The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

Contract farming has failed in state: Rajewal
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 15
Though Punjab has recently been adjudged as number one state in the country for its “progressive policies”, but the farming community has held the wrong policies of the state government responsible for it. According to farmers, to come out of this crisis they resorted to diversification of crops and contract farming which, too, failed miserably.

A large number of farmers alleged that the previous government gave the diversification project to Punjab Agro, which was still holding the same charge. But, it never bothered to consult or take advise from experts in the field for making the project a success. Since it was a total change for farmers, professional advise was must on the issue.

“Everything was ignored with impunity by Punjab Agro. It made its own decisions and policies. They brought companies which suited them. No heed was paid on the sorry state of farmers. The end result was that companies profited while the farmers suffered huge losses”, president of the BKU (Rajewal) Balbir Singh Rajewal said.

Citing a few examples, he said a Coimbatore-based company provided chili seedlings to farmers. Since the state’s climate was not suitable for the crop so farmers suffered losses due to poor produce. Rajewal alleged that seeds in open market were much better than those provided by the companies.

Another farmer Mahan Singh from Barnala district said they had represented their case before the previous as well as the present government but leaders were focused on making policies only. He said companies took responsibility till the production but nothing was being done for marketing the produce.

The farmers said they had lost all hope in the contract farming. Rajewal added that farmers would opt for diversification of crops if they got good returns or face no problem while marketing the produce. “The state government has failed at both aspects. It seems to be a losing proposition for the farmers of the state”, said Rajewal adding that political leaders were just inclined to secure a good vote-bank. He said the domestic producers feel cheated at the hands of wrong policy makers.

EDUCATION

Gadvasu to set up research centres
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana September 15
V. K. Taneja, vice-chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Gadvasu), Ludhiana, today held a review meeting of Pashu Palan Mela and observations of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during the inauguration of the mela with officers of the university.

In response to the Chief Minister's advice that the technologies developed by the university, particularly those related to the feeding, including Uromin lick, Mastitis testing, improving the reproduction in dairy animals, fisheries and semen of proven cattle and buffalo bulls, should reach the rural people, otherwise the people would not be benefited from these technologies, the university has decided to develop three regional research and training centres at Kal Jharani in Bathinda and Padhani Kalan in Tarn Taran.

The VC said the university had approached the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats to transfer the land to the university for establishing theses centres. It is proposed to adopt a cluster of villages around these centres to undertake comprehensive development of different species, including dairy cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goat, horses and poultry.

He said the subject matter specialists of the university would be advising the livestock owners and theses centres to serve as models for livestock development in the rest of the state.

The university has recently started one such centre in Gureh village of Jagraon tehsil and people of village are enthusiastic about this approach. It was informed that this new university with limited extension staff could not cover the entire state.

From Schools & Colleges
Seminar for MBA students held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September15
GGN Institute of Management and Technology (GGNIMT) organised an interactive seminar for students of MBA I st and MBA IIIrd semesters on “Franchising- the route to rapid market expansion.” Assistant professor, PAU, Gagan Deep Kaur Banga, was the resource person.

According to Banga, franchising was a continuing relationship wherein the franchiser provided a licensed privilege to franchisee for doing business and offered assistance in organising, training, merchandising and marketing in return for a consideration. She further explained that both the franchisee and franchiser stand to benefit out of the relationship.

Parents’ body: Sat Paul Mittal School organised its 1st general body meeting of the parent school association, registered under the Registrar of Societies Act, at the Nehru Sidhant Kender today. An open house was organised in which parents brought forward a few points concerning their wards and functioning of the school. The association members gave clarifications besides assuring the parents about their childs’ future.

International Peace Day: The NSS department of the SDP College for Women, Ludhiana, celebrated International Peace Day today by organising an interactive session in the college campus.

Dr Geeta Bhandari, principal, was the chief guest of the session. Before the session began, the students discussed topics like “International Peace, Love and Solidarity, International Terrorism and Responsibilities of Citizens”. The students also recited poems and presented choreography on communalism and terrorism. The students had free exchange of ideas with the distinguished gathering.

Dr Bhandari, in her presidential address, said the students must adopt positive attitude and take steps to maintain the integrity and solidarity of the nation.

WORKSHOP: Preminder Kaur Langar, an expert in the teaching of English from Shri Ram School, Delhi, in collaboration with Macmilan India Ltd. held a workshop at Sat Paul Mittal School for the teaching of English here yesterday. The main focus of the workshop was on developing the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills of the children at the elementary level.

LECTURE: Joginder Singh Kohli, retired deputy superintendent (railway), delivered a guest lecture to faculty and students of the electrical and mechanical engineering branches at the Bhutia College of Engineering and Technology here today. He gave practical information on diesel-engine systems, pumps, furnaces, turbines and generators. He also spoke on issue related to nuclear energy and the 123 Agreement.

He advised the students to lay stress on fundamentals so that when they graduate they have confidence in their field.

10-day CAMP: First batch of 15 NCC cadets of Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School left on Friday to attend a 10-day Annual Training Camp (ATC) organised by 3 Punjab Battalion, NCC, at the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Police Academy, Phillaur. Avinash Kaur Walia, director of the school, stressed upon the cadets to maintain discipline and to do the tasks assigned to them during their training sincerely. The principal, Sandeep Raikhi, wished them luck at their departure.

Little Champs Quiz: The pre-primary wing of GNL Public School organised a ‘Little Champs Inter-Section Quiz’ for the students of classes first and second. The director, P Kahlon , principal, B Gulati, co-ordinator, Abhijeet Sarna and the headmistress, C Paul, encouraged the little quiz masters and congratulated the winners.

Drawing contest: On the birthday eve of Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj, a drawing competition was organised in the Darshan Academy, Ludhiana, here today. The topic of the competition was “Harmony in Diverse World”. The students from third to eleventh class participated in the competition.

lecture: An extension lecture was organised by the post- graduate department of computer science of Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, here today. The principal, Dr Charanjit Mahal, welcomed Dr Tankeshwar Kumar, director of computer centre, department of computer science and application, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Dr Tankeshwar delivered the lecture on “Nano-technology”. He explained different aspects of nano-technology and its relation with different fields of science, with major focus on computers. He also discussed various inventions of the technology and its impact on the society.

Talent hunt: The department of music( vocal) in collaboration with department of music (instrumental) organised an open talent hunt today in SDP College . The Punjabi folk-song and album-folk song competition was held on the occasion. Twenty-one students participated in this competition.

21 college teachers released
To again court arrest on Sept 19, 26
Our Correspondent

Doraha, September 15
Dr Sukhwinder Singh Virk, president, Doraha unit and lecturer in Punjabi at Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, was accorded a warm welcome today by the director, principal and union members after his release from Burail jail, yesterday from Chandigarh.

Dr Virk was garlanded by the director of the college, Jaswant Singh Gill, principal Dr.Narinder Singh Sidhu, union members, including PCCTU general secretary Dr Kuldip Singh, Prof M.S.Bhandari, Prof Pargat Singh Sekhon, Prof Harwinder Kaur and others.

Dr Virk said, “It is a common cause for which all teachers are fighting and at this time when the union is showing deep concern for the falling standards and decreasing numbers, basically due to the growing disconcern on the part of the govt, it becomes the moral responsibility of all members to unite and fight”.

Dr Kuldip Singh, general Secretary of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, said the union had succeeded in putting pressure on the government to accept demands of 95 per cent restoration of grants to the colleges, lifting ban on the posts, lecturer grade to DPEs and librarians, house rent allowance to rural colleges and the release of arrears.

A total of 21 teachers from Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Muktsar and Ferozepur had courted arrest on Wednesday as per the directions of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union. Dr Sukhwinder Singh from Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, Prof Anil Singla and Prof Kamal Kumar Sharma, both from A.S. College, Khanna, were among the members who courted arrest from district Khanna.

The teachers, working in colleges affiliated to Panjab University, Punjabi University and GNDU, have been holding rallies in front of principal’s office at regular intervals. Again on September19 and 26, teachers from various parts of the state will court arrest in order to press upon the government as regards their genuine demands.

Tete-a-tete with Dr Atamjeet
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 15
The Postgraduate Department of Punjabi of G.T.B.National College, Dakha, in collaboration with the Punjab Sahit Academy of Chandigarh held a programme "Ru-Ba-Ru" with noted Punjabi playwright Dr. Atamjeet, known for his immortal work, "Main Taan Ik Sarangi Haan" here today. Dr Atamjit is working as principal of A.S.S.M College, Mukandpur.

Principal of the college Dharmjit Singh and Prof Kanwaljit Singh welcomed dignitaries, including Dr Nahar Singh, professor in the Department of Punjabi, PU, Chandigarh, and secretary of the Punjab Sahit Academy, Chandigarh, Dr Gurbhajan Singh Gill, senior vice-president of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha and Ravinder Bhattal, a renowned Punjabi poet.

In his address to the gathering comprising students and teachers of the college, Dr Atamjit shared his personal experiences from childhood to his present stint as principal of a college and explained how such experiences have influenced his personality and creativity.

He also compared the Punjabi theatre with the theatre in western countries. He also answered a volley of questions thrown at him by the audience.

In his presidential address, Dr Gurbhajan Gill paid glowing tributes to principal Sant Singh Sekhon, popularly known as "Baba Bohr of Punjabi literature", who belonged to the village Dakha. He thanked organisers for inviting renowned litterateurs and allowing them to mingle with students.

Dr Guriqbal Singh compered the programme. Dr Balwant Singh Sandhu thanked the guests.