Zonal science seminars conclude
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 13
The zonal students’ science seminar competitions being organised by the District Education Department concluded with the contest for schools falling in Ludhiana West at New Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines, here today.

Twelve students of classes VI to X from eight schools participated in the contest and spoke on ‘Remote sensing: Its possibilities and harmful effects’. Sherry Kant from Bhartiya Vidya Mandir, Udham Singh Nagar, bagged the first prize. Tripat Simran Kaur from GGN Public School and Kirat Anand from BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School at Shastri Nagar shared the second prize. Parneet Kaur from Guru Nanak Public School and Hari Bhagat Singh from Government Model Senior Secondary School at Punjab Agricultural University were bracketed for the third position.

Before the seminar, the participants took a solve a written test with 10 objective type questions on the topic. A panel of judges comprising Mr Ranjit Singh from Government High School at Salem Tabri, Ms Archana Joshi from Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School at Mansuran and Ms Sangeeta Sood from Government Senior Secondary School at Dhandran taken held a question-answer round in which the participants were asked questions on the basis of the contents of their lecture.

In yesterday’s contest, 18 students from nine schools falling in Ludhiana East zone had participated. Supinder Kaur from Government High School, Ramgarh, stood first.

Second prize was shared by Meena Devi from Government High School at Salem Tabri and Manpreet Kaur from Government High School, Ramgarh. Rupinder Kaur from BCM Arya School at Focal Point was declared third. Mr Birender Kumar Sharma, district science supervisor, organised the contest and Ms Harbans Kaur, Principal of the host school, gave prizes to the winners.

Meanwhile, the first two winners of the zonal contests held at Khanna, Samrala, Ludhiana West and Ludhiana East would complete in the district-level contest to be held on August 19 at Government High School, Salem Tabri.

NAAS fellowship for PAU ex-scientist
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 13
Dr P.P. Gupta, former Additional Director of Research, Punjab Agricultural University, has been awarded fellowship for the year 2002 by the prestigious National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). Dr Gupta is the only scientist from Punjab to receive this award, which was given to him by Prof V.L. Chopra, President, NAAS, at a function held recently at PUSA institute, New Delhi.

The fellowship has been conferred on Dr Gupta for his life-time research and services to the cause of the Indian Veterinary Science Research Education and Transfer of Technology.

Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, Dr G.S. Nanda, Director of Research, and Dr S.S. Guraya, former Dean, College of basic Science and Humanities, PAU, have congratulated Dr Gupta for bringing this laurel to the PAU.

Teachers’ body flays govt
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 13
Prof Jaipal Singh, president, Government College Teachers Association Punjab, has welcomed the decision of the Punjab Government to consider inter-disciplinary refresher courses in human rights, environment awareness, gender studies, research methodologies, education and forensic science in lieu of subject refresher courses for career advancement scheme, as per a Punjab Government letter.

However, he has taken a serious note of the inordinate delay to implement the UGC notification in toto and to give relaxation for participation in refresher/orientation courses up to December 31.

He has condemned the Punjab Government decisions like freezing of DA, denying of LTC facilities, blanket ban on recruitments and promotions, ban on employment for dependents of an employee dying in service.

He has strongly urged the Punjab Government to reverse these decisions.