EDUCATION

Punjab Science Congress on Feb 9 and 10
Tribune News Service

More than 400 research papers have been received. Giving the significance of the science congress, Dr Zahir explained that with the opening up of economy due to the WTO, the total scenario in trade and industry, including agriculture, was going to witness a drastic change. Intellectual property protection in relation to Indian plants and genetics resource management would be discussed by experts. Problems related to important crops like rice, wheat, cotton, maize, oilseeds, sugarcane, legume and vegetable crops would also be discussed. The experts will try to evolve the line of investigation to improve both the quality parameter as well as the yield of those crops keeping in mind the possible competition which Indian agriculture will have to face globally. The effective management of soil resources, ground water, chemical fertilisers and farmyard manure for improving both the soil health and better crop yield would be looked into. Using microbial and biochemical methods, the scientists would work hard for newer techniques to convert the available biomass residue into useful products. Such researchers would not only be useful to the economy of Punjab but also to the farmers.

Reputed scientists like Dr A.S. Paintal, former Director-General, ICMR, Dr K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Dr B.S. Dhillon, Director, NBPGR, Dr S.D. Khepar, National Professor, ICAR, Dr Harjit Singh, GNDU, Amritsar, Dr K.R. Koundal, Director, Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi, and a number of other eminent scientists are likely to participate in the deliberations.

‘Home science is a global force’
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Feb 7 — “Home science is a global force required for improving the socio-economic status of the family and community.” These were the views of Dr Mary Andrews, Professor of Family and Child Ecology and Director of International Extension at Michigan State University, USA, while she was addressing members of the Home Science Association of India, Punjab Chapter, on the Punjab Agricultural University campus here today.

She highlighted the family as the focus of attention in home science. A widely travelled person, Dr Andrews feels convinced that home science education can make a difference in qualitative improvement of family and community by establishing linkages and sharing resources.

In order to reflect on the status of home science, Dr Andrews suggested that home science education campaigns should be organised to tell public about the strength of home science. She suggested that the media could be a forceful avenue for educating public as the media influences each family member who has a role to play in society. She emphasised that the family was a gatekeeper in a social system and, therefore, the concern of home sciences was the family. Home science had to be accepted as the only discipline that dealt with the theory of social interaction and hence emerged out to be a discipline for qualitative survival of family and community. Dr Andrews concluded her talk by suggesting that teaching in home sciences as a global force must deal with basics for improving the level of survival.

Teaching skills contest
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 7 — Nearly 260 students from 16 education colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh participated in a contest of teaching skills held at the Malwa Central College of Education, Civil Lines, here yesterday.

The participants had to deliver a lecture for 20 minutes on five subjects, science, social studies, mathematics, English and languages. The students were told to prepare teaching aids like working and non-working models, posters and thermocol presentations on the spot.

The students were given couplets on the basis of which they had to make an illustration on the blackboard in 10 minutes. Besides, there were contests for rangoli, fresh and dry flower arrangements, pot designing, motto writing and fabric painting.

Gurpreet Gill of the host college was declared first, Tejinder Singh of DAV College, Abohar, second and Gurinderjit Singh of Dev Samaj College, Chandigarh, third. Mr Tarsem Bahia, Principal, A.S. College, Khanna, was the chief guest. Ms Ravinder Kaur, Principal, gave away prizes to the winners.

Inter-college folk singing contest
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 7 — The Punjabi Sabhyacharak Academy organised an inter-college folk singing contest at the Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, here today.

Students from six colleges participated in the contest. Mandeep Singh of SD Government College was declared the best singer. Maninder Bawa of Ramgarhia Girls College stood second. The third prize went to Leena of the Arya College for Women.

The consolation prizes were given to Harbir Kaur of the host college and Baljinder Singh of SD Government College. The overall trophy went to the team of SD Government College.

Renowned singer K. Deep sang Birhon di ridak pave and Eh mera Punjab. Ms Manjit Sodhia, former Principal of the Government College for Women, was the chief guest.

SPORT

City lads for national snooker meet
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 7 — City lads Nitin Gupta and Dhruv Verma will represent the state in the National Billiards and Snooker Championship in Chennai that begins today.

Nitin Gupta, a 21-year-old second-year student of commerce, has recently won the state snooker championship. He took up this sport five years ago as a pastime, but he did not know then that he would do so well.

He participated in the state snooker championship for the first time in December, 1997. Nitin said this experience had inspired him to work harder and play better.

After working hard for three years, Nitin won the second position in the juniors’ section of the state snooker championship in January, 2000. This meet was held in Lily Resorts of Jalandhar. This year, he not only won the title, but was also called to represent the state. Nitin gives the credit for his success to his parents and coach, Jugal Kishore.

The success story of Dhruv Verma is similar. This 18-year-old Class XII commerce student, who was the runner-up in the state championship, took up snooker eight years ago. Dhruv has seen many ups and downs in his career.

He was the junior state champion in 1995 and runner-up in the 1997 state championship. In 1998 and 2000, he won the third position in the state championship.

Dhruv said his father, Achint Verma, had always given him encouragement whenever he had played badly.

He said his yo-yo performance was due to huge expectations from him as his father was the senior state champion for the past 17 years. He said comparison with his father affected his performance, but he was confident of performing well.