Seminar focuses on Vanjara Bedi
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 30
A seminar on the “Contribution of Vanjara Bedi to Punjabi Folklore” was organised by the Punjabi Sabhyachar Akademi at Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women here yesterday. Three eminent scholars — Dr Pritam Singh Kambo from the UK, Professor Brahm Jagdish Singh from Faridkot, and Dr Nahar Singh from Chandigarh — were special invitees. Dr Surjit Patar, the president of the Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, presided over the function.

Welcoming the guests, Dr S.N. Sewak, president, Punjabi Sabhyachar Akademi, emphasised the need of research on folklore for the preservation of Punjabi cultural heritage. Kambo delivered the keynote address and highlighted the role of Devinder Satyarthi and Vanjara Bedi in the field.

Prof Brahm Jagdish Singh discussed in detail the work of Dr Sohinder Singh Vanjara Bedi with particular reference to his book “Addhi Mitti Addha Sona” and compared it to Sartre's biography 'Words'. He called him a great culture scientist. Dr Nahar Singh dwelt upon Vanjara Bedi's contribution to the study of Punjabi folklore. The students had a lively interaction with these scholars on the subject

In his presidential address, Dr Surjit Patar underlined the use of folklore and myth in Punjabi poetry. He also recited one of his latest ghazals. Mr Dr Anup Kaur Bansal, the principal of the college, thanked the scholars and the audience. Prof Gursharan Kaur and Prof Prabhjot Kaur conducted the seminar.

From Schools
Shabad kirtan marks school function
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 30
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Public High School celebrated its annual prize distribution function today. Mr Vijay Kumar Chopra of the Hind Samachar Group was the chief guest. Mr Suresh Chander lit the traditional lamp. Mr Harjit Singh Sidhu, project officer, Punjab School Education Board, was the special invitee. Some senior doctors of Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ms Kanta Sharma, founder of the school and Mr Rajan Sharma, coordinator, Punjab Open School, were also present on the occasion.

The school donated 10 sewing machines towards fund created for martyrs’ families. Mr Ram Ratan read out the annual report of the school.

Meanwhile, students of Shri Guru Hargobind Public School celebrated its annual function here today. The function started with chanting of shabad kirtan. It was recited by school jatha headed by Baljeet Kaur.

Tiny tots of LKG and UKG classes regaled the audience. Plays in English and Hindi, folk songs were enjoyed by the audience. The programme ended with giddha and bhangra.

Olympian Hardeep Singh Grewal chaired the function. He advised the children to stay away from drugs.

The Principal of Baba Isher Singh Public School, Ms Veena Sehgal, Mr A.S. Bansal, industrialist, sarpanch and panches of 25 villages also enjoyed the function.

Mr Manjit Singh Walia , Chairman, and Maj G.S. Ahluwalia, director, thanked the audience.

ABVP holds GK test for kids
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 30
The local unit of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP) today arranged a GK test for school students. The test was organised in two groups. Group A included students from class VI to IX and group B included students from class X to XII. As many as 1,700 students participated in the test.

The test comprised 60 questions based on lives of great personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Rani Jhansi, Guru Teg Bahadur, APJ Abdul Kalam etc, forty questions were from general knowledge and current events. It was a state level-test.

The ABVP is conducting this type of test for the past five years. Cash prizes of Rs 5100, Rs 3100, and Rs 2100, would be given for both groups.

Sacred Heart School organises fete
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 30
A fete was organised here today by Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar. The people had started gathering in the ground since 10 a.m. which was decorated with flags.

Joy rides like merry go rounds, pendulum, giant wheels were the main attraction of the fete. Games like hitting the target, bursting of balloons, lighting maximum number of candles with one matchstick, fishing, treasure hunt tambola and housie also attracted a large number of persons.

The stalls were selling Chinese, South Indian, Punjabi dishes and fast food like burgers, noodles and Manchurians. Funds collected from the fete would be used for underprivileged and the needy.

Panchayats’ control over schools opposed
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 30
The Government Primary Teachers Association has decided to oppose the government’s move to hand over primary schools to panchayats. At a meeting held here today, Mr Piara Singh Dhillon, the president of the association, said they would protest against the move by wearing black badges.

The teachers also condemned the decision of the state government for making it compulsory for primary students to pass in all subjects.

COURTS

HC sets aside PSERC decision
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 30
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has set aside the decision of Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) and has directed it to decide the matter afresh within two months after getting the proper information from the Punjab State Electricity Board.

This was stated by Mr Inderjit Singh Pardhan, President, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) in a press note issued here today. He said the CICU had filed an appeal in the High Court against the hike in power tariff order issued by the PSERC on September 6.

According to the CICU president, the High Court had further decided that the consumers who had already paid the amount as per the commission's order should be entitled to appropriation of amount upon fresh determination of tariff accordingly and those who had not paid the amount would have to deposit it as per the commission's direction.

Mr Pardhan has urged the chairman of the PSERC to summon and listen to all parties concerned who had submitted their objections against the proposed hike in power tariff pleaded by the PSEB before the Regulatory Commission. 

Bar poll fever grips lawyers
Rajneesh Lakhanpal

Ludhiana, November 30
With three weeks to go for the annual election of local Bar Association, the biggest body of lawyers in North India, poll fever has started gripping the lawyers. While the official process for the elections is yet to start, several lawyers have already declared their candidature for the respective posts.

The lawyers, expected to be in the fray, have already started renewing their contacts thinking that well begun is half done. The District Bar Association (DBA) has called the general house meeting on December 1, to choose the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers for conducting the annual elections. The elections are scheduled to be held on December 20.

Those serious in contesting the elections have already started campaigning. Many aspirants are asking their fellow lawyers and their well wishers about their chances of their winning the elections.

For the post of the president of the DBA, two lawyers have declared their candidature. They are Mr Balwinder Goel, member of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and Mr K.K. Bagai. Both can be seen campaigning for themselves. They have even started contacting and requesting lawyers at their homes.

The sitting Bar President — Mr Harish Rai Dhanda does not look interested in contesting the elections again. He has been remained the president of the DBA for the past six years and is also representing the lawyers in the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana for the third time continuously. Mr K.K. Bagai is his close aide. He is being termed as the candidate of Dhanda faction. But the Goel camp is doubtful whether Mr Dhanda will contest this time. A majority of them are of the view that at the last stage Mr Dhanda may file the nomination papers.

For the post of vice-president, a lady lawyer — Ms Kamal Jyoti, has started campaigning. Mr Harish Narang and Mr Bir Devinder Singh Sekhon have declared their candidature for the post of secretary. Mr Bikram Grover and Mr Deep Jot Singh’s name figures for the post of joint secretary.

Local artist exhibits classic reproductions
Asha Ahuja

Paintings by Manmohan Singh at an exhibition of his works in Ludhiana on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph