PAU shifts focus from quantity to quality
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 12
Focus seems to have shifted from productivity enhancement to breeding for quality, stress tolerance and better yields at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here. This has been necessitated because of the changing face of agriculture.

The PAU has so far developed and released 522 improved varieties of different crops.

The PAU has recommended 45 wheat, 25 rice, 18 sugarcane and 29 cotton varieties which have found wide acceptability so far.

In a note to the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Mr Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, the PAU has pointed out that the production of wheat has increased from 1.74 million tonnes in 1961 to 14.68 million tonnes in 2004-05.

In the note, the PAU has mentioned that rice production has shot up from 0.23 million tonnes to 10.44 million tonnes, cotton bales from 0.71 million tonnes to 2.09 million tonnes and sugarcane from 0.49 million tonnes to 0.54 million tonnes during the same period.

Efforts are on to combine high yield and grain quality for ‘basmati’ production and search programmes are aimed at ameliorating the economic condition of farmers.

Wigan and Leigh comes to city
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 12
Wigan and Leigh College (WLC), a name to reckon with the field of higher professional education, today launched its new admission office in the city. The office is primarily aimed at offering students the flexibility of appearing for the examination at a regional office and the choice of opting for a campus from more than 10 cities across the country.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Mr Vinay Pasricha, Chairman, WLC India, said, “Opening of Ludhiana office will maximise the WLC’s visibility in this area combined with the recruitment potential from the region”.

Commenting on the benefits that the college will provide, Mr Pasricha said, “The college has partnered with leading Indian and multinational organisations to offer a unique traineeship opportunity to students. Simultaneous to pursuing the course, students get to work with one of our industry partners and are paid an attractive stipend.

Apart from providing work-related skills alongside the course, the traineeship programme helps students get better placements at the end of the course”.

WLC conducts its Wigan aptitude test each year at various offices across the country. Successful completion of the examination ensures the admission of best potential to the various courses offered by WLC in the stream of business management, fashion technology, advertising and graphic designing and media studies.

Mr Sunil Bhatia, Head, Wigan Business School, said, “These beginnings provide tremendous strength to our vision to bring world-class management education, training and consulting within easy reach of management professionals seeking global careers via regional reach”.

Top positions for city boys in CET
Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, June12
Hemant Saggar of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, and Vishal Gupta of DAV School here have secured second and third positions, respectively, in the Punjab Combined Entrance Test (CET), the results of which were declared by the Punjab Technical University (PTU) this afternoon.

Both Hemant Saggar and Vishal Gupta scored 107 out of 120 marks each. However, preference is given to the candidate securing more marks in physics. Hemant scored 37 marks in physics while Vishal scored 36 marks in the same paper.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Hemant said, “I used to give quality time to studies. It could be just two-three hours a day. The school has played an important role in guiding us thoroughly. Organic chemistry was my favourite subject, which our teacher Chander Mohan used to teach us. I am thankful to my teachers Ashwini and Jairam for teaching me physics and maths, respectively”. Hemant wants to do computer engineering from the IIT, Khadagpur, or the ITBH, Banaras.

While Vishal feels the school Principal and teachers were of great help. “My aim is to clear MBA through the IIM. I have not decided about the college, but it will either be BITS, Pilani, or the Delhi College of Engineering”. He said he was successful because of hard work, dedication and blessings of the almighty and family members.

Besides, Abhinav Gupta, Atul Bhatia and Gaurav Jindal from the city have secured fourth, fifth and tenth positions, respectively. 

GADVASU seeks divine blessings 
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 12
Coming into existence after a lot of hassles and hindrances, the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana invoked divine blessings for future welfare.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Mr DS Bains, before assuming office in the newly inaugurated administrative block along with other scientists and officers of the university performed “Havan” and Bhog of Shri Akhand Path today. Dr. R S Bajwa, a licensed veterinarian from California, USA, and technical member, Board of Management GADVASU also participated.

Heads of departments, faculty, staff and eminent retired veterinarians were also present. Collective prayers were offered for the welfare of the university, staff and the livestock wealth of the state. Langar was also served on the occasion.

Graduation ceremony 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 12
Sethi Study Circle organized its graduation ceremony here recently. The gala event was a perfect blend of speeches, cultural items, dances, giving away of certificates to the best speakers and lucky draws. MD and chief of faculty Prof Pritpal Singh Sethi welcomed the chief guest and guests of honour. Ms Punam Sethi, the Director, applauded the presence of all guests and students.

Guest of honour Ms Shaheen, former president, Niharika Ladies Club, said every student reflected the unique feature of the institute. The institute was following the real scientific methodology of teaching. Master of ceremony Atul and anchors Karnish, Mehak Mathor, Bhagyashree Gupta and Atul Goel, contributed to the success of the function.

Mr SSC was Taran and Ms SSC Sherya. Shanky was the first runner-up girl while first runnerup boy was Karnish. Roll of Honour was given to Prince, Simple, Parwinder, Seema. Star performer award was given to Karnish, Taran, Bhagya Shree, Seema, Prabhjot, Gurleen, Kashish, Jasleen,Harman, Saurabh, Sheetal, Krishna, Arjun, Manmeet and Vikas.

Student alleges faulty paper checking

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 12
Vanika Jain, a local girl and student of RS Model Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana, who was placed thirteenth on the merit list for Class X examination conducted by the Punjab School Education Board, has accused the board authorities of negligence at the time of evaluation of her answer sheet of English. She secured 588 marks out of 650. In English, she secured 81 marks.

While talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Vanika claimed that she had fared very well in English and expected to secure more than 95 per cent marks. “I along with my teachers and parents was shocked to learn that I had been awarded only 81 marks in the subject,” she said. OC

2 PAU BoM members get second term
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 12
Mr Ranjit Singh Rana and Mrs Supinder Kaur Cheema have been appointed members of the Board of Management of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, for the second term. Their appointment has been made by the Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of the University, Gen S.F. Rodrigues.

According to a communication received from Principal Secretary, Government of Punjab, the appointment has been made for a period of three years. 

Theatre workshop for children
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 12
Well known theatre personality Balram will be in the city to conduct a 10-day theatre workshop, aiming at integration and personality development of children through theatrical arts from June 14.

Being organised by ‘Media Artists’ with ‘ Taal’ at Sarabha Nagar market, the workshop will be for children in the age group of 5 to 15. Samuel John, already working with children in the villages around Lehragaga in Sangrur district, and theatre and TV artist Sanjay Solanki will also be sharing their skills and expertise in the workshop.

According to Balram, it will be a fun-packed workshop in which each child will be made to explore himself, his society, family, surroundings and group-based interaction through various theatre games and other allied arts. The workshop, he said, was also designed to help children drop inhibitions and learn to articulate as through theatre one learns utilisation of space, props, public interaction and effective use of creative faculties.

There will be a basic introduction to the world of theatre through theatre games and improvisations using ones imagination, memory and observation etc, that will help hone children’s alertness, spontaneity, awareness and opening up.

The team of resource-persons from Media Artists conducting the workshop will draw upon their vast experience in theatre and allied arts to make it a memorable and enriching event for the participants. Media Artists was the first to stage Punjabi adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth ‘. The adaptation by Balram and the play directed by Samuel John have been universally acknowledged as a milestone in Punjabi theatre.

While ‘Tain Ki Dard Na Aaya’ based on Gujarat riots, drew rave reviews, ‘Shagoofey ‘ a one actor play by Sanjay Solanki, too was widely appreciated. Among other plays brought by the team include ‘Jooth’, a one actor play by Samuel John, ‘Kaun Panian Di Baat Kare ‘ and ‘Mata Dharat Mahat’ written by Balram.

HEALTH

DMCH introduces hair removal through laser
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 12
The Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here has introduced laser technology for cosmetic surgery and removal of unwanted hair from the body. The Department of Plastic Surgery in the hospital has laser facilities for the removal of hair, tattoos, freckles, acne marks and pigmented lesions like corns and warts.

According to Dr Ashok Gupta, head of the department, laser and flash-lamp technologies will offer safe treatment of unwanted hair. The delay in growth of hair is far more reliably achieved than permanent hair loss with IPL laser, he has said.

According to him, between 80 and 90 per cent of permanent hair removal or long-term hair reduction has been seen in fair-skinned, dark-haired people.

A minimum of four sittings is required for long-term results, he has said.

He has claimed that laser therapy is painless, without many side effects and better than waxing, hair plucking and razors and hair-removal creams.

Dr Gupta has advised persons undergoing laser therapy to stop hair plucking, waxing and electrolysis at least two weeks before treatment and bleaching at least two more weeks prior to it.

Health staff raids to check adulteration
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 12
In the course of the ongoing drive against adulteration of foodstuffs in the city, a team of health officials, comprising food inspectors Manoj Khosla and Ravinder Garg conducted raids at several places in the city and took more than a dozen samples.

According to the civil surgeon, Dr S.P. Sharma, samples of vanaspati ghee, salt, sugar, aerated drinks and spices were taken from outlets and provisions stores in Baba Deep Singh Nagar, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar on Chandigarh road, Tajpur road areas and some villages including Mangarh, Heeran and Panglian on the outskirts of the city.

The samples were sent to the Government Laboratory for analysis and depending on the reports of chemical analysis, action under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act will be taken against the defaulters.

Dr Sharma said the campaign to check food adulteration would continue and those guilty of adulteration would be brought to book.