Ludhiana, November 12
The state of Punjab is a pioneer in agricultural production, resulting in abundant quantities of cereal straws, one of the basic raw materials for mushroom production. This is the only value-added technology on a world scale for transforming these inedible residues to valuable protein-rich human food with consequent generation of spent up material for use either as a soil conditioner or as cattle feed.

Punjab, with a total of 1.53 per cent of geographical area, produces about 45,000 tonnes of mushroom (95 per cent is white-button variety) per year through seasonal growers and production units. The mushroom production in the state, therefore, accounts for more than 50 per cent of the total national produce of 85,000 MT in the country of White-Button variety.

Giving details about the produce and its cultivation, Dr P.K.Khanna, Coordinator, Research and Basic Sciences, PAU, said PAU had been involved in popularising mushroom cultivation since 1972 and as a result of R and D efforts, a low-cost, rural- oriented and labour-intensive cultivation technology had been developed and successfully transferred to the growers of Punjab state and adjoining areas.

"This technology is now being practised by about 400 growers (including 180 small, 120 medium and 80 large and about 20 commercial growers) who, by using this technology, are growing four varieties of mushrooms namely White-Button mushroom (September-March) Dhingri (October-April), Paddy Straw mushroom (April-August) and Milky Mushroom (April-September) under natural indoor climactic conditions. This technology has been improved over the years by carrying out work on various aspects and various recommendations generated over the years", said Khanna.

He further added that this cultivation technology had not only improved the dietary standards but also their economic status too. During last year, the department supplied seeds to hundreds of mushroom growers located in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab. 

Ludhiana, November 12
Dr M.P. Gupta, associate professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), has been given the charge of head, Department of Epidemiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine recently. Dr Gupta joined the university on July 4, 1986, and is an experienced veterinarian physician, who has around 100 publications to his credit.

Dr N S Saini, associate professor, Department of Surgery and Radiology, has been given the charge of head, Department of Surgery and Radiology. Dr Saini has an experience of 18 years in various fields of research, teaching and extension. Dr Saini is a licensed veterinarian and has qualified to practise veterinary medicine in Canada and the USA. He has been honoured with Dr. C.G. Bhaskar Memorial Award and Medal. He has many publications in reputed foreign and national journals.

Besides, Dr Neelam Bansal, associate professor, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, has been given the charge of head, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology. She started her career as assistant professor of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology in 1992. Dr Bansal has published about 50 research articles. Dr Bansal is awarded with best paper/best poster awards.

Meanwhile, Dr R.K.C. Bali, visiting professor and leading veterinary practitioner from Cologne (Germany), visited the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University(GADVASU) from November 5-12. He delivered lectures and imparted practical training on recent techniques in diagnosis and management of stifle surgery such as cruciate ligament repair, patellar luxation, elbow and hip dysplasia, neuro-diagnosis and neurosurgery in canine patients.

He shared his views with the faculty members of the department and scientists from various institutes of the India attending the advanced training course on "Diagnosis and Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Veterinary Practice" organised under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Dr Bali has been visiting Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology since 2000 and have imparted training on neurology, osteosynthesis, emergency and critical care.

Ludhiana, November 12
Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Gujranwala, is all set to organise a symposium on post-independence Indian English literature on November 15. It will be sponsored by the Sahitya Academy, New Delhi. The symposium will be inaugurated by Dr S.P. Singh, former vice-chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and presided over by Prof Nand Kumar.

Dr T.S. Anand, principal of the college, said as many as 100 delegates from various universities and colleges of the region would take part in the symposium. Eminent scholars will focus on the trends discernible in the literary texts since 1947.

Prof Anis-ur-Rehman, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, Prof Manjit Inder Singh, Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Rana Nayar, Panjab University, Dr N.K. Ghosh, Agra, Dr Satnam Kaur Raina, Jammu University, and Dr Tejinder Kaur, Punjabi University, will make presentations on Indian English poetry, Indian fiction, Indian English drama, partition as a thematic trend, and psychological dimensions of Indian English literary texts.

Workshop: One-day workshop for BEd syllabus revision in the subjects of teaching of mathematics and guidance and counselling was organised by BCM College of Education here today. The workshop was under the patronage of Panjab University. Dr Khushvinder Kumar, principal of the college, welcomed principals and delegates from various educational colleges.

The workshop for guidance and counselling was conducted by Dr H.S. Sidhu, principal of GMT College of Education, and Dr J. Kiran Gera, principal of Doraha College. The workshop on the subject of teaching of mathematics was conducted by Dr Daljit Singh, principal of Gobindgarh College of Education.

The present curriculum was discussed keeping in view the problems faced by teachers. The recommendations made in the workshop will be taken up by the university for next session. Twenty-one delegates from 15 colleges participated. K.Mehta, secretary of BCM College of Education, proposed the vote of thanks.

Placement drive: In the joint campus placement drive organised by Infosys at Chandigarh, a total of 800 candidates from all over Punjab appeared for selection. On the first day, Gunjan Govani from the human resource department gave a presentation about what businesses the company is in and as job applicants what all can the candidates expect from the company in matters of job responsibilities, remuneration, career growth etc.

This was followed by an hour-long written test to check the logical, reasoning and technical aptitude of the candidates. The short listed candidates went through group discussions, which were followed by interviews on the next day.

Ludhiana, November 12
The election schedule for he Non-Teaching Employees Union was released at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here today.

Over 1,800 non-teaching employees of the university will cast their vote to elect office-bearers of the union on November 29, 2007. The elections will be conducted under the chairmanship of V.K.Dutta, a senior non-teaching employee posted at the comptroller's office.

As per the schedule, the last date of filing nomination papers is November 19. The candidates can withdraw their names on November 20. The final list of contestants will be released on November 21. Existing president of the Non-Teaching Employees Union D.P.Maur said earlier there were about 2,100 voters but more than 300 had been shifted to GADVASU.

Several posts for which the elections will be held include president, two senior vice-presidents, two vice-presidents, general secretary, treasurer, two secretaries, two joint treasurers, two propaganda secretaries and two organising secretaries.

Several contestants belong to three separate unions, including the PAU Employees Federation, the PAU Employees Progressive Front and the PAU Employees Forum. Counting of votes will be held on November 30.

It is learnt that Lakhwinder Singh Sandhu is leading the opposition against existing president D.P.Maur. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 12
Aseem Gautam and Rajni Goel were declared Mr Personality and Miss Charming of Guru Nanak Ayurvedic Medical College and Research Institute, Gopalpur, at an annual function "Lamhe" organised on the college campus near here yesterday.

The function was presided over by Balwinder Singh Walia, chairman of the trust running group of educational institutes.

While addressing the function, Walia called upon students of the outgoing class to dedicate themselves to the cause of ailing humanity. Claiming that the Ayurveda was more effective system for prevention and treatment of otherwise incurable deceases Walia urged that people should be inspired to adopt it as an element of lifestyle.

R P Kaushal, principal, wished a bright future for the passing out doctors.

The function was marked by a cultural programme. Skits, choreographies, patriotic songs and folk dances presented by Lalit, Satinder Kaur, Palvi, Vivek, Jasmine Haritesh, Bhupinder and Abha were appreciated by all.

Bikramjit Singh and Sukhdeep Kaur were declared Mr Farewell and Miss Farewell, respectively.

Iqbal Singh Walia, secretary, and Shambhoo Dyal Sharma, vice-principal, also spoke.