AGRICULTURE

Training on post-harvest crop handling ends
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 21
A five-day inter state training course on post-harvest handling of horticultural Crops for export marketing concluded here yesterday. As many as 26 trainees, who participated were told by the Netherland expert, Dr S.P. Schouten, about the importance of controlled atmosphere storage for long term storage of apple, pear, cabbage etc. and familiarised them with grades and quality standards of fruit and vegetables for export to European Union countries.

The trainees were also briefed on the permissible maximum residue limits for agro chemicals.

Post-harvest Technology Centre Director Dr A.S. Dhatt talked about the positioning of India with an annual production of 140 million tonnes as the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world and its mini share of just 1 per cent when it comes to export of fruit and vegetables, either as raw or processed.

One basic reason for low export share in the global market was improper post-harvest handling which led to lowering of value. In fact, nearly 20 to 30 per cent fruit and vegetable losses had been logged in post-harvest handling. This colossal loss was valued at over Rs 30000 crore annually.

The only way to reduce these losses was to follow recommended improved techniques of handling, packaging, transportation and storage. In fact, a quality control laboratory had now been established at the PAU-based centre for analysis of pesticides residue and toxic heavy metals so as to bring the exportable processed or raw fruits and vegetables within the benchmarks of export set by the western market.

The laboratory charges were quite nominal for quality analysis and its portals were open to farmers, exporters and processors.

The training course helped the participants to learn about the latest techniques and technologies on harvesting, grading and packing.

Untrained hands which picked and plucked fruit resulted in a loss of five to 10 per cent. The value loss was accentuated when the plucked fruit was left in the open sun and later is unscientific packise further exposed it to transportation hazards over long distances. One reason why the farmers’ produce got less price in the market was because of poor packaging.

The trainees were told with the establishment of the National Horticulture Mission, exportable horticulture items would get a boost. In fact because of the demand for fruit in the global market, orchardists were now keen of taking tips on export-oriented technologies and methodology. 

EDUCATION

Withdraw decision on school merger: teachers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
“We are going to file a writ petition in the high court if the Punjab Government does not withdraw its decision to merge primary schools with high and senior schools and shift head teachers and centre heads to other schools,” said Mr Piara Singh Dhillon, who presided over a meeting of secretaries of different units of the Primary/Elementary Teachers Front, Punjab, at Government Primary School, Jahawar Nagar, this afternoon.

The order of the Secretary (Education) to merge the primary schools with middle high and senior schools within the radius of 1.5 km was decried at the meeting. The order to shift the heads and centre heads of the schools to other schools was also criticised and a decision was taken that the Front would send a member to meet Mr Harnam Dass Johar, state Education Minister, and urge him to cancel the order.

They also criticised the role of the Director, Primary Education, Mr Jagtar Singh Khattra, and the Director, Secondary Education, Dr Sadhu Singh Randhawa.

It was decided that the teachers would help teachers’ bodies under the Nijikaran Virodhi Front’s protest in Patiala on January 29.

College teachers resume stir
Our Correspondent

Samrala, January 21
Teachers of non-government aided colleges have resumed their agitation against the state government. Teachers of the local Malwa College, Bondli, Samrala, began the protest week by observing strike for two periods daily.

State executive member of PCCTU and local unit president Prof Baldeep Singh said the teachers were angry over the “callous” attitude of the state government toward their demands which included 50 per cent DA merger with the basic pay, pension and gratuity scheme and release of 95 per cent grant-in-aid.

Central union president R.S. Brar and Prof Baldeep Singh lamented that the high powered committee constituted in April 2005 under Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal had not conceded a single demand of the college teachers.

The teachers were, therefore, constrained to intensify their agitation in the coming days. The union leaders appealed to Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to intervene.

Seminar on need for accreditation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
In order to motivate principals of non-accredited colleges affiliated with Panjab University, Chandigarh, the Director Education Department, Chandigarh, has decided to organise a seminar at Government College here on January 24.

Dr D.S. Gill, Principal, Government College, said the main objective of the seminar was to make principals of these colleges aware that the NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) accreditation was a must. The accreditation and NAAC gradation resulted in increased grants for quality enhancement, said Dr Gill.

The seminar will be chaired by the DPI Colleges, Dr (Ms) Nisha Sarad, and the Deputy DPI, Mr Dinesh Gupta. The three resource persons would be Mr P.P.Bajaj, former Dean, Colleges, Himachal Pradesh University, Mr S.P.Dhawan, former Deputy DPI Colleges, Punjab, and Prof Tarsem Bahia, former Principal A.S.College Khanna, and a Syndicate and Senate member, Panjab University.

SPORTS

Punjab reigns supreme
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
Hosts Punjab continued their domination on the fourth day of the 51st National School Games, being held at different venues here, today. In hockey, Punjab lads (u-14 years) scored a thumping 8-0 win, while in girl’s section, Punjab players blanked Madhya Pradesh 2-0.

However, Haryana (boys) had to battle it out to hold Chandigarh to a goalless draw.

In boxing (14 years), Punjab proved their supremacy by registering victories in five weight categories. Similarly, in other events, hosts had a field day wrapping up their matches.

Mr Sadhu Singh Randhawa, DPI, Mr Ashok Sachdeva, Deputy Director Education, Mr Kudleep Singh Dhillon, chief organiser of the games, Mr Yash Paul Mehra, DEO, Ludhiana, Mr Sohan Singh Pannu, AEO, Ludhiana, Mr Satish Thakur, AEO, Ferozepore, were among the dignitaries who attended the proceedings today.

Results: hockey (boys u-14 years): Chandigarh b IPSC 9-1; Maharashtra b Andhra Pradesh 6-1; Delhi b Rajasthan 4-0; Madhya Pradesh b Uttaranchal 8-0; Himachal Pradesh b Chhattisgarh 4-1; Karnataka b Goa 4-0; Chhattisgarh b Uttar Pradesh 2-1; Tamil Nadu b Jammu and Kashmir 2-0; Punjab b Tamil Nadu 8-0; Haryana drew with Chandigarh 0-0; Chhattisgarh b Maharashtra 8-3 and Gujarat b Jammu and Kashmir 6-1.

Girls: Maharashtra b Gujarat 2-1; Karnataka b Jammu and Kashmir 12-0; Punjab b Madhya Pradesh 2-0; IPSC b Goa 4-0; Rajasthan b Andhra Pradesh 5-0; Chandigarh b Delhi 3-1 and Maharashtra b Jammu and Kashmir 8-0.

Handball (boys 14 years): Punjab b Karnataka 20-5; NVS b Jammu and Kashmir 14-2; Delhi b Chhattisgarh 18-9; Madhya Pradesh b Uttaranchal 15-14; Maharashtra b Haryana 19-15; Andhra Pradesh b Gujarat 20-5; Punjab b NVS 20-7; Delhi b Uttaranchal 16-4 and Karnataka b Jammu and Kashmir 11-5.

Girls: NVS b Uttar Pradesh 2-1; Haryana b Chandigarh 10-5; Manipur b Delhi 6-5; Maharashtra b Gujarat 9-8; Chhattisgarh b Madhya Pradesh 9-3; Andhra Pradesh b Jammu and Kashmir 15-3 and Punjab b NVS 26-2.

Basketball (boys 17 years): Maharashtra b Tamil Nadu 49-42; Andhra Pradesh b Chandigarh 65-43; Rajasthan b Karnataka 47-38; Punjab b Jammu and Kashmir 42-9; Madhya Pradesh b Kerala 47-21; Chhattisgarh b Uttaranchal 52-15; Madhya Pradesh b Karnataka 56-17; Jammu and Kashmir b Uttaranchal 24-10 and Punjab b Chhattisgarh 78-28.

Girls: Madhya Pradesh b Uttaranchal 44-5; Tamil Nadu b Uttar Pradesh 34-17; Karnataka b Kerala 35-28; Punjab b Andhra Pradesh 44-8; Delhi b Chandigarh 41-17; Rajasthan b Haryana 57-32 and Andhra Pradesh b Chandigarh 32-18; Punjab b Jammu and Kashmir 58-11.

Wrestling (girls u-19 years) 48 kg: Wagh Kushayala of Maharashtra-1, Sumash of Haryana-2 and Shivani of Delhi and Lakshvinder of Punjab-3; 55 kg: Shilpi of Haryana-1, Preeti of Punjab-2, S. Sarithia of Andhra Pradesh and Rashmi Tyagi of Uttar Pradesh-3; 63 kg: Bimlesh of Delhi-1, Aman Kaur of Punjab-2, Geeta Rani of Manipur-3; 72 kg: Vidya Laxmi Devi of Manipur-1, Rajni Bishath of Delhi-2 and Harpreet Kaur of Punjab-3.

Boxing (boys u-14 years) 42-45 kg: Rakesh of Uttaranchal b Nilesh and Gaurav of Delhi b Anan Tyagi; 45-48 kg: Bipan of Uttaranchal b Pawan and Satriba of Tamil Nadu b Pramod.

Kohinoor House bags top honours
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
Kohinoor House bagged top honours in the annual athletics meet of the BCM School, Basant Avenue, Dugri, here today. The Shalimar House finished runners-up while Gulmohar House had to content with the third position.

In the individual events, Dixhant, Suman, Kashish, Tarandeep, Tanya, Nitesh, Ocean, Balraj, Deepak and Ramandeep finished among medal winners in different races.

Students took part in various games like three-legged race, flat race, relay race, sack and hurdles race. Addressing students on the occasion, Dr Vandna Shahi, principal of the school, said through sports children learnt the value of good health, exercise, discipline and above all team work.

Ms Rachel and Mr Hiteshwar were the event organisers. A large number of parents were present at the event.

Bhagwant, Harpreet emerge fastest runners
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
Bhagwant Singh of Payal and Harpreet Kaur of Khanna romped home with titles of fastest runners among boys and girls, respectively, on the penultimate day of the 12th annual sports festival organised by the Malwa Sports Association and Gram Panchayat at Malwa College ground of Bondli village in Samrala tehsil, about 30 km from here, today.

In the boy’s section, Jora Singh of Bhutta and Rajneesh of Kharar finished second and third, respectively, while in the girl’s section, Mandeep Kaur of Jandpur occupied the second spot. The third spot was bagged by Pawanjeet Kaur of Takhran.

In weightlifting (69 kg), Phulvir Singh of Khanna emerged winner with a lift of 140 kg, while the second and third positions went to Amit Kumar of Jalandhar, who lifted 130 kg and Kulwinder Singh of Khanna who lifted 122.5 kg.

In the 85 kg category, Gurpreet Singh of Jalandhar, with an attempt of 160 kg, won top honours, while Balraj Sharma of Jalandhar and Pritpal Singh of Khanna finished second and third, respectively.

Manjit Singh of Ludhiana proved his prowess in the 94 kg category by lifting 165 kg, however, the runner-up — Rajesh Batta of Samrala — also lifted 165 kg. Sukwinder Singh of Khanna with 137 kg had to content with the third position.

In the open-weight category, Jalandhar’s Gurpreet Singh with 170 kg finished well ahead of others to bag the title. The first and second runners-up — Gurjeet Singh of Khanna and Gaurav Kumar of Ludhiana — could lift 132.5 kg and 130 kg, respectively.

In kabaddi (one village open), Ghaluti defeated Mushkabad, while in an exhibition match, Government Senior Secondary School, Samrala, beat Shaheed Bhagat Singh Academy, Samrala.

Mr Harbhajan Singh, chairman, Transport Association, Punjab, presided over the festival today.

Mr Shivdev Singh Kang, president, Malwa Education Council, inaugurated the weightlifting events, while Kirpal Singh Khirnian, member SGPC, Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, national general secretary, Bharti Kisan Union, were the guests of honour.

Mr Devi Dyal, former international kabaddi star, Mr Malkeet Singh Dhillon (USA), Mr Jagjit Singh Kang, chairman of the organising association, were also present at the ground.

Bachan Singh Academy, Unity Club to clash
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
Baba Bachan Singh Academy XI pipped Jai Bhawani Club by 20 runs to set up a title clash with the Unity Club at the 10th Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Cricket Tournament being organised by the Shastri Young Society at Daresi Ground here.

Yesterday, in the first semi-final, the Unity Club defeated the Bhavadas XI by 38 runs to secure a berth in the final to be played on Sunday.

In the second semi-final, batting first, the Baba Bachan Singh Academy XI scored 214 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 30 overs. Gaurav Sharma and Sunny batted well, contributing 55 and 48 runs, respectively. Kaka and Lalit made 39 and 29 runs, respectively. Jai Bhawani Club’s Kuldeep took four wickets for 23 runs in six overs. Tippu claimed two wickets for 46 runs while Deepak grabbed one for 27.

In reply, despite fine innings of 63 runs by Kuldeep and Shiva’s useful contribution of 29 runs, Jai Bhawani Club’s essay folded at 194 runs after 29.1 overs. Similarly, Sonu’s 18 runs went in vain as the Jai Bhawani Club fell short by 20 runs.

Lalit Kapoor with a haul of four wickets and conceding 26 runs and Vicky’s three wickets for 19 runs scripted the Baba Bachan Singh Academy XI victory.

The final, a 30-over each side is slated for tomorrow. Mr Surinder Dawar, local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab, will be the chief guest.

Stumped by stadium
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, January 21
Students of classes IX and X from Chhattisgarh and Jammu and Kashmir are excited to be in Punjab to participate in the National School Games. The Chhattisgarh team has lost a match to the Madhya Pradesh team whereas the Jammu and Kashmir team its yet to play.

The girls of both states were impressed with the huge Guru Nanak Stadium, the venue of the games.

Kusuma, Naahra, Nidhi and Minsha from Jammu and Kashmir and Bhawani, Roma, Jyoti, and Deepti told Ludhiana Tribune: “We are simply awestruck to see the hugeness of Guru Nanak Stadium. Back home, we do not have anything close to it. Moreover, the colourful opening ceremony was mindblowing. We thoroughly enjoyed it.”

The team from Jammu and Kashmir found the weather pleasant. The team members said, “When we left Jammu, it was raining, and it has been snowing in Kashmir. The sun has come out today and cheered us immensely. The weather is nice and we are enjoying sitting on the steps awaiting our turn to play our match. However, we did not like the food served to us.”

Girls from Chhattisgarh found the weather a bit cold. They said, “The weather back home is better. It is very cold here, but thank God the sun has come out. We like Punjabis a lot as they are very warm. “We are 120 members in our contingent and we are going to participate in softball, basketball, handball, hockey and wrestling.”

Their coach Sanjay Shukla said: “We have been provided good accommodation in Sargodha Khalsa Girls School”.

Manpreet, Dhanraj do school proud
Our Sports Reporter

Sports festival at Bijlipur
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 21
The inaugural edition of the sports festival at Bijlipur village near Samrala will be held from January 23 to 25. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Satvinder Singh Litt of Canada, spokesperson of the Youth Sports Club, Bijlipur, said during the three-day festival, competitions in athletics, kabaddi, volleyball (shooting), veterans’ race and dogs race would be conducted. The winners in all events would be given cash prizes.