EDUCATION

‘Need to examine teaching methods’
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Nov 19 — The methodology of imparting education to students, either at school or home, needs to be examined. The teachers and the parents have to constantly evaluate the techniques of teaching, said Dr Anil Wilson, Principal of St Stephens College, New Delhi, at the annual day function the Yadvindra Public School here today.

He said a student should identify the area of his/her interest and concentrate on it. Dr Wilson stressed the need to blend the old with the new in the system of education.

Dr H.S. Dhillon, Principal of the school, said the all-round development of a child should not suffer. With this in mind, the school was changing its academics year so that it coincides with the calendar year. This would allow the students to concentrate on other activities during the first four months.

Later, the chief guest gave away prizes to the students who had excelled in different fields. The ICSE overall medal was awarded to Kiranjot Kaur, whereas the Badhaur medal for the best all-round student of Class X was bagged by Sukhmani Bachel. The ICSE medal for the best all-round student of class XII was awarded to Prabhjot Tiwana. In medical, non-medical and commerce stream, the all-rounder student were Namrata Handa, Honey Kang and Avneet Kaur, respectively.

A special prize was awarded to Manmita Mangat for coming first in the ICSE Board Albert Barrow Memorial All-India School Creative Writing Competition.

Besides, the Tagore house bagged the Cock House junior section trophy. In the senior section, Raja Rampartap Challenge trophy was awarded to Aitchison house. The trophy for academics, dramatics, sports and cocurricular activities also went to Aitchison house. The inter-house quiz and debate trophies went to Ranjit and Patiala house, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council for Secondary Education has decided in principle to introduce a skill- based subject in the matriculation level examination. A committee of experts has been entrusted with the job of formulating the syllabi, said the Deputy Secretary of ICSE, Ms Rita Wilson, at the annual day function of the YPS. Ms Wilson said the board was continuously evaluating its syllabi. She said environment sciences and performing arts were other subjects introduced by the board.

The board had introduced the concept of options for the students who could not cope with different subjects, adding that the system of internal assessment in the class X, which accounted for 20 per cent of the marks in the total, had already been introduced. She said there was a total of 1065 schools throughout the country affiliated with the ICSE board.

CULTURE

Cultural competitions conclude
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — The 31st All India Inter-State Inter-School Cultural competitions concluded here today at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, with the Principal Milkha Ram Mahajan Memorial Hasya Kavita Recitation Contest.

The chief guest of the evening was Mr Brahamjit Kalia, DEO, UT. He emphasised that the students should curtail the hours of TV viewing and put in more efforts in the field of studies. He also pointed out that they should develop their hidden potential in order to rise in life. The results are as follows.

The trophy goes to Yukti Sharma and Bhavya Aggarwal (Hans Raj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula. Prabhjot Singh, St Soldier International School, Sector 28-B, won the first prize, Savita, Chaman Lal DAV Senior Public School, Sector 11, Panchkula and Bhitesh, Shivalik Public School, Sector 41 B won the second prize and Vipul Kumar, Chaman Lal DAV Senior Public School, Sector 11, Panchkula, won the third prize. A consolation prize each was given to Khyali Saharan, DAV School Ganganagar Rajashthan and Sat Pal, Government High School, Sector 7-C, Chandigarh.

Sharad looking for quality roles
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — You could not have missed those rugged haunting looks which almost terrified Sushmita Sen to death in the film Dastak. And not even the rustic leader of Bicchhoo gang who forever hankered after humbling Maxi (Shahrukh Khan) in the Mansoor Khan film Josh. There sure is something magnetic about this tough boy from Calcutta who made it big in Mumbai — and that too in quite short a time (going by Bollywood standards!).

The streaks of a powerful actor were evident in Sharad Kapoor whom TNS contacted this afternoon at a local hotel for an exclusive interview. He looked fresh after a hectic schedule of camping at Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, where the stage is set for the shooting of Sharad’s next film Kab Kyun aur Kahan. Sharad Kapoor had been there under the banner of Triple Aar Productions for promoting the cause of cricket.

He was due to fly to Mumbai today itself for yet another novel assignment. “I will be walking down the ramp for the first time ever this evening. Sanjay Dutt and Preity Zinta will be among other models for the show. All proceeds will be diverted towards the Nargis Dutt Foundation’s cancer fund,” informed Sharad who looked a little jittery about modelling. “I have never done this before. I am feeling nervous,” he added. Sharad, however, looked keen on staying back. “I love this city. I have learnt that it is very beautiful,” he smiled.

After walking into the hearts of people with his performances in Dastak and later in Tamanna opposite Pooja Bhatt, Sharad is today aiming high. He is looking forward to his performance as Prakash Amte in the forthcoming Gagan Vihari Baroti film Laal Salaam. Sharad plays the son of Baba Amte who professes peace despite endorsing the elements of naxalite movement. He is cast opposite Nandita Das and Makran Deshpande.

“I was earlier supposed to play a tribal in the film, but Nandita thought that I don’t resemble one. This role came by chance, but it sure came as a blessing. This role can really recast my image. I hope to revive all my dormancy and give my best as an actor,” said Sharad who has no qualms about not having attended any acting school.

“I don’t think that helps,” he went on,”To me acting came naturally. Also one gets to learn a lot while on job.” Sharad has also never taken classes in dancing. He is more into instant performances than posed ones. There, however, is one condition he must impose on the set: “I never shoot in presence of people except those of the crew. When I have to build that vital concentration for the scene, I cannot afford to be flustered by the crowd.”

About the nature of roles, Sharad is not very stuck up. That is perhaps why one has seen him sport different faces in different films. He has also been seen in special appearances, the latest being in the Sunil Shetty, Sushmita starrer Aaghaz.

“The role must be strong enough to tickle the talent. I never weigh the colour of roles I get. I only test their quality,” quipped the actor who has done about a dozen big-banner films till now. On the small screen he has acted in Swabhimaan, Aankhen, and Chahat aur Nafrat. But to him, Dastak is anyday as precious as the first love. “That was my first big break, and more so, opposite Sushmita Sen. I was obviously nervous. But the final print of the film left me quite satisfied with whatever I am,” added Sharad.