Ludhiana, October 10
The Punjab Agricultural University’s vice-chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang, visited International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, to have consultative interaction with breeders, agronomists, biologists, pathologists and statisticians there.

The meet focused on issues facing tropical agriculture. His visit was sponsored by the IITA. During his visit from October 1 to 6, Dr Kang took part in discussions with scientists on the issues concerning food security, transfer of technology and capacity building in different countries of the world.

Sharing his experiences he said, the common agenda of the world civilization is food. For sharing knowledge among different stake holder countries, the transfer of technology mechanism needs to be revamped. Wherever needed, capacity building efforts need to be made to equip the countries to take on the demand driven agenda.

He said during his visit to Ibadan a number of interactive lectures and discussions were held to discuss the commonality of agricultural problems in different regions of the world. The progress of rice improvement project work at IITA was discussed wherein the thrust was on the development of varieties of aerobic rice and rainfed rice having less water requirement.

Many discussions having relevance to Punjab agriculture were held and the researchable issues would be implemented under local situations.

Since water is the major issue confronting Punjab agriculture, the varieties and technologies with better potential of water use efficiency will be advantageous in this part of the world, informed Dr Kang.

Dr Kang joined the Punjab Agricultural University today.

Ludhiana, October 10
A team comprising of Dr Darshan Singh Brar, senior scientist of plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines and Dr Asfaliza Ramli of Research Centre on Rice and Industrial Crops, MARDI, Malaysia, visited Punjab Agricultural University today to have discussion with the vice-chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang and other officers of the university.

Interacting with the scientists here, Asfaliza appreciated the pace of research being carried out at PAU through a well conducted research-extension-farmer interface that can be a model for other institutes. She expressed that direct seeded rice can have a great potential in Punjab.

Dr Brar said the technological innovations and genotypes available in Malaysia and Vietnam can be of great interest to scientists working on rice in Punjab . There is a great scope of human resource development through learning from institutes and countries making advancements in a particular area of mutual interest.

Dr Brar suggested that the scientists, including plant breeders, pathologists, entomologist and agronomists can visit MARDI in Malaysia and Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute, Ornon, Vietnam, through undertaking short visits.

The VC said the PAU scientists will be provided with an international exposure for knowledge sharing and capacity building, wherever required. The team visited the centre for communication, languages and culture, as well as museum for rural life of Punjab. The Malaysian scientist showed keen interest in the Punjabi artifacts and the way of Punjabi life displayed in the Museum through murals. 

Ludhiana, October 10
The PAU directorate of extension education in collaboration with the zonal coordinating unit, Zone-I, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, is organizing a zonal workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the zone comprising Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and New Delhi from October 15 to 18.

The technical, administrative and financial aspects of different Krishi Vigyan Kendras will be discussed on the occasion. Delegates from a few Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the zone will visit the farms in the university and interact with farmers. 

Ludhiana, October 10
A 21-days winter school on “Developing competitive skills in apparel design, production and marketing” sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, held in the department of clothing and textiles concluded here yesterday. Fifteen participants who came from various agricultural universities of Maharashtra, Uttranchal, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and from different districts of Punjab attended this winter school.

The curriculum of the school was designed in a manner that the trainees got maximum practical exposure to the industrial nuances and advancements during the recent years in the apparel industry. Dr Neelam Grewal, professor and course director, said the resource persons included fashion designers, industry personnels and experts from business management.

Dr S. Jaswal, dean, college of home science, said this programme was envisaged to make the participants learn practical use of basic applications so as to upgrade and disseminate this knowledge and skill in various relevant fields.

Dr J. Sangha, coordinator of research, and all heads of the departments of College of Home Science were also present during the concluding session.

Ludhiana, October 10
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has signed a memorandum of understanding with United Breweries Ltd to promote malt barley cultivation in the state. The MoU was signed by director of research, PAU, G.S.Chahal, and divisional vice-president (malting), UB Ltd., Patiala, R.K.Jindal, in the presence of vice-chancellor M.S.Kang.

United Breweries Ltd will fund a research project for the period of five years for developing barley varieties suitable for malt purpose. It will jointly taken by the university and the research and development wing of the company.

The malt barley varieties developed under the programme will be cultivated under the contract farming by the company.

G.S.Dhindsa and Sarvjeet Singh of the university and R.K.Jindal and S.Ganesh Singh of the United Breweries Ltd. will lead the research programme. 

Ludhiana, October 10
All-India Congress Committee secretary Manish Tewari and Kila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura have hailed the hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat by the central government.

In separate statements issued here today, the two leaders claimed that the hike was the highest in the past many years and had been possible only at the behest of Congress president and Prime Minister.

He said the previous government led by the BJP and supported by the SAD had done little for farmers.

He also hailed Rs 75 per quintal bonus for paddy. The AICC leader also criticised the BJP for playing a second fiddle to the SAD. He said the BJP had failed to safeguard the interest of the urban population and the SAD had shown its hostility towards them.

Khangura also expressed gratitude toward party president and Prime Minister for addressing the primary concern of farmers. He observed: “This is a substantial hike and farmers would certainly feel much better now.”

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 10
Recognising her contributions to the field of education, leaders of various educational, social and religious organisations and trade unions have decided to honour Kamla Devi Sharma, founder director of Sanatan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, posthumously. The decision was taken on occasion of her bhog ceremony that was held at the school premises today.

Referring to the decision taken at a joint meeting of various organisations, Ravinder Puri, president, Journalists Association, said it had been decided to install statues of Kamla Devi Sharma and her husband late Data Ram Sharma. Besides this, a Kamla Devi and Data Ram Memorial Running Gold Trophy would be constituted. The couple would be remembered for spreading education in the rural areas and promotion of talent.

Meanwhile, hundreds of persons paid tributes to Kamla Devi Sharma who breathed her last after a brief illness on September 30. Jassie Khangura, MLA, Kila Raipur, Tej Parkash Singh Kotli, MLA, Payal, Harpreet Singh Garch, member SGPC, Jagpal Singh Khangura, congress leader, Nadeem Khan, member working committee of SAD, Baldev Singh Latala, GTU leader, Ram Singh Dehliz, president of SCBC Teacher Union, Jatinder Bhola, president of municipal council and Jagwant Singh Jaggie, vice- president of the council, also paid tributes to Sharma. 

Ludhiana, October 10
A workshop was organised on “Effective English Language Teaching” by Ratan Sagar Publication at Guru Nanak International Public School, Model Town, here today. As many as 50 teachers of various CBSE schools of the city attended the workshop. Uma Raman was the resource person. She interacted with the teaching fraternity and acquainted them with the recent method, technique and development of English language.

Aao Bune contest: Richa Sharma of Class VI won the “Aao Bune Contest” organised at Sanatan Vidya Mandir School, here today. The contest was sponsored by Vardhman Spinning Mills. As many as 50 students participated in the knitting contest.

Highlighting the importance of such competitions, principal Sadhana Sharma said such competitions provide an effective way to give an expression to creative energy of young students and polish their talent. She also congratulated the chief guest V K Goyal for his efforts to develop the interest of the student in hand knitted sweaters.

Adventure trips organised: A group of 93 students of Sat Paul Mittal School returned form a three night and four days adventure camp held at Doochidha, nearr Shimla, from October 6 to 9. The camp included a number of adventurous activities.