Ludhiana September 28
Dr VK Sharma, who retires as the registrar of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, on September 30, today sought to praise his previous boss and former vice-chancellor of the university, Dr KS Aulakh, saying he was responsible for complete calm on the campus as is evident from the fact that there were minimum strikes during his tenure.

Talking to The Tribune on the eve of his retirement, Sharma said, “Dr Aulakh had drawn three parameters of discipline, honesty and efficiency for himself, on which he would never compromise, by which he governed the university and was prepared to pay any price for it”.

He said Aulakh paid the price by refusing to compromise on these principles. He preferred to resign from the post than allow any interference in the functioning of the university.

Sharma, who worked for five years with Aulakh, said, it was also wrong to assume that he did not listen to anybody. “He would always listen to other’s point of view, but would take his own decision, which he thought was right”, Sharma said, while adding, as the head of the institution the decision was his discretion and it was his right to defend his decisions.

About the new VC, Dr MS Kang, Sharma said, he has certainly come with a great vision who has set his goals for restoring the glory of the PAU. “He has his own style of working and you can't compare it with that of anybody else”, he said.

Sharma is joining as the principal of the Bhutta College of Engineering from October 1.

Mandi Gobindgarh, September 28
C.S. International School, Kumbh, Mandigobindgarh, today celebrated the birth centenary of the great freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Students came on the stage dressed up like shaheed Bhagat Singh and enacted a short play on the life history of Bhagat Singh.

The Nishkam Kirtan Sewa Society, Mandi Gobindgarh, and the local press celebrated birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh here today. DSP Samral Daljit Singh Rana and SHO, Mandi Gobindgarh, Sukhjit Singh Virk were the chief guests at the function. Sweets were distributed at Lal Bhatti Chowk. The society chief Karamjit Singh Bittu thanked the people.

The Desh Bhagat Social Welfare Club, Mandi Gobindgarh, and Terksel Society, Mandi Gobindgarh, also celebrated birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Amloh

Birth Centenary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh was celebrated at Grain market, here today. Men, women, labourers, farmers and representatives of employees’ organisations also participated.

The district chief of the Government Teachers Union called the decision of privatisation of education and health services against the interest of the people. 

Ludhiana, September 28
Renowned short story writer and recipient of prestigious Sahitya Academy Award Gulzar Singh Sandhu is of the opinion that literature is the best available medium to utilise the energy and instincts of the younger generation in bridging the socio-cultural gap between the various sections of the society.

According to him, literature has always played a constructive role in the creation of good human beings and societies, which ultimately led to the nation’s progress. “From my experiences, I can say that literature actually brings the world together,” he said.

He, however, regretted that waning interest of the youth in Punjabi reading was an issue of concern.

The Ludhiana-born Punjabi writer was addressing a gathering during an interface session organised here at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College recently. The function was organised under the aegis of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, and Punjabi Lekhak Sabha of the college.