Ludhiana, August 31
A two-day training course for scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Punjab got underway at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. In his inaugural address, Dr. Ashok Mehta, Zonal Coordinator of Indian Agricultural Research Board said, the skills can wield immense power and extension of scientific information would be easier with their help. He said, 16 KVKs of Punjab are rated as the best since they were working under PAU.

Dr N.S.Malhi, Director Extension Education, while presiding over the function said, constant vigil on day to day basis would help to identify difficulties in farming.

VC meets students: The world population is increasing at 250,000 persons per day, therefore, the biggest challenge is of food-for-everyone by 2050. This was stated by M.S. Kang, Vice-Chancellor of PAU while interacting with the students of College of Home Science.

Underlining the importance of Home science education, Kang said it would help the rural as well as urban sectors in many ways. He exhorted upon the students to work diligently and strive for excellence in academics. All the students should know and follow PAU's motto-Learn and Serve, he stressed.

PAU buzz: PAU Buzz, a monthly lab journal, by the students of Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Journalism and Mass Communication was released by Dr. M.S.Kang, Vice-Chancellor of PAU on the campus.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kang said the lab journal will provide the students hands-on training in news writing, caricaturing, photojournalism, page layout and usage of computer applications for the production of publication. Commenting on the look of the publication, he said it reflected the students' creativity as well as professionalism. He congratulated the students for the small baby-step taken in the field of journalism and hoped that they would make PAU's name bigger and better when they complete their course. — TNS

Ludhiana, August 31
The postgraduate department of history, Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, Ludhiana, organised an extension lecture today. Amarjit Kaur, head, history department, introduced the resource person, Dr Anju Suri, reader, Panjab University. Dr Suri delivered the lecture on the topic “The important aspects of Maharaja Ranjit Singh”.

NSS camp held: A one day camp of NSS volunteers of Government Senior Secondary (multi-purpose) School was held on the school premises today. The students removed weeds and wild plants. They made new beds and sowed saplings. Navdeep Romana led the activities. The students also presented a cultural programme.

Art workshop: The Home Science Association of Guru Nanak College for Women organised a seven-day Fevicryl workshop in art and crafts in collaboration with Pidilite Industries Ltd today. The application of art and creativity by Ramma Chhabra, a representative from the industry, motivated the students to learn the art of making useful decorative items from waste materials.

Dance contest: Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, hosted an inter-school dance competition with the help of Sahodaya schools today. The principal of the school, S.C. Saxena, lighted the ceremonial lamp and extended his best wishes to all the participants.

As many as 26 schools participated in the contest with 600 students vying with each other for the coveted trophy. Dr Madhukar Anand, a renowned Kathak exponent of international repute, and Tajinder Singh acted as judges.

2-day workshop: The department of fine arts, Khalsa College for Women, organised a two-day workshop that concluded today. Eminent luminary Mahinder Kumar Mastana, lecturer in sculpture, APJ College, Jalandar, acquainted the students about clay modelling. The PoP techniques and ceramics and 3D sculptures were also taught. The workshop was organised under the supervision of Kiran Kapoor, head of the fine arts department.

Doraha

SCIENCE FAIR: Government High School, Rampur, emerged victorious in various competitions held in the tehsil-level science fair organised at Khalsa Girls Senior Secondary School today. Gurdeep Kaur, headmistress of the school, said the students had performed excellently in spite of tough competition from other government and private schools of Payal tehsil. The school students under the guidance of science teacher Pal Rani Kaur won a number of prizes. Of the total 23 students 16 won first or second prizes.

Ludhiana, August 31
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Rajinder Aggarwal, has sentenced Surinder Singh of Khanna to one-year rigorous imprisonment on the charges of selling allopathic medicines without a licence.

The judge has also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 upon the accused and in case of default he will have to undergo imprisonment for two more months. The verdict was given while deciding a complaint filed by drug inspector Ajay Singla under the provisions of Section 18 (c), 27 (b) (ii), 18-A and 28 of th Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

As per the complaint, the department received a secret information that Surinder Singh was selling intoxicated and allopathy drugs illegally.

Thereafter, drug inspector along with Dr S.K. Sinha raided Surinder’s shop on September 25, 2000, and found the accused present on the counter.

They also found allopathy medicines. The raiding team seized 17 types of drugs from the shop.

However, during trial the accused pleaded not guilty. He submitted a certificate in the court stating that he was registered with the All India Council of Alternative Medicines at West Bengal. The defence counsel had argued that there was no evidence that Surinder was in possession of the allopathy drugs.

After hearing the arguments, the Chief Judicial Magistrate held that the so-called registration certificate entitled the accused to practising alternative medicines only and he was registered at West Bengal. But he was not authorised to sell allopathy medicine that were found from his possession. So, he was held guilty.