EDUCATION

SCHOOL BUZZ
A twenty-metre-long ‘no’ to fire crackers
Smriti Kak

School students chose to celebrate Divali this year minus smoke and sound. By saying ‘no’ to crackers, they did their bit to conserve the environment.

A song at a special fete organised by Queen Marry School to promote a new building at Model Town in New Delhi on Sunday. — Tribune Photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Students from Guru Harkrishan Public School, Vasant Vihar, also signed a 20-meter-long banner, pledging to say ‘no’ to crackers.

The signed banner, which now adorns a wall in the school, was signed by over 3,000 students of the school. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit congratulated the students for their initiative to save the environment. Messages such as ‘Diwali with love and peace’, ‘Abolish child labour’ and ‘No pollution’ adorned the banner. The students also took the initiative to carry forward the message of saying ‘no’ to polybags, initiated by Ms. Dikshit.

Science fair

The awards for Intel STDF, which was organised in the Capital’s Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, have been announced. A total of 48 students are all set to represent Delhi in the National fair, scheduled to take place in 2002.

In the individual category, 18 students won the award while 30 were declared winners in the team category. A total of 147 projects were judged by an eminent jury comprising senior professors from prestigious institutes like the IIT and the Delhi University.

The winners of the national finals will represent India in the Intel International Science and Engineering fair, to be held in the United States in May 2002.

“The Intel STDF is a platform for children with an interest in mathematics and science and acts as a catalyst for creativity and innovation”, said Ms. Aruna Ramanathan, head of education programme of Intel in India.

DAV festivities

The DAV centenary school in Noida wore a festive look last week as it celebrated its annual day. The colourful programme, which began with an invocation to goddess Saraswati, was conceived and executed with craftsmanship and brilliance.

The programme consisted of a ballet titled ‘Ganga’. The theme of the ballet was the pollution of the holiest river. Apart from this, the students staged a skit, ‘Rahat,’ that highlighted the plight of students grappling with bulky school bags. The skit was a plea from the students for relief; it also propagated the message of ‘No-home work, no-bags’.

The highlight of the programme, however, was the ‘Sadbhavana Geet’, a song which conveyed the message of peace, tolerance and love.

But, what stole hearts was the performance by tiny tots, who enthralled the audiences with their ‘Brown Girl in the Ring’ number.

The vibrant and peppy Rajasthani dance transported the onlookers to the land of valour – Rajasthan.

Chief Guest G.P. Chopra also inaugurated a well-equipped computer lab. A prize distribution ceremony was held to felicitate students for their academic as well as extra-curricular activities. The teaching and non-teaching staff were also presented awards for their efforts in organising various activities in the school.

Divali mela

The students of Guru Nanak Public School, Pitampura and Punjabi Bagh, organised a Diwali mela in the school premises. Food stalls that served the traditional Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti attracted visitors as did the fireworks, which had been specially organised on the occasion. The dance number performed by the junior students of the school was also appreciated. The students also took a vow to serve the senior citizens of the area and save money which they would have otherwise frittered away on crackers. It was decided to use the funds thus saved for the benefit of senior citizens.

NIIT campaign

NIIT recently flagged off a signature campaign supporting the computer literacy movement. December 2, 2001 will be celebrated as the world computer day. On this day, the home page of Indiatimes.com will have a special section on the World Computer Literacy Day, which allows people to sign up for the campaign and register or gift SWIFT Jyoti, a specially designed course, which will acquaint novices with computers. As a part of their endeavor to mobilise 100,000 citizens on December 2, NIIT has announced 20,000 free courses for the country’s political leaders and deserving Government school students.

Painting event

A painting Competition was organised by the National Art Centre, Gurgaon, on the 19th of November. Around 30 schools participated in the event, which had been divided into three groups. Narayana Rao, a class four student from Gyan Devi Public School, won the first prize in Group A, while Shallu Yadav, a class ten student, won the third prize in Group C.

Free education

Education is each child’s right, especially quality education. Even though the world recognises the need for educating people, a lot remains to be done in that direction.

Thousands of young children are still bereft of quality education. Demanding their right, 50 students presented Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi with four-and-a-half lakh post cards, to drive home their message. The post cards, demanding equitable education, have been specially addressed to the Speaker as he is viewed as the last repository of democratic tradition. These post cards had been collected over a period of six months by NAFRE, a coalition demanding educational rights.

Bal Bhawan

Bal Bhawan, Palwal, an institution established for the welfare and all-round development of children, organised a three-day programme from November 19-21 to mark the Children’s Day.

Nearly 400 children from various schools took part in various contests and competitions. Some of the schools, which participated, are Golaya Progressive Public School, Arya High School, Tagore Shiksha Niketan and Green Woods Public School.

In the declamation contest for seniors, Naresh of Nishant Public School came first, Reshma of Green Woods came second and Preeti Poswal of G.G.S.S.S. camp came third. In the junior group, Arti of Golaya came first, Parul Malik of the same school came second and Usha from Green Wood came third. Sangeeta Bainsla and Sonia of GGSSS came first and second in the essay competition while Lalika of Adarsh Vidya Niketan came third.

In the drawing competition for seniors, Gauri of Golaya was declared first, Lisha of Nishant School was second and Manoj Kumar of Shanti Public came third. In the junior category, Rekha of DAV came first, Meet of Dharma School came second and Dharam Singh of Nishant came third. Ratika of DAV came first in the Kavita Recitation Competition even as Reshma of Green Woods came second and Richa of Golaya came third.

Children’s Day

Quality is an intelligent effort, it does not come by accident. DPS RK Puram has always believed in providing not only quality education to its students, but also quality fun time, say the students of this school. The school celebrated children’s day in the school premises with gaiety and abandon.

The enthusiastic teachers had put up a successful carnival for the second consecutive time. Students and teachers dancing to the pulsating music added colour to the carnival. The mouth-watering food that was served by Dominos and Rainbows was a treat for the kids. What lured the students was the famous ‘Chaat Walla,’ with everyone waiting impatiently to relish his delicacies. The trainee teachers put up game stalls. Another special feature were the prizes given to the students for the ‘best dancer,’ ‘best dress’ and for the ‘most popular student’ categories. Events such as these give a great fillip to the student-teacher relationship and should take place more often.

YWCA debate

The YWCA of Delhi organised its 10th Annual Inter School Debate on the 21st of this month at the Constantia Hall. The topic was ‘Hearts, not arms, can conquer terror’. The function was presided over by Ms. Najma Heptullah, President of the Inter Parliamentary Union and Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha. She urged everyone to join the campaign against terror and say ‘no’ to war toys and war games. Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, walked away with the Rolling Trophy while Ritika of Air Force School was adjudged the best speaker.

CULTURE

SHOWCASE
At last, weather-proof furniture for your house
Tribune News Service

An international brand of prolen furniture, Ramboo, has unveiled new products in the market, which are eco-friendly and a substitute for traditional wooden and cane furniture. The prolen technology, it is claimed, makes furniture withstand the vagaries of weather. The product is unaffected by heat, water as well as chemicals used in home, gardens and swimming pools. It is an insulator of heat and electricity and is a fire-retardant.

The range of products unveiled include chairs, sofa sets, dining sets, bedroom sets, loungers, bar sets, restaurant furniture, hotel and resort furniture, add-ons and stand-alones. The range is compatible indoors as well as outdoors.

Futuristic oven

Kaff has launched a built-in multi-function oven. Equipped with a host of futuristic features, it would add a distinct flavour to a modern householder’s lifestyle.

The oven has a built-in rotating spit on which one can quickly and evenly cook meat or poultry, that too with a reduced fat content. The hot air circulation system ensures instantaneous, uniform heat distribution that further helps you easily cook seafood, poultry or vegetables and bake cookies without transference of smell or flavour.

3-in-one TV

Videocon has launched the first of its kind 3-in-1 multi-purpose TV, equipped with VCD and ACD. This 54cm full and flat square tinted tube marvel, replete with a host of technically advanced features, in terms of sound and picture, is also good-looking and has the Videocon revolutionary Bazoomba woofer.

The inbuilt VCD player has a 3 disc carousal changer, interactive playback control, karaoke and repeat playback. It’s 3.in-1 supports a VCD/ACD with MPEG versions 1.1 and 2.0. The 3-in-1, with a stereo audio output of 400 watts, has surround sound, with 2 external satellite speakers and a 4-mode selectable sound, facilitating the four best possible settings – custom, theatre, speech and music.

Ethnic wear

The well-known brand in the international fashion circuit, Denis Parkar, has come up with a breath taking collection of ethnic and formal wear known as the “Denis Parkar Crystal Collection” range.

In the collection, crystals are heavily used in the sherwanis with a good hand of kasida kari, jardozi, kajab and aari embroidery to make the sherwanis look more attractive and creative.

Ethnic wear collection also has a variety of kurta-pyjama with long and short jackets, sherwanis with trousers and jackets and angrakhas in exquisite designs. The formal wear comprises a range of designer suits, suits with detachable collars, embroidered suits and suits with jardozi work on them.

Exotic fragrance

Escada has introduced a fragrance, which makes one feel youthful, enthusiastic and euphoric – the Escada sentiment. It is a musical score full of colour and fun, so bright and luxurious that it melts on the skin to the beat of its notes, whether sparkling, airy or voluptuous. A fragrance that allows your emotions to rule your heart, clothed in a colour that signifies an irresistible desire and exudes elegance.

Escada sentiments has delicately tamed Iris, a powdery flower and enveloped it softly, gently coaxing it with top, heart and base notes. Top notes that are turbulent and sparkling to surprise and charm, trailing its heady scent in its wake. The heart notes are as refreshing as a dew filled country garden at dawn. Reassuring, comforting notes from the base notes, which are a fitting conclusion to this elusive fragrance.

Shoppers’ bonanza

The Shoppers’ Stop has unleashed a seven wonders festival – a 101-day festive bonanza for consumers. Throughout the festive bonanza, each Shoppers’ Stop store will reflect the characteristic, sights, sounds and feel of the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef, the Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. International performers like the Unicyclist, statue man, guggler, silhouette cutter, dancers, painters and the like would perform to provide an enthralling experience to the shoppers. The shop would also provide two lucky couples once in a lifetime opportunity to visit and experience all seven wonders.