AGRICULTURE

Farmers against forcible land acquisition
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 28
A joint convention of various organisations of farmers was held here today. The farmers demanded scrapping of the policy of forcible acquisition of land for big industrial houses.

The convention was attended by representatives of the Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Sidhupur), the All-India Kirti Kisan Sabha, the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, the Punjab Kisan Sabha and the Khetibari Kisan Front.

These bodies called for specific measures for reducing indebtedness of the farmers that had led to suicides by many of them. Other demands were that the farmers be given loan at 4 per cent interest, besides subsidies on inputs.

They also opposed the policy of globalisation under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime and said it showed dominance of the imperial forces on the world economy.

A blind pursuit of the WTO regime could prove dangerous for the Indian economy, they warned.

EDUCATION

MGM school honours its achievers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 28
Students showcased their talent and versatility at the third annual prize distribution function of MGM Public School, Urban Estate Dugri here today.

Dr Kulwant Singh Gill, managing director of the Australian Academy of Management Science and Technology, announced the school’s affiliation to the Australian Academy. Mr Gajjan Singh Thind, the director of MGM Public School, thanked the guests. Ms Harmeet Kaur Waraich, school principal, read out the annual report. School achievers were also honoured.

Sarfraz of KG and Sukhraj of Class III were felicitated for their performance in the Ludhiana District Swimming Championship held in October. Sukhraj bagged five gold medals and was adjudged the best swimmer of his age while Sarfraz competed in the u-14 category and won a bronze medal. He also won the youngest swimmer award.

Students presented an impressive cultural programme. Punjab Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh was the chief guest.

Healthy woman, happy family: Club
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 28
Rotary Club Vancouver deputy director Kuldip Singh Rangi called upon office-bearers of local NGOs to make optimum use of resources to upgrade the standard of education and health of women.

Rangi, addressing representatives of various social organisations at Sanatan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School here yesterday, said, "It is high time we understand that educating a boy is simply refining an individual but if you teach a girl, you educate a family."

He said that only learned people could exploit resources available with them efficiently. "Only educated members of society can identify the resources available with philanthropists and organisations of developed nations. These can be tapped for the welfare of lower strata of society with basic correspondence," said Rangi, adding that Rotary International recently funded four ambulance costing about $1 lakh each and equipped with ultramodern medical equipment. One of these ambulances has been donated to a social organisation in Dhahan Kaleran village. "Though these projects need an efficient follow-up as well, they are worth their weight in gold even if we manage to save a single human life," argued Mr Rangi.

He emphasised good physical and psychological health for women. "In the Indian context, the wellbeing of all members of society depends upon the physical and psychological health of the woman of the family," said Rangi.

Leaders exploiting youth: SSF(Mehta)
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 28
Terming the present political system as producer of all social evils, leaders of the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) called upon youth to seek guidance from religion. The federation accused religious and political leaders of forcing the youth into hell for their gains.

Addressing activists of the local unit led by Daljit Singh Deepa, Paramjit Singh Khalsa, acting president, and Mr Major Singh, SVP, alleged that a majority of political leaders, irrespective of their alliance, were exploiting the sentiments of masses in general and the youth in particular for their meager gains. "Contrary to ideal system of functioning, the leaders had been exploiting the religion for political benefits," alleged the leaders, while talking to the Ludhiana Tribune.

Emphassing the need of self-analysis, they warned that the future generations would curse the present generation if the youth failed to mend ways.

The federation leaders held that more and more youngsters, succumbing to westernisation, were falling prey to evils like drug-addiction and other related crime.

Mr Mandeep Singh Lachowal, Jaspal Singh, Gurdev Singh Nagi, Manpreet Singh, Harpreet Singh and Jagdeep Singh were present on the occasion.

SPORTS

Smooth sailing for seeded players
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 28
Seeded players faced a little resistence in their respective matches and sailed into the third round of the inaugural edition of the Yonex PAU Total Tennis Championship being played on the Punjab Agricultural University campus here today.

In the boys (u-10) section, top seed Vinayak Mehta and second seed Karandeep Singh recorded easy wins (6-0) over Pukhraj Singh and Vicky, respectively.

In the u-12 years section, top seeded, Nishchay Rawal of Chandigarh got the better of local lad Rajkaran Singh 6-2 and second seed Fatehdeep Singh of Ludhiana outclassed Amaan Khan of Jalandhar 6-3 while third seed Jalandhar's Angad Ahluwalia fought valiantly to outnumber Bhanwarpreet Singh of Patiala 6-4.

Similarly, in the u-14 years category, top seed Jaiwardhan Gupta of Chandigarh scored a comfortable win (6-2) against Shrey Seth while second seed, Nishchay Rawal outplayed Fatehdeep Singh 6-3 and advanced into the next round.

Results: Boys (u-10) IInd round-Vinayak Mehta b Pukhraj Singh 6-0; Aakashdeep Singh b Kshitij 6-0; Tegbir Singh Hara b Rachit Jain 6-0; Ramandeep Singh b Vibhor Bansal 6-0; Himanshu Gupta b Arnav Singhania 6-0; Aniket Bhatia beat Aaftaab 6-0; Shrey Seth b Ankush Arora 6-5(2) and Karandeep Singh beat Vicky 6-0.

Boys (u-12) IInd round- Ramandeep Singh b Aakashdeep Singh 6-5(5); Nishchay Rawal b Rajkaran Grewal 6-2; Fatehdeep Singh b Amaan Khan 6-3; Ankush Arora b Ramandeep Singh 6-4; Karandeep Singh b Shrey Seth 6-3; Rishi Dev Arora b Yuvtesh Dhaliwal 6-4; Tegvir Singh Hara b Anvit Gupta 6-0; Vinayak Mehta b Himanshu Gupta 6-2 and Angad Ahluwalia b Bhanwarpreet Singh 6-4.

Boys (u- 14) IInd round- Angad Singh b Ramandeep Singh 6-1; Jaiwardhan Gupta b Shrey Seth 6-2; Amitojbir Singh b Angad Ahluwalia 6-5(2); Yuvtesh Dhaliwal b Anvit Gupta 6-4; Rajkaran Grewal b Vinayak Mehta 6-3; Nishchay Rawal b Fatehdeep Singh 6-3; Chiranjeev Singh b Arnav Singhania 6-2 and Angad Singh b Ankush Arora 6-1.

Boys (u-16) IInd round- Angad Ahluwalia b Chirag 6-0; Fatehdeep Singh b Amitojbir Singh 6-5(4); Nishchay Rawal b Vinayak Mehta 6-2; Angad Singh b Nitin 6-2; Rishi Dev Arora b Ramandeep Singh 6-1 and Jaiwardhan Gupta b Manpreet S Dhindsa 6-1.

Boys (u-18) Ist round- Angad Singh b Gaurav 6-5(4) and Satinder Pal Singh b Nitin Ghai 6-2.