Khalsa College holds paper reading contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
The Guru Hargobind Literary Circle of GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, organised a paper reading contest on ‘20th century English literature’ here yesterday. Students from postgraduate colleges from all over the state participated in the competitions. All participants presented their exhaustive papers focussing societal trends and their expression in English literature. The overall trophy of the contest went to the team of SCD Government College.

In the individual category, Amandeep Mangat from SCD Government College won the first prize, while the second prize was bagged by Sumedha Bhandari of GGN Khalsa College. Arshdeep Kaur from GHG Khalsa College was declared third.

Dr Kulwant Singh Gill, a retired professor of English, Punjab Agricultural University, highlighted the literacy trends in the 20th century. Prominent among others who participated in the discussion were Prof S.P.Singh, Prof Bawa Singh, Prof Devinderpal, Prof Rajwant Singh and Prof Gurdev Singh. Mr Manjit Singh Khattra, Director of the college, said literature required introspection on the societal needs. Ms Harbans Khattra, Principal, and Prof Surinder Singh, Head of English Department, passed the vote of thanks.

Course concludes: A six-week Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) course being conducted for the students of Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT), Model Town, concluded here yesterday. The students of BCA and MCA classes attended the course to get indepth knowledge of wide area network (WAN). Director of the institute, said that the course would prove to be useful for trainees, who would opt to work as Technical Support Engineers (TSEs) in various call centres.

2-day programme: A two-day programme on ‘Self-motivation and personality development’ was conducted at JLN Government Girls’ College, Amloh, to help students improve their communication skills. The speakers on the occasion were Ms Navdeep Grewal, Mr Mittar Bhardwaj, Mr Maninder Singh and Mr Harpreet Singh from Punjab Institute of Management and Technology, Mandi Gobindgarh. Ms Grewal emphasised that self-motivation was the basic ingredient for success.

Seminar on consumer awareness
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
A seminar on consumer awareness was organised by the Department of Commerce and Economic, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, here yesterday.

Prof P.S. Bhogal, a senior lecturer of the Postgraduate Department of Political Science of Arya College, and Ms Ranjana Sood, lecturer in economics of the SDP College for Women, addressed the students on consumer awareness and consumer sovereignty.

While talking about “consumer awareness”, Prof Bhogal also discussed the role of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organisation in protecting consumer rights at the global level in 1985. Ms Ranjana Sood talked about consumer sovereignty. Ms Anup Kaur Bansal, Principal of th host college, presided over the seminar.

Uniform designation for PAU faculty members
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
The Academic Council of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has decided to grant uniform designation to faculty members and now teachers will be designated as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor.

Dr A.S. Joshi, PAUTA president, has welcomed the decision and has thanked the university authorities. According to Dr V.K. Sharma, Registrar of the university, the council has also decided that the medals given by the university and colleges to students will be known as gold medals.

Puran Anand Adlakha Medals for botany, zoology and microbiology and G.S. Sidhu Medals for animal nutrition and biochemistry have been instituted. The Kehar Singh Roopa Award for wards of non-teaching staff has also been instituted, along with two Tagra-Batra scholarships.

COURTS

Summons issued against cop
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
The case of a local industrialist Maninder Singh took a new turn when a local court ordered summons against the Inspector, Shamsher Singh Guddu and a close relative of a senior BJP leader.

Rajiv Sharma, a close relative of a senior BJP leader, and the inspector were ordered to face trial by the Additional Sessions Judge-cum-presiding officer of the Fast Track Court, Mr Sunil Arora. The judge fixed January 23 for their appearance in the court.

Pronouncing the orders, Mr Arora held that, “A perusal of the facts of the case as well as the statement of Pritpal Kaur depicts that the accused, Rajiv Sharma and Shamsher Singh, are liable to be tried, along with the other accused.”

A case under Sections 457, 380, 342, 452, 436 and 506 of the IPC had been registered at division no 6 police station in 1995 following a complaint lodged by Pritpal Kaur. In her complaint, she had stated that her husband Maninder Singh and his brothers were running business under the name and style of M/s Metal Furnishing Centre in the industrial area and another factory, M/s Micron Tools in partnership with Kamal Singh.

She had alleged that on July 22, 1995, when her husband was away to Mohali, about 100 persons, including Kamal Singh, Joginder Singh, Harbans Singh, Manmohan Singh, armed with weapons, cranes, and trucks came in their factory. All these persons detained the workers in a room and thereafter on gunpoint, took away the machinery, stocks and other goods lying in the factory. Deposing in the court, Ms Pritpal Kaur also alleged that the accused police official and Rajiv Sharma, along with other accused, who had been facing trial, took away the goods and machinery on trucks.

It was also alleged by her that the Inspector asked Kamal Singh and Rajiv Sharma to go inside the factory, to bring the record and burn the same.

Thereafter, they burnt the record and threatened the complainant with dire consequences. 

Sharma re-elected Bar chief
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
Mr Shakti Sharma was declared elected to the post of president of the New Courts Bar Association for the second time today. He defeated his rival candidate Mr C.S.Mahendru by a margin of 17 votes. He had also been the secretary of the association eight times.

A record of 100 per cent polling was made in the annual elections of the association. The voting was done from 11am to 3pm under the supervision of the sitting president-cum- returning officer, Mr P.S.Mangat. Mr Sharma secured 48 votes, while his opponent got 31 votes.

Mr Paramjit Kapoor was unanimously elected vice- president of the association. Mr Ravinder Katyal was declared elected secretary. He got 47 votes in comparison to 33 ballots in favour of his opponent, Mr Kamaljeet Singh Parmar.

For the post of joint secretary, there was a direct contest between Mr B.S.Chouhan and Mr A.S.Neel. Mr Chauhan defeated Mr Neel by a margin of 38 votes. He secured 59 votes, Mr Neel got 21 votes only. Mr Dev Kumar and Mr J.S.Deol were elected executive members unanimously. Mr Pawan Aggarwal was also unanimously appointed vigilance member.

12 take part in ‘Dhee Punjaban-2004’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
Twelve contestants took part in ‘Dhee Punjaban-2004’, a cultural heritage contest based on Punjabi ‘pehrawa’, Punjabi ‘kitta’ and ‘sabhyacharak jaan pehchan’, organised by Punjab Cultural Promotion Council, at the Partap College of Education, Hambran Road, here today.

Prof Davinder Singh Chhina, chairman of the council, said the main objective was to promote Punjabi culture, heritage and folklore. “More and more people are getting westernised and there is a need to make efforts to protect our rich traditions and culture,” he said.

Ms Harpreet, a contestant from Delhi, said she was participating in the contest because of her keen interest in Punjabi heritage. “I am enjoying myself here. We have to wear Punjabi jewellery. It is good to know one’s culture in depth,” she said.

Ms Manjinder Kaur, a contestant from Moga, said she was confident as she had participated in youth festivals upto the national level. “I am feeling good and have made many friends here. The contest is different as we do not have to expose like other contests,” she said.

The contest was divided into four rounds — ‘tor Punjaban di’, ‘kitta round’, giddha and questionnaire. Comedy items and folk performances were held. The guests of honour were Sarabjit Cheema, Mander Brothers and Major Singh.

The Virasat Awards and Youth Awards were also presnted. Mr H.S. Randhawa, Ms Amrit Mangat and Mr Gurmit Singh Gill were the judges for the contest.

Miss World Punjaban pageant this year
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
The next beauty pageant Miss World Punjaban-2004 (8th in the series) will be organised this year. This pageant is organised once in two years since its inception in 1993.

Disclosing this at a press conference, Mr Jasmer Singh Dhatt, founder chairman of the pageant, said the registration for Miss World Punjaban-2004 would start on February 1.

He said the event would be conducted in two parts consisting of seven rounds. The first part of the event comprising three rounds would be held at Chandigarh and the concluding part, which represents the final pageant, would be held at Ludhiana along with the remaining four rounds. He further said girls of Punjabi origin, regardless of their place of birth, between 17 and 25 years and above 5’-4”in height could participate in the event.

Mr Jagjit Singh General, secretary of the organisation, said the entry form for the event were available on the website : www.missworldpunjaban. com and all offices of the VLCC, Pioneer Hunday and Paul Merchants (Western Union Money Transfer of India).

He said the winner of the Miss World Punjawan contest would be presented with a gold saggi phul (an tradition ornament) and phulkari the pride of the Punjabans. The competition would also be for subtitles gidhian di rani, beautiful bride, beautiful eyes, beautiful smile, Beautiful hair, talented Punjaban.