Special performance by special children
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 10
Students of Nirdosh school for mentally challenged children knew that it was a big day for them. The students had taken a lot of pains to prepare items for their annual day.

Today, they overcame their disability to present a beautiful cultural programme what they did would appear simplistic to us, but the Principal, Mr Suran Singh, who had trained these children said: “It takes weeks of practice to even make them stand straight. With a great effort, we have trained them to dance, play musical instruments and sing.”

The students started their programme with ‘Gayatri Mantra’ that they had learnt by heart, which was quite a feat. The next came a choreography item based on the song ‘Ek Choti Si Asha’, in which, the students sang and danced to their best. Sahib sang a shabad ‘Jo Mange Thakur Apne Se’ and Sahil accompanied him on congos. Another item saw characters from different states in traditional costumes doing steps from dances of their states. The ‘Bhangra’ performance had the visual gusto.

The programme spoke volumes of the training, love and patience used by the teachers of Nirdosh to make the children perform before their parents and guests. Dr B.P. Mishra, clinical psychologist from Dayanand Medical College and Dr Parveen Sobti, paediatrician, visit the school every week to lend support to the cause.

Dr Mishra said members of the Inner Wheel Club were doing a commendable job running this special school for more than two decades. “They have taken up their social responsibility and are discharging it well. The teachers are also sent for regular training in handling such children. What is needed is more support from society. Such schools can do with more volunteers who can give vocational training to these students,” he said.

The Principal Mr Suran Singh, read out the annual report and said such students could learn to be independent and useful members of society by picking up vocations like beauty culture, candle making and terracota pot making. Earlier, Ms Parveen Narang welcomed the chief guest, Dr Iqbal Ahuja, and the guests of Honour, Ms Abhilash Oswal and Mr Charanjit Nilibar. She said nine students of the school had found jobs, which was a matter of pride for it.

The government does not offer much help, but philanthropists keep Nirdosh running without hiccups. Members of the Inner Wheel Club have started giving computer education to these students.

Ms Indu Bhaskar, president of the Inner Wheel Club, and Ms Rippy Chatwal, chairperson of the club said that the prayer of the Inner Wheel Club, ‘Sabhi manavon ki sewa ka hamen sada hi yeh dhayan rahe....’, had been the motivating force behind their efforts.

The guests were shown clay pots, candles, artificial flowers, shagun envelopes, and wrapping paper prepared by the students. 

240 students honoured
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 10
The annual prize distribution function of DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, was organised on the school premises here today. The Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge, Mr Justice Narinder Kumar Sud, was the chief guest on the occasion. The function started on the melodious tunes played by orchestra. It was followed by Vande Matram.

The Principal, Mr R.S. Patial, welcomed the chief guest and the other dignitaries. Parents of the prize winners and the participants were special invitees. To enthrall the audience, students presented a classical dance performance. Bengali folk dance and Kathak — one of the famous classical dances also won much applause from the audience.

The fascinating Kalbelia dance, a folk dance of Rajasthan, was also presented by students. The graceful display of their perfect movements to the enchanting tune of musical instruments was a treat to the eyes and ears. Bhangra was well received by the audience.

Poetry recitation contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 10
The Kundan Vidya Mandir auditorium was resounding with loud, forceful, intonated voices, as students recited poems in and inter-house contest organised by the Junior Humanities Forum. Ms Neema Khanna, Principal, was present there. The houses fielded two contestants each — one in English category and the other in Hindi category. Before the contest, office-bearers of the Junior Humanities Forum and the Prefect Council were introduced to the Principal by their head, Ms Kalpana Sharma.

The student comperes were Samikshya Loshali of VIII-D and Mehak Wadhera of VIII-D. The poems encompassed varied emotions like laughter, wit, sorrow and bravery. Ms Neena Khanna praised all contestants and Ms L. Sharma, of the city branch of the school, appreciated the efforts behind the organisation of the function.

The judges, Ms Kirat Grewal and Ms Sarita Sood, had a tough time selecting the winners. The results were as follows:

English poetry recitation — Shreya Sharma of VIII-A 1, Swati Bhandari of VI-C 2, Lokesh Anand of VII-D consolation prize; group B (Hindi poetry, recitation — Shekhar Kapoor of VI-E 1, Aditi Jain of VIII-C 2, Shiksha Aggarwal consolation prize. Combined Housewise result: Tagore House 1, Subhash House 2, Raman House 3, Patel House 4, Gandhi House 5 and Nehru House 6.

Students celebrate founder’s day
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 10
Students of the Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, celebrated the institution day of the school today. A colourful programme was presented by students of the school, depicting theme of truth, compassion and justice as cherished by the school. It was a thematic presentation of various cultures of the country be it from Rajasthan or Kashmir. Dressed in the attire of these states, the students presented dance and song numbers of several states. The short skits presented by the students reflected the theme of truth, justice and compassion. The Inspector General of Police, Border range, Mr Chander Shekhar, was the chief guest on the occasion. He also distributed prizes among the meritorious and outstanding students.

School gets playground
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 10
With the efforts of the Parent-Teacher Association and villagers, Government Elementary School, Phullanwal village, purchased a plot worth Rs 4 lakh for developing a playground for the school. At a ceremony held in the school yesterday, students presented a cultural programme. On the occasion, Mr Vijay Kumar, managing director of a firm, donated Rs 31,000 in addition to an amount of Rs 1 lakh donated earlier. Mr Manjit Singh Jawaddi, a senior Congress leader, donated Rs 25,000 in addition to an amount of Rs 60,000 given out earlier. Mr Tejinder Singh Sekhon, president of the PTA, donated Rs 21,000 and assured more help in future.

US fellowship
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 10
Dr Rajneesh Calton, Professor and Head, Department of Cardiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, has been awarded the prestigious fellowship of the American College of Cardiology (FACC).