The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Prize-winning science models on display
Our Correspondent

A government school student explains her model on automatic bypass for VIPs and ambulances during the district-level science exhibition organised at Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School for Boys, Millerganj, in Ludhiana on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Ludhiana, October 29
The prize winning models of seven sub-divisions of Ludhiana were put on display at the district-level science model making competition organised by the District Education Department at Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School for Boys, Millerganj, here today.

The main theme of the exhibition was ‘Science and technology in the changing world’. However, the contests were held under six sub-themes which included ‘biotechnology’, ‘food and agriculture’, ‘energy’, ‘information technology’, ‘industry’ and ‘transport and communication’. Two categories were formed under each sub-theme, first with students from Classes IX and X taking part in secondary group and second for students of Classes XI and XII taking part in senior secondary group. Besides these two categories, there were two special categories for the students from schools in rural parts of the district. In addition, there was another category with students taking part from Classes VI to VIII.

The top two models in each category that had won prizes at tehsil-level contests participated in the final competition. Various working and stationery models were put on display. The biotechnology had models on cardio-phone, DNA structure and mechanism of dialysis. The sub-theme information technology had models giving new ideas, such as those on water radar by Bakshinder Singh of Guru Nanak Public School, clapping circuit by the students of Everest Model Senior Secondary School and space shuttle by Surinder from Government Senior Secondary School, Dadahur village.

The sub-theme transport and communication had models on barrier passing by Gaganinder from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University, Gurleen from Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Doraha, displayed her model on ‘electro-magnetic spectrum and its uses for communication’. In the sub-theme energy, the students displayed models on use of solar energy for cooking and lighting. Pawan Kumar of Dashmesh Public Senior Secondary School displayed a three-in-one model in which he displayed the use of organic waste in cooking, heating water and in oven.

A variety of soya products alongwith their nutritive values was explained by the students of Guru Nanak Public School in the sub-theme ‘food and health’. Besides, there were models on contamination of soft drinks with pesticides and nutritive values of other optional drinks and punches.

Not just the students, even the teachers from six tehsils of the district, barring Samrala, had displayed their teaching aids. Through her magical revolving disc, Ms Kusum Lata explained the deficiency diseases along with their symptoms and remedies. On the back side of the same disc, she demonstrated how the students could check food adulteration in various food items and their observation tests. Besides, their were other teaching aids explaining origin of life, structure of eye, classification of plants and animals and the DNA structure.

Seminar on agrometeorology begins
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 29
A three-day seminar on ‘Agrometeorology in new millennium — prospects and challenges’, being organised by the Association of Agro-meteorologists of India, was inaugurated in the wheat auditorium of Punjab Agricultural University here today.

The seminar was formally inaugurated by Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of the university. Dr I.P. Abrol, former Deputy Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), presided over the session. Dr A.M. Shekh, president of the association, welcomed the delegates and said that the main objective of the seminar would be to discuss the role of agro-meteorology and its applications to increase crop production.

Over 167 papers were presented by scientists from all over the country working in state agricultural universities, Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad, Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, Indian Meteorological Department, and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.

In the first technical session, Dr P.S.N. Shastry, retired scientist and chairman of the expert committee of agronomy of the DST, spoke on ‘Interaction of weather in crops and animals’. Dr S.S. Hundal, Head of the Department of Agrometeorology and Agronomy, spoke on ‘Climatic changes and their effects on crop production’. Dr L.S. Rathore from the National Centre of Medium Rains and Regional Forecasting spoke on its activities and future plans.

Symposium on Hindi literature
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 29
A discussion on the dynamics of changing value system vis-a-vis Hindi literature was held at a symposium organised at SCD Government College for Boys here yesterday. Experts talked at length about the new and old values in the context of literature. Some experts felt that literature was losing its direction. The symposium was addressed by Maheep Singh, Kirti Kesar, Tulsi Raman, Arun Bharti, Radhyaeshyam Bandhu and Satish Kant.

During the symposium, the literary experts felt that literature had to be viewed in the light of changing values. They said certain values never lost their significance irrespective of the temporal factors, while the values changed with the changing times and they were culture-specific. “However, the fact remains that literature could not be isolated from changes taking place in the value system,” experts added.

Jalandhar-based litterateur Kirti Kesar said commercialisation had crept in in almost all spheres of life, including literature. “The scenario for the next 20 years is rather bleak. After two decades, there might be a shift towards something better,” she said. She also rued the lack of national character and analytical thinking in the new generation.

The programme was organised by the Hindi Sahitya Parishad, Punjab. Among those present included SCD Government College Principal V.P. Gaur, Principal M.L. Anand, parishad office-bearers and SCD Government College faculty.

Flower arrangement demonstration
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 29
The Home Science Department of Ramgarhia Girls College, Miller Ganj, organised a lecture-cum-demonstration on different types of flower arrangement using fresh, dry and artificial flowers and foliage here yesterday.

The demonstration was given by Dr Neelam Mehrotra and Dr Manjit Kaur, both from the Department of Family Resource Management, College of Home Science, PAU. The experts were welcomed by the Principal, Ms Harmit Kaur. In her address, she said such art developed a strong aesthetic sense among students.

The experts said they were pleased to be a part of the programme. The art of flower arrangement was losing popularity because of high cost of material used. The emphasis was on low-cost but impressive arrangements using material that was readily available and easy to maintain.

After the demonstration, the students tried their hand at various styles of arrangement. Wooden logs prepared by students of BA-I were also displayed along with the flower arrangement.

The vote of thanks was presented by Ms Ritu Sood, Head, Department of Home Science, Ramgarhia Girls College.