AGRICULTURE

Seminar on advances in harvesting cereal crops 
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 14
The Department of Farm Power and Machinery organised a national seminar on recent advances in harvesting and threshing of cereal crops in collaboration with the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE) at the College of Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, here today.

As many as 100 delegates, farm machinery manufacturers, scientists from various state agricultural universities, Department of Agriculture, the ICAR and the Central Government participated. Dr S R Verma, a former Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering, and a former president, ISAE, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, he highlighted the role of the university and farm machinery manufacturers of Punjab for bringing about a revolution in harvesting and threshing operations of cereal crops. He emphasised that there were more challenges ahead and the advances made should be extended to other states besides the third world countries. The latter were still facing food shortages, he pointed out.

Dr V.K. Sharma, Registrar, spelt out the problems in the usages of combines relating to invisible grain damage and their non-acceptance in wet fields. He stressed the need for the development of a rotary and stripper combine to avoid any grain damage.

Dr N.S.L. Srivastava, Additional Director General (Engineering) and president of ISAE, stressed that the role of machinery in harvesting and threshing was very important. This helped in reducing drudgery in farm operations and avoidable losses in the field. This in turn helped the farmers in early sowing of the next crop, thereby, improving the productivity and profitability of the farmers.

However, there was urgent need to develop equipment for solving the paddy straw burning problem which was causing great environmental pollution. He also pointed out that investment on agricultural machinery was to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore, which was much more than any other agricultural input. He stressed that farm machinery manufacturers should bring out a product catalogue to help in sale in the country.

Dr L.N. Shukla, Additional Director of Research (Engg), welcomed the guests and participants at this event. Dr I K Garg, Senior Research Engineer-cum-Head, Department of Farm Power and Machinery, thanked the participants for attending the programme ad their invaluable suggestions. He also appreciated the role of farm machinery manufacturers for their enthusiasm.

All participants evinced a keen interest in the machines and implements developed by the department which were displayed on the occasion. 

PNB distributes Krishi Cards
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 14
To comply with the announcement made by the Finance Minister of India in his last Budget speech regarding issuance of Kisan Credit Cards to each and every farmer in India, Punjab National Bank, Raikot (Ludhiana) branch, in association with Gondwal, Boparai, Mallah, Mandi Mullanpur and Jagraon branches of the bank organised a Krishi Card distribution camp at Raikot (Ludhiana). Sarpanches, panches, traders and other farmers of the area were present at this function.

Mr A.K. Loomba, Senior Regional Manager, Ludhiana Region, was the chief guest and Krishi Cards amounting to Rs 125 lakh were distributed among the farmers during this camp. Mr V.K. Sharma, Senior Manager from Regional Office, managers and staff of nearby branches were also present on this occasion.

In his address, Mr Loomba claimed that PNB was a premier nationalised bank in the service of the nation since 1895. He said that in Ludhiana district the bank had 50 branches and had deposit base of Rs 1,450 crore with loan portfolio of Rs 1,100 crore. Out of these advances of over Rs 4,00 crore had been given to priority sector. The bank was marching ahead in implementing retail banking scheme i.e. housing loan, car loan, education loan, trading loan, personal loan, pensioners loan and Krishi Card loan scheme, he added. He further said that the PNB was celebrating retail lending festival season bonanza up to December 31, in which various concessions had been given. Mr Loomba added that all branches of PNB in Ludhiana district had been computerised.

Mr V.K. Sharma, Senior Manager (Development), narrated the salient features of the PNB Krishi Card Scheme launched by the bank. He said that all farmers having a minimum irrigated land of one acre were eligible under the scheme. The amount of loan limit was ranged from Rs 30,000 to Rs 3 lakh which was now enhanced to Rs 5 lakh. Rate of interest ranged between 11.25 per cent to 13.50 per cent. He told that all farmers possessing a PNB Krishi Card have been insured for Rs 50,000 under personal accident insurance scheme by the bank. Mr Sharma informed that the PNB had also started a insurance scheme for tractors with a nominal premium which provided a great financial relief to the farmers. He requested the farmers to come forward to avail the loans under PNB Krishi Card Scheme.

Mr Pal Singh, Sarpanch, Mr Nirmal Singh, Mr Mahesh Jain, president, Cloth Merchant Association, Mr Amarjit Singh, Sarpanch and other customers also spoke on this occasion and appreciated the customer service being rendered by the bank.

Mr Girdhar Sharma, Branch Manager, Raikot (Ludhiana), thanked the valued customers, chief guest and all participants for making the programme a success.

School’s annual function
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 14
The eleventh annual prize distribution function of Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, Ludhiana, was held on the school premises. The chief guest Mr A. Siddiqui (ADGP), Punjab, was welcomed by the chairman-cum-director of the school, Mr Rajesh Rudhra and other members of the Management. The function was presided over by the Regional Officer, CBSE , Chandigarh, Mr Yog Raj Sachdeva. Mr H.S. Siddhu, SSP, Mr Shiv Kumar Sharma and MLA Surinder Dawer were the guests of honour.

A new computer lab for nursery and K G children, a new library and a conference hall were also inaugurated by the chief guest, Mr Siddiqui. Mr Siddiqui laid emphasis on imparting value based education in the schools and said that the teachers must be the role models for their students. The school Principal, Mrs Baldeep Pandher, read out the school report and highlighted the achievements of the school. The students presented a beautiful cultural programme, including a Punjabi play, ‘Toya (a satire on materialistic society), a Punjabi ballet Heer Ranjha, bhangra, dances by tiny tots and Rajasthani dance, which was widely appreciated by the audience.

English oration competition at KVM
Our Corespondent

Ludhiana, December 14
An English oration competition was organised for the students of Classes I and II of KVM today. This was stated by Neena Khanna’ Principal of the school.

Two students from each section took part in the competition. The participants recited their poems on various topics such as individuality, a true friend, glorious morning, what shall I be to letters, postman, my school, etc. Such competitions are held to inculcate the spirit of healthy competition and to make the youngsters more confident.

The judges had a tough time in passing their judgement. In the end Ms Khanna, distributed prizes among the winners. The result of the competition is as follows:-

Class-I: Ist Mrinal Jindal, 2nd Purnima Jain, 2nd Viren Sood, 3rd Varun Goel, Consolation: Srishti Jain, Consolation Somya Jain,. Class-II: Ist Rashima Kapoor, 2nd Shubha Grover, 3rd Arpit, 3rd Ramneek Kaur, Consolation: Shuchita Gupta, Consolation: Ayushi Bansal.

Lecturer’s harassment: DSP visits college
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 14
The DSP (Sarabha Nagar), Mr R.K. Bakshi, today visited Government College for Boys in connection with the alleged sexual harassment case of a lecturer.

College sources said the DSP had not reordered any statement or took any documents in his possession. He had come to take a general understanding of the case. The DSP was entrusted the inquiry into the case by Ludhiana SSP H.S. Sidhu. The woman lecturer had approached the police department for justice in the case.

Sur Tal contest from Dec 20
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 14
In order to make the younger generation aware of the culture and tradition of Punjab, the state government’s Cultural Affairs Directorate has decided to hold ‘Sur - Tal Competitions 2002’.

The main aim of this programme is to motivate the Punjabi youth to participate in cultural songs and dances.

Professor Rajpal, Cultural Advisor, Government of Punjab, said in the meeting held at Ramgarhia College yesterday that such kind of competitions were being organised to wean the youth away from the western influence. The competitions would include folk songs, bhangra, giddha and traditional paintings.

The competitions will be held at five different zonal levels like Jalandhar, Faridkot, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Sangrur. Each zone will have a few districts under them. The Amritsar zone will include Gurdaspur and Ferozepore, while Jalandhar will have Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur. Faridkot will include Muktsar, Mansa and Bathinda and Sangrur will include colleges of Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib.

The three-day competitions will be held between December 20 and 22 at Ramgarhia College in Ludhiana zone. The ‘Sur-Tal 2002’ will be dedicated to Lal Chand Yamla Jat, the great Punjabi folk singer. The selection of participants for different categories will take place on December 19.

Professor Rajpal further said the winners at zonal level would participate in the final round to be held on January 23 and 24 at Mahendra College, Patiala. The finalists will earn the title of ‘rajya kalakar’. He further said that the Overseas Cultural Association and Punjab Sangeet Natak Overseas Cultural Academy would be main sponsors of this competition.

An evening of songs
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 14
Punjab Bhavan resounded with the soulful melodies of yesteryears last evening. The ‘hits’ like ‘Dil jalta hai to jalne do ( Pehli Nazar), ‘Puchoo na kaise maine rain bityee ( Meri Surat teri ankhen) and many such songs evoked nostalgia.

The programme started with a song ‘Aye malik tere bande hum (Do Ankhin Barch Haath). Mr B.S. Sra, of Ralson Industries Ltd. Mr N.S. Nanda, presidnet Hotel Association, inaugurated the show. Mr Pritpal Singh welcomed the audience and said the objectives of ‘Dhvani’ was to provide a platform to talented amateur singers.

The programme was compered by Raaz Thakur and a musical quiz was also organised for the audience. The artistes who mesmerised the audience with their stunning performances were Mohit, Ashimia, Ravneet and Randhir Kanwal, Anil Kumar.