Education fair opens at DAV School
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 18
The two-day 10th India International Education Fair- ‘Education Worldwide India’ was inaugurated at DAV School here today. The education fair has been termed as Northern India Golden Crescent Tour, keeping in mind the potential of the city in Punjab. The leading national and international institutes updated the students with numerous education and career options available within India as well as abroad on this occasion.

The mega event provided an opportunity to the student community to get career counselling in different streams. The fair has been organised by Global Events and Expositions- India’s premiere education fair organisers, who have organised various such fairs in different parts of the country.

Participants include Indian Air Force, CMS Computers, Institute of Insurance and Risk Management-Hyderabad, NIILM University-New Delhi, IILM Institute of Higher Education-Gurgaon, Universal Empire-Nepal, Dubai, Cochin, Arena Multimedia- Chandigarh, International School of Business and Media- Pune, School of Aeronotics-New Delhi, Meditech, IAM Institute of Hotel Management- Kolkotta, Desh Bhagat Group of institutions- Punjab, Edwise International- New Delhi, Times PG institute of Philosophy and Science-Dehradun etc.

On the Education Fair, Mr Siddharatha Jain, Chief-Marketing Operations, Global Events and Expositions said, “Now, where new courses are coming up, the requirement of appropriate guidance is essential to start a career with a right chord. With more than 25 participants, the education fair will provide accurate and up-to-date information on professional courses and career options available within various streams”.

Mr Rahul Puri, a student who took keen interest in the fair said such events would help the students gain information on existing professional education and career prospects.” I intend to go abroad and many of my queries have properly been cleared by the counsellors”, said Rahul.

Another student Geeta Kapur said that educational consultants for admission in Institutes of Canada, USA, Singapore, England, Italy, Australia helped the students information on career prospects.

NSS volunteers celebrate youth week
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 18
NSS volunteers of Guru Nanak Girls College celebrated the national youth week from January 10 to January 15 here. The week was celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand.

According to a press note issued today, Dr Charanjit Mahal, Principal, highlighted the life and principles of Swami Vivekananda. Dr Mahal said, “Self confidence is the key for overall development of a person”. She then called upon the youth to inculcate his principles in their lives so as to be part of country’s development. NSS volunteers also observed two minutes silence to pay homage to tsunami victims.

Ms Gursharan Kaur, lecturer, Department of Home Science, gave a lecture on health and hygiene. She called upon students to work towards a cleaner and healthier environment. A paper reading contest was organised on topics related to social issues. Poonam Bhatia, B.Sc (IIIrd), won the first prize, Parul, BSc (I year), stood second while Inderdeep Kaur and Manmeet Kaur jointly got the third prize. An essay writing contest on topics like female foeticide, corruption, unemployment and poverty was also organised on the occasion.

The programme officer, Ms Parminder Kaur, focussed on the need to create awareness among volunteers about various social issues. The youth week concluded with cultural fest. 

Session on adolescence held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 18
An interactive session on adolescence and its affiliated problems was conducted today by Dr Neelam Sodhi, a leading gynaecologist at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, at the Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School. Some of the issues discussed were related to the anxiety and stress faced by girl students.

Dr Sodhi spoke to the students on time management, parental expectations and generation gap. She helped in creating awareness in the students about dealing with emotional relationships and balancing traditions and values to maintain their dignity and self-respect.

The students posed questions to the expert to get their doubts cleared. The girl students were appreciative of this effort at open communication, which they felt would help them deal with certain issues in a more organised manner.

Teachers protest: To protest against the anti-employee policies of the state government, the Punjab State Aided School Teachers and the Employees Union has decided to stage a demonstration on January 25. Employees from more than six districts would participate in the rally.

Mr Ranjit Singh, president of the district unit of the union, in a press note issued today said the protesters would gather at Chattar Singh Park near bus stand on January 25. He said schools in the six districts would remain closed due to the teachers ’ protest.

Mr Kirpal Singh, secretary of the union, said the government had suddenly stopped the pension which the retired employees were getting for the past 17 years. Such a step was disgusting, added Mr Kirpal Singh. Besides, the teachers were not being given various allowances, he said.

Mr Gian Chand Sharma, secretary urban, said not only this but the government had stopped new recruitments also. More than 34 posts of primary teacher were lying vacant.

Students drink contaminated water
Our Correspondent

Machhiwara, January 18
Students of Government Primary School, Akalgarh village, have been forced to drink water, which is alleged to have been contaminated, from a hand pump installed on its premises as there is no other source of potable water near the school.

Around 60 students study in the school. Stray cattle often wander around in it as there is no boundary wall.

Though a water tank has been constructed by the Public Health Department at a stone’s throw from the school, no water supply connection is provided to the school. 

PSEB demand quashed
Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 18
“Mere presence of fake seals on an electric meter does not prove that there was a dishonest abstraction of energy,” observed the Consumer Forum while quashing the demand of Rs 11,694 raised by the PSEB on theft charges.

Pronouncing the order, Mr A.S. Narula and Mr T.R. Arora, president and member, respectively, of the forum, have ordered the board to refund the amount along with 9 per cent per annum interest from the date of deposit till payment. The forum has also directed to comply with its order within one month from the date of receipt of the order.

The orders were pronounced while deciding a complaint filed by Mr Harjinder Singh, a local resident.

HEALTH

Food for healthy pregnancy

A mother’s nourishment during pregnancy is of vital importance for her and baby at all stages of foetal development. Research has shown that diet and healthy lifestyle are directly related to the baby’s weight at birth, his health in childhood and even after he has grown up. Therefore eating well and being aware of any deficiencies in diet can have long-term effects. You don’t have to go on a special diet. But make sure that you eat a variety of foods to and get right amount of nutrients that you and baby require. Certain foods should be avoided.

Diet should include following four basic food groups:

Starchy Foods: Starchy foods like bread, potatoes, rice, chapattis, pasta, oatmeal, and breakfast cereals are an important part of any diet and should, with vegetables, form the main part of your meal. These are satisfying without containing too many calories and are an important source of vitamins, protein, minerals and fibre. Try eating whole meal bread and wholegrain cereals when you can.

Dairy Products: Dairy foods like milk, cheese, yoghurt are important as these contain calcium and other nutrients essential for baby’s development. Choose low-fat varieties whenever possible. They also provide other minerals like zinc, iodine and magnesium (essential for growth), as well as protein and fat-soluble vitamins A and D.

Meat, fish and alternatives: Meat, fish, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, pulses and other vegetarian products are all good sources of nutrients. These protein rich food combined with protein from starchy foods and dairy products provide the building blocks for baby’s growth and tissue repair. They also contain iron, zinc, vitamin A and B. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy blood, occur naturally in meat products but can also be found in fortified vegetarian foods.

Fruits and vegetables: Eat plentyof fruits and vegetables as these provide vitamins and mineral, as well as fibre which help digestion and prevent constipation. Eat them lightly cooked in a little water or raw to get the most out of them. Frozen, tinned and dried food and vegetables are good too. These provide vitamin A in vegetable form, vitamin C and D including folic acid, minerals such as iron and potassium and fibre.

Foods better avoided in pregnancy: Try to avoid sugar and sugary foods like sweets, biscuits cakes and sugary drinks like cola. Sugar contains calories without providing other nutrients the body needs. It also adds to the risk of tooth decay.

Avoid fat and fatty foods as well. Fat is very high in calories and too much can cause weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease. Avoid fatty foods, trim the fat off meat, use spreads sparingly and go easy on foods like pastry, chocolate and chips.

Don’t eat liver or liver products as these contain a lot of vitamin A. Too much of vitamin A can harm your baby.

Avoid eating peanuts and foods containing peanut products (e.g., peanut butter, unrefined groundnut oil etc) if you and your baby’s father have history of asthma, eczema or other allergies.

Foods that need special care while eating: Besides eating a wide variety of foods, there are certain precautions you should safeguard baby’s well-being as well as yours.

Cook all meat and poultry products properly leaving no trace of pink or blood and wash all surfaces and utensils after preparing raw meat. To avoid infection with Toxoplasma, which may cause toxoplasmosis and can harm the baby.

Wash fruits and vegetables and salads to remove traces of soil which may contain toxoplasma.

Make sure eggs are cooked till whites and yolks are solid to prevent the risk of food poisoning and avoid foods containing raw and undercooked eggs like home-made mayonnaise, ice-cream, cheesecake etc.

— Dr Anil Dheer

Free medical camp to be held today
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 18
The International Sikh Dharam Parchar Manch will hold a free medical camp with the assistance of Gurdev Hospital at Grewal Market, Barewal Road, here tomorrow. According to Mr Gurdeep Singh Leel, president of the manch, a team of doctors, comprising Dr Ranjit Singh Cheema, Dr Waheguru Pal Singh (surgery), Dr Harkamal Singh Sidhu (medicine), Dr Ramanpreet Singh Grewal (dental), Dr Neeraj Arora (ophthalmology), Dr Kapil Mahajan, Dr Sweety Mahajan and Dr Bhupinder, will conduct the check-up of the patients, who would also be given medicines free of cost. Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, member, SGPC, and Mr Surinder Pal Singh Baddowal will jointly inaugurate the camp.

The Sahibzada Welfare Society will organise yet another free medical camp in collaboration with Kiran Hospital at Suresh Model High School, Longowal Street, in Partap Nagar locality on January 23 to mark the fourth anniversary of the society. Giving this information here today, Mr Jagtar Singh Matharoo said besides providing free medical check-up and medicines to the patients, facilities of ultrasound scan, blood sugar test, ECG and vaccination would also be available at the camp.

SPORTS

Manpreet is Mr Flex
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 18
Manpreet Singh was adjudged Mr Flex-2004 in the Fifth Ludhiana Open Bodybuilding Meet organised by the Flex Body Lines at Dugri here yesterday. Gurdeep Singh was named the best poser. More than 200 participants took part in different weight categories.

Mr Karnail Singh Jeerakh, general secretary, Youth Akali Dal, gave away prizes. Mr Samir Kaushik, Mr Parveen Kumar, Mr Navneet Singh, Mr Sukhdev Singh, Mr Deepak Luthra and Mr Pardeep Appu, all representatives of the District Bodybuilding Association, were present on the occasion.

Results: (below 60 kg): Paramjeet 1, Ravi 2 and Rana 3; (60-65 kg): Davinder 1, Rakesh 2 and Daljeet Singh 3; (65-70 kg): Gurdeep Singh 1, Manpreet Singh 2 and Ravinder Singh 3; (70-75 kg): Manpreet Singh 1, Veerpal Singh 2 and Hardep Singh 3; (75-85 kg): Sandeep 1, Bablu 2 and Amit Sharma 3; (above 85 kg): Daljeet Singh 1, Harvinder Singh 2 and Dimple 3; and (classic flex): Jagtar Singh 1, Anoop Kumar 2, Manpreet Singh 3, Varinder Kainth 4 and Gurdeep Singh 5. Jagtar Singh was given a trophy and a cash prize.

Mixed luck for KVM players
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 18
Hosts Kundan Vidya Mandir School, Civil Lines, had mixed luck as the boys won their encounter while girls went down on the opening day of the Ludhiana District Sahodhya Schools Complex Chess Tournament which began today.

In the boy’s section, GGN School, Sarabha Nagar beat UPSC School; Dav Public School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar outplayed BCM School, Chandigarh Road; St Thomas School defeated Radha Vatika; Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar outnumbered BCM School Shastri Nagar and Kundan Vidya Mandir School beat Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar.

DAV Public School got better of Kundan Vidya Mandir School in the girl’s section to begin the campaign on sound note. In other matches, St Thomas School beat BCM School, Shastri Nagar and BCM School, Chandigarh Road outplayed GGN School, Rose Garden.

Earlier, Mr S.C. Saxena, principal of the Kundan Vidya Mandir School, inaugurated the tournament in which nine boys teams and eight girls teams were taking part.

ADMINISTRATION

New IT Chief Commissioner 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 18
Mr S.J.S. Pall is the new Chief Commissioner, Income Tax, Ludhiana. He has been transferred from Allahabad in place of Ms Sudha Sharma who has been appointed Director-General (Investigation) at Chandigarh.

Mr K.K. Kapila, Director-General (Investigation) who has served at Ludhiana also has been transferred to Bareilly as Chief Commissioner, Income Tax.

Dr D.S. Sidhu, Director (RI) Ludhiana has also been promoted Chief Commissioner, Income Tax and posted at Kolkatta.

The government has ordered major reshuffle and moved 41 chief commissioners from various destinations.