EDUCATION

Dances mark Indo-Canadian rendezvous
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, February 6
An Indo- Canadian rendezvous was organised at Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women last evening. Mr Micheal De Jong, Minister for Labour and Citizen Services of British Columbia, was the chief guest. Mr D.J. Sandhu, adviser to the Vice-Chancellor of a university in British Columbia, and Ms Patty Sahota, a former MLA, accompanied him.

The proceedings were initiated with the recitation of shabad followed by lighting of lamp by the chief guest. The main objective of this event was to set up an Indo -Canadian centre, which would open job opportunities in Canada for the upcoming graduates and postgraduates possessing theoretical as well as practical training in need-based areas.

Mr Michael in his address focussed on issues such as labour exchange. He believed that institutions could help bridge the gap between countries. Earlier, Ms Sahota introduced other dignitaries and said their collaborative endeavour would prove meaningful in generating employment for subsequent generations.

Mr Swaran Singh, president of the college management, in his welcome speech, highlighted the academic, cultural attainments of the college. He further added that in order to take the college to new heights, new courses were being introduced.

Adding glitter to the evening was a fusion of cultural items. Dressed up in colourful outfits, college students presented a colourful cultural extravaganza comprising Rajasthani group dance, Punjabi folk dance-Sammi. Ms Madanjit Sahota, Principal of the college, said it was a privilege for the college to have a host of dignitaries from Canada. She thanked them for their cooperation. The dignitaries included Mr Moe Gill, Councillor City of Abbotsford, Mr Jatinder Sidhu, Mr Simranjit Singh Jawana, Mr Baldev Rakhra, Mr Avtar Gill, Mr Gurdeep Grewal, Mr Nash Gill and Mr Rajinder Gill.

The Fashion Designing Department organised a life style exhibition showcasing the latest trends. The Fine Arts Department organised an exhibition displaying exquisite designer articles.

The programme culminated with a spirited Punjabi folk dance in which even the chief guest and other guests joined in and danced with gay abandon. All guests were presented paintings as a token of love. The function ended with National Anthem.

DMCH lecturer wins laurels
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 6
Mr Suresh Kumar Sharma, lecturer in the College of Nursing of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here, was awarded a gold medal at the 55th annual convocation of Panjab University, held at Chandigarh recently. The function was organised at the Gymnasium Hall on the PU campus.

Mr Sharma won the laurels for his outstanding performance in Masters of Science in Nursing at the National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

A gold medalist in B.Sc (Nursing) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Mr Sharma has many other achievements to his credit. He is the recipient of Florence Nightingale Award 2001 from Anglo-Indian Unity Centre, UK, and the Florence Nightingale Nurses Welfare Association, Bangalore, in 2001 for his achievements in nursing education and nursing services.

Mr Sharma is a young nursing educationist and researcher, having several national and international publications to his credit. 

Science exhibition at DRV College
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 6
DRV DAV Centenary College, Phillaur, celebrated its annual fete and held a science exhibition in the college campus here yesterday. Mr Dharamvir Bector, Chairman, Cremica Agro Food Ltd was the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Bector said that Indian youth still prefer to settle down abroad despite the fact that India provided a lot of opportunities to them. He said that India has progressed in many spheres, so youngsters should settle in India, specially in the private sector. He announced financial help of Rs 1 lakh to the college.

The students had put up stalls of eats and games. There were stalls showcasing functioning of human body, DNA testing etc. Youngsters were busy getting their computer horoscopes made. Mobile vans of Punjab Energy Development Authority Government of Punjab gave live demonstration of their products i.e. solar system pump-generator, Biogas’ etc. Punjabi folk singer, Lakhwinder Singh enthralled the audience. Sheera Jasbir another Punjabi writer and singer, also added to the colour of the function.

Dr Subash Chander, Principal, thanked all the dignitaries, parents and guests.

NSS camp held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 6
An NSS camp was organised at Government Senior Secondary School, Katani Kalan, under the supervision of Mr Kulpreet Singh, programme officer, NSS, here today. NSS volunteers were briefed about the ill effects of the use of drugs.

The main resource personnel on the occasion was Dr Santosh Kaur of the Civil Hospital. Informative and thought-provoking lectures were delivered by Dr Santosh on drug addiction. She explained the despite government’s efforts to put an end to the social evil, the youths of the rural and urban areas continued to take drugs.

While interacting with the volunteers, Mr Kulpreet Singh, told them how to cope up with the pressures of competition which might become a reason for addiction and gave them useful and practical suggestions. It was followed by an interactive question-answer session in which queries of the students were answered.

Principal Rajinder Singh thanked the speakers for giving information and cautioned the volunteers against the use of drugs.

Student honoured
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 6
Damanpreet Kaur, a student of SCD Govt College, Ludhiana, daughter of Mr Baljit Singh, who topped in MA Economics in 2004 and bagged five prizes, received the honours from the Chief Justice of India at the annual convocation of Panjab University held recently in Chandigarh.

She received the following medals : I. University Medal for standing first in MA Economics 2.Gadgil Gold Medal for standing first in MA amongst the Social Sciences (History, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration) Examination held in April 2004; 3. Chander Parkash Memorial Gold Medal; 4. Attar Chand Kapur Silver Medal; and 5.RCB Sunder Dass Suri cash prize of Rs 600.

COURTS

Firm directed to give relief to consumer
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 6
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Shiv Shakti Cold Drinks, Chander Nagar, Ludhiana, to pay compensation of Rs 10,000 to an aggrieved consumer on the charges of supplying spurious soft drink.

Pronouncing the verdict, Mr A S Narula, president, Mr Daljit Singh Bakshi and Ms Pooja Dewan, members of the forum, also imposed costs of Rs 2000 upon it. The orders were pronounced while deciding the complaint filed by Vikas Grover of Guru Nanakpura, Civil Lines, Ludhiana.

However, the forum dismissed the complaint filed against the leading soft drink manufacturing company — Ludhiana Beverages Private Limited — with the plea that it was not established that the owner of Shiv Shakti Cold Drinks purchased the soft drink from this company.

The complainant had submitted before the forum that he purchased one crate of soft drinks containing ‘Limca’ from Shiv Shakti Cold Drinks, a dealer of Coca Cola company, in December, 2004, for a sum of Rs 126. Some of the bottles were consumed on the same day. His sister had also come to his house, who also consumed one bottle.

However, after some days when his son lifted a cold drink from the refrigerator, he was shocked to found some blackish foreign particles in that bottle. All this caused metal tension to the family.

The owner of Shiv Shakti Cold Drinks did not appear before the forum and he was proceeded against ex-parte. The Coca Cola company contested the case and pleaded that it was an attempt of the complainant to blackmail the company. The bottle in question was never sold by their company to the alleged dealer. It was argued by their counsel that there was no evidence on the record to show that the owner of Shiv Shakti Cold Drinks had purchased the same bottles from the company.