 |
|
|
|
|
||||
February rain — a mixed blessing
Ludhiana, February 21 The scientists at the Punjab
Agricultural University have warned that the continuous rains during the past couple of weeks had created adverse weather conditions for some crops like gram and potato. Dr L. S. Brar, Head, Department of Agrometeorology, said so far Ludhiana had witnessed a rainfall of 47.4 mm against an average rainfall of 29 mm in the month of February. This, he said, would be beneficial for the wheat crop. The scientists said the low temperature and high humidity had created conditions congenial for the development and spread of diseases like 'blight' and 'grey mould' in the gram crop. The scientists feared the possibility of outbreak of these diseases. They have advised the farmers to take various precautionary and controlling measures. The scientists said in case of 'blight' dark brown spots studded with dot-like bodies were produced on the stem, branches, leaflets and pods. Even the seeds in the pods were infected. On pods and leaves, the dot-like bodies were concentrically arranged. Shoot terminals were specially prone to attack. In the event of excessive rains, whole crop might be blighted and killed, they said. The scientists advised to give one spray of Captaf/Captan/ Hexacap or Idofil M45 or Kavach at 360 g/acre in 100 ltrs of water immediately even if the disease had not appeared. But if disease had appeared and the weather was cloudy followed
by intermittent rain another spray could be given at an interval of 15 days. In case of 'grey mould' also commonly known as 'bhuri uli da sarra', small water-soaked spots were produced on leaflets and infected leaves became dark brown, scientists said. Under humid conditions, erect sporophores of the fungus were produced on flowers, leaves, growing tips, branches and pods, they added. To control these diseases, scientists recommended one spray of Idofil M 45 at 350g/acre or thiabendazol or Bayton or Bayleton at 200 g/acre or Tiram at 350 g/acre in 100-120 litres of water immediately on the appearance of the disease symptoms. The spray should be repeated at 15 days interval if congenial weather persisted, they added.
|
College students extend helping hand to underprivileged
Ludhiana, February 21 To bring sensitivity among the youth, who, under the influence of western culture, had forgotten their traditions, the management of college has come up with an idea of sending students to the destitute, needy and deprived people. Dr Chander Mohini, college Principal, under whose guidance the whole exercise is being undertaken, said more than 120 students were divided in 10-12 groups. The students had been visiting the Nishkam Sewa Ashram, school for deaf and dumb, old age homes and bal bhavans every Saturday for at least four to five hours. “We want our youth to be sensitive and in the know of reality. They should experience the feelings of the underprivileged and the needy,” said Dr Chander Mohini. Ms Neetu Sethi, a lecturer at DD Jain College, said the students visited Nishkam School recently. The school, with a strength of over 700 students, was in a slum area. “They have no place to sit. Our students make wash their hands, cut their nails, make them study etc,” said Ms Neetu. The students visit old age homes and clean the rooms of the deprived inmates. Monika, a student said, “They are really helpless. An aged woman at one of the old age homes has kept rat killer substance to commit suicide in case she failed to do her own work. We try to counsel such persons. We give them a patient hearing. They forget their worries and share their emotions and feelings. She said she had never thought that at the dawn of their lives, the old had to face their children’s wrath, till the time she visited them. Another student said she was shocked to see the love, these people still possessed for their wards, who had left them at old age homes. “These people are given blankets and clothes by philanthropists. One of the inmates has kept one such blanket for her son, who had left her here,” said the student.
|
|
Educationists condemn use of helpbooks
Ludhiana, February 21 Educationists believe that helpbooks have lowered the standards of education. Prof M.S. Cheema, a retired professor, says that these books are a result of the commercialisation of education. A nexus between publishers and teachers exists. As soon as the syllabus is made, it is "highjacked" and writers employed by the publishers churn out books for all subjects and classes. The markets are flooded with guides and the publishers supply free sets of books to teachers. More and more retired teachers and even teachers in service are writing books with important questions and answers. The students refer to these books as the teachers recommend it, he says. "The teachers are a medium between the written and spoken word. If the help books had to do everything, why are the teachers employed? The teacher can fire the imagination of a student and make the written word come alive. I strongly condemn the use of helpbooks as these kill the originality and creativity in students and stunt their growth," he says. Manpreet says that "When I started teaching, the use of such books was limited but now these books are increasingly being used both by the students and the teachers. I feel that helpbooks are useful only when good teachers are not available to the students." Ms Usha Gandhi, a retired principal, says that "I always used to tell the teachers to be role models and teach in a creative manner but some teachers don't want to burden themselves. Instead of finding solutions as how to get rid of such books, they themselves are recommending the books to the students. The students are encouraged to answer guess papers. These books are affecting the thinking of our students. They are learning by rote and intellectually, they are getting crippled."
|
|
Believing in change and innovation
“The aim of education should be to teach us how to think rather than what to think, to improve our minds so as to enable us to think for ourselves than to load the memory with the thoughts of other men." (Beattie)
Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School is imparting education to more than 1500 students in all streams at 10+2 level keeping the above quote in mind. The school aims at providing quality education and encourages students to excel not only in curricular activities by producing 100 per cent CBSE Board results but also in all the co-curricular activities by attaining top positions in various competitions at district, state and national level. Thus, it provdes ample opportunities to the students to blossom fully. For the all-round development of the students, the school is trying to implement the most modern methods and techniques of education, which have been incorporated after visits of Founder-Principal and teachers to America, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and many more countries. In addition to the modern methods, Spring Dale tries to inculcate the moral and secular values in students and the same is reflected through the celebrations of various national and religious festivals. The teaching staff, with a strength of 70, is well-experienced, dedicated and qualified. The teachers have attended various national and international conferences and seminars held form time to time to keep pace with the changing trends and frontiers of knowledge.
|
|
I
feel that education is not only teaching and being taught but it is a word synonymous with developing the personality of young students.
So I find traditional methods of teaching outdated which do not appeal to the minds of students. Young, aware, active and tender hearts of students need to be polished into fine products with proper care and attention. To achieve this, there should be more emphasis in smooth relationship between students and teachers. In Spring Dale all my staff members are encouraged to develop a close rapport with the students. Moreover, education is not being just literate. It is a three-way process involving the teacher, the taught and social environment. Learning through experimentation is thus encouraged to relate the education with society and to make the students socially adjusted and acceptable individuals. To further deal with adjustments and other problems, the school provides to the students the services of a professional psychologist and counsellor. It is said that only one thing that is permanent in this world is 'change.' I feel that it is better to change than to decay. Keeping this in my mind we try to bring positive changes as and when required in the school. I recently attended International Conference on modern trends in education. In this the participants were made aware of the upcoming trends in education with a completely practical and futuristic approach which we have incorporated in our teachings. Spring Dale has adopted new evaluation system up to Class V. Ultimately the motto of the school, "By toil to star' reminds us all to work hard as there is no limit to success.
|
|
Seminar on industry-admin interface
Mandi Gobindgarh, February 21 He stressed on the relevance of industrial growth and said administration experts from the industry could play an important role in meeting various norms and legislations, including labour laws and judicious use of electricity, apart from environment issues. The industry’s viewpoint was presented by Mr Anil Kumar, Executive Director of Shreyans Industries Ltd and Mr Manoj Mehta, General Manager of H.R. Malwa Industries Ltd while the administration’s viewpoint was presented by Mr Malwinder Singh, Secretary of the Punjab Pollution Board. Businessmen, traders, educationists and students attended the seminar. Mr Hukum Chand Bansal, Chairman of the RIMT group, stressed on the need for implementing policies. Dr B.S. Bhatia, Director of the RIMT, spoke about how during the last decade, the industry had transformed itself as a result of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation.
|
|
Gurpreet tops BAMS
exam
Mandi Gobindgarh, February 21 She has scored 80.68 per cent marks with distinction in three subjects — anatomy, physiology and Sanskrit. In this examination, 18 students of the college got distinction in different subjects while the overall result of the college was 78 per cent. Ms Pooja Arora stood second in the college by securing 1,218 marks out of 1,600 marks (76.12 per cent) with distinction in four subjects — anatomy, physiology, history of ayurveda and Ashtang Sangreh.
|
|
PIMT to hold cultural show
Mandi Gobindgarh, February 21 She said more than 100 professional institutes from across the country, especially from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, have been invited to participate in the inter-college programme. Eighteen colleges have already confirmed their participation. More 800 students and faculty members apart from a number of industrialist, business managers, professional and academics will take part in the contest.
|
Digital film festival enraptures audience
Ludhiana, February 21 The number of audience has been growing as the news of the film festival's attractions spread. The repertoire of over 70 films is sourced from Pakistan, Nepal and India and these films were a part of the Halloween Films Fest in UK. The film 'Reinventing the Taliban' is being screened this evening and the subject of the film has generated a lot of interest. This film is written and produced by the Pakistani documentary filmmakers, Mr Sharmeen Obaid and Mr Ed Robbins and is a gripping narrative of political power obtained by religious fundamentalists in Pakistan. This film traces Sharman's journey through North West Pakistan dominated by Islamic
fundamentalists. Ms Shikha, a nursing student, said, "I entered the auditorium with a feeling of non-chalance as we did not know what to expect from a digital film. But when the film on prostitutes of Calcutta
started rolling, it was so powerful and gripping that we were simply moved by the plight of those unfortunate women. " Her friend Pratiba said ,"The film on the lives of eunuchs made us understand the pain and suffering in their
lives. Definitely we will view them in more sympathetic light hence forward." Mr Navin Talwar who has been instrumental in getting the Digital Film Festival from the British Council said,"I found a film on a fairy tale made by UK director very fascinating. The festival is quite a success as the students are trooping in and they are finding it good so more people are coming. During the last two days we expect more crowd." Another film 'Dharamveer', directed by Parvin Mishra , a National Institute of Design graduate, depicts the transformation of a simple man to a fanatic. A reaction to Gujrat violence, 'Dharmveer' has tried to show an aspect of fascism. This film was also a hit with the audience.
|
Sandeep excels in athletics
Ludhiana, February 21 Mr S.K. Sharma, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, inaugurated the two-day meet in which more than 100 students were taking part. He took salute at an impressive march past by NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and players. Mr Sharma urged the students to take part in sports to learn the art of competition which also helped in personality development. He talked about famous scientist Satish Chander Dhawan and noted lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi who contributed in their respective fields to make their alma mater achieve distinction among educational institutions in the region. Ms Indra Bhatia and Dr Malkit Singh, Principal and Vice-Principal, respectively, of SD Government College welcomed the chief guest and apprised him of the achievements of students in education and sports during the current year. Mr Devinder Singh Chahal, Head of the Physical Education Department, and other faculty members were present on the occasion. First day’s results: (boys): shot put — Sandeep Singh 1, Bachhitter Singh 2 and Sukhwinder Singh 3; 5,000 m — Kanhiya Lal 1, Lakhbir Singh 2 and Rohit Sharma 3; 8,000 m — Gurpreet Singh 1, Ishar Singh 2 and Kanhiya Lal 3; Triple jump — Sandeep Singh 1, Ranjit Singh 2 and Rakesh Kumar 3; long jump — Arvind Kumar 1, Vivek Kumar 2 and Sandeep Singh 3. Girls: discus throw — Vineet Kaur 1, Varinder Kaur 2 and Satvinder Kaur 3; shot put — Shella 1, Vineet Kaur 2 and Anita Kaur 3.
|
||
|
Amit Saxena bags carrom title
Ludhiana, February 21 In 35-45 years age group, S.S. Rath, who had clinched table tennis title yesterday, added another title to his kitty today. In the final he drubbed Sunil Garg 3-0. In the doubles Rath and A.K. Saxena got the better of D.S. Pooni and Saraj Singh to win the title.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
