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Principal attributes award
to staff, students Chandigarh, August 5 Back after receiving the state award for computer literacy excellence from the President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, at a function in New Delhi, the Principal, Mr Karan Singh, is ecstatic. “I knew our school would win when I applied for the award last year. We have worked hard to make a name for ourselves. I am glad that our work and worth has been recognised at the national level,” he says as he showers lavish praise on his staff and students for helping him achieve the IT goal in his school. “All our students from Class VI onwards are adept in using computers. A lot of emphasis is given to computer literacy since, without that we are nowhere in today’s fast moving world. We have a well-equipped computer lab with good instructors. Moreover, all our classroom teaching is done using multimedia tools,” he explains. However, while this might seem an ordinary achievement for some schools that have taken to computers in a big way, there is a difference. This difference lies, not in the way computers are used to make studies interesting, but in the teachers carrying out the exercise of updating lessons each term. “We have computer savvy teachers who change simple lessons from the books into multi-media presentations while making sure that these are prepared from the students point of view rather than that of the teacher. To incorporate this aspect in our computer-aided teaching, we rely on our Class XII students,” he adds. The school has a vocational course in computer education being offered at the plus two levels. Students taking up this particular option are involved in the lesson-making exercise. “These students assist the teachers in framing lessons for all classes. Their job ranges from making available additional information on a particular topic to giving insight into how the student perceives what is being prepared as course study. Tips by these students are incorporated into the lessons to make them complete and more effective,” Mr Karan Singh maintains. He attributes the school’s success to the efforts of these students. Even as he basks in the glory of his school’s achievement, he nurses a grudge. “The awarding agency, the Department of Information Technology, Government of India, does not allow government schools to compete in the national award category. Government schools are only eligible for state awards. The government must think of expanding the scope of national awards to us as well so that there is incentive for us to better our own standards and keep a sense of competition alive,” he remarks.  |
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GCG students’ seminar on soft skills Chandigarh, August 5 Mr Harbir Singh, MD of Excel Callnet, discussed the job opportunity in ITES industry. Mr Vivek Atray, Director, IT, Chandigarh, discussed initiatives taken by the administration to enrich the skills of the youth. C-TOSS programme is meant to upgrade the skill set in Chandigarh with the skills required for ITES professionals. The training modules would cover communication skills, interpersonal skills and other ITES industry specific skills. Training programmes would be of different durations and selection would depend on the current skill level of the student. The training will be conducted by agencies on college premises. |
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6 new elementary schools for Mohali Mohali, August 5 This was decided at the second meeting of the review committee on education held here today under the chairmanship of the MLA, Kharar, Mr Bir Devinder Singh. Addressing mediapersons following the meeting, Mr Bir Devinder said the Education Department had retrieved resumed government school sites from the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA). He said PUDA had resumed seven government school sites in the city when the department had failed to use them. ‘‘The sites have been retrieved by the department and out of the seven sites, six will be developed into elementary schools. The department had also decided to build at least two classrooms and a verandah at each of these sites. The cost of this construction would be borne by the Sarv Sikhiya Abhiyaan (SSA) scheme. The Director-General of the SSA had consented for this,’’said Mr Bir Devinder Singh. The elementary schools would come up at .76 acres in Sector 53, 1 acre in Sector 55, 1.73 acres in Sector 63, 1.02 acres in Sector 70, .46 acre in Sector 54 and 1.67 acres in the same sector. A new senior secondary school has been planned on 2.96 acres in Sector 59. ‘‘We are going to request to PUDA to build this school for the department. The phase 3B1 senior secondary school too had been built by PUDA, pointed the MLA. It was also decided that the MC would upgrade the Phase 11 Government High School to a senior secondary school. The council would spend Rs 1.6 crore for the upgradation. ‘‘The proposed layout of the school’s upgradation have been submitted by PUDA. It will have additional 22 rooms, four laboratories, a staff room and a principal’s room,’’said Mr Satinder Singh, Senior Architect, PUDA, who also attended the meeting. The Executive Officer, MC, Mr Harbhagwan Garg, said the MC would give Rs 10 lakh from its funds for the upgradation but the rest of the amount (Rs 1.5 crore) would be given by the Punjab Government. Mr Bir Devinder said a comprehensive education plan for the city was discussed at a meeting with the Secretary, Education. It was decided that a regulatory authority be formed to monitor and control the fee structure of private schools. The SDM, Mohali, Mr M.L. Sharma, also attended the meeting.
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St. John’s plans computer connectivity Chandigarh, August 5 The school is the only institution among the private schools in Chandigarh to have received the coveted award. The award is given to the schools, which excel in imparting computer education, promoting quality Information Technology (IT) education and instilling competitiveness in spreading computer literacy among schoolchildren. On return after receiving the award, the Principal of St John’s High School, Ms Pushpinder Cheema attributed the award to the former Principal, faculty and Ms Navpreet Aujla, an alumni of the school, who was a computer consultant. “The role of the school management in showing the path cannot be ignored”, she added. Encouraged by the achievement, the school authorities want to connect every classroom through computer networking. Initially the project for providing connectivity in the computer labs was to be completed. A multimedia computer lab was already in place. A cash reward of Rs 1.50 lakh will be used for strengthening the advanced methodology of imparting education through computers. An interesting feature about the school is that all teachers are computer literate and have been trained under the Intel project. Sharing his experience about the ceremony, Ms Aujla said it was a lifetime experience to be with Dr Kalam. The President wished that all students in a classroom should have access to a computer. “The concern shown by the President to impart computer education to children is unparalleled”, she said. |
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PU journal in new format Chandigarh, August 5 The research journal in its 51 years of existence has taken a big leap, with PU syndicate deciding to convert this publication from Research Bulletin to Research Journal with a new format and naming it as Panjab University Research Journal (Science). The journal has 16 research articles besides an invited article by an international scientist, a review article and 17 abstracts of Ph.D. theses awarded by Panjab University in sciences in the year 2003. |
High Court Chandigarh, August 5 Today, just as hearing began in the matter, amicus curiae Anupam Gupta brought to the court’s notice a news item in The Tribune, which referred to a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer seeking permission to prosecute Mr Gupta. During hearing, counsel for the petitioner as well as two respondents said that they had no objection if the documents submitted in the court some days back by the Punjab Government were taken on record. Counsel for the Punjab Government also sought time to file a replication to affidavit of Forest Hill Resort owner Col B.S. Sandhu (retd). In its order, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Mr Justice B.K. Roy and Mr Justice Surya Kant said that it was still to know what authority or jurisdiction permits the Financial Commissioner to permit the officer to prosecute the amicus curiae. Counsel for the Punjab Government was also directed to seek instructions from the Financial Commissioner if the letter was written to him. The Bench also wanted to know if any order has been passed in this matter. The case was later adjourned to August 9. |
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Special Lok Adalat on Aug 7 Chandigarh, August 5 A spokesman of the Haryana State Legal Services Authority said here today that a large number of petty criminal cases would be taken up for settlement at the Lok Adalat. He said 1931 Lok Adalats had so far been organised in the state under its legal service programme and over 4.81 lakh cases had been decided in these Lok Adalats. Compensation amounting to over Rs 167 crore was awarded in 24,974 motor accident claim cases. |
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New Releases MECHANICAL genius, a beautiful girl and a killing machine. These comprise the feature film ‘Taarzan — The Wonder Car. The film has a unusual title and the real hero of this film is not a man, but a futuristic Toyota MR2 car specially designed by Dilip Chhabaria for the script of this film. No doubt Tarzan once ruled the jungle, but in Gordhan Tanwani’s film, the maker of superhits like “Ishq”, “Pyar to Hona Hi Tha”, “Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge” and “Tumko Na Bhool Payenge”, a wonder car will play the lead role along with TV serial “Just Mohabbat” fame young Vatsal Seth and “Shake it Daddy” - music video fame glam doll Ayesha Takia. Both make debut a in this film. The film will be released today at K C, Chandigarh, and Fun Republic, Mani Majra. Directed by “Khiladi”, “Baazigar”, “Darr”, “Ajnabee” and “Humraj” fame duo-in-white Abhas-Mustan, the movie is a fast-paced edge-of-the seat thriller. The star cast comprises Amrish Puri, Farida Jalal and Shakti Kapoor. The buzz is that the film promises a lot of thrills and adventure. The special effects are excellent and have been done by a team of experts from Denmark. Sameer has penned the lyrics. Music composer Himesh Reshammiya has come up with an excellent foot-tapping peppy score. ‘O Sanam ....’ and title track ‘Taarzan ....’ are haunting tracks. * * * “Be awake”! this is the tagline of murder mystery ‘Hosh’ (A). The film will be released today at Batra, Chandigarh and Suraj, Panchkula. It is produced by Iqbal Bakhsh and directed by Guddu Jafri. Laxmi-Pawan has composed the music. Sandeep Bedi and Sweta play the lead roles. ‘Mohan Joshi, Raza Murad’ and Kiran Kumar also star in this film.
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Style i It is fast becoming a couture in the hands of inventive designers. Be it J J Vallaya or Ritu Kumar, designers have fused various cuts of the salwar, revamped dhotis and patialas and embellished the humble salwar with elaborate embroidery to give it a new dimension. This experimentation, however, is not limited only to fashion shows as the fashion conscious, young and old alike, have lapped up the new variations. It seems every designer of repute wants to give a new take on the salwar. As apart from the traditional Patiala, Afghani, Pakistani and Jodhpuri there are many other forms like the dhoti style, with asymmetrical fall and flared salwars that are doing the rounds in the city. The salwar, which was initially a garment used by desert women as a shield against heat, came to India with the invasion of the Aryans and over the years was adapted by locals in Punjab. Traditionally, the salwar has been teamed with kurtas of various lengths (knee length being the length of this season) but the bold young brigade has teamed it up with bustiers and bandeau tops now. Some designers have gone further by experimenting with sheer fabrics to add a seductive appeal. The plain lowers, be it the salwar or churidaar, have metamorphosised into the more opulent and embellished garments. Babi, a city-based designer, says embellished lowers, including salwars and churidars are in vogue in the city. Pakistani salwars which are sans the lower edge(poncha) are being preferred by most women in the city. Mrs Shergill, who has been designing suits for the past 14 years, says a well-tailored salwar is a combination of comfort and a feminine grace. And choice of fabric is very important as synthetic fabrics rob the salwar of fluidity, movement and a sleek silhouette, she says. According to her the reason why the salwar has never become outdated is its comfort. She ascribes the transition of the salwar from a humble garment to a fashion statement to its perennial appeal. ‘‘I was bored of the dull and monotonous salwars and churidaars but now there is a lot of variety available in the market and I can wear the traditional outfit and still look trendy. Adding lace and embroidery and net bottoms on the plain salwar make it special and glamorous for any occasion, says Shivani, a IInd year BE student. Taking a cue from styles across the border, many women in the city are fans of Pakistani and Afghani salwars. Gita Sundra, owner of RCS, prefers these for daily wear. ‘‘These are comfortable as well as chic and are also a hot favourite with a lot of women in the city’’, she says. So take your pick from sleek or flared, ankle high or floor swishing, sheer or silk, go ahead and make a style statement with the latest trends in traditional wear.
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Kila Raipur sports fest on
Discovery Channel THE famous Kila Raipur Rural Sports festival,
popularly called Rural Olympics will be telecast on Discovery Channel on Monday, August 9. Disclosing this, Mr Rajiv Bakshi, Manager Corporate Communication, Discovery Communications, India, said they would organise Athens Games Special Week from August 9 to 14. The above event would be featured on August 9 at 8 pm and then a repeat telecast on August 13 again at 8 pm. He was speaking at a function held to preview the documentary made on the Kila Raipur sports festival held in February this year. The documentary is of 45-minute duration and it signifies the importance of this unique sports meet witnessed by more than one lakh villagers, from as many as 2000 villages. The event has its roots back in the British colonial times and
contestants range from a two-year-old child to an 80-year-old. The bullock cart race, tug of war, various other races and the spirit shown by old people to participate in the games will be shown in the programme. Mr Bakshi said, the channel had a large base all around the world and the above festival would be telecast in many countries. He said it was their strategy to give their viewers something different having large knowledge base. He said during this week, they would also show beastly games to be telecast on August 10 again at 8 pm. This programme will feature the story of how the Romans procured and transported thousands of wild animals from every corner of their empire to feed the blood thirsty sensationalism of “to the death” animal fights in Rome. He said the programme is packed with stories of money, power, danger, and death in a lively combination of dramatic reconstruction with computer graphics. Mr Bakshi said on August 11, they would feature ‘Marathon’, a programme about Olympics’ most punishing race. He said though the modern race distance is 26.2 miles, the original marathon was part of the much bigger story of an epic battle in ancient Greece. He said the legend tells of the herald, Pheidippides delivering his momentous message of victory over the Persian army and then collapsing and dying. This story tells how Athenians defeated the superior Persian army, thus it would be another unique kind of programme describing the world’s most famous race and the main attraction the modern Olympic games. It would be telecast on August 11` at 8 pm. The fourth programme to be telecast in the Athens Week relates to Science of Superhuman Strength. This programme puts the human body to the test and features tough sportspersons ranging from those who put their physical ability on the line like Olympians and bodybuilders to those who push the creative and scientific envelope. The programme, that tries to determine the limits of human strength, will be telecast on August 12 at 8 pm. It is of over one hour duration and will be telecast in both English and Hindi languages, said Mr Bakshi. |
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Showcasing yards of flowing grace VARIOUS ways of draping saris were demonstrated at Cleopatra Day Spa, Sector 8, in Chandigarh yesterday.
And there are so many options for tying a sari: Bengali,
Burmese, Maharani, Parsi, Mumtaz, Marwari, Maharashtrian, Tamil, to name a few. Moreover, people in the fashion industry are forever thinking of new ways of reviving old styles of sari draping. Ayesha Khan, a Bollywood make-up artist who has spent years with Raveena Tandon, believes that no other garment can replace these six yards of flowing grace. And it is the younger women who are keen on learning all styles, especially after the success of movies like “Devdas”. The show attracted older women too. Says Nirmal Kaur, who runs a beauty parlour in Sector 69, Mohali, although I have been trying saris for quite some time, I’m here to learn
different styles. Another lady from Mohali was there to learn the correct method of wearing a sari. Says Ritu Colentine, although there are a number of ways in which one can tie a sari, one must choose a style that suits one’s figure. While an air-hostess style sari looks great if one has the perfect figure, a chania choli style sari is suitable for those who are very thin. But if it is those extra tyres that you want to hide, then a Gujrati style sari will do.
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A mention of salwar suit immediately conjures up the image of Punjab and its
culture. But it is no longer a plaid and unglamorous attire. With amazing variety and artistic touch, this staple dress of Punjabi women has not only become popular all over the country but has also come a long way from being a traditional garment.