Paeans to Bharatmata
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana September 7
“Love for the nation leads to the growth of virtues like sacrifice, spirituality and humanity in a human being. India is our motherland, therefore it is the duty of each Indian to be always ready to serve the country. “This was the message students of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, tried to convey through various cultural and other programmes, showcased under the banner of “Awakening Indians to India,” here today.

It was a complete event, including blood donation and eye donation camps and exhibits relating to different subjects under the guidance of the Director of the school, Father Davis, and the Principal, Sr Sobel.

The chief guest, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rahul Bhandari appreciating the programme said, “Such co-curricular activities are very important for an all-round development of modern day students, living in a highly competitive world. It is through such activities that a child develops his inherent talents.”

The White Gift Service, a forum of the school working for patients of Thallasemia found a special mention in his speech. He said students had done an appreciable job in collecting money for a noble cause by the selling of handmade bookmarks and cards.

Dances, skits and other cultural programmes, depicting unity in diversity of India were presented. Dr Ramesh and his team used this opportunity to spread awareness about social evils in society and awaken the masses towards eye donation. They urged the people to donate their eyes and take away the darkness of visually impaired people. Several people donated blood at the blood donation camp organised by Dr Praveen Sobti of DMC Hospital.

A panorama of the growth of India in various fields like science, English literature, social sciences, Hindi, Punjabi culture and computers was presented through charts, and working models. Competitions like rangoli, painting, mehndi, flower arrangement were also organised.

The primary section put across the message of “say no to polythene” and “save wildlife save environment.”

Subjects like mathematics and computers were covered in ‘’mathemagic”, a show where the students held a Quiz based on mathematical derivations. The Whiz Kids IT Zone, a presentation on computers, was innovative and enriching.

The multimedia presentation by students of the senior secondary section tried to awaken the Indians in the USA.

A teacher with a mission
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, September 7
Retirement can be a harrowing experience for many. Some, however, see it as an opportunity to serve the society. Mr Yash Paul Ghai, a retired teacher of Ludhiana, apparently belongs to the second category.

Teachers' Day has a special significance for this 71-year-old retired teacher. To mark the day, Mr Ghai, has sent a draft for Rs 1000 to the Prime Minister as his humble contribution to the National Foundation for Teachers' Welfare — a fund set up by the Central Government for the welfare of teachers.

Mr Ghai has been celebrating the day in his own way by donating a part of his salary or pension to this fund for the past 39 years. He had retired in 1991 from the Punjab Education Department after 36 years of service. He says,‘‘Teaching for me has been like a mission and not a mere profession.’’

During service, Mr Ghai worked for the all-round development of the institution— Government Senior Secondary School, Jandiali (Ludhiana), where he worked for more than two decades. He set up a parent-teacher association and a poor students’ welfare council at the school. He collected funds not only from others but also made personal contributions to these bodies.

Mr Ghai worked for the welfare of his community as well. Here again, he provided funds from his own pocket for the running of a newspaper reading home in the Harijan Basti. To promote the cause of education, he donated Rs 10,000 to the school on the eve of his retirement. He has never hesitated in donating money for a good cause.

Mr Ghai has also worked for the teachers’ cause throughout his career. After retirement, he has been actively associated with the Government Pensioners' Association and Public Cause, a social service organisation.

His wife, Jaswant, also a retired teacher, has joined politics and at present is state convener of the teachers' cell of the Punjab Pradesh Mahila Congress (I).

Alumnus’ mission PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 7
There are very few in the world who do not forget their alma mater and want to help it in every possible way. Dr Hakam Bhullar, an alumnus of College of Veterinary Science, Punjab Agricultural University is one of them.

Dr Bhullar, a millionaire veterinarian, who owns a chain of 10 veterinary hospitals in Canada has offered the authorities of PAU to help the students of college and farmers back home. He wants to provide financial help for updating the infrastructure required for the advanced research in veterinary science.

He has introduced low cost veterinary practice in Canada. Known as veterinarian philanthropist, Dr Bhullar started his first low-cost treatment clinic, the Atlas Animal Clinic in 1995. Oflate he is managing around 10 clinics and is all set to open another at Hastings.

All his clinics charge low prices for vet care for the low-income pet owners. He also performs regular voluntary work at veterinary clinics back home in India. After PAU Dr Bhullar studied Iowa State University. He immigrated to Canada in 1991 with his wife.

In Canada we have about six private societies that raise money through garage sales and donate to people who need it. The societies pay for the medicine and I provide the treatment free of cost.

If I am doing this for the people of Canada why should not I help my own countrymen?’’ asks Dr Bhullar.

“It is going to give me immense pleasure if the authorities of my almamater accept my offer. I will be grateful to them if they are willing to accept my donation for this cause.” says Dr Bhullar.

Government  College for Boys wins fest trophy
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 7
The finals of the much-awaited contest of guts, creativity and fun, ENIGMA, concluded here today at GGN Khalsa College. The overall trophy for the best performance went to Government College for Boys, Ludhiana. Results of various competitions are as follows:

Dumb Charades—Government College for Boys(1) , GGNIMT(2) and GNIMT(3).

Turn Coat—GCB(1), GGNIMT(2) and Arya College(3).

GK quiz—D.D.Jain College of Education(1), College of Veterinary Sciences,PAU, ( 2) and Government College for Boys(3).

Picto—Government College for Boys(1), GGNIMT(2) and GNIMT(3).

Story telling—Government College for Boys(1), College of Veterinary Sciences, PAU,(2) and GNIMT(3).

Sell it—GGNIMT(1), GNIMT(2) and College of Home Science, PAU,(3).

Mock press conference—Arya College for Boys(1), College of Home Science(2) and Government College for Boys(3) .

Group Dance—GGNIMT(1), College of Home Science(2) and D.D.Jain Memorial College(3).

Choreography—Government College for Boys(1), College of Veterinary Sciences, PAU,(2) and College of Home Science , PAU,(3).

JAM—Arya College for Boys(1), Khalsa College for Women(2) and GGNIMT(3).

Group song—Ramgarhia College for Girls(1), Government College for Boys(2) and College of Home Science, PAU,(3).

The chief guest, Dr Zahir, former Dean, College of Basic Sciences, PAU, Ludhiana, spoke on the occasion.

Scouts camp concludes
Our Correspondent

Amloh, September 7
Hundred selected scouts and 20 scout masters from Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts participated in a prospective scouts and prospective scout masters’ training camp at Tara Devi recently. This was stated by Mr Shamsher Singh Mararu, organising commissioner, in a press note issued here today.

Mr Bela Singh, joint state commissioner, was the leader of the course. Mr Jagdeeh Parshad from Fatehgarh Sahib was the district training commissioner.

Mr Sukhdev Singh, scout master from Gurdaspur, imparted training to campers in administering first aid.