Training programme for farm women
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 17
A four-day training and visit programme organised for the farm women by Punjab Agricultural University in collaboration with Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO) was inaugurated by Mr Sunil Jakhar, MLA, here today.

Mr Jakhar appreciated the efforts of the organisers in educating farm women in the areas of home science, including processing of fruits and vegetables. He said organisations such as the Khadi Gram Udyog which are directly involved in the marketing of processed products should be actively involved to ensure the application of the knowledge received by them during the training.

In his presidential address, Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, said women could contribute significantly to the family economy by adopting processing of fruits and vegetables on domestic level. He also pointed out that unless the gap between the price received by the farmer and paid by the consumer is reduced, the economic plight of the farmers would not improve and efforts for diversification would not succeed.

Dr J.S. Kolar, Director of Extension Education, said farm women could play a major role in improving family nutrition because many health problems have emerged due to change in life style which involves more consumption of carbohydrates and less activity.

Mr K.L. Chawla, Senior Area Manager, IFFCO, explained the objectives of the training programme and said proper follow up of the training would be carried out in order to ensure the application of new technology obtained by the farm women during the programme.

Dr Geeta Goyal, Head of the Department of Extension Education, said technical and theoretical training would be provided to trainees in the areas of home science and agriculture like bee keeping, dairy farming, processing of farm produce, human nutrition and child care. She said 50 farm women from the districts of Ludhiana, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib were attending the programme.

PAU students boycott classes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 17
Condemning all allegations printed against them in a local newspaper, students of Punjab Agricultural University organised a rally on the campus here today. The students boycotted their classes and assembled near Thapar Hall. Raising slogans against the newspaper, the students went around the campus. Finally, the students got together near the Pal Auditorium where the student leaders addressed the rally.

The newspaper carried an article stating that drinking menace was common in the university hostels. The paper printed pictures of liquor bottles lying in the corridors of the hostel, in the ground and outside the rooms. Besides, it was also pointed out that students pool money to watch adult movies in PAU common rooms.

PCTE students to hold car rally
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 17
The Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE) will organise goodwill car rally on February 18 as part of Ehsaas 2003, fourth one-day inter-college literary-cum-cultural festival of the PCTE, to be held on February 21. The function will be inaugurated by Dr Y.S. Rajan, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, and Scientific Adviser, Government of Punjab, on February 21 at 9 a.m.

The car rally will be flagged off by Mr Ishawar Das Garg, Managing Director, Pioneer Hyundai, at 1.30 pm. The rally will comprise 30 cars in which around 150 students of the PCTE will take part.

The rally will start from Pioneer Hyundai and will pass through Dholewal Chowk, Campa Cola Chowk, Vishkarma Chowk, Jagraon bridge, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Mall Road, Fountain Chowk, Ghumar Mandi, National Road, Park Plaza, 5th Mile Stone, Sarabha Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Model Town, Campa Cola Chowk and culminate at 5 P.M.

Dr K.N.S. Kand, Director PCTE, said: “Through this rally the PCTE students will invite other colleges and industrialists to participate in Ehsaas-2003. The purpose of this rally is to spread the festive feeling among the city residents. Also it will give the students a real life exposure of managing the events and interacting with people.”

The festival comprises 17 events in which 35 teams from management and technical college for Punjab as well as adjoining states are expected to take part.

Inter-zonal youth fest from today
Our Correspondent

Khanna, February 17
The 44th Punjab University (inter zonal) youth festival in being organised at A.S. College, Khanna, from February 18 to 21, according to Tarsem Bahia Principal of the college. He said the festival would be a mega cultural event in which as many as 1,000 artists hailing from over 100 colleges affiliated to the Punjab University will compete in various activities like drama, bhangra, gidda, classical dances, geets, ghazals. Folk songs, poetry recitation, debates, quiz competitions, instrumental music and painting etc. 

‘No school bag’ drive
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 17
The Sanatan Vidya Mandir (SVM) which is affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has today decided to introduce the concept of ‘no school bag’ for its students from Nursery to Class I.

Stating this Ms Sadhna Sharma, Principal, said tiny tots would not have to bring their heavy bags from new session onwards. She said all teaching would be now done by making use of the latest audio-visual aids.