Panchkula, September 30
The Gurukul, Sector 21, keeping its tradition alive, celebrated Dasehra in a unique way. The celebrations were not just restricted to a cultural programme. In fact, the actual message of the victory of good over evil was emphasised.

The children were told that the 10 heads of Ravana signified the 10 deadly evils including desire, anger, violence, jealousy, greed, ego, and it was these facets of evil that had to be eradicated from the world.

It was in this direction that the students were asked to write one bad habit each, which they wanted to get rid of. And the papers were stuffed into the effigy of Ravana and consigned to flames later on by the chief guest, Mr S.P. Arora, Estate Officer, HUDA.

Mr Arora was all praise for the unique efforts of the school. He further added that it was laudable on the school’s part to impart such value to the students.

A cultural programme was put up by students, including a beautifully enacted Ramlila. Anju of Class VIII delivered a speech on Dasehra. Melodious bhajans were presented by students.

With Gandhi Jayanti coinciding with Dasehra this year, the Gurukulites did not fail to remember Mahatma Gandhi, who also stood for truth and non-violence all his life. A beautiful classical dance item was performed on the famous bhajan, “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” in his memory.

The cultural programme ended with the effigy of the Ravana being consigned to flames by the chief guest. Students of pre-nursery to KG were given colourful swords and maces to carry home.

Meanwhile, students of St. Soldier Divine Public School, Sector 16, celebrated the victory of good over evil in a special way. Senior students enlightened the other students of the school about the significance of Dusehra. A drama was also presented by students on the festival and a fancy dress competition was also held. To conclude the function, the Administrator, Ms Jagpal, and the Principal Ms Bedi burnt the effigy of Ravana.

Annual function: The annual function, “Jhilmil”, of the Aarohan Block of Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 15, was held here today. The show commenced with the auspicious lighting of the lamp by the chief guest, Ms Kiran Aggarwal, in the presence of the members of the managing committee.

A melodious prayer by the tiny tots followed the lighting of the lamp. The function was based on conservation of environment. Students conveyed the theme by enacting various English and Hindi plays, dances and songs respectively.

Parents and guests were seen applauding the students and teachers for their wonderful performance. The programme was compered by the students of Classes I and II. On the whole it was a rhythmic, well coordinated and a well-conducted show.

Chandigarh, September 30
Students of Ryan International School, Chandigarh, will be participating in the Indian Model of United Nation (INMUN) to be held in Delhi from October 6 to 8. The programme is organised by the Ryan Group of Schools, where more than 100 schools would be participating from different parts of India and abroad.

“It’s going to be a three-day session whereby the students will be taught about the proceedings of the UN: important agendas to discuss, resolutions to be made and pass or fail them through discussions in their session,” said Poonam Sharma, Principal of the school.

The three-day session would be attended by Ishrat Banwait, Shikha, Manharjot, Saloni and Shubhkiran of Class IX, who had been allotted Brazil. They would be representing various committees, agencies of the UN like the Human Rights Commission, the Environment Commission, the Economics and Social Council etc. 

Chandigarh, September 30
In a dramatic turn of events, a Jalandhar-based lawyer, Anshu Sharma, today held a press conference at the Press Club here to claim that Karan Rajput, a prime witness in the Jessica Lal murder case, was at the Dasua courts on April 29, 1999 — the day when model Jessica Lall was allegedly shot in the head by Manu Sharma.

However, within a few seconds of starting the press conference the lawyer made a dramatic exit when mediapersons started posing questions to him. “I have told what ever I had to. You can go through the papers,” he said while leaving the venue in a haste. In the ensuing moment, cameramen of different news channels hounded him till he made an exit in a Tata Indigo car.

Incidentally, Mr Sunil Parti, a confidant of Mr Vinod Sharma, Haryana Power Minister, was present at the Press Club. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Parti said he had nothing to do with press conference of the advocate and was there in connection with a press conference of the LIC being held there.

In a brief interaction, the advocate claimed that the disclosure was made after the controversy regarding Karan Rajput, who is dead now, being won over by Manu Sharma surfaced. “While I was watching a report on a news channel about Karan Rajput, I recollected that he was my client and had filed a complaint at the Dasua courts.”

However, the papers produced by the lawyer stated that he had filed a complaint regarding the purchase of a truck against Vipin Gambir under Sections 406, 420 and 506 of the IPC at the Dasua Courts in 2000. There are contradictions in the statement regarding the presence of Karan Rajput at Dasua on April 29, 1999. No evidence (other than a receipt of payment of Rs 10,000) of the presence of Karan Rajput at Dasua was produced by the laywer.

Chandigarh, September 30
The court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate today framed charges in the case of a former Magistrate, S.S. Bhardwaj, escaping from his Sector 22 house after being caught by the CBI while accepting bribe on May 10, 2003.

Chandigarh, September 30
The weekend crowd at the Plaza Carnival swayed to rock music performances by two Delhi-based music groups, Prestorika and Hundred Octane, here today.

The event was brought to the city by the Centre for Carnival Arts and Chandigarh Tourism in association with Numero Uno with the Tribune group of newspapers as the media sponsor.

Artistes from the Prestorika group made a grand start to the programme with a pulsating melody ‘Lost in you’. They presented popular numbers like ‘Shameless pride’, ‘Here I am gone’ and ‘The emergence’.

Lead singer Vasav sung many old and new compositions which were requested by the audience. Ashwini, Lokesh and Nidesh provided brilliant accompaniment on bass guitar, lead guitar and drums, respectively.

Amidst applause, the ‘Hundred Octane’ ensemble took centrestage. Sonia sang the numbers ‘Cranberry’ and ‘Linda Berry’ while Kapil sang ‘Highway star’, ‘Alive’ ‘Sound Garden’, ‘Motley crew’ and other popular numbers .

He was ably supported by Nikhil on drums, and Ashu, Arvind and Puneet on the bass, lead and rhythm guitars, respectively.

Ms Manki Deep, president, Centre for Carnival Arts, said that many such programmes, which are a rarity in the city, are in the offing.

Sponsors Numero Uno distributed hundreds of specially designed ‘Nu cult’ wrist bands.

Another point of attraction during the event was the ‘artists corner’ where Prof Ravinder Sharma demonstrated collage-making and the students of Government College of Art sketched portraits of the public and painted cards.