The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Revise Class X datesheet, urge students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 30
Candidates appearing this session in Class X examinations being conducted by the CBSE have demanded that the date sheet should be revised to allow gap between the English paper and the Punjabi paper. The examinations are beginning from March 1.

There will be a gap of one day for the students appearing in Hindi paper and English paper. Mr Roopinder Singh, a parent, told TNS that while the board had allowed at least a day gap between two papers, no gap had been given between the Punjabi paper and the English paper. The parents were also approaching the Chairman of the board, Mr A. Ganguly, requesting a revision of the date sheet.

Personal contact programme

An 11-day personal contact programme for students of Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) of the Department of Correspondence Studies concluded at Panjab University here today.

Conducted by Dr M. Syamala Devi, chairperson, DCSA, the faculty from the Department of Computer Science and Applications and guest faculty from neighboring institutes were deputed to provide effective theory and practical training to students of the PGDCA. All topics covering the entire syllabi for both theory and practical subjects of the course were discussed during the sessions.

A firm visited the department for placements and conducted on the spot interviews; one student of the PGDCA was selected for employment out of four, said Prof. Devinder Singh, Chairperson, Department of Correspondence Studies, Panjab University.

Book released

A book titled “Federal transfers and inter-state disparities in India” was released by Mr Dilip Kumar, DPI ( Colleges), Chandigarh, at the ICSR Auditorium, Panjab University, here today. The book is authored by Dr JR Gupta, former Professor of Economics, Panjab University, and Dr Manjit Kalra, Principal of Government College for Girls, Sector 11.

Solidarity

The Panjab University Teachers Association has expressed solidarity with the teaching fraternity of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, on the issue of the non-appointment of Dr GS Kang as head of the Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy.

CULTURE

New Releases
‘Dil Maange More’ promises to be teenage caper

In Sahara One Motion Pictures and Nitin Manmohan’s ‘Dil Maange More,’ Shahid Kapur’s heart beats for debutant Soha Ali Khan (Sharmila Tagore’s daughter), Ayesha Takia and Tulip Joshi. It is a Fourth Wall Productions film produced by first time producer Nikhil Panchamiya. It features stars of new generation. It will release today at Batra Chandigarh.

“Dil Maange More’ is a romantic comedy of a boy and three beautiful girls directed by ‘Dil Vil Pyaar Vyar’ fame director Ananth Mahadeven. The film promises to be another teenage caper. Title of the film is borrowed from slogan of a soft drink commercial.

Zarina Wahab, Kanwaljit Singh, Smita Jayakar, Gulshan Grover also star in this film. A.K. Hangal and Hiten Paintal also support the cast.

Cinematography by Amit Roy, screenplay, dialogue by Javed Siddiqui, choreography by Vaibhavi Merchant, art direction by Mansi Mehta and action by Bhiku Verma are major credits. Vikey Goswami has given background music. Sameer has penned the eight songs for music composer Himesh Reshammiya. Songs are racy and are likely to appeal the youth.

Will Shahid Kapur be able to repeat the Charisma he created with Tips’s two different love stories ‘Ishq Vishq’ and ‘Fida’.

Punjabi movie ‘Pind Di Kudi’ starring Punjabi star Sarabjeet Cheema is a Gurmail Singh Dhami and BIFA International a U.K. Productions presentation. Directed by ‘Ek Chadar Maili Si’ fame Sukhwant Dhadda. Pakistani star Veena Malik is the leading lady. Sheeba Bhatt, Gurpreet Ghuggi and B.N. Sharma are in supporting roles. The film opens today at K.C. Chandigarh. D.P.

LIFESTYLE

Proponent of Indian art in West
S.D. Sharma

“Coming events cast their shadows before...” truly applies to the Mississauga (Toronto)-based Devyani Sharma, popularly known as “Sherry”, who had established her credentials of being a prodigy in the realm of music at an early age as a school and student at Kalka, her native place.

Her participation in Asian Games-82 as a dancer-singer from Haryana was testament to her talent.

She was blessed to win a medal in any competition she participated, particularly during youth festivals, and her gold medal for MA-I (Music) from Punjab University Chandigarh, 12 years ago, was no surprise.

She owes the credit to her teachers Harjinder Chugh and Hari Jigyasu, who honed her musical skills.

“Classical music or for that matter any logical form of the fine art, is nothing short of a divine worship, which demands absolute devotion with no compromise on ‘riyaz’, she said while interacting with Chandigarh Tribune.

Music and theatre in her family is not just a passion but a religious phenomenon.

Her father, Sudershan Gaud, a well-known thespian and art promoter, had been a close associate of both Balraj Sahni and Bhisham Sahni and theatre still rejuvenates him at the age of 80.

With her elder bother, Rohitasav Gaud, an established actor who played lead role in “Shivaji” and appearances in “Veer Savarkar”, “Munnabhai MBBS”, “Kya Kehna”, “Pinjar”, “Dhoop”, “Sifarshi Lal” and many mythological films and serials, Devyani feels she has a long way go to achieve distinction.

Devyani has been maintaining the family tradition of excellence as a performing artist and a proponent of the rich Indian classical music and dance in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto.

Teaching music at the local Khalsa Community Institute of Education gives her an ample scope to promote and propagate the Indian classical art at the grassroots level.

Her versatility to bare the intricate and finer nuances of sublime “ragas” within the rigid code of the classical configuration as well as to bring alive the twang, melody and delight of the regional folk music keeps her in the forefront of live performances.

“Unlike the music aficionados here, the foreign audience is highly inquisitive about the flexibility in delineation of ‘ragas’ and frequent shift in rhythmic patterns every time we play the same ‘raga’. They listen and observe the singing in rapt attention but pose queries later,” said Devyani.

A regular performer and host of popular radio programmes like “Geetan naal preetan”, “Farmaishi geet”, “Sitaron ki mehfil”, “Sanjh Sawera” and “Lok rang” on Sur Sagar radio, Devyani has performed on all Canadian radio stations as well.

Punjabi songs from her album “Charhhi jawani mast” are the obvious choice at the radio and stage programmes.

“To sing lyrics of the legendry Shiv Batalvi is a passion with every singer here and my compositions replete with the exquisite pain of poet’s emotional intensity are my ultimate choice,” sighs Devyani Sharma alias “Sherry”.

Revellers look hill-wards
Saurabh Malik

New Year celebrations are all set to touch fresh heights. Having doubts? Ask the revellers. They will tell you all about it. Tish and her gang of three are all set to zip uphill with tsunami washing away the celebrations in the city.

In fact, her translucent hands — eager to clutch the steering wheel of a jaunty jalopy — are already bracing themselves up to negotiate sharp curve of lives on way to 2005.

Rather, the under-grad — putting up in Sector 10 — has got the car washed and serviced. Has even picked up a bundle of cheerful red and orange balloons with “Happy New Year” message printed neatly in bold letters for decking up the hard top.

She is not alone. Other chums too are planning to cut along the known roads. Towards unknown destination. On the big day’s eve. “The intention,” pal Zubina asserts, “is to travel. Not to arrive”.

Flashing a broad smile, the Panjab University student asserts, “It is all resolved. We will tear the fog till about 11.50 pm. Then we will halt for the grand moment to arrive wherever we are regardless of the venue.”

Agreeing with her, sister Anusha says, “Desolation will no more stalk the wooded steeps for we will dance our way into 2005 after parking the car right in the road’s middle”.

Rubbing her hands excitedly, she asserts, “All arrangements have been made. We have already borrowed a high-wattage stereo from a friend. Will be loading it in the car, along with our two brothers and his pals, for safety purposes, you see”.

Their neighbour, Raman Sharma, is also getting ready to inhale the scent of pines mingled with the whiff of fog on December 31. A regular visitor to the cloud-capped hills, Sharma says, “I have already made reservations for two at a resort in Kasauli.

So kids, if you haven’t decided upon the venue, just grab your wind-cheaters. Put them over your rugged denims and break free from the regular New Year din.

But before you kick-start your bike or strap the car’s seat belt, acquaint your parents with your plans. Please, do not leave behind the protection of your house if they object to your plans.

Try to reason it out with them. If they do not want you to ride motorbike or scooter, hop on a bus. Buses are not all that uncomfortable. In any case, remember to take a few precautions. Do not overload yourself with heavy meal before you start your journey. Carrying toffees in your handbag is not a bad idea. Pop them whenever you feel uncomfortable.

Do not mix drinking with driving. It is fatal in hills. You will encounter other guys cutting foot loose to the thumping beats of bhangra music. Do not pick up a quarrel with them, please.

Also do not forget to blow horn at blind curves and do not park your vehicle soon after a turn. Last thing. Wear seat belt if in a car or helmet if riding. Not just for the cops. But for your own safety.

If your anxious eyes are looking for something hot and simmering to don for setting the New Year night on fire, do not lose sight of burning ambition. Here is complete guide to make you look gorgeous for the evening affair.

Before leaving the cozy comfort of your dressing room on December 31 make sure your tresses are shimmering. “Don’t blow dry your hair, just let the cool winter breeze do the work for you,” asserts fashion designer Zubina. “Not-quite-straight, not-quite-curly, texture simply looks great”.

If you feel like restraining your tresses from running in all directions, go in for a beaded elastic band, or a furry one. Also, make scent your secret weapon. It is expensive, but worth the dough you pull out of your purse.

“Arm yourself with the power of perfume by camouflaging yourself under the shield of a scrumptious scent,” suggests make-up artist Rubina “Just make sure that your perfume is not strong enough to distract revellers around you. Remember, the scent you wear should create a lingering presence”.

Pay attention to make-up also. Paint your lips a deep burgundy for that hard-to-resist look. You can also try wine-coloured lipstick.

For a flawless-looking complexion, you will need an extremely long-lasting foundation. Keep the effect dewy by applying a moisturiser first. Slap on the moisturising cream when the bathroom is steamy and your skin still damp from shower.

So far as colours go, pink is all time favourite. “You can always combine white and pink for that soft, yet stunning look,” Delhi-based fashion designer Ayesha whispers over the phone. “Purple too is a rage, but if somehow you do not appreciate the hue, go in for black. It is the easiest colour. You can pair it with anything”. TNS