AGRICULTURE

PAU tips on sowing pulses, oilseeds
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 8
In view of the need for crop diversification by shifting the area under wheat to other crops, PAU experts have given important tips for sowing of pulses and oilseeds during October.

Experts say that farmers have been advised to grow gram varieties PDG-4, GL-769, PDG-3 and GPF-2 from October 10 to 25 in the central and south western districts and the varieties PBG-1 and C-235, which have resistance to gram blight, in the sub-montane districts.

The best time for sowing kabuli gram (L-550, L-551 and BG-1053) in the state, except humid areas of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Ropar, is from October 25 to November 10 under irrigated conditions. Treat the seed with Bavistin+Thiram (1:1) 3g or Hexacap 3g or Rovral 2.5g or captan/captaf 3g per kg of seed for the control of blight. Grow c-235 or PBG-1 or PDG-4 in disease-prone areas.

At the time of sowing, drill 13 kg urea and 50 kg superphosphate per acre for desi gram but in case of kabuli gram, drill 13 kg urea and 100 kg superphosphate/acre. Use lentil varieties LL-699/LL-147 or LL-56 and start sowing from the end of October. Inoculation of seed with rhizobium culture ensures higher yield. Drill 11 kg urea and 50 kg superphosphate/acre in case of inoculated seed, otherwise double the dose of superphosphate at the time of sowing.

Raya farmers have been advised to use varieties PBR-91, RL-1359, RLM-619 under irrigated conditions and PBR-97 under rainfed conditions. The optimum period for sowing raya is the first fortnight of October. Gobhi Sarson (GSL-1 GSL-2 and PGSH-51) should be sown from October 10 to the end of October. African sarson PC-5 can also be sown during this month. Drill 45 kg urea and 75 kg single superphosphate per acre before sowing of raya and gobhi sarson. However, in gobhi sarson on light-textured soils, increase the dose of urea to 65kg per acre. In rainfed conditions, apply 33 kg urea and 50 kg superphosphate/acre at sowing. 

Kisan unions allege harassment
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 8
The state president of the Kirti Kisan Union (KKU), Mr Jagsir Singh, and the vice-president of the Kul Vind Kisan Sabha, Mr Hardev Singh, met Mr Rachpal Singh Dhanoa, SP (D), and demanded immediate registration of a case against Ashok Kumar, a commission agent, for causing harassment to a farmer, Jagsir Singh.

The union blamed the commission agent for irregularities in money transactions with the farmer. They alleged that some amount had even been given as bribe to inspectors.

According to a press note issued by the KKU, the farmer, Jagsir Singh, was landless and cultivated 6 acres of hired land. He had been selling his crop through Ashok Kumar for the past more than 6 years. But Jagsir Singh switched over to a new commission agent, Bhim Sain.

This year, on the arrival of paddy in the market, Ashok Kumar blocked the process of weighing the farmer’s paddy, as he owed him some amount, which the farmer could not arrange.

It has been alleged that Ashok Kumar got his paddy lying with Bhim Sain forcibly lifted to recover the amount.

According to the press note, they have been assured of action by the officer.

Farmers’ dharna on October 14
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 8
Leaders of the Kirti Kisan Union here have countered the claims of the state government that the procurement of paddy was being done smoothly in mandis all over the state.

A communique by the unionists, Mr Tarlochan Singh, Mr Gurcharan Singh Acharwal and Mr Darshan Singh Bhammipura, said that a delegation of farmers affiliated to the Kirti Kisan Union today toured grain markets in the Raikot block of the district and found that the arrangements for the procurement were inadequate.

They said the delegation had visited various mandis, including Nathowal, Bassian, Roomi, Talwandi Rai, Halwara, Raikot, Johlan, Kalsan, Dudhahoor, Sahbaz Pura and Jalaldiwal, and found that the farmers were not happy with the arrangements. 

CULTURE

Hans to give voice to Mohan Singh’s poetry
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 8
Renowned folk singer of Punjab Hans Raj Hans will soon record an audio cassette of famous poems of Prof Mohan Singh as a tribute to the great Punjabi poet. This was announced here last evening by the singer while addressing a gathering of writers, artistes and intellectuals at the residence of the poet in Maharaj Nagar locality here.

He said the responsibility of selecting suitable pieces of poetry for the cassette from the vast collection of writing of Prof Mohan Singh had been entrusted to the working president of the Punjabi Sahit Academy, Dr Gurbhajan Gill.

Giving example of the massive following of Sufi poet Waris Shah in Pakistan and the level at which his urs was celebrated by his fans, Hans called upon the folk singers and followers of rich Punjabi culture to visit the annual Prof Mohan Singh Memorial mela, to be held here on October 19 and 20. He stated that he would perform on both days of the mela and expected an encouraging response on the occasion.

Hans Raj Hans, who had received threats to his life and was provided heavy security by the government after having been involved in a controversy with the T-Series music company, observed that he considered the recording of an album of poems by Shiv Batalvi a big achievement in his professional life. “Dozens of hot-selling albums released by me so far have not brought that kind of acclaim and satisfaction which I have been showered upon after a single album of Shiv Batalvi’s poems, which is to be released in the next couple of days”.

Hans shared fond memories of the life of Prof Mohan Singh with his son Mr Kanwalmohan Singh, daughter Prof Jindan Puri and grand-daughter Dimple. He also contributed Rs 11,000 to the mela funds and handed over the amount to Mr Jagdev Singh Jassowal, chairman of the Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation.

Likhari sabha to give platform to budding writers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 8
A meeting of the Sarv Bharati Likhari Sabha-International was held here at the Punjabi Bhavan yesterday.

In his welcome address, Mr S. Davinder Sethi, president of the sabha, introduced the new members to the house. A detailed discussion on the steps being taken to revive the activities of the sabha was held. The sabha decided to bring out its official publication in the form of a magazine or newsletter on regular basis to provide budding writers with a platform to publish their compositions. Mr Harbhajan Phallewalvi gave details about the magazine to be brought out by the sabha. An editorial board had been constituted for the purpose. The board would also coordinate the publication of books by member authors under the aegis of the sabha.

Dr Jagtar Dhiman and Ms Manu Sharma said for the benefit of its distant members, a website of the sabha would be created. Ms Manu Sharma also apprised the members of APNA (Academy of Punjab in North America). The efforts being made by Mr Safir Rammah through APNA towards the promotion of Punjabi language, literature and culture were also appreciated.

To encourage young writers, a competition of different categories of compositions was announced. For the purpose, writers would have to submit their original compositions like poems, short stories, songs, ghazals, novels, etc. written in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu or English by December 31. The winners and runners-up would be honoured at a special function later.

During the meeting, condolences were offered on the demise of three luminaries — Ahmad Rahi, a famous Punjabi lyricist and poet of Pakistan, Jushodha Devi, mother of a famous poet and Likhari Sabha member Mool Chand Sharma and Tarlok Mansoor, a popular Punjabi poet. The members observed silence in their memory. The members said Ahmad Rahi was one of the greatest Punjabi poets and lyricist of the 20th century.

While presenting his vote of thanks, the senior vice-president, Dr Jagtar S. Dhiman, shared the activities and programmes of the sabha slated for the year. The chairperson, Ms Swaranjit Grewal, appreciated the efforts initiated by the office-bearers of the sabha in revitalising its programmes and asked the members to work for the promotion of Punjabi culture and literature through producing quality compositions.