The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Reorient farm research, says Aulakh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 16
Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) while addressing scientists, staff and students, on the occasion of 59th Independence Day celebrations called for reorientation in agricultural research as the needs and challenges of the future had seen a substantial change.

He said, at the time of Independence, the country was not self-sufficient in foodgrain production. With sustained efforts of scientists and policy makers of the country, today India had vast potential for the exports of foodgrains and other agricultural products.

Dr Aulakh underlined the need for scientific awareness and vocational education for better placements. He expressed his serious concern over the fast depletion of natural resources in the state, including water and micronutrients. He exhorted the university faculty and staff to pledge for overall agricultural development of the state and country at large

Earlier, a group of NCC cadets presented an impressive parade. Dr Lall Singh Brar, Director Students Welfare, PAU paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters and exhorted student to strive for the overall welfare of the farming community.

Those who were present on the occasion included Dr S.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education, Dr V.K. Sharma, Registrar, PAU, Dr Gulzar Singh Chahal, Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr S.K. Sondhi, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering, Dr (Ms) Manjit Kaur Dhillon, Dean, College of Home Science, Dr Dev Raj Sharma, Dean, College of Veterinary Science, a number of heads of different departments of the university, teachers and students also attended the Independence Day celebrations held on the university campus.

Withdrawal of pension irks private school teachers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 16
Condemning the Punjab Government for withdrawing pension to private aided school teachers, the Government Pensioners Association today rued that while the Haryana Government was giving benefits to aided school and college teachers, the Punjab Government was doing exactly the opposite.

The Haryana government has announced that teaching and non-teaching staff pensioners in aided schools and colleges would also be granted dearness allowance (DA). Haryana has also granted the benefit of 50 per cent DA merger with the basic pay for its aided college staff. “What to talk about benefits, the Punjab government has even withdrawn pension from school teachers,” Mr Yash Paul Ghai, president of the association, said.

He said the government had not implemented pension scheme for aided college staff. “It is even dilly dallying on the issue of DA merger with basic pay.”

Mentioning the Haryana Government’s move to recruit lecturers for state-run and aided colleges, the association pointed out that there had been no recruitment in Punjab’s Government colleges for the last eight years. “Over 800 of the total 2,281 posts of lecturer are lying vacant in government colleges in the state. Aided colleges are also awaiting state government’s nod to fill vacant posts”, he said.

50 meritorious students honoured
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 16
Maharishi Balmik Nagar (Block-C) Welfare Association organised a function to honour meritorious students of the block on the occasion of Independence Day. As many as 50 students were honoured on the occasion. The association has been holding this function for the past four years.

Wg Cdr Mr Paramjit Singh Sibia, Chairman, Improvement Trust, presided over the function.

Mr M.L. Anand, chairman of the association, highlighted the difficulties like bad roads, faulty sewerage, errant streetlights, non-development of parks and long wild herbs and wild growth of grass, being faced by residents of the area.

Tagore Vidya Mandir: Tagore Vidya Mandir organised a brief function yesterday. Principal M.K. Aulakh unfurled the National Flag and took salute on the occasion. Ten students from Classes VI to VIII read their papers and recited poems eulogizing the spirit of Independence. On this occasion, an Art workshop was also organised in which over 150 students created motifs related to the struggle for Independence. As many as 21 drawings were selected and students were given prizes.

Nirdosh School: Mr Priyank Bambi, ADC (Development), visited Nirdosh School for mentally challenged children, run by the Inner-Wheel Club Ludhiana. He met the children and interacted with them and took keen interest in their activities. The children presented a dance performance on the occasion.

Tagore Public School: Members of the management, teachers and students of Tagore Public School celebrated Independence Day with all fervour and enthusiasm. The function was presided over by Mr G.L. Bassi, a member of the executive committee. The National Flag was hoisted by the chief guest. Students took part in the march past and also presented cultural items. Students also took part in a fancy-dress show.

Lions Club: Lions Club, Ludhiana Skipper, celebrated Independence Day at Anand Marg here yesterday. The president of the club, S.K. Kalra, unfurled the National Flag and advised the students to remain honest and sincere. The club members distributed sweets to all students and staff members. Mr A.K. Dutta, Mr N.K. Marwaha, Mr Ajay Kapoor and Mr A.K. Ahuja were among those present on the occasion.

UVM School: Students of U.V.M. School, Manakwal, celebrated Independence Day by hoisting the National Flag. Students sang patriotic songs and recited poems. Bhangra and giddha were the special features of the programme.

Science teachers get training in teaching aids
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 16
Forty science teachers from government schools and 36 heads of middle schools were imparted exclusive training in TLM (teaching-learning material) at Government Inservice Training Centre (GITC) on the directions of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT)” The participants got in service training to make innovative and interesting teaching aids.

“It will bring about a qualitative change in their teaching methods and help students to gain knowledge in a more simplified way,” said Mrs Usha Sidhu, Principal, GITC, here today. Working models on electricity, magnetism, the green house phonememon as well as models, charts, teaching aids and transparencies on various science topics were displayed during a science exhibition. Heads of middle schools also displayed attractive teaching aids. Science course coordinator and lecturer Davinder Singh Chhina delivered a lecture on environment.

Mrs Sidhu appreciated the teachers and heads of schools for putting up of teaching aids.

College activity makes it to Limca book
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 16
The Punjab College of Technical Education has become the first institute of India to get its unique activity published in Limca Book of Records (edition 2005). The institute launched this mutual fund activity in 2000 through SWAP (Student Welfare Association). The activity has enabled students to know the intricacies of stock market by investing money in it.

Under this activity, every student member is required to contribute Rs 1,000 towards the SWAP fund. The collected money is invested in various stock options through students only. The students hold meetings with members when the decision of investment has to be taken and also maintain records of transactions made in a year. At the end of the year, the profits generated by the mutual fund are received. The institute bears the losses, if occur. When the member leaves the institute after the completion of the degree, he gets his amount back.