New farm block at Nauni varsity

A road linking the YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, to a new farm block has been inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Parvinder Kaushal. The Khaltoo farm to Kuhat road will provide access to a new farm being established by the department of forest products. Dr Meenu Sood, professor and head, department of forest products, elaborated upon activities undertaken by the department. Farm in-charge Dr Yashpal Sharma said the department had plans to develop around 50 bighas and a short-term crop of wild marigold had already been harvested for seed. It could be used for raising future plantations, he said. In addition to wild marigold, babuna, mint and kalihari (for seed production), along with lemongrass (for extraction of oil), sandalwood will be planted in the sloped areas, so that a sustainable model of medicinal and aromatic plants can be developed.

NSUI opposes orders to vacate hostel

The NSUI has opposed the decision to close the hostels at HPU during the curfew. The administration has asked the students to vacate the hostel, following the announcement of 10-day curfew in the state. The NSUI said the university did not make any sense because students in the hostel were from remote areas and many were from outside the state. The NSUI said asking students to vacate the hostel and return to their native places would put them in danger when Covid cases were at peak.

Class X students elated

Students of Class X of the HP Board of School Education are a happy lot, as the state government has decided to pass them on the basis of internal examination and assessment, without holding the board examinations. The decision was taken in view of surge in Covid cases. A notification in this regard has been released.