Ludhiana, March 30
There is good news for cotton growers of Punjab. The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana has released a new hybrid variety of desi cotton-PAU 626 H.

According to B S Dhillon, PAU director of research PAU 626 H is an early maturing and high yielding variety.

Plants of this hybrid have pigmentation on stem and branches while leaves are green, medium-sized  and okra in shape with fine lobes.

It produces medium-sized bolls with fluffy opening. Being a short duration plant, it will take 160 days to mature, thus vacating the fields in time for subsequent rabi crops.

Dhillon said the variety has shown good resistance to diseases in research trials.

It has shown promising yield results and recorded an average yield of 9.8 quintal/acre with ginning out turn at 40 per cent and fibre length of 20.1 mm.

The variety will play an important role in revival of cotton cultivation in Punjab, observed Dhillon. 

Ludhiana, March 30
The annual prize distribution and felicitation ceremony was held at Partap College of Education here today. Agriculture Minister, Punjab, Sucha Singh Langah was the chief guest on the occasion. Bhog of Shri Akhand Path was also held by the college to pay gratitude to the God.

The function started with a floral welcome to the chief guest by the college management, staff and the students followed by Kirtan and Ardas for the bhog ceremony of the Akhand path.

Principal Dr Balwant Singh in his welcome speech introduced the chief guest and other guests to the audience. He also shared the achievements of the college with the guests. The students presented various cultural items. Jagjit Kaur enthralled everybody with her graceful dance, while Rupinder Kaur made the guests spellbound with her mesmerising voice.

Later on prizes were given away to the students in the field of academic, sports and co-curricular activities.

The college also presented ‘Award of Honour’ to various teaching practice schools for their endless cooperation. Shamsher Singh Kumar was also present on this occasion.

Ludhiana, March 30
The annual convocation and prize distribution function of Christian Medical College and College of Nursing was held here today. Oscar Fernandis, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Government of India, was the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, John Pramod, Director CMCH, accorded a warm welcome to all the guests at the function. He conveyed the greetings and blessings of Ravinder Singh, vice-chancellor Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, who could not attend the function because of some other commitments.

In his convocation address, Fernandis spoke about the role of young generation in the progress of the nation and encouraged the passing graduates to serve humanity with selfless dedication and endeavor to provide medical care facility at every door step. He appreciated the contribution of CMCH in providing medical services in and around Punjab.

Mohan Verghese, Principal, CMC, conferred degrees on 50 medical graduates and presented the annual report of CMC highlighting the achievements of the college.

Triza Jiwan, Principal College of Nursing, conferred degrees on 60 B.Sc nursing graduates and 14 M.Sc nursing graduates and read out the report pertaining to nursing college activities.

Fifty merit awards and medals were also given for special achievements in various fields. Navin Thomas received the best all round graduate award, Anil Chandy bagged the best outgoing medical resident prize, Lubey won the best intern award and Subir Singh was given the best SPM student award.

The lifetime achievement award for this year was presented to Bajinder Kaur, anesthesia department.

Rachna Susan Jose bagged all round best nursing student, Ranbir Kaur for best community health nurse and Hardeep Kaur and Sangeeta A.P. for best bed side nurse.

Dr. M.K.Mam presented a vote of thanks.

Mandi Gobindgarh, March 30
National seminar on ‘Business transformation through technological integration’ organised by the Punjab Institute of Management and Technology, was held at Mandi Gobindgarh today.

The chief guest O.P.Goel, president Gobindgarh Education and Social Welfare Trust spoke on business transformation and also congratulated PIMT for the seminar.

Keynote speakers Dr Seema Bawa, Prof and head at Thapar University, Patiala and Dr Rajesh Bawa, Department of computer science Punjabi University, Patiala chaired the first technical session.

PIMT also celebrated the formal inauguration of ISTE student chapter with more than 450 student members. N.K. Khanna, chairman, governing council PIMT, Chaman lal Garg, secetary GESWT , Swaranjit Bagli Chairman GPS, parents of students and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

Chaman Lal Garg, secretary GESWT said, “All industries use information technology as a powerful tool. All business operations have been refined with IT. Director PIMT Dr S. L. Bhardwaj said IT has played a major role and has become an essential part for the social and economic development of the country in the competitive global environment.

Dr. R.K Uppal, head department of Economics, Dr. Rajinder Kumar, chairman and professor, Department of Social Science, NIT Kurukshetra. Dr P.K Puri, Head Deptt of Computer Science, Kurukshetra University chaired the second technical session and said leveraging IT in the Business had Ignited Indian Business. He compiled all the thoughts of various speakers and said it has become imperative for every business to introduce information technology so as to match with Global Standards.

Ludhiana, March 30
Maple Bear, the Canadian playway and nursery school, celebrated its first annual prize distribution function. The function was presided over by Sat Pal Gosai, deputy speaker of the Punjab vidhan sabha and Subhash Verma BJP president, Ludhiana. Students presented a colourful extravaganza and spell-bound performances.

The function started with a welcome song. Skit was the star attraction. Parents also played games with the children. Principal Veena Aggarwal read out the annual report and appreciated efforts of the students, teachers and parents for their support in making the event a success. Chief guest Sat Pal Gosai gave certificates and lauded the efforts of the management of the school for providing education based on international curriculum.

Newly admitted students bade farewell to the outgoing kids. 

Ludhiana, March 30
Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE) is organising its 6th International Conference on ‘Convergence, competition and global trends in IT’ tomorrow.

Anil Sharma, executive director, Shreyans Paper Mill, Mandi Ahmedgarh, would grace the occasion as the chief guest. Arun Sahay, head, Strategic Management Department, MDI, Gurgaon known as ‘Turnaround man of India’ would be the keynote speaker for the conference. Dr Gita Kumta, head (IS), Narsee Morjee Institute of Management, Bombay and Dr Khalid Azam, reader, Aligarh Muslim University would lead the sessions for the conference.

The conference has received contributions of 40 research papers in Business Management and 43 in the IT section. The papers have been received from Pakistan, Malaysia, Srilanka, Bangladesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu etc.

Eight foreign delegates, including Dr Kashif Ur Rehman from IQRA University, Dr Nadeem Safwan from the Foundation University, Islamabad, Muhammad Aslam Khan, PhD scholar, Islamabad and Muhammad Shahbaz Shabbir from Malaysia reached PCTE yesterday for the presentation of papers in the conference.

Four technical sessions on the role of technology in insurance sector, IT applications in India, automobile industry, e-governance, web technologies, IT in rural India, quality management, customer relationship management, impact of technology on societal living, WTO: the challenge India faces, consumer preference for local and foreign products, entrepreneurship, Indian retail industry, convergence in HR practices, performance management, insurance industry, supply chain management, bank assurance, role of IT for business performance and evaluation management would be held at the conference.

Dr K.N.S. Kang, director (PCTE) said that, “This is the sixth time that we have received participation not only from Pakistan but also from Srilanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, UK, Iran and Tunisia.”