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| Tuesday,
August 20, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Theatre in schools, a distant reality Chandigarh, August 19 “To teach theatre as a subject is as significant as teaching history or psychology,” says Ms Neelam Mansingh Chaudhury, a noted theatre personality who also teaches at the Indian Theatre Department, Panjab University. “It is even more relevant as a subject because theatre is not just about performance. It is a confidence building and self-searching device, which gives an outlet to one’s imagination. While drama is an integral part of school curriculum all over the world, it is odd that in India, the policy-makers do not find it worthy enough to be included at the school or college level. But at the same time they do not hesitate to open full-fledged departments at universities. “When we teach students about theatre at university level, we have to start with the fundamentals as the students are fresh, sometimes with a few stage performances, which are mostly amateur attempts,” says Ms Chaudhury. “Having theatre included at school and college level, it would give a dignity to this profession,” she adds. Echoing the same sentiment, Rohit Batra, a theatre personality who has been teaching theatre in private schools, says: “I have seen British learning about Indian theatre and it is sad that in India, where theatre has been a part of Indian culture in ancient times, we do not have enough qualified persons to take up the task.” Taking cue from foreign education systems, though a few private schools have introduced theatre as a hobby class, the exercise has been a failure. “The schools that introduced theatre as a hobby were more interested in coming out with a spectacular production for their annual function than anything else,” says Rohit. “Even the time slot allotted to teach theatre as a hobby does not give much scope for a teacher to teach the real art,” he adds. The Centre for Education and Voluntary Action (CEVA), which has been organising community theatre workshops in schools of Chandigarh for the past 10 years as part of its effort to introduce theatre in education, has chosen this medium to improve thinking ability and communication skill of the students and also to inculcate a feeling of cooperative and harmonious attitude among them. “Though the relentless effort of CEVA to generate awareness about theatre among schoolchildren has borne fruit to certain extent, a lot more effort is required to make it percolate to the mass,” says Ms Harleen Kohli, Executive Director of CEVA. “Though there are many organisations that organise theatre workshops, not many of them have gone to the roots of this art, limiting themselves only to productions,” she adds. Supporting her point of view, Ms Rajesh Minhas, Principal of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, says theatre can work wonders to draw out introvert students out of their cocoons and at the same time teach others tolerance and accept those who are different from the rest. Bringing forth another point as why theatre should be introduced in schools, Rohit Batra says: “Though by introducing theatre as a subject we cannot expect to produce theatre artists in mass, it would certainly create an educated audience, which is currently lacking in this part of the country.” Besides as a subject in schools, theatre would generate employment for the passed-out students of the Indian Theatre Department and stop the recent trend of migration to Bollywood by this unemployed lot in search of work, he adds. |
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Students
protest against Kang’s re-admission Chandigarh, August 19 Three students, Pradeep Pal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Mehtab Alam, began their protest by going on an indefinite fast. President of SOPU, Harveer Singh, said never in the history of the university had an admission been revoked after cancellation. "Even in 1998 when a student had approached the High Court to seek re-admission after submitting a medical certificate for her absence, the plea was turned down. Now, going by the whims of those in power, the university has decided to oblige Kang," he claimed. The protesting students began the day by urging the students of the Law Department to abstain from attending classes and join in to protest against the injustice by university authorities. The SOPU activists said there was practically no need of a Board of Control if all its decisions were to be over-ruled by high-powered committees. Harveer Singh added that if one student could be "accommodated" despite not having attended the required 33 per cent lectures at the beginning of the session, the same yardstick ought to be applied in case of other students as well. "The six students of the Law Department and 40-odd students from various other departments of the university should be treated on equal footing and given admission without discrimination," he said. While threatening to intensify its protest, SOPU activists said the main demands were that the Panjab University calendar should be followed in all matters of university, the Board of Control should either be done away with completely in case recommendations of the high-powered committees held more weight or over-ruling its decisions should not be allowed and all students whose admissions had been cancelled on grounds of shortage of lectures should be made regular.
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10 ways
to an effective speech Chandigarh, August 19 The best part of the speech was that it spanned the basic problems everyone faces when asked to deliver a speech — how to seem spontaneous, how to deal with distractions which exist everywhere and how to give the audience a feeling that they are being addressed. Mr Mann delved upon the two basic principles which all successful public speakers must follow: they don’t talk like someone else; and they don’t give a speech without preparing it. More than 400 years ago, Shakespeare has Polonius tell Hamlet, “To thine own self be true.” That is still the best piece of advice for every speaker. Further Mr Mann quoted from studies saying, “An average person remembers only about 25 per cent of what he hears. After 48 hours most of us can recall only about 10 per cent of what we really try to remember from a speech. Also an average person speaks 34,000 words per day.” He said speeches had to be specific as specificities added interest to a speech. Another advice was get your speech organised very clearly in a few specific, precise points so that you can tell your audience what you want to. As a rule, the length of the speech should break down into 15 per cent for the introduction, 75 per cent for discussion and 10 per cent for conclusion. Mr Mann concluded with 10 ways to get the attention of the audience. These were: State a startling fact, ask a question, tell a joke, present a quotation, give an example, refer to an occasion, point to a historic event, compliment the audience, use a gimmick and emphasize importance of the subject. |
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Saplings
planted at MCM college Chandigarh, August 19 The SP planted a sapling of “rudraksh”, the first of its kind, on the college campus. Later, speaking to the students, Ms Bali recalled her days at the college and emphasised that students should be given individual attention. “The college taught us to deal with life in a dignified and graceful manner. The only thing that ultimately holds water is that you make life pleasant wherever your go is and each one can make a difference,” she said. She urged girl students to contribute to society in a positive manner, irrespective of the profession they choose for themselves. Earlier, the Principal, Ms Usha Gupta, introduced the chief guest to the students at a special assembly held this morning. A general knowledge talent hunt was also organised to select a quiz team from the college. Yuva Makharia, Tarleen Ahuja and Rajeeka Khullar stood the first, second and third respectively while the consolation prize went to Geeta Dhawan. A poem recitation contest was also held in which over 30 students participated. They recited self-composed poems on corruption, maternal love and other themes. Megha Dhamija stood first in English category, Divya Dhingra in Hindi and Manpreet in Punjabi. |
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Mount Carmel students win music contest Chandigarh, August 19 As many as 15 teams from different schools of the city took part in the competition which was conducted in two categories — patriotic group songs for students between 7 to 10 years of age and solo competition in ghazal and geet singing. The panel of judges included Mr. N.S. Rathore from Kirana gharana who is also an All India Radio artiste and Ms Sunil Bhutani, Lecturer, Dev Samaj College. Noted dancer Sobha Koser was the guest of honour. The competition in the group song category was won by Mount Carmel School, Sector 46, followed by St. Joseph School, Sector 44 and Ajit Karam Singh International School, Sector 41 jointly in the second position. The third prize was bagged by Kailash Bahl DAV Centenary School, Sector 7, while the consolation prize went to Sishu Niketan, Sector 22. In the solo category, the first prize was won by Ruchi Kaushal from Ajit Karam Singh International Public School and Nishank from St. John’s School, Sector 26 jointly. The second and third prizes were won by Satwinder Kaur from Guru Gobind Singh High School, Sector 35 and Pooja Thakur from Kailash Bahl DAV Centenary School, respectively.
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Orientation
programme at engineering institute Chandigarh, August 19 He was speaking at an orientation programme of the institute, organised to give students and parents of the first batch an overview of the academic atmosphere at the institute. He emphasised that the students, faculty and facilities were the three pillars on which the strength of any educational institute rests. Mr Kumar appreciated the efforts and the hard work of Dr Ashok Chitkara, Chairman of the Chitkara Educational Trust, in bringing up an institute of great standards for students of the region. Dr Chitkara, while speaking on the occasion, said he along with his team had tried to build an institute where students would get the best of facilities. The Director of the Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dr Madhu Chitkara, introduced the Principal, Board of Governors and Academic Council, which consists of eminent academicians from various IITs across the country, to the students and their parents. |
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Dhanwantry
students continue strike Chandigarh, August 19 The students alleged that they were being threatened by college authorities not to support the protesting students. |
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HIGH COURT Chandigarh, August 19 In a ruling on a petition filed by Raghbir Singh and four other Hoshiarpur district residents, Mr Justice Goel observed: “The petitioners have sought quashing of the suit on the ground that a civil suit was pending regarding the validity of a sales deed and therefore, criminal proceedings should be stayed till the suit was decided. I am unable to accept the prayer for staying criminal proceedings till the suit is decided or for quashing of the same”. The Judge, in his detailed order, added: “It is directed that the criminal case and the civil case will be considered by the same court. If the cases are pending before different courts, these will be put up before the same court on an application moved by either party before the District Judge to avoid a conflict of decisions”.
NDPS conviction upheld The High Court, in a significant judgement, today ruled that the non-joining of an independent witness could not be fatal to prosecution case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act unless prejudice was shown to have been caused. The verdict was delivered on an appeal filed by Makhan Singh of Gurdaspur district. He was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and fined Rs 1 lakh under the provisions of the NDPS Act. According to the prosecution, he was apprehended by the police on March 24, 1993. Upholding his conviction, Mr Justice Adarsh kumar Goel of the High Court observed that in the current case the recovery was effected by the Station House Officer himself and the sample, sealed on the spot, was found intact by the chemical examiner.
Plea to quash FIR rejected In a petition seeking the quashing of a first information report, the defence of an accused cannot be normally examined — Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel of the High Court has held. The orders were pronounced on a petition filed by Hoshiarpur district resident Tejinder Singh seeking the quashing of an FIR registered under Sections 448, 427 and 511 of the Indian Penal Code. After hearing the arguments and going through the documents, Mr Justice Goel ruled that the prayer for quashing the FIR was being rejected at the present stage.
Charges vague, says Bibi In reply submitted before the High Court, former SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur today claimed that the allegations against her in an election petition were “totally vague”. Denying the allegations regarding her taking the assistance of Kapurthala’s former Deputy Commissioner, Bibi claimed Mr Vivek Aggarwal was transferred from the constituency eight days before she filed her nomination papers. Giving details, she further claimed that Mr Aggarwal was transferred out on January 10, while her nomination papers were filed on January 18. Her counsel also denied the allegations regarding money in excess of the prescribed limit being spent by Bibi during the elections. The allegations were based on presumptions. Seeking directions for setting aside the elections of Bibi Jagir Kaur from Bholath Assembly constituency, Congress candidate Sukhpal Singh had alleged the adoption of corrupt practices by her. He had also alleged that Bibi had procured the help of police and other officers for her campaign.
Plea dismissed Mr Justice Ashutosh Mohunta of the High Court today dismissed a petition filed by a Fatehgarh district resident seeking the registration of a case against two Punjab ministers for allegedly forging certificates. In his petition against Forest Minister Harbans Lal, along with Health and Education Minister Romesh Dutt, Manjit Singh had submitted that the state of Punjab, besides the Director of the Vigilance Bureau, should be directed to register a case as fabricated certificates had been wilfully prepared. After hearing arguments and going through the record, Mr Justice Mohunta observed that allegations regarding fake certificates were a matter of evidence and the petitioner, if he so desires, could file a complaint. |
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Petition
seeking
‘open spaces’ filed Chandigarh, August 19 The association, in its petition, taken up by a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice S.S. Saron, also sought directions to the respondents to maintain status quo regarding the construction activities. The case will now come up for further hearing on August 22. The counsel for the association claimed that on September 5 last year a complaint, requesting the authorities against allowing construction on the green belt adjoining the EWS houses situated in Phase VII, was filed by them. Soon after that, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, while taking up the issue raised by them, had observed that the authorities should consider the provision of “amenity of park” to the residents, but no action was taken. |
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Accused
files plea for
follow-up in PGI
Chandigarh, August 19 He was taken from the Model Burail jail to the PGI for knee operation under high security cover on August 18. Navjot moved a plea through his counsel N.S Minhas in the local court. Navjot Singh alleged in the plea that he had been sent to the PGI in the early hours of the day without any information to him so that he could call his parents. Nobody from his family was informed, whereas telephone numbers are available with the jail authorities as well as with him. It was further added that Navjot had earlier moved a plea in the court that after the operation, he should be kept in the hospital till recovery, but yesterday he was immediately removed from the operation theatre to Burail Jail and no rest was given to him. No post- operation care was given to him, it was added. It was also mentioned in the plea that Navjot had also been operated earlier and had faced much hardship. When Gurmeet Singh, co-accused in the Beant Singh assassination case, was operated, he was kept for 15 days in the hospital for recovery, but in Navjot Singh’s case he was immediately shifted to Burail Jail. It was pleaded that as there was no doctor in the jail to look after his recovery, he should be sent to the PGI for proper recovery. Mr D.S Rana, Superintendent of Model Burail Jail, when contacted, said Navjot was yesterday taken to the PGI at about 7.30 a.m and was brought back at about 1. 30 p.m after his operation. He said as per the court direction, we have informed the authorities concerned about the programme. The jail authorities were not supposed to inform about the programme in advance to anyone. Mr Rana added that during his night round, he along with his staff members and two pharmacists had visited the barrack of Navjot Singh to check his condition.
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EXHIBITION Chandigarh, August 19 The show is being organised for a noble cause as all proceeds from its success will be diverted towards the aid of Diabetic Self Care Foundation of India, an institute working for the betterment of diabetics. Conceptualised and structured by Laurent de Gaulle, the show has an interesting title “Eyes of Hope”, symbolising faith in the purest form. The show will roll at the art gallery of Alliance Francaise from August 23. The content of the exhibition is truly drawn from India, its grandeur and its majesty. Captured in the lens are the vivacious rivers of India, its divine temples, its amazing mountain ranges and a lot of other aspects that make India dear to the world. In fact, the photographs are a tribute to India, where the artist has spent four extraordinary years of his life. The works express an attitude: artist’s way of looking at life, always with hope in the eyes. Eyes are a big gateway to the mind, as well as fabulous tools to exchange with others and perceive the world. The photographs will be sold in aid of the foundation which is a registered NGO dedicated to the education of diabetic patients. |
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