Rotary training for youth
Our Correspondent

Panchkula, December 25
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards for 2003, a major programme of Rotary International focusing on leadership and personality development, was inaugurated by former Army Chief General V.P. Malik at Jainendra Gurukul in Sector 1 here.

An “eminent faculty” will be interacting with the participants on topics including self-actualisation, non-verbal communication, effective public speaking and appreciation of art during the four-day residential programme hosted by Rotary Chandigarh Shivalik. The participants have been sponsored by Rotary clubs across northern India.

General Malik appreciated the effort in training leaders for tomorrow. Quoting Bhagawad Gita, he stressed upon the application of knowledge, along with action.

Rotary District Governor-designate Parmod Vij said it was an international programme that promoted leadership. He said Rotary’s efforts included other ambassadorial scholarships and youth exchange.

Kids convey message of unity in diversity
Our Correspondent

Mohali, December 25
A colourful cultural programme was presented by students of Sant Isher Singh Model Senior Secondary School, Phase VII, on its 23rd annual prize distribution function here yesterday.

The programme started with a shabad followed by a welcome song by pupils of the nursery and KG classes. A group song, “Nanhe mune rahi”, and a group dance, “Sirtan desh Punjab dian”, were among the items appreciated.

Students also tried to convey the message of unity in diversity in an item in which dances of different states like Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh were presented.

A choreographic item, “Dhi di Pukar”, tried to give a social message that female foeticide must be stopped. In the presentation an unborn girl pleads with her mother not to kill her in the womb as she wanted to see the world.

In a Punjabi play, “Butt bol paye”, students focused on how people were forgetting the sacrifices of martyrs. Tiny tots came up with a good performance in “Out in the garden”. Girl students presented a Rajasthani dance to the tune of “Main na pehnu thari chunri”.

Dr Kehar Singh, Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board, who was the chief guest, said modernisation did not mean forgetting one’s culture. It was a mistake to equate modernisation with westernisation.

He said the school board was making efforts to revive traditional games like gulli-danda, pithu and stapu. Competitions were being organised in this regard.

Prizes were given away to outstanding students in various spheres of activity.

Nostalgic moments for ex-Yadavindrians
Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 25
It turned out to be a nostalgic evening for former students of Yadavindra Public School here as members of the old Yadavindrians Association held a meeting yesterday.

The pledge to do social service was the central point of the meeting held at the auditorium of the school that brought back fond memories for former students.

The gathering was impressive with over 650 old Yadavindrians coming in the chilling night to make the event a big success. The old buddies were thrilled to see each other at ‘OYA Blenders’ Pride Dance “Dine Night”.

Dr Harish Dhillon, Principal was the chief guest. He urged the old Yadavindrians to join the forthcoming silver jubilee celebrations of the school. After giving away prizes to the winners of the events, Dr Dhillon reiterated the need for social upliftment of the weaker class of society. Responding to the appeal, Mr Prabhjot Brar, president of the association made the announcement for a plan to collect the funds to sponsor less privileged children in the YPS. He also appealed to the alumni for their maximum participation at the blood donation camp to be organised on the eve of silver jubilee of the school next year.

Young couples danced to the thrilling music of DJ with cultural mixture of West and ethnic Punjabi music. Some of the participants have flown all the way from the USA and Canada to attend the event. Almost 1000 permanent memberships have been completed till date. Members emphasised the need for having permanent office of the association on the school campus.

Mr Gurinder Kamboj in a vote of thanks requested members to uphold the name of the school. Organising committee members Jasbrider Teja, Rahul Malhotra and Ajay Arora thanked the school authorities for their cooperation.

212 students get scholarships
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 25
As many as 250 children belonging to the underprivileged section were given cash prizes, gifts, and scholarships by the Shivalik Foundation, at its ninth annual day function today.

Mr R D Garg, a former IAS officer, was the chief guest, while Councillor from Sector 16, Mr S S Goel, presided over the function. Mr S.D. Sharma, President of the Shivalik Foundation, while welcoming the guests, said 212 children from 19 schools would be given scholarships worth over Rs 1 lakh.

Atleast 100 students were given scholarships ( Rs 50 per month to students from Class VI to VIII, Rs 900 per year from Class IX to X, and Rs 1200 per year for students of Class XI and XII, while an annual scholarship of Rs 1500 was given to the Science students of XI and XII.)

As many as 10 students of the district — Anupam Bhalla and Amita Singh ( Kalka), Gurpreet (Pinjore), Rajinder Kaur (Old Panchkula), Abhishek (Blue Bird High School), Rashmi (Mani Majra), Inderdeep Kaur( DC Model School), Monica Saini and Prakash Pande (Raipur Rani) — were presented mementoes and cash prize of Rs 50 each. These students had topped in the district during the annual Class X and XII board examinations earlier this year. 

Varisty to outsource work

Mohali, December 25
The Board of Governors of Punjab Technical University (PTU) today decided to outsource the Distance Education Programme (DEP) work to a central agency in order to improve its effectiveness.

This was decided at a meeting of the board held at the SAS Institute of Information Technology here today. Dr A. Kalanidhi, Chairman of the distance education task force of PTU.

It was recommended that a central agency be identified to which the university would outsource specific DEP tasks.

The agency would be given the task of printing prospectus, maintaining websites, hosting course materials, using smart cards, maintaining health schemes. TNS

Hamara School
Social activities are encouraged here
Kulwinder Sangha

Nanak Jyoti Public School (NJPS), Mundi Kharar, was set up in 1995 in a rented building. It shifted to its own 2-kanal premises in 1999 and now has more than 250 students from nursery to Class X.

The school is run by seven-member Nanak Jyoti School Society. It gives special attention to the development of the personality of its students, with a motto “Come to learn, go to serve”. It prepares students of Class V for the NCERT examination and senior ones as private candidates for the matriculation examination of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), Mohali.

The institution, with 10 teachers, has arrangements for various indoor and outdoor games. Students of Classes VI to X also attend yoga classes. The students are taken on excursions and educational trips during the session and function are organised from time to time. Over the years the school has won several prizes in inter-school competitions.

The institution also takes part in Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations at the sub-divisional level. A choreographic item by students on family planning and drug abuse won a prize for special performance at a gram mela in Chandigarh

The school plays a useful role in social activities. The Paras Kids Club, run by students with the help of Vice-Principal, creates awareness about cleanliness, pollution, planting saplings and personality development. Students and teachers also participate in the pulse polio campaign.

In academics, Gourav Kumar and Manvir Kaur secured 93 per cent and 90 per cent marks, respectively, in English in the NCERT examination for Class V in 2003. Zippinderal Singh obtained 94 per cent in mathematics in the examination. In 2002, Sarbjit Kaur got 94 per cent marks in English in the Class VIII examination conducted by the PSEB.

Emphasis is on classroom teaching

Classroom teaching is important. Students are taught according to the syllabi and keeping in mind their mental ability. We do not advise the students to go in for private tuitions. During school hours, teachers assist the students by clearing their doubts and in doing their homework.

Computer education is given in the institution from Nursery to Class X. Students are taught how to use computers, including the maintenance of files. However, this is not being done on vocational lines at present.

We celebrate various festivals in the school and involve students in the activity. Our aim is to teach the students how to select their own path in life.

FLASHBACK ‘03
Schools City saw new schools, higher fee, better facilities
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25
The opening of prominent educational institutions in the city was the high point of 2003 while the year also saw the commercialisation of school education with all the new schools charging exorbitantly in the name of better facilities and unique teaching methods.

Among the well-known names that opened their branches in the city were Ryan International, Delhi Public School and Lady Shri Ram’s Ananda International, already running a chain of schools in the “education industry” in the country.

With parents ready to “pay anything for the good education of their children”, the city was the chosen destination of these schools claiming to be child-centric rather than guided by syllabi alone.

Some of the schools like Delhi Public School, Rai and Ryan began with their first session this year while Strawberry Field World School, Ananda International school, Chitkara International school were launched with a lot of fanfare and will shortly begin admissions for the next academic session.

Besides providing the regular course of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Ananda International and Chitkara International also became the first schools in the city to offer the International Baccalaureate course, a curriculum recognised the world over.

While the private schools vied amongst themselves to attract students, the UT Education Department launched the much-awaited Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), aimed at innovative alternative education of all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years in October. While 10,000 children drawn from slums and colonies have already begun attending classes under this project, SSA aims at bringing into its fold 20,000 more children this year.

Eleven new sites were allotted to different educational societies for primary schools that include Indian Institute of Education, Adarsh Bal Sudhar, Vivek Vidya Niketan, Infant Jesus Education Society, Paragon Education Society, Young scholars education society, DAV Public School among others.

The CBSE, too, altered its syllabi to suit the needs of present times whereby some sections were deleted from previous syllabus and new ones added too. In the pre-medical test, the board decided to take preliminary as well as main examinations and decided to start a computer stream from next session at the plus two level with three elective subjects of computer science, informatics practice and multimedia and web technology. All these three subjects carry 70 per cent theory and 30 per cent practical components. These courses are independent elective subjects under the academic stream and enjoy the same status as other subjects like history, physics, economics and chemistry.

The local office of the CBSE was made public-friendly by adopting a single-window system to get work done in the various branches of the office in addition to the computerisation of all data pertaining to marks of students to enable the issuing of duplicate marks cards on demand in less than half-an-hour.

Scholarship
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25
Kanav Arora of St John's High school, Sector 26, Girika Mahajan of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary school, Sector 26 and Kriti Puri of Carmel Convent school, Sector 9 have been awarded the prestigious Singapore Airlines scholarship for pursuing further studies in Singapore.

LIFESTYLE

Fashion Fundas Use shimmer to simmer
at New Year bash
Geetu Vaid

It is that time of the year again when young and old alike gather to bid good-bye to the year passing by and welcome the new year with hopes and aspirations. In the last week of December everyone gets into the party mood. and the spirit of celebration rules everywhere.

If you are among those bombarded with invitations for pre-new year, New Year Eve or New Year bash this time and want to be the cynosure of all eyes at the hep do’s then deciding the right look and outfit is not an easy job. The vast range available in the stores is enough to confuse and give you pre-party jitters.

To trace the trail of trends and to help you make the right choice we talked to some party hoppers and designers in the city.

Sequins, bright colours, denim and leather (how can we forget this, especially the coloured avtar) are the things that will give you ‘the look’ be it the western or Indian outfits that you prefer to wear.

Keep the venue in mind while selecting the outfit was what Aditi, from NIFD, had to say . Halter necks, sleeveless and strappy tops or backless cholis are more suited for the indoor bashes.

Team up a halter neck with a smart coat, cape or stole which can be taken off if things ‘hot up’, she adds. Long coats in suede, leather and denim are trendy as well as functional, says Aditi. Youngsters can mix a black pair of denim jeans with a nice silk top and a co-ordinating blazer for a formal party. Wrangler’s Black collection of jeans with sequins as embellishments will fit this kind of an occasion. Low-waisted trousers in lycra and printed corduroy with sequin work as well as trousers with sequined belts (priced Rs1300 to 1700) in solid colours were also found to be the hot picks this week, said Suman of Kapsons.

For Rahat, a student, who was shopping for an outfit for New Year Eve party along with her parents a striped trouser (Rs 1100) was the choice. ‘’I will team it up with a beige blazer and a feather soft stole’’. Way to go man!

Taranjit, a budding designer, says ‘‘blending of looks and vivid colours are hot for me’’.

Sequined long dresses, mermaid skirts with short tops in black, gold, fuschia, blue and red are some of the options suggested by Roop, a city-based designer. Another city-based designer Babi too favours sequined tops and slim fit pants, especially for those preferring Indian outfits.

Accessorise your look with a scarf, a clutch bag with beads/sequence work and match diamond or platinum jewellery for that extra feminine look.

Fusion wear is the ideal choice for a casual afternoon year end do at a friend’s place or a poolside bar-be-que meant just for chilling out. A relaxing outfit matched with minimalist look low on accessories will suit the mood. Once again denim-corduroy mix skirts, jeans and jackets provide comfort and style to the wearer. Slim fit pants with short kurtas in bright colours will add warmth, says Roop.

If going for the high gear dance party with loud music and psychadelic lights beaming all around, then your dress also needs to be bold enough to make a statement by itself. Combine a pullover with shimmer sheen (Rs 500-1200) with straight fit skirts in denim or leather or stylised trousers like Wrangler’s hand brushed tints collection in black, grey, blue grey, royal blue, olive, chocolate, diesel mud, ambergene or khaki will set the floor on fire. Lee Cooper, Blackberry, Wills Clublife also have collections in bold colours to suit the occasion.

So add shimmer to your choice. Just let your hair down and get ready to shake a leg on your favourite dance number, as the rest has already been taken care of.

There’s fire on your plate
Harvinder Khetal

It's the Christmas-New Year festivity time. And city restaurants have also taken care to jazz up their interiors with stars, lights and buntings and dish out special fare for Chandigarhians in a holiday mood and hungry for a treat.

Khyber Restaurant, Sector 35, stands out in this respect. For, it is serving khana with flames of fire flickering on the food. Aptly titled Fete Flambee, it's a French food festival that city residents are getting the opportunity to savour the first time. Chef Sanjiv Verma puts together the pre-cooked items on the gas burner attached to a special trolley (called guerdion in France) right in front of you, next to your table. The trolley is wheeled around the tables, to giving burning hot soup, fish, chicken, fish and, yes, even ice-cream to all guests. Helping Sanjiv is chef Amit Vyas.

Unlike the Continental sizzlers that come sizzling on the platter from the kitchen, at this fete, the guests get to see the feast prepared and put on fire with a sprinkling of rum or brandy.

Set the ball rolling with Minestrone soup — an Italian style tangy tomato base that is sauteed with boiled veggies, macaroni and cheese and garlic balls before it is set on fire.

For the non-vegetarians, there is a choice between chicken and fish flambee. Pieces of chicken leg or breast steak are peppered with black pepper and accompanied by some red (carrots), yellow (potatoes) and green (beans) vegetables. The soft river sol fish, is likewise, made interesting with lemon and butter flavour and transferred flaming red on to your plate from the frying pan.

Cheese steak interwoven with coriander is served in brandy flambee for those who prefer vegetarian khana. End the experience with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream licked by flames emanating from rum-soaked raisins, with a distinct bite of the hot liquor.

And if the fire puts you off, you have the good old regular dum pukkt dishes of khyber to fall back on.

Super offer by store

In celebration of turning one, Bhatia's International Supermarket of Sector 35 on December 25 offered its customers a taste of its goodies free of cost. During this city's first free food festival to be on till January 4, 2004, after 5 p.m. daily, the store has tied up with some food companies.

As former Test cricketer and actor Yograj Singh cut the ribbon, shoppers were delighted to sample some warm soup on a chilly Christmas evening. Verka chipped in with its range of new flavours of drinks while Tasty Byte catered to those preferring the spicy ready-to-eat chana masala. Pritco's eggless cakes and Morton Birla's juicy cocktail also had many takers. Lipton tea, Bru Coffee and Shivananda's chyavanprash were among the other items on offer.

Mr Sanjiv Bhatia, proprietor, announced that encouraged by the response of customers to a department-store type of grocery shopping with more than just ordinary dal, chawal and atta, they had introduced a privilege card concept, with attractive gifts every quarter. 

It’s my life
Fashion is my passion

Fashion has always been my passion and, therefore, joining NIFD after completing my graduation was a natural choice. I did my schooling from Carmel Convent and thereafter bachelor in arts with honours from MCM College. I scored good marks in my graduation with which I could have easily got admission in MA regular at the university, but that was not my cup of tea. I wanted to do something creative and NIFD was the ideal place to pursue my ambition.

Fashion designing involves a lot of thinking and creativity and there is ample scope of inspiration. Of course it demands a lot of hard work too, but then I have never been a work shirker.

“Dress up with style and elegance” — that’s my funda. I love trying new things and believe in making my own fashion statements. One should dress up according to the occasion and place. Even though I was clear from the beginning to take up fashion designing as a full time career, still I decided to get a master’s degree. The obvious choice was economics being an economics honours graduate so I pursued my studies along with NIFD. Currently I am in MA II year. I think one must complete his/her studies as it definitely shapes your personality and boosts your confidence. My enrolling for MA (Economics) has given me the required impetus.

As for my future plans, I intend to open a boutique of my own. For this I need the support of my family and friends who have always stood beside me and guided me in taking my decisions. My parents have always been a source of inspiration to me. God has been really kind and I pray that He continues to shower his blessing on me and my family in future too.

(As told to ASP)

Choco cheer for the New Year
Gurvinder Kaur

PATIALA: This is a temptation few have been able to resist and with the New Year just around the corner, it is perhaps impossible to withstand the simply chocolicious onslaught coming your way. Look around where gift packs bursting with choco cheer seem to be ringing in the New Year.

Chocolates of all shapes and flavours seem to fill up every shop in sight. Imported fantasies in the form of chocolates are a sight to behold but for those of us who like that special touch to their gifts without burning a large hole in the pocket, the indigenous ‘firang-looking’ chocolate nuggets would do well. A lot many housewives in the city have of late taken to making chocolates. Not only are the goodies packaged entrancingly, they are also great to taste.

Most of the women use bars of imported chocolate as base for a distinct taste of quality and on offer are nearly seven flavours laden with nuts and caramel and centre fillings. They add attractive foil wrappings besides a presentation in exquisite basket and trays.

“It isn’t that simple. Making chocolates and then wrapping in each piece individually is a laborious process. Cutting small squares from wrapping paper and then arranging the ribbons and other decorations on baskets and boxes call for a wee bit of creativity also,” says Ismeet Sethi whose home-made chocolate nuggets have been brightening many festivities in Patiala since the past four years. This young housewife started taking her hobby seriously after friends and relatives appreciated with gusto the chocolatie treats she passed around at festival times.

Ismeet claims that the secret is to use imported slabs of chocolate as this brings a qualitative difference in your products than when you use the Indian variety. “I source my chocolate base from Bombay or Delhi as the brand I use does not sell locally. The second most important thing is to temper the mixture well. The skill lies in knowing exactly how much heat to use and for how long and of course avoid water as even a drop of it in the mixture will ruin the chocolate”, she says.

Santa, Mickey Mouse, stars and hearts are the most popular shapes especially with teenagers and children. As far as chocolates go, Valentine’s Day, Divali , Raksha Bandan and New Year are the days when Ismeet and others like her remain awake well past midnights to accumulate their stocks. People have started preferring chocolates to the good old ‘mithai’ at special occasions especially at birthdays and anniversaries and I also get occasional bulk orders for weddings and Christmas parties too, adds Ismeet.

Universal appeal of chocolates notwithstanding, nuts and caramel are added to make them simply irresistible. There is something for everybody here. While the adults may prefer ones containing Rum ‘n raisins, mint and coffee, the younger lot really dig flavours like roasted almonds, butterscotch, crackle and almond rocks. Nuggets with centre fillings remain a hot favourite with just about everyone and you can have any of these for about a Rs 50 for every 100 gm.

All that glitters is gold here

Patiala: Diamonds may be touted as a girl’s best friend but owing to the large amount of ready cash required to keep the association strong many of us would settle for the more accessible gold and pearls. Especially so when the package includes an authentication certificate besides a 100 per cent money back guarantee in the bargain.

A large number of the fairer species has been heading towards the Tanishq Caravan - an exhibition cum sale of gold, diamond and pearl jewelry currently on at hotel Mohan Continental in the city. The exhibition has on display a varied range of jewellery to attract every kind of purse.

Prominent among them is the solo range which is a single diamond range, the prices begin from Rs 20,000 and go upto Rs 38,000. the solitaire is, however, conspicuous by its absence here.

The Arya collection which comprises of traditional jewellery includes bangles, earrings, pendants, rings, chains besides whole sets. The diva has an exquisite range of diamond and pearl necklaces besides diamonds set in earrings, rings and bangles. However the most popular collections here are the hoopla and collection ‘G’ - lightweight ranges which are a big draw for college going girls as well as working women. Both collections are moderately priced.

While some gold pendants on display can be bought for Rs 1500 a diamond studded ‘kura’ can cost up to a whopping 3 lakh. the gold jewellery is all 22 carat pure gold and comes with a 100 per cent returning guarantee on its appreciate value whereas the diamond studded jewellery contains 18 carat gold and its returning guarantee measures upto 90 per cent of its appreciate value. Retails sales officer from Delhi’s Tanishq headoffice Raj Dweep Aneja states that the caravan will be displayed at most cities in the state in the Punjab tour. OC