Heat wave damages cotton crop
K.S. Chawla

Ludhiana, June 14
The severe heat wave in Punjab has resulted in heavy damage to the cotton crop and cotton growers have been compelled to resow the same in some areas. According to a survey of the cotton belt by Punjab Agricultural University, by and large late sown cotton crop and desi cotton varieties were the worst affected in the sandy soils of south-west districts of the state, according to vice-chancellor Dr K.S. Aulakh.

The so called BT cotton seeds procured from Gujarat by cotton growers have also been badly burnt by the severe heat.

Punjab Agricultural University had prepared a special strategy this year to revive the cultivation of cotton in Punjab as this could help in the diversification of agriculture and the income of farmers could also increase. But the non-availability of irrigation water at the right time has adversely affected the plans, said Dr Aulakh.

According to Dr Darshan Singh, Additional Director Research (Agriculture), and Joginder Singh, Head, Department of Entomology, the recent surveys on cotton do not present encouraging picture. The area under cotton was only 4.5 lakh hectares last year and was expected to rise by 28 per cent during the 2003 crop season around 5.5 lakh hectares. PAU changed the sowing time from mid-April to mid-May to April only as it was expected to help in escaping the attack of bollworm (American sundi ) and higher productivity could also be achieved. There was delay in sowing of cotton as water for irrigation was not available.

PAU experts explained that the area sown under the so called BT seeds from Gujarat increased from 3 per cent to 5 per cent this year. But this was more prone to burning due to heat wave and dry weather conditions. This had also resulted in resowing of cotton crop in some pockets. They pointed out that the late-sown crop was more susceptible to pests and diseases particularly American bollworm. Dr Darshan Singh and Dr Joginder Singh emphasised that availability of canal water for the application of first irrigation became more essential under the prevailing dry conditions to avoid further burning of the crop.

They further pointed out that PAU had not yet released any BT cotton variety and a number of BT hybrids were under testing at the university research stations. PAU had screened many BT cotton hybrids in the state and identified RCH 134 and RCH 138 as the most promising. Further research in BT cotton has been intensified to reduce the pesticide load in cotton crop.

Dr Darshan Singh and Dr Joginder Singh emphasised that the overall success of latest IPM (Integrated pest management ) technology in the state largely depended on the well coordinated efforts of all concerned with the cultivation of cotton including government policies. Availability of good quality recommended pesticides was another most important factor for economic revival of whitegold in Punjab. The surveys have also revealed that the majority of the farmers were not adopting the right type of application technology.

‘No direction’ from CCH on payscales
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 14
The recent controversy between Homoeopathic teachers and Dr Tejinder Pal Singh, Dean (Homoeopathy), Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, regarding pay scales took a new turn when one of the Central Council member, Dr P.S. Ranu, flayed the statements of the Teachers’ Association, stating that there was no direction from the council regarding the payscales.

Dr Ranu said all homoeopathic colleges in the state were being run by private managements without any grant-in aid from the government. Keeping this in mind the Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH) had issued a few guidelines regarding the payscales which was not any direction or order which could be thrust upon the private institutions by the university or the government. Even the government had planned to make a policy regarding the appointment of doctors and medical teachers on contract basis, who will be receiving consolidated salaries.

Dr Ranu clarified that the statement of Dr Deepinder Singh of Lord Mahavira Homoeopathic College was misleading and far from the facts as the Teachers’ Association had no locus standi and no teacher from any other institution was associated with him. Dr Ranu alleged that during the CCH inspections, it was found that many of these teachers were taking just one or two periods and were working as part-timers, who were receiving consolidated salaries.

He further said the CCH had decided to run postgraduation MD courses in Homoeopathy at Guru Nanak Homoeopathic Medical College from the coming session and the permission had already been granted for the same.

Little hands, stunning creations
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 14
Wonderful creations were put on display by students attending workshops in sculpture, art, photography, pottery, handicrafts, tie and dye etc, here today. The workshops were organised by the Kala Sewa Society, a voluntary organisation started with the motive of promoting art and craft in the city.

The Government College for Women, venue of the exhibition, wore a festive look with coloured flags beckoning the visitors. The society had invited experts in various form of arts to visit the city and teach students. The response had been overwhelming.

On the last day of the workshop today, the product of the 13-day hard work was put on display in different art disciplines. The students had displayed pottery articles made by them on the potter’s wheel. After the articles were baked, the students had enhanced their beauty by painting on them. Pottery was taught by two master potters, Shayama Prasad and his brother Bhuvnesh Prasad.

Sculptures made by the students were outstanding. Novice hands had sculpted wonderful creations during the workshop. Ina, Charu and Sheenu said Dr S.K. Kushwaha had taught them the art. They said they knew painting but did not know rudiments of sculpture. The coil method, which Dr Kushwaha used, helped them make pieces using different textures like wooden sticks, pencils and nib of pens.

Ms Anurita taught oil painting to students above five years. The bright colourful paintings spoke of students’ interest in art.

Various articles made by using age-old tie and dye techniques like bandehge, lehraia and new ones like abar, patang designs were superb. Bashir Khan from Jaisalmer had masterfully taught the intricacies of the art.

Young photographers were taught about camera and basics of photography. Mr Suresh Sharda taught them the working of the camera.

Little kids from three plus age group had used ordinary paper plates to make demons and jokers. Ms Harinder Chadha had taught the kids to convert soap cakes into colourful baskets. The children had made colourful shrubs by covering sticks with colourful paper and sticking beads.

Different designs of calligraphy adorned the wall of another room. Thanks to Anis Siddique, the students had made hundreds of samples of calligraphy.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab. Keen parents had queued up to see their children’s works.

COURTS

Three get 10-year RI for murder
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 14
A Fast-track Court has convicted Darshan Singh, Bhagwant Singh and Rajinder Singh, all hailing from Jaspallon village, and sentenced them to undergo 10 years rigorous imprisonment each on the charge of causing death of Dharminder Kumar by giving merciless beating.

Delivering the verdict, Mr A.S. Kathuria, the judge, held: “The accused have committed the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and as such they are guilty for the offence under Sections 304 and 34 of the IPC.” The court also declined the plea of leniency raised by the accused.

The accused were booked at Samrala police station on May 8, 1999, on the complaint of Ram Sarup, father of the deceased. He had alleged that his son had illicit relations with the daughter of Rajinder Singh, due to which his son was done to death.

Another person Avtar Singh was also booked by the police but he died before the presentation of challan in court. The case took a new turn when the police placed the main accused, Rajinder Singh, under Column No. 2 at the time of filing the challan in court, as Mr Gurmail Singh, DSP, had declared him innocent in an inquiry conducted by him on the application of the wife of the main accused.

But finding credible evidence against him, the court of Additional Sessions Judge summoned Rajinder Singh to face the trial vide its order dated August 31, 2000.

On May 7, 1999 the prime accused went to the house of complainant and called his son Dharminder Kumar. But thereafter he never returned. His father waited for few hours and after 10 pm went in search of his son but in vain, according to the prosecution.

The next morning the complainant again went to look out for his son. When he reached a liquor vend, near railway crossing of Jaspallon village, he met Gurpal Singh and Nachattar Singh. They told him that they had seen the accused beat his son up the previous night at about 9.30 pm. When they intervened, the accused threatened them with dire consequences. Dharminder succumbed to the grievous injuries on the spot. The accused then dragged the body to Malhipur village, as per the prosecution.

However during the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty but could not produce any evidence in support of their version. After appreciating the evidence on record, the court found them guilty and awarded severe punishment.