Chandigarh, November 8
Margot Politis, the presenter of popular television programme, “Study English”, and David Larbalestier, English language expert, visited GGDSD College here today and talked to students on the benefits of an international education in the global business world. They also offered them hints and tips on the all-important IELTS test.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr David Larbalestier said the IELT was essential for admission to any course in Australia. “Students with a comparatively lower score in IELTS can go to Australia and undertake bridging courses with the Insearch which is a pathway provider to the University of Technology, Sydney.

Sponsored by Insearch and Australia Network, Australia’s international television broadcaster, the workshop allowed students to gain an indepth understanding of what is expected of them before commencing university study in an English-speaking institution. Representatives from IDP Education, Australia, also answered students’ questions on international studies.

Chandigarh, November 8
The Department of Political Science organised the second annual Professor Pradeep Kumar Memorial Lecture here today. The lecture, held in the memory of late Professor Pradeep Kumar, was delivered by Prof Suhas Palshikar of the Department of Politics, Pune University.

The topic of the lecture was “Caste and politics in post-Mandal era”. The session was presided over by Prof Veer Singh, DUI, PU.

Professor Palshikar said the study of caste had come to a pass in the discipline of political science. Three decades after the publication of Rajni Kothari’s seminal work on caste and politics, there had been little headway in terms of analysis and explanation of many riddles of caste operation in India.

He outlined the journey of caste in political competition in India from the mid-60s to the late 80s when the term the “OBC politics” got introduced in the political vocabulary. Since the 1990s, i.e the post-Mandal era, political competition was observed between the middle peasantry and the OBC and between the OBC and the rise of claims of the Dalits.

A study of this post-Mandal politics, however, do not take note of some important factors like the way in which the BJP and the Congress had been able to ensure the presence of OBCs while sidelining the OBC agenda, he added.

Chandigarh, November 8
A unique comparison of social science textbooks taught in India and Pakistan was carried out by students of the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, here today. The students were participating in a one-day workshop by Dr S.P. Udayakumar, an expert on textbook 
content.

The workshop titled, “Making Peaceful Choices: Education for sustainable future of India and Pakistan,” for prospective teacher educators comprised discussing the problem of political socialisation of books of both India and Pakistan followed by content analysis and possibilities of what all can be done to deal with these.

Dr Udayakumar began the session with a brief introduction of the concept of political culture and civilisations. He elaborated on how our perceptions are a result of our assumptions, how assumptions are shaped by values and how values are inculcated by society.

Interacting with the students, Dr Udayakumar forced them to critically evaluate the NCERT textbooks of Classes VIII, IX and X. He asked them to try and read between the lines and look for the biases weaved in the information being imparted to them. He added that teachers of tomorrow should be able to look through these biases and be aware of what they were teaching.

He also called for a uniform system of textbook education through the country, conceding, however, that it would be difficult as every state had its own agenda to promote.

In the interactive session, suggestions were also put forward with regard to the steps that could be taken by society in general and teaching profession in particular.

Chandigarh, November 8
Students studying in 50 engineering and other professional colleges across Punjab will get a recruitment chance at a three-day mega job fest being organised from November 10 at Chandigarh Engineering College (CEC) at Landran near Mohali.

As many as 2400 engineering professionals have already registered their names. An invitation for the fest has been forwarded to the colleges, including the ones affiliated to Punjab Technical University, Punjabi University, Guru Nanak Dev University and Panjab University’s University Institute of Engineering and Technology. So far the participation of 36 colleges in the fest has been confirmed.

The CEC Principal, Dr G.D. Bansal, said the show was being organised with the assistance of G4 Solutions, a London-based professionally managed organisation involved in the recruitment, and another organisation in Navi Mumbai.

The companies expected to take part in the recruitment drive include giants like a Noida-based software company, Hexaware, and a telecom organisation, the GTL. Selected candidates are expected to be given a pay package up to Rs 2.2 lakh per annum.

Dr Bansal added that students in institutes across Punjab were highly talented and they only need an opportunity to show their potential. The fest was aimed at providing them a platform.

The Chairman of Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Mr Satnam Singh Sandhu, said the intention behind the event was to provide equal opportunities to the students studying in remote areas.

Elaborating, he said most of the organisations were hiring professionals from centrally located institutes, without moving into the interiors. As such, a large number of students in the remote areas do not get good jobs.

President S. Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal said the institute was also looking into the possibility of holding a joint campus drive for students studying in all leading colleges in part of the region, including Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Mohali, November 8
Students of DAV Public Senior Secondary School, Mohali, had a date with a Danish pop star, Anita Lerche, who is all set to foray into the Punjabi pop world with her maiden cassette ready to hit the stands.

After singing in 14 Languages, Anita set her eyes on the Punjabi pop world, thanks to her immediate obsession with the Punjabi hit “Latthe di chadar” during a trekking mission in Kulu.

She decided to try her luck in Punjabi folk singing and came down all the way to Punjab for recording her album.

She was welcomed by a song sung by students of the school in her honour. She then interacted with students and spoke on her career and possibilities of singing more Punjabi albums.

‘Punjabi is very rhapsodic in listening. I was immediately stung by the melody of “lathe di chadar.

Then decided to sing an album. I also like the people of the state, especially their hospitality towards their guests,” said the Danish star, who enthralled the students with her impromptu and mesmerising performance.

Principal Jaya Bhardwaj, addressing students on the occasion, said that such cultural exchange was essential to promote cultural ties between the two countries. “I will look forward to another opportunity for bringing the cultures of the two countries together”, said Ms Bhardwaj.

Chandigarh, November 8
The five-day Chandigarh Theatre Festival to be organised by the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademy will commence from November 11 at Tagore Theatre here. The akademy had roped in five top theatre ensembles from the city and its vicinity to project their aesthetic potential, said chairperson Kamal Tewari.

The festival will open with a presentation of “Chehre”, a classic by playwright Shanker Sesh.

On November 12, the Theatre Age ensemble will present “Gandhi ki Wapsi”.

The Suchetak Rang Manch brings alive the poignancy of social evils like female foeticide in “Ladki jis nu rona nahin aunda” under the direction of Aneeta Sabdeesh on November 13.

The festival concludes with yet another classic play, “Ek aur Dronacharya” by playwright Shanker Sesh on November 15. Directed by Umesh Kant, the production weaves the mythological and contemporary time frames. The entry is free for art lovers and plays start at 6.30 pm on all days.