The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

GNE students boycott classes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 21
Third year students of Guru Nanak Engineering College, Gill Road, went on strike this morning, following re-appear results displayed on the college board. The students said they were being told by Punjab Technical University to revert back and join the courses of first year. They said the results of re-appear examination were exactly same as those given earlier on regular basis. They alleged that this indicated that there had been some foul play on the part of the university.

The students attended the first two lectures this morning, following which they held a rally. The rally was joined by other students of the college as well. They raised slogans against the university authorities and urged that some inquiry be ordered. They forwarded their representation to the Vice-Chancellor and demanded that probe be ordered.

The students were then pacified by Col D.S. Grewal, Principal, who assured that he would enquire about the matter from the university authorities.

CULTURE

AT THE CROSSROADS
Master of Indo-English poetry

POETRY comes into existence when one wants to fill vacant spaces in one’s mind. Dr Ajit Singh Sikka writes with an inquisitive mind about conflicting experiences and unnamed desires. In his Complete Poetical Works (in three volumes) published by Atlantic, New Delhi, he has revealed his eagerness for reaching out to the meaning of existence and his own relevance. In a subtle manner, he assimilates various influences in his conception of life. His poems in fact present the image of life seen through a temperament. He feels ill at ease in discordant surroundings and “urban syncopation of the rhythms of life.” Still he is inspired to create an alternative atmosphere from within. He is restless to discover what is eternally true and profoundly admirable in life.

The poetic endeavours of Dr Ajit Singh Sikka, during the last two decades, have won him an enviable position in Indo-English poetry. The range of the topics he has chosen is simply baffling. Still he never betrays impatience while expressing his views. Rather he seems to have pondered over them for long and deeply. He has been endowed with a philosophical mind, coupled with refined sensibilities. The reader is carried away by the poet’s vivid description and passionate articulation.

Dr Ajit Singh Sikka was born on August 22, 1929, at Maghiana (West Punjab). He did his M.A. in 1966 and Ph.D.in 1970 from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He worked as lecturer in Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Sriganganagar (Rajasthan) during 1972-73, and Sikh National College, Banga, from 1973 to 1989. He stayed in USA from 1989 to 1993. He won Natraj Award in 1989 and Golden Poet Trophy from World of Poetry, California (USA) in 1991. He is now settled in Ludhiana and visits frequently the reference library in Punjabi Bhavan for his postdoctoral research work.

From the personal and social concerns, the poet shifts his stance to his religious faith. The Sikh history is replete with the glorious deeds of the individuals who laid down their lives for a common cause. The divine message of self-sacrifice has come down to us in unambiguous terms. Living for the good of others is the ultimate goal of a human being. But dying for the universal welfare is the role that has been assigned to the chosen few by Wahe-Guru. Still it has fallen to the lot of the Sikhs to be in the forefront whenever the time for making great sacrifices comes. The brave die only once but their deeds are remembered till eternity.

Dr Ajit Singh Sikka has taken upon himself the duty of making the people aware of the spirit of Sikhism. He holds in high esteem particularly those who attained martyrdom without batting an eyelid. In the manner of Chaucer’s portrayal of the ‘Pilgrims to Canterbury’, he has presented the picture-gallery of as many as 26 great Sikhs in the past phases of Sikh history. This, in itself, is no mean achievement.

The overview of the collected works of Dr Ajit Singh Sikka indicates a philosophical mind brooding over the human situation in the world of today. He is well-versed in the art of versification and his mind is replete with classical allusions. At times his poems betray an intertexuality. Like the bee in the bonnet, the ideas reverberate in the dome of his mind and he takes recourse to their musical expression. He is innovative, if need be, but original all the time. No beaten-track he adopts for the expression of his feelings and thoughts.

His intellectual cravings lead him from the one topic to another in a gush. The end-result is the sonatas of the wind-borne leaves rustling down in cascades.

N.S. Tasneem

Mohini Singh to perform today
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 21
Mohini Singh from Mumbai, who is the latest sensation in the music world, as the songs sung will perform in the city tomorrow. The songs “Ishq chandi hein, Ishq sona hai” from “Bivi No1,” “Akheion se goli mare” from “Dulha Raja” and the Babuji remix by her have shot her into limelight.

Talking to the mediapersons today’ Mohini Singh said, “After a long struggle, I was given a break by Bhappi Lehri in a non-descript film called “Military Raj” but I got noticed only after these songs became popular. I am giving playback for Bipasha Basu and singing in Ram Gopal Verma’s untitled film. My other song will be from “Sohni Mahiwal” and yet another song is being composed by Nadeem Shravan.

“From my childhood I liked singing. I started learning classical music from Pandit Sukhdev Chaturvedi. I feel the more you study music the more you need to learn. Now that I have reached a certain position, I will like to help some upcoming new singer as I know what is struggle,” she said.

She said she liked Suriya as she had a lovely voice, “Present day singers are so lucky as there is so much of technical assistance given to them during recording. But earlier the singers had to sing in one take. That showed the mastery of yesteryear singers.This is my first public appearance in Ludhiana,” she added.