World Dance Day

Patiala, April 28- Punjabi University’s Department of Dance is celebrating World Dance Day on April 29 starting 10.30 a.m. in the University’s Kala Bhawan. While Dinesh Gupta from Himachal Pradesh and Mansi Saxena, Shubhra Galhotra, Deepak and Sanchita ( all alumni of the department) will give solo performances, teams from A.P.J. College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar, S.R. Government College for Girls, Chandigarh, GCW, Ludhiana and GCG, Patiala will perform group dances. According to Dr Daisy Walia HoD of Dance, Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, will preside over the function.

Sympoisum on "Recent Advances in Sciences" concludes at Punjabi University

Patiala, April 27- Punjabi University today turned into a hub of scientific activity with Vice-Chancellors of five universities of Punjab, all noted scholars in various disciplines of science, sharing their wisdom in their respective fields during the symposium on “Recent Advances in Sciences”. The symposium was organised by the Punjab Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Punjabi University in the Senate Hall of the University here today. These scientists expressed their deep concern over degradation of environment, wastage and misuse of the natural resources, which were causing disharmony and disturbance in the human-nature relationship.

Dr M.S. Kang, Vice-Chancellor of P.A.U., Ludhiana, in his lecture on “Advances, Challenges and Opportunities in Agricultural Sciences”, said that the use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, over-mechanisation and abrupt climatic changes were pushing humanity on the verge of disaster. While suggesting measures on how to unleash second green revolution, Dr Kang said that the nations should focus more on grains than guns. He emphasised upon the need of recycling the crop residues and agricultural bio-products, linking it with the concept of natural resource management.

Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Chandigarh, Dr R.C. Sobti, a biotechnologist of repute, in his discourse on “Homing in Stem Cells”, dwelt upon developing a symbiotic relationship between stem cells and other cells of the body to cure the dreaded and degenerative diseases. Stem cells, originating from the human bone marrow, which can be transplanted in any other organ of the body, tend to prevent depletion and uncontrolled proliferation of harmful cells, he said.

Dr A.S. Brar, Vice-Chancellor of G.N.D.U., Amritsar, talking about “New Developments in Material Science”, elaborated on how high performance polymers, in addition to packaging, can be used for making cost-effective bullet-proof jackets and in the fields of fuel-efficient mechanisations, organic solar cells, super-capacitors, heat conductors, space physics and DNA sensor technologies. He endorsed the idea of recycling valuable material of polymers instead of degrading or destroying them.

Dr Jaspal Singh, in his presidential remarks, laid focus on adopting all bio-safety measures while resorting to using the technological advanced gadgets at our homes and workplaces. Studies, he said, have revealed that mere one per cent rise in temperature can adversely affect the world’s socio-economic balance. Sciences, in the absence of bio-ethics would spell doom for the humanity, even as progress during the last two decades has overshadowed all previous marks, he said. He also honoured all the speakers by presenting them mementoes.

Dr Abhijit Mukherji, Director of Thapar University, Patiala, and an expert on Engineering Sciences, said that the side effects of technological advances were becoming the main effects. Unless they are linked up with societal betterment, the advantages of sciences will lose their merit. Talking about the sustainable technology, he predicted the evolution of service sciences as the next discipline in near future.

Dr I.J.S. Bansal and Dr Jagtar singh, President and Secretary of the Punjab Academy of Sciences also spoke on the occasion.

New building of Publication Bureau inaugurated

Patiala, April 26- Punjabi University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh inaugurated a new air-conditioned building of the Publication Bureau in the premises of the Gol Market on the University campus here today. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor said that the Bureau would remain open for 12 hours a day for six days a week, facilitating easy purchase of books. A book club will also constitute a part of the Bureau which will be used to inform each member of the club about new publications of the University through e-mail, he said. The members will also be entitled to get books on discount rates, Dr Jaspal Singh added. The Vice-Chancellor himself became the first member of the Club by depositing the required fee of Rs 25 for one year.

Professor In charge of the Publication Bureau, Dr S.K. Sharma informed that about 1,800 will be displayed in the new building of the Publication Bureau. The opening of the Bureau at University’s most frequently-visited premises will help the teachers, students and the visitors to know better about University publications. Among others, Dean, Academic Affairs, Dr M.S. Saini, Register, Dr S.S. Khehra, Chief Engineer, Mr A.J.S. Sandhu, Director, Youth Welfare, Dr S.K. Verma were present on the occasion.

PU to hold symposium on "Recent Advances in Sciences"

Patiala, April 23- Vice-Chancellors of six Universities of Punjab will embellish the podium during a symposium on “Recent Advances in Sciences”, being organised jointly by the Punjab Academy of Sciences and Punjabi University, Patiala. The symposium will start at 10 a.m. in the Senate Hall of Punjabi University on April 27 and will be presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jaspal Singh.

Giving this information, President and Secretary of the Punjab Academy of Sciences, Dr IJS Bansal and Dr Jagtar Singh said that Professor RC Sobti , VC of Panjab University, Chandigarh, will express his views on Biotechnology with special reference to cure of dreaded diseases and the recent advances in stem cell technology. VC of GNDU, Amritsar, Professor AS Brar will discuss the role of recent research in basic sciences, especially in the physical and chemical sciences in the present scenario. In his address, Professor M.S. Kang, VC of PAU, Ludhiana, will suggest ways and means to unleash second Green Revolution while deliberating upon the problems of Punjab farmers. Professor Jai Rup Singh, VC of Punjab Central University, will summarise the directions in bio-sciences with special reference to genetic disorders. Professor Abhijit Mukherji, Director, Thapar University, Patiala, will throw light on technological advances made during the last decade.

 VC inaugurates sculpture workshop on Punjabi culture and music

Patiala, April 21- Punjabi University will set up a museum of international standard on the University campus to preserve and promote Punjabi folk culture through the medium of fine and performing arts. A writers-cum-artists home will also be raised to create a conducive ambience for the creative artists to execute their ingenious works. This was stated by Dr Jaspal singh, Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, while inaugurating sculpture workshop on Punjabi Culture and Music, organised by the University’s Department of Fine Arts on the University campus here today.

While appreciating the aesthetic oscillation between the abstract and representational works by the contemporary sculptors of Punjab, who had displayed their works during the exhibition, Dr Jaspal Singh said that the traditional and imaginative techniques used by these artists leave ample scope for innovations to be further used by the students to hone their own skills. These works, through their very presence, seem to be resounding with a celestial fragrance and creating a symphony of their own, he added.

The Vice-Chancellor also honoured the artists who have displayed their works in the exhibition, who included Abnindra Singh Grewal, Desh Ranjan Sharma, Joginder Paul Singh, Charanjit Singh, Rajinder Kumar, Vishal Bhatnagar, Gurpreet singh, Harmeet singh, Narinder Jeet singh Maloya, Amarabir Singh, Amrit Singh.

Dean, Faculty of Art and Culture and HoD of Fine Arts, Dr Gurnam Singh said that the workshop will provide a big opportunity to the students of Fine art to interact and learn valuable tips from the seasoned sculptors, as sculpturing constituted a significant part of their course curriculum.