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| Monday,
August
27,
2001, Chandigarh, India
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Farmers’ move worries PAU experts Ludhiana, August 26 This act of the smart farmers, based on their belief in the compulsion of the SAD-BJP government to buy all paddy due to the impending elections, is set to upset PAU scientist and agricultural experts advocating single but better crop in one season. Incidentally, the PAU scientists have even been struggling to convince the farmers from reducing area under paddy in the state. But much to their chagrin, farmers in Ludhiana villages have already harvested one crop variety of paddy and are sowing another one which would mature in mid-October. According to the agricultural experts, this practice is all set to pose a threat on the underground water and the health of the soil. The experts are also of the opinion that the farmers may face problems in selling the produce as they had recommended PR-114 and PR-111 varieties of the paddy but the farmers had cultivated the un-recommended varieties not caring about the quality of the produce. A number of farmers in various villages, including Birk, Birsala and Rakba, have already harvested ‘Govinda’ and ‘Satha’ varieties of paddy and are now sowing late varieties of Basmati and ‘Govinda’ also. ‘Govinda’ variety matures in 70 days and ‘Satha’ matures in 60 days. A farmer of Jagraon
subdivision, Mr Maghar Singh, said he had cultivated these varieties in 15 acres of his land on May 22 and has already sent the produce to the Jagraon mandi. Now he has completed the cultivation of another crop on August 20 and this crop would be matured after 70 days of cultivation. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune he said, “We all know that the government cannot afford to annoy the farmers this time. Although we had faced a number of problems in the selling off the paddy last year, we are confident that this year the various agencies will procure it,” said a farmer of Birsala village. While the Central Government has announced the dates of procurement of paddy on October 1, the farmers have already sold off their paddy between Rs 480 and Rs 500 to local buyers. The produce has started arriving in the Mullanpur Dakhan and Jagraon mandis and the local buyers are purchasing it also. Many farmers are also sowing late varieties of Basmati. Although Basmati rice is not grown very successfully in this belt, the farmers are out to experiment on it this time. Another progressive farmer of the district said he had been experimenting on sowing Basmati during previous years, but it proved to be unsuccessful. He said the actual time of sowing this variety was July 15 to August 3, but this delay would make the farmers suffer losses. |
AISSF launches drive against drugs Ludhiana, August 26 Stating this in a press release issued here yesterday, Mr Gurdeep Singh Leel, national vice-president, AISSF (Bhoma) said that drug abuse was spreading like wild fire in the state and a social movement to check its spreading was urgently required. A senior leader, Dr A.K. Banerjee, stressed the need for ‘drug-free Punjab’. He said that addiction was the biggest challenge the youth was facing today. The AISSF had drawn a plan to weed out this social evil with the help of non-government organisations and private doctors. He also stressed the need to include representatives of different underprivileged classes, sects and religions in the movement. The chief adviser of AISSF, Mr Pritam Singh Bharowal, urged the Punjab Government to allocate at least 25 seats in the coming Vidhan Sabha election to the youth. Mr Bharowal inaugurated an enrolment drive of the AISSF (Bhoma) by enrolling prominent youth leaders of Bazigar Mohalla of Raikot into its fold. Mr Gian Chand Mann, general secretary, Bazigar wing of SAD (Badal), also spoke on this occasion and said that there were about 15 lakh people of his community in Punjab — who should also be given due representation in different social development projects of the government, Also present on this conference were Mr Warinder Singh Rinku, Mr Hardev Singh Dhola, Mr Kamaljit Grewal, Mr Baljit Singh, Mr Bhag Singh and leaders of the Bazigar community. |
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PAU prof’s book wins
prize Ludhiana, August 26 The book gives a complete morphological account of all nematode parasite reptiles reported from South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). Dr Sood holds Ph.D. and S.Sc. degrees in zoology and is a well-known expert on the subject. He has 30 years of teaching and research experience. He has about 175 research publications, including research papers, to his credit. Dr Sood has written four books, a monograph and a bibliography. He will be given a prize of Rs 5000 along with a certificate at the time of the university convocation. Dr S.S. Gill, Additional Director, Extension Education (Communication Centre), said the entries for the award were invited from the university teachers in January every year. The book for the award is considered two years after its publication so as to give sufficient time for its reviews from the scientific community. According to Mr Franctisek Moravee, a scientist from Czechoslovakia, this book represents one of the basic works on parasites among reptiles in South Asia and may become a basis for subsequent revisions and studies. |
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Only computer awaits inauguration at library Ludhiana, August 26 With an aim at attracting readers, the computer was bought by the library authorities to be used by its members for various purposes. During the first visit by the PU Vice Chancellor, Dr K.N. Pathak, in September last, he had sanctioned a computer with an Internet connection for the library. While the computer was bought the very next month, the Internet connection is yet to be bought. The employees of the library informed that students had no access to the computer as the authorities were waiting for a VIP to inaugurate it. They revealed that earlier they had planned to invite Dr Pathak for the purpose, but as he had a tight schedule they were instead planning to invite a local MP, who is also a member of the Library Advisory Committee of the library, for the inauguration. The library employees also stated that the delay may also be due to the failure on the part of the committee members to decide about the charges of the Internet services to be levied from the members. Since the library is functioning for the welfare of the students, teachers and other members on no profit basis, they wanted to keep the charges minimal. The members wanted to start the services for Rs 25, which is the usual rate in the market, but high charges being levied by Internet service providers and for telephones was compelling them to charge more. Mr S.H. Khan, acting librarian, when asked about the delay, said the Internet services for the members would be started within next month. He said the Internet connection would be bought soon and services at minimal charges would begin for the benefit of students. He said the students and teachers would be assisted in finding information on any topic and it would help them in their research. They would get information about higher studies and job opportunities through the Internet, he said. Mr V.K. Mehta, Principal of Arya College and member of the Library Advisory Committee, said a meeting to discuss the inauguration of the computer was to be held last week but owing to a four-day programme for the college principals, the meeting was cancelled. He said there were discussions to start the computer services soon and once underway the students and teachers would benefit a lot. He said in case a student could not get information on a topic from the books he could easily access the same on the Internet. The computer with Internet services would be as good as a library itself, he said. |
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‘Computer literacy must for jobs’ Doraha, August 26 Ms Surjit Kaur, Deputy Director Employment of Patiala Division, told students to be aware of the worldwide developments and various career options. “A career should be chosen according to its demand and skills. To make students aware of these options is our goal,” she said. Dr G.S. Bajwa, Director of the IA Coaching Centre of Punjabi University at
Patiala, talked about picking the right subject combination in college itself, in time for the preparation for competitive examinations. He said one should choose a career according to one’s aptitude and financial capability. “One should start preparing oneself from an early age for the world of competition ahead,” said Dr Bajwa. A lecture on information technology was delivered by Dr D.S. Grewal, Dean Guru Nanak Engineering College of Ludhiana. He told students about the
importance of being computer literate if one was looking for jobs. “Every organisation is being run by computers, so, it is essential to study these machines,” Dr Grewal said. Mr Baljit Singh of Cyber Associates Ludhiana told students about a five-month course for becoming a medical transcriptionist. “A proper command over English, awareness of medical technology and the basic knowledge of computers is required for being an MT,” Mr Baljit Singh said. Dr Lal Singh Brar, who is associated with research, teaching and extension services for the past 30 years, stressed on the need for creating self-employment opportunities based on agriculture. He said such opportunities would help stabilise our economy. Mr N.K. Verma, Technical Officer of the Small Industries Service Institute of Ludhiana, also stressed the need for introducing self-employment courses for boys and girls. Mr Verma said, “The institute can help youngsters realise their self-employment goals,” he said. Students were also addressed by Ms Daljit Inder, District Employment Officer, and Ms Sarbjit Kaur Grewal, Employment Officer for Vocational Guidance. Besides her, Dr Ishwar Singh, President of the College Managing Committee, urged the experts to provide students with some practical knowledge as well. He urged the experts to come up with something for rural students especially. “Students of rural schools have no idea of the computer age and are cut off from the fast developing world. Self-employment wave should touch villages as well if India is to develop,” said Dr Ishwar Singh. Meritorious students of the college were honoured at the conclusion of the function by Mr G.S. Bajwa. |
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Schools
inaugurated Ludhiana, August 26 Presiding over the inauguration ceremony, Mr Jagdev Singh Tajpuri thanked the Chief Minister for upgrading the school, as it was a long-pending demand of the people. He assured the residents their other demands, too, would be met when the Chief Minister held sangat darshan in the constituency. He said it was during this government’s tenure that Punjab got a medical university at Faridkot, a technical education university at Jalandhar and a veterinary university which were a blessing for the state. Those present on the occasion included Mrs Darshna Devi
(Sarpanch), Master Gurbax Singh, Pritam Singh Shareenh, Bibi Rajinder Kaur (member of the block
samiti), Gurmit Singh Khanpur (member of the block samiti), Gurmej Singh
(Sarpanch), Raghbir Singh (youth leader) and Harminder Singh.
Samrala Jathedar Kirpal Singh
Khirnian, member, SGPC, performed the opening ceremony of gate at Rohla village, alongwith solar streetlights and school building, including a community
centre, constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakhs. Jathedar Khirnian also appreciated the Sarpanch and the members of the gram panchayat for commendable work done in a very short
time. Jathedar Khirnian also thanked the Akali Dal President and Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh
Badal, for taking keen interest in the development of the state during the past four and a half years. Former Sarpanch Harchand Singh of Dhande village who had left the Congress, joined the Akali Dal alongwith his supporters. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Jathedar Kartar Singh
Mehdoodan, member, telephone committee, Jagjeewan Singh Khirnian, Chairman Land Mortgage Bank, Gurdeep Singh
Charri, Manjeet Singh Daheru, press secretary, Satwinder Singh Beeja, Surjit Singh
Mansoorpur, Sukhdev Singh, Sarpanch Salaudi, Baldev Singh Bondli, Bachan Singh, PA
Samrala, Shamsher Singh Khatran, Master Tehal Singh Dhande, Surjit Singh
Khamanon, Preet Inder Singh Sarpanch Jatwana Neewan, Jasmel Singh
Bondli, Baljeet Singh Lali Jatana, Jathedar Amarjeet Singh Balion, Hardev Singh Bhatti Harion
Khurd, Gurdeep Singh Khirnian and others also addressed the
gathering. Jathedar Khirnian also appealed to the people to attend the “Chhapar
Mela” conference to be held on September 2. |
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‘Rs 259.14 cr to be spent on education’ Ludhiana, August 26 The minister said the government planned to introduce computer education in 5,000 schools and 42 colleges of the state. He said the scheme would cover 700 schools this year. On the occasion, school students who had stood first, second and third in various disciplines received prizes worth Rs 500, Rs 300 and Rs 200, respectively. Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Minister for Technical Education of Punjab, was also present on the occasion. |
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Night school for slum
children Ludhiana, August 26 The NGO, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, has branches all over the world. The local branch of the NGO has shortlisted some children, who will join the school. The organisation has also launched a cleanliness drive, under which the children and their mothers are being taught how to keep the environment and surroundings clean. “They do not know the meaning of the word cleanliness as they have been living in insanitary conditions over the years. So they are used to it. We are teaching them to take bath, use soap to and hair, and clothes and keep their houses clean. We launched this drive a fortnight back. The results are quite encouraging. At least they have started taking bath and stopped stinking”, says the convener of the local chapter of the organisation. He says according to a survey, there are around 200 children in the slum and they are expecting around 70 of them to come to the school. “It was a Herculean task to ask the children to come to school. The children want to study, but their parents do not want them to go to school as this will mean a loss of Rs 50 everyday, which these children make with
ragpicking,” he adds. The volunteers of the organisation went from door to door to convince the parents about the importance of education. After visiting them a number of times, some of the parents were convinced. “Many of the parents were adamant, saying that they were hardly able to get a square meal a day. They used to hate our visit to their houses. We somehow managed to make the reluctant parents soften their stand,” he said. “Then we also decided that we would start evening schools instead of morning schools so that the children can go for their jobs in the morning and come to study in the evenings. This decision played the trick and around 70 children got registered for the school. They have started taking lessons in cleanliness now,” said the convener. The organisation will distribute school bags to the children, besides stationery and books. The teaching will be done in a park near the slum in the evenings. The teachers, who are members of the organisation, will teach them voluntarily. In September, the students will be taught about the importance of cleanliness and formation of words. The convener said the organisation was somehow never short of finances though they never ever asked for donations. Various people wanted to help them in their cause and kept offering money. He said on first and third Sundays of every month, members of the organisation prepared food for the slum dwellers and distributed it in the slums. Their abject poverty had motivated them to start classes for the children so that that there would be a glimmer of bright future for them. |
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Teachers
hail HC decision Ludhiana, August 26 Stating this in a press note, Mr Piara Singh
Dhillon, Convenor of the committee, said the decision has brought some respite to the ETT trained youth who had been unemployed for the past few years. Mr Dhillon also said the committee has been invited by the Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, to discuss problems regarding the elmentary directorate. The members said they had earlier sent a memorandum to the minister listing the problems likely to be faced by the primary school teachers following formation of the elementary directorate. |
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Inter-school
debate on August 31 Ludhiana, August 26 Stating this in a press note, Mr Naveen Talwar,
joint secretary of the committee, said that the competition was open
to students of classes XI and XII of all recognised schools and
colleges of the city. He said that a programme and a talk on the role
of education in human development would also be arranged. The
programme would be held to mark Teachers’ Day. Dr Joginder Singh,
Director, Health Services and Family Welfare, will inaugurate the
contest and preside over the function. Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha,
Minister of Technical Education, will give away prizes to the winners. |
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Jasleen
wins lecture contest Ludhiana, August
26 Amit Mittal of Lal Bahadur Shastri High School and Geetika Arya of Arya Kanya Gurukul bagged the second and third places, respectively, for their lectures on “Vasudhaiv
Kutumbkam” and “Vedas and their values”. Mr Ved Parkash Shastri, Mr Sanjiv Dawar and Ms Namrata Soni were the judges. Apart from the winners, Sukhjit Singh
(Sargodha Khalsa High School), Prabhdeep (Sarswati Modern School), Shanu Sharma
(Rajindera Model Senior Secondary School), Parampreet (Saini Public School), Rohit (New Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines), Jagdip Singh (Guru Nanak Khalsa High School), Harsha Arora
(Shaifali Public School), Pawan Kumar (Sargodha Khalsa Co-educational High School) and Rajni Bala
(Sargodha Khalsa Girls Senior Secondary School) were also given appreciation awards for their brilliant oration in the contest. A yajna was performed before the start of the contest. |
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