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‘Education UK exhibition’ on Chandigarh, November 17 You can find out the details about scholarships being offered by the UK institutions and attend seminars conducted by UK academics. They will tell you about undergraduate and post-graduate studies and other specific areas. You will also be able to gather information about the British Council’s English courses and the UK courses being offered in India either by distance learning, online learning or through a partnership with a local institution. Today, representatives from over 65 institutions participated in the seminar and gathered information about online learning and distance learning courses. They were also provided with information about scholarships offered by various UK institutions and International English Language Testing Systems. |
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From Schools Panchkula, November 17 Hansraj School A team of four students of the school — Apar Shakti Khurana, Bharat Jagati, Aditya Singh and Prateek — have won the quiz game show organised by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in New Delhi recently. A press note said the students had been presented with trophies, cordless headphones and table lamps. Cherub Foster School The annual art and craft exhibition of the school was organised at the Sector 4 premises of the school on Saturday. The exhibits displayed were prepared by the students between the age group of two-and-half to four years. The main attraction were colourful lamps and snowmen made from cotton and colourful fish. Fancy dress, dance and rhymes contests were also organised. GHSS,
Pinjore Nearly 450 persons were examined and given free medicines during a multi-health speciality check-up camp organised here by the Rotary Club of Panchkula and Kaiser Hospital, on Sunday. The camp was inaugurated by the Civil Surgeon, Dr Satvir Chaudhary. NSS volunteers of Class XI of the school helped organise the camp. |
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Cultural
programme of Manav Mangal School Chandigarh, November 17 Mr P.I. Sabu, Regional Officer, CBSE Regional Office, gave away the prizes to the students of primary and middle classes who had excelled in various fields during 2002-03 session. The teachers who had given 100 per cent results in the 8th and 10th board examinations were also honoured on this occasion. |
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Consumer Courts Panchkula, November 17 Mr Mohan Sharma, had alleged in his complaint before the court that he had visited Dr MC Kohli in Sector 10 in March this year for getting a filling in his molar tooth. But the dentist fitted an oversize metallic cap on his tooth and when he again approached him, the doctor grinded his tooth, damaging it permanently. Pronouncing the orders, the forum directed the dentist to pay the fine by January 13, 2004. HUDA restrained The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Chief Administrator, HUDA, Chief Engineer, HUDA, and the Estate Officer, Faridabad, not to charge compound interest and extension fee from a residential plot allottee in Faridabad. Mrs Sneh Lata Gupta, a local resident, was reportedly alloted a plot in Faridabad in 1980, after she deposited Rs 71,845. However, HUDA failed to develop the sector where the plot was alloted and possession was not offered to her in a reasonable period. She alleged that when she was finally given possession of the plot in 1988, the area was not developed and an extension fee of Rs 4410 was charged. In 1996, she was asked to pay an extension fee of Rs 3.55 lakh. Refund ordered A cooperative group housing society in Sector 20 has been directed to refund the deposit of one of the members and pay Rs 1000 as costs of proceedings by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. Ms Jai Luxmi Murli had alleged that she had deposited Rs 1, 93,100 with the Chetna Cooperative Group Housing Society for membership, but she was neither given the membership nor was she given the refund. The forum directed that her money be refunded with 10 per cent interest with effect from the date of deposit till date. |
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“Ants” gets tax
exemption Chandigarh, November 17 The cast includes Karishma Randeva, Sunil Babbar, R.K. Bhan, Navneet Siddhu and Vijay Vashisht. |
People prefer travelling in their own transport Believe it or not. Chandigarh must be the only city in the country where the number of people travelling by the state-owned public transport has stopped growing. And the state-owned Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) is surviving by plying most of its buses on routes to the neighbouring towns rather than the local routes. “We used to record a 5 per cent increase in the bus traffic volume every year till recently”, says Mr O. P. Popli, Director, State Transport, UT, Chandigarh. “But for the past five years, there has been just no increase in the volume. We ply empty buses on many routes in the mornings and evenings. “We regard ourselves as lucky as there has been no actual decline in the number of people travelling by buses in the UT. That would have made things really difficult for the CTU. The traffic volume grows during the day which compensates for the empty buses in the mornings and evenings. But overall, the number of people travelling by buses has more or less remained static for the past about five years”. A major reason for the lack of growth in the number of people travelling by buses in the city is the ever-rising number of cars, scooters and cycles in the city. Everybody wants to have his own private vehicle. Easy availability of loans on low rates of interest has made it very attractive for everyone to go in for the purchase of their own cars and scooters. So everybody who can afford one has gone in for it. And Chandigarh is just 8 km across. So nobody really minds burning a little fuel everyday to reach his office or home and save himself from the hassle of rushing to the bus stop in the morning to catch the bus and then footing again in the evening to catch the bus home. CTU has a fleet strength of 413 buses. Although the CTU was created to cater to the travelling needs of the City Beautiful, most of its buses are now plying in the suburban areas of Chandigarh. This is what has enabled the CTU to stay out of the red. “There is just no demand for the CTU bus services locally. Of the 413 buses, only about 100 are plying on local routes. The rest of the buses are serving areas like Mohali, Panchkula, Zirakpur, Kharar etc which yields us a good revenue”. Despite the zero growth in the bus traffic volume, the CTU remains in good financial health. It has a staff strength of 2,400 people. Most of the buses are also in good condition. This year, the CTU replaced only nine buses. But next year it proposed to go in for a massive replacement by inducting as many as 102 buses, at a total cost of more than Rs 10 crore. |
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Steely look occupies centrestage
in world of fashion Move over wood, decoration tiles and other traditional material used to brighten up homes, offices, showrooms and even personal accessories. The stainless steel look is here. After being confined to the outer fringes, the steely look is now occupying the centrestage in the world of fashion. It is being used not only in homes, offices and shops but is also finding place in accessories of everyday use like watches, sunglasses and apparel. “Stainless steel these days is being increasingly used for interiors. Wood and wrought-iron are a thing of the past,” says Rajbir Singh, a leading interior design of the City Beautiful, who has designed offices for Spice Telecom, Chambal Agritech, Redington India Ltd., to name only a few. According to him, “it is the MNCs, IT and Telecom companies which have brought steel into fashion. They prefer this metal over others as it gives a modern and futuristic look.” The general trend now-a-days is towards a steely look. Whether it is home or work place, it is the steely look which is all pervading. Even in furniture, steel is being used, like in sofa sets( the frame is of steel), office chairs, fast food joints. In homes, it is being used mainly for accessoring like flower vases, light fixtures, bars, soap dispensers in bathrooms, dining table assortments, serving trolleys, salad bowls, croquet steps, dustbins. Offices also use it as an accessory like doorknobs, handles, pillar clading, staircase railings. In Chandigarh steel is being used for flooring, especially by watch showrooms. Retail showrooms like Planet(M) and Wills Sport have used steel for display purposes. Their display racks and stands are of steel. That stainless steel look is being extensively used is clear from the fact that now we now have cellphones, laptops and PDAs in steely look. The interior designers say that Chandigarh does not manufacture stainless steel for furntinure and domestic purposes. It has to be imported and in fact it proves cheaper. People prefer to use steel as it looks neat, is easy to maintain as compared to brass and is rust free. The steely trend is picking up in India and will last quite a while. Watches Steel in its new avtar is not only being found in homes and offices but this is the metal which you should be sporting too. Even the shelves of a watch showroom are full of steel watches. Sleek, chunky, sporty, they come in all shapes and sizes. They are a big hit with the youngsters these days. Looking at the great demand these watches are generating, premium brands like Movado, Omega, Longines, Titan and Citizen are manufacturing more and more of these. So much so that the recently launched Chrtistian Dior model in Chandigarh is also steel. Rakesh Mohunta, MD, Ethos, shaking his head in amazement, says, “80% of our sales is of steel watches followed by leather and then gold”. Rohit, an executive with an MNC, says, “These steel watches are not very expensive. You can pick up a watch for even less than Rs 2,000/- and they are esay to maintain. You don't have to worry about the look of the gold polish of the chain.” Steel jewellery is
particularly a rage amongst the youngsters. Earrings in different shapes like square, round, stars sell like hot cakes. Broad finger bands, chunky bracelets, pendants, anklets have completely taken over the gold brigade. Young jean clad girls can be sporting a slim steel belt around their slim waist or more flamboyant kind go in for leather belts with steel studs. Guys can be seen with a key ring with a long steel chain attached to it tucked onto their waists zipping away on their bikes. Mansi, a college student chirps, “Steel jewellery is hip. I just love it because it’s not flashy like gold. Besides, you can pick up a piece for as low as Rs 40/-”. Payal, a manger with a corporate quips, “because steel jewellery is not bold, I can wear it to office comfortably. It looks equally good during the day and in the evening and blends well with all kinds of outfits”. Sunglasses Sunglasses are no more a fashion statement, they have become a necessity. Gone are the days when one would have a single pair and keep using it year after year. Now shades have become a personality statement. The market is flooded every year with sun-stoppers in different styles and colours. Sometimes it is pink calling the shots, at other times it is blue doing the rounds and yellow has also its glow at times. These days it is the metallic frames with the steel look around dark lenses which are hot selling. “These steel look frames are the latesat craze amongst the youngsters. Even international brands like Killer Loop, Ray Ban,Gucci and Benetton are catering to the fancies of the younger lot. Sunglasses worn by film stars are also big trendsetters,” remarks Atul Kapoor of Kapoor Opticians of Sector 22. A pair can be had for Rs 250 and if you want a branded one then you might have to shell out something above Rs 2,000/- But the youngsters prefer to go in for medium range. Saurav, a Delhite, on vacation in Chandigarh lets out, “This steel look has smitten everybody. Even in Delhi everyone is sporting this look. I choose not to buy expensive sunglasses as the fashion changes so very often. It is important to go alongwith the times.” Even clothes have not been spared. The gold look in garments is passe, except for trousseau. Nobody is asking for gold embroidery or gold sequins. “For the past one year everyone wants the silver-steel look in dresses whether formal or casual”, informs Geetanjali, a boutique owner in Modern Housing Complex. She further states, “it is maybe because gold is a warm colour and everybody was tired of it. This new steel look looks subtle yet elegant making one feel more relaxed and cool”. Priyanka Singh, fashion choreographer with NIFD, Chandigarh, adds, “This steel look is very much in this season. It does not the hurt, gels well with all the colours whether is it white or black and gives a good effect under strong evening lights.” To give this look to garments, crystals, thread highlighting around the pattern on the fabric, sequins in steel look are used as embellishments. |
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It’s my life Born in a modern city like Chandigarh, I feel that I am very lucky. Though we do not have many job opportunities here, I feel that City Beautiful has much to offer to its residents. Good things come in small packages. I did my schooling from Vivek High School, Sector 38, and right now, I am pursuing my engineering degree from I.E.T. Bhaddal. Right from the start, I had a dream of joining the Army. I was inspired by my father who ensured that my desire for this career never ebbs. In 1999, Kargil happened and my desire to join the Army grew by leaps and bounds. I have already cleared my preliminary round in the university entry scheme and am awaiting a call for the SSB interview. My motto is “live and let live”. I am a happy go lucky person who takes life as it comes. Moreover, I am a passionate and an emotional person, especially about my country and my near and dear ones, particularly my sister. I want to see my country by travelling and I love the disciplined life and the respect one commands in the armed forces. Jai Hind. As told to ASP |
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Young achiever When children of her age group play with dolls, a gifted pair of skates changed Mehak Paul’s life. “I was equally interested in possessing all kinds of dolls. However, on my fourth birthday my maternal uncle gifted me the skates and convinced my mother to send me to the skating rink in Sector 10,” she says. Petite and nervous, Mehak, a student of KB DAV Centenary School, Sector 7, now 11 years old, began her training with her uncle’s friend at the rink. “Since then, I have not pursued any other interest. Skating takes up most of my free time though I devote some extra time to perfecting my performance before any event,” she says. However, despite gold and silver medals to her credit in the CBSE skating nationals, she has a collection of over 60 medals won in various events. “I am very scared of losing. I feel that losing would bring shame not only to me but to my family, school and friends who have high expectations of me. I go to every event after a lot of practice. While skating practice takes up most of my free time, I devote more time before an event,” she says. Mehak’s excellence, however, is not limited to her game alone. “I am among the first 10 in class every year. My mother tells me that academics are most important and skating is never to be pursued at the cost of my studies. I agree with her and studies are a priority,” she says. While she loves to be on the wheels, her studies are demanding greater attention. “I can’t go to the rink everyday. However, what has benefited me most and kept my interest in skating alive is that I can practice at the rink in school. Of international standards, this rink is a boon for me. I can’t thank my Principal, Ms Madhu Bahl, enough for this facility,” she says. |
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One-act play festival on November 22 The Sambhang Theatre Group, a cultural unit of the Swami Ram Tirath Educational Cultural and H.M. Society is holding the 14th one-act play festival “Natyotsav-2003” on November 22. The festival is organised annually in the memory of Prabhat, alias Micheal, who sacrificed his life while saving a child. To be held at DAV College, Sector 10, from 9.30 am onwards, the festival will be graced by actor Pankaj Berry, who will give away Sambhang Theatre Award 2003. Interestingly, Pankaj Berry was a classmate of Prabhat. About 250 young artists are expected to participate in the festival which will be jointly organised by DAV College, the UT Administration and the State Bank of India, PGI branch, Sector 12. On the occasion, the principal of Manav Mangal School, Mr Sanjay Sardana, and the Principal of Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Dr Harinderjit Kaur, and Mrs Satwant Kaur Bedi, Principal, Shivalik Public School, SAS Nagar, will be honoured with the Sambhang Theatre Award for Cultural Heritage. This information was given here by the Chairman of the Society , Dr D.S. Gupt, and Co-ordinator Mr Somesh. The society has requested the participating teams from schools and colleges that intimation for participation be sent by November 18 at the society’s office — 896/1, Sector 40-A, Chandigarh. Dr Ajaib Singh, member, Punjab Public Service Commission, will inaugurate the function. |
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