Ludhiana, August 6
A specialised training course on dairy farming was organised by Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, college of veterinary science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU).

The course started on July 7 and concluded on August 3. It was attended by 18 farmers from different districts of the state. Farmers were advised to have prior planning in relation to land, funds and availability of loans. Rearing of high yielding animals along with market demand was discussed as the key issue in dairy farming.

Farmers were also trained to differentiate between healthy and sick animals, vaccination and de-worming schedules and the importance of hygiene in prevention of diseases was specially emphasised.

Ludhiana, August 6
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) is not satisfied with the state government’s attitude towards the non-govenment affiliated colleges in the state. These colleges were reeling under severe financial crisis as a result of which employees had not been paid salary for the past four to five months in numerous colleges. The union has strongly decried the allocation of Rs 60.28 crore for 2007 as against Rs 255 crore demanded by the DPI (colleges) under 95 per cent salary grant scheme.

Huge reduction in 95 per cent grant and total silence on the implementation of the pension and gratuity law clearly showed the betrayal of SAD-BJP manifesto. Salary grant scheme saw reduction in 95 per cent scheme and total silence on the implementation of pension and gratuity. The teachers have not been paid 50 per cent DA merger arrears for April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2006, as the earlier budgeted amount of Rs 16.56 crore had lapsed. Similarly out of Rs 8.26 crore for 2006 to 2007 only Rs 2 crore was released. The teachers had also been denied arrears of enhanced HRA, CPF and other allowances and teachers working in rural colleges had not been granted HRA despite decisions in this regard.

Talking to the media S.S. Hundal, President, Anil Sarwel, vice-president, Iqbal Singh Sandhu, finance secretary, M.S. Komal, secretary, and a large number of the executive committee members forcefully justified the ongoing PCCTU struggle due to the betrayal of the Badal government. All college teachers in Punjab and Chandigarh would cease work after two periods and stage dharnas in front of the principal’s office tomorrow.

Union leaders criticised the indifferent attitude of the Education Minister who failed to hold even one meeting with it to understand and resolve the problem.

While urging the Chief Minister and senior minister Kalia to fulfil their commitments forthwith, the union leaders declared that the agitation would continue and culminate in jail bharo andolan if the government failed to resolve the problem. 

Ludhiana, August 6
Leena Ramchandani has done the city proud after bagging a job in the prestigious Microsoft Software Development Company, New York, America.

“I am very happy about it,” said Leena, an M.Sc. (IT) student of Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT), Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, Ludhiana.

Talking to the Ludhiana Tribune, she said, “I was always interested in getting a placement abroad. I have been studying C language in computers to enhance my knowledge. I was in touch with Microsoft through the internet and showed them my presentation. I got the job after a rigorous test and interviews and was called for training to New York for a fortnight last month and will be joining in the first week of October.”

Leena, who is very clear about her future plans, said, “My roots are in India and after gaining a good amount of experience with Microsoft, I will return to India and hope to get a good job with some Indian company.”

Leena has been selected as software developer at a package of Rs 5.4 lakh per annum along with boarding and lodging. Her profile includes developing stores accounting system for malls. She would be a permanent employee of the company and has already got her visa and work permit for one year, which would later be further renewed.

Dr (Col) H.S.Singha, director, GNIMT, congratulated the bright student, her parents and the faculty.

Ludhiana, August 6
The Additional Sessions Judge, M.S. Virdi, has sentenced Shiv Kumari (48) and her son Rajesh Kumar (19) of Bhamian village to life imprisonment for killing Asha Rani (25) by setting her on fire.

The judge held that the prosecution had successfully proved the charges levelled against the accused. He also turned down the plea of leniency. A fine of Rs 5,000 each was also imposed on them.

According to the prosecution, Asha Rani suspected her husband Shankar of having an illicit relation with Shiv Kumari. There were frequent disputes between them. On August 30, the accused set her on fire following an altercation.