Need to promote nationalism: Parmanand
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 30
The Governor of Haryana, Babu Parmanand, has called upon voluntary and social organisations to inculcate the spirit of national integration among the youth by organising national group song contests, cultural and educational activities in different parts of the country.

Speaking at a state-level group song competition organised by the Bharat Vikas Parishad at DC Model School, Sector 7, the Governor said songs were a powerful medium to promote a sense of patriotism, nationalism and social awakening.

He said even after 50 years of Independence, the country continued to face challenges presented by communalism, inequalities and terrorism. He said a cultural and economic change was the need of the hour. The spirit of national integration and communal harmony could be instilled through such competitions in youths, he added.

Stressing the need of public participation, Babu Parmanand said service to the needy, downtrodden and underprivileged was the supreme religion of the world. A souvenir was also released on the occasion by the Governor.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr ID Swami, gave away the prizes to the winners. As many as 27 teams (about 300 students) from various schools participated in the contest.

The winners in the senior category included OSDAV Public School, Kaithal (1); Arya Girls School, Shahbad (2); DAV Public School, Jagadhari (3). Junior category: RNDAV School, Ambala Cantonment (1); Little Flower Convent School, Panchkula (2); AASD School, Panipat (3).

Meanwhile, justifying a ban by the government on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Mr I.D. Swami, said the government had enough evidence that the association was supporting terrorism in the country.

He said similar bans would be imposed on associations and organisations indulging in anti-nationalist propaganda or supporting terrorism.

Picture caption contest for teachers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 30
In a unique gesture, a picture caption contest for school teachers was organised by the local chapter of the Aeronautical Society of India. The participants of the contest were teachers who were accompanying school students during various other competitions organised by the society.

According to a statement issued here yesterday, the winner of the contest while accompanying students during the painting competition is Mr Clifford Phillips (St Stephen’s School). The winners while accompanying students during the essay competition are Mr S Balmeet Kaur (Army School) and Ms Loveleen Kaur (GMSSS, Sector 16). The winners during the recently concluded NCC camp are Abhishek Chadda (DAV College) and Maneesh Sisodia (Government College, Sector 46).

Meanwhile, the ASI has also declared the results of the essay writing competition, in which 176 students from schools of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula had participated. The results, in the order of merit, are:

Seniors: Amita Rana (Bhawan Vidyalaya, Sector 27), Vishesh (Little Flower, Panchkula), Aditi Nagpal (Sacred Heart Convent School, Sector 26).

Juniors: Jaspreet Kaur (AKS International, Sector 41), Megha Singh (St Joseph), Deepinder Kaur (Sacred Heart).

Seminar on education reforms
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 30
The importance of value-based education, ancient culture and heritage was emphasised at a seminar on education reforms organised by the Sarvhitkari Educational Society at Art Gallery, Sector 10 here yesterday.

A former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Jetender Vir Gupt said, “Secularism means ‘panth nirpeksh’. We should be well aware about our duties for the society along with our rights.’’

Dr K.S. Arya (retd) Principal, DAV College, criticised the British education system which curbed the spirit of nationalism among Indians. “Sanskrit is the best language to instil sanskriti of India among children,’’ he added.

The Principal of Sharda Sarvhitkari School, Mr B.S. Kanwar, was the convener of the seminar. Mr Gupt, Dr D.P. Maini (retd) of Panjab University and Ms Pankaj were the main speakers.

Inter-school debate on Oct 6
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 30
An inter-school debate contest will be organised on October 6 by Global College, Sector 4, which is an authorised study centre of Kurukshetra University.

The Executive Director, Mr Jagjit Soi, said that topics, including current events on the international scenario, had been chosen to understand the perception of the younger generation on global issues and concerns. An educationist, Dr KS arya, would be chief guest at the function.

As many as 16 schools will participate in the contest open to students of Classes X, XI and XII. The topics include “Fighting terrorism: war or peace, which is the best approach” ; “Capturing one terrorist: will it eradicate terrorism from its roots” and “Terrorising people of Afghanistan and removing sanctions on Pakistan: is the USA justified”. 

CULTURE

Blend of Jazz, Indian classical music
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 30
Western Jazz and Indian classical music blended in perfect harmony during the Fusion Classical Music concert by reknowned city-based artiste Subhash Ghosh that concluded the four-day World Tourism Day celebrations organised by CITCO at the Sukhna Lake here this evening.

Using a variety of Indian and western musical instruments like octpad, tabla, flute, classical and Hawaian guitar, Subhash, a disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pt Barun Kumar Pal, played jazzy tunes that attracted youngsters to the dance floor.

Rolling the programme with a composition dedicated to sufferers of the recent US tragedy, Subhash spread a message of peace through his subdued, yet hauntingly melodious tune. His second composition based on Raga Jansanmohini was a peppy one.

Moving onto more serious music, Subhash played a composition based on Raag Malkosh which was an outstanding piece comprising both Indian and Western “sur”, “taal” and “laya” created by Indian tabla and the Western octopad, beautifully complemented by the flute. The artiste also mesmerised the audience with his other compositions on Raga Kirwani and Raga Yaman. His concluding item, an improvised number of the song “Tum dil ke dharkan mein” from a recent Bollywood hit, was well received by the audience.

Subhash’s creations were complemented by Amit and Mahmood Khan on the tabla, Manish and Nika on the octopad, Manish Kumar on the octopad, Satish Pande on the Leed guitar and Vijay Kumar on the keyboard.

Earlier, under the direction of noted theatre personality G.S. Channi and his wife Harleen Kohli, a group of children staged “Dante Raho”, a comedy play aiming a blow at adults, mainly parents and teachers, who feel scolding children is a right they have earned with adulthood.

Prominent among those who attended the function this evening were the Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Lt-Gen J.R.F. Jacob (retd), the City Mayor, Ms Harjinder Kaur, the Inspector General of Police, Mr B.S. Bassi, and the Director of Government Museum and Arts Gallery, Sector 10, Mr V.N. Singh.

Dance competition on Hindi film songs
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 30
Old Hindi semi classical film songs and Punjabi folk numbers dominated the dance competition, “Dance Dance Dance”, organised by the Chandigarh Institute of Performing Arts at Open-Air Theatre at Bal Bhavan in Sector 23 here today.

The programme started with “Saraswati vandana” by Dristi and moved on to show some good performances on old Hindi numbers like “Raat ka sama” by Renu and “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” by Annanyaa.

The contestants performed under categories A, B, C and D, according to their age groups starting from 5 to 25 years old.Group D was reserved for the group performances. The competition was judged by Mr Balkar Sidhu, Mr Jaswinder Bhinda and Ms Kamini.

Mayor Harjinder Kaur was the chief guest on the occasion.

Cultural evening organised
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 30
Folk songs, dances, comedy and ballet items marked the cultural evening organised by the Uttaranchal Shikhar Kala Manch in collaboration with the Uttaranchal Sanskritik Sangathan at the Tagore Theatre in Sector 18 here this evening.

Anand Singh Koranga’s melodious Kumao song “Man mero basiro” and “Chal chal” enthralled the audience , giving a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of Uttaranchal. A group dance performed by Tanu, Jyoti, Neetu and other troupe members was the main attraction of the evening.

The programme was inaugurated by the Irrigation Minister of Uttaranchal, Mr Bhagat Singh.