AGRICULTURE

Foreign delegates visit PAU
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 18
An 11-member delegation of the Association of Food and Agricultural Marketing Agencies (AFMA) in Asian and Pacific countries visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Central Institute of Post-Harvest and Engineering Technology (CIPHET) here today.

The members were welcomed by Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of the university. Later, a meeting was held in which Dr Aulakh apprised the delegates of the agricultural scenario in the state. He told them about the cropping pattern and various techniques implemented for producing high-quality grain and harvesting the crop. Dr Aulakh also discussed various research projects, which had been accomplished by students and staff. He also told the delegates about extension work that the university staff had been performing pertaining to the marketing of the agricultural produce. To have an insight into practical issues regarding agriculture in Punjab, the members visited the Department of Soils, the Plant Breeding museum, the Farm. Power and Machinery Research hall and the Dairy Farm, Bio-technology and Social History museum in the PAU. Later, they also visited the Khanna grain mandi as a part of the study tour.

The delegation was led by Ms Nina Seth, Manager, Public Relations and Training, Food Corporation of India (FCI), along with Mr K.Siva Prasad, Senior Manager of the FCI in the Punjab region. Ms Seth said the delegates had come from Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines and Sri Lanka. Two delegates were from Noida and New Delhi.

Ms Seth said the FCI was organising a five-day seminar, “National food agencies : Challenges of the new millennium”, at New Delhi since December 15. She said as a part of the seminar, the delegates had been taken out for a tour to acquaint them with the agricultural practices being followed in Punjab.

61 schools to get computers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 18
As many as 61 government schools of Punjab will soon get computers that have been dispatched to the city following the efforts of Mr Ashok Kalia, a former Mayor in Derby, UK, at present a councillor there.

This was stated by Mr Avinash Chander Sethi, District Education Officer (Secondary), during a press conference organised at Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Bharat Nagar, where 290 computers were sent last night. Mr Sethi was accompanied by Ms Sudesh Bajaj, Deputy DEO.

Mr Sethi said Mr Kalia had arranged for some old computers from private companies in Derby and then sought an approval from Dr V.K. Singh, Special Secretary-cum-Director-General, School Education, Punjab.

Mr Sethi said besides 290 computers, 67 printers, three laptops, two CD writers, three scanners, one modem and other accessories, including speakers, had been received at the Dhandari dry port yesterday.

Mr Bajaj said technicians form Chandigarh would first test all goods. Then a meeting of all DEOs would be called in Chandigarh and a list of the 61 schools would be prepared as per the requirement.

Homoeo teachers continue agitation

Ludhiana, December 18
Teaching and OPD staff of Lord Mahavira Homoeopathic Medical College (LMHMC) continued their dharna outside the Principal’s office today. The agitating faculty members said that they have been demanding the UGC and CCH pay scales for a long time but the management had turned a deaf ear to their request.

The teachers said they were working for the cause of homoeopathy. They threatened to intensify the agitation if their demands were not met. OC

International Bar insignia presented to Governor
Rajneesh Lakhanpal

Ludhiana, December 18
A local criminal lawyer and Deputy Advocate-General, Punjab, Harpreet Sandhu, who became a member of the International Bar Association, United Kingdom, yesterday presented the lapel pin and insignia of International Bar Association, UK, to the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Justice O.P. Verma at the Punjab Raj Bhavan.

According to the convention of International Bar Association, every new member has to place on record the membership certificate and insignia before the head of the state concerned .

Justice Verma appreciated the achievements of Mr Sandhu and hoped that he would utilise this for the benefit of the people of Punjab. He added that there was a need to have a coordinated strategy to combat economic offences and cyber crime.

Women lawyers support Goel
Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 18
Women lawyers have extended support to Mr B.K.Goel, candidate for the post of president, in the forthcoming annual elections of the District Bar Association to be held on December 20. A press note was issued by these lawyers after a meeting.

The ongoing controversy of the elections of the executive body of Bar ended today with the declaration of returning officer Jaspal Chugh that no election for the executive members would be held. 

Photo exhibition on nature
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 18
Drishtikon-2003, a photo exhibition on nature by Mr TPS Sandhu and Mr Ranjodh Singh would be inaugurated at Sundial Hall, Sutlej Club, here tomorrow by Mr G.S.Aujla, Additional DGP and Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner.

Giving details of the exhibition, Mr Sandhu said the theme of the exhibition was ‘Love nature- To be happy, healthy and holy’. “We have tried to capture the moods of life. Our aim is to attract people towards nature through camera. We want the Ludhiana people to have a look at the pieces of art and appreciate them”, said Mr Sandhu.