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City’s cultural conundrum
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Government College of Education focuses on quality training
From the Colleges
From the Schools
Swedish students find India a colourful place
Vajra Corps ‘Nazakat’ for city on April 13
Crime rate soars in Kapurthala
Weekly Roundup
‘China not a threat to
Indian textiles’
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Doaba is a region steeped in time. It has seen different
phases of history, right from the Harappan age, the medieval times to the modern period, and has been a cultural
centre down the ages. But the last few years have witnessed changes sweeping the region. MINNA ZUTSHI makes a
recce of the cultural scene and laments the demise of Jalandhar as the cultural capital.
It’s late 19th century. A group of music maestros is gathered at Shree Devi Talaab Mandir here. They are playing music oblivious of surroundings. And the event that is spread over more than one day has the entire city wrapped up in its glory. Roll over a century. The music, with its soul-stirring notes, is still played. But something has changed irrevocably. Now, the pop-music-callused city prefers the raucous noise rattled off routinely on television channels. The ears are less attuned to mellow strains of classical music presented alive on stage. Well, over the years culture has taken a beating in Doaba region. Once the centre of culture, the region has, of late, become an apology for cultural fusion at its weirdest worst, say astute observers. “It’s not that the city is culturally shrivelled up. The problem is that there are no takers for our rich cultural heritage. Anything that has a Western tag attached to it is lapped up. But our own culture is not considered up-market enough,” says Ms Davinder Kaur Sidhu, a short story writer, while expressing her disapproval of Punjabi music albums that use scantily-dressed women as props. Interestingly, there are many who feel that economic insecurity, by fuelling the craze-to-go-abroad, makes Doabites hanker after English language. “Economic insecurity is seeped into the psyche of the people here. In some corner of their minds they know that English language would bail them out in foreign countries,” says Mr Harbhajan Singh, an academician. He pegs the blame for this scenario on polity that “has failed to assure economic security to the people”. Peep into past
The region resonates with history. “Its roots stretch back to the times of Mahabharata. During the medieval period, Emperor Shahjahan’s army used to camp at bastis in Nakodar and Noormahal,” explains Mr Kunal Mehta, who teaches history at DAV College, Jalandhar. Folk music, classical music and traditional crafts like leather work have been the region’s forte. If it was K.L. Saigal, with his rich voice, who ruled the Bollywood music industry for years, the folk music had its own king — Ustad Jaswant Bhanwara — whose protégés include Surinder Chinda, Manmohan Waris, Safri Brothers. The annual event of Shree Baba Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan, of course, gives Jalandhar a unique place in the world of music. The Sham Churasi Gharana of classical music, too, had its origin in the region. “The region has been the training ground for many musicians, who later made big in Bollywood and Punjabi music industry,” says Mr Anup Vats, a city-based college teacher. Long wait Culture, or rather its preservation, does not seem to be on the priority list. Jalandhar is still waiting for the District Cultural Centre to become operational. Though the building is almost complete, the centre is yet to take off. “It’s so strange that the district does not have its cultural centre. This centre can play a pivotal part in cultural rejuvenation,” says Mr Karam Pal Singh Dhillon, President, Indian Cultural Association, Kartarpur. Capt I.S. Dhami, Assistant Director, Youth Services, Punjab, however, tells us that the centre would become operational in the next six months. “It would provide a platform for young artistes — musicians, dancers, sculptors. There would be classes for students interested in folk songs and folk dances,” he says, adding that the region has been doing consistently well in the National Youth Festival over the years. Glimmer of hope
Apart from the heartening fact that the region is the home to a good number of littérateurs, folk and Sufi singers, classical vocalists and instrumentalists, there is yet another equally encouraging development. The region has quite a few associations and organisations that have the “upkeep of culture” as their professed aim. Noted among these are the Shree Baba Harballabh Sangeet Mahasabha that organised the 129th Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan last year, the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall Committee that organises Ghadri Babaeyaan Daa Mela every year (the mela draws huge crowds), the Indian Cultural Association, Kartarpur, which has been trying to resuscitate the tradition of dhadi vaars and folk instruments. At Kapurthala, efforts are on to revive theatre culture. The Virsa Vihar is one such initiative. Last month, it organised a host of socially-relevant plays that were appreciated by theatre buffs.
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Government College of Education focuses on quality training
The aim is to produce outstanding teachers for overall improvement in the education system. Government College of Education here has made a mark for itself in the field of teachers' education by blending the traditional values with modern outlook and the latest teaching techniques. This is what the college authorities of this 123-year-old college claim.
This premier educational institution started its journey as Central Training College at Lahore (now in Pakistan) in the year 1882. The college introduced Bachelor of Training (BT) programme with the strength of only 94 students, including seven girls. The basic aim to set up this college was to inculcate traditional values among the budding teachers, who could be instrumental in transforming the society at grassroots level. The college was later shifted to Jalandhar after the Partition and its regular functioning was started in December 1947. After running BT course for about 75 years, the college introduced Oriental Training (OT) programme in the year 1957 and Junior Basic Training (JBT) course in 1962. Keeping pace with changing global educational scenario, the Masters of Education (M.Ed.) was introduced in 1956. Later, the integrated Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme was introduced in 1966. On account of its record performance, the college was chosen as the main centre for in-service teacher education by the Central government. "We lay maximum emphasis on overall personality development of the budding teachers," says Ms Kanchan Kohli, officiating Principal of the college. The college offers teaching course in English, Punjabi, Hindi, social studies, mathematics, computer science, physical science, bioscience, physical education, home science, music, art, commerce and economics. Besides, the college offers non-core options like home craft, computer craft and gardening craft. The college authorities say that to inculcate the habit of self-study, they have a well-equipped library with more than 30500 books. Apart from textbooks, there are encyclopaedias, research journals, monographs, dissertations, magazines and newspapers. "Keeping abreast of the changing trends, we have started imparting quality training by using computers and overhead projectors. Besides, teaching-lectures of students are regularly being monitored to make them aware about their mistakes during the lecture," says Ms Kohli. She maintains, "The state government extends the facility of scholarships to the students of reserved categories and meritorious students." Holding workshops, competitions, seminars and organising teachers' training interactions with experts are regular features in the college. The college authorities maintain that they have a sustained good record in academics. "In our college, 140 students out of a total of 200, who took the B.Ed examination during the recent university examination, bagged first division. In M.Ed, 20 students out of a total of 25 got first division. Besides, two students Mandeep Kaur and Atinderpal, students of M.Ed, stood third in the university," reveal the college authorities. Keeping in view the performance of the college, the authorities concerned have recently allocated to the college additional 100 seats for B.Ed course for the coming academic session. However, the girl students are facing hardship on account of the non-availability of girls' hostel. Though the college was upgraded as the Institute of Advanced Studies in Education under a Central government funded scheme in 1987, and a sum of about Rs 50 lakh was released to promote research activities, the failure of the Central government to further extend the requisite grant led to delay in completion of new building for the purpose. The work on the new building was stopped in 1995, and incomplete building was later leased out to Punjab Technical University by the state government.
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From the Colleges
A three-day technical festival and industry-institute interface began at the DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology on Wednesday.
Students from different colleges participated in various activities like paper presentation, quizzing, extempore, essay writing, online gaming. During an interface with the industry, Mr M.C. Munjal, Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Punjab, emphasised on infrastructural upgradation of technical institutes of the state. He said that this would help the students acquire skills based on the latest technologies used in the industry. Mr Munjal assured the maximum support to the students for acquiring six-month training in various industrial houses. He urged the colleges to send the students in a staggering pattern so that they could get training in two parts, one from January to June and the other from July to December. Painting exhibition A three-day painting exhibition, "Expressions-2005" was inaugurated here today. The exhibition offered a glimpse into the artistic acumen of students doing courses in the field of fine arts. Students displayed posters with varied themes, geometrical patterns, hand painted garments, canvass paintings, wall hangings using emboss paintings and portraits. Different framing techniques were also demonstrated during the exhibition. Ms Parwinder Kaur Badal and Ms Jasveer Kaur Virk, Directors of Wonderland Amusement Park, inaugurated the event. NIT students Coming out in support of their sacked director, students of the Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT) have said that this could stall the academic progress in the institute. In a press note, the students have said that Mr Pramod Mehta, the ousted director, had brought a complete changeover in the academic framework in line with the IITs. They said that the students in 11 NITs all over were suffering due to political whims and fancies of those who are a part of the ministry. Change in paper The students taking B.Com final examination in affiliated colleges of Guru Nanak Dev University have written to the Vice-Chancellor demanding grace marks for a change in pattern of an examination conducted on Tuesday. The students said that the fourth paper of income tax law was not according to the prescribed pattern as given in their syllabus. They said they were given a selective choice in section B of the paper instead of an open choice mentioned in their syllabus. The students said that they were told to attempt one out of question numbers 2 and 3 and another one from question numbers 4 and 5 instead of a choice to attempt any three out of total five questions.
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From the Schools
The annual function of Parvati Jain Co-Educational Senior Secondary School was held on Sunday.
Students presented a cultural show comprising music, dance and cultural activities. Mr S.K. Gupta, Income Tax Commissioner, was the chief guest. He was accorded a warm welcome by members of the S.S. Jain Sabha, including its president, Vimal Prakash Jain, manager, Mr Ushan Jain, and Principal, Ms Rajwant Kaur Sharma. The principal read the annual report highlighting the achievements of the sports students. She recalled that Harbhajan Singh, ace bowler, Rajiv Chaudhary and Vivek Mahajan, players of junior world cricket tournament, and Sachin Ratti, national level badminton player, were all former students of the school. Prizes were distributed to the students for their outstanding performance in co-curricular activities. Cultural show "Blooming buds", a cultural show, was held at CJS Public School to welcome the pre-nursery classes on Wednesday. Tiny tots won the hearts of audience with their marvellous performance in different dance items and action songs. Manav presented some facts about India. Karthipa and Jashandeep presented a dance item. Ms Veena Katyal interacted with parents of the students. She told them that their little ones were entering a new environment but they would soon feel at home. She assured them that they would be in safe hands that "would make them blossom to the fullest". Painting contest An inter-house painting contest was organised for the students of Army Public School, Kapurthala, on Wednesday. The theme of the contest was "Save Earth". Students from all four houses took part in the event enthusiastically. The participants were divided into two categories. In the junior category, Himmat Sharma stood first, followed by K. Vinitha and Fahure Siddiqui. In the senior category, Mahadev Shrestha stood first, followed by Poonam Chaudhary and Satish Mishra. Ms Mainakshe Minoo, Principal, said that contest was held keeping in view the introduction of a compulsory subject on "Environmental education" by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in all schools. She said that the school had already started a vermiculture project with the participation of the students. New principals Many schools of the city have got new heads for the new session that began this week. Ms G. Bindra, former Principal of Delhi Public School, has taken over as the Principal of Mayor World School, Urban Estate. Mr Vinod Sharma has joined the Delhi Public School in her place. Mr G.S. Bajwa, Principal of Lawrence International Public School, had resigned and Mr V.K. Mehta, former Principal of Sriram Ambika Modern School, has taken over there. Sriram Ambika Modern School is, however, yet to get a new principal. New session begins The new session for the students of primary section of Apeejay School began on Saturday. The students of class I were given a warm welcome as it was the first day of their formal schooling. The campus was adorned with flowers and flags. The classrooms were especially decorated for the little ones. The tiny tots were offered sweets and chocolates on their arrival. The senior students of the school were dressed up as cartoons and fairies to welcome their juniors. Ms Ranjana Sud, Principal, and Ms Usha Malhotra, Headmistress, gave a hearty welcome to all.
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Swedish students find India a colourful place
India is a country teeming with colours and people. It is breathtakingly overwhelming. This is how Swedish students on a visit to Police DAV Public School, Jalandhar Cantt, described their first tryst with the country that has evoked a fusillade of adjectives from foreigners!
Last week, a group of nine students from Sweden was here on a cultural exchange programme. "India offers many surprises. It is so full of life. You see colours everywhere," said Sofia Berggvist, a student of ninth grade, Sollentuna Kommun. "People are ready to help you even if they have to make special efforts for it. There is some kind of openness about the people here," felt Mikaela Lundstrom, another student. However, pollution and chaotic traffic were rather distracting for these students, who were used to cleaner and quieter surroundings back home. Interestingly, the students stayed with Indian host families. These families acquainted them with varied aspects of the Indian culture, including hospitality and the tradition of atithi devo bhavv (your guest is your god). "Our friends from Sweden found Indian homes bright and suffused with colours. They said that walls of houses in Sweden were drab," explained Saumaya, a class IX student, adding that the Swedish students had picked a smattering of Hindi, including words like namaste. Ms Gagan Gautam, one of the teachers accompanying the students, said that the students had been experimenting with the Indian food, though they found it rather spicy. The students learnt a bit of yoga, Indian cookery and Indian sports like kho-kho at the host school. "Our aim was to familiarise these students with the best of the Indian culture. We organised yoga and cookery classes for them. The other day we had a mehndi session with these students, during which typical Indian marriage songs were sung," said Principal, Dr Rashmi Vij. In the next few months, a group of students from Police DAV Public School would visit Sweden. Already they are looking forward to this cultural exchange programme. "It would be a nice opportunity to learn about Sweden and its people," said Prabhleen, a class IX student. Well, it seems a cultural exchange programme is the best way to break cultural barriers and stereotypes!
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Vajra
Corps ‘Nazakat’ for city on April 13
Baisakhi this year has something new for music buffs. The city would have a chance to rock to pop singer Shibani Kashyap's songs on April 13. The Vajra Corps, Jalandhar Cantt, is organising Nazakat, a programme in which Shibani, Sufi-singer Mohinder Pal and dance troupe Oorja would regale the audience with their performances at Jalandhar Club in the cantonment.
Shibani shot into fame with her debut album Ho Gayi Hai Mohabbat. The album that was released in 1998 won the channel V award. Later in 2000, she released another album Nagmagee. This Sufi-rock self-composed album became a hit on music channels and the B4U music channel gave Shibani the title of Singer of the Nation. Live performances are this singer's forte. She also sings and composes advertisement jingles. Her sensuous voice makes her a much-in-demand live performer. Mohinder Pal, the other singer scheduled to perform at Nazakat, is a veteran in his field. He is into classical and light music, including ghazals and Punjabi pop. Delhi-based Vinod Chauhan is the director of the show. Well, April 13 promises a rich musical treat, going by Shibani and Mohinder Pal's live performance records. The audience would include civilians (by invites) and army personnel from Jalandhar Cantt and satellite towns. The Vajra Corps here keeps organising such programmes for army personnel and their families. Last year, the Aryans band had been invited to perform at Jalandhar Cantt.
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Rehris selling snacks hot favourite in Phagwara
IT is all eat and be merry with Phagwarites at the buzzing eating joints in the posh Hargobind Nagar locality here. These are no glitzy restaurants. Here rehris are the favourite eating joints!
Most rehris here offer a nice combination of meals and snacks. Served a little after 4 pm, this nourishing yet light repast takes the place of what most call dinner. The rehris start getting customers in evening and by 6 pm they are chock-a-block with customers. One can have burgers, hotdogs, noodles, dosas and other South Indian delicacies at these rehris. Ice cream, badam milk and the most famous delicacy matka kulfi of S.P. Madaan are available here. Juices are available throughout the day on the roadsides. "We have been to this 'mall' for the past five years to enjoy light snacks," says Mr R.P. Sharma. His wife more than agrees with him. The rates are within one's reach - ice cream for Rs 10, badam milk Rs 15, South Indian dishes range from Rs 7 to Rs 20. Pizza, studded with vegetables and dry fruits, is for Rs 30. Non-vegetarians can have egg rolls, chicken rolls and soup at these rehris, though vegetarian fare is usually the hot favourite here. Golgappa and papri chat rehris have customers, particularly women, flocking to them. However, on the flip side, the parking of vehicles on the roadsides is a traffic hazard. Between 8 pm and 9.30 pm, it is very difficult to cross the road. Many families can be seen ordering the eatables in their cars. Interestingly, these rehriwallas take "off" on 25th of every month to clean their rehris thoroughly and do the repairs, if any.
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Crime rate soars in Kapurthala
The cases of criminal incidents are significantly higher in Kapurthala district as compared to its neighbourhood district, Jalandhar.
In fact, Kapurthala has high incidents of crime pertaining to manufacturing of illicit liquor, drug peddling, holiday marriages, illegal travel agents and gambling. Each area under the district is prone to different types of criminal incidents. Cases pertaining to burglary and vehicle theft are more common in Kapurthala city and Phagwara, a high number of matrimonial disputes are prevalent in Begowal and Dhilwan sub-divisions, and the areas falling under Bhulath, Subhanpur and Sultanpur Lodhi sub-divisions are more prone to crime involving illicit liquor and drug peddling. The majority of the houses near Mand area and those falling in Bootan, Nizampur, Noorpur Lubana, Dyalpur, Hamira, Theekrewal, Roopanpur Bazule and Kokalpur villages of Subhanpur sub-division have made production of illicit liquor their part-time business. This can be further substantiated from the fact that as many as 167 cases have been registered under Excise Act in the district in just three months of the year 2005. The stills used for the production of liquor are ignited after the sun sets. By early morning, the liquor is ready for sale. While most men leave for the day, their wives and children occupy themselves in its sale. The sale goes high especially at the time of elections. While some cases are registered every month, many go scot-free as crime allegedly goes on in connivance with police officers. The number of drug peddlers in the district is also significantly high. Nearly 27 cases have been registered under the Narcotics and Drugs Prevention Act, and 964 kg of poppy husk has been recovered in just three months of the current calendar year. The police officials believe that the cases were higher due to unemployment and frequent visits of NRIs who remain idle during their break. Cases of matrimonial disputes are also high, as NRIs coming from the UK, Greece and Italy get married here, take dowry and leave their brides back to fend for themselves. Cases of travel agents duping people of lakhs of rupees are also very common. At least three to four cases of the sort are registered every week. In fact, the police has kept a record of the dubious travel agents in the Community Policing Resource Centre from where the residents have been directed to check the authenticity of the agent before they fall into the trap. Going by the data, it is observed that the number of cases registered under every crime has gone up but Mr Arun Pal Singh, SSP, says that it is so as the police has become pro-active. He said that action was taken on every complaint coming to him. He said that cases of illicit liquor were common in economically weaker areas, while those of drug peddling were common in areas where affordability was more. The SSP said that effort was being made to set up a de-addiction centre and engage the youth in sports and cultural activities where they could remain busy and refrain from such activities.
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Weekly Roundup The new cadre of pre-recruitment training to army, para-military forces and other disciplines for the wards of ex-servicemen, their widows and serving defence personnel will commence in the complex of District Sainik Welfare Office, Shastri Market, from April 19.
Eligible male candidates have been asked to report in the complex for initial screening on the same day. Those who clear initial screening will be put through stringent medical test to check their fitness on the next day. The batch of selected men will run for a period of six weeks. Giving details, Lt Col Manmohan Singh, Deputy District Welfare Officer, said that hostel facilities will also be available for candidates coming from far off places. Meeting of teachers The office bearers of All India Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisations (AIFUCTO) held a meeting with Mr Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Human Resource Development in New Delhi on Saturday. In a memorandum presented to the joint secretary, the teachers demanded implementation of Career Advancement Scheme, restoration of full parity for DPEs and librarians, third promotion for senior teachers, restoration of the earlier order on professorship in all colleges and implementation of full UGC notifications in Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Assam. Kapsons crosses 100
crore mark Kapsons Industries Limited has achieved a turnover of Rs 100 crore for the year 2004-05. Mr S.K. Sehgal, Chairman, and Mr N.K. Sehgal, Managing Director, said that the company had started in the year 1981 with the manufacturing of electrical stampings and laminations for fans, motors, generators, transformers and traction motors. The company had later diversified by manufacturing aluminum die cast components, aluminum auto parts and motor bodies, they said. The company now aimed to achieve a turnover of more than Rs 150 crore in the current financial year, they added. Medical check-up camp A free medical check-up camp is being held at Mangat Hospital, Civil Lines, from April 3 to 10. During the week-long camp, patients with knee joint problems would be treated free of cost by Dr L.S. Chandni. Surgical treatment would also be given in certain cases. (Compiled by Deepkamal Kaur)
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‘China not a threat to
Indian textiles’
India can give a tough fight to China in international textile trade, especially in value added cotton textile. India has unique capabilities in heritage embroidery and handloom.
Mr Munish Tyagi, a Delhi-based textile expert, in an exclusive interview with The Tribune said this. He revealed that the Indian cotton textile industry could be in an advantageous position on account of its capacity to produce small orders (value added cotton) of big values. China lacked the required expertise in this arena, he added. Mr Tyagi, who has been associated with various UNDP projects in textile industry, said that there was no need to be afraid of China that had set up a huge infrastructure in the textile sector in the past one decade. "In fact, India has an edge in value added cotton textile international market due to availability of skilled labour and its capability in heritage embroidery, which is in great demand overseas. Besides, we need to avoid any confrontation with China. We need to fill the marketing gap by tapping the provisions of the new textile regime that has been in force since January 1," he said. China, according to a recent study, was all set to become the leader by capturing about 50 per cent share of $ 600 billion textile trade worldwide followed by India that would raise its share to 8-10 per cent from its present 3 per cent by the next couple of years, he said. Another point highlighted by Mr Tyagi was the inadequacy of China to meet small orders of difficult styles. "China is specialised in producing bulk orders to be competitive in the market, while India can tap the potential in customised textile marketing to make products according to the needs of a particular group of customers," he added. Commenting on the pitfalls of the Indo-Nepal treaty, he said that the treaty had adversely affected acrylic fibre industry of Ludhiana to a maximum extent due to re-routing of Indonesian and Thailand products via Nepal.
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