DAV students win painting contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 26
Students from 25 local schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) participated in an inter-school Sahodaya painting competition organised at Shivalikwala Doon School, Rishi Nagar, here today.

At least 280 students participated in the competition, in which students were categorised into four groups. The first group had students from Classes I to III. The second group had students of Classes IV to VI and they were told to paint ‘School scene’, ‘Any forest’, or ‘Rainy season’. The third group had participants from Classes VII to X with the themes ‘Village scene’, ‘Mother’s love’ and ‘Marriage scene’.

In the first group, Prabhsimran from DAV Public School stood first. Harpreet Kaur from GMT Senior Secondary School was declared second. Harpreet Singh from BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, won the third prize. Gurleen from DAV Public School got the consolation prize.

From the second group, Shreya of GMT Senior Secondary School clinched the first prize. Chirag Jain from DAV Public School bagged the second prize. Third prize went to Gurjot from Guru Nanak International Public School. Consolation prize went to Amritpal from Shivalikwala Doon School.

The first prize in the third group was bagged by Navroop from Kundan Vidya Mandir. Sanya from the same school stood second. Samridhi from Shivalikwala Doon School was declared third. Mankaran from Guru Nanak Public School won the consolation prize.

In the seniormost group, Roop Khangura from BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, won the first prize. Second prize went to Manjot from GGN Public School. Gurpreet Kaur from St Thomas Senior Secondary School was declared third. Ashish from CFC Public School got the consolation prize. The overall running trophy for the competition was given to the students of DAV Public School. Mr Swaranjit Savi and Mr Manjit Singh, both artists, were the judges. 

Educational needs of kids highlighted
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 26
The Education Management Centre of Delhi Public School Society organised an interactive seminar on educational opportunities at a hotel here today. The seminar highlighted the educational needs of the children, parenting skills, multi-dimensional role that the schools ought to play and steps for holistic development of child’s personality. The seminar was chaired by Mr Narendra Kumar, Chairman of the society. Ms Shyama Chona, columnist and Principal of DPS, R.K. Puram, and Ms Renu Mital, Director, Education, society, also addressed the participants. Mr Kumar announced that the school would open its branch in the coming session in the city.

Ms Chona conducted an interactive session with the parents. She explained the importance of quality time to be spent with children and being proactive learner in the process of being a parent. Ms Mital explained the changing educational needs of the children and reflected on not only managing change but also leading change. She highlighted the school’s role in effecting the change.

An exhibition of the educational programme and the school’s role in shaping the overall personality of the children focused on the relevance of DPS learning programme. 

New GRD Academy Principal
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 26
Brigadier Kartar Singh (retd) has taken over as Principal and Director of GRD Academy here. He has retired after 33 years of service with the Indian Army and has taken part in the Bangladesh war and operation Pawan in Sri Lanka. He has commanded a brigade on the line of control during 2001-02.

He is a graduate of Panjab University and holds six postgraduations degrees from Madras University and Osmania University. He has completed his MPhil in economy and National Security from Madras University. He is an environmentalist and life member of the World Wildlife Fund of India and member of the All-India Management Association.

VC to address management body
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 26
Dr Y.S. Rajan, Scientific Adviser to the Chief Minister of Punjab and Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University, will address members of the Ludhiana Management Association on November, 29. This was stated by Mr Manjit Singh, president, and Mr V.K Goyal, general secretary, of the association in a press note today.

Dr Rajan will be speaking on “Technology-business-human resource: linkages for the early 21st century”.

CULTURE

“Bullah” cast gets standing ovation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 26
The staging of the play, “Bullah”, by Ajoka Theatre of Pakistan at Guru Nanak Bhavan last night was powerful and tugged at emotions. “Bullah” took the audience to the times of Bulle Shah some 250 years ago when both Punjab was undivided. It was an emotional journey for viewers who could identify with the performers. The nuances of the play, its flavour, and the feeling of oneness with the performers resulted in an overwhelming response and the audience gave a standing ovation to the cast.

The play was brought to the city by the efforts of the Punjab Sahitya Akademi and Media Artistes. Mr Surjit Patar, president of the Akademi, compered the show. The play begins with the body of Bulle Shah being taken to the graveyard by his followers Sona and Chandi and Muradi Begum. But the mullahs of Kasur refuse to allow his burial as there are charges of religious disobedience against him.

The story unfolds in the flashback. His followers take the body back and bury it outside the city. His grave is in the centre of the city of Kasur. His followers said it would be the verdict of history and the proof of the power of mystics who preached love while the other so-called powerful people would be forgotten .

The play highlighted the downfall of the Mughal empire, characterised by rebellions, civil and religious strife and political chaos, Through music, too the Mughal period came alive.

Bulle Shah in those troubled times was a beacon of hope and humanism. His journey takes him to the graves of Tansen and a nautch girl to learn singing and dancing. The death of his teacher, Shah Inayat, breaks him but makes his voice more powerful against those committing injustice in the name of religion. He promotes a relationship with God that was non-oppressive and enabled the people to be religious and yet respect other people’s beliefs. He attracted “fatwa”.

There was no dearth of dramatic episodes in the life of Bulle Shah. His search for truth, devotion to his mentor, and opposition to bloodshed in the name of religion - are incorporated in the play.

Bulle Shah is not just a period play. It is the celebration of the rich and vibrant culture of Punjab. The qawwals were excellent, so much so, that singer Jasbir Jassi complimented them. The music was composed by Mian Shaharyar. Uzra Apa, who turned 86 recently, choreographed the play. The play is written by Shahid Nadeem and directed by Madeeha Nadeem. Aqeel Kazmi, of the National College of Art, Lahore, said sets belonged to the Mughal period and used Shahjahani arches.

Sarfaraz Ansari’s performance as Bullah was par excellence. All actors and the lone female artiste Rukhsana Khan, gave superlative performances.

Inspite of such an amazing play, Ludhianvis proved that they don't have the patience for theatre. Organisers had requested the audience to switch off mobiles, take away crying babies and photographers not to use flashlight but the instructions were flouted with impunity.