Ludhiana, February 2
The Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, is organising a training course under the aegis of Centre of Advanced Studies in Genetics and Plant Breeding funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. The programme, “Alien Introgression and Wide Hybridisation in crop plants,” started here today.

According to Dr D.R. Satija, Head of the Department and the Director of the training course, the main theme of the programme is to exploit wild species for improving productivity, quality, disease and pest resistance of existing varieties and developing new cultivators incorporating these attributes.

In his inaugural address Dr Satija discussed the goals and achievements with particular reference to alien introgression. He claimed that the department had made some outstanding achievements for the first time in the country in the development of hybrids in different crops, development and release of wheat variety PBW 343 which occupies six million hectares and covers about 90 per cent of the area cultivated in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP.

He disclosed that the department had also developed gobhi sarson variety with canola quality standards. The department has currently focused its attention in exploiting alien variability for incorporating disease resistance and quality in wheat, rice and cytoplasmic male sterility in oilseeds.

The department has developed different protocols and methodologies for the efficient use of alien variability.

The department has developed breeding materials in wheat, rice, oilseeds and legumes where variability for productivity, quality and disease resistance have been incorporated. Training programme is being attended by 20 participants representing different ICAR institutes and SAUs.

Ludhiana, February 2
Applications continue to pour in for city girl Inayat Dhanda, who was adjudged the second best cadet of the National Cadet Corps at the Republic Day parade. Just two days after she was given a warm welcome in several functions by city residents, the NCC Directorate, North India, today announced to bestow special honours on her for bringing laurels to the unit and the NCC movement in the region.

Inayat, was also adjudged the best cadet from Punjab, Haryana , Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh at the Republic Day parade.

The class IX student of Sacred Heart Convent School was elated at the awards as they were presented by the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, even Olympic Silver Medalist Rajvardhan Rathore also felicitated her.

The Additional Director General (B) NCC, Major General R.K. Dass, will specially honour her with an award and some cash prize at the NCC headoffice, Gurdev Nagar, Ludhiana, on February 4.

Lt Col Avtar Singh Malik, Commanding Officer, 3 Punjab NCC Girls division, told Ludhiana Tribune that the feat of Inayat Dhanda had lifted the spirits of other cadets and it would definitely go a long way in attracting more youngsters to the NCC movement.

Inayat was thankful to the school Principal, Sister Maria Lina, and her teacher, Ms Kiran, who guided and encouraged her.

Talking about her experiences in New Delhi where a month-long camp preceded the Republic Day parade function. Inayat cherished meetings with cadets from all over the country. She said the real nationalistic spirit could be understood at such camps only.

Ludhiana, February 2
Oil industry and the Petroleum Conservation Research Association, Chandigarh organised a state and national essay-writing competition on ‘Petroleum Conservation’ in which Bharatiya Vidya Mandir School, Udham Singh Nagar won first position. Following won the prizes on the valedictory function held at Institution of Engineers, Chandigarh on January 31.

Himika Goel of class IX won consolation prize of Rs 1000.

Megha Anand of class VIII won consolation prize of Rs 1000.

Deepika Saggar of class 10+1 won Ist prize of Rs 3000.

Preeti Madaan of class 10+1 won consolation prize of Rs 1000.

Naveen Joshi, Hindi teacher won 2nd prize of Rs 2000.

Vanita Chawla, Lecturer won consolation prize of Rs 1000.

Ludhiana, February 2
Additional Sessions Judge, Sukhdarshan Singh Khaira has dismissed the bail application of Mohammed Qureshi of Noida, facing charges of cheating Vardhman Industries by selling fake DEPB (Duty Entitlement Pass Book) licences.

The police registered a case against the accused and some other persons, following the complaint by Vardhman Industries.

The complainant had submitted that they were importer of crude palm oil at Kandla Port and the import was being managed by K.C. Pawa and his son Rakesh Pawa. They were looking after the purchase, clearing and arranging of DEPB licences for them.

On July 20, 2004-the officials of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) visited their office and seized some records relating to import of oil. During enquiry, it came to light that nine DEPB licences and their related documents used for clearing the oil at Kandla were not genuine.

The complainant further claimed that these licences were arranged by brokers through the accused Mohammed Quereshi of ABS Exim Consultants, Mr Vivek Bansal of Delhi and R.B. Chawla of Satguru Trading Company, Bombay and Rajesh Chabra of Bombay and payments were made through cheques to them. These persons cheated them.

Declining the bail plea, Mr Khaira said, ‘’ such like crimes as attributed to the present accused, is a crime against the society and against the economy of the State. So, he is not entitled for the concession of bail. The remaining accused are still to be arrested and there is likelihood of his fleeing from justice’’.