Biofertilisers a boon for farmers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
The Green Revolution forced farmers to intensively use inputs like farm machinery, chemical pesticides and fertilisers and replace traditional crops with high yielding varieties which dramatically increased productivity.

With the advent of these high yielding, input-responsive dwarf varieties of rice and wheat, agriculture in Punjab was revolutionised. But, the land has not been able to support the burden of intensive agriculture, says Dr S. C. Jain, a former Head of the Department of Food Science and Technology, Punjab Agriculture University (PAU).

The intensive cropping system gave birth to several ecological problems like lowering of water table in the central plain zone, water logging and salinity in the south-western zone, contamination of food commodities with organo-chlorine pesticides, pollution of groundwater, nutrient imbalance and an increase in severity of several insect pests, diseases and weeds, he said.

“These problems which beset the agriculture sector in Punjab forcefully demand that the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides should be replaced forthwith, at least partially if not fully, with bio-inputs like biofertilizers and bio-pesticides”, he added.

EDUCATION

Mini India descends on college campus
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
The lawns of Master Tara Singh College wore a cheerful look as more than a hundred students from different states attired in their traditional costumes mingled freely and danced to the tune of popular Punjabi folk songs.

This was the scene at the first day of the national integration camp that got under way here today at Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women

The camp was inaugurated by Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Minister for Higher Education and Languages. More than 200 NSS volunteers from Ahmedabaad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubneshwar, Kolkata, Pune, Delhi, Patna, Trivandrum, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Warangal, Patna, Udaipur, Shimla, UP and many colleges of Punjab, Hyderabad and Lucknow are participating in the camp. Mr S.M. Kant, State Liaison Officer, and Mr S.K. Sahni, Deputy Advisor, NSS Regional Centre, were also present on the occasion.

Mr Harnam Dass Johar lighted the lamp, a symbol of national unity and integration and the programme started with the shabad ‘‘Deh Shiva var mohe’’.

In her welcome address the Principal of the college, Dr Madanjit Kaur Sahota, while highlighting the need for national integration stated that such camps provided ample opportunity to interact, know about other states’ culture and activities. ‘‘NSS students from other states will get intimate knowledge of our Punjabi culture’’, she added.

NSS volunteers from the states presented different attractive songs and skits. Volunteers, dressed in colourful dresses of their states charmed the spectators.

MTSM College students welcomed the NSS volunteers from various states by presenting Malwai Gidha which was highly appreciated. Traditional Punjabi culture was also displayed on the college campus.

Mr S.M. Kant stated in his address that it was a matter of great honour that the camp was being held in Ludhiana. He persuaded the students to learn at least one thing from students of different states.

Mr S.K. Sahni, Deputy Adviser, also highlighted the importance of National Integration.

College students also presented a colourful cultural programme and the whole of campus resounded with 'Maiya meinu yaad aanwda' a song presented by Sarbjit Kaur. Mr Harnam Dass Johar, wished luck to the NSS volunteers and stated that ‘‘India is known throughout the world for its unique culture and such camps are the need of the hour’’. He also announced a grant of Rs one lakh for the college and Rs 50,000 for the education of the poor students. College President, Mr Swaran Singh, thanked all and appreciated NSS volunteers’ zeal, excitement and their feeling of national unity.

Principal Dr Madanjit Kaur Sahota in her address stated that students are the real wealth of India. She thanked everyone for gracing the occasion. The students of different states to whom this correspondent talked said they were thrilled to be in Punjab. They said,‘‘It is cold here but the warmth of the people have filled us with great joy. We are enjoying every moment of our stay.’’

605 science models displayed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
The primary, middle and senior section students of Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, Jalandhar byepass, participated in a science exhibition here yesterday.

On the occasion, 605 models were displayed. As many as 243 models were based on topics from biology, 174 from chemistry, 163 from physics and 25 from mathematics. There were some models on topics from computer science, including networking, e-commerce and e-business.

Some of the models included those on the World Trade Center, recycling of waste paper, burglar alarm, artificial snowfall and the Pythagoras theorem.

Pallavi of Class VIII won the first prize for a model on burglar alarm. Nidhi, Surita, Sonika and Simmi of Class VIII shared the second prize for a model on artificial snowfall. Third prize went to Sachinpreet of Class XII for her model on structure of bones. Consolation prize was awarded to Kunal Jain and Amit of Class X for a model on the World Trade Center.

Students taught traffic rules
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
To make children aware of traffic rules and regulations, an educational programme on traffic safety was organised for students of Sanatan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, here yesterday.

Over 700 students from Classes VI to XII attended the programme. Mr Jagmel Singh and Mr Sukhdev Singh from Children Traffic Park presented a talk on rules for pedestrians, cyclists and two-wheeler drivers. They explained the rules pertaining to zebra crossing and overtaking and told the students about the significance of various traffic signals.

They also told them about hazards of under-age driving, saying that it was an offence and should be avoided. They urged them not to jump red light and keep necessary documents while driving.

Ms Sadhna Sharma, Principal of the school, thanked Mr Jagmel Singh and Mr Sukhdev Singh for educating the students about the traffic rules and regulations. Mr C.L. Sachdeva, Manager, was also present on the occasion.