The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

Farmers find fault with tubewell scheme
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 1
Terming the government’s decision to provide tubewell power connections to farmers under the OYT (Own Your Tubewell) scheme as an attempt to please landlords and collect funds for the Punjab State Electricity Board, the Punjab Kissan Sabha has threatened to launch an agitation in case these connections were issued before dealing with pending applications of thousands of small and marginal farmers.

The scheme, if allowed to be launched, would bring an end to hopes of thousands of farmers who had been waiting to own tubewells for about two decades, say activists of the sabha.

The activists, led by Baldev Singh Latala, general secretary of the sabha, and Paramjit Singh Ghungrana alleged that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had tried to please big landlords by deciding to launch the OYT scheme under which tubewell connections would be issued to those who deposit Rs 25,000 as registration fee in lump sum.

When these connections will be issued, thousands of small and marginal farmers who have been waiting for about 20 years for their turn to own a tubewell will be left in the lurch. The scheme will override all priorities, including the chairman’s discretionary quota and Army quota,” rued Baldev Singh Latala.

The sabha alleged that even beneficiaries of the new scheme would be harassed by board employees and it would encourage corruption.

Farmers’ field day tomorrow

Ludhiana, September 1
The department of farm power and machinery, PAU, is organising a field day on laser levelling at Powat village, near Machhiwara, in Ludhiana in collaboration with the KVK, Samrala, and the panchayat on September 3.

The purpose of the field day is to acquaint farmers with the benefits of laser-levelling technology as an aid for efficient utilisation of irrigation water. Dr N.S.Malhi, director of extension education, PAU, will be the chief guest. — TNS

CULTURE

Punjabi female singer a rarity: Satti
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana September 1
“I feel Punjabi female singers are disappearing these days. Singers like Surinder Kaur had created a niche for herself, but nobody had tried to come to that level after her. Keeping this in mind, I put in sincere efforts to bring the music album ‘Peeng’ recently, which has been well received by Punjabis”, these views were expressed by anchor and actor Satinder Satti here today. She was the chief guest of the freshers’ party at Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women here.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, she said being a Punjabi artist she always wanted to promote the culture, traditions and music of Punjab. She added that her next album would be a mixture of Sufism with kafis of Bulle Shah as this form of music was vanishing.

Talking about TV channels promoting budding artists, Satti said it was a welcome step as TV channels were a perfect platform for these artists. Asked whether voting by public should be approved or not, Satti said as far as voters were not biased it was definitely a healthy sign. She said the best should always come forward.

Satti added that she was offered many roles in films but she was not much inclined toward acting. “I will be producing a Punjabi film shortly”, she added.

Meanwhile, the campus of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women dazzled with colours and festivity amid the fresher day celebrations - “Ecstasy 2007”. The moment Satinder Satti lighted the ceremonial lamp with the college Principal there was a huge round of applause by the young students. Manju Chawla, principal of the college, hoped that students would uphold the tradition and excellence of the institute in future too.

To welcome the juniors, senior students organised a cultural extravaganza comprising classical and western dances and captivated the audience for hours. The ramp came alive as 31 contestants sashayed down the ramp in scintillating sarees, embroidered lehangas and western dresses in two different rounds. The question-answer round put the minds of shortlisted 12 contestants to test.

Simerpreet was declared Miss Fresher while Prabhdeep and Japneet were the first and second runners-up, respectively. The titles of Miss Catwalk, Miss Confidence, Miss Apparel, Miss Charming, Miss Crowning Glory were bagged by Manpreet, Satvir, Vaani, Rajdeep and Tanpreet, respectively. The judges had a tough time taking the decisions.