The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	PCCTU to court arrest on March 21 Our Correspondent Ludhiana, March 16 Members of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teacher Union (PCCTU) have decided to court arrest at Matka Chowk on March 21, if the state government failed to accept their demands. The two factions of the PCCTU headed by Prof S.S. Hundal and Prof R.S. Brar declared their plan of action during a press meet here today. They said that Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal had assured that a decision in favour of teachers would be taken on March 18. “We will wail till March 18 and if nothing is done, we will intensify our agitation,” said Prof Brar. Prof Hundal said resentment prevailed among teaches as merger of 50 per cent salary was rejected by the Finance Department. The teachers also demanded that the Johl committee report should be implemented soon. The release of fourth quarter grant was also pending with the government, said the president." All the demands were genuine and needed to be implemented soon”, said Mr Hundal. The two presidents had some differences regarding their action of plan. One section wanted to court arrest on March 17 while other on March 29. One of the teachers present there said with this unanimous decision, the differences between the two factions seem to have been sorted out.
	Council gives Rs 10 lakh to school Our Correspondent Mandi Gobindgarh, March 16 SGHG Government Secondary School (Boys) here yesterday organised a function on the school campus. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner S.K. Ahluwalia, Fatehgarh Sahib, praised the achievements of the school in the field of education and sports. He handed over a cheque of Rs 1.20 lakh from the Sarb Sikhya Abhyas scheme for the development for the school. Mr Ashok Kumar, Acting Principal of the school, read out the annual report of the school. He pointed out that seven posts of teachers, including the Principal, were lying vacant for the past many years. Mr Lok Nath, a state awardee of the school was the stage secretary. Another vocational teacher of the school, Mr Parveen Kumar, has been awarded President's award in census, asserted Mr Ashok Kumar. Mr Dev Singh, District Education Officer (Elementary), said the school would have to make local arrangement of teachers against the vacant posts. He lauded the efforts of the Parent Teacher Association for extending cooperation for the development of the school. Mr Joginderpal Singla, council chief, said the council would spend Rs 10 lakh for the construction of two rooms set in the school and the work will start shortly. He assured to meet the requirements of the school in future also. Mr Jagmeet Singh Sahota, Vice-President, Municipal Council, Mr Randhir Singh Bhambri, Mr Harpal Singh Salana also spoke on the occasion.
	440 conferred degrees Ludhiana, March 16 LR DAV College, Jagraon, held its convocation and prize distribution function here yesterday. Degrees were conferred to more than 440 graduates. Dr K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor Panjab University, was the chief guest on this occasion. The academic procession, lighting of the lamp and the singing of “Saraswati Vandana” added to the charm of convocation. Principal, Dr Satish Kumar Sharma, highlighted the achievements of the insitute and also touched upon its variegated attainment in different vistas. Dr Pathak in his address wanted the youth to aspire for higher aim in life. He wanted them to be techno-savvy. He exhorted them to go in for professional and job oriented courses. He laid special stress on the fact that youth should render a slice of their life to the service of weaker section of society. Mr Narinder Pal Singh, SSP, Ludhiana gave away prizes to 580 students during annual prize distribution function. The winners were distinction holders in academic cultural vista, sports and NCC. Many blood donors were also honoured. The chief guest was accorded a rousing welcome by staff and students. The presence of several local stalwarts made the function colourful. Mr Narinderpal Singh exhorted the students to prepare themselves for the competitive world. He wanted the youth to be ‘techno’ spirited.
	Prizes distributed among students Ludhiana, March 16 The fourth annual prize distribution function of students of economics of Kamla Lohtia S.D.College was held here today. The remembrance of God was followed by an introductory address from Prof Mohd. Saleem Head, Department of Economics. The Director and the Principal of the college gave away prizes to brilliant students securing top positions on the basis of results of pre-university examinations conducted by the department. The students expressed gratitude to the department for conducting the examinations based upon the syllabus. A few cultural items further enlightened the academic environment. The Principal, Mr Deepak Kaushal and the Director of the college, Ms Manjit Sodia, appreciated the effort made by the department for the academic refinement of students and wished them success for the forthcoming examinations.

Malwa College celebrates cultural fest
Our Correspondent

Samrala, March 16
Malwa College, Bondli-Samrala, celebrated its annual cultural festival on the campus. The function was presided over by Mr Harpal Singh Dhillon, Chairman of the local Market Committee. The function opened with a religious song presented by Rupinder Kaur. It was followed by a poetry recitation contest in which Gursewak Singh and Manjit Kaur were declared first and second respectively. Kuldeep Kaur got the third position whereas Beant Kaur and Raj Kumar got the consolation prizes.

In the cultural programme, Khimma Sharma and boys of the college regaled the audience with songs. Rupinder Kaur’s folk song enchanted the audience. Hardeep and Gagandeep also presented a song. Amandeep Kaur and Charanjit Kaur presented dance. Mr Shivdev Singh Kang, president, Malwa Education Council, Mr Major Singh and Dr Parminder Singh gave away cash prizes to the participants.

Dr Parminder Singh, Mr Kang and Mr Jasmel Singh presented mementos to the chief guest, Mr Dhillon and the guest of honour, Mr Balvir Singh Rajewal, national general secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union.

Children outdo professionals
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 16
Love Dale celebrated its annual day here today at a city hotel. Children outdid the professionals in presenting vivid and colourful dances. He professional like Master Bitu, Ladi and Raju choreographed the programme. Vigorous practices were being carried out for the last three four months and the effort was visible in perfect synchronisation of dance steps of the students.

The function started with children enacting as Prime Minister and taking salute from the Indian Army. Western dance of two-year -old children on ‘Brazil’ was followed by remixes of songs.

The tiny tots preformed Salsa Dance steps on “Masti, Chande Ke chaha” and “Dhoom Macha Le”. It was followed by Bhangra. The function concluded with Gidha.

In the fashion show, children in ethnic dresses catwalked on the ramp. Ms Sushil Gupa (Deputy Mayor) was the chief guest. Prizes were distributed by Mr J.S Arora, (MD, Win Cable). The function showed a lot of enthusiasm of students, and hard work put in by teachers and it made the parents appreciate the collective efforts.

Workshop on biosafety held at PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 16
A workshop on biosafety issues related to Bt cotton was organised by Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), New Delhi, at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in association with Ministry of Environment and Forests and the department of Biotechnology.

Introducing the workshop, Dr S.R. Nair, Managing Director BCIL said that cultivation of Bt cotton based on six hybrids has been approved for North India (including Punjab) by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, Government of India, recently and the event was the last in a series organised to create awareness among stake holders such as farmers, state government and scientists on the bio safety issues of Bt cotton.

Inaugurating the workshop Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana said that the production of transgenic crops provides avenues to develop entirely new types of crop plants and their varieties which were not possible through conventional tools of plant breeding. The development of Bt cotton is a classical case of this technology.

CULTURE

‘Sound of Music’ to delight city residents
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 16
Medico students of Christian Medical College are out to prove that they are multifaceted when they showcase their musical play, ‘Sound of Music’ from March 19 to March 21 at Punjabi Bhawan.

The director of the play, a final year student, Johann Ebenezer, told Ludhiana Tribune that 40 students have been working hard on the play ‘Sound of Music’ since January. He said, “We have adapted the play from the movie of the same name and retained all the songs. We have also followed the script.

So the first task was to chose the characters. There are 20 lead characters and 20 extras. Since it is a musical, we had to select characters who could sing and act reasonably well.The extras have to participate in a Ball Dance, so the actors had to be good dancers. We have lot of talent and enthusiasm among the students. After a tiring day of medical studies , the students came for practices diligently.”

Since the last week , the students have taken permission to practise the entire day. Johann said," From last four years CMC had not staged any musicals. So we had to start everything from scratch and put in a lot of effort. It was a very challenging job, but with assistance from our vice -principal, Dr Sheela Das, we have been successful in our effort.”

Johann said every aspect of two-and-a-hour play is being managed by the students. The choreography has been done by two third year students Ivy Ann Sebestain and Vibha Baldev .

The proceeds from the play would go to the patients in CMC & H.