Relief announced for farmers
Our Correspondent

Amloh, September 9
Maximum relief has been recommended for the farmers of this district who have either failed to transplant the paddy crop or their standing crop had been affected by failure of rains, said Mr Vikas Partap, Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib. This he said after laying the foundation stone of extended block of the pucca platform in grain market, Amloh, costing Rs 4.03 lakh yesterday.

The DC providing details of development works in the district, said that during the current year Rs 1.80 crore would be spent through market committees on water supply, electricity and construction of platforms. The arrangements have been made for the procurement of paddy at 35 purchase centers in the district, he informed.

Later, the DC, who was the chief guest at a seminar organised by the District T.B. Control Society in the grain market on Friday, appealed to the participants to keep the environment clean and pollution free. The function was presided over by Mr Kiranjit Kumar, Civil Surgeon, Fatehgarh Sahib.

Mr Tarsem Lal Mattoo, District T.B. Officer, said the disease spreads from one patient to 10-15 healthy persons in a year.

Among others who were present on the occasion were Mr Amarjit Singh Shahi, Subdivisional Magistrate, Mr Baldev Singh Aulakh, president, Municipal Council, Amloh, and Mr Ramesh Gupta, District Medical Officer. Mr Kamlesh Kumar, secretary, Market Committee, Amloh, Mr Jiwan Puri, executive member, state Arthiya Associations and Mr Manjeet Singh, secretary, market committee, Sirhind, spoke at the occasion.

Dr Khush Award for Dr Hundal
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 9
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has awarded the Dr Gurdev Singh Khush Distinguished Professor Award to Dr Jarnail Singh Hundal, Professor and Head, Department of Vegetable Crops, PAU, for his outstanding achievements in vegetable breeding. This prestigious award is given to best scientist of the university after every three years.

The research work done by Dr Hundal in this field had led to the development of 12 new vegetable varieties, which included five new varieties of chilli (Punjab Lal, Chilli hybrids CH-1 and CH-3, Punjab Guchhedar and Punjab Surkh), four of brinjal (Punjab Chamkila, Punjab Bahar, P-4, Jamuni Gola), one each of capsicum (Punjab-27), Radish (Punjab Ageti) and ridge gourd (Punjab Sada Bahar).

Major contribution of Dr Hundal is the evolution of chilli hybrids CH-1 and CH-3 and male sterile line MS-12 that had brought a chilli revolution in the state. Average yield per acre had doubled and area under chilli crop had shot up three times during the past 4-5 years. The hybrids were now occupying almost 80 per cent area under chilli crop and had further shown excellent performance in several neighbouring states like Rajasthan, UP and Haryana, where these were being adopted on a large scale.

More than a 100 farmers were producing hybrid seeds of chilli on commercial scale by adopting a new hybrid seed production technology developed by Dr Hundal for the first time in India. The seed producing farmers were earning high profits by selling seeds and seedlings of chilli hybrids in Punjab and other states and the technology had become a model for the farmers of other states of India as well.

EDUCATION

School authorities, parents reach truce
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 9
After causing ugly scenes for over 10 days, including a protest by parents today, the controversy between the authorities of Blossoms School and parents of six children ended today late afternoon.

Tension prevailed in the school at Shastri Nagar here today when parents of six children, debarred from attending the school since August 28 for indiscipline, protested against the decision and the refusal by the school authorities to allow the children to study despite paying the fines.

The six schoolchildren, none of them owning a driver’s licence, had injured two female teachers of the school when their car hit a rickshaw on which the two teachers were going on August 28. Both the teachers were pregnant and had to be hospitalised. School authorities said they had ordered the children to stay away from the school as punishment besides imposing a fine of Rs 1,000 each on them.

Ever since the incident, the parents and school authorities had been at loggerhead. Parents had been claiming that the punishment was enough and they were willing to pay the fine but the school authorities were not ready to readmit the students saying that they should realise their mistake first.

However, today afternoon the matter was resolved with the parents submitting an unconditional apology and school authorities accepting the fine amount.

Today, the parents converged on the school premises and confronted the authorities. They were joined by two Municipal Councillors and their supporters and held a protest.

The students — Jaspal, Pamandeep, Harsimran, Pushpinder and Karanveer — of Class X had on August 28 hit their Esteem car in a rickshaw on which two teachers of the school, Ms Jyotsana and Ms Manjit, were going.

Ms Jyotsana, a Class X teacher, and Ms Manjit, who teaches junior classes, had lodged a complaint with the school authorities the next day against the negligence of the students.

The school Principal, Ms Inderjeet Kaur, told Ludhiana Tribune that she had asked the students not to attend the school in order to make them realise their mistake. The school authorities also alleged that the boys had been involved in breaking windowpanes of the school on the Janamashtami.

Freshers’ night at DMCH
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 9
It was an enthusiastic first day for the MBBS freshers at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital as they received a warm welcome at “Welcome MBBS batch 2002”, organised at Dumra Auditorium last evening by the institute.

The new students were introduced to the management and faculty members to help them develop a better understanding and make them comfortable in the new surroundings. Besides, to celebrate the arrival of the new batch, a colourful cultural programme was presented by seniors. Mr Brij Mohan Lall Munjal, president, DMCH Managing Society, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Dr S.C. Ahuja, Principal, DMCH, delivered the welcome address and congratulated the parents for the selection of their wards in the DMCH. He also introduced the guests on the dais, including members of the managing society of the DMCH, Mr B.M. Munjal, Mr Balraj Kumar, Mr Gianchand Dhawan, Mr Satish Sanwalka, Mr Amrit Nagpal, Mr Prem Gupta and Mr Prem Nath Gupta, Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent, Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina, Dr Daljit Singh, Dean Academics, and others.

Dr S.C. Ahuja said that the DMCH is proud of setting a new milestone in the history of MBBS admissions this year, as instead of the availability of free seats in other medical colleges of Punjab, the first 35 PMET toppers have sought admission in the DMCH. He said the DMCH ranks among the top 25 medical colleges of India and is striving to become one of the top 10 medical colleges of India.

In his address to the students, Mr Munjal thanked the PMET toppers for joining the DMCH and bringing glory to the institution. He encouraged the freshers to cultivate the virtues like honesty, truthfulness, discipline and selflessness to preserve the nobility of the medical profession.

The faculty members were introduced to the students and their parents. Later, the new students were called on the stage for introduction and were asked some witty questions by the seniors. Besides, as a warm gesture towards the juniors, the batch of 2001 also presented a colourful cultural programme in which songs and dance items were presented. Dr S.C. Chopra conducted the stage and presented the vote of thanks.

Workshop concludes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 9
The three-day artists’ workshop, organised at Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town here, today. It was organised under the aegis of the Fine Arts Department under the supervision of Ms Manjeet Randhawa and Ms Karuna Mohindru.

The workshop was inaugurated by the Principal, Ms Charanjit Mahal. In her welcome address, she introduced the artists to the students and mentioned their achievements in the field of art. The first day of workshop opened with a demonstration of landscapes by Ms Sadhna Sangar, lecturer at Government College, SAS Nagar. She taught the students the art of portraying a landscape and various techniques for good results.

The next day was devoted to the art of sculpting and clay modelling by Mr Sumangal Rao, a postgraduate from Shanti Niketan. During the workshop, he demonstrated the making of models in high and low relief with sand, brick powder and plaster of Paris.

On the last day, Mr Jaspal Singh from Government College, Hoshiarpur, was the guest of honour. He had organised three all-India art exhibitions and artists’ camps for AIDS awareness, ecology awareness, folklore and heritage awareness and had also worked for children’s art workshops. He delivered lectures on composition and gave useful hints to the students for perfecting their art on still life.

A lively discussion followed and queries of the students were answered. At the conclusion of the workshop, the Principal proposed the vote of thanks.

Gunjan crowned Miss Fresher
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 9
Senior students of Government College for Women held Miss Fresher contest here. Students of second and third year took part in the programme for juniors.

A choreography, based on the poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”, by PG Diploma students stole the show. The dance performed by Shalini was also received well by the fresher. Neha and group presented a medley “Mere yaar ki shadi”, while Nimrita and Anujot presented songs.

Twenty nine contestants participated in Miss Fresher contest in which five contestants were short listed after two elimination rounds Gunjan was declared Miss Fresher whereas Disha Thakur and Neha Sahni were declared first and second runners-up. Mrs Kuldip Kaur, former Principal, Master Tara Singh Memorial Girls College, was the chief guest. Ms Rippi Chatwal, Ms Kiran Kant and Mrs Harpreet Sarna adjudged the participants.

Amardeep Dua’s costume was declared the best. Harneet was given the title of Ms Beautiful Smile while Ritika Madan was presented the title of Ms Personality. For Best Catwalk, the prize went to Anamika whereas Ambika bagged the Crowning Glory title.

Meritorious school students honoured
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 9
The KVM School Management Committee recently organised a function here to honour the toppers and students who had been selected for professional courses during 2001-2002. The students and their parents were invited to a get-together. Mr Prem Aggarwal, manager of the school, welcomed them.

The Principal, Ms Neena Khanna, read out the highlights of the result. Lala Lajpat Rai, MP, addressed the gathering. Mr V.K. Goyal, member of the management committee, spoke on the importance of hard work.

A representative of parents and a student representative also spoke. Ms Karnika, Ms S. Mehan and Mr Sanjiv presented songs. The awardees included Mukul Mohindra, Supreet Khurana, Prateek Sikka, Richa Jindal and Kinnri Jain.