EDUCATION

Foreign students enjoy Punjabi hospitality
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, August 22
Eleven teenage students from different schools of Derby, who are presently in the city under the Citizenship of the People of the World programme, are overwhelmed by Punjabi hospitality.

They are impressed by the development made by India in various fields, but at the same time they are critical of the constant India bashing by the foreign media. They believed India to be land of snake charmers and people steeped in abject poverty, but a single visit to the country has been enough to wash all negative impressions.

The girls were so impressed by Punjabi ensembles that they quickly shopped for and donned these. The sprawling campus of Punjab Agricultural University, which they visited, fascinated them. The Rural History Museum of Punjab, which displays various aspects of rural life of Punjab of years ago, attracted them.

Juliet, a geography student, said they were fascinated by the colourful phulkari and wanted to buy a piece each. After a visit to Hero Cycles factory in the city, she said, “We are impressed by the technical advancement made by India, but I am really sad that equality of gender does not exist here. We did not see any woman worker in the factory.”

Another student, Jagceep Singh, said the workers in the factory were not wearing any protective clothes. He said in England it was mandatory for workers to wear protective clothes, while working in factories.

The students were unanimous in saying that the trip has thrown a lot of pleasant surprises at them. But they were disturbed by the honking on the roads and mosquitoes. However, despite heat, they were enjoying their visit.

On being asked about Indian youths vis-a-vis youths of England, Juliet said, “They have many similarities, but I feel Indian students are not open to ideas. Most of them want to be doctors or engineers, whereas we have so many options before us.”

Ms Jasvir Kaur Bahth, senior youth worker, who is accompanying the students with two more staff members, said, “The trip is sponsored by the Derby City Council and the Common Wealth Youth Exchange Programme. The idea behind it is to make the youth look beyond the cause of social problems that exist all over the world so that they think they are citizens of the world.”

The expense of trip in India is borne by the Indian Cultural Association, Kartarpur, an NGO comprising NRIs. The entire itinerary was coordinated by Captain Dhami, Assistant Director, Youth Services, Punjab. Earlier, he had taken 12 students to Derby.

The students arrived on August 16 and would be in India till September 5. During their trip, they would visit Delhi, Chandigarh, Patiala, Nabha, Amritsar, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Dalhousie.

College teachers hold protest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 22
In response to a call given by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU), college teachers held a rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today.

They said the agitation would be intensified if the government remained adamant. They also decided to observe Teachers Day on September 5 as “black day” and hold rallies.

Primary teachers plan dharna
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 22
Protesting against the move of the Punjab Government to hand over the control of government primary schools to panchayats, eight unions of government primary teachers have decided to hold dharna in front of the mini-secretariat on August 29.

Stating this in a press note, Mr Piara Singh Dhillon, convener of the common front, said the decision of the government to appoint teachers on contract through panchayats from October 2 onwards was highly disturbing. He said under such circumstances the rural education would frequently be disturbed.

Mr Dhillon said the front was already much disappointed with the setting up of elementary directorate by way of which their promotion channel had been blocked. He said other decisions like stopping admission to elementary teachers’ training (ETT), cuts in commutation of pensions, limiting the number of earned leaves and assigning non-teaching duties to teachers were some more reasons of brewing resentment among the government school staff.

Polytechnic girls hold exhibition
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 22
Rhythm, an exhibition of designer dresses, was organised by students of Satguru Ram Singh Government Polytechnic for Women, Rishi Nagar, here today.

The exhibition covered all the foundation skills needed for fashion, beginning from basic designs to one of the most innovative patterns to be worn on specific occasions. The exhibition was divided into five sections. Harmony, the first section, had dresses in which young designers created magic out of various colour combinations and contrasts. The Kiddy Kingdom section had clothes for toddlers and teenagers created with the wildest imagination, using different cuts, patch works, embroideries, prints, laces and designer buttons.

The third section, Sweet dreams, had night wears for men, women and kids. Nighties, night suits, bedroom wears, with and without gowns in various pastel shades, black, red and white colour were all exhibited by students.

Kalacraze, the fourth section, dealt with clothes catering for higher section of society. Most of the dresses were party wears made out of the most expensive fabric and stitched in a designer way.

The fifth section, Figurretes, had casual dresses. Dresses that conveyed the overall mood to the onlooker were displayed. Most of these were shirts, T-shirts, jeans, capris, trousers and scarfs.

Earlier, Ms Harvinder Kaur Toor, Principal, inaugurated the function. Prof S.P. Singh welcomed the guests and coordinated the show.

CULTURE

‘Kamaal Karte Ho Aap Bhi’ to be staged on
August 30
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 22
The city will witness the acting prowess of ‘Kahin Kissi Roz’ fame Ramola Sikand (Sudha Chandran). She is playing the lead role in a play ‘Kamaal Karte Ho Aap Bhi’, which will be staged on August 30 in the city. The Ludhiana Sanskritik Samagam is organising the play.

Sudha Chandran has acted as lead actress in over 67 films. Her two Hindi films, ‘Mayauri’ and ‘Nache Mayuri’, became hits. She has acted in Tamil, Kanada, Marathi, Malayalam and Gujarati films and in 82 serials.

Mr S.K. Rai, secretary of the samagam, said Rajesh Puri would also perform in the play. Rajesh is Lalu of ‘Hum Log’. He has acted in more than 150 films.