Chandigarh, December 9
The three-day cultural bonanza of Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21-C, concluded at the auditorium of Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, today.

The programme began with a welcome song. Students of the primary wing gave the message of ‘Unity is Strength’ through their ballet ‘Indradhanush’.

‘Good always prevails over evil’ was depicted by students of the pre-primary section who enacted scenes from Lord Rama’s life through ‘Glimpses of Ramayana’

Students of the senior section paid a tribute to the freedom fighters through their item based on the life of Bhagat Singh ‘Maseeha Sulee Pe Muskraya’. Students of the senior wing also presented a rocking dance performance ‘Chak De’.

M.L. Sareen, senior advocate, Punjab and Haryana High Court, was the chief guest. He gave away prizes to the ex-students of the school. 

Chandigarh, December 9
“If you think in English, then and only then, you can speak good English. The proficiency in the spoken language can be achieved by regular practice,” said Komal Singh, a freelance English language teaching professional during the first IELTS workshop on ‘Teaching Speaking Skills’ organised for teachers and IELTS trainers at The British Library, Sector 9, here today.

Komal Singh, also the vice-principal of YPS, Mohali, was the resource person. As many as 20 IELTS trainers participated.

An exhibition of new IELTS material was also put up. Bipin Kumar, manager, The British Library, said the material was available at the library on loan exclusively for the organisational members of the library.

The British Library is re-opening its membership on January 5 at 9 am on the first-cum-first-serve basis.

Mohali, December 9
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal inaugurated the annual fete, ‘Vibes 07’, at Saint Soldiers School here this morning by releasing balloons. The fete was declared open after a welcome speech by principal V. Tiwana and a welcome song by the students. Addressing the students on the occasion Badal said education played a vital role in shaping one's personality in general and destiny of any state or nation in particular. He said it was regrettable that the Government of India had failed to give the importance due to education.

“Our government has laid special emphasis on the quality education by opening Adarsh Schools intended to impart free and quality education to the poor and bright students,” he said.

He called upon the students to launch a crusade against the social evils of female foeticide and drug addiction through bringing awareness amongst the masses especially in the rural areas. He asked the management of the school to reserve few free seats for the poor and un-privileged sections of society.

A visual melee of events, including a skit 'Kudian Sada Sanja Dhann' dealing with female foeticide and a foot-tapping Bhangra was showcased. School chairman Karnail Singh Brar and director Karandeep Singh Brar told the chief minister about the school.

It was the stellar I.T. Stall which had the children thronging around it all the time. A cultural programme was presented by singer Shiminder Shammi. People participated enthusiastically in the Mr and Mrs Vibes competition. A lucky draw was taken out by SSP Mohali Ranbir Singh Khatra. A musical cassette of singer Shiminder Shammi was also released by SSP Mohali.

Annual Day: Golden Bells Public School, Sector 77, here celebrated the much awaited annual function of its junior branch with great ardour and passion. The function was inaugurated by Brig Arjinder Singh (Retd.) by lighting the lamp of knowledge. The cultural programme was started with a graceful ‘Saraswati Vandana’. Then the annual school report was read out. The enthusiastic tiny-tots presented lively dance steps on the foot-tapping music of ‘Shalala-la’. Prizes were given to meritorious shining stars in the school academics for the session 2006-07 by the chief guest. The director of the school, Col C.S. Bawa thanked the chief guest and the parents for sparing their valuable time.

Panchkula

Cultural eve: The Gurukul, Sector 20, Panchkula held its annual function at the Inder Dhanush Auditorium, Sector 5, here today. The chief administrator of HUDA, Haryana, T.C. Gupta was the guest of honour for the evening.

There was cultural extravaganza by the tiny-ones of pre-nursery who rocked the audience with their sweet performance on the famous number ‘Crazy Frog’. Their Kindergarten fellows gave a wonderful glimpse into what must have been the childhood of Lord Hanuman- full of pranks and fun what with his magical mystical powers.

The scintillating prop-dance, a medley by the students of VI and VII, the Michel Jackson style ‘chair dance’ and ‘stick dance’ were a visual treat.The chief guest gave away trophies to the deserving students for excellence in academics, co-curricular, extra-curricular and cultural activities” on the occasion.

Zirakpur

Musical extravaganza: A majestic musical extravaganza was staged by students of St. Joan’s Public School, Zirakpur, on the school premises. An elaborate musical ballet ‘Integration’ by over 300 students mesmerised the audience. The ballet, based on the theme of national integrity, emphasised that all Indians are one and religions are only ways to reach God. A puja dance set the ball rolling for the show.

Pinjore, December 9
The three-day Pinjore Heritage Festival concluded on a melodic note as Kuchipudi dance wizards Padmabhushan Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy, along with their 10 disciples, provided a befitting grand finale to the mega event here at the historic garden. The maestros took the centre stage only to mesmerise the elite audience. They commenced the recital with Ganesh vandana inducing a serene and calm atmosphere. Next came the captivating spell of tarana weaved in raga Nat Bhairvi presented by 10 dancers attired in elegant costumes.

Raja said the memorable composition originally based on a melodic creation of Pandit Ravi Shankar was dedicated to the legendary sitar wizard on his 75th birthday. Both Raja and Radha Reddy depicted the diverse persona of Lord Krishna. The recital concluded with a dexterous dancing on a brass plate which amazed the audience. Accomplished dancer Lada Artour, Ukraine, gave a stunning performance along with other disciples of Raja Reddy, including Ananaya, Chitkala, Saloni, Sarvanti, Aprana, Jyoti and Arushi.

Later talking to The Tribune, Raja Radha Reddy maintained that although the Kuchipudi dance existed in the 200 B.C. also, but the present form was evolved by a devotee of Krishna at Kuchipudi village in Andhra Pradesh. Because of its manifold rhythms, melodic gestures and subtle facial expressions, it had achieved popularity at the international level.

Earlier, Haryana Governer Dr A.R. Kidwai congratulated minister of state for tourism Kiran Choudhry and her team for organising the second Pinjore Heritage Festival in a such a fabulous way and better than even the Surajkund and Khujraoo festivals. “Festival should be extended for a week and it merits to come on the international tourist heritage map,” he added. The governor appreciated efforts of Kalbelia and other artistes.

Earlier, welcoming the chief guest, Choudhry said the fair had been organised with the motivation and inspiration of Dr Kidwai. She further said with the sincere efforts of the Haryana Government, tourism would flourish in a big way. She asserted that Bhima Devi temple situated in the vicinity of the Pinjore Gardens would be included in the ambit of the gardens.

The governor was accorded a warm welcome in a traditional style at Rang Mahal by Kiran Choudhry and other dignitaries.

HPCC president Phool Chand Mullana, Chandigarh mayor Harjinder Kaur, Chandigarh tourism director Vivek Atray and the visiting mayors from all over India were also present. 

Chandigarh, December 9
Propagating the Indian classical arts, especially music and classical dances, for 40 years, the Pracheen Kala Kendra has emerged as a pioneer institute of excellence at the national level besides spreading its wings in foreign countries.

The kendra holds region-wise annual convocations to award degrees to their successful students and honour prominent achievers in their respective realms.

As many as 2,20,672 students who appeared in the various examinations conducted by the kendra and those belonging to the eastern region will be awarded degrees during the 35th annual convocation to be held in Kolkata on December 23. Subhas Chakraborty, Honourable minister of sports and transport, West Bengal, Anup Motilal, director, information and cultural affairs, Swami Indratmananda Maharaj and Shri P.K. Mitra, station director, Akashvani, Kolkata, will grace various sessions as guests of honour.

Musicologist Ranti Dev Moitra and executive director of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy of Kolkata Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas will deliver the keynote addresses in the morning and afternoon sessions, respectively.

Singer Dwijen Mukherjee, recitation artiste Partha Ghosh, editor of Dainik Statesman Manash Ghosh, news editor of The Tribune Abhijit Chatterjee and a noted art critic Seema Sharma will be conferred with the kendra's national honour. The convocation will be followed by a musical concert by Pandit Kumar Bose (tabla solo) and Pandit Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay (vocal recital).

The kendra will also honour eminent vocalist Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi and thespian and cine artiste Bhanumati Devi on the annual convocation to be held at Bhubaneswar on January 6. Eminent Odissi dance scholar 

Panchkula, December 9
Braving the winter chill, fans in large numbers gathered at the The ICL cricket grounds patiently waiting for the svelte Malaika Arora Khan. The actress arrived two hours late owing to bad weather. She took almost at once Tau Devi Lal Stadium by storm with her scintillating performance.

Dressed in black trousers and a black leather jacket, Malaika bowled over one and all with her graceful movements on “ Chaiya Chaiya”.

Her lively persona and energetic performance sent the audience into raptures as they kept yearning for more, and more and... Malaika went on a round of the stadium, waving at the fans.

There were serpentine queues for her autographs once she was off-stage. “Its great to be in Chandigarh after a gap of over six years,” she said.

So has she performed at a cricket ground before? “Never before, this was my first performance at a cricket stadium and I enjoyed every bit of it,” she said.

“The fever of Twenty20 is never-ending and I am simply in love with this ICL combination of entertainment combined with sports,” she said.

Who is her favourite player? “I enjoy Chris Cairns hitting sixes and Brian Lara is my favourite,” she said.

About her forthcoming projects, the actress said she had signed a Sunil Shetty film and would be hosting a new show on NDTV. How would life have been had she not been in the films? “That’s a tough one, may be I would have become a child psychologist by now,” she signs off.