EDUCATION

3,000 take part in summer classes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 1
Sikh Missionary College, Chandigarh zone, has started its one-month summer classes at 50 different venues in Chandigarh, Mohali and surrounding villages.

Over 3,000 children in different age groups have registered and joined the classes.

The classes started with a marathon race from Gurdwara Sahib, Sector 34, to Gurdwara Sahib, Sector 19, here.

Over 350 children in the age group of five to 15 years participated in the race.

The children pledged to inculcate human values and work towards the betterment of society.

A three-day special workshop on “Opportunities for youth in present economic scenario” will be organised at Chanalon Kurali village in association with the Regional Centre for Entrepreneurship Development from June 2 to 4.

Experts will provide information about opportunities available for youth in the field of academics, employment and self-employment.

On June 11, a sports meet will be organised of children at Shivalik Public School, Phase VI, from 6 am to 1.30 pm.

On June 18, a quiz competition on Sikh history, ideology and life of the Gurus will be held at the school.

Appointment of Principals on contract recommended
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 1
The committee constituted by the Panjab University Vice-Chancellor to consider the issue of shortage of Principals in colleges today recommended that Principals could be appointed on contract for one year after the age of superannuation (which should not be beyond 62 years) with one day’s break and this period should not be extended beyond one year.

It added that efforts should be made to appoint Principals on a regular basis. The qualifications for the appointment of Principals would be as prescribed by the NCET and the UGC for B.Ed and other colleges.

It was further recommended that the Principal on contract be given minimum pay scale of the Principal and the allowances admissible as per the Punjab Government without pension in case of those who were in receipt of the same. The fixed amount would be stated in the advertisement.

It was further agreed that the same norms of contractual appointment be followed in the case of superannuated teachers.

UGC-NET result declared

Chandigarh, June 1
The University Grants Commission has declared the result of the National Eligibility Test (NET) for lecturership and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), which was conducted in December last year.

Giving this information, Prof D.C. Kataria, Director of the Aryans Educational and Charitable Trust, said students could enquire about their result on a free helpline No. 98762-99888 between 10 am and 5 pm.

The trust is also organising an awareness camp tomorrow at 164/2, Sector 16, here, where qualified candidates can submit their resume for free placement. TNS

Drama team honoured

Chandigarh, June 1
The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today honoured the members of the drama team of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Girls College, Chandigarh with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for winning the first position in a one act play during the national youth Festival held in Patna.

Capt Amarinder Singh commended the members of the team for bringing laurels to Punjab.

Brig.G.J.Singh, Director Youth Services, Punjab, said the Punjab State Team comprising 64 participants, headed by S.P. Kalyan, was sent to participate in the National Youth Festival held in Patna. The contingent participated in 11 events and bagged the first and second positions in one-act play and elocution. — TNS

No Tobacco Day

Chandigarh, June 1
At least 170 students of the Government High School, Dadu Majra, took part in a rally to mark No Tobacco Day here yesterday. The rally was flagged off from the school by the headmistress Ms Suman Malik. The children carried banners and placards to create awareness about the ill effect of tobacco. — TNS

CULTURE

Learning to dance with Suchitra
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 1
Suchitra Mitra is in town to repeat her annual ritual of training youngsters in the fine art of Bharatnatyam. The much-rewarded artiste has been consistently imbibing the art among young aspirants from Chandigarh.

Although the dancer works with her students throughout the year, June is a special month when she comes down from Delhi to hold a month long workshop at IMA Bhavan in Sector 35. Says the danseuse, who has never broken the promise she made to her young disciples in Chandigarh, ‘‘As any classical dance form Bharatnatyam requires dedication and vigorous practice. It requires mastery over the technique of movements to achieve grace, suppleness, physical balance and a faultless sense of rhythm.’’

A lot of students who join Suchitra’s workshops are fascinated by the embodiment of beauty, charm and gracefulness of the dance form. No wonder many of them end up joining her regular sessions. As regards age, Suchitra does not believe in age barriers when it comes to learning any form of performing art.

Among her disciples are school students, doctors, engineers, bankers, air hostesses and many others.

Two of her students Nisha Bhaskaran and Ishani Agarwal have excelled enough to receive top scholarships like the National Scholarship for Human Resources. Others are still working hard to achieve perfection. Ishika, aged 12 finds Bharatnatyam, relaxing after a day of hard work at school.

For Sumita, another one of Suchitra’s students, this dance is a search for the soul, a quest for the Supreme and a desire to unite with the divine.