School celebrates annual day
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 1
Students of Hansraj Public School mesmerised parents, invitees and guests during the annual day function here this evening. Breathtakingly choreographed dances, aesthetic and tasteful layout of colours and lights left everyone spellbound.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr I.D. Swami, was the chief guest on this occasion. He emphasised the need for promoting Hindi language and lauded certain state governments for implementing Hindi as a first language.

Mr Swami, while talking about the vices afflicting the society, said in 1975 there was unrest in the country and it was decided to have a uniform civil code, gau raksha and imposition of prohibition. He regretted that no decision in this regard had been taken.

The show began with “Gayatri Vandana” but it was the breathtaking performance of a ballet, “Srijan”, which led to the grand finale. The ballet displayed the power, vigour and strength of women.

The school Principal, Dr Rajni Thareja, enlightened the parents about school activities, achievements and laurels brought by students. Awards to students in various categories like sports, quiz, debate and declamation contests etc were also given.

Himachal Primary School meet ends
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1
The annual sports day of Himachal Primary School, Parwanoo, was organised on the school premises today. The chief guest was hockey star Dhanraj Pillay. He was delighted to be in Himachal and among little children. He hoped they would bring honour to the school and their families. The spectators enjoyed the leap frog race, the obstacle race, and the tiny tots crawling on the field. Mr Rathnam Dean Anand thanked Dhanraj Pillay and remarked that his presence had inspired children and parents alike. Diljeet Deep was the best athlete among senior boys and Surbhi Simer among senior girls. Uday Bhanu was the best athlete among senior boys and Surbhi Simer among senior girls. Uday Bhanu was the best athlete among juniors, according to Mrs Satwant Misra, Principal of the school.

A vibrant display of skills by kids
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 1
It was an exhibition with a difference at Vivek High School in Sector 36 which marked the concluding function of the seventh Founders Day celebrations here today. The contents of the exhibition set in a broad spectrum was designed to imbibe a few important skills in the students-team sprit, co-ordination, interaction and management.

Competitions mark Divali celebration
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 1
Different interhouse competitions, including paint the face, poster-making, card making, mask making were organised in order to mark Divali celebrations at DAV Model School in Sector 15 today.

Paint the face competition was based on a theme to paint the face of an animal or a bird. The results of the competitions are as follows. Bhaiya Dooj Thali decoration: first — Pooja-Gandhi House, second — Shivani-Vivekanand House and third-Nancy of Nehru House. Consolation Prize: Priyanka of Vivekanand House.

Diya decoration: first — Apurba -Nehru House, Second — Manmeet of Gandhi House and third —Tanvi of Nehru House. Consolation prize went to Preeti of Vivekanand House. Mask making: first — Anmol of Dayanand House, second —Amandeep of Shastri House and third — Ruby of Gandhi House. Consolation prize went to Rohini of Vivekanand House.

Card making: first — Akriti of Shastri House, second — Navneet of Dayanand House and third —Divya of Nehru House. Poster making: first — Sonal of Dayanand House, second — Akshay of Nehru House and third — Priyanka of Shastri House. Consolation prize went to Chaitanya of Shastri House.

COURTS

BEANT MURDER CASE
Prime witness given time to join service
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1
A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today granted 10-day time to prime witness in Punjab’s former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassination case for enabling him to join as a Home Guard volunteers.

Issuing the directions, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, directed that in case painter Surinder Sharma did not join, it would be open for the Chandigarh Administration to cancel the order of appointment.

According to the prosecution, Sharma had painted a grey Ambassador car, allegedly purchased from New Delhi by an accused in the case, for the commission of the offence.

The car, as per the prosecution story, was recovered from the spot soon after the explosion in which the former Chief Minister was killed.

The vehicle had later led to the identification of the accused and their subsequent arrest. Sharma, in his petition, had alleged that the award, promised to the person providing information in the case, had not been handed over to him.

The former Chief Minister was killed in an explosion on August 31, 1995. While the believed-to-be human bomb died in the blast, the other accused in the case are facing trial.

DISTRICT COURTS
2 officials remanded in judicial custody
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 1
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today arrested two more senior officials working with the Accountant General(AG), Haryana, in the pension scam and later produced them in a local court. The Senior Account Officer with AG Haryana, Mr B.S. Nagpal, and Assistant Account Officer, Mr R.K. Gupta, were produced in the court of the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C.L Mohal, in the evening who remanded them in police custody till November 3

According to the CBI, the two had entered into criminal conspiracy with Terjinder Singh from 1996 to 2002. It was alleged that the accused had prepared a forged documents related to the pension of late Maldev Singh and caused a loses to the government to the tune of Rs 2. 34 lakh.

The counsel for the CBI sought the police custody of the accused on the ground that the some documents related to the case were yet to be recovered by the CBI and that custodial interrogation of the accused was also required to identify some more persons involved in the case.

Claiming that the custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary, the CBI counsel argued that the CBI had yet to recover documents related to the bank, FDRs, NSC, pass book, their personnel diary, and documents related to the sale and purchase of property from the possession of the accused.

Another accused, Terjinder Singh, alleged to be involved in the case had already been remanded in police custody by a local court. He was arrested by the CBI from Hisar on October 27.

CULTURE

Rhythm dominates as music fest concludes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1
The four-day regional musical festival organised by the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi concluded with the rhythms of Punjab filling the ambience of Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16. Holding the fort on the final day of the cultural presentation were outstanding artists from the region like Barkat Sidhu, Puran Chand and Pyare Lala Wadali, who have also been presented with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Apart from the nuances of the typical sufiana qalaam, specific to the deras of Punjab, the evening also rolled on reflecting the magic of other folklores of the land of five rivers, as told through the medium of music. Where dhadis Bhai Daya Singh Dilbar and Desraj Lackhani sung tales of the valour of Sikh martyrs, gurus and allied forces and also presented songs of festivities, Master Bheem recreated the tunes of the Malwa belt, famous for Kawishri, a poetic form recited by a small group of singers. Apart from playing the tumbi, folk performer Jagatram Lalka also presented a beautiful recital on the King, an ancient form of the veena. Further form to the evening was lent by puran and Pyare Chand Wadali as also by Barkat Sidhu, whose inimitable style won over the listeners as ever.

Following the session of cultural presentation was the much-awaited seminar at Panjab University which was chaired by none other than the famous Shanno Khurana, who is blessed with a heavenly voice. She talked at length about the traditional instrumental music of Punjab. Also present for the talk was Bhai Baldeep Singh.

Riot of emotions on canvas
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1
Art is a demonstration that makes the ordinary — extraordinary. Images by Ravinder Sharma which are on display at Art Folio in Sector 9 reflect this “extraordinary” element, basic to art. Clinging on to the canvas are the artist’s deepest emotions that have been handled not with the mind but with the heart.

No wonder they pull and claw at the viewer, guiding him through the innermost experiences that have governed the artist through his moments of creation. Most of the works are about his post impressions of nature, its manifestations, its beauty. The acrylic-water colour combine plays magic for the works that speak in the language of every heart. They capture aggression with admirable ease and beckon the viewer towards the spiritual element, not so vocal in the works.

Illusions of space rule in some canvases, spilling the magic of art which conceals more than it reveals. At places, rocks assume a human form reflecting the grandeur of nature which has the power to inspire every form with life. Crystals in one canvas voice artist’s visual homage to his mother, who has been the source of all inspiration. In other works, floral images and rhythmic patterns play hide and seek with the layers on the canvas.

A product of six months, Inner View, as the show is titled, has been strongly influenced by the divine power. In every work on display, there is God in the backdrop, overseeing the magic of colours from a distance. Deeply influenced by his month-long stint at AIFACS group workshop held recently in Delhi, Ravinder Sharma said, “Working with artists led to bursting of ideas. It was like manthan of thoughts and emotions. When I returned I was full of images which needed to find space on the canvas of life.” The show can be viewed between 10 am and 7 pm.

New album ‘Mahiya Sharabi’ released
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1
Babu Chandigarhia’s new album titled “Mahiya Sharabi” was released at Ambedkar Bhavan here today. The album full of melodious songs, is based on the essence of contemporary Punjabi culture.

The 33-year-old singer is from Ferozepore and is now settled in Chandigarh. He was initiated into the world of music at the age of 10. He was impressed and inspired by Sardool Sikander, Mohd Sadiqqi and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

The music of the new album has been composed by HM Singh and Madan Shonki. The lyrics have been written by the singer. The album has been produced by Sanjeev Kumar.

There are eight music track sin the album. Two music videos — ‘Mera Mahiya Sharabi’ and ‘Chan Pardesi Nu’ — have been shot. Directed by Suraj Bhardwaj, these have been shot at beautiful locations of Himachal Pradesh.

Shiamak’s dance workshop
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1
Prompted by the huge response to the Summer Funk Show, the Durga Das Foundation has decided to bring Mumbai-based Shiamak Davar and his troupe back to town. This time it is for a dance workshop spread over six weeks where his instructors will guide participants on the finer nuances of music, rhythm, harmony and movement. The focus this time is not so much on pomp and pageantry but on serious dance and aspects, which connect dance to fitness.

The workshop will commence on November 11 and is open to people of all age-groups. Last time in the open-group category there were men and women in the 50-60 age-group too. Exercise need not be boring and those who think they have two left feet too need not worry as these specially constructed dance capsules bring a natural bounce to the step, energising the body, mind and soul. Enrolments are on a first-come-first-serve basis at Nehru Bhavan in Sector 24.