Chandigarh, March 12
The Panjab University campus students council today revived the inter-college Chandigarh youth festival SINM -2007 (students in the new millennium) after a gap of six years here.

Students from different colleges across the country as well as around 200 foreign students are participating in the festival. The festival was inaugurated by Panjab University vice chancellor Prof R.C. Sobti while PU registrar S.S. Bari presided over the cultural show that followed the inauguration.

Inter-college competitions began in the afternoon with the western group dance competition at Law Auditorium wherein teams from Panjab University and other colleges participated.

The Bhor group bagged the first prize followed by Crazy Kiya and Rock Star. This was followed by "war of DJs - the DJ nite" at the Gymnasium hall.

Various academic events, including quiz competition, group discussion, extempore, debate and declamation, and a series of fine arts competitions, including rangoli, collage making, clay modelling, paint your face and painting, will be held tomorrow.

Theatre events, including mime, mono acting, skits, one-act plays and mimicry will be held on March 14.

Finals of the academic events "The Clash of Titans" will be held at English Auditorium followed by the grand finale of SINM showcasing the bhangra king - Malkit Singh on the same day.

Chandigarh, March 12
The Chandigarh education department is initiating the process of admissions to pre-nursery and nursery classes for the government schools of the city.

According to department sources, the admission forms are available at the respective schools and March 24 is the last date for submitting the forms. The admissions will be made on the basis of draw of lots and the date for which has been fixed as March 28.

The education department, in its endeavour to provide better hygienic conditions to children, has made it mandatory for children to possess immunisation certificate.

Those who seek admission in pre-nursery and nursery classes would have to obtain immunisation certificate from Sector 19 Health Centre.

According to DEO Kamla Bains, “This step has been taken by the education department following the local health department’s decision to provide hygienic environment to children, particularly those coming from slum areas and migrant colonies”.

In the wake of closure of schools in the residential complexes by the administration, the DPI has further instructed the principals of the schools to accommodate more number of students from their respective areas and no affidavit of date of birth would be asked for at the time of admission. 

Chandigarh, March 12
Archo, the annual fest of the College of Architecture, witnessed some close contests among all houses - Maurya, Kanishka and Kalinga - in various cultural and sports events today.

Following are the results of various cultural events:

Banner making: Kalinga (Manuj, Seema, Debojyoti Dham) 1, Maurya (Jasmeet, Umadhar, Gurleen) 2, Kanishka (Rajeesh, Mayank, Amol) 3; lampshade design: Maurya (Aman Sohal and Rakib) 1, Maurya (Jasmeet and Varun) 2, Kanishka (Rajesh and Mukul) 3; pipeline design: Kanishka (Mukul and Bibek) 1, Kalinga (Shivank and Manuj) 2, Maurya (Gagan and Sargun) 3; tracing mind: Kalinga (Richa and Jainesh) 1, Kalinga (Ankit and Garima) 2, Kanishka (Rajesh and Rajat) 3; candle carving: Kanishka (Rajesh and Bibek; Shilpa and Bawa) 1, Kalinga (Seema and Aarti) 2, Maurya (Aman and Satinder; Sonia and Rakib) 3; face painting: Maurya (Sonia and Ankita) 1, Kanishka (Nikharika and Gunveen; Shilpa and Pranamee) 2, Kalinga (Richa and Aunindita) 3; back painting: Kanishka (Bawa and Rajesh) 1, Kalinga (Cornileus and Animesh) 2, Maurya (Aman and Vinod) 3; strike your imagination: Kalinga (Animesh and Prithvi) and Maurya (Aman and Satinder) 1, Kalinga (Cornileus and Debojyoti) 2, Kanishka (Rajesh and Bawa) 3.

Chandigarh, March 12
Around 750 works of art are on display at the annual art exhibition of the Government College of Art, Sector 10, which opened here today. Home secretary Krishna Mohan inaugurated the exhibition which provides a platform to students of all four streams - applied arts, painting, graphics (printmaking) and sculpture - to display their creations.

Students and faculty of the college have put in a lot of hard work to churn out the best of their creative potential in the form of the works displayed. Latest trends, modern and contemporary styles and mediums being used in the art world can be seen at the exhibition. 

Chandigarh, March 12
The 31st annual convocation of GGDSD College, Sector 32, saw the conferring of degrees on 824 students here today. Panjab University vice-chancellor Prof R.C. Sobti presided over the function.

Professor Sobti urged students to step out of compartmentalised and restricted thinking, and explore the opportunities available to them in the current global scenario.

At the same time, he expressed the need for identifying oneself with the rich cultural heritage the country.

He underlined the role of science, philosophy and religion in one’s life. The mix of the three, according to him, was imperative for a happy and healthy life.

He congratulated graduates and postgraduates and appreciated the role of the institution.

Earlier, the programme commenced with a welcome address by college governing body president Upkar Krishan Sharma.

College principal Dr A.C. Vaid presented the annual report of the college and highlighted the vision of the institution for the future.

He read out the achievements of the college and staff in the last academic session. Chief one being the signing of a memorandum with Normandy Business School, France, under which collective research, seminars, academic meetings and professional development programmes will be organised for graduates and postgraduates.

It was a day of jubilation as 33 students of MCom, 31 of MSc (IT), 111 of BCom (Hons), 38 of BCom, 131 of BSc, 286 of BA, 31 of BA (Hons), 34 of BBA, 13 of BCA (Hons), 34 of BCA, 20 of PGDMC, 13 of PGDPM and LW, 19 of PGDMM, and 30 of PGDCA were awarded degrees.

College managing committee finance secretary Anirudh Joshi proposed the vote of thanks.

Chandigarh, March 12
Pre-nursery, nursery and K.G students of Stepping Stones Senior Secondary School, Sectors 38-A and 37-D, celebrated Song and Rhyme Day on their premises in Sector 38, here, today.

The day saw some of the all-time favourite rhymes like ‘100 miles’ and ‘Here we go round’, followed by some patriotic numbers.

Fitness freaks, young gymnasts, budding acrobats, adventurous skaters and above all meditating yogis displayed exotic performances. The plays ‘Merry making in the jungle’ and ‘Baby tigers search’ enthralled the audience.

Thereafter, the world of fancy introduced a number of future professionals like teachers, doctors, painters, farmers and many more. Colourful and rhythmic number, ‘Desh Rangila Hai Mera’, was the hit of the day.