Gender issues dominate plays

CHANDIGARH, Nov 20: The second day of the ongoing Panjab University Zone-A Youth Festival in Government College for Girls, Sector 11, was marked by a poetry recitation competition, debate and quiz in the morning session and histrionics and drama in the afternoon session. The day began with a debate on “India going Nuclear.” The first position was bagged by a girl who made a statement in favour of India going nuclear.

The quiz session drew a tremendous response from students and the audience. MCM DAV College emerged the winner in a razor-edge competition with the host college. This was followed by a poem recitation contest in which speakers recited self-composed poems. Presiding over the function, Meenakshi Datta Ghosh, Chairperson, Chandigarh Housing Board, emphasised that a positive approach to life was the key to success.

Gender issues dominated the afternoon session with dowry being the theme of the prize-winning mono-acting piece by Priya of the host college. The prize-winning play “Mitti Rudan Kare” focussed on the problem of alcoholism in rural Punjab and its fallout.

The second play “Jasman Odan” also dealt with the theme of exploitation of women at the hands of an oppressive society. Powerful performances by girls in both the plays captivated the audience.

G Vajralingam, Finance Secretary, UT, presided over the evening session.