The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

PAU launches save environment campaign
News Service

Ludhiana, May 12
Early transplanting of paddy, burning of wheat straw and excessive use of chemical fertiliser/pesticides are few areas of concern that demand apt attention by all to keep environment healthy. With this concern in mind, PAU Department of Extension Education launched an awareness campaign in Purian and Issewal villages in Ludhiana district.

A slogan writing competition was organised in the village schools to make the children aware of the problems of environmental pollution and ways to safeguard the environment. The campaign was part of the All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Home Science.

According to Dr Kiranjot Sidhu, scientist (AICRP), more than 400 children participated and prepared slogans on the subject to save environment. They took out a rally and marched through the streets of villages with slogan placards in their hands. The panchayat members of these villages actively participated in this campaign and took vow not to allow burning of straw in their villages, told Dr Kiran.

From Colleges
Workshop on nature cure, yoga
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 12
A one-day workshop on nature cure, yoga and diet therapy was held at DD Jain Memorial College for Women on the fifth day of 10 days NSS camp, being organised by the NSS units of the college. A team led by Mr S.R.Mittal from the Nature Cure Education Trust, visited the college. Mr Krishan Lal Gupta, in charge Ram Dev Yog Sansthan, Mr Ved Prakash Gupta, yoga expert and Mr Katkar were there to educate the students on yoga.

The experts emphasised on the importance of yoga and diet for keeping healthy. They also discussed the colour therapy and its use to cure many diseases. The volunteers were taught some yoga techniques like Pranayam to improve the concentration and memory. Some relaxation techniques of yoga were also taught.

Dr Ritika Lamba, dietician, Deepak Hospital, discussed the importance of organic food and hazards of inorganic foods. The volunteers prepared sprouts chat and pumpkin kheer during the camp.NSS Programme Officers Lotika Gupta and Seema Soni said that workshop would bring required changes in the volunteers.

Students honoured

The Arya College Managing Committee and Postgraduate Department Commerce of Arya College honoured the students of M.Com who have performed excellent in Panjab University examination 2005.Mr S.K. Sharma, Finance Secretary of the college managing committee gave away the awards of excellence to outstanding students of M.Com.

The students who got award included Ms Geetu Sharma and Ms Mamta Gupta for securing 2nd position in the university. Ms Manisha for securing 3rd position in the university, Ms Aarti Sharma for securing 4th position, Ms Vidushi Sharma and Ms Ekta Nagpal for sharing 8th position in the district and Ms Megha Girdhar for securing 9th position in the district.

Ms Niti Goswami, Ms Kanwaljot Kaur and Ms Shaffy Wadhwa were also awarded for their excellent performance in debates and declamation contests.

NSS camp

A 10-day special NSS camp started at Guru Nanak Girls College here today. The theme of the camp was ‘Youth for Swastha’. The camp was inaugurated by Mr Gurbir Singh, President Guru Nanak Education Trust and Principal of the college Dr Charanjit Mahal. She emphasised the need to re-orient education so that the youth can be equipped for vigorous participation in national development. She also inspired the NSS volunteers to participate in such camp for their alround personality development. Over 100 NSS volunteers of two units participated in the camp.

From Schools
Mother’s Day celebrated
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 12
Mother’s Touch kindergarten today celebrated Mother’s Day. Tiny tots put up a little show for their mothers. Right from welcoming them to dancing for them was all done by the students. They also recited a rhyme specially written by teachers for the occasion.

Not only did the children provided entertainment to their mothers but also made little gifts for them.

A light breakfast was provided by the school. Mrs Gagandeep, Principal, summed up the whole occasion in one sentence saying, “after God we are indebted to mothers, first for life itself and then for making it worth having.”

Golden Time pre-nursery and nursery school, Janta Enclave, celebrated Mother’s Day.

The Principal, Mr Jaswinder Chadha, invited all mothers with their children. A special programme was organised for the mothers. The mothers played some games like musical chair and parcel game. The winners were given away prizes.

A special ice cream party was organised.

Annual function

BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh Road, celebrated the annual prize distribution function.

The chief guest, Mr O.P. Munjal, CEO and Co-Chairman Hero Cycle Ltd, was welcomed by the Principal, members of the Managing Committee and staff of the school.

Students presented cultural items like Bharatnatayam, a choreography on “Salam Namaste,” Rajasthani, Marathi dances and bhangra.

The Principal of the school, Mr S.D. Kalia, read the school report. The chief guest released the news letter of the school.

Mr Satyanand Munjal, president of the BCM Educational Institute, presided over the function.

The Principals of different schools were also present. The Manager of the school, Mr S.K. Mehta, thanked all guests.

Captains honoured

The Green Grove School Principal, Ms S. George, today honoured the school head boy, head girl, captains and vice-captains of various houses at an investiture ceremony.

The titles of head boy and head girl were conferred on Jaspreet Singh of Class XII and Harneet Hara of Class X, respectively. The Principal honoured them with sashes and badges.

The house captains and vice-captains in their introduction highlighted the aims and objectives of their respective houses.

Mr Pradeep Sharma, in charge of the prefect council, introduced the members of the council and presented them with badges. The head boy led his entire team in the oath-taking ceremony.

Poem recitation

A poem recitation competition was held at Sanatan High School, Civil Lines, here today.

The Principal, Arya Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana, and the Principal, Sri Hargobind Sahib Senior Secondary School, inaugurated the competition by lighting a lamp.

Students recited poems on different topics The school president, Mr Rajesh Kashyap, gave away prizes to the winners.

Declamation

An inter-house English declamation contest was held at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Public School here today.Students spoke enthusiastically on “Let the girls be born and bloom,” “Erosion of moral values,” “Power of positive thinking,” Drug addiction — a menace,” “Books — a life-long companion.”The function was presided over by the Principal, Mr R.S. Grewal. The first prize was bagged by Amuleen Gulati of Class VII C, while the second prize went to Kamalpreet Kaur of Class VIII A. Rubaldeep Kaur of Class VIII B stood third. Dilpreet of Class VIII A was given consolation prize.

Baba Deep Singh House was declared the winner. Maharaja Ranjit Singh House was the first runners-up and Hari Singh Nalwa House the second runners-up.

Fashion comes alive in city
Shivani Bhakoo

Rashmi Virmani

Ludhiana, May 12
Renowned fashion choreographer Rashmi Virmani feels that Punjab is full of good-looking and confident youth, who can easily become supermodels. There is a need to polish the young talent. Ms Virmani was yesterday in city to scout for fresh talent.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Ms Virmani said Punjabi models, especially the male models were much in demand on ramps because of their good physique and face. And her modelling agency Ramp School of Fashion Modelling which had produced models like Mehr Bhasin, Rajneesh Duggal, Aparna Kumar etc, was all set to find the next supermodel from Punjab.

In search of male and female models of Punjab, Ms Virmani will visit Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Amritsar from May 12-14. She said this was her third trip to Punjab in search of models. “And in each trip, we have found one or the other good model here. Punjabis are good-looking, stylish and graceful people and their beauty is recognised worldwide”, said Ms Virmani.

She said though choreography remained her first love she was into production also. Her show on AXN -’Man’s World’ had been very popular amongst men.”My cookery show on Zee TV-Mirch Masala has also been appreciated.One of my serials on famous and successful Indians is under production for Sony Television”, said Ms Virmani.

HEALTH

6-year-old gets new lease of life
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, May 12
“God is great and has blessed our child with a new lease of life,” said Bishnu and Sangita of the Ram Nagar locality at Bahmian Kalan village, near Ludhiana, as they take their healthy son Bikesh home from Ludhiana Mediciti, where the six-year-old boy underwent a complex open-heart surgery, performed by Dr Harinder Singh Bedi, Director and Chairman, Cardiac Sciences.

Interacting with mediapersons here today, Dr Bedi disclosed that Bikesh suffered from a major hole in the heart, a defect called double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis, due to which his impure blood mixed with the pure blood. Consequently, the body was starved of oxygen and Bikesh was blue and slowly wasting away.

The boy’s father, Bishnu, worked at Gurdwara Sri Bekunt Bham Sahib Ji with Granthi Ranjit Singh and was unable to raise any money for the surgery after having visited several hospitals all over India.

Bikesh underwent a complex and major six-hour open-heart surgery in which all his heart defects were repaired in one sitting. Dr Bedi confessed that Bikesh’s case really stretched the skills of his team to its limits. The surgical team included Dr B.S. Sengar, Dr C.S. Sohal and Dr R. Aggarwal.

Bikesh, now a healthy child, said he wanted to become a commando when he grew up. Dr Bedi assured the parents that Bikesh would have a normal life and could join any profession he wished to.

Dr Bedi, along with Dr B.S. Sekhon and Dr Harjeet Singh, Directors of the hospital, thanked the media for helping raise money for the surgery. They said that none of operating surgeons took any fees and the hospital charges were also waived off.

SPORTS

Patiala, Amritsar begin campaign with wins
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, May 12
Patiala and Amritsar teams began their campaign with wins in the inaugural edition of the Punjab State Inter-District Twenty Twenty Cricket Tournament which started at the Punjab Agricultural University ground here today. Patiala defeated Kapurthala by 15 runs while Amritsar routed Faridkot by nine wickets.

In the first match, Patiala made 160 runs for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Sandeep scored 45 runs off 32 balls while Gaurav’s contribution of 43 runs came in 34 deliveries. David faced 24 balls and made 23 runs. For Kapurthala, Harish and Pardeep chipped in with two wickets each conceding 32 and 24 runs, respectively.

In reply, Kapurthala could muster 145 runs after losing four wickets. The main scorers were Rajan (51 runs off 42 balls), Amanpal ( 41 runs in 23 balls) and Sahil made 33 runs in 37 balls. Yogesh of Patiala was the most successful bowler taking three for 17 while Samrat took one for 27.

The second match played between Amritsar and Faridkot turned out to be a one-sided affair with the former registering a comfortable victory. Batting first, Faridkot made 118 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs with main contributions coming through Satwinder and Gagandeep who scored 41 and 22 runs, respectively. For Amritsar, Charanjeet and Sunny were among the wickets capturing four and two wickets each for 17 and 14 runs, respectively.

Earlier, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, Mayor, Ludhiana, inaugurated the tournament in which teams from more than a dozen districts are taking part. Mr A K Sharma, Chief Superintendent, Central Excise and Customs besides office-bearers of the Ludhiana District Twenty Twenty Cricket Association including Mr Parveen Aggarwal, Mr Sandeep Jalota, Mr Amarveer Singh, Mr Des Raj and Mr Raman Aggarwal was present.

Sportspersons to be honoured
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, May 12
Sportspersons who brought glory to Punjab and the nation by securing positions in different sports disciplines during the national and international tournaments will be felicitated by the Ludhiana District Basketball Players and Officials Welfare Association tomorrow.

The outstanding and decorated former and current players would be honoured at a function to be organised at the basketball ground of Guru Nanak Sports Complex here on May 13 at 6.30 pm.

According to Mr Vijay Chopra, coordinator and vice president of the Ludhiana District Basketball Association, Arjuna awardee and Director, Sports, Punjab, Mr Pargat Singh, would distribute mementoes and other valuable articles to the sportspersons who excelled in their respective disciplines.

The players to be honoured include- Anil Punj, Ajmer Singh, Suman Sharma, Sajjan Singh Cheema, Parminder Singh sr., Paramjit Singh Teja, Vipan Kumar, Jagdeep Singh, Yadwinder Singh, Talwinder Singh, Kamaljit Kaur and Kiranjeet Kaur (basketball); Sukhpal Singh (volleyball); Gurpreet Kaur (handball); Manjeet Kaur and Rajwinder Kaur (athletics).