The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Freshers’ party a hit with students
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 26
It was a day of fun and frolic for both the newcomers and seniors of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women as they organised their freshers’ party here today. Dressed in their best, the participants looked confident, gorgeous and witty on the occasion. They wore traditional as well as western outfits to express themselves in the best manner.

Welcoming the chief guest, Ms Shakun Oswal of Vardhman Industries, the Principal, Dr (Ms) Manju Chawla, said that such functions provided a platform to the newcomers to show their talent and confidence. The function started with a dance performance on Hindi vandana.

There were 33 participants and the organisers had organised three rounds to judge the capabilities of the participants. In the first round — the western dresses round — the girls wore outfits like short and long skirts, capris, wrap-arounds and trousers with kaftans, long and short tops. They had tucked beads, flowers on their hair to give a gorgeous look. Some of them walked on the ramp as confident as professionals. In the traditional outfit round, majority of the contestants wore bright coloured lehangas, suits, saris and churidaars. They displayed poise and elegance. After the two rounds, 16 contestants were shortlisted for the final question-answer round.

The audience witnessed some interesting moments during question-answer round. A participant when asked whether she liked to be a beauty queen or a mother in her life, she replied she would prefer to be a beauty queen as “ultimately one had to become a mother only”.

The judges Ms Savita Chadha, centre head, Frankfinn Institute, and Ms Pragati Taneja, Director J.D. Institute of Fashion Technology, had a tough time while compiling the results as everyone performed well on the stage.

Miss Neha was adjudged Ms Fresher, 2006, while Easha was adjudged first and Gurpreet was second runner-up on the occasion. Miss Gurleen won the title for best catwalk, Jaspreet was given the title of Miss Ethnic and Satinder won the title of Miss Personality. Jasleen bagged the title for Best Smile.

The chief guest appreciated the efforts put in by the participants and announced a cash prize of Rs 10,000 for all the participants. Ms Namita conducted the stage and presented a vote of thanks.

Teej at GCW

The festival of rainy season — Teej — was celebrated amidst much gaiety and exuberance in the sprawling lawns of Government College for Women here on Saturday. Ms Bhaveesh Raj Rai, the first batch students of the college, inaugurated the heritage village being established by the Old Students Association. Ms Kultar Singh, one of the pioneer teachers of the college, also graced the occasion and gave blessings to the students. Ms Kanwar Preet Kaur was the guest of honour. Principal Ms Prabhjot Kaur and the college council headed by Ms Sunanda Joshi accorded a warm welcome to the chief guest.

The entire campus wore a festive look with colourful decoration and ethnic festivities. The culture of Punjab came alive through the ambience of the festival. To keep the disappearing Punjabi culture alive, the Department of Punjabi created a tiny but authentic traditional village in the college. The antique charkhas, chakki’s, dunes, phulkari’s, trinjan, kikli, thal, mehandi etc were an attempt at depicting a true picture of what villages must have looked like once.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sarabjot, head of the Punjabi Department said:” “The present generation does not know anything about the traditions of Punjab and it is our responsibility to save our culture and promote it if possible”. In their traditional attire, the college girls danced to the tunes of folk songs and swooped in the air in decorated swings.

Various stalls of bangles, jewellery, cosmetics, suits, shoes, gift items were displayed. Students enjoyed delicacies like kheerpuras, chat, Boiled Bhuta etc. The college students presented a colourful culture programme which included tappe, suhag, Punjabi folk songs etc. A Punjabi beauty pageant was the special attraction of the festival.

Nearly 35 students dressed in traditional Punjabi jewellery competed with each other for the crown of Sawan Queen. The chief guest crowned and honoured all winners with prizes. Ms Amandeep Kaur was adjudged Sawan Queen while Rohini was first and Navneet was second runner up.

The winners of various competitions are as follow: Chakki Chalana:- 1st- Hardeep , 2nd- Simaranjit, 3rd-Jaspreet, Thal: 1st- Mandeep, 2nd-Kirandeep, Kikli: 1st- Simranjit and Hardeep, 2nd - Parmjit and Mandeep , Peeng :1st -Jasvir, 2nd-Arshdeep P, Saag Katana: 1st- Sonia, 2nd-Mandeep, 3rd- Hardeep.

Addressing the students, the chief guest congratulated the staff and students on the successful completion of the festivities. Vice-Principal, Narinder Kaur Sekhon presented the vote of thanks. All the student council members, including Romil Grewal, Priyanka, Neha Verma, Nishi and Parul actively participated in the function.

From Schools
KVM honours toppers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 26
Brilliant students of Kundan Vidya Mandir (KVM) were invited to the school here today to receive honours that they richly deserved for gaining top slots in the CBSE and other examinations.

Bhavnesh Jindal, who ranked 27th in Punjab AIEEE, had come with his parents and shared a glorious moment on the stage with the president and other members of the school managing committee.

Class XII topper Sakshi Garg (92.6 per cent) and Mehak Wadehra (96. 4 per cent) of class X were the first to be honoured of the 43 students.

A skit staged by the students entertained the parents. Ashish Nagpal sang an inspiring song. Mr Marwaha, a parent representative, thanked the school for giving valuable inputs to the students. He thanked the management for the support and facilities offered.

The Principal, Mr S.C. Saxsena, said the toppers were gems in the crowning glory of their alma mater.

Exhibition: The students of Green Grove Public School, Mohanpur, Khanna, put up an exhibition on Saturday. Students showed their creativity by displaying various charts and models.

The exhibition focussed on art and craft, social science, computers, general science and maths. Students of the kindergarten section also displayed their charts in the exhibition.

The computer lab was no less decorated. It exhibited various models of input, output devices.

The art and craft section was beautifully decorated with colourful and shining wall hanging, candles, decorated pots, paper flowers, posters etc.

The exhibition not only infused creative spirit among the students but also played a key role in tapping their hidden talents.

The Principal of the school, Ms S. George, appreciated the efforts of the students, teachers and parents.

Prize winners: Bishram (IX) and Surbhi (VIII); maths: Ravdeep (VII), Sanpreet (X) and Komalpreet (X); social studies: Karan (VIII), Parneet (IV); environmental pollution: Nakshdeep and Sahibpreet (both of class VIII); computer: Hasrat (IV), Sandeep (V) and Kanwarpal (IV); pot painting: Gagan (VII); glass painting: Jasper (VI).

Bollywood rich in glamour, poor in substance: Nagma
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, August 26
"The concept of hero and heroine in the films has blurred and there are no definite heroes or heroines but each character in the movie is powerful and plays its well defined role and adds to the wholeness of the movie," said Nagma, famous Bollywood star, while talking to the media this afternoon in Hotel Majestic Park Plaza.

She along with the director Chitraarth, producer Deepak and character actor Aroon Bakshi were in the city to formally release the music of the film, '' Ek Jind Ek Jaan'' at GRD Academy.

The actors are performing in the city along with a galaxy of other stars to mark the release of the movie ''Ek Jind Ek Jaan''. The show is being organised by Zee Punjabi.

Nagma said that she had enjoyed working in the movie and feels that each and every character is well etched out. "In oneness of the family lies the strength of God, and romance is the essence of life which brings about the best of emotions," is what the movie conveys.

Nagma said that the movies being made in Bollywood have all the glitz and glamour but lack substance though some of them are being run all over the world. She said: "I am doing a big Bollywood film which will appear at the end of the year and another one would be released the next year ", However, she refused to divulge the titles of the films.

Currently she is working in a couple of Bhojpuri films. "Bhojpuri films are attracting even big names of Bollywood. In one of the Bhojpuri films, Amitabh is starring and in another of my films, Dalip Sahib and Saira Banu are acting. Regional films are the flavour of the season. I worked in South Indian films but when I quit them, I was at the top, and if I quit Bhojpuri films , I will do so when I am at the top."

Aroon Bakshi, who plays a powerful role in the movie, said: "I am delighted with the movie for, besides acting , I have sung a very romantic song in the movie (my 231st song ) and have been given a chance to compose its music as well. Moreover, I am always delighted to be back in Ludhiana as it is my hometown and memories of my college days in Arya College and other memories flood in filling me with a lot of nostalgia."

Chitraarth , a seasoned director , winner of President's silver medal for ''Chan Pardesi'', declared the best Punjabi film in 1981,was all humility and thinks the movie would do well as its two main forces are Raj Babbar and writer Baldev Gill. The producer, Deepak Maini, too, was cheerful and felt the audience would give them their love and affection and make the movie a big hit.