EDUCATION

PEC students resent CCET issue
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 12
Second year students of electronics engineering at the Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Sector 12, here have expressed their resentment over the ongoing issue of 120 students of the Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET) attending classes on the PEC premises.

The controversy cropped up when 60 students, who were actually admitted to the CCET in electronics engineering for session 2002-03 were told to attend classes in PEC. And it was decided that they would be shifted to the CCET once the facilities are upgraded there.

But even after two years, the students continue to attend classes on the PEC premises and the actual students admitted to PEC (with higher ranks) now allege that the CCET students are eating into their resources and they should be sent back to their college.

The students said with the extreme shortage of faculty and Laboratory facilities in their department, accommodating additional 60 students was no less than a burden.

Also the CCET students compete with the training and placements of the PEC students, which again is resented by the students.

The affected students have written to the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in this connection.

DAV College opens doors for girls

Chandigarh, June 12
DAV College, Sector 10, has decided to open its doors for girls seeking admission to B.Sc (medical, non-medical and computer science) and BBA (first year) in the 2004-05 session.

The college, traditionally a boys college, has been admitting girls to post-graduate courses, including MA (English), M.Com, M.Sc (IT) and post-graduate diploma courses in marketing management, computer application, mass communication and labour welfare. TNS

Students back from trip
Our Correspondent

Mohali, June 12
Students of Golden Bells Public School, who went on a four-day educational trip to Dalhousie, returned after visiting various places in the area.

According to a press note issued by the Principal of the school, the students enjoyed trekking from Dalhousie to Panchpula through dense forest and steep slopes. The students visited Khajjiar and the cantonment area in Dalhousie. They were also taken to Bhuri Singh Museum at Chamba.

Deserving students were given prizes on return.

CULTURE

A date with star-makers
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 12
Star-struck denizens of the region had their date with star-makers, as they auditioned to become actors. As many as 60 persons, within the age group of 5 to 45, displayed their histrionics and dancing skills.

The auditions are being conducted by a company called First Take for a movie — “Mahin” and a tele-serial to be aired on Zee, “Kabhi Haan”. As many as 54 artistes are to be selected. They will play character roles in the movie, while the entire cast of the tele-serial has to be selected. Aspiring actors and artistes from Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Samana, Ludhiana and Jalandhar arrived for the auditions.

The aspirants were interviewed by the officials of First Take and a footage of five minutes was recorded for each aspirant.

“Mahin” which stars Rekha, Paresh Rawal, Mohan Joshi, Rajpal, and new finds Naveen Jindal and Mahi, will be shot extensively in the city and its adjoining areas while the serial will be shot in Delhi and Mumbai, said the casting director, First Take, Mr Aftab. He said the shooting for the film would begin by August-end and the film would be released in January, 2005. The shooting for the serial would begin in July.

The auditions would also be held tomorrow at House No. 1132, Sector 10, Panchkula.

Film Review
All hype, no substance
Rama Sharma

Bollywood is trying new ideas and presenting new themes to infuse some freshness.

It is another matter that in their bid to create something different film-producers end up making it indifferent. This has precisely happened with ‘‘Girlfriend’’. Director Karan Razdan has explored the sensitive issue of a lesbian relationship with considerable incompetance so the end product is all hype and no substance.

Tanya (Isha Koppikar) is a chidhood friend of Sapna (Amrita Arora). Tanya is a lesbian and extremely possessive of Sapna. So when Sapna falls in love with a guy, Rahul (Ashish Chaudhary), Tanya is unable to bear this and tries every possible way to wean her away from Rahul.

Isha Koppikar is the only vibrant and glamorous character in this flick. Her jealousy evokes appreciation.She is a kickboxer here and you enjoy while she beats up boys. Amrita is the common girlfriend of Tanya and Raj. The poor girl, caught between the two, is as dumb and dull as the first half of the flick.

Ashish Chaudhary is her lightweight lover who is swept aside by a kicking Isha Koppikar.

The threesome monopolise the over two-and-a-half hour-long footage and pester the audience. When they are not romancing, they are fighting or shouting at each other. Beyond this they have no other assignment. And if this is not enough Razdan’s desperate dialogues add to you dilemma. All this ensure that you come out of the cinema hall with a headache. — TNS

A hard-hitting cop drama

It is a time when Bollywood is venturing into cop dramas. Going by the trend, Amitabh Bachchan plays an IPS officer in Govind Nihalani’s “Dev”. He is the man on top, the one who has to make the decisions that place him in a moral dilemma at times. “Dev” brings Govind Nihalani, Amitabh Bachchan and Om Puri together. Fardeen has a small, but special role. He plays the role of an intense guy beautifully, while Kareena Kapoor plays the role of young girl who is fully aware of the social and political environment.

Presented by Entertainment One and Applause Entertainment in association with Govind Nihalani’s Udhbhav Dreamzone, the film also features Amrish Puri, Rati Agnihotri, Milind Gunaji, debutant Ehsaan Khan, Amrita Subhash and Harsh Chhaya in supporting roles. It is a cop drama which aims to jolt the audience with its well-directed riot scenes. This Rs 7.5-crore project is packed with a powerful cast. As “Dev” cinematographer director Govind Nihalani has established himself as a sensitive director.

Debutant Ehsaan Khan has come up with a fine performance. Om Puri remains a favourite with the audience. — D.P.

Cultural show at Plaza
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 12
Cultural show at Plaza, Sector 17, started on a melodious rhythms of drums of the CRPF band today. It was followed by the non-stop dance dhamaka, including Hindi, western style dance and Punjabi folk dance. All artistes were dressed in beautiful attires. They performed on popular numbers like 'Kambakht Ishq', 'Kanta Laga' and 'Babu Ji Zara Dheere Chalo'. Dances were also presented on Punjabi songs, including 'Botlan Sharab Diya Akhan Teriyan' and 'Dhola Punjabi'. This event was organised by the Department of Tourism, Chandigarh Administration and Oasis.

LIFESTYLE

Attractive packaging can make all the difference
Swarleen Kaur

All effort while selecting a gift can go waste if it is not packaged artistically.

Times are changing, especially the way shagun and gift items are packed. And the art of packaging has acquired the dimension of a business.

In the view of varied demands of customers, market is offering a wide choice of packaging.

If you want to go in for the traditional touch, then there are “shagun thalis” especially made for wedding ceremonies. These come in trendy styles and are covered with silver and golden paper, velvet cloth with embroidery and gotta work. The range begins from Rs 90 onwards.

You can get thalis containing dry fruits and mithai at most sweet shops. These thalis are given a nice look with bright red, white and green silken ribbons.

Ms Saroj Kapur, a city-based teacher, said marriage ceremonies were incomplete without the ‘rasam’ (tradition) of shagun. She said that if the shagun was not properly packaged then it does not convey warm feelings attention should be given to packaging.

Then there are mithai boxes, trays and tokris for auspicious occasions. Bright heart shaped, square and rectangular boxes are also sought after to enhance festivities. Those who want an exclusive touch can get the design of their wedding card made on mithai boxes. The range begins from Rs 20.

“Matkis” made of hard board and decorated with mirror work give a distinct flavor. Pakages in the shape of hut, ‘rath’ or even ‘jhoola’ are available with leading sweet shops.

Mr Maninder Singh of Gopal Sweets said the trend of sahgun was catching up in the city. Earliear people used to give only 11 thalis as shagun but now they also go for 21, 51, 101, 151 and so on. “We have to be very creative to satisfy their demands”, he added.

Lightweight jewellery in vogue
Monica Sharma

Alluring polki and kundan jewellery sets embellished with red and green meena work are the latest in vogue among city residents.

“Gone are the days when the residents would walk into a showroom demanding heavy gold sets. The bigger the better was the principle,” says Rani Chauhan, who runs a showroom in Sector 7. “The intention was to invest money, instead of flaunting it on just any occasion”. Ms Chauhan adds, “No wonder, in those days the sets were worn around the neck during marriages of near and dear ones. They were stored in bank lockers after the occasion. Otherwise also, the opportunities were limited. Kittie parties were hardy organised. Birthday bashes were not so grand. For so many of the residents, birthday parties were only for the little ones”.

But things have now changed. “Fashion is the prime factor now-a-days,” says a Tanishq employee. “Many customers demand sets being worn by different stars in serials on the television to wear during parties organised every now and then.”

She says, “It all started with the Bollywood blockbuster ‘Devdas’. After seeing Madhuri and Ash wearing all those heavy sets, the residents rushed to the jewellers for picking up the stuff. Then came serials like `Desh Mein Nikla Hoga Chand’ with Pammi wearing elegant kundan sets. The demand increased like anything”.

No wonder, jewellers all over the city started imitating the designs. You could buy the sets carved out of 22-carat gold. The artificial ones were just as attractive. Soon, even brand names like Tanishq stepped in.

The cost ranges from Rs 10, 000 to Rs 1 lakh.

The collections of neckwear, earrings, pendants and bangles are moulded out of pure 22-carat lightweight gold reflecting international fashion and trends. Inspired by the rage for colours, they are embellished with enamel and stones.

New range of Lancer cars

Hindustan Motors on Friday launched an entire new range of Lancer cars for the discerning mid size premium car customers. The new range of Lancer — Premium, Privilege, Elegant and Sports — is aimed at meeting the diverse requirements of a wide set of prospective customers.

The LE or elegant range, costing Rs 9,97,146, comes with a host of elegant features that makes the Lancer stand out in its segment. You have two options — 1.8 litre engine and two litre diesel engine. OC

Summer camp for tiny tots

Children are being given exposure in table manners, etiquette, communication and dancing skills at the camp. Besides, clay-modelling, vegetable painting, collage-making, leaf impression with water colours and spray painting are also being taught to them. TNS