AGRICULTURE

Sops must for diversification, say farm experts
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 17
Punjab farmers, willing to take to new crops, are being cheated by private seed sellers and they need to be sensitised, said agricultural experts, while talking to Ludhiana Tribune on the sidelines of a workshop held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) yesterday.

The experts opined that if the farmers were to be encouraged to try new crops then they should be given the maximum support price and procurement facilities on the lines of paddy and wheat.

Dr Amrik Singh Sandhu, Director, Extension Education, PAU, said the farmers were sowing paddy on a large scale, despite the depleting water table, due to its assured marketing. He stressed the need to decrease the area under paddy which was taking a toll on water table, from 2.6 million hectares to 1.6 million hectares.

He said in the remaining 1 million hectares, crops like Basmati, maize, cane and oilseeds should be sown. He said Basmati was a late-sowing variety and as soon as its sowing season approached the monsoon arrived. Therefore, it reduced the pressure on water resources.

When queried on diversification, the experts said every farmer could not afford to diversify as many crops required high initial investment. According to them, every farmer in the state had a debt burden of Rs 1 lakh each. As per an estimate, 46 per cent of the state’s farmers had 2 to 4 hectares of land, 32 per cent have between 5 and 10 acres and merely 21 per cent above 10 hectares.

They rued that these land holdings were further getting divided among heirs of the farmers. Besides, suitability of the soil also played a key role in diversification. They said the farmers didn’t get proper prices of pulses as middlemen and traders made money out of it.

These experts also had a word of advise for the debt-ridden farmers. They urged them to cut the cost of cultivation whether it be on fertilizers or on pesticides. They warned them against mindless use of pesticides and asked them to adopt need-based approach. They suggested that the farmers should also take up value-addition works like beekeeping and mushroom growing to enhance their income.

Students in grip of exam stress
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 17
Examination fever has once again gripped the city students. Stress and anxiety, these days, are being recognised as a major problem experienced by most of the students. The students who are regular in studies, feel lesser stress, but they develop high expectations, which ultimately leads to stress and anxiety.

Dr (Ms) Ravinder Kala, counselling consultant said that it was important to recognise that stress and tension affected the memory. The parents must take care of their children’s psychological health. Examination stress could manifest itself through symptoms like headache, nausea, motions, cold hands and feet, palpitations, general irritability, weepiness, stubborn behaviour, restlessness etc.

She said that to avoid such symptoms, special care should be taken by the parents during examination days. She suggested that parents should not criticise or compare the child. The parents should sit with the child and plan six to eight study sessions of one to two hours duration. One should keep a watch on child. If the child is left in a room with plenty of books, he would tend to daydream, would not concentrate at all. Breaks are a must for the child as is care, affection, favourite foods and enjoyable activities. Parents must have some quality time with the child, said Dr Kala.

“They should be given short tests and one must praise and encourage them for doing well. Balanced diet, adequate sleep, half-an-hour physical exercise, soft music and calm and supportive environment should be provided to the child”, added Dr Kala.

At the same time students should recognise that exams were an integral part of their life and if they were working in the right direction, they would get good marks. The students should make a thorough study plan. Students should be given a fix portion to be learnt in a specific time. They should be taught to relax thoroughly by walking or listening music. They should not watch excessive television and isolate themselves. They should come out with their problems, seek support, love and care from parents. “The students should be told to think in a positive manner and their negative thoughts and fears should be analysed thoroughly”, said Dr Kala.

From Schools & Colleges
Extension lecture on personality development
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 17
An extension lecture on ‘Resume writing skills and personality development’ was organised by the Commerce Department of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women here today. Abhishek Tyagi from ICFAI University, Hyderabad, spoke about the theme. It was presided over by Dr Anup Kaur Bansal, Principal of the college. Tips on personality development were also given. The students actively participated in the discussion.

Blood donation camp: A blood donation camp was organised at Ludhiana College of Engineering and Technology (LCET) in collaboration with the NSS wing, Ludhiana Young Jaycees and the Indian Red Cross. The camp was inaugurated by the college Principal, Dr J.S. Sohal. Mr Vijay Kumar Gupta, chairman and the faculty members of the college also donated blood on the occasion.

Holla Mohalla: The local unit of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle will celebrate Hola Mohalla at BRS Nagar, Dugri, Model Town Extension, Sargodha Colony, Narangwal village. The chief secretary of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Dr Charan Kamal Singh, said various events like races, slow cycling, musical chair, long jump, bhukha sher, bholu, kho-kho, shooting, one-minute games and throwball would be played.

Farewell at KVM: Class VII students of KVM (city branch) bid adieu to outgoing class VIII students. A farewell party was organised by class VII students with cultural items like Jago, Rangla Punjab, depicting Punjabi culture. The titles of Master KVM and Miss KVM were given to Sahil Sharma and Sonali Handa, respectively. Archit Kakkar and Sheeba Soin were crowned as Master and Miss Versatile, respectively. Principal S.C. Saxena and Headmistress Ms Namita R. Singh also addressed the students.

Seminar on stock market held
Our Correspondent

Khanna, February 17
A seminar on recent developments in the stock market was organised at A.S. College, here by Department of Commerce on Tuesday for M.Com. part I and II students.

Dr J.S. Pasricha, former Chairman, Department of Commerce, Punjabi University , Patiala, was the main speaker. He highlighted the main developments that had taken place during the last five years in the stock market. He discussed and welcomed the introduction of the online trading system, depository system, internet trading, dematerialisation of scripts and rolling system of settlements, etc.

Dr Pasricha also explained the Indo — Next system of indexing for small companies introduced from 2005.

Prof S. C. Goyal, Head of the department, welcomed and introduced the chief guest. Prof C.D. Jain proposed vote of thanks. Principal V.C. Sachdeva, Prof Sanjeev Kumar, Prof Jagroop Singh , Prof Hitesh Sachdeva, Prof Mohit and Prof Priya Arora were also present in the seminar.

HEALTH

101 donate blood
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, February 17
As many as 101 volunteers, including Mr Sandeep Hans, SDM, Amloh, donated blood at a blood donation camp here on Wednesday. Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, inaugurated the camp. The camp was organised at Guru Ravidass Dharamshala, Mandi Gobindgarh, by the Baba Vishvakarma Education and Social Welfare Trust in memory of Baba Amarjit Singh.

Trust chief Bhalwinder Singh thanked the donors and the guests. Mr Ahluwalia said “we should work to build the future of children which is more fruitful than going into religious places.”

Among others Mr Harbinder Singh Kalsi donated blood for the 36th time. Seth Khanaya Lal social worker, Mr Jagmeet Singh Sahota, vice-president, Municipal Council, Mr Rattan Lal Bhatia, industrialist, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Bhambri, former president, Municipal Council, and Mr Rann Singh Kalsi, were also present at the camp.

Medical camp on Feb 20
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 17
The All-India Multi-Speciality Centre, will hold a check-up camp at Tagore Nagar here on February 20. All subsidised medical and surgical follow up treatment will be available.

Specialist doctors, comprising Dr Rajesh Kaura, Dr Madhu Bassi, Dr Gaurav Sachdeva, Dr Pankaj Singal and Dr Avtar S. Khare will render consultation to cases of general and laparoscopic surgery, urology, infertility, gynaecology, obstetrics, cardiology, pulmonary diseases, diabetes, eye diseases, etc.

SPORTS

Sukhwinder adjudged best athlete
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 17
Continuing with her sterling performance, Sukhwinder Kaur added two more feathers to her cap and was adjudged best athlete in the 62nd annual athletics meet of the Government College for Women, which concluded today.

On the concluding day, Sukhwinder Kaur, student of BA(I), romped home victorious in the 400m and long jump events to take her tally to seven.

Paramjeet Kaur of BA II was named best player of the college.

Mr Chander Shekhar, ADGP, Punjab, and Director, Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, presided over the closing ceremony and distributed the prizes. Ms Prabhjot Kaur, Principal of the college, read out the annual report appreciating the achievements of the students during the current academic year.

Ms Manjit Sodhia, former Principal of the college, Ms Khushpal Kaur, Ms Raj Dhillon, Prof Jagpal Singh, Mr S.L. Lotey, District Sports Officer, Ludhiana, Mr Jaswant Singh, Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ms Sunila Dada and Ms Neena Chawla were among other those who attended the function.

Results: Paramjeet Kaur of BA(II) 1, Manpreet Kaur of BA(I) 2 and Seema Rani of BA(III) 3; 200m: Paramjeet Kaur of BA(II) 1, Manpreet Kaur of BA(I) 2 and Sukhwinder Kaur of BA(I) 3; 400m: Sukhwinder Kaur of BA(I) 1, Seema Rani of BA(III) 2 and Paramjeet Kaur of BA(II) 3.

800m: Paramjeet Kaur of BA(II) 1, Seema Rani of BA(III) 2 and Sukhwinder Kaur of BA(I) 3; 1,500m: Seema Rani of BA(III) 1, Sukhwidner Kaur of BA(I) 2 and Minika of BA(I) 3; Javelin throw: Jagveer Kaur of BSc (I) 1, Babita of BA(I) 2 and Kamaljeet Kaur of BA(I) 3.

Discus throw: Jagvir Kaur of BSc(I) 1, Manpreet Kaur of BA(I) 2, Rajni of BA(I) 3; Shot put: Jagvir Kaur of BSc(I) 1, Paramjeet Kaur of BA(I) 2 and Gursharan Kaur of MA(II) 3; Long jump: Sukhwinder Kaur of BA(I) 1, Monika of BA(I) 2 and Seema of BA(III) 3; High jump: Sukhwidner Kaur of BA(I) 1, Simarpreet Kaur of BA(I) 2 and Rupinder Kaur of BSc(I) 3; Sack race: Balwinder Kaur of BA(I) 1, Ruhi Sood of BSc(I) 2 and Shivani Sharma of BA(I) 3; 1,500m fast cycling: Manasvinee of BA(II) 1, Babita of BA(I) 2 and Sunita of BA(II) 3.

Cycling meet starts today
Our correspondent

Samrala, February 17
The BSNL Punjab Circle sports and cultural board will organise the 4th All-India BSNL Cycling Meet at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, on February 18. This was stated by Mr G.S. Julka, General Manager, Telecom, and Mr S.S. Dhami, Divisional Engineers, Phones, Samrala, here today.

Mr G.S. Bhatia, CGMT, Punjab Circle will inaugurate the meet and Mr S.C. Chowdhary, Director (Operations) BSNL Board, will give away the prizes, they added.

Mr Julka said the cycling events will continue on February 19 also and closing ceremony and prize distribution will be held at 3.30 pm on that day.

Village sports fest from February 26

Samrala, February 17
In memory of Shaheed Jawala Prashad, the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Young Wing Club and the Gram Panchayat Todapur will organise village sports festival from February 26 to 28 according to the press secretary Gurcharan Singh, here today.

Mr Gurcharan Singh said the festival will be inaugurated on February 26. Kabaddi, dog races, horse races, pigeon flying, bullock cart races and volleyball matches will be the main attractions of the festival.

Mr Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, MP, and Jathedar Kirpal Singh Kheernian, member, SGPC, will distribute the prizes. OC