The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

SSC announces exam dates
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4
The main exam of the civil services is scheduled to be held on December 22, 27, 28 and 29, 2002, said a press release of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), North-Western Region, here today. It has further stated that it has issued the roll numbers for the combines main (graduate level) examination 2001 to all those candidates who have qualified in the preliminary exam, held on March 24, 2002.

Mr N.K. Virdi, Deputy Regional Director, SSC (NWR), has further informed that all those candidates who do not receive their admission certificates by December 17, may contact the regional office of the commission at Kendriya Sadan, sector 9, Chandigarh for the issue of duplicate admission cards from December 18-20 during working hours.

The commission will not entertain any request after December 20 for the issue of duplicate certificates, he added.

Mount Carmel students enchant audience
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 4
Colours blended with synchronised body movement give rise to a host of spectacular drills and dances that kept the audience spellbound at Mount Carmel School, Sector 47, on the occasion of its 16th annual day-cum-founder’s day at the school premises here yesterday.

As many as 1200 students of classes Pre Nursery to class X of the Chandigarh branch as well as the Mohali branch presented their items on the occasion. The programme commenced with the unfurling of the school flag by the chief guest, Mr Amar Chandel, Deputy Editor, The Tribune, which was followed by an impressive march past by the students of four houses of the school.

After the school choir presented the school anthem, the show of colourful drills and dances began by junior students. Right from the Jesters — a clown drill to Fantasy — a fan drill presented by the students of the Chandigarh and Mohali branch, showed a blend of discipline and colours.

The Scintillating Synchronisers — a fan and ball drill by the students of classes VII to X, The Enchanting Beauties — an all-girl western dance and Warriors — a sword drill by the boys were equally enthralling. The show also included a heart-throbbing bhangra performance by senior students and a karate show which had participants jumping in twos, threes and fours through the fire ring and fights with fire sticks.

As many as 57 students were awarded for excellence in academics and 41 students for best all-round students’ trophies for the session 2001-2002. Ashok Lakhera Memorial Rolling Trophy for the highest aggregate marks in science and mathematics was awarded to Sakshi Kathuria while Aparna Chakraborty. The Rolling Trophy for highest aggregate marks in science and maths went to Aarti Gill. Poonam Bhatt Rolling Trophy for the best all-round student for the year 2002-2003 was bagged by Sakshi Kathuria. Smt Surinder Bala Gupt Memorial Rolling Trophy for the best student of the school in cultural activities for the year 2002-2003 was awarded to Navjot Kaur.

The rolling trophy for the best house in athletics went to Wordsworth House while Rev. Samuel John Memorial Rolling Trophy for the best house was awarded to Keats House while Rolling trophy for the best house on duty was bagged by Milton House. The rolling trophy for the best contingent of march past for the year 2002- 2003 was awarded to Keats House.

Earlier, the Principal, Mr Charles Samuel, and Vice-Principal, Ms Annie Charles, were honoured by the Sambhang Theatre Group — a cultural wing of Swami Ram Tirath Educational, Cultural and H M Society for their contribution towards the promotion of cultural activities in the school. Dr D.S. Gupt, Chairman of the society, spoke on the occasion.

Spectacular show by Gurukul kids
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 4
Students and management of The Gurukul put up a spectacular show to celebrate their annual day here today. Mesmerising performance, excellent choreography, resounding music and state-of-the-art light system created a visual and audio treat for the audience.

The first newsletter of the school, “The Gurukul Express” was launched on this occasion. The show began with the introduction of The Gurukul — explaining the need for its inception in a unique manner leaving everyone awestruck — defining the motto and teaching learning areas of school. It was an item that epitomised the grandeur of glorious past and elegance of the trendy future.

The cultural show began with classical welcome dance put up by the students of Classes III and IV, followed by a choreography with students of Kinder Garten imploring “Chandrama” to come down on earth and finally being able to achieve it. Several other dance numbers on Goan tunes and Bollywood numbers were also staged.

A special item put up by students of “Sankalp”, the evening school for children of nearby slums being run by The Gurukul in association with the Jagdish Memorial Trust, struck an emotional cord with the audience. The message of education and healthy childhood for all children, irrespective of any social strata was conveyed in a touching manner. A patriotic song was also staged.

Mr T.D. Jogpal, state Election Commissioner, was the special guest of honour, while Dr S.D. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, attended the function on behalf of Dr Suraj Bhan, Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

Protest march by students
Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, December 4
Continuing their agitation on the third day, students of the local Government Degree College organised a protest march and burnt an effigy of the Parent and Teacher Association Committee (PTAC) in Ramlila Ground here today.

The students assembled on the college campus and raised slogans against the college management and the committee for raising PTA funds.

The students organised a procession from the campus to Ramlila Ground and after addressing the gathering, they burnt an effigy of the college management.

It may be recalled that the students of the college had gone on an indefinite strike to protest against the hike in the PTA funds on December 2. The students had boycotted classes in support of their demands.

During the rally, they also criticised the authorities for not providing adequate infrastructure in classrooms as well as laboratories. They also flayed the college authorities for poor maintenance of toilets and the college campus.

They demanded that the government should take the responsibility of the salaries of four teacher who had been employed on a contract basis and were being paid from the PTA funds.

PU may condone lecture shortage
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh December 4
Punjab University was likely to give lecture concession to ‘deserving students’ who were short of lectures in the different departments to qualify for the ongoing semester examinations.

A discussion to this regard was held today, however, nothing has been officially communicated.

Meanwhile, student bodies continued their dharna in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

Malwinder Singh Kang, president of the Panjab University Campus Students Council, in a press release said 80 students from the Department of Laws, 37 students from the Department of Political Science and 25 from the Department of Sociology were denied the cards. The PUCSC has threatened an indefinite ‘dharna’ on the issue in case the university did not respond immediately.

Jugglery tricks by students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4
Variety is the spice of life and it was evident on the third day of the annual function of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, here today.

The show began with a circus show where children showed their prowess at various acrobatics and jugglery tricks. This was followed by the “Prince and the tortoise” show and the “metamorphosis” which showed the evolution of the human race.

The youngsters swayed to the beats of “dhol bajne laga” which was followed by a western dance.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Probation
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4
Even in a case where minimum sentence has been prescribed, the benefit of probation can be granted — Mr Justice Viney Mittal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled while releasing on probation a milk vendor convicted under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.

The vendor was earlier convicted and sentenced by a Chief Judicial Magistrate in September 1997. His appeal against the judgement was, subsequently, dismissed by an Additional Sessions Judge in 1990. According to the prosecution, milk sample taken by a Food Inspector was found to be adulterated. Arguing on the petitioner’s behalf, his counsel had claimed that the benefit of probation should be granted as the vendor had “suffered long and protracted trial proceedings”. Opposing the plea, state counsel had contended that the petitioner was not entitled to be released on bail.

After hearing arguments in the case and going through the documents, Mr Justice Mittal ruled: “I find myself in agreement with the submissions raised by counsel for the petitioner.... Under these circumstances, while maintaining the order of conviction against the petitioner, he is ordered to be released on probation”.

DISTRICT COURTS
Notice to investigating officer in Sidhu case
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 4
A local court yesterday issued notice to the investigating officer to submit documents in a case of challan filed against suspended Chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission, Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu, under the Excise Act by December 10.

Earlier, the defence counsel filed an application stating that the investigating officer had not supplied complete documents related to the challan. The counsel also claimed that the police had not supplied copy of the chemical report, statement of two witnesses and copy of record memo related to the case.

The UT police had registered a case against Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu under the Excise Act following the seizure of 14 bottles of imported liquor. A case was registered against him under the Arms Act after 250 rounds of .12 bore gun and 225 rounds of Springfield rifle were seized from his house in Sector 39. The accused was arrested by the Vigilance Department, Punjab, on March 26 allegedly while accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh.

Rape case adjourned

A petition moved by Baldev Kumar one of the accused, in a rape case of Shimla-based girl, was today adjourned for December 11 by the UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr Balbir Singh.

The applicant stated in the petition that the police had made a mockery of the term rape and it gave the meaning of term as a sexual intercourse with the conspirator to frame someone else in the case. Not only this, even the opposing counsel had allowed the challan to be submitted with this definition of rape. The accused Narver, Baldev Kumar, Ram Lal and Surinder Sharma are presently lodged in the Burail jail.

Acquitted

Harpreet and Sukhwinder, accused in a case of rash and negligent driving, were today acquitted by a local court. The duo had been booked by the UT police under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC.

Case against CM adjourned

A civil suit filed by former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, for spreading defamatory advertisements against him, was today adjourned for January 22, 2003.

Mr Badal alleged in the suit that during the course of assembly election campaign, Capt Amarinder Singh as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), with the active connivance of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC), particularly its president, got a number of false misleading and defamatory posters, advertisements published in the newspapers.

Bail plea dismissed: A bail plea moved by Satpal, Jaswant, Swaran Singh in the Pala murder case was today dismissed by a local court. The three persons were allegedly involved in the murder of former sarpanch of Khuda Ali Sher, Pala Singh.

PAPER-LEAK CASE
Anticipatory bail plea dismissed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4
A petition, seeking the grant of anticipatory bail filed in the paper leak case by the Superintendent of the Punjab Nurses Registration Council, SAS Nagar, Gurpal Singh Kang, was today dismissed as withdrawn by Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

He was apprehending arrest in an FIR registered by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on November 15 under Sections 420, 166 and 167 of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Seeking the grant of bail, counsel for the petitioner contended that the accused was being implicated in a false case. It was submitted that the petitioner was not involved in the alleged case.

It may be recalled that Junior Assistant Charanjit Singh’s petition, seeking directions to the arresting officer for releasing him on bail in the event of his arrest, had already been rejected by Ms Justice Lall. According to the prosecution, the case was registered by the SHO of the Vigilance Bureau on the basis of a report forwarded by DSP Jaspal Singh.

The DSP, as per the prosecution version, had received information from reliable sources that Charanjit Singh and another accused were leaking out question papers after accepting money from students and their parents.

CULTURE

Fresh perspective to ‘Agni Aur Barkha’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4
In less than a month, the fourth presentation of the legendary playwright Girish Karnad’s play ‘Agni Aur Barkha’ went into evidence at Tagore Theatre. Drawing from the limitless visual imagery that the writer has laced his work with, the director of the play, Harish Bhatia, employed the elements of theatre very sensitively to portray a mythological theme under the aegis of Abhinet.

In the play, Karnad reflects opposite forces through a variety of symbols. The title itself signifies the most obvious, the fire of a seven year long yajna and the rain for which the king of the drought-ridden country conducts the religious ceremony.

There is a Brahmin rebel at the core of the story, which derives from the intertwining of two tales from the Aranya Parva of Mahabharata. Bhardwaj Rishi is made into the younger brother of Raibhya Rishi and family rivalry is shown pinned on ego and lust.

Vishakha (Preeti Sakhuja) and Yavakri (Vijay Kapoor) are central characters in the first half of the play. Yavakri, the son of Bhardwaj, the lover of Vishakha, who is married to his cousin Paravasu, appears at Raibhya’s ashram. Vishakha, who has been left at the mercy of her father-in-law’s lust during the year yajna Paravasu has undertaken, succumbs to Yavakri’s fevered passion. An enraged Raibhya invokes demons of death and annihilates Yavakri. The word reaches Paravasu, whom Vishakha confronts with the cold reasoning of a wronged woman. She invites him to kill her, instead Paravasu aims the arrow at Raibhya.

Karnad places the upper class sex drama, along side Aruvasu’s love for a tribal girl Nittilai, to marry whom he must seek the permission of the king. As the plot matures, Aravasu takes the blame for killing Raibhya to save his brother. He is punished, banished and is left to die. However, Nittilai nurses him back to health. In the concluding epilogue, Aravasu dons the demon Vritrasur’s mask and his brother Paravasu dies in the fire he has worshiped for seven years, endorsing the famous maxim that over ambition always kills.

In the end, the elements fall into place and underline the result, in the kingdom the ritual is damned, justice is redeemed and the God finally bless the drought-ridden land with rain.

The cast included Jainendra Singh as Paravasu, Kamal Arora as the king, Ravindra Kumar, Vikram Thakur, Vivek Kumar, Puneet Khanna, Rahul Joshi, Prerna Puri as Nittilai, Amit Bakshi, Ravi, Sunny Singh and Rohit Sharma. The voice of Indra was lent by Prof Harish Bhatia, who saw an age-old setting in the most contemporary perspective and dealt with themes of the play with utmost sensitivity.

All characters fitted the scheme of things well and furthered the strength of Karnad’s script. Preet Sakhuja, Jainendra Singh, Vijay Kapoor and Prerna Puri put forth convincing performances.