Ludhiana, March 24
The seminar on Indian Diasporic Writings commenced at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College here yesterday. Prof Jasbir Jain, Emeritus Fellow, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur delivered the keynote address, in which she dwelt at length on the poetics of the diaspora, with a sharp focus on the aesthetics of the Indian Diasporic writings, in which the cultural encounters were heavily loaded against the Indian.

She argued that the travelling cultures carry with them a lot of silt; the nature of this silt needs to be examined.

Prof S.L. Sharma, former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Panjab University provided an overview of the Indian Diaspora through the lens of a social scientist. Earlier, Dr T.S. Anand, director of the seminar, introduced the theme of the seminar and referred to the overriding importance of the Indian Diaspora during the British Rule and subsequently in the post Independence era.

Harmohinder Singh, joint secretary of the governing council, presided over the seminar, in which the eminent scholars of Diasporic studies, besides Prof L.S. Bedi were felicitated.

Ten papers on various facets of Diasporic literature were presented on the first day by Prof Tejinder Kaur, Dr Charu Sharma, Prof P.Jha, Dr Sangeeta Handa, Sumeet Brar, Dr L.S. Gill, Dr B.S. Varma, Sumedha Bhandari and Dr Poornima. Prof Jasbir Jain, Dr V.T. Girdhari and Dr Tejinder Kaur presided over the technical sessions.

The second day witnessed scholarly presentations by Prof Manjit Inder Singh, Dr Anupama Kaushal, Dr Neena Malhotra, Prof Shalini Gupta, Aashu Toor Gill, Swaraj Raj and Dr D.S. Kaintura.

Notable among the present were principal Kuldeep Singh, Prof G.S. Dua, Prof H.K. Puri, Prof N.S. Tasneem, Dr A.S. Sikka, Dr Geeta Bhandari and principal P.S. Kapur.

Principal Tarlochan Singh read out the welcome address, while Sushminderjit Kaur presented the vote of thanks.

Doraha, March 24
Guru Nanak National College held its convocation and annual prize distribution function in Dr Ishwar Singh Memorial Hall of the college here today.

Cooperative minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh was the chief guest and he offered floral tributes before the bust of the founder president of the college management committee, Dr Ishwar Singh. He conferred degrees on 287 students and exhorted them to strive for excellence and adopt a practical approach towards life.

He said the energies of the youth, if systematically channelled, could resuscitate a new Punjab. He asked the youth to come forward and contribute their share in this noble endeavour.

Capt Kanwaljit Singh asked the students to get ready for the competitive word. The challenges being posed by unemployment, poverty and social inequality could be fought with the joint efforts of the government as well as public. “As the world has become a global village, we should arm ourselves socially, economically and intellectually to face the challenges ahead,” he added. He also announced a grant of Rs 2 Lakh to the college.

Principal of the college Dr Narinder Singh Sidhu, while reading the annual report of the college, enlisted various academic, cultural and co-curricular achievements of the students during the current session. President of the college management committee Roop Brar extended a warm welcome to the guests and the dignitaries. General secretary of the college management committee Prof B.S. Pangli proposed the vote of thanks. Director of the college Jaswant Singh Gill too shared his views with the degree holders and prize winners.

A total of 287 students, including of MA (pol sci) M.com, MA (punjabi), BCA, commerce and arts received degrees from the principal of the college. A roll of honour was given by the chief guest to 23 students, who had excelled in co-curricular activities

The roll of honour was awarded to Gurjit Singh and Harpreet Singh for their participation in the Republic Day celebrations, Kulwinder Singh for his achievement in sports, Baljit Kaur, Shimpy Rani, Sandeep Kaur, Amandeep kaur, Pawandeep Kaur, Karamjit Kaur, Narinder Kaur and Gurminderjit Kaur for their excellent performances in dramatics, Jaspinder Kaur for Bagh (embroidery), Devinder Singh, Harvinder Singh, Thakur Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Harjeet Singh, Jagjot Singh, Harjit Singh, Harjit Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Inderpal Singh for their achievements in music.

An industrialist, Mr Surjit Singh Jawanda, and Arjuna awardee Col R.S. Brar conducted the prize distribution ceremony. They awarded college colour to 58 students.

He also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh to the college.

Besides, chief patron Bhagwant Kaur, member of the SGPC Gurmail Singh Sangewal, Jagjiwan Pal Singh Gill, Harjiwan Pal Singh Gill, Ajmer Singh Bhagpur, Tarlok Singh Jaggi, Pritam Singh Jaggi, Harpartap Brar, Adarsh Pal Bector, Pavitarpal Singh, Prof J.S. Grewal, R.S. Pali, Soni, Payal, Rajinder Singh Khalsa along with the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana and the SDM, Khanna, were present on the occasion.

Ludhiana, March 24
A delegation of the Association of the Punjab School Education Board-affiliated Schools, Punjab, met Master Mohan La!, transport minister, Punjab.

The delegation was headed by the president of the association, Rajinder Sharma, along with L.M. Dutta, vice-president of the association, from Nawanshahr.

Ravinandan Sharma, joint-secretary of the association,Satpal Singh, district president, Ludhiana, and other representatives from various ditricts of the state also put forth the difficulties faced by the affiliated schools.

The minister listened to the delegations’ grievances and assured them that he would take due action to sort out the problems like Special Road Tax imposed on the buses of the affiliated schools.

Rajinder Sharma told the minister that these buses were meant to transport the students and were parked in the school compound in the evening. They are plied to take the students back home. There is no motive or any commercial purpose behind it.

The nominal charges are charged from the students. Rather the managements of the schools have to pay from their own pockets to meet the loss incurred. The tax is a great burden on the meager resources of the schools.

The education minister and the transport minister of the past government also sided with the views of the members of the deputation that the Special Road Tax imposed on the school buses was a sheer burden on the meager resources of the school and would be borne by their parents.

The transport minister gave a patient hearing and assured the delegation to solve the problem of Special Road Tax imposed on the buses of the affiliated schools. 

Mandi Gobindgarh, March 24
The Fatehgarh Sahib district unit of the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), at a meeting presided over by its district chief Devinder Singh Punia, resolved to press the government to increase the budget allotment on education, the merger of posts of teachers appointed through zila parishads into the education department, revival of old time schedule of schools and recruitment of employees on merit against vacant posts on a regular basis.

Ludhiana, March 24
Drishti School, Narangwal celebrated its annual function here yesterday. The ballet ‘Meera’ on the voice of Vani Jairam and the sitar of Ravishankar shattered all myths that only grown ups can portray mystical emotions. The message of the little ones on saving water was also taken very enthusiastically.

The parents were floored when they saw the youngest lot performing bhangra and gidha. The dignitaries blessed the children. Navjot Sidhu (Member of the Parliament), Dr Venita Kaul (senior educational consultant with the World Bank) and Dr A.K. Sharma (former director N.C.E.R.T and president of the School) rated the school curriculum as one of the best in the world.

The dignitaries inaugurated the next part of the building Gunmala Block along with the Computer, Science, and Maths Lab.