The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

Need to tackle pollution hazards highlighted
Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 29
A seminar on ‘‘Pollution Hazards: Need to Review National Policy’’ was organised by Swami Vivekanand Group of Institutions on the college campus on Saturday. Students of Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering and Technology (SVIET), Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy (SVCP), Swami Vivekanand College of Education (SVCE) and Swami Vivekanand Institute of Mass Communication, attended the seminar. Prominent among the participants, was CEO Manmohan Kumar Garg, Mr Ashwani Garg, Mr Ashok Garg, Mr Desh Raj Thakral, Dr C.S Rao, Prof I.K Kataria and Ms Vasundhra Reddy.

Dr K.C Sharma, Coordinating Faculty at the institute, initiated the discussion on the topical significance of the subject and elaborated on the relevant concepts like living organism, ecosystem, population, food chain, community etc. He also referred to the provisions contained in the country’s Constitution, vide Article 51A.

Mr Manmohan Kumar Garg, CEO, spoke at length about efforts being made to protect, conserve, preserve and develop environment for maintaining a balance. He specifically referred to the ‘Clean Ganga Project’ and said 14 major rivers of the country had been identified for cleaning.

Dr C.S Rao Director Principal (SVIET), referred to the pollution caused by modern technology in agricultural and allied sector where pesticides, fungicides, insecticides and host of sprays, as well as chemicals fertilisers get dissolved in rain water or irrigation water and are carried to wells, seaped into water table, in rivers and canals: these chemicals cause damage not only to micro-organisms but also to aquatic life and birds and animals. It has been found that fertilisers and other chemicals got into the food chain and entered the human bodies causing health problems.

Ms Vasundhara Reddy wound up the deliberations by appreciating the recent orders issued by the U.T Administration banning the use of plastic bags and pouches.

Thanking the panelists and others, Dr Sharma informed that seminars on such topical subjects would be a regular feature of the institute. Mr Desh Raj Thakral, Mr Ashwani Garg and Mr Ashok Garg also spoke on the occasion.

Flamenco music concert captivates audience
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 29
The Alliance Francaise de Chandigarh, the French Embassy and the Indian Council of Cultural Relations(ICCR) organised a Flamenco music concert at the Baba Makhan Shah Lobana auditorium here today.

World renowned guitarist and maestro of Flamenco Spanish music Pedro Soler gave a solo performance 'Rosa', a musical expression of ancient Andalusian folk form. All presentations like Petinera, Buleria, Taranta, Sevillans, Serrana, Farruca and others were based on folk traditions of Andulasia, Spain.The strains of Arabian and Gypsy music culture were apparent in his compositions. Pedro maintained that the centuries-old presence of these communities in Andulasia had its reflections in the Flamenco music. He displayed an adroit control of finger work, chord combinations in varied tones.

The music concert reached a climax, as the young classical music exponents from the City Beautiful teaming up with Pedro to produce a rare blend of Flamenco Spanish music and raga based on Indian classical music. Noted teen-aged tabla exponent Avirbhav Verma, who has extensively performed abroad, articulated the melody meter, while Vevel Sharma on flute and Vinod Sood on vocals, bared the melody of raga Bhairav through a composition also played by Pedro. All of them opened up with a brief alaap, jhalla and sargams before their joint melodic spell. Avirbhav had to oblige audience with an extra solo recital. The audience relished the special 'jugalbandi'.

Qawwals spell magic
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 29
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), in collaboration with the Pracheen Kala Kendra, presented a qawwali session by Jalandhar-based BS Bali and party at the Kendra last evening. The programme was organised under the ICCR ‘Horizon’ Series aimed at promoting the unknown and new talent from the region.

Leading an ensemble of 10 accomplished Sufi singers and musicians, BS Bali attempted to bring alive the mysticism and devout asceticism of the Sufi saints, especially Baba Bulleshah, in their presentation. The programme commenced with “Daata ke Gulamo ko ab id manaane do” and culminated with the popular’ “Dama dam mast qalandar”. When it had attained a climax, audience too clapped with them. All presentations were replete with the yearnings of Sufi saints for beatific vision and intimate love of the God.

The qawwali form of devotional music was created by the legendary Amir Khusro which, however, had been subjected to many changes in content and style.

SPORTS

Akshat, Sidharth in final
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 29
Top seeded Akshat Joshi and Sidharth Singh (boys under-16) category sailed into the final of the ongoing The Fort Ramgarh YMCA Total Tennis Championship at the YMCA Total Tennis Academy, Sector 11, here today.

Akshat Joshi had to display his best to beat unseeded Vishal Suri at 6-4, 6-3 whereas the second seed Sidharth Singh easily beat Raghav Singal. Sidharth took the first set in just 16 minutes, but Singal fought back and broke his serve after five deuces and went on to hold his serve to make it 5-5. The final score was read in the favour of Sidharth at 6-1, 7-5.

In the boys under-10 category semifinals, top seeded Digvijay Singh blanked his opponent Inderbir S. Bains 6-0, 6-0 whereas the second seeded Shubham Vij lost to Srijjan Uppal by 7-5, 4-6, 4-6. The finals of the girls (under-10) will be played between the top seed Sheshna Sekhari and Hasan Avdal.

Sheshna defeated Charvi Saxena 6-1, 6-1 while Hasan beat Harkirat Bains at 6-3, 7-5.

In the girls (under 16 section) quarterfinals the top seeded Ravnoor Kaur sailed into semifinals at the cost of Aayushi Teotia. But for the third seed Tanya Chauhan it proved to be too difficult to get past Sheshna Sekhari when she played a tough match lasting over two hours but luck favoured Sheshna Sekhari when she upset the third seed Tanya Chauhan 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-5.

The semifinals (boys under-14) and girls (under-16) will be played tomorrow at 10 am.

The following are the results:-

Boys under-14 semifinals: Akshat Joshi beat Vishal Suri 6-4, 6-3; Sidharth Singh beat Raghav Singal 6-1, 7-5; Boys (under-10) semifinals: Digvijay Naruka beat Inderbir S. Bains 6-0, 6-0; Srijjan Uppal beat Shubham Vij 5-7, 6-4, 6-4; Girls (under-10) semifinals: Sheshna Sekhari beat Chaarvi Saxena 6-1, 6-1; Hasan Abdaal beat Harkirat Bains 6-3, 7-5; Girls (under-16) quarterfinals: Ravnoor Kaur w/o Aayushi Teotia; Sheshna Sekhari beat Tanya Chauhan 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-5; Shivangi Bansal beat Shivika Sharma 6-1, 6-0; Rajvir Kaur beat Aashna Malik 6-3, 6-1.

Abhishek shines
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, November 29
Abhishek of Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, representing IPSC team stole the show when he helped his team to beat Rajasthan by seven wickets in the ongoing 51st National School Games (Cricket) for CK Nayadu Trophy being played at Agra.

As per information reaching here, Abhishek scored 35 runs while Prikshat of MNS, Rai part of IPSC, also claimed four wickets. Shivam is another YPS student playing in this team while Gaurav and Amarpreet are from YPS, Patiala who all are playing for IPSC. Tomorrow IPSC will play Goa who got the better of Chandigarh.

ADMINISTRATION

Pub timings likely to be relaxed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 29
With the city being promoted as an IT destination and tourist centre, the Chandigarh Administration has initiated a move to permit the pubs and restaurants to entertain their guests till 1 am.

The exemption will be granted by allowing certain exemption under the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establish Act, 1958. Under the Act, the Administration has exempted certain trades from the restrictions of timings.

The relaxation to the pubs and restaurants will be separate from the prohibitory orders passed by the District Magistrate from time to time that bans opening of restaurants, pubs, discos, clubs and selling of goods by roadside and at public places between 1 a.m and 4.30 a.m.

Sources in the Administration said while the prohibitory orders were meant to check the activity that disturbed the public peace and tranquility at public places, the relaxation under the Shop Act was aimed at promoting the night life in the city.