Chandigarh, October 18
The Department of Science and Technology, has selected the Society for Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC), as a field centre for the installation of satellite interactive terminals (SITs) under the EDUSAT Project of the Government of India.

The SPIC will have the talk-back terminal, which will be responsible for providing space for installing the equipment and accessories, mobilisation of participants and minor maintenance. The installation of the talk-back terminal will be completed in the next two to three months. It will have a classroom with a capacity of around 40 to 50 students.

The project will comprise two-way- audio-video interactive communication network, primarily established to enhance science communication and popularisation in the country.

The network could also be used for disaster management.

All similar field centers have satellite interactive terminals (SITs), which are set up with the help of DECU– ISRO. Vigyan Prasar has a studio for EduSat Interactive Network – called teaching end. All other SITs spread over 20 states are known as class room ends. Since this network is a two-way communication system, the subject experts or teachers who conduct classes from the teaching end can interact with the people or students at each SIT centre.

Students at each SIT centre can also interact with teachers and ask their doubts or questions. Even though the teacher and students are not within the four walls of a class room, yet they can interact with each other as they are in the same location.

Chandigarh, October 18
The ongoing Punjab University Zonal Youth and Heritage festival being held at the Government College, Sector 11, here is a routine affair as most of the presentations made by contestants, except in classical music arts, strived for overall aesthetic excellence.

Since the Indian classical music has always been a cultivated art with a scientific base and systematic learning, preferably under the Guru-Shishya tradition, the artistes so groomed and trained on these lines are the most accomplished.

No wonder, the individual traits of a few participants were instrumental in bringing laurels to their respective colleges. Be it classical vocalists Aditya Sharma, Namdev , Naval Mehta, Sharmistha and percussionist Avirbhav Verma they all brought alive the spiritual serenity of shabad, bhajans’ and sublimity of Indian classical music and majestic melody of ghazal.

Their strenuous riyaz’ and devotion to the art was eloquently perceptible which virtually eclipsed their competitors who compete, with a passing interest in music.

All group songs for competition were a blend of traditional and contemporary themes with suitable musical treatment . The patriotic and spiritual fervor of some group songs melted into romanticism as the lyrics were modified to include ‘shlokas’ and crisp Punjabi folk songs.

The tempo of rhythm and musical treatment too drifted from the original format. This trend, aimed at displaying versatility, corrupted the continuity of a specified theme and needed to be discouraged, argued many.

The competition in mimicry, mime and skit presentation was rather discouraging as the competitors woefully lacked the conceptual grasp of their fundamental definitions.

For instance in mimicry, ‘copying a personality or incident wellknown to all could justify the presentation, observed veteran maestros Dr Surinder Sharma and Devinder Daman.

They suggested holding of a workshop for the college teachers responsible for preparing their teams as the festivals were meant to propagate the arts among the inquisitive students.

The holding of drama competitions in college auditoriums with inadequate infrastructures needs to be reviewed as it marred the performance of artists. Even the schools hold their functions at the Tagore theatre.

The only redeeming factor was the ‘Kavishri’, ‘Kali’ and ‘Vaar’ singing and folklore competitions where in the competitors brought alive the dynamism of folk musical culture with ceremonial ritual songs like ‘ghori’, romantic agony of ‘Mitti da bawa’ and ballads immortalising patriotic zenith of shaheed Udham Singh, Mirza Sahiban and Dullah Bhatti — the slumbering love legends of Punjab.

Chandigarh, October 18
An anti-cracker rally is being held in almost all schools of the city. Teachers, along with students, are holding these rallies to spread awareness about the harmful effects of pollution caused by crackers.

The State Education Resource Centres of all states and union territories are taking steps to educate students about air and noise pollution.

An anti-cracker rally by the Gulmohar Eco Club was flagged off by PTA president R.S. Saini at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 47, here today.

Students carried banners with anti-cracker slogans and walked through Sector 47.

Ravi Dhiman, Shikha and Ganesh got the first, second and third positions in painting and slogan writing, respectively.

A three-day Divali bonanza was inaugurated at Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41, by the Executive Director of AKSIP Group of Schools, Mr Jasdeep Kalra.

Tiny tots wore traditional dresses and took part in the celebrations. “Divali Prince and Princess” were given special prizes.

St Stephen’s School held a Divali mela on its premises. Senior citizens of Sector 43 visited the school and interacted with students.

GMSSS, Sector 33, organised a series of activities like poster-making, slogan-writing and essay-writing competitions.

Around 50 students of Class VII of Shishu Niketan Public School, Panchkula, also took part in an anti- cracker rally. The rally passed through various residential societies.

Banur, October 18
A campaign started by Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, for creating awareness among masses about female foeticide and drug addiction in the state was formally kicked off at the Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering and Technology (SVIET), Banur, here today.

The PTU Vice-chancellor, Dr S.K.Salwan, who was the chief guest, while launching the statewide campaign, said drug abuse among the youth was drastically rising. The unabated female foeticide had also disturbed the male-female ratio. He stressed the immediate need to check the evil or be ready to face the consequences in the years to come. He claimed that during the campaign every corner of the state would be covered.

Expressing concern on growing gender imbalance and the drug menace among the youth, the Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Mr Manmohan Garg, added that despite being a progressive state, Punjab had the worst sex-ratio in the country. He also stressed that educational institutions should seek drug de-addiction centres to curb the menace among students.

Dr Indu Gupta, ex-head of the gynaecology department, PGI, and Dr Anil Malhotra, head, drug de-addiction centre, PGI, emphasised the need of sensitising the public against these evils.

Dr C.S.Rao, Director Principal SVIET, held women more responsible for female foeticide, stating that they were not exercising their rights properly. He said it was sad that a woman rejoiced the birth of a male child whereas they got disappointed over the birth of a baby girl. There was need for social awareness to check these social vices, said the PTU Registrar, Dr M.S.Grewal.

Students from different colleges affiliated to PTU also presented their presentations at the seminar. Taranjit Kaur of ECE (SVIET) was declared the best female speaker. Dean SVIET, Prof. I.K.Kataria, gave a vote of thanks. Student delegates and winners were also presented with trophies and certificates on the occasion.

Panchkula, October 18
The annual day celebrations at Hansraj School, Sector 6, here were a blend of music and dance as children put their best foot forward in the cultural programme. The evening began with a lamp-lighting ceremony followed by a welcome dance. The little Hansarians captivated the audience with nursery rhymes and patriotic action songs there.

The next item “Chuhey ki Shadi” saw a mouse representing a coy groom on the lookout for his mate among the highly dramatic events. Next came an item of fairies, crystal balls and magic wands followed by the young Hansarians enacting the triumph of good over evil in the dance “Evil has its end”.

Witnessing tiny tots dancing to the tune of the western dance “Brazil” added the variety to the whole show. In the end, the spectacular ‘grand finale’ invited all those on the stage who had been toiling day and night to see Hansraj Public School shine.

Earlier, Mr S. Marriya, Manager-cum-Regional Director, Hansraj Public School, welcomed the gathering while Principal Vijay Kumar presented the annual report. Thereafter, the chief guest, Mr K.K. Khandelwal, Commissioner and Director-General, Education, Haryana, applauded the efforts by the staff and workers of the School.

The guest of honour, J.P. Shoor, Director, Public Schools, DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi, also accompanied the chief guest. Justice A. L. Bahri, President, Permanent Lok Adalat, Punjab and Haryana High Court, presented mementoes to the guests.

Panchkula, October 18
The Haryana Governor, Dr A.R.Kidwai, called upon educational institutions and teaching community to accept challenges of globalisation and produce brilliant students to meet the needs of changing scenario of industries in the country. He advised parents to invest in education of their children.

Inaugurating the new building of DPS, Pinjore, today, he said the aim of education should be to promote intellectual capabilities and develop overall personality of the students to compete in the cut-throat competition of present age.

Dr Kidwai revealed that 65 to 70 per cent of the software utilised in the world, at present was produced in India. The export of software had touched $25 billion mark and was increasing by 25 to 30 per cent every year. The BPO’s in Gurgaon, Chennai, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Mohali were processing successfully the banking and insurance works of big companies of the western world as these countries foundgetting work in India cheaper and of good quality.

Chandigarh, October 18
As a part of the annual day celebrations, an enthralling music ballet, ‘Hamari sangeet yatra’ , depicting the background and aesthetics of Indian music, was staged by the Bhavan Vidyalaya students at Tagore Theatre, here, today.

The ballet portrayed the journey of the Indian music rright from its inception to the present times and highlighted that even if there was a change in style and presentation of Indian music over the ages, it still retained its form and foundation. The basic ragas like Guru Nanak’s shabads, Meera’s bhajans, the couplets of Rahim, Kabir, Tulsidas and Surdas are the same but they mingle and blend to evolve new melodies.

As many as 346 performers from class IV to XII set the stage afire with scintillating music, vibrant dances, colourful costumes and perfect synchronization in this one and a half hour show.

Mr S K Sandhu, Finance Secretary, UT, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Chandigarh, October 18
A former chief engineer, Chandigarh Administration, Mr Puranjit Singh, today won a legal battle against the Administration for not fixing his pay as per seniority.

The anomaly resulted in the chief engineer being denied four increments, causing him financial loss.

Handing down its orders, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) today directed the administration to fix the pay of the former chief engineer with effect from 1997 and till 2001, when he was transferred from the post of Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, and promoted as Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Administration.

Mr Singh had been working as chief engineer, MC, since January 1997, but in his cadre he has been holding the post of SE since 1988.

Despite being the seniormost, his pay was not fixed as per seniority list. Instead of appointing him as Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Administration, Mr R.K. Jain, was appointed as the Chief Engineer.

In 2001, When Mr Puranjit was promoted as the Chief Engineer, Chandigarh Administration, his pay was not fixed as per his seniority with effect from 1997.

Even after retiring, Mr Singh kept on representing to the administration but to no effect. After his complaint was not redressed, Mr Singh moved the CAT.

Chandigarh, October 18
The Additional District and Session Judge, Mr B.K.Mehta, today sentenced an 18-year-old youth to one-and-a-half year of imprisonment for outraging the modesty of a four- year-old girl of a plywood owner in Sector 19 here. The incident took place on June 12, 2005.

While pronouncing the orders, the judge observed that the version of the prosecution that victim had been raped could not be made out. The accused, Arjun is already undergoing imprisonment in case of rape registered by the police on the basis of a complaint lodged by the father of the victim.

Chandigarh, October 18
With an act that combines its love for traditional circus arts—aerial, acrobatics and juggling—with elements from theatre and dance, ‘Company Meli-Melo’ is all set to present its acclaimed act ‘What are you leaning on?’ in the city tomorrow.

This French acrobat-theatrical ensemble (whose name incidentally means topsy-turvy just like their act!) with its ‘cast’ of five artistes, Tania Malaquin, Jeremie Mallard, Sebastien Peyre, Amaury Roussel and Celia Guibbert accompanied by its technician Pierre-Yves Guinais, take the audience into a world blooming in the eloquence of movement where they use their bodies to act out emotions, all without words.

In fact, the performance is replete with moments “fun and funny, topsy-turvy and upside-down” taking gaiety to a new high but with underlining metaphors and home truths harvested from life.

‘What are you leaning on?’ is their individual creative oeuvre which attempts to take story telling to a different level. “The first is the performance itself full of jokes and laughs and the second level is what we thought of when we created this show,” explains Jeremie.

A magical story of childhood to adulthood, it tells the tale of five people trapped in a room and how they get acquainted with one another, changing and growing up in the process. “While some grow up, some do not. So, in a way, you can recognise something of yourselves in the act. So the question for the audience is, what about you, have you grown up?” laughs Jeremie.

What is more, it was their inherent love for the antics of the circus that brought them all together.

None of them were into acrobatics. Jeremie was studying to be an engineer, Sebastien a physiotherapist, Tania was studying biology, Celia was an applied arts student and Amaury a graphic designer when they all decided to join a newly formed circus school in their hometown of Lille (Northern France) and discovered each other.

Thus, united by their love for the antics of the circus, ‘Meli-Melo’ was born in 1997 with their first amateur performance piece ‘A Small Circus between Friends’. Buoyed by the success of their first effort, they decided to turn professional and produced ‘A Small Puff of a Circus’ which tells the story of 3 people living on the ground and one stranger who falls from the sky. “It deals with the process of balancing and adjusting different worlds together and ends up with all four going up to live in the skies,” they explain.

It is this unusual interpretation of the circus from a “precious traditional art form” to one infused with modern elements that they hope to promote. Calling it “modern theatre” they let the imagination of the audience soar along with their performance. After all, as they put it, “acrobatic performance is a means not a goal because ultimately we want to touch people’s hearts.”

Brought to the city by Alliance Francaise de Chandigarh and the French Embassy, ‘What are you leaning on’ will be performed on October 19, Thursday at 7 pm at Rock Garden, Phase III, Chandigarh.