Haryana School Board reduces pass percentage to 33
Our Correspondent

Bhiwani, August 12
The Board of School Education, Haryana, has decided to reduce the minimum pass percentage from 35 to 33. Chairman of the Board, Mr OP Chaudhry, informed that the decision was taken by the members of the Board in a meeting held recently.

The meeting was also attended by Mr Dilbagh Singh, vice-chairman of the Board, Mr Dhanpat Singh, Commissioner, Higher Education, Mr Roshan Lal, Director, Secondary Education and Mr Rakesh Gupta, Secretary of the Board, among others.

Reiterating his resolve to raise the standard of education and eradicate the evil practice of copying, Mr Chaudhry said that from August 11, he will address the district level anti-copying seminars throughout the state.

He said the Board had decided to reduce the minimum pass percentage from 35 to 33 as per the previous practice. Considering the problems of the students, especially those belonging to the rural areas, he said that those educational institutions which were not able to fill their enrolment return on the prescribed dates could send their enrolment return of that year upto December 31 with a late fee of Rs 500. No enrolment return will be accepted after this date, he said.

Measures to curb unfair means
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, August 12
The Board of School Education Haryana has taken a series of measures to curb the menace of copying in the annual and supplementary examinations in the state.

Stating this, Brig. O. P. Chaudhary (retd) told mediapersons here today that the board has decided to set up the examination centres at places well connected by roads, which would be accessible to the flying squads. Teachers with doubtful integrity would not be appointed as supervisors in the examinations.

The board, he said, is also contemplating the appointment of college lecturers as supervisors in the board examinations so as check the menace of copying.

He also disclosed that action would be taken against those teachers who are found helping the examinees in using unfair means in the examination halls. The board, he maintained, would not spare any examinee found using unfair means.

Brig. Chaudhary also declared that the board has banned the use of mobile phones by the examinees in the examination halls.

He disclosed that as many as 7,600 examinees had been caught using unfair means during the annual examinations held in March this year. Most of them were punished and only 165 examinees were let off after an inquiry, he said. As many as 176 employees of the board had been transferred from the headquarters.

HC awards compensation to Delhi farmers for acquired land
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 12
The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to pay compensation to the farmers of Nagal Rai in Sagar Pur village on the outskirt of the national Capital for acquiring their 309 bighas of land for public purposes.

An order to this effect was passed by Chief Justice B. C. Patel and Justice A. K Sikri after some farmers had move the court seeking payment of compensation to them for the land acquired in 1984 for the planned development of the West Delhi area.

Though the High Court has not quantified the amount of compensation, advocate Surat Singh, who appeared for the farmers, said it would be around Rs 14 crore.

The Bench in its order had recorded that no counsel had appeared in the matter for long on behalf of the Union Government... and under the circumstances “we direct the respondents to pay the compensation to the owners of the land, if not paid, within a period of three months unless prevented in view of the provisions contained in Section 30 and 31 of the Land Acquisition Act”.

The court made it clear that in case of any dispute pending in any court about the acquired land, the amount should be deposited with that court to remain in its custody till the case is finally disposed of.

The farmers had contended that their land was acquired for planned development of the city vide a notification issued by the Delhi Administration on September 18, 1984, but they were still waiting for payment of the compensation even after the expiry 18 years.

GLITZ&GLAMOUR
Krishna and Radha to doll up in designer clothes
Smriti Kak

TO design for the master Designer himself is no easy task. Ask the designers who have spent countless hours contriving the colours and the textures to get the right look for the Creator who has to his credit an infinite creation, varied as it is and also awe-inspiring.

This Janmashtami Lord Krishna and his consort Radha will be decked in outfits, which have been created by designers Ashima-Leena and Anjana Bhargava. This assignment concede the designers, is manna from heaven.

Brain child of Prabhupadacacarya Dasa, the Promotion Director, ISKCON, the designer garbs for the Lord are an extension of Bhakti Bhav.

"We are basically trying to show how we can all serve the Lord with our routine work. By designing for the Lord, these designers are serving him. Each one of us can serve the Lord by doing our work, we don't necessarily have to live in temples with tonsured heads to serve the Lord," said Prabhupadacacarya Dasa.

For the designers, "chosen by the Lord himself", the occasion is not just a "once in a lifetime opportunity", but paves way for them to create a world record. A word has been sent to the Guinness Book of World Records about the first ever event, where the Lord will be dressed in designer clothes.

"The designers were recommended by a 'Bhakt' (devotee) who is also a model. Since we were on a look out for designers who are cultured and religious people unlike the stereotyped designers we approached Ashima-Leena and Anajana for the work," said Prabhupadacacarya Dasa.

The designers on their part are counting their blessings. "This indicates how much the Lord loves us. To design for the lord is a blessing. This time we had to go beyond the bodies and form an emotional bond with the Lord," said Leena Singh.

She added, "It was a challenge and we had god guiding us throughout. In fact, he did the designing we only carried out the work physically". The designers have created 12 dresses, while Anjana has done the dresses for Radha, Ashima and Leena have created clothes for Krishna.

"We have used the latest embroider techniques and patterns for the Lord. There is zardosi with kundan work and the colours have been thoughtfully selected. Pure silk has been used for fabric. There is a saffron dhoti teamed with peacock coloured kurti and magenta chadar for Krishna," revealed Leena.

For his consort Radha, Anajana has used, "fuchsia and colours of the peacock plume". Anjana adds, "The base of the lehnga is fuchia and I have used the vibrant colours of the peacock for the embroidery. The fabrics are silk and georgette. I have also used 3D brocade pieces on the lehnga for a new look."

The designers claim that designing for the lord also ensured friendly vibes between them, "there was no competition and we enjoyed working together in co-ordination," claimed Leena.

An element of sanctity and reverence was also maintained, "I set up a separate room for the clothes, we would all take off out shoes and wash our hands before touching the clothes," said Anjana.

The experience claimed Prabhupadacacarya Dasa, "Is it expand the circle of Lord's mercy. We are getting more people to serve the Lord and receive his blessings.”

Model Gauri Pandit in Anuradha Chhabra’s collection, 'Desire'.

Trendy trinkets from Chhabra

Jewellery designer Anuradha Chhabra has unveiled her new collection, titled 'Desire'. The sleek and contemporary designs have been created for the woman who prefers trendy wear to the age old chunky wear.

'Desire' the designer claims has been designed keeping in mind both the needs for formal and casual wear. Anuradha has been liberal in the use of diamonds, coloured stones in white and yellow gold. There is also a south sea pearl collection, where pieces are set with diamonds in platinum. Enamel work has been combined with white gold to create a radiant look.

Vivah 2003 sampann hua

Actress Raageshwari at 'Celebrating Vivah 2003'.

Oodles of pep and talent to boot, actress turned singer and Veejay Raageshwari was recently in the city. Dressed in a green sequinned outfit, she came down to launch 'Celebrating Vivah 2003', which wound up here last week.

The three-day wedding exhibition had on display wedding apparels and accessories including jewellery. The event offered a platform for designers, jewellers and event managers to put their fare on display for the D Day.

The event was a melee of designers, wedding planners and holiday providers jostling for attention.

Daler Mehndi wields the knife

Daler Mehndi opening Otik Food Plaza in the Capital.

The king of Punjabi pop wielded the knife, as he inaugurated the ‘Otik Food Plaza’ in the city recently. In his sequinned turban, Daler Mehndi launched the plaza in Greater Kailash II.

The plaza offers a variety of cuisines to food lovers. One can choose from Mughlai to Italian fare. The place has been designed to create a posh look, Italian marble and stainless steel have been used for the striking look.

Otik Plaza is also wooing customers with palate tickling variety of Iranian fare. From Jujeh kabab, Zerish Pulao with chicken to Chelo Kebab and chicken schitzel.

Tempest 2003: Dancing to the hit tunes

Dayanand Vihar-based cultural organisation Sur Snehi Kala Manch recently organised a cultural programme, 'Tempest-2003', at Hindi Bhavan Auditorium. As many as 25 children of the organisation participated in the occasion. The kids performed spell-binding dances on many hit films songs.

On the occasion, the president of the organisation, Mrs Renu Goyal, said there is no dearth of talents in our society, but they seldom get the right opportunities. The craze towards stage shows has dampened due to TV and satellite channels. The editor of Meerut-based journal Apurva Sakshi, Mr Parvesh Bakashi, was awarded on the occasion for his investigative and fearless journalism, especially for exposing the sex scandal of Meerut-based Apollo Circus.

Nalini Ranjan