Ludhiana, March 23
In a befitting tribute to martyr Sukhdev Thapar, the fellow martyr of Bhagat Singh and Rajguru, government Girls Senior Secondary School at Bharat Nagar, Ludhiana, has been renamed Shaheed-e-Azam Sukhdev Thapar Government Girls Senior Secondary School. Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Education Minister, Punjab, installed the plaque of new name in the school and declared that the school would be developed as a Model school.

Addressing the function, Mr Johar paid rich tributes to the great martyrs and said that only due to their great sacrifices, the country was enjoying independence. The minister said that martyr Sukhdev Thapar, who belonged to Ludhiana city, along with Bhagat Singh and other martyrs had ignited a revolutionary spirit of patriotism among the youth during the freedom movement.

The Education Minister asserted that the state government was committed to set up a suitable memorial of all martyrs so that the young generation could seek inspiration and dedicate themselves for the unity and integrity of the country. He announced that Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Government Senior Secondary School, which has been running in 10 acres, would be developed as a Model school and funds, amounting to Rs 50 lakh, would be spent to provide the required infrastructure in the school. He announced that sports wing of all important games would be provided in the school.

Referring to improvement of sports in the schools of the state, Mr Johar informed that funds amounting to Rs 50,000 each would be given to all schools in the city. He also announced grants of Rs 40 lakh for different development projects in the Ludhiana (West) constituency. Mr Johar distributed cheques of Rs 23.50 lakh among 28 schools of the district i.e. Rs 10 lakh to Government Senior Secondary School Lama Jatpura and Rs 50000 each to 27 other schools.

He also presented cheques of grants to around three dozens social institutions, including dharamshalas, cremation grounds, janj ghars and religious places in different mohallas.

Mr N.S. Gill, Mayor Municipal Corporation , while addressing the function, said that there would be no dearth of funds for the memorials of martyrs. School students presented patriotic musical concert on the occasion.

Earlier, Mr H.D. Johar, Mr Malkiat Singh Birmi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha MLA, Mr N.S. Gill Mayor MC, Mr Parminder Mehta and Mr Jagmohan Sharma, president PCC (Urban), along with other leaders garlanded the statues of martyrs Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev Thapar at Jagroan Bridge.

Among others who were present included Mr Anurag Verma DC, Mr Gian Singh DPI(S), Mr Jagtar Singh Khatra DPI(P), Mr Sadhu Singh Randhawa Director NCERT, Ms Usha Malhotra, District President, Mahila Congress, Mr Deepak Thapar Chairman, Mr Sandeep Thapar, Mr Ashok Thapar, Mr Dalip Thapar, Mr Sher Singh Thapar and Mr S.K. Thapar. Mr Raju Thapar, Mr S.K. Thapar and Mr Bittu Bhullar.

Doraha, March 23
A series of farewell parties have been organised in “Dr Ishwar Singh Memorial Hall” of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, recently. In all these parties the guest was Prof Balwant Singh Pangali, general secretary, College Management Committee, who in his address exhorted the outgoing classes to be true to their aim and sincere towards their professional lives which is going to cover majority of their time span. Mr Adarsh Pal Bector, Mr Madan Mohan Shamra and Prof R.S. Pali, were also present on the occasion.

The Principal, Mr Jaswant Singh Gill, apart from praising the outgoing classes asked them to lead a simple life in which high moral values should occupy a prominent place.

Commerce students gave a colourful farewell to their seniors of B.Com (final year) and M.Com (final semester). Deepika Sood, Jagjit Singh, Kiranpreet Kaur and Simaljit Kaur were among those who presented a colourful show. Rajbir Singh of B.Com (final year)was praised for his commendable performances; Manmeet Grewal was declared “Mr Farewell”, Simaljit Kaur was “Miss Farewell”, Sarabjit Pal was declared “Mr Well Dressed” and Monika “Miss Well Dressed”. The farewell speech was read out by Maninder Kaur.

Similarly, the farewell party of BA (III year; boys) was equally colourful. Ramvinder was declared the “Most Decent Boy”; “Pawanpreet Singh “Mr Farewell” and Umesh Kumar “Mr Well Dressed”. Baljit Singh, Ravi Kumar, Kulwinder, Dil Khushal, Inderjit, Jarnail Singh, Amit Kumar, Jugraj Singh and Parul Sharma entertained one and all. Ramvinder gave the farewell speech on behalf of his fellow students.

The students of BA( IInd year; girls) also bid farewell to their seniors. Simarpreet read out the welcome speech. The “Dandia” dance was presented by students of both classes, group dance was performed by final year class and Gurminder Kaur gave a good show in “medley”. Ramandeep Kaur read out the farewell speech. A play named “Guru Lodo Re” written by the general secretary of the committee, Prof Balwant Singh Pangali, and directed by Prof Sompal Heera, was admired by all. Sunita Rani was declared “Miss Farewell”, Jaspreet Kaur “Miss Well Dressed” and the award of “Miss Smile” were presented to Ramandeep Kaur. Winners of card making and essay writing contests were also given prizes.

Students of M.A (Ist year)-Punjabi; M.A.(Ist year)-Political Science and BCA (IInd year) bid farewell to their seniors as well.

The B.A. (final year) girls donated Rs 10,000 for “Dr Ishwar Singh Memorial Hall”. The boys of BA (III rd year) donated Rs 6,100 for the college library rack. The outgoing commerce classes gave Rs 5,800 whereas MA (Punjabi) and Political Science students donated a rack and a sofa set, respectively, to their department.

Ludhiana, March 23
Bhog of sehaj path of Guru Granth Sahib marked the end of the current academic session at Master Tara Singh College here today. Hymns from Gurbani were recited by shabad gayan team of the college followed by kirtan by Principal Madanjit Kaur Sahota and members of the faculty.

Mr Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar of the Akal Takhat, delivered a discourse in which he quoted lavishly from Gurbani and exhorted the students to follow the path of righteous living as enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib.

Giani Pinder Singh, scholar, expressed his concern over moral degradation. He stressed upon the need to inculcate moral and ethical values as enunciated in holy scriptures among the youth.. Dr Sahota advised the students to continue their concentrated and concerted efforts to excel in academics.

Ludhiana, March 23
Now that the theory examinations of the Punjab School Education Board are over, practical examinations are going on. The practical examinations are divided into two parts — internal and external. For internal examinations, models and practical copies have to be prepared. Both teachers and students remain careless about making models and charts throughout the year.

However, it poses no problems for students, as “readymade models” and “practical work note books” are available in the market.The students are not worried at all, as they can buy models and practical notebooks for Rs 40 to Rs 300.

The practical examinations started on March 21. There was a great rush in the books market preceding that . Physics and chemistry charts were available for Rs 30 to Rs 40, while the models made using thermacol were sold between Rs 40 to Rs 50.

The working models were rather expensive and were sold between Rs 200 to Rs 300. Obviously, the prices of models varied according to the material used. Even readymade practical copies were waiting to be picked up by the students for Rs 50 
to Rs 80. Obviously, students are happy to buy such books as they 
will get marks without any effort.

Ms Monu Anand, a science teacher, says, “Science teachers are very much aware of this commercialisation of practical education. But we can know the difference between the readymade models and the models made by the students. The difference is in the quality of work.

The students’ work is not as neat as made by the professionals. Moreover, the students do not gain anything . The teachers must check the practical note books and models regularly so that of buying readymade models is minimised.”

District Science Supervisor Virinder Sharma also acknowledged the widespread sale of models and practical copies. He has advised all practical examiners to keep a close watch on the students while they are performing experiments.

Ludhiana, March 23
Those who believe that marriage puts an end to a girl’s career need to change their views if Jaskanwal Sohi’s hard work and dedication towards studies is any indication. A student of BA III (Honours) at Government College for Women here, Jaskanwal has brought laurels to her college in various academic, social and cultural activities.

Married to a Canada-based software engineer in December, 2004, Jaskanwal feels that marriage could never stop a girl from making her career if she is dedicated enough. “I am very clear about my plans. After taking my examinations, I will go to the States for my postgraduation. My husband and in-laws are encouraging and supportive”, said Jaskanwal. An IAS aspirant, Jaskanwal is Head Girl of her college. Besides academics, she has excelled in debates, poetical recitation, declamation, creative writing and quiz contests. She has been awarded university colours by Panjab University, Chandigarh, in public speaking.

She has received a gold medal from the Vice-President of India for winning a poetry-writing contest. Her book ‘Ode to Nature’ has been published by the Writers Workshop, Kolkata. She is the proud recipient of ‘The Award of Role Model’ (state-level) by Swami Vivekananda Study Circle.

She has also been honoured by the Shaheed Memorial International Seva Society which honours best writers of the state.

Jaskanwal has represented the state in an elocution contest and won gold-medal at the national level. Dr P. S. Sohi, a Professor of S. C. D. Government College and father of Jaskanwal, said, “She has always been dedicated to studies. Besides, she has a flair for writing. She has won 24 first prizes in various competitions at university youth festivals and the inter-varsity, state and district level. She has topped the state thrice in poetical recitation”.

Ludhiana, March 23
Justice H.S. Bedi, Executive Chairman of State Legal Services Authority today visited the Courts to oversee and speed up the preparations for the national level Lok Adalat to be held in city on April 10.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Bedi said that it would be a historic Lok Adalat and efforts are on to beat all the records in settling maximum number of cases. Around 54 benches would be set up to hear the cases. More than 30 judicial officers will be called from other districts. He appealed to the ‘’media’’ to extend co-operation for creating awareness among the masses about the beneficial concept of Lok Adalats.

‘’Virtually it would be like a mela of judiciary and general public. Five Supreme Court Judges, including Chairman of National Legal Services Authority Justice H. Santosh Hegde Justice-Ashok Bhan, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice D.K. Jain and most of the Judges would participate in the Lok Adalat’’, said Mr Bedi.

When asked about the nature of cases likely to be taken up in the Lok Adalat, he informed that motor accident claim cases, matrimonial cases, civil suits, disputes pertaining to landlord and tenant, husband and wife, bank loan defaulters cases, traffic challans, factories and shop act, pre-litigative cases and criminal compoundable cases etc. would be taken up for the disposal.

Earlier, he was given a warm welcome by the District and Sessions Judge, Mr Harbans Lal, Additional Sessions Judges Mr D.R. Arora, Mr Inderjit Kaushik, Mr Sukhdarshan Singh Khaira, Mr Vijay Singh, Mr B.S. Sodhi, Chief Judicial Magistrate-Mr S.S. Dhaliwal, Civil Judge Senior Division-Mr G.C. Garg on his arrival in judicial complex. The member secretary of state legal services authority-Mr H.P.S. Mahal also accompanied him.

A deputation led by District Bar Association president-Mr Balwinder Goel, Secretary-Mr Rana Harjasdeep Singh, Mr K.R.Sikri, Mr Avinash Gupta, Mr Rajneesh Gupta met Justice Bedi and apprised them about the problems being faced by the lawyers community.