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667 B.Ed seats vacant as
counselling ends
Chandigarh, October 5 In these 129 colleges, the total number of seats (including management quota seats) were 17280. Out of which, 667 were lying vacant after the completion of the third counselling. Thirteen seats in each of the 7 newly affiliated colleges, which have not yet been permitted to have management quota seats, were also lying vacant. The Punjab Government has to decide whether to issue a notification for conducting a fourth round of counselling in order to fill up the vacant seats.
— TNS
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Essay writing contest on national integration
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 5 Principal Dr A.N. Garg declared the results. Prof Bhupinder Singh, Dean, College Instruction, Government College, Sector 11, announced that excerpts from prize winning essays along with the photographs of the winners would be published in a special newsletter. More than 30 students of various colleges of Chandigarh participated in the contest. The prize winners include Garima Bawa, Deepika, Vrinda Aggarwal, Shilpi Gupta and Madhu. Lecture: As part of ongoing silver jubilee celebrations, a lecture was organised at the Dev Samaj College of Education.The speaker was Mr Gunther Rautz, researcher, Eurac Research, Italy. He spoke on minorities in the European Union. Mr Rautz was welcomed by the Principal, Dr Satinder Dhillon. Mr Rautz highlighted that in the absence of a concrete definition of “minority”, it is taken as a community that differs from the majority with respect to language, culture, sex ratio, etc. Mr Rautz also presented the ‘South Tyrol’ model of solving internal conflict in northern Italy. Similarities regarding possibilities of solving the Kashmir problem were drawn and were illustrated with examples. Various examples were citied of working towards political autonomies, political segregation and integration. In his conclusion, Mr Rautz asked the students to help in the phase of confidence building while working as teachers of tomorrow. This would go a long way in constructing a society free of the evil of class discrimination. The lecture was followed by a question-answer session.
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Minimum props is Ankur’s signature style
Chandigarh, October 5 Performed by the Sambhav theatre group (of which Ankur is the founder-member and leading director), this play was first staged in May this year and is taken from a story by Vijay Tendulkar, “Amchavar Kaun Prem Karnaar” (who will love us). With minimal props and fuss, it brings back the fine tradition of oral storytelling albeit in front of a live audience, an art Ankur developed as a genre way back in 1975 and which a highly regarded form of modern Indian theatre. Translated from Marathi into Hindi by Jayant Gadekar, it deals with a young man’s desire for a grandiose wedding but no woman he meets is acceptable to him. “ This is a story that is as relevant today as it was almost 60 years ago when it was first published as it deals with the significant issue of women’s empowerment,” explains translator and actor Jayant. Originally Ankur’s “Khanabadhosh” was to be staged but this play was sent for its social relevance and for the fact that it is a more recent production. The highlight of the play is, of course, Ankur’s directorial style. “He dramatises on the floor which means the instructions in the
story are turned into theatrical instructions and the stories of the characters into their voices.” Translated by Jayant in 2001, it was his attempt to bring the Marathi literature he grew up with and loves so much, to stage. “Kahani ka rangmanch is part of our second-year course at the NSD for which I had brought this story along with me,” explains Jayant. Today the play is all set for its 11th performance. Having studied under Ankur at the NSD and in his initial professional venture with him, Jayant is clear why his director is held in such high esteem. “He allows his actors to grow and the confidence and belief in them is complete, impartial. Not only this, just like the colour in a painting, he says we must give him five different options for every scene and only then will he choose.” Simply put, it means optimum utilisation and optimum creative limits, emphasising on the theory that this highly acclaimed director lives by and that is, “ theatre and theatre alone is the platform for actors and believing in them and using them completely is the key, unlike other mediums.” Ankur’s advice to his actors is unique and typical to his style of creativity. “If you have to use a ‘jhadu’ (broom) in a scene, think of using it innovatively. You have borrowed people’s time so do not use it for what everyone knows it for. Concentrate, create, economise and improvise,” smiles Jayant. For no props are really needed to tell a story. |
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Home truths on relationships
Chandigarh, October 5 The technique of direction is typical to Ankur’s style of bringing a story alive between the narrator and the spectator in his attempt to re-establish the link between the two and this play does it remarkably. Staged at the Tagore Theatre as part of the ongoing ‘Sada-e-Aman’ theatre festival, this play, the third in five plays brought to the city, kept up the anticipation of quality theatre ushered in by the first two productions. Effective, not just for the relevance of the story, but also, for the tremendous work that the actors put in to give their dialogues a certain forceful body, a physical shape that brought the story alive, giving it a living cogency.
Vishwanath is a young man who wants to get married but to a “beautiful” woman who exists in his dream world. He is forced by his mother and ‘mama’ to get engaged to a girl but then musters up the courage with the help of his friend, the verse-spouting Aslam Bhai, to refuse marrying her. The girl (referred to as
‘ladki’) comes to his home to ask why he said no, bringing in home truths on relationships and the role of a woman in society. The story which was first published way back in 1947 seems just as fresh and pertinent today as it must have seemed almost 60 years ago. “Is our life like that of a poor cow where girls have to live within restrictions, with our head and eyes cast downward? Do we not have feelings too, are we not wronged too?” asks ‘ladki’ to Vishwanath in the argument that ensues between the two. A minimalist stage, music and lights along with imaginative use of a ball between the two protagonists to add punch to their words and even a piece of cloth in Vishwanath’s mother’s hand used in conveying nonchalant confidence, to surprise, to sadness and despair and finally an adorning garment all through dialogues going back and forth make for an innovative play—funny, moving and poignant—all at the same time. The cast, Jayant Gadekar (‘mama’ and Vishwanath’s friend Aslam Bhai), Sona Moni
(‘ladki’), Sushil Pontiyal (Vishwanath) and Amita Udgata (Vishwanath’s mother), all superb actors, brought the medium alive on Thursday evening, making theatre as vibrant as it is meant to be. |
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Relying on social marketing of condoms to check HIV menace
Chandigarh, October 5 The basic premise of the approach, being experimented for the first time in regions north of Delhi, is that condoms that come at a price are more likely to be used effectively than those that come free of cost. Many of those given free of cost run the risk of being thrown away or being used for purposes other than sought. There have been reports of free condoms finding their way into road construction where non-biodegradable products like plastic are being increasingly used. But the Chandigarh SACS wants to ensure that condoms are put to best use. It has now identified a chain of reliable local and NGO providers who are making social marketing of condoms a reality. Among the suppliers are volunteers attached to 14 HIV/AIDS targeted intervention projects being run in the city and a host of tea-stall owners, general merchants, milk booth owners and even paanwallahs, who are selling condoms for HIV prevention at the rate of sixty paisa per condom. From January this year, when the programme started, till date, the Chandigarh SACS has sold 1, 25, 432 condoms using social marketing principles. Interestingly, it has also recovered a quantum of money invested in procuring these condoms from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Alongside social marketing, the SACS is distributing free condoms in Chandigarh. Last year it gave away about three lakh free condoms, but it did not find any significant reductio in HIV prevalence - an indicator of ineffective, even non-use of condoms. Social marketing, however, ensures the sold condoms put into proper use. Partners of the SACS have deposited with it the money it collected from selling over one lakh condoms. Dr Sonia Trikha, project director, Chandigarh SACS, confirms: "A better supply of condoms at subsidised prices can reduce the number of infections. Our NGO partners have deposited with us Rs 28, 762 they got against the social marketing of condoms. Vendors too have done well, considering they make a profit of just Rs 1after every five condoms. One condom at sixty paisa is a fair deal when compared to commercially marketed condoms which are sold at a price as high as Rs 6 to Rs 9 per condom." |
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Bangladeshi coach plans to visit NIS
Chandigarh, October 5 Terming his visit to the country a special one, he said: “I share a sacred relationship with your country because I did my one-year cricket coaching course from the NIS from Patiala. As I am again here, so I will try to visit NIS and try to meet my instructors Navin Sharma and Joginder Puri.” Praising the standards and facilities of the NIS, Salahudin was of the view: “Undoubtedly it is one of the best as it offers the best services as well as facilities in the subcontinent. The teaching staff is highly qualified and I learnt a lot from here during the course. As I also did Level I and Level II courses from Cricket Australia but the NIS course has been proving a big help during my coaching career.” About his job, Salahudin, who is with the Bangladesh for one year, said: “Basically, I look after the fielding aspect of the team. These days all big teams have special focus on good fielding skills so we, too, want to excel in this department.” Salahudin, who came to the city for the first time, was of full praise about its cleanliness. “During my stint in Patiala, I heard a lot about Chandigarh but never get a chance to come. I am happy to be here and liked this beautiful city and its people,” said the coach. |
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Lankans set to take on B’deshis
Chandigarh, October 5 The well in form Sri Lanka, will take the minnows Bangladesh in the inaugural match of ICC Champions Trophy on October 7 at PCA stadium, Mohali. About the batting line-up of the team, Jayawardene said, “We believe in result-oriented and positive cricket. For us, cricket is all 11-boy game. I don’t believe in top, middle or lower batting order. I expect a good knock even from the last man”. About the gray areas of the team, Jayawardene was of the view that not playing much cricket for one month was only concern. “Some improvement in bowling is also needed”, opined the skipper. However, he expressed his satisfaction over the batting performance of the team. Jayawardene also applauded all-rounder Pervez Maharoof, who has been getting better with both bat and ball. “Now big challenges will be assigned to him as he has proved himself on the field lot of times”, said Jayawardene. On the forthcoming matches of the series, he said that the team was ready to face all the challenges coming their way during the one-month long championship. |
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Swimmers seek better facilities
Chandigarh, October 5 Both Gaurav and Shashank, representing the University of Pune and University of Mumbai, got bronze medals in waterpolo in the second Asian Age Group Aquatic Championship, held at Zhuai, China, in 2002. Gaurav is a qualified computer engineer but without any job, despite his glorious record in the sport. “ It was the passion for this sport that we are here. Otherwise, this is the most neglected sport in our country. There is no scholarship or job quota for the players. It is the dirty internal politics of association due to which we suffer. The government must intervene in it to sort out the meter.” “I represented India in the same competition and I am sorry to say that we were told to bear the visa fee of Rs 10,000. Though that was refunded, it is really painful. The government has no funds to meet our small requirements”, rued Shashank. “What to talk of air travell, we didn’t get confirmed railway ticket for this tour. We had to travel the whole journey sitting on the space just outside the toilets of coach. It is simply disgusting”, quipped Rohit Barve and Devendra, both representing the University of Pune and student of B. Com (II). He participated in Junior Asian Age Group Championship held at Bangkok last year. Madhura, a 2002 Hyderabad National Games silver medallist and gold medallist in 2003 inter-varsity aquatic meet, is also not happy with the Swimming Federation of India’s policies. “ This sport is not very popular in this part of the world, as there is less exposure. There are hardly one or two Nationals organised at the junior level which is supposed to be the base level when the players need to hone their skills.” |
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Upcoming shuttler
Chandigarh, October 5 “I play for two hours each in the morning and the evening. My strategy is to test the patience of my opponent, which is my biggest asset. I play defensively and my opponent has to surrender by playing a wrong shot”, quips Gayatri. She has being coached by Devinder Rana and Ravinder Kapoor at the Sports Complex, Sector 3, Panchkula. “Gayatri is not uneasy with crowd presence, which children of her age are. She is quick in learning techniques of the game and her devotion to the sport is remarkable. This attitude will earn her a name one day”, remarks Rana. Gayatri had defeated her opponent, who was almost double her age, during the Mahatma Hans Raj DAV Badminton Tournament at Panipat recently. She had won the under-10 girls’ singles’ titles during the Haryana District Badminton Meet at Panchkula and the Haryana State Championship at Ambala in 2005. She had clinched titles in the same category during the Haryana State Junior Badminton Championship at Sonepat and the Haryana District Badminton Championship at Panchkula last month. |
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Prabhjot hogs the limelight
Chandigarh, October 5 Twenty boys and girls from three different institutions - Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27-B, ‘Udit’ Vocational Centre, Sector 11, and ‘Savera’ Special School, C/o St. Stephen High School, Sector 45, participated. Results (performance wise): - Girls’ singles: Kanika, Manu,
Hitakshi, Ruby, Ketki, Jasmine and Akansha. Boys’ singles: Prabhjot, Kirti, Ravinder,
Ansh, Abhinav, Anuj, Aman and Kamal. Girls doubles: Kanika & Jasmine, Ketki & Hitakshi and Ruby & Akansha. Boys’ doubles: Prabhjot & Ravinder, Kirti & Abhinav, Ansh & Kamal and Aman & Anuj. Mixed doubles: Prabhjot & Kanika, Ansh &
Hitakshi, Kirti & Ketki, Anuj & Manu, Ravinder & Jasmine, Abhinav & Ruby and Kamal & Akansha. |
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