PTU organises Jashan-2005
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 27
The PTU Regional Learning and Facilitation Centres (RLFC), Quest Infosys and Invasions today organised a mega cultural competition festival, Jashan 2005, of the students studying under distance education mode.

All PTU Learning Centres offering programmes in information technology, paramedical technologies, fashion technology, hotel management and tourism took part in this mega event. Over 300 students studying in more than 40 learning centres spread in the districts of Ludhiana, Moga, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib took part in the day-long festival organised on the campus of GGN Khalsa College for Boys here.

The function was inaugurated by Dr S.K. Salwan, Vice-Chancellor, PTU, the chief guest. Welcoming Dr Salwan, Mr D.S. Sekhon, Director, Quest Infosys, said that Jashan 2005 was a big event for the distance education students of the region. He said this was a step towards making distance education a complete learning system that not only involved serious education but all-round development of the students.

Students came forward in big numbers to take part in various cultural events like solo dance, solo song, skit, group dance, party, rangoli, IT quiz, flower arrangement, poster making, art of mehndi and bhangra. Fashion technology students of Punjab Technical University, Ivanna IFT Learning Centre presented a colourful fashion show.

Academic awards were also given to the toppers of previous semester exams of various classes. These awards were given by Dr R.P. Singh, Dean PTU. Representatives from various industries and training centres were also present. The event was sponsored by several companies.

Several prominent personalities of the city were also invited as judges for various events presented by the students.

Mr D.S. Sekhon, managing director, Quest Infosys, talked about the importance of distance education mode for making professionals, who could pursue their studies while on job. Dr Salwan, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University, said Jashan 2005 was a festival of youth to develop every kind of talent among students along with curriculum. He said distance education programme had made remarkable progress. Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, said the distance education mode was a step to enhance the professional qualifications of the youth. He said Jashan 2005 would be a real success without losing the essence of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat. Jashan 2005 would help to preserve the language of land, soul and mind.

Dr R.P. Singh, Dean, Distance Education Department, Punjab Technical University, thanked all associated with the event for their continuous efforts, participation and support without which it would not have been successful.

The winners were: Solo Dance- Cyber Star, Parody — Goodwill Complex, Skit-Cyber Star, Mimicry- Quest Infosys Ludhiana, Mehandi — GGNIVS Ludhiana, Poster making- Ivaana, Flower arrangement — Quest Infosys, Rangoli- APM Infosys.

Conference on commerce opens
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 27
The Punjab Commerce and Management Association (PCMA) organised a three-day annual conference at SCD Government College here today. This academic exercise is being undertaken in collaboration with the Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes, GNA-IMT and SCD Government College.

On the inaugural day, around 400 delegates from the state and affiliated colleges enrolled themselves for the conference. Dr Zora Singh (Chairman, Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes), Ms Shalini Gupta (Director, Desh Bhagat Institute of Management and Computer Sciences), Ms Anuradha (Principal, Desh Bhagat Institute of management and computer Sciences), Mr Gursharan Singh, Mr Gurdeep Singh, Ms Indra Bhatia, Mr Prem Kumar and many other guests were present.

The conference started with the National Song, Vande Mataram, and lighting of lamp. Prof Ashwani Bhalla, organising secretary of the conference, gave a brief view of the activities of the PCMA. Mr D.L Sharma, managing director, Mahavir Spinning Mills delivered the keynote address.

Dr Vijay Asdhir, Conference Secretary, introduced the keynote speaker. He explained the transformation process of the Vardhman group of industries. The academic session included six technical sessions divided into diversified sub-themes on commerce and management, personality development and human resource development. The aim of the conference was to educate the learners of the subject.

The inaugural day was followed by a cultural programme by the students of SCD Government College. Other topics to be presented at the conference include transformation of services, marketing, banking, insurance, agriculture, state, traditional business-competitive and technological change in the new market economy, traditional business and change management, restructuring traditional business and education and technology.

School gets Rs 10 lakh grant
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 27
The Kartar Singh Dukki Senior Secondary School at Latala village was given Rs 10 lakh grant for the developing various faculties. Ms Krishana Sharda Principal of the school, told that Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Education Minister of the Punjab Government, had presented a cheque for Rs 10 lakh for the school at a function at Ludhiana.

Ms Jaswinder Kaur, chairperson Rural Education Development Committee, Latala, and the principal received the cheque on behalf of the school committee.

Referring to the guidelines given by the Education Minister, Ms Sharda said the amount would be spent on the development of the institute under the guidance of the committee which would decide the priorities. At present, a multipurpose hall was under construction that needed funds for its completion.

The school had received huge grants from NRIs also.