AGRICULTURE

Farmers throng day-long field trials at PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 23
Spurred by large-scale environmental pollution caused by the burning of paddy stubble by farmers across the state, field staff at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) demonstrated ways to deal with the stubble which has to be disposed of before the rabi sowing begins. Hundreds of farmers thronged the venue and evinced keen interest in the tractor driven chopper, developed by the Department of Farm Power and Machinery, which spreads the stubble evenly across the field making it easy for the farmers to dispose of the organic matter.

Paddy is cultivated on about 2. 4 million hectares in the state. Since more than 70 to 80 per cent of the crop is harvested by combines, farmers were commonly using disc harrows and rotavators to prepare the field for sowing, which were not very efficient. Hence, entire tracts of land were set on fire since this method was simple and inexpensive.

Talking to TNS, Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, said at present, three-fourths of the straw, amounting to about 19. 6 million tonnes, was burnt every year. The magnitude of the problem was reflected in a dense smog which enveloped the state, hampering vital operations. Due to the burning, more than 38. 5 lakh tonnes of organic carbon, 59, 000 tonnes of nitrogen, 2,000 tones of phosphorous and 34,000 tonnes of potassium were lost, he revealed.

He later interacted with the farmers and listened to their problems.

Mr I.K. Garg, head of the department, said: “Farmers are in a fix on how to get rid of the stubble and then prepare the field at a minimum cost. The department has done pioneering work in this direction and new machines have been developed to reduce the costs. Equipment for sowing wheat under minimum tillage and no-tillage saves substantial cost in comparison to traditional methods. Demonstration of these machines will be given,” he added.

Elaborating o the use of the straw chopper, he said: “The machine disperses the stubble evenly across the field in a single operation, following which the field can be ploughed, watered and the straw left to decompose till sowing time. This will help in maintaining the essential nutrients of the soil, besides curbing the pollution caused by burning.”

The machine was a boon for the farmers since it would deal with the burning problem and add to the fertility of the soil. The machine costed about Rs 35,000 and covered eight to 10 acres a day using a 40 horsepower tractor. Trials were on to further simplify the machine and bring down the cost to Rs 25,000. This was the only machine in the country to successfully tackle the problem, he claimed.

Trails were under way in fields in the state and farmers’ suggestions were being considered to make the machine more efficient. We appeal to the farmers to use the machine in larger numbers, he added.

During the trials scientists displayed eco-friendly technologies that not only help to save environmental pollution but will also reduce the consumption of precious farm inputs like fuel, water, fertilisers and pesticides. The department has recently developed self-propelled sprayers which can be used for spraying rabi crops and vegetables. It not only helps in efficient use of chemicals and insecticides but also assists in uniform spraying, they pointed out.

Besides, various improved farm equipment like ratavator were also demonstrated.

EDUCATION

Contest for budding writers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 23
The University of Sheffield, a top ranking university in the UK, is hunting for writing talent in India. The university is launching a national writing competition for class X11 students in India. The entrants have to write 500 words on the title “What makes an inspiring teacher?” The winner will be awarded £ 500 as prize money and equal amount for their school, to be spent on educational materials. There are two prizes for runners up of £ 250.

Angela Todd, Associate Director of the International Office, University of Sheffield, told the correspondent that she would be visiting schools in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities of North India to formally launch the competition.

She said, “We are looking for the best young writers in the country. I am really excited to be launching such a prestigious competition. I will be visiting around the country to tell students more about the competitions, and educational opportunities in the UK.”

The students have to fill in the application forms duly signed by their principals of their respective schools. For further information the students can log on to a.todd @sheffield.ac.uk or pbiswas@bol.net.in.

Good response to mock Parliament
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 23
Do today’s children have faith in our democratic institutions? Do these children want to live in modern day polarised society? To find answers to it a ‘mock Parliament’ was organised by Guru Angad Society at Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, today. Eleven teams comprising two members , one speaking from the Treasury side and the other from the Opposition participated.

The topic chosen was ‘Democracy in India is Dead’. Speakers for the motion said democracy was dead as the modern day elections were not won by ballot but by bullet. “Who does not know about the criminalisation of politics and misuse of power by the likes of Ravinder Sidhu and I.G. Ravi Kant Sharma? They said democracy was a dying institution in India and elections were just a farce. Some even quoted Henry Miller who said that Democracy was an Institution where blind lead blind.

The opposition changed the statements and said only in democracy guilty like Ravi Sidhu get a fair trial. In 55 years after Independence, India had taken giant strides towards modernisation and everyone had a right to choose the government of their liking.

The chief guest, Mr Bhatnagar, Principal Secretary, Education, Punjab, addressing the students said three principle organs of democracy were legislature, Executive and Judiciary. Sadly in the modern day scenario, the Executive was neck deep in corruption and steeped in inefficiency. The Legislature spent more time in quarrelling rather than discussing important issues of national importance and the judiciary was facing bad days too. But there was no alternative to democracy. The onus of cleansing the system rested with the younger generation. The guest of honour was Mr Rahul Bhandari, Additional Chief Administrator, PUDA.

Kundan Vidya Mandir won the Challenging Trophy which would be theirs till next Mock Parliament is held. Students who won individual prizes are Varun Garg: 1, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Manpreet Bhalla, St Thomas School 2, and Nidhi Bucchar, BCM Arya Model School 3. Consolation prizes were won by Manraj Dhaliwal of DAV Public School and Nupur Chabbra of BCM Arya Model School.

French envoy visits PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 23
Mr Bernard de Monteferrand, French Ambassador to India, yesterday visited Punjab Agricultural University. At a meeting with the Registrar, Deans and Directors of the university, the visiting dignitary was told that the technologies generated by the PAU coupled with the efforts of the hard-working farmers of Punjab and policies of the state government had resulted in the Green Revolution.

Dr J.S. Kolar, Director, Extension Education, informed the Ambassador that Punjab had not only excelled in wheat and rice production but it had also attained a high level of production in milk, egg, meat, mushroom, honey and fisheries. Dr Kolar said due to intensive and extensive exploitation of agriculture, many problems like declining water table, soil health and ecological problems have emerged. Now the emphasis was on diversification of agriculture, he added.

Mr Monteferrand said the purpose of his visit was to explore the possibilities of joint ventures and collaborative programmes in the agriculture sector. He said he would depute scientists and educationists to have further discussions with the university authorities to workout some modalities. Later, the Ambassador visited the Plant Breeding Museum, Dairy Farm, Department of Farm Power and Machinery and Farmers’ Service Centre. He appreciated the good work being done at the university.

HEALTH

Thalassemia screening camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 23
A thalassemia screening camp for pregnant women and college girls will be organised by the ICMR Thalassemia Laboratory at Christian Medical College and Hospital from October 29 to 31. It will be held in the Antenatal OPD, CMC, between 10 am and 4 pm. In addition to antenatal check, all diagnostic tests related to thalassemia will be conducted free of cost.

The camp is being organised under the auspices of the Jai Vigyan Mission project on community control of thalassemia syndromes started by the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi. 

SPORTS

District rural games from Oct 29
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 23
The District Sports Office, in association with the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats will organise the inter-block district rural games at Guru Nanak Stadium here on October 29 and 30. According to a press note issued by the office of District Public Relations Office, the competition will be held in four disciplines- athletics, volleyball, kabaddi (boys and girls) and football (boys).

Boys and girls with rural background below the age of 16 years, born on or after January 1, 1987 are eligible to take part in the games. Certificates showing the date of birth and residence proof issued by the headmaster/principal of the school for students and for other participants, issued by the sarpanch will have to be produced in original at the venue.

The events include 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m races, shotput, high jump, javelin throw, discus throw and 4x100 m race for boys as well as girls. Players selected during the meet would represent the district in the Punjab State Rural Games to be held at Sangrur from November 13 to 15, the note said.

Mr H S Sidhu, SSP, will inaugurate the meet and Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, will be the chief guest on the concluding day.

Handball tournament: The Ludhiana Sahodaya School Complex Handball Tournament was organised in USPC Jain Public School from October 17 to 19. Seven schools participated in the under-16 and under-19 categories. GHG Senior Secondary School, Sidhwan Khurd, stood first in under-16 girls and boys’ sections and under-19 boys’ category. GNPS, Mullanpur, got first and second prize in under-19 girls and boys’ categories.

USPC Jain Public School stood second in under-16 boys and stood third in under-19 boys and girls’ categories. BCM Senior Secondary School got second and third prize in under-16 and under-19 girls’ categories. DAV Public School got third prize in under-16 boys’ category.

Khanna

Three medals: Students of Lala Sarkaru Mal Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir Khanna, won one gold and two silver medals in the 14th state-level sport competition organised by Sarv Hitkari Educational Society, Punjab from October 8 to 21 at Talwara.

According to a press release issued by Ms Anju Bhatia Principal, more than 2,000 students participated in the sports meet from district schools in Punjab. Vinay Bhatia of class VIII has won the gold medal in 400 metre race.

Rajbeer of standard VII won the silver medal in 80 metre hurdle race and Ritika Shahi of standard VIII silver medal in 600 metre race. Vinay Bhatia was selected for zonal-level competition to be held in Delhi in November this year.