Ludhiana, February 5
As a part of the ongoing 'Faculty Exchange Programme', introduced recently by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, for sharing expertise of the faculty within the medical colleges of the university, guest lectures were recently held at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here.

In her lecture delivered at the DMCH on the theme of advances in transfusion medicine, Dr Kulbir Kaur, Professor and Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine at Government Medical College, Patiala, highlighted significance of leuco-reduction in introducing increasing safety in blood transfusion in variety of conditions.

She pointed out that it helped in eliminating white blood cells, which were considered to be leading cause of transfusion reaction. While elaborating on various techniques adopted for removal of white cells, she informed about various machines and equipment available for eliminating white cells from blood and blood components.

Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, DMCH, extended warm welcome to the guest speaker and appreciated the enhancement of knowledge through this faculty-exchange programme. The session was chaired by Dr Amarjit Kaur, Professor and Head in the Department of Transfusion Medicine at DMCH along with Dr J.G. Jolly, Professor Emeritus in Transfusion Medicine. Dr Amarjit Kaur also exchanged her views regarding the leuco-reduced blood and blood components.

In another lecture held at CMCH, Dr K.K. Avasthi, Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DMCH, spoke on 'High Risk Pregnancy'. She said that a high risk pregnancy was one in which the mother or foetus had a significantly increased risk of death or disability.

Ludhiana, February 5
The three-day annual cultural programme 'Ectopia-2007' got off to a colourful start at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) with much fanfare at Dumra Auditorium here today. During the three-day festival, undergraduate medical students will vie with one-another for top honours in various talent hunt competitions.

The function commenced with an impressive inauguration ceremony by the chief guest Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, DMCH in the presence of Dr N. Dube, Ex-Principal of DMCH and other faculty members.

In his brief message, Dr Daljit Singh applauded the efforts of the students and the staff for organising the programme and wished best of luck to the participants. Dr Navjot Bajwa, Convener of the Cultural Committee, extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries, faculty and students, present at the function. Dr Sandeep Puri, Chairperson, DMCH Cultural Committee, informed that more than 300 students of undergraduate classes would be participating in different events and various talent hunt competitions during this three-day cultural extravaganza.

The chief guests and faculty members were presented with a copy of 'Ectopia Times' which showcased the events to be organised during the cultural bonanza and interesting facts about the faculty and students. This next edition of this newsletter would be published on the concluding day of the function.

The programme opened with 'Saraswati vandana' and was followed by scheduled cultural events for the day which included 'Metaplasia' (Ad Fads), 'Shastrartha' (debate) and 'Mind Grill' (Quiz).

In the keenly contested battle, the team of Batch-2003 were adjudged the winners, with teams of Batch-2002 and Batches-2006 and 2003 claiming second and third positions respectively. Another attraction of the day was the quiz conducted by Dr Jasdeep Singh.

Pawani and Himanshu (Batch 2003) emerged the winners, Amandeep Wander and Amit (Batch 2002) secured second place followed by Rachit and Kirat (Batch 2006) who stood third.

Results of debate: 1 Suhasini (Batch 2005) and Pawani (Batch 2003), 2 Karanbeer (Batch 2004), 3 Mukul (Batch 2002), Best team - Batch 2003 (Narinder and Pawani).

Students of Shifaly International and Helianthus Day Boarding School present a dance at a function organised on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

"It is imperative to acquaint our future voters with the election proceedings. And what better way could there have been than by giving a practical demonstration," commented Dr Vandana Shahi, Principal of the school.

Annual function at Green Grove

The campus of Green Grove Public School Mohanpur-Khanna gave a festive look here yesterday. Dr I J S Jaswal, Professor and Head of Department of Human Development at Punjab Agricultural University, presided over the annual function and Dr (Mrs) Sushma Jaswal was the guest of Honour. Mr Pawandeep Singh Sehgal, vice-president of the school, welcomed the chief guest. The Principal, Ms S. George, read out the annual report.

The students welcomed all the guests with dance 'Sason ke sargam. Kindergarten children made everybody joyous by their spectacular dances. Modelling, choreography and melodious group songs made the audience happy. The show ended with bhangra on the song "Punjabian Da Dhol Bajda.'

New branch opened

In the era of sequels whether its Munna Bhai MBBS or, Don or Dhoom, the students of Shifaly and Helianthus Day Boarding School presented a sequel of VISION 2020 based on President A.P.J Abdul Kalam's book on the inauguration of Shifaly International School, Rahon Road here yesterday. Two years ago, part I of Vision 2020 in which 450 students participated was presented. While part I of the Vision 2020 was a musical play having 28 sequences and was a journey of India from developing to the developed phase in Vision 2020 part II, the emphasis was on positive attitude and patriotism.

Mr C.S Talwar, (I.A.S) and Ms Manju Taiwar inaugurated the Shifaly International School, Rahon Road branch and Mr Munish Tiwari , the chief guest, distributed the prizes.

About 400 students participated in the sequence of 13 items .The musical show was based on the theme of positive attitude and patriotism and started with the song 'Kisi ki Muskarahto pe ho nisar ' in which students gave the message to live with joy and happiness followed by more songs.

Mr Tatwar also addressed the audience and delivered a motivational speech.

The principal of Helianthus Day Boarding, Mr Vishal, also motivated students and the parents by articulating the theme of the musical play Vision 2020. Managing directors of' the school, Mr Parmod Jam and Ms LJsha Jam honoured Dr Kuldeep Janda, Harbans Lal Fanta , Navkar Kala for their numerous services to the locality.

Farewell party

The outgoing students of Shivalikwala Doon School walked the ramp to win the coveted title of Ms and Mr Shivalikwala. Mr Nitin Sehgal was Mr Doon whereas Ms Doon was Tanvi Malhotra at the farewell function held here yesterday on the school premises. The title of ‘Mr Personality’ was won by Chakshu Singh and Vishesh Modi and Ma Anoop Sharma won the title of the ‘Best Smile’. The prize for the ‘Best Catwalk’ was won by Sushant Pandey and Aditi Thakur. The theme of the entire programme was "From darkness to light.".

The chief guest of Adieu-2007 was Mr SunnyMaria, who inaugurated the farewell party by lighting a candle. The students enjoyed the depiction of 21st Century Sholay. Ms Mohini Albert, principal, gave away the mementoes and blessed the students.

Mandi Ahmedgarh
Prize distribution

Outstanding students of Government High School, Chhapar village, near here were felicitated at the annual prize distribution function organised on the school premises recently. The organisers also distributed woollens to needy students.

According to Mr Hardial Singh, Headmaster, the annual prize distribution function was organised jointly by the school authorities and the Village Improvement Committee. An elaborate cultural programme was presented by the students on the occasion. Meritorious students of various classes and outstanding performers were felicitated by the office-bearers of the Village Improvement Committee.

Woollens, shoes and socks worth Rs 50,000 contributed by NRIs, Zora Singh, Randhir Singh Kailey and Iqbal Singh, were distributed among needy students.