Chandigarh, November 18
A two-day National Seminar on ‘Business and Soft Skills Development in Technical Manpower’ was organised on the eve of 39th Annual Day celebrations of the National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Sector 26, here, today.

It was pointed out at the seminar that besides hard skills in various technical subjects, engineering students needed to learn soft skills, e.g. effective communication, team work, work ethics, logics and reasoning lateral thinking, human sensibility, problem solving, time management etc.

As many as 80 professionals and teachers, representing various technical institutions from across the country, made around 50 technical presentations.

The presentations were were attended by prominent professionals and teachers, including Professor Ashok Chandra, former Special Secretary, Education, Government of India, Professor D.S. Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, Lovely Technical University, Professor Vijay Gupta, Director, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, Mr M.P. Gupta, Director, Technical Education, Haryana, Professor Leelavati Krishnan, IIT, Kanpur, Dr Baljit Kapoor, Principal, CCET, Chandigarh.

A cultural programme was also organised in the evening where employees and their family members presented various programmes, including dance, songs, plays and instrumental music.

Benefits of VAT stressed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 18
The two-day national seminar on VAT concluded at the Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, here, today.

The seminars third technical session was held in the morning. Dr Ravinder Vinayak, Dean, Department of Commerce, MDU, Rohtak, chaired the session. Dr S.K. Chadha of UBS, Chandigarh, was the co-chairperson.

The chief guest, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister of State for Finance, said this system would prove to be people-friendly and business-friendly because of its uniform and universal nature, which would ultimately lead to a transparent tax system.

Mr Vimal K. Aggrawal, practising cost accountant, Chandigarh; Dr V.K. Sareen,. lecturer, DAV College, Jalandhar; Col B.M. Sabhlok, director NGO, Foundation of Training and Development for Entrepreneurship, discussed the concept of VAT — its implementation and implications on the Indian Economy.

Mrs Suman Bala, Commissioner, Custom and Excise, Noida, in her valedictory address, remarked that multiple tax system was inconvenient and outdated in the present scenario. VAT was an appropriate replacement for that. She advocated the benefits of VAT and stressed on its implementation.

Chandigarh, November 18
Shishu Niketan Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22-D, celebrated its annual function here today.

The function started with an invocation to Lord Ganesha. Students presented a host of cultural activities, including poppet show, dances from a number of states and a play on corruption.

What enthralled the audience was a fashion show by nursery students. Bhangra marked the grand finale.

Chandigarh, November 18
The Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 45, Chandigarh, representing Educational Colleges (A-Zone) emerged winner in the skit-I competition on the penultimate day of the Panjab University Inter-zonal Youth Festival and Heritage Festival (2006-07) held at DAV College, Sector 10 here, today.

The chief guest, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, Minister of Transport, Haryana, announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the girls' hostel and air conditioning of the college auditorium. Ms Anu Chatrath, Chandigarh Mayor, was also present on the occasion.

Results:

Ladies Traditional Songs: I SBBS MG College Sukhanand, Moga, Moga-Ferozepore (Girls); II DM College Moga, Moga-Ferozepore (Boys); III Guru Nanak Girls College Ludhiana, Ludhiana(B-Zone)

Skit: 1 Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 45, Chandigarh Educational Colleges (A-Zone) , 2 Govt. College, Sector -11, Chandigarh, Chandigarh (A-Zone), 3 Arya College, Ludhiana, Ludhiana (A-Zone)

Skit (Individual): 1 Som Parkash, Govt. College, 11, Chandigarh, Chandigarh (Boys Zone) , 2 Arun Sharma, RSD College, Ferozepore City, Moga-Ferozepore (Boys Zone), 3 Bakhsho Govt. College, Hoshiarpur, Hoshiarpur (B-Zone) Mimicry: 1 Puneet , Govt. College, Sector-11, Chandigarh (Boys), 2 Yadwinder Singh, Satyam College of Education, Moga, Educational Colleges, (B-Zone) , 3 Sukhdarshan Singh BCM College of Education, Ludhiana Educational Colleges (A-Zone) Mime: 1 Govt. College, Hoshiarpur, Hoshiarpur (B-Zone), 2 SCD Government College, Ludhiana, Ludhiana (A-Zone), 3 DAV College, Chandigarh, Chandigarh (Boys-Zone)

Chandigarh, November 18
Unlike popular Urdu poetry or poetry in many other languages, Punjabi Sufi poetry is not aimed at elites but it is poetry for common man. For mental health professionals, there are special messages in Sufi poetry. It is only now that we have started talking about the emotional quotient (EQ) of a person wheras Sufi poetry has always combimned the intellectual and emotional aspects of our overall well being, said Dr N. N. Wig, Professor Emeritus, Psychiatry, PGI, Chandigarh, here today.

Dr Wig was delivering a lecture on “Punjabi Sufi Poetry and Mental Health” as part of the ongoing Sher-e-Punjab Lala Lajpat Rai’s 78th Martyrdom Fortnight at the local Lajpat Bhawan.

Dr Wig said our greatest heritage in Punjab was our Punjabi language. In this language, the spiritual poetry of the Sikh Gurus, Hindu saints and Muslim Sufi poets was our greatest cultural asset. The greatness of Punjabi Sufi poetry was that it cut across religious boundaries. The writings of Baba Farid or Shah Husssain or Bulleh Shah were known and sung by all Punjabis, Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims. They had shaped our thinking, our feelings, our value system from early childhood and thus in a way they had greatly influenced our mental health in Punjab.

Many of the Sufi teachings were simple rules for good living, which were as relevant today as they were when they were said hundreds of years ago. For example, Sufi sayings on humility, austerity, avoidance of false social pride, etc were important messages for good life even in modern times. Similarly the message for love for all fellow beings of all classes and communities is very relevant in today’s troubled times. An important feature of Sufi thought is its anti-orthodox and anti-ritualistic approach. It exhorts people to rise above dogma and rituals and rituals and seek God through love and personal experience.

Punjabi Sufi poetry was not aimed at the elites but it was poetry for common man. It was deliberately rustic, using everyday village symbols like charkha, etc. The almost blunt language would hit you directly in the heart. This was where its appeal lay. Mental health professionals could learn from Sufis—how to reach out to the common people, how to use language, symbols and imagery used by common man while doing counseling and psychotherapy.

Chandigarh, November 18
Like poles repel, they say. But at Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16 yesterday, like poles came together to weave attractive webs of colours and thoughts. In focus at the gallery, which brimmed with the energy of passion, were artworks of 10 artists.

For Anand Shende, Anand Sharma, Anjali Aggarwal, Jagdeep Jolly, Kaumudi Prajapati, Mahesh Prajapati, Pramod Arya, Rakesh Bani, Rajesh Sharma and Sanjeev Kumar, “Untitled” is not a mere exhibition of art; it is a reflection of their heart and mind out together. Ask them what inspired them to share a platform for display of talent and they answer in unison: “Being part of the faculty of Government College of Art, Sector 10, we all share a common strain. For us, coming together for an exhibition meant coming together for a cause - that of art.”

Among participants of the show, supported by Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, are four applied artistes, three printmakers and three sculptors. The range of colours, mediums and themes is immense. In recurrent focus, however, is the struggle for existence. Where on the one hand, woman’s form dominates one set of canvases, on the other animals, particularly bulls, rule the roost.

Sculptures are most powerful components of the show. They take away chunk of visitors’ attention. In this section, Jagdeep Jolly’s Swambhu (self-made) arouses curiosity, so does Sanjeev Kumar’s Sajinde series. The works attract because they lead themselves to myriad interpretations.

Anand Sharma’s intensity is equally enrapturing. He captures the grey areas of human thought with exceptional talent. One of his works “Tsunami” haunts the senses. “Human flame” on the other hand balances out fears by reinforcing hope in the continuity of life. Anand Shende does a fine job with his paintings. His compositions are well executed, so are Anjali Agarwal’s who romances the bull in her works.

For Jagdeep Jolly, the art of sculpting is the ultimate indulgence and it shows through his works. They are not just impressive, but also thought-provoking. The element of intrigue travels through the gallery and finds home in the prints of Mahesh Prajapati, who is an acclaimed printmaker. His works have mythical overtones. They inspire and intrigue at the same time.

Rakesh Bani’s prints have a different kind of texture. They dwell on the past more than the present. Nostalgia is what they preach.

Other participants — Pramod Arya, Kaumudi Prajapati, Rajesh Sharma and Sanjeev Kumar — also contribute to the show with their distinct styles. The exhibition can be viewed from 10 am to 5 pm.

Chandigarh, November 18
It was inspired music at the Kalagram Open Air Theatre here this evening, with ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh singing at “Rubaru”, a function organised by the UTI Bank Priority Banking.

The delectable strains of cohesive melody wafted across the surroundings, as the ghazal king commenced the concert with the soulful rendition of “Ye inaytein gazb ki ye bla ki meharbani, meri khairiyat bhi puchhi kisi aur ki zubani..” The audience greeted him as he unfolded the melody of “Kaun kehta hai Mohabbat ki zuban hoti hai...”

The thought process and emotional hues deepened further with “Apni ankhon ke samander mein utar jaane do...”

Blending the classical conservation and dynamic spirit of innovation, Jagjit Singh doled out a medley of couplets articulating a specific mood from different ghazals like “Tera husan hai jaisa”, “Chaudvin ka chaand”, Hothon ko chhu lo, “Tum itna jo” and many more.

The latest “Koi baat chale..” elicited wider response because of its new dimensions to the ghazal genre.

The sense and sensibility of the ghazal found true expression in his deep baritone voice, traversing the lowermost octaves with consummate ease.

As expected, Jagjit Singh modulated his voice with youthful freshness and impulsive imagination to conclude the programme with his Punjabi hits. The illustrious array of musicians included Deepak Pandit, Abhinav Upadhya, Zaved Sheikh, Deepak Borker, Atul Ranaga, D. Rajbhat, while TV star Mansi Parekh conducted the programme.

Chandigarh, November 18
‘Tere jije da a dil dariya saliye’ may have rocked wedding celebrations in delight but its singers Bhupinder Gill and Neelam were not content to rest on past laurels. After their album ‘Chhan Chhan’ they have released yet another album ‘Sang Di Bhabo’. Eight romantic songs reflecting Punjabi culture with all its fun elements find reflection in their songs written by Labh Chatamli Wala, Assa Butter and Satti. — TNS