Annual function at Shanti Niketan
Our Correspondent

Students invoke the  blessings of Goddess Saraswati at the start of the annual function held in Ludhiana on Sunday. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

Ludhiana, October 17
Shanti Niketan Adarsh Vidyalaya celebrated its annual cultural and prize distribution function here today.

The programme started with Saraswati Vandana to pay homage to Goddess of Learning. Students of junior sections had presented an action song “chanda mama door ke”, and chukh chukh karti rail gadi” whereas the KG section presented songs of several kinds.

Each class had presented their items that included songs of different nature. A fancy dress show in which students had dressed up as balloon seller, coolie and assumed other characters were fascinating. No function is complete without modelling these days. Hence, small students had presented a modelling show.

Senior students had presented Haryanvi dance, Rajasthani dance, skit, and several patriotic songs. The function ended with performance of lively bhangra and gidda dances.

Mr Surinder Dawar, Parliamentary Secretary gave away prizes. Ms Hardyal Kaur, Vice Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board had presided over the function.

RIMT freshers’ party enthrals audience
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, October 17
“Art as an expression to entertain” seemed to be the motto behind the spectacular show at the Freshers’ Day celebrations by the RIMT – IMCT. The function was organised by the students.

The show was attended by dignitaries, including chairman Hukam Chand Bansal, director B.S. Bhatia, (an eminent educationaist, former Registrar, Pbi. University, Patiala).

The Principal and the Vice-Principal of the RIMT Engineering College, Dr S.K.Goyal and Mr Harsh Sadawarti also graced the function. Mr. N. K. Tayal, Principal of RIMT-College of Architecture and Mr P. K. Dhar, Principal, Om Parkash Bansal Modern School, were also present.

The function commenced with prayers and lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Mr Hukam Chand Bansal, who also took the opportunity to address and welcome the new students. The student fraternity listened with reverence and attention. Dr Bhatia spoke on issues like contemporary management scenario and stressed upon the need to modernise education and bring it on par with the developed nations.

The gala evening had all the trappings as an Indian festival. Resplendent girls chuckling in their fineries and young men in their best costumes welcomed the viewers.

No wonder that modelling and fancy dress show stole the limelight.

Extension lectures for MSc, IT students held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 17
Department of Computer Science, Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, here, organised extension lectures on “Programming Languages Concepts,” “Mobile-I P,” and “3D Graphics” for M.Sc and IT students here yesterday. The resource persons were Dr R.K. Singla, Professor, Department of Computer Science and Applications, and Mr Harish Kumar Goyal, lecturer, University Institute of Engineering and Technology, both from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Lecture: The Department of History organised an extension lecture here on Saturday. The resource person of the lecture was Dr Anju Suri, Reader, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

CULTURE

“Ek Hasina...” comes to town
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 17
For the past 22 years Seema Sharma has been working towards the revival of folk theatre of Himachal Pradesh. At present a director and organiser of theatrical events at Himachal Cultural Research Centre and Rangmandal Natya Akademi at Mandi, Seema Sharma is working on the lesser known folk form of Banthda.

In Chandigarh yesterday to stage “Ek Hasina Paanch Diwane”, an adaptation of Gorky’s “One Girl Twenty- six Boys,” Seema Sharma spoke about her projects which range from folk theatre and realistic theatre to western and stylised productions. More than anything else, the theatre actress and director is interested in Lok Natya Banthda, which she has single-handedly rejuvenated in Himachal Pradesh. “Contemporary theatre has originated from folk elements. The principles and theories of theatre are very new. Earlier folk traditions were the richest forms of creative expression. “Banthda” had many takers in our region. It also enjoyed royal patronage. We hold workshops in this form and use it to voice modern concerns,” she says.

Working with the children from the slum areas as well as urban settings, Seema Sharma says improvisation is the best way to help children sensitize towards the world around them. “I hold four workshops with children every year. We also took our children’s play “Mohna” to the National School of Drama festival. We have had a lot of support from the Repertory Company being headed by Suresh Sharma these days.”