Ludhiana, July 28
The plant clinic at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has been receiving samples of blight attack on the Pusa 44 variety of rice. Due to bacterial leaf blight, greenish-yellow stripes appear along the leaf margins and extend both length-wise and breadth-wise. The leaf starts drying from the tip, becomes white in severe cases, and dries up completely.

PAU experts have observed that some farmers are applying weedicides and pesticides "in vain" to save the crop from this attack. No pesticide or weedicide is effective on this. It unnecessarily increases the input cost and also pollutes the environment.

The Director of Extension Education, Dr. S.S.Gill, has advised the farmers to grow PR 115, PR-113, PR-111 varieties of paddy, which are resistant to seven races of bacterial leaf blight pathogen or PR-118, PR-116, PR-114, which are resistant to four races. The Pusa-44 variety cannot face the attack of this blight. Last year too many farmers suffered huge losses due to this attack.

Dr Gill advised the farmers that in order to reduce the losses, the farmers should not go in for excessive use of nitrogen. Also nitrogen should not be applied beyond six weeks after transplanting. The farmers should not pond water in the field.

The university has appealed to the farmers to take the expert advice. Experts in the plant clinic can also be contacted on phone no. 0161-2410001. The farmers can get advice from extension specialists at Krishi Vigyan Kendras in different districts too. 

Ludhiana, July 28
A quiz “We & Our Environment “ was held at Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, here today for students of classes XI and XII. Four contestants from each of the four houses participated. The questions pertained to environment and participants were given multiple choice, visual and general rounds. The results are as follows:

Shastri House (first), Gandhi House (second) and Tagore House (third.)

Doraha, July 28
The results of MA II (political science) of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, were declared today. A majority of the students have achieved good results.

Eight students have secured above 60 per cent marks. Deepinderjit Kaur has stood first in the college securing 63.25 per cent marks. Similarly, Narinder Kaur and Inderjit Kaur have stood second and third, respectively, securing 60.3 per cent and 60.2 per cent marks.

The management committee president, Mrs Roop Brar, the general secretary, Prof B.S. Pangali, the Director, Mr Jaswant Singh Gill, the Principal, Dr Narinder Singh Sidhu, congratulated students on their success.

Ludhiana, July 28
Festivals always bring cheer and excitement to city people. And young women take the lead in most of the celebrations, be it religious or cultural.

With Teej celebrations on their peak, city clubs, shopping malls, markets, kitty parties, colleges or schools are all abuzz with activity.

Women can be seen thronging city markets, buying bangles or applying henna.

The application of henna on hands during the month of “saawan” is considered auspicious among married Punjabi women.

“I apply henna twice a year — one on Teej and the other on Karvachauth. And both for the health and long life of my husband,” says Neetu as she gets henna applied to her hands at Dandi Swami.

Besides married women, girls also dress up in suits and lehangas for the occasion.

However, Ms Raj Karni, an octogenarian, maintains that times have changed. Reflecting back on the past, she says her parents used to send things like bangles, henna, bindi, “kheer” and “malpuras” to her in-laws as a “shagun”.

There used to be a get-together and celebrations for days. “Homemade biscuits were very popular during those days. We were not allowed to wear colours like white, black or navy blue. Red, pink and greens were the dominant colours. Newly married women adorned themselves with jewellery and new outfits. There used to be swings bedecked with flowers. But things have changed now and people don’t have much time to spare,” she recollects.

Mr Gurjot Singh, an agriculturist from Mandiani village, says Teej celebrations start on the first “sudi” (first day of ascending moon) of “saawan”. “And celebrations go on for 15 days till full moon,” he says.

Some shopkeepers here have brought special henna and bangles from Delhi.

“These are not ordinary bangles. The star-studded bangles can cost up to Rs 500 per dozen or even for just two bangles. Women from the upper class prefer to buy these,” says Indraj, a shopkeeper in Ghumar Mandi.