AGRICULTURE

Punjab set to revive cotton glory
K.S.Chawla

Ludhiana, December 25
Cotton markets in Punjab are flooded with the produce and the farmers are getting remunerative prices. There is no distress sale of cotton despite glut in the mandis. Cotton production in Punjab is expected to touch a all time high thanks to the introduction of Bt cotton. thus Punjab is all set to revive its lost glory in the production of white gold.

The price of narma (American cotton) is quoted between Rs 2050 and 2150 per quintal higher by Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 per quintal compared with the last year’s price during the corresponding period. The minimum support price of cotton is Rs 1890 per quintal. The price of narma last was in the range of Rs 1800 to Rs 1850 per quintal. The cotton growers of Faridkot, Ferozepore, Mansa and Bathinda district are a happy lot. Although the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is making some buying but the major chunk of the arrivals are being purchased by private millers.

The daily arrival of cotton in the mandis of the northern region comprising Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are to the tune of 35,000 bales . Significantly the area under cotton in both Haryana and Rajasthan has fallen this year.

The cotton production in Punjab has witnessed rapid rise this year with the introduction of Bt cotton varieties which were tested and developed by Punjab Agricultural University.

The Punjab Government and Punjab Agricultural University scientists had to fight for the introduction of Bt cotton with the Central Government because, Punjab was not included in the list of states for the introduction of Bt cotton and the southern and the eastern zones were given the first opportunity to sow Bt cotton.

According to Dr K S Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, the impact of early sowing coupled with the availability of new varieties of Bt. cotton was such that the production level started increasing and during 2004-05, the production was around 21 lakh bales. During 2005-06, the area under cotton increased and also production to 23.59 lakh bales. During the current year, the production of cotton is likely to be all time high-say more than 27 lakh bales.

Dr Aulakh said the adoption of integrated pest management along with cultivation of Bt cotton had reduced the number of sprays by about 50 to 60 per cent. Punjab Agricultural University in collaboration with a consortium of cotton mills in Punjab launched a unique approach of demonstrating the benefits of IPM to farmers by adopting villages in the cottonbelt.

Dr Aulakh said Punjab could boast of its highest productivity level which was more than double the national level.

Even the textile industry captains are happy with the level of production of cotton and the quality of the crop this year.

Mr D L Sharma, Executive President, Vardhaman group of Industries told here today that there would be 13 to 14 per cent increase in the yield and the quality of the crop was also very good. There is not much attack of the pests and the cost of sprays had also come down with the introduction of Bt cotton.

The major markets in Punjab namely Muktsar, Mansa, Malout, Abohar and Kotkapura are flooded with the cotton arrivals ranging from 2000 to 1500 bales daily.

Enquiries show that the export of cotton is taking place to Pakistan for the first time through the Wagah border.

The overall cotton production in the country is expected to touch 285 lakh bales to 300 lakh bales this year-again this would be a record production.

EDUCATION

We are well equipped to spread awareness about AIDS: DEO
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 25
Claiming to have achieved the front position in the state by preparing a team of 1400 nodal teachers and peer educators in the district, Mr Virender Kumar Sharma, acting DEO, Ludhiana, and scientific trained educator, maintained that the team members were well equipped to aware people in general and students in particular about the gravity of AIDS.

Referring to outcome of 4-day AIDS education programme organised at Khanna, Jagraon and Ludhiana, Mr Sharma claimed 800 volunteers from 200 government schools of the district had received up-to-date knowledge from experts from various agencies engaged in eradication of the dreaded disease.

Showing concern over the rising incidence of the menace, Mr Sharma warned that the disease had taken the form of an epidemic. Calling upon the leaders of social and educational organisations to help join the crusade launched against the menace, Mr Sharma said, "It is high time that we should understand that the dreaded decease has started orphaning one child every 15 seconds, and if allowed to grow at the present rate, it would desert thousands of more families. As discussion of the subject had since been considered a taboo, the youth had fallen prey to it

." He stressed that social organisations should help the authorities spread awareness about lethal affects of the decease.

The training workshops were organised at A S Senior Secondary School Khanna (for Samrala, Payal and Khanna subdivisions), Swami Roop Chand Jain Senior Secondary School Jagraon (for Raikot and Jagraon subdivisions) and R S Model Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana (for Ludhiana East and West subdivisions). As many as 400 nodal teachers and equal number of peer educators were prepared to educate and sensitize people in general and students in particular about AIDS.

The programme was organised under the aegis of the National AIDS Control Organisation, Punjab State AIDS Control Organisation and State Council of Educational Research and Training.

From Schools
Gifts and gaiety bring cheer
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 25
Students of Tiny Tosh Playway and Nursery School celebrated Christmas here yesterday with enthusiasm. The school was tastefully decorated with bells and lights sparkling everywhere. Kids came dressed in fancy dress and danced. Santa distributed gifts and candies among the children. The function was appreciated by the parents and grandparents of the tiny tots who attended the function. Principal Anu Chopra wished all kids and their parents a merry Christmas.

Ryan school

The students of Ryan International School conducted a special assembly comprising the Nativity play, mimes, jingles and carols to mark the celebrations of Christmas and New Year. The radio show 'Ryan Unplugged' was the attraction of the day with an half an hour programme interspersed with interviews, advertisements, messages, songs and jokes.

In the fete held yesterday, the students enjoyed games and mouth watering delicious eatables at the food stalls. The two-day programme was scheduled to make sure each student enjoyed to the full keeping in mind the skills and tastes of the various age groups. The celebration was organised for Montessori and pre-primary on one day and the primary, middle and senior sections for the second day. Students also went to missionaries to distribute gifts and eatables as a small token of love and affection. "The spirit of the season is reaching out to people", said Principal Ms Jaishree Gupta as she enjoyed with students donning the Christmas caps during the special Christmas assembly.

Prize distribution

The 36th Annual Prize Distribution Function of Everest Public Senior Secondary School was held today. Mr M.S Brar, Senior Town Planner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, was the chief guest. The students presented a bright and colourful programme on the occasion of Christmas. The students presented folk songs and patriotic songs Mr Brar in his address asked the students to shine in every sphere.

Tiny tots add warmth to Winter Carnival
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 25
The Funtoosh Club organised a Winter Carnival here yesterday.

The major attraction of the carnival was the baby show. Along with this drawing, creative art, talent hunt and fancy dress competitions were also held. Armaan and Naaz were declared Winter Prince and Princess, respectively. Amisha and Salil were declared winners of the drawing competition. Kamal, Riaz and Jivesh stood first, second and third, respectively, in the fancy dress competition.

The organisers, Pooja Bhatia and Renuka Nagpal, gave return gifts to the participants.

Youth exhorted to donate blood
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 25
Mr Prem Gupta, a philanthropist industrialist called upon the youth of the state to understand value of human blood and donate the vital fluid to save lives rather than shed it on roads.

The call came on occasion of opening function of a 10-day NSS camp at Shanti Tara Collegiate School, Akbarpur Chhanna, near here on Saturday. Mr Arvinder Malhotra, member, Punjab School Education Board, presided over the function and Mr Kesho Ram, an industrialist from Ludhiana inaugurated the blood donation and medical camp.

While addressing the inaugural function Mr Prem Gupta urged the youth in general and students in particular to donate blood and shun violence leading to the wastage of the vital fluid.

According to Mr Charan Preet Dua, in charge of the event as many as 100 students donated blood and 200 patients were examined by a team of doctors led by Dr J.L Bassi of Dyanand Hospital and Medical College Ludhiana.

Mr Ajay Batra, Principal, Pritpal Singh Sarpanch and Ms Gurpreet Kaur spoke on the occasion.

NCP seeks pension for aided schools
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, December 25
A special meeting of the National Congress Party leader of Punjab was held here yesterday under the chairmanship of Mr B L Dhawan, state general secretary. He said the Punjab Government should accept the demands of pension to the aided schools of Punjab because the Punjab Government had promised to accept their pension demand, and hence the government should not back out from their promise.

The students are suffering as far as studies are concerned . State president of Punjab Swarn Singh, state vice president Sukhchain Singh Tuli, district president Rajesh Chadda, Baijnath Saggi, K S Budhraja and all senior workers were present at the meeting.