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Girls take the cake in Class XI
admissions Chandigarh, July 10 Maybe due to more seats, the girls with much lower pass percentage have managed to secure seats in the science and commerce stream. On the other hand, boys with better percentage could not make it. In the arts stream, the cut-off percentage in the girls’ schools touched 45 per cent. The trend of low percentage is more visible in schools exclusively for girls. High scorers among the fair sex competed with boys to secure a seat in top-rated schools, while low scorers got adjusted in girls’ schools, said a UT Education Department official. “This year the fairer sex managed to push behind boys, in the CBSE examinations and managed to take our share of seats”, said a student who could not get a seat in the science stream in the school of his choice. In the science stream, the cut-off percentage for girls was 50.6 compared with 65.6 per cent for boys. In the commerce stream, the cut-off percentage for girls at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, was 55.3. For boys, the lowest cut-off percentage was 56.9 at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 32. Meanwhile, on the sixth day of the counselling at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, 787 students were given admission. Of these, 584 were admitted to the arts stream and 193 to the vocational stream. All seats in the commerce and science stream have already been filled. In the vocational category, the cut-off percentage varied between 46 and 49 today. The favourite courses were food service management, automobile technology, electrical technology, air conditioning and refrigeration, steno-typist and life insurance course.
Rural students head for urban schools Officials of the Education Department said due to craze among students from rural areas to take admission in urban school, seats in rural schools, especially in the vocational courses, remained vacant. Last year, the department had to withdraw the course in fashion designing from the school in Dhanas. It has been introduced at GMSSS, Sector 45, this year. “Students want to get rid of the label of village school,” said an official of the Education Department. |
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PEC student to attend cultural
function in Seoul Chandigarh, July 10 Swati is among the five students who will represent the country in the event, being held from July 15 to July 19. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Swati said she was selected under the programme after she cleared a screening test conducted by the Youth Hostel Association of India. The event at Seoul is being organised by Hostelling International, UNESCO, UNEP and Ministry of Culture and Tourism, South Korea. Ms Madhu Bala, Youth Officer at the NSS regional office, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, said during the programme, issues like world peace, environmental protection and heritage protection would be discussed. Swati is learning ghumar dance, which she would perform at a cultural show to be held during the programme. |
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Interviews for LLB course Chandigarh, July 10 Yesterday, the counselling was held for the LLB seats at the Law Department here. The results would be displayed on Monday. |
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Environment society to hold essay, painting contests Mohali, July 10 Stating this here, the president of the society and former Ambassador, Mr S.R. Chaudhuri, said he expected students from some 20 schools from Mohali and surrounding areas to take part in the contests. The topics would relate to environmental issues. Mr Chaudhuri said the students participating in the competitions, which would be held at St Soldier International Convent School in Phase VII here, would be divided into two groups. Students from Classes IX to XII will comprise Group A and those from Classes V to VIII Group B. Prizes would be given to the winners. |
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Services of staff to be
regularised Mohali, July 10 The recommendations of the subcommittee will be presented at the meeting of the board members on July 13 and will be implemented after being cleared by the board. Dr Kehar Singh, Chairman of the board, who presided over the meeting of the subcommittee, told mediapersons that keeping in view the judgement of the Supreme Court regarding the case of Mr Balkar Singh vs State, it had been decided that the services of the employees who fulfilled the conditions laid down in connection with the above cited case should be regularised. The notification issued by the Punjab Government in this regard was also discussed by the subcommittee. It was decided to prepare a merit list of the employees, who had completed three years of service, on the basis of seniority and the services of deserving employees be regularised. He said the recommendations of the subcommittee would apply to all |
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Film Review The theme of a cop-politician-underworld nexus has been attempted so many times that one loses count. To name a recent few are “Khakee”, Moqbool”, Ab Tak Chappan”, “Aan” and, “Dev”. “Garv is no different. Three police officers — Samar Singh (Amrish Puri), Arjun Ranawat (Salman Khan) and Hyder Ali (Arbaaz Khan) — launch a spirited battle against underworld don (Mukesh Rishi). And the threesome are made to pay for their uprightness. Salman Khan springs some sprightly performance. Breaking the mould of a lover boy, he plays the cop with integrity and honesty. The nexus proves to be much stronger and he fails to save the principles and values for which he had stood. Nevertheless he can be called the saviour of the film. Shipa Shetty is wasted. But she sizzles in dance numbers. Puneet Issar is his directorial debut has given adequate momentum with a racy first half. But the second half lets you down with incoherent twists. Item numbers “Dum Mast Mast” and “Hum Tumko” are forced entries, marring the tempo. Anirudh Dhodspkar’s dialogues are encouraging. Some violence scenes depicted in its extreme are repelling. —
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Nek Chand’s work to adorn museum in USA
The International Museum of Folk Art in New York has always had a special relationship with Nek Chand. After having extensively featured his style and creative outpourings in their much-revered publication, the museum authorities now want one of his creations for their ensemble in the US. Left free to splash his abandon, Nek Chand just had one message in his brief that came about a month ago. “We want something with the Indian dafli, anything with it…” At home in his Garden, one of the finest environmental architects kept himself busy creating another design, this time with the Indian folk art instrument which has a special attraction value among foreigners. “Its vibrancy attracts them a lot,” said Nek Chand while giving final touches to his creation before sending it across. The creation features a village man, holding dafli, delightfully embellished with coloured stones and ribbons. Speaking to The Tribune, Nek Chand said the consignment was already late. “But the museum director gave me the concession to send the piece whenever convenient. I was in and out of the town, and could hardly concentrate on the creation. But now the piece is ready and has also been dispatched for New York where it will find place in the Folk Art Museum.” This is for the first time that any environment architect from this region has been asked to submit his creation for further inclusion in the International Folk Art Museum’s repertory. Nek Chand admits that he got lucky, “People from the museum have been visiting the Rock Garden for some time now. They also did a full-fledged feature on my work and its environment-friendly texture. They interviewed me extensively on how I use scrap for detailing work in my images. They wrote to me in January that they wanted a work for the museum from my side. But I have been able to complete it only now.” Meanwhile, Nek Chand is also working on making one-way path in Rock Garden to avoid commotion.
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The man who says 'Thodi thodi piya
karo' The famous Pankaj Udhas number Thodi thodi piya karo is still a big hit, but not many of us know that the man who wrote it is Chandigarh based lyricist and music composer S. Rakesh. This is not all, he also wrote Yeh peene wale bahut ajeeb hote hain for Jagjit Singh, and Dil mangda for Usha Uthup. A quiet unassuming man, he is poet and music composer who goes more by inspiration than perspiration. His pocket tape recorder is all the time on his person, and as soon as a good tune comes to his head, he hums it and records it. Then, at leisure, he writes the lyrics and sets it to tune on his harmonium. Inspiration could strike him anytime, anywhere; when tossing in his bed late in the night, while shopping, while chatting with his friends, or even when he is busy at work in his office. And Rakesh gets inspiration for his lyrics not from some beautiful mystery woman, but from ordinary people and situations. "Inspiration is everywhere. Seeing a mobile in almost everyone's hand these days inspired him to write the humorous Punjabi song : Pyar paon layi nibhaon layi mobile chahida. After listening to his compositions, it comes as a bit of a surprise that Rakesh has had only very elementary training in music, but he had the gift for it from the very beginning. He was only in Class III when realising that he had a talent for music, he was asked to sing the school prayer in the morning assembly. As a student of DAV College Abohar, he used to regularly take part in cultural shows. In these shows, film songs were not allowed, so young Rakesh sang non-film songs and ghazals. This was a very fruitful exercise. "My performances were met with great applause, and this spurred me to try a hand at writing and composing. But it was in 1978 that I wrote what I consider my first song Pal Pal Shamo-sahar tera khyal aata raha. This song was a big hit with the masses, and it was followed by many other popular songs. Famous music director Usha Khanna used my song Badi door door pedon ke taley in the TV progamme Arohi, and Rajinder and Nina Mehta presented one of my songs on Jalandhar TV "But I think the most popular of my compositions is Thodi thodi piya karo." As time went by, somewhere along the line, his voice deteriorated, horrified at first, Rakesh began to concentrate on writing lyrics and composing songs which were sung by other singers on stage. One of his recent popular songs is about Chandigarh: Pathron ka nahin aabginon ka hai; yeh nagar to sarasar haseenon ka hai. By profession a Senior Accounts officer in the Office of the Accountant General A and E Punjab, Rakesh fully recognises the role his wife plays in his creative pursuits. "She is very supportive, but I know she has sacrificed a lot for my talents. My creative work begins only late in the evening after my office work, which means over the years she has spent countless evenings waiting for me. I can never ever repay the debt I owe to her. But Imake sure she is always there in the front row wherever I perform." Doesn't she complain? "Yes, when in a bad mood, she complains bitterly, but when in a good mood she encourages me," says Rakesh laughing out loud. Now a father of three grownup sons, he has come a long way from his college days in Abohar. Although he is quite happy with his achievements, he laments the fact that music companies use his songs but pay nothing or very little, and the royalties come too late after several reminders. Hardships notwithstanding, music and song must go on. And it certainly does, for he has published two collections of his songs and ghazals: Tum Bin Merey Geet Adhure and Dil Se Dil Tak. He has a cultural troupe and has presented over 25 shows over the years. "For our cultural shows, we write our own lyrics and set them to music. We do not sing film songs or compositions of others. The idea is to encourage originality that is lacking in these days of remixes and vulgar lyrics that are far removed from reality."
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Indo-western outfits showcased “The Substance 2004,” a designer show, was organised by Fateh Impex Pvt Ltd, Mohali, at the Tagore Theatre on Saturday. The collection was designed by Managing Director, Fateh Impex, Kanwal Sandhu, with her co-designers Savita and Gurpreet Saini. A wide range of lehangas, sarees, designer cholis, Indo-western outfits, including tops with short skirts, evening gowns and leather dresses were modelled on the ramp. In all, eight rounds were held in the show. The show began with an ethnic and traditional round, “Reincarnation” which was based on the fashion of older generations. There was good display of western collection in the “Dirty Round”. The theme of this round was glamour. The most interesting round was “ Barbie Girl” which was based on party lovers. The show was choreographed by Mr Anil Kadiayan and Mr Amit Atri. State Minister Punjab, Gurkanwal Kaur was the chief guest on the occasion.
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I don’t like fictional scripts, says Divya Jaitely Coming from a family of Army men, Femina Miss India finalist and Miss Delhi Divya Jaitely is not a woman in hurry. She believes that slow and steady wins the race. These days, she is busy compering and participating in fashion shows and inaugural ceremonies. “I like watching films based on reality. I don’t like fictional scripts,” she says. She has modelled for Microsoft, Nestle Pure Life, Archie's, Madame and has done TV commercials for Puma Herbal Cosmetics. She has worked with choreographers like Lubna Adama, Mark Robinson and has also modelled for designers like Ritu Kumar, Rina Dhaka, Russel Sage and Mona Pali. Chandigarh is not a new place for her. She had stayed here for seven years. She remained a brand ambassador for Sukrama, a retail showroom in Sector 17, for one year. She did 112 episodes of Indian Fashion Buzz show on Astro channel in Singapore in which she highlighted fashion trends in india. In 2001, she saw an advertisement in a newspaper for Miss Delhi contest and decided to participate in it and won the title. Advising youngsters who want to make it big in the glamour world, she says, “Everyone has a distinct potential and he or she should try to explore his or her hidden talent.”
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Debajit explores new horizons Debajit Chakraborty is among the few young sitarists who have gained audience acceptance in a short time. Trained in the nuances of the art form by Pt Mani Lal Nag and Shantosh Banerjee, both masters of their own styles, Debajit is now exploring new horizons, not only at home but also abroad. Readying himself for a tour of the USA and Canada, where he has been invited for performances and lecture demonstrations, Debajit made some time to halt in Chandigarh on an invitation from Pracheen Kala Kendra. He will also perform at the Centre on Sunday. Initiated into classical music by his parents, Debajit started very young. His first public performance was as a 12 year old. Deeply committed to the instrument which is so unique with its power of resonance and melody, Debajit said he wished to fuse the two styles which his gurus represent. “Pt Mani Lal Nag is a true follower of Bishnupur gharana, while Shantosh Banerjee represents the Rampur Senia gharana. Both the gharanas spell class as both have connection with Tansen and his matchless legacy. Bishnupur gharana stresses the vocal prowess of sitar. It also focuses a little on its mechanics, which we call “tantrakari”. My attempt is to merge the two styles and create something of my own,” said Debajit, who agreed it made all the difference to be born to a maestro of a classical form. “We have to struggle hard for recognition, because our parents have not contributed enough to the classical music heritage. But that is true of all professions and vocations. For those who are not born to great masters, dedication and devotion to music are the only two routes to success. We are following those routes,” he said. For achieving perfection, Debajit concentrates on the music of three doyens — Pt Nikhil Banerjee, Pt Ravi Shankar and Ustad Akbar Ali Khan. He clarifies, “You cannot absorb everything from the guru. Often you have to depend on yourself for honing of skills. Listening to music is, in itself, a great learning experience.”
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Murals, screen paintings form part of exhibition
The six-week-long summer workshop organised by Gurdwara Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib in its Sector 34 premises ended on Friday with a display of delightful creations by participants. To be open for six days, the exhibition features mural works, especially designed candles, soft toys, quilts, tie and dye garments, screen and pot paintings and batik work. Created by 350 girls who attended the summer workshop organised by the Mata Gujri Welfare Training Centre working under the aegis of the gurdwara, the exhibition is an expression of fine talent. The workshop was supervised by Ms Kuldip Kaur, who works permanently with the Mata Gujri Centre. Significantly, the centre, under its activities, offers opportunities of self employment to girls from the weaker sections of the society. Vocational courses are taught at the centre all round the year and these are attended by girls who otherwise work as household helps. Said Ms Manjit Sabharwal, in charge of the centre, “We run courses spanning three months, six months and a year. Girls are free to choose any course. All courses are free of cost.” However, the summer workshop was meant to cater to those girls who attend college and school and hence cannot join the vocational courses permanently. The exhibition can be viewed between 10 am and 7 pm till Wednesday.
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