Flower, salad and dessert contests at KVM
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 24
The much-awaited flower, salad and dessert competitions in KVM were inaugurated by Ms Rakhi Bhandari, ADC (Development), Ludhiana, in the school today. The competitions received an overwhelming response. The enthusiastic girls of home science and interior decoration exhibited not only their artistic skills but also aesthetic sense for every flower arrangement, salad and dessert. The judges for the contest were Mrs Neha Goyal and Mrs Veena Rai Dhanda.

Kanika Malhotra of Class XI-B displayed “Spring my way”, whereas Priyanka Mehan of Class XI-D was successful in presenting “warmth of love”. “Twilight hues” was presented by Sonam Ahuja of Class XI-D. Richa Kalra of Class XI-D also made a beautiful flower arrangement.

In the dry flower category too beautiful presentation were displayed. There was an attractive arrangement of “Spicy Indian heritage” by Ritika Sood of class XI-D. Adding more charm to the competitions, Swati Sood of Class XI-C presented an arrangement of “Warmth of sweet home”. Presentation of different concept by Janvi Kaur of Class IX-D, “Lifeless still lively” was really eye-catching. Marvellous arrangement by Sharin Bawa of Class IX-E, “Beauty hidden in dryness” left an indelible impression.

In the salad making and dessert-making contest, too, everyone tried their best to show their talent. Beans salad with jellies made by Vidushi Jain was really worth praising with the quotations “Kemche”. The mind-blowing design of “Macaroni salad” was really mouth-watering. Healthy mind stays in healthy body and healthy body comes from nutritious food this proverb was made true by Priyanaka of Class XII-D by making “Healthy couple salad”. Pasta, macaroni and peanuts salad prepared by Tarundeep of Class IX-A was really out of imagination. Spicy salad makes man always greedy, proving this was salad “Khatta meetha” prepared by Neha of Class XI-F. Cake custard pudding with dip of crunch was made by Shilpa of Class IX-A. The taste of mixed fruit pudding was given by Kangan of Class XII-D. Mixed fruit creamland prepared by Jaswinder of Class XI-E was really worth appreciating. A crispy, crunchy biscuit pudding was made by Tanu of Class XI-F.

Results:

Fresh arrangement: Id ka chand by Ritika Sood (1), love tears in the eyes by Sonam Ahuja (2), warmth of love by Priyanka Mehan (3) and love blooming even in terror by Annie Jain (consolation).

Special mention: Good caption — Kaash hum bhi itne haseen hote Niti Arora.

Dry arrangement: Feel the warmth of home by Swati Sood (1), a beauty in wildness by Isha (2), spicy Indian heritage by Ritika Sood (3) and Golden paradise by Akshi Jain (consolation).

Special mention: Good caption — Lifeless still lively by Tanvir Kaur.

PCCTU unhappy with bureaucracy 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 24
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) questioned the functioning of the top-heavy bureaucracy which has failed to implement the directive of the Punjab Chief Minister on November 12 to hold an inter-ministerial meeting to pave the way for solving the problems of the colleges and staff on December 4.

The GM had shown keen interest in the poll premises — 95 per cent grant-in-aid and pension and gratuity scheme — but nothing concrete has come out, the union lamented.

Prof Kanwaljit Singh, secretary, PCCTU, demanded early decision on restoration of 95 per cent grant to the tune of about Rs 100 crore and implementation of pension and gratuity scheme as sent to colleges on December16, 1996. All the provisions of the mandatory UGC notification too must be granted. The agreed HRA and RAA for rural colleges should also be given.

The union had been compelled to resort to agitation from February 4 which would eventually lead to courting arrest during the Budget session of the Punjab Assembly. Earlier the union had postponed the rallies in the CM’s constituency on the assurances of the government.

A delegation of the PCCTU led by Prof. Kanwaljit Singh, met Mrs Preneet Kaur, MP, at Doraha today and submitted a memorandum.

GCW alumni celebrate golden jubilee
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 24
The Old Students Association of the Government College for Women organised a function to celebrate its diamond jubilee. Ms Preneet Kaur, MP, was the chief guest on the occasion. She inaugurated the function by lighting a lamp. Dr Inderjeet Gill Vasisht, Principal, Government College for Women, welcomed the chief guest and other eminent dignitaries.

A music and dance programme was presented by students of the college. The function commenced with ‘Shiv Stuti’. This was followed by a classical dance performance. Namrata presented a song, ‘Mein teri tu mera’. A choreography, Kya Isi Liye Payee Thi Yeh Azadi, a satire on the present-day condition of the country highlighting problems like corruption, terrorism, drug abuse, unemployment, left the audience spellbound.

A melodious ghazal was presented by Tarunpreet Kaur. Towards the end ‘Nagracha Bahi Re’, an item based on a folk song of Maharashtra, was presented. Ms Preneet Kaur addressed the students. She appreciated the performances and the efforts put in by the students.

Girls dressed in traditional Punjabi attire holding lighted ‘diyas’ presented a very attractive scene. Exhibitions were also held on the occasion. Girls danced and sang folk songs when Ms Preneet Kaur reached the exhibition room. A painting exhibition showcasing the beautiful art works of fine arts students was much admired. Eminent old students of the college were also honoured on the occasion. Those honoured were: Ms Manjit Sodhia, former Principal, GCW, Ludhiana; Dr Gurnam Kaur, Head, Guru Granth Sahib Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala; Dr Ishita Arora, SMO, ESI Hospital, Ludhiana; Ms Archana Puri, Judicial Magistrate, Patiala; Ms Gunjit Kaur, Assistant Adviser, External Debt Management Unit, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi; Ms Kultar Kaur, founder lecturer of the college; Ms K. Kapur, former lecturer of the college; Dr S.K. Mann, Dean Home Science College, PAU.

An inter-college music competition was also held on the occasion. The organiser of the event was Ms Neelam Sharma. Mr Anurag Aggarwal, DC, also addressed the students.

The guest of honour was Mr Vinod Kumar Goel, chief executive, Vardhman Mills, Ludhiana. Almost all colleges of Ludhiana and many others from all over the state participated in the event. The judges for the competition were Ms Avtar Kaur, Professor C.L. Bhalla, Ms Santosh Bhambhi.

Preneet silent on ‘sleaze scam’ 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 24
On the fourth day of ongoing diamond jubilee celebrations of Government College for Women, Maharani Preneet Kaur was the chief guest on the occasion. In an informal chat with the media, she said of the latest scandal about the involvement of IAS officer, Mukul Joshi with the Chief Secretary’s wife, Kalpana, that it would give the Opposition a handle to drub the Congress.

But when asked that it involved the hand-picked people of Captain Amarinder, she said that when he selected them it was for their professional competence and not for their personal life. She said that she would not like to comment unless the inquiry was complete. When asked about the misdemeanour of three Congress MP’s in Gujarat, she replied that it was hear-say and may be the media played up and sensationalised the matter.

Asked what she was doing about women empowerment and her contribution towards it, she replied, “We have roped in educated women to teach rural women. Education is the key to empowerment of women. In fact, education can solve social problems like female foeticide.”

She said Patiala had also lowest female ratio to male — just 762 females to 1000 males. 

‘Impart value-based education’
Our Correspondent

Doraha, January 24
Mrs Preneet Kaur, MP, attended the annual prize distribution and religious programme of Guru Teg Bahadur Senior Secondary School here today. Giving the inaugural address Mrs Preneet Kaur spoke on the quality of education and how the educational institutions could work towards this direction. She stressed upon the need for imparting value-based education.

Mrs Preneet Kaur said that schools and colleges should prove to be the real temples of learning and study. She said that polythene bags should be banned at all costs as they had adverse effect on our health and the atmosphere in general.

Mrs Preneet Kaur gave away academic prizes and Mr Tej Parkash Singh Kotli, Transport Minister, Punjab, gave away the cultural prizes to the students. Mrs Veena Dada, OSD, chairperson of the Punjab School Education Board, was the guest of honour on the occasion. She spoke on the rising demands of society and the need for providing refined education and inculcating good moral and social values among the individuals. She criticised the immoral scenes shown on different TV channels and said that religious education should be imparted in educational institutions.