AGRICULTURE

‘Patta Lapet’ sundi attacks paddy crop
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 3
After the attack of whiteback plant hopper, the paddy crop in the district is facing a serious threat from another pest, a leaf roller commonly known as ‘Patta Lapet’ sundi. The paddy growers are fearing that the pest, which has affected a large area under paddy, may cause them huge economical losses.

Experts at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have advised the farmers to keep a tab on the spread of the pests. Dr Darshan Singh, Head, Department of Entomology, PAU, said that the attack of leaf folder was severe during three months from August to October.

The infested crop should be sprayed with 250 ml of Foliothion, Sumithion, Accothion 50EC or 150 ml Lebaycid 1000EC or one litre of Coroban, Durmet 20 EC in 100 litres of water per acre.

EDUCATION

Orientation programme for CBSE
economics teachers
A Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 3
A two-days orientation programme for economics teachers from the C B S E-affiliated schools started this morning at G G N Public School. The aim of this programme was to make the teachers familiar with the new topics introduced in the syllabus of Class XI and XII this year.

The principal of the school, Mr R S Grewal, said that Prof S N Sharma and Prof S K Aggarwal, both from Delhi University, would conduct this programme here. Prof S K Aggarwal is a Reader in the Department of Economics in Rajindra College of University of Delhi and Prof S N Sharma is also a Reader in Satyawati College of Delhi University.

According to Professor Aggarwal, four new topics have been introduced in the syllabi this time which include new economic policy and index numbers for Class XI and the national income and welfare and government Budget for Class XII. These topics would make the students aware of the actual functioning of the Finance Department of the government. Professor Aggarwal said that a book on these new topics called ‘Supplement to Economics Text Book’ had been published by the C B S E which was available in the market. This book was a joint effort of a panel of teachers.

The style of the question paper of economics of the C B S E would also be changed from this year. To make the paper easier there would be only 24 questions instead of 36 and also there would be internal choice in some questions. Professor Aggarwal said that another benefit of this orientation programme could be that teachers could also clear their doubts on the related subject.

About 50 teachers from Ludhiana and Jalandhar Sahodaya School Complexes are attending this programme. This is the first programme in Punjab. Five such programmes had already been held at Delhi and one at Indore.

Scholarships awarded to 25 girls
Our correspondent

Jagraon, September 3
The book bank of Jagraon held a function to grant scholarships and ‘Gem of Jagraon’ awards here. It was presided over by Mr Balkar Singh Sandhu, SSP. Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib, MP, was the chief guest. Ten students, whose result in board examinations was outstanding, were honoured and presented medals and certificates of merit. As many as 25 five girl students of plus one from various institutions of the city were given scholarships of Rs 1,000 each. Ms Shashi Jain, Principal of Sanmati Vimal Jain Senior Secondary Public School, was declared ‘the Pride of Jagraon’ on the occasion as most of the toppers are from her school. A debate on ‘Influence of Western Culture’ was also organised on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the SSP appreciated the services provided by the book bank. He maintained that despite limitations, the police personnel did their best to maintain law and order, and help public. He advised the students to spend some time with their grandparents in order to learn from them. Mr Galib, too, addressed the students. He said instead of wasting time, they should endeavour to learn more and more as the same was required for upliftment of the country. He also announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the library to be set up by the book bank.

Council for more job-oriented courses
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 3
“Education plays a vital role in one’s life for building the character and without education, one lives in darkness”. These views were expressed by Mr Jagtar Singh, general secretary of the Ramgarhia Educational Council, at a meeting held here. Some decisions were taken in the meeting to improve the educational institutions being run under the council for providing better and job-oriented knowledge to the students.

It was decided that in the next session science classes up to plus two will be started in Ramgarhia Girls’ College. Members were told that BBA, BCA courses and other computer courses were already running in the college and the council appreciated the Principal of the college for her efforts.

Mr Jagtar Singh told the members that a job oriented computer course would also be started in boys’ school in the next session. Giani Bhagat Singh, president of the council, informed the members about the Baba Gurmukh Singh Hall which was nearing completion. He said total estimate of the cost of the hall would be about Rs 50 lakh and the sum had been donated by the council members.