The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

E-family centre inaugurated
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Nov 10 — A western ‘after-school’ concept for children with stress on creative and sporty activities has come to Panchkula under ‘‘Kool Scool’’, a complete e-family centre, which was inaugurated in Sector - 5, here today.

The institute was inaugurated by Ms Suchita Jain, Executive Director of Vardhman Spinning and General Mills.

Apart from teaching books according to their syllabi by different computer packages, theatre, story telling, creative writing, etiquette and grooming, art and craft along with factory visits, picnics and treks would be the part of the packages offered to the students.

The educational concept would be tackled via interactive compact discs (CDs) on numbers, science, geography, world affairs, general knowledge and English language. These would be backed by quizzes, puzzles, games and debates.

Moreover, packages like multi-media, graphics, windows 2000, MS world, power point, excel and guided Internet browsing would also be offered to the candidates.

Ms Jain, said that there was need to have such centres which not only involve children, but also their families. She said seminars and training programmes would be organised for teachers, parents and adolescents.

Students who have enrolled for the first batch would be taken to Perch Dam on November 14 where they would go for a trek and take part in races.

Thematic show by school kids
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR, Nov 10 — Pupils of Class I and Class V of Yadavindra Public School presented a show here today, which was based on the thematic study concept.

Class I focused on the theme of ‘health’ through poems and a drama. Pupils laid stress on the importance of good health, for which a balanced diet was essential. The importance of personal hygiene was also emphasised.

Pupils of Class V began their thematic presentation of “India” with Saraswati Vandana. Later dressed in saffron, white and green, boys recited a poem, ‘India you are my pride’.

Children also came on stage wearing costumes representing different Indian states. A quiz was also organised on the occasion. The show ended with a colourful bhangra.

The junior school Headmistress, Ms P.K. Sarkaria, said the children were being encouraged to perform on stage to help them shed their reticent behavior. One must not look for perfection in the presentations, because it was the process which was important and not the end result, she added.

‘Few students for research’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — To encourage students to choose teaching and research in science and technology as a career, a two-day CSIR Programme on Youth Leadership in Science was organised on the premises of the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation here.

Under this programme that concluded today, some selected science students of Class XI interacted with scientists working in the CSIO laboratories. These 25 students were drawn from schools of the CBSE, the ICSE and the Haryana School Education Board on merit.

A statement issued here said the best minds were not coming forward to join science courses. As a result, many seats in undergraduate and postgraduate classes remained vacant. Many meritorious students did not take up careers in research.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr Rajnish Prakash, Principal of Punjab Engineering College. A debate on the theme Is Information Technology Indispensible for our Existence? was also organised. Savita Chahal of Sonepat won the first prize, while Kanupriya Bhardwaj of Gurgaon and Gaurav Goyal of Karnal stood second and third, respectively.

The programme was coordinated by Mr J.K. Chhabra. The Director of the CSIO, Dr R.P. Bajpai, attended the valedictory function and gave away the prizes.

PU Supplementary exam results
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Panjab University today declared the results of various supplementary examinations conducted by it in September -October this year.

According to a press note, the results of the general categories of B.Com (first,second and third years), Gyani and Part I of MA(French) have been declared. Copies of the result gazettes will be available at the inquiry counter of the university from November 13.

Telephonic inquiries can also be made at the main inquiry counter at phone Nos 534818 and 784869 from November 13.

COURTS

Yograj granted bail
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 10—Test cricketer-turned-Punjabi film actor Yograj Singh, was today granted bail by the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S. Bhalla, in an alleged case of storing adulterated petrol in petrol station. The judge had issued a notice for November 10 on the bail application filed by Yograj Singh.

Defence counsel argued that there was nothing to be recovered from the accused and the co-accused in the case had filed affidavit that the petrol recovered from the farmhouse belonged to them. The co-accused had already been granted bail by the magistrate. Defence counsel further argued that the presentation of challan may take time, therefore, Yograj Singh should be granted bail.

The magistrate observed that there was nothing to be recovered from the accused, therefore he granted bail to Yograj Singh on furnishing a bond of Rs 20,000 and two surety of the same amounts.

Yograj Singh had surrendered before the court on October 31. The case against the accused had been registered under Sections 420, 285, 286 and 120b of the Indian Penal Code and Section 23 of the Petroleum Act, 1934, on June 30 in Mani Majra police station.

CULTURE

Depicting optimism in the grimmest of situations
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — A long spell of stifled breath, a constant self conflict....and final redemption. The idea at play in the Badal Sircar’s play Pagla Ghora which was staged by artists of the theatre group Abhimanch, was “optimism, in the grimmest of situations.”

There are strong reflections of a jaundiced society in the play which show men throwing their weight around, sometimes even at the cost of the much vital human relationship. All key characters in today’s drama — Kartik, Himadri, Sattu and Shashi — are strongly dominated by social concerns and taboos, so much so that they lose their love on account of social infirmities. Kartik (played by Jaiprakash Negi) finds it difficult to voice his love for a girl. He is held back by the age gap between the two which he thinks is enormous. He is faced with self conflict which finally takes the shape of guilt when his beloved dies of solitude and isolation.

Yet another character in the play, Satu, is a representation of the men folk at large who often let the basic instinct govern them. In the fit of this instinct he physically exploits his maid, but never is he able to muster the courage to accept her into his life. The hypocrisy rampant in the male chauvinist society is reflected well by the character.

Another performance came from Sunil Garg, who plays the role of Himadri, a teacher who falls for a woman of modern outlook. He loves her dearly, but is not able to keep the tradition of love. He is governed by his egotism and wants the girl to fit into his mould. When she fails to adopt his set of values, he abandons her.

Another taboo is reflected by the character of Shashi who feels attracted towards a girl who is not, his caste. So he has to lose his love to social stratification.

The optimism toward life is conveyed by the scene where Kartik gets over with the feeling of commiting suicide after his loss.

The play was directed by Devendra K Singha and was staged at the Open Air Theatre, Panjab University tonight.

Naushad to give away Rafi awards
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Yadgar-e-Rafi Society, Chandigarh, will organise Rafi Memorial Nite on November 12 at Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh.

Legendary Music Director and recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Janab Naushad Ali, will be the chief guest of the evening. He will give away the Rafi Awards to the winners of the competition held on July 30. Last year Music Director, O.P. Nayar was the chief guest.

Thirtyfour male and female singers will sing Rafi and Lata songs composed by Naushad.

Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Minister for Food and Supplies, Punjab, will preside over the function.

Scrap as art theme
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Thrown away junk, including broken toys, empty toothpaste tubes, soap cases and broken electronic gadgets have found a place in the world of art under the able brush strokes of Panchal Hari Lal, an artist from Gujarat, who is holding a painting exhibition at Punjab Kala Bhavan here.

“Save the mother earth by recycling of waste products,” is the message conveyed by the artist. As many as 19 paintings based on various themes, including deities from Hindu mythology, many facets of human life, folk symbols and massage on saving the earth are being exhibited.

The painting titled Conscious of nature environment, a painting depicting the two stages of nature, the greenery symbolised by green leaves and dry leaves symbolising degradation of forest cover depicts the environmentalist thinking of the artist.

Scrap Relief, Meditation and Awareness of Breast Feeding are a few outstanding pieces of work which are effectively spreading the message to save environment from further degradation.

Arts council to stage 5 plays in Dec
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — About 101 literary works by the upcoming Punjabi artists will be released during the World Punjabi Conference to be held here from December 22 to 24. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the arrangement committee of the conference held at Punjab Kala Bhavan.

The Secretary-General of the Punjab Arts Council, Mr H.S. Bhatti, said that all those interested in sending entries should immediately despatch three copies of each work to the office of the council.

A meeting of the cultural committee of the council was also held yesterday and it was decided that five plays would be staged in the evening of December 23. The plays to be staged include Ajmer Singh Aulakh’s Begana Bodh Di Chhan, Kewal Dhaliwal’s Luna, Rani Balbir’s Rani Jinda and Gursharan Singh’s Toa.