The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Need to promote reading habits among
students: Pathak
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11
Libraries have a vital role to play in uplift of society and good books can change lives of readers. This was stated by the Panjab University Vice-Chancellor, Prof K.N. Pathak, while inaugurating contests organised by the Chandigarh Librarians Association at St John’s High School, Sector 26, here today.

Lauding the efforts of the association in organising this educational programme, Prof Pathak said there should be a compulsory one-hour library period for all classes in all educational institutions which would help in promoting reading habits in students.

Speaking at the function, the Principal of Government College, Sector 46, Maj D.P. Singh (Retd), said such contests helped in making the future leaders aware of the value of reading books.

In her welcome address, the Principal of St John’s High School, Sector 26, Ms P Cheema, said the campaign to promote reading habits in students was the need of the hour and the CLA was doing its bit in this regard.

Giving details of the programme, Mr I.B. Verma, general secretary of the organisation, said these contests attracted over 6,000 participants from various schools and colleges of the city and its adjoining areas. They competed in slogan writing, essay writing, collage and cartoon making, handwriting, poster making and bookmark making contests.

Mr Verma added the contests, being organised in three phases, would conclude in January, 2002.

CULTURE

Impressive violin recital by Prof Nandi
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 11
On the occasion of the 58th monthly Baithak programme, the Pracheen Kala Kendra presented a violin recital by celebrated exponent and teacher of Violin, Prof Gopal Chandra Nandi, at Bhaskar Rao Auditorium in Sector 35, here today.

Starting the programme with Raag Puriya Dhanashree, an evening raag of Purvi Thaat , Prof Nandi exhibited excellent command over the instrument by creating ‘swars’ from ‘komal’ to ‘madhyam’ to ‘teevra’. The melody continued with Aalap, Vidhivat Aalap, Vilambit and a composition in teen taal.

Prof Nandi, adept at blending Gayaki with Trantrakari, concluded the evening by playing a ‘dhun’ in Raag Des in Khamaj Thaat accompanied by a systemic Alaap. He was accompanied on tabla by Pandit Keshav Raghunath Talegaonkar and on tanpura by A. S. Gill.

Foreign students enthral
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11
It was a pleasant evening of colourful stage performances by foreign students in the city at Tagore Theatre here today.

The event was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in collaboration with the office of the Foreign Students, Panjab University. Students of at least twelve countries participated in the event which witnessed a sizeable audience.

Bijan introduced the show which began with a prayer by Richard from Kenya. This was followed by a classical dance from Thailand.

The dance by Nepalese girls was highly appreciated. The event also featured songs and dances by students from Uganda, Ethopia, Bhutan, Tibet and Uzbekistan, besides others.

Also present on the occasion were Prof R.C. Sobti, Dean Foreign Students (PU), and Mr Vinod Kumar, Regional Director of the ICCR. The function was dedicated to the memory Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.