EDUCATION

Stay on vet varsity cheers PAU unions
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 29
There was joy and excitement on the Punjab Agricultural University campus as the news of Punjab and Haryana High Court staying the start of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University spread here today. A petition in this regard was filed by the Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Union (PAUTA) and the Punjab Agricultural University Employees Union.

The two unions had challenged the setting up of the university on various grounds saying that although the government could set up a university, but it could not bifurcate the existing university. The High Court has stayed the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Act which had come into effect from August 9.

Senior PAUTA leaders, including Dr Hari Singh Brar, said the agricultural universities had been set up across the country after a thorough research was conducted jointly by the Indian and US experts. Where as the veterinary university had been conceived by a few people only without looking into its practical aspects. Moreover, the PAUTA leaders, argued that the experts at the national and international levels had always insisted on the integrated study of agricultural, animal and veterinary sciences.

Reacting to the stay, the Punjab Agricultural University Employees Union leaders said, “All political parties, including the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, had given their nod to the setting up of the veterinary university without examining the practical and technical aspects”. They said, instead they should have taken a prior opinion from experts, scientists and planners on such an issue concerning national development.

The setting up of the veterinary university was unanimously opposed by the PAUTA, non-teaching employees, PAU Students’ Association, PAU Class IV Workers Union, Punjab Agri Technocrats Action Committee and several farmers’ organisations.

The union leaders reiterated that they were not against the setting up of the new independent university but they were against the bifurcation of PAU. They demanded that there should be a high level debate among experts on the role and perspective of the inter-related and inter-dependent subjects of crop husbandry and dairy development.

Meanwhile, the Animal Husbandry Minister, Punjab, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, had recently settled the issue of the bifurcation of the assets between PAU and the new university. He had also supervised the final arrangements in connection with the inauguration of the university.

Students vow to fight drug menace
Our Correspondent

Raikot, August 29
Mr Rajiv Ahir, Senior Superintendent of Police, Jagraon, has called upon social organisations of the area to join hands with the police in a drive launched against the menace of drug addition.

While addressing students of Swami Ganga Giri Janta College for Girls and social activists of the area at a seminar on the “Consequences of Drug Addiction” organised by the Rotary Club, here on Sunday, Mr Ahir claimed that drug addiction was the root cause of a majority of criminal activities in the region.

Appreciating the role of the Rotary Club in holding de-addiction camps and awareness camps, Mr Ahir claimed that no state agency could curb the evil without the help of NGOs. Students of the college vowed to educate the vulnerable groups about the devastating effects of drug addiction. Mr Ramesh Kaura, general secretary of the management committee of the college, Ms Savita Uppal, Principal, Dr Inderjit Singh and Ms Surinder Kaur, spoke on the occasion.

Chandra Prabha tops BHMS final exam
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 29
Three students of Lord Mahavira Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital have bagged the top three positions in the BHMS final examination conducted by Baba Farid University.

Ms Chandra Prabha secured 685 marks out of 1000 and bagged the first position. Rajneet Kaur secured the second position by getting 677 marks, while Bindia Sareen secured the third position by scoring 659 marks.

Freshers welcomed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 29
Ms Palki Sadana of B.Com I was declared Ms Fresher 2005-during the function held on the Khalsa College of Women premises here on late Saturday evening. She was crowned by the Principal Dr. (Mrs) Varinder Thind. The first runner up was Ms Prableen Kaur while the second runner up was Ms Chandani Malhotra. The three winners are ex-students of Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana.

Doraha institute of management

The campus of Doraha Institute of Management & Technology, Doraha, celebrated Freshers’ Day. Senior students of MBA, MCA, BCA, M.Sc. ( I.T), PGDCA of the institute organised a cultural show. Arshdeev Kaur of MBA final welcomed the freshers. Ramandeep Kaur of MBA-I thanked the seniors.

Students honoured
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 29
Bharat Vikas Parishad (Dr Kitchlu Branch), Ludhiana, has honoured 12 girls and 10 boys for their meritorious achievement in an impressive function organised to encourage the youth.

Chief Guest of function, Dr P.K. Sharma, Director of the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, impressed upon the youth to strive hard for excelling in all spheres of their career.

Dr Anil Kalia, President, BVP, Punjab North, stated that Bharat Vikas Parishad, in its own humble way, was rendering a great service to the society through various projects based on the philosophy and principles of its five commandments — sampark, sahayog, sanskar, sewa and samarpan.

Mr Ravinder Mittal presented an interactive talk on “Positive Mental Attitude, Personality Development and Success Principles.” Efforts were made to ensure more involvement from the younger generation in this interaction.

Besides, “A family get-together and Teej celebration” were also held through a cultural programme consisting of the songs, folk dances, skits, quizzes, mine games like RUBIC’s cubes etc.

The children were asked to arrange the sides of the cube. One child, master Areesh Mittal of class IX drew rich applause by arranging all the six sides.

As per the rich traditions of Bharat Vikas Parishad, the function started with Bharat Mata Poojan followed by recitation of Vande Matram.

Dr V.K. Kakkar, President of BVP, Kitchlu Branch, Ludhiana, welcomed the dignitaries, participants and members while Dr J.R. Kaushal presented the vote of thanks.

From Schools
Environment week celebrated
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 29
Monday marked the beginning of the celebration of environment week at Ryan International School. The students presented various cultural items on the save earth theme. Students planted saplings at Division 2 Police Station, Central Jail and Industrial Area.

Principal Jaishree said during the week Green Day, Plant Day and Animal Day would be celebrated. Poster making, slogan writing and badge making competitions would be held.

Under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, a training programme of primary school teachers of Ludhiana, Block II has been going on in Government Senior Secondary (Multipurpose) School from August 17 under the guidance of Principal H.K. Myer.

Students given aid

A function was organised at Arya Senior Secondary School on Saturday to provide financial aid to the poor but academically sound students. Neelam Thapar was the guest of honour. Mr Prem Paul Kaushal, the Principal, said if a student could not continue the studies for want of funds, what can be the future of the country?

CULTURE

Rafi remembered
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 29
Mohammad Rafi’s name always reminds one of melody. No wonder there are thousands and thousands of his fans who keep on singing and humming his songs everyday till now. The Rafi Memorial Society, Ludhiana, organised “Ek sham Rafi ke Naam”, at Baba Gurmukh Singh Hall at Vishvakarma Chowk here yesterday. Singers presented various songs on the occasion.

Some of the singers like Tarsem Khullar from Sirhind, Ramesh from Ambala, Richa Sharma, Himani, Liza Malhotra and Shashipal imbibed music into the night. Shashipal’s song, “Gulabi aankhen jo dekhi teri, sharabi yeh dil ho gaya....”.

Some upcoming singers like Himani, presented “Pakeeza’s” song “Mausam hai aashiqana, ai dil kahi say unko aisay mein doond laana”, Liza Malhotra’s “chalo sajna jahan takk gatha chalay...” and Richa Shjarma’s, “aao hazur tum ko, sitaroon mein lay chaloo...” enthralled the audience to rapture.

The organisers of the programme said, they had tried to provide a forum to the promising singers to sing before the fans of Rafi. They thanked people for their cooperation and participation in the programme.