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Classes X, XII results at e-Sampark Centres
Chandigarh, May 17 Since all these centres are already functioning as Jan Sampark Centres, these eight centres will open at 6 a.m. on the day of the result as compared to the regular timing of 8 a.m. This will help the students have access to the result at the click of the mouse and the service will be available to the students at a nominal price of Rs 2 per print out of the result sheet.
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Admn to construct 12 school buildings
Chandigarh, May 17 Government model school buildings will be constructed in Sectors 48, 49, 50, 51, 55 and Hallo Majra. The Administration has sanctioned Rs 2.8 crore in the annual budget for the construction of the new buildings and additional classrooms in the existing school buildings. Additional classrooms will be constructed in 18 government schools, an official press note said here today. The Administration has taken a major step in providing free education to all students of non-model schools up to Class 8 from this year. These students will not have to pay any funds or fees. Free textbooks and exercise notebooks have already been provided to these students. Free uniforms are also being provided to these students. As many as 62,411 students will be benefited with this initiative. Free education and textbooks are also being provided to all girl students and SC\ST students up to Class XII. The Home Secretary has also directed the Engineering Department to provide filtered drinking water in all government schools. The department will also carry out renovations of toilets in all government schools.
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SC takes notice of apathy towards animals in zoos
Chandigarh, May 17 Among the horrific findings made by PETA, the one pertaining to killing of animals by their custodians is the worst. Several instances have been documented showing zoo keepers killing the animals under their care. Anuradha Sawhney, PETA's Chief Functionary in India, says, "The North East is the worst followed by Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab. The gravest issues are lack of space, lack of rehabilitation, inability of zoo authorities to meet the biological need of animals and the problem of visitors harassing the animals, feeding and teasing them." PETA's investigations have also confirmed that many zoo officials lack training in the care of animals; veterinary doctors do not have adequate wildlife training. Sawhney says many zoos do not have any veterinary doctors. Other disturbing findings include the chained status of elephants in zoos. The NGO has documented cases of bears going mad in captivity and of animals being stolen from enclosures by people supposed to protect them. "None of the authorities had satisfactory answers to our question regarding the release of animals in the wild. There hardly is an approach towards conservation - something the Indian zoos are capable of," says Sahwney. The basic premise of PETA's petition is the fact that animals who are removed from their natural habitats do not behave normally. Given this, the onus of facilitating them in zoos lies upon the authorities. But most zoos which have been exposed in the petition have inadequate living enclosures; their labels provide little information about the species' name, diet and natural range of animals. Animals are often cramped, lack privacy and have little or no opportunity for mental stimulation and physical exercise. These conditions often result in abnormal and self-destructive behaviour or "zoochosis", as it is termed. The problems of animals do not end here. Often the ones brought from other areas are not suited to their destination climates; snakes are left to slither on concrete; nocturnal animals are tortured by harsh sunlight in the absence of shelter; aquatic animals have inadequate supplies of water and so on. "It is time zoos were turned into sanctuaries for animals rescued from madaris," Sawhney asserts, while hoping positive policies follow the petition. In fact, this is not the first time PETA has attempted to expose the abysmal conditions in Indian zoos. Last year, the Mumbai High Court ordered improvements at the Mumbai Zoo after the NGO filed a case in October, 2004, citing the zoo's failure to provide basic care for animals held captive there. A high-level inspection committee submitted findings that corroborated PETA's claims. Finally the High Court of Mumbai ordered improvements at the zoo, directed the authorities to control the population of deer and exotic birds and get 10 security guards trained by PETA. Visitors can no longer bring food or plastic into the zoo or tease the animals now. The zoo has also been prevented from acquiring more animals unless it houses the existing ones properly.
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A special concert for kathak lovers
Chandigarh, May 17 The programme opened with a group kathak dance led by Rekha Thakar in a vandana and moved on to present pure kathak nritya set to the time cycle of 16 beats. Rekha and her students, including Rekha Sen, Saakshi Singh, Simran Ahuja, Jasleen Sehgal and Ritika Bhatt, gave ample poof of their talent and skill while presenting “raaskhan ke dohe”. This was followed by kathak nritya by Chetan Javda and Suraj Mothia in Raga Kalavati set to “roopak tala”. They presented some typical items of Jaipur repertoire. Anurag Verma presented her solo dance next. A postgraduate diploma holder in kathak nritya from the Kathak Kendra, Delhi, Anurag got training by national SNA winner Rajendra Gangani. She has given performances at a number of dance festivals in India, Germany and Norway. Anurag concluded her recital with a Meera bhajan “thare kaayi-kaayi kahe samjhava mara sanwara Girdhari”. The team of accompanists included Raj Kumar Javda (tabla), Praveen Arya (pakhawaj), Munnalal Bhate (vocal and harmonium), Hariharsharan Bhatt (sitar) and Mouinuddin Khan (sarangi). The programme concluded with a kathak choreography titled “Rasvarti” (Ganges) conceived by Rekha Thakar. This piece was based on The choreography was ably performed by Rekha, Sakshi, Jasleen, Simran, Ritika, Surabhi, Nikhita, Rimjhim and Gargi. Music direction was by Pt Alok Bhatt. Earlier, M.L. Koser welcomed the chief guest, Prof K.K. Talwar, Director, PGIMER, and Ms Renuka Mathur, secretary, Kathak Kendra, Jaipur, the guest of honour.
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Art show opens
Chandigarh, May 17 The Home Secretary later released the Akademi’s catalogue in which the award winning works have been prominently displayed. It is worth mentioning here that the Akademi had invited artistes of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali to send their art works for adjudicating and selection for awards and certificates. As a result, 421 exhibits were received including 91 from professionals. The exhibition showcased 77 award winning exhibits. The exhibition and the award giving ceremony was organised by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi in collaboration with the Government Museum and Art Gallery.
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