World Bank team meets PAU experts
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 7
A World Bank team, comprising Dr Deepak Ahluwalia, Dr Derek Byrue, Dr Pal Singh Sidhu and Dr Karam Singh, is currently on a visit to Punjab to interact with government officers, PAU scientists and farmers for bringing out a status paper on the agricultural policy.

During their discussion with PAU experts, the team emphasised that the university must concentrate its efforts on policy analysis for identifying the distortions that stand in the way of the growth of agriculture.

Dr Ahluwalia pointed out that though the Indian edible oilseeds were highly competitive, the edible oil was not of good quality because of the poor and obsolete processing technologies used by the domestic industry. Restrictive regulations, he observed, did not permit improvements in the processing industry.

He, however, clarified that it was wrong to look to the government for financial support in view of high fiscal deficit.

During the discussion, the other areas that received the attention of the experts were pricing, conservation of natural resources, demand of cereals, subsidies and power tariffs and their impact on agricultural development in the state.

Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, remarked that the university recommendations such as those on the early sowing of cotton and processing of dairy products could fructify only if a conducive policy environment was created.

PAU to host rice group meeting
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
The Directorate of Rice Research of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Hyderabad, in association with Punjab Agricultural University, will organise three-day 38th annual rice group meeting at Pal Auditorium from tomorrow.

Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, Panchayats and Development of Women and Children, Punjab, will be the chief guest. Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, will preside over the inaugural session. In the three-day programme, scientists from allied fields will present papers on topics such as hybrid rice, rice in different eco-systems, seed production and salinity/hill rices.

Besides, there will be special sessions on topics such as ‘Use of transgenic and market technology in rice breeding’, ‘Quality rice for export’, crop production and crop protection. Dr S.N. Shukla, Additional Director-General, ICAR, and Dr G. Kalloo, Deputy Director-General, ICAR, will also express their opinion.

Students protest against US attack
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
Students and staff of the BNM College of Technical Education, Alamgir, yesterday demonstrated on the college premises against the US attack against Iraq and its people. The students wore black badges and held banners, carrying slogans “Mother earth needs peace not war”, “American greed leads to bleed”, “Blood is more valuable than oil,” “American hypocrisy kills democracy.”

Meanwhile, students of the technical college have decided to launch a website depicting the pain, loss, and destruction caused by war. The website will be dedicated to all those who have lost their lives in the war. The Principal, Mr Manudeep Kaushal, said those people who are interested to give their views on war in the website could get in touch with the college authorities.

120 students get prizes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
The annual prize distribution function of the Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Civil Lines, Ludhiana was organised in the college hall today. Ms Ravinder Kaur, Principal of the college, presented the annual college report. She highlighted various activities organised during the current session.

Dr. S.S. Grewal, vice-president, Khalsa Dewan, Ludhiana, and medical director, Gurdev Hospital, Ludhiana, was the chief guest. He gave away prizes to 120 students for participating and winning various competitions at college, inter-college and inter-zonal levels.

Shivika Lakhanpal (B.Ed) got maximum prizes. Manpreet Kaur got the best dancer (giddha), prize. Sukhjinder Kaur was declared the best cartoonist of the college. Babita Arora (M.Ed.) was adjudged the best artist of the college. Jasleen Kaur, head girl of the college, and Jatinder Kaur were declared the most active students of the session.

The most regular student of the college award went to Anuradha (M.Ed) for 100 per cent attendance

The president, Khalsa Dewan, Mr Pritpal Singh Grewal, the secretary, Khalsa Dewan, Mr Sudarshan Singh Deol, the assistant secretary of the college management, Mr Daljinder Singh, the treasurer Mr Gurdish Singh Grewal, were also present on the occasion.

Ghazals enliven evening
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
A mushaira was organised by the Gulistaan-E-Adab here last evening. Prof Niranjan Tasneem, a novelist, presided over the function. Kundan Aravali of Gurgaon was the guest of honour and was awarded a prize for his contribution to the promotion of Urdu. Jagan Nath Jain, a music director of the 50s, presented the prize to Kundan Arawali.

Mr Gian Chand Singla, an entrepreneur, performed the traditional ‘shamma roshan’ ceremony. Ghazals pertaining to various aspects of life were recited by participants. Bakhshi Ram, Jagan Nath, Dr Gian Singh, Gurcharan Narang, D.K. Sachdeva, Rajnesh, Tanhaa, Shabnam, Sam, Neelam Jyoti, Aarif, Salaam, Dr Bazmi were among others who recited their poetry.