EDUCATION

Good response to B.Ed entrance
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
A large number of students appeared in the B.Ed. entrance examination conducted by Punjabi University, Patiala. In Ludhiana alone, there were 28 centres, and 250 candidates appeared at each centre. The anxious parents and friends of the candidates could be seen waiting outside the examination centres. where girls outnumbered boys.

There were four centres in Government College of Boys and three in Khalsa College for Women. Three centres were in Government College for Women, two in Devki Devi Jain Memorial College, three in Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, two in G.N. Khalsa College, four in Malwa Central College for Education, four in Arya College and two in S.D.P. College.

CULTURE

Patar releases two books
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
The Sirjandhara, a literary society, organised a book release function last evening at Punjabi Bhavan. Two new books were released on the occasion. Poet Surjit Patar along with the president of the society, Mr Karam Singh Aujla, released the two books.

‘Angeeti Lanka de Raam’ is the title of the novel written by Dr Amarjeet Singh Gorky. The book focuses on the naxalite movement in Punjab. In this book Mr Gorky traces the rise and fall of the naxalite movement.

The second book to be released was ‘Aurat di chardi kala’ written by octogenarian Chandan Singh Dhillon. In the book, writer has described the role played by the women in society these days.

Surjit Patar applauded the achievements of the authors. Talking about his recent visit to China he said works of Rabindra Nath Tagore and Prem Chand were very popular there.

Surjit Singh Albela, writer of epic Banda Bahadur, was also honoured on the occasion. Among others Dr Prithipal Singh Sohi, Dr Guriqbal Singh Toor, Dr Swaranjit Kaur Grewal, Mr Jaswant Zafar, Prof Gurcharan Kaur Thind, Mr Devinder Sikha and Dr Ajit Singh Sikha were also present on the occasion.

No ‘rasiks’ of Rasika’s performance
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
There was an amazing transformation from Rasika of the press conference to Rasika of the bharatnatyam performance. A pleasant plump and ordinary-looking housewife transformed into a glittering dancer dressed in all fineries of a bharatnatyam dancer.

Vocalist Randhini Ramanathan rendered Ganesh Vandana and Rasika chose compositions steeped in mythology. She interpreted through her dance steps her perception of Adi Shankar’s famous mantra Om Namah Shivay. The mantra’s five syllables projected various attributes of strength from Shiva.

The traditional Carnatic music transported one to the temples of South India. Her next presentation was from Ram Nalkam. Rasika’s expressive face, her fluid facial expression and her body language beautifully brought out the episodes.

A dancer of international repute and winner of many awards, Rasika was let down by the people of Ludhiana. It was shocking to find that the huge hall was empty. As Sunil Munjal, president of the Ludhiana Sanskritik Samagam, had pointed out, bharatnatyam had remained a dance of South India only.

People spoke loudly on mobile phones during the performance. Children were brought in though they were not allowed. It was sad that the dancer who had travelled practically all over the globe failed to muster enough viewers for her performance in one’s own country. The people of Ludhiana let down a meritorious artiste by not attending her performance.

HEALTH

Medical body flays govt decision
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
The All-India Integrated Medical Association (AIIMA), Punjab, has criticised the decision of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, for reducing the qualifying marks for BAMS admission from 50 per cent to 40 per cent.

Dr Anil Kapoor, patron, AIIMA, at a meeting here yesterday said the Punjab Ayurved Medical Services Association, Punjab, the Ayurved Teachers Association, the National Integrated Medical Association and student representatives from different Ayurved Colleges of Punjab would pledge to fight against the Punjab Government’s decision.

Dr Kapoor said the representatives of various ayurveda organisations would give a representation to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, Punjab, regarding the issue.