The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Songs mark end of school fete
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Oct 22 — The concluding day of the fete at Satluj Public School, Sector 4, was a big party with the music rolling and the youngsters jiving away to the popular English and Indian pop numbers here today.

All through the day, they continued to pour in and the evening witnessed a heavy crowd with the hall of the dance floor bursting at its seams.

The game stalls held the maximum attraction for these party-goers who preferred hanging around ''just for fun''. The eatables also had many takers in the jivers who broke up the dance to have a bite before joining their ''gang'' inside the dance hall where colourful blinking lights added fun.

The game stalls included face painting, tombola, musical chairs and bull's eye, among others. Various competitions were held to mark the occasion where face-painting and mehndi tattoo generated tremendous excitement. A rose stall was the added attraction.

The results of the various contests for school students are Fancy dress: Debyan (Army Officer) 1, Sakshi (scene from TU Tu Main Main) 2, Vipun (Hanuman) 3; group dance: students of Class VI for Piya Piya; solo dance (primary): Sagar Sakshi (Ek pal ka jeena) 1, Himanshu Punia (Ek pal ka jeena) 2, Manpreet Kaur saini (Dil ne dil ko pukara) 3; secondary: Ekta (Chhama chhama) 1 and Amita (Jawab nahin gori uska) 2.

A fashion show with three rounds of western wear, traditional wear and question-answer round was also held. Deepti Nagpal and ravi Kant were crowned Miss Satluj and Mr Satluj, respectively, at the fete inaugurated by Dr H. Singh, President of the Arts Council.

The award ceremony was held in the evening where Sonia Joshi and madhubala were presented the award for the most enthusiastic volunteers and Eliza of Class XI was declared the best organiser. The Principal, Mr Krit Serai, said the fete was an endeavour of the school to producing responsible students, capable of handling anything entrusted to them.

HC upholds Colonel’s sack
by Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — Pre-trial procedural irregularities do not effect the validity or findings of a general court martial (GCM). This has been the observation of the Punjab and Haryana High Court while disposing of a writ filed by a Colonel against his dismissal by a GCM on charges of corruption.

“Pre-trial irregularities do not effect or vitiate the trial,” Mr Justice K.K. Srivastava, while upholding the dismissal, observed. The petitioner, Col B. Gopalaswami, had challenged his dismissal by the GCM on grounds that Army Rule 22 and 180 were not complied with during the court of inquiry. “Non-compliance with the said rules is a pre-trial irregularity and does not amount to any illegality,” he ruled. Army Rule 22 requires hearing of charges by the commanding officers while Rule 122 stipulates that wherever the character of an individual is involved, he should be present during all disciplinary proceedings.

Colonel Gopalaswami of 5004 ASC Battalion attached with Station Workshop, Ambala Cantonment, had been found guilty by the GCM on charges of violation of good order and intent to defraud.

As per records, Col Gopalaswami was the contract operating officer for meat prepared in the butchery at Ambala. A CBI team led by a DSP and including two Army officers had raided the butchery as well as intercepted 12 vehicles leaving the butchery. The team found the carcass dripping with water as well as containing parts like the heart and liver. As per rules meat dripping with water, nor parts like the heart cannot be issued.

He was charged with intent to defraud, failure to discharge responsibilities and execute standard operating procedures, prejudice to military order and failure to ensure stock of reserve animals.

The GCM, presided by Brig S.K. Kaushal of HQ 1 Artillery Brigade, found the accused officer guilty of certain charges and sentenced him to dismissal in July 1993.

A statutory petition filed by him against the GCM sentence was dismissed, following which he moved the High Court. In his petition, he had challenged the GCM’s jurisdiction and constitution, objected to the presiding officer being a member of the court, alleged bias of the Judge Advocate-General and claimed that he had not been given the requisite notice period to raise objections at the commencement of the trial.

CULTURE

Reproduction of folk art forms
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — It is a pleasure to view works that reflect an urge to move back to one’s moorings. The vein of each frame now adorning the walls of the exhibition gallery at Punjab Kala Bhavan runs from that obscure Haryanvi village which has found home in the thoughts of Anuradha.

Her first exhibition was inaugurated here today by Prem Singh, Principal, Government College of Art, Sector 10. He spoke high of her endeavour to revive folk art.

She confirmed to Chandigarh Tribune, “I never had time to do justice to art. Now when the family obligation has reduced a little, I have decided to return to art, which is my passion. These works are all about the itch of the child in me. I have attempted to bring alive the magic which dominates country life. I have also depicted simplicity, which is another hallmark of the same.”

The works on display are very rural in form, yet make sense when weighed on the scale of modernity. The reason behind the transition is the honesty of expression. The works have been titled in accordance with the feeling which has dominated the artist’s strokes. Panghat captures the romance of the rural tradition wherein the dame bears pots full of water for her home. Sawan adds colour to the languid ambience.

Anuradha’s works also carry a spiritual angle. She is inclined towards God. Nandi is an expression of her faith in God. She also paints the marriage scenes of villages and manages to enthuse the vibrancy typical of a marriage.

The inspiration for this girl, who graduated in fine arts from Rohtak and went on to take a master’s degree in the same from MDU, Rohtak, came from her childhood memories. “I can still register in my memory those days when my grandmother used to paint sketches to beautify the walls of the house. Simple and plain rural themes dominated her artistic expression. I have also wanted to produce something which resembles my grandmother’s creations”, said Anuradha.

An evening of Indian film music
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — The golden era of the Indian film music came alive at Tagore Theatre last night when Chitra Amrik Singh, a radio and TV artiste, rendered old melodies.

Bharat Bhushan, R.S. Gupta, Yogesh Sharma, Anil Sharma, N.K. Talwar, Parul Khullar and Pushpa Saxena were the other singers who performed at the function organised by Prerna, a newly-established society for the promotion of education, music and dance.

The Haryana Agriculture Minister, Mr Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, was the chief guest.

Cultural programme for residents
Tribune Service

PANCHKULA, Oct 22 — A cultural programme was organised by the Residents Welfare Association of Sector 12 in an effort to increase interaction and camaraderie among the residents of the sector here today.

The programme began with the National Anthem which saw participation of all present at the occasion. Children of the sector came forward and participated in the function which comprised songs and dances.

Tiny tots in army attire, as dancers and pundits, entertained the audience with their movements. Chaiyan chaiyan by Astha and boliyan by Hiteshi Aggarwal were well-presented items.

Many sports events were held for people of all age groups, beginning with a three-leg race for boys above 12 years and matka-hitting for girls of the same age group. The most enthralling item in this category was the balloon bursting contest for all children under 12 years of age.

Couples had a fun-filled time with a race exclusively for them and a special round of musical chairs was held for all women during the programme.

All through the programme, the Army band from Punjab Regiment played melodious tunes of popular numbers, keeping the residents entertained and provided background music as well during cultural items.

Senior citizens of the sector were honoured at the function.