Ludhiana, October 24
Kanika Kamboj and Namit Jain, the finalists of Horlicks Wiz team and students of B.C.M Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, collected funds for distribution of stationery items and eco-friendly products among slum dwellers. Both the contestants are doing their bit to create an awareness to eradicate child labour practise. People donated whole heartedly for the noble cause and motivated them for furthering this cause. The students also expressed their concern over global warming. Both the students will be conducting rallies, demonstrations and public meetings at other places as apart of preparations of their project.

Discussion: The advantages of joining NCC were discussed at Bhartya Vidya Mandir here, today. Colonel S.S. Deol discussed the motive behind the organisation of NCC.

Terming NCC as reservoir of disciplined youth ,he discussed the aims of the organisation like character-building, inculcating leadership qualities and tolerance. He further said the NCC cadets get the advantage over others while recruitment to the armed forces or state services.

Magic Show: District Red Cross Society organised a Magic Show at B.V.M School, Kitchlu Nagar. The show was presented by famous magician from Kolkata , U.S. Wagela. He presented various magical tricks and enthralled the students. Santosh Mehra, principal of the school, advised the students to maintain the dignity of this ancient form of art.

Seminar: Sportking Institute of Fashion Technology (SIFT) organised a seminar on “Career Opportunities in Fashion Technology” for the students of Bahratya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Udham Singh Nagar. Phagun Ratra, faculty member of the institute, spoke on various undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including fashion designing, knitwear designing, apparel production and merchandising and marketing.

Doraha
Staff meeting: The newly appointed principal of Government College, Karamsar, Rara Sahib, on Tuesday organised her first meeting with the staff in which she stated her primary objective i.e. the all-round development of the institution and the stake- holders.

Dr Gupta said she would try her level best and work for the betterment of the college, for which she would ask for the cooperation and necessary assistance of the staff, as and when required.

She also stressed upon the urgency of computer education that should be imparted to the students at all levels.

She stressed that her main focus would be on ensuring discipline at all levels.

Dr Sushama Gupta, MSc Physics, PhD, who has recently taken charge as the principal is an in- service PHD from PAU, Ludhiana.

Samrala
Youth festival: On October 22, a function was held to privilege the students who won laurels for the college in zonal youth festival, PU, Chandigarh, held at Dev Samaj College for Women, Chandigarh. The students of this college bagged ten prizes in different items. Ramanjit Kaur and Jatinder Kaur secured second and third prize in creative writing. Shama and Parminder won third prize in Kali singing and Parminder won second prize (individual) in Kali singing. Parminder, Shama, Neha and Shelly bagged third prize in Ghori singing. Kuldeep won second prize in cross-stitch whereas Shama bagged third prize in knitting. Kamaldeep won second prize in pakhi making and Neena bagged first prize in phulkari. The students of this college made their mark with their drama “Khamosh Kandhan Di Udaas Gatha”.

Khanna
Lecture: The AS College, Khanna, is all set to host the second Dr BS Minhas Memorial Lecture in which member of the Planning Commission of India, Dr Kirit S Parekh, will deliver a lecture.

According to Dr R. S. Jhanji, principal of the college, the lecture would be presided over by Dr M. S. Kang, vice-chancellor of the PAU, Ludhiana. The lecture would be held in the main hall on the college campus.

Dr Minhas was assistant professor in the department of economics at Stanford University in the US. He was a scientist from 1976 to 89 at the Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi, and served as a member of the Planning Commission of India from 1971 to 1973.

Doraha, October 24
In order to honour the students who had participated and won commendable positions in the Panjab University Golden Jubilee Zonal Youth Festival organised at SCD government college, Ludhiana recently, a function was organised in Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, yesterday.

The college had participated in 41out of 43 items and won a total of 39 prizes spread over 30 items.

The chief guest on the occasion was Mangal Singh Dhillon, a film-maker. 

Ludhiana, October 24
A fast-track court has sentenced four persons to five-year imprisonment each on charges of planning dacoity. They were also ordered to pay fine of Rs 1,000 each.

Delivering the verdict, judge P.S. Dhanoa held that the prosecution had successfully brought home the guilt of the accused beyond any reasonable shadow of doubt. He turned down the plea of leniency raised by accused persons.

The convicts are: Hazari Lal, Dev Raj of Karabara village, Raju of Tajpur and Charanjit, alias Bittu, of Bhamian Kalan, Ludhiana.

Bittu has also been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for two years under the Arms Act.

One of their accomplices, Nirmla Rani, has already been declared proclaimed offender by the court.

The accused were booked under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC and 25 of the Arms Act at the Salem Tabri police station on December 10, 2004.

The police had recovered one pistol and two live cartridges from him.

According to prosecution, on the day of registration of case, sub-inspector Arvind Puri along with a police party was present at the turning point of Jassian village while on routine patrol.

He received a tip-off that accused armed with deadly weapons were present behind the wall of a building belonging to the forest department near the GT Road.

They were planning to commit dacoity in houses situated on the outskirts of city.

When the police party raided the suspected hideout, the accused tried to flee. However, they were apprehended.

The police recovered a pistol along with cartridges from Bittu and swords from the possession of the other accused.

During the trial, the accused pleaded innocence. The defence counsel had argued that the case had been fabricated.

Ludhiana, October 24
Fashion designer Prerna Bardeja feels designer wear is no longer restricted to the elite segment.

Designers have started catering to a wider range of people and are offering a diverse price range too, says the Delhi-based designer, who launched her festival collection for women at Kala Mandir here today.

“With growing awareness, the desire to be exclusive is rising, which is making people turn to designer wear. Even designers are understanding this requirement and offering a diverse range. Price is no more a limitation if you want to buy a designer wear,” says Bardeja, who did her specialisation in women wear from a leading fashion school in London.

Talking about global trends, she says unlike before, international fashion trends do not take very long to reach Indian market these days.

Regarding customers in Ludhiana she feels: “I am quite surprised to see awareness about global trends. The response is encouraging here.”

Bardeja has launched an Indo-western festival wear for women in all age groups. On fashion weeks, she says it has become important for designers to participate in them and make their presence felt.

“Fashion weeks have become important events. You learn of trends and people get to know you. Whether you want to participate in India or overseas depends on the kind of your designs and customers you want to cater to.”