The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

NAAC team visits Gaur Brahman College of Education
Our Correspondent

Rohtak, November 4
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has undertaken state-wise analysis of accreditation reports to find out and enlist the common issues and their solutions based upon the data from the peer team reports.

This was disclosed by Dr Harikesh Singh, Professor, Department of Education, Banaras Hindu University and Mr Ganesh Hegde, Assistant Adviser, NAAC, Banglore, who are part of the peer team that today visited the Gaur Brahman College of Education to validate its self appraisal report.

The peer team is headed by Dr D. N. Sansanwal, Director and Dean, Institute of Education, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore.

Mr Hegde said that after the analysis of the accreditation reports, the NAAC would make recommendations to the state government, university and other relevant agencies on matters related to the improvement in higher education in the state.

The NAAC will study the peer team reports from the point of view of the quality enhancement of higher education.

Mr Hegde said that NAAC has so far accredited 595 institutions-497 colleges and 98 universities. Nearly 100 colleges and the Universities at Kurukshetra, Rohtak and Hisar of Haryana are among the institutions that have been accredited by NAAC.

He said more than 2,400 colleges have submitted letter of intentions so far. He said many activities have been proposed to celebrate this year as the “Year of Excellence”. Gaur Brahman College of Education was started in 1975 by the Gaur Brahman Education Society. The college runs B.Ed programme and is affiliated to the Maharshi Dayanand University and was recognised by the UGC in 1975 and by the NCTE in 1998. The president of Gaur Brahman Education Society, Mr Hoshiar Singh Sharma, said that apart from academic courses, moral education was also provided to the students.

During its two-day visit, the peer team interacted with the management, principal, teaching and non-teaching staff, students, parents and alumni of the college.

In order to examine the existing facilities in the college, the team visited the library, Psychology lab, and the Science lab. It was also briefed about the sports facilities available in the college.

Youth festival from Nov 15

The inter-zonal youth festival of Maharshi Dayanand University will be held from November 15 to 17 at the Government Postgraduate College, Narnaul. About 600 students from 49 affiliated colleges and institutions are expected to take part in this festival. The Haryana Education Minister, Mr Bahadur Singh, will inaugurate the ceremony on November 15, while the Vice-Chancellor, Mr Bhim Singh Suhag, will be the chief guest during the valedictory ceremony.

Meanwhile, a quiz contest on Indian Constitution was organised by the Public Administration Department of the university here on Monday.

Nearly, 100 students of the Political Science Department and Public Administration Department took part in the quiz contest. The students of the Public Administration Department defeated their counterparts in the Political Science Department by a margin of 50-47 points in the keenly contested contest.

After Plus Two, time to brainstorm right career
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, November 4
Choosing the right education stream after Plus Two examination is not only the focus of attention for a student, it gives the jitters to many parents as well. The situation seems to have made the role of a career counseller relevant and hard to ignore. As a result, more schools are going for special sessions on the subjects.

Mr Satinder Chaudhary of ‘Generation Next Educations’, a franchise of ‘Career Launcher’ here has already conducted

over a dozen seminars and discussions in many schools here to tell the students of 11th and 12th, the best possible options after Plus Two.

He said only few students could make a clear-cut choice before their examinations, to select the right course or degree.

In many cases, it was not the students, but the parents who decide the future of their wards. This, he said, results in frustration and reduces the interest of students in studies and career.

He said that pursuing a simple degree course like B.A., B.Com or B.Sc. after Plus Two had become nearly outdated, as there was no job guarantee for just degree holders.

He said the field of careers had become quite specialised and there was a growing demand for professionals and specialists in the service sector.

He said although the number of institutions and colleges offering medical and engineering education had grown several times in the past few years, a stagnation period in the demand of such graduates could hit any time.

The ‘Generation Next Educations’ held a workshop at St. John’s School, here recently in which about 250 students were told about the field of choice after exams. They

were told that the courses like BBA, Hotel Management, Law, Defence (NDA), Mass Communication, Medical, Multimedia, IIT-JEE, CA, CS, ICWA, Commerce, Fashion and correspondence course in various subjects were available and the students should choose their course as per their interest and abilities.

Adult education: Future strategies
Our Correspondent

Rewari, November 4
As many as 250 delegates from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and several other states of the country participated in the 52nd All India Adult Education Conference held under the joint auspices of the Indian Adult Education Association (IAEA), International Institute of Adult and Lifelong Education (IIALE) and Directorate of Adult Education (DAE) of the Union Human Resource Development Ministry at Om Shanti Retreat Centre (ORC) of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vidyalaya (PBKIV), at Bhora Kalan (near Bilaspur Chowk), 30 km from here, recently.

The delegates were from about 60 of the 90-odd empanelled agencies of various NGOs selected by the National Literacy Mission (NLM) for the purpose of external evaluation of literacy campaigns in India.

“Evaluation in Adult Education–Past Experiences and Future Strategies”, was the theme of the three-day conference which concluded on November 2. In its conclusive declaration comprising specific recommendations made to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development and its concerned wings, the conference prominently emphasised the urgency of objective, timely and scientific evaluation.

GLITZ&GLAMOUR

Invoking the magic of Arabian Nights
Smriti Kak

Designer duo Ashima and Leena showcased their romance of Central Asia through their Fall/Winter Collection titled ‘the fabric of the Genii’. Having unleashed their creativity on fabrics, the designers have managed to focus on wearability and comfort as well. In their own words, their collection is an outpouring of a “Carpetbagger’s treasure -from the heart of Central Asia’s melting pot”.

The clothes are vibrant and contemporary with thought being given to the wearer’s personality. The designs can be worn in various combinations to suit one’s own personal style or moods — elegant, romantic, dashing or funky — claim the designers.s.

The influence of the Arab patterns and designs can’t be missed. There is the exuberance of Arabia in vibrant colors and textures. The designers have also managed to catch the, “exquisite beauty of Alhambra — graceful arches, dreamlike lattices invoking images of sultry Arabian nights, geometric motifs and mosaics on boldly worked jackets and pants.

The collection also includes “ the glazed beauty of Samarkand printed in vibrant arabesques of azure, turquoise and gold. Palestinian caftans and gathered trousers brilliantly hued and finely worked in silk threads and handcrafted sequins, a gorgeous palette of flame, scarlet and fuchsia” point out Ashima and Leena.

Antique patterns from ancient Cairo, a kaleidoscope of stained glass colors woven into myriad wondrous motifs in draped, off shoulder wraps, with origami ties, join the encrusted, intricately carved busters that can be teamed with pants, tights or minis and even saris.

The collection also offers studded billowing skirts. Accessories, which were a part of the line, include embroidered boots, scarves, jeweled belts and kiln inspired bags.

Jeans or works on canvas?

For those who wish to experiment with the plain old jeans and turn it into a work of art, Hi-End jeans, the prêt line of AN Denim, has introduced its fall 2003collection. Hi-End jeans, a range of hand painted denim by AN are “literally works of art for any wardrobe”.

The collection includes jeans with funky motifs such as safety pins, moon and sun, scissors, pockets and brick walls. Additionally, floral motifs and crystal embellishments have cascaded onto the Hi-End collection. There are all hues with newer shades of denim in pink, hot pink, fuchsia and, of course, the traditional blue.

The jeans have also been adorned with fashionable animal prints, including snakeskin, crocodile, and leopard. For Nature lovers, there are leaves, flowers and butterflies.

For those who wish to take the experimentation further there are jeans with lace bottoms and unusual motifs. Scarf belts in Jamevar-inspired motifs have also been introduced. Leather fringing, suede-coloured belts on the waistband and wooden bead belts on the jeans add an Afro touch to the denim for those wishing to go back to the sixties. The madness — we mean experimentation — goes further still with magical gold hues and the spray paint look, abstracts in psychedelic colours of shocking pink and silver and gold foil stamped jeans.s.

Hi-End jeans are the brainchild of Anil Nanda who points out, “Hi-End is a step by AN to reach a whole new set of clients. The latest collection by Hi-End is fun, playful, and very wearer friendly. It will add a hip touch to daywear or an evening out”.

Nanda, when he is not experimenting with the blue that was once jeans, is the Chairman and Managing Director of Goetze (India) Ltd and Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Limited.

	For the London Look Pepe Jeans has launched their collection, which they point out is a “metamorphosis of sensuality and style”. According to the Country Head, Chetan Shah, “there is no single dominating trend this Autumn Winter, instead this season a host of different looks vie for center stage. But the ‘London Look’ is definitely in”. The London look is “the inspiration for Heritage graphics evident in styles such as Union Jack, which includes a denim bottom with the sand blasted outline for the Union Jack”. Military inspired pants with feminine treatments are combined with blanket style hand-sewn finishes, soft detailing and loose pockets. This reinterpretation of military pieces reflects the nostalgic 60s’ and 70s’ West Coast American feel.
	For the loved one Nicolas Gram Smith of the Diamond Trading Company launched the Amaris bridal wear collection from the house of Khanna Jewellers at their Karol Bagh showroom. The range comprises of diamond bangles, bracelets and diamond sets in different finishes of gold. The Amaris collection derives its name from the Latin word, which means ‘for the loved one’. Set in yellow and white gold, the jewellery includes diamonds with coloured gemstones, tourmalines, blue topaz, pink sapphire, emeralds, rubies and south sea pearls. The precious jewellery comes with a life-long guarantee scheme.
	Stop for Kashish Shopper’s Stop has launched a line of ethnic wear for women. The line for Autumn-Winter 2003 has been launched under the labels Kashish and Stop. Stop celebrates the season with colourful, playful and ethnic ensembles, complete with traditional embroidery. Variegated stripes, diminishing stripes, bold and pin stripes, checks and geometry have been heavily relied upon. Kashish spells opulence and grandeur, with brocades, zaridosi, and metallic tones that remain forever evergreen. Included are the Banarasi zari borders, traditional kairi motifs on Chanderi’s and Organza. The colour palette stretches from neutrals to bright vivid shades. There are warm oranges, bright fuchsias, corals and pinks apart from greens and purples.
	Oriental collection Inspired by the Orient, Westside has launched its new collection for women. The range includes outfits with oriental features like Chines collars, frog buttons, floral motifs and obi-inspired silhouettes. The shades used are mandarin orange, oriental yellow and festive fuchsia. The textures include georgette and satin and clothes with looks enhanced with Chinese motifs in silver foil.
	From brandy to tan The makers of Red Tape shoes have introduced a new range for their Autumn-Winter collection 2003. The range of semi-formal and formal shoes for men, according to the makers, symbolise the youthful spirit of Red Tape. The range offers shoes in colours ranging from black, stone to brandy, ochre, tan and a host of other shades.