Ludhiana, September 2
MS Mahal, the newly-elected executive of the Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Association, made a courtesy call on the vice-chancellor of the PAU, MS Kang on the first day of assuming the office. Giving good wishes for accomplishment of the tasks ahead, Kang emphasised that the new executive should work hard for the welfare of the faculty and upliftment of academics.

Mahal assured the VC that his team would strive hard towards academic excellence and try their best to come up to the expectations of the faculty.

ICAR team visits PAU: A review team, comprising R P Kachru (chairman), Ram Kisan Ojha (member secretary), Om Parkash (coordinator of AICRP), OP Srivastava, GP Gupta and RP Sharma, visited the PAU to review the progress of work done in All India Coordinated Project (AICRP) on sub-tropical fruits. The team visited the department of horticulture and research fields.

JS Randhawa, head of the department, gave an overview of the research work done in the department, especially on grapes under the project. The team appreciated the progress of research in the field trials, especially in the development of new grape variety Punjab Purple (H-516), suitable for processing into juice, nectar and RTS.

Scientists honoured: Dr NS Malhi, director of extension education, said without dedication and futuristic approach, one cannot hope to attain good results. He said this in a function held to honour Dr RK Sharma of the maize section and Dr BS Kooner of the pulses section of the department of plant breeding.

Dr Malhi said the scientist duo had led the research in their respective sections by example. He said despite attaining superannuation on the day, both the scientists should utilise their knowledge for the betterment of the common man. They should be a source of inspiration to younger scientists in the university, he added.

Ludhiana, September 2
The students of the department of mathematics, SCD Government College, bagged all the three top university positions in the annual examination of M.Sc I (mathematics) conducted by the Panjab University, Chandigarh. Amanpreet Kaur topped the university securing 91.6 per cent marks, Mandeep Kaur was second with 85 per cent marks while Harmandeep Singh bagged the third position with 84.4 per cent marks. The principal, Dr Malkiat Singh, congratulated the head of the department, Urmil Chhiber, and the staff for the outstanding results.

Freshers Party: The post-graduation department of commerce and management of Arya College organised a freshers day party here recently. The function started with the lightning of the ‘Jyoti’ by the principal Dr S M Sharma. The function started with the prayer and included variety of cultural programmes like solo and group dances, songs and attractive fun items performed by the students. The Freshers participated in modelling contest. Prof HR Saini, head of the commerce department, congratulated the students on the successful completion of the event. Kavita was judged Miss Fresher whereas Daisy Goswami was the first runner up. Sameer was chosen Mr Fresher.

Bhog organised: Ramgarhia Girls’ College commenced its new academic session on a propitious note by organising the Bhog of Sahaj Path here on Saturday. The students of the music department recited soul elevating hymns from the Gurbani which commuted the whole sangat to the realms of Divinity. The path ceremony was held to seek Godss blessing to begin the new academic session. A prize distribution function was also held on this occasion. Ranjodh Singh, president, managing committee, presided over the function.The principal Harmit Kaur gave away the prizes to the students who had bagged top positions in the previous academic session. 

Mandi Gobindgarh, September 2
A two-day international seminar on ‘Building world class educational institutes’ will be organised at the Desh Bhagat Institute of Management and Computer Sciences, Mandi Gobindgarh. Transport, higher education and forest minister Mohan Lal will be the chief guest of the inaugural session which will be presided over by A.J. Philip, associate chief editor, The Tribune. Dr Zora Singh, chairman, Desh Bhagat group of institutes, will welcome the guests.

Shalini Gupta, director of the institute, said the first day programme has been split into five different sessions while the second day i.e. September 5, will consist of two sessions besides a valedictory session, which be presided over by Manjit Chopra. assistant vice-president, India Express.

Tikshan Sood, minister medical education, forest and parliamentary affairs, would be the chief guest of the candling function.

Eminent educationists from all over the country and world will present papers on various topics.

Ludhiana, September 2
With the increase in number of students travelling overseas for higher studies, Thomas Cook (India) today announced the launch of ‘U Special’, a product specially designed for students today.

‘U Special’ will provide comprehensive services to students enabling them to enjoy an easy and safe travel. It will also give them reward points against their purchases. The services include air tickets, foreign exchange products and travel insurance.

Parag Mehta, head of foreign exchange, Thomas Cook (India), said, “ The product has been carefully formulated to bring in a new era of convenience for students travelling abroad. It offers a unique value proposition to students.” During the initial phase, Thomas Cook will target 10,000 students all over India primarily visiting UK, US & Australia. — TNS

Ludhiana, September 2
Terming the repudiation of a claim to be unjustified, the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum has directed the United India Insurance Company to pay a claim worth Rs 4.25 lakh to a consumer, whose truck got burnt after it caught fire in an accident.

The company had repudiated the claim of the consumer with the plea that the driving licence of the driver was found to be fake. However, the forum held that it was genuine.

President of the forum A. S. Narula and its member Pooja Dewan delivered the order while deciding a complaint Jagdev Singh of Nathu Majra village in Malerkotla.

The forum directed the insurance company to pay the claim along with 9 per cent per annum interest to the consumer from the date of repudiation of the claim till the payment made.

The complainant had submitted that he had got his truck insured for Rs 8.5 lakh from the company. On July 24, 2002, it met with an accident in Rajasthan. It caught fire and the driver and the cleaner were burnt alive.

He applied for claim with the company with necessary documents. The repairer had assessed the loss at Rs 6.49 lakh. He had requested the company to pay the claim immediately as the truck was financed by Ashok Leyland Finance Limited.

In December, 2003, the company wrote a letter offering to pay Rs 3.11 lakh as full-and-final settlement of the claim.

Justifying the repudiation of the claim to be correct, the counsel of the company submitted that the driving licence of the truck driver Hardev Singh, issued by the licensing authority, Raipur, was found to be fake. So, he was not entitled for any claim. The company had decided to settle it as a sub-standard claim and pay 75 per cent of the claim settled by the surveyor.

The company submitted that the consumer had submitted a report of verification of licence issued by Ramesh Kumar Saboo, who mentioned that the driving licence of Hardev was valid. But, Saboo did not submit any affidavit to support his report.

After appreciating the evidence on record, the forum held that the report of Saboo was supported by the document, which was duly stamped by the Licensing Authority, Raipur.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 1
Venu Gopal Sharma and Balraj Singh were adjudged the best orator and the best singer respectively at the annual talent promotion programme organised by the Government Degree College, Karamsar, at the Sant Isher Singh Memorial Hall yesterday.

Chamkaur Singh presided over the function and Baba Jarnail Singh was the chief guest.

According to Mr Inder Pal Singh, convener of the event, more than 70 students had participated in intra-college competition held at Karamsar yesterday where Venu Gopal Sharma and Amanpreet Kaur were adjudged winner and runner-up in declamation contest.

Balraj Singh, Lovish and Harvind Sharma bagged first three prizes in singing competition and Harpreet Kaur, Rajni Sharma and Harpreet Verma won these positions in poetical recitation contest. Lakhvir Kaur and Rajni Sharma won Gazhal and Heroic Tale (vir gayan) competition.