CULTURE

I’d love to do art films: Pooja Batra 
Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, May 28
“I would love to do art films if I like the script and the director. But unfortunately not many people are directing art films these days”, says Bollywood beauty Pooja Batra, who was in the city in connection with the launch of the cosmetic products of the VLCC here today.

The tall, Punjabi damsel likes to be called Ludhiana girl because she passed out her Class X in 1990 from Kendriya Vidyalaya (Central School) here. “I have some good memories of this city. My relatives still live here and it feels great when you visit your old friends and relatives”, she said.

After her graduation, Pooja did MBA (Marketing) from Pune. Her father was in the Army so she got an opportunity to travel to different places with him.

She started her career in modelling in 1993. Pooja said,”When Madhu Sapre performed excellent for Ms Universe 1992, I thought I will also try for Miss India contest and I was adjudged Miss India second runner-up in 1993. Ever since there has been no looking back and I got many offers to advertise for products like Liril, Head and Shoulders etc.

“In our times, no formal training was given to the contestants who would represent India for Miss Universe or Miss World contest but now they are being given thorough training. The experts from various fields build-up their confidence. This is really encouraging and the performance of Indian girls has always been tremendous in these beauty contests”, Pooja said.

She has also done a few Telugu, Tamil and Malyalam films. Her forthcoming Hindi movies are “Talash”, “Parwana” and “Tajmahal”.

Design collection show on June 1
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 28
A design collection show, Anukama-2002, will be organised by the Northern Indian Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) here on June 1.

Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, said the show would be based on the latest designs conceptualised and fabricated by the passing out students of final semester. Ms Parneet Kaur, MP, would be the chief guest.

SPORTS

Shooting meet
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, May 28
Harprasad Gill of Ludhiana proved his supremacy over others to bag a gold medal in the 3rd Clay Pigeon Shooting Championship organised by the Ludhiana District Rifle Association at Khokhran village near here yesterday. Twenty shooters from all over the state took part in this meet.

Daman Mahal of Nawanshahr and Anup Singh of Chandigarh finished second and third, respectively. The main attraction of this meet was a 82-year-old shooter, Sant Pal Singh of Samrala.

Chess tourney

The two-day Ludhiana District Chess Championship will be held here at R.S. Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, on June 8 and 9 according to a press note issued today by Dr R Chawla, general secretary, Ludhiana District Chess Assocation. Matches will be played on Swiss League basis in the senior as well as in the junior (u-19) categories.

No separate matches will be allowed for the female participants. Entries may be submitted to Dr Chawla at the meet venue on June 8.

On the basis of their performance during this meet, a team of 10 players (senior) will be selected which will represent Ludhiana in the forthcoming Punjab State Chess Championship slated to be held next month. The Ludhiana team (junior) will also be selected for the Punjab State Junior Chess Championship to be conducted at Jalandhar in the month of July, the note said.

ADMINISTRATION

Animal husbandry workshop today
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 28
Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Punjab, will inaugurate a two-day workshop for Animal Husbandry Officers tomorrow in the Pal Auditorium of Punjab Agricultural University.

Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, will preside over the inaugural session. Dr G.S. Chahal, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Punjab, and Dr G.S. Nanda, Director of Research, PAU, will discuss the latest research highlights in ‘Animal health remedies and animal production’.

According to Mr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director of Extension Education, more than 300 veterinary doctors of the state Animal Husbandry Department and research scientists of the PAU would attend the workshop and discuss the latest developments in diseases control, scientific nutrition of animals, efficient breeding methods and livestock management.