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Reorient educational programmes: Governor
Chandigarh, February 1 Addressing a seminar organised by the Kalpana Chawla Memorial Foundation on Kalpana’s second death anniversary on the theme “Need for Review of Technical Education in the light of Liberalization and Globalisation” here today, General Rodrigues said, “It is the time to introspect and find the key to unlock the future and to enable the coming generations to develop their potential by creating a conducive environment.” He said that we need to restructure our academic and social programmes so as to encourage young generations to grow up as confident and self-reliant Indians. The Governor said we have to remove the shackles of tradition and ignorance to encourage the evolution of new ideas and thus achieve the realisation of our dreams. He stressed the need for a constant review and periodical analysis of educational policies and missions. The Governor appealed to the luminaries of Punjab Engineering College to create a nodal institution for extending opportunities to our youth to scale new heights in different disciplines of engineering and information technology. He also commended the foundation on its pro-active and initiating approach. Mr V. Adimurthy, ISRO scientist, stressed the need of giving more emphasis on quality than the quantity in the expansion of our technical education. He advocated the opening up of more centres of excellence, with special emphasis on research and the development of technical education. Mr Dhanpat Singh, president of the foundation, in his welcome address highlighted the initiative taken by the organisation for giving financial help to the outstanding needy students. He said the annual award of Rs 25,000 had been instituted in memory of Kalpana Chawla for the outstanding student in the field of aeronautical studies. A two-minute silence was also observed by the participants in memory of Kalpana Chawla. An exhibition by Mr Ravinder Kumar of the Art College was also organised at the venue.
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Students stress need to
conserve water
Chandigarh, February 1 The students, Swati Sharma, a
student of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, Rohan, a
student of St Kabir, Deepika, a student of Carmel Convent and Tamana
Chawla, a student of Sacred Heart School, were awarded citation for
their respective models at the national-level event that saw
participation by 540 schools from across the country. The participants
also got a chance to interact with scientists at the
congress. Encouraged by the appreciation of their models, they now want
to design better models that can be of national use and help the nation
check its depleting resources. Swati, who had displayed a model on
treatment of saline water, based on the process of solar distillation,
said the students from different states came up with interesting models
depicting the water problem in their respective areas. “My view about
the national issues has changed after interacting with students from
other states. I want to design a model that could enable the country
save natural resources,” she added. Rohan, another student, said he
had displayed a model on reducing evaporation of soil by using vegetable
waste, garden waste, polythene and straw. By using the model, the
shortage of water level could be checked, he added. Deepika, who had
linked shortage of water to lack of awareness, wants to go door to door
to create awareness on the issue. She said apart from interacting on the
themes at the science congress, the students also got an opportunity to
interact with students from other states and learn about their
traditions.
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Kalpana made me a Dronacharya
Chandigarh, February 1 As she met Kalpana’s professors at the Aeronautical Department of PEC and shared her experience of “the little girl who was too interested in mixing with the other kids in class”, Kalpana almost came to life at the college. With word of her presence getting around, Ms Raheja, Principal of Karnal’s Tagore Bal Niketan, was repeatedly asked how she felt heading Kalpana’s school. Her reply came straight from the heart as she replied,
“Our effort at school is to produce more Kalpanas for the world and for India.” Being felicitated for being a true guide to Kalpana during her formative years, she said,
“We Dronacharyas are of absolutely no worth till we get an Arjuna as a pupil. That’s what she made out of me. I am so proud she came from my school.” Greeting everybody with folded hands, Ms Raheja, a woman of few words, recalled Kalpana’s days in school. “She was like any other ordinary child in school. She never showed sparks of brilliance while in class though she was very hardworking and got a position among the top three. Reserved and confined to the company of a couple of friends, she was the quieter kinds,” Ms Raheja stated. To immortalise Kalpana and inspire other students to follow her line of success through sheer hardwork, the school has instituted five scholarships in Kalpana’s name. “we are doing what we can at our level to ensure that her memory lives on. The government, too, should do something to immortalise the woman who gave wings to India flight at the global level,” she maintained. Though not in touch with Kalpana directly once she was out of school, Ms Raheja was in touch with her through schoolchildren who would visit Kalpana and NASA annually and through e-mails and letters she would write to the teachers and the school. “Shortly before we lost Kalpana forever in the space she loved, I did get an opportunity of a telephonic conference. That was the last I spoke to her. Now, she is a star, our star that lights up our sky,” she concluded.
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CBSE starts interactive
system to deal with stress
Chandigarh, February 1 This was disclosed by Ms Madhu Bahl, tele-counsellor for the CBSE, here today. She, along with the Principal of DAV Public School, Sector 8, Ms Sarita Manuja, has received training to counsel the students about coping with the stress. Ms Bahl said the students having any trouble could e-mail their queries to cbsehelpline@rediffmail.com from where the queries would be forwarded to the counsellors. “We have been trained to deal with everything from eating disorders to subject-specific questions. All such queries would be kept confidential. I am also available at kbdav@glide.net.in,” Ms Bahl said. Ms Manuja said she would be available for tele-counselling at 3264763, 2548269 and 2780174. Queries can also be directly forwarded to her at s_manuja@rediffmail.com. “The idea is to create comfort zones for the students appearing for the board examinations and also their parents,” she stated. She added that in Functional English, the marks of advanced reading skills had been reduced from 30 to 20, while the marks of literature had gone up from 25 to 35. The students can also visit www.cbse.nic.in to check the pattern applicable in the examination starting on March 1.
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VC stresses objectivity
of understanding past
Chandigarh, February 1 Mr Pathak empahsised on the importance of objectivity and scientific methodology for understanding the past. He hoped that the deliberations of the participants would open new avenues for research in the discipline of history. Prof Surinder Singh, chairperson of the Department of History, spoke on the rationale and importance of the topic and the means of achieving it. Experts from all over the country as well Pakistan took part in the seminar. Dr Abdullah Jan Abid and Dr amaan Ulah Memon, both from the Alama Iqbal University, Islamabad, were present.
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Construction of students’ centre begins
Mohali, February 1 The Centre, to be built at a cost of Rs 39.51 lakh, would be completed within the next eight months. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Bir Devinder Singh stated that the centre would have other than a canteen complex a hall to accommodate about 300 students for various academic interactions. Facilities for indoor games would also be provided for the students within the centre. The MLA added that Milkfed, Punjab, had been contacted for providing a kiosk of their products at the centre. The college Principal, Ms Mandeep Kaur, said the tubewell being dug in the college was nearing its completion and would be used as a dedicated source of drinking water supply to the college. A college lecturer informed that six new vocational courses, including entrepreneurship and income tax would be offered by the college in the coming session.
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Class V exams
from March 4 Chandigarh, February 1 According to the datesheet, the exams will start with the mathematics paper on March 4 and end on March 23 with the Hindi/Punjabi second language papers. While the English Oral will be held on March 11, the social studies paper is scheduled for March 14. The other papers, including the science and Hindi/Punjabi first language, will be held on March 17 and March 21, respectively. All schools have been asked to collect the roll numbers from the DEO office personally by February 18 and the results of the examination must also be got approved from the Department by March 28. A copy of the approved result should be deposited with the office.
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Hip-hopping with hep sets in back pockets
Swanky
mobile phones have found a new place in the lives of so many damsels — the back pockets of their freshly frayed denims. No wonder, the sets — popping out of the hip pockets — are calling up glamour, blatantly.
Health has nothing to do with it. You may find it hard to believe, but a sound mind in a firm body has simply no connection with the latest scream. It is just that the back pockets are the in thing for carrying mobiles. Yes, it’s true. The guys can stuff big fat wallets in their bottom pockets. And the mobiles in the front pockets. No problem about it. But for the maidens, the sets are simply must for filling up the rear pockets. Are you guys having doubts about it? Okay, just leave the warm comfort of your living room. Now. Get into your jaunty car and drive down to any hot spot in the city. You will see dames in sleeveless chiffon and lace tops over boot-cut trousers smoothing highlighted tresses with automatic hands before reaching out for the phones vibrating in the back pockets. Their relaxed fingers show no signs of hurry as they delicately pull out the sets before pressing the back-lit keys, merrily. “Back pockets are more convenient for carrying phones. But that’s not the only reason. The sets look hep in the hip pockets. No doubt about it,” chirps plus two student Vidhusha. After pushing the phone partially back in the rear pocket of her low-rise jeans, she smiles, “That’s the reason why I always hip-hop with the phone in my trousers’ back pocket”. Her sister — now married in the USA — used to carry the set in her leather hand bag. But the phone was bulky. There was nothing feminine about it. Vidhusha’s teeny-weeny set fits in her rear pocket. And has features that are worth admiring. In fact, the phone has biorhythms for checking physical, emotional and intellectual well being on a daily-basis. This is not all. The set informs her about the fat index. The information is not required by reed-thin Vidhusha. But still the cell has a calorie counter, along with so many other not-so-simple things. That’s why she keeps the set partially stuffed in the pocket. There is another reason, Vidhusha’s best friend, Tanisha Kapoor, admits. “Oh, I simply love the way guys react when we pull the sets out of our pockets. Believe me, the result is electrifying”. So girls, forget all about those leather pouches and carry the sets the way the world likes.
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Patiala heritage festival from February 12
The
third Patiala Heritage Festival organised by the Patiala Heritage Society is all set to pep up the city from February 12 to 20.
The festival will showcase a variety of art and crafts besides hosting a pop concert and a fashion show. The festival will include performances in Hindustani classical dance , different Indian dance forms, theatre,
qawwali, and sufi music. Some of the prominent artistes slated to perform this year include noted santoor exponent Padma
Bhushan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, mohan veena exponent and Grammy award winner Vishwamohan Bhatt, sitar player Shujaat Khan (son of legendary late Ustad Vilayat Khan), Sarod player Ashish Khan(son of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan). Amongst the dancers who will regale the audience are Bharatnatyam dancer Padma Shri Malavika
Sarukkai, Oddissi dancer Kiran Sehgal (daughter of Zora Sehgal) and Mohiniattam dancer Bharati
Sivaji. A ‘jugal bandi’ of Benaras gharana vocal and Shehnai will be presented by Savita Devi and Pandit Anant Lal. The vocalists include Padma Bhushan awardee Parween Sultana and performances by two leading pakistani singers Faris
Ayaz, a known exponent of ‘Naatiya Qawwali’ and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, nephew of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. A major attraction of the Festival is late playwright Harpal
Tiwana's legendary play “ Sirhind Di
Diwar” which is produced by his family and its music is composed by ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. The fashion show will feature two of India`s foremost designers Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Satya Paul along with Bangladeshi designer Rina
Latif. The pop concert will star among others UK-based pop artist Sukhbir. Also on the cards is a one-day exhibition cricket match between teams from Pakistan Punjab and Indian Punjab. Other attractions include a golf tournament, dog show, painting exhibition, a kavi darbar and a seminar. The fifteen-day-long crafts mela will open at Sheesh Mahal from February 13 and 27 and will feature 200 master craftsmen from all over the world. The festival will be inaugurated by the Governor of Punjab on February 12 at Qila
Mubarak. OC
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From romance to universal peace, German jazz group plays it all
“Music
should strike fire from the heart of man and bring tears from the eyes of woman..” said Beethoven long ago but “The Red Zone” Jazz group from Germany proved his contention in letter and spirit at the Law Auditorium of the Panjab University here today.
The Jazz concert was organised by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Department of German Studies, Panjab University. The artists came from Mumbai after performing there. After a brief introduction which was virtually lost in the din, the trio, Frank Moebus on electric Spanish guitar, Rudi Marshall on Base clarinet, and Oliver Steidle on drums, took on the excited listeners with the rattling compositions, curving and twisting solos. The repertoire of compositions covered varied themes from romance to grief, love, longing, nostalgia and environment besides universal peace and harmony. Every composition was executed with the pleasing arrangement of musical sounds which created the feel of its theme. Moebus, Rudi or Oliver, while trying to marvel at their own specific fields, created magic together. Acclaimed as one of the leading Jazz ensembles in Germany, they will perform in New Delhi besides Lahore and Karachi. The chairperson of the Department of German Studies said the concert would be beneficial for the students to have a feel of the culture of Germany.
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Wadali brothers perform for tsunami victims
The
spirit of Sufiana qalaams, complete with a rare bliss, pervaded the Makhan Shah Lobana Auditorium, Sector 30, last night as Wadali brothers enchanted the audience at a musical soiree to raise funds for the tsunami victims.
The programme, organised by the Trimetric Cultural and Sports Welfare Association, began late but there were no regrets as the brother-duo spelt the pristine vigour of Sufism in their melodic renditions. After a short alaap by Puran Chand, the duo touched the spiritual depths while baring the mysticism of Amir Khusro in “Man Kunto Maula”. Versatile Pyare Lal at the other end establishing a rapport with the audience as he led them to a state of bliss through his lyrics. Next came “Tujhe Takya to Laga Mujhe Aiasa”, a light piece weaved in folklore before presenting Baba Bulle Shah’s classic “Tere Ishaq Nachaya ..” which shows Bulle Shah in a resolve to secure the realisation of the ultimate truth that ultimately leads to his association with Inayat
Hussain, his mentor and guide. On requests they presented “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar” and many other hits from their film songs and popular albums. They were in perfect sync as they rendered sargams and tans within the framework of ragas. Buta Wadali and Surjan Wadali accompanied on tabla and dholak, while Satpal, Raju and Lucky provided vocal support. The association chairman, Dr Rajesh Sharma, donated Rs 51,000 for the tsunami victims, which was hailed by the chief guest Rana K.P. Singh, Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab. Earlier talking to Chandigarh Tribune, the maestro Puran Chand said: “The love and applause showered on us by our fans in India and abroad has endorsed our duo “Wadali brothers” which is the greatest award for us”. The anguish was writ large on his face for denying Pyare Lal the Padma Shri honour. However, Pyare Lal quickly added that they both were engaged in uniting all four communities the Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Christians with Sufiana qalaams. “We will continue to sing to serve humanity without any prejudice,” they said.
OC
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Comet Machholz captured on camera With a diameter greater than 4,50,000 km, the coma is at least three
times wider than Jupiter. A team comprising Dr P.S. Goraya, Ravinder
Singh, Manjit Singh and Tejbir Singh photographed Machholz using
planetary camera at the back of the Cassegrain Telescope, mounted on the
fifth floor of a tower at the height of 80 feet in the university
campus.
“It takes 50 minute exposure to get this photograph. The photograph
shows the comet head only, which is greenish-blue due to the presence of
diatomic carbon (C2) and cyanogen (CN),” said Mr Tejbir Singh,
observer, Department of Physics.
Dr Goraya said the study of comets was important as comets contained
molecules which were essential for the beginning of life on earth.
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