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Schools directed to ensure students’ safety Chandigarh, August 6 Various boards, functioning as autonomous body under the ministry, have been asked to ensure that schools across the country own moral responsibility for the safe stay of the students during the school hours. Now, the schools would have to be ready with a disaster management plan in case of a fire, evacuation of children in case of an earthquake, a contingency plan when trapped in a flood, prevent children from being caught in a stampede, safe playgrounds and managing trauma among the students after disaster. Separate plan for the evacuation of physically challenged students and managing a safe transport system would also have to be addressed. Depending upon the location, the schools would now have to ensure that their disaster management machinery was in order and the students were educated to deal with a crisis situation like a fire, an earthquake, a flood or a cyclone. The attention of the educational institutions has also been drawn towards the structural safety of their buildings. The Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Mr Ashok Ganguly, has already directed the heads of schools to stick to the norms. The affiliated schools have been asked to plan in advance and affectively implement strategies for the safety of students. A set of questionnaire addressing various aspects of safety concerns has been prepared by the board. Perhaps, for the first time the board has asked the schools to ensure safety of children while working in a laboratory. |
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Senior-junior rift at NIIFT Mohali, August 6 The seven girls, all students of third semester of fashion designing course, have been sent home with their parents for 15 days. They will be allowed to attend classes only after their punishment is over. The complainant, Renu, a fresher admitted to the knitwear designing course in the institute had complained to the Director that some senior girls had ragged her in a demeaning manner in the hostel and had gone to the extent of abusing her. Sources added that the senior girls had laid down rules in the hostel for the new girls to follow. They had asked the girls to oil their hair, keep them braided and to wear salwar kameez to bed with the dupatta. No one was allowed to use their nightsuits. These girls were also using vulgar language during ragging and would ask the newcomers embarrassing questions.’’ said a member of the Anti-Ragging Committee of the institute. However, sources added that Renu herself was homesick and seemed to be in a state of depression during her stay in the hostel. While the other new girls had taken the ragging in their stride, Renu had found the whole experience abominable. Things came to a head on Tuesday evening when following a ragging session, Renu called the police control room and a truck load of policemen landed at the hostel to save the girl. The hostel warden managed to convince the police that they would be able to handle the situation. Renu, who hails from Ranchi, had also complained to her parents on the first day of ragging in the hostel. Her parents had called the Director to ensure that she was not troubled. On receiving the complaint senior hostellers were told by members of the Anti-Ragging Committee of the institute to leave Renu alone but the warning did not seem to work. The girls continued to rag freshers in the hostel. Some other freshers, including boys also complained to the committee that senior girls were ragging them. The Director of the institute, Mrs Vijay Sharma, said, ‘‘On the recommendations of the Anti-Ragging Committee, which heard in detail the version of both sides, I decided to suspend these girls. More than anything else the decision is meant to send a message across that the initial interaction among the seniors and freshers has to remain pleasant.’’ In fact we called the parents of these seven girls and told them why they were not being allowed to attend classes. Now they have all gone and would rejoin after a fortnight, she added. She said Renu, too had left the hostel for a few days to be with her relatives and would be back in a few days. ‘‘But now, the seniors are blaming Renu for over reacting and the freshers are riding a victory wave. This ugly beginning to the session may lead to a year-long cold war between the seniors and the juniors,’’ pointed out a senior student in the institute today. |
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From Schools Chandigarh, August 6 At a function organised by Yuvsatta to observe Hiroshima Day in which famous Gandhian peace activist and Member of Parliament, Didi Nirmla Deshpande, was also present, the Governor also launched a campaign to enroll 10,00 students and teachers as peace volunteers to accept non-violence as away of life. Speaking on the occasion, Justice Verma said that it becomes much more important on this day to take a pledge to sustain world peace with more and more countries acquiring nuclear arsenal. He said it is not only important but necessary to sustain world peace as atomic war would perish the whole humanity. He called upon the people to pledge to rededicate themselves for the larger cause of world peace. Earlier, Justice Verma also honoured peace volunteers. The Rajya Sabha Member Didi Nirmla Deshpande emphasised on the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence and peace. Meanwhile, a function was organised at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 46, to celebrate the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day. At the University Business School, Panjab University, a slide show on the consequences of nuclear bomb dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was organised by the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA).
Consumer awareness The Bureau of Indian Standards today organised a consumer awareness programme at Vivek High School in Sector 38 here for class XII students. The topics discussed were rights of consumers, usefulness of Indian Standards for consumers, procedure for grant of licence, hall marking (gold jewellery). Mr D.K. Bhardwaj, Mr R.S. Bhatia and Mr S.K. Puri, Directors BIS, spoke on the occasion. Mr R.S. Bhatia talked about the standardisation.
Yajana held Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, a mission run for socially oppressed and emotionally insecure children, by DAV School, Sector 8, organised a yagna in a public park in Sector 33-A here. Under the mission, yagnas are held regularly in different sectors. Ms Laxmi Kanta , a former MLA from Amritsar, who was present on the occasion, said it was wrong to say that the children were disadvantanged. They are the advantaged ones as they were Indians. Ms Sarita Manuja, President of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, said yagnas had a positive impact on the whole universe. About the project, she said, “A group of seven people are the main thrust force behind the mission. The foster parents are trained to address the basic emotional needs of the children.” Ms Manuja said many people were coming forward to act as foster parents.Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam was set up two years ago.
Quiz competition The Eco Club of Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41, organised a quiz competition in the school here today. It was conducted on behalf of Teri. The result of the quiz are Iqbal House-first, Shakespeare house- runner up, Tagore threatre- II runner-up. |
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NRI summoned in forgery case Chandigarh, August 6 According to information, Mr Jaswinder Sogh, Judicial Magistrate (First Class), found the case fit for trial after recording the preliminary evidence. Dr Jagpal Kaur Sangha, who is also one of the Directors of the Sangha and Sangha Industries having its registered office in Sector 17 here, had filed a complaint in the court alleging that his brother had tried to dispossess her of the parental house in Sector 8 here. And when she was out of the country from April 6 to 28 last year, her brother, along with Jaswinder Kaur and Gurdeep Singh Tiwana, forged her signatures on a letter, which said that she had resigned from the directorship of the company.
Case filed
Acting on the complaint of Mr Jagdish Jaggi, senior vice-president of the PGI Employees Union, a local court today admitted a complaint against a former general secretary of the union, Mr Sunil Dutt Sharma. In his complaint, Mr Jaggi alleged that Mr Sharma, who had been expelled from the union for anti-union activities, had unauthorisedly been using the union’s letter head. The case will now come up for hearing on August 21.
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Of old mediums and modern tales Graphic designer Vishwajyoti Ghosh has many interesting tales to tell. But the most interesting aspect of his story telling lies in the medium he chooses for their communication. One of the best among new generation artists using the genre of comics to say things not so easily said, Ghosh has largely revolutionised the medium. Deeply influenced by French New Wave comics, particularly the work of Badouin and Guy Delisle, he has developed a merciless look at the absurdities of life, politics and people in strips published regularly in “The Little Magazine” or “First City”. Ghosh was in France recently to get a feel of the place where it all started. On a scholarship from the Indo-French Academy of Art, Ghosh stayed in Paris for a while, soaking in the realm of comics, which he admires most. He also created a fine ensemble at the end of it all. Now showing at Alliance Francaise gallery in Sector 36, the exhibition titled, “Paris: Mysteries, Mythologies and Memories”, blends references from the past and the present to reconstruct a city as splendid as Paris. Ghosh, who was in the city today, said, “I was hugely amused by the ability of this French city to take tradition along, as it embraced elements of modernity. I have brought-mages from the two eras together and created my own imagery of Paris.” He does not fail to recount his experiences in the city, “It was a dream to be in a place, so inspired by diverse elements that come together to structure a great present. My works are inspired by Loustal and his famous drawings and perspectives of a very modern and splendid Paris. It takes the past and references of the present in a single drawing in an endeavour to portray the essential spirit of a city.” Even while Ghosh’s involvement with comic strips continues at “The Little Magazine”, he has managed to take time off to develop something extremely off the track. Working on a book called, “Once upon a Time,” Ghosh is now attempting to recreate the era that saw the creation of Bangladesh. A hugely graphic work, the book draws from versions, both official and personal. “I am not suggesting anything through this work. It is a simple reconstruction of events as they happened and also as I perceive them to have happened. There are differences between versions about the Partition and about opinions on the very act of division. I met many migrants who firmly believe in the futility of the act. But there are others who feel everything happened for good. My own family hails from Bangladesh where my grandmother was a Displacement Officer. Most of my new work is a product of my own understanding of a grave problem which never quite occupied so much of official mindscape, perhaps because it was never so much of a holocaust as other events in time were.” Graphic depiction remains an integral part of the book which also has text by Ghosh. |
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Budding designers showcase creations Dreams of budding designers turned into a creative reality at an exhibition “Vivid India” held at National Institute of Fashion Design ( NIFD) on Friday. It was a big day for students of textile and interior design, who displayed various styles and colours in their collection. The campus came alive with the display of designer exhibits, which were artistically presented. The students had worked hard to get an interesting fusion of ethnic and modern symbolising the revival of age- old traditions and techniques. NIFD interior design students had also worked on the decor aspect. A funky discotheque and stylish coffee lounge bore testimony to this . The discotheque has been designed with a unique concept — the blend of junkyard and all-time favourite spiderman. A completely different look has been given, right from floor to ceiling, including walls and furniture. Simple pieces of furniture and accessories made out of waste material drew instant appreciation. Another interesting thing was that the students have also designed a Bar called’ Buddha Bar’. Final year student of Interior design, Maieru, said,” I along with other seven students have tried to give a cosmic and peaceful look to the bar. The theme is based on an idea that after salvation if someone takes alcohol, it won’t affect him. That is why we gave it name of Buddha Bar.” A formal warm look has been given to the Coffee Lounge. To add something new to the interiors the students designed heavy upholstered sofas in combination with low seaters. The area has been designed in a simple way, which defines style and sophistication. The paintings and murals done on the walls radiate a unique look. Every single thing has been designed keeping in mind its practical use, functionality and aesthetic appearance. A mural called ‘Illusion’ stood out for its effective portrayal of beauty. It is made in such a way that a complete look of a room could be viewed in a picture of girl. The textile design students used the techniques of block printing, tie and dye, batik, screen printing, embroidery to obtain a balanced fusion . While using all these techniques they have crafted a wide range in home furnishings, accessories and apparels with spicy mix of traditional and trendy mix.The use of bricks, wood and steel added a savvy look to the contemporary products. The ‘Vivid India’, as an essential part of the curriculum of NIFD, the work has been put up on display. The collection was judged by a panel of jury members, including renowned personality Ms Neelam Mansingh, faculty member, Chandigarh College of Arichitecture, Mr Bhim Malhotra and Interior designer and Architect, Ms Bandana Singh. The exhibition will continue till tomorrow. Punjabi pop singer Gursewak Mann was in town to inaugurate the exhibition “Vivid India” at NIFD. Commenting on the collection, he said, “All students have done very well and it is very difficult for me to tell that which one was the best “. He talked about his future plans and he said that he is doing another album which will be coming in September. He said he has also acted in an English movie “Banana Brothers”, which will be coming very soon.
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