Principals’ Association holds meeting
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 12
A meeting of the executive committee of the Principals’ Association and Principals Fellows of Punjab University, Chandigarh, was held at the Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujjarkhan campus, yesterday.

There were two major issues on the agenda. Principals and fellows had assembled to discuss the latest decision of the Syndicate, Panjab University, with regard to hike in fee structure of colleges and to take stock of the situation arising out of the decision of the state government to shift plus two classes to schools.

The association expressed concern over the steep hike in the fee structure. It was decided that colleges could follow the guideline of the university.

According to the guidelines, old fee structure would fallowed till the decision of the Senate. The colleges might have to revise fee structure according to the decision of the Senate in its meeting in July.

The principals decided that it would be mentioned in the prospectus/syllabus of the college that fee structure was subject to revision as per the decision of the Senate.

Students exhibit creativity
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 12
Students of diploma courses of designing, merchandising and fashion designing organised an exhibition, “Grandeur 2003”, at Sat Guru Ram Singh Government Polytechnic for Women, Rishi Nagar, here today. The exhibition is also open tomorrow from 10 am.

The exhibition was divided into four sections. Section A, called “Cloud Nine”, presented the scene of a formal evening party. To go with the theme, the girls were dressed in gowns shimmering with sequins and embellished with flowers and leaves. The colourful gowns were prepared by students of fashion designing.

Section B displayed dresses for teenagers. It represented a typical party scene of Ludhiana. It had a lighted fibre-glass dance floor. The girls were dressed in jeans, capris, T-shirts and wrap-arounds. Some wore shirts with big flowers while the others had used geometrical designs on their wrap-arounds and capris.

Section C, named “Starry Nights”, depicted a bedroom scene. The girls had prepared nighties and transparent net gowns to be worn over nighties. Both formal and informal night dresses were displayed.

The fourth section was called “Agaaz”. The “wedding mandap” was the centre of attraction. Hand- embroidered salwar suits were displayed. The girls had used sequins too. The designs were elegant and impressive.

Mamta, Aman, Savita, Sanyogta, Parminder, Namita and Kavita, all students of fashion designing, displayed their creativity. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Principal, Ms Harvinder Kaur. 

S.C. Ahuja resumes duty
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 12
Dr S.C. Ahuja, Principal, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, has resumed his duty contrary to the earlier reports that he has submitted his resignation. Mr Amrit Nagpal, secretary, Managing Society, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, claimed today that Dr Ahuja was on leave without pay and had not resigned from the post of Principal. He said the faculty got the wrong impression that Dr Ahuja had resigned as he went on leave without pay as by doing so he could get some financial benefits.

But reports still persists that Dr Ahuja will leave the institution after completing the process of admission to the MBBS course in July.

Mr Nagpal maintained that these were just rumours while sources close to the managing society claimed that Dr Ahuja had served a three-month notice on the management which would expire in the middle of next month.

City lad is 12th in Reliance test
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 12
Deven Kalra, who has passed class XII from DAV Public School, has attained 12th rank in the all-India test conducted by the Reliance Group of Companies. He was among the 50,000 students who appeared in the entrance test for admission to the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute at Ahmedabad on May 18. He aims to do a course in electronics engineering from IIT, for which he has cleared the screening test.

Mohit Gogia, a student of the same school, has secured 19th rank in the test conducted by Reliance.

He says his admission to the Dhirubai Ambani Institute is confirmed. He is not aspiring for a degree from an IIT. He is waiting for the results of the AIEEE, to be declared on June 15.

The 20th rank has been attained by Meyank Kukreja of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School.

A resident of Jamalpur, he hopes of getting admission in electronics engineering at an IIT.

CULTURE

‘K’ serials are in bad taste
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, June 12
“Mummy, does my papa have another woman in some other country? Will you leave him if you find that there is another woman in papa’s life?’ asked Jeetu, a teenager from his mother after watching a serial on a TV channel. Sudha, his mother was so stunned at these questions that she lost her voice for some time. It slowly dawned on her that her son’s insecurities were the result of watching serials wherein they glamourise adultery.

On Star TV, practically all serials starting with letter ‘K’ have the ‘other woman’ playing a predominant role. Men stray into adultery without any qualms or so it seems from these serials. Ms Rita Mahajan, a school teacher says, “I am really shocked at the way the women are portrayed in these serials. They are projected as horribly conniving women who seem to have nothing on their mind but to have their ‘man’ by hook or by crook. To get their man, they will go to any length. It is terrible to see characterisation of women in such negative shades. Such serials definitely send negative vibes. We do not feel relaxed, but rather irritated to see the character of women shown in poor light.”

Serials on other channels like ZEE also telecast serials that harp on one theme- i. e connivance of women in a ruthless manner to reach their goals. It does not matter whether they are housewives or working women. They are determined to get what they want even if they have to commit a murder.

Komolikas, Ramolas, Pallavis, Payals, Nikithas have such demonic smiles and thoughts and the way they are projected creates a sense of revulsion.

Dr Vijay Singh says,” I will never allow such serials to be watched by anyone in my family. After a hard day’s work, we want relaxation and not tension. Moreover, such serials do not teach us any good values as they are so long drawn out that they get on one’s nerves. We like to see serials that has comedy so that one feels relaxed,. Atleast one TV channel has taken a right step in this direction.”

Dr Ravinder Kala, a psychologist says,” I have known families that are addicted to such serials to such an extent that they put every thing else on hold. In the serials, they show women doing things that reflect behaviour displaying hidden reflexes. The women in the serials take the women viewers to different kind of a world which is far away from reality and hence the emotional dependence on these serials. The negative roles are projection of the serial maker as to how society is viewing women. They are trying to put certain labels to women. The serial makers should look first into their own psyche as to why they are making serials depicting women in the negative light.

Even viewers should be more aware, more realistic and should be able to view these serials as just having gossip value. Infact, for young girls there is another lurking danger. Awe struck by glamour, the young girls may consider these women as role models, with whom they might identify themselves and show similar behaviour when they are grown up. Such negative portrayals are not good for the psyche of growing girls and serials should be reviewed by a regulatory body.”

Kirana Gharana in his blood
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, June 12
“The knowledge of music is not gained by learning and hard work alone, one needs to have blessings of gurus and gods,” says Pt Mani Prasad. Music is in his blood as his family has maintained the golden tradition of the Kirana Gharana for generations.

Pt Mani Prasad says,”Classical music is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is not possible for everyone to comprehend the depth of ‘shastriya sangeet’. Many Americans are pursuing classical music as they have the urge to learn everything oriental. Our people , on the other hand, make a lot of noise about the glorious traditional Indian culture, but for a few persons, no one spares either money or effort to promote classical music. The government is indifferent to the plight of senior artistes who have become infirm and are unable to fend for themselves.”

He adds,” Our classical music is as deep as the ocean. Does the ocean fear streams and rivers? It faces no danger from any foreign music. Western and Indian pop music are like streams and rivers. Eventually they will merge into the ocean. Our classical music is based on deep knowledge and it is a kind of ‘ibadat’ which almost brings us closer to God. Music is meditation and the more we practise, the more peaceful and closer to God we feel.”

Pt Mani Prasad is an eminent vocalist and has invented ‘ragas’. He has composed ‘bandishes’ in the name of Dhyan Rang Piya. He is well-known for his ‘khayal gayaki’. He has travelled widely and his performances in Europe, the USA Canada and West Asia have impressed the audiences there. He has won laurels in India and abroad

He does not want to confine his knowledge about Hindustani classical music to himself and has always tried to spread it. He says, “I have sustained the ‘guru-shishya parampara’ I keep in constant touch with my disciples”. Rita Ganguly, Chandan Das, Ravi Jule, Pamela Singh and others, even after becoming reputed singers in their own right, keep going to him to learn. Many music cassettes of his have been released. A few of his renderings are circulated around the world through compact discs released in Canada. 

New cartoon serial for kids
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 12
With nothing much to do in the holidays, the city children can now look forward to a new domesticated cartoon serial. Starting this coming Saturday, Cartoon Network would air The Adventures of Tenali Raman that would allow the kids to travel back in history to the 16th century. The humour-filled cartoon is based on the rule of King Krishna Dev Raya II in which his court jester Tenali Raman is the central character.

It is the fourth attempt of the Trivandrum-based Toonz Animation Studios. Showcasing relevant Indian themes is an integral part of Cartoon Network’s localisation strategy for India, according to Ian Diamond, senior vice-president and general manager, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, Inc.

The series follows the adventures of Tenali, a bright entertainer whose favour with the king wins him many enemies- whom he always manages to triumph over with his wit and intelligence. The jealous Raja Guru is always plotting to discredit Tenali Raman in the eyes of the emperor. How the jester invariably turns the table on his foe is the theme of each story. The adventure of Tenali Raman is an interesting blend of history and fantasy which will be enjoyed by both adults and children all over transcending demographies and barriers. Raman strikes a chord with all because of his ready wit and wisdom.

Cartoon Network is the leading kids’ entertainment channel, reaching more than 18 million viewers. Currently available in English, Hindi and Tamil, Cartoon Network India is the only international kids channel to acquire locally produced programmed like Pandavas - The Five warriors, Sinbad — Beyond the Veils of Mists, Ramayan — The Legend of Prince Rama and the Adventures of Tenali Raman as well as of Mists.