Prestigious fellowship for PAU soil chemist
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 21
Dr Mukand Singh Brar, Senior Soil Chemist, Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has been awarded a fellowship by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. 

It is the highest honour bestowed by the academy on agricultural scientists. The academy selected Dr Brar in view of his outstanding contributions in the field of nutrient indexing, efficient management of potassic fertilisers and environmental pollution by sewage effluents.

Dr Brar completed his Ph.D in 1975 from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and joined the Department of Soils as Assistant Soil Chemist in 1976. He worked on deputation for two years with Potash Research Institute of India, Gurgaon, and initiated the systematic work to access the potassium supply capacity of Indian soils.

Dr Brar has worked with world-renowned scientist Dr F.J. Stevenson at the University of Illinois, USA. He has also received training at the Centre for International Agriversity Development and Cooperation, Shefyium, Israel. He had completed four ad hoc projects and is presently handling three projects as a Principal Investigator.

Dr Brar has received many awards and honours, including FAI Silver Jubilee Award 1989. Twelfth International Congress Commemoration Award, 1999, letter of appreciation from Department of Science and Technology. Punjab 1994. Dr Dalip Singh Trophy from University of Agriculture. Faisalabad in 2000. Fellowship of Indian Society of Soil Science in 2002.

Dr Brar has presented his works at many international forums in Mexico, USA, Canada, France, Israel, Pakistan, Thailand and Australia. Dr Brar has significantly contributed to the uplift of Indian Society of Soil Science by working as a counsellor of the society for four years and Vice-President for two years.

Dr Brar is life member of Indian Society of Soil Science, Indian Science Congress and Horticulture Society of India. His research work has been published in international and national journals of repute. Dr Brar has co-authored one book, edited two books and contributed chapters in books and published more than 125 research papers.

From Schools and Colleges
Students updated on career choices
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
A career exhibition and conference was organised by the District Employment Exchange in Girls Public Senior Secondary School, Muradpura, recently. The programme was organised with the help of the Satnam Sarb Kalyan Trust. Charts and books depicting information about various self-employment schemes, competitive exams, different careers in medical, non-medical, commerce and arts were displayed.

Ms Gunwant Kaur Principal of the school, welcomed the guests. Mr Kulwinder Singh, lecturer in Govt. Polytechnic for Women, delivered a lecture on ‘Careers in engineering and allied fields’. He specially referred the courses run by Government Polytechnic for Women. Mr Joga Singh, Project Officer Government Polytechnic Community Development Centre told the candidates about various short-term courses (one year/six month duration) being run by the centre.

Mr Ashok Kumar, Industry Promotion Officer, Small Industries Service Institute, gave information about various self-employment schemes run by the government. Dr (Ms) Kiran Grover, Associate Professor at PAU, referred courses being offered by the university.

Everest school wins: Students of Everest Public Senior Secondary School, Moti Nagar gave a wonderful performance at the science fair of the state and won second prize. At the state-level exhibition, the project was ‘Wet scrubber’ and the theme was ‘Recent trends in science and technology’. The model was prepared by Puneet Goyal. He was guided by Mr Mohit Sharma.

Gurjot tops in BCA: Gurjot Kaur, BCA fifth semester student of Punjab College of Technical Education, PCTE has topped in BCA fourth semester examinations of Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, held in June 2004 as per revised merit list issued by PTU. She has bagged the top position in the university for the fourth consecutive time. She has obtained 92 per cent marks in the final exams by scoring 632 marks out of 700. Anureet Gill of the same class has bagged the second position in the university exams by obtaining 88 per cent marks.She scored 620 marks.

In overall result of BCA 4th semester, PCTE students have bagged six positions out of first 10 in the university. Apart from the first and second position, Aabha Aneja, Swati Mehta, Varun Aggarwal and Monika Chopra secured the 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th positions, respectively, in the university.

Fake-degree racket: police remand for suspects
Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr G.C. Garg, has remanded two persons who were allegedly involved in the fake-degree racket in police custody for two days.

The suspects, Professor at DM College, Moga Roshan Lal Gupta and Surinder Kumar, Assistant Accoutant, Panjab University, were apprehended by the police of Division No: 5, following a tip off about the racket.

Police officials claimed in the court that the two accused were members of a gang involved in selling fake marksheets and degrees by stealing the same from Panjab University. Sometime they used to issue bogus marksheets to students in the guise of getting their results re-evaluated. The prosecution had sought police remand for interrogation of accused.

Gupta is New Courts Bar Association chief
Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
Mr Rajinder Gupta was today elected President of the New Courts Bar Association, in the elections held here. He defeated his rival candidate by 13 votes.

Mr Gupta secured 45 votes and his rival candidate, Mr Harish Monga got 32 votes. For the post of Vice President-Mr Dinesh Sethi was declared elected. He won with a margin of 18 votes. For the post of General Secretary- Mr Jagdish Malik, Joint Secretary- Mr Pawan Aggarwal, Vigilance Member- Mr Satish Kaushal, Executive Members- Mr Dev Kumar and Mr Jagmohan Sharma were decalred elected.

5-year-old to sing in Delhi
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
Sunaina, a five-year-old girl, is all set to mesmerise the music lovers of Delhi with her melodious voice. Perhaps the youngest in the category, Sunaina would be competing with other budding singers for the national-level auditions on February 5 in Delhi. The event will be organised by the Sangam Kala Group, in the memory of Master Madan.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Sanjiv, Sunaina’s father said he himself was a music teacher and had trained many students. But Sunaina was never trained professionally.”She has an inborn talent and has a thorough knowledge of sur, laya and tal. Seeing her passion for singing, I started giving her training and she participated in the competition, recently conducted by the Sangam Kala Group and won the first prize”, Mr Sanjiv said.

If Sunaina wins the competition in Delhi, she would get an opportunity to perform in front of legends like A.R. Rehman, Sonu Nigam, Kumar Shanu at Talkatora Stadium. Sunaina has already won many prizes and medals in singing at school-level competitions.

The Sangam Kala Group, with Mr Raj Chopra (Yash Chopra’s brother) as its vice-president, has more than 40 branches throughout the country.

HEALTH

Dental camp organised at Aitiana village
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
The Aagaz Charitable Foundation, an NGO, working for the cause of weaker sections, organised a free dental check-up and treatment camp today in collaboration with Christian Dental College and Hospital in Aitiana village, near Mullanpur. The foundation has adopted this village for welfare activities.

Mr Sumer Singh Gujjar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), who inaugurated the camp, appreciated the efforts of the NGO while expressing confidence that such attempts would go a long way in making Aitiana a model village. He also visited the embroidery self-help group of the rural women and interacted with them.

More than 200 persons were given a dental check-up by a team of doctors comprising Dr N. C. Mann, Dr Simarpreet, Dr Pooja and Dr Amit and those in need, were provided treatments like extraction, filling and scaling. Free medicines were distributed by the NGO. A demonstration with models on oral hygiene and balanced diet, aimed at educating the village people, was well received by the rural folk.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Preeti Kansal, general secretary of the NGO, observed that the rural population did not have access to modern hospitals and the awareness about dental health was also lacking. “The rural folk have forgotten the natural remedies of dental care and ‘datun’ has become an obsolete thing. Other factors like not brushing the teeth regularly and tobacco chewing also lead to early decay of teeth.”

SPORTS

Prabhdeep wins gold in athletics meet
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
Prabhdeep Singh, student of BA III romped home victorious in the 5,000 m race, while Kanwaljit Kaur of MA II (Economics) won a gold medal in the long jump event on the opening day of the annual athletics meet of Kamla Lohtia Sanatan Dharam College, Subhash Nagar, Daresi Road, here today. In the third event (shot put), Anita Grover of MA I (Economics) won a gold medal.

Earlier, Mr Surinder Dawar, Parliamentary Secretary, inaugurated the two-day meet.

He took the salute from participants during an impressive march past. He announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the college.

Results: 5000 m (boys)- Prabhdeep Singh of BA III 1; Balram Yadav of B.Com III 2; and Sunny Kumar of BA I 3; long jump (girls) — Kanwaljit Kaur of MA II (Economics) 1; Anita Grover of MA I (Economics) 2; and Puja of M Com IInd (sem 3; shot put (girls) — Anita Grover of MA I (Economics) 1; Sandeep Cheema of MA I (Economics) 2; and Kanwaljit Kaur of MA II (Economics) 3.

Hockey players selected for national meet
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
Sixteen hockey players have been shortlisted to take part in the 16th K.D. Singh Babu Memorial Invitation Prize Money Hockey Tournament (sub-junior boys) scheduled to be held in Lucknow from January 23 to February 2.

According to Prof Kanwaljit Singh, secretary, Youngsters Hockey Revival Club, these players were chosen from a training camp conducted at Punjab Agricultural University by the club. The boys from Government High School, Khaira, Sacred Heart School, BCN School and Government Senior Secondary School, Narangwal.

The selected players are: Yadwinder Singh (captain), Karnpreet Singh, Taruveer Singh, Gurjant Singh, Kulbir Singh, Rajdeep Singh, Sachinsrot Singh, Manpreet Mishra, Nain Kanwal Singh, Kartik, Harmit Singh, Varun Pal Singh, Bhaibhav, Upinder Singh, Manpreet Singh and Dinesh. Mr Manmohan Mishra and Mr Lakshvinder Singh will accompany the team as coaches.

Kulbir Kaur adjudged fastest runner
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
Kulbir Kaur, student of Political Science (MA I), was declared best athlete during the two-day annual athletics meet of Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, which concluded here today. Kulbir was also adjudged the fastest runner of the meet as she won the 100m sprint.

Mr Parag Jain, DIG, Police range, Ludhiana, distributed prizes among the winners. Red House bagged the march past trophy while the postgraduate classes bagged the class championship trophy.

Second day’s results: 100 m- Kulbir Kaur 1; Parul 2; and Gurpreet Kaur 3; couple hobble race- Maninder and Harneet Kaur 1; Jasmine and Parneet 2; Taranjot Kaur and Karanbir Kaur 3; 4x100 m relay race- Kulbir, Jasmine, Karamjeet Kaur and Aaarti 1; Gurpreet, Monica, Rajpreet and Manveen Kaur 2; Sukhbir Kaur, Harmeet Kaur, Pooja and Veeerpal Kaur 3; three-legged race- Prabhjot Kaur and Jaspneet Kaur 1; Jasmine and Raman 2; and Monica and Karamjeet Kaur 3; staff race- Maninder 1; Sonia 2; and Meenu Bansal 3; guest musical chair race- Harbir Singh Gill 1; Harmeet Singh 2; and Taranjeet Singh 3. Shaminder Kaur, Gaganpreet Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur, Aarti Sharma, Karamjit Kaur, Kulbir Kaur, Manveen Kaur and Rajpreet Kaur were declared outstanding sportspersons of the year and honoured on the occasion.

Bhavjot wins gold in athletics meet
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
The tiny tots of the local Love Dale Montessory, Sarabha Nagar, took part in fun games during the annual athletics meet of the school held today. The kids were enthusiastic while competing with each other.

The participants were divided into three age groups. The results as follows: 50 m race boys- (group I)- Bhavjot I; Nipun 2; and Vishaw 3; group II- Prabhridak 1; Kartik 2; and Ekkant 3; group III- Karan 1; Ishan 2; and Devain 3; (tricycle race) group I Kanish 1; Uttekay 2; and Gurpreet 3; group II- Kunwar 1; Rajbir 2; and Manmeet 3; (bananna race)- group II- Jashanjot 1; Gurmehar Chawla 2; and Sehail 3; group III- Yugeet 1; Ishaan 2; and Abhay 3. 50 m race (girls) group I- Aastha 1; Surbhi 2; and Taruna 3; group II- Jannat 1; Nandini 2; and Annanya 3; group III- Mauli 1; Vaishnavi 2; and Ashnoor 3; (tricycle race)- Japneet 1; Vrinda 2; and Skiriti 3; group II- Nandani Maheshwari 1; Annanya 2; and Nanndni 3.