Keep abreast of changing priorities, farmers told 
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 22
The local branch of Punjab National Bank organised a seminar on the problems of farmers at Hariali Kissan Bazar on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road on Wednesday. The seminar was chaired by Mr Mukhtiar Singh Nijhar, senior regional manger of the bank.

Addressing farmers, Mr Nijhar claimed that the fundamentals of agriculture had changed over the past two decades. “Where as hard work and collective effort of the members of family accounted for the success of farmers earlier, it was now updated knowledge that figured ahead of other factors responsible for the desired results. Only those farmers could progress who knew how to exploit the resources available with them,” said Mr Nijhar.

Elaborating on the various schemes for farmers, he maintained that to survive in the field of agriculture one had to supplement his income by allied professions, including dairy, poultry, apiculture and pisciculture.

He stressed that farmers should avail of institutional loans for viable projects only.

Dr Pardeep Kumar and Dr Vinod Verma gave tips to reduce the input costs and increase the yield in the fields and farms.

Mr Pushpinder Singh, manager of the bank, Dr M.S. Lathar, regional manager, Hariali Kissan, and Mr Vijay Karane also spoke during the seminar.

Progressive farmers of the area discussed their problems during an interaction session.

Youth camp to focus on equal education opportunities 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 22
The first state-level Education Camp for Rural Teenage Youth Leaders of 8th, 9th and 10th classes of Punjab is scheduled to be held from October 30 to November 1, 2004, at Baba Isher Singh (Nanaksar) Senior Secondary Public School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Ludhiana.

Earlier, the district-level education camps were held from June 1 to October 16,2004, in various districts of the state. The prize-winning youth leaders (both boys and girls ) have been invited to participate in the state camp.

A scientific exhibition for the campers will be open from 9.00 to 11.00 hours on October 30 and Mr A. C. Sethi, DEO (S), will be the Chief Guest and the inaugural session will be held from 11.00 to 13.00 hrs.

Professor Darbari Lal, Dy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Principal Ram Singh, chief organiser, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Dr D. S. Dev, an internationally acclaimed scientist and former dean at the College of Agriculture, PAU, Ludhiana and Dr A. S. Sandhu, Director, Extension PAU, Ludhiana, have consented to grace the exhibition.

The campers will visit labs, library etc of Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar and R. S. Model School, Shastri Nagar, Ludhiana.

They will also get an opportunity to see the working of the Girls' Gurukul. Principal R. S. Gill and Principal M. L. Kalra will also address the campers at their respective schools.

Later, cultural competitions will also be held among the campers in various categories like group songs, skit, folk songs, naklan etc.

Mr Amarjit Singh Samra, Revenue Minister, Punjab, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, Mayor of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and Dr S. S. Gill, Additional Director, Extension PAU, have consented to applaud the participants of the cultural events.

On October 31, a debate competition will be held on the theme of 'Equal Educational Opportunity to Every Child, Especially in Govt Rural Schools- How?'

National award winners Gurmeet Sekhon, Kailash Dua and Amarjeet Kaur will be the VIPs for this session.

After the debate, the eminent educationists, national and state awardees of 2004, earlier winners as well as farmers, parents, leaders of the Panchayati Raj institutions will speak on the above theme. 

Notify quota for Dalits, union urges CM
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 22
The SC/BC Teachers Union has urged the Chief Minister to implement the 85 Constitutional amendments regarding the reservation for Dalits and make a notification as had been announced prior to the byelections held recently.

While addressing a meeting of the state body of the union at Bhogiwal village Mr Gurmel Singh Chandhar, president, State Coordination Body, claimed that the Congress had won both Assembly seats only with the support of Dalit unions. “It is now the turn of the Chief Minister to repay our debt and make the notification implementing the amendments.”

They demanded that new appointments and promotions should be done according to the amended law.

Mr Darshan Singh Ballowal, state organising secretary, and state leaders Harbans Singh Kalia, Balwinder Singh Latala, Balvir Singh Lehra, Dr Karnail Singh Kalia, Bant Singh Khatra, Bhagwant Singh Ranguwal, Sikander Singh and Harpal Singh were among others who spoke on the occasion.

Bakery show tickles taste buds
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, October 22
The Desh Bhagat Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Mandi Gobindgarh, has organised a 'Bakery Show' to exhibit the five-star recipes before the public and to make the students professionally competent

Dr M. S. Grewal, Registrar, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar was the chief guest at the show yesterday.

Dr Grewal said these shows played a very vital role in the development of the students as it not only helped the students to become professionals but also encouraged them to develop the instinct.

Dr Zora Singh, Chairman, Desh Bhagat Group, said the institute for the organised such shows and functions frequently. The main motto of the institute was to make the students professionally competent to face the world competition.

Ms Shalini gupta, Director of the institute, asserted that the government was promoting touring industry and there was a great demand of the hospitality- industry professionals.

COURTS

Seek sanction against doc, court tells Vigilance Dept
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 22
A local court has asked the Vigilance Department to seek sanction from the Health authorities for prosecuting Dr Varinderpaul Singh, Civil Surgeon, Moga, for his alleged involvement in a case of corruption.

In an order passed last month, the Special Judge, Ludhiana, Mr J.S. Bhatia, directed the Vigilance Department to seek sanction from the competent authority for proceeding against the accused.

Dr Varinderpaul had moved an application through his counsel in the court of Mr Justice J.S. Bhatia seeking discharge from the case.

The case has now been fixed for November 1 for next hearing.

The case involves the alleged taking of bribe by Milkiat Singh, a peon of the Health Department, from Kamlesh Kumari for passing her pickle samples.

The Vigilance Department had filed a challan against Milkiat Singh only. However, Ms Kamlesh Kumari had maintained that she had paid the money for Dr Varinderpaul Singh, the then DHO, Jatinder Singh and Manoj Khosla, both food inspectors and Milkiat Singh.

Ravinder, Shelly capture still moments
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 22
Two Chandigarh-based artists — Ravinder Kumar Sharma and Shelly Gupta — put 72 exhibits on display at Sutlej Club here today. The two-day exhibition was inaugurated by Mr Ranjeet Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepore, this morning.

The exhibition, “Journey through mediums and styles”, brings a unique opportunity for city residents to experience the transformation from the physical to the metaphysical.

The works are based on nature. The paintings that include landscapes and still life depict the involvement of artists with nature.

Ravinder Kumar Sharma is a seasoned artist and is a lecturer in Government College of Art, Chandigarh. He has held several solo shows across the country.

His paintings have been acquired in several museums.

Shelly Gupta is also a product of Government College of Art, Chandigarh. She held a solo exhibition in Chandigarh recently.

Her work in pastels have been appreciated by eminent artists and regular viewers alike. Her paintings reflect her passion.

She is currently teaching art in the Education Department, Chandigarh Administration.

She has participated in various state and national-level exhibitions.