Ludhiana, January 14
The Department of Vegetable Crops, Punjab Agricultural University, has advised farmers to plant spring crop of potato up to the second fortnight of January.

The Head of the Department has said that since freshly harvested tubers have dormancy, these cannot be used as such immediately after harvest for seed purpose. Therefore, for the spring crop, seed potato of last year which has been 
kept in the cold store can be used.

If the seed raised from autumn crop is to be used for spring planting, its dormancy should be broken by dipping cut tubers of potato in a solution of 1 per cent Thiourea (1 kg in 100 litres of water) and 1 ppm Gibberellic Acid (1 gram in 100 litres of water) for an hour followed by air drying the treated seed pieces for 24 hours in thin layers in shade.The tuber should be planted after these are properly sprouted.

Meanwhile, experts of the PAU have asserted that there is an imperative need to save the underground water from further depletion. A mass awareness movement is required to be launched by all the organisations across the state.

This was emphasised by progressive farmers Mr Nek Singh Khokh, Mr Jagjit Singh Kartarpur and Mr Harbans Singh Beradwal. They were participating in the scientific advisory committee meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Patiala, working under the auspices of Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University.

The Director of Extension Education, Dr S.S. Gill said at least 30 per cent water saving was possible if the farmers desist from early sowing of paddy crop and also diversify to other crops which require less water. He said if all the farmers pay attention to this aspect only, the problem of underground water could be solved within a short period of time. 

Samrala , January 14
A training camp for farmers was organised by the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Kakrala Khurd village yesterday. Around 130 villagers, including 50 women, attended the camp.

It was organised in collaboration with the agricultural cooperative society of the village.

The Deputy Director of the centre apprised the farmers of various facilities provided to them by the centre and advised them to conserve water.

Dr Manmeet Kaur, Assistant Professor, told the farmers about various activities for farmers going on at centre. Stressed the formation of cooperatives in agriculture and allied sectors, she appealed to the farmers to adopt cooperative farming.

Dr Parminder Kaur, Assistant Professor, insisted on judicious use of fertilisers in various rabi crops. She explained various deficiencies hitting crops and their control. Dr Ranjit Singh, Assistant Professor, Animal Sciences, guided the farmers on breed improvement nutrition and daily arrangements for animals. He laid stress on the use of minerals in cattle field.

Dr Mandeep Dhaliwal and Dr Ritu Gupta educated the woman on various recipes of fruits and vegetables.

Dr Satpal Singh, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, told the farmers about various facilities being provided to them by the cooperative societies.

Ludhiana, January 14
Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Education Minister, Punjab, has stated that the government has decided to strengthen the infrastructure in all government schools and to provide computer education in high senior secondary schools.

He was addressing a function after laying the foundation stone of a new block at Government Senior Secondary School, Haibowal Khurd, here today.

The minister said under the Sarb Sikhya Abhyan grants had been given to schools for new rooms, toilets and teaching aids. He said grants of Rs 9 crore had already been released to government schools of Ludhiana district alone.

Out of these grants, Rs 2.28 crore had been given for the construction of additional rooms for primary classes and Rs 2.88 crore for rooms for upper primary classes.

He said a new scheme of nursery centres had been launched in 1,700 primary schools in the state to provide training and play way facilities for children belonging to the age groups between three and five years. Mr Johar said more stress was being laid on the all-round development of students. The government had spent Rs 4 crore on the development of sports in schools.

He announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh, including Rs 2 lakh for the up-gradation of sports for the school.

Mr Balkar Singh, councillor, Mr Balraj Singh Sekhon, PTA president, and Mr Santosh Chawla, Principal, also addressed the function.

Among others present were Mr Ajay Johar, Mr Yash Pal Mehra DEO(S) Ms Harvinder Kaur, DEO(E), Mr Manjit Kaur, Deputy DEO(S), Mr Jagdish Marwaha and Mr Bittu Bhullar.

Later, he laid the foundation stone of a new block of building at PPS School in Sant Nagar, Haibowal Kalan, and distributed uniforms and sweets among students. He announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for the school building.

Mr Tarsem Lal Adyia, and Mr Hans Raj Aggarwal, councillor, also addressed the function.

Ludhiana, January 14
D.D. Jain Memorial College for Women gave young minds an opportunity to showcase their varied talents by hosting a number of competitions. This function was a part of the ongoing centenary celebrations of Behan Devki Devi that started in 2005.

The Department of Hindi had organised inter school debate and an essay writing competitions. The winners of debate competitions were Sunayana I, BCM Arya Model School. The second prize was won jointly by Pratima Jain, Jain Girls Senior Secondary School, Sheenu, BCM Arya Model School and Paramlot Kaur, Sayyad Khalsa Senior Secondary School.

Winners of essay writing competition:

1st prize: Priyanka, Brahm Rishi Bawra Senior Secondary School.

11nd prize: Neeru, Jain Girls Senior Secondary School.

11nd prize: Madhvi Dhir SAN Jain School.

111rd prize: Lovely, MD Bhatt School.

111rd prize: Avinasi Chhabra, New SMD School.

Fine Arts Deaprtment had arranged poster, pot and fabric painting competitions. Students of Fine Arts had organised an exhibition-cum-workshop. Different aspects of fine arts like clay modelling, paper craft, candle making were displayed.

Department of Home Science had also arranged the inter school competitions in rangoli, mehndi, delectable salad and sandwich making.

Prizes in all the competitions were sponsored by State Bank of Patiala, Ludhiana. Mr Balwinder Kumar, AGM, State Bank of Patiala, was the guest of honour. Mr Surinder Dawar, Secretary, Parliament, was the chief guest. Mr Subash Bajaj, branch manager, Industrial Area A was also the chief guest.

The college managing committee president, Mr Narinder Kumar Jain, senior vice president, Mr Amrit Lal Jain, were also present.