Chandigarh, May 19
Thirty-five school students, including 18 girls, from remote areas of Kathua and Samba region of Jammu and Kashmir are on a tour of the city and nearby areas under the Operation Sadbhavana organised by the Army.

Meeting with the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, at New Delhi on 14 May was the highlight of their educational tour. They also visited Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border and Golden Temple at Amritsar; Hawa Mahal and Ajmer Fort at Jaipur; Taj Mahal at Agra; Science Museum, National Museum, Akshardham and Red Fort at Delhi; and the Indian Military Academy and Rashtriya Indian Military College at Dehra Dun.

In Chandigarh, they visited Rock Garden, Yadvindra Garden, Sukhna Lake and the Sector 17 shopping centre. They also got an opportunity to interact with students of Army School at Chandi Mandir. The students also interacted with the GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Daljeet Singh, and president of the Army Wives Welfare Association Mohini Daljeet Singh at Chandi Mandir today.

Gen Daljeet said these tours would help the children from the backward areas to know about the opportunities that the country offers to the youth. He announced that the different schools to which these children belonged would be presented a computer by the Western Command and each child would be given a school uniform.

Chandigarh, May 19
The British Library, Sector 9, turned seven today amidst a variety entertainment show and a prize-distribution ceremony presided over by chief guest Justice K.S. Garewal (Punjab and Haryana High Court).

The library, which started with 1,800 members and 8,000 books, now has approximately 8,500 members and 20,000 books, says Christina Singh, deputy manager of the library. Christina, who has been a part of the library since its inception, even remembers a time when former UT administrator Lt Gen (retd) J.F.R. Jacob used to frequent the library, often unannounced.

Stressing the changing face of libraries in today’s world Manager Bipin Kumar says, “We wish to redefine the word library. It is not just about books but is a storehouse of knowledge and we are here to provide that knowledge in whichever form it comes, be it the internet, DVDs, CDs and of course books,” he smiles.

As for trends, Kumar believes that a reading section started for children has encouraged many parents to start reading too as they have to accompany their little ones to the library. In a bid to make the library more accessible to all ages, not only has it decided to introduce a drop-box system starting June 15, it is also working on starting a comprehensive music section where apart from CDs and DVDs there will be books on how to learn instruments and on technology related to music and even a selection of UK chart-busters. This along with their usual reading programmes, christened ‘Reading Mission’ this year, for children between four and 12 years as a part of its summer vacation initiative.

Is their ‘ploy’ to make youngsters read working? Well yes, if 19-year-old Bismark Singh’s passion for reading and writing is taken into account. This young boy was the editor of his school magazine at St John’s for two years and his idea of fun is to take part in a ‘Twist in a Tale’ contest, for which he won a prize; the book in question, The Guide by R.K. Narayan.

Chandigarh, May 19
Crowd at the Plaza Carnival was treated to an altogether different experience with majestic melody of the Haryanvi folk music and display of virile muscle power by body building champions on the same platform here today. The event, organised by the Centre for Carnival Arts and Chandigarh tourism in association with BSNL and Coca Cola with The Tribune Group of Newspapers, turned out to be a big draw despite hot weather.

The spectacular body building show, organised by 'Bon Stone', featured Hardeep Singh Malhi (Mr India (junior) and gold medallist Mr South Asia), Baljit Singh (Sr Mr North India), Pardeep Kumar (Jr Mr India ), Mandeep Sodhi and Gurvinder Singh (Mr Chandigarh) besides Sunny Kapoor and Arvind Kumar (Junior and Sub-Junior Mr Chandigarh). While the body builders displayed amazing confidence and sleek muscle movements, Dr Mandeep garg and Manki Deep embellished the show with crisp commentary.

The spirit and jubilations were further augmented as Jind-based noted folklorist Harvinder Rana and party brought alive the grandeur of the Haryanvi folklore through scintillating songs and dances.

Harvinder commenced the programme with 'Bam lahiri'

an invocation to lord Shiva before ghoomar was performed by artistes much to the delight of the Haryanvi folklore lovers. Amidst the shouts of 'once more', Parvin Kumari doled out a 'ragini'.

However, as Satish Haryanvi brought the humour and melody in his parody, the audience was in the peals of laughter. The musical bonanza concluded with an exciting and exuberant 'Faag dance'. The dancers and musicians

exhibited the grace, verve and melody of the rich Haryanvi culture.

Carnival president Manki Deep honoured the artistes and body builders.

Chandigarh, May 19
Application forms to the qualified candidates of the north western region for the combined main (graduate level) exam, 2006, to be held on August 4 and 5 and August 11 and 12 have been issued.

According to a press note issued here today, duly filled application forms should reach the staff selection commission latest by June 1. Applications received after the stipulated date would not be accepted, the press note added.

Chandigarh, May 19
The state lok adalat will hold legal awareness seminars in slums to sensitise the downtrodden about their legal rights and free legal aid schemes.

The decision was taken at a lok adalat held at the district courts here today.

At the lok adalat, 1,465 cases - 31 cases of motor accident tribunal, 262 civil cases (including matrimonial dispute) and 1,172 criminal cases - were disposed of.

A sum of Rs 55.5 lakh was granted as compensation in 31 cases of motor accident claim tribunal (MCAT).

In addition, a sum of Rs 2,36,900 was recovered as compounding fee in 2,811 summary cases under the MCAT.

In one of the cases, a compensation of Rs 7.35 lakh was awarded.

In a case of child custody, the court ordered permanent custody of two minors to Anil Mehta under Section 25 of the Indian Guardian and Ward Act.

Of the total 82 labour court cases, 50 were settled and a sum of Rs 4,50,622 was awarded as compensation on the spot.

Mr Justice P. Sathasivam, administrative judge session division, Mr Justice J.S. Khehar, executive chairman of the State Legal Services Authority were present at the camp.