Rangeeli Sadak by 100 artists
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8
The campus of the Government College of Art was all colour today. And splashes of reds and greens and blues were so thick all over the ground that the concrete was virtually hiding its face.

On work was a group of nearly 100 artists, led by a vibrant twosome, who structured the entire project fondly called ‘Rangeeli Sadak’. Some time back Vibha Gilhotra and Ashish, both alumni of Santiniketan, had struck upon the idea of painting the entire Santiniketan campus. The project, timed with Holi, was such a big hit that soon the young artists were flooded with requests to repeat the ‘feat’ at various places in Kolkata.

After trying their hands here and there, they are back to where they belong. Vibha, a former student of the Government Art College, had to experiment with colours in her Alma Mater. And so here she was today, along with nearly 70 students of the college, getting the ‘rangeeli sadak’ project inaugurated by Principal Brahm Prakash.

Unique as the idea sounds, its implementation was all more interesting. Such was the zeal among participants (which included some members of college faculty) that even 75 litres of paint provided free of cost by Asian Paints, were inadequate. By 2.30 pm almost the entire stock of colour had exhausted. Nevertheless, by that time a lot of colouring had already been done.

Right at the entrance there is a delightful flower ‘rangoli’ by Mithu Sen from New Delhi. Other invited artists included Ashish (from Santiniketan) who hand picked dry leaves to give meaning to his art, Siraj from Indore, Binoy Verghese and Sijo from New Delhi.

The college students were fully engrossed in the project. Since the themes had not been pre decided, there was immense scope for free play and experimentation. No wonder the students were busy splashing all over, unfettered by the limits of frame. Said Ranjit Dahiya, a final year graphics student, “It’s a wonderful experience. One never felt so free.” Deepti and Richa of the third and fourth years, respectively, were also equally enthused about everything.

With Renaissance just round the corner, the college could not have done better for itself. In fact, a lot of credit for the success of today’s workshop also goes to college faculty, which participated whole heartedly. Seen working on ground today were Mr Teerthankar Bhattacharya (History of Art), Mr Mahesh Prajapati (printmaking), Ms Kaumudi (printmaking), Abinash (applied arts) and Mr Bani (printmaking). The Principal’s signature on one of the painted motifs greets a visitor right at the entrance to the college corridor.

75 schools may face axe
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8
Nearly 75 schools functioning from residential areas in the city are likely to face the axe before the commencement of the next academic session following directions issued to the UT Administration by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Zeroing in on schools after the directions, sources said the number would go up if the schools in surrounding villages were taken into consideration.

Meanwhile, shortlisting of eminent city residents involved with planning and architecture, with at least 20 years of experience in their area of specialisation, has already begun for the constitution of a high-powered committee.

Officials of the Administration in the committee include the Adviser, the Chief Architect, the Chairman of the Chandigarh Housing Board, the Estate Officer and the DPI (Schools and Colleges).

The committee has been assigned the task of examining the feasibility, viability and justification of allowing continued running of such educational institutions.

While various representations are flowing into the office of the Administration, the sources said, “There is very little hope for such educational institutions since the high court directions have to be followed.” However, the case of nurseries and playways could be considered separate from those running full-fledged schools from residential premises. The sources said they might be allowed to function from residential premises since schools in the city don’t provide for these classes. Nurseries and playways in residential areas are catering to almost 80 per cent of tiny-tots.

The sources said while 14 schools were petitioners in this case, representations of 25 others had been received by the Administration after they formed an association. Most of these are unrecognised since the Chandigarh Administration has not granted recognition to any school since 1996.

Also, while schools plead for mercy from the Administration, colleges and coaching institutes operating from residential areas have joined hands to form the Association of Private Educational Institutions.

In a memorandum to the Governor, they said its 56 members had been teaching for five to 40 years. They have sought amendment of by-laws to be accommodated, taking the plea that they have a sizeable numbers of students enrolled at their college and provide employment to a number of teachers.

SOPU dharna over
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8
The dharna of the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) ended today with the university deciding to withdraw its circular cancelling admission of more than 20 M.Sc (honours) students.

The university has, however, clarified that when a student seeks admission to M.Sc (II) he should have cleared all his papers of the B.Sc course.

Students had been sitting on the dharna saying that the university had collected fee from the affected students and they had even appeared in the university examination.

Last year it was decided that students who had less than 92 credits should not be promoted to M.Sc. However, students submitted affidavits assuring the university to clear all their papers after which they were allowed a special chance.

Harveer Singh, a SOPU office-bearer, said students were promised a special chance by the university. The university conducted an examination, which was within the fortnight of the agitation and was more a supplementary chance than a special chance.

The SOPU in the morning went to the Law Department and submitted a list of demands. Santokhwinder Singh Nabha and Harveer Singh were present. The main demands included installation of photostat and STD facilities, revival of alumni association, provision of computer terminals and a separate convocation for the Law Department.

PEC students visit 3 BRD
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh March 8
A special visit to the IAF’s No. 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) here was organised for students of the mechanical and aeronautical branches of Punjab Engineering College by the local chapter of the Aeronautical Society of India today.

Forty students, accompanied by the society’s secretary and guest faculty at the college, Wg Cdr D.P. Sabharwal, spent around three hours at the depot. They were taken around various sections, hangars and maintenance divisions.

Air Force officers were specially detailed for conducting the students around the establishments and to explain various facets of helicopter engineering and the maintenance process.

Seminar on “IT in medical practice”
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8
Prof J.S. Gujral, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health and Sciences, Faridkot, will be the chief guest at a seminar "Impact of Information Technology in Medical Practice" and a practical demonstration of "All-N-All" multi-speciality Software at IMA Hall, Sector 35-B, here on Sunday.

Prof P.S. Sandhu, Registrar of the university will be the guest of honour.

Prominent speakers from the field of medcine and networking will speak at the seminar organised jointly by IMA, Chandigarh and Ind Medica. 

HIGH COURT
Appeal dismissed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8
An appeal filed by a 40-year-old Rewari district resident, convicted for raping a woman aged 90, was on Friday, dismissed by Mr Justice M.L. Singhal of the High Court.

In a ruling on an appeal filed by Chand Singh, Mr Justice Singhal observed: “There is no reason to slash the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon him when we look into the fact that he was 40-year-old and made a woman aged 90 the object of his sexual lust.... He lost all sense of decency and behaved like a savage and a brute. He does not deserve any leniency”.

Probe ordered

The mystery shrouding the disappearance of a 19-year-old transporter trudged towards a solution on Friday with Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel of the High Court ordering Punjab’s Crime Branch to investigate his alleged kidnapping and murder.

In her petition seeking a CBI probe into the incident, Mohinder Kaur of Ajnala had alleged that Rachpal Singh’s services were hired by two men for delivering goods but he did not return from the trip. After hearing the arguments, Mr Justice Goel ruled: “Punjab’s Crime Branch will investigate the allegations of kidnapping and murder of Rachpal Singh in accordance with law within six months of the production of a representation by the petitioner, along with the order’s copy”.

Images from life
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 8
It is difficult to pass by his works without experiencing the depth they have to offer. Not just because he captures an eternally-beautiful theme called woman, but because he capture the same with a lot of heart.

For P.S. Verma, a septuagenarian, the versatility of the fair sex seems to be an inspiration big enough. No wonder he has structured his exhibition largely on women and he has also timed it with International Women’s Day. The depiction is delightful — right from the heroine made historic by Kalidasa in ‘Shakuntala’ to yet another one made immortal in ‘Maneka’.

The influence of Sardar Sobha Singh is visible, though in a subtle manner. The images are strong enough to impress and hold attention for a good while simply because they don’t seem confined. The oils make a sensitive statement of woman’s pain and pangs at some places, while at others they join in the celebration of her beauty and grace.

There are some images from holy scriptures, which add a serene touch to the whole ensemble. The works were inaugurated yesterday.