Latest news with #PunjabChapter
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Classical arts an inwards path, says kathak maestro
'Classical arts, be it dance or singing, are an exercise to go inwards and find the natural harmony in senses before interacting with others,' said internationally acclaimed kathak maestro Pandit Rajendra Gangani as he delved into the perennial relevance of classical arts. Internationally acclaimed classical artist Pandit Rajendra Gangani performing Kathak at Ramgarhia College in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Manish/HT) Gangani gave a kathak performance at the Ramgarhia College here on Wednesday in an event organised by the Punjab Chapter of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth). The event was aimed at connecting the youth to the classical heritage of India. And this heritage, Gangani argued, was a 'treasure of wisdom' that can help us connect not just with our roots but the inner self. The event featured a spellbinding Kathak recital by Gangani, a legendary Jaipur Gharana exponent and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee. His performance commenced with a powerful Shiv Stuti — 'Bhaksham Suksham Sura Adhinasham Tatpatshath' — set in Teentaal, followed by signature Jaipur Gharana compositions such as Uthan, Ganesh Paran, and the elegant Gajgamini ki Chaal. Through expressive abhinaya, Guruji brought alive a soulful Ram Bhajan, a vivid depiction of Govardhan Leela in Indra Taal, and a lyrical Kavit, concluding with a brilliant Jugalbandi. The classical arts, he said, are based on mastering the rhythms of the human body and our feelings. 'It is hard to master these but the discipline built in learning arts transforms people into composed individuals who are adept in finding the mental and emotional balance required to tread the turbulence of life.' Gagnai is very active on social media and has thousands of followers. This helps him to take his art to the people he once thought were 'way out of reach.' 'I have reached people I never thought I would be able to connect with. I receive regular messages not only appreciating my art but also the ones that show I have been able to trigger wider interest in classical art forms,' he said. Classical dances and singing genres take years to perfect and this is only possible by patronage. And social media, he thinks, is chipping in on this front as well by allowing people to earn by showcasing their art online. 'People can put out their performances online and create a channel to earn without having to compromise on their passion. This enables artists to keep their pursuit of passion going while also spreading the art simultaneously,' he said.
Business Recorder
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
FAPUASA for withdrawal of ‘The Universities and Institutes Laws Act'
LAHORE: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) Punjab Chapter strongly condemned 'The Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Act 2025.' The FAPUASA called for immediate withdrawal of legislation and launched protest drive. In this regard, the FAPUASA, Punjab Chapter, held an emergency meeting on Sunday to express strong opposition to the recently passed Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Act 2025 by the Punjab Assembly. The meeting, presided over by Dr Muhammad Islam (President, FAPUASA Punjab) and moderated by Dr Riaz Hussain Khan Sindhr (Secretary, FAPUASA Punjab), was attended by faculty representatives, including presidents of academic staff associations of Punjab University, Bahauddin Zakaria University, and Islamia University Bahawalpur, from universities across the province. Participants unanimously condemned the Act, which mandates the inclusion of three sitting MPAs in the syndicates of both public and private universities, viewing it as a serious infringement on university autonomy and academic freedom. The FAPUASA declared that the legislation is not a reform, but a regressive move to politicize higher education institutions. The forced excessive political presence in university decision-making bodies undermines the independence of academic institutions, marginalizes faculty, and threatens the intellectual future of Pakistan. Terming the legislation a 'licence to destroy higher education for political domination,' the participants warned that it sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to further erosion of academic freedom. The house urged the governor Punjab, in his role as chancellor of universities, to deny assent to the bill and take immediate steps to preserve the autonomy of higher education institutions. They demanded that the government withdraw the legislation through new parliamentary action and align the governance structures of newer universities with the acts of older institutions ensuring meaningful faculty representation. Participants emphasised that real reform must involve academics as primary stakeholders and respect global standards of academic and financial autonomy. It was urged that decisions about academia must be made in consultation with academics, and not solely by politicians. In addition to legislative concerns, the house raised urgent economic issues facing universities. It demanded the issuance of Disparity Reduction Allowances (DRAs), teaching allowances, and tax rebates for academic staff. The participants also called for an increase in annual government grants to universities and the reversal of recently revised pension and leave encashment rules that have negatively impacted university employees. The FAPUASA Punjab announced the launch of a provincewide protest campaign that will continue until the Act is repealed. The campaign will include meetings of academic bodies across campuses, passing of resolutions, media engagement, and a forthcoming press conference. Letters will also be sent to the Governor, Chief Minister, and Higher Education Commission (HEC) to formally convey the faculty's deep concerns. The FAPUASA called on all academic staff associations across Punjab to unite, mobilize, and defend the integrity of higher education. The association reaffirmed its commitment to use all democratic and peaceful means of protest to safeguard the autonomy, dignity, and future of Punjab's universities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Public sector universities in Punjab: Concerns raised over escalating financial crisis
LAHORE: An important online meeting of the Federation of All Pakistan University Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) (Punjab Chapter) was convened Wednesday. The session was presided over by Dr. Muhammad Islam and was moderated by the General Secretary, Dr. Riaz Hussain Khan Sindhar. The meeting was attended by the representatives from across the province, including Prof. Dr. Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi (President, Punjab University Academic Staff Association), Dr. Iram Sultana (Executive Member and President, Government College University Faisalabad), Dr. Muhammad Badr Habib (General Secretary, Academic Staff Association, Islamia University Bahawalpur), and Dr. Abdul Rehman (General Secretary). At the outset, participants extended congratulations to the newly elected leadership of the Punjab Chapter of FAPUASA. The participants unanimously voiced serious concerns regarding the escalating financial crisis faced by public sector universities in Punjab and demanded immediate intervention by the provincial and federal governments. The participants strongly urged the Punjab Government to allocate a minimum of Rs. 50 billion to public universities, given that Punjab is the largest province both in population and in the number of higher education institutions. They emphasized that the current financial allocations are grossly inadequate to meet the growing demands of an expanding academic and research ecosystem. It was noted with concern that HEC grants have remained stagnant over the past several years, while universities have experienced substantial increases in faculty strength, student enrolment, and academic activities. These developments have significantly expanded institutional responsibilities, necessitating proportionate funding. The meeting underscored that higher education is not a self-sustaining sector and cannot thrive without sustained government patronage. Investment in universities is not only a prerequisite for national development but also a strategic imperative for national security and global competitiveness. Participants noted that in recent times, Pakistan has demonstrated that through knowledge, innovation, and research, it can overcome formidable challenges and assert itself with dignity. In this context, a forceful appeal was also made to the federal government to substantially increase funding for higher education in the upcoming federal budget. The association stressed that this demand reflects a national responsibility, an obligation to safeguard the country's intellectual and developmental future. Furthermore, the meeting called for an immediate resolution of the long-pending tax rebate issue for university teachers and researchers. The participants demanded that the proposed legislation currently pending before the National Assembly be passed without delay and that the tax rebate for academic professionals be guaranteed in the years to come. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
