Applications invited for award
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
The Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University PAU, has invited applications for the Sardar Dalip Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Award from progressive farmers of the state.

Dr J.S. Kolar, Director of Extension Education of the university, said a farmer would be selected on the basis of his innovative and scientific approach to farming. The selected farmer would be presented the award during the Kisan mela to be organised by the university during March next year.

Dr Kolar said the award had been instituted with the money donated by the family of Sardar Dalip Singh Dhaliwal, a progressive farmer of Bathinda district. The award carried a cash prize of Rs 5,000, besides a plaque and a citation.

The applications could be submitted to the office of Director of Extension Education, PAU latest by February 24, 2002 in the prescribed performa available with the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU as well as from the Chief Agriculture Officers of all districts and the D.E.S. (seniormost) of the PAU working in different districts. The farmers could also get the help of DES for filling the application forms.

Advice to bee-keepers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
Experts of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have given tips for the care and maintenance of beehives during the month of December.

The farmers have been advised to examine the honey bee colonies on a calm and sunny day.

The farmers have been advised to extract honey during the start of winter, if the colonies have surplus honey collected from toria crop and the honey has not been granulated. The farmers have also been advised to unite the very weak laying worker colonies with the average strength colonies so that they are able to maintain the required brood nest temperature and pass the winter successfully.

If the colonies are short of honey stores, provide thick sugar syrup as supplementary feeding. If the colonies are still lying in shade, shift the colonies to sun gradually. Plug the cracks and crevices in the hives and provide winter packing for the protection of bees from low temperatures. Do not keep the colony open for a long time. 

SCHOOL FUNCTIONS
Kids have a date with Santa
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
Tiny tots of Small Wonders Nursery School had wonderful time as they celebrated Christmas today. Children were in the best of their spirits as they, along with their teachers, decorated the school rooms with colourful frills, balloons, bells and stars. A decorated tree with a scene of Jesus Christ’s birth was set up in one room. Children dressed up as Santa Claus, Mother Mary and fairies presented a gala look. The whole atmosphere was lively and full of fun and frolic.

Santa Claus distributed sweets among the kids. The children cut a Christmas cake and had a good party time having their favourite eatables. They danced to the tunes of fast music with enthusiasm.

Ms Neeti Dewan, Principal, told the kids about the importance of Christmas and distributed gifts among the children.

X mas bash at Love Dale

Tiny tots from Love Dale Montessori, Sarabha Nagar, celebrated Christmas at a function held here today.

Kids came in colourful dresses and participated in a cultural programme. The function started with a patriotic song, “Har karam apna karenge”. Little girls dressed in ghagra cholis presented Rajasthani dance. A skit “Little chatterbox”, based on the story of Enid Blyton, was appreciated by all those present.

Pre-nursery kids dressed like white fairies danced to the music of ‘Kaun Hun Mein Kya Naam Hai Mera’. Little girls dressed in salwar kameez and lehngas presented gidha and boys wearing dhoti kurta performed bhangra.

Finally, Christmas carols were sung and the students were distributed sweets by a teacher dressed up like a Santa Claus. Ms Preetima Behl, Principal, educated the students about the importance of the day.

Exhibition at USPC Jain School
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
Kala Vithika, an annual exhibition, was organised at Upadhaya Shri Phool Chander Jain Public School, Jamalpur, here today.

The exhibition was divided into various sections, including science, social studies, art and mathematics. Students from all classes participated in the exhibition.

In the social sciences section, students had made models of various historical monuments including the Qutb Minar, the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort and Char Minar. A model on the celebrations of the 2600th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira was presented by girls from senior classes. The link between the past and present was depicted through a series of models from “Life of the early age” to “World Trade Centre Tragedy”.

In the science section, nearly 118 models were made of which 50 were working models. These included those on “Fourth state of matter”, “story of super bug”, “utility devices for handicapped” and “agricultural and industrial processes”.

In the art and craft section, students displayed water paintings, oil paintings, sand paintings and glass paintings. Variously shaped pots painted and decorated with sippis, clay structures and greeting card cuttings were also on display.

Mr Satprakash, ex-Mayor, was the chief guest. Ms Gurcharan Kaur Itten, Principal, appreciated the efforts of the students. 

Vaidya Shiromani award for three
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 21
Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, the oldest ayurvedic institution in the country has conferred Vaidya Shiromani award on the Ludhiana-based ayurvedic physician and writer Dr R. Vatsyayan for his active role in the practice and propagation of ayurveda in India.

The other two distinguished ayurvedic physicians who have also been conferred with this award include Dr Surendra Sharma, adviser to the Department of Indian System of Medicine, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and Dr Ved Vrata Sharma, veteran educationist and Professor of the Rashtriya Ayurvedic Vidyapeeth. The award constitutes gold medal, angvastram and a citation.

Dr Raj Kumar Sharma, principal of Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, said these awards would be presented on December 23 at a special function in Jalandhar.

Harsimran wins painting contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
A portrait of Guru Tegh Bahadur painted by Harsimran of R.S. Model Senior Secondary School fetched her the first prize in the painting contest organised here today at the school by the Ved Parchar Mandal.

The contest was held to observe the martyrdom of Swami Shadhanand. Sonia and Nitika bagged the second and the third prize, respectively, for their portraits of Swami Shadhanand. Mr Mohan Lal Kalra, Principal, gave way the prizes.

Mr Roshan Lal Arya, general secretary of the Ved Parchar Mandal, said both Guru Tegh Bahadur and Swami Shadhanand, in their respective times, sacrificed their lives to defend Hindu religion.

Ms Chander Prabha Shastri, Headmistress, Kanya Gurukul, said we should take inspiration from the lives of such great men.

Meanwhile, Mr Sat Pal Gosain, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Assembly, would be the chief guest at a function to be held at Arya Samaj, Dal Bazar, on December 23, which would be held to observe the martyrdom day of Swami Shadhanand. Swami Anand Vesh would preside over the function.

Knitting contest winners get prizes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 21
Vardhaman spinning and General Mills Limited organised an inter-school Aao Bune Extempore Speech Contest at Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, here today.

Famous TV star, Renuka Shahane was the chief guest. In all nine teams from the leading schools of the city participated in the contest.

The winners were as follows: Consolation prizes: Mannat Ghuman, (Sacred Heart Convent School) 3; Supreet Kaur, (Guru Nanak International Public School) 2; Indradeep, (D.A.V. Public School) 1. Individual prizes : Robin Chhabra, (Kundan Vidya Mandir) 1; Namrata Kal, (Sacred Heart Convent School) 2; Mukul Mohindra, (Kundan Vidya Mandir) 1. Team trophy: Hosts: Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana. M.V. College, Ramnagar, Ludhiana.

As many as 350 students from 32 schools of Ludhiana, Samrala, Mandi Ahmedgarh, Jagraon and Goraya, participated in this contest.

Renuka Shahane, official brand ambassador of Vardhman while appreciating the efforts of students said, “ I felt nostalgic to see the way the young hands knitted on the spot and created extensively beautiful patterns. It’s wonderful to see the younger generation accepting the age-old tradition of the country and carrying it forward in the 21st century.” Launching the new “Jungle Collection,” she said, “ Knitting is a creative art. Students may find the new collection very interesting and innovative and will positively motivate a child to knit creatively.” The winners of “Bunte Bunte Kismat Chamke Phirse” mega contest, a promotional campaign by the company for its consumers were also awarded by Renuka Shahane.

The zonal rounds of the contest will be held across the 18 zones during October 2001-February 2002. The final evaluation process will take place somewhere in March 2002 and then the final winners will be announced.

The winners for the state of Punjab and Haryana will be announced separately. The first prize winner in each category will get a cash prize of Rs 5,100 followed by Rs 3,100 and Rs 2,100 for the second and third prize winners. Overall 36 students in Punjab and Haryana will be given the prizes. The final evaluation process will take place in Ludhiana and senior hand knitting experts will be invited for the selection of the best patterns.