The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Educationist to get ‘Rashtriya Gaurav Award’
Our Correspondent

Rewari, July 20
The India International Friendship Society has decided to honour Mr G.L. Paul, director of Shri Gauri Dutt Aggarwal Convent Model School, Rewari, for his remarkable work in the domain of education.

The society would honour Mr Paul by presenting him the “Rashtriya Gaurav Award” along with a certificate of excellence at its annual awards presentation ceremony slated for July 30 in Delhi.

Mr Paul, who is already a recipient of Prof D.C.Sharma Memorial National Award for Teachers (which was presented to him in 1976 for his long and distinguished services in the field of education by the National Foundation of Teachers’ Welfare, Ministry of Education, Government of India), possesses a creditable record of about 60 years of dedicated service as headmaster and principal of various schools, as well as deputy district education officer of Narnaul. Even at the age of 80-years, he is actively associated with various educational programmes.

During his long career, he founded one high school and three primary schools mainly through voluntary efforts. Besides, he also actively participated in the national freedom movement and remained underground for about one year during the Quit India Movement of 1942. His personal education was hampered during the national movement. In his letter, Mr Gurmeet Singh, secretary general of the India International Friendship Society has specifically mentioned that it was their considered opinion that he (Mr Paul) had set an example and was a source of inspiration for others.

CULTURE

The game of life is worth the candle
Smriti Kak

New Delhi, July 20
Gurdas Mann is remembered for his peppy and pulsating Punjabi numbers. His songs set him in a different groove from his contemporaries who sang in the same language.

But the singer could not let his acting talent lie dormant for long. He burst on the silver screen with the National Award winning film, ‘Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh’, where he teamed up with actress Divya Dutta and delivered a power-packed performance.

Mann is back with his latest flick, ‘Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai’. A film that is touted to win rave reviews, its star cast only compounds the optimism. Starring National Award-winning actress Tabu, Ashish Vidyarthi, Navni Parihar, Divya Dutta, Rajat Kapoor and Sonu Sood, the film is scheduled to be released later this year.

The theme of the movie: life is still worth living with all its shortcomings and unfulfilled dreams, has been beautifully captured in the words of the opening track, ‘Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai’. If there is poignant ‘Tum Gaye Gum Nahi’, there is also a treat for kids, ‘1234 Jungle Mein Nache Moore’, sung by Mann himself.

The music of the film promises to offer a treat to the listeners. With lyricists like Nida Fazli and Dev Kohli penning the songs and music director Anand Raj Anand tuning the notes, the film is set to affirm itself a place on the charts.

The film has been produced by Mann’s wife, Ms Manjeet Mann. This is her maiden venture in the Hindi mainstream film production. She has to her credit hits like ‘Mamla Gadbad Hai’ in Punjabi.

A story that will offer food for thought to those who have given up hope in life, a good star cast and hummable music, ‘Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai’ seems worth waiting for.

Swami Haridas music festival from Sept 13
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 20
The two-day Swami Haridas Music and Dance Festival would be organised in a big way at Vrindavan on September 13 in the memory of Swami Haridas, the founder of the Sakhi sect. The festival would be of the international level and a number of noted artistes, along with young talented artistes, would perform on the occasion. This was stated by the secretary of the Sangeet Shiromani Swami Haridas Samiti, Acharya Gopinath Goswami, while addressing a press conference here today. He said that noted artistes Pandit Jasraj, Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Prachi Shah, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vani Jairam, Kishori Amolkar and Odissi dancer Isha Deol and film star Govinda would be performing in the festival.

On the occasion, the Union Minister of State for Information Technology, Mr Sanjay Paswan, stressed the need for promoting the Indian classical music and art for strengthening the unity and integrity of the nation. He urged the people to follow the ‘Sakhi Bhav’ for attaining peace and energy for making our life successful. He said that every possible assistance would be given for making the festival a grand success.

The president of the Delhi Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Madan Lal Khurana, said that such festivals could play a significant role in enriching our great ancient culture and also strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and unity among the people. The patron of the Swami Haridas Music and Dance Festival Committee, Acharya Parany, said it would provide an appropriate forum for young talented artistes of the country.