School holds prize distribution function
Our Correspondent

Amloh, March 30
A prize distribution function was organised at Government Senior Secondary School Naraingarh, 3 km from here today. Mr Hardial Singh ‘Dayal’ a Punjabi Poet, speaking on the occasion said people, who could afford, should donate for the Government School buildings, as it is in no way less useful than the donations to religious institutions.

Mr Dayal , on suggestion from the school principal, formed the Gurdial Singh Memorial Trust consisting of three members, and donated Rs 2 lakh in fixed deposit in the name of the trust. Its income of about Rs 17,000 per annum will be spent for the welfare of the deserving students of the school. He also donated 25 books for the school library and assured further financial help for the school building.

Speaking about the life of Mr Gurdial Singh, school principal Roshan Lal said that Mr Dayal was born in 1910 at Kamalpura (Ludhiana) the family shifted to Naraingarh village in Amloh tehsil, he worked as bus driver at Kolkata in 1928 and came into contact with Comrade Mohd. Ismail during transport workers’ strike in 1941 in W Bengal. Most of his poems depicted the condition of workers, poor farmers. ‘New Parbhat,’ a news paper published from Kolkata carried his poems at that time.

Thereafter Mr Dayal settled in Canada in 1990 and his poems were published in "Indo-Canadian times." His collection of poems "alluni Silh" was published by Maple leaf writers foundation in Canada.

The students who got first three positions in class VI, VII, IX and XI in the internal examination and players who got distinction in state and National-level games were honoured besides Mr Gurdial Singh ‘Dyal’ at the occasion. students of the school presented a cultural program.

Colleges hold annual convocations 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 30
Students of GGN Khalsa College, Civil Lines, and Guru Nanak Girls’ College, Model Town, were awarded degrees during their annual convocations held here today.

At GGN Khalsa College, 260 students were awarded degrees and 150 students were given prizes. Students of MA Punjabi, MA English, BA, B.Com and B.Sc, who had achieved top positions, in academics were honoured. These included Karamjit Kaur of MA Punjabi, Parvesh Kumar of BA, Tajinder Singh of BA (honours), Gurwinder Singh of BA (evening shift), Jaswinder Singh of B.Com and Kulbir Singh from B.Sc.

Balkaran Singh, power lifting champion, was given the best sportsperson of the college award. Simranjot Singh was presented Sahibzada Ajit Singh Medal for his achievements in divinity.

Roll of honour was given to three students. Gurmeet Singh of B.Com III and Hardeep Singh of MA II were included in the roll of honour for their achievements in bhangra. Harpreet Singh Chhatwal was given the roll of honour for his feats in NCC air wing which included participation in the Republic Day Parade and selection in youth exchange programme. Ms Nisha Sarad, DPI (colleges), was the chief guest. Prof Gurdeep Singh, acting principal, was also present during the function.

At Guru Nanak Girls’ College, roll of honour was presented to Inderpal Kaur of MA II, Navritu Sharma of B.Sc III, Deepika of BA III and Karamjit Kaur of BA II. College colours were presented to Ramanpreet Kaur of BA III for classical singing, Narinder Kaur of BA III for poetical recitation and Gurmeet Kaur for painting.

Degrees conferred on 108 students
Our Correspondent

Doraha, March 30
Degrees were conferred on 108 students of Guru Nanak National College at the annual convocation and prize-distribution function organised here yesterday.

In his convocation address, Dr Joginder Singh Puar, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, said: “If the government, universities, college managements, teachers and students continue with their callous attitude, the education system will deteriorate in the coming years.”

He further said: “The real aim of higher education is to produce capable leadership, generate technical know-how and work for social transformation but with increasing competition, low income and reduced grants it seemed rather impossible.” He added that the government should primarily look into primary education and health of the students of the rural areas, which was currently being ignored.”

The Principal, Mr Jaswant Singh Gill, conferred degrees on 73 Arts and 35 Commerce graduate students who passed out in 2000-2001. Seven students were awarded role of honour, including Amritpal Singh, Pavittar Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Bikramjit Singh (all in athletics), Amandeep Singh, Tapinder Singh (both in Hockey), and Paramjit Kaur (general). Among 21 students who received college colours were: Sukhjinder Singh, Satveer Singh, Sarbjit Singh, Jarnail Singh, Ranjeet Singh Sekhon and Sandeep Singh (all in athletics), Amandeep Singh (boxing), Gagandeep Singh (Hockey), Pavittar Singh (best male athlete), Seema Rani (best female athlete), Harpreet Kaur (athletics), Pawandeep Kaur (volleyball), Kirandeep Kaur (NCC best cadet), Sandeep Kaur (NCC best cadet). The position holders in annual examinations and house examinations were awarded merit certificates. Forty general prizes were also given.

Mr Jaswant Singh Gill, Principal, highlighted the achievements of the college in academics, sports and co-curricular activities.

A warm welcome was accorded to the chief guest by Prof Balwant Singh Pangali, secretary, college management committee, and a vote of thanks was given by the college Principal. Dr Ishwar Singh, president of the committee, was also present.

NAAC to inspect colleges
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 30
Various colleges of Punjab will soon be inspected by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) for giving accreditation. For this, an orientation programme for the principals and administrators of the colleges will be held.

Ms Nisha Sarda, DPI (colleges), gave this information at press conference held at GGN Khalsa College here today. She was in the college as chief guest for the annual prize distribution and convocation function.

Ms Sarda said that the colleges of Punjab have been told to apply for the accreditation within next month, following which an orientation programme would be arranged in association with the UGC. She said that colleges would then be inspected by an NAAC team for their infrastructure, facilities, libraries, laboratories, research and training programmes and all those who would secure at least 55 per cent marks out of 100 would be given accreditation. This would also help students recognise the standards of colleges while seeking admission.

Regarding non-payment of grant-in-aid to colleges due for the past four months, Ms Sarda said that the government was facing serious financial crunch.

Two Lok Adalats held
Our Correspondent

Samrala, March 30
In two Lok Adalats held here today, 14 cases out of 22 cases were decided and a sum of Rs 7,45,000 was recovered.

In the court of Mrs Asha Mehta, Civil Judge, Sr Divn. nine cases out of 15 were decided and a sum of Rs 4,90,000 was recovered. The maintenance case of Kiran Bala and her minor son Simranjeet Singh was decided. The Balbir Singh of Afghana Kiri village was directed to pay a sum of Rs 38,000 to the mother and son.

In the court of Mr R. K. Condal, Civil Judge, Jr. Divn. five cases out of seven were decided and a sum of Rs 2,55,000 was recovered.

In the same court, a very old case under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act by Kamaljeet Singh against Sarbjeet Kaur was decided. Sarbjeet Kaur was united with her husband.

In another case, Mr Jasminder Singh of Addiana village was sent to judicial lock-up for 14 days as he could not produce any surety or bail bond in the court.

Truck union chief: Mr Surinder Singh Dhillon, a nephew of the Congress MLA, Mr Amrik Singh Dhillon, was elected president of the local truck union here on Saturday, according to spokesman for the union Mr Sohan Singh. No papers were filed for the post, Mr Sohan Singh added. 

Vilification of trust chief deplored
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 30
Members of the District Bar Association and the legal advisers to Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) have deplored a campaign to defame the incumbent chairman of LIT, Mr Madan Mohan Vyas.

A meeting of the members of the association, which was also attended by legal advisers to the LIT, held at the District Courts here expressed its strong resentment against false and malicious news items published in a section of Press regarding the working of Mr Vyas.

It was affirmed that ever since assuming office of the chairman, the working of Mr Vyas had always remained above mark. He had proved himself to be an intelligent, sincere and hardworking person and had dealt the affairs of the trust with utmost devotion, sincerity, honestly and integrity.

The meeting further observed that contrary to allegations levelled against him he had never acted in a partial manner under any undue influence or against rules and regulations of the Punjab Town Improvement Act. 

Singers call for preserving traditional art
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 30
Prominent Punjabi artistes and singers have called upon all modern day singers to ensure that the traditional classic touch is not lost in the mad pursuit toward the pop singing. Speaking on the occasion of the Narinder Biba Memorial cultural mela, organised by Canada-based singer and rhythmist Baldev Singh, various artistes regretted the decline in Punjabi singing. However, they expressed relief that there were still a number of singers who had tried to maintain a degree of standard.

Summing up the observations made at the function Baldev Singh pointed out that Narinder Biba, an eminent Punjabi singer, had maintained a standard in her singing against all odds. He said, Narinder Biba sang gurbani and shabad as well as also the popular songs. ‘‘But she never succumbed to the pop temptations and remained popular among the Punjabis’’, he observed.

Baldev Singh, who has been categorised by the HMV, as an A-class commentator, urged the artistes to seek inspiration from Narinder Biba. He expressed confidence over the popularity of the Punjabi music, not in the country alone, but abroad as well. ‘‘It is our responsibility that while we should respond to the popular demands but we should not compromise on our artistic traditions’’, he cautioned.

Leading Punjabi folk singers like Ranjit Mani, Ranjit Kaur, Daljeet Bhatti, Dhanjal Mann, Daljeet Singh Dardi and Baldev Singh performed at the cultural mela much to the delight of the crowd, which had gathered to listen to them. It was a lively and entertaining performance for about three hours which kept the audience spell bound.

Mr Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, the MLA from Koomkalan was the chief guest on the occasion. He lauded the efforts of Baldev Singh in organising a cultural mela in memory of a great Punjabi folk singer Narinder Biba. He exhorted upon the artistes to ensure that the rich Punjabi culture was not just popularised, but was preserved as well.