Ludhiana, April 8
The Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE) organised the fifth one-day International Conference on creating ‘‘Competitive Advantage in Global Economy (CCA-2006)’’ here today.

As many as 92 contributions were received from France, Tunisia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the UK, besides from various parts of the country such as Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Allahabad, Raipur, Amravati, Ghaziabad, Mehsana, Vidyanagar, Surat etc.

The conference also received international contributions from Hull University, UK, AIFB, Germany, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Comsats Institute of Information Technology, Lahore, Qaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Iqra University, Islamabad, Pakistan, AIUB, Bangladesh, East West University, Bangladesh and Brac University, Bangladesh.

Mr Anil Kumar, Director, Shreyans Paper Mills Ltd was the chief guest on the occasion.

The inaugural session began in the morning with Mr A. Thotthaatri Raman, Consulting Editor, Business India Magazine, presenting the keynote address. Mr Raman said, ‘‘New business models, according to 54 per cent of respondents to a global survey of over 4,000 senior executives conducted between 2004-2005 by the EIU will represent a greater source of competitive advantage in 2010 than new products and services. Products will matter but they are increasingly vulnerable to replication. Revisiting the business model— how products and services are created, delivered and maintained — will make a bigger difference and firms will need to do this regularly’’.

While congratulating the participants and guests, Dr K.N.S Kang, Director, PCTE, said, ‘‘Such academic get togethers help the students, faculty and researchers to pool in different ideas and come up with concrete working models or suggestions which further help the business organisations to achieve excellence. We are thankful to all national and international participants who have presented their papers in the conference’’.

Ludhiana, April 8
The Bharti Foundation organised a drawing competition on ‘Me and my books’ for students of the Government Primary School, Ramgarh, here today.

At least 100 students from Classes I to V participated in the event. They used crayons and other colours to put down their imagination and colourful dreams on drawing sheets.

The three best drawings from each class would be shortlisted for prizes.

Ludhiana, April 8
The Lal Bahadur Shastri Social Forum organised a function at EGS Centre, Fauji Mohalla in Abdullapur Basti here on Wednesday. Education Minister Harnam Dass Johar, who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed free uniforms to poor students of the slum areas.

Mr Sushil Malhotra, president of forum, presided over the function. Mr Malhotra and forum finance secretary Vinod Bathla stated that as many as 150 students were given free uniforms. Mr Malhotra said more free uniforms would also be distributed at Haibowal Road School EGS centre.

Mr Shiv Kumar Gupta, secretary-general, thanked the chief guest, who who has assured full cooperation for providing basic amenities to slum dwellers.

Mr Baldev Bhatti, vice-president, stated that the forum had been helping poor students in several ways such as free distribution of books, uniforms, shoes and also by honouring brilliant students by presenting awards to boost their morale. Free sewing machines were also given to the poor deserving girls/women to supplement their source of income.

Ludhiana, April 8
A function was organised at the Satguru Institute of Nursing at Khasi Kalan village to welcome 30 new students of GNM course. The students were administered oath by Principal Swadeep Priya to follow the path shown by founder of the nursing profession, Florence Nightingale.

Mr Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, MLA, who was the chief guest on the occasion, gave away prizes to the students who had excelled in academic and various other fields.

Speaking on the occasion, he asked the students to serve the suffering humanity with zeal, dedication and commitment and facilitate delivery of quality healthcare in the fast changing health scenario in the state.

The students also presented a cultural programme on the occasion.

SPORTS

Athletics meet ends

Ludhiana, April 8
Mr Anurag Verma, outgoing Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana and president of the Sutlej Club, has asked the newly elected Executive Committee members of the club to exercise caution while spending the club funds.

He also asked them to make efforts to give a human face to the club by promoting social causes. He asked the team to maintain strict discipline in the so that members and their families could enjoy the club facilities without any problem.

These directions were given by Mr. Verma at the joint meeting of the outgoing and the newly elected Executive Committee members of the club on Thursday evening. Mr. Verma said that during the last three years, efforts had been made to minimise the frivolous expenditure and conserve the club funds.

Similarly, efforts had been made to promote social causes. The club had donated substantial amount of funds at the time of tsunami. Similarly, it had donated funds to a number of NGOs working in the city.

At the New Year function, the club had invited senior citizens. At the Lohri function, the club had celebrated the birth of the girl child.

Mr Sanjay Arora, newly elected general secretary of the club, assured him that his team would make all efforts to come up to the expectations of the outgoing president.