The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Dr Brar is vice-chairman of IUSS Commission
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 28
Dr Mukand Singh Brar, Senior Soil Chemist, Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has been elected as vice-chairperson of the commission on Soil Technology of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) during the 17th world congress of Soil Science held in Bangkok recently.

The International Union of Soil Science is a world body of national soil science societies representing 200 countries in the world. Since Dr Brar is the only office-bearer of the IUSS from India, he will represent Indian till June, 2006, when the 18th World Congress of Soil Science will be held in Philadelphia, USA. Dr Brar along with Dr R. Horn from Germany will be responsible for planning and executing the work, including holding of symposiums in different parts of the world related to the commission.

Dr Brar also presented oral presentation ‘Effect of untreated sewage effluent on the micro and potential toxic elements in soils and plants’ in one of the symposiums of the congress held on August 19. Prior to this, Dr Brar attended many international conferences/ symposia, including 15th WCSS held in Mexico, 16th WCSS held in France held in 1994 and 1998, respectively. Dr Brar is currently vice-president of the Indian Society of Soil Science. He is a fellow of the Indian Society of Soil Science and recipient of many awards and honours, including 12th International Congress Commemoration Award of ISSS and Silver Jubilee Jubilee Award of the FAI for his outstanding contribution to the field of soil science. Dr Brar has also received scientific training in the USA and Israel.

Meanwhile, the training unit of the College of Agricultural Engineering, organised a five-day training programme on ‘Processing technologies and agricultural structures’ for engineers of the Department of Agriculture, Punjab, in collaboration with the Department of Processing and Agricultural Structures.

Dr S.S. Sokhi, Additional Director, Extension Education (FASS), who was the chief guest, emphasised the need of agro-processing and value addition of farm produce. He advised the participants to encourage the farmers in setting up agro-industrial units at the village level.

Lecture in GNN College
Our Correspondent

Sahnewal, August 28
An extension lecture was organised by the postgraduate department of Punjabi at G.N.N. College, Doraha, for the students of postgraduate classes, yesterday.

Two senior most professors of Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Dr Gurmohan Singh Ahluwalia and Dr Joginder Singh Chhabra delivered lectures to the students. The two professors were welcomed by the Principal, Dr Jaswant Singh Gill, and the staff of Punjabi Department of the college.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gurmohan Singh Ahluwalia highlighted the difference between a layman and a literary personality. He said, ‘‘While a layman exists merely on the surface level, a literary person examines and analyses each and every thing with a critical eye. The development of a critic in a man should be main aim of a postgraduate teacher and inculcation of these critical tendencies in him should be the main purpose of the leaners.’’

Dr Ahluwalia further stressed the need for extra-reading through related course-books, literary magazines, journals, periodicals and literary newspapers. He also taught the methods by which the students can get good marks for example by good hand-writing, drawing margins in answer-sheets, using quotations and avoiding spelling mistakes.

The second guest, Dr Joginder Singh Chhabra, too created awareness among the students regarding Punjabi language and literature. He pointed towards the different ways in which a particular word is pronounced and written. ‘‘There is a marked difference between a spoken language and a language written on paper. The words spelt correctly must be spoken correctly’’.

Prof J.S. Grewal and Prof Ms Harwinder Kaur presented a vote of thanks. Among others who were present on the occasion were Prof Charanjit Singh, Prof Sukhwinder Singh Virk, Prof Harjaspreet Kaur, Prof Gurmukh Singh, Prof Kamaljit Kaur, Prof Williamjit Singh, Prof Gursharanjit Singh, Prof M.S. Bhandari and Dr Nirlep Kaur.

Women’s Awareness Day on Aug 30
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 28
Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ludhiana Zone will organise a ‘Women Awareness Day’ at Mata Ganga Khalsa Girls College, Kotan (Ludhiana) on August 30.

According to a press note, the principals, staff and girl students of over 20 colleges in the district will participate in the celebrations which will be organised with the help of principals of different colleges and the organising committee of local college.

Mr Surjit Singh, spokesperson, said issues like all round development, challenges before women, the role of women in the family and society, the need of patience and courage among women will be discussed on this occasion.

The students of various colleges will present poetry recitation, skits and other cultural items which would enlighten the women.

Eminent personalities who will grace the occasion include Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, President Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and Bibi Kiranjot, General Secretary Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.

Jaswinder is vice-chief of students’ body
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 28
The Punjab College of Technical Education today organised elections to the executive committee of the Students Welfare Association.

Jaswinder Singh Sidhu of MCA (II) was elected as vice-president. He defeated Vishesh Gupta of MBA (II). Jaskanwal Singh Natt of MCA (I) was elected as general secretary. Harshdeep Singh Bawa, a student of BBA (III), was elected as secretary. Balbir Kaur of BCA (I) was elected as joint secretary (I), while Akbal Singh, a student of BCA (II), was elected as joint secretary (II).

College secures 3 positions in varsity
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, August 28
Students of Bhagat Ayurvedic College, Mandi Gobindgarh, Ms Geeta Sharma, Mamta Mittal and Ms Geeta Rani have secured the second, third and fifth positions, respectively, in their second professional examination conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot.

The college has also shown 100 per cent result in the second professional examination, said Dr S.N. Singh, Principal, and Dr Zora Singh, chairman of the college.

Overnight camps for students
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 28
Talent Search India (TSI), a Delhi-based organisation, organised overnight camps for Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools at Hardy’s World.

The students enjoyed the rides, boating, swimming and water sports. A special attraction was a trip to Tiger Safari. An educational trip to Hero Cycles Factory was also organised where children got first-hand information about the manufacturing process of bicycles . A cultural competition was also held. The winners were given prizes and certificates.

Study centre inaugurated
Our Correspondent

Khanna, August 28
The study centre of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was inaugurated here yesterday at A.S. College, Khanna, by Dr K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University , Chandigarh.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pathak highlighted the good work being done by IGNOU for spreading higher education in India.

Dr V.C. Pandey, Director, Regional Centre, IGNOU, said at present IGNOU offered 76 courses through its 800 study centres.

Dhand gets bail
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 28
Controversial former youth congress office-bearer Nirdosh Dhand today got bail in a case registered against him at the Division No 5 police station under the Arms Act and Section 302/115 of the IPC on the complaint of Jaswinder Singh ‘Raji’.

Mr V.B. Handa, Sessions Judge, Ludhiana, ordered the release of Dhand on bail on furnishing personal bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties in the like amount, to the satisfaction of Illaqua/Duty Magistrate.

After taking into consideration, the contentions of both parties, the judge held that the allegations made by the complainant were only on information and in the absence of any other evidence, “I am of the view that the accused is entitled to the concession of bail.”