Farmers launch thikri pehras
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Lalton (Ludhiana), March 1
Facing an unusual problem of theft of electricity wires from the tubewells, several farmers in this and surrounding villages have been forced to launch thikri pehras to avert the financial loss and the subsequent damage to the crop due to the delay in irrigation. The farmers’ ire against the police and the administration is increasing day by day, as none of the thieves have been caught so far and no security arrangements have been made to deal with the problem.

Not a single case has, however, been registered in the matter as the police claims to be ignorant of the matter. Contrary to the claims of the villagers that they have made complaints to the police, a senior official says no such complaint has been made.

When told about the incidents some police officials term the incidents as minor ones but for the farmers spending hundreds of rupees on the wires it is proving to be a heavy expenditure. With one roll of wire, used for power supply to the tubewells, costing between Rs 500 and 1,000 and the labour cost of the electrician, the farmers are looking towards the police and the administration to put an end to this added expenditure.

At least 60 confirmed cases of theft have already taken place in Pamal, Jodhan and Lalton villages only. Of these, there are about 25 farmers who have been looted twice in this manner. Few farmers claim that the thieves have stolen wires more than even three or more times from their fields. Unconfirmed reports say that more than 100 such thefts have taken place in the area comprising several villages falling under the Ludhiana and Jagraon police districts.

The villagers did not report the matter to the police earlier but with no let up in the incidents, they claim to have made several complaints. However, with the police failing to stop the thefts, the villagers are forced to launch special thikri pehras during the night hours. The clever thieves, however, have managed to elude arrest so far despite the vigilance.

According to Mr Gurmeet Singh Bassi, a resident of Lalton village, the incidents of theft have caused quite a scare in the village. According to him the spurt in thefts have been witnessed in the past two weeks only. The thieves normally choose the fields watered to the brim by the farmer or strike a day after the rain as there is less chance of someone coming near the tubewells during that period.

A Ludhiana Tribune team met a number of victims. Farmers like Devinder Singh, Jit Singh, Nayab Singh, Jagir Singh, Balbir Singh, Pal Singh, Sharanjit Singh and Karamjit Singh said the thieves had struck twice at their tubewells causing them financial losses of thousands of rupees. They claimed to have called the police. Some police officials say they have inspected the site also but they maintain no report has been lodged with them.

Mr Bassi say villagers have learnt that the thieves burn the wire, took out the copper and sell it. He says the thieves may be earning Rs 200 to Rs 300 per roll of wire realising little that the farmer has been losing over a thousand rupees. The villagers suspect it to be the handiwork of some drug addicts. 

Farmers asked to focus on high-value crops
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 1
The Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Dr K.S. Aulakh, today called upon the farmers to shift the area of cultivation from high- volume-low-value crops to low-volume-high-value crops.

‘‘Unless we fully exploit the value addition in crops we will not be able to compete in the world market’’, said Dr Aulakh adding that to fully exploit the value addition in crop, adequate infrastructure for processing and marketing is must for which the government and private agencies should join hands to establish a chain of processing units in the state.

Dr Aulakh was addressing the agricultural officers of the state and scientists of PAU at Agricultural Officers Workshop for Kharif Crops today.

He further said the present day agriculture demands quality crops at lower prices and for this the farmers should use the inputs judiciously. He expressed concern over the over-expenditure on agriculture. Elaborating his point Dr Aulakh pointed out that the state has about 4 lakh tractors against a requirement of 1.5 lakh. Investment in agriculture sector in the state is to the tune of Rs 7000 crore and the state loses Rs 1100 crore every year as interest on this huge investment. He emphasised on the need to keep a check on this besides curtailing the expenditure on social functions.

Highlighting the targets for the coming kharif season Dr S.S. Bains, Director of Agriculture, Punjab, said keeping in view the need for diversification, 1,00000 hectare area in Punjab would be shifted from paddy cultivation to other crops. He said pulse crops offer good substitute to paddy. Moreover, the country was not doing so well as far as pulses were concerned and that would ensure good price.

Highlighting the research activities of the university, Dr G.S. Nanda, Director Research of PAU, said a bumper crop of wheat was expected in the state as this year’s crop had escaped the attack of yellow and brown rusts. He disclosed that the PAU would soon release a hybrid variety of wheat. Dr Nanda also announced that new varieties of sugarcane, American Cotton, Summer moong and rice bean will be released in the coming season.

Besides new varieties of sugarcane, rice and hybrid maize will be tested in the adaptive trials throughout the state.

Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director, Extension Education, PAU, said an integrated approach should be adopted in order to motivate the farmers to shift from rice wheat rotation to other crops. He cautioned the farmer against excessive use of insecticides in rice. ‘‘If not checked in time the rice crop too will face serious problems as was the case in cotton,’’ he said. Dr Kolar called upon the officers in the agricultural department to co-operate with the university experts to educate and motivate the farmers against the excessive use of pesticides.

EDUCATION

Punjabi teachers hold seminar
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 1
The Punjabi Teachers’ Association organised a seminar on ‘gurmat ideology’ at Government College for Women here today.

Addressing the students of Punjabi Department, Dr Amarjit Singh Dua, president of the association, said that recitation of gurbani helped in improving concentration of the mind. He said that those who recited gurbani imbibed moral values and learnt to serve the humanity.

Ms Kuldip Kaur, former principal of Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women, spoke on the bani ‘Barah mah’. She said that the bani describes the beauty of nature in the 12 months and emphasised on the need of meditation round the year.

Mr Kulwant Jagraon, Punjabi poet, spoke on the message of Guru Nanak Dev in Japuji Sahib. He said that several philosophical questions asked by everyone had been answered in the bani. Prof Jawahar Singh from Guru Nanak Dev University spoke on teacher-taught relationship. Dr Joginder Singh Chhabra, former head, Department of Punjabi at GGN Khalsa College, said that the actual sounds of Punjabi language were now disappearing and needed to be preserved. Dr Inderjeet Gill Vashisht, Principal of the host college, was also present on the occasion. 

‘System of science education to blame’
Mahesh Sharma

Ahmedgarh, March 1
Students and their teachers and guardians have blamed the system of science education of the Punjab School Education Board for the poor performance of science students in the matriculation examination.

Mr Jupiter Sharma said he had opted for arts subjects in higher classes because he was not imparted adequate knowledge in science subjects while studying in Class X. There was only one teacher for physics, chemistry and biology. The curriculum of Class IX was more technical. He claimed that he could have become a doctor or an engineer had studied in a CBSE school.

The theory and practical syllabi did not match each other in Class X, said Rakesh Sharma, a BSc student at Government College, Malerkotla. Another student of the same college, Munish Verma, said he had done his first laboratory practical only at college. Most schools affiliated to the Punjab School Education Board did not allot separate periods for practicals.

A science teacher of a local school admitted to problems as regards one teacher for physics, chemistry and biology. He disclosed that some teachers exchanged periods. Regarding practicals, he said a teacher was supposed to demonstrate and not teach students with their hands.

He added that even at the time of evaluation, one teacher had to evaluate theory and practical performance of students though he himself lacked the basic knowledge of the subject.

DMCH celebrates college day
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 1
The management, staff, students and employees of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) celebrated college day here at the Dumra Auditorium. Mr S.K.Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, presided over the function.

In his address, Mr Sandhu appreciated the work done by the hospital. At the same time, he requested the management that they should provide free or concessional treatment to the needy and poor patients and serve the humanity.

A cultural event was also organised. Besides various academic, cultural awards were given to medical students and interns.

A special running trophy was given to the batch which scored maximum points in the cultural week in which undergraduate medical students and interns displayed their talent through various activities like painting, skit, music competitions and debate etc.

Best teacher and best department award were also given on this occasion.

There was a cultural programme presented by the students. The students performing giddha and bhangra were appreciated by the audience.

Amongst others present on the occasion were Mr Prem Nath Gupta, secretary managing society, DMCH, Dr S.C.Ahuja, Principal, Dr Daljit Singh, Dean Academics and Dr Rajoo Singh Chinna, Medical Superintendent.

Lecture on online payment system
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 1
A lecture on ‘Internet Payment System’ was organised for the students of BBA and BCA at the Gujranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Civil Lines, here today.

Mr Parvinder Singh Pardal, former Business Development Manager from Ericsson Hewlett Packard Telecommunication, was the resource person. He discussed loopholes in online payment system and the need for developing security system on the Internet for sending and receiving payments. He spoke on e-commerce services, now becoming common in the USA and European markets.

Mr Pardal stressed on the need to integrate consumer service and product market with Information Technology. He said several career opportunities would be available with the coming up of Internet payment system. Mr Kuldip Singh, director of the institute, welcomed the resource person, while Prof Gunwant Dua, in charge, coordinated the lecture.

CBSE exams begin
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 1
Students of Class XII appeared for their annual examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which began here today.

The examination was conducted at over 10 schools of the city. Students from DAV Public School, Nankana Sahib Public School and Alpine International School appeared at BCM Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, and those from Kundan Vidya Mandir appeared at Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar. Students of BCM Arya Senior Secondary School and Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School appeared at Guru Nanak Public School. St Thomas and Tagore Public School students appeared at GGN Public School and those from USPC Jain School appeared at DAV Public School.