An Enriching Simulation of the UN for Students

Fri, Oct 7, 2016 at 1:57 PM

Event started on friday at the BCM Arya School

Ludhiana: 7th October 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

Amid much enthusiasm, a three-day Model United Nations (MUN), 2016 convention was kicked off on friday at the BCM Arya School with an aim of providing students a realistic simulation of a diplomatic environment and  enhance their skills of critical analysis and operative dialogue to have them plunge into the issues which plague humanity in today’s world.

Addressing the delegates, Chief Guest Mr. Deepak Vohra, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs said, “Youngsters today are very keen to learn, talented and vibrant and platforms like these should reach out to each and every nook and corner of our country,” “Many of our problems  are global in nature and  cannot be properly addressed if we act in isolation from other nations.” said  Vohra 
“We need to know...how this world works, in 2016 and the future -- more than ever before because I think that we are still the best choice to lead that world of equals. You need to be ready to do that,” said he.

Featured with 8 different committees and councils, the conference allowed some 500 school level debaters from different schools to don the hats as diplomats and law-makers from all over the world and promised to serve as an enriching learning experience for one and all.

Delegates from Germany and Mexico were also part of  BCM MUN which seamlessly exemplified school’s fundamental conviction of fostering comprehensive front-runners and encouraged participants to frame and pass resolutions on debating issues like UNGA: “Assessing the impact on International peace and security due to the South China issue”, UNSC: Radical Islanic fundamentalism and the threat it poses to International peace and security”, UNHRC: Elimination of all forms of violence against women and children with special emphasis on post conflict areas” and AIPPM: Discussions over implementations of a uniform civil code, discussions over alleged saffronisation of of education.”

The Conference officially opened with speeches by Director General Sonal Sharma along with Gauravdeep, Chief Advisor and Secretary General Mohak Thukral. The attraction of the opening ceremony was the eye-catching Classical Dance Performance which enthralled the audience.

Dr. Paramjit Kaur, the school Principal, in her keynote address said that MUN 2016 would be an extremely important learning experience for students, wherein they understand current affairs, debate techniques and research skills and subsequently giving them a holistic learning experience.  She expressed gratitude towards the Delegates, Executive Board members and members for making this conference a great success. She exhorted the students to do one random act of kindness daily to set the world in right direction.

The three-day conference will test the preparedness of the delegates and their understanding of the countries they represent, as well as the issues under discussion.

Police DAV Public School Police Line Ludhiana Event

Fri, Oct 7, 2016 at 2:11 PM

Festival of “Victory of good over Evil”  celebrated 

Ludhiana: 7th October 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

Police DAV Public School, Police Line Ludhiana celebrated the festival of “Victory of good over Evil’’ on Friday, October 07, 2016. On the occasion of Dusshera, kindergarten students came clad up as Ram, Laxman, Sita, Hanuman and Ravana. The festive mood gripped the students as they saw the effigy of Ravana, made up of waste papers and bamboo sticks. Students enjoyed watching Ramayana through a Ram Leela enacted by the kindergartener students. Music and Hymns in the praise of almighty Lord Ram were echoed in the school premises. The festive spirit culminated the celebration by blowing the hot air balloons and finally setting Ravana to flames. The children cheered and clapped as fire crackers entwined around Ravana burst creating an astounding light and sound. The festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm and gaiety. Dr. Mrs. Anu Verma, the Principal of the school greeted the staff and students on the occasion of Dusshera. She added the burning of the effigy of Ravana symbolized not only the victory of good over evil but also, an occasion to get rid of the demons that reside within us.

Dr K K Sethi to deliver DR L H Lobo Memorial Oration at CMC

Thu, Oct 6, 2016 at 11:34 AM

"Current blood pressure goals in treating hypertension"

Ludhiana: 6th October 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

Every year Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana and the Dr. L H Lobo Memorial trust Ludhiana conducts an annual oration in memory of late Dr. L.H. Lobo, the first Indian Principal of CMC Ludhiana.

This year Padma Shree Prof. Kamal K Sethi, Past President of Cardiology Society of India and currently Chairman and Director of Cardiology at Delhi Heart and Lung Institute will be delivering the 34^th Dr. L H Lobo Memorial Oration on "Current blood pressure goals in treating hypertension"on 8^th October 2016.

A scientific symposium on ‘Recent Advances in Cardiology’ will be held following the oration. Prof. Pramesh Kovoor, Director Cardiac Services, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia will be delivering the keynote address during the symposium.

Dr. Rajneesh Calton, Professor & Head, Department of Cardiology informed that eminent experts with extensive experience will be discussing advancements in treatment and prevention of heart diseases.

The Dr. L H Lobo oration and the scientific symposium will be held under the patronage of Dr. Abraham G Thomas, Director, CMCH, Ludhiana.

Winter school on resource conservation begins at PAU

ICAR sponsored training attracting many peoples

Ludhiana: 5th October 2016: (Pushpinder Kaur//Punjab Screen):

A three-week winter school on “Advance Training Programme on Resource Conservation and Paddy Residue Management” began in the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering (FMPE), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. As many as 18 scientists/researchers working in the ICAR/State and Central Agricultural Universities of the country are attending the winter school, organized under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.

Inaugurating the programme, Dr (Mrs) Neelam Grewal, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, said, “The sustainable management of natural resources is the need of the hour keeping in view the issues such as widespread land degradation, ground water imbalances, contamination of food and environmental pollution.” This training programme would go a long way in promoting the application of farm innovations and accelerating the collaborative development among various public research organizations, farmers, private sector and other stakeholders.

Dr J.S. Mahal, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, PAU said that the use of advanced technologies to produce food and fibre are ecologically, economically and socially beneficial. He told that PAU is handling various research projects in the area of natural resource management and has also recommended number of technologies like laser leveler, happy seeder, leaf color chart and drip system for farmer’s use.

Dr Gursahib Singh Manes, Senior Research Engineer-cum-Head, FMPE said, “To have holistic solutions to the emerging problems, there is a need to set future priority research on machinery for natural resource management. The focus should also be on precision and conservation agriculture.”

Dr S.S. Thakur, Director of winter school, said that interactive discussions on theoretical concepts, and hands-on exercises on tools and techniques will be followed for better comprehension. Participants will also be introduced to conservation farming, precision farming concepts and receive hands-on experience through demonstrations on actual machinery.

Dr Manjeet Singh, Senior Research Engineer and Coordinator of the school, proposed the vote of thanks.

PAU: Dr. Parveen Chhuneja Joins as Director Biotechnology

She is a recipient of Young Scientist Award

Ludhiana: 30 September 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

Dr (Mrs) Parveen Chhuneja, Senior Molecular Geneticist, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has been appointed as Director, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU. Dr Chhuneja has a brilliant and an outstanding academic record and professional career in the discipline of biotechnology. Hailing from Faridkot, she had her Bachelor and Master’s degree from Punjabi University, Patiala in high first class and Ph.D. in Genetics with specialization in Wheat Cytogenetics from PAU with an OGPA of 4.00/4.00. She is a recipient of Young Scientist Award by Department of Science and Technology, University Merit and Plaque for best researcher, and Dr G.S. Khush Distinguished Professor Award.

Dr Chhuneja has transferred a number of new genes from wild species to cultivated wheat. These have been mobilised to elite wheat backgrounds for diversifying the breeder’s germplasm base. Five of these genes have been designated as Yr40, Yr70, Lr57, Lr58 and Lr76 and included in Wheat Gene Catalogue. Dr Chhuneja and her team have developed molecular markers for marker assisted selection of a number of disease resistance genes which are being used in the wheat breeding programme. She has been maintaining and utilising the largest collection of wild species of wheat among all the national institutes and state agricultural universities. This has paved way for the award of several national and international research and development grants.

Dr Chhuneja has published 62 papers in the journals of  national and international repute including two in ‘Science’ with NAAS rating of 20.0. Besides, she has 75 conference papers to her credit. She has also authored four practical manuals for various biotechnology courses and has written seven book chapters. She is on the reviewing panel of several national and international journals.

Dr Chhuneja has worked as a visiting scientist at the Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Zurich, Switzerland and John Innes Centre, United Kingdom. She has wide international exposure as she has visited nine countries for participation in workshops/meetings of research projects and/or advanced trainings in biotechnology.

She has handled 15 competitive research projects as Principal Investigator, out of which, five have been international network projects. She has also been the Co-Principal Investigator of prestigious international Wheat Genome Sequencing project.

She has supervised 17 post-graduate students and some of her students are working as doctoral and post doctoral fellows in reputed international institutes. She has been actively involved in development and deliverance of biotechnology teaching programme in the university. Besides, Dr Chhuneja has also trained about 30 researchers through her projects. She was also actively involved in developing biotechnology curriculum for B.Tech. Biotechnology at the national level as Member of Deans’ Expert Committee.

Agroadvisory Bulletin-27-Sep-2016 from PAU

Tue, Sep 27, 2016 at 4:33 PM

Light to moderate rain/thundershowers likely

Light to moderate rain/thundershowers likely at isolated places during next 24 hrs and weather is likely to be dry thereafter. During this period, maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to remain between 34-35oC and 23-25oC, respectively. The maximum relative humidity is expected to remain between 64-74% and minimum between 33-48% during these days.

                   It is optimum time to plant autumn season sugarcane (20th September to 20th October). Fodder crops barseem, shaftel should be sown from last week of September to first week of October. 

                  Plant hoppers during these days pose a serious threat in paddy. The crop dries up in patches. The plant hoppers can be controlled by spraying Confidor/Crocodile 17.8 SL @ 40 ml or Ekalux/Quinalmass 25 EC @ 800 ml or Coroban/Dursban 20 EC @ 1 litre in 100 litres of water per acre. For better results, direct the spray towards the base of the plants.

                  If Sheath blight also starts appearing on different rice varieties, spray the crop with Amistar Top 325 SC or Tilt/ Bumper 25 EC (propiconazole) or Folicur/ Orius 25 EC (tebuconazole) or Moncern 250 EC (pencycuron) @ 200 ml or Nativo 75 WG @ 80 g or Lusture 37.5 SE (flusilazole + carbendazim) @ 320 ml or Bavistan 50 WP (carbendazim) @ 200 gm in 200 litres of water per acre. Apply first spray at boot stage of crop and second after 15 days. Prevailing weather and age of the rice crop is favourable for the development of false smut of rice. To check the disease give first spray of Kocide 46 DF @ 500 g/acre at booting stage of the crop and second spray of Tilt 25 EC @ 200 ml in 200 litres of water after 10 days.

                  In basmati, stem borer is a serious problem. When more than 2% dead hearts or white ears appear, spray Fame 480 SC @ 20 ml or Mortar 75 SG @ 170 g or Coragen 20 SC @ 60 ml or Monocil 36 SL @ 560 ml or Coroban/Dursban/Lethal/Chlorguard/Durmet/Classic/Force 20 EC one litre or Fipronil 80 % WG @ 15 g in 100 litres of water per acre. In adition to these, granular insecticides i.e. Ferterra 0.4 GR @ 4 kg/acre or Padan/Caldan/Kritap/Sanvex/Nidan/Marktap/Miftap 4 G @ 10 kg/acre or Regent/Mortel/Mifpro/Mahaveer GR 0.3 G @ 6 kg/acre in standing water can also be applied.

                  To control weeds in pea, spray Stomp 30 EC @ 1 litre/acre or Afalon @500 g/acre as preemergence application using 150-200 litres of water. Avoid early sowing to check wilt/root rot diseases. Pea wilt can be controlled by treating seeds with Bavistin @ 1g or Captan @ 2 g/kg seed. Apply 3 kg Thimet 10 G or 10 kg Furadan 3 G per acre in furrows at sowing for reducing the infestation of stem fly.

                  It is the ideal time for planting of evergreen fruit plants. During this month, for management of fruit drop in kinnow, spray the crop with Ziram 27 SC @ 1250 ml or Propiconazole 25 EC @ 500 ml or Bavistin 50 WP @ 500 gm in 500 litres of water per acre. The weed infestation is major problem during rainy season. To control weeds apply post emergence application of Glycel 41 SL or Gramaxone 24 WSC @ 1.6 liters per acre in 200 liters of water during this season. Avoid drift of weedicide on fruit plant parts.

Multi Product Mega Food Park is the gift of the Prime Minister

Ministry has approved 3 Mega Food Parks in the state

Ludhiana: 26 September 2016:: (PRD//PIB//Punjab Screen)

           Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Punjab Deputy CM Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today laid the foundation stone of Mega Food Park at village Ladhowal, near here. This is the first of its kind Mega Food Park of the state, which is being developed by the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation of the Punjab government.

While speaking on the occasion, Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal suggested that this project be named as "Gurkirpal Mega Food Park" because the speed at which Punjab has witnessed all-round record development is due to the "Kirpa" of our "Guru". She said that this Multi Product Mega Food Park is the gift of the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi to Punjab and will give benefit to farmers and processors of Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Jalandhar, Moga, Sangrur and Barnala districts of the state.

Mrs Badal informed that this Mega Food Park will be set up with the project cost of Rs 117.61 crore in an area of 100.20 acres. The park will have facilities of 500 kg/Spiral Freezer, 1000 MT Cold Store of Onion and Garlic, 1000 MT Frozen cold store of Vegetable produce, 10000 MT Dry Warehouse, 10000 MT Silos, 100 MT Ripening Chamber (ECRC), 1 MT/Hr Dehydration Line (Air dried), 400 MT Cold Storage, Reefer Vans, Food Incubation Center (ICRESAT) and Testing Laboratory.

While providing further information, Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that in order to give an impetus to the growth of the Food Processing Sector in Punjab, Ministry has approved three Mega Food Parks in the state. Out of these three, first Mega Food Park at Fazilka has already become operational, the foundation stone of a second Mega Food Park promoted by Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd was laid today and the third Mega Food Park (M/s Sukhjit Mega Food Park) has been approved by the Ministry in Kapurthala District, the foundation stone of which would be laid next month.

           She further stated that under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries is focusing on boosting the Food Processing Industry so that agriculture sector grows exponentially and becomes the engine of growth to drive the “Make in India” initiative of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Ministry of Food Processing Industries has identified creation of modern infrastructure for food processing as a focus area and is encouraging private investment. As a step in this direction, Ministry of Food Processing Industries has been implementing the Mega Food Park Scheme in the country to give a major boost to the Food Processing Sector along the value chain from the farm to the market with strong forward and backward linkages through a cluster based approach.

           Further providing information about this Mega Food Park at Ladhowal (Ludhiana), she stated that it would be treated as a central processing centre and four primary processing centres- at Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Fazilka and Bathinda would also be set up. She said that this project would not only help the farmers, but would also generate job avenues for our youth.

           While speaking on the occasion, Deputy CM Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said that this Mega Food Park project will create a modern infrastructure for arresting post-harvest losses of horticultural and non-horticultural produce and provide impetus to the growth of food processing sector in Punjab. This Mega Food Park project will help in providing better prices to farmer, reduce wastage of perishables, add value to agricultural produce and create huge opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment for the youth of the state. He said that more than 40,000 farmers would be benefited from this project and more than 10,000 youth would get employment.

           Later, while speaking to media persons, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said that during the last 9 years, the state has witnessed record development in all fields and during the rule of Capt Amarinder Singh, there was not even a single project which the Congressmen can claim as their achievement. He said that the Congress has already conceded defeat and SAD-BJP would form government for the third time a row due to its record development. While terming Aam Aadmi Party as Anti-Punjab, he said that like the Congress, even AAP cannot boast of any of their achievements, because there is none. He also said that the formation of any political front would not have any impact on the SAD-BJP combine.

     Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti also termed this Mega Food Park as a gift for the Punjabis and said that it would boost the economy of the state. She alleged that it was due to the anti-farmer policies of the UPA government that the farmers are suffering. Agriculture Minister Mr Tota Singh also thanked the Union Government and Union Food Processing Industries Minister Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal for this project.

           Prominent among those present on the occasion included Irrigation Minister Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Advisor to CM Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, MLA's Mr Darshan Singh Shivalik, Mr Manpreet Singh Ayali, Mr Ranjit Singh Dhillon, Mr SR Kler, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Chairman Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation Chairman Mr Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board chairman Mr Santa Singh Umedpuri, former minister Mr Hira Singh Gabria, ex MLA's Mr Ranjit Singh Talwandi and Mr Jagjiwan Singh Khirnia, Mr Madan Lal Bagga, Mr Harbhajan Singh Dang, BJP District President Mr Ravinder Arora, Mayor Mr Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, MD Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Mr Kahan Singh Pannu, Deputy Commissioner Mr Ravi Bhagat, besides several others.