About the World Theatre Day

First Message was written by Jean Cocteau in 1962

Courtesy: www.world-theatre-day.org

World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute ITI. It is celebrated annually on the 27th March by ITI Centres and the international theatre community. Various national and international theatre events are organized to mark this occasion. One of the most important of these is the circulation of the World Theatre Day Message through which at the invitation of ITI, a figure of world stature shares his or her reflections on the theme of Theatre and a Culture of Peace. The first World Theatre Day Message was written by Jean Cocteau in 1962. 

Ever since, each year on the 27th March (date of the opening of the 1962 "Theatre of Nations" season in Paris), World Theatre Day has been celebrated in many and varied ways by ITI Centres - of which there are now more than 90 throughout the world. Moreover theatres, theatre professionals, theatre lovers, theatre universities, academies and schools celebrate it as well. 

Each year an outstanding figure in theatre or a person outstanding in heart and spirit from another field is invited to share his or her reflections on theatre and international harmony. What is known as the International Message is translated into more than 50 languages, read for tens of thousands of spectators before performances in theatres throughout the world, and printed in hundreds of daily newspapers. Colleagues in the audio-visual field lend a fraternal hand, with more than a hundred radio and television stations transmitting the Message to listeners in all corners of the five continents.

Prof. Arun Kumar, explains the reality behind GST

Feb 26, 2019, 12:19 AM

Many Questions on GST

GST Book: Blurb

Title: Ground Scorching Tax

On 1st July 2017, Goods and Services Tax (GST) became a reality. The government hailed it as the biggest tax reform of independent India which would herald a new freedom for the nation and unify it with ‘One Nation One Tax’.

Some of the claims made by the government were that GST would bring about ease of doing business; increase tax collection; lower inflation; increase GDP growth by 1-2%; and check the black economy.

So, today, one can ask?

1. Why did the economy slow down?

2. Why is the government collecting less tax then targeted?

3. Why have prices continued to rise?

4. Why the black economy continues?

5. Why has Malaysia withdrawn from GST?

The book points out that the problems are not just transitional as made out by the proponents of GST but and structural. To correct for the transitional problems, there have been a few hundred notifications and orders which have only added to the confusion.

In this book, Arun Kumar, explains the reality behind GST. The author explains that GST

1. Is a double whammy for the common man;

2. Will lead to increased inequality across sectors and regions;

3. Will hurt small businesses; and

4. Why it will do more harm than good

The author presents what the government does not spell out by discussing the `what and why’ of GST. He shows that it is a Convoluted Tax and not a Good and Simple Tax. Finally, he presents an alternative which would convert GST from a `Ground Scorching Tax’ into a `Ground Nourishing Tax’.

Some other questions addressed in the book:

1. GST is based on fallacious arguments about simplifying indirect taxation in India

2. With eight rates of tax, does GST fulfil the promise of `one nation one tax’?

3. Is it true that 17 taxes have been replaced by 1 tax?

4. Has the cascading effect been eliminated as promised?

5. Why calculation of GST tax rates is `not a science but an art’?

6. Why is GST a half-way house in India and not a full GST?

7. Why benefits of computerization should not be confused with achievements of GST?

8. Why more of formalization will not mean less black income generation?

9. What are the Social and Political consequences of GST?

10. How is the autonomy of the states being dented?

CMC Ludhiana Principal elected as Vice-President of WSO

Nov 29, 2018, 10:36 AM

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death

Ludhiana: 29th November 2018: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

Stroke or Brain attack is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. World Stroke Organization (WSO) is the world’s leading organization in the fight against stroke. WSO has more than 4000 individual members and over 60 society members from 85 different countries. The mission of WSO is to reduce the global burden of stroke through prevention, treatment and long-term care.

Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian, Principal of Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana was recently elected as the Vice-President of WSO. In the WSO Board meeting which was held last month in Montreal, Canada, Dr Pandian took up this position. He is the first Neurologist from Asia Oceania region to be elected to this highly influential post. Dr Pandian said that in India there are 1.7 million new cases in a year, and 22% to 42% of these patients die within 1 month. In a survey done in urban Ludhiana in 2013, Dr.Pandian found a very high proportion of stroke patients (25%) in the city who were below 45 years of age.

Dr Pandian had earlier completed two terms as a board of director in WSO from 2008 and he served as a Chair, and also as a member in several committees with WSO. Dr Pandian has done research widely on stroke thrombolysis and stroke infrastructure in developing countries. Dr Pandian was the Co-chair of the World Stroke Congress 2016 held in Hyderabad, India. Through this position Dr. Pandian aims to develop stroke care services in South Asia, south East Asia and Africa. He is going to represent WSO in a major global policy meeting being organized by World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding use of medical technologies in stroke.

It is a matter of great honor for Ludhiana for the state of Punjab, and India that he has been elected as the first Asian at such a high post of WSO. Said Dr. William Bhatti, Director CMC, congratulated Dr. Jeyaraj Pandian for this achievement. Dr. Anil Luther, Medical Superintendent said that its matter of great pride and inspiration for the doctors in Punjab and Ludhiana to aspire.

Dr.Mahesh Kate, Head of Neurology added that the Stroke Unit of CMC Ludhiana has been providing state of the art clinical services in this region for more than 10 years. Recently the department added a new facility Neurointerventional Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) lab. Stroke patients who reach within 24 hrs can benefit from removing the clot in the brain using a stent. Dr. Kate added, CMC is the only such center which provides care which is focuses from prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in the region. Dr.Anirudh Kulkarni, Neurointerventionalist at CMC Ludhiana stated that stroke patients if they reach on time will be able to avail this new facility and treatment.

Rare surgery first time in Ludhiana for erectile dysfunction

Nov 21, 2018, 3:06 PM

This problem is rising in our society

Ludhiana: 21st November 2018: (Punjab Screen Bureau):: 

Surjit Singh (name changed) was on the verge of breaking his second marriage because of his erectile dysfunction when he consulted Dr Anand Sehgal, Director, Urology, Deep Hospital, Model town, Ludhiana. Surjit is a non resident Indian residing in Canada and could not find any answer to his problem there. Doctor in Deep Hospital diagnosed his problem as erectile dysfunction and suggested him surgery for the same.

On 17th November he was taken up for penile implant surgery in fully equipped extra modern operation theater of Deep Hospital. The surgery involves insertion of imported inflatable silicone cylinders resulting in absolutely normal erectile function. Most important precaution to be taken during this surgery is to maintain bacteria free environment throughout the procedure and precise installation of the implant. Surgery took 2.5 hours and completed successfully. The implant put in was from American Medical Systems (AMS) company which is number one in the world for making these implants. The patient was taking food the same evening and was discharged from hospital on second postoperative day.

This surgery is a boon for those patients of erectile dysfunction who do not respond to medical treatments. This problem can be due to different conditions including diabetes mellitus, decreased blood supply (due to atherosclerosis), hormonal imbalance etc. This problem is rising in our society due to life style changes (sedentary life style), stress, lack of exercise, addictions especially smoking and unhealthy dietary habits.

Dr Baldeep Singh, Managing Director of Deep Hospital said that world class reconstructive urology work is being done in his state of the art hospital so that people do not need to go to other cities or out of country for this kind of advanced surgeries.

SC Verdict On Aadhaar Is A Disappointment: CPI

Wed 26 Sep, 2018, 7:07 PM

The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India issued the following statement on September 26, 2018 on the Supreme Court verdict on Aadhar:

New Delhi: 26th September 2018: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India expresses disappointment at the judgment of the five-judge constitutional bench’s striking down of attempts to make Aadhaar mandatory for bank accounts and mobile phone connections. However it validates the Aadhar Card. CPI is always against implementation of Aadhar Card.

The Party also hails Justice D Y Chandrachud’s statement that passing the Aadhaar law as Money Bill was a fraud on the Constitution because it was not a Money Bill. A Larger bench should settle the issue of Aadhar Card.

The four:one judgment the court also said that Aadhaar is not compulsory for school admissions.  The verdict also made it clear that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and University Grants Commission (UGC) can't make Aadhaar mandatory. It further said that no person would be denied benefits under the social welfare scheme because of the failure of authentification through Aadhaar. It also held that it was not mandatory to link Aadhaar to bank accounts and mobile phones, but maintained that it was mandatory for filing income tax returns. The judgement confuses the people. The issue of privacy and misuse were not covered by the judgment. CPI will continue its agitation against Aadhar Card.

Zonal Youth & Heritage Festival, 2018 commenced

Sep 26, 2018, 5:39 PM

Will continue till 29th September, 2018

Ludhiana: 26th September 2018: (Punjab Screen Team)::

The four-day Panjab University Zonal Youth & Heritage Festival, 2018 commenced at Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana today. It will continue till 29th September, 2018 and will have a plethora of cultural and literary events.

Mr. Sukhchain Singh Gill (Commissioner of Police) was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Retd. Col. Jagjit Singh Gill was the Guests of Honour. Mr. Sukhchain Singh Gill, along with other distinguished guests inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp followed by rendition of Namokar Mantra. He said that the aim of education is not only to enable students to score high and get good jobs but also to keep them connected to their cultural roots and groom them into good human beings. The Youth Festival plays important role in achieving this aim. It not only develops a spirit of healthy competition but also of love, respect, tolerance and co-operation. 

Dr. Nirmal Jaura, Director, Department of Youth Welfare, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Dr. (Mrs.) Sarita Bahl, Principal, extended a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests, principals, teachers and participants from various colleges taking part in Youth Festival. After it, a souvenir was also released. Dr. Nirmal Jaura, Director, Department of Youth Welfare, Panjab University, Chandigarh, said as many as 1066 students from 11 colleges of Ludhiana Zone-B affiliated to Panjab University, Chandigarh would participate in 58 events in this four day long festival based on the theme “Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano Ka”. The aim of this festival is to honour the invaluable services and scarifies made by Indian Armed Forces by dedicating the songs, acts and plays to them.

Sh. Nand Kumar Jain, President of College Managing Committee said that Youth Festivals hold great importance in present times as they help to acquaint the youth with our cultural values and rituals which need to be preserved at all costs. Members of College Managing Committee Sh. Sukhdev Raj Jain (Chairman) & other esteem members Sh. Vipin Kumar Jain (Sr. Vice President), Sh. Banka Bihari Lal Jain (Vice President), Sh. Rajeev Jain (Secretary), Sh. Ajay Jain (Joint Secretary), Sh. Dharam Kirti Jain (Manager), Sh. Satinder Jain (Manager), Sh. Naresh Kumar Jain (Manager), Sh. Arvind Jain (Manager), Sh. Ashok Kumar Jain (Cashier) and other worthy members of management were also present on the occasion to encourage the students. Samaj Rattan Sh. Hira Lal Jain, Sh. Anand Jain and Sh. Sham Sunder Jain also graced the occasion with their presence.

On the 1st Day various cultural and literary activities were scheduled including Dance, Bhajan, Song, Geet, Quiz and various Art & Craft competitions.

The result of various competitions held on the first day are as follows:-

Classical Dance

1st Prize: Tanishq Kaur Anand (Ramgarhia College for Girls, Ludhiana)

2nd Prize: Eshika Choomer (Master Tara Singh Mem. College for Women, Ludhiana)

3rd Prize: Gopika K.G. (Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana)

Group Dance

1st Prize: Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana

2nd Prize: Guru Nanak Girls College, Ludhiana

3rd Prize: Devki Devi Jain Mem. College for Women, Ludhiana

Individual 1st Prize: Divya (Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana)

Individual 2nd Prize: Ishnoor Kaur Chhabra (Guru Nanak Girls College, Ludhiana)

Individual 3rd Prize:  (i) Nisha Chandra (Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana)

           (ii) Neha Mehra (Govt. College for Girls, Ludhiana)

Shabad / Bhajan

1st Prize: Guru Nanak Girls College, Ludhiana

2nd Prize: Govt. College for Girls, Ludhiana & Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana

3rd Prize: Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana & Devki Devi Jain Mem. College for Women, Ludhiana

Individual 1st Prize: (i) Kiranpreet (Master Tara Singh Mem. College for Women, Ludhiana)

  (ii) Gaganpreet (Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana)

Individual 2nd Prize: (i) Jaspreet (A.S. College, Khanna)

  (ii) Radhika (Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana)

Individual 3rd Prize:  (i) Samridhi Juneja (Devki Devi Jain Mem. College for Women, Ludhiana)

:    (ii) Palavi (Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana)

College Managing Committee and Principal congratulated the winners for their great performance. 

CMC conducts training workshop for doctors

Sep 25, 2018, 3:26 PM

Dr. Karamvir Goyal of PMC graced the occasion 

Ludhiana: 25th September 2018: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

The revised basic course workshop and training in attitudes, ethics and communication (AETCOM) module under aegis of medical council of India started at Christian Medical College Ludhiana. A total of 30 medical teachers from various medical colleges of Punjab, J&K, Assam and Chandigarh are the participants. Dr. Tejinder Singh, Convenor of the Nodal Training Center at CMC informed that we have been conducting such training since 2009 as part of MCI initiative and have covered about 2000 teachers so far. The training on soft skills for doctors is being increasingly emphasized the world over. Principal of the college Dr. Jeyaraj Pandiyan stressed the role of teacher training to meet the proposed changes in medical education so that the doctors stay relevant to health needs of the people. Dr. Karamvir Goyal graced the occasion as representative of the Punjab Medical Council.

Dr. Gagandeep Kwatra, in charge of the course informed about interactive nature of the program. Dr.JugeshChhatwal, Dr.Dinesh Badyal, Dr.Monika Sharma, Dr.Bharti Uppal, Dr.Sheena Singh and Dr.Aroma Oberoi  are the faculty members for the course.