Hisar, September 7
The October 13 Assembly poll in Haryana will be a landmark election marking a paradigm shift in social and political trends where the Congress enters the fray with the Jat community as its mainstay while retaining its hold over non-Jat communities.

Traditionally, the Jats had been by and large anti-Congress, especially in the post-Emergency era from 1977 onwards. The community was further alienated when after ousting Devi Lal from the office of the Chief Minister in 1979, Bhajan Lal joined the Congress in 1980, taking with him all Janata Party legislators in the then Congress (I).

The Jat ire against the Congress increased the party’s dependence on the non-Jat communities, making Bhajan Lal an indispensable tool for it to secure power in Haryana. This was to continue right up to March 2005, when Bhupinder Singh Hooda became the Chief Minister, marginalising a sulking and ageing Bhajan Lal.

Till then, the Jats continued to back Devi Lal and his various political outfits and even transferred their loyalties to the doyen’s son, Om Parkash Chautala, who swept to power in 2000.

But, four years into Chautala rule, the community disapproved of his authoritarian style of functioning and punished the INLD with a humiliating defeat in the 2004 Lok Sabha poll. That was the first indication of a shift in socio-political trends in the state.

The community reiterated its faith in the Congress, voting it to power in the 2005 Assembly poll. The Congress, recognising the Jat role in its victory, chose Hooda as Chief Minister over a non-Jat Bhajan Lal.

Bhajan Lal and other sceptics were quick to predict an imminent fall of government saying that the Congress’s mainstay the non-Jat communities would never want a Jat heading a government in Haryana. But that was not to be.

Post-2005, Hooda consolidated his hold over his community and at the same time, did not loosen grip over non-Jat voters. This explains the sudden fragmentation of the Haryana Janhit Congress (BL), which sought to corner the non-Jat votes.

The recent Lok Sabha poll once again demonstrated that the Jat community was still firmly stood behind the Congress and clearly opposed to Chautala clan’s plans to return to power anytime soon.

The Jat support to the Congress in 2005 was born out of the community’s anger against Chautala rather than its love for the Congress. However, the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha election is entirely different as this time, the Jats are backing the Congress and Hooda by choice. This marks a major shift in Haryana’s complex socio-political mores.

With the INLD completely debilitated and the BJP existing only on paper, a resurgent Congress under Hooda hopes to ride the Jat bandwagon to a victory by shortening the life of the state Assembly by six months.

Panipat, September 7
Living under insanitary conditions seems to have become a part and parcel of the everyday life of local residents, who despite repeated attempts have failed to move the local civic authorities to initiate corrective measures.

The condition in most parts of the city presents a poor picture of the upkeep, which is the responsibility of the MC. In certain areas, roads have been turned into ponds. Most of the localities do not have garbage bins, as a result of which open plots have been converted into garbage-dumping places. Garbage scattered on the main roads and choked sewers show the pitiable condition of sanitation in the city.

The residents alleged that due to irregular lifting of garbage and non-cleaning of sewers, sanitation condition never improved in the city. Foul smell emanating from garbage and sewage water makes life miserable for the locals.

Ravi Kakkar, a local resident, said passers-by generally hold their breath till they cross a reasonable distance in these areas.

“The under bridge near the local railway station is always filled with sewage water and its sight is disgusting enough to force the commuters take other roads to reach their destinations rather than cross the bridge,” said Narinder Kumar, another resident.

Other than the national or state highways that pass through the city, all roads reflect the callous attitude of the civic body. Heaps of garbage and blocked sewers have become the breeding ground for rats, flies and mosquitoes posing a threat to the health of the local residents.

Roshan Lal, another resident, said the MC should place more garbage dumpers across the city and ensure that sewers were cleaned regularly.

The residents said they had approached the MC authorities a number of times but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

However, MC officials maintain that it was because of various industries that sanitation condition in the city was not good. They stated that all required measures were taken from time to time to keep the city clean.

Jhajjar, September 7
Those provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, should be amended which may not only give a legal status to the ancient traditions of the Jat community for fixing matrimonial alliances, but also help eliminate the chances of gotra rows.

This was the general consensus that emerged during deliberations in the second Sarva Gotra Mukhiya Maha Sammelan organised in Rohtak recently to contemplate over various issues regarding Khap Panchayats.

The sammelan was attended by about 150 persons representing more than 50 gotras of the Jat community across the state and resolved that not only forbiddance of consanguineous marriages would continue but also no matrimonial alliances should happen within the villages or even in neighbouring villages in line with the traditions of endogamy and exogamy.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Devi Singh Teoatia, a former High Court judge, suggested that the Sarv Khap Gotra Panchayat of the Jat community should establish a core committee to examine in detail various social issues in the light of ancient treatises, besides addressing related scientific and legal aspects.

He further suggested establishing a media committee to interact with the media as well as a legal committee that would prepare a draft note, particularly highlighting the amendments to the Act that would take care of the forbidden gotras of Jats while fixing matrimonial alliances.

“A couple of highly educated and enlightened persons from amongst the community should be nominated to assist each of the gotra khap headman in taking decisions on issues as and when it comes for hearing, besides holding periodical meetings to address other important issues,” he said.

Swami Karmpal, head of the Sarva Gotra Sarva Khap (Palam-360) Panchayat, advocated the removal of the word “Sah-pinda” from the Act so that the traditions of Jats in regard to matrimonial alliances could get a legal sanction after its got amended.

Ranbir Singh, Sant Ram Deswal, Jai Bhagwan, Pradip Ahlawat and a few others expressed concern over the predicament of the Jat community when reports that fixed all blame on the Khap Panchayats for “honour killings” or breaking of matrimonial alliances per force appeared in newspapers and telecast on TV channels.

They suggested that documents be prepared and circulated amongst mediapersons to make them aware about the sanctity and sanction of the khap system of Jats and also to take appropriate action to straighten the misconceptions held in the media.

Lt Col Chander Singh Dalal (retd), as convener of the Gotra Mukhiya Maha Sammelan, said the Khap Panchayats recently earned a bad name due to the faulty decisions following which the culprits either shielded themselves or found refuse behind the khaps.

Ranbir Singh, a cultural historian and science communicator, presented his views on the scientific basis of matrimonial alliances by citing a number of research papers that studied in detail the role of genes, harmful effects of consanguineous marriages and the incidence of genetic diseases amongst Jats and suggested that the three-gotra forbiddance rule followed by Jats was entirely scientific in its approach. 

Ellenabad (Sirsa), September 7
The issue of Panchmukhi Chowk that led to the boycott of Parliamentary polls by over 700 Agarwal families of the town has taken political colours now with all parties vying with each other to stop others from taking credit for its resolution.

The issue, which could have been easily solved amicably much earlier, is still hanging fire due to the exhibition of one-upmanship of political leaders of different parties over the issue.

While the Agarwal Community wants to install the statue of Maharaja Agarsen on the roundabout, members of the Shaheed Radhey Sham Bhakar Yaadgar Samiti, an organisation set up to perpetuate the memory of Kargil martyr Radhey Sham Bhakar, maintain that the chowk was dedicated to perpetuate the memory of the Kargil martyr.

The issue took an ugly turn recently, when one faction of the samiti, owing allegiance to the INLD, helped members of the Agarwal Community set up the statue of Agarsen twice in a span of 24 hours, but the other faction damaged the statue on both occasion.

Some members of the community and a faction of the samiti clashed with each other in which four persons were injured.

Interestingly, earlier, the group led by a Congress MLA had been making efforts to resolve the issue, but the faction started opposing the move, the moment the INLD appeared on the scene.

Now, activists of other parties of the state have also started taking interest in the issue with an aim to get political mileage and to stop others from getting it.

“The chowk was given to the community by passing a resolution in a meeting of the Municipal Committee on September 26, 2007. But their construction was dismantled by the Jat Sabha of the town, who were acting under the banner of a committee named under a Kargil martyr,” maintained a representative of the Agarwal Community.

He said they were not against the installation of the statue of the martyr but it should not be installed on the chowk given to the community.

Members of the samiti, however, said the organisation was the first to move an application for installing the statue of the martyr on his first death anniversary on December 17, 2000.

A representative of the sabha maintained that the Agarwal Community was given a chowk on which the then INLD government later installed the statue of Chaudhary Devi Lal on December 17, 2001.

Later, a chowk near the Janata Hospital was given to them in lieu of Chaudhary Devi Lal Chowk, but some influential members of the community managed to get a resolution passed in their favour though their application was still pending before the Municipal Committee.

Now, both sides are sticking to their guns. While, members of the sabha have been agitating for getting the roundabout named after the martyr and his statue installed on it at the government’s cost, the Agarwal Community has been demanding that the chowk be handed over to them for the installation of a statue of Agarsen.

Champa Lal Dhanuka, a municipal councilor from the Agarwal Community, had resigned from his post on the issue last year and the community had boycotted the Assembly polls.

The community leaders said they would soon take a decision regarding their role in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

(Adi Badri), Yamunanagar, September 7
Buddha Vihar, situated on the banks of the Somb in the Shivalik foothills here, has become a victim of neglect despite the fact that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared it a protected monument.

Since it is believed that Gautam Buddha had visited here, the place is of historical and religious importance. A large number of tourists throng the place every year. However, the visitors are left disappointed due to the poor upkeep of the place.

There is a statue of Buddha engraved on one of the walls of the monument. Buddhist activities believed to have begun at the site from the third century onwards when the core of a mud stupa was covered and enlarged later by a brick stupa. The diameter of this stupa is 22 m and around 22 courses of bricks have been traced out.

However, the site is facing constant threat from human activities and from animals due to the lack of fencing all around. Besides, anyone can steal rare artifact from the site, which is lacking in security. The site also is covered with wild growth all over. Pilgrims and tourist always find it difficult to reach the place after crossing the river in the absence of a proper path to the site.

“Buddha Vihar is an important tourist site identified by the administration. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found many artifacts from this site during excavation. These include pottery, brickbats, mud stupa, brick stupa, undressed stone structures, gray sandstone pebbles and brick walls. An archaeological museum has also been constructed at the Adi Badri complex, said deputy commissioner Amit Kumar Agarwal.

“We have already proposed to develop Buddha Vihar and the construction of a special pathway to reach Buddh Vihar to the tourism ministry. After receiving grant, we will develop it as a tourist site,” he added.

Sirsa, September 7
Interesting matches are being witnessed in the JCD International Cricket League T20 tournament being played here. The tournament that began to mark the birth anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal would conclude on September 9.

In some of the absorbing matches played so far, the LIC, Chandigarh, defeated Chandigarh Chalengers by 26 run in an absorbing match.

Playing first after winning the toss, LIC, Chandigarh scored 145 runs for the loss of 7 wickets with the help of opener Gurinder Saini’s 48 off 36 balls studded with five fours and two sixes. Captain Rajesh Patha scored 31 off 24 balls.

In reply, Chandigarh Challengers’ innings collapsed in 18.3 over for 
119 runs.

Agnesh Surya’s 30 off 22 balls and Varun Sood’s 28 runs off 27 balls were the only saving grace of Chandigarh Challengers’ innings.

The host, JCD National Cricket Academy team, Sirsa Sizzlers, tamed Heisenberg Cricket Club (HCC), South Africa by 111 runs.

The host team scored 236 runs in their allotted quota of 20 overs with the help of captain Tapan Jain’s 62 off 32 balls studded with 7 fours and 4 sixes.

Lokesh Sharma also made a good contribution to the total with 47 off 26 balls.In reply, the South African team could score 125 runs only in their allotted quota of overs.

Tapan Jain was adjudged the Man of the Match.

The LIC, Chandigarh, defeated Hong Kong by 43 runs in another match. Batting first after winning the toss, the LIC team scored 137 runs in 20 overs, helped by opener Gurinder Saini’s 64 runs off 49 balls.

In reply, the Hong Kong team collapsed for 94 runs in 18.1 over, thanks to some good bowling by Gurinder Saini of the LIC, who took 3 wickets in 1 over and 1 ball. Sirsa Sizzlers recorded their 
second victory of the tournament by defeating Indian Air Force by six wickets.

Batting first after winning the toss, the IAF team scored 161 runs in 20 overs with the help of a 55- run partnership between SS Karmakar and V Shreejith.

Chasing, Sirsa Sizzlers overtook the IAF score for the loss of four wickets with the help of 53 off 37 by Tapan Jain and 45 off 41 by Lokesh Sharma.

Sirsa Sizzlers’ Narinder Singh hit a six on the last ball of the match to score the winning runs.

Chandigarh Challengers defeated Colombo Cricket Club, Sri Lanka, by 39 in another match.

Batting first, Chandigarh Challengers scored 162 runs with Michael Vishal and Harkishan Kali scoring 47 and 33 runs, respectively. In reply, Colombo Cricket Club could score 123 runs only.

Captain Sumith Dushantha was the only batsman to score some respectable score by hitting 50 off 44 balls.

In yet another match, the Indian Air Force defeated Heisenberg Cricket Club, South Africa, by 32 runs.

Playing first, the Indian Air Force scored 168 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.Mumtaz Qadir scored 50 off 44 balls.

The South African team could score 136 runs only in their allotted quota of 20 overs.

Two matches are being played every day, one in the morning and the other in the floodlights.

The matches are drawing a large number of spectators.

Faridabad, September 7
Hard work and honesty pays, even in the present world of cutthroat competition and politicking. One can transcend all environmental handicaps if one is determined to move ahead in life. This has been amply demonstrated by a second-generation entrepreneur based here.

Autar Singh (Autopins), 81, who heads an industry, Autopins India Ltd, joined his father's business at the age of about 25 . He took over the reins of the firm, which is involved in producing lead springs and clutch plates, after the demise of his father.

The Faridabad Industries Association (FIA), which bestowed him with the "Lifetime Achievement Award", vouches that he increased the turnover of his firm four times in a short span of 18 months after he took over the charge. His company soon became one of the reputed and lead suppliers of lead springs and clutch plates to the Defence Ministry and top automobile companies of the country. He later established additional units for manufacturing clutch plates and other automobile parts in Faridabad.

His popularity soared in industrial circles to the extent that the word "Autopins" has been added to his name.

Even now, at the age of 81, he attends his office every day, showing the tenacity, work ethics and regimen to young entrepreneurs. He thrice remained the president of the FIA and still continues to be a guiding force for local industrialists.

Chandigarh, September 7
Despite a demand by various political parties, including the INLD, for using ballot paper for voting in the Assembly elections, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Haryana has said electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in all 90 Assembly constituencies of the state.

He said for the first time, elections would be held on the basis of the newly delimited constituencies.

The CEO, Sajjan Singh, said instructions had been issued to all returning officers or district election officers in the state for launching awareness campaigns for the media, political parties and public regarding the use of EVMs.

He said all district electoral officers and returning officers had been directed to launch an EVM awareness programme during the elections and all concerned, including the general public, electors, representatives of political parties and mediapersons, might also be guided about the foolproof fitness and working of EVMs.

“They may also be made aware that no tampering is possible with EVMs. Two-stage randomisation of EVMs will be done as per directions of the Election Commission of India that is first in the presence of representative of recognised political parties and second in the presence of observers, candidates or their election agents”.
The delimitation order of the Delimitation Commission have been made effective in the state by a notification issued on February 19, 2008, thus the present elections to the Haryana Vidhan Sabha will be held on the basis of newly delimited constituencies.

With the announcement of elections on August 31, 2009, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect. Instructions regarding the strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct have been issued to the administrative secretaries of all departments, deputy commissioners and political parties.

The photo electoral rolls prepared on the basis of January 1, 2009 as the qualifying date, and finally published on January 22, 2009 along with the supplements prepared under continuous updation thereafter will be used. Electoral rolls for two Assembly constituencies namely 76-Badshahpur and 77-Gurgaon and some parts of Assembly constituency 86-Faridabad, 88-Ballabgarh and 90-Tigoan have been further revised and revised electoral rolls would be used.

Since, electors’ photo identity cards (EPIC) have been issued to 100 per cent electors. Therefore, as per Election Commission of India’s directions, EPIC shall be a compulsory document for identification of electors during the election. In case of such electors who do not have their EPIC in their possession, they are advised to contact immediately to the electoral registration officer concerned to get the EPIC.

It is mandatory for every contesting candidate to maintain and furnish accounts of his election expenses. Copies of the detailed guidelines on the manner in which accounts are to be submitted by the candidates have already been handed over to the representatives of the recognised political parties.

In order to maintain law and order and to ensure free and fair elections, arrangement of security will be made in accordance with the directions of the Election Commission of India.

The Election Commission of India would appoint observers and micro observers would be deployed to monitor the activity of election and poll, respectively. Video recording of all critical events will be done and these included nomination, scrutiny, allotment of symbols, preparation of EVMs and its storage.

Kaithal, September 7
The state government during the past few years has spent crores of rupees on development works and to improve civic amenities in the town and other parts of the district. There had been a lot of improvement in road infrastructure. Hundreds of km-long water supply and sewer lines had been laid down in the district. But, poor sanitary conditions, choked drains and presence of heaps of garbage in the residential and commercial areas remain major irritant among the residents.

The residents are sore over the indifferent attitude of elected representatives, municipal council officials and the district administration which have failed to take any steps to improve sanitary conditions in the district. All pleas of the residents here and elsewhere in other parts of the district to improve sanitation had fallen on deaf ears.

It was after many years that before the onset of the monsoon no major cleanliness drive was launched by the civic authority in the district. There were no heavy rains this season otherwise choked drains could result into water logging and cause damage to the road infrastructure and flood the low-lying areas. After protests by public and reports by the media about the prevailing poor sanitary conditions, the administration swung into action.

After the orders of deputy commissioner Amneet P. Kumar, only symbolic de-silting of drains was done in some areas, but in major areas of the town, municipal drains remained choked and heaps of garbage remained scattered at various places. The silt removed from the drains was not lifted properly. Those running their shops outside the local mini-secretariat expressed their anger over the choked drain and said the prevailing situation points towards ineffectiveness of the authorities to address public grievances.

The decision of the deputy commissioner to divide this town in sectors under the supervision of officials to ensure cleanliness failed to achieve desired results and there was no end to the miseries of people.

Big garbage bins provided to the civic body under the Waste Management Scheme years ago kept in different areas remain overflowing and not emptied for days causing resentment among shopkeepers and residents who are forced to bear the stink emanating from the garbage. Safai karamcharies put collected garbage, including dry leaves and waste paper, in small bins and burn it inside them as a result most of the tin bins have been damaged.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the extension of the town limits over the past years and upcoming of new colonies have also put pressure on municipal council sanitation staff. The retirement of several staff members and ban on new recruitments have also aggravated the problem. The deployment of municipal sanitary staff at the residence of number of district administration officials and some other VIPs has also reduced the number of effective staff adversely affecting the sanitary conditions in the town.

Karnal, September 7
The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC) has convened a Sikh Sangat at Kurukshetra on September 13 to plan its future course of action.

Sikhs in the state are in a quandary about extending support in the ensuing Assembly elections and the sulking HSGPC leaders, who believed in the assurances given by the state government for five years, seem to have lost the moral authority to give directions to the Sikh community.

The HSGPC had convened a Sikh Sangat at Karnal on September 7 last year which gave a one- month ultimatum to the SGPC and the Haryana Government to create a separate Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee for the state failing which the committee would “forcibly take control of the management of important gurdwaras in the state”. The HSGPC leaders looked determined to translate their threat into action and inspired their community, but nothing happened.

Chief Minister B.S.Hooda tabled the Chhatha Committee report for a separate gurdwara prabandhak committee in the House on the eve of announcement of Lok Sabha polls in March and set up a sub-committee to look into the legal aspects after which the matter was deferred.

Hooda again announced that a separate SGPC would be in place by November 15 in case there was no legal hurdle. However, it is now certain that a separate SGPC would not be constituted before the assembly elections and the Sikhs fear that the issue would continue to hang fire for another five years, if the Congress returns to power.

The HSGPC leaders, who had again united after a split last year, are confused and wary of the reaction of the community and have chosen the safe route of convening a Sikh Sangat to take a final decision on extending support to any party in the poll.

The president of the HSGPC, Jagdish Singh Jinda, says that Sikhs in the state are agitated over the indifferent attitude of the government and the SGPC and the Sangat had been convened to elicit the majority opinion of the community on extending support in the assembly poll.

Didar Singh Nalvi, general secretary of the HSGPC, was more forthright and said “having been let down again and again by the Congress government”, the Sikhs should oppose the Congress in the assembly polls.He alleged that the Haryana government hadfooled the Sikhs in the state by making false promises, but now it was clear that the Congress and Akalis were in league and never accepted the demand for a separate SGPC for the state.

After the announcement of the Haryana Chief Minister that a separate prabandhak committee for Haryana gurdwaras would be set up before November 15, Akali Dal leaders and SGPC chief Avatar Singh had openly stated that a separate SGPC for Haryana was not acceptable to them and even cautioned the Prime Minister on the issue but there was no strong reaction from the Chief Minister, asserting that he would implement the announcement, Nalvi pointed out.

There were about 19 lakh Sikh voters in Haryana and outcome of assembly polls in dozen constituencies depended on support of Sikhs. In Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Sirsa constituencies, Sikhs hold the balance and their support was crucial for winning candidates.

Gurgaon, September 7
An exhibition titled “New Beginnings” was organised by Finesse Art at Epicentre here recently. The exhibition was inaugurated by Sandeep Kumar, director, corporate affairs and communication, Sub Miller.

Eighty-five paintings and artworks of more than 20 upcoming artists from various parts of the country were put on display. The artists who participated were Archna Bhasin, Anoop Srivastava, Bhavna Rastogi, Kirti B Sarkar, Lalit Jain, Manissha Khanna, Meenu Mehrotra, Nandini Verma, Nidhi Agarwal, Parul Airen, Prashant K Sarkar, Sangeeta Malhotra, Saira, Surekha Sardana, Sarang Singla, Seema Jindal, Shalini Gupta, Swati Godbole, Tamanna, Vandana Taneja and Dashmeet. Paintings of eight-year-old Teshya Malhotra and 11-year-old Vidisha Vig were also displayed.

Unlike traditional art, the colour scheme of most of the paintings was bright and colourful. Some of the paintings not only reflected the real world but also presented an expression of the spiritual aspect of life, which were appreciated by art lovers. Sangeeta Malhotra, an artist and curator of Finesse Art, said, “Art has a life of its own and speaks a universal language - one with a certain degree of permanence, which portrays the feel and flow of life”.

Tamana, a psyche healer from Mumbai, used golden colour in all her paintings as she feels that golden colour is an energiser and her artwork can be customised.

Nidhi said her painting depicted the valley of life. She gets inspiration from life that how it has been created. Dashmeet’s works depicted dance of democracy. He said he tried to show how the country worked. “Now, everyone is living his own life and is not suppressed. I just want to show happiness of new India through my paintings,” he added.

Archna’s paintings made with leaves got a lot of appreciation. She used impressive colours in her paintings. Bhavna tried to show her illusion and elements of women, which also attracted everyone.

Vandana said, “Any kind of creativity helps you leap from normal world to saddle world. You can go materialistic, but still wait for something the whole life”. The paintings of Nandini from Chattisgarh depicted nature. She said, “Animals are an essential part of nature and do not disturb others. Similarly, human beings should also be eco-friendly”.

Six paintings of Swati Godbole were a centre of attraction. She had used 2,500 crystals in one of her paintings.

Prashant seemed to be fond of figurative and tried to experiment stylised figures with a kind of textures in it. “During childhood, we used to found faces in the sky, but they are somehow misplaced in the urban areas. Thus I thought of finding something on the canvass,” he avowed.

Kirti picked up her theme from the nature. Trees were a major subject of her paintings. NIFT-trained professional Sarang Singla said he had no theme, but his paintings were sublime.

The event was part of Sub Miller’s ongoing initiative to demonstrate their support to lifestyle events. 

Karnal, September 7
“India has a cattle population of about 187 million, including 97 million buffaloes, with a total annual milk production of 104 million tonnes, but there is dire need to increase the production”, said Dr A.K. Srivastava, Director of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI).

Addressing a group of 20 farm women from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, participating in a training programme on “Scientific Dairy Farming”, being organised by the NDRI and sponsored by the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh, New Delhi, Dr Srivastava exhorted them to adopt the latest technology to meet the growing demand for milk and supplement their income.

Dr Srivastava stressed there was an urgent need for a family engaged in dairy farming to adopt all production technologies to increase the milk production and generate employment in the rural areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Rehana Khan, Consultant, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh, New Delhi, said women had played a great role in the dairy production sector in the country, but they were doing it traditionally, and not making the optimal use of the new techniques to enhance their incomes. She urged the farm women to not only adopt new technologies by attending such training programmes, but also share and disseminate their knowledge and experiences with different sections in their regions.

Dr Dalip K Gosain, Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Dairy Training Centre, said the trainees would be apprised of the latest concepts and technologies on breeding, feeding, healthcare and management pertaining to the cattle and buffaloes. The trainees would also be taken to different villages for interaction with progressive dairy farmers, he added.