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Gosal for second
green revolution Chandigarh, January 29 He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Regional dimensions of population, agriculture and environment in India since 1990s’ organised by the Department of Geography at the ICSSR Complex, Panjab University, here today. He said the increasing cost of inputs in agriculture, water and electricity, the decreasing size of land holdings, soil depletion and decline in profitability were responsible for creating apprehensions about the future of agriculture in Punjab and Haryana. Stating that there was an immediate need to diversify, he suggested lab-to-land studies, regular soil and water surveys and irrigation scheduling. In his presidential remarks, Prof S.L. Sharma, Director of the Institute of Correctional Administration, said the region was not merely a geographic constraint, but a socio-cultural and politico-economic construct. He said while Punjab had recorded a glorious distinction in agricultural development, it had a dubious distinction for having the worst sex ratio. He emphasised the need for studies focusing on linkages of population, agriculture and environment. Three research papers were presented in the technical sessions that followed the inaugural function. Prof H.S. Mehta stated that pre-modern development was dependent on manual labour while modern development was dependent on mental labour. He cautioned that privatisation, as experienced in industrialised states, might not be successful in non-industrialised states. Dr Deepak Grover said the north-western region was money-mad and buying and selling women was common. He said while labour was needed from other states, this population was being denied political rights. Mr Sunil Gulati, Director, Census Operations, Haryana, added that poor sex ratio was responsible for crimes against women. He said instead of vocational education, affordable education and functional literacy were of greater importance. |
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MI-8 helicopter handed over to PEC Chandigarh, January 29 The Air Officer Commanding, 3 BRD, Air cdre S.P.S.Virk, handed over the log books of the chopper to the college authorities. The man who took special interest in the project, Air Cdre S.B. Prashar is an alumni of Punjab Engineering College. He is the batchmate of the India-born Kalpana Chawla, who died in the Columbia space-shuttle tragedy, Dr Baljeet Kapoor, Principal of the PEC, and Dr S.C.Sharma, Head of Department of the Aeronautical Engineering. It was for the first time that the Air Force had gifted the helicopter to an institution, said the chief guest, Air Cdre Prashar (retd). He began work on the project during his posting at the Air Force Station, Chandigarh. In his inaugural speech, Air Cdre Prashar said, we have only books to help us understand the subject of aeronautical engineering. There were engine parts of old aircraft and couple of engine parts. The Air Cdre had decided to gift the helicopter to the college in 2002, but the project got delayed because the procedural clearance was required from the Ministry of Defence. He hoped that the students would be able to see the structural design of the helicopter. On the request of the college authorities, the Air Officer Commanding, the 3 BRD, agreed to undertake the yearly maintenance of the aircraft at the expense of the college. The Principal of the PEC, Dr Baljeet Kapoor, said it was great day that the college had been gifted a chopper for study purposes. He along Air Cdre S.B.Prashar and Air Cdre S.P.S.Virk inaugurated a plaque. On the occasion, the local chapter of the Aeronautical Society of India organised a radio-controlled flying of aero models with the help of No.1 Air Sqn NCC unit. A picture caption contest, aero quiz and painting competitions were also organised on the occasion. The winners of various contests were Santosh Kumar Sharma, Sukhpreet Prashar, Inderpreet Singh, Tushar Kant, Bhavneet, Monica Manocha, Sukanto Chaudhary. A number of persons, including Air Force officers and former teachers of the college were honoured with mementoes.
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South Korean students in town under exchange programme Mohali, January 29 The students of Jeong Myung Girls High school, South Korea, are here on a 10-day visit to Chandigarh and Mohali following a tie up between Paragon School and the South Korean school as part of which the two institutes will exchange teachers and students over the next one year. The formal MoU will be signed by Paragon School and Jeong Myung School early next month. After this a 15-member delegation of Paragon School, nine teachers and six students, will visit the school in South Korea. The students today performed the famous South Korean fan dance at Paragon School and sang some Korean songs. They also performed YPS School here. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune through a translator Mr Kim said the school where he taught was one of the oldest in South Korea. Dance and music were one of the compulsory subjects and each student was taught the traditional form of dance at the school. He also pointed out that these students had specially learnt the fan dance for their visit to India. ‘‘It is the most popular dance in South Korea. So they learnt it and came here,’ he said. The students,who were unable to converse in english, however, conveyed that they were enjoying themselves here. The students had arrived here day before yesterday and will stay in India for the next seven days. They will be visiting schools in Amritsar, Jalandhar. They will also be performing in some schools of Chandigarh and the Punjab School Education Board here tomorrow. The Director of Paragon School, Mr B.S. Shergill, said students and teachers from both sides would benefit once the MOU was signed. He said we would be sending our teachers to teach in South Korean school there and teachers from there would come and teach here. |
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Education board honours
50 schools Mohali, January 29 Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest, Mr Khushal Behl, Education Minister, exhorted the students, parents and teachers to inculcate finer sensibilities. ‘‘Music and poetry are the essence of our beings and these sensibilities help us tide over the most difficult of situations,’’ he said. Calling on the board to help school students gather varied experiences through cultural and extracurricular activities, Mr Behl stressed that the rich heritage of Punjab because of its unique geographical location on the map of the world needed to be protected. The awards were given away by the minister to the winners in various categories. Students from various schools performed the winning item on the stage today with the group of boys from Guru Nanak Senior Secondary School, Dharamkot, Moga, stealing the show with their energetic bhangra. The team of bhangra dancers led by Ajaipal had won the first prize in the state. Among others who won awards were Navjot, Amitoj, Gursimran, Poonam, Gagandeep, Ririta, Pardeep, Gurjeet, Rajvinder, Chetna, Resham, Sarabjit, Sapna, Anmolpreet, Rahul, Chand, Ankush, Narinder, Onkardeep, Arshdeep, Savinder, Isha and Navneet. The teams of Ajaipal, Gurpeet, Pardeep, Yadvinder Singh and Paramjit Singh, were awarded for the best bhangra dance. The teams of Rajni, Gurinder Kaur, Sukhpreet, Harjot and Ramandeep were awarded for the best giddha in the state. Pardeepinder, Kuldip, Neha, Manmeet, Raman, Gurjant, Rajrani, Jasvir, Seema, Ritu, Rahul, Ramandeep, Seema, Neelam, Harpreet, Karanjit, Anudeep, Rupali, Gurpreet, Nikita, Amandeep, Mandeep, Manpreet, Simranjit, Prince, Sumel, Deep, Jaspreet, Veer Devinder, Rajbir, Aksjit, Rupinder, Simranjit, Iqbal, Harvinder, Parminder, Lakhveer, Vikram, Jatinder, Mandeep, Babita, Kulvinder, Jasvinder, Sumit and Malkit were also awarded on the occasion.
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GIFE students allege cheating Panchkula, January 29 Pressing their demands, 13 students of the institute raised slogans against the GIFE management for duping them and not providing facilities committed in the prospectus. The protesters alleged that the institute had charged over Rs 1.5 lakh per student for the courses which were not recognised by the Australian National Training Authorities (ANTA). Despite taking them to Australia for practicals, the institute was stressing on theoretical studies. They also alleged that the institute had been cheating them by making false commitment saying that certain courses relating to cookery and hospitality management were recognised by the ANTA. They claimed that on consulting the Australian Embassy, it was found that no such courses were recognised by the ANTA. The parents of the students also joined them in the protest and loded a complaint against the GIFE with the Mansa Devi police. Meanwhile, Mr Vic Gaffieny, campus director of the GIFE, denied the allegations and said that the students were evading fee from time to time. |
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Campus Notes Chandigarh, January 29 Taking the audience through myriad emotions, the story revolved around 78-year-old Rajyadhayaksha, a writer, who derives his inspiration from the freedom struggle and the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.The play went on to unfold the writer’s illicit relationship with his sister-in-law Basanti, his betrayal of wife Uttara , which spells the end of his patriotic zeal. The play also brought to the fore a writer who was unable to confront his true self, and, hence, failed to pen down his life and its happenings in his autobiography. Directed by Dr Rana Nayar, the play involves complexity of emotions and establishes the contradictory image presented by Rajadhyaksha in his autobiography and his actual life. Involving practice sessions spread over two months, the play, enacted by first year and second year students of the department, had Vikram Thakur (Rajyadhyaksha), Neha Juneja (Pradnya), Riggie Walia (Uttara), Gunjit Aurora (Vasanti), Manjusha Shukla (Urmila) and Kranapreet Kaur (Vasudha) in the lead roles.The play staged for three days was the annual production of the students of the Literary Society of the department. Holidays announced:
Though no date for Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj has been announced, the teaching departments and administrative offices will open on 11 am. All women employees of the university will be allowed to leave office at 2 pm on karva chauth. Employees wanting to participate in religious processions and nagar kirtans will be allowed to join the procession after obtaining half day’s restricted holiday for this purpose. |
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Seminar on
education in UK Chandigarh, January 29 |
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1,050 take part in handwriting contest Chandigarh, January 29 Children from Classes I to III participated in the handwriting competition. For creative writing contest, students from Class IV to VIII participated. The results will be declared on February 6. |
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HC Bar gets 33 lakh
from Punjab Chandigarh, January 29 The cheque was presented by the minister on behalf of the state government in less than six months after Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh promised the grant of Rs 66 lakh for the Bar during his visit to the High Court premises. The second instalment is expected in May. |
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New Releases After the success of ''Raaj'' and ''Jism'', small films seem to have caught the fancy of film-makers. Shreya Creations Pvt. Ltd. and Fish Eye Network productions ''Paap'' is the latest in the genre. With this film, actress Pooja Bhatt has became one of the youngest producer-directors of Bollywood. Instead of a big budget film, she chose to make a love story which will hit the screen tomorrow at Jagat, Chandigarh and Fun Republic, Mani Majra. Pitched as a romantic love story, ''Paap'' has model-turned-actor John Abraham. He shares the screen with debutant Udita Goswami. She is the first beauty from Uttaranchal to enter Bollywood. Udita will be seen as Abrahm's love interest in ''Paap'' penned by Mahesh Bhatt. Anahita Uberoi, Gulshan Grover, Mohan Agasha and Denzil Smith are in supporting roles. Shot widely in Himachal Pradesh, ''Paap'' was completed in 52 days. The film has music by Anu Malik. He has used Pakistani singer Rahat Ali Khan. * * * ''Maqbool'' is music director Vishal Bhardwaj's second film after ''Makdee''. In ''Maqbool'', ''Macbeth'' is set in the underworld. Those who have seen the preview swear that this one is fantastic. It is the film that created ripples at the International Film Festival of India held in Delhi in October, 2003. The film opens tomorrow at Fun Republic, Mani Majra. * * * Radhe Krishna Films ''Woh Tera Naam Tha'' will be released tomorrow at Neelam, Chandigarh. Businessman Vijaypat Singhania makes his debut as a producer. Kuku Kohli has directed this movie which features debutant Kanchi Kaul and Arjun Bajwa along with Gaurav Chanana, Shalini Paul and Amrish Puri.
— D.P
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Udita loves her new-found image Chandigarh, January 29 As of now, Udita is praying that the world sees sense in something she as Kaaya in "Paap" believed in and emoted. Seated next to Pooja and John this morning, she was hardly the focus of attention until of course she stole a slot from the conversation to tell how she views her new-found image. "I was extremely cautious when it came to choosing roles. Because I had been modelling for an array of products earlier, it was natural for me to be goaded into acting. But I certainly did not want to be just another senseless model trying it out on the big screen. So, I put most offers aside. It was "Paap" which inspired me. I knew I wanted to be a part of Pooja Bhatt's product. I was too lucky to be chosen." At 21, maturity in acting does not come easy, but Udita has not only emoted with brilliance, but also managed a fair amount of intensity and realism in her portrayal of a girl, caught in conflict between love and sacrifice. She says, "working with Pooja made things easy for me. She was always in control of the situation and knew what she wanted from me. I hardly had any dialogues to speak. It was wonderful to be simply crying on screen and feeling apprehensive about the loss of the loved one. It was all so close to reality." With no star-child tags to boot, Udita found herself sailing in the same boat as John Abraham, who has almost risen from the ranks. "Like me, John had also started from the basics. I relied a lot on him for acting. Also, he was so composed and sure of what he was doing that I got inspiration to excel in whatever role was demanded of me," said Udita.
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Fashion Fundas
On the threshold of spring, nature seems to have opened its treasure trove of colours and sprinkled these all around. As if complementing nature’s palette markets, colleges and university campus are also exuding colour. Scarlet, fuchsia, blue, orange, green all can be seen in full glory in the city. Fashion pundits too have predicted that colours and unique combinations will play a major role in the collections of major designers world over in 2004. Bright tropical fruit colours and hot greenhouse florals, that were part of the latest Versace collection, have been tipped as the major influence in Indian market too. The new way to stand out is in head-to-toe eye-popping shades. City’s young brigade that forms our fashion barometer, too, is going ga ga over bright hues. ‘‘This is the most suitable time to wear colour’’, says Vandita, a budding designer. You just have to go around the city once to realise that tones of red and pink are haute. The tie and dye effect and twin toning are being used liberally in Indian as well as western outfits, she adds. Rahul Gaur, a BSc II student, said ‘‘the staid black, grey and brown are not the only shades in men’s wardrobes now as bright red blues and greens are also being worn without any hesitation’’. Colour is in not only in the dresses, but also in accessories like shoes, bags, and even embroidery, says Seema, a Panchkula-based designer. Coloured stone embroidery is the current rage and so are unique combinations like fuchsia and crimson, yellow and blue etc. Even an outfit in black or white can be jazzed up with colourful accessories like shoes, scarves, jewellery, bags etc. Colours help not only in making style statement, but, according to experts, these can also affect a person and his persona in more ways than one can imagine. Colours denote energy. As these are visible light rays of different frequencies so these energise different spheres of life and affect moods and overall sense of well-being of a person. One’s preference for a certain colour affects not just the way one looks, but also the way one feels. Colours have also been found to play an important role in controlling emotions. Ashima, a PR executive, who is a firm believer in the power of colour says, ‘‘I realised with experience that my green dress made me come out of fatigue and this is no superstition. Almost all of us have had similar experiences at some point of time. Everyone can reap the benefits of the energy that colours exude. All you need to do is experiment with different colours and observe the effect they have on you. Certain colours can really bring out the best in you’’. Colours interact with skin tones. When a colour complements the skin tone it makes a person look younger and livelier. But an unsuitable colour makes skin look flawed and eyes dull and weary. So it is one thing to spice up your wardrobe with coloured outfits this season. But don’t always go by the colours that are in fashion, rather go for ones that suit your skin tone, advises Roopinder, a city- based designer. Skin tones are a result of a combination of melanin, carotene and haemoglobin in blood and everyone has a unique skin tone. Yellow is warm and blue is cold. If skin tone takes on yellow then one has warm under tones. If on the other hand, the skin tone takes on blue,one is said to have cool under tones. So, based on your skin tone, you will look your best in colours that are either yellow or blue based. If the wide palette of choice leaves you confused about which colour to choose, take a fresh look at the clothes that fetch you a lot of compliments. You’ll get a fair idea how to go about it. So enter the fascinating world of colours and bask in their glory by adding colour to your wardrobe and watch life take on exciting hues.
— TNS
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Whole foods will put you back in shape So you are fighting the battle against the bulge? Well, Whole Foods in Sector 22 is here to tantalise your taste buds, while providing you with healthier and tasty food, that is wholesome, unrefined and natural. From the roasted low fat snacks like wheat kernels and wheat chips, to sugar free sweets and high- fibre breakfast cereals. Those with a penchant for the phoren cuisines and snacks can choose between whole wheat pizza base, whole wheat spaghetti and fusilli. Or simply try the diet supplements like wheaty grass; jams chocolates and honey for diabetics at this one-stop- health shop, which will be run by Mrs Neeru Bhatia and her son Sahil. This chain of health food stores is the brain child of Ms Ishi Khosla, a former nutritionist at Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi. During the past two years since its inception in 2001, Ishi’s Whole Foods has moved from strength to strength. Taking in mind the growing health food consciousness among the urban populace, the annual turnover of the chain has increased by three times to Rs 1 crore in the last financial year. From its small launch pad in New Friends Colony in South Delhi, the chain has opened shop at Greater Kailash, Noida, DLF Gurgaon, and now in Chandigarh. Talking about Whole Foods, Ishi says that being a nutritionist she would often advise her patients to have whole grain products. “ But they had difficulty in getting these. So, I decided to fill in this gap and thus launched Whole Foods. The wholesome eating habits of our forefathers have been lost in the rapidly growing junk food jungle. It is here that Whole Foods can help restore the balance in today’s skewed diets,” she says. Ishi assures that the health food store will not be only for the high end customer, but the pricing has been so done to suit everybody’s needs. She says that the business had modest beginnings. She worked out the recipes for the various food products and then passed the raw material and recipes to various NGOs and housewives in Delhi, who prepared the products — juices, wholesome bakery products, high fibre roasted nuts, yogurt, soya bean products, spices etc. In Chandigarh, the basic preparation of the perishable eats will be done here itself, while the eatables having a longer shelf life will be prepared in Delhi. The store also presents sugar free drinks, oil free home made pickles, various kinds of breads, chutneys, amla products, besides foods for those suffering from dietary deficiencies like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholestrol, heart diseases, arthritis. — TNS
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Craze for wildlife articles
It is a strange paradox. The city is home to a large number of animal rights activists and lovers of wildlife articles. From shahtoosh shawls to ivory items, tiger and leopard hides to fur coats and caps, the craze for the wild is not alien to the city. The six-month drive launched by the Ministry of Environment through the office of Chief Wildlife Wardens in various states last year, bears testimony to the local residents’ love for such items. The city has registered almost double the number of shahtoosh shawls alone, as compared to the combined figure of these shawls in Punjab and Haryana. During the period beginning April 18, as many as 453 city residents came forward to disclose a total of 1,131articles covered under Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II of wildlife animals. These are banned articles and are obtained from endangered species of animals. Inquiries at the office of the Chief Wildlife Warden here reveals that 729 shahtoosh shawls, 310 ivory items, 26 tiger hides, 38 leopard hides and 28 miscellaneous items, including those made from sea shells and animal horns, have been declared by the residents. It is learnt that a resident of Sector 5 has declared over 60 such items, including over 50 articles made of ivory alone. Also, a number of applicants have sought registration of more than two pieces of shahtoosh shawls. These shawls are woven from the hair of chiru, which is an endangered specie found in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir. The price of a shawl starts from Rs 30,000. It is estimated that the value of the over 1,100 articles would be a few crores. The Chief Wildlife Warden and Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh, Mr Ishwar Singh, says, “Most of the residents, who have disclosed their possessions for the purpose of registration, have claimed that the items were inherited or had been presented as gift. Though we suspect that a number of applicants have actually bought the items, they do not want to do so as it is difficult to furnish the details of the purchases.” The Wildlife Department is now faced with the daunting task of identifying the articles. Two officials of the department have been trained at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, for checking the genuineness of these articles, registering them after implanting a micro chip and then issuing a certificate. The applicants will have to pay a registration fee of Rs 500 per article. Mr Ishwar Singh says that the exercise will begin within a fortnight after the micro chips and micro readers were arranged for. He warned that the department would launch a campaign against those who were trading in or in possession of such articles.
—TNS |
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Video chatting with Zinta, Johar
Eminent film producer Karan Johar and Nikhil Advani, director of ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ also regaled the winners across 11 cities via high speed Video Chat and Conference from the Reliance WebWorld at Juhu, Mumbai. “Reliance IndiaMobile subscribers can experience the variety of movie excitement on their phones through R World, watch Movie trailers, download wallpapers of their favourite stars, read the storyline and participate in interactive programmes. We believe that the entertainment industry is a natural partner in our business progression ahead,” said Mr. Amit Khanna of Reliance Infocomm Ltd. Eleven cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Pune were simultaneously linked @ 768 kbps speed for this video chat and video conference thus demonstrating the broadband capabilities of the company. — TNS
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His poetry relives the pain of Godhra “Aaj main guzaarunga tumhare saath yeh raat; subah jab pralay hogi dono royenge haath pasaarke....." Poetry has all elements of a human heart. That is perhaps why Sahib Singh, Director, Adakar Manch, Mohali, resorted to poetry so that he could translate on to stage the pain that defines calamitous events like Godhra and the 1984 riots against Sikhs. Through his trilingual play, "Agan Katha", the director dared to speak against the forces that diminish the validity of life. Drawn on the heart-felt verses of poets like Kaifi Azmi, Paash, Surjit Pattar, Swaraj Bir and Dr Jagtar, the script of the play was more than potent. In its heart-rending portrayal of the grisly Gujarat and Delhi riots, the play scored well, thanks to the poetic sequences that wove the difficult script together. Right in the beginning, the director appears on the stage, reciting the verse that says "Babur plundered the country with all his might, but today we have a Babur in every home." Seeking power to uproot the evil, the characters occupy their places on the stage, enacting gory sequences from the Godhra tragedy and then from the '84 riots, one by one. The script is all poetry, well remembered, but not as emotionally recited as should have been. Also at times one felt the poetic verses were not so well placed in the scheme of the play and did not quite serve the humble purpose of the production. On the whole, however, the play was well paced and offered a great deal of food for thought. It depicted attempts to rape, arson, looting, death and every other grotesque detail that strikes the mind at the very mention of Godhra. The play concluded with a couplet from Surjit Pattar: "Lagi je tere kaalje ajeh chhuri nahi... na samajh ki paun khizaan di turi nahi.." — TNS
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Javed Jafferi to ‘read’ news on TV And now you will hear news Javed Jafferi style. The multifaceted and versatile actor is all set to present a bi-weekly “variety” news magazine on Aaj Tak from January 31. The 30-minute spoof on the happenings that make the headlines will be aired on Saturdays and Sundays at 8.30 pm. Hosted, anchored and presented by Jafferi, the programme will showcase an array of funny and original ideas. It will be a satire on various news channels and news formats. The programme will be complete with signature tune and promos. Giving details, CEO of TV Today Network G. Krishnan stated in a press note that the viewers would see “politicians, personalities and happenings as portrayed by Jafferi.” — TNS
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Reliance IndiaMobile “Showtime”, the film promotion platform, today brought Preity Zinta, the star of ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ along with its production team for a multi-point to multi-point video chat and video conference with winners of R World and WebWorld contest simultaneously across 11 cities of India.