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Quark to fund school for slum kids Chandigarh, April 7 The Chairman, Quark Board of Directors, Fred Ebrahimi, in a press note,
issued here today, said, “We are committed to improving the educational facilities available to slum children in the city. This is an experiment for us, and if this goes well, we will set up many more such schools in different parts of the city.” The concept behind the school is to promote the general wellbeing of the children. This would involve imparting education along with teaching them the importance of personal hygiene. Showers and bathing facilities would be provided so that the students could come neatly dressed to their classrooms. The school premises would be used to educate destitute women in the evenings and also serve as a community centre for the aged. Students visit slum school: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Vineet Khanna, founder of YTTS, the Principal and students of St Kabir Public School, Sector 26, visited the Sanjay Colony Slum School area, here today. The principal, Mr J.P. Singh, spoke to the children about the life and work of Mr Khanna and made students aware of the unfortunate conditions in which children from the slum areas live. The students of Sanjay Colony School and those of St Kabir sang songs and recited poems. This was followed by distribution of sweets and stationery to all children. |
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Foreigners share skills Chandigarh, April 7 In Chandigarh as part of an international student exchange programme under AIESEC, Kazuno, Olga and Wilco have divided their responsibilities. Engaged with the Youth Technical Training Society (YTTS), the voluntary agency operating in 12 centres across the city, the three foreigners have assumed the task of educating the slum children in three main YTTS centres. In the middle of their two-month schedule which began with their arrival about three weeks ago, Kazuno and Olga have made friends with the kids in the centres of Palsora, Sector 38 West Gurdwara and Sector 25 Janata Colony. Instead of getting straight to business, both girls first created a comfort zone for kids by teaching them the traditional arts from their respective countries. For Kazuno who hails from Japan, Origami, the art of paper folding, was the natural choice to help children feel at ease while taking lessons in English and Mathematics. Kazuno admitted, “Language was a big barrier, so was nationality. Though the kids are always happy to see us, they do feel restrained when it comes to expression or even learning. So I used the Japanese art of paper folding to begin with. I taught them how to make a head gear because that is the first step. Then I taught them how to fold a paper into a crane. Once they opened up, I began taking lessons, as planned by the YYTS.” Olga Walles depended on calligraphy and salsa to do her bit with the kids. Excited about her project in Chandigarh, she said, “The kids are so endeared to us. They stand at the gate of the centre to receive us every morning. Also, they keep shaking hands with us. For them we are new, interesting people.” Olga’s salsa sessions are a big hit with the children, who make a beeline for the class whenever the word spreads that she is about to conduct it. Says Olga, who comes from The Netherlands along with Wilco, “Salsa is a fun thing and interests children a lot. But I am surprised to see the way they react to calligraphic forms. They are quick learners when it comes to art, although it is difficult to teach them academics. But we use arts and crafts as mediums to facilitate expression,” she added. With a background in psychology which she studies in The Netherlands, Olga finds it easier to understand kids, their environment and their needs. Along with Kazuno, who studies education in Japan, she is surveying the slums of Chandigarh to determine the factors responsible for deprivation among kids. They will gradually suggest changes in curriculum of government schools which admit slum children enrolled with the YYTS centres. The idea is to make the curriculum flexible to suit the needs of poor children. |
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Hosteler alleges harassment Chandigarh, April 7 Vijay Sharma, supported by president of Haryana Students Association, Vikas Rathee, said that he was feeling low yesterday on account of a personal problem. “I went up to my room on the top floor and sobbed my heart out. However, hearing strange sounds from my room, workers in the canteen complained against me, stating that I had taken girls to my room which was not true. It is just not possible to take anybody to my room on the top floor of the hostel, unnoticed. They also accused Rathee of consuming liquor in room. This, too, was baseless,” he claimed. He was even threatened of being handed over to the police as well as rustication by the Assistant Warden when he went to register his protest against the unfounded allegations made by the canteen workers. “They even checked my room and found nothing. To my surprise, the room was sealed in my absence today. With exams round the corner and books inside, I could only inform the DSW of the time I was losing and the harassment it was causing to me,” he maintained. In the evening, the sealed room was opened and he was allowed in. The DSW, Dr Nirmal Singh, the warden of the hostel, Mr DN Garg, were not available for comment despite repeated calls at their residence. |
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Hamara School
Atma Devi Public School, Morinda, is located in the hub of the town on the Kharar road. The school is aiming high just in its ninth year of establishment. The director-cum-principal of the school, Mr Amrik Singh, said that a three-acre piece of land has been purchased by the management to establish a new building of the school with all modern facilities. The school has come a long way from its modest beginning in 1995 when it was started in a workshop. However, in the last eight years an adequate building has been constructed in the 2.4 kanal area of the school. Though not affiliated with any of the school boards as yet, the school has on its rolls 400 students. Class X was started in the school this year. The Principal said that the management was trying to get affiliation to the CBSE. The education in the school is already being imparted on the pattern of the CBSE syllabus. All kinds of basic facilities are being provided to the children for the development of their overall personality. Twenty trained teachers have been employed on modest salaries in the
school.
The director says that the school was started in the name of his mother Atma Devi. Since its establishment, students of Morinda and adjoining areas who wanted education in an English medium school have become the major beneficiaries. The results narrate the success of the school as last year a student from the school topped the matriculation exam in the entire region.
Friends Friends like you are almost, too good to be true, The true we have shared, we can compare, When I close my eyes I see you, When I open my eyes, I miss you. By Jaspreet, Class VIII
My dear mom You are my mummy, Food you cook, So yummy yummy! You are my mummy, so kind and soft spoken, You are my mummy, So loving and caring Deep Singla,
Class VI |
Judicial
custody for hill resort supervisor Chandigarh, April 7 He was produced before a Judicial Magistrate (First Class) who remanded him in judicial custody. Later, he was released on bail. A joint team of officials of the Punjab Forest Department, the Administration (Ropar) and the police had recovered three trophies of sambhar from the club premises yesterday. |
Sardar Anjum’s anthology
to be released on April 10 Chandigarh, April 7 Titled “Bekhudi”, the anthology begins with a beautiful couplet, which reflects the poet’s urge to discover himself. “Meri bekhudi se na khelna... yeh meri khudi ki talaash hai...” is the first line of the first ghazal contained in the 128-page collection. Introducing his work today during a press conference, Sardar Anjum, who is famous for the sting in his words, said, “I have touched all shades of life in this work. There are global issues like the Indo-Pakistan rift. Also there are hues of love, pain, bliss and contentment. What is absent is the verse that complains. I hate to grumble. That is why I never allow my pen to get pensive. I would rather celebrate pain than mourn its cause. This is why many in the establishment also detest me. My ghazals sound anti-establishment. I am a very conscious critic of the system, which gives no succour to anyone.” The anthology will be released at a special function to be organized at Tagore Theatre on April 10. Pankaj Udhas and Madhushree will render ghazals on the occasion. |
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‘Khulja Sim Sim’ to be shot in city Chandigarh, April 7 Being organised in Chandigarh by Bains International, ‘Khulja Sim Sim’ will thus offer a golden opportunity to residents who can try their luck at the sets. Tickets for the show are available at various stores across the city. The show will start at Kala Gram from 6.30 pm onwards. |
Eating Out Combine the pleasures of a long drive that culminates in a yummy veg meal and the splendour of royalty. Around 20 km away from Chandigarh, further down the Nadda Sahib Gurdwara road (NH 73), is Fort Ramgarh, a part of which has been tastefully converted into a heritage retreat. The fort resonates with a glorious 350-year past. It was the seat of one of the Cis-Sutlej princely states of India. Its rulers were the Chandel Rajputs who came to the plains from Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh. They were the descendants of the Chandel dynasty whose empire extended over Central India (Yamuna to Narmada) from 800 to 1182 AD. They built the famous Khajuraho temples. The grandeur of the place strikes you as one enters the premises through the biggest wooden door in India — it is 37 feet high. Dastarkhaan, the restaurant, immediately follows on the left side. A happy blend of the modern and the traditional, it offers an array of exciting fare from Rajasthan,Chinese, European and North Indian tandoori cuisines. The mingling is reflected in the decor, too. The frescoes and lattice work as well as chiks and plushsilk curtains draping the eatery and the artifacts on display keep you rooted to the magnificent past. You have a pick of the usual soups, non-alcoholic beverages, tikkas, kebabs and other snacks, main course meals accompanied by rotis, rice and raita and the sweet culmination in dessert. But their specialty is Rajasthani delicacies. The inhouse chef whips up a dish of plain papad made exotic with the addition of a unique mixture of herbs and spices. Also try the conventional treat from the dessert — the sweet and spicy daal baati churma and gatte ki sabzi (gram flour dumpling in a thick curry). The makki khumb masala is a tasty concoction of corn and mushroom made interesting with an interaction of seasoning. For those wanting food from the cooler climes, there are the Continental favourites like stroganoff, sizzlers, spaghetti and panir shashlik. If you would rather not experiment with “foreign”fare, go for the good old stuffed paranthas. Dip them in dal makhni and palak kofta for that bliss that comes from the gastronomic juices encountering the familiar taste. Down it with a the refreshingly cool glass of lassi. As you bite into the veggies, remember that your palate is getting tickled by health-packed stuff for Fort Ramgarh uses organically grown vegetables. Round off with ice cream or balls of syrupy gulab jamun or rasgulla, or , if you prefer, a cup of coffee. For some time, the sheen of royalty rubs off on you and you feel a little less of a commoner as the Rajputana, tradition unfolds before you. This is evident in the heritage hotel’s eye for detail. The verdant green lawn in the courtyard landscaped with ornamental plants and a water body, are the ideal setting for a big party. Girding the area are rooms redone for such recreational facilities as health club, swimming pool, gym, playroom for kids and vintage cars. |
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Morning Chatter
YOU have a presentation where you have to pitch for a make-or-break deal for your company. In order to steal a march over your competitors, who are also present at the meeting, and to impact the prospective client, you not only work on your slides, content and strategy but more importantly you also indulge in power-dressing. A black Armani suit, Gucci stilettos, subtle make up, a sleek lap top and a black leather brief case are positioned efficiently on your side of the table. The feminine touch comes with a dash of diamonds in the form of a dainty pendant and ear studs along with a slight whiff of perfume. This ‘look’ is matched with a well-modulated voice, excellent English and a deep understanding of body language. You present a picture of poise, control and authority which doesn’t scream for attention but at the same time places you a few notches above the others. The very next day, with the deal in your pocket, you inch yourself into your boss’ cabin, asking for a promotion and raise. This time round you are dressed in a salwar kameez, wearing an expression which is demure and slightly helpless. Working in a traditional company set-up, you know that unless you come across as a “good and decent girl,” the boss is going to find a reason to postpone the raise. The meeting progresses and by the time you come out you have a new appointment letter in your hand. Here, by allowing him to assume control after having established the fact that you had benefited the company with your astute business sense and demeanour, you let him have the pleasure of having the upper hand. This may appear far too scheming and manipulative. Cynics are liable to also blame women for using “wily tactics” to suit their ends. But if you carefully look around at the corporate scenario, power-dressing has come of age. While it is women who have been honing this style, men are not too far behind. The entire objective of power-dressing is to create a favourable impression. It is not just about wearing what one pleases or what one is comfortable with. It is about gauging the other’s responses and being one step ahead. It is about maximising impact more so since our fickle times do not allow us to alter first impressions. The problem only arises when power-dressing acquires a touch of titillation, provocation or aggression and creates an unaesthetic look which is both distracting and jarring. |
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Besides the quality education, the school aims at imparting religious, ethical and moral values among its students. The Bhai Khaniya Trust running the school aims at developing harmonious and well-developed personalities of its students who can serve the society better.