120 get B.Ed degree
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 3
Seven students of Pratap College of Education were honoured today. Among the honoured were university position holders Priyanka who stood first, Meenakshi and Ravneet second and Vaneet Kaur and Renu Bala third in the college.

Vandana Khera was awarded the gold medal, roll of honour and award of honour. She stood first in the college as well as in Panjab University in the session 2002-2003. Ashima Sharma stood second and Arpana Bansal third in the college (2002-03) and received merit positions in the university and were given the award of honour.

The convocation was held on the college campus, Hambran Road, here. Dr S.S. Johl, Vice-Chairman, Punjab State Planning Board, presided over the function. College Principal, Dr Balwant Singh read the annual report. The degree of Bachelor of Education was given to 120 graduates.

Dr D.R. Vij, former Dean Colleges and Dr T.S. Sodhi from Punjabi University, Patiala and Dr A.S. Dua, Dean College Development Council, GNDU, Amritsar were also honoured.

Convocation held: The convocation of Kamla Lohtia Sanatan Dharam College here was held today. As many as 370 students of BA, BCom, BBA, PGDCA, BCA MCom, MSc (IT) and MA (Eco) were awarded degrees. Ten students got the Role of Honour and five were awarded College Colour.

Prof Ved Parkash, Secretary, University Grants Commission, was the chief guest. Dr A.S. Dua, Dean, College Development Council, Guru Nanak Dev University, and an eminent industrialist, Mr Rajneesh Jain, were the guests of honour at the function.

The students who received prizes were: Harpreet Singh Mann, Aman Preet Rattan, Amita Rani, Pooja Ahuja, Leena Jain, Linki Verma, Jinesh Jain, Rupali, Anoop Rajesh, Deepak Rajesh Kumar, Kuldeep Sharma, Nikhil Chadha, Kanwaljit Kaur, Navneesh Khulla and Rajan Kumar. Principal B.D. Budhiraja read out the annual report of the college.

Nikku — a singer of clean songs
Our Correspondent

Doraha, April 3
His gentle smile, jolly nature and melodious voice single out Nikku in the crowd of Punjabi pop singers. ‘Kiwen chinda soniyan’ from his latest album ‘Panjebanwali’ has brought him fame.

He has brought out 12 cassettes of his songs, including ‘Nasha Jawani Da,’ ‘Nasibo Chete Kardi Aa,’ ‘Gall Dhhakki Rahin Dio,’ ‘Dil Lagda Hi Nahin,’ ‘Sajana Da Pind Langh Ke,’ ‘Akhiyan Ja Larian,’ ‘Haye Sadi Jaan,’ ‘Meri Mehbooba,’ ‘Hai Kamaal,’ ‘Munde Chchum-Chchum Sutde Rumaal,’ ‘Tere Piche Jaan Jaan Da Khatra’, and ‘Panjebanwali.’

Nikku, a lad from Jassar village near Sahnewal, attributes his success to the support of Mr Budh Singh, father, Mrs Harbans Kaur, mother, Satnam Kaur, sister, Sat Suroop Singh, brother and Kamaljit Kaur, wife. And above all to his music director Gurmit Singh. Nikku is committed to clean songs and decent family videos.

Pakistani writer Fakhar Zaman honoured
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 3
Eminent Pakistani Punjabi writer and former Culture Minister Fakhar Zaman was the chief guest at a function organised by the Young Writers’ Association, PAU, in association with the Punjabi Sabhyachar Akademi and Rangmanch Sansthan here yesterday.

Dr A.P.S. Mann, Director, Students’ Welfare, presided over the function which was attended by a large number of students, teachers and writers of the region.

Addressing the gathering, Fakhar Zaman pointed out that good relations between India and Pakistan were the need of hour in order to banish poverty and backwardness from the subcontinent. Both the countries must reduce their defence budgets and spend this money on socio-economic development. He emphasised that the process of love and understanding between the people had started and could not be reversed.

He was optimistic that the disputes between the two countries, including Kashmir, would be solved amicably as the people were determined to live in peace and harmony. He urged the writers to stand for truth and justice and create an atmosphere of goodwill through their writings.

Fakhar Zaman informed that the next World Punjabi Conference would be held on May 28 to 31 at Chandigarh. As many as 150 delegates will participate from Pakistan. He further informed that Chaudhry Parvez Ellahi, Chief Minister, West Punjab, will also attend the conference.

Dr Mann stressed the importance of mutual understanding. He thanked Fakhar Zaman for his presence in the Student’s Home where luminaries like Dr M S Randhawa, Prof Mohan Singh, Prof Sant Singh Sekhon, and Mr Kulwant Singh Virk had graced many a occasion.

The organisers honoured him and his two companions with shawls and mementos. Mr Gursewak Madhok of Senior Citizens Centre hosted lunch in honour of the visiting dignitaries. He also visited Prof S.S. Narula, the ailing Punjabi novelist, at his Gurdev Nagar residence and wished him speedy recovery.

Welcoming the guest, Dr S N Sewak, president of the Akademi, pointed out that Zaman was a noted playwright, a great novelist, a progressive thinker, and a seasoned politician. He had played a significant role in improving bilateral relations between the two countries by organizing various world Punjabi conferences in Pakistan, UK, India and the UAE. He was a true crusader of Punjabiat in the sub-continent.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Mr N S Nanda, Dr Gulzar Pandher, Mr Gurbhajan Gill, Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh, Dr Surjit Patar, Dr Satinder Singh Noor, Mr Satwinderpal Singh, Mr V M Bhandari, Mr Nirmal Jaura, Mr Manjit Singh Mehram and several young writers.

At another function, Mr N.S. Nanda, the president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Punjab, presented the Hazrat Mian Mir Appreciation Award to Zaman. Zaman, after meeting Capt Amarinder Singh, was on his way back to Pakistan.