L U D H I A N A

Baruah for crop diversification
Ludhiana, March 15
It was WTO all the way at Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University campus here today. With its theme as “Precision Farming for High Profits” the mela concentrated on educating the farmers about the cut throat competition to be faced by them in the international market after the implementation of World Trade Organisation (WTO) treaty from April 1.

Farmers carry seeds from the mela

Farmers queue up for seeds
Ludhiana, March 15
Thousands of farmers who had thronged the Kisan Mela 2001 being held at PAU grounds, were a worried lot due to the uncertain future and doubts regarding the policies of the government and due to the threat posed by WTO. Talking at random to farmers from different cities of Punjab, this correspondent discovered that some of the farmers were not aware of the implications of WTO whereas some had only basic knowledge about it.

• Implementation difficult: farmers

Consumer awareness
Ludhiana, March 15
The district administration would set up block level Consumer Awareness Committees, with the participation of NGO’s and other consumers’ organisations, with a view to create awareness among the people about consumer rights and to work for speedy disposal of the complaints of the consumers.

16 hostellers sick after mess dinner
Ludhiana, March 15
Nearly 16 hostelers of Devki Devi Jain College of Education were admitted to the Christian Medical College and Hospital last night after eating contaminated food from the mess.

Hurrah! we have won...
Ludhiana, March 15
Today people surfed TV channels faster than yesterday. They wanted to know about the latest on the tehlka expose of National Democratic Alliance leaders and India’s cricketeers march to win against the Australians at Eden Gardens.

Holla Mohalla celebrations conclude
Ludhiana, March 15
The Hola Mohalla celebrations organised by Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana Zone, concluded here with great fanfare yesterday.

Young defenders of faith in action at the conclusion of Hola Mohalla functions organised by the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle in Ludhiana on Thursday. 
photo by Rajesh Bhambi

COMMUNITY

Oppn parties seek dismissal of NDA govt
Ludhiana March 15
Several political parties and other bodies have condemned the involvement of several top leaders of the constituents of the NDA government in the Tehalka exposure’ and have demanded the resignation of the Union Defence Minister Mr George Fernandes. Some others have urged the President of India to dismiss the Vajpayee government for compromising the security of the nation.

Police told to register case
Ludhiana, March 15
It has been a desperate, long and unending search by Mr Shivinder Singh, an ex-serviceman, for his son, Paramvir, who is missing after the police tried to arrest him in his village, Bhutahari, on January 17. However, the police claimed that they had no information about Paramvir and alleged that he tried to hide in order to avoid arrest.

Cheques distributed under scheme
Sahnewal, March 15
A total of 150 cheques, each worth Rs 5100, were distributed under Shagun Scheme by Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, general secretary, youth wing, Akali Dal Badal, in and around Sahnewal.

Grewal, Dawar honoured
Ludhiana, March 15
The Mayor, Mr Apinder Singh Grewal, has said the civic body was committed to provide better civic amenities to the people and various measures were being taken to make the city a better place to live in. Addressing a function organised by the Punjab Peace Council at Kidwai Nagar here he outlined many ambitious plans to bring about an overall improvement in the quality of life in the industrial hub of the state.

“Mainu katal na karo mapiyo”
Ludhiana, March 15
To commemorate International Women’s Day, the Ludhiana Literary Society held a function here today. A poem — Mainu katal na karo mapiyo — was recited by Kamaljit Lalton. The poem expresses the anguish of a girl child, who is to be destroyed in the foetus.

Scooterist succumbs to injuries
Doraha, March 15
A scooterist, Amrik Sood of Doraha, who met with an accident on the evening of March 12, died in DMC this morning. Amrik Sood’s scooter bumped into another scooter, being driven by Resham Singh of Manki.

• ASI suspended