The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

New ‘ber’ from PAU lab
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 23
Dr J.S. Bal and Dr J.S. Randhawa, Horticulture Experts of Punjab Agricultural University, have advised farmers to take up ‘ber’ cultivation. They say there is a great scope of its cultivation as a commercial crop in Punjab because it gives a high yield and excellent returns.

The experts say that the university has developed and released an early-ripening variety of ‘ber’ called Wallaiti. This variety ripens between the end of February and mid March. It is called Wallaiti due to its exotic appearance. This variety is available even when the other recommended varieties have not ripened, so, growers get good returns.

They said Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda and Ferozepore districts are famous for ‘ber’ cultivation. Punjab has about 1,735 hectares under ‘ber’ cultivation, with an annual production of 26,025 tonnes.

According to the scientists, out of the other four recommended varieties, two are mid-season and two late-ripening varieties. The leading commercial variety of ‘ber’ — Umran — ripens late and takes about 180 days to mature. The ideal harvest time for Umran is the end of March to mid-April. Ripening time of the ZG-2 variety is from the second fortnight of March to the first week of April. Sanaur-2 and Kaithli are mid-season varieties and ripen in the second fortnight of March.

Trees of Wallaiti are semi-vigorous, with branching habit semi-erect to erect.

EDUCATION

Cultural and literary function
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 23
Sunrise Ehsaas-2002, an inter-university cultural and literary function, was organised at the Punjab College of Technical Education here today.

Thirty teams including those from 18 local colleges and those at Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ambala, Patiala, Moga and Ropar participated in the festival. Contests were held for various literary and cultural events including choreography, quiz, fashion show, flower arrangement, solo dance, duet song, western group dance, short skit and dumb charades.

The main attraction of the festival was the game on ‘portfolio management’ in which each team was made to invest Rs 1 crore in a virtual environment. News was flashed about the companies constantly and prices of various scripts were changed according to the news. Participants were told to invest in order to earn maximum returns.

Dr K.N.S. Kang, Director, said overwhelming response was received from various colleges and college was abuzz with activities for the whole day.

Results of the contests are : Dumb charades — CMTR, SAS Nagar (1), IET, Ropar (2), GGNIMT, Ludhiana (3); quiz — CTMR, SAS Nagar (1), GGNIMT, Ludhiana (2), DAV College, Jalandhar (3); solo dance — MGIMT, Fatehgarh Sahib (1), GNIMT, Ludhiana (2), GGNIMT Ludhiana(3); short skit — IIM, Phagwara (1), IMA, Ludhiana (2), SSIM, Dinanagar (3); flower arrangement — CTMR, SAS Nagar (1), GGNIMT, Ludhiana (2), IET, Ropar (3); duet song : IIM, Phagwara (1), PIMT, Gobindgah (2), Shaheed Bhagat Singh Institute, Abohar (3); choreography — MGIMT, Fatehgarh (1), GTB, Dakha (2), GNIMT, Ludhiana (3); and fashion show — GGNMIT, Ludhiana (1), GNIMT, Ludhiana (2), CTI, Jalandhar (3).

CULTURE

Sabri Brothers mesmerise Ludhianvis
Tribune News Service

Hazi Sayeed Sabri perform in Ludhiana on Friday. RB

Ludhiana, February 23
Music, they say has been created in moments. But it often transcends the limits of time and space. And when the composition is based on sufi kalam, it springs from the heart and heads straight for the soul. The most sacred and lyrical melodies reside in the sufiana kalam.

Sufiana kalam and qawwali legends, Sabri Brothers made the Ludhianvis travel into the timeless spirituality when they performed at Guru Nanak Dev Bhavan here last night.

The musical evening ‘Unique experience of sufiana kalam and qawwali’ was organised by the Ludhiana Sanskritik Samagam (LSS), an organisation known for satiating the artistic needs of the residents.

Dominating the performance of Hazi Sayeed Sabri along with his two sons, Hazi Farid Sabri an Hazi Amin Sabri, were the verses of great Urdu poets who captured the pulse of life in their words.

These words when rendered in music by them known for their raw, energetic and original style, took the audience closer to the shades of life.

Starting with the ‘ibadat’ of the god, the qawwali legends came with a ‘hamad’ (presentation in praise of god) “Rang phoolon mein tera, kalion mein rajhat teri, tu mandir mein nahin, masjid mein nahin, woh yaar tu harsujalwagar, dekhne wale nazar paida karen..” and charmed the audience with its grace and melody. “Main aksar sochta hoon ke parindon ke yahan firkaprasati kyon nahin hoti, kabhi mandir pe baithen kabhi masjid pe” made the audience marvel at the expression strong enough to convey a message of integration.

The next qawwali, a composition by Amir Khusro was a soulful mixture of ishq-e-mazazi (love between man and woman) and ishq-e-haqiqi (love between man and God) which went “Chhap tilak sab chheeni mohse naina milaye ke”. The hall burst into applause with yet another couplet of the same composition, “sun chhora rangrez ka re paanch mohar doon tujhe, aisi rang de chunri piya gale laga le mohe”.

Stating that the pop music was ephemeral and sufi kalam was immortal as it was all about ‘ruhaniat’ (spiritual power), Hazi Sayeed Sabri said their music had won the hearts of people abroad as well back home.

Another composition that touched the audience was, “Doosron pe agar koi tapsara kijiye saamne apne aaina rah lijiye”. “Roobroo jab bhi aaina rakhna khud se milne ka hosla rakhna, “was yet another couplet of the expression that stole the hearts. They also presented the famous ‘Henna’ number “Der na ho jaye”.

Their album ‘Rabba yaar se mila de’ has been popular among people. Their next music video will be released in May. They have sung in over 15 Hindi films. They like singing ‘bandish’ and ‘thumri’ styles of singing. “But when required, we can sing the bhajans also”, said Hazi Farid.