The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Workshop on organic manure
Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, April 1
The Mother India Education, Welfare and Industrial Society in collaboration with the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology organised a workshop on vermicompos at Bhabhat village about 1 km from here on Sunday.

The workshop was well attended by members of the village panchayat, Mahila Mandal and the Naujawan Sabha, besides residents of surrounding villages.

Mr P.H. Vaishnav, former Chief Secretary of Punjab, stressed the need of introduction of vermiculture system to keep villages clean and for conversion of organic, agricultural and kitchen waste into useful organic manure. Dr Rajesh Grover, senior research officer of the PSCST, demonstrated vermicompositing and explained the benefits of organic manure over other natural decomposed manures.

Dr S. Shah, former Director, Health Services, Haryana elaborated the need of keeping environment clean for ensuring better health of children and society at large. Dr Superiya, a former Director of the World Bank Project, Haryana Health Directorate, also spoke at the workshop.

A cultural programme was also presented by school students on the occasion.

Children learn new skills at Global Vision Home
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 1
Global Vision Home in its on-going Alternative Creative Education Workshop-cum-Seminar, on Friday sensitised children in three different sessions on various aspects in addition to regular programme of theatre games, body movement, art and craft and communication skills.

In the session on creative writing, Ms Usha R. Sharma, Special Secretary, Government of Punjab, and noted poetess and short story writer, interacted with the children on the art of creative writing. Children read out poems and stories.

In the session on voice modulation and speech, Mr Vijay Vishist, Senior Programme Officer, AIR, interacted with the children on the art of speech and voice modulation.

In the afternoon, Prof Vimla Sardana, a beautician and specialist in natural health fitness, gave a demonstration on how to take care of your skin and oral health with help of homemade products using haldi, salt, oil etc. In the last session of the day on yoga and meditation, children were instructed by Dr R.S. Prem.

Book on environmental studies
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, April 1
A text book on ‘Environmental studies’ covering the latest developments in the field of environment and based on the pattern of the Panjab University syllabus, has been published by Vishvas Publications.

The book contains 200 pages is written by Dr Jindal, Dr Jaswal and Dr Usha Gupta. In order to create awareness about hazards of environmental pollution, the Supreme Court in 1991 ordered to make the subject of “environmental studies” as a compulsory subjects in all schools, colleges and universities.

NSS units’ function
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 1
The NSS units of Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, organised their annual function today. The chief guest, Mr C.L. Narang, Coordinator, Panjab University, talked about gender justice and the importance of education of the girl child. Population explosion and environment were two very important issues which require thought.

The Principal, Ms Harjit Kaur Khanna, welcomed the chief guest and motivated the students to carry on the mission they had taken up. A variety cultural programme was presented by the volunteers and Manju Thapa was declared the best volunteer.

513 awarded degrees
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, April 1
The XV Annual Convocation of the Government College for Girls, Sector 42 was held at the college premises here yesterday. As many as 513 students were conferred degrees.

Dr B. P. Bajpai, Director of Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, was the chief guest and delivered the convocation address. Earlier, Ms Mohini Sharma, Principal of the college, welcomed the chief guest. Out of the 513 students, 60 were awarded degrees for honours subjects, 326 got degree for arts, 78 for science and 49 for commerce. Sanju of B. Com III was awarded Roll of Honour for scoring first position in the B.Com (Hons) economics.

CULTURE

Naftaa — a TV artistes’ body
Parbina Rashid

Chandigarh, April 1
The sudden rise in popularity of Punjabi serials has subjected many artistes to exploitation, says Shivendra Mahal, noted film and TV artist and the president of the newly created Northern Film and TV Artistes Association (NAFTAA).

As the TV channels are ready to an anything, the directors and producers are luring newcomers in the name of giving them exposure, said Mahal. While these youngsters are ready to do anything for a few moments under the arc light, they are terribly underpaid and even illtreated by the seniors, he added. NAFTAA will start functioning from this month, he said.

This over enthusiasm on the part of producers of Punjabi serials is likely to kill the industry the way it did to the film industry way back in early nineties, said Shivendra Mahal, a time when anybody who had money and political connections started making movies in order to avail subsidy.

Shivendra Mahal who is famous for the roles he played in mythological and historical Hindi serials, including Mahabharat, Krishna, Tipu Sultan, Itihaas Ke Gawah, Param Vir Chakra and movies like Prem Paigam, Jungle Queen, Twaif ki Beti, Aag aur Chingari is the most sought after hero in Punjabi TV industry these days. Among the serials he has acted in, Ranno, Chandigarh campus, Do Akal Garh, Puran Bhagat, Apne Begane, Tootan Wala Khooh and Apni Mitti.

Shivendra who never had any acting experience got hooked to the idea of becoming an actor after he was given a break by Director Kedar Sharma as a student in “Do Rishte” way back in 1975.Though the film was never released but it managed to ignite the hidden talent in him. Next came ‘Adarsh’, another unreleased film, which gave him the recognition as an actor in the film circle. After that there was no looking back for him. He acted in about 10 Hindi and 25 Punjabi films, including “Main ma Punjab Di”, for which he won the National Award.

Recalling his experiences during the period of struggle in Mumbai Mahal says one has to have absolute determination and be focused to survive in the glamour world. “My negative points at that point of time, which held me back for a considerable time, were lack of experience on stage and my prominent Punjabi accent” he said.

“To upgrade the quality of work produced in this region, we need a good institute to tap the talent of the youngsters who are serious about this profession” says Mahal. NAFTAA will be working in this direction, specially to motivate people with an aptitude for acting to upgrading the quality of entertainment industry here, he said.

The forthcoming TV serials by the actor include Jawar Bhatta, Pavitar Paapi, Praye Lok, Virsa, Simar Simar Sukh Paiye, Sanwarde- Bikhrade, Kamli and Punjab Kaur.