233 students get merit certificates
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 8
Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, said today that the state government was laying more stress on improving the quality of education in all government intuitions and all-round development of students.

She was addressing students during the annual prize distribution function of SCD Government College for Boys, here today. She urged them to concentrate on acquiring excellence in their fields, as there was stiff competition at the international level.

Stressing on the need for imparting moral and national values among students, Ms Bhattal said to serve the country in a better way, the students would have to shed the individual approach and work for the society. She said teachers should lay more stress on proper training of students.

On the occasion, merit certificates were distributed among 30 students. College colour in sports were given to 33 students. About 95 students got certificates for excelling in cultural and other activities. House examination-based merit certificates were given to 233 students. Special awards were given to Jinney Ghai (best speaker), Rohit Singh Bedi (best all-rounder under-graduate) and Amandeep Kaur Mangat (best all-rounder post-graduate).

Ms Indira Bhatia Principal of the college, read out the annual report and highlighted various achievements of the college. Among others present on the occasion were Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha and Mr Harmohinder Singh.

Teachers to hold protest rally
Our Correspondent

Doraha, March 8
Members of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union will participate in a protest rally in Delhi on March 10. Prof Kuldip Singh, executive committee member and Prof Parminder Singh, area secretary, Panjab University in a press release here said that the protest rally was being organised at the regional office of the UGC. The union leaders asked the unit members to reach the venue to press for their genuine and long-pending demands.

They said that the rally was being organised as a protest against the government’s failure to ensure pay parity to DPEs and librarians, regular and timely disbursement of salary and its inability to have a meaningful dialogue on the issue of Johl Committee recommendations, pension gratuity scheme of the 1996 policy of absorption of staff affected by shifting of the plus 2 classes, relaxation of refresher courses upto December 31, 2004 as recommended by the UGC, CPF and arrears of allowances etc, feeder scale adjustment and HRA for unclassified towns. 

HEALTH

200 students examined at camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 8
A team of doctors from Preet Hospital, led by Dr Darshan Singh, organised a free medical check up camp at New Green Valley Model School in Karnail Singh Nagar, Phase III, here today. Over 200 schoolchildren and a large number of other persons were examined for medical, orthopaedic and eye ailments. The patients were also given free medicines, besides providing them the facility of free clinical tests.

Inaugurating the medical camp, Dr Gurpreet Singh Wander, director, Hero DMC Heart Institute, focused on heart diseases and their prevention through change in dietary habits and lifestyle.

The Principal of the school, Ms Mandeep Kaur, presented mementoes to the visiting doctors. Free text books, exercise books and school uniforms were also distributed among the deserving students on the occasion.

SPORTS

Prayers, bhajans mark Shivratri
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 8
Shivratri was celebrated with religious fervour at Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women here today. The chief guest on this occasion was Mr Surjit Singh Ahluwalia, Director Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), Patiala. The president of the managing committee of the college. Mr Swaran Singh, also took part in the celebrations. A cultural programme was presented by the students.

Dr (Ms) Sahota welcomed the guests. Students were told about the importance of the festival. The skits and bhajans were presented.

MANDI GOBINDGARH: Mahashivratri Parv was celebrated at Parja Pita Braham Kumari Ishwari Vishav Vidyalya’s Sewa Kendra here on Tuesday. Dr Harbans Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, unfurled the flag and presided over the function. He appealed to the devotees to follow the principles laid down by the great rishis and gurus.

The organiser of the function, Braham Kumari Behan Shakshi, in charge of the sewa kendra, in an impressive speech spoke about the teachings of Shiva.

Annual athletics meet

Khanna, March 8
The 27th annual athletics meet of the A.S. College for Women, Khanna, was held on the college campus yesterday. The chief guest Mr Jaspal Mittal, SDM Khanna, declared the meet open.

The Principal and the members of the management welcomed the guest of honour Mr Brij Mohan Sharma. Ms Akwinder Kaur, was declared the best athlete. OC