EDUCATION

4 get Saboo awards for excellence in teaching
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11
The UT Administrator, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), today stressed upon enlightened sections of the society to create a ‘pool of mentors’ in different disciplines for the betterment of the nation.

He was speaking at the award-giving ceremony of the Tara Chand Saboo Excellence Awards in School Teaching at CII, Sector 30, here. General Rodrigues presented awards to four distinguished teachers, Mr J.P. Singh, Principal St Kabir School, Mr Subhasis Hazra, teacher, Jawaharlal Nehru Navodya Vidyala, Sector 25, Mr Jagdish Chand, teacher, Pustak School, Janta Kumhar Colony, Sector 25, and Mr Amarjit Singh, computer teacher, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33-D, Chandigarh.

Mr J.P. Singh was presented with the lifetime achievement award with a citation, trophy and cash prize of Rs 50,000, and the other three teachers were given awards for excellence, carrying a citation, a trophy and Rs 25,000 cash, each.

The awardees, who have excelled in teaching various classes of students, were selected by a four-member jury from nominations received from Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula.

General Rodrigues said there was a need for concerted and conscious efforts for reorienting the education system in consonance with the Indian traditions. “We have to go back to our roots which showed the way to the rest of the world in different fields of endeavour,” he said.

He opined that there was a need to blend materialism and spiritualism so that the students learnt values needed to be good citizens. Shaping a child was a part of an effective partnership between teachers and parents. This collective approach and cooperation between both would also help children who were keen for pursuits in higher education and enable them to develop their full potential.

Appreciating the sincere efforts of Mr R.K. Saboo and his family members in instituting the awards, General Rodrigues said this was a thoughtful venture to identify the best human resources among the teaching community, who had a dedicated record of service in the teaching profession, especially in serving the disadvantaged sections of society.

Mr Saboo, Trustee Chairman of the Jan Seva Trust, welcoming the chief guest, said the award had been instituted by his family in the memory of their patriarch, Tara Chand, who had made a laudable contribution for the cause of education during his lifetime.

Man with a vision
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11
Mr R.K. Saboo, Trustee Chairman of the Jan Seva Trust of the Saboo family, is a man with a vision and strong will to actively contribute to nation building. The main force behind the Tara Chand Saboo Excellence Awards in School Teaching, Mr Saboo feels that the teaching community should understand that shaping the future of the nation was a collective effort. Recently honoured with an honorary doctorate by the University of Garhwal, the philanthropist minced no words in being critical about teachers who were not dedicated to their profession.

He said there was a possibility of the trust honouring those who had excelled in adult education. He said the excellence awards in school teaching had been instituted in the memory of their patriarch, Tara Chand, who had made a laudable contribution for the cause of education during his lifetime. 

Govt approves allocation to PU pension fund
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11
The issue of pension will no longer be a source of tension at the meeting of the Board of Finance, Panjab University, scheduled for November 16 with the government having given its approval to the allocation of Rs 10 crore per annum to the Panjab University pension fund from this session.

At the last meeting of the board held earlier this year, it had been observed that the money would be allocated to the pension fund if the government approved it. With the government having given its nod to it last month, the members of the board are expected to clear the issue without a hitch.

The board will also discuss the proposal made by the joint consultative machinery to give 20 per cent concession on fees other than the tuition fee to the wards of the university employees. Also on the agenda is to give 50 per cent concession on the tuition fee to the wards of the university employees studying in the University Institute of Engineering and Technology.

The board will also discuss the proposal to increase the budget for conducting university examinations from Rs 37 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for 2006-2007. A recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor to increase the budget for its convocation from Rs 1,60,000 to Rs 3,15,000 will also be discussed. 

Children apprised of govt facilities
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11
A seminar for children was organised at Govt. Model Middle School, Sector 23, today. Thirtyfive children from various schools participated in it. They were made aware about the facilities provided to them by the government. Mr Subhash Chawla, former Mayor, was the chief guest.

Dance contest: Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary Model School, Sector 27, on Friday organised an inter-school dance competition to commemorate the ninth death anniversary of late Hardyal Mahajan. Twentytwo students from 11 schools participated in the event.

Results: Junior group: Aarti, Shishu Niketan-43, I; and Shikha, Shishu Niketan-22, II; Senior group: Ankita, Stepping Stones, I; and Mohit, Shishu Niketan-22, II.

Performing arts week: Week-long celebrations of performing arts week at Stepping Stones School, Sector 37, concluded on Friday. Students gave presentations in dance, music, martial arts, flower making and skits, etc.

Contest at PU: Mountain Dew on Friday organised 'Dew Dares' at Student Centre in Panjab University. Students participated in various games, which involved various dares. Successfully completing a dare saw the students win prizes sponsored by Mountain Dew.

Lecture: The Chitkara School of Hospitality organised a special lecture by Mr Subir Bhowmick, Executive Director, Taj GVK Hotels, on “What Industry Expects from you” on Thursday. Nearly 100 students participated in the seminar.

Talking about the key ingredients of success in relation to the hospitality industry, Mr Bhowmick stated that it was very important to inculcate a culture of hospitality and innovation. 

4-day educational competitions begin
Our Correspondent

Mohali, November 11
The four-day state-level educational competitions, organised by the Punjab School Education Board, started at Green Field Public School, Phase V, here today. The function was inaugurated by the Chairman of the board, Prof Harbans Singh Sidhu.

As many as 120 primary class students took part in the competitions. The following have been declared winners in various contests:

Calligraphy: Karamjit Singh, Government Elementary School, Alipur block, Bhadson (Patiala) — I; Prabhsharan Kaur, Major Ajaib Singh Senior Secondary School, Jeewanwala (Faridkot) — II; and Ramanpreet Kaur, Guru Ram Dass Public High School, Nath Di Khui (Amritsar) — III.

Shabad gayan: Jaskaran Singh and party, Shri Mahavir Jain Model Senior Secondary School, Phagwara (Kapurthala) — I; Rovleen Kaur and party, Shri Guru Har Krishan Public School, Boparai road, Doraha (Ludhiana) — II; Amarinder Singh and party, Akal Academy, Fatehgarh Channa, Samana (Patiala) — III.

Painting: Pardeep Singh, Government Primary School, Kote Gobindpura (Faridkot) — I; Satveer Singh, Senior Secondary Model School, Punjabi University, Patiala — II; and Jastinder Kaur, Central Public Senior Secondary School, Ghuman, Batala (Gurdaspur) — III.

Declamation: Himani Sadana, Shri Mahavir Jain Model Senior Secondary School, Phagwara (Kapurthala) — I; Navroop Kaur Sidhu, Major Ajaib Singh Senior Secondary School, Jeewanwala (Faridkot) — II; and Jobanpreet Kaur, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Public Senior Secondary School, Jeendra (Moga) — III.

Singing: Parminder Singh, Shri Mahavir Jain Model Senior Secondary School, Phagwara (Kapurthala) — I; Arshdeep Singh, Baba Farid Public School Bathinda — II; and Manpreet Kaur, Guru Nanak Mission School, Jhawan (Hoshiarpur) — III.

Solo dance: Abhinay Dadwal, Modern Secular Public School, Dhuri (Sangrur) — I; Varinder Singh, Arya National High School, Phillaur (Jalandhar) — II; Mehak Deep Kaur, Major Ajaib Singh Senior Secondary School, Jeewanwala (Faridkot) — III.

GGS college wins drama contest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11
Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh won first position in the drama competition at the Panjab University Inter-Zonal Youth Festival hosted by Ramgarhia Girls College, Ludhiana.

Play Zindagi staged by the college artistes depicted the trauma faced by the parents of the child belonging to the marginalised section of society very poignantly, reflecting concerns and issues raised because of the non-inclusion of this part of society in the mainstream. Ritu Bala and Poonam won first and third prizes respectively. The troupe was prepared by Mrs Meenu Sharma, Mrs Harneet Kaur and Mrs Pratibha Verma, faculty members of the college.

high court
Girl’s disappearance case: DGP asked to constitute SIT
Our High Court Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 11
Mr Justice Surya Kant of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the DGP (Crime), Punjab, to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) headed by an officer not below the rank of SP to investigate the alleged act of disappearance of a young girl.

In his order on the petition filed by Mr Santosh Kumar Goswami of Una district in Himachal Pradesh, Mr Justice Surya Kant observed that the issue was of a serious nature and it would be in the fitness of things for the police to constitute an SIT to investigate the matter. The SIT would submit its report within three months.

In his plea for the grant of a pre-arrest bail, the petitioner had stated that his son, Vishal, had been accused by Col Jarnail Singh (retd), in whose house the young girl, Ms Reena Devi, was staying as a maid-servant, of having kidnapped her. The Colonel had also told the Nawanshahr police that some cash and valuables were also missing.

Following the registration of an FIR, the petitioner had also been picked up for questioning by the police. He was later bailed out by the Additional Sessions Judge, Nawanshahr, on January 23, 2004.

In his petition, Mr Goswami claimed that the girl, whom the retired Army officer was claiming to have been treating as a daughter, had actually given a statement before a court that Col Jarnail Singh (retd) had illicit relations with her. He also alleged that the retired Colonel had been trying to make his son (Vishal) marry the girl as she was pregnant.

During an earlier hearing in the case, Mr Justice Surya Kant had ordered impleading of the Colonel as party to the case and also issued a notice to him, asking him why the matter should not be handed over to an independent agency other than the Punjab Police for further investigation.

In his order for constituting the SIT, Mr Justice Surya Kant also directed the Home Secretary, Punjab, and the SSP, Nawanshahr, to make arrangements for the safe stay of the girl.

CULTURE

Delightful Bharatnatyam spell by Pallavi Saran
S.D. Sharma

Influence of celebrated danseuse Sonal Man Singh was perceptible in the scintillating spell of Bharatnatyam recital by her foremost disciple Pallavi Saran Mathur on the 103rd Baithak programme of the Pracheen Kala Kendra here this evening.

Pallavi began her performance with invocatory ‘Pushpanjali’, depicting the adoration of lord Ganesha and laudation for Lord Kartikeya. She incorporated excerpts from various epics in the composition that gave her enough scope to display her skills in ‘abhinaya’.

The popular thematic dance episode of ‘Kalia Daman’ was the favourite presentation of the dancer and the audience as well which they relished in rapt attention.

Pallavi ably performed the minute details with vivid expressions as Lord Krishna takes on the hydra-headed serpent Kalia while His followers at the Yamuna watched in sheer amazement.

Pallavi then moved on to perform Varnam in Raag Kamas and set to Adi taal.

Her exposition of Bharatnatyam’s intrinsic charm came out increasingly in the subsequent items. She portrayed different incarnations of Lord Vishnu in Kirtanam in Raga Kalyani.

In ‘Indendu Padam, she portrayed the lovelorn Khandita Nayika, expressing her anguish to Lord Vishnu.

Pallavi Saran provided the grand finale with a captivating Tillana, weaved in raga Todi, before the ritual ‘Mangalam a salutation to God, to the Guru, to the audience and to Mother Earth upon which she danced’.

Ms Renu Saigal, Chief Architect, Chandigarh Administration, was the chief guest of the function. The guest of honour, Mr Iftikhar Ahmed, Director of the Academy of Performing Arts, London, lauded the Kala Kendra for the propagation of classical art.