New storage technology launched
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 9
An evaporative cooled room designed and developed by the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Ludhiana, has been transferred to two tomato growers of the district.

This storage structure, given to Mr Surinder Pal Singh Patari and Mr Sukhpal Singh, was inaugurated by Dr S.M. Ilyas, Director, CIPHET, and Member, Board of Management, PAU.

The Director congratulated the team of scientists, Ms Sangeeta Chopra, Mr H.S. Oberoi and Mr Aleksha Kudos, of Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control Division, who have developed and evaluated this structure, and the farmers on whose field the evaporative cooled room has been set up. He hoped they would be benefited by safely stringing the vegetables and fruit, particularly tomatoes, in this store.

Dr D.S. Uppal stated that though the production of fruit and vegetables in Punjab was 7.5 and 19.6 lakh tonnes, respectively, the losses caused during the post-harvest period were up to 40 per cent, amounting to crores of rupees. Adopting such low-cost technologies could prevent these losses to a certain extent.

Dr Dhingra explained the working of the evaporative cooled room and also other technologies of the CIPHET. Mr Sital Singh said he hoped that many farmers would adopted his technology.

The evaporative cooled room (ECR), costing about Rs 35,000, has a capacity of two tonnes of fruit and vegetables, does not require electricity and has low initial investment and maintenance cost.

The ECR is able to significantly contribute to the retention of post-harvest quality by enhancing the shelf life.

Aulakh stresses food processing
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, Oct 9
Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Kirpal Singh Aulakh has said that 77 lakh people can get direct employment while 3 crore can benefit indirectly through an investment of Rs 100 crore in the food-processing industry. Yet, we are reluctant to tread this path.

Talking to mediapersons here today, he pointed out that there was not sufficient industry to cater to the food needs of the new generation. He said there was no substitute to food processing and we could not progress without it.

He said it was a matter of concern that the condition of farmers of Punjab, despite making a major contribution to the foodgrain supply of the country, was deteriorating. We must learn from this pitiable condition.

Dr Aulakh said only 2 per cent of the production of food was being processed, whereas in some smaller countries it was over 80 per cent. The percentage in Malaysia was 75 and that in the Philippines 70.

Students participate in debate 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 9
An Aao Bune Inter-School Debate Contest was held at Kundan Vidya Mandir today. he topic was: “Is emotional quotient more important than intelligence quotient”. Schools that participated were Sacred Heart Convent School, Kundan Vidya Mandir, DAV Public School, Guru Nanak Public School, BCM Arya School, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, GRD Academy and Atam Public Senior Secondary School.

Anubhav Malhotra of KVM stood first, while Akriti of DAV Public School second and Preetika Goval of KVM, Civil Lines, third. Neha Arora of BCM School was given consolation prize. The contest was organised by Vardhman Spinning and General Mills. Mr VK Goyal, Chief Executive, Vardhman Mills, said listening to diverse opinions was a refreshing and uplifting experience.

Shewta Tiwari, Vardhman’s brand ambassador, was the guest of honour.

EXHIBITION: An art and craft exhibition was organised at Sant Isher Singh Ji Memorial Public School, Karamsar Rara Sahib, on Saturday.

Students displayed various models. The exhibition portrayed interests of the students in traditional Punjabi culture, clay modelling, oil painting, pot painting, canvas painting, metallic painting and portraits.

The students and their parents took interest in watching the exhibition.

SEMINAR: English Point, in association with Genesis Immigration, has organised a seminar on courses abroad. In the seminar, information was provided regarding various courses and expenditure in 172 universities of Australia, the UK, the USA and New Zealand.

10-year jail for two
Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 9
The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr Baldev Singh Sodhi, has sentenced Jaswant Singh of Nawan Pind, Jalandhar, and Sukhdev Singh of Jaffarwal village, Jalandhar, to 10 years’ imprisonment for possessing a huge quantity of poppy husk.

The then SHO of Salem Tabri police station, Mr Waryam Singh, was present near Jassian village on June 9, 2002, along with a police party. He received information that the two were carrying poppy in a truck toward Quadian village. A naka was set up and the truck was stopped. DSP Manjit Singh Dhesi reached the spot and 36 bags containing poppy husk, each weighing 40 kg, were seized.

The two were arrested and booked under Sections 15, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act at Salem Tabri police station. In custody, Jaswant Singh disclosed that he had concealed three bags of poppy husk at a godown in Quadian village. The police seized the bags.

However, during the trial the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed implication. But after hearing the arguments of Additional Public Prosecutor Iqbal Singh and defence counsel, the court convicted the accused.