EDUCATION

German clown sends school children into splits
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 30 — He was a bundle of energy on the stage today. Going by the way Gunther Bennung, the German clown, went about releasing the child in students of two local schools, it was hard to believe that he was 61.

Gunther, who was in town today under the Indo-German cultural exchange programme, enthralled the audience at two city schools. As he cracked jokes on the stage at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 47, and then SAS Nagar’s Shivalik Public School, the surroundings reverberated with sounds of laughter all through 45 minutes of the performance. Gunther is in India on the invitation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Clown Shiven, as he chooses to call himself, gave meaning to his motto today by making people laugh at the humour of life: “God gave you the gift of your face; the laughing you have to do yourself. " Gunther displayed tremendous professional streak today as he inspired fun into the ambience and educated school children about the little noticed facts of life. “Never grow up,” was the message Shiven sent across through his performance which, apart from jokes and funny acts, was punctuated by musical performances, including songs and instrumental presentation.

Shiven’s hallmark, as it appeared, was the way he went about involving children in his show. The children were so enraptured by his performance today that they all wanted to be called to share the stage with the clown who is a part of GRIPS Theatre, the best children’s theatre in the world.

As Shiven himself quotes John Naidbitt saying: “The most exciting breakthrough of the 21st century will occur not because of technology but because of an expanding concept of what it means to be a human. Born in Berlin, Gunther has been a teacher, a TV reporter, actor, producer, script writer and TV presenter. He took up the profession of a clown seriously in 1977 when he felt that there was something very special about working with children.

“I want their laughter — and also their understanding. All this is for the sake of laughter which comes cheap and does a lot of good. Now I get about hundred letters a week. I get fantastic poetry and pictures from children. It feels great,” said Shiven talking to Chandigarh Tribune.

Even today as he winded up his performance at the Kendriya Vidyalaya with a song — I’ll see you again but I don’t know why; Goodbye, he left the children and the adults longing for more fun and pleasure. He, however, left a profound message in the bubbles that he blew off at the end of the show — that life is transient as a bubble is; let us live it to the fill.

GCM-11 wins debate contest
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 30 — Government College for Men, Sector 11, won the inter-college debate trophy held at DAV College, Sector 10, here today. Five teams from Chandigarh and one from Ludhiana participated in the debate on “Creation of smaller states will spur economic growth”.

Following were the winners of the event: Vivek Kumar and Sajjan Singh of GCM-11 won the trophy for their college. Sugandhi Taneja of Government College for Women, Ludhaina, won the first prize in the individual category. Vivek Kumar of GCM-11 won the second prize, while Balwant Singh of DAV College, Sector 10, and Sajjan Singh of GCM-11 won the third individual prize jointly. Mr Vijay Saighal, Editor, Dainik Tribune, was the chief guest, while Mr Arun Aditya of Dainik Bhaskar was the guest of honour.

COURTS

Yog Raj granted bail in rash driving case
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 30 — The cricket-turned filmstar Yog Raj was today granted bail by the UT Judicial Magistrate (first class) in a rash driving case. Yog Raj was granted bail on furnishing a bond of Rs 5000. It was alleged that Yog Raj, who was driving a car, had injured a girl, near Sector 42.

Order reserved
The UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S. Bhalla, reserved the order for tomorrow, on the anticipatory bail application moved by Dr Balwinder Singh, who was allegedly involved in a case pertaining to the death of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.

It was stated in the application that Balwinder Singh had been corporating with the CBI and there was no need for custodial interrogation. It was also stated that Balwinder Singh had nothing to do with the case and he was falsely implicated in the case.

Case adjourned
The UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S. Bhalla, adjourned hearing in the murder case of ex-MLA of Ropar, Bachiter Singh, for December 12. It was alleged that Bachiter Singh was murdered, when he was coming after addressing a rally. It was alleged that Jugraj Singh, Kuljit Singh, Inderpreet Singh and Kulvinder Singh were involved in the murder case.

Remand extended
The UT Judicial Magistrate (first class) today extended the judicial remand of Ravinder Kumar and Monica in a kidnapping case, till December 14. It was alleged that Monica and her husband Ravinder Kumar had kidnapped a minor girl, Chinky, from Sector 41. The case against the accused had been registered under Sections 363 and 384 of the Indian Penal Code on March 28. 

CULTURE

Simple art of Shiv Singh
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 30 — Simplicity and grace were the hallmark of the 150 works of art shown by city-based sculptor Shiv Singh during a slide show organised at Government College of Art, Sector 10 here today. The show featured works in different media. Starting with a clay portrait, the artist exhibited animal forms in stone. The works in wood, especially the torso made from a single piece of driftwood, was especially attractive.

Another inspiring work was the wooden sculpture which adorns the campus of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana. This work reflects how a man can create and also destroy the nature. There were other works in brass, copper and silver.

A recipient of National Award in 1979, Shiv Singh was awarded with the President of India’s silver plaque for the best exhibition at All-India Art Exhibition in 1982. His slide show today was a part of the programmes being organised to commemorate the golden jubilee year of the college.

Nek Chand’s personal collection on display
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 30 — A Rock Garden-like ambience was created to host a few favourite pieces of Nek Chand’s personal collection, at the British Library here today. The exhibition, Nek Chand’s Vision, first of it’s kind being organised the British Library, was inaugurated by Mrs Neeru Nanda, Chairperson, CITCO, in the evening.

The exhibits include about 150 pieces of figures done with scrap material and fabrics. Among the outstanding works created by the artist, a figure of the Buddha done with broken bangles and a statue decorated with coins attracted a lot of attention. Admiring the exhibits Mr H.N. Rana and Mr N. Grover who visited the exhibition today said the entire collection was more colourful as compared to the Rock Garden collection. The figures done in cloth are an entirely new concept which can not be seen anywhere in the Rock Garden, they added. 

Malkit, Gursewak make students dance
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 30 — Two current top stars of Punjabi music, Malkit Singh and Gursewak Mann, were a big hit with youngsters at Aagaz show organised by the Punjab University Students Union and the Haryana Students Associaiton on the Panjab University campus here this evening.

The show began with a former PU student Anil Sagar rendering two Punjabi folk numbers challa... and mirza... . Gursewak Mann’s entry with Mittar pyare noo... set the tempo. Crowd responded immensely to his talk and also could not resist to dance right in front of their seats.

‘Balle balle...; jutti khal di...; billo...; habiba...; gallan goriyan... and lara lappa... were a few among his songs for the evening. Each was received well.

Malkit Singh also had the crowd rising in his reception. Gur nallon iskh mitha star started off with tutak tutian... to the delight of the audience.

There was a slight trouble in crowd management, particularly in the section adjoining the stage. Non-pass holders had swarmed the area and were obstructing the view of others. “The music is such that the young blood cannot resist dancing and there is nothing wrong. We checked only for the inconvenience of youngsters”, a cop on duty said.