Minister stresses on use of Punjabi
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 9
Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries and Youth Services, Punjab, said that commitment to mother tongue is necessary to preserve Punjab’s cultural heritage.

Mr Kang expressed this opinion while presiding over the plenary session of a two-day seminar on “Present and future of Punjabi culture”, organised by the Centre for Communication, Languages and Culture. He deplored the tendency of speaking English or other foreign languages only to impress others. He cited the example of France, where people give due place to their mother tongue in their daily interaction and are second to none in the field of scientific and economic development. He suggested that efforts must be made to bring back our young generation to the fold of traditional Punjabi culture by organising such seminars and producing documentaries audio and video cassettes depicting various aspects of traditional Punjabi culture.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said that due to the balanced emphasis given by the university to develop the overall personality of the students, they had excelled not only in academic field but also in sports and arts. He expressed confidence that the research papers presented by the academicians in the seminar would go a long way in understanding the present predicament of the Punjabi culture. He recalled the contribution of Dr Mohinder Singh Randhawa, former Vice-Chancellor, PAU, in the preservation of Punjabi culture by establishing the Museum of Rural History of Punjab.

Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, stressed the need for scientific understanding of culture. He appreciated the efforts of the centre for communication, languages and culture for bringing eminent personalities in the field of culture on a single platform to discuss the state of affairs and the future directions in the Punjabi culture.

Dr S.S. Gill, Additional Director of Extension Education, Centre for Communication, Languages and Culture, welcomed Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Dr S.P. Singh, Dr K.S. Aulakh and other academicians on the occasion.

Dr Surjit Singh Patar, convener of the seminar, while presenting detailed report of the seminar, said that eminent Punjabi writers and thinkers including, Dr Satinder Singh Noor and senior faculty members from other colleges/ universities of Punjab and Delhi, presented the papers and Dr J.S. Grewal, former Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Mr Amrik Singh Pooni, former Chief Secretary, Punjab, Mr Gulzar Singh Sandhu, former Editor Punjabi Tribune and Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University presided over different sessions.

The students who won different prizes in folk singing included Gulrez Akhtar, Manpreet Kaur, Daljit, Jagjit, Liza, Kiran Deep and Charajit of Gurunanak Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, Rana Preet Gill, Abhishek Trikha and Avtar Singh of the College of Veterinary Science, Jaswinder Kaur of the College of Home Science and Satnam Singh of the College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, PAU.

Sacred Heart wins declamation contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 9
As many as 30 students from 15 schools of the district participated in an inter-school declamation contest organised at Kundan Vidya Mandir here today. The contest was open to students from Classes VIII to XII. Each school had sent two students for the contest, one speaking in English and other in Hindi. The topics selected for the contest were relevant and thought provoking. Popular topics that the students spoke on were ‘Modern children minus childhood’, ‘Short term gains, ruin long-term progress’, ‘In isolation we stagnate, with interaction we grow’ and ‘Multi-media — the latest bane of modern society’.

For Hindi speakers, the topics were ‘Paravarik parivesh: gharelu dharavahik’, ‘Manushya ka sarvotam mitra- uski das ungliyan’, ‘Har or vigyapanon se ghire hain hum’ and ‘Jo sabka muhn taka karte, mile unhein majhdhar hai, banein swavlambi jeevan mein to nishchit hi udhar hai’.

Dr Varinder Kaur Thind, Principal, Khalsa College for Women, was the chief guest. The judges were Mr Rajinder Singh, Mr Parihar, Mr Vishav Bandhu Sudhir, Ms Rashmi Grover and Ms Sarita Saxena. Ms Neena Khanna, Principal, gave prizes to the winners.

Among the speakers in English, Tripat Simran Kaur from GGN Public School, stood first. Preeti Lamba from Kundan Vidya Mandir was declared second. Shireen Bhat from Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, won the third prize. Consolation prizes went to Sania from BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, and Lydia Abraham from CFC Public School.

Hemant Sagar from Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, clinched the first prize among the Hindi speakers. Jagriti Sharma from Kundan Vidya Mandir won second prize. Neelu from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Police Public School, Phillaur, won third prize. Consolation prizes went to Anirudh Puri from Spring Dale Public School and Manpreet Kaur from GGN Public School. The overall trophy went to the team of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar.

Govt teachers to hold rally
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 9
Condemning against the decision of the Punjab Government to hand over the control of government rural schools to the panchayats and setting up of elementary directorate, the Save Primary Education Front, Punjab, has decided to hold a protest rally on November 1.

Stating this after a meeting held here today, Mr Pritpal Singh, its convener, said in case Ms Sonia Gandhi visited Punjab for making such declaration before the rally, the members would observe the day as black day.

The front also released letters of demands to Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister; Justice O.P. Verma (retd), Governor; Mr Khushal Behl, Education Minister; and all MLAs. The teachers said that in case their demands were not accepted, they would go on hunger strike in front of the DPI’s office in Chandigarh. They said repeated efforts of holding meetings with the higher authorities had proved futile and they were now left with no other means but to intensify the agitation.

Exhibition of artefacts
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 9
It was zardosi embroidery all the way, used in new innovative ways. Zardosi embroidery ever popular generally used on sarees, salwar suits and shawls was given a new dimension at an exhibition held by Ms Meera Aggarwal and Ms Rashmi Karwa at a local hotel yesterday.

The women used panels of beautiful embroidery in mirrors, table lamps, lamp shades and photo frames. Strips of the embroidery were put to innovative use in making coasters and table mats. Attractive tasselled throws of brocade embroidered delicately evoked appreciative response from visitors.

Selective home accessories showcased various items ranging from exotic artifacts in silver ware, table linen, bed linen, Rajasthani paintings, cushions, quilts, and an amazing range of lamps, trays, mirrors, candle stands and photo frames.

Two women from New Delhi, Ms Madhvi Mehra from Ellora and Ms Jyoti from Silk and Silver, have brought exclusive Divali range made in silver. On display are many artefacts very delicately crafted.

Earrings, pendent sets, bracelets and necklaces in semi-precious stones also vied for attention from the buyers. “It is indeed a visual feast for eyes,” said Gurmala from Ritu Kumar outlet.