Chandigarh, April 7
The number of students who are detained every year due to shortage of lectures has come down significantly across city colleges. Students of the various postgraduate and undergraduate courses who are short of lectures are denied their roll numbers each year and this has been a recurrent problem for college authorities in the city.

However, the number of such students has come down significantly and in a few cases it is almost negligible. College principals attribute this positive development to the fact that every college now includes information regarding parent-teacher meetings in their prospectuses.

Dr A.C. Vaid, principal, SD College, Sector 32, says, “Detailed reports regarding the total number of lectures attended by a student along with the marks obtained are sent to the father of the student at his official address after September and December examinations.

This year only 16 students of BA-I, 9 of BA-II and 5 of BA-III have not been given roll numbers.” The scene is no different at MCM DAV College, Sector 36, where only about 20 students have been detained due to shortage of lectures. Principal Puneet Bedi said students were already informed about the shortage of lectures in the morning assemblies so that they could not blame the authorities in the end.

Moreover, letters were sent to parents after September and December examinations. In some cases, parents were also called to the college and were even informed over the phones.

In Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, there is not even a single girl student who has been detained this year. “Every month students were made to sign in their attendance registers which were regularly maintained so that no student could cry foul,” informed principal of the college Shashi Bala Jain. Principal of DAV College, Sector 10, Dr S. Marriya said the introduction of internal assessment system in the colleges had improved attendance.

“Only 20 per cent of the total marks obtained by the students in September and December examinations goes as internal assessment. If the percentage is doubled, students will become regular in classes.

In fact, students should be given 5 per cent marks for attending classes regularly so as to encourage them.” Dr Marriya said adding that around 75 students from the undergraduate courses and 10 postgraduate students have been detained this year by the college authorities. Ever since the college became co-education, the number of absentees in the college has decreased, he added with a smile. Meanwhile, at GCG, Sector 11, there are only 20 students who have not been given their roll numbers till now.

Chandigarh, April 7
A nexus between bookshops and various schools is making a big hole in the parents’ pocket. Be it books, stationary items or school uniform, it is the parents who remain at the receiving end.

“Why should the school management ask us to buy books or uniform from a particular shop,” they ask. But there is little doubt that the parents have to bend before the school authorities.

Akshay Kumar (name withheld), whose son studies in DAV Public School-8, said: “I had to shell out Rs 600 on my son promoted to UKG. We are bound to purchase all books, stationery and related items from a particular shop.”

“This trader is an outsider and has no business in the city. The 25 paged-book is priced at Rs 80 and above. The profit margins, ranging anything between 15 to 20 per cent, are being pocketed by the school authorities.”

Another parent said that the school authorities were compelling them to purchase stationery items which were seldom used in primary class.

“We are asked to purchase a‘clearbag’ containing 2-3 pencils, a sharpener and two sets of colour pencils. This bag, which costs Rs 20, will have to be submitted back to the school. I fail to understand the logic behind it.”

Rajwinder, whose son has just been promoted to Class III at Shishu Niketan-22, was made to purchase art and crafts text books costing Rs 180 from a particular shop, but was of little use.

“Last year too, I purchased books which were never used. This time again, the trader insisted that the whole set of art and craft books will have to be purchased,” she lamented.

Inquiries with students promoted to higher classes in a number of public schools revealed that as a sacred practice, they are asked to purchase books from a particular shop after they are given a list of books of particular publishers.

Similarly, for purchase of uniform, the name of a particular dealer is mentioned by the school.

“If we had the choice, we would have purchased books, stationery items and uniform from other shops at cheaper rates,” said the parents. 

The newly built complex of Asha School for special children was inaugurated at Chandimandir military station by the president, Western Command Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Mohini Daljeet Singh, on Saturday. World Health Day was also observed at Chandimandir. The highlight of the show was a skit presented by two Army doctors who, through a laughter show, impressed upon the audience the need to “invest in health” for a better future. — TNS

Chandigarh, April 7
The Kalka branch of the State Bank of Patiala (SBoP) today honoured Shubham, a student of J.P. Gurukul School, Pinjore, for topping the Class VIII examination of the Haryana Board of School Education.

Branch head S.C. Dhall presented a memento to the topper under the bank’s community service banking programme.

A press note issued by the bank’s Kalka branch said the bank, in association with social organisations, had organised a number of activities under the programme for development of Kalka and Pinjore.

Chandigarh, April 7
While the intrusive audience was glued to their seats one hour before the commencement of the show, the fifth day of the ongoing festival of Indian puppetry witnessed an unprecedented rush at the Punjab Kala Bhavan complex, here, today. Local theatre and puppetry group Centre for Education and Voluntary Action (CEVA) staged a play ‘Ankhon Ki Basti-Masti Hi Masti.’

The Tolu Bommalattam Shadow Puppetry of Tamil Nadu presented five episodes from the 'Ramayana' under the direction of A. Selvraj. Ably accompanied by musicians, the puppeteers brought alive the uprightness of Rama and the immorality of demons in the Ayodhya, Aranya, Kishikandha, Sunder and war episodes.

K. Kesawa Swami directed the second show of Panchtantra stories presented under the aegis of Kala Bharti in the contemporary and shadow puppetry form.

Their shadow puppets enacted five stories from Panchtantra, much to the amusement of the children.

Through the puppet characters and the episodes the stories spelt the virtues of ethical values. Be it Mithra Bhedam, on rivalary, Sugir Labam on truthfulness, Narhari for avenging through diplomacy or Ashta poothi and Aradhana.

Earlier on yesterday, the audience enjoyed the innovative craftsmanship of the Mumbai puppeteer couple of Engineer Ramdas Padhye and Aparna Padhye. Credited with over 9,000 performances, the Padhyes lived up to their reputation with an immaculate and skillful presentation of puppetry in 'Match and Mix' form. Blending tradition with modernity, they welcomed the audience in style before an unique presentation of ventriloquism through a 'rabbit' puppet in glove form. The crisp interaction between Padhye and the ventriloquial puppet send the audience in peels of laughter. This style and form were introduced by his father Prof Y.K. Padhye in 1920. A short presentation 'Something From Nothing' that followed was too philosophical. While the 'Great Struggle' depicted the man's quest for success despite heavy odds, the 'Relationship' was a satire on modern day culture.

Later, Sri Venkateshwara Leather Puppet group from Andhra Pardesh presented the saga of sufferings of the five Pandav brothers during exile with special reference to their 'Agyat Vaas'. The narrations in Telugu were no hindrance as the puppets said it all.

Chandigarh, April 7
Over the years Punjabis settled abroad have created a niche for themselves with significant contributions in their respective realms of profession. But a pleasant and affable Iqbal Mahal had distinguished himself by emerging as the ambassador for promoting cultural and racial harmony in Canada, especially spreading Indian music and Punjabi folklore since 1976.

Iqbal established his radio and television network “Punjab Di Awaj” in 1981. His main contributions include, production of North-American musical works of Indian and Indo-Canadian artists, besides promoting Indian culture.

Born in India in 1946, Iqbal migrated to the UK in 1963 before finally settling in Toronto, Canada. A mechanical engineer by profession, and a writer and artist by passion, Iqbal had authored a few books, besides making films and video productions.

Today Iqbal Mahal was honoured by the Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi at a function held at the Punjab Kala Bhavan. Celebrated writers and artists of the city commended the Iqba’s efforts in keeping the young generation of Punjab linked to their roots.

Talking to the Tribune, Iqbal Mahal disclosed that Punjabis abroad are still tuned to their rituals, traditions and rich cultural heritage, whereas in Punjab youngsters are more inclined to western habits.

Commenting upon interaction with Pakistani Punjabis Iqbal lamented that the people do not bother to use the Punjabi script rather prefer to write Punjabi in Urdu and are influences by their political environment.

Though the Pakistani government had created a department of “Lok Virsa” it has hardly been of any benefit thus far. “But we surge ahead with the propagation of Indian moral values, cultural heritage and performing arts,” Iqbal says.

Chandigarh, April 7
The municipal corporation, CITCO and Chandigarh administration will jointly organise a three-day Baisakhi festival from April 13.

Addressing a press conference today, mayor Harjinder Kaur along with other officials of the administration said the festival would be inaugurated by Governor of Punjab and UT Administration at Sukhna Lake.

Different events had been planned for the three days.

A photo exhibition by Pradeep Mahajan would be held on all three days. The administration also planned to organise various musical evenings, which include a Punjabi folk song evening, Jagjit Singh Nite, performances by Sher Miandad and Madeeha Gauhar.

A food festival would be held at the lake after 5 pm amid folk music and dance on all three days.

A cultural parade would be organised at the lake and Sector 17 plaza in the evenings.

Various schools bands would perform on April 14, while singing and painting competitions would be organised for various schools from April 5 to 10.

Chandigarh, April 7
The intensity of Punjabi music found its true expressions in the musical renditions of Madan Madi, a popular Punjabi singer who delighted a large gathering at the Plaza carnival, here today. Madan has three albums to his credit, including ‘Hass Bol Ve, ‘Tera Naa’ and ‘Wafa’. The musical bonanza is a weekly feature of the Centre of Carnival Arts supported by the department of tourism, Chandigarh, with the Tribune Group of Newspapers as the media sponsor.

Madan Madi who has to his credit several stage shows across India, Sweden, Norway, the UK, the USA, Canada and Germany, enthralled the audience with a host of songs, some of which were ‘Raatan Ginde Rahiye’, ‘Tere Laariyan Nu’, ‘Gabru Putt Sardaran Da’, etc.

Amateur singers Dhanvir Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Kuldip and Ranbir Kumar also won a good round of applause. Jatin Panesar, Ritu Madhok and Dhanvir also performed during the event. At the artists’ corner professor Ravinder Sharma and Sumanav demonstrated paintings and drawings, while talented students of the Government College of Arts, Sector 10, sketched portraits of the public.

Chandigarh, April 7
She is the latest vocalist to be added to the ever-growing Punjabi singers’ bandwagon. Anchor and actor Satinder Satti is all set to try her luck at singing with the release of her debut album ‘Peeng’ here today. Beginning her career with stage shows, Satti made her first public appearance at Ajit Sabhyacharak Mela held at Jalandhar way back in the 90’s. Since then there has been no looking back for this versatile actor and poetess who has worked with big wigs of Punjab like Gurdas Maan, Jasbir Jassi, Hans Raj Hans, Harbhajan Maan, and many others. In her words, “with this album I have attempted to connect music and poetry.”

Lately, Satti made news as she compered Ricky Martin’s show at Jaipur and even introduced Colombian star Shakira during her recently held concert at Mumbai in March. On being asked if she would put together a Shakira act with her singing, she chuckles, “I am already a Shakira for the Punjabis.”

Accompanying her was singer Vinod Sehgal known for creating magic with his tunes. Commenting on the deteriorating state of music, he said, “It’s a machine world and these days even those with bad voices are turned into excellent vocalists. Nevertheless, with so many singers becoming obsolete in this contemporary world, we hope Satti survives testing times.