AGRICULTURE

Farmers told to diversify into processing 
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 17
The Director of Extension Education, PAU, Dr. S. S.Gill, today said that those farmers who were engaged in processing their own farm produce would be able to face new challenges in the field of agriculture. The farmers in Punjab farmers would have to take initiative, individually or collectively to market their own produce either raw or processed. The latter option would fetch them value addition, he said.

He was speaking to a group of farmers at PAU campus after inaugurating a soyabean product kiosk set up by Mr Bachhittar Singh Garcha, a progressive farmer of Sangrur district and a member of the PAU-sponsored Punjab Kisan Club. As a soyabean grower, he has diversified into processing. He manufactures a chain of soyabean products like soya milk, cheese, biscuits etc.

Mr Garcha owes his success to the "knowledge" he acquired from PAU. He endorsed the advice of Dr Gill that farmers must process fruits, vegetables, milk etc. to earn more.

The Punjab State Farmers' Commission is also a votary of large-scale soyabean cultivation and promises to give remunerative procurement price. Soyabean is considered a good alternative to paddy, a water guzzling plant, that has caused immense harm to ground water.

A student of the Department of Business Management, Mr Ramandeep Singh Jassal, has helped soyabean farmer Mr Garcha in "packaging and marketing" of his products.

The Director of Students' Welfare, Dr Lal Singh Brar, said given the nutritious value of soyabean and its products, he would popularise the same among students.

It was for the first time that the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, had allowed a farmer to set up a retail sale point on the campus. 

Stick to irrigation schedule, PAU tells farmers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 17
Given the sensitive relationship between wheat and the weather, there is no visual adverse effect on the crop under the prevailing climate. However, PAU experts have advised the farmers to irrigate the crop as per recommended time schedule. Head of the Department of Agronomy and Agrometereology, Dr Lall Singh Brar today said the variation in minimum and maximum temperatures have varied as follows:

Against the normal temperature, the fluctuation in the minimum temperature was 1.5°C to 2.0°C and maximum 4°C to 5°C. If the present dry spell continues for another week or so, it is likely to effect the ear length and the number of grains per ear. To counter this effect, an extra irrigation to the crop will lead to change in the micro-environment, as this will dissipate the temperature fluctuation effect to some extent.

Major area under wheat was sown, as per the recommended time schedule. Even climatic parameters were quite congenial during wheat's early growth and development period. Prevalence of low temperature due to frost at the tillering stage was a favourable development. Even the temperature had remained quite normal right from the last week of November till December end. This temperature was considered highly suitable for wheat growth and development.

However, after the third week, the maximum temperature was in line with the normal temperature. There was a slight fluctuation in respect of minimum temperature. It is this fluctuation which is a cause of concern to farmers, as a prevailing spell of this could lead to reduction of yield on account of more respiration and imbalance.

Dr Brar said timely sown wheat PBW-343 or PBW-505 is in an early "boot stage" or the stage just before "ear emergence". The recommended number of irrigations to wheat is four. If temperature does not improve or it does not rain, farmers will have to go in for extra irrigation, which could further add to the cost of cultivation.

Entomologist Dr Jaspal Singh Virk said the present climate was "very congenial" for the development and spread of aphid, as it proliferated in high temperature. Given the present minimum temperature 14° C to 14.5°C or maximum temperature 27.5°C to 27.6°C, there are reports of aphid attack in several parts of the state both on wheat and raya. The farmers are advised whenever aphid incidence is above economic threshold levels, recommended sprays should be done to control aphid attack.

There is so far no adverse effect on the wheat.

From Colleges
A rollicking start to Expressions — 2006
Tribune Reporters

Ludhiana, February 17
Expressions-2006, a two-day management techno festival, began at the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT) here today. The chief guest on the occasion, Dr M.S.Grewal, Registrar, PTU, formally inaugurated the function.

In his brief address to the audience, he emphasised on the importance of such events for the overall development of the students. He enlightened the students about the role of self-control and discipline in making a person successful in all spheres of life.

Dr H.S. Singha (Col), Director GNIMT, welcomed the chief guest.

Participants from various management and engineering colleges from Punjab and nearby states are competing in 25 cultural, literary, fine-arts and technical events.

The results were as follows: Indian Song-GNW and PAU first, Ramgarhia and LCET second. Extempore: LCET first and GCW second. Collage: PCTE first and GNAIMT second, Computer quiz: GGNIMT first, DBMICS second, Flower arrangement: GCW first and GNAIMT second, Western group dance: KIMT first and GGNIMT and IMS second, Case Discussion: PAU first and GGNIMT second, Sketching : GCW first and GNW second.

Lecture on healthy living: Mr S. R. Mittal, a chartered accountant delivered a lecture on 'Healthy Living without Medicine' at Ramgarhia Girls College here yesterday. In this lecture, he said that in modern times, fast lifestyles and hectic schedules coupled with an inadequate diet, were adversely affecting our health. Everybody was suffering from some or the other ailment.

He told the students that good health was a holistic concept that included physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health in its domain. Physical health could be achieved by eating a healthy and balanced diet along with regular exercise. In achieving mental, emotional and spiritual health, yoga and meditation were most beneficial. He gave a demonstration of the various types of ‘Pranayam’ —an exercise of controlled breathing— that had several benefits for the body as well as for the mind.

He said that the modern man was ignoring these vital aspects of healthy living laid down by wise ancestors. He said people were running after Western system of medicine which had more of harmful effects than benefits. It was high time that people gave thought to their health because good health was the most precious thing that anybody could have.

Extension lecture: Dr N. K. Ghosh, a scholar from Agra College, Agra addressed Post-graduate students of English at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College here today during a lecture on John Milton's 'Paradise Lost'. He spoke on the ambivalence of Milton trying to 'justify God's ways to man' and yet creating a titanic character of Satan. He referred to the greatness of Milton in his innovative experiments in inventing a story imagining the universe and creating Satan who fights against injustice of God and embodies the spirit of revenge, arrogance and treachery. The relevance of Paradise Lost, he asserted, was the presentation of eternal conflict between good and evil.

Earlier, Dr T. S.Anand, head of the department introduced the guest speaker to the audience. Principal Tarlochan Singh greeted Dr N. K.Ghosh. Prof Sumedha Bhandari compered the programme while Prof Hargunjot Kaur Kapoor proposed a vote of thanks.

PAU college gets grant
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 17
All India Council of Technical Education has released the first instalment of Rs 7 lakh to PAU College of Agricultural Engineering. The duration of the scheme is three years.

The scheme will be operated and coordinated by Farm Power and Machinery Department. The scheme envisages provision of infrastructure for self-employment of entrepreneurship development for technical manpower and educated rural youth.

Under the scheme, the entrepreneurship cell will also impart management skills, strengthen public-private partnership and provide formal and informal training programmes.

Prize distribution function
Our Correspondent

Samrala, February 17
Dr Sham Singh Memorial annual prize distribution function was held at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Goshan. Dr Shamsher Singh Bari, Registrar, Panjab University, Chandigarh was the chief guest.

A momento turban was presented to Dr Bari by principal, Avtar Singh Billing, Prof Saroj Bala and Prof Avtar Singh Banipal.

The principal presented ‘maan pattar’ to the old teachers of the institution present on the occasion.

Students presented a cultural programme under the guidance of Karamjit Kaur. Dr Bari gave away prizes to the winners in various spheres. He advised the students to work whole heartedly.

CULTURE

Ustad weaves notes of symphony with sons
Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 17
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, the sarod maestro might have felt more than gratified after receiving a responsive audience during a concert alongwith his two sons Amaan and Ayaan. Earlier he had some apprehensions and uncertainties about the people of Ludhiana as he had never performed here before.

The concert organised by the Durga Dass Foundation and the Spice Telecommunications was sponsored by the Tribune Group of Publications. The concert began with an alaap of raga Rageshwari by Amaan and Ayaan. They were given company on tabla by Sandeep Dass and Anurattan Chatterjee. The siblings, were at their brilliant best and had already set the tone for the evening before their father arrived on the stage.

However, it reached its climax only with the Ustad's arrival. He was given a standing ovation by the audience. He began with a Holi raga 'Zilakafi' presenting the famous song 'holi khelat Nandlal Biraj mein' and Mahatma Gandhi's favourite 'Vaishnav jan ko tene Kahiye, peer parayee maange re' on sarod. And when the two siblings joined their father accompanied by the two tabla masters, the audience went into rapturous ecstasy. The maestros took the concert to its crescendo.

During his brief introduction to different ragas before the recital the Ustad said, "I do not create ragas, I just discover them". He said, for him music was a means of prayer and everything was predestined by the Lord. He acknowledged the appreciation of the audience and said despite so many "distractions and temptations" people still retained interest in classical music.

He expressed his gratitude to the Durga Dass Foundation, the Spice Telecommunications and the Tribune Group of Publications for providing him a chance to perform here. He said, he was in Ludhiana for the first time. However, earlier he had performed at Bhaini Sahib at the invitation of Namdhari Sadguru Pratap Singh Ji Maharaj, who himself wahad great knowledge of music and loved and admired all musicians in the country. 

SPORTS

Tributes paid to founder of Kila Raipur games
Our Correspondent

Athletics meet opens
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 17
Jeen Pal Kaur, a student of BA-II, stole the limelight on the opening day of 63rd Annual Athletics Meet of the Government College for Women here today. She bagged titles in 400 meters, 100 meters and long jump.

The Mayor of Ludhiana, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, was the chief guest on the occasion. He declared the meet open by hoisting the flag.

The results in various events are: Shot Put: Ist Jagveer Kaur, IInd Maninder Kaur, IIIrd Paramjit Kaur; Long Jump: Ist Jeen Pal Kaur, IInd Sukhwinder Kaur, IIIrd Gurbinder Kaur; High Jump: Ist Rupinderjit Kaur, IInd Monika, IIIrd Gurbinder Kaur; 800 Mts Race: Ist Monika, IInd Arshdeep Kaur, IIIrd Shivani.