The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Celebrating the bonds of love
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 31
In an attempt to revitalise the parent-children relationship, Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, celebrated "Mat Pita Santan Divas" at Dev Samaj Bhavan here today. Celebrated in the Dev Samaj tradition, the day gave an opportunity to both the parents and the children to express their emotions openly.

The function started with a soulful bhajan "Shardha bhawan mat pita ji" that explored the essence and virtues of parents. As the students and staff members expressed their feelings towards their parents by narrating touching episodes of moments shared with their parents, the students of the Music Department of the College set the mood with their soul-searching bhajans and poems.

Praising the role of the college in keeping the traditional values alive, Mr R.S. Gujral, who was the chief guest on this occasion, said parents had a great role to play in shaping the child as they inculcate values and morals in them. The greatest respect that one can show to their parents for their unlimited sacrifices is by following those values, he said.

Dr C.L. Narang, Programme Officer, NSS, Panjab University, who was the guest of honour said "in today's materialistic world, we are getting diverted from our traditional values and such functions can imbibe a sense of self realisation and revive the feelings of gratitude towards elders."

Kumari Satyawati, Chairperson of the college, said this was an unique opportunity to the students to express their gratitude to their parents. Earlier Dr Satinder Dhillon, Principal of the college, welcomed the guests and informed that "Mat Pita Santan Divas" had been a special feature of the college since its inception.

COURTS

Lok Adalat on April 6
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 31
A special Lok Adalat will be held on April 6, 2002 in the District Courts complex here, the Member Secretary cum-Judge Permanent Lok Adalat, Mr B.C. Gupta, said here today.

He said 16 benches had been constituted by the UT State Legal Service Authority in collaboration with the District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S. Bhalla, in which various matrimonial disputes, MACT cases, recovery suits, criminal compoundable cases and some appeals are likely to be taken up.

Elaborating about the free legal aid being provided to the needy, he added that the State Legal Services Authority, Sector 9, Chandigarh, had been providing free legal aid and services in the courts of all Judicial Magistrate in Chandigarh, to needy. But he clarified that the law officer does not help anybody in arranging surety bonds. He added that even the legal aid counsel also visit the Model and render Burail Jail assistance to the person in custody.

The Authority has been providing free counselling and assistance in cases of divorce, job discrimination, compoundable criminal cases. He further added that for the convenience of the litigants the State Legal Service Authority would set up two make-shift reception-cum-enquiry counters at two places in the court complex. The literature to impart legal awareness and information about the available legal services and the details of the cases fixed before the various adalats would also be placed at the counters.

Mr B.C. Gupta, said that number of special hoarding had already been installed in the premises of the District Court and other places in which various benefits extended to the public under the Legal Service Authorities Act, have been displayed.

CULTURE

Measuring goodness
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 31
Theatrewala was back with yet another production today, this time with a focus on the changing definition of goodness in society. The cast of the play titled "Gaj, foot, inch" was familiar, with the prime characters being played by K.K. Doda, Shyam Juneja and Ranjeeta Kapoor.

The story, written by K.P. Saxena, involves a routine juxtaposition of good and bad moods, which team up to give shape to the final act which ends on a happy note. The central character of the play is Tilu (Shyam Juneja), who has been forced into the family business of readymade garments by his father Pokhar Mal. Having been forced to discontinue studies to join the business, Tilu has remained unaware of the smart ways of the world. He dwells in his own little world which begins and ends at the measurements of cloth (hence the relevance of the title).

As the plot progresses, the central character of the play is faced with the choice of marriage. His father Pokhar Mal and mother (played by Poonam Ahuja), apprehensive of Tilu's unassuming behaviour, lecture him on how to approach the girl, Jugni (Ranjeeta). The romance builds up in the midst of subtle humour which comes in when Tilu praises the girl in the language of measurement. He says, "I feel very good today. It seems as if the entire bundle of satin has fallen on my feet."

The girl in the play embodies the traditional Indian woman, who would rather marry a man with a golden heart than marry the one with tonnes of gold. In her understanding of Tilu's plain and humble character lies the gist and message of today's story, which was further strengthened by actors Braham Kumar, who plays Saidas (Jugni's father), Harpreet Devgan, who plays Gulu (Jugni's friend) and Vikas Thakur who plays the young man, ready to fall for Gulu.

Laced with humour and satire, the play makes a strong statement.