EDUCATION

Protest rally

Ludhiana, February 9
Members of the Unemployed Elementary Teachers Union, Punjab, supported by farmers and workers, staged a rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today.

The teachers said if the government failed to take up the issue of regularisation of their jobs tomorrow at the Cabinet’s meeting, they would intensify the stir. OC

Ludhiana, February 9
A three-day cultural programme ‘Ectopia-2006’ got off to a colourful start at the Dumra Auditorium in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here.

The opening day of the mega event commenced with an inaugural ceremony of lighting the lamp by Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, DMCH. During the ceremony, he was accompanied by Dr Sandeep Puri, convener of Cultural Committee, Dr Navjot Kaur Bajwa, Dr R.C. Bhatia, Dr Harish Matta, Dr Suman Puri, Dr Anurag Chaudhary, Dr Chiranjiv Singh and Dr Kapil Dua.

Dr Daljit Singh declared the event open by releasing ‘Ectopia Times’, which showcased the events to be organised during the cultural bonanza and interesting facts about the faculty and students.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Puri informed that more than 300 students of undergraduate classes would be participating in different events and various talent hunt competitions would be organised every day in the morning and evening sessions.

He applauded the efforts of the students and the staff for organising the programme. Dr Sunil Juneja, secretary of the cultural committee, read out a welcome address.

In the first session of the inaugural day, competitions were held in debate, ad-fads, quiz, painting, collage making and sketching.

Following are the results:

Painting- Sukriti (Batch 2003) I, Neha (Batch 2005) II, Darsh (Batch2002) III.

Sketching a Vase- Sukriti (Batch 2003) I, Gurkirat (Batch 2003) II, Darsh (Batch 2002) III.

Collage Making- Neeharika, Ruchi and Ivy I, Darsh, Sahil and Satwant II, Gunjan, Neha and Kavita III.

Debate- Mukul (Batch 2002) I, Karamveer (Batch 2004) II, Balreet (Batch 2002) III.

Ad Fads-Batch 2005 I, Batch 2003 II, Batch 2001 III.

Quiz- Batch 2004 I, Batch 2001 II, Batch 2002 III.

Ludhiana, February 9
The 34th Senior National Handball Championship to be held from February 9 to 15 here in the indoor multipurpose hall of Guru Nanak Sports Complex, got off to a colourful start today. Mr Surinder Singla, Minister for Finance and Planning, Punjab, presided over the inaugural function.

Addressing the function, Mr Singla said the government was committed to boost the infrastructure of sports in the state and to provide befitting incentives to the outstanding players of various games. He assured that the allocation for the Sports Department in the forthcoming budget for the promotion of sports in the state would be substantially enhanced.

The finance minister, while extending welcome to the players from different states, called upon them to play with the spirit of competition and to strengthen mutual brotherhood among them. The minister also announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the Punjab Handball Federation.

After an impressive march past by the participating teams, Gaurav of Punjab took oath on behalf of all teams to play in the true spirit of the game while Mr Inderjit, a coach from Ropar, took oath on behalf of the officials to discharge their duties without any favourtism.

Girls of the local Khalsa Girls Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines, presented giddha prior to the formal inauguration of the week-long championship.

Mr Singla honoured Mr Harinder Sharma, senior handball coach, Punjab, on the occasion. He handed over the keys of a motorcycle to the coach as a reward for his contribution to the sport. The minister also felicitated Pargat Singh, Director, Sports, Punjab. He presented a shawl as a token of appreciation to won.