Buoyed over the qualitative talent showcased by the students of government primary schools during the state-level cultural fair held at the DAV College Auditorium at Abohar on Saturday, Krishan Kumar, Director General, school education, decided that ‘Baal Sabhas’ should also be organised in high and senior secondary schools to explore interest in co-curricular activities on the last Saturday of each month. Earlier, only such cultural meetings were held in primary schools. The way students from 51 primary schools have mesmerised the audience during the fair indicates that the financial status of a family hardly prevents developing of talent in the children, he said.
Not only the visionary DG but others too felt bewildered when Gursahib Singh, a student of a rural primary school, drew his sketch in less than five minutes on-the-spot. Also on display were eye-catching art and craft pieces that had been aesthetically prepared in the primary schools during seminars.
Interestingly, the portraits of Syed Waris Shah (1722 - 1798) best-known for his seminal work Heer Ranjha, Shaeed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and noted poet Pash (1950-88) of Punjab carried their identity in Punjabi, Urdu and English, were found in the Punjabi book fair that was organised on the occasion.
Interestingly, the child artists also chose legendary folk of undivided Punjab that included Mirza Sahiban by Pritpal Singh of Faridkot and hit songs like “Aaja mere mahiya, Tainu akhiyan udikdiyan” presented by Manjit and Salman of village Dulchi. Significantly, the participants played folk instruments of the forgotten past, while presenting group songs and dances. This would certainly strengthen their bonds with the mother tongue and its rich cultural heritage, he added.
“I have found that even when they are less resourceful, the students of government schools are capable of competing with those studying in model schools,” he said. The border district of Ferozepur was considered backward in educational field also but the Padho Punjab campaign has changed the scenario.
Acknowledging the success of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan in elementary schools, the government is now preparing to launch Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), aimed at expanding and improving the standards of secondary education, involving classes IX and X in the current year, will be introduced in it in secondary schools also, Krishan Kumar said.
— Raj Sadosh
Sabhyacharak Chetna Manch of Mansa, which was formed in 2004, is now going ahead towards its aim of eradicating social evils in the society.
The main aim of the Manch is to fight against social evils and help the poor and needy people.
For this purpose, it has been organising “Lohri Dhian Di” continuously for the last four years as a major tool to fight against the menace of female foeticide and set a positive mindset towards the girl child.
Along with this, the Manch has been lending a helping hand to poor people at a time of their daughters marriages. Besides, it has also been playing a major role in other social service program mes such as pulse polio and TB eradication campaigns.
On some occasions, it had organised tree plantation campaigns through which saplings were planted at common places.
The Manch had honoured those girls, who obtained considerable position
in the fields of education, sports and social services.
For providing socials services, the Manch president Kamaljit Malwa has been honoured during the district-level functions on some occasion.
Some other people were also honoured during the functions of the Manch including play writer Ajmer Singh Aulakh and Darshan Mitwa, Singer Mohammad Sadiq, Surinder Chinda, Hakam Sufi, Baba Kashinath Jogi, Albel Brar and Comedian Bhajna Amli.
It is notable that all members of the Manch are government employees but they have been providing their share in social services and contribution in fighting against the social evils.
— Parmod Mehta
