The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Kids exhibit skills in poetry, embroidery
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 17
An inter-school competition of music and arts was organised at Ramgarhia Girls College, Miller Ganj, here today. There were competitions of shabad gayan, folk songs, creative writing, poster making, embroidery and mehndi. The function was presided over by Mr Jagat Singh, the president of the Ramgarhia Educational Council.

The function started with the melodious shabad “Deh Shiva bar mohe...” by the Music Department of the college. Jagat Singh was accorded a warm cordial welcome by the staff and the members of Central Students’ Association. Mr Jagat Singh and Mr Jagtar Singh, the general secretary of the council, opened the function by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

Besides, there were several other contests going on in the college. Nearly 85 students from different schools of the city participated in different contests.

In the Geet/Lok Geet contest, Loveishpal Singh of GHG Khalsa Senior Secondary School won the first position while Maninder Singh of Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School for Boys was second and Harmanpreet Kaur of LB Shastri School and Kamaljit Kaur of Ramgarhia Girls Senior Secondary school were third.

In the shabad gayan contest, the first prize was given to the team of Sri Harkrishan Public School, second to Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School for Boys and third to Ramgarhia Girls Senior Secondary School.

In the essay writing competition, Jaswinder Kaur won the first prize, Manoj Kaur got the second position while the third place was captured by Simranpreet Kaur.

In the poetry writing contest, Sushma Gupta of GHG Khalsa Senior Secondary School stood first, Baljit Kaur of Ramgarhia Girls Senior Secondary School was second and Kishan Kumar of Potthohar Sayyad Khalsa National Senior Secondary School was third.

In the embroidery contest, Amandeep Kaur won the first prize, while Amritpal Kaur and Neeru Singh got the second and third prizes, respectively.

In the mehndi competition, Sukhvir Singh got the first prize, Rajinder Kaur and Manjit Kaur were second and Sukhwinder Kaur and Harmandeep Kaur shared the third prize.

Arjun Kumar won the first prize in the poster making competition, while Amritpal Singh and Amanpreet Singh won the second and third prizes, respectively.

At the Crossroads
IIAS — a seat of learning

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, is in news again. It has refused permission to the filming of “Black” on its premises. It is necessary to maintain decorum as the Fellows working on postdoctoral research need quiet surroundings. The future of the IIAS, however, hangs in the balance as the institute has been told to shift.

Since 1964 the institute had its base in Summer Hill. The IIAS has boosted scholastic pursuits and higher learning.

The guest house-cum-dining hall has a glory of its own. The flower-beds with a chinar tree in the centre have a long story to tell. The ambience of the Nivas and its surroundings inspire the seekers of knowledge.

Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla, should continue to get the attention of the Archaeological Survey of India as it requires urgent repairs. The monument has to be safeguarded against the vagaries of seasons. The over-all control should be with the Director of the institute. The research work being carried out in the institute also needs to be streamlined. Emphasis should be laid on futuristic vision.

N.S. Tasneem

Teachers threaten stir
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 17
The All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation (AIFUCTO) will organise a march on February 16 in Delhi to protest against the violation of basic norms of pay revision by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development.

Giving a call for a protest march from the UGC building to the Prime Minister’s residence, the national secretary of AIFUCTO, Dr V.K. Tewari, said it would culminate in a court arrest by the leadership the same day.

Singing contest today
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 17
The Sangam Kala Group will organise a district-level singing competition in memory of legendary singer Master Madan on January 18. Ms Radhika Jaitwani, the state president of the group, in a press statement issued here today, said the contest was aimed at discovering and promoting talented young singers.

The competition will be held at sub-junior, junior and senior levels.

The finalists will participate in the national-level programme to be held in New Delhi on February 7, 2004. The entry forms can be collected from GGN Khalsa College for Boys, Government College for Women and Cremica Ice Cream parlour.

Ms Jaitwani said apart from trophies for the best singers, many consolation prizes, scholarships and merit certificates would also be awarded.