EDUCATION

School life vs college life
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 18 — Classes in most of the colleges commenced two weeks ago and by now many “freshers” have realised the difference between school life and college life.

College life has brought in a dramatic change for Zinky who has taken admission in BSc I. “When I was in school there were fixed timings of going to and coming from school. A school van used to pick me up and drop home. But now I come by my own vehicle and can go late. My parents too think that I have grown up and they do not ask for any explanations. I am enjoying this newly granted liberty,” she said.

At the same time Zinky feels that she has become more responsible. “Not only I but even my parents feel that I have grown up. I am allowed to go for shopping on my own. When in school, I had little money in my pocket but now I generally have Rs 500-600,” she added.

Mohit, in BBA I, is pleased with the fact that there is no uniform and that he is free to put on any dress. “When studying in school, I was supposed to wear a school dress which used to reveal my identity whenever we sneaked out of school,” he said.

Many girls feel free from the shackles of school uniform. “While in college we can wear nice casual dresses with light jewellery and some heels. We always have updated information about the latest trends in fashion,” said a group of freshers from the Government College for Women.

However, according to Ramneet, “In schools we used to wear a uniform and equality prevailed. I really miss the discipline that was there in the school.”

Manmeet Singh of B.Sc I, says “In college, teachers do not really bother about the students and the students are themselves responsible for their studies. Here even if we “bunk” our classes, nobody bothers unless the attendance is short. Sometimes proxies are also helpful.”

College rules fit the study schedule of Radha Soni, doing XI. She says, “ In college, I am free from classes much earlier than my friends in school and, therefore, I am in a better position to prepare for PMT examination for which I get ample time now.”

CULTURE

Digital sound mixing is here to stay
From Deepkamal Kaur

LUDHIANA, Aug 18 — If you have five CDs of different tracks, you can create a sixth one by simply sitting in front of your computer and giving a click here and another there. You can even change a male voice to that of a female. When a singer is giving a live performance, it is possible to give effects that will make the listener feel that the song is being sung in a chorus.

Digital sound mixing has finally arrived in the city and is being used by some professional recording studios. Various software packages are now available in the market that have made the job of the users less laborious and are of a better quality.

Mr Dinesh Sharma, director of a professional recording company, is using a software Cubase, which helps him in storing the music notation of a song. The software helps him in changing the note or increasing its length. He also uses the software for changing pitch or tempo of a recorded song. In addition, he has another software, CakeWalk, which performs similar functions.

Some companies have launched electrical instruments which either have inbuilt softwares or can be attached via a cable with the computer. “XG Works, a music sequence software available with latest models of Yamaha pianos, helps in composing and editing music and even modifying the voice of the singer. For a given music, it automatically gives the musical notation which may be printed. In XG Works, one can record the melody line which can be automatically played in 220 different styles. The software can store upto 100 tracks,” informed Mr Ivon Jolly, piano teacher at a local school.

The sound mixing softwares makes the job of professionals much easier and quicker. The various effects available with these softwares makes their use indispensable. 

Teej celebrated with pomp and show
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 18 — A cultural programme was held today at Param Institute to mark the concluding ceremony of Teej. The girls were dressed in colourful dresses on the occasion. There was a typical Punjabi atmosphere all around and the girls sang Punjabi songs.

The programme was started with a shabad gayan. Antakshri for the students, in which the audience also participated, was organised by Mr Akhilesh Mishra. The girls dressed in colorful ghagras and suits presented giddha. The students were given prizes by Mr Amarjit Riat, Chairman, and Ms Parminder Kaur, Principal of Param Institute.

Ladies club holds saree competition
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 18 — The Ramgarhia Ladies Club organised a cotton saree competition at Hotel Marriot, Dugri, in the city today. The competition was divided into three categories. More than 20 members participated in the competition. The group 1 was for the women between 20 and 30 years of age. Pinki got the first prize in this group, while Gargi came second. There were eight participants in the group. Sukhraj and Satinder came first and second respectively in the second age group of 30 to 40 years. The third category was for the women above 40 years of age. Rano Padam was judged first and Rita was declared second.