Tarn Taran Diary: Students’ views on Artificial Intelligence
Students from different schools expressed their views with the help of charts and slides on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and expressed their concern over its pros and cons at a district-level science seminar on the topic ‘Artificial intelligence: Potential and concern’ held at Sri Guru Arjun Dev Government Girls Secondary School, Tarn Taran.
The National Council of Science Museum had assigned the topic on the directions of the State Council for Educational Research and Training, Punjab. Jagwinder Singh, District Education Officer (Secondary), in his address, called upon students to be more aware about Artificial Intelligence which was the need of the hour. The students said that AI was creating such smart machines that are capable of imitating human intelligence and thinking. Some of the students said that Artificial Intelligence had made man lazy and was also a main reason for unemployment.
Tejinder Singh, district coordinator, Environment Education, said that from the nine education blocks of the district, 35 students of 18 different schools participated in the seminar and they were well prepared. Ravinder Kaur Ahluwalia, principal of the host school, said that Jashandeep Kaur of Government Senior Secondary School, Vein Poin, bagged the first prize, Khushpreet Kaur of Government Middle School, Thathgarh took the second prize followed by Simranpreet Kaur of Sacred Heart Convent School, Thakkarpura, who won the third prize. Navpreet Kaur of Government Senior Secondary School, Gaggobua was awarded the consolation prize. The students said that the topic was enormous and they had learnt a lot from the teachers who talked in detail. Ripudaman Sharma, Mandeep Kaur and Maninder Kaur were among the teachers who spoke on the occasion.
Sanitation drive by telecom major
Telecom major Reliance Jio has come forward to serve the community under ‘Swachhatta Abhiyan’ . The Tarn Taran team of the company launched the much needed cleanliness drive at Gandhi Municipal Park here. Team leader Jasdeep Singh Gandhi said the cleanliness drive was the need of the hour as the park lacked hygiene and residents who came for a walk or stroll were inconvenienced. He said that the team collected garbage from all corners of the park and buried it under the soil. Jasdeep Singh said that the team plans to launch sanitation drive in slum localities of the town soon.
Plastic crates to transport fruits, vegetables
District officials of the Horticulture Department have advised farmers, especially the fruit and vegetable producers, to use plastic crates for transportation. Tejinder Singh, Deputy Director, Horticulture, said that a scheme of the department has been launched to pack vegetables and fruits with 50 per cent subsidy. Tejinder Singh said that in the plastic crated packing, the material remains fresh for a long time and its taste too remains intact. The officer advised the farmers not to use jute bags to pack fruits and vegetables as it destroys the stock. Also, the producers do not get a profitable price in the market. He said that in these competitive times, the producer who creates a good impression in the minds of customers stands to benefit. The Deputy Director said that one producer may get a maximum of 200 crates at subsidised rates. He said the department also gives subsidy on cardboard at the rate of 20 per packing (per box). He said that producers must avail the facility to expand their sphere in marketing to other states beyond their local market. It increases the output of the farmers.