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THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Every Tuesday & Friday

Kushtha Ashram in state of neglect
Rohtak, February 2
Even as officials might have done the formality of paying tributes to the Father of the Nation on his 62nd death anniversary, the 44-year-old Kushtha Ashram for leprosy patients set up in his memory here cries for attention.
A worker shows a damaged portion of the Kushtha Ashram building in Rohtak A worker shows a damaged portion of the Kushtha Ashram building in Rohtak.
A Tribune photograph

Gurgaon village gets award for best sex ratio
Gurgaon, February 2
Bhora Kalan village in Gurgaon district, which was hitherto infamous for being the village of the notorious killer cabbies’ gang, has now become a model village by showing a marked improvement in sex-ratio.


EARLIER EDITIONS



Women participate in a ‘chatti’ race at the Rural Women Sports Competition organised by the Gramin Mahila and Bal Vikas Samiti at Karan Stadium in Karnal
Women participate in a ‘chatti’ race at the Rural Women Sports Competition organised by the Gramin Mahila and Bal Vikas Samiti at Karan Stadium in Karnal. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar

Water Supply, sewerage
Toll-free number for consumers within two months
Chandigarh, February 2
The Haryana Public Health Engineering Department has decided to launch a toll-free number to facilitate consumers in getting their grievances related to water supply and sewerage redressed in a time-bound manner.

Domestic Violence
Police to make women aware of their legal rights
Jhajjar, February 2
The Rohtak Police Range has embarked upon a strategy to awaken women towards their legal rights with an intention to check rising cases of domestic violence in the range covering four districts - Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat and Panipat.

Increasing Milk Production
Need for adopting reproductive biotechnology: Experts
Karnal, February 2
Veterinary scientists from various farm research institutions have underlined the need to adopt the latest trends in reproductive biotechnology to improve livestock and increase the production of milk and its products.

Nominations for women awards invited
Chandigarh, February 2
The Haryana Government has invited nominations for three state-level women awards, namely the Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award, the Kalpna Chawla Shaurya Award and the Bahin Shanno Devi Panchayati Raj Award.

CIRB celebrates foundation day
Hisar, February 2
The Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB) celebrated its 28th foundation day here recently by organising a buffalo mela. More than 150 dairy farmers from CIRB-adopted and other villages of the state exhibited their prized animals.

Workshop on media research concludes at KU
Kurukshetra, February 2
A three-day workshop on Media Research, organised by the Institute of Mass Communication (IMC) and Media Technology (MT) of Kurukshetra University, concluded here recently.

‘Vast theatre potential in Haryana’
Kurukshetra, February 2
The recently concluded Haryana theatre festivals at Udaipur and Shimla organised by the Multi Art Cultural Centre (MACC), Kurukshetra, have belied the myth that theatre is the monopoly of big states like Maharashtra and West Bengal and only mandarins of Mandi House have the authority to dictate the terms in theatre.
A scene from the play “Babuji Theek Kehte” by the Meghdoot Theatre Group, Bhiwani, and directed by Kaushal Bhardwaj
A scene from the play “Babuji Theek Kehte” by the Meghdoot Theatre Group, Bhiwani, and directed by Kaushal Bhardwaj. Photo by writer

Science conclave for young students held
Hisar, February 2
A two-day Science Conclave for young schoolchildren concluded at Haryana Agricultural University here. The meet was aimed at motivating school students to opt for a career in basic sciences. On the opening day, Planning Commission member and noted space scientist K. Kasturirangan interacted with the students.

HNP favours reservation on economic basis
Rewari, February 2
The Hindustan National Party (HNP), a new political outfit of the country, has decided to launch a countrywide intimation-cum-awareness campaign to mobilise public opinion in favour of abolition of caste-cum-religion-based reservation as well as simultaneous introduction of reservation on economic basis for all economically weaker sections of society.

Sahit Akademi institutes award for best Punjabi scribe
Panchkula, February 2
The Haryana Government is leading all the way for the promotion of Punjabi language and literature. After enhancing the annual awards money substantially, almost double, for five state literary awards, a new award for the best Punjabi journalist, too, has been approved for which notification is awaited.
Sukhchain Singh Bhandari
Sukhchain Singh Bhandari

State looks for new talent in performing arts
Chandigarh, February 2
The Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad has invited proposals from reputed NGOs, societies, organisations of the state-level or nationally and internationally renowned artistes in the field of performing arts to organise a talent search programme.

Jobless youth made aware of govt schemes
Karnal, February 2
Unemployed youth were provided information about the schemes and programmes launched by the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises at a one-day Industrial Motivation Campaign for Employable Youth organised by the JK Group of Institutions, Ramba, Karnal.

Painting exhibition held
Gurgaon, February 2
C’est La Vie organised an exhibition of paintings and sculptures under the title of “Gurgaon Art Festival - Winter 2011-12” at Epicentre here recently. Several professional as well as upcoming artists displayed their works at the exhibition.


Art promoter-cum-curator Maandavi S Sharma explains a creation at an exhibition of paintings and sculptures in Gurgaon. A Tribune photograph
Art promoter-cum-curator Maandavi S Sharma explains a creation at an exhibition of paintings and sculptures in Gurgaon

Punjabis urged to live unitedly
Kurukshetra, February 2
An ‘abhinandan smaroh’ was organised by the Layalpur Sabha on the premises of Layalpur Maha Panchayat Dharmshala here recently. Shadi Lal Batra, member of the Rajya Sabha, was the chief guest, while Dr Ramprakash, also a member of the Rajya Sabha, presided over the function.

Students of Hindu Girls College bring laurels
Sonepat, February 2
A student of the local Hindu Girls College, Monica, has topped Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, by securing 90.4 per cent marks in the second semester examination of the BSc class.

Swami is chairman of bodybuilding assn
Rewari, February 2
Amit Swami, president of the South Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, has been elected as the chairman of the North India Bodybuilding Association.

KU Prof is Fellow of Mycological Society of India
Kurukshetra, February 2
Dr KR Aneja, Professor and Chairman, Department of Microbiology, Kurukshetra University, has been elected a Fellow of the Mycological Society of India-2011 for his significant contributions made in the area of fungal diversity, biotechnology, agricultural microbiology and medical microbiology.

MOVIE THIS WEEK
Gali Gali Chor Hai
Directed by: Rumy Jafferey
“Gali Gali Chor Hai”, written and directed by Rummy Jafferey, has real flavours of Bhopal. The film focuses on corruption and is produced by Nitin Manmohan. The look of stars Akshaye Khanna and Shriya Saran, who play a middle-class couple, is also real.


A still from “Gali Gali Chor Hai”

A still from “Gali Gali Chor Hai”

Artistes from Uttar Pradesh and (right) Uzbekistan give performances at the Surajkund Crafts Mela near Faridabad on Thursday
Artistes from Uttar Pradesh and (right) Uzbekistan give performances at the Surajkund Crafts Mela near Faridabad on Thursday. Tribune photos: Sayeed Ahmed





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Kushtha Ashram in state of neglect
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 2
Even as officials might have done the formality of paying tributes to the Father of the Nation on his 62nd death anniversary, the 44-year-old Kushtha Ashram for leprosy patients set up in his memory here cries for attention. The wait of inmates of the ashram, who feel unsafe in the dilapidated building, has perhaps been getting longer.

“We have been awaiting the restoration and repair work since long, but it appears that the official machinery is concerned only about observing the birth and death anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi in a formal manner,” an inmate of the ashram located in Indira Colony said.

He said while the cement plaster on the walls of nearly 41 rooms had already given away, walls had developed cracks leading to safety concern among the inmates.

The building immediately required repair work if the safety was to be ensured, he added.

“At least 16 rooms are on the verge of collapse and have been lying unused for the past one year,” said another inmate.

There had been no whitewash or repairs done in the past several years, said Wadivelu, the head of the association of the inmates.

He said the ashram was started way back in 1968 and had been built on 4 acres for the benefit of leprosy patients.

He said a representation had been submitted to the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner a few months ago and they had been assured of repairs, but no work had been carried out so far.

There are nearly 24 inmates lodged here at present, it is claimed.

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Gurgaon village gets award for best sex ratio
Sunit Dhawan
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, February 2
Bhora Kalan village in Gurgaon district, which was hitherto infamous for being the village of the notorious killer cabbies’ gang, has now become a model village by showing a marked improvement in sex-ratio.

The village, having a population of 30,000, has recorded sex ratio of 903 girls per 1,000 boys, which is the best in the district. For this, the village panchayat received a cash award of Rs 1 lakh at the district-level Republic Day function.

The village panchayat has decided to utilise this amount to spread awareness against female foeticide.

Appreciating the positive trend, Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner PC Meena said the sex ratio of Bhora Kalan was adjudged the best in the district during the year 2010.

As per the latest census report, the overall sex ratio in Gurgaon is 838 girls per 1,000 boys. While Bhora Kalan village had recorded a sex ratio of 868 girls per 1,000 boys during the survey, it further improved to 903.

Figures of the first eight months of 2011 under the central registration system (CRS) reveal that the sex ratio in Haryana was 826 girls per 1,000 boys in the age-group of 0-6 years, in comparison to 833:1000 of the corresponding period in 2010.

Bhora Kalan sarpanch Vijay Veer maintained that the village had two government-run and several privately managed schools and all village children above the age of 5 years went to school.

Though the sarpanch did not rule out the possibility of female foeticide, he said the overall trend was positive and more efforts would be put in to generate awareness on the sensitive issue.

According to official record, 10 families of the village are beneficiaries of the Ladli pension scheme (meant for the families having only daughters), while several applications are pending.

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Water Supply, sewerage
Toll-free number for consumers within two months
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 2
The Haryana Public Health Engineering Department has decided to launch a toll-free number to facilitate consumers in getting their grievances related to water supply and sewerage redressed in a time-bound manner.

This public grievances redressal mechanism will start functioning within two months, Public Health Engineering Minister Kiran Choudhry said here recently.

“I am inundated with complaints wherever I go. That’s why I felt the need to streamline the working of the department and fix accountability. Once this number becomes functional, a complaint can be lodged between 6 am and 8 pm through the IVRS system and the officials will be answerable for pending complaints,” she said.

While describing water conservation an important issue, the minister said there was a proposal to reward village panchayats which would help in ensuring taps at all the public stand posts to check wastage.

In addition, those panchayats, which ensure provision of ball valves in all the water tanks and at least 75 per cent private water connection in houses of the village, would also be awarded, she said.

The amount of reward would be Rs 20,000 for the village with population up to 2,000, a reward of Rs 30,000 would be given to the village with a population of up to 3000, Rs 40,000 for up to a population of 4,000 and Rs 50,000 for a village with population of more than 4,000. This could help in reducing the wastage of water from present 40- 45 per cent to 5-10 per cent.

Choudhry said the Public Health Engineering Department would organise functions to create awareness on water conservation and sanitation in schools of two villages in each blocks in the next six months.

Besides, the department has also decided to constitute village-level water and sanitation committees in each village for proper monitoring of water supply works in the rural areas.

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Domestic Violence
Police to make women aware of their legal rights
Ravinder Saini

Jhajjar, February 2
The Rohtak Police Range has embarked upon a strategy to awaken women towards their legal rights with an intention to check rising cases of domestic violence in the range covering four districts - Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat and Panipat.

Under the strategy, the police has got a leaflet namely “Himmat Aapki, Prayas Hamara:Hinsa Roko” published to make women aware of various provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 so that they could protect themselves from domestic violence by lodging a complaint with the police in this regard.

Alok Mittal, Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Rohtak Range, said this while interacting with mediapersons during his surprise visit to police stations/posts here recently.

He said the strategy aimed at curbing crime against women, especially domestic violence, besides spreading awareness among the women about their legal rights to tackle the family affairs leading to violence.

“Through the leaflet, we will go to women at the mass level to inform them in-depth that in which situation and by which they can make the use of the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act for preventing crime against women, getting the accused punished as per law for their violent act, besides getting relief from the court in this regard,” said the IGP.

He said district-wise telephone numbers for lodging complaints regarding domestic violence with the police had also been printed in the leaflet so that the victim could inform the police immediately.

He said protection officers of all the four districts had been roped in to launch a special programme in order to awaken women towards their legal rights, besides distributing the leaflet among them in their areas concerned.

“The protection officers have also been directed to organise frequent meetings of women groups at various places of their areas concerned to tell them in detail about various provisions of the Act in the situation of physical violence, sexual exploitation, emotional and economic violence,” said Mittal.

Domestic violence could be curbed to a large extent by making women aware of the Act which provided them right to get relief through court in the cases of domestic violence, besides getting the accused punished as per law. Hence, there was an urgent need to spread awareness among women about their legal rights, the IGP added.

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Increasing Milk Production
Need for adopting reproductive biotechnology: Experts
Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Karnal, February 2
Veterinary scientists from various farm research institutions have underlined the need to adopt the latest trends in reproductive biotechnology to improve livestock and increase the production of milk and its products.

Participating in a two-day national symposium on “Recent Advances in Reproductive Biotechnology: Retrospective and Prospective Vision” organised jointly by the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, and the Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility (ISSRF) at NDRI here recently, the experts said improving breeds and multiplication of superior germplasm were imperative to achieve targets.

Inaugurating the symposium, Prof RC Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab University, Chandigarh, emphasised the need to develop some powerful genomic tests for screening superior animals.

He said the objective of the symposium was to come out with specific recommendations for improving livestock resources through the common interactive forum, which included basic scientists, veterinarians and clinicians.

Maintaining that the modern tools of assisted reproduction had helped society in fulfilling the dream of raising children for issueless couples, he said planned and efficient reproduction coupled with multiplication of superior germplasm had become a reality due to the advances in the biotechnology of reproduction.

In his valedictory address, Prof AK Srivastava, Director, NDRI, highlighted the importance of “heat detection” and said missing one heat in an average yielding buffalo cost more than Rs 5,000 to a farmer.

Embryo biotechnology, superovulation and in-vitro maturation techniques were needed to be refined further for the successful application in the field for heat induction or synchronisation, he added.

“The growth of the dairy sector is almost three times higher than the world average, but the single most important cause of economic loss in the livestock sector is reproductive inefficiency,” he said, adding that artificial insemination, embryo transfer and cloning of superior animals were new developments in reproduction science that had revolutionised the dairy farming.

Introduction of sexed semen for cattle and buffaloes and taking embryo transfer to the farmers’ door needs further refinement in technology and the greater challenge lies ahead for animal researchers to integrate and potentially exploit these novel technologies.

The NDRI was playing a proactive role for increasing the fertility of breeding bulls through progeny testing, research programmes on “Reproduction Management of Breeding Bulls” and a flagship project on “Integrated Fertility Management in Cattle and Buffaloes” in the XII Plan would address the problem of infertility in dairy animals.

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Nominations for women awards invited
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 2
The Haryana Government has invited nominations for three state-level women awards, namely the Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award, the Kalpna Chawla Shaurya Award and the Bahin Shanno Devi Panchayati Raj Award.

The Women and Child Development Department has instituted the awards to recognise the contribution of women who have done outstanding work in different fields so that they become role models for the women in future. The awards would go a long way in changing the mindset of the society to accept and encourage the versatile role of women in the Indian society, an official said.

The Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award carried a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, whereas the Kalpna Chawla Shaurya Award and the Bahin Shanno Devi Panchayati Raj Award carried a cash prize of Rs 51,000 each. He said the Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award was given to women who had done exemplary work in the field of support and rehabilitation of destitute women and children, widows, victims of atrocities and conflicts, disabled women and children, aged women, promoting self help groups or women empowerment initiatives, setting up of their own business or industries and have contributed to the development of women and exemplary work or achievement in public service. The Kalpna Chawla Shaurya Award was given to honour women who have shown exemplary courage at the risk of their own life.

The Bahin Shanno Devi Panchayati Raj Award was given to recognise women panchayat leaders who have done exemplary work in the female literacy, health and nutrition, universalisation of education, sanitation, water, hygiene and other key health determinants, social audit, women empowerment, prevention of domestic violence against women, prevention of crime or atrocities against women or weaker sections of society, community mobilisation, prevention of female foeticide and improving sex ratio, prevention of child marriages, environment protection and support to women in agriculture and rural industry, including promotion of technology to reduce drudgery.

The applicants should send their nominations through the Deputy Commissioner concerned with recommendation to the Women and Child Development Department. The nominations should reach the office of the concerned Deputy Commissioner by February 10.

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CIRB celebrates foundation day
Raman Mohan/TNS

Hisar, February 2
The Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB) celebrated its 28th foundation day here recently by organising a buffalo mela. More than 150 dairy farmers from CIRB-adopted and other villages of the state exhibited their prized animals.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr KD Kokate, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, who was the chief guest, said India had over 105 million buffaloes constituting about 59 per cent of the total world buffalo population. These buffaloes currently produced about 53 per cent of the total milk produced in the country.

Besides milk, 1.62 million metric tonnes of meat was also produced from the animal. Buffalo draft power also accounted for about 10 per cent of the total draft power contributed by the working animals in the country.

In addition to milk, meat and draft, buffaloes also produced 0.52 million metric tonnes of skin and hides in the country.

He said buffalo breeding had become a profitable enterprise. India was home not only to the world-famous murrah buffalo, but also to several other high-milk producing buffalo breeds with unique characteristics such as jaffarabadi, nili-ravi, badhavari, pandharpuri, surti and mehsana. He said the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) had established CIRB on February 1, 1985, with a mandate to undertake research and extension activities aimed at conserving and improving buffalo germplasm, enhancing productivity and coordinating research through 14 centres.

Dr RK Sethi, director, CIRB, said the institute was engaged in extension activities for propagation of knowledge on buffalo breeding, feeding, reproduction, health and management to farmers through regular visits by scientists to 10 adopted villages.

He said the CIRB was planning to develop a model buffalo village during the 12th Five Year Plan where efforts would be made to transfer, validate and demonstrate technologies developed at the institute for adoption by the farmers. On the occasion, exhibitions and stalls were put up by various organisations, including the National Research Centre on Equines, NDRI, Karnal; TTC, Hisar, MAHYCO, Farmers Training Centre, PNB, Saccha Kheda; National Insurance Company, Regional Fodder Production and Demonstration Centre and VITA Milk Processing Plant.

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Workshop on media research concludes at KU
D.R. Vij

Kurukshetra, February 2
A three-day workshop on Media Research, organised by the Institute of Mass Communication (IMC) and Media Technology (MT) of Kurukshetra University, concluded here recently.

Prof Shyam Kumar, Dean, Research and Development of the university, delivered the valedictory address. He stressed upon the need of genuine and socially relevant research works.

The university would provide all types of facilities to the researchers so that world-level researches would become synonymous with the university, he added.

The workshop saw specialised lectures by various resource persons. Prof SS Boora from the Department of Tourism of the university spoke on the importance and dimensions of review of literature in research, while Roma, assistant professor, IMC and MT, discussed various aspects of advertising research.

Dr Madhudeep, assistant professor from the institute, delivered a lecture on sampling techniques in research, while Dr RS Tomar, an expert on social research, talked about the importance of theory building in research. Dr BS Yadav, associate professor from the University College of Education, talked about the lesser-known qualitative research tradition which is gaining importance nowadays.

Prof CR Drolia from the Department of Psychology of the university taught the use of various statistical tools employed in media research.

Rajesh Malviya, Deputy Director, Census of India, screened an insightful documentary on the Census 2011 and delivered a lecture on audience research.

As many as 55 research scholars, including 40 Ph.D and 15 M.Phil scholars, participated in the workshop. Some of the scholars made power-point presentations regarding the status of their research work before the research audience and expert research committee inviting suggestions and comments on the work.

The research scholars who made presentations included Ashok Sharma, Shipra Dua, Kirti Singh, Shatruddha Tomar, Kuldeep, Amit Sangwan, PU Abraham, Amardeep Singh, Surendra, Anshu Maheshwari and Seema Malik.

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‘Vast theatre potential in Haryana’
D.R. Vij

Kurukshetra, February 2
The recently concluded Haryana theatre festivals at Udaipur and Shimla organised by the Multi Art Cultural Centre (MACC), Kurukshetra, have belied the myth that theatre is the monopoly of big states like Maharashtra and West Bengal and only mandarins of Mandi House have the authority to dictate the terms in theatre.

Another myth that the culture of Haryana is agriculture only was also negated by the audiences at both the places. Theatre activists at both the places were surprised to see the plays which, they said, they had never expected from the groups of a state like Haryana.

Claiming this here recently, MACC deputy director-cum-in-charge Vishav Deepak Trikha said Manisha Nanda, IAS, Financial Commissioner, and Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, Himachal Pradesh, confessed that she was definitely not aware of such a vast theatre potential in Haryana.

Trikha said the festival at Udaipur was organised in collaboration with the West Zone Culture Centre, Udaipur, while in Shimla it was organised in collaboration with the Department of Art, Culture and Languages, Himachal Pradesh.

It is pertinent to note that MACC, Kurukshetra, came into existence only two-and-a-half years ago and at that time there was only one play “Gadhe Ki Baraat” of Saptak Cultural Society, Rohtak, which represented the state all over India and even in Pakistan. But within a short span of two and a half years, Haryana has around 12 plays ready, all with the sincere efforts made by MACC, Kurukshetra, which is primarily working as a school of drama in the state, said Trikha.

The festival at Udaipur saw the plays “Doosra Aadmi Doosri Aurat” by Ras Kala Manch, Safidon, “Babuji Theek Kehte Thay” by Meghdoot Theatre Group, Bhiwani, “Jis Lahore Nahin Vekhya Oh Jamya Hi Nahin” by Humsab Society, Kurukshetra, and “Saiyan Bhaye Kotwal” by Theatrewala Group, Faridabad, while at Shimla the plays staged were “Bobby Breaker” by Dhrohar, Yamunanagar, “Chief Minister” by Rang Shilpi, Gurgaon, “Inquilab” by Sarthak Kala Manch, Karnal, and “Rani Aur Pintoo” again by Dhrohar, Yamunanagar, he added.

Trikha further said the purpose of organising such festivals outside Haryana was to provide an opportunity to our theatre artistes to interact with the theatre fraternity of the country and to help them make a place in the wider national theatre perspective.

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Science conclave for young students held
Tribune News Service

Hisar, February 2
A two-day Science Conclave for young schoolchildren concluded at Haryana Agricultural University here. The meet was aimed at motivating school students to opt for a career in basic sciences. On the opening day, Planning Commission member and noted space scientist K. Kasturirangan interacted with the students.

Thereafter, professor GS Randhawa from IIT-Roorkee delivered a talk on “How to be successful in Science?”. He emphasised the importance of spoken and written skills and analytical and logical skills. He motivated the students to select correct role models but follow them keeping in view their own capabilities and interest.

Dr KC Bansal, director, ICAR, New Delhi, delivered a talk on “Journey from Basic Sciences to Biotechnology - A Scientist’s Perspectives”.

He emphasised the importance of basic sciences in Medicine, Ecology and Agriculture. Dr Bansal also dwelt on the contribution of Dr NE Borlaug, a Nobel Laureate, in agriculture.

He also talked about emerging technologies such as Golden Rice having high amount of ß-carotene and how to improve Lycopene content of tomato which acted against cancer.

On the second day, Dr HS Nainawattee, a former Additional Director-General (Education), ICAR, described basic sciences as the most happening higher education option for knowledge and career.

Dr Nainawattee exhorted the students to be inclusive in their scientific approach, besides being ambitious. He said they must make sure that they had an aptitude for their subjects.

Dr JS Yadav, a former dean and environmentalist from Kurukshetra University, delivered a talk on global warming.

“Recent human activity has led to an array of changes in environment leading to global warming which is resulting in desertification, land degradation, melting of glaciers and floods. This has to be checked and therein lay a challenge for young scientists,” he said.

Dr MS Marwaha, Associate Professor from Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh, demonstrated 20 science models which explained the basic principles of physics. His live demonstrations involving question-answer sessions with young students were applauded by the students.

Dr BK Mishra of Wild Life Institute, Dehradun, delivered a speech on “Environment and Wild life Conservation”. His focus was on the importance and protection of biodiversity both on-site and off-site.

Over 1,200 students from various schools of the district participated in the conclave.

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HNP favours reservation on economic basis

Rewari, February 2
The Hindustan National Party (HNP), a new political outfit of the country, has decided to launch a countrywide intimation-cum-awareness campaign to mobilise public opinion in favour of abolition of caste-cum-religion-based reservation as well as simultaneous introduction of reservation on economic basis for all economically weaker sections of society.

This was stated by KV Krishna Swami, national president of the HNP, at a press conference held here recently.

Party spokesperson Raj Kumar Bhardwaj, its national vice-president Pradeep Sharma, Haryana Yuva HNP president Krishan Haryanvi and other prominent party functionaries were also present on the occasion.

Speaking about other prominent features of the party agenda, the party chief said changes would be made to pave way for poor candidates to enter state legislatures and Parliament. He said they would also seek overhauling of the IPC which would enable the law-enforcement agencies to firmly deal with criminals.

The party would make efforts for the implementation of such job-oriented projects which would open up new vistas for millions of jobless youths. — OC

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Sahit Akademi institutes award for best Punjabi scribe
SD Sharma

Panchkula, February 2
The Haryana Government is leading all the way for the promotion of Punjabi language and literature. After enhancing the annual awards money substantially, almost double, for five state literary awards, a new award for the best Punjabi journalist, too, has been approved for which notification is awaited.

This was stated by Sukhchain Singh Bhandari, director of the Haryana Punjabi Sahit Akademi, here today.

The purse for Bhai Santokh Singh Award, Baba Sheikh Farid Award and Sant Taran Singh Vehimi Award had been raised from Rs 51,000 to Rs 1 lakh each and the highest Haryana Gaurav Sammaan to Rs 1.5 lakh, and Raaagi Dhadi Lok Gayak Award carries Rs 21,000. Besides, prize money on the books of short stories, poetry, criticism, drama and children literature had been increased.

Hailing the government’s endeavour, he expressed gratitude to Dr KK Khandelwal for accelerating the pace of planned projects for propagating the Punjabi language in letter and in spirit. Though Punjabi had already been given the status of the second language, it was only on the demand and follow-up by the akademi that official nameplates of ministers and officers in the Haryana Civil Secretariat had been written in Punjabi in addition to the existing Hindi and English, said Bhandari.

The government had issued orders for affecting simultaneous additions of Punjabi on milestones, nameplates of officers and offices, besides other places where ever deemed necessary, he added.

When asked about his special contribution after joining as the director of the akademi, Bhandari said the akademi had distributed over 5,000 Punjabi primers (kaydas) “Aao Punjabi Seekhein”, in remote villages to learn it at the grass-roots level.

Accordingly, the distribution of monthly literary magazine “Shabad Boond” had increased from 500 to 700, including a few across the border. At least four seminars or Punjabi poetic symposiums are organised in far-off places in the state to provide stage to the old and budding poets and writers.

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State looks for new talent in performing arts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 2
The Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad has invited proposals from reputed NGOs, societies, organisations of the state-level or nationally and internationally renowned artistes in the field of performing arts to organise a talent search programme.

The talent search programme would be organised in the areas of music, clay modelling and drama to cover children studying in government secondary schools, including class IX and class X, across the state.

These activities would be conducted through renowned performing artistes in the arts of music, clay modelling and drama; voluntary organisations; NGOs and societies for performing art at the school level as well as the district level in the state.

He added that the Parishad had been established by the Government of Haryana for implementing a flagship national programme namely Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan in financial partnership with the Centre.

Individuals and organisations interested in undertaking these activities could submit their proposals to the state project director, Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad, on February 11 up to 5 pm. The individuals or organisations shortlisted on the basis of details provided would be informed through e-mail for interaction with the State Resource Group on February 13. The proposals recommended by the State Resource Group to the Parishad for the assignment of the project would be considered by the state project director whose decision would be final.

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Jobless youth made aware of govt schemes

Karnal, February 2
Unemployed youth were provided information about the schemes and programmes launched by the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises at a one-day Industrial Motivation Campaign for Employable Youth organised by the JK Group of Institutions, Ramba, Karnal.

The objective of the campaign, held in collaboration with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Organisation, was to provide knowledge to the youth about the changing needs of the industry and skill development requirements for better employment. Detailed information about the schemes and programmes launched by the Union MSME Ministry was given to the participants to motivate them towards self-employment and look for suitable options.

Vikas Gupta, Deputy Director, MSME, Karnal, explained the participants about the qualities of a successful entrepreneur, while chief guest Vijay Kumar, Director, MSME, Karnal, encouraged the students not only to engage themselves in self-employment but also generate employment opportunities for others through entrepreneurship. Sunil Khosa, District Lead Manager, Punjab National Bank, informed the students about various schemes started by PNB for extending financial assistance and Parag Gupta of NSIC, Chandigarh, gave a brief account of the facilities provided by the MSME Department. RS Sharma of the District Industries Centre, Karnal, focused on the MSME scheme Prime Minister Employment Generation Scheme and also told the students about the financial help provided by the Haryana Government for industrial development. — TNS

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Painting exhibition held
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, February 2
C’est La Vie organised an exhibition of paintings and sculptures under the title of “Gurgaon Art Festival - Winter 2011-12” at Epicentre here recently. Several professional as well as upcoming artists displayed their works at the exhibition.

Noted artists like Narain Barodia, Prithvi Soni, Prasoon Poddar, Pijush Kanti Bera, Ramchandra Pokale, Jitendra K Tanwar, Preeti Sinha and Ajay Kaushik supported the show.

Maandavi S Sharma, Curator, C’est La Vie, who has given up several lucrative jobs to strive for the promotion of art and artists, said: “The event is an effort to provide a platform to the budding artists alongside the eminent ones. The summer faction is being planned for Delhi in March at the Constitution Club. This is a show where one can view myriad paintings and sculptures, works which know no boundaries of medium, colour, size or imagination”.

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Punjabis urged to live unitedly
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, February 2
An ‘abhinandan smaroh’ was organised by the Layalpur Sabha on the premises of Layalpur Maha Panchayat Dharmshala here recently. Shadi Lal Batra, member of the Rajya Sabha, was the chief guest, while Dr Ramprakash, also a member of the Rajya Sabha, presided over the function.

Pam Kwatra, president, Indian National Overseas Congress, New Jersey, US, and Ashok Mehta, president, Punjabi Maha Sabha Haryana (PMSH), were the guests of honour.

Addressing the gathering, Batra said Punjabis were the hardworking people and many of them had sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country.

He called upon the community to live unitedly. He also announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh to the Layalpur Sabha from his discretionary fund.

Appreciating the community for its hardworking nature, Dr Ramprakash said the community had contributed a lot to the freedom struggle.

He also announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the Layalpur Sabha from his discretionary fund.

Kwatra said they were fighting to maintain the dignity of the community and struggling to give the Punjabi culture a special status in the foreign land.

“We want that our children should not forget our culture and heritage,” she said.

Charanjeet Gaba, senior vice-president, PMSH, and president, Layalpur Sabha, Kurukshetra, said the sabha was trying to bring communities, including Labana Sikh, Jat Sikh, Ramgariya Sikh, Mazbi Sikh, Bazigar and Kamboj Sikh, who had suffered during the Partition, under one banner.

On the occasion, senior citizens of the community, Bhagwan Das Kalra, Des Raj Wadhwa and Mathura Das, were honoured.

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Students of Hindu Girls College bring laurels
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, February 2
A student of the local Hindu Girls College, Monica, has topped Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, by securing 90.4 per cent marks in the second semester examination of the BSc class.

Out of the 20 top positions in this examination, as many as 11 positions, including the first one, have been bagged by the college students.

According to college principal Nirmal Jabbal, Neeraj Kumari with 86.40 per cent marks got the 4th position and Anjali and Jyoti were jointly placed at 5th position with 85.20 per cent marks.

Poonam Rani was placed at 7th position, Sakshi at 8th position and Garima at 9th position with 84.20 per cent, 84 per cent and 83.60 per cent marks, respectively.

Other position holders included Sonia with 82.20 per cent, Seema with 82 per cent Sheetal with 81.80 per cent and Savita with 81.40 per cent marks got 16th, 17th, 18th and 20th position, respectively.

“Such achievements inspire other students also to strive hard for better results which would help them in shaping up their career,” she said, hoping the students would continue to give good results in future examinations also.

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Swami is chairman of bodybuilding assn
Our Correspondent

Rewari, February 2
Amit Swami, president of the South Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, has been elected as the chairman of the North India Bodybuilding Association. Simultaneously, Sardar Balbir Singh, chief coach of the Indian Railways Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association, Sunil Walia from Chandigarh, Darshan Singh from Delhi and Vinod Sharma from Uttar Pradesh, were also elected as the president, general secretary, executive director and treasurer of the association, respectively.

They were elected to the above posts at a meeting of the representatives of Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal Bodybuilding Associations held at Muzaffar Nagar, UP, recently.

Felicitating Swami for his elevation to the post of the chairman of the association, Sardar Balbir Singh acclaimed the valuable services rendered by Swami for the promotion of bodybuilding in the country and elsewhere.

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KU Prof is Fellow of Mycological Society of India
Our Correspondent

Kurukshetra, February 2
Dr KR Aneja, Professor and Chairman, Department of Microbiology, Kurukshetra University, has been elected a Fellow of the Mycological Society of India-2011 for his significant contributions made in the area of fungal diversity, biotechnology, agricultural microbiology and medical microbiology.

He had earlier been elected Fellow of four other societies: the Indian Botanical Society, the Indian Phytopathological Society, the Indian Mycological Society and the Society of Biocontrol Advancement.

Professor Aneja has six books and over 140 research publications to his credit. The award will be presented to him during the inaugural session of the national conference on “Mycodiversity with Sustainable Exploration and Biotechnological Applications” and the 38th annual meeting of the Mycological Society of India to be held at Amravati, Maharashtra, on February 6.

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MOVIE THIS WEEK

Gali Gali Chor Hai

Directed by: Rumy Jafferey
“Gali Gali Chor Hai”, written and directed by Rummy Jafferey, has real flavours of Bhopal. The film focuses on corruption and is produced by Nitin Manmohan. The look of stars Akshaye Khanna and Shriya Saran, who play a middle-class couple, is also real.

Akshaye will be seen in plain trousers and simple shirts. Shriya as a school teacher will be dressed in kurtas and churidars. Mugdha Godse plays a Mumbaikar.

The fun part of the film is Akshaye playing Hanuman in a Ramlila sequence, the dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Rama and his war with Ravana.

“Gali Gali Chor Hai” will hit the screens today at Glitz-Kurukshetra, Harsha, Movie Time (Karnal), Fame Shalimar, Suraj (Panchkula), Sun City-Hisar, BMG, Everest (Rewari) Minerva, Fun (Ambala), PVR Ambience, PVR MGF, PVR Sahara, DTCC, DTMM, SRS Omaxe, SRS Wedding (Gurgaon), SRSCC, SRS Pristine, SRS Eledeco, Q Cinema, PVR Crown Plaza, INOX, Movie Time CM (Faridabad), Dimple - Jagadhri, Cinemax Fun (Panipat), Satyam, Bangar (Rohtak).

— Dharam Pal

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