 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Schools, colleges celebrate Lohri
Chandigarh, January 13 The principal talked about the significance of Lohri. She said that according to astrology ‘Sun’ goes to the region of constellation Capricorn from constellation Sagittarius so this change produces disturbance in the atmosphere so it needed to be purified. Stepping Stones School, Sector 37 and 38, also celebrated Lohri with enthusiasm where classes VIII children performed giddha. Importance of the festival was also explained to them. Lohri was also celebrated at Lotus Foundation at Trishakti Mandir, Sector 49. The foundation runs a school in he slum area. Mr V.P. Malhotra and Prof R.M. Devgan, founders of the school, joined the in celebrations. Similar functions were organised at Rainbow International School and Raja Ram Mohan Roy Institute of Vocational Studies, Sector 27. Mr Ujjal Dosanj, Federal Health Minister, Canada and his wife, Ms Raminder Dosanj, were chief guests on the occasion. At Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, the festival was celebrated with Dev Samaj prayer. Ms Satyawati, Chairperson of the college managing committee, addressed the students. College principal, Dr Shashi Bala, also joined the celebrations. Students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Air Force Station, High Ground, danced around bonfire. School principal, Ms S.K. Bhatia, mingled with the students. An inter-house group dance competition was also organised on the occasion. Punjabi spirit of Lohri was witnessed at the function organised at Rai School, Sector 48, here today. Teachers sang ‘sunder mundria ho’. Sweets were distributed among the children. Lohri was also celebrated at Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41 here today. Pulsating with excitement and reverberating with racy music, Student Centre of Panjab University, venue of the Lohri celebrations, was the place as students from various departments and colleges trooped in to be part of the celebrations today. Organised by the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC), the celebrations turned out to be an extended party with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof K.N. Pathak, caught up with some university business and unable to spare time for lighting the bonfire. Beginning around noon, the bonfire was lit late in the afternoon. The PUCSC also took the opportunity to collect funds for tsunami victims. The council announced a contribution of Rs 5,000 for the victims. The president of the council, Rajwinder Singh Lucky, accompanied by the secretary, Vikas Rathee, also collected funds. The Lohri celebrations ended with the distribution of groundnut, “rewaris” and “gachak”. Among others present on the occasion were the Dean Student Welfare, Dr Nirmal Singh, and Dr Meenakshi Malhotra. Lohri was celebrated at the Rotary Serai, PGI with fervour today. Director PGI, Prof K.K. Talwar, Medical Superintendent Prof A.K. Gupta and Dean Prof Sudha Suri greeted people and distributed sweets among patients and their families. Director Talwar lighted the bonfire and interacted with representatives of the NGO present at the Serai. Lohri was also celebrated in Sanjivni Child Care Centre today where children gathered around a bonfire and danced.
|
|
Preparing students for challenges
The school emerged on the educational horizon of Haryana in 1995, under the aegis of the Doon Public School Education Society, Panchkula. Here the students are prepared mentally as well as physically to meet all challenges and achieve excellence in all spheres of life.
“Lead Kindly Light” is the motto of the school. It is a fragment of the first line of an inspiring poem written by Cardinal Henry Newman (1801-90). Newman believed that the soul of man is continuously unfolding itself. The foremost aim of the school is to develop the multi-dimensional growth and personality of the student. No effort is spared to build a progressive outlook of the child. To achieve its objective, the school not only exposes them to the latest in the field of education and technology but also tries to instill in them our rich cultural values. The nursery wing of the school “Angels Kingdom”, is in a separate and independent block. It is aesthetically bright and is equipped with comfortable and attractive furniture. It has a cheerful environment of its own where the kids forget their homes. We take special care about this wing and see to it that the kids get a lot of physical, artistic and cultural activities to nourish their bodies, minds, hearts and souls. Activity room is one of the biggest attractions of the “Angel’s Kingdom” and favourite place of tiny tots. A number of stuffed toys, doll house, building blocks, puzzles etc. are available to the tiny tots in this room. The students are taught with the help of educational kits and teaching aids. The details of evaluation, the manner and method of assessment are provided to the students in the beginning of the year along with the syllabi. Modern computer age requires children to learn computer science necessarily. Hence computers is a compulsory subject from Class III onwards. Both theoretical and practical knowledge is imparted to the students. The school has a well-equipped computer lab. The school has got a spacious library with thousands of books, encyclopaedias, reference books, periodicals and magazines. The students use the library on a regular basis as they have periods in their timetable thus helping them to develop the reading habit. There is a separate music and dance faculty in the school with a variety of instruments under the charge of qualified teachers. Instrumental music is a compulsory subject from classes VI to VIII. Besides inter-class competitions on every Saturday, there are inter-house competitions. The students have been divided into four houses. Freedom, unity peace and forward. Each house has its own colour and motto. The school has facilities for indoor as well as outdoor games. Last year, the school’s first batch of class X students appeared in board examination and all students passed examinations with flying colours. Principal speak: The development of the school has been in other spheres too. We had organised quite a few interesting programmes for them, including free health camps and exhibitions. Currently we have decided to associate with a sister institution called Matri Kund in Dehra Dun which is a home for the parentless girls. We will impart education to such girls so that they may look forward to a bright future. The journey that it commenced in 1996 is continuing with a great vision and equally great enthusiasm to execute it. It is undoubtedly as endless journey because even if the school reaches the summit of perfection, it will give birth to a number of new branches not only in Haryana but also in other parts of the country.
|
|
Workshop for women organised at MCM DAV
Chandigarh, January 13 Mr Harjit Singh Khandola, Director Industries, inaugurated the workshop. As many as 50 students have been registered for the camp. Training programme: A five-day training programme for 100 associate women workers concluded at Government Home Science College, Sector 10. The programme was organised by the Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Chandigarh. Dr Sukh Varsha inaugurated the camp.Funds collected: The World Peace Mission under the chairmanship of its Managing Director, Mr Lalit Behal, has collected RS 12,000 for tsunami victims. The fund has been sent to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
|
|
Holiday in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan today
The Principal of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan said in the wake of today’s function a holiday had been declared for tomorrow.
|
|
C-Toss test on January 30
Chandigarh, January 13 The test will be conducted by SPIC with technical inputs from Shradha HRD. It is open for all individuals even if they are not students of C-TOSS courses. A score card will be given to each candidate and this score card will facilitate employment/ placement in any sector. The application form can be downloaded from the website http://www.spicindia.com or collected from SPIC, Punjab Engineering College, Sector 12, Chandigarh . The helpline number is: 0172-2745502, 2744235 and the contact person is Ms Nidhi.
|
|
School help for tsunami victims
Mohali, January 13
|
|
Play staged to help tsunami victims
Mohali, January 13
She thanked the artistes and handed over a cheque for Rs 26,000 to Mr Rajiv Mehta, Director of the play, for the tsunami victims. The amount was donated by the Principal, teachers and staff members of the school. In addition, Mr Pushpinderjit Singh donated Rs 5,000. The artistes who performed the play include Suvinder Pal, Yogesh Arora, Gurjit Kang, Rajiv Mehta, Yogesh
Tungal, Ashwani Sawan, Hatinder Kumar, Rocky Bhardwaj and Rohin Singh. The group has so far staged 10 plays and collected Rs 65,000.
|
|
DSP granted bail
Panchkula, January 13
The woman has accused the three officers, and eight others, including IAS officer Yudhvir Singh, of threatening and defaming her in June 1997. The woman has alleged that she was involved in litigation with her colleague, Maya Devi. The latter approached the then Kalka DSP, Ms Rajshree and then Kalka SDM, Mr Yudhvir Singh, and they conspired to defame and humiliate her by accusing her of being involved with another man. She alleged that she had gone to meet Mr R.C. Chopra, when DSP Rajshree, ASI Omkar Singh came there and told her that they were under arrest. She has further stated that Mr Yudhvir Singh and Tehsildar Bir Singh too arrived and forced Mr Chopra to strip. They had brought two videographers, who made a film of the complainant and Mr Chopra. The complaint says that they were then taken to a government hospital, where the doctor, Dr Vijay Dahiya, too, humiliated them. The woman then filed a case in the court, and sought action against the accused. Accused Om Prakash, Head Constable, Dr Vijay Dahiya, videographers Ramesh and Jaidev, Maya Devi and her son Rajesh, Swatantra Gupta, and Mr Yudhvir Singh had been granted bail by the court on November 19. Case Registered:- The police has registered a case of forgery against some officers of the Haryana Urban Cooperative Bank and a resident of Sector 9, Naresh Kumar, on the directions of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Gulab Singh. The case has been registered on a complaint of Ms Kailash Rani, who has accused her relative Naresh Kumar, of defrauding her by forging documents, in connivance with certain bank officials. She has alleged that she needed a loan of Rs 50,000, but the accused made her sign blank documents and partially filled documents., which were used by Naresh to get a loan of Rs 5 lakh, after he mortgaged her house.
|
|
Sham-e-ghazal organised by
Dera Bassi, January 13 More than 12 artistes recited Punjabi and Hindi ghazals and regaled the audience. Abhishek Gupta, Sunita Rani, Baldev Raj, Biba Minakshi, Gurbir Singh Lati, performed. Director of the Kendra Vinod Puri also performed. Ms Navjot Noor anchored the show informed Ms Gurpreet Singh Babbu, vice-chairman of the club. Besides music lovers, local residents were also present in the function. Artistes Navjot Noor and Vinod Puri were welcomed by club members.
|
|
Mithun back in action
Mithun Chakraborty is back again in the role of a underworld don. Director Vikram Bhatt expects something special from Mithun da in ‘Elaan’. This one is Venus Tapes and Records presentation film. Young soldiers like Arjun Rampal, John Abraham, Rahul Khanna, Lara Dutta and Amisha Patel sound war cry against underworld in ‘Elaan’. Film will be released on Friday at K.C. Chandigarh, Suraj Panchkula and Fun Republic, Mani Majra. ‘Elaan’ is a action drama. ‘Elaan’ has death defying stunts. It is shot in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Athens and Austria.
Sameer has penned the lyrics. Anu Malik is back with compositions after good score in ‘Dobara’ and ‘Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo’. Tracks are by Gayatri Iyer, Sunidhi Chauhan and Udit Narayan. lll
After ‘Sabse Bada Khiladi’ and ‘Khiladion Ka Khiladi’, Keshu Ramsay presents another multi-starrer ‘Insaan’. Stars of ‘Khakhee’ Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan and Tusshar Kapoor again team up with Keshu Ramsay in DMS Films’ ‘Insaan’. Lara Dutta, Esha Deol, Laila and Rahul Dev play main characters. Koena Mitra (‘Musafir’ fame) is another attraction of the film. It is directed by K.Subhash and has music by Himesh Reshammiya. Cinematography by Y.N. Murali, art by Nitish Roy, action by Stunt Shiva and choreography by Ganesh Acharya are other credits. It is a DMS film presentation. It opens on Friday at Nirman, Chandigarh, K.C. Panchkula and Fun Republic, Mani Majra. lll
After the success of ‘Shaheed-E-Mohabbat’ Punjabi singer and actor Gurdas Maan is back with another Punjabi film — ‘Des Hoya Pardes’. It stars Juhi Chawla, Divya Dutta, Sudhir Pande and Gurkirtan. It opens on Friday at Piccadily. — D.P. |
Amrita begins to rediscover herself
Amrita Singh’s life is eventually turning around. The baggage of failed matrimony has been shed, and the source of strength relocated. For the actress who once made a million hearts beat, the dust is just beginning to settle and the sun is tiptoeing towards the horizon.
On her way back to Mumbai, where children Sara and Ebrahim are awaiting her arrival, Amrita Singh pauses to reflect on life — now dazzling, now dim, but forever racing. “You can’t hyperventilate yourself to a state of peace. You have to find it within. I have had my fill in life, and now I am finding peace with my children,” declares the actress who has made a graceful exit from her matrimonial home. The mention of Saif Ali Khan no longer disturbs her, and Sharmila Tagore is just a former mother-in-law about whom she chooses to say nothing. But there are two names that instantly light up Amrita’s world, yearning for a purpose. “Sara and Ebrahim have taught me the meaning of selfless, unconditional love. Sara is my best anchor. We balance each other perfectly. There are times when I’m awestruck by her understanding of life which is deeper than my own. That’s when I realise how much to her I owe. Ebrahim is still young and he plays cricket for seven hours every day,” she says. Rooted in her children, Amrita is now drawing the strength to put her life back on the rails. For long, she has been shunning the camera to honour her marriage. But life has put her back in focus, and she is ready to act her age in Balaji’s next “Kavyanjali” on Star Plus. Amrita has set no high targets, as she tells, “I am doing the serial because I want a job to support my children. Camera is no stranger to me. For me, it’s a virtual coming around. But I will work for 15 days in a month. Children are my top priority.” As such, Amrita does not recall her past with too much pride as she admits, “It’s disastrous to be too rich and too famous at a very young age. I did the best of films with the best of directors, and that did turn my head. “Today if Sara wishes to be an actress, I can at least warn her, tell her to have a job to fall back upon. Ebrahim is busy playing cricket. He hits real good ball.” And though life may write other plans for her children as it wrote for her, Amrita firmly believes in her dreams. “I dream of simple things — of how I could have been a struggler like any other man on the road, and of other things that might just have happened. But there is no space for negative thoughts in my days. I would, however, be lying if I said I don’t behave like other women. I fling plates, shout, I call names. Sometimes I sleep for 16 hours,” says the actress, who vividly remembers Chandigarh, the place of her birth. As for stress management, Amrita trusts anything but the art of living courses. “They bore me to death. Running after kids in the garden is so much better…” she smiles, as hope pushes despair out of her eyes.
TNS
|
|
Not affected by tsunami, but close enough
Dr T.S. Bedi, a former principal, and his wife, Ms Darshan Kaur, didn’t see the tsunami waves hit the coastal belt in the South, yet they are not much distant from the “water attack”.
Parents of the Cuddalore District Magistrate, Mr Gagandeep Singh Bedi, who himself had a brush with death when the waves struck, they still have their fingers crossed and the nightmare of December 26 doesn’t seem to fade away. “Gagan was away to Mahabaleshwar with his family for an outing. In the morning we got a call from him saying he and his family was safe and disconnected. For quite sometime we kept wondering what had prompted him to call up and say he was safe. All we knew was that he sounded worried,” recalls Dr Bedi. “With our heart in out throat, we watched the news on television and desperately tried all his mobile numbers but were unable to get through. At his camp office, the only response we got was that he was out of town,” his mother, a retired lecturer, adds. It was well past midnight on the fateful day of December 26 that they got the news that Gagandeep and his family was back at Cuddalore. “Since he came back to Cuddalore, he went out to worst hit areas and supervised relief work,” Dr Bedi explained. After the process of rehabilitation began and things began to settle did the Bedis get to know that Gagandeep and his two daughters had a narrow escape after they climbed onto to a hillock outside the hotel they were staying in. “The children had just returned after playing at the beach and were at the entry of the hotel when the water charged in. Gagan took them to a nearby hillock along with a friend. His wife saved herself by climbing on top a window sill and holding on till the waves subsided,” he stated. Dr Bedi said the beach beautified by Gagandeep for which he earned the government’s “Green Award”, conferred on him twice since he joined the services, was also washed away.Gagandeep, a topper throughout his student life, was also awarded the “best overall performance” as a trainee at the IAS academy, Mussoorie.
TNS
|
|
‘Des Hoyaa Pardes’ promos on R World
Reliance Infocomm today launched a unique service of showcasing a Punjabi film on Reliance India Mobile Showtime. As Manjit Mann’s film “Des Hoyaa Pardes” was chosen as the first-ever Punjabi film whose trailers, song clips and wall papers will be available on R World, the cast of the film had a tough time handling the rush which hardly left them any time to speak to the media. In fact, Reliance Web World showroom in Sector 35, which was the venue for today’s event, remained too congested to facilitate a conversation which progressed in bits and starts.
After Mr Himanshu Kapania, CEO, Punjab and Haryana Circle, made the announcement, Gurdas Mann chose to introduce the film rather briefly. He mainly revelled in the production quality of the film which has been directed by Manoj Punj. Also he was elated to hear that he looked younger every time he made an appearance in Chandigarh. “The blessings of elders and the love of friends might have something to do with that,” he said, as his wife spoke about the challenges faced by Punjabi cinema. Most of the talking was done by a confident Divya Dutta who knows best how to handle the Press. Smartly deflecting odd queries about her roles in films, she focused the conversation on the film which deals with the trauma of displacement. “It was a fine role, hence I accepted it. It has been an honour to be associated with Gurdas Mann who is an incredibly simple man,” she said, while Manoj Punj spoke about the effort that had gone into the production of “Des Hoyaa Pardes”. “The film is fresh and saleable. But we can never predict audience preferences,” he said, adding that he was looking at other scripts for Punjabi films. While “Des Hoyaa Pardes” was launched for one crore Reliance mobile subscribers this evening, its exclusive preview was held at Fun Republic at night. The event, however, appeared incomplete without Juhi Chawla, who plays the lead opposite Gurdas Mann. Parmeet Sethi (of “Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin” fame) was also absent. The stars in presence did try to compensate, but they had their limitations as most of the visitors were awaiting Juhi Chawla’s arrival. As for Manjit Mann whose labour of love the film is, days seem to be too long. Eagerly awaiting the audience response to the film, she is also busy managing future acting engagements of her husband who seems to be thoroughly enjoying his new-found role as an actor. TNS
|
|
Top vocalists to perform at Brahaspti Sangeet Samaroh
Notwithstanding the growing thrust of western pop and remix music on the mind set of the people in the region, there seems no dearth of aficionados and proponents of the classical music. Drawing inspiration from the success of annual Bhasker Rao Sangeet Sammelan which has been organised by Pracheen Kala Kendra here for over 35 years and another music festival by Indian National Theatre, The Sadbhavana Arts, in association with Brahspati Kala Kendra and Research Institute, is organising the first ever music festival Brahaspti Sangeet Samaroh from 18 to 20 January.
The annual festival will be dedicated to the memory of late Acharaya K.C.D. Brahaspati, an illustrious doyen of the Rampur Sadarang gharana. Acharya Kailash Chander Dev was a gem of myriad talents who had a tall stature as a musicologist, research scholar, performer, creator of ragas like ‘Prabhat Ranjani, Anang Ranjani, Sanjog. He invented three musical instruments, said Saughagya Vardhan, festival coordinator. The organisers have roped in eight top vocalist icons of the Ramapur Sadarang tradition to pay musical tributes to the legendary musicologist. Gen S.F. Rodrigues, Governor of Punjab, will inaugurate the festival while Mr A.R. Kidwai, Governor of Haryana, will be the chief guest on the concluding day. Eminent personalities in the realm of classical art will be honoured on the opening day. The Acharya Brahaspati Sangeet Sewa Samman will be bestowed upon Rajhbhan Singh (Varanasi), L.K. Pandit (Delhi), M.L. Koser and Shobha Koser (Chandigarh), Ajit Singh Paintal and Geeta Paintal (Delhi). Mumbai-based Padmashri Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Waris Khan, a foremost disciple of the Acharya, will lead performing artistes. A Sangeet Natak Akademy awardee, he has given playback for many Hindi and regional films, including ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Badnam Basti’, and ‘Bhuvan Shome’ besides composing music for 70 documentary films. Mustafa Khan’s son Ghulam Murtuza Khan from Mumbai will display his command over the deep classical vocal stream of music. Murtuza is known for singing songs under music director A.R. Rehman. Ghulam Sadiq Khan, a specialist in Khyal, Thumri Tarana, belongs to the Rampur and Gwalior gharana. The disciple wife of Acharya, Sulochna Brahaspati, is propagating the ideals of her mentor and master both as a teacher and performer with discerning commitment. Her expertise and close association with Acharya is undeniably an asset in keeping alive the traditions of Rampur Sadarang in India and abroad. The Chandigarh-based Sharayu Kalekar, a Sangeet Natak awardee, will perform at the ‘Samroh’. She has served as Vice-Chancellor of IKSV, Khairagarh. Another performer Rashmi Choudhry is a Lucknow-based executive of All-India Radio. Sarita Pathak Yajurvedi, an young exponent of vocal classical with many honours to her credit, will also perform. Ustad Mujahid Hussain Khan, an established vocalist of All-India Radio and Doordarshan, had been honoured with ‘Surmani Award’ and many government scholarships. The accompanying artistes, with proven credentials, include Kamal Sabri (sarangi), percussionist Prem Kumar, tabla player Ghulam Sultan Niyazi and Mahendra Prasad Sharma of the Benaras gharana. Zamir Ahmed Khan of Moradabad will give accompaniment on harmonium.
OC
|
|
Music blaring from within the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Sector 17 and employees sweating it out in a gymnasium. Seems unlikely but is true.
Every day when offices close after 5 pm, a handful of employees trudge off to the newly set up gym located on the ground floor of the Deputy Commissioner’s office where the trainer, Mr Sanjeev Kohli, gives them tips on keeping in shape.
The swank treadmill is the obvious favourite, he says. At present the time for men employees is 5 pm to 7 pm and for women employees from 1 pm to 2 pm. About 18 to 20 men employees are attending the gym while the attendance of women employees is between 12 and 14. The gym opens on Saturday also while Sunday is the rest day. The gym was opened on December 9 and within one month, it has got a good response. The number of members is expected to rise when the summer sets in. “The idea is to encourage employees to be fit and not expect them to become bodybuilders,” says Mr Kohli. The gym is for employees posted in the Deputy Commissioner’s office building and also the employees working in departments inside the Additional Town Hall building. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar, said the employees were using the gym free of cost. The gym has facilities like a latest treadmill which tells the pulse rate and can be programmed to run according to the requirements of the user. Cycling and treadmill is a favourite with women while men also do the weight training part. The twister and tummy vibrator are also available. The more serious ones use the weights. The gym is air-conditioned and a sum of Rs 5 lakh has been spent on it.
TNS
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
