The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

A school for producing leaders
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
It is a school with a difference. A school that is designed to produce leaders. And it has the backing of some of the top names in the Indian industry — a virtual who is who — serving on the governing board of the school. Mr Anil Ambani, Mr Rahul Bajaj, Mr Manvinder Singh Bagga, Mr Keki Dadiseth, Mr Adi Godrej, Mr K.V. Kamath, Mr Anand Mahndra, Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, Mr N.R. Narayana Murthy, Mr Deepak Parekh to name only a few.

“India is changing rapidly. It is no longer what it used to be just 10 years ago”, says Mr Ajit Rangnekar, Deputy Dean of the Indian School of Business based in Hyderabad. “We no longer need the usual management experts. What we need are leaders who should be the best of the best. Hence, this school which he established at the Andhra capital two years ago”.

In an interview with TNS here today, Mr Rangnekar said he had often been asked if Indians could afford an expensive school like his which charges Rs 13 to 14 lakh for a year. “And ask them why not? Why should Indians not be educated at a world class institution? Why should this privilege be available only to those in developed world? We are now providing it right here in India. The faculty we have has the best in the country. And our students include people from media, the Army, theatre... and they all want to be leaders in their field. Leadership is all about values and ethics.”

Mr Rangnekar’s own credentials are impressive. Prior to joining the ISB, Mr Rangnekar was the country head, first for Price Waterhouse Consulting and then for PwC Consulting, in Hong Kong and Philippines. He was the head of the Telecom and Entertainment Industry Consulting Practice for PwC in East Asia (China to Indonesia) and was also responsible for the management of the Training and Development activity of all PwC consultants in East Asia.

Mr Rangnekar has over 30 years of experience in East Asia and India in the areas of business stretegy, new business creation, systems implementation, and performance improvement in a variety of Industries ranging from Telecom, Utilities, energy, chemicals and shipping, both in the private and public sectors. He extensive operations management experience of business start-ups in the manufacturing, trading and professional services sectors in Hong Kong and India. He worked with Associated Cement Companies, India prior to joining PwC consulting.

Mr Rangnekar obtained an undergraduate degree from the Indian Institute of Technology at Mumbai before to completing an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad.

Mr Rangnekar announced that admissions were open for the next batch of the Postgraduate Programme in Management. The Classes for 2005 will commence on April 17, 2004. The ISB has two application deadlines — December 31, 2003, and February 16, 2004. Interested students can download the application form from the ISB website (www.isb.edu).

He said, ‘‘the ISB is growing at a rapid pace. In keeping with the school’s plans for expansion over the next few years, we are increasing the number of students for the fourth batch of the postgraduate programme to 280 up from 220 in 2003. It has partnership with the Kellogg School of Management, Wharton School, and London Business School making it one of its kind in Asia”.

Students exhibit ingenious projects
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, October 29
Putting up an impressive show of applied science, students from various schools in Ropar exhibited their projects at Paragon Senior Secondary School as part of a three-day district science exhibition that started here today.

Despite the fact that many of the students hailed from government schools in semi-rural areas, they had managed to put across their ideas using household articles creatively.

Working on the theme of future of science and technology, many of the ideas projected dealt with energy conservation, alternative sources of energy, transport and communication, information technology, waste management.

Some very interesting projects involving ideas of micro gravity regions, geostationary satellites, cloning and DNA fingerprinting were depicted.

Some of the more utilitarian projects included one made by a team of students from S.G.S. Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Anandpur Sahib.

A special walking stick was designed by these students for the visually impaired to help them walk. “Battery operated movement sensors have been put on a walking stick which beeps whenever someone approaches these persons carrying the stick.

An addition is a water sensor attached to the stick which would beep in case the stick touched water,” explained Gursandeep and Ravinder.

Another original exhibit depicted the possibility of harnessing electricity as part of the normal functioning of a tubewell. “Electricity which is needed in the farm house can easily be generated by routing the water that comes out of the tubewell through a turbine.

And in Punjab it can be really useful as almost every farmer has his own tubewell,” explained the team of Ambarloh and Harsimranjit of Government Elementary School, Saheri.

Another set of two students Pankesh and Rajpal of Government Senior Secondary School, Kiratpur Sahib, had designed a simple mechanism to indicate the back flow of blood on a patient under drip.

A team from Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kurali, comprising Amritpal and Parminder had designed simple devices to kill rats in godowns, indicators for overhead water tanks and generation of electricity in hillstations.

Yet another interesting suggestion was put forward through an exhibit by students of Government Elementary School, Khumera — Jaswnder and Jaswant.

According to them, underground pipes can be used in hilly areas to harness rain water and direct it to fields in the foothills.

A steam-based power generation unit was projected by Dhiraj and Sunny of Kotla Power House School while the team of Sushil and Amarjit showed how hospital waste can be used to generate power.

Harmit Singh and Santokh Singh of Elementary School, Rangian, showed how a simple contraption can be used to make a handpump workable for the physically challenged.

The Deputy Commissioner of Ropar inaugurated the show.

FROM COLLEGES
Book on non-violence released
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 29
For promoting Gandhian values and ideals in society, the Dev Samaj College of Education, in collaboration with social organisation Yuvsatta, inaugurated the first Gandhi Kendra of the college.

A book “Non-violent value creation strategies of N. Radhakrishnan’’ written by Asha Sabharwal from Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in New Delhi was also released by Member of Parliament Pawan Kumar Bansal.

The book is about the youth mobilisation strategies of Dr N. Radhakrishnan, an internationally renowned Gandhian scholar and a peace activist. He motivated the students to read Gandhian literature and adopt his philosophy of forgiveness and non-violence.

In his presidential remarks, Dr N. Radhakrishnan asked the girls to be fearless and realise Gandhi’s dream of rightful place for women in society.

The college Principal, Dr Satinder Dhillon, said with terrorism and violence at its peak, “we need to train our youth to promote non-violence”.

Mr Pramod Sharma, Coordinator of Yuvsatta, presented the vote of thanks. A press note added that Gandhi Kendras for youth mobilisation stood for propagation and promotion of Gandhian literature, truth, non violence, spirit of service and sacrifice, besides inter faith trust and respect.

Seminar

A seminar on the theme “Knowledge Management and its social spin off to the society of the future” was organised at DAV College, Sector 10, here on Wednesday. The speakers laid emphasis on the increasing the level of global competition where business was experiencing prolonged and continuing periods of downsizing.

The speakers said the emphasis was now shifting from the conventional five Ms, Man, Machine, Material, Method and Money, to knowledge management. Stating that knowledge management was emerging as a sub-discipline which was promoting a collaborative and integrated approach to capture, organise and access the information assets of an enterprise.

Speaking at the inaugural session, the Director, Science and technology, Mr Vivek Atray, laid emphasis on channelising knowledge in the right direction as the flow of information was excessive. Dr Prem Kumar emphasised on the emergence of a new economy in which brain power would be important.

Lecture

“With impressive personality and positive attitude, success is sure to come your way. Identify your weaknesses objectively and then strive towards overcoming them. This is the first step towards being successful”. Inmates of the girls hostel of GGDSD College, Sector 32, learnt this important lesson in a personality development lecture delivered by Prof N.K. Sahni, Head of Post Graduate Department of Commerce of the College.

Professor Sahni drove home this point through illustrative examples and quotations, thereby showing students ways by which they can overcome their limitations and reach their goals. “To be successful, one must first learn to love oneself, develop confidence and powerful communications skills. Both ‘right dress and address’ are important coupled with positive attitude. A little time spent in developing the right personality traits will go a long way in life,” he added.

CULTURE

Kaul woos audience with a suspense thriller
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
His father was Surendra Kaul, a well-known writer-director who wrote films like “Namak Halal”. His grand-uncle was Mahesh Kaul who introduced Hema Malini in “Sapno Ka Saudagar”. The noted art film maker Mani Kaul is his first cousin. Actor Raaj Kumar (“Jaani”) was his maternal uncle. Another maternal uncle, Hiren Khera, made “Jab Jab Phool Khile”.

And yet Pavan Kaul, with such impeccable filmi pedigree, wanted to join the Navy. Not for him — he thought — the greasepaint and spotlights of Bollywood. Rather, exotic ports, the salty air and adventure would be his life. The oceans beckoned. Destiny, however, had other plans for him.

Pavan Kaul, however, never ventured to sea. He followed his illustrious relatives into Bollywood. It all began when he was 14-year-old. “One day I was reading a book,” he explains, “as I came towards the last few chapters I realised that my mind was creating visuals of the previous chapters and I was not absorbing anything that I was reading. Instead of the written word I was thinking in visuals. That incident, I think, was the point at which I decided that I wanted to make films”.

Coming from a film background it was easy for Pavan to gain access to studios and editing suites. “I used to spend long hours of my free time watching films being edited” he says. “I sincerely believe you learn filmmaking in editing rooms.” It was this belief and hands-on experience that held him in good stead in the years to come. Years in which he made many films and introduced actors like Urmila Matondkar, Aditya Pancholi, Sujata Mehta and also gave breaks to Shah Rukh Khan and Pooja Bhatt.

Pavan Kaul is now in the news for his film “Sssshhh....” He will introduce Kajol’s sister Tanisha in the film. The film also marks his comeback to the commercial cinema after a long hiatus. Excerpts from an interview:

When did you first join the industry?

My first job was assisting Raj Sippy during the making of “Inkaar”. I worked on almost the entire film until the last few weeks when I quit. In fact my stint in “Inkaar” was the only time I worked with someone else.

Why did you not continue working as assistant?

It so happened that a certain technician refused to let me learn his trade. That got my goat. I decided that if I were to become a filmmaker I would have to learn the ropes myself. So instead of struggling as an assistant, I bought a still camera and taught myself photography. Then I set myself up as a commercial photographer, from there I graduated to ad and corporate filmmaking.

When did you get your first break?

I am a great admirer of Bhattsaab (Mahesh Bhatt), especially of his early works like “Lahu Ke Do Rang” and “Vishwasghaat”. In 1985 I asked Bhattsaab for some story ideas that I could work on. He suggested that I read a book called “Look Back in Anger”. I couldn’t get the book anywhere. One day when I was browsing the bookshops in Colaba in search of the book I bumped into Surendra Bhatia who used to be the editor of Showtime magazine. He asked me what I was doing. I told him that I wanted to make a film. “How would you like to make six films a year?” he asked me. I was floored. That’s when he told me that Nari Hira (of Magna Publications) was getting into the video film business. It was the mid-80s and home video was the big thing. One thing led to another and I found myself directing my first film.

You made your name with Hiba Films. Tell us about your experiences.

Working for Hiba Films was a superb experience. Even 18 years later, I have very fond memories of the eight films I made for Nari Hira. My first film was “Siyahi” with Kanwaljeet, Sujata Mehta, Vijayendra Ghatge and Anju Mahendru. Some of the subsequent films like “Kalan Ka Tika” — where Aditya Pancholi met Zarina Wahab and later got married — “Naqli Chehra” and “Scandal” were big hits on the home video circuit. Incidentally, I introduced Urmila Matondkar in “Scandal”. Besides the actors I had the privilege of working with acclaimed cameramen like Vinod Pradhan, Pramod Pradhan, Rajan Kothari, Anuj Jotwani and Gopal Shah. They are big names now and they were great technicians then. I can say it with authority that the work we did then is still unsurpassed.

When did you graduate to the big screen?

Between 1985 and 1988 I made eight video films. My first feature film to be released in theatres was “Chor Aur Chand” in 1990. It featured Aditya Pancholi and Pooja Bhatt. My next feature film was a big-budget movie called “Jaadu”. It featured Shah Rukh Khan and Raveena Tandon. It was Shah Rukh’s first big movie. Unfortunately, the film was shelved after 60 per cent of it was completed because the producer had some financial problems. It was a big setback. I cannot express how I felt when the movie was stalled. Both Shah Rukh and I tried our best to revive the project but we failed. I then vowed to myself that I would direct a movie only If I could also produce it. Since feature films cost a lot of money I turned my attention to television. I set up my own company (Rekaul) and started producing TV serials.

... and made a name for yourself as a thriller director....

Yes and no. “Sadma”, which was made for DD in 1996 was a complex story with many layers. It did have an element of mystery to begin with and was shot like one. I guess people remembered the treatment of the serial and I got stamped as a thriller director. Not that I mind. My subsequent serials were “Kaash” and “Mausam” and they were not thrillers. Later I did a number of horror episodes for “X-Zone” and the like. My latest was “Ssshh Koi Hai” for Star Plus.

Your last TV serial and your comeback movie have a similar title.

It is a coincidence. But what isn’t, is the producer. Cinevistaas has produced both the TV serial and the movie. The serial, which is based on the supermatural had very high prime time ratings. Probably on that basis Cinevistaas asked me to direct “Ssshhh..” the movie which is a murder thriller.

So you broke your vow about working with outside producers.

Yes and with good reason. I don’t think you will get better producers or better human beings than Sunil Mehta and Prem Kishen (directors of Cinevistaas). It has been a pleasure working with them and I will work with them again.

What is “Sssshhh....” about?

It is about seven youngsters who are trailed by a serial killer. The film extends from Kulu-Manali to Thailand. The film features Tanisha, Dino Morea and Karan Nath in the leading roles.

With Tanisha you have continued your practice of giving newcomers a break.

I like to work with new faces and some stories need new faces. Established actors come with a lot of baggage and stereotypes. Tanisha is a talented actress and from a commercial point of view also adds a novelty to the project.

The promos of “Sssshhh...,” look like picture postcards.

I don’t know if they look like picture postcards. But my philosophy is that location is also a character in a film. A location should have as deeply etched a character as the main roles. Also I have to work inside studios.

You are known for using innovative camera techniques, how much does equipment contribute to your style of film making?

I don’t think one should use equipment just because it is there. Just because you have a crane doesn’t mean you have to go up and down like a monkey. In fact I think modern filmmakers are being spoilt by an abundance of equipment. Instead I think in visuals. And I think like an editor. I think of how the scenes I shoot will be put together on the editing table. Once that is clear then equipment only helps you to achieve your objective. Equipment cannot make movies.

Now that“Sssshhh..” is completed what next?

I have a few projects and I should start work very early next year on them. Dino’s Morea’s brother Santino will be making his debut in my next project.

‘Sssshhh...’ set to make waves
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
Barring the picturisation of just one melodious romantic number, sung by the reigning singing duo Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik, the entire filming of Cinevistaas’s ‘‘Sssshhh...’’ is now complete. Penned by Pravin Bhardhwaj the song ‘Tera mera dil...’, composed by Anu Malik, is a number is likely to be hummed and remembered for years to come. In fact, the music is amongst one of the major highlights of this spine-chilling, murder mystery thriller. Every single one of the six songs recorded by Anu Malik is part of the plot and carry the story forward.

Soulfully penned by Dev Kohli, Yogesh and Raahat Indori, the songs have been set to life by Sukhwinder, Shaan and Adnan Sami, besides Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik.

Nature and its mystique play an important character in this tightly knit feature film directed by Pawan Kaul. This multi-faceted thriller has been shot extensively on exquisite locations in Shimla, Kulu, Manali in and around the Rohtang Pass heights, Goa, Khandala, Bangkok and the Poda Island in Thailand. Almost 95 per cent of this entire film has been shot on actual outdoor locations, giving the film a distinct look.

Starring Dino Morea and Karan Nath in the main leads, this film marks the debut of Tanisha, Kajol’s younger sister and daughter of one of India’s most natural actresses, Tanuja. Besides, the film also stars Shivaji Satam, Maya Alagh, Aly Khan, Suwarna Jha, Gaurav Kapoor, Kushal Punjabi, Tina Choudhary, and Alistar Woodham.

Says Dino: ‘‘After ‘Raaz’ I see ‘Sssshhh...’’ has all the makings of a big hit. Personally, I think, I’ve done a splendid job and am more than satisfied with my role and performance.’’ Karan believes that this movie will be the turning point his career. As for Tanisha, she feels she has chosen the perfect role to launch her career! ‘‘Yes, I was a bit nervous initially. There were some difficult scenes too. But I give credit to Pawanji who made things easy for me. I had to be very physical in this film, what with all the screaming I had to do. An interesting, different and difficult characterisation. It has given me immense satisfaction. I’m sure the audience will love me in it.’’

Directed by Pawan Kaul, the other technical credits of the film include music by Anu Malik, lyrics by Raahat Indori, Yogesh, Praveen Bhardwaj, Dev Kohli, cinematography by Heroo Keswani, script by Arshad Syed, action by Abbas Ali Mughal and Ilyas Shaikh, choreography by Geeta Kapur, Pappu-Mallu and Ganesh Acharya, costumes by Thilakha, Teia and Rocky S and sound by Pradeep Suri, Art Chaukas Bhardwaj.

Prem Krishen and Sunil Mehta have produced the film and it is being readied for release shortly.

Portraying struggle for existence
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
The theatre festival organised at Tagore Theatre by the Chandigarh School of Drama and Pracheen Kala Kendra wound up this evening with a Punjabi adaptation of the classic work of the American Nobel laureate John Steinbeck. Based on "Moon is Down", one of the three celebrated pieces of literature by Steinbeck, today's play, "Aprajit" has been translated into Punjabi by Prof Pritpal Singh of Patiala and rendered as a script by Sardar Gursharan Singh, who also directed the play.

Unlike yesterday when the presentation of the plays matched the power of scripts to strengthen the production, today's script dominated the portrayal. The reason can be attributed to the obvious gaps that exist between the original and the translated versions. The story has its base in crude capitalist tendencies that seek to denounce equality and everything else it implies. An ambitious army of an aggressive nation makes a friendly entry into a smaller country. Driven by self interests and political aspirations, the army occupies the territory of this small nation, forcing people into subjugation and infringing upon their fundamental rights of freedom and dignity.

The play underlines the message of Socrates who had advocated dignified human survival, even if it comes at the cost of death. The prime character in the play is Alexander, a soldier, who avenges his insult at the hands of his captain by shooting him dead. For this apparent crime, which is then tried by senior officials of the army, Alexander is executed in full public view. Alexander's sacrifice unleashes a spate of sacrifices, that fit the chain reaction well.

The Mayor of the city defies rule and authority in favour of his people and falls a prey to the gunshots of autocrats. As deaths mount, a spirit of sacrifice pervades the entire city which vows to avenge the violation of its freedom.

Finally, the play stresses all those principles that make a human life worth living. The cast included Zubin Mehta, Bhavna, Mohinder Kohli, Mohinder Dogra, Arushi Singh, Jagjit Saini, Vikramjit Singh, Daljit Singh, Dilawar Sidhu, among others.

Carnival village to comes alive
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
Keeping in view the golden jubilee of the city, the theme of this year’s two-day carnival will be “Chandigarh — 50: young and vibrant”. The two-day carnival will be organised on November 29 and 30 at Leisure Valley, Sector 10.

During the carnival, the overall ambience will be of a Carnival village. The scope of certain activities will be further enhanced to make it more lively, attractive and full of fun and frolic. Besides erecting a hanging rope bridge, a mini Rock Garden with the help of Padamshree Nek Chand would be set up at Chandigarh Carnival Village.

The Senior Citizens Corner will have a number of activities which would involve more children and families Special type of kites would be added to the kite flying and kite exhibition to encourage more participation. The costume characters of the participants of the carnival would also be a broadned to make it more attractive and vibrant.

For projecting the city as a hub of medical education, information technology and technical education in this part of the country, several activities will be organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with Panjab University, the Punjab Engineering College and the Department of Information Technology.

A quiz competition on “Discover Chandigarh” will be organised for children. Special children and senior citizens will also be able to participate in a special quiz to be organised especially for them. An interactive and lively Children Traffic Park will also be set up for creating awareness on traffic rules.

Besides organising cultural programmes of various states, this year Carnival will also feature food stalls of different states of the country. The government and private schools and colleges will present colourful floats on various topics relating to Chandigarh or any other issue. The three akademies of the Chandigarh Arts Council will ensure participation of people from different walks of life and a cultural nite will also be organized.

These decisions were taken today at a meeting held under the Chairmanship of the Adviser to the Administrator, Mr R.S.Gujral here today. Among others who attended were the MD, CITCO, Mr S.P. Singh, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar, the DPI(S), Mr D.S.Mangat, the Director, Museum, Mr V.N.Singh, the Chairmen of the three akademies of the Chandigarh Arts Council and dignitaries from the field of arts and culture also took part.