Ludhiana, February 14
Dr VK Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), has informed that Rs 8 lakh had been allocated to the varsity by the Punjab Farmer's Commission for fisheries research project - Utilization of Inland Saline Waters of Southwest Punjab for Aquaculture.

He revealed that about 1.72 lakh hectares were lying waste in south-west districts of Punjab, including Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Ferozepore and Faridkot.

Looking into the prospects of fisheries development in these areas, the varsity has initiated a research project which has been supported by the Punjab Farmer's Commission, Mohali. The project would strengthen the Institute of Fisheries and Wildlife to be started at the veterinary varsity soon.

Dr Asha Dhawan will be the Principal Investigator and Dr Kamaldeep Kaur and Dr Meera D. Ansal will be the co-investigators for this project. The project envisages development of appropriate technology for cost-effective production of fish in the land and water bodies lying idle in these districts of the state.

The technologies to be developed under the project will be ultimately transferred to the farmers for adoption and generation of revenue, jobs and quality food. It is important to mention here that all the research activities of the university are under the guidance of Dr AS Nanda, Director of Research.

The fisheries institute of GADVASU is also starting a degree programme (BFSc, 4 years) from the coming academic session.

Fisheries and aquaculture has vast potential of producing quality food, extra jobs for un-employed youth, proper utilisation of available resources and improvement of socio-economic status of farmers in Punjab.

The fisheries venture is especially important for the land with water logging, and that affected by salinity and sodicity. Such land is normally unsuitable for conventional agriculture and is lying almost unutilised which can be put to rational use.

Mandi Gobindgarh, February 14
The three-day college annual sports and cultural meet, “Medifest-2007”, got started at Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh, today to mark its 10 years of existence.

Dr Zora Singh, chairman, Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes, inaugurated it by unfurling the college flag and lighting the torch. This was followed by a march past by students. He appreciated the services of the entire team of the institute.

Dr Lovleen Kaur Ahuja, Principal of the college, said the institute was given the best ayurvedic college award from Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.

Among others Ms Shalini Gupta, director, DBIMCS, Dr T.L. Sagar, Principal, DBCE, Dr Arjan Singh, Principal, DBEC, and Ms Kuldeep Longia were also present on the occasion. Dr Kulbhushan Vashist, Dr A.N. Panday and Dr Anu Gupta were honoured for their excellent service towards the institute.

Samrala, February 14
A function was organised at Guru Harkrishan Public School in Raipur Majri village, 10 km from here, by the school running society on Wednesday. Students of the school, who had won the first prize in a tehsil-level competition held at the Khamanon grain market last week, were honoured at the function.

The Chairman of the society, Mr Gurpreet Singh, presented mementos and certificates of merit to Ms Kulbir, Jaspreet, Jaskaran, Prabhjeet, Rupinder, Sandeep and Komal.