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| Friday,
May 4, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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PAU workshop on rice cultivation Ludhiana, May 3 The workshop, to be organised by the Department of Farm Power and Machinery, would be attended by progressive farmers, farm machinery manufacturers, extension engineers and field staff. |
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Record wheat procurement in Ludhiana likely Ludhiana, May 3 This was disclosed by Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner at Mullanpur Mandi, while reviewing the procurement process with the officers of procurement agencies and other concerned departments during his visit of more than 12 mandis of Raikot and Jagroan subdivisions today. Mr Jagjit Singh Talwandi, Chairman PSIEC, Mr Parveen Vij, District Food and Supplies Controller, Mr Inderpreet Singh Kahlon, SDM Raikot and Mr Vipan Kapoor, District Mandi Officer, also accompanied the Deputy Commissioner. Mr Sandhu claimed that in the next three or four days, the procurement target of 8.5 lakh metric tonnes would easily be achieved, as the remaining wheat, lying with the farmers, was expected to flood the mandis in the coming days. He said that the wheat procurement in the mandis was going on smoothly, to the entire satisfaction of the government and the farmers. Except for a few minor problems in some scattered mandis, there was no major problems in the procurement process in the grain markets of the district. He said that the required stock of gunny bags had been received and supplied to the agencies, whereever it was running short. The government had also allowed the use of 75 kg capacity bags in the mandis, along with the 50 kg bags. Commenting on the reports of delay in lifting the wheat stock from the mandis, the Deputy Commissioner informed that the problem had been overcome by gearing up the transport and labour system in all the mandis. On a complaint regarding some delay in making the payments to farmers, Mr Sandhu maintained that there was no shortage of funds with any procurement agency for making payments, but the only problem was a slight delay in the shifting of wheat from mandi to storages after which the payment was made to the farmers. Mr Sandhu appealed to the farmers not to worry over a little delay in lifting the wheat, as there was a glut of wheat in the mandis which would positively be cleared within a few days, and said that the whole administration had been deputed to supervise and clear the procurement of wheat in all the mandis falling under their areas. Later, the Deputy Commissioner and Mr Talwandi along with other officers also visited the mandis at Sudhar, Halwara, Talwandi Rai, Kamalpura, Lame Jat Pura, Manukey, Chakar, Hathoor, Jagroan, Bassian and Raikot villages where they listened to the problems of the farmers. Mr Jagjit Singh Talwandi apprised the Deputy Commissioner and other officers regarding delay in lifting of wheat and payment to farmers. He asked the farmers to report any problem in the sale of their produce to the SDM and Tehslidar, concerned who were available to sort out their difficulties. He said that in case of a little delay in lifting and payment, the farmers should not lose patience but report the matter to the officers to find out the solution. In the mandis, Mr Jagtar Singh Jangpur, chairman, municipal committee Mullanpur, Mr Anand Saroop Singh Mohi, Mr Jaswinder Singh Lame, Mr Major Singh Dhaliwal, chairman, market committee, Hathoor, Mr Amarjit Singh Sehvajpur, chairman, market committee, Raikot, Mr Mohinder Singh, president, Truck Union and Mr Pritam Singh, Sarpanch, lame, also discussed the issue of procurement and the common complaints of the farmers with the visiting officials. Earlier, in the morning, Mr S. R. Kaler, Additional Deputy Commissioner held a meeting of district officers of procurement agencies as a part of the daily review of procurement process in the district at the mini secretariat here, and asked the officers to fully gear up their staff to expedite the procurement, keeping in view the glut in the mandis. He also told them to tackle immediately any problem of delay in lifting of wheat and shortage of empty gunny bags from where complaints were received to this effect. |
Students boycott classes for second day Ludhiana, May 3 They were pressing the PAU authorities to arrange a meeting of the student leaders with the Chief Minister and other officials of the Education Department. The students maintained that they wanted to meet the CM to press upon their demands for filling the vacant posts of agriculture teacher in schools. They said that despite assurances the Vice-Chancellor was not making any effort to finalise the meeting. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, said that he had already made an arrangement for a meeting while the CM was here on April 22 to hold a sangat darshan. He said that he had asked the OSD to the Deputy Speaker, Dr Tejinderpal Singh to facilitate the meeting. The VC said that the students did not meet the CM in the VC’s absence as he had to keep an appointment elsewhere. He said that he was again going to make the students meet the CM on April 28 when he had to discuss some plans for state agriculture with him. But the meeting was postponed. He said that then on April 30 he faxed a message to the Chief Secretary that the students wanted to meet him and a copy of the message was shown to the students also. He said that the meeting would be arranged shortly and the students required to keep patience. |
Forum penalises PUDA Ludhiana, May 3 According to the complaint, the PUDA had advertised for allotment of plots for hospitals and Dr Nauhria had applied for the same. The consumer stated that he had deposited a bank draft for Rs 25,000 for the allotment of a plot on September 28, 1997. Dr Nauhria maintained that the PUDA had invited him for interview on June 18, 1998, and he appeared for the same but his application was rejected without giving any sound reason vide letter on March 3, 1999, and a cheque of Rs 22,500 was sent in favour of Nauhria Hospital. The complainant further stated that it was mentioned in the letter that Rs 2,500 was deducted by the PUDA as the processing charges. “He feels that none was allotted the plot for the hospital” , the consumer added. It was alleged that without allotment of the plot to anybody, charging of Rs 2,500 as processing charges was an unfair. Moreover, the cheque was issued in the name of hospital instead of his name. The consumer maintained that he sent registered letter to issue a new cheque in his name but no reply was given to him. The PUDA pleaded that there was no unfair practice as the processing charges were permissible under the provisions applicable to the case. However, it was admitted that the applications were invited and the consumer made an application. It was also admitted that the interview was called and no allotment was made to the complainant but the refund was made. The forum observed that after the application of the consumer for issue of the cheque on March 19, 1999, the payment should have been made within ten days. The forum held that since the cheque was not issued within ten days of submitting application, it was desirable that interest at the rate of 12 per cent from March 31, 1999, till actual payment should be allowed to the consumer for unnecessary withholding the payment.  |
Turning baking into a fine art Ludhiana, May 3 Mr Dubey, one of the most knowledgeable persons about baking and confectionary items in India, is quite proficient in food preservation techniques. He has travelled extensively and picked up a vast knowledge in latest techniques in baking. He was in Ludhiana recently to attend a baking workshop organised by the Food Science and Technology Department, PAU. Mr Dubey was Professor in Gujarat Agricultural University’s bakery school for 20 years. For the past 21 years he has been rendering his services to various biscuit industries and conducting courses to teach finer aspects of bakery. He has been a consultant with Bangalore Agricultural University, US Wheat Associates. Mr Dubey is the co-ordinator for biscuit and baking technology, running short courses with assistance of Britannia Industries and Federation of Biscuit Manufacturers of India. Mr Dubey holds the prestigious post of vice-president of Society of Indian Bakers. He has written an informative book on baking in which he has familiarised his readers with terms like invert sugar, sorbitol which are very essential in baking. Mr Dubey said, ‘‘Technological information has led to the opening of bakery schools, bakery workshops and also let to publishing of bakery-related literature.’’ Talking to this correspondent, he said, ‘‘Baking is a very good way of cooking as all nutrients are preserved during baking. Moreover, after baking, shelf life of wheat products (cakes and biscuits) is increased. The housewives do face a problem because they do not have proper weighing machines to weigh the ingredients. Moreover, they do not have proper ovens. But in our seminars, we do tell alternative ways to measure the ingredients and also advise using the hands for mixing of sugar and eggs etc.’’ When asked to give some tips for the housewives for baking cakes, he said, ‘‘The eggs should be warmed before they are beaten. The eggs can be put not directly in the hot water but indirectly should be warmed. After warming, the eggs can be whisked easily and eggs become more frothy. Since at home, one cannot use the same temperature, one can protect the cake or pudding from burning by covering it with a thick brown paper." Mr Dubey wants to write a book on baking Indian vegetables. His seminars on baking have encouraged many a people to start their own ventures in baking. |
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An exhibition with a difference Ludhiana, May 3 The result of these paints on the transparencies is mind-boggling. Though the traditional oil and water colours are given a bye pass, the subjects of the paintings are very traditional, steeped in mythology. Sonu Shourie and Harinder of the Hunar art school encourage students to choose subjects which will be beneficial to them. Harinder says, "Before starting any painting, I talk to the students and know about their family life, their desires, their needs. Through their handwriting
I am able to know the nature and suggest them themes that will be beneficial for them." As one entered, one saw a huge Ajanta Frescos in warm vibrant colours. Painted on a glow sheet, it was visually stunning. Beads were used to enhance the beauty. In another painting, transparency was used as the base and the framing was done in such a manner that it gave it three dimensional effect. A beautiful bamboo frame decorated with acrylic paints and mounted with mirrors to display photographs was very unique. A huge painting of Lord Shiva attracted attention. All round the image were written the desires of man. Cowrie shells, cardamoms, black gram, rudraksh beads were arranged very beautifully around the image. Harinder said that if one looked at the painting, one's wishes would be fulfilled. On a glow sheet was painted the Buddha. It helped one to meditate. In another painting titled Progression, through a ladder an illusion of progression was created, but in reality one was where one had started. It represented the cycle of life and death. In yet another painting imitation of Harappan coins were used. The painting if placed on a business premises will bring money. Almost all the subjects were based on ancient texts. A beautifully painted barren tree with its weeping soul attracted attention. A Natraj, the temple of Jagannath Puri, Amrit Manthan were a few other paintings that captured viewers' attention. Another amazing painting was that of Yakshi balancing on one feet in water. She is standing on stones, yet her hand is full of flowers as she is the Goddess of Intelligence she knows that happiness and sorrow are complementary. Harinder said, "The students had made use of water bottles, splinters, telephone wires and hose pipe to create unusual creations. I do believe in Vaastu and through the paintings I want to bring peace and harmony in the lives of the people." |
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Theatre has been a passion for Rishi Ludhiana, May 3 ‘Kanak Di Bali’ and ‘Loha Kut’, ever green plays of Balwant Gargi, were staged by them a number of
times. In the preceding years she acted in several plays, the most notable was ‘Hind di Chaadar’ based on teachings of Guru Tegh Bhadur. The team shifted to Ludhiana to give impetus to Punjabi theatre. Infact, Punjabi Bhavan, the open air theatre, came alive when the Tiwanas and their troupe Punjab Kala Manch staged plays regularly. Rishi says, “We translated Ramayana in Punjabi and held shows morning and evening to packed
houses. The other popular plays staged from 1975 to 1985 were ‘Diwa Bale Sari Raat’, ‘Chandigarh Musibet Da Ghar’, ‘Garam Bazaar’,’ Behrupiya’ and many others. We went about it in a very systematic way. We advertised for plays just like movies are advertised by carrying posters on rickshaws. Sometimes Harpal Tiwana would go in the open, colourful trolley advertising the new play. Those were the days when we played to the packed audiences.We staged special shows for workers, students etc.” After the riots of 1984 they shifted the base to Patiala, but the Punjabi theatre had lost its glow. But she continued acting in plays when the manch staged these in London, Canada and America during the early nineties. Then they staged a play ‘Long Da Lishkara’ which was extremely popular. Later, it was made into the movie of the same name. The serial ‘Apni Mitti’ deals with the nostalgia the NRIs feel when away from home. Rishi says,” It is high time we revive Punjabi theatre again in
Ludhiana. But sadly enough there are not many theatres here. We want to start training classes for youth. Rather I would like to start an institution that teaches music ,dance and acting as there is ample scope of developmental theatre in Ludhiana. Following the advice of her guru who has told her to put Rs 1.25 worth of work when earning Rs 1, Nirmal is doing her job in the college to the best of her ability. When asked if she was married, she replied; “Who has the time? Tell me which man will stomach the popularity of the spouse. I am wedded to theatre.” During the summer vacations, she organises theatre workshops for school children. She teaches voice modulation, gives them pieces to enact. |
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Theatre has been a passion with Ms Rishi right from school days. She chose to be a games instructor for she excelled in various games both at school and college level. For her M.Phil degree, she had joined Government College for Physical Education, Patiala,
and performed a piece of monoacting, which was highly lauded. Mr Harpal Tiwana and his wife Neena had come to Patiala to start theatre and were looking for talented young artists. The
Tiwanas, graduates from National School of Drama, were keen to establish Punjabi theatre. Nirmal Rishi started acting in plays from 1966. The first play was ‘Aduhre Sapne’. A play by Albert Camus, ‘And in the Dry Mountains’, was translated by Rishi and Tiwanas into Punjabi. Om Puri, the famous international actor, also a product of NSD, performed in its Punjabi Version.