Animation course introduced
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 30
The Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, academic wing of Maya Entertainment, a leading 3D-animation and post-production house based in Mumbai, introduced a high-end professional course in post production and visual effects for films and television industry in Ludhiana on its premises in Ferozepore Market.

Students will be given hands-on experience in using animation software like Alias/Wavefront Maya, industry standard in high-end character animation and visual effects, that has been used for creating special effects for Hollywood movies like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Ice Age and Spiderman.

The course will also cover Discreet Combustion and Discreet Flame, visual-effects software used extensively by the entertainment industry. The MAAC, education and training partner of Discreet of Canada, will select five of its best students for special training in industry-standard visual effects and post-production and give them an opportunity to work in leading studios of the country.

Mr Rajesh Turakhia, Chief Operating Officer of Maya Entertainment, told reporters here that the Indian Government had declared the entertainment industry one of the six major strategic industries for future in view of the increasing number of satellite channels. 

Workshop at DMCH
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 30
The Orthopaedic Training Association in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons, University of Dundee, UK, held a two-day workshop on basic knee and hip arthroplasty at Dumra Auditorium, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

Dr S.C. Ahuja, Principal of DMCH, welcomed the delegates and Mr Amrit Nagpal, Secretary, DMCH Society inaugurated the workshop here yesterday.

Prof David Rowly of Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, UK. along with Dr Jermey P.Martindale delivered the lectures and directed the course.

Prof J.L. Bassi, Head of the Orthopedics Department and Dr M.Yamin coordinated the proceedings of the course for the delegates. As many as 40 such doctors attended the course from all over Punjab and Chandigarh.

The doctors found the course very interesting and educative. The latest technique in hip and knee arthoplasty was introduced by Zimmer of USA which was fast and easy for the surgeons.

Teachers to meet DPI
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 30
To present its demands before the DPI (Secondary), the Ph.D/ M.Phil School Teachers’ Association has decided to hold a meeting with him on May 6 at Chandigarh.

Stating this in a press note, Dr Kanwaljit Kaur Bal, president of the association, said there was a need to bring about a major change in the promotion channel for government school teachers. She said promotion should depend on qualification, merit and seniority of the teachers concerned. She said there were several teachers in the state who had been working in the same cadre for the past more than 24 years. Due to this stagnation, teachers were feeling demotivated, she said.

Dr Bal said even the Fourth Pay Commission had recommended promotion for Ph.D, M.Phil teachers. All teachers with similar cases should submit their bio-data, mentioning their date of joining a particular cadre, to her by May 3, she said. 

KV students celebrate annual day
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 30
Students and staff of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Baddowal Cantonment, organised the annual function of their school here today. Scouts and Guides team of the school along with their in charge, Ms Kamaljeet Kaur, welcomed the chief guest, Col S.P. Sharma, Commandant 17 FAD and Chairman of Kendriya Vidyalaya Management Committee. A cultural programme was organised which began with Saraswati Vandana. This was followed by a song- and dance recital by

the tiny tots of Class I who enacted scenes from a birthday party. Patriotic and Brij dances were also performed on the occasion. Senior students presented a scintillating Oriya dance . However, an English play titled ‘The Comedy of Errors’ made every one laugh and enjoy the function. The play depicted two identical persons who possessed facial similarities but their different habits used to land them in a comical situation where ever they met different people and relatives of each other. The play was followed by a western group dance. Students finally presented bhangra on Punjabi pop numbers.

Ms Kusha Sharma, first lady of the school, gave away prizes to the students who excelled in academics, sports and cultural activities. Mr K.L. Anand, Principal, read out the annual report of the school. Ms Rajni Sharma, teacher, compered the entire show.

Fashion show by tiny tots
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 30
Tiny tots of Small Wonders Nursery School, Sangat Road, participated in a fashion show organised here today. Children displayed their colourful outfits with accessories such as handbags, goggles, hats, scarves, jackets, pistols and jewellery and complete make-up. They won the hearts of the audience and walked past them with confidence. Kashish bagged the Ms Fresher award and Abhay won the Master Fresher title. Bhavya and Keshav were declared the runners up.

Teachers also arranged a few games for the kids. Tiny tots danced to the tunes of the latest numbers. Kashsih sang the song “Mannu bhai motor chale pum pum pum”. Ms Neeti Dewan, Principal, said that the function was arranged so that the kids were able to gain confidence.

Mozambique President’s visit
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 30
The President of Mozambique Mr Joaquin Alberto Chissano, will visit Punjab Agricultural University on May 11, according to Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Mr Chissano, who will be visiting India from May 10 to 15, will have a round of field areas and also meet the experts of the PAU during his visit to Ludhiana.

Tributes paid to Balwant Gargi
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 30
The Punjabi Culture Study Circle International (PCSCI) held a special meeting to mourn the death of a noted writer litterateur and theaterist Balwant Gargi and paid tributes to him.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kulwant Jagraon described Mr Balwant Gargi as a multifaceted personality and further said he would be forever remembered for his services towards promoting Punjabi and Punjabiat. Manu Sharma Sohal specially made a mention of ‘Kundian Wala Sapp’, wherein Balwant Gargi endorsed the philosophy of Shiv Kumar Batalvi.

Dr Jagtar Dhiman described Gargi as a great intellectual personality of our times and mentioned that his contributions to popularise and promote Punjabi culture were enormous. Socio-economic problems of Punjab and a need for morally sound value-based system through his plays, writings and deeds would always be remembered. Swaranjit Savi remembered Gargi for his precision in depicting plays and his efforts to inspire young artistes.

The members of the PCSCI observed a two-minute silence in the memory of the departed soul.

Artistes honour Jassowal
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 30
The patron of arts, Mr Jagdev Singh Jassowal, was felicitated by a large number of performing artistes on turning 69 today. The function was arranged at Hotel Majestic Park Plaza.

Mr Jassowal has given an impetus to the cultural scene in Ludhiana. He heads many prestigious bodies devoted to promoting literature, art and culture. He is also the chairman of Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation and president of the Vishav Punjabi Sabhyacharak Manch.

Mr Jassowal is so popular among artistes that even international stars like Harbhajan Mann came here to felicitate Jassowal. Mann said, “I will remain indebted to Mr Jassowal for motivating me to come here from Canada and popularise Punjabi music. It was he who made me sing for the first time here in Prof Mohan Singh Mela in 1992.”

Prof M.S. Cheema said Mr Jassowal had promoted countless singers like Ravinder Grewal and Angrez Ali and given them a platform to showcase their talent. Pammi Bal, Ravinder Grewal, Ravinder Rangoowal, Seema Anjaan, Gursewak Maan, Mohammad Siddiq, Inderjit Nikoo, Narinder Mavi and K. Deep were notable among such singers. Many other eminent persons like Jagpal Singh Khangoora, Ajaib Chitarkar, K.S. Aujla, Pargat Singh Grewal and Sadhu Singh Grewal were also present there.

The highlights of the function was when Mr Jassowal’s wife presented him with a phulkari. Mr Jassowal mingled with the audience and thanked every guest. Ravinder Grewal gave him his birthday gift.

Aulakh to release anthology of ghazals
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 30
Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, will release an anthology of ghazals ‘Man De Buhe Barian’ penned by Mr Gurbhajan Singh Gill, Editor (Punjabi), working in the Centre for Communication, Languages and Culture of the university, in the Vice-Chancellor's committee room on May 2 at 11 a m.

The book will be introduced by Mr Surjit Singh Pattar, President, Punjabi Sahitya Akademy, Dr S.S. Gill, Additional Director, Extension Education, and Prof Niranjan Tasneem, a recipient of the Bharatiya Sahitya Akademy award.