Agricultural Engineer awarded fellowship
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 1
The Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers, at its 38th annual convention held at Dapoli in Maharashtra recently, awarded ISAE Fellowship to Dr S.S. Ahuja, Senior Agricultural Engineer of Punjab Agricultural University here, in recognition of his services to the profession.

Dr Ahuja is presently looking after the transfer of technology programmes of the Department of Farm Power and Machinery. He has made notable contributions in extension, research and teaching. During the last few years, his efforts have succeeded in promoting various state-level professional organisations.

His research contributions include development of wheat-straw combine, forage scythe, forage harvesters (both flail and reciprocating-blade type), maize dehusker-cum-thresher and peas bed drill etc.

In teaching, his contributions include upgradation and computerisation of tillage and traction research laboratory and development of various instruments and gadgets for traction studies.

He has also developed various training programmes for farmers, entrepreneurs and students, particularly relating to tractor and farm machines and entrepreneurial training for rural youth.

He had guided recently concluded national-level NATP project on “Socio-economic impact of combine harvesters.”

EDUCATION

Rs 2 lakh for school
Our Correspondent

Amloh, February 1
The development of relations with Pakistan will be very beneficial for Punjab and the credit for this must go to the statesmanship of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra, MP, said while addressing the annual function of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Senior Secondary School, Mandi Gobindgarh, yesterday.

Mr Libra said that the NDA government had taken the initiative to instal the pictures of Master Tara Singh, Baba Kharak Singh and Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Parliament.

Mr Libra announced Rs 2 lakh out of his development funds for the school. He gave away prizes to the brilliant students, players and participants in cultural events.

Mr Libra criticised the Punjab Government for withdrawing all the concessions provided by the SAD-BJP government to the weaker sections of society. He said the government had failed to implement the promises made in its election manifesto. Now in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the government had lifted the ban on recruitments.

Schoolchildren presented a cultural programme. Among others, Mr Balmukund, chairman of the school management committee, Mr Tajinder Singh Salana, general secretary of the SAD youth wing, and an SGPC member, Mr Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, addressed the gathering.

Make quality education affordable: Commissioner
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 1
Private educational institutions all over the state have been playing a pivotal role in promoting education and preparing the children to effectively face the emerging challenges in the fast- changing global scenario. However, there is a pressing need to make the quality school education affordable and bring it within the reach of common people.

This was stated by Dr Swarn Singh, Commissioner, Jalandhar Division while presiding over the annual day function of the local Gupta Model High School at Nehru Sidhant Kendra last evening.

The function started with the lighting of lamp followed by ‘Saraswati vandana’. Tiny tots of the school displayed their talents on the thrilling music in ‘Boogie Woogie’. The audience was highly delighted by Punjabi folk dance depicting the rich Punjabi culture. Items on Hindi pop music ‘taal’ and ‘dulhan chali’ were highly appreciated. A parody, comprising melodious tunes of the early 70s was also presented by the students.

The annual report highlighting the achievements of school was presented by the Principal. Later, meritorious students were honoured for excellence in academic and extra curricular activities by the chief guest. Standard IV was adjudged the best class of the year. Apart from this, 14 students, studying in the school right from Nursery Class and seven others were awarded for their full attendance during the year.

Dr Swarn Singh congratulated the Principal, management and members of the staff of the school for their tireless efforts while wishing them greater success in the coming years. The function concluded with a vote of thanks.

IGNOU holds teleconferencing session
Our Correspondent

Doraha, February 1
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on Friday organised a special video teleconferencing session between the university headquarters and field-level functionaries of the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan.

Dr Umesh Chander Pandey, Regional Director of IGNOU for Punjab and Chandigarh, said during the session, officers of the Department of Elementary Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resources Development, interacted with state project officials of the abhiyan, gram pradhans and school management committees and discussed issues related to the implementation of the abhiyan. Dr Pandey said the teleconferencing session focused on gender issues and education for girls under the abhiyan.

Dr Pandey said the programme was organised at IGNOU study centres, Guru Nanak Girls College, Ludhiana, Doaba College, Jalandhar, and IGNOU regional centre premises, ITI building, Bulepur Khanna, where functionaries involved in the abhiyan interacted with officials of the ministry and faculty members of the university over the network. 

Scouts lauded for saving 4 lives
Our Correspondent

Amloh, February 1
Scouts undergoing training at a camp at S.G.S. Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Anandpur Sahib, recently rescued four persons who had received serious injuries in an accident. Mr Shamsher Maradu, joint organising commissioner (scouts) said here today that a Tata Sumo and Maruti car collided on the Mata Naina Devi route near the camp.

Hearing about the mishap, they rushed to the place of the accident and provided first-aid to the wounded. Four profusely bleeding persons were given first aid and taken to the hospital immediately. Local people appreciated this gesture of the scouts.

The camp was held from January 24 to January 31.

Mr Marardu said scout masters and lady cubs were given training about first-aid, method of inspection, handicraft, hiking and tracking.

Scounts and guides Nirbhay Singh Kapoorgarh, Rajinder Kaur, Tandabadha, Amandeep Singh Bharpurgarh, Chandan Kumar, Mudadrian, Mukesh Kumar Sonti, Gurinder Singh Rangeri and Bant Singh Waraichan of Amloh sub-division were among the participants.

The participants visited Bhakhra Dam, Gobind Sagar Lake, Mata Naina Devi, Gurdwara Baba Budda Sahib and Gurdwara Kiratpur and Takht Kesgarh Sahib besides Khalsa heritage.

Contests mark Basant festival
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 1
A two-day ‘literary and cultural bonanza’ was held at MTSM College here yesterday. A number of colleges and schools, including Ramgarhia College, SCD Government College, the GN Khalsa College for Women, GGN Khalsa College for Boys, MTSM College, A.S. College (Khanna), the Government College for Women, Kamla Lohtiya, S.D. College, the Khalsa College for Women, BVM School, Sargodha National Public School and Sargodha Khalsa School, participated in various competitions like web development, cartooning, tabla, folk dance, quiz and histrionics.

In her welcome address, Principal of MTSM College Madanjit Kaur Sahota while highlighting the importance of such competitions exhorted students to spread Punjabi culture everywhere. The Basant festival is also being celebrated.

Mr Nitin, Mr L.S. Bedi, Prof Manjit Singh Kewal, Prof Manjit Singh, Dr S.N. Sharma, Mr Rajinder Raji and Dr Kirpal Singh were the judges of the today's competitions.

The Basant festival, along with cultural activities, seemed to be in full swing as audience enjoyed folk dances spellbound. Colourful dresses of the students gave a colourful look to the college campus which was tastefully decorated.

Mr S. Chatopadhya, DIG, was the chief guest. He gave away the prizes to the winners. Mrs Chatopadhya was also present on the occasion.

Results of various competitions are as follows :

Quiz contest: Harmeet Kaur, Deepika and Harpreet of MTSM College for Women 1; Rohit Singh Bedi, Vishal Gupta and Navdeep Kaur of SCD Government College 2; and Nitika, Glaxy and Veena of the A.S. College for Women 3.

Web development (inter-college): Isha and Neelam of MTSM College 1; Kunal and Sidharth of KLSD College 2; and Taruna and Preeti of Ramgarhia College 3; inter-school (one participant): Daisy Goyal of BVM Senior Secondary School 1.

Cartooning (individual): Jasmine Jawanda of GCW 1; Preety Devgan of GCW 2; and Poonam of KCW 3. Consolation prize : Auneet Singh of Sargodha National Public Senior Secondary School.

Folk dance: The MTSM College for Women 1; and Sargodha School 2. Individual (inter-college) : Rachna 1; and Surbha 2. (inter-school) : Gagandeep 1; and Harpreet 2.

Tabla (inter-college): Jaspal Singh of the GGN College for Boys 1; Vinit of the SCD College for Boys 2; and Amandeep Kaur of the MTSM College for Women and Kirandeep Kaur of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women 3. Consolation prize : Gurpal Singh of SCD College and Sohrab Singh of the Ramgarhia College for Women. (inter-school) : special prize : Jayant of BVM Senior Secondary School 1. Certificate of appreciation for Kumar.

Histrionics: Deepshika of MTSM College 1; Nitin Nayyar of GGN Khalsa College 2; and Kuljinder of Ramgarhia Girls College 3.

Cultural extravaganza on annual day
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 1
A colourful function was organised by students of Sacred Heart Convent School, Urban Estate, here on the occasion of annual day today. Dressed in colourful attires, the students presented various items including bhangra, bharatnatyam, giddha and other cultural dances. An impressive martial art show was also presented.

The function concluded with the singing of National Anthem.

Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, was the chief guest on the occasion. He gave away prizes to the students for excelling in various fields. Rt. Rev. Symphorian Keeprath, Bishop of Jalandhar, was the guest of honour. The Principal, Sister Rita, addressed the students.