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PU Syndicate to discuss Deans’ appointment Chandigarh, June 27 The Syndicate will consider its earlier decision of opening admissions to all students in the Department of Evening Studies. The Syndicate had, at its meeting on May 15, recommended that all students be allowed to seek admission to DES irrespective of the fact that they were employed or not. On account of lack of consensus, the Vice-Chancellor had approved that status quo be maintained. In its recommendation on fee and structure of the ad-on courses to be allowed to regular students of colleges from this session, a committee formed for the purpose has suggested that 12 periods per week be held for every ad-on course. This would include practical, theory and projects. A fee of Rs 100 would be charged from every student opting for an ad-on course. Specifying that not more than 40 students be allowed for any course, the committee has recommended an examination fee of Rs 150 per paper while mentioning that students would not be required to pay charges over and above those finalised by the committee. |
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Strenthen research panels to check frauds : PU body
Chandigarh, June 27 Constituted to frame a draft plan to deal with plagiarism and other frauds, the committee has said that various committees should be strengthened by including three professors from the allied department and one subject expert from outside. The committee members were of the view that inclusion of outsiders, actively involved with research in the subject concerned, would bring more openness and greater vigilance in detection of plagiarism. At present, the committees comprised faculty members of the department who were taken as members on rotation. The Ethics Committee headed by the Dean University Instruction, Prof SK Sharma, had also suggested that in case a fraud was detected, the university should hold back increments of the faculty members in question, as punishment. The blueprint of the action plan included designating the research committees as monitoring committees as well. These committees would be required to meet at least thrice a year to discuss and keep a tab on the research that was in progress. Recognising that most research scholars were weak in research methodology, the committee suggested the introduction of short-term orientation programmes in different streams. These would be open to Ph. D students as well as teachers and would be conducted by the Academic Staff College for a fee of Rs 500 per candidate. On completion of the programme, the candidates would be formally tested for the same. Taking up the sensitive matter of erratic marking by examiners, the committee suggested that there should be a separate clause in the regulations. This regulation should lay down disciplinary action against the teacher for any unethical practice during marking of papers. The recommendations of the Committee would be taken up at the meeting of the PU Syndicate slated for July 3. |
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SEECAP holds seminar on civil services Chandigarh, June 27 Highlighting the weaknesses in the Indian education, Dr Sardana said the poor examination system was the root cause of the prevailing rot. The examination system in the universities did not focus on all dimensions of learning, recollecting and recapitulating. He also criticised the policy of taking back question papers of various entrance tests as it was contrary to the spirit of openness and caused blemishes on the evaluation process. “The aim of our society is to highlight various problems which plague our education system and to help the talented students who are ignorant of the career options after Class XII and graduation,” Dr S.M. Sardana said. |
Children put their best foot forward Chandigarh, June 27 In the second part came folk dance sequence presentations, directed by Mohinder Dogra. The evening of cultural presentations also featured some plays, prepared by young students under the guidance of eminent playwright Sardar Gursharan Singh. Earlier during the show, Pracheen Kala Kendra honured S.S. Anand Leher, an Urdu writer from Jammu and Harish Kalia, a music director, also from Jammu. The programme began with the presentation of Iqbal’s patriotic song “Sare jahan se achha”, followed by Saraswati vandana. Then came the short play, “Ik si chiri ik si kaan”, which centred around the theme of truth’s triumph over falsehood. From one performing art to another, the programme showcased a varied fare. Punjabi folk dances of giddha and bhangra were also presented. These featured Mohali students, who worked under the guidance of Mohinder Dogra. The star performers of the day was Gauri Razdan, a physically disabled girl, who presented a classical piece in raag Mian ki Malhar. Even as the programme ended with the national anthem, the exhibition of art and craft products prepared by children during the workshop, attracted many guests. The products on display included tile embossing, glass paintings, dolls, paper mask, baskets and spray paintings. |
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Poets bare the realities of war Chandigarh, June 27 Among those present were Sham Talib, Yash Pal Yash, Rajpal Singh Mastana, Ramesh Rahi, Dogra Harish Kalia, Mohan Lal Komal, Bishan Singh Dardi, N.S. Manhas, Balraj Bakshi, S.S. Anand Leher and Raj Kumar Chandan. They recited verses in various languages ranging from Hindi and Urdu to Dogri and Punjabi. Some of them even used the style of rendition to put across their feelings of hope and bitterness. Most of the recitation voiced the genuine aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir which has long been reeling under the impact of acrimony between neighbours. All the ghazals preached peace in some form or the other. Rajpal Singh Mastana’s ghazal was well received as he recited, “Pher tere sheher wich shor hi bas shor si...bheed si parchhaweyaan di, qatilaan da zor si..”. So was Ramesh Rahi’s “Sheher kujh idaan sajaye jaange...deep kabaran te jalaye jaange...” Raj Kumar Chandan was equally impressive with one of his ghazals that featured the following couplet, “Zindagi dastaan si lagti hai...yeh haqiqat guman si lagti hai...” |
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Notes of peace from a writer of troubled state Chandigarh, June 27 Coming from a troubled state, it was natural for Leher to write about the border problems between India and Pakistan. In his new book, like also in the earlier ones, he has focused largely on the urgency of peace, as also of the need to accept Kashmiri Pandit migrants back in their land of belonging. As he said yesterday, after his book was released by Pracheen Kala Kendra’s Mr M.L. Koser, “I wield the pen to create awareness among the masses, who need to shed their fears now. Kashmiri Pandits should also stop feeling unsafe or insecure. There has to be a suitable environment in which all inferiority complexes diffuse themselves. I am a strong advocate of the supremacy of the pen over the sword. It is the intellectual thought that has engineered the recent peace process between India and Pakistan.” In his novel, Leher deals with the malady of war. Weaving fictional accounts together, he builds a situation where men unleash hell for themselves by fanning the forces of destruction. In the end, animals sit in a conference of sorts, discussing the shortsightedness of men. Says the writer, “A snake represents a common man here. He wonders why men had to invite death by waging wars, when there are as such many other factors that would anyways kill them.” A prolific writer back home, Leher has also written a book that forms the script for a serial, currently being aired on Koshur television (Kashmiri TV). This one is titled, “Agli Id Se Pehle”. Another teleserial is being made on “Adalat”, one more of Leher’s writings. |
Now, jeans as corporate wear
Looking for something nice and comfortable, yet formal, for wearing to the workplace? Forget all about conventional ladies’ suits with broad floral prints. They look good, alright. But do not gel with the office set-up, sometimes. Go in for something more refined and easy like “office jeans” — at least this is what fashion designers all over the country are suggesting. What? Wear jeans to the office? The designers must be joking. Denims are included in the category of casual wear. Right? Wrong. If you think so, you cannot be more divorced from reality. “More and more staffers, particularly the ones working with multinational banks and other organisations, are going in for jeans,” says fashion designer Gurmet Lehal, working with a Sector 17 garment showroom. In fact, a market survey conducted by a research organisation for a garment house last year revealed that more and more youngsters, including women, are now preferring jeans as corporate wear. The reason behind their popularity is not hard to see. “Denims, Lehal reveals, “make you feel relaxed, yet look fashionable. Some even describe it as an extension of the Friday dressing concept.” You, too, can wear denims to the office in summers. Just make sure that you do not look like a kid coming to the office straight from a late night bash. For the purpose of looking elegant, girls can always pair blue jeans with formal white shirts. “The combination gives you a new clean look,” Lehal says. “You should preferably go in for jeans with no rivets and leather patches. The ones that have straight-cut legs with clean lines are the best. You can go in for comfort or regular fit, depending upon your preference.” Men can also go in for the same combination, but can add a necktie to the ensemble. In case the boys wish to look leaner than they actually are, they can go in for neckwear with stripes. Also, the belt should not be too jazzy or really broad with bold studs”. A word of caution: You should always wash jeans separately after turning them inside out. Use cold or warm water with mild detergent, but never ever pour detergent directly. You should also hang jeans separately to avoid colour transfer when damp. Another thing. You should tumble dry the jeans on low heat. |
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“Sunday shopping” fails to pick up in city Contrary to the expectations of the Chandigarh Administration and a section of the traders, the Sunday shopping concept has failed to pick up in two premier shopping centres in Sector 17 and 22 of the city. In fact the seven-day-a-week shopping concept, which began on a reluctant note in shopping centres last month, seems to be having few takers both among the shopkeepers and buyers, if a visit to these sectors today is any indication. With no backing from the salespersons and the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM), the apex body of the city traders, the idea was doomed to failure from its inception. However, egged on by certain “vested interests” and showing undue haste, the Chandigarh Administration decided to give it a try. Terming “Sunday shopping” as a far-fetched idea, the general secretary and spokesman of the CBM, Mr Jagdish Pal Singh Kalra, argued that the shopkeepers and salespersons also needed a weekly off to fulfil their social commitments. Since a majority of the social functions are held on Sunday and government offices and educational institutions are also closed, this was the ideal day for the closing of the markets. In any case, the establishments selling the essential items were open on Sunday, he argued. On the other hand, trade union leaders argued that the concept went against the labour laws which guaranteed an off day in a week. It fact the trade unions had already taken to the streets against the “Sunday shopping” concept. Even as the administration stuck to its decision, Opposition from various quarters forced it to amend its order making the opening of shops on Sunday optional. However, the amended order has also not gone well with the shopkeepers and shoppers with only restaurants and a few other establishments opening on Sunday. The chemist shops, confectionery shops and barber shops, fruit and vegetables shops can already open on Sundays. In may be recalled that the idea of “seven day shopping” has an interesting beginning and dates back to 1994. In a letter to the Chandigarh Administration,the then Punjab Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, had suggested that one of the markets in Sectors 17 and 22 should remain open on Sundays on the pattern of New Delhi’s Karol Bagh for the convenience for the general public. The administration then began parleys with the traders’ organisations, including the CBM, to explore the possibility of opening the shops on Sunday. However, the traders’ organisations and the salespersons showed little interest in the concept and it was given a decent burial by the administration. However, its resurrection recently is seen as lack of foresight on the part of the administration. |
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Comedy
elicits the best in him
Despite
distractions, Manoj Pahwa has gradually worked his way up the
Bollywood ladder. Repeatedly lured into joining the family business,
he chose to pursue the passion of acting rather than sitting pretty at
home and making money. And after years of struggling in Mumbai, he
today enjoys a safe berth at least among the comedians, if not the
lead actors in big budget films. Motivated and genuine, Manoj has always been conscious of his obesity, so much so that he does not mind flaunting it, if promotion of the product so desires. That explains his casting in a large number of ad films, made by people of the order of Prahlad
Kakkar. In Chandigarh recently to shoot for a Kukku Babbar film, Manoj talked to The Tribune about the need to be honest and courageous in showbiz. “I respect myself for what I am. And there is virtually no harm in doing the kind of stuff that suits your appearance the most. Although I love to dabble in the realm of comedy, I must admit some people think I am only good for that just because I am fat. My appearance has been linked to a certain genre, and that is what irks me at times. But that does not imply I don’t love the idiom of comedy. Comedy elicits my best expressions. And there are many teleserials and films where I act to make others laugh. It is challenging and satisfying.” Coming from a theatre background, Manoj never found acting tough. The only compromise he made was on roles, that too sometimes when the issue involved was that of survival. “One has to earn to make a decent living. And I have always taken challenges as they come. I will not deny the fact that I do accept roles even when I am not thoroughly inclined to perform them. This is when I need money to live in a city line Mumbai, where life is incredibly fast and expensive.” Apart from comedy serials like ‘Just
Mohabbat’, Manoj also managed to play a role that suited his grain better. This was the role of an underworld don in Anubhav Sinha’s serial, ‘Sea Hawks’. Says Manoj, “Anubhav knows my acting prowess. But he still had a hard time convincing the producers who felt I looked too funny to play a negative character. But I played and villain and the serial did well.” Manor is now working on two prestigious English films - ‘King of Hollywood’ and
‘Akoori’. In ‘King of Bollywood’, which is a spoof on the way films are made in Bollywood, Manoj plays the lead character Om Puri’s secretary. In
‘Akoori’, which literally means egg curry, Parsi style, Manoj plays
Parsi, a role very different from all others he has played till now. Both the films are targeting an international audience. |
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Beaming beauty She is doing a Bachelor's degree in information technology from Punjabi University, Patiala, but her eyes are set on the glitzy world of modelling and films. Hardly surprising, for Kirandeep is young, beautiful, slim, and vivacious, and is one of the latest hopefuls to take to the ramp. She got her basic training from Manoj of Rampworld, and it was he who urged her to start taking part in live shows. Having begun less than a year ago, Kirandeep already has a number of shows to her credit. She was adjudged second runner up in Look of the Year Contest held at Thunderzone in May this year, and was also winner of the Best Smile in the same show. A passionate lover of Jagjit Singh's music, Kirandeep is an avid reader of romantic fiction especially the Mills and Boons novels. She believes that we ought to spread love and happiness around not hatred and war. Her faith in God, keeps her strong and blissful, and she strongly believes in family values. Her father runs a farm near Mohali, and her mother is a lecturer in nursing at Sohana. "I have very loving parents," says Kirandeep, "and although they are not very enthusiastic about my modelling career, they are not against it either. But since I am so keen about it, they have given me a free hand." She has a younger brother whom she loves dearly. If things go well Kirandeep would like to devote the next five or six years to modelling and then make a natural progression to films. Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai are her favourite actors. The other career option she considers is that of an air hostess, but for now it is modelling. |
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Grooms, too, deck up for the D-day WHILE the Indian tradition has laid down a host of rituals for the bride to be beautiful, the poor bridegroom seems to be ignored a lot.The only beautifying ceremony he is supposed to undergo is “ubtan” in which gram flour and milk mixture is applied on the face and body. But times are changing since grooms are also equal centres of attraction. They don’t want to lag behind in looking great. Cashing in on this trend Cleopatra, beauty clinic, is offering a complete package for bride and the groom. This includes a host of services, including face pack, complete head-to-toe spa and their make-up for the big day. For the bride there is a course stretched over three months which is to be religiously followed. It starts with removing the body tan through waxing and bleaching, followed by facial for the complete toning up of the body and exfoliation. Numerous kinds of spa are there. But the ultimate test of the beauty saloon’s competence is how the bride looks on the big day. Make-up ingredients are chosen carefully depending upon the skin’s complexion. Much of it is planned in advance by the beauticians to go with the bridal dress. The dress could be in colors of red, pink, maroon flaming orange and even in deep purple. Cleopatra, manager, Ms Harveen Kathuria, says: “For the grooms the make-up kit is not so big but it definitely has many things to enhance their looks”. Grooms’ nails are painted with transparent nailpolish. A lipstick of light pink shade is applied for that elegant and natural look. A special treatment is given for skin problems like pigmentation and acne to them. They also go for spa session to tone up the body. Ms Harveen says that spa sessions promise to take away the worries of the couples. There are special treatments to soothe their anxious nerves. Apart from the toning up the body these detoxify the skin and increase blood circulation. Mr Mohit Sharma, a bank employee,who is getting married in July and is receiving treatment for acne, is of the opinion that men should not deny themselves the luxury of feeling great. City-based Renuka took the complete treatment for that special day. She said that she was confused regarding looks on that special day. “Then I decided to book myself with a beauty clinic before three months of my marriage. The package included spa and make-up for engagement ceremony, reception and for that special day”, she added. Looking glamorous is not the sole privilege of the bride alone. Grooms too are joining the race. An equal center of attraction at the marriage ceremony, they don’t want to be left behind. |
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