Khanna, October 30
More than 2.21 lakh tonnes of paddy have so far been purchased from the Khanna grain market either by the government agencies or the private traders, while the farmers continue to bring in their produce for marketing.

The farmers are still able to sell their produce to private traders for as much as Rs 745 per tonne, while many are giving it away to the government agencies for Rs 675 plus Rs 50 bonus that was announced by the Union Government a few days back.

The government agencies had till yesterday bought around 1.75 lakh tonnes of paddy from the grain market, while the private traders lifted 45,782 tonnes. The market sources said though during the initial days it was the private players who dominated the purchasing process at the market, now with each passing day the number of private traders was going down. They said most of the private traders had bought paddy during the early days of paddy procurement in order to meet the orders that they had bagged from marketing companies.

The rest of the purchasing was now being done by the government agencies, the sources said. The Food Corporation of India (FCI), which remained absent from the market for about two weeks, has also joined the race to buy paddy. Pungrain has so far purchased 52,689 tonnes of paddy, Markfed procured 26,072 tonnes, PUNSUP lifted 28,685 tonnes, Warehouse Corporation acquired 20,375 tonnes and Punjab Agro bagged 24,944 tonnes of paddy. 

Ludhiana, October 30
Students of MCA, MBA, M.Sc. (IT), BBA and BCA of the Khalsa Institute of Management and Technology (KIMT) for Women visited Pushpa Gujral Science City, Jalandhar, today. Dr Vijay Asdhir, director, and Dr R. S. Gupta, dean, in a joint press note said the purpose of the visit was to make the students aware of various models and new technologies installed in the science city.

Students rode the flight simulator virtual expedition which was quite stimulating. They saw world (3D show) and laser show. The students also saw a 35-minute film on “Africa (wild life sanctuaries)”. Students also watched various instruments based on the laws proved by renowned scientists like Bernoulli’s theorem, converting mechanical energy into heat energy, GSLV Missile, touch screens and new models related to anatomy of the human body. Students curiously made enquiries from the scientists about various models displayed in the Science Voyage Hall.

Quiz contest: Six students of Gobindgarh Public College, Alour, Khanna, visited Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar, and participated in a quiz programme “Jawab theek hai” yesterday. The college team participated in quiz competition. Neha, Ritika, Jagmohan, Harish Garg, Amandeep Singh and Harkamal Singh represented the college team. The team was accompanied by Prof Jasbir Singh.

Principal Dr Suresh Tandon congratulated the participants and motivated other students to take part in such activities for their overall development.

Seminar: GGN Institute of Management and Technology (GGNIMT) organised a seminar on “The current trends and requirements in the IT sector” for BCA and MCA students, here, today.

Deepak Malhotra, placement and recruitment in charge, New Horizon, Delhi, was the resource person. He made a presentation on how well the IT industry was growing since almost the last decade. While Malhotra pointed out that more than 5 million jobs were expected to come up till the next eight years, he expressed his concern over bitter fact that the kind of product, which was coming out of universities, was not industry ready. Malhotra shared another survey indicating the fact that more than 75 per cent of the people were satisfied in terms of their jobs and salaries in the IT sector.

He said the company wanted candidates with logical and creative minds, communication skills and flexibility in respect to timings and location.

Ludhiana, October 30
The litigants and advocates are suffering from poor sanitation problem in the local district courts complex. The stench emitting from toilets is such that one cannot stand outside the toilets, leave alone going inside these.

There is no drinking water available in the court complex and the condition is such that the advocates and litigants bring drinking water along with them.

The taps which were fixed just outside the toilets were stolen and there is hardly any drinking water available.

On the other hand, the canteen owners are having a field day selling water bottles.

Harish Narang, secretary, Punjab and Haryana Bar Association, said, "The condition is getting from bad to worse every day as the advocates are already suffering from a poor parking facility and now the water problem and poor urinal condition have made matters worse and authorities are ignorant about the whole issue."

Kanwaljit Singh, an advocate, like many of his colleagues, also brings his water bottle from home.

"What else can we do? There is hardly any water facility available in the court complex as water taps have already been removed. If I have to urinate, I prefer to visit my friend’s showroom, close to the court complex."

Hamant Kalia, president, District Bar Council, said, "I have informed of the matter to Sumer Singh Gurjar, deputy commissioner, as I am not authorised to carry out any work in the district courts complex."

"How can we think the judiciary will help us as it cannot help itself," said a litigant in a lighter vain.

Sumer Singh Gurjar, deputy commissioner, Ludhiana said, "I have came to know about the matter recently and remedial action will be taken as soon as possible."

Ludhiana, October 30
"Black Stage Boys: Punjab's Labour Goes Global", a film directed by Meera Diwan was screened today during the inauguration of a documentary film festival in collaboration with the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT), New Delhi, at Punjab Agricultural University.

The film was an exploration of the trend of illegal immigration of youth from Punjab to Europe and north America in search of greener pastures. The film conveyed the message to Punjabi youth not to get fascinated by western culture. It showed that Punjabis could invest here in their country rather than going abroad through illegal means.

Addressing the gathering of PAU deans, directors and heads of departments, the vice-chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang, said documentaries and other audio-visuals had a tremendous impact on the masses. He said the PAU had a plan to produce documentaries for the benefit of farmers.

Dr Kang appreciated the efforts put in by the PSBT to develop documentary films on social and agrarian causes. He added that greener pastures could be had in our own country provided “we endeavour to work hard”.

Dr Jagtar Dhiman, additional director of communication, said a number of documentaries on diverse subjects, including agricultural crisis, music, social causes, etc, had been procured from different agencies for screening in different colleges of the PAU.

Ludhiana, October 30
Coca-Cola India organised the city auditions for Coca-Cola ‘Voice of Punjab, here, today. The programme was designed to provide a platform for talented singers of the city to participate in the semifinals. The auditions were judged by music director Tejwant Kittu and Punjabi singer Feroz Khan.

The participants from the age of 18 to 25 years participated in the auditions.The final winner will get a chance to perform with international Punjabi singer Jazzy B in London. The winner will also get a chance to cut an album with Speed Records.

Abhijeet Mukherjee, regional general manager, said Coca-Cola India believed in bringing excitement into the lives of its consumers.