EDUCATION

PAU — the nucleus of Kisan Melas
From Surbhi Bhalla

LUDHIANA, Sept 17 — “Melas are an integral part of Punjabi culture. Whether a mela has a historic background or is associated with some myth, one thing is common to all melas. They provide an opportunity to people to get away from their routine work and enjoy a few moments of eating, singing and dancing,” says Dr S.S. Gill, Aditional Director Extention Education, PAU.

Roshni da Mela, Chappar Mela and Jard da Mela are some important melas of Punjab. In the last few years another mela that has became favourite of the rural masses is the Kisan Mela, which is organised by Punjab Agricultural University. A significant feature of this mela is that apart from providing an opportunity for having fun, this mela provides farmers latest knowledge on the farm front.

Kisan Mela had a modest beginning in 1967 when the university organised a get-together of Punjab farmers at the university campus to show them modern techniques of farming, high-yielding dwarf varieties of wheat and modern agricultural machinery. Farmers were also given a chance to be face-to-face with the scientists in question-answer sessions.

The tremendous response of this get-together encouraged the university authorities to make this event a regular feature, giving birth to the modern-day Kisan Mela. This mela has now become a regular feature of the university, where farmers are given latest knowledge about farming techniques. The mela is organised twice every year in March and September.

In mid eighties on the suggestion of the then Financial Commissioner Development, Punjab, Dr M.S. Gill, the university started organising Kisan Melas in different parts of Punjab i.e. Ballowal Saunkhri, Patiala, Bathinda and Gurdaspur. These regional kisan melas, too, have become favourite with farmers.

One of the biggest attractions in these melas is the seeds of the latest varieties which are distributed to farmers. Besides, farmers are also told about the use of modern farm machinery. This time the kisan mela will be held on September 21 and 22.

COURTS

Forum quashes disputed bill
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Sept 17 — The District Consumers Redressal Forum here has quashed an electricity bill for over Rs 7,071 charged on a dead meter by the Punjab State Electricity Board.

The consumer, Parkash Kaur, a resident of Jammu Colony, Abdullahpur Basti, here had complained through the Punjab Khapatkar Sangh that the PSEB had charged the bill illegally as the meter remained dead from April, 1997, to October, 1998, and was then removed in the same month.

According to the representative of the complainant, Mr S.S. Sarna, the complainant was a poor lady and could not pay the bill. Further he contended that the demand was illegal. However, the PSEB in its reply said the complainant had tampered with the meter.

However, the complainant through her representative proved that the board had not followed the proper procedure while sealing the meter and verifying the possible chance of theft of power.

CULTURE

Inter-club dance competition
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Sept 17 —The Geetanjali Ladies Club held an inter-club dance competition yesterday on the club premises. The members of five ladies’ clubs of the city took part in the contest.

The five clubs were the Niharika Ladies Club, the Sarabha Ladies Club, the Roopika Ladies Club, the Aar Cee Ladies Club and the host Geetanjali Ladies Club.

The competition was divided into two categories. The duet and the solo dance category. In the duet dance (category), one of the two women was dressed like a male and the two performed on to their favourite tune like a hero and a heroine. There were total four clubs with eight contestants in the duet dance competition.

In the solo dance performance the members of the five clubs took part. The contestants performed on their choicest songs. The second part of the performance, when the east and west meet, included the mixture of classical and western music. The winner was chosen on the basis of these two rounds. About ten participants took part in this category. They included Shally Grover from Aar Cee club, Pammi Sidhu from Roopika, Sabina from Geetanjali, Deepa Kapur from Niharika and Jyotsna Walia from the Sarabha Ladies Club.

The chairperson of the Geetanjali Ladies Club, Dr J. Bindra, in her welcome address said that it was really encouraging as everyone showed positive approach towards the event. Ms Asha Miglani, President, said that these type of activities created good rapport among the members of various clubs. The judges included Ms Ishita Arora and Ms Sangita Kuswaha. In the duet dance competition, Geetanjali club stood first and the Sarabha Ladies Club was declared second. In the solo dance category, Sabina from Geetanjali stood first and Jyotsna Walia of the Sarabha Ladies Club was declared second.

The Jay Cees Ladies Club, which was celebrating the Jay Cees week, sponsored three prizes. The best female costume prize was given to Gurpriya Baweja of Aar Cee club, best male costume winner was Sheetal Nayyar of Geetanjali and the most energetic female of the event was Pammi Sidhu of the Roopika Ladies Club.

Jassowal not to attend mela
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Sept 17 — Mr Jagdev Singh Jassowal, who had organised the annual Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Mela for the first time, will be conspicuous by his absence on the 22nd such occasion in Punjabi Bhavan here on October 20.

Mr Jassowal, whose biography was released recently, has been in Canada for the past month with his son. His wife said he would return after a couple of months. “In his absence, this year’s mela will be organised by Mr Pargat Singh Grewal, President of the Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation,” she said.