Teachers’ body lauds acceptance of demand
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 11
Punjab Government College Teachers’ Association (GCTA) president Prof Jaspal Singh has thanked Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and officials of the Higher Education Department for conceding to their demand of relaxation of participation in refresher courses up to December 31, 2005.

In a press note, he said the file for lecturers of government colleges had been cleared by the Finance Department. It was likely to be cleared by the Secretary, Higher Education, within a fortnight and then endorsed by the DPI(C) to the various colleges within one month.

The relaxation would give relief to over 250 lecturers of government colleges.

Association zonal secretary Prof Kuldip Singh and finance secretary Prof Harbans Singh congratulated the affected teachers. They urged the ministers to concede to the other demands of teachers.

Dr Aulakh to lead delegation to Pak
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 11
PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. K. S. Aulakh will lead a delegation of eminent agricultural scientists to University of Agriculture, Faislabad, Pakistan ,on Monday. These scientists will participate in the international seminar on “Agriculture in 21st Century-Strategies and Challenges” to be held there from March 14-16. The Faislabad university was earlier Punjab Agriculture College, Lyallpur, wherein, are the roots of Punjab Agricultural University , Ludhiana.

The international seminar is a part of the centenary celebrations of Faislabad University and the invitation has come from Dr. Hafiz Abdul Qayyum, the coordinator for the centenary celebrations. The university is expecting agricultural scientists from Nepal, Bangladesh, Iran, Egypt, Sudan,and Canada .

Besides, Dr. Aulakh, Director of Research Dr. B. S. Dhillon, Dean Postgraduate Studies ,Dr. Darshan Singh, Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr. G. S. Chahal will also be visiting Faislabad .

Other prominent scientists include Chairman Punjab State Farmers’ Commission, Dr. G. S. Kalkat, Vice-Chairman Punjab Planning Board ,Dr. S. S. Johl, Member ,PAU Board of Management, Dr. M. S. Bajwa and former FAO agricultural economist, Dr. Kharak Singh Mann.

Degrees conferred on 415 students
Tribune Reporters

Ludhiana, March 11
The annual convocation of Arya College, Ludhiana, was held in the college auditorium here today. Uttaranchal Governor Sudarshan Aggarwal conferred graduate and postgraduate degrees on 415 students of science, humanities, commerce and computer faculties.

In his address, he exhorted the students to prepare themselves for tougher challenges in life. He advised them to work towards creating a compassionate society. He also advised them to help the underprivileged attain higher education.

The convocation started with the national anthem and recitation of Vedic mantra.

College Principal Dr S.M. Sharma welcomed the chief guest and other guests of honour.

He read out the college annual report and highlighted the achievements of the college both in the current session and in the past.

Other dignitaries present were Chancellor, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, and president, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Punjab, Sudarshan Sharma and vice-chairman, Bharti Tele-Tech Ltd, and patron of Arya College, Ludhiana, Rakesh Bharti Mittal.

Vice-Chancellor, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, Swatantar Kumar; registrar, Arya Vidya Parishad, Davinder Nath Sharma; president, Arya College Managing Committee, Ludhiana, Vijay Kumar Saathi; and industrialist Satya Nand Munjal were also present.

Sudarshan Sharma later thanked the chief guest along with other guests.

Students get degrees: The annual convocation of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujjarkhan Campus, was held here today.

Principal Information Officer and Director General (Media and Communication), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Deepak Sandhu, was the chief guest.

College Principal Dr Manju Chawla welcomed the chief guest and presented the annual report.

Degrees were conferred on 200 arts, 92 commerce, 22 BCA and 33 Punjabi and English Honours graduates, 24 and 25 commerce and English postgraduate students and 11 students of PGDCA.

Twenty-five college colours and 20 merit certificates were given to students who had clinched second and third positions in the university.

Renowned Punjabi writer Dr Kartar Singh Suri was honoured by college authorities.

Ms Sandhu congratulated the degree holders and meritorious students.

She urged students to take up the challenges of life with confidence and courage. She outlined the government’s effort to raise the status of women in society.

Joint secretary of the college governing body Gurinder Singh Sarna thanked the guests.

Annual function: The annual prize distribution function of Ramgarhia Girls College was held in which 600 students were given prizes for excelling in academic, sports, cultural activities, NSS and NCC.

Managing director of Standard Tractors Ltd Nachhattar Singh was the chief guest, while Amarjit Singh Syan of the USA was the guest of honour.

The guests were accorded a warm welcome by Ramgarhia Educational Council president Ranjodh Singh and Principal Harmit Kaur.

The function started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Prof Jaspal Kaur read out the annual report of the college.

After giving away the prizes to the winners, the chief guest appreciated the achievements of the students.

Farewell function: Students of D.Pharma-I of GGN Khalsa College of Pharmacy organised a farewell function for their seniors here today.

Noted educationist Harbans Kaur was the guest of honour.

The cultural show started with a prayer, followed by cultural items.

Students of Firststeps Playway School perform at a function in Ludhiana on Saturday.  — A Tribune photograph

Cultural show: Annual Day celebrations of Firststeps Playway School were held at Nehru Sidhant Kender here yesterday.

The extravaganza, “The Essence of India”, showcased various historical and cultural aspects of India.

The first segment of the show featured tribute to national leaders. It was an attempt to acquaint students with rich the historical past.

The cultural heritage was depicted through depiction of wedding ceremonies of different states.

The dances choreographed by Gaggun Bedi also earned tremendous applause.

Principal, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Dr Daljit Singh, who was the chief guest, encouraged the performers.

Khanna
Convocation: Convocation of AS College Khanna will be held on Monday, according to a press note of the college.

College Principal Dr R.S. Jhanji said Panjab University, Chandigah, Registrar S.S. Bari will present degrees to the students.

Lecturer invited to present paper
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 11
Dr Sukhdev Singh, a senior faculty member of the PG Department of Commerce of Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College, has been invited to present a research paper on “Management of profitability in commercial banking sectors in India during post-liberalization period” at an international conference on business and information to be organised by the Department of Marketing, Hong Kong Baptist University, Singapore, from July 12 to 14.

Dr Sukhdev Singh was recently felicitated by the college for his academic enterprises. A number of research papers have been published in journals in India and abroad.

SPORTS

Hockey tourney from today
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, March 11
Namdhari XI will take on BSF, Jalandhar, in the opening match of the first All-India Guru Gobind Singh Gold Cup Hockey Tournament to be sponsored by the Namdhari Seeds and organised jointly by the Ludhiana Sportsmen Welfare Association (LSWA) and the PAU Hockey Players Association here at the Prithipal Singh astro-turf stadium of Punjab Agricultural University from March 12 to 16.

According to Mr Jagroop Singh Jarkhar, spokesperson of the LSWA, six top teams of the nation would vie for top honours during the five-day tournament. These include Indian Airlines, PSEB XI, Punjab Police, ONGC XI, Dehra Dun, besides Namdhari XI and BSF XI.

The second match on the first day is slated to be played between Punjab Police XI and ONGC XI.

A number of star players would be seen in action during the course of the meet.

Meanwhile, the LSWA has resolved to honour hockey players who brought fame to the city and the nation during the national and international tournaments.

These players would be felicitated during the prize distribution function on March 16. They include Balkishan Singh (posthumously), Balbir Singh, Sukhvir Singh Grewal, Hardeep Singh Grewal, Col Jaswant Singh, Ramandeep Singh Grewal, Jagdeep Singh and Didar Singh.

Dhanraj Pillay, former captain of the Indian hockey team, would be the guest of honour at the concluding function, Mr Jarkhar added.