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CAMPUS BEAT Chandigarh, March 10 The Panjab University Teaching Employees Federation and students of the University Institute of Engineering and Technology jointly organised the camp, which was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof KN Pathak. Professor Pathak congratulated all persons who came forward to donate blood. The chief guest, Chief Manager of the State Bank of India, Mr A.D. Chaudhuri, stressed the need for blood donation camps. Certificate and trophies were awarded to representatives of the federation by Professor Pathak. A team of doctors, headed by Dr Anuradha from the PGIMER, conducted the camp. Lecture A seminar on “You can win over asthma” will be organised by the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) at the University Business School, Panjab University, on March 12. The lecture will be delivered by Prof S.K. Jindal, Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, PGIMER, and is part of an awareness campaign on issues of public health. Open to all, the lecture will be delivered in Hindi. Seminar held The Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, hosted a national seminar on “Recent advances in biosocial anthropology”. . The Dean University Instruction, Panjab University, Prof S.K. Sharma, inaugurated the seminar. He drew the attention of the audience to the importance of anthropological research in the context of genetic engineering, cloning and stem cell research. He said anthropology, with its insights into human evolution and variability, would help conceptualise the advancements in these areas. Earlier, the DUI was welcomed by Prof BC Banerjee. Prof R.K. Pathak read out the keynote address of Prof A.R.N. Srivastava who could not attend the seminar. Ruksat for students Ruksat 2004, annual farewell programme for outgoing students, was organised by the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), at Law Auditorium here today. Beginning with Saraswati Vandana, the highlight of the cultural programme was Punjabi comedian Bhagwant Mann and Rana. Satinder and Rajbir Bhullar entertained the students with songs while the programme concluded with a bhangra item. A member of the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC), Mr Pradeep Choudhary, was the chief guest. Earlier, the president of SOPU, Kushbaz Singh Jattana, presented the welcome address. |
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Teachers learn innovative methods Chandigarh, March 10 Coordinated by Dr Rajni Badlani of the British Council, the workshop aimed at enabling teachers to integrate texts with the teaching of communication skills in the classroom to make teaching of English holistic and creative. “We have become serious educators and have forgotten that fun adds to teaching and facilitates the learning process. The workshop is an attempt at adding a dash of excitement to mundane lessons,” she stated. Already having received requests for organising more such workshops in city schools, she said, “We had limited number of seats and picked up two teachers from every school. In the two days of the workshop, we trained them to employ innovative teaching methods, use presentations and pool resources. We want them to share this experience with their colleagues. Also, we want them to shift from teacher-centred classrooms to student-centred classes.” Stating that teachers were more willing learners nowadays, she said the basic problem was that teachers were unable to distinguish between language teaching and that of other content-based subjects. “A mere B.Ed is not enough. A teacher has to know how to experiment in class within the framework of the stipulated syllabi. Schools must realise that language teaching requires specific training. There is also a need to popularise the use of information technology and literature for enhancing communication skills,” she informed. Students’ complaint Students of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, who appeared for the Class XII CBSE mathematics examination here today, complained of having got less than three hours for completing their paper. The students at the examination centre at DAV School in Sector 8 alleged that though their examination began half an hour late due to confusion over distribution of question papers, they were not compensated with additional time to attempt the questions. |
HAMARA SCHOOL AWAY from the noise, dust and pollution of a thickly crowded existence, located in a calm, pleasant and lush green environment lies Mountview Public School, Baltana, exclusively English medium and co-educational, spread over a sprawling 4000 square yard campus. The school is the brainchild of Major Gurcharan Singh, who came on premature retirement from the Army and chose Baltana as the place for starting a school as the area was fast growing with population all around but with no good, competitive school here. The dream was to set up an educational institution with quality education. The school is young. It began functioning on April 15, 1999, with just 10 students, under the aegis of Mountview Cultural and Educational Society with wide philanthropic interests. Standing on the roof of the building, the picturesque view of Shivalik mountains provides the name and perfect backdrop to the school. It is a welcome relief from a pollution-ravaged city. The school has an aesthetically designed building with a provision for further expansion. The building is designed with the provision for multifarious activities, which form part of the school, required for good and meaningful education. The school has a well-stocked library with a variety of books, magazines and newspapers in English, Hindi and Punjabi. Students are encouraged to develop reading to enrich their knowledge and analytical ability. The school also has a well-established science laboratory and computer lab. Students from class I onwards are imparted with the computer theoretical as well as practical knowledge. The school is exclusively English medium, which aims to prepare students for English and computer cultural future. The institution follows the motto ‘Victory with determination’ aims. It aims to instil a sense of this aspect that if one is determined and has faith in himself, he shall taste the nectar of success under the circumstances. It is determination which carries man to success through all odds. The school ensures the quality of staff by way of commitment, experience and a qualification. Teachers are trained and regularly told to make learning an easy, comfortable and enjoyable experience so that children love school. Teachers have to go through a written test and interviewed by a panel of senior teachers and appointed on merit. The school is managed by Army officers who are committed and dedicated to their profession and have pledged to give their best to the nation by providing well-balanced education to the children to make them better citizens. The school is committed to develop a strong value-based system and character of every student. There is total emphasis on self-discipline more than authority. It is committed to impart education with innovative methods and best contemporary practices. Students are encouraged to take part in maximum activities and competitions like dance, music, singing, debates, declamations, art and craft, antakshri, collage-making, painting and cultural activities. It has competed with 32 best schools of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula at Tagore Theatre in the Fanta Fiesta competition and won 3 trophies and an award of Rs 5100. The school is also planning to have a small cultural show by students at Wagah border with peace mission in mind. Sports are encouraged to improve the basic personality by learning to work as a team to achieve the spirit to cooperate, share and respect. The institution has excelled in karate and taikowondo and students have brought many medals and trophies. Harjinder and Narinder of class X participated in the national open karate championship at Delhi in Talkatora Stadium. They won the silver medal. Picnics, tours, trekking and visits to places of historical importance are regular features of the school. Students are taken to the zoo, various gardens, Tribune printing complex, Fun City, Thunder zone and Pinjore Garden. The school plans to take children on a tour to Dalhousie, Dharamsala and Dehradun in the new session. More interaction between parents and teachers is organised so that parents, teachers and the management can have a better view of the child’s personality and performance. The school is in the process of acquiring the assistance of specialised counselling, which can make a world of difference. |
‘I am against the trend of tuitions’
MOUNTVIEW
Public School is my dream. So far it has been progressing as per expectations. However, we still have miles to go. Our school is a place for children having loving and affectionate environment with a knowledge-oriented system. A child comes to school with a bag-full of books but should leave the school with tonnes of knowledge, which is imperative to the child’s growth. Education means equipping the child with understanding, knowledge and skill. It is said that, ‘wonder of wonders is a human being’ who can think and analyse. Education opens the mind and enhances the analytical ability of a man, which makes him a wonder. Education should for a value and knowledge-based system. Parents, along with teachers, constitute a significant role to play. Education begins at home and it goes a long way in helping the students to do well in studies. Parents must share child’s problems with an open mind. Parents need to be patient listeners and spend a good amount of time with their children. Parents must always guide their wards with love and affection. The concept of tuition is perhaps not properly understood. It has caused a disastrous affect. Children in higher classes may need tuitions but the trend of tuition is unfortunately catches up with children of nursery classes.
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HIGH COURT Chandigarh, March 10 The high court had initiated proceedings against the reporter after he had reached the residence of a high court judge for enquiring about raids that were never conducted at his house. Taking up the case, the Bench had directed the issuance of a notice to the reporter asking him to show cause why proceedings under the Contempt of Court Act should not be initiated against him. The Bench had, subsequently, asked the Advocates-General to assist the court in the matter. They had also held that the issue was of far reaching significance as far as the independence of judiciary, besides the fair functioning of the system pertaining to the administration of justice, was concerned. |
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Police plea on poppy field rejected Chandigarh, March 10 The police is likely to move another application before the UT District and Sessions Judge with a request for a Judicial Magistrate to visit the fields. The police has claimed that the head of Nihangs’ Tarna Dal, Ajit Singh Poohla, had allegedly grown poppy in the fields. Meanwhile, the police personnel have been posted around the field to guard the crop. There are also reports that poppy was also being grown in flowerpots around the area. |
Lucky five chat with Big B THE drama was palpable, hearts beat fast, and, they had butterflies in their stomach. After all, it was once in a lifetime opportunity for the die-hard fans of Big B, and subscribers of Reliance India Mobile, to chat with the super star himself. Navdisha Sethi, a call centre executive, Angad Sandhu, a Class XII student, who in spite of his Board examinations, could not resist this opportunity, Kamal Mahajan and Rajvir Singh, both students, and Navneet Chopra, a model coordinator, were the five chosen ones for a tete-a-tete with Amitabh Bachchan and Tusshar Kapoor. As they waited in the small conference room for their turn during the multicity “e get together” with the stars of “Khakee”, they were excited to introduce themselves to the stars and ask them questions about their careers and lives. All five of them had won this once in a lifetime opportunity by winning the R World and Web World contest, organised by Reliance Infocom across 13 cities, via high speed video conference from Reliance Web World at Juhu, Mumbai. The stars of Khakee were chosen for the interaction, as the movie was promoted under the banner of Reliance India Mobile Showtime. Though it was first the turn of the winners from Delhi, the five-member team from the city could hardly wait for their turn to tune in with their all-time favourite, Amitabh Bachchan. Navneet Chopra was the first to introduce himself, and asked Amitabh about his strengths as an actor, to which the superstar replied that he was still evolving as an actor. Navneet also wanted to know if there was difference between the quality of films produced now, as compared to earlier, to which Amitabh replied that in his career spanning three decades he had seen the change in films, “...they were more poetic then, films are more technologically advanced now,” he added. When Kamal asked Amitabh as to what he would like to be remembered as, the Big B said that he would always like to be remembered as a good human being. Navdisha was the third to direct her question, this time to Tusshar Kapoor. She asked him about his strengths as an actor, and out came a tongue-in-cheek remark that he was building his strengths, including his muscle strength. Other than Chandigarh and Delhi, this video conferencing was also arranged for fans in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Indore, Bhopal and Pune. TNS |
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EATING
OUT
CHICKEN is back with a bang. The bird flu scare seems to have disappeared as fast as it set in. And city restaurateurs are smiling again. A case in point Chawla’s Chicken, Sector 22, one of the most popular joints for the meat delicacies. Go there for dinner at 9 and most likely you will have to join the queue waiting for a table. The proprietor-partner, Mr Rajesh Chaudhary, is only too happy serving the waiting guests complimentary glasses of hot soup. Their special cream chicken that has won the taste buds of food connoisseurs in their 55 outlets spread over India and abroad (Bangkok) continues to rule the roost. The tender pieces of broiler cooked in cream and milk and seasoned with a combination of unique herbs, spices and condiments takes just 10 minutes to reach your table. In fact this is the only item that is common to all menus in their chain. So, whether you are in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Moga, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Dehra Dun, Mumbai or Bangkok, the familiar delicacy should make you feel at home. Soon, they are going to open a branch in Dubai. And, another one nearer home. Yes, Chandigarh can also look forward to another Chawla’s eatery. “Besides the cream chicken, our another specialty is gaining popularity — tandoori chicken. This is also available in all 55 outlets. Our tandoori fare is different from that commonly found,” claims Mr Chaudhary. A bite of the roasted bird fresh from the clay oven reveals the difference. While ordinarily, tandoori chicken is a dry item, red in colour, Chawla’s has dished out the item in green colour and it is juicy. As you dig into the sumptuous treat, the flavours of pudina and dhania activate your gastronomic juices, transporting you to a world of bliss and contentment. For the vegetarians, there are panir varieties of the same treats. Catering to the sweet tooth of the guests, Chawla’s recently introduced the ever-favourite Punjabi delight — kheer. The rice-milk-sugar dessert is laced with a generous sprinkling of nuts. The refrigerator-cooled kheer (Rs 12) is an apt finale to the soups, starters, snacks and main meal. You have a choice if yummy and non-veg delights from Indian as well as Chinese cuisines. Mr Chaudhary gives credit to the success of the international food chain to the proprietor, Mr D.S. Chawla, who is based in Ludhiana. He is all praise for Mr Chawla and considers him to be his guru. “I have learnt the tricks of the trade from him. he has done well to propagate the cream chicken recipe created by his father Attar Singh in their original Nainital restaurant way back in 1960,” he informs In fact, he reveals, in all humility, that it is not only commerce and business that he has learnt from the family. Mr Chawla’s mother thanks Waheguru for their success in a unique way — she organises weddings of poor girls. It is indeed an example of combining work with social service worth emulating. |
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Professor Sahni’s obsession with dinosaurs HIS obsession with dinosaurs began much before Steven Speilberg possibly even thought about dinosaurs as a theme for his mega blockbuster “Jurassic Park”. The bond Prof. Ashok Sahni, eminent geologist of this region, established with the extinct giant reptiles way back in 1964 in Montana, continues, as once again with a renewed vigour he brings bits and pieces of millions years of old history into the new section of the Natural History Museum in Sector 10. Prof Ashok Sahni, former professor from Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Panjab University, who is also an executive member of the Museum Advisory Committee, was commissioned to do the dinosaur wing of the museum about one and half years back by then UT Administrator Lt. Gen JFR Jacob. “It took some time for the project to get kick started but now it is shaping up well,” says Prof Ashok Sahni. Ready to be opened for public in coming April, this new wing aims to arouse curiosity among children about dinosaurs which became extinct about 65 millions years ago. “Though Steven Speilberg made dinosaurs popular world wide, there are still many who find it difficult to believe that they actually existed,” says Prof Sahni. Though dinosaurs became popular in India only in the recent times, they became popular outside as early as in 1920s. “The first ever exhibition on dinosaurs was organised in crystal palace in Bristol in 1854. Even old comic strips like Flintstones was created centering around dinosaurs,” says Prof Sahni. Considered an authority on this subject, Prof. Sahni has published two books on dinosaurs - the first one is his thesis from University of Minnesota which was published by American Museum of National History and his second book “Dinosaurs of India” published by National Book Trust. So the expert explains the whole scenario from a layman’s point of view - first taking them through a wade of fossils to explain the concept of various flora and fauna that existed in that period, then coming down to dinosaurs which were found in India, their excavation sites, eggs through plenty of visuals - both in chart and three dimensional form. “A warm hearted look at cold blooded dinosaurs” is what Prof. Sahni calls his newly created dinosaur wing and to recreate the history of that period he has donated a large number of Fossils, dinosaur eggs, dung, teeth and bones, ending with the reasons for their extinction. He also exhibits various fossils to give a clear picture of the flora and fauna relating to that period. The ambience to keep these rare fossils has been created by local artist R P Verma. To popularise this section Mr. V.N. Singh, director of the museum, says that the museum authority has decided to organise free conducted tours for children during their summer vacation. “We are planning to organise free tours for children and their parents during the summer vacation so that children enjoy as well as learn about dinosaurs and evolution of man at the same time,” says Mr. Singh. Both the wings dinosaurs and evolution of man are going to be inaugurated sometimes in April. |
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HOME DECOR A French summer villa for a home, and, that too, in the City Beautiful? Sounds unbelievable. But the Thapar home in Sector 36 promises the grandeur of a French villa with the warmth of a Punjabi home. This two storey magnificent house, built on a two kanal plot not only boasts of a great French architectural layout, but stunning interiors in white and gold, and a French aspect with huge bay windows and pillars for the added effect. Since the house draws inspiration from French architecture, it is aptly called Le Chateau. Considering the fact that the house has been designed by Mr H.S. Thapar, the architect son of the owner Mr T.P.S Thapar, every care has been taken to ensure exclusivity and add grace to the home. Inspite of the fact that the house is built on a huge area, and prime importance has been given to the elements of space, light and air in the building plan, white colour dominates the interiors as well as exteriors. The facade is mostly white paint on the walls with some butch work to brighten the look; floors - both inside and outside are white marble, walls are painted white, partitions are white, the railing of the staircase, as it dramatically climbs up from the dining area to the first floor, too, is painted in white. “We used white colour because it is very pure,” says the lady of the house, Mrs Abnash Thapar, “though the colour scheme of the house is white and gold.” The richness and class is added with a dash of gold, be it through the furniture frames, the intricate jaalis on the almirahs, the exquisite frames of mirror that hangs dramatically on the walls, or a simple touch of gold in the white/ creame tapestry or the drapes. Even the bedrooms are done in white and gold-from furniture to the bed spreads. The use of green palms in the corners also gives it an earthy appeal. The house has a long drive, with flower beds of panzies in bright hues, on both sides. The main entrance of the house is awesome, with an antique door, again done in white and gold. A lobby leads to the magnificent dining area and the family den, besides the stair case that goes to the top floor and also to the basement office of Mr HS Thapar. The emphasis in the dining area is on a long cabinet that runs all along the length of a wall and has an intricate golden carving on its doors. The drawing room is three steps down from the dining area. It has a corner sitting arrangement, with a huge glass table being the only piece of furniture in the centre. Huge bay windows overlooking the front lawn are refreshing. The drapes are white and there is bare minimum Plaster of Paris work on the ceiling. While one corner has carved furniture in gold polish, the other has a more American style decor, with wine red sofas. Traces of traditional decor are few-a carved wood Asth Ganesha panel in the lobby, lacquer work silver Rajasthani tables. The walls are more or less nude, with small paintings of female form done by Mr HS Thapar or the Tanjore paintings. A touch of Oriental through the numerous coral tables and partitions is also visible, as is the hide and see effect through the lamps placed in all rooms-on both sides of the bed or sofa to create balance. |
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MORNING CHATTER Dear Ekta, Kudos to you for adding new dimensions to the status of a ‘housewife’. At a time when women are shattering the glass ceiling, notching up top positions in every sphere, your ‘K’ serials have performed a yeoman’s service by creating awareness about the lives of women who live within the walls of their homes. It is an education to see the trials and tribulations they undergo in what has for eons been perceived as ‘domestic terrain’. The ubiquitous housewife is a tag most women loathed to be associated with. But after seeing your serials we know that she is not antiquated and cut off from reality. She is totally clued up on fashion and takes the trouble to be dressed in bridal finery at all times of the day. Proof of her artistic talent is the way she dons her make up. The bindis are creations which would give slithering serpents the jitters. The caked up complexion is sure to put Fair and Lovely out of business. Also, the heavy Kanjeevaram sarees, worn on a daily basis, is indicative of the power they yield over their husband’s wallets. I must compliment your team of researchers and writers who have painstakingly pieced together the many avatars of this modern contemporary woman. She embodies the qualities which go into making her a complete woman. In keeping with the times, she has expanded her mental and physical faculties, sharpening her survival kit by honing the ability to manipulate, scheme, lie, cheat and distort - while keeping a poker face all the time. Talking of faces, your most significant contribution has been in bringing to your viewers the ‘changing face of the Indian woman’. In the span of a split second your protagonists change their chameleon -type expressions with amazing dexterity. One moment their eyes would be downcast, respectfully bowing to an elder. But the moment he turns away, they rotate eyeballs, knot eyebrows and flick silky Loreal’ed manes. In the same shot, they show off perfectly manicured hands with painted talons which would put Dracula to shame and release a hissing sound signalling the complete metamorphosis of the demure housewife into a dangerous vengeful viper. The complete switch or rather the co-existence of two extreme personas is masterfully executed with the ideal accompaniments of background, music, sound and lighting. Going by the TRP ratings and the sweep of the TV awards for the last 5 years, it is to your singular credit that not just Indian viewers but also neighbours like the UAE and Pakistan too are getting enlightened about this great evolution of the Indian woman. We empathise with her seeing her grapple with problems ranging from domestic intrigue, incestuous alliances, plotting murders and kidnappings, extra marital affairs, unwed pregnancies and property-related disputes. We pray to see her vindicated as she fakes her death, masterminds her revenge and goes through perfectly executed plastic surgeries, which seem as regular as a common cold, allowing her to come up with brand new identities. You have an uncanny ability to make impossible things so achievable and real. It is so heartening to see this modern woman finally shedding the regressive prototypes which the Sati Savitris, Sitas and Radhas of yore propagated. If your multiple story lines are to be believed, every middle class woman belonging to a familial set up must be a home- breaker, havoc creator, ace plotter, titillator, meddlesome maniac and score settler. She is no longer chained to the images of the past where she had to be a sniveling cry baby. She is not the one who made all the sacrifices, forgoing personal pleasures, forgetting and forgiving insults that were heaped on to her for no fault of hers. If Ekta, you are to be believed, the woman we see on the television screen is a representative of the modern Indian woman. Our vote for being the most effective advocate of women’s rights on this International Woman’s Day goes to you. |
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