 |
|
| Wednesday,
February 27, 2002, Chandigarh, India
|
|
||||
|
|
Nostalgia rules as alumni meet Ludhiana, February 26 Ludhiana Tribune talked to some couples who are the alumni of the college and their association of student life had turned into a life long association. While talking to Ludhiana Tribune they revealed how the dreams, they had seen together, were transformed into reality one after the other. Dr Amritpal Singh Mann, Head of Bio-chemistry and Chemistry department, PAU and Dr (Ms) S.K. Mann, a Professor in Plant Pathology, are the oldest couple of the PAU alumni. Dr Mann was doing his PhD in Biochemistry Department and Ms Mann had just finished her MSc in Agriculture when they got married. “We both were not working at that time. But soon after the marriage we got jobs in the PAU. After getting jobs we had to overcome the difficulties faced by the working couple. But with togetherness and feeling of understanding we had, we overcame all the difficulties.” The bond shared by the two was quite visible when the duo started listing each other’s achievements in life. “But when it comes to my identity I don't compromise. So since the day I joined I get a different invitation card for all the officials functions as my husband. I was very particular about my identity from the day one,” said Ms Mann with determination. Two other alumni, Dr H.S. Dhaliwal, an Economist and Dr (Mrs) Ravinder Kaur had got married after completing their studies in the same college. Both are now working in the university with Dr Dhaliwal in Department of Economics and his wife in Department of Extension Education. Recalling the old days which they term ‘golden’, the Dhaliwals said that the university was a much better place to be in during those years. They said the university at that time was quite a picturesque place and it was fun being its student. Then with the passage of years its condition deteriorated. “If you see the old pictures we had clicked of the university you would realise what change it has been. But we are quite hopeful now as there seem to be good days for the campus ahead.” They had dreamt of their life together and the fate gave its verdict in their favour . They finally got married. But unlike these lucky few who were fated to be together throughout their lives there were many for whom the fate wrote otherwise. They were forced to separate. Dr Dhaliwal recalled many of his contemporaries who had given in their hearts but could not be together. Some of them were even present in the meet today. One of them was all set to recite poetry in the poetic session organised in the evening. The Ludhiana Tribune team came across many others also who studied in this college and sent their children too for studying. Two generations of the same family were also seen at the meet. Dr Darshan Singh, Additional Director Research (Agriculture), was an alumnus of this college and so were his two sons. The trio did their BSc from this college. While Dr Darshan Singh is still in the university, his two sons, Navdeep and Jasdeep, have gone abroad to study there. Similar story is of Dr J.S. Brar, a Professor of Soils at PAU. He studied in the college and his daughter Harjeet Kaur is a student of fourth year of BSc Agriculture. He feels proud when he thinks that his daughter is studying in the same college where he did. “But I never stood first although I was a brilliant student but my daughter has been topping in her class all these years.” Recalling his days on the campus, Dr Brar came out with a comparison of good old days with the present days. “At that time, not even a single student was a girl.And when a girl used to pass through the campus she was forced to listen to the whistles . Now you can see the difference.” Dr K.S. Sandhu, Plant Pathologist, also did his masters from COA and his son followed in his footsteps. His son Gurpiyar Singh has gone to study abroad. Recalling his days he said that at that time the university had nothing. “All paraphernalia, buildings and all other things came later.” The COA can boast of giving as many as 19 Vice-Chancellors to various universities all over the country. The college has also given three captains to the Indian hockey team, including Charanjit Singh, Pirthipal Singh and Ramandeep Singh. The college has produced 37 Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award winners, highest award in the field of agricultural research. Besides a Director-General-cum-Secretary, Government of India, eminent defence services personnel, bankers and civil servants are alumni of this college. |
|
With light moments too Ludhiana, February 26 The stage was that of the alumni meet of the College of Agriculture and the daredevil was Mr Gurdev Singh Sandhu, a former PAUTA functionary and former faculty member. He recited his satirical and humorous couplets. He was allowed by the authorities to recite his poems. Pointing at the appointment of Dr Aulakh as Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sandhu recited a couplet on Dr Aulakh’s appointment, the alleged contribution of Dr Kalkat, a former Vice-Chancellor, in the appointment, Dr Aulakh’s gate controversies and the like. Everybody took it in a lighter vein, including Dr Aulakh, who was seen listening to it with a broad smile. Dr Sandhu then targeted Dr Hari Singh Brar, President of PAUTA, Dr Balwant Singh, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and former PAU teacher, and Dr G.S. Nanda, Director, Research, but everybody laughed at it. The services of Dr Sandhu were terminated by the university authorities in 1991. He said his straightforward behaviour had brought about his termination orders. He admitted that he did not learn anything from his bitter experiences. Some years back, he was not allowed by the authorities to recite his satirical poems. Dr B.S. Sooch and Dr Niranjan Singh Sandhu also recited their poems on the occasion. |
|
Fashion outfits impress Ludhiana, February 26 Fashion show included four rounds in which 70 girls from various colleges participated. Students participated in saree round, western dress round, casual outfit round and Punjabi pehrawa round. In the first round, 20 girls clad in a variety of sarees, including Patola print, Banarasi sarees, hand-printed sarees, sarees in tissue with dabka work on borders, took part. Girls sashayed down in silk gowns and long skirts in western dress round. Denim skirts and jeans dominated the casual outfit round. Bright colour suits with Patiala salwars, dupattas with phulkari work, lottan earrings, saggi phul and taveet as necklaces were part of Punjabi pehrawa of 14 participants in the final round. Ten students participated in poetry contest. Prem Lata from the Christian Medical College of Nursing enthralled the audience with her
ghazals. |
|
Flower show ends Ludhiana, February 26 In the special category, in which schoolchildren were allowed to participate, Simrat and Ravneet of Guru Nanak Dev Public School got the first prize in fresh flower arrangement category. The best cut flower arrangement prize went to Technocare Nursery. According to Mr G.S. Sidhu of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, there were 100 entries. He added that 150 prizes were given away to best flower arrangement, ornaments of flowers and dry flowers. |
|
Forum quashes PSEB demand Ludhiana, February 26 According to the complaint, the board officials had changed the electricity meter installed on the premises of the consumer on March 30, 2000. The representative of the complainant, Mr S.S. Sarna, stated before the forum that the consumer was issued a memo on September 19, 2000, demanding Rs 42,166 on account of theft of energy. Mr Sarna added that it had been mentioned in the memo that the meter had been recording less consumption of energy by 59.67 per cent and the seals of the meter had been tampered with, but it had not been mentioned in the memo that the meter had been tested in M.E. Laboratory. He said fearing disconnection, the consumer had agreed to pay the amount in 20 instalments, of which he had paid nine. He pointed out that PSEB officials had not followed rules while raising the demand as he had not been given any notice to attend the process of checking of meter in the laboratory, which was mandatory. He further said neither the consumer nor his representative had attended the checking of the meter. It was stated by the consumer that the allegations levelled by the PSEB were false and baseless. The PSEB pleaded that the meter was checked by officials on August 26, 2000, and it was recording less consumption of energy by 60 per cent. It claimed that the meter had been changed. It stated that the checking of the meter in the laboratory had revealed that turns of the current coil had been cut and it was recording less consumption of energy by 59.67 per cent. It explained that this was a clear case of theft of energy and as such, the demand of Rs 42,166 had been raised. The forum stated that according to PSEB rules, the meter had to be packed and sealed properly before sending it to the laboratory and a notice had to be issued to the consumer so that he or his representative could attend the checking of the meter. The forum observed that the said rules had not been complied with while raising the demand and the spot checking report of the meter did not bear the signature of the consumer, which was necessary. The forum observed that since the PSEB had not complied with rules while raising the demand, the same was liable to be quashed and the respondent was liable to refund the amount deposited against the demand.
|
|
Santoor maestro weaves magic Ludhiana, February 26 Before his performance, Pt Sharma informed the students of the DMCH about the origin of the santoor. He said, “Earlier, it was called shattantra veena and had 100 strings made of gut wire. It was mainly used in Jammu and Kashmir by Sufi folk artistes. My father, Uma Dutt Sharma, thought of using it for classical music. I experimented with it for years and improved its tonal quality.” He further said, “In spite of 100 strings, the musicians could not play soft and sharp notes. Moreover, the notes could not be sustained. But now, in the modified santoor, all these things are possible. The amazing part of this instrument is that all 100 strings actively produce resonance.” He then told the audience that he was going to play ‘alaap’, the most important part of the ‘raaga’, which was played slowly and without tabla as accompaniment. He played ‘raaga ahir bhairavi’. He informed the audience that the beauty of Indian classical music was that it was not rehearsed and a vocalist or an instrumentalist improvised every time he played. The santoor wizard then played two compositions in ‘roopak’ and ‘teen taal’. He said the audience could make out the interaction between melody and rhythm while listening to this ‘raaga’. He was accompanied on the tabla by Akram Khan. After his performance, Pt Sharma invited questions from the students. He said his aim of performing was to familiarise the students with their rich cultural heritage. Answering a question whether music could be used as therapy for some illnesses, he said some doctors had told him that when they used to play symphony or some other kind of music, patients felt less agitated while receiving chemotherapy. He added that alternative medicine practitioners were using music therapy to treat insomniacs. He further said he would do something in music therapy with the help of doctors. The legend said fusion music had been started about half a century back by Indian film music directors like Naushad and Shankar Jaikishan. He elaborated that songs were based on classic ‘raagas’, but orchestration had Western as well as Indian instruments. He rued that an Indian artiste got recognition only by working with famous musician of the West and only then was he feted in his own country. “I have no objection to fusion music so long as it does not turn into confusion. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is an excellent example of creating successful fusion with a Western musician. In Paris, he enthralled the audience for hours with his Punjabi Sufi rendition,” he said.
|
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 122 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
