EDUCATION

Parents mug up school lessons
Ruchika M. Khanna
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 29
It is back to the basics for hundreds of couples in the township. With admissions to pre- nursery and nursery classes being thrown open by most top schools here, it is an ordeal for the parents. Young parents are busy mugging up their own lessons.

With most schools changing the methodology of screening children for admissions by judging the parents, rather than tiny boopers, the admissions to some of the well reputed schools here is proving to be different ball game for the parents.

From buying the latest volumes of encyclopaedias for toddlers and making them mug up everything and anything (science, geography, mathematics and the nuances of English phonetics) to themselves mugging up varying topics on education — parents are leaving no stone unturned to ensure admission of their ward in the top schools. Special sessions on etiquettes are being taken not just by the tiny boopers but also by their parents.

“Since family is the major influence on a child, parents attitudes towards giving the right education and their inclination to ensure that their child does well in school has to be judged while granting admission,” says Mr Derek Gomez, Headmaster of Saupins School. He adds that the aptitude of the child, too, has to be checked for their cognitive and motor skills.

His views are supported by Mr Mitul Dikshit of Dikshant International School.” The tiny tots seeking admission in pre-nursery and nursery cannot express themselves, so parents have to be judged rather than the children,” he says.

While most of the schools take interviews of children and their parents to assess their mental development, there are others like Hansraj Public School, Delhi Public School, Pinjore and The Gurukul, who have introduced an “informal interaction with students.” In The Gurukul, the children are entertained with a juggler, magician and cartoon characters to make them relax. They are then taken to the toy room, where they are observed for their motor skills and cognitive skills “The interviews are with the parents,” says Mr Sanjay Thareja, Director of The Gurukul.

With most of the schools here opening their registration from the beginning of this month, parents are queuing up in various schools. It is learnt that most of the parents are getting their child registered for admission in at least three to four schools to ensure a seat in at least one of them. This irrespective of the expense borne in registration alone, which varies from Rs 100 to Rs 500 in each school.

Prof Fox shares experience
Popularising science
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 29
Presentations and talks on concepts and theories of science marked the inaugural day of the International Seminar on Science, Technology and Society, being organised by Panjab University's Department of History, here today.

Stressing that society should take an active interest in science, Professor Robert Fox from Oxford University, UK, in his keynote address traced the manner in which efforts have been made to popularise science during the past 100 years.

Professor Fox, who has extensive experience of working with science museums in France, Germany and the UK insisted that people need to take a greater interest in science and science-related activities going around them.

In his inaugural speech, the Adviser to the UT Administrator, Mr Virendra Singh, said science and technology had fulfilled the aspirations of human beings but in their zeal to live super human lives human beings have been gradually slipping down. He said science, technology and society were inter-related and reiterated that the growth of society can’t be separated from the growth of science and technology.

Earlier, In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the Panjab University, Prof K.N. Pathak, said, “Science has limitations and its evolution takes time but its role is important in the development of the society.”

A sociological perspective on science and technology in India was presented by S L Sharma, while Ashok Sahni spoke on the Colonial legacy over development of earth sciences in India. Job Kozhamthadam from Pune gave a lecture on the Copernican-Kaeplerian Revolution and the emergence of a new world order. Dominique Pestre from Paris spoke on regimes of knowledge production in society.

FROM COLLEGES
Shakespeare still relevant
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 29
“Shakespeare is still the yardstick against which the greatness of other writers is measured. He is not a man of his time, but a man of our times. His works are as relevant today as they were then,” said Prof M.L. Raina, scholar of international repute.

Addressing students of Sector 32 GGDSD College on the finer nuances of William Shakespeare, Professor Raina drew a parallel between public persons dominating today's social and political scenario and characters portrayed in Shakespear's plays.

Prof Raina, after his retirement from the Panjab University's Department of English was a visiting professor at Rutgers University in the USA.

Blood Donation camp

As many as 153 students, besides some staff members of the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, donated blood at a camp organised on the college premises on Wednesday.

The camp, inaugurated by the college principal, Ms Usha kheterpal, was organised by Ms G K Dheer, Dr.Sadhna Sandhu and Ms Natash Shergill. The blood donation society of the college had been motivating students.

E-commerce seminar

A one-day seminar on e-commerce and e-business was organised by the Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, here on Wednesday. The Director-cum-Secretary, Department of Information, Punjab, Mr N.S. Kalsi, was the chief guest.

Mr Kalsi differentiated between e-commerce and e-business. He added that in India only about 1 per cent of the population in the country had some idea about e-commerce.

Engineering entrance test on May 11
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 29
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has fixed May 11 as the date for conducting the All India Engineering Entrance Examination for admission to various engineering colleges for the 2003-04 session. The schedule will not be changed even if the date is declared as a public holiday.

For candidates opting for BE / B.Tech courses, Physics and Mathematics will be compulsory subjects, with Chemistry, Bio-Technology, Computer Science or Biology as an optional subject. Physics and Chemistry will be compulsory subjects for B.Pharma candidates with an option of mathematics, Bio-Technology, Computer Science or Biology.

For candidates of B.Arch / B.Planning, Physics and Mathematics will be compulsory subjects, Chemistry, Engineering Drawing, B.Planning, Computer Science or Biology as an optional subject. Aptitude test will be compulsory for all candidates.

RIMC test on June 2 & 3
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 29
The entrance test for admission to the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehra Dun, will be conducted at scheduled centres on June 2 and 3.

Lieut-Col G.S. Dhillon (retd), Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, Chandigarh, said candidates appearing for the test should have been born between January 1, 1991, and July 1, 1992. They should either be studying in Class VII or should here passed Class VII from any recognised school.

He said the written part of the examination would consist of three papers, namely English, Mathematics and General Knowledge. Application form and prospectus could be procured from the Commandant, RIMC, Dehra Dun, by a registered post against the payment of Rs 260 through a bank draft in favour of Commandant, RIMC, Dehra Dun. Application form (in duplicate) from the candidates, residing in the city must reach the Zila Sainik Welfare office, Sainik Rest House (UT), Sector-21, Chandigarh, latest by April 15, Colonel Dhillion added.

Youth parliament
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 29
At least 139 individual prizes and 10 team prizes were given to winners of the Inter-school youth parliament competitions. The function was held at Government College of Education in Sector 20 today.

At least 160 students from rural schools, 240 from urban schools and 280 from model schools of the city participated in the competitions. The Chairman of the Panjab University’s Law Department, Prof Bal Krishna, was the chief guest.

The results of the youth parliament competition in the order of merit are as follows. Rural category — Government Senior Secondary School, Manimajra, Government High School, Sarangpur and Government High School, Khuda Alisher.

Urban category — Government High School, Sector 32, Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 47 and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 8.

Model category — Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16 and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 32.

Winners of science wizard contest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 29
Kirti Puri, Harsimran and Divya Sharma have scored the top three positions, respectively, in the Dr Homi J. Bhaba Science Wizard Contest 2002-03, organised earlier this month by the Council for Promotion of Young Talent. Dhiraj Jha and Jugnu Goyal secured the fourth position.

The first three winners would be given Rs 10,000, Rs 7,500 and Rs 5000, respectively. Besides these top scorers, 150 other meritorious students would be awarded consolation prizes. As many as 7,000 students from Class X from schools in Punjab and Chandigarh had taken part in the contest.

This year, the council has also conducted two-month courses for preparing students for the National Talent Search Examination.

COURTS

Evidence in Badal case on March 8
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 29
Hearing of a defamation complaint filed by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) against the former Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and his son, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, besides two others was today adjourned by the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C.L Mohal, till March 8 for evidence. The complainant, Mr R.R Bhardwaj, was today granted exemption from personal appearance.

The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), through its Ex Officio General Secretary, and also the Chairman of the Economic and Planning Cell, Mr R.R. Bhardwaj, had filed a criminal complaint against Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee(SGPC), Mr Kirpal Singh, and Mr N.S Minhas alleging that these four had defamed the party through statements and publication of advertisement in newspaper.

In his complaint, Mr Bhardwaj, further alleged that earlier the Shiromani Akali Dal had filed two cases — a criminal complaint and civil suit— against the Congress in order to mislead the general public and create bad impression about the Congress as a whole, including the PPCC President, Capt Amarinder Singh. He added that the publication of the complaint in newspapers had adversely affected the name of PPCC and its office-bearers.

CULTURE

Frames of society
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 29
Sardar Gursharan Singh's dialogue with the audience continued as Awami Natak Mela being organised by the Pracheen Kala Kendra, Sector 35, entered the second day today.

After witnessing yesterday's powerful performances, the audience came with greater expectations, which were again met by Gursharan Singh and his team of players on the stage of Tagore Theatre. The evening saw a presentation of two plays, “Mochi da puttar” and Siyonk”, both reflecting the decaying social, moral and political fabric of India.

“Mochi da puttar”, which was put to life by Mandeep Singh, Gaurav Sharma, Harish Verma and Anilesh Mahajan, bared the evil of casteism. Through powerful dialogues and script, the playwright did complete justice to the story of Mohan Lal Phillori. It was all about a man, who struggles for a life of dignity in the society. Satire is inherent in the script, which makes a mockery of the pseudo-secular and socialist structure that we nest in. The play was directed by Mohinder Dogra, who was highly impressive in the role of Munshi Khan yesterday.

Using the elements of theatre in the best possible way, Gursharan Singh made another point with “Siyonk”, a story he has himself written. An attack on the political setup that does more harm than good, “Siyonk” highlighted the factors that are causing disintegration of the high ideals our country once stood for. Thought provoking and inspiring to the hilt, the play made a strong statement and showcased the crumbling political order. Directed by Narinder Sanghi, the play was enacted by Manu, Ishwinder Dhillon, Kiranjit Singh, Paramjit Singh, Jaspal Singh, Shamsher Singh, Rajinder Raju, Amit, Harmeet Kaur, and Anilesh Mahajan.

Towards universal expression
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 29
What better than a space filled with colours, so reflective of life, its shades, its moods and expressions? One could wait for a lifetime to be a part of a visual arrangement that inspires life in all its forms.

After ages the city today woke up to some great art, put together by artists hailing from diverse cultures, while at the same time exuding a strange sense of unity. Huge in content and in appeal, this group show will thrill any heart in love with nature and its bounties. Adding to the beauty of the exhibition is the space of the venue itself. As you go around the galleries of Fine Arts Museum, Panjab University, gradually immersing your senses in the ocean of "painted" reality, you realise something that had earlier never occurred to you earlier: "This space is so beautiful, so awesome, so absorbing."

But as you give this thought another thought, you just can't help passing on the credit to art, which has the power to transform spaces and life alike. The show that went into evidence in all the 12 galleries of the Museum (never have all the galleries been occupied simultaneously, expect today) comes from a group of artists pursuing colours and impressions like religion. Strange it appears and even sounds, some of them hail from places as far off as Maharashtra and Kolkata.

The credit for structuring a joint show of art goes to Harsh Vardhan Sharma, a Jammu based artist and art teacher, who thought it was time to do some justice to the viewers of art. In the world so wedded to hatred, the show comes like a whiff of fresh air. Individual impressions emerge from all quarters, bringing in their fold the rarity and beauty of respective cultures. They then converge on a common ground, paving way for dialogue, harmony and peace.

Bridging the physical and geographical divides are 13 artists — Tuka Jadhav from Mumbai, Raghu Nevra from Nagpur, Pranam Singh from Varanasi, Sabita Kundu from Kolkata, Madhukar Wanjari from Thane, Shyam Sharma, Mandira Sharma, Harsh Vardhan Sharma from Jammu, Shivaji Kale from Mumbai, Praveen Sharma from Shimla and Ravinder Jamwal, Prabhinder Lall and Ishwar Dyal from Chandigarh.

Talking about individual works of artists is out of context here, simply because the show is meant to underline the might of colours and to show how, through heart-felt execution of techniques, art can serve as an extension of beauty and ugliness at the same time. Juxtaposed on the walls are images of horror and images of tranquillity, both reflecting two distinct shades of life, which is complete in itself.