3 PAU scientists honoured
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 27
Horticulturists Dr Sukhjit Kaur, Dr J.S. Randhawa and Dr J.S. Dhiman have been awarded with N.N. Mohan Memorial Award. The award was given for their research paper entitled, "Effect of high density polyethylene, bavistin and boric acid on performance of kinnow fruits under ambient storage" published in Indian Food Packer, an official organ of the All India Food Processors’ Association.

The award was presented to them by Mr Subodh Kant Sahai, Union Minister, at the 61st annual conference of the association in New Delhi, recently.

The scientists have worked out a simple, low cost technique, whereby, fresh kinnows can be stored at room temperature. It involves treating the fruits in 0.1 per cent bavistin for two minutes, air drying and packing in HDPE film. The stored fruit maintains high juice percentage and palatability.

Kinnow, the premier fruit of Punjab, is becoming popular in India due to its high juice content, strong flavour and taste. Since the fruit has short-shelf life, extending its shelf life as suggested by the three scientists was, therefore, of commercial significance to kinnow growers and processing industry.

Kids present cultural show
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 27
Education helps in a person’s personality development and those who get such opportunity are fortunate enough. Expressing these views, Ms Manjit Kaur, Deputy Education Officer (S), said that students should not include in copying. Parents could help teachers checking the menace of copying, she remarked.

Ms Manjit Kaur was presiding over the annual prize distribution function of Nightingale Public School, New Shimla Puri, here today. Prof Kulwant Singh Jagraon, an eminent writer, also addressed the students on the occasion.

Children presented various cultural items and performed bhangra, which was applauded by the audience. Ms Manjit Kaur distributed prizes to the position holders.

NSS council meeting held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 27
A meeting of the Punjab Technical University NSS council comprising NSS Programme Officers and Principals/Directors of affiliated colleges, was held at the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT) here yesterday.

Dr R.P.Singh Sukar-Chakia, Director, Rayat Institute of Engineering and Technology, Railmajra and Dr S.K.Goyal, Principal, Regional Institute of Management and Technology, Mandi Gobindgarh, were the special invitees.

The meeting was inaugurated by Col H.S.Singha and presided over by Dr M.S.Grewal, Registrar Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar. Mr R.K.Sachdeva, Deputy Dean Academics, conducted the proceedings, in which all NSS Programme Officers informed the House about the NSS activities being conducted in their respective colleges.

Course on food trends ends

Ludhiana, December 27
An ICAR-sponsored winter school of 21 days on ‘emerging trends in food technologies and food business development in India’ concluded at the Department of Food Science and Technology, PAU, recently. The refresher course was attended by 29 teachers, research workers and extension specialists from all over India.

Dr Darshan Singh, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, in his presidential remarks exhorted the participants for making concerted efforts to integrate production of agriculture with food industries for value addition and commerce for generating a vibrant agri-business in India. — OC

“Jaal” portrays problems of working women
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 27
The Ludhiana Kala Manch performed its play “Jaal” written and directed by Dr S.N. Sewak, at the hall of Arya College for Boys here on last Saturday. Principal of the college, Dr S.M. Sharma, presided over the function. Although it was very chilly on the Christmas eve, a number of theatre lovers turned up to see the play. The function was organised by the department of co-curricular activities of the College.

The play dealt with the plight of young educated girls who sought employment in factories and educational institutions where they often came across lecherous employers who tried to seduce them. The protagonist of the play, Asha, faced all odds and emerged victorious despite attempts to exploit her. Asha as Mills gave an outstanding performance. Dr (Mrs) Pritpal Kaur Chahal, Swapan Chanana, Ms Kavinder Kalsi, Rajesh Gandhi, Varun, Jaskanwal, Gurinder, and Jaswinder also impressed the audience with their acting.

The play put in focus the problems of women’s empowerment and offered meaningful entertainment. Dr S.M. Sharma, Dr R.C. Sharma, Dean, Prof Sudhir and Prof S.P. Singh admired the efforts of the manch towards the theatre of purpose. 

Prelim rounds of beauty contest held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 27
The preliminary rounds for No Marks Face of the Year 2005 were held here today. The beauty pageant and talent hunt award function will be held in Chandigarh on December 29.

The preliminary rounds were held for the subtitles, Miss Talent, Miss Best Costume, Miss Photogenic, Miss Catwalk and Miss Personality.

Mr Amit Verma, Senior Brand Manager, said the competition provided budding models a platform to prove their worth. "Our aim is to lay emphasis on hunting for a face to redefine fashion without vulgarity. The pageant covers all aspects, including beauty, brains, fashion and glamour and grooms young faces into leaders in different spheres of life", Mr Verma added.

SPORTS

Ramgarhia Club win cricket match
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 27
In a keenly contested match, the Ramgarhia Club beat the Campus Cricket Club by eight runs in the first edition of the Ludhiana District Twenty-Twenty Cricket Tournament being played on the Bharat Box Factory ground, Tajpur Road, here today.

Batting first, the Ramgarhia Club made 119 runs for the loss of eight wickets. The main contributors were Goldy and Baba, who chipped in with 31 and 21 runs, respectively. Other notable scorers were Kamal and Deepu, who made 15 and 14 runs, respectively, while Lucky of the Campus club excelled with the ball claiming three wickets for 15 runs. Mithun and Mohit scalped two victims each.

In reply, the Campus club could muster 111 runs after losing nine wickets. Manpreet top scored with 22 runs while Rajesh Pandey and Tarun scored 16 runs each. Ricky and Mani made 8 runs each. For the Ramgarhia Club, Billu and Kamal took two wickets each while Goldy and Gurpreet Birdi grabbed one wicket each for 13 and 23 runs, respectively.

In the second match, GTB College, Dakha, defeated the Johny Club by 5 runs. Chasing a target of 103 runs, the Johny Club’s innings culminated at 97 runs.

Brief scores: GTB College- 102 runs all out (Vikram 39, Tinku 15, Deepak 9; Sunil 4 for 8, Ajay 2 for 17, Johny 1 for 14 and Binny 2 for 9); Johny Club- 97 all out.

In the third match, the Friends Club outplayed the FTI Club by four wickets. The FTI Club batted first and scored 139 runs with main contributions coming through Jimmy and Aman Pal who made 38 and 28 runs, respectively, while Bunty scored 18 runs.

The Friends Club achieved the target after losing six wickets. Shinu and Tony scored 65 and 21 runs to help their side surpass opponent’s total.

Rajbir, Pooja, Sunny best athletes
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 27
Rajbir Kaur and Pooja shared top honours in the girls’ section as they were declared best athletes jointly in the seventh annual athletics meet of Darshan Academy, Chandigarh Road, here today. Sunny was adjudged the best among boys.

Mr Vijay Jasuja, Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India, Commercial Branch, inaugurated the meet. Mr G.S. Ghai, in charge, Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission, Noth Zone, gave away prizes to the winners.

Mr A. Bhatnagar, Principal of the academy, thanked the dignitaries and parents present on the occasion and wished the students good luck.

Results: senior boys: (400 m) Yatin — 1; 200 m — Ashish 1; 100 m — Narinder 1; 800 m — Sunny 1; long jump — Sunny 1; shot put — Sunny 1; and discus throw — Narinder 1.

Senior girls: 400 m- Rajbir 1; 200 m — Shikha 1; 100 m — Pooja 1; 800 m — Shikha 1; long jump — Shikha 1; shot put — Manmeet Kaur 1; and discus throw- Manmeet Kaur 1.

Junior boys: 400 m — Manish 1; 200 m — Kamal 1; 100 m — Rajinder 1; long jump — Manish 1; and shot put — Manish 1.