The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

Exclude agriculture from WTO: BKU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 9
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has demanded exclusion of the agriculture sector from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime. It observed that with the changing economic scenario due to the WTO and globalisation, the farmers, labourers, Dalits and even the common masses across the country were likely to suffer as it would lead to uneven and unjust competition.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana, it demanded that the agriculture, vegetation, forests and life should be taken out of the WTO regime.

It demanded that the patents on the product should be withdrawn and only patents on process be given for maximum period of 10 years so that a level playing field was created for the Third World countries.

The BKU demanded that the hike in the prices of the diesel and petrol be withdrawn and for the future safety ethanol mixed petrol and diesel should be used to lessen the burden of import bill of petroleum products. It said Brazil mixes 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent diesel to save the import expenditure.

The union also demanded that the minimum support prices of the cotton, paddy and other kharif crops be increased to compensate for the increase in the input costs.

EDUCATION

Teachers not paid for five months
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 9
The fate of thousands of schoolchildren and about 30 teachers hangs in the balance following the decision of the state government to relocate the teachers at sanctioned posts.

These schools were upgraded by the Akali regime but the posts were not sanctioned. These teachers have not got salaries for the past five months. Even though department officials maintain that the whole exercise has been done as a precautionary measure, the fact remains that if the teachers are relocated, the future of thousands of students would remain uncertain.

More than 1,100 students are studying in these 12 upgraded schools in the district and about 30 teachers have been appointed to teach classes XI and XII. According to sources, about 450 schools in the state were upgraded by the Akali government. On July 4, through a communication, the DEO was intimated by the DPI that the 12 schools had been “downgraded”. A delegation of affected teachers met the DPI (Schools) who assured that nothing would happen to them and that it was just a departmental formality. However, on August 4, the DEO contacted the heads of these schools telephonically and asked the respective teachers about their options.

“When we were given an assurance by the DPI then why are department officials asking us for options? We have been told that the salaries were upheld by the Finance Department because of a financial crunch”, said an affected teacher, while talking to Ludhiana Tribune.

The government school which have been “downgraded” are at Dhandra, Cemetery Road, Model Town, Sekhewal, Kundanpuri, Basti Jodhewal, Talwandi, Purain village, Daheru, Kubba and Issewal. The sources added that teachers in other districts were being given salaries regularly.

Meanwhile, Mr Yash Pal Mehra, DEO (Secondary), said no school had been downgraded by the government. The teachers were being asked about the options because the posts, on which they were working, were not sanctioned. “Yes, they have not been given salaries. The department has already written about it to the DPI and we are waiting for a reply”, said Mr Mehra.

From Schools
Gagandeep, Amritpal win essay contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 9
Horlicks whizkids contest was held at Baba Ishar Senior Secondary School recently. Students participated in various contests. In Punjabi essay competition, Gagandeep Singh Matharoo (XI-science) and Amritpal Kaur (XII-science) bagged first and second positions. Harpreet Kaur of (XI-humanities) got second prize in flower arrangement.

Students of classes XI and XII performed well in a play contest and bagged third prize.

Shabad gayan contest: Baba Gurmukh Memorial-inter school shabad gayan competition was held at Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar. School’s team, including Gurpreet Kaur, Silki Ajmani, Jasmine Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur, Pavneet Kaur, Kamalpreet Kaur and Manish Kumar got consolation prize.

Training camp: A 10-day training camp under “education for all” campaign concluded at Government Senior Secondary School (multipurpose) here today. More than 36 primary teachers of Ludhiana block attended the training camp.

The coordinator of the camp, Ms Jagdeep Kaur, from Jagraon spoke on the importance of value-based education. Principal Hari Singh laid emphasis on upgradation in teachers knowledge. Mr Khem Singh, M. Subhash Kumar, Ms Kirpal Kaur also addressed the participants during the camp.

Sapling plantation drive: A sapling plantation drive was conducted at Government Girls Secondary School, Bharat Nagar Chowk, here today. The DEO (Secondary), Mr Yash Pal Mehra planted saplings on the occasion . The students were told about importance of trees and green environment. Declamation and poetry contests were also organised to mark the occasion.

Teej celebrations: Teej was celebrated at B.V.M. Shishu Vatika here today. Students presented a cultural programme to mark the occasion. Tiny tots were dressed in traditional dresses. A jhoola was tastefully decorated for the kids to enjoy. Various prizes were given to well-dressed kids.

Children brought typical Punjabi food like makki di roti, sarson da saag, lassi, kheer — poor pure and shared with each other. Classrooms were also decorated depicting Punjabi culture. Mr Mitter Sain, president B.V.M. Trust gave away the prizes to the winners. Ms. Indu Bala, principal, B.V.M. Shishu Vatika, shared the food with students. A dance competition was also held on this occasion.

Retired teacher dead: Hakim Singh Mahesh, retired teacher of SDP Senior Secondary School, founder of Recognised Teacher Union and a social activist passed away on Monday. Teachers’ union secretary, Mr Khurana said that Hakim Singh was a great visionary.

Red cross orphans: Students of Ryans International school, celebrated Friendship Day with orphans of Red Cross and New Life. A special programme was organised for the guests. Friendship bands were tied, toys and sport-kits were given to them and a special lunch was prepared for them. “It is at occasions like this that we can be thankful to God for giving us all that he has and also thank him for giving us the capacity to bring a smile on the faces of these underprivileged. To make them feel loved and wanted, we decided to celebrate Friendship Day with a difference”, said Ms Jaishri Gupta, Principal of the school.

HEALTH

Workshop on colposcopy held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 9
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) organised a CME-cum- workshop on colposcopy here yesterday. Dr S.K. Das, head of gynaecology unit at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi, was the key speaker and operating gynaecologist.

More than 80 gynaecologists from different parts of the state attended the workshop in which 20 colposcopies were performed and various lesions diagnosed. Attending delegates were apprised of intricacies of ‘loop electrocautery excision procedure’ (LEEP) during the programme.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Das observed that one of every 48 women in India were at a risk of acquiring cervical cancer by persistent infection due to ‘human papillomavirus’ (HPV).

While elaborating on her expert views on diagnosis and management of cervical carcinoma, she focused on the use of colposcope in diagnosing early lesions of the lower genital tract. “Unlike other cancers, cervical cancer is preventable and totally curable if diagnosed early.”

Dr Daljit Singh, principal, inaugurated the workshop. Among others, Dr Jagdeep Whig, vice-principal of DMCH, and Dr Usha Middha, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, were present.

IMA: need for greater ethics
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 9
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), while welcoming the decision of the Supreme Court, has asked the doctors not to shirk from their work and duties. It said the medical fraternity had to become more dedicated now.

Dr Gursharan Singh, honorary state secretary, IMA, Punjab, on behalf of the association assured the public that they would recommend action against the black sheep in medical profession. He said the doctors or health workers could not even dream of killing patients with criminal intentions. “At the same time with the sword of criminal liabilities hanging over their heads, no doctor can work with an open mind, which is of utmost important in medical field.

The IMA does not deny the fact that the degradation in the profession has been witnessed over the period. But the good points favoring the doctors are to be kept in mind before subjecting them to criminal liability”, said Dr Gursharan Singh.

The outcome of any treatment/procedure was not guided by a single man in the whole process of treatment. Dispensing medical services is a team work, which involved para-medical like nurses, ward boys, trained sweepers, laboratory technicians.

There was an acute shortage of nurses, ward boys in the country. Various laboratories were being opened by non-technical persons. Spurious medicines available in the market were also responsible for the wrong treatment of a patient, to an extent, he added.

Under such circumstances the doctors could not be held responsible solely. The IMA has requested general public to have faith in developing country like India, many other factors were also responsible for the treatment of patients.

Breastfeeding Week concludes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 9
The Community Food and Nutrition Extension Unit of the Women and Child Development Department (Government of India) organised several functions in the state to propagate the concept of breastfeed and nutritional food for children during the Breastfeeding Week, which concluded with an interactive session at Bhagwanpura village in Sangrur district yesterday.

Giving this information here today, the Child Development Project Officer, Mr Bal Krishan, said at the concluding function stress was laid on the dire need to breastfeeding infants. It was presided over by the sarpanch of the village.

At the functions held at Elementary School, Phullanwal (Ludhiana), Jandiali, Dakha and Dalel villages in this district, the Institute for the Blind, Ludhiana, and Mangwal village, Sangrur, the people were apprised of the benefits of breastfeed and appropriate time and modalities of putting the children on family foods .

An orientation and training course and a state-level workshop were also organised at the Government Institute for the Blind, Ludhiana, and Ranvir Degree College, Sangrur, respectively, which were aimed at training the field staff and other volunteers working for women and child development. A baby show was held in Mangwal village and prizes were given away to all participants.

The speakers, including Mr Priyank Bharti, Additional Deputy Commissioner (D), Ludhiana, Mr Surinder Kumar, district programme officer, Ms Sukhcharan Kaur, project officer, Mr Harnek Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, Ms Asha, Circle Supervisor, Mr Harbans Singh, chairman, block samiti - I, officials of the Health Department, discussed at length the benefits of breastfeed. Pamphlets and other literature were distributed among participants at the functions.

SPORTS

Rural Sports tournament begins
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, August 9
A block-level rural sports tournament began at the Principal Naresh Chander Stadium, Khanna, near here today. The tournament is being organised by the Ludhiana office of the Punjab Sports Department and the Sports Authority of India in association with gram panchayats, sports clubs and zila parishad. Competitions in volleyball, athletics, wrestling and weightlifting for boys and girls (under-16 years) are being held.

Results: athletics (girls) 100m — Harpreet Kaur of Hariaon Kalan 1, and Sukhjot Kaur of Rajowal 2; 200m — Harpreet Kaur of Hariaon Kalan 1, and Simarpreet Kaur of Rajowal 2; 400m — Navneet Kaur of Aluna Mianan 1, and Anjali of Khanna 2; 800m — Nimrata of Khanna Khurd 1, and Rajwinder Kaur of Khanna Khurd 2; 3000m — Gagandeep Kaur of Khanna Kurd 1, and Kusum of Khanna Khurd 2; long jump — Harpreet Kaur of Hariaona Kalan 1, and Gagandeep Kaur of Khanna Khurd 2; shot put — Gagandeep Kaur of Khanna Khurd 1, and Mandeep Kaur of Daudpur 2; discus throw — Monica of Khanna Khurd 1, and Mandeep Kaur of Daudpur 2.

Wrestling (boys) — 40kg Manpreet Singh of Maron 1, and Navpreet Singh of Libra 2; 42kg — Rupinder Singh of Malakpur 1, and Mangal Singh of Libra 2; 45kg — Manpreet Singh of Rangra 1, and Parminder Singh of Libra 2; 48kg — Amandeep Singh of Mahon 1, and Jasvir Singh of Kauri 2; 52kg — Naveen Singh of Gohn 1, and Lakhbir Singh of Kauri 2; 56kg — Lakhbir Singh of Gohn 1, and Rajit Arora of Rahon 2.

Weightlifting (boys): 56kg — Mukesh Batta of Rahon 1, and Harandeep Singh of Bullothur 2; 62kg — Harpreet Singh of Ismailpur 1, and Ranjit Singh of Ismailpur 2; 69kg — Chikshit Nagpal of Manakmajra 1, and Gurpreet Singh of Ismailpur 2; 77kg — Raman Tandon of Rahon 1, and Gurinder Singh of Soh 2; 85kg — Ajmer Singh of Alipur 1, and Narinder Kumar of Kauri 2; 94kg — Kulwinder Singh of Ismailpur 1, and Jasvinder Singh of Alipur 2; 105kg — Satnam Singh of Issru 1, and Harinder Singh of Bhadla 2; Plus 105kg — Gagandeep Singh of Manakmajra 1, and Daljeet Singh of Manakmajra 2.

In volleyball final (girls), Khanna Khurd beat Rajowal to clinch the title. Mr Bhanider Singh, Vice-Chairman, Zila Parishad, Ludhiana, and Mr Harbans Singh Rosha, chairman, Market Committee, Khanna, gave away prizes to the winners.

Mr Harjang Singh, chairman, Marketing Society, Khanna, Mr Hamir Singh Sarpanch, Rattanhori, Mr Gianinder Singh, DSO, Ludhiana and Mr Amritpal Singh Mavi, senior football coach, were also present at the prize distribution function.