The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

MoU between PU, University of Wisconsin
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 21
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Panjab University and the University of Wisconsin-LA CROSSE, USA, was signed here today. Vice-chancellor R.C. Sobti and provost vice-chancellor Elizabeth J. Hitch were the signatories on behalf of their respective Universities. The American University was represented by associate vice-chancellor Vijendra K Agarwal, director Office of International Education Jay M. Lokken, dean College of Science and Health Palmer Kclean, international admissions specialist Danny Wan and asian representative Ryan Hemmesch. The MOU has been signed with a view to promote cultural exchange and development of education and cooperation between both the Universities. It will also focus on student exchange and explore the possibility of faculty and staff exchanges. The goals of collaboration on academic activities contained in the agreement include improvement in international understanding, enhancing the development of joint educational and research projects and increasing individual educational opportunities.

Seminar on use of RFID

Technology is the fuel that will drive the modern day companies ahead and the ability to adapt and leverage this fuel is the key to survival in this hyper-competitive environment. Driven by this thought, the Business Club of University Business School, Panjab University, conducted a seminar on the use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) in modern day businesses.

Director-cum-secretary Department of IT Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, MD of Punjab Infotech and commissioner NRI affairs, Government of Punjab and Chandigarh, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Director IAG Automation Pvt. Ltd Rajiv Punj was present as the main resource contributor for the seminar. chairman UBS S.C. Vaidya stressed on the need of incorporating contemporary technology for business development. The speakers extensively shared their views and knowledge in the fields of RFID with the faculty and students of the department.

Lecture at PU

The Department of Correspondence Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, with chairperson Jagmohan Chopra organised a lecture by head of the Department of Orthopaedics PGI Chandigarh Dr Shivinder Singh Gill. He spoke on “Osteoporosis and Back ache”. During his lecture, he defined osteoporosis, its courses, detection, medication and prevention. Dr Gill said the key to good health is physical fitness and in contemporary medical terminology old age begins at seventy-five. Prior to that, it becomes important for us to maintain a healthy and an active life style comprising “weight bearing exercises” such as running and playing some sport. Dr Gill emphasised that awareness about osteoporosis is essential so that cost-prohibitive osteoporosis surgery to tackle fractures can be avoided later. The vulnerability of women, according to Dr Gill, to osteoporosis is much more in comparison to men. He recommended the Bone Densitometry Test (DEXA) for women above the age of fifty as well as the post- menopausal women.

431 students get prizes at annual day function
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 21
The annual prize distribution function of Government College for Girls, Sector 42 was organised on the college premises today. As many as 431 students were awarded prizes for excelling in academics, sports and co-curricular activities. As many as 17 students were honoured with the Roll of Honour. The students who were awarded the Roll of Honour included Gagneet, Manjeet, Randeep, Manjit, Madhu, Jyoti Kundal, Rasleen Sudan, Rajni and Shatakshee for sports; Renu, Inderjit, Nitu, Anju, Ritu, Gita, Babita and Pinki.

The College Color was awarded to 37 students, University Merit Prize to 54 students and 234 students were awarded academic prizes for securing top positions in house examination. As many as 77 students were awarded mementoes for participation in cultural activities, sports, student council, NCC, NSS and blood donation. Amarjit Beena Memorial Scholarships were awarded to 12 students for excellence in academics. Rasleen Sudan, a student of BSc III (Biotech Elective), was declared the all round best student of the college.

Krishna Mohan, Home-cum-Education Secretary, UT Administration, was the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, he appreciated the efforts of faculty members and students and complimented the prize winners.

Ms Inderjiit Kaur, Principal of the college, highlighted the achievements of the college during the current session. The staff and students donated about 200 units of blood. New academic courses, including Masters in English and zoology, Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication, Dress Designing and Physical Education and BSc (microbiology) will be introduced from the next academic session. The college has also launched its website; www.gcg42.org, for better transmission of information in present day scenario of information technology.

100 CEC students to take part in NSS camp
Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 21
Inaugurating a 10-day NSS camp at the Chandigarh College of Education a part of the Chandigarh Group of Colleges here today Baldev Singh Sidhu, DEO, Mohali, stressed upon the need to eradicate the evil of female foeticide from society.

Among those present on the occasion were Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chairman, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal and Krishan Singh, Assistant Education Officer.

The NSS camp will be held in Landran village from February 21 to March 2 and more than 100 students of Chandigarh College of Education would be taking part in it.

The activities to be conducted during the 10-day drive would include a medical camp, spread of awareness against female foeticide, a drive against drugs, spread of awareness about traffic rules and sapling plantation.

CULTURE

Odissi dance fest gets underway
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 21
The odissi classical music and dance festival got underway at the Law Bhavan here today. The first ever Odissi festival organised by the Parcheen Kala Kendra in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Orissa, and the Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, featured vocalists and dancers. Kendra director M.L. Koser welcomed chief guest Gopinath Mohany, Commissioner, Culture, Orissa, and S.K. Monga.

The legendary Raghunath Panigrahi rendered “kali kriplani” before Guru Ramhari Das, CEO of Odissi Research Centre, presented “raga kamodi”. He captured the romance and ecstasy of spring in “milo basant ashiley” weaved in “raga shankravarnam”.

The climax had young dancers taking the centrestage and giving a scintillating spell of Odissi dance. They performed immaculately with a geometrical precision of nimble footwork, body and facial gestures in sync while executing compositions of Kelucharan Mahopatra, Debaparasad Das Durgacharan Ranbir or Kumkum Mohani.

After a solo performance on “Mardala” by Sachidanand, an AIR composer, prof Bijoy Jena, presented his vocal recital in “raga baradi”.

The festival will continue tomorrow at the same venue.

Soulful strains of sitar, bharatnatyam captivate
SD Sharma

Chandigarh, February 21
The Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademy presented a classical musical bonanza in instrumental music and bharatnatyam by eminent maestros at Tagore Theatre here yesterday.

Acclaimed sitar maestro Harvinder Sharma, a foremost disciple of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan Saheb, commenced the concert by delineating the authentic interpretation of raga Yaman. He bared the melodic structure of raga and established its emotional theme through an elaborate ‘alaap’ in calm, contemplative mood. The emotional hues further deepened in the exposition of the intricate (gats) compositions of 'chhota khyal.' The maestro chose to display dexterity in 'gayaki ang' on the string instrument. He virtually made the sitar sing as he replicated the popular compositions immortalized by music wizards and also embellished it with sprouts of 'taans' with matching Tihais on tabla by Jaidev.

The decisive influence of the playing style of Ustad Vilayat Khan, which he imbibed during his 25 years association, was perceptible in his recital. Academy chairperson Kamal Tewari welcomed the chief guest Ravinder Singh who honoured the sitar maestro.

The globe trotting Bharatnatyam guru, Suchitra Mitra, took centrestage only to mesmerize the audience right after she opened up with a serene invocatory 'Pushpanjli'. 'Bho shambho' in the laudation of Lord Shiva followed. She was at her best in the abhinaya part executing four episodes derived from a mythological theme of 'Hanuman' in 'Anjniya Satotram.’

Suchitra brought alive the devotional fervour in a Meera bhajan 'Pag ghungroo' before concluding the recital with a fast 'Thillana'. Delhi- based vocalist G.Elangovan, flautist Raghu Raman and Chander Shekhar on Mridangam accompanied her in the dance recital.