EDUCATION

VC inaugurates training hostel
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 17
Inaugurating the training hostel constructed by Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute, at PAU Dr K.S. Aulakh, PAU Vice-Chancellor, appreciated the progress made by the institute in terms of imparting training in agriculture. The institute was inaugurated last year by the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Dr Aulakh gave an assurance to provide all facilities required for agricultural development.

In his welcome address, Dr Surinder Pal Singh Brar, Director of the institute, said Rs 30 lakh had been spent on its construction and the hostel had 24 rooms, of which 16 were air-conditioned.

Dr G.S. Nanda, Director of Research, Dr A.S. Sandhu, Director of Extension Education, Dr Darshan Singh, Dean, PGS, Dr M.S. Tiwana, Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr A.P.S. Mann, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Dr M.S. Oberoi, Dean, College of Veterinary Science, Dr H.S. Sehgal, Dr Ved Raj Sharma, Chief Engineer and Heads of Departments were also present on the occasion.

IGNOU starts courses in art, craft
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
Indira Gandhi National Open University has entered into in collaboration with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to develop courses in art and craft. An MOU has been signed between IGNOU and the KVIC to develop educational programmes in four areas.

Giving this information, Dr Umesh Chandra Pandey, Regional Director of IGNOU for Punjab and Chandigarh, said a large number of craftsmen and rural artisans remain deprived of the existing facilities of training and development.

Application forms for the programme are available free of cost. Photocopies of forms can also be used. Form is also available at IGNOU’s website: www.ignou.ac.in.

COURTS

Dissident group elects Bar members
Our Correspondent

Khanna, December 17
The dissident group of the Khanna Bar Association elected its office-bearers at a meeting chaired by Mr Jagmohan Singh. The group alleged that the group in power had rejected all proposals sent for compromise and rejected the nominations papers of some candidates illegally. The other group, however, claimed that the papers had been rejected as per rules.

The dissident group claimed that 63 members out of the total 91 practising members had attended the meeting. It said it had sent four proposals to reach a compromise at the meeting organised this morning by Mr Shamsher Singh Gill, president of the Bar. The proposals were rejected, it alleged.

Following the report of the meeting, it had called a parallel meeting, in which new office-bearers were elected.

On the other hand, the Bar Association claimed in its press note that 60 members had attended its meeting and the proposals were rejected but it was expressed by all members that the decision of the association should be honoured by the dissidents.

CULTURE

Folk dancers mesmerise Aussies, Kiwis
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
A 14-member Indian cultural troupe of folk dances and music with its group leader, Mr Ajay Kumar, sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, returned after a month-long tour to Newzealand, Fiji and Australia.

According to Mr Ajay Kumar, the troupe participated in the prestigious International Festival Asia 2000 in Wellington, Newzealand. Mr Cherpher Carter, MP, had appreciated their performance. The contingent performed Punjabi folk dances and songs which thrilled the audience in Auckland on the concluding function of the festival.

The contingent performed in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra in Australia besides giving scintillating performances in Suva, where Mr Laisevia Qorore, President of Fiji and his wife, former President K Mohindra Choudhary and Mr Jagdish Tytler were also present.

The team gave two-hour long performances and people appreciated them terming the performance as different.

The team consisted of Kulwinder Kaur, Gurjeet Kaur, Harmit Kaur, Mandeep Kaur Hunjara, Ashwani Kumar, Sukhjinder Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Satinderjeet Singh, Baljeet Singh, Binder Kumar, Randhir Singh, Gurwinder Singh and Prabhjot Singh.

Pak artistes to perform at SPICMACAY convention
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 17
This year’s winter convention of Punjab SPICMACAY will have the flavour and warmth of friendship between India and Pakistan. Artistes from Pakistan will join their Indian counterparts during the three-day convention being organised on the premises of Delhi Public School here from December 21.

The convention will start with a Sufiana presentation by Sufi exponent Rafaquat Ali Khan with dhol presentation by Abid Hussein. On the same day, Padma Shri Odissi dancer Kiran Sehgal will present a dance.

On December 22, a Punjabi play, “Buhay Barrian,” will be presented by Neeta Mohindra. Based on a novel by Amrita Pritam, the play has been directed by noted theatre director M.K. Raina. On the same day Indian and Pakistani artistes led by Kheta Khan will present Rajasthani and Sindh folk music.

On the last day, maestros, including Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt, Uday Bhawalkar and Ronu Majumdar, will make their presentations. Pandit Bhatt will perform on mohan veena while Udhay Bhawalkar, an exponent of dhrupad, will give a vocal presentation. Ronu Majumdar will play the flute.