EDUCATION

Copying menace: Private schools under scanner
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, September 30
Gurgaon, Rohtak, Sonepat, Jhajjhar and Bhiwani fall in the list of areas where copying in examinations takes place on a large scale. According to the Secretary of the Education Board, Mr Rakesh Gupta, some of the centres, which are comparatively more susceptible with regard to copying are the areas where private schools have mushroomed, and which indulge and abet various kinds of irregularities.

Hence, the Board has put the private schools as well as students sponsored by them for taking the exams under the scanner.

Mr Gupta opined that the Board has already tightened the screws to checkmate the menace of copying and the prophylactic measures have showed results in the just concluded supplementary exams.

He particularly blamed the people outside the examination centres for this menace. However, he stressed that the external interferences had been more or less rooted out in the 13-day supplementary exams.

He attributed the strict approach of the Board coupled with good policing of the centres for the success in dealing with the external factor.

An ASI was caught red-handed helping his son at an examination centre in Gurgaon on the concluding day of the supplementary exams on September 28.

An immediate penal action inasmuch as placing him under suspension was taken.

Recently, six teachers were suspended for dereliction of duty. On the contrary, a police constable deployed at a centre in Jhajjhar district was rewarded with a cash incentive of Rs 500 for his excellent performance in checking malpractice of external interference.

Under this policy, invigilators and centre superintendents who had performed well and shouldered the assigned responsibility effectively, will be honoured suitably by the Board in the near future, he added. Referring to the “Jan Sampark Abhiyan” to bring about awareness of the ill-effects of the menace of cheating launched by the Board’s Chairman, Brig. O. P. Chaudhary, he said it had made tremendous impact on the minds of the people.

Giving details of several other steps taken by the Board to bring about reform in its working, he disclosed that introduction of scanning system would be a great help to eliminate the chances of impersonation in the examination.

He said that documents used in the examination such as roll no slip, signature/attendance chart, certificate, etc., would bear the computerised photographs of the examinees.

In order to check the malpractice of smuggling of loose sheets by the examinees from outside the examination hall, the system of providing continuation sheets has been decided to be done away with in the ensuing annual Matric and Senior Secondary examination.

CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Breaking the size barrier

Revolution, the western wear for women in larger and regular sizes, has unveiled their Autumn-Winter collection 2003. Talking about the line, Nisha Somaia, Director, says: “Now women can enjoy the freedom of comfort and fashion at the same time. They can dress up effortlessly and look perfectly groomed at the same time with our latest Autumn-Winter 2003 line providing sizes ranging from 28” to 44” that perfectly fit the Indian woman’s full figure making sure they are wearing trendy clothes in sync with international trends and forecasts.”

It was pointed out that the collection has been well mulled over keeping in mind the current trends worldwide as also the varied tastes. “Winter being the party season for India, the collection has a lot of surface embellishments like embroideries and crystals. A simple black V-neck T-shirt with a net yoke and an embroidered mock necklace with sequins and gemstones is an exquisite style. Yet another style has a spray of mirrors in front and a trouser has pretty circles of mirrors in front,” claims the design team at Revolution.

The colours range from burgundy, military green, khaki, rust, to brighter ones like turquoise, red, pink, orange, lilac and more. The collection also dabbles in lace, rivets, military, gathered harem, drawstrings, cords, tabs, washed denims, pin tucks, frays, sheer, mirrors, layers, crochet, gem stones, sequins, feminine prints and kimono sleeves.

High voltage treatment for the bored soul
Smriti Kak

According to the designer, Suman Nathwani, her New Fall Winter ’03 collection of sleepwear co-ordinates is a “high voltage treatment for the bored soul”.

The collection, which was put to display here at the Hyatt Regency, and is part of the Bridal Asia, is being touted as, “a collection that will infuse life into the deadest of nights!” Titled, ‘Fashion uncensored’, the series is a collection of nightwear that is, “geared to pump up the heart, and get the adrenaline flowing”. The collection comprised of ‘Straps on’, a leather collection in shades of chocolate and Turk, which combines attitude with street style. The shorts, bustiers and two-piece sets are highlighted with chains, zips and strings for a collection with attitude. ‘Oblivion’, had shades of midnight black in lace and georgette and sheer fabrics meet lacy undertones.

‘Infusion’ a collection in stylish brocade took its inspiration from the orient. Used for effect are shades of dawn in pink and purple and Brocade plays predominant here with corsets, two-piece sets, and pajamas.

‘Renewal’ was infused with soft pastel embroidery, and flowing silhouettes. Negligees, camisoles and pajama sets made up this collection. ‘Daylight’ had frilly nightwear, short sets, lace teddies, and negligees with heart motifs. ‘Lifeblood’, had a collection in dark colours and an array of silhouettes. A variety of necklines and hemlines competed in this racy collection to give a sophisticated allure. Nets and georgettes gave a sheer touch to negligees, pajama sets, exotic ensembles and shorts. ‘Consciousness’, was the contemporary nightwear with an Indian touch. Western silhouettes and classic Indian embroidery made for a very indigenous and interesting collection. 

Bountiful from Be:

Be:’s Autumn Winter 2003 has a range that spans from Utilitarian to Oriental, Indian Kitsch to Underground Rock cultures, Practical abstracts to all time basics, claim the makers.

The colours are from black - pirates to inks, reds - scarlet to bricks, Pinks- deep roses to fluorescent. And the fabrics include soft fluid satins, lightweight georgette, silk, corduroy and leathers. Japanese blends, handloom naturals, crushes, washes and prints have also been experimented with.

Designer duo, Shantanu and Nikhil’s collection for Be: has been based on “the ongoing global military indulgence”. Tough fibres like twill canvas, micro light cottons, lycra knits and suede, have been used in the collection meant for the winters.

Dhamaka from Dwarka

How about shopping for jewellery, emptying your pockets and returning home with a brand new car! Sounds improbable! In the board room lingo they call it the craft of marketing. To sell more…you lose some…

This is precisely what is behind the Dwarka jewellers offer where you get to drive home a Maruti Esteem or the good old Maruti 800 should you get lucky, but after having spent a few crisp greens to buy some exquisite (read expensive) jewels. As a part of the nine-week-long Dwarka’s Ratnabhushan Utsav 2003, the jewellery house is out to woo customers with crafted stones and allurements like cars. Danseuses Yamini Krishnamurthi, Shovana Narayan and Gauri Verma attended the event’s inauguration.

After the lamp lighting ceremony began the show where all that glittered was gold and more. Models attired in black showcased the precious gems and jewels, which are on offer till December 10.

Glitzy Gaurav

For this Delhi-based lad, modelling is everything. Meet 19-year-old Gaurav Khatri, whose earnest dream is to become a super model. Recently, he has been offered the modelling assignments by NIIT. He basically hails from Dehradun. When he was a student of class X, he met some trainees of Indian Institute of Film and Television (IITF), who incidentally were from his hometown. Apparently, that was the climax of his career. And from then on, there was no looking back for him. Apart from modelling, he is also perusing graduation from Himachal University. An ardent fan of John Abraham, Gaurav completed his modelling training from Bend of Group 98.

Nalini Ranjan