4 city students for National Science Congress
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 23
With four budding scientists having left for Mysore to take part in the National Children’s Science Congress to be held from December 27 to December31, the city, for the first time, entered the national science arena at the school level. The delegation, comprising two teachers, one co-ordinator and four students, who were selected at the State Science Exhibition held last November, left from DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, this morning.

In the junior category, Deepak Vaid from Government High School, Karson, and Ramita Vig from St. Kabir Public School, Sector 26, will display their models at the congress. Deepak Vaid, who had won the state-level junior children’s science congress in both urban and rural category, will exhibit a model on nutrition and importance of vitamins in the growth cycle, while Ramita who stood second in the state congress in the urban category, has prepared an elaborate model on “Detection of food adulteration for all”.

Gobind Kumar from Government High School, Sector 40-A, and Varun Sharma from DAV Senor Secondary School, Sector 8, will be contesting at the senior level. Gobind was declared winner at the state congress for his model on vermiculture using red earthworms. Gobind will display the same model with some improvements. Now his model will include a comparative study of soil after intensive use of organic manure and chemical fertilisers. Varun, the first runner-up of the state congress, has prepared a model on ‘duck weed technology — its water purifying quality and nutritional values’.

Mr P.J.S. Dadhwal, Additional Director, Department of Science and Technology, Chandigarh, while seeing off the team this morning said it was the first time that Chandigarh would be representing at a national-level science fair.

The four students will have an opportunity to interact with other participants from all over the country, besides enjoying a sight-seeing trip. The team is accompanied by Dr Vikas Kohli, secretary-general, Indian Council for Environmental Education, and a teacher from DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, Ms Ravinder Kaur, a science teacher from Government High School, Sector 40, and Mr Chaman Lal from the Department of Science and Technology. 

SJOBA plays treasure hunt
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 23
The second day of the Winter Reunion Fest organised by SJOBA (St John’s Old Boys Association) here led around 350 former students of the school to a wild goose chase. The event, “Treasure hunt”, started on the school premises took the participants all around the city.

The participants were divided into groups of 85 cars and 15 clues were hidden around different corners in the city, testing their presence of mind as well as quick response. The hunt was flagged off by Ms P. Cheema, Principal of the school.

Only seven teams could manage to crack down 13 clues but team number 28 led by Hemant Kaushal did it in the shortest time. Team was awarded with a cash prize of Rs 5,000. Team number 37 led by Ajay Tiwari came second and team number 57 led by Saahil Sood finished third. The second and third prizes comprised Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively.

On the opening day of the fest here yesterday, an enthralling Bharatnatyam performance was given by Navtej Johar, an old boy of St John’s from the batch of 1975. Trained in Bharatnatyam at Rukmini Arundale’s Kalashetra and with Leela Samson at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, Navtej has carved a niche for himself in the world of art. A recipient of the Times of India Fellowship and Charles Wallace Fellowship, he recently received the status of co-director in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Parade at Buckingham Palace.

The Winter Reunion Fest will culminate on December 24 with a “Winter reunion ball”. The “Toast of the year” will be the batch of 1977, who will celebrate their Silver Jubilee of school leaving. Special mementoes will be presented to each batch member to commemorate the evening.

“This is the first time that three events are being organised in a row for our “Winter reunion ball” featuring someone as outstanding as Navtej,” said Mr Anoop Sood, President of SJOBA. 

Striking visual appeal
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 23
The subject may be varied, but the aesthetic and visual appeal of each painting is the same, which makes watching P.S. Verma’s painting a delightful experience. From a landscape, which he created way back in 1952, to the latest portrait of Jagjit Singh, his creations have a pleasing effect to the eye. They are easily comprehensible.

The artist, who is exhibiting a few of his paintings at Indus Ind Art gallery in Sector 8, is 70-year-old. He is one of the prominent artists from this region. A staunch believer of realistic art, P.S. Verma believes in capturing the ‘soul’ of his subject, making each of his paintings unique.

Be it “Togetherness”, a portrait of an old man with a Roohah, a series on Meera Bai or landscapes capturing exotic locales, each evoke a pleasant feeling.

Painting has been a hobby for the artists and except for having a few sessions with the legendary Sobha Singh, he has had no formal training in painting. But because of his finesse, all major institutes of the city, including Panjab University and a few colleges, have had him on their faculty as part-time teacher for their Fine Arts Department.

P.S. Verma was awarded two gold medals by the Punjab Government and certificates by the Punjab Lalit Kala Academi. He won the Punjab State Award and Chandigarh Award.

After being associated with the world of fine arts for over 50 years, the artist plans to publish a book on still life.

Xmas functions in schools
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
Christmas was celebrated at the Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21, today. The programme started with students of class-V competing in monoacting, followed by a dance competition for students of class-IV. Besides various dance performances by junior students, a fancy dress competition was also organised.

A quiz competition was also organised, in which six teams participated. The celebrations concluded with a play staged by students of class-IX, depicting teachings of Jesus Christ and carol singing by students of class VII.

Rustom and Sahil Bali were declared first and second in monoacting, while Sheena Gupta and Shivam Bansal were declared as the winner and runner-up for their dance performances. In fancy dress, the prizes were bagged by Payal Priya and Arshdeep Kaur. In the quiz competition, Divya Sharma and Anmol Agnihotri were declared winners, while Manisha Malik and Vipul Sharma were declared as the runners up. In the monoacting contest by Class IX students, Rahat and Umesh bagged the top two positions.

Silver Oak School

Silver Oak School, Sector 19, organised a function to celebrate Christmas at the Sector 19 church. Teachers as well as students sang carols and children learned about the sacrifice of Christ through sermons and later exchanged gifts and sweets.

Wonder Wiz Quiz

Wonder Wiz Quiz launched a workshop on voice modulation and stage performance at shivalik Public School, Sector 41 on Monday. The workshop aims at providing training to school students of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula for seven days. The workshop is being conducted by Mr V K Malik, an alumni of the Film Institute of India, Pune, who has also served with the German television for three years.

GMSSS-33 camp

Several activities pertaining to social values are being undertaken by NSS volunteers of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, during an ongoing camp. A skit on the ill-effects of drugs, smoking and alcohol was organised by students in Colony No 5 to spread greater awareness. A skit highlighting the evil of female foeticide was also staged on the occasion.

PANCHKULA
Woodland House School: Tiny tots of Woodland House School, Sector 8, presented a variety programme during Christmas celebrations on Monday. A number of dances were performed and Santa Claus distributed gifts to children and later they sang Christmas carols.

SAS NAGAR
Students of Shimla Public School, Phase X, here celebrated Christmas by organising a fancy dress competition. The school was decorated for the children who had a gala time. Sweets were distributed by Santa Claus to the children. The function was presided over by the president of the school Ms B. Sohal.

New block opened

Chandigarh, December 23
The Governor of Punjab, Lt-Gen J F R Jacob (retd), inaugurated a three-storeyed additional block of the Government Central Crafts Institute for Women, Sector 11, here today.

The block, built at an estimated cost of Rs 41.67 lakh has nine classrooms, which would be utilised for starting new courses. The block comprises a library-cum-reading room, a medical examination room, a canteen, a tuck shop and a garment sale shop.

The Governor, accompanied by the Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, inaugurated an exhibition-cum-sale of craft items prepared by the institute’s students. Besides tailored items, leather and embroidered goods, these included items of daily use such as night suits, handkerchiefs, tablecloths, napkins, pillow cases, cushion covers, purses, handbags, travel bags and wall hangings. TNS

HIGH COURT 
Notice of motion

Chandigarh, December 23
Issuing notice of motion for February 10 on a petition filed by Rajpura-based Hindustan Tools and Forging Limited Workers Union, a Division Bench of the High Court has ruled that the auction of the industry “may go on”, but the amount received in it shall not be used by a bank in any manner whatsoever.

Pronouncing the orders, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice S.S. Grewal, added that the amount received shall be kept in a fixed deposit. 
Taking up an earlier petition filed by the union members accusing a nationalised bank of selling immovable property at a throw-away price, the High Court had ordered a stay on the auction. The members had contended that over 300 families were depending upon the factory for livelihood. They had added that the property was being sold in a hush-hush manner.

‘Suggestive dances can’t last long’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
Well-known dancer and choreographer, Shiamak Davar says that the current trend of suggestive dances in Bollywood movies would not last for long.

“It will pass. It cannot go on”, he said in an interview with TNS here today. Shiamak, who has choreographed some of the best dance sequences seen in recent times on Madhuri Dixit, Karishma Kapoor and Aishwariya Rai in movies like “Dil to Pagal Hai” and “Taal”, said most of the choreographers in Bollywood wanted to capitalise on what was “in” these days.

“A few of the choreographers are, of course, very talented. They know what the music says and they formulate their dance movements accordingly. Others are producing just rubbish. They merely put females in sexy clothes and ask them to take some funky steps which are put forth as a dance number”, observed Shiamak. “They are just trying to cash in on the current trend in the Bollywood. But this cannot go on indefinitely”.

Some of the dance numbers choreographed by Shiamak in “Dil to Pagal Hai” and “Taal” have proven to be trendsetters. He says that he has not been able to work in any other movie so far though Karan Johar has contacted him recently for his new production. “I will love to work with producers like Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai and Mani Ratnam”.

Shiamak, who was in Chandigarh on Monday in connection with a performance, said his first love remains theatre. Besides, his dance academy in Mumbai keeps him very busy.

Interestingly, Shiamak’s entry into the world of dancing was more by accident than design. “I was more into music than anything else. Then I began winning prizes at various dance competitions. I was regarded as a natural dancer. Soon I joined a dance academy and became an accomplished dancer”.

Shiamak’s tiny pupils steal hearts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
Tender feet and flexible limbs under the tutelage of Shiamak Davar group were ably groomed into great performers . This was evident from a show held at the end of a workshop by the group at Tagore Theatre here this evening. The workshop was organised by the Durga Das Foundation.

The show started with a vider presentation of a dancing class conducted by Shiamak, with comments by leading lights of Bollywood, including Amitabh Bachchan, Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai and Aishwarya Rai. This was followed by a formal introduction to the show by Shiamak himself. The workshop was largely conducted by two of his disciples.

The show had about 10 items and the cast was fresh in each show. The first dance number was ‘jaana o jaana’ which made for a good opening . The dance on ‘Wanna be happy’ was much appreciated.

Children between seven and 11 years regaled the audience with a performance on ‘Hindustani’ . They received a thundurous applause. Another dance item on ‘material girl’ is mentionable . Lt Gen J.F.R.Jacob, Governor, was the chief guest.