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Panel on fee hike to seek legal
opinion Chandigarh, December 17 During this week the officials of the Administration and those of the Panjab University would seek to answer the question of jurisdiction after consultation with experts following which a decision on fee hike would be taken by the committee. While student representatives did attend the last meeting only to stage a walkout, they did not attend today's meeting. They had claimed that the proceedings of the meeting were a mere eye-wash and the members were turning a deaf ear to the demands of the students. The three meetings of the committee held in December have proved to be inconclusive. |
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Hamara School “As a strong foundation is a must for constructing a sound building, quality education to children is a must for building a strong nation.” With this objective in mind, Little Blossoms School was set up in 1988 in the house of Ms Narinder Kaur Bedi at Kharar. The institution has grown over the years from just one student to 400 at present. Besides achieving high academic standards, it aims at promoting national consciousness and all-round development of students, preparing them to face the challenging realities of life. Governed by the S. Attar Singh Bedi Memorial Educational Society, the school imparts education in English medium. It follows the CBSE syllabi up to the middle standard. However, it is now affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board, Mohali. Pupils up to kindergarten are imparted education through the playway method. At present the main school building is near the Dasehra ground, while a new one is coming up about 1 km away in an open area cut off from the noise and traffic of the town. The new building has a playground with facilities for basketball, volleyball and badminton. Students up to Class III attend their classes in the main building whereas seniors have been shifted to the new one. The institution has a good collection of books in the library apart from science and computer laboratories. Tours and excursions are planned for students during the academic year. Day-Boarding facility is also being provided to needy students and scholarships are being given to the deserving ones. Students regularly participate in various inter-school competitions and have brought laurels to the institution. Vishesh Garg stood first in Punjabi handwriting competition held by Sahara Trust, Rajpura, while Shweta Singla topped in Hindi writing contest. |
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‘We give due importance to teachers’ I started the school as a hobby and to ensure that children at Kharar did not face the kind of problems my own children had to due to inadequate educational facilities in the town. I decided to start it as a preparatory school but upgraded it step by step, as desired by the parents of students. If teachers are not given due importance, they will not be able to guide their students in an effective manner. If I want good results from teachers, I will have to give them the importance they deserve. Classroom teaching is vital and random checks are carried out in the school for my own satisfaction. I am totally against tuitions. In most cases women take tuitions but they are equally involved in their household chores. They give written work to their students and then get busy with their chores. This defeats the purpose as the aim is merely to earn money. Parents should get more involved in the education of their children instead of relying on tuitions. As times have changed, the school has ensured that it focuses on computer education. Pupils are taught the use of computers from nursery onwards. The state education board had also added the subject to the curriculum. Parents should ensure that their children make good use of computers, else it could have a negative impact on young minds. At the school we also impart moral education. Stress is laid on extra-curricular activities. I always try to make the school different from others in the town. There is personal touch between the teacher and the taught.
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Singapore youths gift fitness park to
elderly Chandigarh, December 17 The youths who have been in the city since December 2 as a part of community service programme, had constructed the park by working six to eight hours in a day. The inmates after a few minutes walk in the park every day would get relief from various diseases. “The guiding spirit behind the youths is service for the community. We have learnt so many things in just a few days’ stay in the city. The youths are more confident, have learnt new techniques to solve the problem and developed team spirit, said the leader of the group, Ms Ranjit, working as lecturer in Singapore. Giving details about the programme, Ms Ranjit said after completing work, every day members of the group used to sit together to discuss their achievements and mistakes they had committed while doing work. After spending few days together we have learnt many things from each other as each of us have different background. The four-member originally belong to China, 14 to India and one to Malya, she further added. Stressing the need to organise community service programme, Ms Ranjit said each of the member came across different problems which was solved by working together. Talking about the members’ selection, another group leader, Mr Sashi, who has been working as yoga teacher in Singapore said the youths aged between age 17 and 25 are being called to join the programme voluntarily. This programme was funded by the Young Sikhs Association, Singapore. Mr Sashi said the basic idea of the programme was to train youths for the community service. Members of the group have visited different parts of the country including Amritsar, Nangal. They also
participated in a marriage function in Punjab and met many villagers to know their lifestyle. |
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Science wizard contest on Jan 25 Chandigarh, December 17 The council has invited all schools of northern region comprising Punjab, Haryana and Himachal to send their students for the contest. A trophy will be awarded to the school sending first merit holder in this examination, according to a spokesman of the council. The CPYT, Chandigarh, has been promoted by J.S. Memorial Educational Trust with the main focus on the promotion of interests in science. It is a non-profit organisation funded and promoted by persons of eminence in the field of education since last five years. The aim of the organisation is to identify and support children who have outstanding potential for sciences. The talent search contests being organised by the council every year offer various prizes and scholarship to winners and deserving students. The shortlisted students appearing for the talent search are provided free career counselling. The forms for the science wizard contest can be requisitioned directly from # 188, Sector 19-A, Chandigarh. The question paper will contain objective type questions on science, arithmetic, mental ability and general awareness. |
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Founder’s week
celebrations Chandigarh, December 17 The founder and chairperson of the Dutt Vishesh Educational Society, on her 80th birthday, said the company of children contribute to a healthy mind and body. The day ended with a prize distribution function where students of kindergarten classes who won the various races. |
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10-yr RI for raping minor Chandigarh, December 17 In case of default of fine, he will have to undergo rigorous imprisonment for an additional period of three months. The police had arrested the accused on the complaint of Mr Sunil Kumar.The complainant had stated that the accused had raped the minor in Sector 43 on July 7, 2000. |
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Triple murder: judicial remand for Aroras Panchkula, December 17 They were produced in the court this afternoon and were remanded in custody on the application moved by their defence counsel. He opposed police remand sought by the public prosecutor. The two were brought to Panchkula today after conducting lie detector tests on them at Madhuban yesterday. |
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‘Shaka Laka...’ director shoots in
city Chandigarh, December 17 Sparing a few minutes from his busy schedule, the Mumbai-based director talked about the serials on the small screen and his experiences in directing these. He agreed that majority of the serials were “women oriented”. The reason, he asserted, was not hard to see. “Scripts for daily soaps are written keeping in mind the women viewers as men rarely watch serials daily. Otherwise also, such serials were in great demand and it was evident from the rating of various television programmes,” he added. Talking about his past, he said he shifted to Mumbai from Ambala about 15 years ago. He said directing Shaka Laka Boom Boom episodes was a challenge as these were based on a fantasy where kids stayed in a dream world. The current Punjabi music album “Desi Number 1” was his first album as a director, he added. He would be directing two melodies for the album. Its music director was Harry Anand and the lyrics were by Sham Balkar. “There are eight songs in the album. ‘Dil Lai Lai Kudi, Dil Lai Lai’ was picturised on singer Varinder Vij and model Ravita, along with other actors,” he added. |
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Punjabi folk music to stay
forever, says singer Chandigarh, December 17 Commenting on the current Punjabi music at the launch ceremony of her cassette at Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16, she asserted. “Western touch in Punjabi music is just for the time being. It will not last for long”. She added that many of the genuinely good artists seldom made it to the top due to the paucity of money. Regarding her own experiences, she asserted, “Performing live at stage is much better than recording as the artist can interact with audience directly and judge their likes and dislikes”. She has been performing live on the stage for the past 12 years. “Gitanjali has earned applause not only in Chandigarh, and different cities of Punjab, and Haryana, but also abroad,” an organiser commented. Besides singing, she has also tried her bit in acting while doing serials for Jalandhar Doordarshan. “My journey does not end here,” she claimed. “If given a chance I would like to sing for Hindi movies”. Her album’s music directors are Lalkamal and Sanjeev. There are eight songs in all. |
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Home Decor It has been unofficially declared as the greenest house in Mohali. The residence of Mr Manjit Singh Juneja, a businessman based in the township is a garden with a house instead of a house with a garden. With over 500 potted plants, a mini nursery, and the complete frontage covered with hanging bel leaves, the house stands out in the whole neighbourhood. ‘‘I and my husband love plants. Both of us have green thumbs and I am proud to say that not a single plant that we have tendered has died. Earlier we used to do this on our own but as the number of plants grew, we had to hire help. We have an old gardener who comes every day but he works under our supervision,’’explains Ms Inderjit Kaur, owner of the house. The outer wall of the house is completely covered with ivy and rows of mussandas and pulsatias with bright red blooming leaves break the monotony. A row of Asoka trees trimmed and kept short at about 7 feet height welcome one at the entrance. ‘‘It gets too much when they grow beyond this height. Plus in winters we keep these short for allowing the sunlight to trickle inside,’’she added. The lawn inside houses a colourful bloom of chrysanthemums. ‘‘This is a winter flower and unlike spring when I have the whole place full of a hundred different flowers in this season only chrysanthemums look the best.’’said Mr Manjit Singh. Ms Inderjit Kaur has the roof of the house converted into a mini nursery where the seasonal ornamental plants and flowers are reared before being put on ‘display’ in the lawn below. ‘‘The plants in the nursery are in various stages of growth. We are constantly planning ahead and after planning, we try and acquire the best seeds or stems from the nurseries and grow them. We take utmost care to ensure that not a single plant is wasted,’’ she added. The frontage of the house is covered with a spread of hanging bels. ‘‘On the front is this bel and on the side is the jhumka bel.’’ Adding to the tasteful collection are designer bougainvilleas, huge money plants and rare roses. The interior of the house too matches the exterior. Although there are no pots of plants inside, but the house owner has taken great pains to give the house a comfortable and clean look. Oil paintings made by MsIinderjit Kaur herself adorn the walls. ‘‘I am not a great painter but I like to copy some nice works. I also do a lot of experimentation with colours.’’she says showing a painting of a South Indian dance mask. ‘‘This one I have not made. It has been gifted by my brother-in-law, Taranjit. It is a simple concept of journey from darkness to light. ‘Tamso ma jyotirgamaya’. From black to light
yellow,’’ she added pointing to a huge wall painting, a glory of yellow and black colours. |
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It’s my life I am Sharmishtha Banerjee and I have passed Class X from Manav Mangal School. Now I am doing Class XI from Ajit Karam Singh International Public School and will be taking up higher studies in bio-technology from Panjab University after my Class XII. I am very fond of singing. Singing is in my blood. My grandfather used to sing and my paternal aunt is a professional singer. And now I am following my family’s tradition. My mother tells me that I started singing when I was just a three-year-old. I got training from Sri Mathuranath Mukerjee and he prepared my base in harmonium. I did PP1 and PP2 in music from Bengal. When my father, Mr Sunil Kumar Banerjee, was transferred to Orissa, I got training from Pt J.V.S. Rao. In Chandigarh, I have done I and II year in vocal classical from Pracheen Kala Kendra. Now I am taking training from Sumana Sanyal. I have completed 3rd year in the vocal classical from Raj Bala Kendra. I got third prize in from Lions Club in 2000. I sang “Ae mere vatan ke logo”. My family and those who listen to me are very happy with my performance and this is my real award. I also got the third prize in the Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society function in the junior category. I am also a table tennis player and I am in the school team which had been winning the trophy for the school for the past three years. As told to Chitleen K. Sethi |
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A sensitive portrayal of nature
Icy blue shade of dense clouds hover over imposing peaks mingled with the oceanic blue hue of the mountains as a solitary women reposes next to a hut — the alluring painting was just one of the many displayed by artist Prabal Pramanik at an exhibition being held at IndusInd Art Gallery in Sector 8, Chandigarh. Prabal’s colour works are often in soft and dreamy moods, whether they are water colours, pastels or mixed media creations. Nature is his favourite subject in colour works, though he paints other subjects too. Mountain scapes, sea scapes and panoramic landscapes are depicted with rare sensitivity. This is not all. He has made complete sets such as life of Buddha on Mahabharata, on Gita Govindam and “History of Art”. He has also depicted natural scenes through this medium. Entire murals have been made with this form of art. Animation films have also been created with paper-cutting work. He is a versatile artist who works in various mediums with equal ease. His original style and presentation of forms allows a high level of aesthetic excellence. The creations find concrete expressions through paper-cuttings, colour works and drawing, forming his own world of art that he shares with art lovers all over the world through his exhibitions, books and websites. He has an art complex at Bhamlada village in Punjab. OC |
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Festivity time
So, the bakeries and restaurants of Chandigarh and its satellite towns (see box) are gearing up to provide the plum cake that has become synonymous with Xmas. Even as the traditional cake with rum/brandy soaked nuts is baked in almost every household celebrating Christ’s birth for nearly 2000 years, the bakeries have already started getting orders for cakes and cookies for December 25. “A little outside help is convenient and eases pressure. We can concentrate more on entertaining guests or decorating the Christmas tree and making kids happy with gifts,” says Alice, while placing an order for a 2-kg delicacy. The Cream’n Crunches team at Eating House in Aroma, Sector 22, is this time making chocolate as the theme for Christmas. Mr Man Mohan Singh, Director, says that besides embellished cakes, they also plan to pack their pies with punch — an interesting mingling of meat and mutton. You can also savour their bakery items at various Cafe Coffee Day outlets in the city. Like every year, Shivalikview, Sector 17, will give the guests badhai for the Barha Din with a tastefully done up lobby. Twinkling stars, bubbly balloons and buntings, a shimmering Christmas tree and a smiling Santa Claus plus cakes and cookies from their sister Citco organisation, Mountview will be the order of the day, says Mr Shashi Kapoor, GM. And the GM at Mountview, Sector 10, Mr Vijay Gupta, is also all set to displaying the choicest cakes from their baking unit at the coffee shop for all Citco outlets, including the one at Sukhna Lake. Chef Mohammad Shahid of the Food Craft Institute, Sector 42, says that since it is their training restaurant that brings out the foodies fresh from the oven, they deliver only on advance orders (phone 2609472). Their regular clients are Carmel Convent and Don Bosco School, besides a number of city residents. And it is not only the cakes that the revelers go for. They can check out on assorted chocolates (flavoured with rum, almonds, raisins, walnuts, liqueur) and moulded with typical Xmas motifs of bells and Santas. The colourfully decorated cookies, puddings of noga basket, and pies and black mountain with profit roll are for those looking for variety. The small but very upmarket shop in Sector 8 — Monica’s Pies and Puddings — is, in fact, the only one that already exudes the Xmas spirit with its shimmering Christmas tree, bells, hollyhocks and buntings. It also has a donation box for Sahayta Cancer Sahyog and orthodox devotees can fulfill their obligation of charity in celebration of the Holy Night. Ms Monica Sood says the plum cake with royal icing (gives a frosted feel with its icing of crushed almonds, unlike the usual creamy topping) is special for that day. A few yards away, Mr Sanjiv Kalia at Cakes’n Stuff is also happy with the prospect of selling a number of cakes. “People mostly prefer dry cakes that day or those with water or royal icing. While plum cake is the favourite pick of those having a craving for chocolate, the others go in for the walnut date or fruit flavours,” he informs. At the Polka Pastry Shop in Sector 34, Mr Inder Mohan says that the rich plum cake, mostly dry (without icing), is the most sought after variety. Available in the range of Rs 70 to Rs 250 per kg, it can be ordered to be made in attractive shapes of Santa Claus and Xmas tree that bring out the essence of the Day. In Panchkula, the GM of Hotel KC Crossroads, Mr Ajay Khaneja, says that in keeping with their four-star status and affiliation to an international body, they always strive to keep the quality of their bakery products of high standard. And the regular stream of guests at their Mitran Da Dhaba that houses the bakery is proof of the claim. The other favourite haunt of Panchkulaites is Wah Dilli that also offers a range of cakes, cookies and puddings. Then there are a number of women who dish out tempting treats from their ovens at home on personal orders as well as certain organisations. Prominent among them in Chandigarh are Navneet of Sector 10, Nita (Sector 38), Simmi (Sector 44) and Aparna (Mani Majra). Go for them if you prefer the homely touch or your own little local baker’s shop. Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
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COME Christmas and it is that time of the year when you get around to celebrating the birth anniversary of Jesus with carol singing, church, charity... and cakes, chocolates and cookies. While the 12-day festivity (from Dec 25 to the Epiphany day of Jan 6) of the West comprising big sales, snow, holidays, turkey dinner and exchange of gifts is missing in India, gaiety is palpable with the Christian community remembering Mary’s Boy Child in their own special way with their friends and families.
Aroma’s Eating House,