attraction value. The works are all priced between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000.

Dinesh Parihar concentrates on oil on paper and reflects painting which has a world of its own. “I have tried to transform myself into the abstract world which despite being abstract, is full of amazing images. I revel in those surroundings and try to depict my happiness on the canvas,” says Dinesh. Black backgrounds dominate the works of Dinesh which are untitled. The play of colours, however, is quite impressive.

The costliest collection comes from Akhilesh who captures images of Benaras on his canvas which is done up with acrylic on canvas. The works, priced at Rs 35,000 each are strongly specific and suggestive. Their vague title “Has it something to do with Benaras” only indicates that the works are inspired by the rich Benaras traditions .

Mohan uses water colour on paper and wanders about in illusion which has a little tone of reality. “You will find my works familiar because my images are life like. They are abstract forms but still have a certain meaning to convey,” he said.

18 beauties vie for titles
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — On the first day of the three-day beauty pageant, "Face of the Year Award", organised at Hotel Mountview, the contestants vied for for the titles of Miss Beautiful Skin, Miss Body Beautiful and Miss Photogenic. A bevy of girls walked alongside the swimming pool, flaunting their bodies.

As many as 18 participants contested for the pageant which were selected out of 200 entries received from all over the region. The next round of subtitles is scheduled for August 18 to be held at Hotel Solitaire where the contestants will vie for the Miss Beautiful Personality, Miss Best smile and Miss Beautiful Eyes titles.

The third round will be held at Jail House Rock on August 19 and the subtitles of the day will be Miss Talented and Miss Beautiful Hair. The final contest will be held on August 19 at Gill Estate and the results of all subtitles will be declared on that day.

Poets reflect upon bitter truths of life
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — Timid thoughts don't be afraid of me, I am a poet — said Rabindra Nath Tagore. Each time poets get together to reflect upon the bitter-sweet truths of life, this eternal verse of Tagore comes to life, as it did this evening, when about 10 poets read their hearts out to an exceptionally receptive audience in the auditorium of Government College for Girls here.

The tri-lingual (Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu) symposium, conducted by the Punjab Sahit Akademi to observe Independence Day, went on for well over two hours. Concerned over the mire which India has got into, most poets poured out their paining, with the hope that things would get better someday.

Sultan Anjum, with his powerful verses meant to hit upon hypocrisy, won a lot of appreciation. He stated the facts of life when he read out: Jeb mein kuch na tha ghazal ke siva, zindagi hum se milke pachtaye, ik zamane mein jhooth beghar tha, aaj beghar huye hain sacchai.

The evening was sent rolling with Gurminder Sidhu expressing her anguish over the sad state of affairs in the country. She, however, ended on a positive note. Bhai Amarjit Amar spoke with a spark, as he read: Umr se jagi hui in manzilon se puchna, kaun guzra hai yahan se raaston se puchna, apne hisse ka ujala sadiyon ki kaid se, kab riha hoga khudaya munsifon se puchna.

Manjit Indra sang two Punjabi compositions, reflecting the two sides to her personality. Among other poets present were Azad Gulati, who happened to be the seniormost poet in the gathering.

The programme was conducted by Madhav Kaushik, a poet. Interesting to note was that he invited poets in the order of the three languages, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu, to keep the spirit of the tri-lingual mushaira alive.

The programme was attended, among others, by the Principal of the college, Ms Vijaylakshmi, and the Director, Public Relations, UT, Mr Vivek Atray. The Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Mr J.S. Ahluwalia, was the chief guest.

Beauty contest or dance show?
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — It was yet another lacklustre beauty contest organised at Tagore Theatre here today. Mr and Miss India North West-2000 beauty contest organised by the Western Star Group and City Entertainment Channel was more of a dance show than a beauty contest. The number of dances staged outnumbered the pageant rounds and songs were repeated.

The only item worth mentioning was a Punjabi folk dance presented by Manpreet Singh Golu and Amanpreet Kaur Preeti. The kids performed comparatively better.

The question-answer round, which had very simple questions, proved tough for many contestants, who could not give correct answers. The comperes were trying to emulate Amitabh Bachchan, but came out as poor imitators making it all the more monotonous.

The show started two hours late and a power failure added to the agony of the audience. Moreover, the dances were poorly choreographed.

A dance group had to be sent back after the music could not be played in time. The sports round had girls carrying rackets and basket ball, and wearing high heels.

The boys’ physique round had nothing to do with body building. It seemed that no contestant had come prepared for this round as they were forced to display their hardly muscular body on the so called ramp.

The show was going on till late night and the results had not been declared.