For art146;s sake

It was a special moment and for most of the young artists an overwhelming one at that.

Eight budding artists receive scholarships from Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi

It was a special moment and for most of the young artists an overwhelming one at that. Budding sculptors, painters and a caricature artist, eight talented students of the Government College of Art were selected for scholarships by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, a novel endeavour. Selected by a panel of senior artists, the students will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 which has been sponsored by city-based companies. 8220;Many of them are personal friends and were gracious and generous. We8217;re setting a trend, one that will give many artists encouragement, promote research and quest for excellence in their fields. The choice was tough, but we found artists who are enthusiastic, energetic, have fresh ideas and have already done impressive work,8217;8217; Diwan Manna introduces the artists and adds that the scholarships are being named after eminent personalities like Amrita Sher-Gill, Tagore, Dr MS Randhawa, Le Corbusier8230;The amount agrees Diwan is not huge, but yes, it8217;s a great start, 8220;and a wonderful way to encourage us to work harder for it8217;s a way of supporting us to see and research more, travel to exhibitions and even frame our work, which is also tough to do with our limited resources. These scholarships will set standards and aspire us for better work,8217;8217; Aishwarya Sultania, a painter is looking ahead.

For Ritu Raj Singh the fellowship8217;s come at a good time, as his father retired this month, 8220;and that means a little less burden on him.8217;8217; Amrit Pal Singh is a brilliant caricature artist, who believes you don8217;t need words to support a caricature and agrees it8217;s an off-beat field, which has a fantastic future, 8220;Humour is close to my heart and I8217;m looking forward to some original work,8217;8217; says Singh. Get creative8230;

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More