Agro-technocrats to intensify stir
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 1
The Joint Action Committee of Punjab Agricultural Technocrats has decided to intensify its stir, continuing for the past many months, to press upon the state government to accept its demands.

Criticising the ‘indifferent attitude’ of the government, Dr Satnam Singh, general secretary of the committee, said, “The state government has failed to meet the demand of about 2,000 agricultural technocrats of the state of putting them on a par with medical officers, veterinary officers and SDOs in other state departments on the issues of salary and status.’’

He claimed that agro-technocrats were working as Agricultural Development Officers with the departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and soil conservation and the third state pay commission had fixed their pay on a par with medical officers, veterinary officers and SDOs in irrigation and engineering wings, but the fourth pay commission had recommended lower scales for them.

Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulakh, spokesperson of the committee, lamented, “All technocrats and veterinary officers have to clear a common entrance test after passing Class XII. The commission has recommended lower scales to us, though we have been playing an important role in the whole extension programme of agricultural development in the state.”

The committee had been assured by the Agricultural Minister a number of times that these anomalies would be corrected, but nothing had been done so far, he added. The association had therefore decided to intensify the stir and to continue it till the government accepted the demands, he said. 

125 attend NSS camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 1
A 10-day NSS camp organised by the students of the Malwa Central College of Education for Women at Jawaddi village concluded here yesterday.

Over 125 NSS volunteers attended the camp alongwith three programme officers, Ms Mohna Khosla, Ms Tripta and Mr Sukhdev Singh. During the camp, the students interacted with the villagers, especially illiterate and semi-illiterate women and made them aware of issues like women empowerment, female foeticide, AIDS, pollution and population explosion. The women were given training in knitting, stitching, mehndi, beauty culture and cooking.

Physical activities and cultural programmes were a regular feature of the camp alongwith lectures on moral values and balanced diet. A blood donation camp was also organised in which student volunteers, Principal Ravinder Kaur and faculty members donated blood.

The valedictory function was presided over by Dr C.L. Narang, programme coordinator, NSS at Panjab University. He emphasised the role of NSS volunteers in bringing social change. Mona Kaushal and Roopwinder Kaur were adjudged as the best camper and best volunteer, respectively. 

Magistrate directs printers to abide by rules
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 1
The District Magistrate, Mr S.K. Sandhu, has directed all printing press owners in the district to strictly abide by the restrictions imposed under the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, while publishing pamphlets, handbills and posters relating to the elections and to print the name of the printer and publisher on the face of each such item.

In a press note issued here today, Mr Sandhu said, “The printer would print any pamphlet without establishing his identity in a declaration signed by him and attested by two persons to whom he is personally known. As per the directions, one copy of every printed pamphlet/poster and of the declaration was mandatory to be submitted to the district magistrate within a reasonable time”.

He informed that any process for multiplying copies of the documents, other than hand, shall be deemed to printing and will fall under the rules. He further stated any person found guilty of violating the provisions of law will be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine up to Rs 2,000 or with both. He has asked the printers to be cautious and not to print any poster or handbill or pamphlet of any candidate or person without completing the required formalities and keep complete record of all the material published during the elections. 

Punjabi folk artistes steal show at national fest
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 1
Despite great variation and diversity of themes, forms and styles, folk art and folk dances continue to be a distinct category characterised by a unique quality of spontaneity and mass participation, where no barrier exist between creator and the actor, the performer and the audience. The Punjabi folk dances, in particular, continue to steal the lime light on the national and international scene.

Internationally acclaimed folk dancers of Punjab Cultural Promotion Council earned appreciation from the audience and artistes of other states, during the National Folk Dance Festival-2001 and crafts mela, held at Nagpur (Maharashtra) recently. The council artistes represented the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Government of India during this festival. Out of over 12 artistes, who represented the state of Punjab, eight belonged to Ludhiana district only.

Led by city-based lecturer Davinder Singh Chhina, the artistes who represented Punjab, included Roopinder Kaur Bal, Prabhjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur Mona, Navneet Kaur Neetu from GCW, Amritsar and Mrs Gurmeet Kaur, Manjit Kaur, Harmeet Kaur Gill, Madanjeet Kaur, Kiranveer Kaur, Parminder Singh Nona, Bhupinder Singh Vicky and Rakesh Kumar from Ludhiana.

Narrating the experiences of this national festival, Mr Chhina told newsmen that these type of festivals provided opportunities by which people from different parts of India got to know more about each others’ tradition and cultural heritage. About 300 folk dancers and 100 craftsmen from various states across the country, participated in the 10 day festival.

Giddha from Punjab, was the centre of attraction during the entire festival. The audience also enjoyed the cheraw dance of Mizoram, sidhi dhamal of Gujarat, rouf dance of J and K, chari dance of Rajasthan, yakshagana of Karanataka, terahtali of Rajasthan, veeranatyam (of Andhra Pradesh and bihu dance from Assam.

Giddha dancers Harmit Kaur Gill, Roopinder K. Bal and others performed beautiful Jaggo scenes and they recited boliyan. These artistes performed traditional tamashas, kikli and many other forms of traditional folk dances of Punjab. The traditional folk dresses of Punjabi girls and their traditional jewellery were the cynosure of all eyes and their folk rhythm and styles were appreciated by the artists from all over India.