Training camp for kinnow growers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 11
A one-day training camp on ‘Plant-protection management of Kinnow’ was organised by the Department of Horticulture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, at Chhowni Kalan. Thirty-six kinnow grower took part in the camp. A team consisting of Dr J.S. Kanwar, Head of the Department of Horticulture, Dr Joginder Singh, Head of the Department of Entomology, Dr B.S. Chahil, professor in Horticulture (extension), Dr H.S. Rawal, senior extension specialist (PP), and Dr D.R. Sharma from PAU, Ludhiana, addressed the farmers.

Dr J.S. Kanwar, Head of the Department of Horticulture, in his introductory remarks spoke about the problem of citrus psylla and footroot in kinnow. He said although kinnow growers knew the control measures, yet they were unable to control these problems because they missed the critical stages of treatment. He said that farmers sprayed chemicals too late to control psylla. He said at the adult stage of psylla insecticides were not very effective. Moreover, it had already caused damage by that time. He cautioned kinnow growers to visit their fields regularly at the time of new growth during March and observe the population build up and act at correct stage. He also commented upon the control of footrot and fruit drop, two other serious problems of kinnow cultivation.

Dr Joginder Singh, Head of the Department of Entomology, stressed upon the regulated or minimum use of synthetic pyrethroids to avoid fly complex.

Dr Gurkanwal Singh, Deputy Director of Horticulture, discussed special problems like excessive bearing in some orchards leading to decline, root damage due to deep tillage, package for disease-free nursery production of kinnow, insect problems typical to the region.

Dr B.S. Chahill, spoke about the fruit-drop and its causes (pathological, physiological and nutritional) and suggested control measures.

Dr D.R. Sharma elaborated on the control measures for leaf minor in nursery, citrus psylla, whitefly complex and other pest affecting kinnow crop. He also answered the questions of fruit growers on mite and thrip infestation and attack of fruit-sucking moth and white/black fly.

Dr H.S. Rawal, discussed the effect of diseases on kinnow production. He explained to the farmers to distinguish between phyophthora gummosis (footrot) and diplodia attack.

Kinnow grower discussed the two diseases and shared their views with experts. Dr Rawal also explained the symptoms and control of anthracnose, stem-end rot and scab disease in kinnow production.

Kinnow growers appreciated the approach of PAU scientists to visit them in small group to educate them on their production problems. Dr I.S. Hundal, DES (SM), proposed a vote of thanks.

Rotation of group likely in PU Syndicate poll
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 11
Majority of the PU Senators who have to elect their executive body feel that the second group comprising Prof Satish Sharma from the Arya College for Boys, Prof Mukesh Arora from SCD Government College, Principal B.D. Budhiraja from Kamla Lohtia Sanatan Dharam College, and others including Prof Pawan Bansal and Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh from Chandigarh would take over the charge for the next year.

Amidst this speculation, it was being said the exact picture would become clear only a day before the poll i.e. December 16 when the Senators will hold their last meeting at Chandigarh. Currently, of the total eight Senators from Ludhiana, five members who constitute the present Syndicate include Prof Rajinder Bhandari from the Arya College for Boys, Principal Harmit Kaur from the Ramgarhia College for Women, Prof Amarjit Singh Dua from the Government College for Women and Principal Tarsem Bahia from A.S. College, Khanna.

The other local non-Syndicate members of the Senate who would elect fresh members are Prof Satish Sharma from the Arya College for Boys, Principal B.D. Budhiraja from Kamla Lohtia Sanatan Dharam College and Prof Jaswant Singh Gill from Guru Nanak National College at Doraha .

Principal Tarsem Bahia, Senator and Syndic, said he was supporting the move to hold rotation. He said he was not in favour of holding any elections and wanted that the second group of Senators should get a chance to hold a position in the Syndicate.

Ms Harmit Kaur, Senator and Syndic, said rotation was likely as no canvassing was being done this time. She said that she would get a better idea from the mood of the Senators at the December 15 meeting. Prof Amarjit Singh Dua, Senator and Syndic, also hinted that chances of rotation were maximum. He said the rest would be decided on the floor of the house.

Tasneem speaks on ‘Sundari’, ‘Nasoor’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 11
Students doing their Masters in Punjabi at Government College for Women had a chance to listen to the expert views on two of the course books prescribed for part 1 — ‘Sundari’ by Bhai Veer Singh and ‘Nasoor’ by Nanak Singh. The speaker was Prof. N.S. Tasneem, a retired professor of English at Government College. Besides studies in modern Punjabi literature (1980) and Qadiryar, a monogram, he has contributed 8 novels and 3 books of literary criticism in Punjabi literature. A recipient of the Shiromani Sahitkar Puraskar in 1995, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999.He is a former Fellow of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies.

Talking of ‘Sundari’ by Bhai Veer Singh, he said that Sundari was a romantic historical novel. The meaning of Romance is a tale of chivalry, tale with scenes remote from ordinary lives” and that is how ‘Sundari’ lived her life — adventurous. Prof Tasneem said ‘Sundari’ does not have technical aspect but narrates adventure stories of her exploits in great details.

‘Sundari’ is the symbol of truth in life. Those days she searched of right things and carved out a path of virtue and justice. Actually Bhai Vir Singh wanted to forward the heroism of Sikhs in battles with Mughals for the coming generation to know of their innumerable sacrifices. He was secular in his attitude. In one scene ‘Sundari’ tends to the wounds of a Muslim soldier. ‘Sundari’ is a beauty and her quest is to look for truth and she is in search of realities.

There is often a debate as to who is the father of Punjabi novel, Bhai Vir Singh or Nanak Singh. While Veer Singh had penned the novel at the age of 26, Nanak Singh had written ‘Nasoor’ at the age of 27. According to Tasneem, Nanak Singh is the father of Punjabi novel and he writes of social ills prevalent in the lower middle class. In the book ‘Nasoor’, the protagonist Mangtu struggles all his life. His tragedy is of a lost mother. His mother has not forsasken him but is abducted. But he has to live with the blot. Towards the end of the novel, he meets a prostitute, and wants to reform her. In this process , he marries her only to discover she is his half- sister. Shocked at his action Mangtu goes mad.

A student asked Tasneem how would he have ended the novel? He replied that Nanak Singh was a writer of great calibre and he cannot even attempt to think of another end.

Gurbhajan Gill read out a touching poem, ‘lori’. The theme was female infanticide. Later he said that writers should write such books that show the right path to society. Ms Kuldip Kaur, president of the Punjabi College Teachers’ Association, urged the students to keep away from drugs. Earlier, Prof Amarjit Singh Dua, head of the Punjabi Department, had introduced Prof Tasneem, who is proficient in English, Punjabi and Urdu languages. The principal, Ms Inderjit Kaur Gill extended a warm welcome to the guests.

Course on optical fibres begins
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 11
A two-week course on optical fibre technology applications was inaugurated at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, today. The course is being organised by the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering of the college. Fifty participants from the technical institutions of India are taking part in the programme.

Mr GK Aggarwal, Director, H.R. Bhatti Enterprises, New Delhi, in his keynote address reiterated the need for implementing latest telecommunication developments in courses. Mr M.L. Chopra, DGM (works), Bharati Enterprises, was the guest of honour.

Col D.S. Grewal, Principal of the college, highlighted the need of organising such courses and lauded the role of the department in this regard.

The course co-ordinator, Prof Nirmal Singh Grewal, emphasised the need for organising the course and elaborated on the various fibre optics techniques. Prof. Kanwaljit presented a slide show. This was the third short term technical course organised by the Electronics Engineering Department of the college in the recent past. The programme was sponsored by the AICTE. 

CMC holds Christmas candle-light service
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 11
A Christmas programme highlighting the birth event of Jesus Christ was organised by the Fellowship Department. The M.Sc Nursing Students conducted the programme at CMC Hospital Chapel here last evening.

The Director, administrators, staff and students of CMC, CDC, College of Nursing, DMRT and DMLT actively participated and were present in good strength.

The main theme was 'The Lord is my light' (Prabhu mera prakash hai). Christmas carols and bhajans were sung, presented by professionals, students and the Christian community at large. The Deputy Director (HRD), Dr Basant Pawar, was the chief guest on the occasion. He shared a Christmas message and greetings with the community present on the occasion. It was followed by a Christmas message in Punjabi by Ms Surinder Lawrence. The worship place and the entire institution was tastefully decorated to mark the occasion.

Doc sentenced; to pay 4.5 lakh as compensation
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, December 11
A private doctor of Raikot has been ordered by the state consumer forum to pay Rs 4.50 lakh to the family of a woman patient who allegedly died due to his negligence.

According to Mr Hardev Singh Sandhu, president of the state unit of the Kirti Kisan Union, Ms Narinder Kaur, wife of Jagroop Singh of Jhordan, complained of stomach pain and was taken to Dr Ramesh Jain of Raikot for treatment.

While operating on her Dr Jain allegedly cut her anus pipe which later on got infected. After the operation Jagroop Singh again took his wife to Dr Jain who admitted Ms Narinder Kaur as her condition started deteriorating. But later on the patient was shifted to Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana. The condition of Ms Narinder Kaur further worsened and the doctor of the hospital discharged her. Ms Narinder Kaur was taken to CMC, Ludhiana, where she expired after a week.

A case was registered against Dr Jain after a post-mortem of Ms Narinder Kaur. The doctor was sentenced to one and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 by Mr H.S. Grewal, Judicial Magistrate (First Class). Mr Jagroop Singh moved an application for compensation in the Consumer Forum which ordered the doctor to pay Rs 4.50 lakh to Mr Jagroop Singh and his sons.