Irregularities in exam conduct
Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, October 7
As the Punjab Nursing Registration Council is conducting the rescheduled September 29 paper of community health nursing of the first year of the general nursing and midwifery tomorrow, the fundamental nursing paper held on September 27 last is embroiled in controversy. The Punjab Health System Corporation was reportedly inquiring into the matter.

Though a public notice inserted in daily newspapers by the council had said that the September 29 paper was cancelled due to administrative reasons, it is learnt that it had been cancelled following reports of its leakage. Sources in the Punjab Health System Corporation said a proper inquiry into the conduct of the September 27 paper of fundamental nursing could also reveal a similar story.

After reports of tearing of a bundle containing the papers of fundamental nursing, physiology and anatomy and community health nursing, being taken to a centre in Ludhiana by a Class IV employee of the council, the office of registrar prepared fresh papers before sending them to all the centres, located in Ludhiana, Patiala, New Delhi, Amritsar and Jammu and Kashmir. Fresh papers were reprinted but sent to the centres only in Delhi and it had eight questions.

The sources said the question papers which were damaged enroute to Ludhiana on September 20, were again sent to centres in Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar in three different formats but with the same set of seven questions.

But the handwritten paper distributed at the Jalandhar centre contained different questions from the papers distributed at other centres. As per the rules, same question papers should have been distributed at all the centres in Punjab and outside. While the question paper sent to Delhi contained eight questions, the papers sent to other centres contained seven questions.

The same set of question papers sent to Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala differed on type size and spacing. While the paper sent to Amritsar carried over to second page, the papers sent to Patiala and Ludhiana were on a single page.

Dr Sukhdev Singh, Deputy Director in the corporation, who is inquiring into the matter, refused to comment. The Director of the Punjab Health System Corporation-cum-Chairman of the Nursing Council, Dr G.S. Preet, was not available for comments. Efforts to get version of the Registrar, Punjab Nursing Registration Council, Ms Gulshan Beer Kaur, proved futile.

Students display skills at science fair
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 7
Around 250 students from Punjab and the UT displayed their creations at the 10th state-level science fair and exhibition that concluded at Sharda Sarvhitkari Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40, here today.

Students had prepared projects on the constructive use of nuclear energy, development of Information Technology, food and nutrition, communication and transport, importance of non-conventional sources and the importance of cow in today’s Scientific life.

The fair was divided into three parts: science exhibition, science quiz and paper reading contest. Students prepared models and charts themselves by adopting project method. The exhibition was open for students and parents . It was an effort award developing scientific attitude among students. The overall trophy went to Sharda Sarvhitkari Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40.

The result of paper reading contest — junior group: first - Ketki , second — Surubi and third — Sapna. Senior group: first — Urvashi, second — Gurmeet and Kulwant, third — Nitika.

Quiz competition; (Senior group) — first — Dayanand Public School Nabha, second — SVM Mansa and third — Sharda Sarvhitkari Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40-D. Junior group: first — Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir, second — Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir and third — Sharda Sarvhitkari Senior Secondary School, Sector 40.

The results of models — junior group : Relevance of Cow : first — Sharda Sarvhitkari School , second — SVM Barnala, third — SVM, Sector 71. Medicinal plants : first - Sharda Sarvhitkari Model School, second — Prem Dham, Patiala, third — Dayanand Public School, Nabha. Personal and community health: first — Prem Dham, Patiala, second — Shivanand Public School, Morinda, third — SVM Bijanpur. Management of water: first — Sharda Sarvhitkari Model School, second- SVM Derabassi , third — Dayanand Public School, Nabha. Sources of non conventional energy : First- Budlada, second — DPS Nabha and Prem Dham Patiala, third — Kulwant Rai SVM Sector 27.

Results of models of senior group: Food health and nourishment : First — Sharda SVM Sector 40, second — SVM Sector 71, third — SVM Barnala. Transport and communication: first — SVM Budhlada, second — SVM Derabassi, third — SVM Barnala. Nuclear energy: first — Shivanand Vidya Mandir, Morinda, second — SVM Barnala, third — Sharda SVM, Sector 40. Information Technology : first — Sharda SVM, Sector 40, second — SVM Mansa and SVM Bhikhi, third — SVM Dhuri. Sources of Non-conventional energy : first — Prem Dham Patiala, second — SVM Mansa, third — DPS Nabha.

Institute honours its top students
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 7
Twenty top rankers in Pre Medical Entrance test and Common Entrance Test by Himachal Pradesh University, who got their coaching from Chandigarh Coaching Centre, were honoured here today by the institute.

Students securing top ranks in PMT agreed that hard work, determination and sincerity were the key to success.

Talking to the Chandigarh Tribune, the toppers said: “The maximum credit goes to proper guidance and moral support from our teachers and family. Apart from this, the efforts put in by the teachers of the coaching centre proved vital for our success.”

Nidhi Chauhan, who got third rank in PMT said: “My success is the result of hard work and sincerity. Besides, the teachers from the coaching centre gave a moral boost. Teachers from the institute put in extra effort to see better results from every student.”

Mahender Singh, who secured fourth rank, said: “Personal attention and proper guidance from the teachers of the coaching centre helped me clear the Pre Medical Entrance test.”

Another student from the institute, Umesh said: “Hard work, perseverance, and proper guidance from teachers helped me to succeed in the entrance test. Daily tests helped me cope up with the vast syllabus.”

The Director of institute, Mr Vinod Khera, said: “We are honouring the students who glorified the name of the institute by securing top ranks in entrance test examinations. Stress is laid on daily tests throughout the year to make the students confident. Motivation is the main thrust of our institute and we provide remedial measures to each and every student wherever required.”

400 take part in song contest
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 7
“National Group Song”, a patriotic songs competition, organised by the Bharat Vikas Parishad here today was a big draw as over 400 students took part in it.

A total of 22 teams from different schools of the city participated in the competition held in the auditorium of the Government College for Boys, Sector 11.

Results: Moti Ram Arya Senior Model School, Sector 27, I.S. Dev Samaj Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, were declared first, second and third in the senior category, respectively. In the junior category, the first, second and third positions went to Government High School, Sector 24, Stepping Stone School, Sector 38, and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, respectively.

The winners will participate in a state-level competition to be held in Bassi Pathana (Punjab) on October 14. Earlier, the function was inaugurated by Mr H.S. Thukral, vice-president of Punjab Tractors Limited. Mr M. Chhibber, president of the north unit of the parishad, and Mr Arvind Jain, secretary of the local unit of the parishad, were also present.

Teachers discuss pending demands
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 7
The general body meeting of the Government Teachers Union was held to discuss the pending demands, including the amended rules in the Recruitment Rules, 1991.

The teachers demanded bonus for class III and class IV employees of the Education Department. Special increments after the service of 5, 9 and 14 years in place of 8, 16, 24 and 32 years were demanded.

The release of DA for the UT teachers, period to be fixed for those on deputation, filling up of the vacant posts of different categories either by promotion or direct recruitment and inflow of teachers on deputation to be stopped were the main issues highlighted at the meeting. Immediate transfer of the Deputy District Education Officer, Mr Chanchal Singh, was demanded by the teachers.

Rectification of the transfer orders that have violated the transfer policy, two advance increments on account of higher qualification for teachers were also reinstatement of all suspended teachers were also demanded by the teachers.

The issue of general elections of the union would be finalised before November 10. They have decided to meet the Education Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, with their pending demands.

Conference on electronic design
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, October 7
A two-day national conference-cum-exhibition on “electronic design and technology” is being organised at the Centre for Electronic Design and Technology of India (CEDTI) here from October 12. The conference is being organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Technology.

The Governor of Punjab, Lieut Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), would inaugurate the conference. Delegates from Germany, Singapore, Australia and Switzerland are expected to participate.

Shatroopa opens to tremendous applause
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 7
The sets of the Song and Drama Division's light and sound programme, Shatroopa, were as grand as the theme of portrayal itself. As the sensitive presentation opened to a promising audience at Circus Ground here today, the addiction went on heightening with every passing episode which the two-hour long programme featured. Finally the evening was all about a celebration of womanhood even in the seemingly depressing script which bares the rancour which society harbours against women.

Meera, Draupadi, Yashodhara, Panna Dai, Hada Rani and countless such heroic figures from history and mythology flashed before the eyes in all their strength. The director of the programme, Mr Prem Matiyani, seems to have gone into the depth of the problem, which starts right from the moment when Brahma witnesses the ardhanarishwara split away into a male (Manu) and a female (Shatroopa) part. The story of woman's subjection, repeated in all ages, has been very convincingly captured by the director, who also happens to share the script credit with Bal Swaroop Rahi, J.N. Kaushal, Dr Harish Naval and Ramesh Bhateja.

The stage presence of all the characters (most of whom are from the city) is imposing and they get extremely well with the various historical figures like Kunti, Draupadi and so on... Magic created by the sets apart, three other points on which the production scores are — music by B.V. Karanth, with rendering by Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Shubha Mudgal, among others, costumes by city-based Dolly Tewari, and finally the superb blending and editing offered by the sutradhaar.

The power of the production also lies in the fact that it irks the conscience on the issue of rights for women who are equal partners in creation. It shakes the thought process. By featuring the lives of seemingly celebrated women figures of Draupadi and Yashodhara, it shows the physical torture they were subjected to: Draupadi's will is meaningless in front of her mother-in-law Kunti's; Yashodhara is conveniently abandoned by her husband, who rises to be Gautama, the Buddha; Panna Dai is faced with a choice between motherland and son; and Kamla, who, despite practising the oldest profession of the world, has not lost the basic human character.

The voices were familiar.. lent by famous actors like Supriya Pathak and K.K. Raina. Light (by Tapas Sen) and sound (by Matiyani) matched the grandeur of sets created by Robin. Present on the first show of the production were the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob, and the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Mr Ramesh Bais.

The show will be held in Circus Ground every day at 7 pm. 

Sagun panchhi — a celebration of existence
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 7
All those who had gathered at Tagore Theatre today to witness a grand opening to the six-day theatre festival must have lived every moment of the production of North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Allahabad’s ‘Sagun panchhi’. They must also have realised that no matter how fast the modes of entertainment move, there will never be a parallel to the realism which theatre offers with each passing minute.

Packed and presented in folk theatre leela shaili, today’s presentation by Mayur Rangmanch, Allahabad, was truly realistic. The script was woven to prove a fact which has been tested and tried since times immemorial — the individuality of man and woman and the futility of their existence in each other’s absence. Writer- producer Shashikant Sharma could not have better portrayed such a sensitive theme, which concerns not just the man and the woman, but creation at large.

In the symbolism of parrot and ‘mainah’, the viewer found a reflection of man and woman, who harbour apprehensions against one another, nurture grudges, grumble, fight.....but still seek union of mind and body at the end of every day. The characters flow with the crisp, sensitive script and carry it home through various episodes which show how a queen (played by Lakshmi Sahni) wishes to test the love of king ( played by Rajeev Khare) by asking him to search for her lost jewel at every cost. At this juncture queen’s faith in her man’s love rests on whether he can trace the jewel or not. The same queen in another context readily gives her life to save the honour of her man, who in turn, offers half of his life to the queen so that she can live. The hidden message flashes time and again on the stage. It reads: “Love alone can complement love. If unrequited, it goes wasted.”

Irrespective of social levels, the story remains the same. Another episode which progresses simultaneous to the king-queen episode is the one of ‘Mainah Ganga’ (played by Alpana Mishr) and ‘Tota Pancham’ (played by Shyam Nath Sharma) who cannot think of life without each other. Just as fire and water cannot exist is isolation, a man and woman cannot seek harmony at individual levels. Other characters in the play add weight to the theory which the writer wishes to prove — “that despite all the differences of thought and action, man and woman must meet to confirm and honour mother nature. This very union is ‘sagun’ (auspicious).” Hence the title of the play, which is set in an Uttar Pradesh backdrop.

Among other players on stage were Dinesh Chandra Pandey as the minister, who tries to vitiate the queen against the king; Vinay Mishr as Neelkanth, the God; Krishn Dutt Awasthi, as the nuisance monger who plays a spoilsport; Ram Gopal Gupta as the old man, who makes the king conscious of his fears; Ajay Srivastava as the ghost ; Neeraj Guptaand Shashikant Sharma as the travellers; Pankaj, Rahul, Badri Narayan, Ankur, Amit and Prabhanjan as the birds; and Aashish and Aashu as soldiers.

The choreography was by Alpana Mishr and vocal support came from Shivkumar Pathak and Chintamani Behre; music was by Nagina, lights by Umesh Kushwaha and make up by Ram Krishna Nirbhaya.

Earlier, the festival was thrown open by the Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr L.M. Goyal, in the presence of Mr Kamal Tewari, Director, Haryana Cultural Welfare Department. The artistes were later honoured with bouquets by the distinguished director of Indian Theatre Department, Panjab University, Mohan Maharishi, whose production will also shortly feature in the festival.

‘Sansmritiyan’ in Punjabi
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 7
“Shaheedan de Angsang”, a Punjabi translation of “Sansmritiyan” was released at a meeting of Sahit Chintan at Punjab Kala Bhavan here today. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sukhdev Singh Sirsa said, “This type of literature (the book) is the national wealth”. The book contains stories of over 150 brave people associated with the national freedom movement.

Dr Prem Singh, a former Editor of a vernacular newspaper, presided over the function. He said that Bhagat Singh was a hero of the national freedom movement. Prof Malwinder Singh was of the opinion that a chapter should have been devoted to the life of Shiv Verma.

Hungarian group performs in city
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 7
Haunting melodies of Vilagok Hangja (sound of words) group turned Indian hearts to respond spontaneously and admiringly to the universal sound of music by the Hungarian ensemble at English Auditorium, Panjab University, here this evening.

The music concert, featuring Iatvan Jeszenszki, Balazs Nagy, Gabriella Bacskai and Laszlo Hana, was organised by the local chapter of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

In the first part of the programme, the ensemble plays traditional folk melodies from Hungary. Although featuring collections from different parts of the country, the music collection, however, “are organic part of the Hungarian music”.

The range of the presentations varied from dancing melodies, lyrical songs to shepherd songs and plaintive love songs.

In the second part of the programme, the music group has attempted improvisations of the Asian melodies along with original Hungarian compositions.

One highlight of the programme was the wide range of musical instruments accompanying the ensemble. One could enjoy guitar, zuther, koboz, sarod, hurdy gurdy, flute, tanpura, besides a wide range of percussion instruments.