The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Experts to chalk out cotton sowing plan
K S Chawla

Ludhiana, March 18
The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has convened a meeting of senior officers of the Punjab government and experts of Punjab Agricultural University to chalk out strategy for cotton sowing in the state on the suggestion of PAU vice-chancellor Dr K S Aulakh on March 19 at Chandigarh.

Punjab has witnessed a rapid increase in the cotton production this year with the introduction of Bt cotton varieties and the economic condition of the cotton growers has improved. The Congress government led by Captain Amarinder Singh got the credit for the introduction of Bt cotton and the prosperity brought about by the rise in cotton production.

Punjab is all set to have a record production of more than 25 lakh bales of cotton this year and the farmers have also got good returns from the same. The prices of cotton have remained upward and there was no distress sale of the same during the peak period of cotton arrivals.

PAU had played its role well by organising trials of Bt cotton for two years at the experimental areas of the university.

The progressive farmers of Punjab did not hesitate to buy Bt cotton seeds from states like Gujrat in blackmarket thus helped in the revival of cotton cultivation in Punjab.

Dr K S Aulakh in a letter to the chief minister has said that the cultivation of cotton has traditionally been a symbol of affluent farmers in Punjab but successive failures of this crop during late 1990s played havoc with the economy of farmers particularly in the Malwa region.

In the light of the sensitivity and economic consequences of such a disturbing trend, PAU reorganised its research agenda and implemented a new strategy with the help of the state department of agriculture and some NGOs for successful cultivation of cotton. The implementation of this strategy resulted in revival of cotton production that has not only saved traditional cotton growers but encouraged many others to adopt this crop.

The vice-chancellor maintains that the majority of the cotton growers obtained yield levels which are as good as other leading cotton growing countries of the world.

Dr Aulakh has emphasised as per revised strategy for cotton cultivation of cotton in Punjab, it has become imperative to ensure early sowing, availability of good quality seeds and pesticides. The recommendation of early sowing that begins from mid April to end may has proved to be the most important factor for obtaining a record level of yelled and total production of cotton in Punjab. But the execution of this proposal is heavily dependent upon timely availability of canal water.

The availability of good quality genuine seed, particularly Bt cotton at a reasonable price, and good quality of pesticides is another serious issue that needs to be regulated with strict vigilance and a sense of commitment, he has emphasised.

417 receive degrees at convocation
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana March 18
Kumari Selja, minister for housing and urban poverty alleviation, conferred degrees on 417 students at the annual convocation of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujjarkhan, here today. Honey Ahuja of PGDCA topped the list of meritorious students bagging the first position in Panjab University in exams held in April 2006.

Speaking on the occasion Selja exhorted girls to dream big. "The world is your oyster. You can make your mark by moving towards the dream that beckons you," said Selja.

She said girls must dream big and expand their vision. “Gone are the days when the youth only wanted to go abroad for a better future. Opportunities are galore in India now. Indians settled abroad wish to come back because of the great progress made by the country in recent years," she said. Girls must contribute to the society and grab the innumerable opportunities present before them,” she added.

As many as 170 students received BA degrees and 132 were given B. Com degrees. BA Honors degree was given to 23 students, 33 students of MA English course and 27 M.Com students also received their degrees from the minister. PGDCA and BCA were given to 32 students of the computer science department. Eight students were awarded the Roll of Honour.

As many as 12 students, including nine students of the folk orchestra team, which stood first in the Panjab University inter zonal festival received the Roll of Honour. A total of 15 students were awarded the Roll of Honour for sports and 18 students were awarded the college colour for quiz, mimicry, sammi, vaar and creative writing. In addition 11 students were awarded college colour in sports.

The convocation began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Kumari Selja and Harvinder Singh Sarna, vice president of the college governing body. The college principal Dr Manju Chawla delivered the welcome address and read out the college report.

Arya College convocation

Prof R.C Sobti, vice chancellor, Panjab University conferred degrees on 430 graduates and post-graduates at the 57th convocation of Arya College held here today.

Prof Sobti exhorted the students to work diligently to cope with the changes taking place in the highly competitive world. He called on them to inculcate social responsibility and creative reflection.

Intellectuals had a role to play in helping humanity get rid of problems like inequality, violence and ecological imbalance.

The young generation owns the responsibility of creating a society of harmony, peace and religious tolerance, Prof. Sobti said. Dr S.M. Sharma accorded a warm welcome to Prof Sobti and read the annual report.

Maya Devi School students felicitated
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 18
More than 200 students were felicitated at annual prize distribution function organised at Maya Devi Goyal Public School Pohir village near here on Saturday. Mr Justice Vijender Jain, Chief Justice the Punjab and Haryana High Court, was the chief guest and Mr Sumer Singh Gurjar presided over the function.

Various speakers, including R K Jaiswal SSP Ludhiana, Mr Justice Viney Mittal and Mr Justice Harbans Lal, District Sessions Judge, Ludhiana, exhorted teachers to inculcate patriotic and nationalistic traits in their students who might shine name of the institute in future.

Students presented a cultural programme that started with a welcome song by Silvia and party and Sarswati Vandana by Riya. While, Loveena, Gourav and Sumit aroused patriotism by singing national song, Aditi Sharma, Geetanjali and Jaskiran Lotey along with their associates presented multi facial scenario by presenting Sona-Loha and Haryanvi song. Qwali by Uddit, Simran and their parties was appreciated by all.

Madan Lal Goel, chairman, Purshotam Dass Goel Trust called upon social organisations of the area to extend cooperation in managing affairs of the institute poised to serve society in a novel way. Ms Simla Gupta Director Rashtria Adarsh Mahavidyalya, a state awardee passed vote of thanks.

Jassi Khangura MLA Kilaraipur gave away prizes to the students.

From Schools
Students awarded certificates
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 18
Students of The Little Kingdom Nursery School, Gurdev Nagar, received their certificates from the director of the school, Tani Grewal, at the 2nd annual day function held on Saturday.

The tiny tots presented the theme ‘colours of our world’ with confidence.

Purpose of the show was to enhance confidence, provide stage exposure, encourage learning of colours and objects, build vocabulary, develop appreciation of music, promote team work among the children and make them learn to use different ways of expressing thought, said Grewal.

Function for KG students

Sat Paul Mittal School held a graduation ceremony for their kindergarten students on Saturday. Members of the governing council lighted the ceremonial lamp followed by a prayer to inaugurate the function.

The senior school students sang a lehron se mile hum. Class-I students presented dandia dance. Students also took the oath of allegiance to the school flag.

Lt Col (Dr) D B Sharma, director of the school, said the ceremony had a great role to play in perpetuating fond memories of the institution.

Rakesh Bharti Mittal, vice-chairman, governing council, and vice-chairman, Bharti Enterprises also addressed the audience.

Khalsa College for Women alumni meet
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 18
The Alumni Association of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women held its alumni meet here today. It was attended by several old students of the college, many of whom are holding top official posts today. The Function began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the college Principal Dr Manju Chawla and office bearers of the alumni association.

Ms Manjit, Ms Rohita, Ms Harwinder Kaur and Ms Paramjit were among the old students who took a trip down memory lane. They said the visit to their alma mater had revived the memories of their stay in the institution.

They expressed their gratitude to all the teaching staff who had provided them the inspiration and motivation to excel in life. Dr Manju Chawla, while addressing the gathering, remarked that it was very satisfying to note the achievements of the old students and that there was no better satisfaction for a teacher than to see her students excel. She congratulated all office bearers of the alumni association.