The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

‘Smooth paddy procurement’
Our Correspondent

Doraha, October 12
The paddy procurement at Sahnewal and Payal is going on smoothly with various procurement agencies busy in the task of procurement to the expectations of farmers. The farmers were satisfied with the paddy procurement, said Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Chairman, Markfed, here today. He said the quality of paddy was much better this year against previous years.

At Payal, too, the FCI, Markfed, PUNSUP, Punjab Warehousing Corporation, Punjab Agro and various other private agencies were actively involved in the task of speedy procurement of paddy. Mr Jaskaran Singh, SDM, Payal, said provisions for proper transportation had been made. In all 12 mandis of Payal subdivision, he added, the timely procurement and appropriate facilities had been made available.

Residents sore over removal of girders
Our Correspondent

Doraha, October 12
The girders fixed by the Nagar Council for obstructing the free flow of truck loaded with paddy, were removed on Tuesday by the Market Committee, arhtiyas and farmers on the orders issued by the SDM, Payal, much to the disappointment of residents of the area.

On the demand of the dwellers of Ward No 3, 5 and 6 of Doraha, the Nagar Council had employed the girders in the streets so that only cars may pass on and the big vehicles carrying paddy to the grain market, may not. But keeping in view the maximum inflow of paddy in the grain market at this time, the SDM, Payal, Mr Jaskaran Singh, ordered the girders to be removed and the needful was done by the members of the Market Committee with the assistance of arhtiyas and farmers, yesterday.

The residents are, however, resenting the move as the vehicles filled with paddy passing through the streets throw big heaps of paddy in front of their houses, thus obstructing their free movement. This also increases the cases of various types of asthmatic diseases and breathing problems. They have revolted against the move.

The SDM, however, said, “My own house is in the grain market and paddy is lying in front of my house, and moreover it is a problem for just a week or two. The step has been taken keeping in view the convenience of the farmers bringing huge heaps of paddy to the market.

Literary programme
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 12
Ghalib-e-ghazal, a literary programme, was organised at the BNM College for Technical Education, Alamgir village, near here, yesterday. Over 12 students participated in singing and poem recitation contest. Jagdish Singh won the first prize, Harsimran Singh was declared second and Harpreet Singh stood third.

Ms Manudeep Kaushal, Principal of the college, distributed prizes. She said the programme was organised to encourage participation in cultural programmes.

Mr Nand Lal, librarian, recited several poems from Ghalib’s collections. Amandeep compered the programme. The students also lit candles and prayed for peace to mark one month since the terrorist attacks on the USA.

Ishminder chosen ‘Ms Fresher’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 12
First year students of BA, B.Sc and B.Com from the Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Model Town, were given a welcome party at a function organised here today.

A short cultural programme was organised in which senior section students performed various music and dance items. Nearly 33 first year students participated in Ms Fresher contest in which Ishminder won the ‘Ms Fresher’ title. The first and second runners-up titles went to Sapna and Harpreet Walia, respectively.

Besides, Sonia was chosen ‘Ms Personality’, Supreet was declared ‘Ms Best Dressed’ and Rubina was selected for ‘Ms Charming’ title. Ms A.K. Bansal, Principal, was present on the occasion.

Forum fines car dealer
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 12
In an ex parte judgement, the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Premier Automobiles Limited, Mumbai, to refund Rs 11,000 to Mr Shri Paul, a partner of Jai Gopal, Anaj Mandi, Jagraon. The forum has directed the company to pay interest on the said amount to the consumer at the rate of 18 per cent per annum from December 15, 2000, till the date of actual payment. The forum has also directed the company to pay interest at the amount at the rate of 9 per cent per annum till December 14, 2000, the date of filing the complaint, as per the terms and condition of the booking.

According to the complaint, the consumer had booked a Premier 118 NE car with the company and deposited Rs 11,000 on June 25, 1985. The consumer had stated before the forum that he was informed by the Dada Motors, Ludhiana, that they had been appointed authorised dealer of the said car and his priority number was 41-00736. Later on, the company had also informed him about the said status of the customer, he had added.

The consumer had written a letter to the company for cancellation of booking for the said car and demanded refund of the booking amount. The consumer had also sent the duly discharged voucher to the company, but in spite of cancellation of booking, it had failed to refund the amount. Even a legal notice had been served on the company for the refund, the consumer had disclosed.

The forum observed that according to the documents produced before the forum, the consumer had booked the car and deposited Rs 11,000. The forum held that the company had failed to refund the booking amount in spite of cancellation of booking.

Duo cast double magic spell
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, October 12
Rajnish and Ritesh Mishra of the Banaras Gharana touched the hearts of students of Bhadur Chand Munjal School with their melodious and trained voices here today. They were performing under the Virasat 2001 series organised by SPIC-MACAY.

Sons of noted classical singer Rajan Mishra, they have trained under their father and uncle Sajan Mishra. They showed proficiency and the endless hours of ‘riaz’ was evident in their rendering of the rather unusual raaga ‘sailag bairal todi’.

The song they sang was ‘Tero hi naam jagat ko aadhar’. They told the young audience that they were going to sing in ‘vilambit laye’ and in slow beat.

The brothers complimented each other well and where one brother left the other one carried forward. The ‘alaap’ showed the control and their mastery over ‘taan’. They also rendered a beautiful Meera’s bhajan ‘Ab to sham naam to lagi’ on request. The students were happy to hear the bhajan and applauded the singers. After the performance there was an interesting interaction between the students and the brothers. The elder of the two, Rajnish, told the students that he was playing on a miniharp, originally German instrument but now incorporated in Indian music and called ‘swar mandal’. His brother played the electronic tanpura. They were accompanied on tabla by S. Banerjee and on harmonium by A. Mishra.

Answering a question, Rajnish said, “In the beginning we did not like classical music at all and we would wait for the practice to finish and rush off to play. Gradually our interest grew in music and we gave our heart and soul to become good singers. Our advice to you is that all of you should work hard and behave well with others.”

Answering a question about the all-pervasive influence of pop music, Rajnish said, “The pop music is just like the wind. After a few years, pop music will be gone. Classical music will go on forever.”

Later in a press meet, they said they should not be compared to their father, for he was their guru. Every individual had his own individuality and the two of them should not be compared with each other as they were two different individuals and had different personalities, they asserted.

“We have developed a website, www.banarasghrana.com, and we are developing this site into an organisation. We are organising Dev Deepawali Sanskritik Utsav in Delhi, in which all noted singers will participate,” they added.

Rajnish said, “An Italian composer and pianist, Michael Niani, had heard us sing in Banaras and invited us to Italy. While we sang our classical pieces, he played on his piano.”

He added, “It was a totally different experience for us. Our album “Chants of Gayatri” is out. We have composed an album based on bhajans of Meera titled ‘Vrindavan volume 3’. The albums has a bhajan sung by our father and two bhajans have been rendered by Pt Bhimsen Joshi. The rest have been sung by us.”

Asked if they would like to venture into playback singing for movies, they said, “Yes, if we get a film with the background of classical music like our father. He had sung in the movie ‘Sur Sangam’ as the songs were based on raagas.”

‘City has talent for modelling’
Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, October 12
“There is a lot of beauty in Ludhiana and these young girls must try their luck at modelling. I am confident, if given a chance many will attain international acclaim”, said Rashmi Virmani, a well-known choreographer from Delhi while talking to Ludhiana Tribune here today.

Rashmi was in the city to choreograph a fashion show, to be held today. She has already done some prestigious shows in India and abroad with top names in the world of modelling like Sushmita Sen, Ruchi Malhotra and Manpreet Brar.

Rashmi said, “I got recognition from my fashion serial Khoobsurat for Zee Television. I have already choreographed serials like “Ada” and “Pehchaan”. My programmes are basically women based. “Woman is given importance in all my serials. The main focus remains on how she can establish her own identity in this male-dominated society”.

Rashmi and her husband Sanjay Virmani are running a modelling agency — ‘The Ramp’ — in Delhi, for the past 10 years.

The choreographer said she considered the city to be a metro like Delhi and Mumbai. “People are beautiful, fashion conscious and have modern thinking”, said Rashmi.

“The Indian bride always prefers to wear traditional lehangas and sarees on her wedding with delicate and elegant embroidery. More or less, the Indian brides choose bright colours of red, orange, maroon and magenta. Sometimes the girls go for costly outfits but forget that the outfit should be carried very elegantly”, added Rashmi.

Rashmi said short length suits were in these days as besides being comfortable, they looked nice also.

The fashion show will be organised by the International Trade and Exhibition Group.

The models, who will walk on the ramp will include Annie Thomas, Miss India 1998, Jayshree, Divya and Swareena. The male models from Delhi will be Amit Ralli, Rajneesh Duggal, Bhanu Sudan and Rajat Vohra.