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Private candidates can’t opt for practical subjects,
Chandigarh, February 11 These letters were sent to the students by the university in the first week of February, after receiving and scrutinising the completed examinations forms for the examination scheduled for April this year. The move comes despite a decision of the Academic Council of the university, to allow private candidates in undergraduate and postgraduate in music and dance. The Academic Council had decided in 2001 that private candidates in BA and MA would be allowed to appear in the examination provided they attend practicals at Panjab University or affiliated colleges. The syllabus approved by the university also makes provision for the private candidates. The syllabus for music (vocal), BA (General) first year examination, 2004, states, “In case of the private candidates, there will be no internal assessment and the marks obtained in the external assessment of the practical examination shall be proportionately increased.” The contradiction in the syllabus and the rules of the university first came to light when the principal of an academy at Jalalabad approached the General Branch of PU early this week. A copy of the decision of the Academic Council and the letter from the university rejecting the option of vocal music filled in by the candidate was also submitted. They were assured that students would be allowed to appear for the examination and the case would be forwarded to the authorities concerned. However, when contacted, the Controller of Examination (COE), Dr Sodhi Ram, said they would go by the decision of the Syndicate which says that private candidates would not be allowed to appear for a subject which entails practicals. “We will stick to the rule since the final authority of approving a decision of the Academic Council is with the Syndicate,” he added. |
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City students resent
cut in PEC quota Chandigarh, February 11 The new admission policy would substitute the existing policy of 85 per cent admissions from among candidates of Chandigarh and 15 per cent from the all-India quota. The Chandigarh Administration has defined “candidates of Chandigarh” for this purpose as those who have passed their Class XII examination from schools located in Chandigarh (UT). However, this decision has reduced the number of seats available for the students of the city and has not gone down well with them. Preparing for the entrance examination, Gagandeep Singh of GMSSS-33 said while the new policy would prove to be a boon for the outsiders, the city students would suffer on this account. Ashish Bhalla of the same school lamented the fact that 85 per cent seats in other engineering colleges would be reserved for students of that state, putting city students at a disadvantage. “With outsiders being allowed to infringe upon our seats, where will we go. The engineering seats in the city’s college, too, have gone out of reach,” he added. Sudhir Chauhan of GMSSS-46 said he was willing to take up the cause of city students and appeal to the Chandigarh Administration to reconsider this decision along with other students aspiring for an engineering seat in PEC. The brother of one such candidate taking her entrance examination, Rohit Thappar, maintained, “The Administration has no right to disown its students by de-reserving a percentage of the seats. Enhancing the status of the college, in no way, would mean shifting the seats to the open category.” Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Administration has begun the process of implementing the deemed university status of Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and has sent a detailed notification draft to the Government of India. Accordingly, it was decided to go ahead with the new admission policy in respect of the PEC for the forthcoming session. |
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Placement week begins at
SD College Chandigarh, February 11 The companies like GE, Cipla, Daksh, Wipro, Bajaj Automobiles, Hero Mindmine, International Tractors, ICICI, Tata Infotech, Convergence, Spectramine and NIIT conduct interviews every year. Last year, more than 85 students were picked up by these companies. On the first day of the placement week, Vizinfoz shortlisted students for the business process out
sourcing sector. The Principal, Dr A.C. Vaid, said: “We began the placement cell with the dream that students
graduating from this college have ready job offers in their hand when they pass out. Our efforts
have paid dividends and the number of companies coming to our doorstep has increased steadily.” Every year, the placement cell prepares a data bank of its students
outlining the merits of the students and contacts reputed companies. “Throughout the year, we contact reputed corporate houses to make them aware of the quality of our students. All companies that have conducted interviews in the past years have
commended the potential and knowledge of our students,” said Prof N.K. Sahni, coordinator, placement cell. |
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Hamara School Sunbeam Public School, Mauli Jagran, has come up with a noble idea: Provide education to children of slum areas and those belonging to the section below the poverty line. The school was started by Mr Satwant Singh Dhillon. Mr Dhillon, started the school with only seven students in 1992. Initially the school was functioning from two small rooms, but with the passage of time as the number of student increased the management constructed a three-storeyed building on a 30 marla plot. In less than 12 years the school was upgraded to middle standard as the students strength increased to 600. Presently 22 teachers are serving in the school at nominal salaries. Talking to The Tribune, Ms Nirmal Gularia, Vice-Principal of the school, who joined as the first teacher 12 years ago, recalls that the motto of the school was to provide education to the children of slum areas who were unable to afford schools located in Chandigarh and Panchkula. Keeping in view the financial conditions of the parents of the students the school management is chargrd a monthly fee of Rs 90 per student from class I to V and Rs 140 per student from class VI to VIII. In case two or more children from a family are studying in the school, there is a provision for concession in fee. The school management has not published any prospectus and the students are being admitted through applications on plain papers by the school authorities. The school dress is green. The school also has a provision for indoor games. |
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Imparting education delights him Having run Sunbeam School as its Principal-cum-Director, Mr Satwant Singh Dhillon, was brought up in a family of landlords. From seven students to over over 600 students, the experience of imparting education delights him. On education Education is synonymous with the overall development of an individual. Development of personality is not by birth but is developed through studies. Every citizen, especially economically weaker, should not be deprived of the right of education. Children are the future generations and should be provided with education. On tuitions With the changing time tuitions have become the in thing. The grooming of a child in a classroom reflects the capability and ability of a teacher. Besides, we take extra classes and prepare the students for competitive examinations, he adds. |
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Poster contest on AIDS Chandigarh, February 11 Dr Ajit Saroha, Deputy Director, State AIDS Control Society, was the chief guest at the function. The Principal, Ms Khushinder Sharma, was the guest of honour. A prize distribution function followed the contests. |
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Students awarded at annual day
Mohali, February 11 The President of the school management, Mr Avtar Singh, read out the annual report highlighting the achievements of the school in the past two years.  |
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Jan Shikshan students given certificates Mohali, February 11 A cultural programme was presented by students of home management. The programme started with a Shiv vandana. Mr Bir Devinder Singh, Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, was the chief guest on the occasion. He urged the students to make efforts to become global citizens as it would help them interact where ever they went. |
Narrating life through puppets Chandigarh, February 11 In his 20-year long career that is rich with productions, Andrew Hansen arrived in Chandigarh today along with long-time friend Dadi Pudumjee, who has revolutionized the art of puppetry in India. Together Andrew, who now runs his own puppet theatre company called Puppetree, and Dadi, who is artistic director of Ishara Theatre Company in Delhi, will create something special during the 10-day long puppet making workshop at Kalagram. The workshop is being organized by Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi. As themes for the project are still evolving, Andrew spoke fondly of his connection with India and also about the way the rich socio-cultural milieu of the land had influenced his creativity. Apart from employing puppets as a means of education in various schools in Australia, Andrew has also worked extensively on the rich themes from the Indian Epics. He says: “Every time I travel to India, I am enriched by its grand heritage. I have been here earlier in 1979, 1983 and in 1992. Travelling extensively in North and South, I have been most influenced by the Ramayana and the Mahabharata which I have adapted to suit my productions. There are various other inspirations that I draw from India — its diversity, its social and cultural landscape and its people.” Having developed his own style of puppetry, called “Object Art”, Andrew holds workshops in this special form of puppet making, which has its roots in the Stone Age. The expert informs, “Object Theatre is extremely realistic. We draw from the basics. Also this form is inspired by the Dada and the Surrealist art movements. Object Theatre employs ready-mades and found objects to tell stories.” Admitting that Australia was not so rich historically, Andrew, who often works with Dadi Pudumjee at residency workshops like the one that began today, Andrew said, “Puppeteers in Australia use techniques evolved and developed internationally. These influences are toned down to Australian sensibilities. But as of now, the influence of India on Australian puppetry is negligible. In fact, I am here to work with Dadi on interesting ideas. I take this workshop as a good chance to develop and nurture a strong artistic relationship with India.” Andrew also teaches theatre design, besides devising and developing scripts for puppet plays especially for classrooms. As for Dadi, who is an acclaimed puppeteer, with a large number of successful puppet theatre productions behind him, working with Andrew is another opportunity at creative exchange. |
Morning Chatter Meant perhaps for sinewy teenaged bodies or the anorexic shapes of your contemporaries, it makes little business sense for branded fitters to stray into what is unprofitable terrain of providing for ‘fat’ women. They leave you with the limited choice of trying out a boutique which could customise a design to fit you to the ‘T’. But then you discovered that here too, you had only a fifty-fifty chance of turning lucky. The outfit may or may not flatter your form, persona and ability to comfortably and self assuredly carry it off. Either the fabric isn’t right or the stitching slip-shod. But, of course, nobody is going to admit that. The fault obviously is yours, for who asked you to go and put on all those extra kilos and then have the gumption to get adventurous too! You do have friends who pick up stylish western wear on their annual jaunts abroad. Forget the astronomical prices. You are willing to shell that out too if you are assured of a good fit. But, given the way you have put on weight in all the odd unimaginable places, you wouldn’t order it unless you physically try out the outfit. However, some of us do get lucky. We discover the neighbourhood gents’ tailor who sewed your husband’s trousers and shirts. Patronising the ‘masterji’ next door, giving him samples and having some live demos with him yield returns when, voila!, the lowly darzi turns in a skirt, trouser or a waistcoat which is just right. It covers the bulges and yet gives you a leaner, smarter look without you looking as if you got the dress from the dhobi on a day’s rental. The good news now is that there are people right around you who are willing to take that further. The 35-plus ‘bigger’ woman, who looks like a lady and not a girl, has suddenly found options, thanks to the masterji’s ingenuity. He uncovered a market segment and branded clotheshouses, who were earlier making trousers, jackets, pant suits and formal shirts for men, are now coming up with an all-women line too. So, you have Scullers and Allen Solly targeting the slightly bigger sizes. Brands like Wills Lifestyle and Looks, too, are devoting much of their shelf space to the metro woman who has the money and the desire to fit into western wear without compromising on her own individual style statement. More designs are flooding in and attempts are being made to target this hitherto ignored segment. Smart dressing need not be the prerogative of the Twiggy’s. Also, if Kate Winslet can put on weight just to show that size matters and one needn’t be reed- thin to be fashionable, surely being a few kilos heavier does not imply that one has to bid adieu to fashion altogether. The masterji can help. He’s the most exclusive brand. Try him out. |
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Eating out
IF you have not got the opportunity to visit Las Vegas, USA, get a feel of a typical casino of the city of lights at Blue Ice, the restaurant-cum-bar in Sector 17, Chandigarh, near Meena Bazar. And those who have had the good luck to enjoy a drink there, will agree that the eatery has made a good attempt in organising the 15-day festival called the ‘Vegas Nights’. In fact, as soon as you are ushered by the English-speaking doorman into the blue-and-steel-grey place, the thumping Ricky Martin music vibrating all over from the Rs 4-lakh MW music system played by the DJ hits you. If you look closely, the DJ with his jacket lined with a string of lights seems to have landed straight from Las Vegas. Like Amitabh Bachchan in the movie ‘Yaraana’. The two pillars at the entrance and the two pillars inside have been draped with ropes of twinkling little bulbs. As they glitter with the warm glow of a zero-watt intensity, you look around while waiting for your order. The wall leading up to the DJ’s cabin is embellished with long strings of blue, golden yellow and green lights. Similarly, the mirrors on the wall are shining with blue luminosity. The silhouette of the Marlboro man’s cutout in the window and other typical motel glowsigns and signages all add to the look. “Since we are not allowed to have games like roulette, cards or darts under the Gambling Act, we decided to just hang dices and card counters to complete the picture of a casino,” says Mr Rahul Kakkar, GM. As the steward serves you the crackling hot sizzler and honey chicken drumsticks, you notice that his formal trousers and apron instead of the earlier casual jeans is also a bid to transport you across the oceans. Besides the interiors, the eatery which is famous for its wide range of a choice of snacks, cocktails and mocktails, also has a mouth-watering scheme for the festive fortnight. |
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Wrap it up in style Card, gift and chunk jewellery shops all over the city have stocked sheets specially designed for the occasion. In fact, there are gift jackets with hearts, stars and even kisses for casing presents for just Rs 5. Also available in the market are ribbon-tied boxes with singing and glowing hearts for presenting rings. They can be picked up for Rs125 . Ms Raman of a gift and chunk jewellery shop in Sector 11, asserts, “the card and gift shops all over the city are offering cellophane envelopes in tender hues, including baby pink and blazing red, with love messages printed across in bold letters. Tags for writing names are also unique. You have pens with ink that glitters.” Agreeing with her, Nipun of a Sector 35 gift shop adds, “We are not using traditional tapes for wrapping up the gifts. We are tying them up with silky ribbons in shades complimenting the wrapping papers. These make the gifts look all the more sophisticated and inspiring”. The story does not end here. “There are special bags for carrying wrapped-up gifts. Until now, you had to carry presents in polythene bags. You can take the gifts in tote bags,” he adds. There are cheerful paper bags with “just for you” messages, costing just Rs 5. Ms Raman adds, “gone are the days when boys used to present gifts without paying much attention to the wrapping paper. But in today’s world of ostentation, show off is as important as the gesture. |
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Presuming you are not one of those who lives on lukewarm water, salads and a carbohydrate-free diet. Presuming that you have accumulated unsavoury tyres around the waist post- pregnancy but you have a secret desire to fit into all those stylishly cut western outfits which tease you from the fashion spreads of magazines. And, presuming that you are a little picky about what you wear, are you left with no choice but to go for bulbous tent-like kurtas, which, in their shapeless form, offer a strangely comforting ambiguity? If this is so, you must also be suffering from those depressive bouts that seize whenever you muster the courage to walk to a store specialising in western wear for women and find that your contours are not meant for the bulk ready-to-wear market. 
You have already picked you a nice box of imported chocolates for St Valentine’s Day. And are looking forward to the event. But in the process you have forgotten all about packing the gift up in an alluring cellophane paper with transparent hearts. Well, there is still time, Just drive down to the market for getting the gift wrapped, nicely and properly.