PAU shows working of latest machinery for kharif crops
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 6
The Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised a workshop-cum-field day on latest machinery for kharif crops at the department farm, near gate 4, here today.

The field day was attended by at least 250 farmers, extension engineers and farm manufacturers. Dr I.K. Garg, Senior Research Engineer-cum-Head, Department of Farm Power and Machinery, explained that the field day was being held to acquaint the farmers, farm machinery manufacturers and extension engineers with the latest technologies introduced by PAU relating to mechanisation of kharif crops. Demonstration of machines like self-propelled sprayers, vegetable transplanters, paddy transplanters and pulverising rollers were given. Demonstration on method of raising mat-type nursery using improved techniques like paddy seed was organised.

Dr Amrik Singh Sandhu, Director, Extension Education, welcomed the participants. He said the simple tools developed by the department would help farmers in promoting diversification in agriculture.

Dr K.P. Aggarwal, National Coordinator, NATP (Mission Mode), appreciated the efforts of the department for organising this field day-cum-workshop. He stated that participation by a large number of farmers, farm machinery manufacturers and field engineers would help in promoting mechanisation for solving problems. Farm mechanisation, if properly practised, would have the natural resource for a pollution-free environment and will help improving the lot of farmers by increasing their income. 

PAU releases tests’ schedule
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 6
Punjab Agricultural University has released the schedule of entrance tests for admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate courses for the forthcoming academic session.

Entrance tests for admission to various MSc courses in the College of Basic Sciences, including biochemistry, zoology, botany, fisheries, economics, genetics, physics and microbiology, will be held on June 12. Entrance test for admission to MSc (chemistry) course will be held on June 13. Those interested in joining Masters in Agricultural Business Management (MABM) will appear for a test on June 17, followed by a group discussion and interview on June 19.

The All-India Management Association (AIMA) had conducted an entrance test to the MBA course on June 2 on the campus. In all, 364 students had appeared for the test.

Dr S.S. Chahal, Controller of Examination, said the result of the test would be declared on website www.aima-ind.org in the third week of May. He said students getting 50 per cent in the composite test and 50 per cent in Indian and global environment test would be eligible for group discussion and interview to be held for 30 seats on June 20 at PAU.

Entrance test for admission to postgraduate degree courses in the College of Home Science would be held on July 6, for the College of Veterinary Sciences on July 16, for the College of Agricultural Engineering on July 19 and for the College of Agriculture on July 22.

Counselling of students seeking admission to the College of Basic Sciences would be held on July 26, for the Colleges of Home Science and Agricultural Engineering on July 27, for the College of Agriculture on July 29 and for the College of Veterinary Science on August 8.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) would hold a test for granting Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) on May 23 at PAU. The council would also organise the National Eligibility Test (NET) on June 23, 24 and 25.

NAAC awards A+ grade to A.S. College
Our Correspondent

Khanna, May 6
The local A.S. College has been awarded A+ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore. It is the only college of Panjab University which achieved this status. Out of 1,430 colleges, only 18 have been awarded A+ grade. This was claimed by Mr T. R. Bahia, Principal of the college, at a press conference here today.

Mr Bahia said the NAAC peer team made special mention of some features of the college in the report as “Encouragement and support given by the management to the institution for its functioning”. The team also praised the internal quality checks in all administration and academic activities, besides the cordial atmosphere of the college.

The NAAC team advised the college to introduce more job-oriented courses and pay more attention to research activities.

Mr Bahia said this certificate of excellence would open up great possibilities for the development of the college. This accreditation will also help the students passing out of the college in securing better placements, he added. 

SPORTS

Ludhiana score 378
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, May 6
Ludhiana lads set a daunting task before Amritsar, scoring a mammoth total of 378 runs in the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament (under-17) for the ML Markan Trophy at the Satish Chander Dhawan Government College ground here today.

Brief score: Ludhiana — 379 for 7 (Chinton Sehgal 42, Pankaj Kumar 97, Tarun Passi 51, Mukul Gupta 20, Gagandeep Dhand 73 n.o, Sushyant Kohli 19 and Yogesh 51 n.o; Gaurav 2 for 77 and Charanjeet 2 for 75). Amritsar — 12 for no loss (Saransh 10 n.o. and Rahul 2 n.o).