PHSC project for schools launched
Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 15
A pilot project for school health camps was launched in Dera Bassi by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) here today.

One such camp was held at Government School ‘Rampur Sainian’ of Dera Bassi Block. The prime focus of the camp was to reach the parents through their wards with the objective to sensitise them regarding various health programmes in general and PHSC’s programmes in particular.

Captain Rajdeep Singh Jaiya, Ex-secretary, Red Cross Society, Punjab, while speaking on this occasion asked students to be well versed with their rights in order to contain unwanted habits like addiction of various intoxicants and indulgence in social evils.

He added that efforts were being made to beautify the school and make it pollution free so that students grow up in a healthy environment. He also disclosed that if successful the same facility should be extended to other schools also.

The PSIDC’s vice chairman, Mr Deepinder Dhillon, lauded the efforts of the society in organising this health education and check-up camp.

Dr R.S. Saggu, Director, PHSC, while supervising the camp, discussed the role of NGOs in the improvement of environment and sanitation. He further laid emphasis on the policy of “excellence in execution” with regard to implementation of various health programmes, especially the school health programmes and other systems devised by the PHSC like waste disposal, referral systems, sanitation etc.

MA II (Punjabi, Hindi) results out
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, July 15
The result of MA Part-II (Hindi & Punjabi) conducted by Panjab University in April/May 2005 have been declared.

The result gazettes will be available in the new enquiry of the university tomorrow at 11.00 am onwards for personal enquiry and also on all the working days afterwards. The results will also be available on the university website www:puchd.ac.in and can also be accessed through SMS from 11 am onwards. To know the results through SMS, the candidates should go to “writing message” on the mobile phone, type class code no. MHIN2, MPBI2 leave one space followed by the roll number and send it to 700. No result enquiry will be entertained on telephone according to Controller of Examinations.

Jerath gets bail

Chandigarh, July 15
A local court today granted bail to former UT Chief Engineer, K.K. Jerath, in a case relating to financial irregularities.

The District and Sessions Judge, Mr M.M.S Bedi, granted bail to Jerath. TNS

Harry Potter magic in bookshops across city
Gayatri Rajwade
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 15
Eleven-year-old Nihal Singh wanted to spend the night outside the English Book Shop in Sector 17 to be the first to get his hands on the new Harry Potter releasing tomorrow. Alas the book comes in only at 10 am!

Brewing magic for their readers, bookshops across the city are planning a host of activities to celebrate the release of the sixth instalment in the Potter chronicles, ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’.

According to Book Café’s Vishal Khatri, team leader for Punjab, “Customers can drop in anytime between 12 noon and 8:00 pm at the Café Coffee Day outlet at Sector 35-C and enjoy all the mast events planned.” Magic shows, look alike competitions, costume parties, face painting, story telling and a painting competition, the winner for which will get a stuffed owl as a prize which is incidentally Harry Potter’s companion in the books! They are also offering a 20 per cent discount on the book and a privilege card for all those who buy the new book which will give a 10 per cent discount for the whole year on purchases made at Book Café.

English Book Shop in Sector 17 has set up a reliance gaming demonstration kiosk in their store and is offering the ‘Potter buyers’ a free library bag and one hour of free gaming and surfing at any Reliance WebWorld outlets in the city. They also plan to keep the book store open on Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm but only for the coveted Harry Potter books.

Capital Book Depot has “Bed-tea with Harry Potter” planned at 6:30 in the morning! Capital is getting its Harry Potters bright and early and wants to cash in on the excitement.

They also plan to keep the store open on Sunday from 11 am to 7:30 pm just for Harry Potter and his secrets!

Browser in Sector 8-C is offering a 15 per cent discount on food at Golfers Par 72 in Sector 35 to all those who buy the sixth instalment but will remain closed on Sunday so rush and get your copy tomorrow!

The British Library has for the very first time ordered more than one copy of a book for circulation! Manager Sushant Banerjee says, “We have ordered 5 to 6 copies of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” because of the unprecedented queries.” In addition Library tomorrow plans to distribute chocolates and toffees to its members and the Harry Potter movies will also be screened through the day. ‘The Day with Harry Potter’ as the Library calls it, is expecting to keep them very busy!

The thrill is tremendous!

Soulful renditions by Masti
S.D. Sharma

Chandigarh, July 15
“The ongoing piracy of music in any form is a greater challenge than the western musical influences invading our sublime musical traditions especially the folklore” observed the acclaimed folk and playback singer, Ashok Masti at a special interaction with mediapersons at the Chandigarh Press Club today. He lamented that there was enough of distortion and fusion menace and expressed optimism about return of innate glory of the golden melodies like slumbering love legend of Heer, Jindua, Jugni woven with the motifs of earthly love.

Sharing his views on ‘blending the Punjabi folk traditional music with modernity’ by many music makers, he reiterated that rustic vigour and elan of the Punjabi folklore should not be sacrificed when senior journalists referred to the contemporary artistes in alien lands holding on to the ethnic pristine purity of Punjabi folk culture and not succumbing to the Pop pressure.

It is agonising to see the rich repository of ceremonial Punjabi songs not having so rich a repertoire and the inquisitive audience had to content with a few songs immortalised by the nightingale Surinder Kaur.

The young vibrant and versatile Masti with only five albums in his kitty and a few prestigious contracts in the offing admits: ‘Music is a vast ocean and none can claim to possess all its gems and I wish long life and quality of my creations rather the quantity’. His perceptions of quality music and presentation which evinces freshness epitomises the style and form of legendary Gurdas Mann, whom he reveres his mentor, friend and guide as both come from the same town, Giddarbaha.

Amidst lusty burst of applause Masti took the centre stage adding a glamour to the otherwise exquisite evening marking the celebration of the silver jubilee of the press club. He opened up with soulful rendition of ‘Dil da ki bharvasa...’ weaved in philosophical yet melodic content followed by ‘Yari jaan ton pyari’ spelling devoted commitment. However, his hit number ‘Punjabian di ho gayi...’ and ‘Do ghutt pee lain de…’ induced intoxication unlimited among the audience who clapped in ‘Masti’ to augment the performance of ‘Kala suit...’ ‘Ratti teri...’ ‘Nach mere naal’ and the ultimate ‘Boliyan....’

Earlier, Neha gave a majestic start to the musical soiree with ‘Sadke sadke...’ and ‘Ranjha Ranjha...’. Displaying her command over language and literature Dipti Sidhu compered the captivating programme.

The intermittent display of fire works charmed one and all.