AGRICULTURE

Agriculturists acquainted with latest
manufacturing technologies
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 9
A special 20-day programme for acquainting agriculturists with new technology organised by the Department of Farm Power and Machinery concluded here on Tuesday.

The concluding programme on ‘manufacturing technologies for agricultural machinery’ under NATP-ICAR was presided over by the chief guest, Dr I.K. Garg, Head, Department of Farm Power and Machinery.

While introducing the modern concept of agriculture, the chief guest informed that the main thrust of the programme was on acquainting the participants regarding the latest manufacturing technologies being used all over the world. This will help to improve the equality of manufacturing and will also cut down the cost of production. The trainees were provided with the information regarding new technologies and equipment being introduced in the state.

These implements will cut down cultivation cost and improve the quality aspect of agricultural produce like paddy, wheat, maize and cotton. Pollution will also be checked by effective use of inputs like fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides and weedicides. The programme also detailed the manufacturing techniques. Trainees were given information regarding the promotional programme provided by the Industry and Agriculture Department of the Punjab government for upgradation of workshops and infrastructure facilities to improve the quality of production and various subsidy schemes to promote production of improved farm equipment.

Various industrial visits were organised as a part of this training programme to given trainees first-hand feel of the latest technologies being used in the production of tractors, diesel engines including use of CNC machines. They were also taken around CIPHET, ATI and CTR at Ludhiana and CIPHET at Amritsar to acquaint them with latest technologies. Dr Garg that this programme will give a big boost to agricultural machinery production activity and generate employment, and help in uplifting rural economy of the state.

Dr V.K. Sharma, ADR (Engg), emphasized the need of such promotional training programmes to give them a first-hand feel of the latest technologies being used in the production of tractors and diesel engines.

Dr Sharma emphasised the need of such promotional training activities with a view to improving the quality of agriculture machinery and equipment for exploiting the export potential to the Third World countries. He mentioned that a number of agriculture machines being used in Punjab could be made readily acceptable in the neighbouring countries and in the Third World. This will not only provide foreign exchange but will also generate employment opportunities to the rural youth in a big way. This will give a quantum jump to the Punjab economy. Dr Sharma pointed out that this programme was second in the series. a similar programe but advanced in nature was held in May, 2001, for agricultural machinery manufacturers of the state to promote the production of newly researched and developed farm equipment at PAU. He congratulated Dr I.K. Garg, Department of Farm Power and Machinery, for taking such initiative by inviting manufacturers and artisans to upgrade the product quality.

Dr S.M. Illyas, CIPHET and vice-president, ISAE, who gave certificates to the participants, highlighted the contribution of PAU and Punjab state to the nation. He mentioned that Punjab was the leader in the matter of agricultural mechanisation, and other states in the country looked up for the latest machinery technologies to Punjab. Designers and manufactures should lay adequate emphasis low repair, maintenance and operational requirements. There is an urgent need to devise on low cost simple machineries. Manufactures and artisans need to have a direct linkage with farmers to meet the aspirations and they should also have a direct link with progressive institutions like PAU for solving problems. He highlighted the role of ICAR to give thrust to the various agricultural and allied activities to meet the challenges of the World Trade Organisation. He pointed out that such of programmes would ensure effective utilisation of human resources in the country and make them highly skilled for providing cost-effective agricultural machinery system, including agro-processing machines. He made an appeal to the industrialists, to come forward in a big way to promote agro-processing industry in the country so that the wastage of the agricultural produce and cereals was avoided.

Dr Verma, in his presidential remarks, lauded the efforts of the department for having organised an excellent training programme for artisans and manufactures of the state. Since the thrust of the programme was on standardisation and interchangeability, this would help reduce a number of components for specific products and would in a big way reduce the cost of production.

Durum wheat variety
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 9
The Research Evaluation Committee of Punjab Agricultural University at its meeting held under the chiarmanship of Dr M.S. Bajwa, Director of Research, approved new durum wheat variety PDW-274 and chickpea variety BG-1053 for putting before the estate seed variety approval committee for consideration for release in Punjab. The PDW-274 variety has been developed by Dr G.S. Mahal and his team. This variety recorded a yield of 52.2 quintals per hectare with 6.5 to 6.8 per cent superiority over PDW-233 and PBW-34. It is resistant to rust, Karnal bunt and has field resistance to loose smut. It has bold, hard and lustrous grains with low yellow berry and other desirable quality characters.

The BG-1053 variety of chickpea has been developed by Dr J.S. Sandhu and his team . This variety gave an average grain yield of 2013 kg/ha against the check variety of L-550 (1911 kg/ha) and registered 5.33 per cent superiority over the check. It has bold seed size moderatly resistant to wilt complex.

EDUCATION

Inter-school vedic lecture contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 9
Jagdip Singh, who spoke on the utility of the message of Bhagwad Gita in modern times, was adjudged the winner of the inter-school vedic lecture contest organised at Guru Nanak Khalsa High School (Gujjarkhan) here.

Navin and Prabhjot Singh, who spoke on “Om, the best name of God” and “The real manifestation of religion” were adjudged second and third respectively in the contest. Mr Sarabjit Singh and Mr Jeet Singh were the judges. Besides, Chandan Pali and Navdip Singh were highly appreciated for their lectures on the “Ancient scriptures of the world” and “Dharamyodha Guru Gobind Singh”.

Dewan Rajender Kumar, senior vice-president, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Punjab, gave away the prizes.

Mr Balwant Singh, principal of the school, in his presidential address, said the lecture contest would impart the art of speaking to the students and instill confidence in them. 

COURTS

Forum fines courier company
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 9
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Akash Ganga Courier Services to pay Rs 2,500 as compensation on account of deficiency in services to Mr Ashok Kumar, a resident of Dal Bazar. The forum further directed the courier company to pay Rs 500 as cost of litigation to the consumer.

According to the complaint, the consumer had sent a packet through the company to Tata Vashisti Detergents Limited, Ratnagir. He stated before the forum that the packet had 100 shares of the addressee for transfer. He disclosed that the company failed to deliver the packet to the addressee due to which he had suffer a loss of Rs 5,456.

It was alleged by the complainant that the courier company failed to render proper services. A notice was also given to the company. The complainant alleged that there was clear deficiency in services.

The company pleaded that the packet did not have shares as its contents were not disclosed by the consumer. It was denied that it failed to deliver the letter or remained silent regarding the PCO and then sent the same under fake signatures.

The respondent maintained that since the complainant did not disclose contents of the packet, it was treated as a simple letter as such its liability was not more than Rs 100 as per the terms and conditions laid down in the receipt.

The forum observed that there was clear deficiency on the part of the company as the delivery of the said packet was not done. The forum also stated that the terms and conditions laid down on the receipt of the company were not contract terms as the same were not signed by the other party.

The forum said that the shares still stand in the name of the consumer and duplicate shares could be got issued so there was no point of recovering the same from the company.

CULTURE

The shining stars of fashion designing
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, August 9
Ludhiana has become a happening city because talented young people have made their mark in the fashion scene, event management and entreprenuership of different kinds. The two bright stars in the field of creative designing are Raman Vij and Shelly Baryah. The only thing common between the two is that both got training in the National Institute of Fashion Designing.

Raman was given the best Knit Wear Design Collection Award at NIFT. Armed with the degree from NIFT, Raman joined Nottingham (of Robin Hood fame) Trent University to obtain masters in fashion & textile designing. On coming back to India, he worked with the famous designers, Suneet Verma and J.J. Vallaya. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Raman said: “When I design clothes for my clients, I give the greatest priority to comfort, cost affordability and something exclusive. I also see which cut and fabric will suit them. I have set clients who are pretty satisfied with my clothes”.

I experiment with a lot of embroidery work in ethnic clothes. I like designing’ whacky clothes for my set clientele. Sometimes I design a short kurta with a leather outline. Age is no bar for wearing whacky clothes,” he observed.

Raman said that he loved to use Indian fabrics like linens, cottons and tweeds. He wants to make jackets with cashmere but the fabric is expensive. These days men are also conscious of their looks and they are aware of latest cuts. He said: “My line of men’s clothes is popular and has gone down well with Ludhianivis. I use bold colours for men not the usual staid colours. I design sheer net shirts for men. I have two lines for men — ethnic and western. In ethnic clothes I give my clients a choice from sherwanis, Jodhpurs, angrakhas and with a shawl draped on the shoulders. Men are ready for a formal party. The colours can vary from beiges to off-whites to dark colours, depending on the occasion. In the western wear, I like to use black colour.”

Harmmet Oberoi, a web designer said: “Earlier I used to go to Delhi to buy designer clothes. But ever since Raman has come, I get all by clothes designed from him. He is the coolest designer of Ludhiana.”

On the other hand Shelly, after receiving her postgraduation degree from NIFT, joined Pee Jay Apparels. They design clothes for Park Avenue. Since Shelly has mastered knitwear category, she designs ladies knitwear. A lot of things go into designing. First, the colour of the season is selected based on the fashion forecasts of Europe and US of A. Next, domestic market is surveyed. “Designs are the mirror of the society”, she says.

She was sent to Japan by the company to do a course on Shima Seiki computerised knitting machines. Designs on the computers offer mindboggling choics. One can change shades, colour schemes patterns. The whole thing takes 3 to 4 months to finalise. Then swatches are prepared and later the whole garment is knitted according to colour, style and design selected.

Shelly said that a designer gets involved from designing of yarn to styling to quality control to value added accessories like buttons and zips. It is a long series of different aspects of designing of which the designer has to shoulder the entire responsibility.

“I do not think there is much scope for designers in Ludhiana. I want to start quality line of men’s wear. It needn’t be expensive, but should be good in finish. This is only possible in a Metro. Did you know that women design better clothes for men and vice-versa?”