The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Students made to sit in sun
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 29
In an incident that can be best described as callousness on the part of the Ludhiana traffic police, students of Nauhria Mal Jain Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Bharat Nagar, were made to sit in the sun by traffic cops for more than two hours as the driver of the school van did not possess the driving licence.

After taking the examination in the school, the students were on their way back home at 11 am when the traffic cops stopped the vehicle. The driver was asked for his licence, which he said was lying with a friend. The driver told the cops that he would get his licence once he dropped the kids back home. But the driver was not excused and was detained for more than two hours.

Meanwhile, the kids had no alternative but to sit quietly and wait for the driver in the hot weather. The driver called up the school authorities who pleaded with the cops, rescued the driver and sent the kids back home. Ms Prem Arora, Principal, while talking to Ludhiana Tribune, condemned the treatment given to the school kids. She said that the school children were left on the roadside with no check on them. In such a situation, any kid could come out of the van and run away.

Dharna by teachers
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, August 29
All the teachers’ unions working in the district staged a massive dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today against the DEO (S) in protest against his ‘dictatorial’ attitude.

Interestingly, it was for the first time that all the working trade unions of different departments assembled at one platform, irrespective of their differences and party affiliations. They raised slogans against the DEO.

Inter-school painting contest held
Our Correspondent

Students from various schools participate in the inter-school painting contest held at RS Model Senior Secondary School in Ludhiana on Wednesday.
— Photo Rajesh Bhambi

Ludhiana, August 29
Students from over 15 schools of the district participated in an inter-school painting competition organised by the Child Welfare Council of the Indian Red Cross Society at R.S. Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, here today.

The students were divided into five categories on the basis of age groups and each group was given different topic. Green group comprised students of five to eight years of age; white group had students of nine to 12 years; and blue group comprised students of 13 to 16 years. Two special groups of hearing impaired students included yellow group with students of age five to 10 years and red group with students of 11 to 18 years.

Students of green group had to choose from any of the three topics, ‘My house’, ‘Picnic’ and ‘Circus’. Students from white house had to paint on ‘My favourite festival’, ‘Bazaar/market scene’ and ‘Swimming in a pool/river’. Blue group students were given three topics, ‘Gujarat earthquake’, ‘A world fit for children’ and ‘Cartoon or caricature’. Topics for yellow group students included ‘Visit to a zoo’, ‘Flowers in my park’ and ‘Sunrise’. Red group students painted on the topics, ‘My friend’, ‘Parents and family members’ and ‘Independence Day’.

Among blue group kids, Roop Khanna from BCM Arya Model Senior School, who made a poster on ‘Gujarat earthquake’ stood first, followed by Harsimran Kaur from RS Model Senior Secondary School, who painted a cartoon of Veerappan, and the third prize went to Rajinder Kumar from Government Senior Secondary School, Gobind Nagar, who painted Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and Vipra Khullar from BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, who made political caricatures of Ms Sonia Gandhi and Mr L.K. Advani.

Of the white group students, Nidhi Goyal from Government Model High School, Cemetery Road, who painted a swimming pool won the first prize. Neha Ghai from BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, who painted Holi scene, was declared second. The third prize went to Ritesh Kumar from RS Model Senior Secondary School, who painted Holi scene, and Mankaran S. Dhiman from Guru Nanak Public School, who painted swimming pool.

Among green group students, Harjeet Kaur from Guru Nanak Public School, who painted circus scene, won the first prize. The second prize went to Rahmeet Talib from BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School for painting a circus scene. Suman Kumari from RS Model Senior Secondary School was declared third as he painted a picnic scene.

Nidhi Goyal from School for the Deaf, Rajpura Road, who painted two girls swinging together under the topic ‘My friends’ won the first prize among red group students, followed by Monika from the same school, who painted ‘Independence Day’, and Makhtiar Singh from Red Cross School for the Deaf, Sarabha Nagar, who painted a scene of flag hoisting on Independence Day.

Among the students from yellow group, Noni Arora from School for the Deaf won the first prize for her painting on ‘Sunrise’ on which she wrote ‘Nikal nabh se hun mein aaya’, Jan jan ko prakash phailaya’. Daljit Singh from Red Cross School and Rakesh from School for the Deaf received second and third prize, respectively, for their paintings on sunrise.

Veterinary course students end strike
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 29
The agitating students of the College of Veterinary Science (COVS), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) called off their 10-day long strike after the university met their demands of concluding the Progressive Farmers Dairy Course yesterday.

The students were agitating in favour of their demands alleging that the university was teaching the farmers the technicalities of Veterinary Science and was thereby promoting quackery in the state.

They called off the strike after the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh asked the field veterinarians and students to prepare the topics of the course which would of help the farmers in managing dairy farms. The Vice-Chancellor said the university would offer only those courses to the farmers under training which were recommended by the students as well as field veterinarians.

The students attended their classes today. They had been agitating for the past 10 days stating that the university was training the farmers in artificial insemination course, disbudding and pregnancy detection tests. They said these procedures required professional expertise and were difficult to be handled by the farmers.

The Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association had also extended their support to the agitating students and had held a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor requesting him to accept their demands.

Contractor fined for supplying stale sweets
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 29
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has fined the contractor of the PAU canteen at Students’ Home and barred him from supplying refreshments at various university functions for one year. Gulzar Singh, the contractor, was fined for Rs 5,000 after he allegedly supplied stale sweets to university employees on the Independence Day function. The university also issued him a warning that if another complaint was received by them on this account, his contract would be cancelled by the university.

The university had received the complaint by Class IV employees who were distributed the laddoos after the function was over. The employees found that these were stale and they complained to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, about it. The Vice-Chancellor had then appointed an inquiry committee to look into the matter. The committee found that the contractor had supplied fresh sweets at the time of the function, but he had supplied stale ones to these employees who had gone to collect their refreshments after completing their work in the ground, where the celebrations had taken place.

Meeting of literary organisation held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 29
The monthly meeting of the ‘Sirjandhara,’ a literary organisation, was held at Punjabi Bhavan. It was chaired by Mr Karamjit Singh Aujla, president of the organisaiton. Mr Kulwant Jagraon anchored the programme. Mr Jagraon and Mr Gursharan Singh Narula presented poems in their inimitable style. The theme of their poems was common- mechanisation of human behaviour devoid of sincerity, love and affection. The poems were well received by the audience, which included Dr Gorky, Mr Sital Singh, Mr Ajit Singh Lyall, Mr Dan Singh Komal, Dr Sodhi, and Mr Darshan Singh ‘Darshan,’ among others. Dr S.N. Sewak presented a ghazal. Prof Mohinder Singh Cheema gave comments and suggestions on the composition of the writers and other activities of the organisation. These suggestions were laced with anecdotes coming from the rich experience of Professor Cheema. Dr Gurcharan Singh Mohi, Prof Mann Singh Toor, Tirlochan Lochi, Ms Gurcharan Kaur Thind, Dr Kulwinder Kaur, Mr Mohinder Singh Sodhi, Mr Tirath Singh Gill, Prof Baldev Raj Gupta (from Pathankot) and folk lyricist ‘Mansoorvi’ were some among those who presented their compositions.

Mr Aujla presented the book titled ‘Sirjandhara’ in its ‘pre-final’ stage to the members. The book includes the literary compositions of as many as 55 writers both budding and established writers. The members were requested to go through their respective portions and carry out the desired corrections so that it is given for final printing. The sketch of the title prepared by Mr Kuljit Singh was highly appreciated. The book will be released within a fortnight. The book is being prepared under the patronage of Professor Cheema and is being edited by a team consisting of Mr Mohinder Singh Sodhi, Mr Gursharan Singh Narula, Mr Sital Singh and Dr Kulwinder Kaur.

Diva of comfortable, wearable designs
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 29
Leena Singh of the Ashima-Leena Singh duo, one of the leading dress designers of the country, strongly believes that it is not the costly outfits that enhance a personality, but the manner in which an outfit is carried by a person that makes all the difference.

Leena a lawyer by training feels that clothes which are easy to wear, enhance the personality. And the comfortable ones are the best ones. She said, “The dresses which cannot be worn in routine, are of no use. You should always go for the clothes which are elegant and look nice on you”.

The Delhi-based designer is a follower of Radhaswami, Beas. She feels whatever she is today is by the grace of God. While talking to Ludhiana Tribune, she said ,”I am a manager sent by God to manage some of the works assigned to me. I want to fulfil my duty. I want to put the best out of me”.

Leena believes that clothes are designed according to the season, the adaptability, suitability and affordability of a person. Fashion keeps on changing and the designers bring their latest creations keeping in view the demand of the public.

On asking about what was in now-a-days, Leena replied,”Short kurtas remain the favourite. At the same time we are designing suits in which the kurta or the kameez touches the ankle. They really look cool and elegant”.

The designer said bright as well as pastel colours were in demand. The bright orange, magenta, red and yellow colours are in and are used according to the complexion of the customer. She added that dusky colours suited the Indian skin the most. “But the main focus should be on how you project yourself. If you have inner beauty, you look elegant and sophisticated. The good outfit will definitely enhance your beauty and personality”, she said.

Leena runs a designing institute with her partner Ashima, who also happens to be her sister-in-law. Over 150 persons are employed in the institute. Till date she has displayed her creations in more than 36 shows, both in India and abroad. Her clientele includes Bollywood actress Rani Mukherji, Hrithik’s wife Suzanne, Mehr Bhasin and Neena Gupta. “Neena Gupta has the best dressing sense”, Leena disclosed.

Leena say, “I do not design clothes which expose the body. The beauty of an Indian woman is enhanced when she is properly covered. The rich traditions and culture further add to her charm”.

She has been in the profession for about 10 years. She always attends the clients herself. The top names in the designing world, J.J. Valaya, Tarun Tehalani and Rohit Bal are some of her good friends.

Leena says,” I am a human being first. My work is my worship. Religion is made by us and I believe in God”. Though it is her first visit to the city yet her clientele includes lots of Ludhianvi women.

Every year Leena adopts a child from some orphanage. She gives the monetary help for providing education, food and shelter to the children. She regularly visits these seven adopted children in Delhi.