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Focus on farm sparks hopes for jobless
Ludhiana, March 10 Dr Gill said though India was at number two in fruit production but due to mishandling and lack of scientific knowledge, these perishables worth Rs 30,000 crore went waste every year. At the national level, the fruits and vegetable production was 49.8 million tonnes and 98.5 million tonnes. If the colossal post-harvest loss could be averted, farmers could expect better returns from these two. To give impetus to the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, Dr Gill said PAU had floated the idea of organic gardens. Each of the 15 Krishi Vigyan Kendras had been asked to set up model gardens. Head of the Food Science and Technology, Dr G.S.Padda, over-seeing the training course, said, though India was at number two in the world in fruit production, agro processing accounted for only 2 per cent of the total produce, which is miniscule. To add value addition to fruits and vegetables, it was the rural youth who would have to show the path. About 50 rural youth are attending the one month course after +2.
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Need to revitalise farm engineering study stressed
Ludhiana, March 10 He called upon the participating deans from a score of agricultural engineering colleges to develop new curricula for undergraduate students with a futuristic requirement. “These should also be in consonance with the changing global market scene and in tune with the WTO regime.” The need of the hour, Dr Mehta said, was to incorporate in-built training programme for the faculty. This would be an enabling condition to get requisite financial support from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The curricula must reflect “efficient marketing, management and administrative skills” that the students would acquire on graduation. Agricultural engineering graduates must become “job providers” and not “job seekers” and it put great responsibility on the participants to the two-day meeting where overhaul of the undergraduate programmes would be done. “We are not here to give just cosmetic touches,” he added. If need be, radical and major changes, including closing or opening of new departments, in sunrise academic and industry related disciplines should be incorporated. This meant “qualitative” changes in agricultural engineering education and preparing a training road map. It could happen only if all were committed to the profession. The ICAR would act as a “facilitator” to bring about uniform desired academic changes. The participants congratulated PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, for his leadership. Dr Aulakh, who inaugurated the conference, said in any system of development, education and health acted as pillars of strength. No edifice of development could stand without good health and quality education. Therefore, the changes which the Deans’ Committee might propose for restructuring agricultural engineering undergraduate courses, must be based on the needs of industry, global job market and rural India. He referred to the vision of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and said same set of urban facilities must be provided in the village for holistic development of agriculture and human resource development. Future development would be “knowledge based and agriculture engineering would play a pivotal role in cutting down the drudgery of farmers by helping them use mechanised agricultural practices”. The Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering, Dr S.K. Sondhi, said reframing of undergraduate agricultural engineering courses was important given the fact that for want of practical skills out of a total of 3,00,000 engineering graduates, who left the portals of universities and colleges in 2004, merely 25 per cent got jobs. The remaining 75 per cent could not because their training lacked requisite job attracting practical skills.
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PAU wants to use grant as corpus fund
Ludhiana, March 10 An elaborate exercise is on at the university to prepare a blueprint to use the grant. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, is engaged in consultations with experts from different disciplines in this regard. He said the PAU was getting state government's support for the creation of the corpus fund to usher in a second green revolution. The Director of Research, Dr B.S. Dhillon, who is coordinating the preparation of the blueprint, said the money would be used to meet research and development needs to address issues like enhancing productivity and quality of produce through input use, efficient technologies, development of low cost, location specific agro-processing technologies aimed at increasing the income of farmers and creating employment opportunities through rural industrialisation. Dr Aulakh said while preparing the blueprint, PAU scientists would keep in mind how the research would impact social and economic development of the state.
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Californian experts visit PAU
Ludhiana, March 10 Dr Aulakh gave an overview of agriculture in the state to members of the delegation. "We look forward for a close association with the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation", he added. The leader of the delegation, Mr Harry Gill, stated that the California Agricultural Leadership programme was a two-year fellowship designed to prepare men and women from agriculture for more effective leadership. Programme fellowships were granted on the basis of the applicants' leadership potential and upon their willingness to learn, grow and make future contributions to agriculture and the society. The delegation visited the experimental area of the department of plant breeding and also evinced keen interest in net-house technology for vegetable crops.
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Degrees conferred on 232 students
Sidhwan Khurd, March 10 He said this while addressing outgoing students of Khalsa College for Women and GHG Harparkash College of Education for Women at the annual convocation here today. Underlining the significance of alma mater in individual’s life, Dr Johal claimed that the knowledge and training received through teachers was the most vital resource in one’s life. He said education was a treasure that could neither be stolen nor destroyed. On the role of teachers in restructuring modern society, Dr Johal said the educator was the builder of a nation. “Besides enabling us earn our livelihood, a teacher acts as a torchbearer and directs us the right path in the darkness of ignorance,” maintained Dr Johal. He also conferred graduation and post-graduation degrees on 232 girls. Dr Kanwaljit Kaur Gill, college Principal, lauded the role of lecturers and other staff of the institute who, according to her, had dedicated themselves to the cause of education. “Passion and perseverance, the fundamental qualities of a teacher were certainly more prevalent in women than in men,” claimed Dr Gill. The organisers conferred roll of honour on four students of the college who had retained top positions in the university examination. While Swippan Deep Kaur topped in MEd examination conducted by Panjab University, Chandigarh, last year, Sunita Malhotra and Puneet Sharma bagged third and eight positions, respectively. Narinder Kaur retained second position in BEd examination of Panjab University. A cultural programme and a party was arranged on the college premises last night. The constituents of the college, including staff and managing committee members, wished the girls a bright future.
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Japanreet tops recipe contest
Our Correspondent
Ludhiana, March 10 Dr Monika Angra, the chief guest, appreciated the children for cooking with their mothers. Sweets, chocolates and small gifts were given to the students. Prizes were given to the winners. Among the students awarded were — Japanreet Ist, papri chaat; Eknoor,2nd, fruit custard; and Vaishnavi 3rd, bhel puri. Farewell party
The final year students of Guru Nanak Girls College were given farewell by BA-II year students. Mrs Amrit Varsha Rampal, councillor and notary public and her husband B K Rampal were the special guests. Principal Dr Charanjit Mahal and President of Guru Nanak Education Trust Gurbir Singh also graced the occasion. The main attraction of the programme was modeling by the BA-III year students. Miss Sachpreet Kaur of BA-III was crowned Miss Farewell. Miss Nandita and Miss Nanshu were Ist and 2nd runners-up. Miss Amanpreet was adjudged the best-dressed and Miss Sachpreet Kaur the Miss Beautiful Smile. Fun games were also played and students gave titles to their teachers.The outgoing students presented gifts to the Principal and their teachers. Holi function
Students of Kiddies' Paradise School celebrated Holi. Wishing happy Holi, they sprayed colour with pichkari and rubbed gulal on each other's cheeks . They also danced to the tune of ''Rang Barse'' Bheege chunarwali, Rang Barse'' . Two little one's dressed up as Radha and Krishna played Holi with rose, marigold and dahlia petals. School Director Randhir Singh wished all a happy Holi. School Principal Radhika Mahajan explained the importance of the festival and advised all to avoid chemical colours and use colours made from flowers. Value education
Swamini Vimlanand associated with the Chinmaya Vision Programme delivered a lecture at in BCM College of Education here on Thursday . Farewell function
The Commerce Department of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, organised a farewell party for students of B. Com III year here on Friday. Students of B. Com II presented a cultural show . Ms Poonam Panesar was crowned Ms Farewell 2006. Principal Dr Manju Chawla wished the outgoing students good luck. Foundation Day
The management, staff and students of Sutlej Public Senior Secondary School celebrated its fifth foundation day here on Thursday. The bhog ceremony of Sri Sehaj path was solemnised at 11am and was followed by kirtan.
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Manjinder tops paper-reading
contest
Doraha, March 10 Members of the society participated in the contest. As many as 12 speakers spoke on topics such as ''Is our earth a real paradise?'' ''Brain Drain'', ''Emprovement of women'' and ''Literature is the mirror of society''. Manjinder Kaur was declared first in the competition while Gurpreet Kaur and Inderjit Kaur were placed on the second and third positions. Sukhpreet Singh and Gurdeep Singh were awarded the consolation prizes. Prof Mohinder Kaur, head of the English department, congratulated the participants and asked the members of the society to ensure active participation in future contests too.
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Health camps on every Saturday
Sahnewal, March 10 Out of 200 polio booths in Sahnewal, 50 booths have been installed in these areas as the migrant population residing here is literally ignorant of the danger of the spread of any disease. Dr Dhir
added:" These camps are also organised to spread awareness among them regarding the cleanliness of the surroundings, personal hygiene, use of boiled water and fresh vegetables and importance of balanced diet. The camps are being organised in Fauji Colony, Sacha Sauda Dera, Deep Singh Nagar, Aanganwari centre, Muslim Colony, Bhagat Singh Colony, Aanganwari centre (Jugiana), Gurdwara (Kanganwal), Dugri Colony (Dhandari Khurd), Makkar Colony (Dhandari Khurd), Shiv Shakti Mandir (Street No 4), R S School, Ambedkar Nagar, Pipal Chowk (Durga Mata Mandir), Aaganwari Centre (Giaspura)". "Till now immunisation doses were being provided against six preventive diseases to these children and the coming year, we will provide doses against Hepatitis-B, including the earlier ones as BCG, polio, DPT (triple vaccine) and measles," he said. Recently, a health awareness camp had been held at Ambedkar Nagar from where maximum cases of gastro and malaria were reported every year. Dr Ajit Singh Chawla, District Epidemologist, educated the migrant labour of the area and emphasised that out of a total of 66 per cent of diseases, 2/3rdwere water-borne and these could be prevented simply by washing of hands. "He said due to lack of any arrangement of washing hands at marriage palaces, the chances of spread of typhoid, jaundice and gastroenteritis have grown. Mrs Santosh Bhatia , district mass media officer, too educated the migrant labour regarding the causes and prevention of AIDS. She said there were 51 lakh aids cases in India. "In Punjab, out of 3000 cases, only 606 are undergoing treatment. Rest of them refuse to reveal their identity due to the social stigma attached to the disease,"she said.
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Disclosure of HIV status can help check AIDS
Ludhiana, March 10 According to Dr A.P.S. Gogna, coordinator of the HIV/AIDS Prevention Committee of the LCHC, before arriving at this conclusion, a baseline survey was conducted that revealed that HIV/AIDS awareness and “safe sex practices” were almost negligible among the migrant population from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttranchal etc. It was found that 90 per cent of these workers were living below poverty line in most unhygienic and over-crowded rooms. They had little or no access to basic amenities like safe drinking water, proper sanitary conditions and means of entertainment, other then drugs and multiple sex. Majority of them were reluctant to come out to discuss their sexual problems. “In the wake of such a grim scenario, the LCHC has launched an HIV/AIDS education programme for the workers of 1,000 industries in the city. Out of the targeted units, 50 were covered in January and February. The campaign has received tremendous response from workers and owner of the industries on the issue.” “One of the shocking facts that came out during the ongoing and an earlier sample survey conducted in the city is that an alarming number of “people living with HIV/AIDS” (PLWHA) are engaged in unprotected sex without informing their partners. The council has recently issued guidelines for HIV/AIDS education activists to promote risk-reduction intervention among such people as also to stress the need for disclosure of the status to all sexual partners,” he added. The NGO, he added, in its bid to emphasise the pressing need for an effective drive against HIV/AIDS infection, had sensitised each awareness activist to motivate every infected person to disclose his or her status. This could become a primary tool for preventing the disease. “There is no doubt that this step may tacitly encourage risk taking practices as HIV negative persons may not feel the need to use protection with partners whose status is unknown. The council feels there is a need to strengthened HIV/AIDS intervention to facilitate adoption of risk-reduction behaviour, including voluntary disclosure of HIV positive status to partners. However, this cannot be a substitute for promoting responsible sexual behaviour universally,” he added. Dr Gogna said in keeping with its determination to strengthen the programme for awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS, the council was continuously advising for disclosure of status and adoption of precautionary measures between PLWHAs and uninfected persons. Further, the HIV negative persons, and those indulging in multiple-partner sex, were also being told to insist on condom use, besides adopting healthy sexual practices. He said initially there was inhibition and reluctance among the factory owners, as well as the workers to join this “safe sex” movement. But once this need-based programme came into operation with the help of different audio-visual aids and education literature, including inter-personal and group-session approach, the response of the target group underwent a sea change. The LCHC, under the directions and supervision of its president, Mr Prag Jain, DIG of Police, Ludhiana range, had so far distributed 40,000 condoms for promoting safe sex practices among industrial workers during the past three months. It had also opened several condom outlets in industrial units, where free literature on HIV/AIDS was also being made available to the workers.
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Tips for Holi
Ludhiana, March 10 Before playing Holi, wash your face and use a toner to close pores as this will prevent the colour from settling in the pores. Use a sun block cream on exposed areas as this will help the skin from being exposed to harsh colours and prevent it from damage, they say. Do not play with metallic colours as these have chemical content and react with skin. Buy natural colours made of flowers or sandalwood. One can also use mehndi powder as a substitute for green “gulal”. “Tesu” flowers can be boiled to get yellow-orange colour. After playing Holi, take bath quickly and do not allow the colour to stay on for too long. Rinse hair with lemon juice or beer to bring back volume and shine. Use a mild soap to wash off the colours and apply a moisturising cream. A scrub can also be used. “Use steam to open the pores and release trapped colours. Use a fruit base like a papaya pack for cleaning the skin,” they add.
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Stage set for gold cup hockey tourney
Ludhiana, March 10 This was informed by Mr Amrik Singh Minhas, president of the Ludhiana Sportsmen Welfare Association after a meeting of the organising committee held here today. Mr Minhas said six top hockey teams of the country namely, the Punjab Police of Jalandhar, the ONGC of Dehradun, Namdhari XI, Indian Airlines XI of Delhi, the BSF of Jalandhar and the PSEB XI of Patiala would be seen in action during this five-day tournament to be organised jointly by the LSWA and the PAU Hockey Players Association and sponsored by the Bangalore-based firm, Namdhari Seeds. Two matches will be played daily and in the opening match of this meet, Namdhari XI will take on BSF, Jalandhar, while the second match will be played between Punjab Police XI and ONGC XI. Mr Teja Parkash Singh, MLA will inaugurate the tournament on Sunday at 1 pm. Dr K S Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, PAU will preside over the inaugural function. The winners will be awarded a gold cup, besides a cash prize of Rs 51,000 while the runners-up will pocket a cash prize of Rs 31,000. Meanwhile, Mr Ramandeep Singh Grewal, Deputy Director, Sports, PAU, has been appointed the technical director for this tournament. Mr Kulwant Singh Sohal, Mr Jaswinder Singh Bunty, Mr Satwinderjit Singh Gill, Mr Devidner Singh, Mr Jagpal Singh Patwari, Mr Parveen Kumar, Pehalwan Harmail Singh, Prof Kanwaljit Singh, Mr Harmidner Pal Singh, coach, Namdhari Academy, and Olympian Didar Singh were among others who attended the meeting.
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Daljeet adjudged best athlete
Ludhiana, March 10 The results are: discus throw— Mandeep Kaur 1, Gazal 2 and Jaspreet Kaur 3; javelin throw— Mandeep Kaur 1, Adishpal Kaur 2 and Gurpreet Kaur 3; 100m— Daljeet Kaur 1, Dilpreet Kaur 2 and Shinderpal Kaur 3; 200m—Daljeet Kaur 1, Amrit Kaur 2 and Suman 3; and 800m—Bakhshish Kaur 1, Mandeep Kaur 2 and Aru Mahajan 3.
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