Alumnus donates for scholarship

Prof Onkar Singh Bindra, an alumnus of the College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), donated an adequate endowment amount to the University to institute two awards for the meritorious students (a scholarship and a fellowship) in the name of his wife Jaswant Kaur Bindra. These are to be named as Jaswant Kaur Bindra Scholarship for MSc students in Entomology (Rs 3,000 per month plus contingency of Rs 5,000 per annum) and Jaswant Kaur Bindra Fellowship for PhD student in Entomology (Rs 4000 per month plus contingency of Rs 10,000 per annum). The scholarship/fellowship has been instituted to encourage and motivate the students pursuing higher studies in the discipline of Entomology. Prof Bindra is a renowned Entomologist of international repute. He is recipient of Republic Day award and Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Memorial Award for his outstanding research contributions to agricultural entomology. He served as professor and head, Department of Entomology, PAU, during 1967-75. He was also a visiting research professor of Entomology to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria (1976-80); and entomologist-cum-project Manager, FAO, United Nations, in Sudan, Liberia and Indonesia (1980-88). In addition, Prof. Bindra is ex-board member of the Renaissance Society of California State University, Sacramento and presently a trustee of Sikh Temples at Sacramento, California, USA. Prof Bindra remained a meritorious student and got several scholarships/fellowships during his entire period of studies from matriculation to PhD programme from the University of California, Berkley (USA). PAU is proud of its alumnus and greatly lauds his noble gesture.

PAU announces dates of Kisan melas

Aiming at apprising farmers and farm women of innovative farm techniques and household management practices, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) will hold a series of seven Kisan Melas and Kisan Divas in various districts of Punjab in March 2016. Giving details, Dr RS Sidhu, director of Extension Education said the series will kick start with first Kisan Divas at Nagkalan Jahangir, Amritsar, and Ballowal Saunkhri on March 4. Dr RS Sidhu, director of Extension Education said the series will kick start with first Kisan Divas at Nagkalan Jahangir, Amritsar, and Ballowal Saunkhri on March 4.This will be followed by Kisan Divas at Faridkot on March 9. He further informed that the Kisan Mela at Rauni, Patiala, will be organised on March 11 whereas at Gurdaspur, it will be held on March 15. The two-day Kisan Mela on PAU campus will be organised on March 18 and 19, he said. The last Kisan Mela will be held at Bathinda on March 22, he told. Dr Sidhu said these melas will provide an opportunity to the farmers to acquaint themselves with the latest agricultural technologies for forthcoming Kharif season. Various departments of PAU will put up exhibitions and technical stalls where farmers can discuss their farm issues with the University experts, he added. The farmers can also purchase farm literature, new seeds and planting material during these melas and divas, he added.

PAU inks pact 

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with M/s Nu-Tech Dairy Engineers Private Limited, Ambala, (Haryana) to promote and fabricate portable maize grain dryer. Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, vice-chancellor, PAU and SC Malik, managing director, M/s Nu-Tech Dairy Engineers Private Limited signed the pact on behalf of their respective organisations. Dr Balwinder Singh, director, Research, PAU and Gagan Malik, CEO, M/s Nu-Tech Dairy Engineers Private Limited were also present on the occasion. This MoU will be valid for a period of five years. Dr Dhillon said, “PAU is committed to develop technologies for supporting growth of agro-based industries and generate self-employment opportunities for educated youth.” He further told that M/s Nu-Tech Dairy Engineers Private Limited dryer will fabricate the dryer as per the technical know-how provided by PAU. The dryer will be used for drying maize having high moisture content, he added. This dryer will be portable, hence it can be used at different places for drying as per requirement, he said. SC Malik, managing director, M/s Nu-Tech Dairy Engineers Private Limited, said 

that their company is engaged in the fabrication of dairy and other allied equipments. He further said their company will fabricate and sell the dryer by affixing a sticker ‘Developed in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.’ — TNS