EDUCATION

Course for visually impaired teachers opened
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, Sept 1
“The state government is committed to provide employment to visually impaired persons in government departments and private institutions on priority basis and 3 per cent government jobs are reserved for them on the pattern of Central Government and till now 250 visually impaired persons have been provided jobs,” this was stated by Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab, while inaugurating the teachers training course for the visually impaired at Government Institute for the Blind, Jamalpur here. The training course has been started with the assistance of National Institute for Visually Handicapped and the Union Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment.

As many as 25 teachers from the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh would be provided training every year, who would impart education to the visually impaired students in their respective states.

Mr Kanjhla expressed confidence that with quality education and proper training, the visually impaired children could become self reliant and touch new heights in their careers. At the same time, the teachers, to be specially trained for imparting education to such students, would lend a significant contribution to the welfare of the visually impaired.

Mr R.L. Kalsia, Director, Social Security, Women and Child Department, Punjab, in his speech elaborated on several measures, initiated by the government for the welfare of the visually impaired and physically challenged persons. The government provided pensions worth Rs 13 crore every year to around 2.48 lakh handicapped persons. He observed that the visually impaired persons were an integral part of the society and the government would take all possible measures for their betterment.

Dr S.R. Shukla, Director, National Institute for Visually Handicapped, Dehradun, also spoke on the occasion.

PAU Director of Research retires
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, Sept 1
Dr M.S. Bajwa, Director of Research, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), retired yesterday after attaining the age of 60 years. A soil scientist of international repute, Dr Bajwa served the university in different capaticities as extension specialist, head, Department of Soils, Dean, College of Agriculture, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, Director, Students’ Welfare, and finally as Director of Research.

In a specially organised farewell function in honour of Dr Bajwa, Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, recalled the contribution of Dr Bajwa towards extension, teaching and research programmes of the university. As Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr Bajwa was instrumental in improving the academic environment through parent-teacher-student interaction by organising a series of parent-teacher meetings. He was popular amongst the students for his humane and polite but firm approach to different problems. As Dean, Postgraduate Studies, Dr Bajwa compiled abstracts of postgraduate research studies conducted for the last 30 years. This compilation will greatly help to give new directions to the postgraduate research by avoiding duplication of efforts.

As Director of Research, he recently prepared a document giving the outline of strategies for agriculture research and development in Punjab. Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, welcomed the new Director of Research, Dr G.S. Nanda, and hoped that with his well- recognised competence and rich experience, Dr Nanda will be able to give proper direction to the university’s research programmes.

CULTURE

This botanist is also an artiste
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, Sept 1
A postgraduate and an M.Phil in botany with specialisation in plant Pathology, Ms Raman Gujral is not only into landscaping, interior designing and plant consultancy, but is also deeply into folk singing , choreography and dancing.” Since my work keeps me in the midst of nature, I enjoy it thoroughly,” says multifaceted Ms Gujral.

This talented lady stretches her twenty four hours to teach Punjabi folk dance. She plans to create a dance troupe, which she wants to register as Adabi Rang Shala through which she wants to encourage all performing arts. She said, “this institution will comprise of members from all walks of life who are culturally inclined.

We will stage cultural programmes every month that will showcase the Punjabi culture. Once we are established, we will take our programmes abroad. Our cultural activities will concentrate on promoting the Indian culture with more focus on Punjabi culture.”

Ms Gujral has presented a number of cultural programmes of high quality. Recently she had presented a cultural programme titled — Raman Gujral and her Troupe’-de-Art. The show was sponsored by Millennium Gems, an international society to promote the interaction between Indian and British culture in the field of art, music, education and tourism.

She also conducts classes on flower arrangement. Also her classes on spoken English are well attended.

About landscaping she says,” Landscaping means creating a garden. It does not require much space, as generally believed by people. Landscaping, basically means balancing of plants in the backdrop of the house. It also undertakes to create an equilibrium between the plants and the features like miniature waterfalls. A landscaped garden means an aesthetic green garden throughout the year. The care and health of plants, is looked after by a landscapist” she said.