Aviation academy comes to city
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
With the booming aviation industry and good pay packages, the Touch Wood Aviation Academy, now promises to provide wings to those in love with aviation. In Chandigarh to enroll students, director of the academy Manjit Singh said their aim was to emerge the best service provider in the civil aviation sector.

Addressing a media gathering, he the academy started with group handling equipment to Air Deccan at Delhi Airport and was now looking forward to provide comprehensive ground handling services to scheduled and unscheduled airline operators.

The academy would also provide commercial pilot licence package to budding pilots in the first phase followed by comprehensive airline transport licence package in the second phase, he added.

Lecture in memory of Tohra
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
The Sikh Educational Society, (SES) Chandigarh, today organised a lecture in the memory of Gurcharan Singh Tohra, former president of the society, at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26. Present on the occasion was Joginder Kaur wife of Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Dr Kuldip Singh, Principal of the college, and Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor, Tamil Nadu as the chief guest. The seminar was presided over Kuldip Nayyar, a renowned journalist.

The key note address on `Sikh Politics: Past and Future' was delivered by Padamshree Dr J.S. Grewal, a historian, while Dr Balkar Singh, an authority on Sikh Theology, presented the theme paper. The SES also conferred a special honour on Dr Balkar Singh.

In addition to this, the SES also gave away annual awards to prominent scholars who had worked in the field of Sikh history, research and education. Those honoured included Dr J.S. Grewal, Dr Kirpal Singh and Dr Prithipal S Kapur. The award consisted of a silver plaque and Rs 51,000 each.

Lecture on mass communication
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
The Department of Mass Communication, MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, organised a guest lecture on “Careers in mass communication” here today.

The lecture was delivered by Raunica Sethi, Director of “Think”, an organisation that conducts workshops for youth in career assessment and exploration.

A lecture on “Some unusual properties of heavy metals” was also delivered by Prof Ramesh Kapoor, ex-chairman of the Department of Chemistry, Panjab University. At present, he is Dean and head of physical sciences, Rayat and Bahara Institute of Science and Biotechnology.

GNPS-36 organises old boys’ meet
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, Chandigarh, organised an old boys’ meet in the school today. The school Principal, Ms Jasminder Kaur, welcomed the students, the event was coordinated by Ms Paramjit Toor and Ms Aprajita Sharma .

As many as 140 old students, from various walks of life, attended the meet and relived school days.

The GNPS Alumni Association also elected five office-bearers, out of which three are from 1983 batch.

The following have been elected office-bearers of the GNPS Alumni Association — Secretary — Harpal Singh Ranauta; Joint Secretary — Jaijeet Singh Jauhal; Executive members - Harshvir Singh Jaspal, Manjeet Singh Brar and Harpreet Singh.

No shortcuts to success: Milkha Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
Fun and frolic marked the annual awards function of the Burning Brain Society today. The function was presided over by Flying Sikh Milkha Singh.

Addressing the function, Milkha Singh said there were no shortcuts to success and one should lead a disciplined life to achieve excellence. Thirtyseven students received prizes from him.

Mr Hemant Goswami, chairperson of the society, said the government must use the positive qualities and talents of real national heroes to motivate and streamline the energies of the youngsters.

Residents meet Joint Commissioner
Tribune news service

Chandigarh, January 7
A deputation of Progressive Welfare Association, XI-Type government houses, Sector 19-C, met Mr H.S. Kandhola Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, to take suitable action on the problems they are facing due to the Sadar Bazzar such as sanitation, cleanliness, dumping of malba, urinal from backside houses, air pollution due to burning of plastic, etc.

Book released
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
Haryana Chief Secretary Meenaxi Anand Chaudhary yesterday released a book, “Rashtra Ke Mahan Vyaktitva”, authored by Dr S.P. Gupta.

The Chief Secretary lauded the work undertaken by Dr Gupta. She said such a work was praiseworthy as it aimed at informing the younger generation about the lives and works of great personalities of the country.

Dr Rattan national council member
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
Dr V.K. Rattan, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, here, has been elected as member of National Council of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Kolkata, for three years (2006-2008).

CULTURE

Young maestros enthral
Our Correspondent

Avirbhav Verma (left) performs at Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sector-34, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Chandigarh, January 7
The Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi presented a musical soiree of Indian classical music today featuring young city maestros Avirbhav Verma and Aditya Sharma.

Welcoming the audience akademy chairperson Kamal Tewari lauded the accomplishments of both young performers in Indian classical music amidst the deafening western musical strains.

Gifted vocalist Aditya Sharma started with a short alaap of raga ‘Shankra’ baring the melodious character of the raga with serenity. He wove a complex fabric of ‘taans’ during the raga exposition. He presented a composition ‘anhad paar na payo’ in slow tempo (vilambat) set to ek taal before moving on to a captivating drut khyal ‘Sun jagdish piya’ in teen taal.

Aditya’s vocal recital was marked with maturity of perception, impeccable swaras, an eloquent testimony of his winning the All-India Radio vocal music competition. He also won the Akashvani grading as a performer in classical music. His recital was aptly embellished by the young tabla exponent Jaidev , Dr Arvind Sharma on harmonium and Agamya on tanpura.

Earlier, the programme commenced with solo performance on tabla by young Avirbhav Verma, disciple and son of the late Pandit Pavan Kumar Verma. While playing simultaneously on seven tablas (all madeen) and a regular set besides pakhawaj he entranced the audience.

Commencing with teen taal with an amalgam of rupak taal Avirbhav presented the rhythmic syllables like bols, tukde, kayde, palte, chakradhar and tihais of Punjab gharna with an electrifying speed but with a consummate ease.

Accompanied by Mohan Malsiani on Harmonium Avirbhav made the tablas to sing , already tuned to all musical notes of raga kirwani. The virtuoso was given tremendous ovation after the concert.

Rural cultural fest ends
Our Correspondent

Mohali, January 7
The three-day winter rural cultural festival organised by the Center for Rural Environment Education at Nadiali village concluded here today. Competitions for various activities were held during the festival.

Following are the results of the competitions:

Fancy dress (juniors): Manisha and Manjot Singh 1; Satwinder Singh 2; Gursimran Singh and Neha 3. Fancy dress (senior): Amandeep Kaur 1; Kamalpreet Kaur 2; Jovanpreet Kaur 3.

Painting (junior): Mam Chand 1; Amandeep Singh; 2; Pooja Rani 3. Painting (senior): Amandeep Kaur 1; Jaspreet Singh 2; Sharanjit Singh 3.

Group dance (junior): Vishav Karma Public School, Bakarpur, 1; Green Field Public School, Nadiali, 2; Kalghidhar Dashmesh Public School, Zirakpur, 3.

Group dance (senior) Government High School, Kandala, 1; Navchetan Model School, Zirakpur, 2; Vishav Karma Public School, Bakarpur, 3. Group Song (junior); Green Field Public School, Nadiali, 1; Vishav Karma Public School, Bakarpur, 2; Guru Nanak Public School, Jagatpura, 3.

Group dance (senior): Senior Bright Star. School, Zirakpur, 1; Government Higher Secondary School, Dayalpura, 2; Vishav Karma Public School, Bakarpur, 3.

Shabad Gayan (junior): Bright Star Public School, Zirakpur, 1; Government Higher Secondary School, Kandala, 2; Green Field Public School, Nadiali, 3.

Shabad gayan (senior): Government Higher Secondary School, Manauli, 1; Government Senior Secondary School, Dayalpura, 2. Turban tying: Ravinder Singh 1; Sandeep Singh 2; Gurvinder Singh 3.

Singers mesmerise at Plaza Carnival
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
A cultural evening, including songs, acrobatics and demonstration of various arts, entertained the audience at the Plaza Carnival today. Brijesh Ahuja, Shruti Bhagat, Vinay Sharma and others mesmerised the audience with their soulful songs like “Sama hai suhana”, “Pal pal dil ke pas” and many more.

The national-level gold medallists in gymnastics, Hragun and Naveen, delighted the audiences with expert acrobatic performances.

A ribbon dance was performed by gymnasts Vidya and Chanda.

Professor Ravinder Sharma of Government Arts College demonstrated collage-making skills and students of Arts College made portraits of visitors.

Surgeon honoured
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
Prof N. M. Gupta, Director- General Secretary, Fortis Superspeciality Hospital, Mohali, and former Head, Department of Surgery, PGI, Chandigarh, has been awarded the Col Pandalai Oration Award for his contribution in the field of surgery.

He delivered the most prestigious oration during the 65th annual conference of the Association of Surgeons of India held at Jaipur a few days back. The award has been instituted in the memory of the founder of the association, which came into being in 1939.

Professor Gupta has made extensive contribution to oesophageal (food-pipe) surgery, including that related to cancer. Cancer of the oesophagus is quite prevalent in India.

Keeping in view the fact that food-pipe surgery is done only at a few places in India, he has conducted a number of workshops in various cities during regional and national conferences. He has performed over 1,000 such operations with good results.

Professor Gupta has contributed a number of articles on food-pipe surgery to academic journals, most of them foreign publications. This has been possible only because of international recognition of his work.

No shortcuts to success: Milkha Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
Fun and frolic marked the annual awards function of the Burning Brain Society today. The function was presided over by Flying Sikh Milkha Singh.

Addressing the function, Milkha Singh said there were no shortcuts to success and one should lead a disciplined life to achieve excellence. Thirtyseven students received prizes from him.

Mr Hemant Goswami, chairperson of the society, said the government must use the positive qualities and talents of real national heroes to motivate and streamline the energies of the youngsters.

Manav Mangal gymnasts lift trophy
Our Sports Reporter

The final will be play on Wednesday.

PHL Sidelights
Arvind Katyal

• Hockey matches in the floodlit stadium evoked a good response among the public. People from various parts of Punjab and other nearby towns thronged the stadium to enjoy the game of under floodlights. Harcharanjit Singh from Nakodar said, “Bhaji, hockey tan hun bahut hi sohni ho gayi hai. Aine cricket nu piche chad ditta hai.” (Hockey has become exciting now and it has left cricket behind).
• The home crowd was mainly supporting Sher-e Jalandhar team that had many international players from Punjab. Rajvir, student of a local professional college, said, “Hun tan Chandigarh vi Holland varga lagg reha hai. Aini thand te aina vadia mahol. (It appears as if we were in Holland. It is extreme cold, but the atmosphere is very good).
• Braving chilly winds, die-hard spectators kept glued to their seats to watch the match in Dhanraj Pillay, playing for Maratha Warriors, and Punjab’s experienced Baljit Dhillon from Sher-e-Punjab were pitted against each other.
• Hockey fan Sunil Kant said, “Kal hor maza ayega jadon Chandigarh Dynamos da Shere-e-Jalandhar nal match howega. (Tomorrow it may be more exciting when Chandigarh Dynamos take on Shere-e-Jalandhar).