Panchkula, May 31
Jaswinder Kaur, a student of Government Senior Secondary School, Pinjore, topped in the district in the Class XII examinations conducted by the Haryana School Education Board, by securing 82 per cent marks.

According to the District Education Officer (DEO), Ms Kanta Malik, Jyoti Bansal of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Barwala, scored 79 per cent marks and stood second while Veenu Sharma, a student of Hindu Girls Senior Secondary School, Kalka, bagged the third position by scoring 78.4 per cent marks.

Confusion prevailed over the merit list in the DEO office till late in the evening. As per the new policy the board has been issuing lists, mentioning grades of the students and not the marks obtained by them. The DEO have to call teachers from different school and prepare new lists to establish the toppers.

Ms Malik disclosed that the result of government schools in the district was 53.13 per cent against the overall result of 49.40 per cent. As many as 1357 students from 30 government and government-aided schools appeared in the Class XII examinations out of which 721 were declared pass.

The results of Government Senior Secondary School, Mandna, and Government Senior Secondary School, Tikkar Tal, were 100 per cent. Out of 10 students in Mandna School and 1 in Tikkar Tal school, all were declared pass.

Chandigarh, May 31
Water phobia or swimming pool consciousness, a syndrome which afflicts the best of us, can be bid adieu to as you take the plunge into the clear and more importantly 'friendly' waters of the Strawberry Fields World School in Sector 26 here.

With a panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills and a clear sky overhead, the half an Olympic size, 25-metre length pool is set in a large and expansive area with no prying eyes or the hustle and bustle which most pools housed in clubs characterize. Excellent coaches and life guard oversee the pool area with a hawk's eye and also help the swimmers relax and be at ease.

The sporty and yet serene ambience of the pool area gets further heightened with the soccer field, basketball and tennis courts on the side being the perfect accompaniments to nurturing the spirit of wellness.

With this season, the commissioning of the pool has also thrown open its floodgates to children as also adults from other educational establishments of the city in what is most appropriately called 'family time'. Families of four and five have trooped in without having any formal lessons in swimming and within a fortnight have been swimming, much to their own surprise. An organised time schedule earmarks beginners, learners and expert swimmers on priority. Time slots are given to every person who enrolls and a gentle discipline ensures that no one side steps the rules, especially when it comes to matters of safety and creating a congenial atmosphere.

Swimming at Strawberry Fields is not just about beating the heat. It is also about showing consideration to fellow swimmers, watching over those who are younger, learning from those who are more adept, treating the premises as their own and maintaining the harmony of the place.

Panchkula, May 31
Divergent views were expressed on contemporary Hindi journalism by erudite media personalities at a seminar organised by Haryana Sahitya Akademy at the Red Bishop complex here yesterday.

The event was a celebration of 180 years of Hindi journalism. The lack of literary content, distorted versions, avoidable use of English words, yellow journalism and allied issues came up for hot discussion by discerning delegates during the seminar. Opening up the deliberations, Editor of Dainik Bhaskar, Babu Lal Sharma, maintained that journalism these days was a market oriented phenomenon.Riding on the success of popularity of the daily, he suggested formation of 'reader clubs' to point out deficiencies in content and printing errors.

The Editor of Amar Ujala, Uday Kumar, said news about crime, sex and politics was being accorded priority these days over genuine news. He stressed the need for initiating the kind of journalism which was adopted during the freedom movement of the country.

The president of Haryana Patarkar Sangh K.B. Pandit said there was a time when newspapers used to be known by their Editors but now the situation was different. Former Haryana Chief Secretary and former general manager of the Tribune group of newspapers, S.D.Bhambri, said journalists must introspect and the system of running a newspaper should be given a fresh look.

Noted journalist Dr Chander Trikha said capitalism and technology had changed the concept of journalism over the years. The editorial page was being phased out because of its very low readership. Advertisements were now being printed above the masthead.

The director of Haryana Sahitya Akademy, Dr Radhey Shyam Sharma, traced the history of Hindi journalism. Director, Public Relations and Cultural Affairs, Haryana, Rajeev Sharma was the guest of honour.

Acclaimed luminary, Dr Ved Parkash Vedic, who was the chief guest, exhorted those connected with journalism to imbibe the spirit, courage and zeal displayed during freedom struggle. He also favoured deploying reporters in remote places and district levels by news agencies so as to compete with the quick reporting by electronic media. Strongly advocating the promotion of Hindi journalism, he categorically denounced the publication and proliferation of English newspapers in India but without specifying or assigning a convincing reason. He suggested editors to maintain an equilibrium between concerns of the proprietor and ethics of their profession. 

Chandigarh, May 31
Come June 6 and it will be six years since the 'honour killing' of Canada- born Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu (Jassi) after she secretly married Sukhwinder Singh (Mithu), a poor autorickshaw driver in a small village in Punjab, against the wishes of her family.

After being the subject of no less than three documentary films, the dramatic rendition, 'Murder Unveiled', a film directed by veteran filmmaker Vic Sarin was screened today at the Press Club, Sector 27. It strikes a poignant note for one astute fact-- justice continues to be denied.

Mithu survived the attack on his life but continues to languish in jail on alleged trumped-up charges while the perpetrators of the crime, Jassi's family, remain unconvicted.

A tête-à-tête with the lead actors Anita Majumdar (Canadian theatre actor who essays the role of Davinder Kaur Samra, the character based on Jassi's life) and Lushin Dubey (noted Mumbai theatre personality who plays Davinder's mother Kuldeep Samra in the film) brings across a sense of deep indignation which they feel. The film has gone beyond just another "acting job" for them, especially since this visit was marked by a visit to Mithu in jail.

Lushin came back overwhelmed. "That split second when he saw me was really tough for me. I play the role of a woman who ordered the killing of her own daughter. I had to go up to him and hug him and say, it's only a role, before he warmed up."

Both actors are determined not to let the story die down. "It has to convert into something for Mithu at the end of the day," avers Anita who felt that this young man who came across "as clean-cut and sensitive" looked like his very spirit had received a beating.

A product of an Indian family but having lived in Canada all her life, she believes the problem lies in families wanting a cultural root for their children and wanting it desperately.

They both hope that the film and any subsequent moves towards justice will be "steps that can bushfire" into a blaze of action. "We cannot change the system but we will share our experiences because only if there are enough voices raised against the crime, just like in the Jessica Lal murder case, will there be a public outcry against justice denied," states Lushin unequivocally.