Farmers told not to water gram crop
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 31
Scientists of Punjab Agricultural University Dr Harbhajan Singh Sekhon and Dr Guriqbal Singh have advised farmers not to irrigate the gram crop sown in the fields where paddy had been grown earlier. They said as the paddy crop is grown in standing water, it changes the soil structure, thereby requiring less water for the succeeding gram crop.

The scientists said in irrigated conditions the gram crop should be irrigated once or twice depending upon the soil and weather.

In the absence of rain, gram in light and medium soils may be irrigated twice. However, if this crop has been sown in heavy soil, particularly after paddy, irrigation should be avoided.

The scientists explain that as the water remains standing in the fields where paddy has been raised earlier, the gram crop in such fields is not able to absorb the necessary nutrients and the roots start rotting.

EDUCATION

Shahtoosh craze may wipe them out
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 31
“It takes the life of five chirus to make one shahtoosh shawl. As many as 20,000 chirus are killed in a year by traders. At this rate, the endangered species of Tibetan antelope may go extinct in three years,” said Mr Paras, secretary, North Zone, Wildlife Trust of India, while talking to students of the Khalsa College for Women at a seminar organised by the Science Club here today.

Mr Paras said the trust had sent a complaint about two Ludhiana-based traders engaged in the export of shahtoosh shawls. He said anyone who had information regarding the trade could send their complaints on the website www.wildlifetrustofindia.org.

Meanwhile, over 15 BSc students participated in poster-making and model-making contests on the theme ‘Save environment’. Jaspreet of BSc III depicted the effects of acid rain on the Taj Mahal. Harkiran of BSc I painted on the menace of female foeticide.

In paper-reading contest, Nidhi of BSc I spoke on ‘Genetic engineering’ and Pooja of BSc III spoke on ‘Need to combat female foeticide’. Tarveen Arora of BSc I read her paper on ‘Food poisoning’.

Teachers threaten agitation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 31
The Government College Teachers Association has condemned the remarks made by the Principal of Government Ripudaman College, Nabha, against the president of the Nabha unit of the association.

Stating this in a press note, Prof Jaipal Singh, its president, said the Principal was also trying to implicate some lecturers of the local unit in false cases. He said the members were demanding his suspension and registration of a criminal case against him for hurting the sentiments of deprived classes of society.

He said if the government failed to act promptly, the association would be forced to launch an agitation.

COURTS

PNB directed to pay PF contribution
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 31
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Punjab National Bank (PNB) to pay Rs 1,995.90 on account of contribution made for the provident fund and interest on it to a former employee of the bank, Mr Subh Karan Jain, a resident of Civil lines.

According to the complaint, Mr Jain was an employee of New Bank Of India (which is now Punjab National Bank) from November 1983 to February 1987. The consumer stated before the forum that the during his employment period, the bank had deducted the provident fund from his account (no.11339).

The complainant alleged that the bank had not refunded Rs 3,574 due on account of his provident fund, since 1987. He alleged that he had approached the bank many times but it had failed to make the payment. According to the consumer he had even served a notice to the bank on June 26, 1999, to take up the matter with the appropriate authority for the refund of the amount but no response was received by him.

The bank pleaded, “As per the clause 15-A of the rules of PNB Employee’s Provident Fund Trust, if any member shall cease to serve the bank before the completion of five years, he will not be entitled to payment under the rule.”

The forum observed that as per the PF rules, only the contribution made by the complainant was payable to him and the bank had also admitted the said contribution amount was due to him. The forum held that Rs 1995.90 was payable to the complainant.

CULTURE

‘Daire’ — Satire on gender bias
Our Correspondent

Doraha, January 31
A scathing attack on female foeticide, the Punjabi Play “Daire”, staged at Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, left an unforgettable mark on the audience.

Written by Satish K. Verma and directed by Sunita and Pran Sabharwal, the play strongly challenged the rudimentary social values that mercilessly murder a girl-child even before she sees the light of the day staged by the team of National Theatre and Arts Society (NTAS). The play is a satire on the so-called ‘Educated modern society’ of today whose efforts to broaden its outlook have actually narrowed down its thinking to the extent of killing a life in mother’s womb.

The play imparts a crucial message of bringing about an all-round drastic change in the mental make-up of a woman who shall have to fight collectively against male chauvinism and society’s attitude of indifference and discrimination. It aims at creating awareness for a change in public attitude towards women to restore their right to live and that too with honour and dignity.

The actors, included Davinder Singh, Kiranjot Kaur, Sunita Sabharwal, Davinder Mann, Lakhwinder Lucky and Gagandeep Kaur.

Prof J.S. Grewal, stressed the need for a revolutionary awakening in the society’s mental makeup.

Speaking on the occasion, the Principal, Mr Jaswant Singh Gill, said the crime of female foeticide was assuming serious proportions day by day and those responsible should be punished, if this growing evil is to be checked and eradicated.

Prof Kuldip Singh said, women were as responsible for the heinous crime as men “If 45 per cent males have been found guilty, 30 per cent females too go for abortions willingly’, he said.

In the afternoon session, the scintillating performance of ‘Odissi’ dance by Kiran Sehgal, left the audience spell-bounded. The intricacies of the dance, its rhythm and movement, its sanctity and devotion made the students active participants of the show. Introducing the audience with ‘Pallavi,’ she proceeded to the Tandav aspect of Odissi. Then taking along eight boys and eight girls of the college, she taught basic exercises to strengthen the muscles and which the newcomers have to exercise for a year before gaining perfection.

Kiran Sehgal alongwith her two disciples Sukanya and Namita and accompanists Mr Satyanarayan Maharana, Mr Jitendra Swain, Mr Dhiraj Pandey and Mr Chakradhar Khunita, regaled the audience with their performance. The dance was performed by the artists with the sincere efforts of the Ludhiana chapter of SPICMACAY, led by retired principal Ms Manjit Kaur Sodhia. The show was especially organised by the SPICMACAY, on the occasion of its silver jubilee celebrations. Kiran Sehgal has already performed in many schools and colleges in the city.

A word of thanks came from the president of College Management Committee, Dr Ishwar Singh. The performers of the day were presented with mementoes and shawls.

Alpha TV to launch poll programmes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 31
Punjabi channel Alpha TV Punjabi will launch new programmes during the forthcoming Punjab Assembly elections.

According to a press release, the channel has launched a programme to be telecast everyday at 9.30 p.m. titled ‘Chon Safarnama’. This programme will feature eminent political personalities while on their campaigns. The programme will bring to the viewers the campaign trails of various candidates.

A special programme called ‘Kissa Kursi Ka’, anchored by Jaspal Bhatti will be telecast from February 1 daily. Mr Bhatti will introduce a particular region in the state and will tell viewers about the number of constituencies, parties and prominent political leaders from there. Another programme Siasi-jarnail’ (political generals) will have interview with prominent political leaders.

Besides, panel discussions will be held among politicians representing different political parties. Issues like corruption, fiscal deficit, unemployment, rebellion will be dealt with and guests will include Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Capt Amarinder Singh, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Bibi Jagir Kaur.