Ludhiana March 13
Punjab fish farmers have demanded that they be also provided free electricity like the farmers in the agriculture sector. They said the fish farming could be a good diversification option and generate employment, besides providing nutritious food to people.

The farmers said the electricity charges on commercial rates was a major constraint in the development of aquaculture as an industry in the state. As the fish pond water is not only used for raising fish and bathing cattle, but its nutrient rich water is also used for irrigation as and when required so aquaculture should be considered at par with agriculture, especially with respect to electricity charges. 

Addressing executive committee meeting of the Fish Farmers Club here today, Dr OS Parmar, Director Extension Education, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,(GADVASU), Ludhiana, emphasised the need to develop sustainable aquaculture industry in Punjab in order to meet the consumers' demand for high quality nutritive and competitively priced food to generate employment opportunities in rural areas and for the long term economic growth of the farmers. 

The fish farmers also discussed their problems with the experts Dr Kamaldeep Kaur and Dr Asha Dhawan. They were advised to use quality seed, balanced feed and scientific management practices. For making fish farming more profitable, they were also advised to integrate fish farming with poultry or dairy or piggery. 

After Green and White revolution, Punjab is now on the threshold of Blue revolution. At present, nearly 9890 hectare area is under fish culture with an average fish productivity of 6.09 ton per hectare per year against the national productivity of 2.60. 

Though the fish productivity of the state is highest in the country, still there is immense scope to boost fish production through the introduction of appropriate technologies and practices. 

EDUCATION

From Colleges
Colourful adieu to Guru Nanak college eves 
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana March 13
The students of the second-year BCA batch of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Model Town, organised a lively and colourful farewell party 'Ruksat -2007' for the outgoing students of the IIIrd year BCA class and PGDCA here yesterday.

It was an afternoon of fun and frolic with games, laughter, songs and dance. Ms Farewell contest was conducted in novel way with the members of the audience voting for the contestants.

Pranjali of the PGDCA carried herself with grace and poise and was adjudged 'Ms Farewell.' Gurvinder of BCA-III was voted Ms Popular and Gurkirat of PGDCA, The Best Dressed.

The college Principal Dr Manju Chawla extended her best wishes to the students and exhorted them to always bring credit to their institution as they were all proud products of the institution.

Library Day at DD Jain College

To inculcate reading habits among the students, D.D.Jain College of Education celebrated 'Library Day' here yesterday.

Baldev Raj Jain, senior vice-president, inaugurated the function along with the other committee members.

Vijay Luxmi, Principal, and Kamla Jain, director of the college were also present.

Sumeet Kaur, librarian of the college organised the function and emphasised on reading every day to strengthen mind and soul.

Prizes were also given to students for writing best book reviews in Hindi, English and Punjabi language each.

Amloh, March 13
Five-day Sant Samagam, held in memory of Baba Kirpa Singh Ji, concluded at Gurdwara Rohisar Sahib Mallowal near here yesterday. It was organised by Sant Dalwara Singh of Rohisar. Devotees in hundreds thronged from the neighbouring villages without caring for the bad weather.

Free food was served to the audience on all the five days. ‘Diwans’ were daily addressed by the eminent saints. Devotees were advised to follow the path shown by our gurus and saints.

Pamphlets depicting the motos 'Akal Takhat Mahan Hai, Sikh Panth Di Shan Hai', 'Nashey Chhado Kahar Vaddo; Bharun Hatya Band Kare, Amrit Chhake Singh Sajau' (Akal Takhat is Supreme and honour of the Sikhs, adopt de-addiction, stop female foeticides and take Amrit become true Sikh) alongwith petals were showered on the pandals and the neighbouring villages with the help of glider.

Highlighting the importance of this gudwara, Sant Dalbara Singh pointed out that Sant Baba Kirpa Singh meditated at this place in the heart of this jungle here in the year 1970, this is why this place is known as "Rohisar', Sant Samagam is held every year. Devotees across the country and from abroad participate.

On each day of ‘Pooranmashi’ in a month, kirtan dewans are organised at this place. Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, MLA, Amloh was also present on the occasion.

Karamjit Singh Bittoo and Ravinder Singh Ravi, president and vice-president, respectively, of Nishkam Kirtan Sewa Society were honoured with siropas for their services towards the society as the society has organised about 60 marriages of girls and help the needy.

Among the prominent Mahatmas Sant Manohar Singh of Brass, Sant Satnam Singh Dhalo Mazra, Sant Parminder Singh Sanduwala, Sant Mohinder Singh Amloh, Sant Ranjit Singh Mohali, Jathedar Surjan Singh Pehwa Haryana and others recited kirtan.

Ludhiana, March 13
Several members of the Sutlej Club here have raised objections over the (mis) use of club premises by private parties on a regular basis. The members feel that the club, being an officer’s club, was not a charitable organisation where anyone could arrange functions or events. They said the club was already a popular institution and did not require any further recognition. They condemned the club executive for allowing such private events on the club premises.

Zee TV held its “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007” auditions on the club premises today where hundreds of candidates came to try their luck in singing. Starting from the main reception area of the club, a long queue of young boys and girls between the age of 18-28 was seen on the main club road. There was such chaos in the club that many of the budding artists were sent back by the organisers without auditions. To avoid any unruly incident, the office-bearers of the club had to take the help of the police. 

One of the old members of the club said he was at the club with his family to have lunch. “I was shocked to see the huge rush of youngsters. Seeing the chaos, we decided to have lunch elsewhere. There was absolute mismanagement. Being a senior member of the club, I will raise my objection to the president (deputy commissioner) regarding the misuse of the club by the outsiders”, he said.

A resident living opposite to the club, who also happens to be a club member, said those who came for auditions had parked their vehicles in front of the main gates of the area residents in a haphazard manner. “When we requested some of them to remove their two-wheelers, the youngsters started using abusive language. I feel this officer’s club must not malign its reputation”.

General secretary of the club Sanjay Arora said the club did not take any money from Zee TV people for this three-hour audition. “We allowed the Zee team to hold its auditions for the popularity of the club. We would have refused if we knew that there would be so much chaos. We will make sure that members do not face any inconvenience in future”, said Arora.'

Meanwhile, three booths were set up by the organisers for shortlisting the candidates. These were managed by three local judges. The shortlisted candidates were sent to the final booth where one judge from Mumbai and his team playing various instruments tested the singing skills of the candidates. Limited selected candidates would perform further.