EDUCATION

PU campus within bounds, claims police
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 22 — The controversy over the issue of imposing traffic rules in the Panjab University has deepened, with the Chandigarh police claiming campus to be within bounds.

Clarifying that there was no immediate move to implement the rules, the police said action could be taken against the violators even on the university campus.

The declaration assumes significance as widespread resentment has been brewing up among the student bodies over the issue of imposing rules on the campus. Some of the student leaders have threatened to launch a stir if the move is implemented.

The information was given to the students after a meeting was held between ASP H.G.S. Dhaliwal and the Panjab University Student Council (PUSU) for reviewing the post-election security scenario.

Sources say the police has also decided to carry out periodic raids for checking the entry of outsiders in the hostels, besides curbing ‘‘unnecessary movement out side the girls’ hostels’’.

According to a press release issued by the SSP, security arrangements for the forthcoming cultural festival ‘‘Aaghaz’’, besides the ‘‘Star Nite’’, were also discussed.

Today’s meeting was attended by the Station House Officer of police station west and president of PUSU Bhupinder Singh Bhupi, along with other members.

Chaos at fee counters
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 22 — A big rush of students nearly blocked entry in the Administrative Block of Panjab University from the rear on the last day of the depositing fee for appearing as private candidates here today.

The queues needed a little management as they could be seen intersecting each other at places and also impatient candidates swooping on the windows over the shoulders of those in front.

"I have been standing in the queue since 10 a.m. It is 2 p.m. now , but, my chance at the counter seems bleak', a student from Rajasthan staying here with his brother, said.

Silver jubilee function of school
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 22 — Ankur Nursery School, Sector 14, concluded its silver jubilee celebrations here today. A quiz competition, a cultural function and a fancy dress show marked the occasion. The celebrations had started last week on the Children's Day.

In the fancy dress show, students dressed up as flowers, butterflies, vegetables, fruits, stars, birds, sun and rainbow stole the show.

Children also performed yoga on the stage. Vandana dance, Haryanavi dance and other cultural events were also presented. About 200 children participated in the function and were presented gifts by the school.

NCC training camp
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 22 — An inter-group competition of NCC cadets of Army, Navy and Air Force wings was held during the Annual Training Camp, held at the Railway TA Ground, here today. Brig R.S. Kalha, Deputy Director-General of NCC Directorate, was the chief guest.

Brig Kalha took a round of the camp and inspected the flag and line area which was designed and made by the cadets using marble chips. He was briefed by NCC cadets about the designed themes and also shown the line areas. He appreciated cadets for their work and devotion.

In all 338 cadets from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, took part in the competition. The camp was being held under Colonel Bijay Singh, Group Commander NCC Shimla and Lieut Col H.N. Kaushal, Camp Commander. The camp which started on November 14 would conclude on November 24.

An equipment display was also organised by the Artillery's AD Regiment for the cadets and the general public.

Shabad gayan competition held
From Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, Nov 22 — Several teams from different schools of Chandigarh participated at one day inter-school shabad gayan competition held here today at Saint Soldier International School, Sector 28-B. First prize at the group level was secured by Amarjot Kaur and the team of Guru Nanak Public School and Mandeep and team of the Institute of Blind.

The second position was bagged by Kirti and team of the Ajit Karam Singh International School. The third position was secured by Harpreet Kaur's team of Saint Soldier International School, and Antar Preet of the Shivalik Public School .

At the individual level , first prize went to Manglesh of the Institute of Blind and Kuntol of Ajit Karam Singh Public School.

Second and third prizes went to Sarabjit Kaur of Guru Nanak Public School , Sector 36 and Preet Kumar of Shishu Niketan Senior Secondary School. The participants were awarded certificates.

Case against Barnala, others adjourned
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH ,Nov 22 — The dowry case filed against the former Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, and other family members by his daughter-in-law, Ms Parveshbir Kaur, was today adjourned by the UT Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Ashok Kumar, till January 6, 2001.

She had alleged that her husband Jasjit Singh, father-in-law and mother-in-law Surjit Kaur had harassed her for dowry. The complaint against Mr Barnala and other family members were registered under Sectons 406, 420 and 498-A of the Indian Penal Code.

Forgery case

Balwant Rai, a resident of New Delhi, was remanded in judicial custody till December 6 by the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, in a forgery case. It was alleged that the accused had submitted forged documents to get a loan of 87 lakh.

Thief remanded

Navdeep Bedi, a resident of Sector 15, was remanded in police custody till November 25 by the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, in a theft case. It was alleged that the accused had stolen some article from Hotel Shivalik- view, one-and-a-half months ago.

The judge observed that the articles were recovered from the accused and therefore he sent the accused to police remand.

CULTURE

Creating masterpieces at 80
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 22 — Joginder Singh has waited all his life in the hope that some day his embroidery pieces will adorn a national gallery of repute. But destiny has not been kind to him notwithstanding the exquisite quality of the works created by him.

But even at the age of 80, Joginder has not given up. He can sit with needle and thread for eight hours at a stretch in a day. That is how he has created some masterpieces in China embroidery like Mona Lisa and the Peacock family, which have drawn the attention of art lovers not only at home but also abroad. While he gave away Mona Lisa to an ardent fan for no money at all, the Peacock family is mounted on walls of the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10. It is competing for the handicraft award instituted by the government.

These are just two of his amazing collection of about 300 pieces, all laced with skill and intricacy which have many buyers in the city. But Joginder Singh declined to sell his collection. He says,“These are not just pieces for me. These are the memories of my entire life. Years have gone into the making of each piece, and the emotion invested in each stitch is priceless. I don’t want money for them.”

That is how he has put up an exhibition of his 26 embroidery works. “I want people to come and see the work, and cultivate respect for the age-old traditional art which is dying. I pray that some day my works get their due by finding a place in galleries in India and abroad. I want to share the works. I want to tell the world about the richness of our culture. I have also given many works to the Punjab Government.”

He was very glad to tell The Tribune that his works were inaugurated at the Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16 by Mr P.H. Vaishnav, former Chief Secretary, Punjab, who also presented him a shawl as a token of honour. “I want lovers of art, not buyers. I can live on two square meals a day, but I will die on the day my art is used for commercial purpose.”

He can put 800 stitches in a square inch of area. A lot of investment has also gone into the works which primarily feature figures of animals and birds. A lot of French and German influence is visible. Joginder Singh, who was in the Army, said, “I have travelled widely to Singapore, Europe and during my travelling I have picked up the art of various places. Chinese embroidery is done on silk, but here I use anchor thread and a mixed silk and cotton cloth. I learnt embroidery in Singapore.”

One of his works features birds the Bullwer’s Wattled Pheasant (30 inch area), the Brown Eared Pheasant embroidered in 40 inch space, the Indian Hoopoe, and the Emperors of Germany Cabanis and Daudi, to mention a few.

Another striking work is a massive one in cross stitch. “This one is inspired by a painting I saw in a gallery in France. I took a impression and embroidered the same,” said Joginder Singh, who has also embroidered peacocks of various countries. The last two embroidery pieces feature a tiger. The angle is so fine that the animal seems to be looking you right in the eye, irrespective of the direction you move in.

His exhibition will be on till November 24 at the Punjab Kala Bhavan.