AGRICULTURE

Farmers attend field day camp
Our Correspondent

Amloh, October 16
Burning of paddy stubble was not only a violation of the directive of the government, but it also reduced the productive health of the soil. The poisonous smoke polluted the air and caused many diseases, said Dr Barjinder Singh Rana, an extension specialist from Punjab Agriculture University’s Farm Advisory Service (PAUFAS), Patiala circle. Burning of paddy stubble in the fields resulted in the wastage of urea worth around 1.5 crore every year in the state.

He was speaking at a field day camp of farmers organised by the PAUFAS in collaboration with National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) at the farm of Mr Balbir Singh Jaria, a progressive farmer of Dharamgarh village here yesterday. Sixty farmers participated in the camp. Mr Rana stressed the need of integrated pest management, especially for rabi crops.

The experts encouraged farmers to adopt sowing of wheat crop using “zero till drill”. “It is used for sowing wheat in the fields of paddy without preparatory exercises and tilling. It provides double benefit to the farmers as it saves time and money up to Rs 800 to 1,000 per acre. The paddy straw works as manure for the fields”, they said. The farmers were advised not to use herbicides time and again to maintain plant resistance.

Dr Gurjinder Pal Sodhi district extension specialist (soils), advised to sow pulses and oil-seed crops.

Mr B.K. Chopra, Senior Manager, NFL, highlighted various innovations that could help farmers. Mr Balbir Singh Jaria said the ban on burning stubble had failed to draw the requisite results. Making farmers aware of the benefits of crop sowing through zero drill would help in checking the menace, he said. The government should also make alternative arrangements by setting up paper mills and installing plants to generate electricity using paddy straw, he said.

Mr B.M. Jagota, Area Manager, NFL, highlighted the significance of “neem coated urea”. He emphasised the need of judicious use of insecticides to reduce the cost of production and to minimise pollution hazards.

Mr Gurdev Singh Janjua, a former Chairman of the Block Samiti, Amloh, thanked the organisers of the camp.

EDUCATION

From Colleges
Divali mela at SDP college
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 16
SDP educational institutions, under the guidance of Mr Balraj Bhasin, president of the SDP Sabha, organised a Divali mela on the premises of the SDP College for Women here today.

The celebrations will continue for two days. The Deputy Mayor, Ms Sushil Gupta, was the chief guest of the inaugural function.

Students of SDP Senior Secondary School, Hazoori Road, SDP Model School, Qila Mohalla, and SDP Senior Secondary School, Basti Jodhewal participated in the function.

The Principals of these school, Mr Sukhdev Raj Davesar, Mr Jasbir Singh Chauhan and Mr Om Prakash welcomed the guests.

Mr Balraj Bhasin highlighted the importance of Divali.

Lucky draws were also taken out on the occasion. A cultural programme was also presented. The function started with Saraswati Vandana. Solo dances, group dances and mono-acting items were presented on the occasion.

The stage was anchored by Navneet Kaur, Indu and Tina.

Best students and teachers were honoured on this occasion. Ms Sushil Verma, Principal, SDP College, thanked the guest.

World Food Day

Students of Master Tara Singh College examine adulterated food items at an exhibition organised to mark World Food Day in Ludhiana on Thursday. — Photo I.V.

World food Day was celebrated by the Economics Department of Master Tara Singh Memorial College here on Thursday. An exhibition was organised to make students aware about food adulteration. Mr F.C. Shukla, a senior professor of Punjab Agricultural University, held demonstrations on the subject.

He said, “Brick powder is used to adulterate red chilly powder, whereas powdered papaya seeds are added to black pepper. Vanaspati ghee is commonly used to cut the costs of ‘pure ghee’. Flour is used liberally in sweetmeats and other milk products to increase profit margin. Used and dried tea leaves are mixed with fresh tea leaves and sold to unsuspecting consumers.”

Dr S.N. Tiwari, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mahinder Singh Pahwa, AFSO, District Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affair Department, Ludhiana, Mr Gurcharan Singh Panchi, secretary, Lions Club, and Mr Prem Grover, governor, Lions Club, also shared their views with the students.

Harpreet, a student of BA I, talked on the importance of World Food Day. Mr H.S. Sehgal, senior architect, PAU, and Mr Gurinder Singh, Inspector, Food Supply, were also present. Harneek Kaur of Economics Department compered the show. The Principal, Ms Madan Jit Kaur Sahota, thanked the guests.

Student injured during exhibition
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 16
The conclusion of two-day exhibition at Kundan Vidya Mandir turned sour when a Class XII student was injured in a chemical explosion during an experiment on volcanic eruption here today.

The student had put sodium preserved in kerosene in excessive quantities in a beaker containing water when the explosion took place. The explosives hit an eye of the student and this resulted in its inflammation. The attending science teachers immediately washed his eyes with cold water and rushed him to Dr Lajpat Rai, an eye specialist, who is also the treasurer of KVM Managing Committee.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Dr Rai said the boy’s eye had turned red and he was complaining of some burning sensation. He said he prescribed him some eyedrops and by tomorrow morning, he should be alright. A little later, the students said another incident of short circuting had taken place inside the exhibition. They said this occurred due to excessive load inside the hall.

Ms Neena Khanna, Principal, confirmed that the student had got injured but she said that he was properly taken care of by the attending science teachers. She said even after the student had been rushed to the doctor, another group of students and teachers was rushed after them to explain the nature of chemical reaction that had taken place. She, however, denied the occurrence of any incident of short circuting inside the hall.

Students participate in mehndi contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 16
Over 100 students of New Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, participated in a mehndi competition here yesterday.

Students were divided into two groups. The first group comprised students of Classes V to VII, while the second group had students of Classes VIII and Plus Two. The students were given three hours to apply henna on both hands of one of their friends.

In the first group, Sangeeta (Class VI) was declared first, Lalina (Class VII) stood second, while Richa (Class VII) got the third prize. Deepa (Class V) won a consolation prize.

In the second group, Ekta (Class X) won the first prize. Puneet (Class XI) bagged the second position and Prerna (Class XI) was declared third. Mandeep Singh (Class XI) got a consolation prize.

The winners were given prizes, while all contestants received certificates of participation. Mr Sunil Maria, president of school managing committee, Mr Karan Thapar, secretary, and Mr H.C. Gupta, deputy director and Principal, congratulated the winners.

Poetry recitation contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 16
A poetry recitation contest was held at GGN Khalsa College, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, yesterday in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. A large number of students participated. Dr G.S. Ahluwalia, coordinator, cultural activities, and Head, Department of Punjabi, welcomed the participants and encouraged them to participate in such contests to channelise their energy.

Principal Gurdip Singh exhorted students to come forward and exhibit their talent for overall development of their personality.

GNIMT declared best unit

Ludhiana, October 16
The Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Model Town, was adjudged as the best student chapter for the current year by the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) from among all students’ chapters of Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir region. The award was presented at the inaugural function of the sixth annual national convention of ISTE student chapters held recently at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. The institute has been awarded this distinction for its overall leadership qualities and number of activities organised by its students’ chapter. OC

COURTS

Man acquitted of murder charge
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 16
The Sessions Judge, Mr Baldev Singh, has acquitted Arjan Singh of Pehowa of the charge of murdering a rickshaw-puller, Badri Kumar, in May, 2001, as the prosecution failed to prove the allegations levelled against him.

The prosecution had alleged that the accused had injured Badri with a knife in Malhar Cinema on May 17, 2001. There was no eyewitness to the incident. However, the injured had told Badhni Kumar, an employee of the cinema, that the injuries were caused by the accused.

The injured was admitted to the Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries on May 22. Thereafter, the accused was booked under Section 302 of the IPC. However, the charges against the accused could not be proved, which resulted into his acquittal.