The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Aulakh makes strong case for biotechnology
K.S. Chawla

Ludhiana, August 13
The Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor, Dr K. S. Aulakh, emphasised on the urgent need to reorient research and make products more competitive for domestic and international markets by improving quality of crop production through eco-friendly approaches.

The land mark achievement in the Indian history is its transformation from a food-deficit to a food-surplus country through ushering in era of the Green Revolution in sixties and seventies.

Dr Aulakh, who participated in the conference on higher education organised by the Association of Indian Universities at Bangkok from August 10 to 12, said WTO that was being perceived as a threat to Indian agriculture might turn out to be a boon if we succeeded in developing crop varieties that met the international standards and reduced excessive use of agrochemicals.

During the past 15 years, biotechnology has made rapid strides and remarkable achievements in several areas relating to agriculture, environment and human health.

Dr Aulakh observed that biotechnology was the frontier technology with great potential to provide benefits in several ways to all sections of society by improving agriculture, quality of livestock, facilitating the manufacturing of cheaper, safer and more effective drugs and improving the quality of life.

Based on plants, microbes and animals, agriculture biotechnology can by linked with conventional technologies, contribute greatly towards increasing crop yields, improve nutritional quality, enable crops to be raised in adverse conditions, increase shelf life of fruits, vegetables and flowers, resistance to pests, diseases and weeds.

Dr Aulukh said micropropagation technology had witnessed huge expansion globally with an estimated global market of $15 billion. It is estimated that more than 500 million plants were being annually produced through micropropagation in different parts of the world. There are around 100 micropropagation units in India with total production capacity of 190 million plants per annum including eight units in Punjab.

The Punjab Agricultural University has developed micropropagation protocol for several plant species including sugarcane, potato, mentha, strawberry, citrus, carnation, Chrysanthemum, globiolus, encalptus, neem, poplar, aloe vera, while musli and banana for commercial production.

Some of these were now being exploited for commercial plant production in the state , said Dr Aulakh.

The Vice-Chancellor said application of biotechnology in development transgenic plants (genetically modiffied-gm) during the 1990s was an important landmark in the history of crop improvement in agriculture.

So far, major interest had been in developing transgenic varieties resistar to insects, herbicides, diseases and to improve the nutritional quality.

The Union Government has allowed growing transgoniol Bt cotton for commercial production in some of the country.

During 2005, Bt cotton was sown over an area of about 500,000 mha in India. According to Dr Aulakh, PAU has recommended the cultivation of four Bt cotton hybrids in Punjab in 2006.

“There is an urgent need to develop Bt cotton varieties of hybrids suited to local climatic conditions. Bt technology can help in developing resistance against bores in sugarcane, rice, maize, pulses, brinjal, tomato, okra, cauliflower and cabbage,” he said.

SCD college decked up for I-Day
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 13
The local SCD Government College for Boys is all set to the host the Independence Day function to mark the 59th Independence Day anniversary on August 15 where the Development, Panchayats and Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Lal Singh, would unfurl the National Flag.

Today, a final full dress-rehearsal for the entire programme, including march past, PT and cultural items, was held at the venue.

Mr Ashok Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, supervised the rehearsal and issued directions to the officers to make excellent arrangements relating to their departments.

The DC informed that commendation certificates would be presented to government officials for excellent performance of their duty while some public heroes who had given exemplary services to the society would be honoured.

Some freedom fighters or their families would also be honoured and cheques of grants to the families Army martyrs would also honoured by the chief guest in the function.

On behalf of the District Red Cross Society, sewing machines and tricycles would be presented to the needy women and handicapped persons respectively.

The parade would consist of contingents of the Punjab Police, the Traffic Police, the Punjab Home Guards, the NCC (boys), the NCC (girls), the NCC Air Wing, ex-servicemen, community police officers, scouts and girl-guides.

Students from around 20 schools of the city would be participating in the cultural programme and PT show.

HEALTH

350 examined at medical camp
Our Correspondent

Doraha, August 13
A total of 350 patients were examined during a free medical check-up camp organised by the Christian Medical College and Hospital and conducted by the Guru Nanak National College in Dr Ishwar Singh Memorial Hall.

The camp was inaugurated by Ms Roop Brar, President, college management committee along with Prof B.S. Pangli, General Secretary, Principal Dr Narinder Singh Sidhu and executive committee member, Mr Adarsh Pal Bector.

The camp, in which dental and eye examination were performed, was sponsored by operation Blessing India, Hyderabad, and organised by Pastor Philip Mashi of Sadhu Sunder Singh Memorial church, Rampur, with the assistance of Mr Jaswinder Lali of Lali Medical Store.

A team of 15 doctors which included Dr N.C. Mann, Dr Simarjit Singh, Dr Dheeraj Oriel, Dr Suruchi and Dr Vandana examined the patients and provided medical aid and medicines free of cost.

Dr Simarjit Singh, in charge of community dentistry and community medicine department at CMC, said that regular camps are being organised at remote villages and slums where majority of patients suffer due to a lack of awareness and means.

SPORTS

Jarkhar lads reign supreme
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 13
In the Zonal Schools Hockey Tournament of the Punjab School Education Board concluded at Mata Sahib Kaur Stadium, Jarkhar near here today, Jarkhar Academy lads stamped their supremacy clinching two titles (U-17 and u-19 years).

In the u-17 years section final, the Jarkhar Hockey Academy, waged a spirited battle against Guru Nanak Public School, Ludhiana to wrap up the issue 5-4 in a tie-breaker. At the end of the stipulated period, the score was 1-1 and the tie breaker rule was applied in which the Jarkhar Academy lads romped home victorious 5-4.

In the u-19 years final, Jarkhar Academy boys proved too good for DAV Public School, Ludhiana, whom they routed 4-0. Gurvinder Singh, Malvinder Singh, Sandeep Singh and Soni scored field goals to help their team emerge as the zone champion.

However, in the u-14 years section, Guru Nanak Public School, Ludhiana beat Malwa Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana 1-0 to emerge as champions. The solitary goal in the match came off Alamraj Singh’s stick.

In kabaddi, Khanpur school reigned supreme registering victories in all three age groups. In the u-14 years section, Khanpur thrashed Lalton Kalan 48-8; in u-17 years, Khanpur lads outnumbered Lalton Kalan 50-7 while in the u-19 years, Khanpur beat Khandoor.

In kho-kho, Malwa Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana, emerged champion in the u-14 and u-19 years section while in the u-17 years section, Banohar School wrapped up the title. In basketball, Guru Nanak Public School, Ludhiana, won the title in the u-17 years section while BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh road branch, came out triumph in the u-19 years section.

Gurdaspur slam Tarn Taran A in hockey
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, August 13
Teams of Gurdaspur district and Tarn Taran A began their campaign with emphatic victories in the Miri Piri Punjab State Sub Junior Hockey Tournament being organised, under the patronage of Satguru Jagjit Singhji, by the Punjab Hockey Association and sponsored by the Namdhari Seeds.

The tournament got off to a start at the Satguru Partap Singh astro turf stadium at Bhaini Sahib near here today.

In the inaugural match of this four day tournament, Gurdaspur beat Muktsar 4-1 after leading 3-1 at half time.

Gurdaspur lads went into an early lead as Gaurav Singh Rana found the target in the fourth minute of the encounter. Four minutes later, Manpreet Singh sounded the board to increase the lead.

Midway through the first half, Manpreet Singh of Muktsar converted a penalty corner to reduce the margin to 1-2.

Gurdaspur players continued to exert pressure on their rivals which paid dividends. Gaurav Singh Rana scored a fine field goal in the 23rd minute to read it 3-1.

After changing ends, Gurdaspur boys pumped in another goal through Gaurav Singh Rana in the 47th minute which sealed Muktsar lads’ fate (4-1).

In the second match, Tarn Taran A routed Hoshiarpur 6-0. Hoshiarpur players failed to cope up with the speed and skill of their rivals and lost the battle tamely.

Tarn Taran A surged ahead in the fourth minute through a field goal scored by Gagandeep Singh.

Three minutes later, Gurdeep Singh converted a penalty corner to make it 2-0. They made relentless attacks on Hoshiarpur territory and added one more goal before the lemon break. Gurdeep scored a field goal to read it 3-0.

In the second session, Rajat (55th minute), Mandeep (57th minute) and Gagandeep (58th minute) struck to complete the rout (6-0). Though the tournament began in the morning, the formal inauguration was done in the evening by Mr Ramandeep Singh Grewal, former captain of the Indian national hockey team and Deputy Director, Sports, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Former Olympian Hardeep Singh Grewal, Mr H.S. Bhullar, Secretary, Ludhiana District Hockey Association, Sant Kashmir Singh, manager, Namdhari Dera, Bhaini Sahib, Mr Rachhpal Singh Namdhari, Mr K.C. Dogra, technical official of the organising committee, a large number of hockey lovers were present during the inaugural function.

Titles for Aryan, Gurleen
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 13
Aryan and Gurleen were adjudged Mr and Miss Fresher at the freshers' day at the Sportking Institute of Fashion Technology (SIFT). The freshers' day turned out to be all fun and frolic after a brain-storming entrance test that enabled them to make it into the final list.

About 200 students from different streams teamed up with music and melody to welcome the freshers. Abhishek and Dinesh were declared the first and second Mr Runners Up while Shruti and Avadhu were declared thefirst and second Miss Runners Up.

The function started with welcome note and a rocking dance performance by the seniors. The cultural programme that enthralled the audience before the dance party was a mix of songs, dances and games. There was a display of a variety of talents.

There were two judges for the fashion show. Mrs Madhu Gupta of the Trident Group and Ms Ruhi Brar, Director of Inditech Apparel. The beautiful damsels sashayed down the ramp in their elegant clothes.