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Tuitions
during school timings okay: parents Chandigarh, April 13 By depriving a student of regular schooling, parents prevent their children from learning the basics of their curriculum, said Mr D.S.Bedi, Principal of Shivalik Public School. He said the school should dictate the terms and not allow the students to attend tuitions during the school timings. “The parents set goals for their children and then push them into tuitions”, said Mr P.S. Sangha, a former Principal of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College. There have been cases where the students have cleared the competitive examination but have not been able to pass the senior secondary examinations. Mr Bedi said, “ There is no harm in taking tuitions to brush up knowledge. But it should be after the school timings. As per the rules every student need to study in school for 1200 hours during an academic year”. The competitive test were just application of knowledge attained in school. Not buying the argument, Mr Sukhpal Singh Sandhu, an engineer, said the CBSE examination was quite different from the entrance examination for the medical and engineering tests. It is important to get good marks in the CBSE board examination, but it was more important to get into a professional course”. He said he had arranged tuitions in chemistry and physics, for his son Aman Goel, another parent, shows a similar concern. Mr P.I.Sabu, Regional Officer of the CBSE, said parents wanted to have best of schools and also the best of coaching for their children. “ If the parents want extra coaching hours for their children, then they should enroll them as private candidates of other boards”, said Mr Sabu. Inquiries reveal that to boast of students having achieved a high percentage, thus adding to the prestige of a school’s reputation, the school ensured that the attendance of such students did not fall short as per the requirement of the board. To circumvent the rules, the schools complete the minimum attendance of the students, said a schoolteacher. Since the arrangement of coaching classes during the school timings suited the school, students and their parents, none of the beneficiaries came forward to complain about the illegal practice. |
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UK teachers visit St Xavier’s School Chandigarh, April 13 The teachers, representing the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers (LECT), were on a mission to promote excellence in education. The teachers visited the classes and interacted with staff and students. The teachers are active members of the Staffordshhe County Council of Education and Libraries. |
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A clarification Chandigarh, April 13 |
Colours of nostalgia Chandigarh, April 13 The last time Sudipta was here, his treasure of nostalgia had accompanied him. He is in the same company this time too, and though some may feel the art works are redundant in theme and expression, the truth is otherwise. The canvases reflect a familiar inspiration taken from the alleys in the old walled city of Kolkata, the majestic coastlines and the wide, gaping blue sky, ready to enrapture the viewer with the blend of blue and green. Then there are buildings, almost rising from the imagination of the artist, who shares with the viewer his love for home. Fishermen, boats and worn-down hutments are other significant metaphors that drive the theme of nostalgia home for the artist. The exhibition is called “Drops”, as it acquires beauty and form from water colours which are indeed challenging as a medium. But Sudpita, who has to his credit shows like the Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Arts and many national-level exhibitions organised by the All-India Fine Arts and Crafts Society. This one is the second solo show of Sudpita in Chandigarh. He had earlier exhibited his works last year. The show will be on at the IndusInd gallery, Sector 8 till April 19. |
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Nature in varying hues of colour Chandigarh, April 13 Walking a thin line between abstraction and figuration, Rajiv Puri has captured nature in all moods with provocative composition and vibrant colours. It is not the subject that excites you as much as his bold strokes that create a radically flat pictorial space that becomes a backdrop for dawns of all season. The 20 paintings like “Roses”, “Crushed Petals”, “Smiling Daffodils”, “Mystic Lilac” elicit aesthetic response. His thick, impasto surfaces accentuate the beauty and his technique of using many hues of the same colour gives depth to his creations. Rajiv Puri’s paintings comes from diverse backgrounds of Indian, European and African landscapes but the ultimate impression that leaves on one’s mind is just a profusion of colour. The self-taught artist is currently working as a senior executive in Lagos, Nigeria. Puri hails from Haryana, is a graduate from St Stephen’s College and a chartered accountant, but his passion lies in painting, which he has been pursuing as a hobby with undying passion for over three decades. Since 1995, the artist has been holding exhibitions for private view annually in India and Nigeria. His solo exhibitions include “Colourscapes” both in India and Nigeria, which was followed by “Unveiled” at Visual Arts Gallery in New Delhi. The artist has also participated in group shows in The Netherlands and France. The artist, who believes in raising funds through his exhibitions for a cause, is planning his next exhibition at Lagos for UNICEF-sponsored projects in Nigeria. Earlier, a part of the money raised from the sale of paintings from his solo exhibition “Colourscapes” went to WWF-India for the cause of nature conservation and wildlife protection. |
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Punjabi cassette released Chandigarh, April 13 The album has scintillating music and captivating lyrics. The music director of the album is Charan Thakur. Along with Amar Dixit, the other lyricists include Pawan Dixit, Charan Thakur, Jugraj Singh Jogi and Amit Singh. |
Fitness Trail A diet that contains liberal quantities of seeds, nuts, grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits can provide adequate amount of all essential nutrients, says Dr Neelu Malhotra, Diet Consultant, Silver Oaks, Mohali. In continuance of our series on minerals, we will discuss those minerals that are needed by the body in very small quantities (between .1 mg to 2 mg). These minerals are also called trace elements. Though needed in miniscule quantities, these elements are vital to maintain certain body functions. We will discuss fluorine, iodine and
sulphur. Fluorine Fluorine occurs in body mainly as a calcium salt in bones and teeth. A small amount of fluorine brings about a striking reduction in tooth decay probably because tooth enamel is made more resistant to action of acids produced in the mouth by bacteria, says Dr Malhotra. Its main function is to keep our teeth healthy and to prevent tooth decay. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 1.5 to 2 mg. Since water containing 1 to 2 parts per million (ppm) of fluorine can prevent dental caries, the fluorine requirements of body can be met by drinking water in sufficient quantity. Fluorine deficiency:
It can cause tooth decay. Deficiency symptoms: Dental caries and yellowish teeth. Fluorine excess: In regions where water has high fluorine levels (above 3 ppm to 10 ppm) dental fluorosis can occur. In these cases enamel of teeth loses its natural luster and becomes rough. Opaque white patches with yellow or brown stains are found irregularly on the teeth. Skeletal fluorosis is another fallout of excess of fluorine. Hypercalcification of bones and collagen takes place due to excessive fluorine deposition. This can happen in bones of spine, pelvis and limbs. Stiffness and pain are early symptoms especially in lower limbs, also wasting of hand muscles and numbness takes place. Gradually a persons can turn into a cripple, says Dr Malhotra.
Iodine In our body it forms an essential component of thyroxine, the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It is vital for formation of hormones in the thyroid gland. Iodine helps tissues in oxygen consumption. The conversion of glycogen to glucose occurs only in the presence of iodine. The thyroid hormone also controls the basic metabolism, utilisation of sugars, regulates rate of energy production and body weight and promotes proper growth. It also improves mental alacrity and promotes healthy hair, nails, skin and teeth. Sources: Iodised salt, salt water fish, some green vegetables, spinach, seafood etc. The RDA is .14 mg. Iodine deficiency:
Deficiency of iodine can cause goitre. In cases of severe deficiency cretinism occurs. In cases of cretinism, growth is severally affected with a dwarf-like appearance. Mental retardation is also there, along with a defected speech, a clumsy gait and an enlarged thyroid gland. Other symptoms include anaemia, fatigue, lethargy, tendency towards obesity etc. Tip:
Certain goitrogenic substances in cabbage, cauliflower and radish react with iodine present in the food and makes it unsuitable for absorption. Excessive consumption of these foods in raw form can cause iodine deficiency.
Sulphur Sulphur is present in all body cells. Cells of skin, nails and hair are rich in sulphur. Sulphur is a constituent of thiamine (Vitamin B1) and biotene (a vitamin present in egg white, necessary for metabolism of folic acid, prevents skin from drying and prevents hair falling). Sulphur helps in the digestion of fats and metabolism of carbohydrates. It regulates nerve and muscle functioning and maintains acid-base balance, adds Dr Malhotra. According to her, a diet rich in protein is generally considered to be adequate in sulphur quota required by the body. Sources: Whole cereals, legumes, egg, meat, fish, poultry products, beet root, cabbage, garlic, apple, muskmelon, plums, watermelon, litchi, red gram, green gram. Sulphur deficiency:
Its deficiency may affect the metabolic processes of body. It may also affect the healthy growth of hair and nails.
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Show of exotic thorny plants from April 17
THE National Cactus and Succulent Society of India (NCSSI) is all set to woo lovers of exotic thorny plants during the 27th annual show beginning April 17. The show will be held at Lajpat Rai Bhavan, and about 50 cactii and other succulent plant lovers from Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, Patiala, Malerkotla, Hoshiarpur and Delhi are expected to showcase their plants, informs Brig C.S. Bewli, General Secretary of the NCSSI. The exotic beauty of thorny plants attracts the onlooker and one falls in love with them at the first sight. All these plants are alien to Indian soil; they come from arid regions of American, West Asia, Africa and Madagascar. These plants have been made to acclimatise to the local environmental conditions and scores of their lovers are cultivating these plants successfully, says Mr R.K. Verma, a succulent plant lover and office bearer of the NCSSI. It is learnt that the plants will be put on display on April 16, and will be judged in various categories on the same day. The show will be open to public on April 17 and 18. It may be noted that the NCSSI came into existence in 1973 under the chairmanship of Dr J.S. Sarkaria, who is also the creator of Cactus Garden in Panchkula. In these shows different varieties of cactii and succulents including beautiful clumps of Mamillaries, dainty parodies, lohivias, showy multicoloured gymnocalyciums, large fearsome ferocactus, grossly swollen adenium, jatropha etc. are on display, as are hybrids created by the participants.
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Hand bags make fashion statement Chandigarh, April 13 As she walks into a store in Sector 22, Neera realises that something will be “missing” without the mini-hand bag because the stuff is an essential “fashion accessory”. If you are also of the same notion, here is a complete guide to what is hot in hand bags. “You can go in for crochet hand bags,” says Ms Chitra Mahajan of a Sector 22 shop. “In fact, you can buy one with beaded tassels. Or the ones with bead details. They look cool in the summers of 2004”. Baby bags with cartoon characters nicely painted on them are also in fashion. One can also buy hand bags with neat embroidery and loads of beads for Rs 250 and above. Or else, one can pick up beaded poly satin bags with “horn buckles” that lock. Polyester bags with sequins and bead work are “simply fantastic”. One can take home the bag for Rs 250. In case you find nothing less than leather bags satisfactory, go in for faux python leather bags in blue or black. Buy the ones with hanging beads. They look good. “These are not very expensive either,” Chitra claims. “You can buy one for less than Rs 500”. Otherwise, go in for transparent bags. They are in. “As the bags are made of plastic, they are long lasting,” says owner of another booth in Sector 22, Manu. “And they go along with any dress as they are see-through. You can buy them for less than Rs 100. That is the best thing about these bags”. Just remember to carry hard cash in another purse before keeping it in the bag, lest the sight of money tempts someone. Also carry bare minimum in transparent bags. You can also buy “Italian” quilted bags in baby pink and other colours. They are lighter and more flexible compared to faux leather and transparent bags. Are also more durable. The bag can be purchased for Rs 500. Jute sling bags are also in vogue. “They look traditional. So you can team them up with your nice modern dress. “You can buy one by pulling out less than Rs 100,” Manu adds. Go ahead girls, bag the bags. |
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Bhajji with Malkit on a
different pitch
What brings Harbhajan Singh and Malkit Singh — one a famous cricketer and the other a famous singer, who busted the popularity chart in the 80s with his “Tutak tutak tutia” — on a common platform? The answer is their passion to promote regional music, which has brought them together for “Pepsi Banja Staara Yaraa”, a talent hunt contest for aspiring singers of the region. A bathroom singer, Harbhajan has sung a few lines in the promo for “Pepsi Banja Staara Yaara” while Malkit promises to dance with successful participants during live contests to be held in Bathinda, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Jammu. Though Harbhajan has not been able to play in the ongoing Indo-Pak series due to his injuries, he takes it in his stride with grace. Ask him what makes him be a part of a musical show, he replies: “I am a bathroom singer but I listen to a lot of Punjabi songs and this venture of Pepsi to promote young talent is a good one.” His favourite singers are Jagjit Singh and Gurdas Mann and also Teji, his friend, who has just stepped into the world of music. A combination of wit and cheek, Harbhajan loves to play tricks on everyone, even a passer-by on road. “I love playing tricks on my co-players.” How does it feel to be so successful at such a young age? “I come from a humble background and prefer to be rooted to the ground. So I have not allowed fame turn my head so far,” he says. Malkit Singh, after a phenomenal success in Punjabi music with “Tutak tutak tutia” and “Gur naal ishq mitha” has once again hogged the limelight with his latest album “Chal Hoon”. “I came to India for the Baisakhi blast in Mumbai, but when I heard about “Pepsi banja —-” I came here to be part of it,” says this London-based singer. Stressing that the true spirit of Baisakhi is missing in India, Malkit says, “We in London celebrate Baisakhi for days together and in a traditional way where all are attired in traditional outfits and dance to Punjabi folk tunes.” Malkit, who is working on his next album to be completed in September, says his latest album has more traditional touch than any of his previous ones.
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Feel royal with this solitaire The days of Raj may be long gone, but the mysticism of the royals and their priceless jewels continues. And cashing in on this is the world famous diamond manufacturers, De Beers, who have brought Rajmata Gayatri Devi’s (Rajmata of Jaipur) signature line of solitaire to the city. The highlight of this five-day exhibition of carbon rocks (solitaire), which began at Talwar Jewellers in Sector 22 today, is the unique five-carat Gayatri Devi diamond. This one-of-its-kind diamond carries an ionised face of the Rajmata of Jaipur inside it. This is the only diamond in the world carrying an ionised human face, says Mr Rajat Chadha of Shrenuj, which is De Beers sight holder, while adding that a special diamond viewer has been brought from London for those keen to see the ionised face in the priceless diamond. Mr Chadha says the signature line of jewellery of Maharani Gayatri Devi has been inspired by the royals’ personal collection of jewels. As many as 200 pieces of jewellery were brought out from the stables of De Beers in this collection, when it was launched in November last year. Since most of the pieces have been sold out, only about 10 pieces of this signature line have been displayed in the exhibition. These include solitaire bangles, solitaire rings and earrings (in round and beacats), and pendants and solitaire chokers. Other than this, Arisia and Sveni collection of solitaire diamonds are also being showcased in the exhibition, says Mr Sunil Talwar. The Arisia collection of solitaire is over one carat and the range begins from Rs 1.5 lakh, the Sveni collection (from 50 cents to 90 cent) is affordable as price range begins from Rs 35,000.
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Hadiqa Kiani out to charm India
A collection of 14 tunes, Rang is all about dreams, fantasy, desire, images and colours of life. The music album was released last week, and has gone down well with the masses because of its accent towards folk. In a telephonic conversation, the girl with the golden voice said that she had an ear and voice for music from an early age. “Being born in a family that had great love for art, including performing art, I was always encouraged to cultiavte my talent, and this became my building block to success,” says the girl from Pothohar in Rawalpindi. She says that her family sent her for polishing her skills in the ‘Pakistan National Council of Arts. Not surprisingly she wooed everyone during her very first performance in Liaqat Memorial hall, Pindi. But her family did not let her compromise on her education and sent her to Viqar-un-Nisa Noon girls High School,Pindi, where Hadiqa excelled in every department. She represented Pakistan in International children’s festivals in Turkey, Jordan, Bulgaria and Greece and was bestowed upon with top awards. Hadiqa’s collaborations with Adnan Sami Khan on ‘Sargam’ nurtured her towards real success. This album was a hit and she was honoured with Pakistan music Industry’s Waheed Murad and Nigar Award. The pop diva from Pakistan won several awards, and now she has set foot on Indian soil. Her story in Pakistan is crowded with distinction.... and with “Rang” sprawled all over the Indian music world, she has commenced her journey here.
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A balanced and adequate intake of all nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, is required to maintain and sustain good health. According to nutritional experts, an inadequate intake of these necessary nutrients can give rise to various diseases.
Sources:
Fluorinated water is a good source. Six glasses of water can provide 1.2 mg of fluorine. Other sources are Bengal gram, cereals, especially rice, some leafy vegetables, milk, eggs and fish.
The pop diva from across the border, Hadiqa Kiani, is now out to charm India with her collection of songs. Universal Music has come up with this Pakistani singer’s new album ‘Rang’.