PAU scholar wins prize in international contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 6
Harmandeep Singh Khurana, a PhD scholar in the Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, has won the third prize in the Maulana Azad International Essay Competition-2002, conducted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

He will be awarded Rs 15,000 and a certificate at a ceremony in New Delhi on November 11, the birth anniversary of Maulana Azad, by the President of India. Harmandeep won this prestigious international award, instituted by the Government of India in 1989, for his essay, “The Impact of technology on society”.

An eminent jury including Romila Thapar and Gopal Gandhi adjudged the participants. Harmandeep is the lone Indian student to have been selected in the English category for this award. Last year, Harmandeep won the “honorable mention” award (for the world’s top 10 essays) in the international essay writing competition organised by the United Nations.

He is also the recipient of the M.S. Randhawa medal and Dr Sukhdev Singh prize for best essay writing. Harmandeep was recently honoured with a gold medal for topping the MSc (Soils) examinations and the Mr Kartar Singh Kahlon gold medal for the best allround postgraduate student of the agriculture college.

Shivani, Cheenu excel in MBA exam
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 6
Shivani Bector and Cheenu Garg, both students of MBA course at the Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE), have secured the first and second positions, respectively, in the fourth semester examinations conducted by Punjab Technical University this year.

Nidhi Khanna and Manveen Kaur of GGNIMT bagged the third and fourth positions, respectively. Shveta Kapoor, also from PCTE, shared the fourth rank with Manveen while Monica, another PCTE student, secured the fifth position in the university merit list.

Shivani scored 709 marks (88.6 per cent) out of 800, while Cheenu scored 707 marks. Shveta and Monica scored 694 and 693 marks, respectively.

Dr K.N.S. Kang, Director of PCTE, said the disciplined approach of the students had led to their success.

Seminars on IT in govt schools
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 6
To bring about awareness regarding information technology and its applications among the students of government schools in the district ECIT computer centre has started a series of seminars from today.

The first seminar in the series was held at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Model Town. Students of classes X to XII attended the seminar. The students were told about various kinds of job opportunities after learning hardware, software and web techniques. They were also apprised of various online jobs.

Mr Rohtas Singh, manager, Education and Training Division, said for the upliftment of Scheduled Caste and backward class students, the centre was offering various courses on a concession. He said seminars would be held at Government Senior Secondary School for Boys in Jawahar Nagar on Tuesday, at Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Bharat Nagar on Wednesday, at Government Senior Secondary School for Girls in Jawahar Nagar on Thursday.

On Saturday the seminar is scheduled to be held at Government Model Senior Secondary School at Dholewal Chowk and on October 15 at Malwa Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Model Gram. 

Computer training programme concludes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 6
A six-week project training programme being conducted at the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT), Model Town, concluded here today. The training programme imparted application skills on visual basic, oracle and MS access to students of BCA and MCA. Nearly 20 students participated in the programme and learnt basic applications along with their practical use. The students said the programme helped them in upgrading their knowledge in various relevant fields.

The institute will begin another training programme on cisco certified network associate (CCNA). The course is open for students as well as outsiders. Nearly 20 students have been already got themselves registered for the course.

Dr A.S. Bansal, Director of the institute, said the low registration fee ensured that maximum number of students are able to grab the opportunity.

Cadets’ night celebrated
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 6
The PVSC and CATC 2003 being held at Doraha is drawing to a close. A cadets’ night was celebrated yesterday. The Director of NCC, Punjab, Haryana, HP and Chandigarh, Group Capt Ajay Dudeja, was the chief guest. Cadets from various squadrons and institutions presented cultural items, which included group and solo songs, group dances, Manipuri dance, folk dances, skits etc.

The camp commandant, Sqn Ldr P.P. Singh, welcomed the chief guest. Senior cadets Pushpinder Singh and Jasdeep Kaur read the camp report. The Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, bagged the overall first position in the SD/SW competition and Nankana Sahib Public School, Ludhiana, won the first prize in Junior Division.

CULTURE

Rich Indian traditions inspire this artist
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 6
Her passion for art has brought her both name and fame. Seema Ghavri, a simple home-maker from Mandi Gobindgarh, is greatly influenced by rich Indian traditions. She is all set to showcase her creations of pots, murals, calligraphy, glass paintings and oil paintings at an exhibition at Lakshmi Ladies Club here on October 11 and 12.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Seema said, “I come from a very simple family. I did my graduation from this small town and had absolutely no training in art. It all started when we built our house. I had made some beautiful glass panels which were much appreciated by our family and friends. I was so encouraged that I started making paintings. I got a tremendous response during my first exhibition here last year.”

Today, Seema has several city-based buyers. “The Maharashtrian-Worli art has been much appreciated by buyers. Whenever I get time, I join short courses to learn more. Whatever I am today, is because of my husband and in-laws. They have always been very encouraging and supportive,” she says.

Her paintings cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 8,000, depending on the work and material used. “I book the orders and get my paintings framed from Chandigarh. I try to bring variety to my work. My traditional paintings include a colourful Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi with golden and silver highlighting. During Divali and Karva Chauth days, customers buy all these paintings and murals,” states Seema.

She feels that if you have a clear idea to do something, no one can stop you. “I have two small children and they, too, need my attention. But by the grace of God, I have been able to keep a balance between my home and my work,” she says.