AGRICULTURE

PAU: sow sugarcane from mid February
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 11
The PAU experts have advised farmers to start the sowing of sugarcane from second fortnight of this month.

They have recommended the use of varieties, including CoJ-85, CoJ-86, CoJ-83, CoJ-64 (early maturing), CoJ-82, CoS-8436 for mid-season and Co-1148 (late maturing variety).

The experts have advised that the seed selected for planting should be free from diseases like red rot, smut, ratoon-stunting and grassy shoot. The cane setts should be disinfected in 0.5 per cent (500 g in 10 litres of water) agallol 3% or 0.25 per cent (250 gm in 10 litres of water) solution of aretan 6 per cent/bagallol 6 per cent/emison 6 per cent.

In order to control early shoot borer and termite in this crop, 2 litres of lindane/kanodone 20 EC (Gamma BHC) emulsion on the sugarcane setts in furrows or 15 kg kanodone dust (1.3D) may be applied at last ploughing and before planting.

Application of afrataf 50WP (atrazine)/sencor 70 WP (metribuzin) or karmex 80 WP/hexuron 80 WP (diuron) at the rate of 800gm per acre be needed as pre-emergence application provides effective control on annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.

Sugarcane may be planted after applying 65 kg urea per acre. Further, apply 1.3rd N (65 urea per acre) at the end of March to the autumn crops.

EDUCATION

Workshop on computers by PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 11
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organised a one-day workshop on ‘Basics of computer and Internet applications’ under the aegies of the European-Indian Cross Cultural Innovation Network Project here today.

Dr H.S. Sekhon, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering, and coordinator of the project, stated that the objective of the workshop was to apprise progressive farmers about the use of computer and Internet facilities to collect information about new agricultural technology and marketing trends from different corners of the world.

The training was conducted by Dr M.S. Seekree, Professor of Computer Sciences, Dr Jagmohan Singh, In charge Instrumental Cell, Dr Dinesh Grover, Prof of Computer Sciences, and Dr Rajinder Kaur Kalra, Associate Professor of Extension Education.

The participants were given practical training to send and receive email messages and to search different websites. The participants suggested that such workshop should be organised on a regular basis.

Kids have a gala time
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 11
With interview sessions for school admissions closed, it was part time for kids at Lovely Lotus Nursery School, BRS Nagar, here today.

The school authorities threw a party for kids to rejoice and be at their normal best, free from anxiety, stress and burden of interviews. The kids unwound by singing, dancing, playing and listening to stories of their choice. They had some light moments as they acted like jokers, got their faces painted, chased bubbles and burst balloons.

The impact of the programme in the school made it look like a laughing club. Ms Harpreet Gill said the programme was organised to bring kids to their playful mood.

CULTURE

SPIC MACAY turns 25
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, February 11
SPIC MACAY — The Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst the Youth — entered its silver jubilee year in January 2002. The movement started in 1977 when a group of committed young enthusiasts decided to do something about the ‘deculturisation’ that was fast setting in the society.

It started as a non-profit, voluntary, apolitical and participatory student movement. What started as an individual venture by Dr Kiran Seth now had become a mission of thousands of people.

The society has altogether 150 chapters in India and about 50 abroad, which are active and functional, making it probably the largest and only of its kind, a voluntary society in this field. SPIC MACAY is present in 800 academic institutions, holds about 1000 concerts and 150 other programmes throughout the year. There is no entrance fee charged for any of them.

SPIC MACAY is an affirmation of the cultural heritage of India, which ought to be conserved for its aesthetics, spiritually, and values. SPIC MACAY seeks to promote an awareness of this heterogeneous tapestry.

Through classical and folk art forms, the movement aims to provide for a unique learning experience. The movement also aims to instill thoughts and a genuine spirit of inquiry in the young. SPIC MACAY recognises the dynamic vitality inherent in the young and incorporates it to cajole them into being the custodians of what is actually their birthright, namely their heritage, roots and identity

Dr Kiran Seth was in the city for and ‘orientation programme’ to motivate the students to carry the movement forward. He interacted with the students of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujjar Khan Campus. Talking to the students, he said, “ While I was a student in I.I.T., Delhi, we never enjoyed Indian classical programmes. But once I was in America and heard ‘dhrupad’ by famed Dagar brothers, I was hooked to Indian classical music. The seeds were sown in IIT and these vocalists’ beautiful rendition of ‘dhrupad’ made me their fan. Though I teach mathematics in IIT, but I do ‘riaz’ of ‘dhrupad’ for two hours. Not because I want to become singer, but I derive a lot of spiritual pleasure from it. That’s the aim of SPIC MACAY. We don’t want you to become singers or dancers, but we want you to know about the names of renowned artists, dance forms, and other performing arts of India. You are more familiar with the names of Michael Jackson and Britney Spears, but you are not familiar with great artists of our own country. You have to cherish the vast treasures of invaluable heritage we possess. We want to take the mantle off from our shoulders and pass it on to you to promote our art, music, theatre so that we can carry our great tradition forward.”

Talking about various programmes, group captain, Shailendra Mohan, a volunteer, told the students that after the reopening of colleges SPIC MACAY will start with ‘lec-dum’ series. In this series, the artistes not only give performance but also explain the intricacies involved in their dance or music. Then begins the ‘festival series’ in January, February and March. This is formal in nature and the renowned artistes of different performing arts will give their performances.

‘Virasat’ series that involves artistes theatre, from the traditional dancers, vocalists give performances in a week-long festival. In this week the classical films by Satyajit Ray will also be screened and an authority on cinema will interact with the students. Craft exhibitions will be organised to make the people aware of our unique traditional crafts so that the artisans will get incentives to carry on age old crafts that are almost facing extinction, he added.

“We value the contribution of ‘yoga’ in maintenance of good health and hence ‘yoga camps’ will be organised. In the annual convention, a lot of students, will assemble and overnight programmes, ‘baithak’ performances will be organised.

In Gurukul scheme, the students are awarded scholarships. The students can live with artistes for a month. The students embark upon a journey of discovery,” he informed.

Students interested in getting scholarships can send their biodata for this scheme.