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Flair before the floodlights at Jhankar
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service
| Among the participants are 26 students from the University of Kashmir. For them, the festival is just another opportunity to bring the people closer to the rich culture and the heritage of the valley, besides taking part in the literary activities. Accompanying them, the University’s Cultural Officer
G.H. Gurku said their trip to Chandigarh was part of their initiative to tell the people that Kashmir was full of life and enthusiasm. He agreed that cultural activity in the state had somewhat suffered due to disturbed conditions in the state, but now the things were fast returning back to normal. For the students, the
academic environment in Kashmir University was not very different from Panjab University. |
The results of various competitions in order of merit are: Debate: Shilpi (Panjab University), Arisa (Kashmir University), Henna (SD College, Chandigarh). Mime: Dev Samaj College, Ferozepore; Skit: Dev Samaj College, Ferozepore; Mono-acting: Pyuesh Mehta (Panjab University) On the concluding day, folk song and dance contest, along with painting landscape and paint your face will be organised, along with modelling and
rangoli. |
Chandigarh, March 1
For so many students, the road meandering its way through Panjab University’s academic environs led to excitement with participants from across the country displaying their talent in mono-acting, one-act plays and even declamation contests on day two of Panjab University’s annual fest — Jhankar.
As the thumping beats of reverberating music filtered out of the “law auditorium” even before the fest kicked off this morning, a cavalcade of bikes and cars filled up the parking lots with students, and more students, rushing to witness flair before the floodlights. No wonder, it was exhilaration all the way for the students as fluttering flags dotting the road, leading to the venue, added to the zing. The streamers and the cheerful red hoardings announcing the holding of the festival only helped in setting the mood right for a morning full of anticipation, and an evening of enthusiasm. If day one saw the students clapping in sync with the rhythmic beats and regular steps of folk-dance performers, day two witnessed youngsters trying hard to regale the audience. In one or two items, it was nothing less than the “Great Indian Laughter Challenge”. As the participants tried hard to make the audience laugh with “run-off-the-mill” mono-acting and other routine items, the viewers simply refused to take up the challenge. “Some bits and pieces were actually disgusting,” said Madhur Singh, a BA II year student. “You had a girl trying to build up homour out of something as serious and solemn as the last rites of an old man… Alright, she was trying hard to highlight the attitude of the people for whom even death is an occasion to exhibit, but I still think it was in poor taste”. For ex-Panjab University students, the echo of Jhankar beats was very different from what had reverberated in their ears a few years ago. “I still remember the time when rock and pop bands from across the country would set the stage afire with hot numbers bellowing out of their guitars and other instruments,” recalled former student now working with a multinational computer giant Mohit Sharma. Perhaps, unaware of the festival’s past glory, the students sat through the declamation and the debate as the speakers delivered sermons on different topics, including “Youth is responsible for moral degradation of society” and “Marriage registration — better late than never”. Some others chose to speak on Information Technology’s role in common man’s life. In all, teams from eight to 10 colleges participated in each item, said one of the organizers Rahul Sharma. Going into the background of the fest, he said Jhankar was organised by
the students’ council of Panjab University PUCSC. “It not only commemorates the spirit of youth, but is also a reflection of the university’s aesthetics. The intention is to bring the students of this and the other universities closer".
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Inter-college fiesta begins
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 1
Sixty students from local colleges participated in various contests on the first day of the three-day inter-college competitions fiesta that began at the Government College of Education, Sector 20, here today. Ten competitions were held under fine arts and home science domains today.
Prof Veer Singh, Dean University Instruction, Panjab University, presided over the prize distribution function. “Ideas rule the contemporary world and the world has been reduced to a dot,” he said. Though increased knowledge had led to a host of fresh opportunities, these would be available to only those who enabled themselves for these, he said. Earlier, Dr Beantjit Kaur, Principal, welcomed the guests. The prize winners included: Anand Sharma, Neetika Tandon, Anchal, Jeny, Anjali Gulati, Ruchi Singh, Tarandeep Kaur, Pooja Soni, Anupama Joshi, Shilpa, Manish, Anjali, Harshita, Shivani, Malika Sethi, Jasmine Trehan, Jasmine Kaur, Ridhi Bajaj, Dheeraj Gupta, Vidushi, Shikha Sehajpal and Deepy Walia.
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