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Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana district logs third Covid death, SOPs missing during bypoll
While the district on Thursday recorded third death due to COVID-19, the seriousness of the situation appeared to be lost on the officials at polling stations as the arrangement for masks were sparse with no enforcement. An 82-year-old, who had tested positive for Covid on Tuesday succumbed to the infection. According to health officials, the man was admitted to the hospital for a heart attack and suffered from a serious lung ailment and was found positive only later upon testing. A doctor confirmed that he was being treated for heart attack only. District election officer-cum-deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain had on Tuesday announced that comprehensive arrangements for masks, sanitisers, and other essential supplies will be ensured at all 194 polling stations for the Ludhiana West bypoll. 'We haven't received any such instruction from the higher ups to ensure that everyone is masked up. We do have masks, but those are kept inside. We aren't using them,' said the booth-level officer (BLO) Haresh Kumar at the booth at the Government School in PAU campus. Bottles of sanitisers were kept on the tables with the EVMs and the staff said they all had masks, but none of them were wearing any. The BLOs at the model booth at BVM School in Kitchlu Nagar also denied getting any instruction to ensure masks or other SOPs for COVID-19. BLOs at the Government Senior Secondary School, Haibowal Khurd, said that while they sanitisers they didn't get any masks. Returning officer Rupinder Pal Singh, when approached, didn't respond to calls. The district has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases since Monday. Of the 61 cases reported so far since last month, 24 have been reported only since Monday. The district health department, after the cases saw an uptick on Monday, issued an advisory calling for people to ensure they wear masks in crowded places. One positive case, a 51-year-old man, was confirmed in the district on Thursday also. He is hospitalised but reported to be stable. Of the total 61 cases reported so far, only 30 are positive at present. Of these, only four are hospitalised, while 26 are in home isolation and 28 have recovered so far. As many as two people, one 40-year-old man and another 69-year-old woman, both suffering from comorbid conditions, had died of the infection late May. Most of the people reported so far, however, have been vaccinated for the disease.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Polling day promises pleasant weather
1 2 Ludhiana: Good news awaits Ludhiana voters as they head to the polls on Thursday - pleasant weather is on the horizon. The Met department has predicted voter-friendly conditions, with no signs of scorching heat. On Wednesday, temperatures in the city remained close to normal, setting the stage for a comfortable polling day. Speaking to TOI, Surinder Pal, director of the Met department in Chandigarh, said Ludhiana may in fact experience light rainfall on Thursday. Both day and night temperatures are expected to stay around the seasonal average. Kulwinder Kaur Gill, principal agrometeorologist at PAU's School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, added that relative humidity levels are currently higher than the normal range of 50–60%. According to the Met department's website, Ludhiana is expected to record a day temperature of around 36 degrees Celsius on Thursday and Friday, rising to 37 degrees on Saturday. Night temperatures are forecasted at 24 degrees on Thursday, climbing to 27 degrees by Sunday. Voter enthusiasm is high in Ludhiana West. Many residents expressed eagerness to vote, encouraged by the favourable weather. Narinder Singh, a voter from Pakhowal Road area, said the weather has been pleasant over the past few days and they expect it to remain so, allowing them to vote comfortably. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Het meest ontspannende boerderijspel van 2025. Geen installatie Taonga: la fattoria sull'isola Play Now Undo He added that many voters prefer casting their vote in the morning when the weather is cooler. Weather Snapshot From 8:30 am Tuesday to 8:30 am Wednesday, Ludhiana recorded 4.4 mm of rainfall. The night temperature on Wednesday was 26.4 degrees, which is 0.8 degrees above normal and 5 degrees higher than the previous day. The day temperature was 34.3 degrees, which is 2.5 degrees below normal but 2.7 degrees higher than the day before. Ludhiana: Good news awaits Ludhiana voters as they head to the polls on Thursday - pleasant weather is on the horizon. The Met department has predicted voter-friendly conditions, with no signs of scorching heat. On Wednesday, temperatures in the city remained close to normal, setting the stage for a comfortable polling day. Speaking to TOI, Surinder Pal, director of the Met department in Chandigarh, said Ludhiana may in fact experience light rainfall on Thursday. Both day and night temperatures are expected to stay around the seasonal average. Kulwinder Kaur Gill, principal agrometeorologist at PAU's School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, added that relative humidity levels are currently higher than the normal range of 50–60%. According to the Met department's website, Ludhiana is expected to record a day temperature of around 36 degrees Celsius on Thursday and Friday, rising to 37 degrees on Saturday. Night temperatures are forecasted at 24 degrees on Thursday, climbing to 27 degrees by Sunday. Voter enthusiasm is high in Ludhiana West. Many residents expressed eagerness to vote, encouraged by the favourable weather. Narinder Singh, a voter from Pakhowal Road area, said the weather has been pleasant over the past few days and they expect it to remain so, allowing them to vote comfortably. He added that many voters prefer casting their vote in the morning when the weather is cooler. Weather Snapshot From 8:30 am Tuesday to 8:30 am Wednesday, Ludhiana recorded 4.4 mm of rainfall. The night temperature on Wednesday was 26.4 degrees, which is 0.8 degrees above normal and 5 degrees higher than the previous day. The day temperature was 34.3 degrees, which is 2.5 degrees below normal but 2.7 degrees higher than the day before.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PAU opens training centre for UPSC aspirants
In a step to guide Punjab's youth towards careers in civil services, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) inaugurated the state training centre for IAS, PCS, and other competitive exams, at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Auditorium in the Students' Home. PAU vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal, praised the Punjab Government's initiative to establish such centres across the state. He said the centre at PAU, the first of its kind at the university, would be instrumental in shaping the future of aspiring bureaucrats and scholars. Highlighting the vital contribution of civil servants and agricultural scientists to nation-building, Gosal emphasised that the centre will provide free coaching to meritorious students, especially those from financially weak backgrounds. He added that a dedicated building for the centre is already in the pipeline and students will have full access to PAU's central library and other academic facilities. Director of students' welfare, Nirmal Jaura, elaborated on the centre's purpose, calling it a step towards equal opportunity in education and public service. He informed the audience that PAU's centre is among eight, recently approved by the Punjab Government to train candidates for top government roles including IAS, IPS, PCS, IRS, and ARS. Jaura noted that a qualifying test, to be conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, will be used to select deserving students, who will also be eligible for scholarships. Gursharanjit Singh Sandhu, principal of Government SCD College, lauded the initiative as a 'guiding light' for students determined to join civil services. The advisory panel includes top officials like the PAU vice-chancellor, director of higher education, deputy commissioner of Ludhiana, and PAU registrar, while the working committee is headed by Vipan Kumar Rampal with a team of dedicated faculty members. As part of the inaugural ceremony, two outstanding students were honoured by the vice-chancellor. Parisdeep Aulakh, from the College of Horticulture and Forestry, secured an All-India Rank of 172 in UPSC CAPF 2024. Sourav, an alumnus of the College of Agriculture and now assistant director with MSME, was also recognised for his achievements. International Day for Biological Diversity celebrated The department of forestry and natural resources, in collaboration with the NSS unit at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity on June 16. The event was organised under the global theme 'Be Part of the Plan', with the aim to promote environmental awareness. The ceremony supported by the National Biodiversity Authority through the Punjab Biodiversity Board and the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh, drew participation of around 250 students. The highlight of the day was an expert lecture by Renu Bhardwaj, former professor at Guru Nanak Dev University, on 'How to Sustain Development and Preserve Biodiversity.' Bhardwaj captivated the audience by addressing the urgent need to protect natural resources amid growing environmental challenges like climate change, urban sprawl, and industrialisation. Chief guest RIS Gill, estate officer, PAU, spoke about the root causes of biodiversity erosion and stressed the importance of its conservation through sustainable practices. The programme also included several interactive student competitions such as poster-making and slogan-writing. The poster making competition was triumphed by Jasmandeep Kaur, Dhami Kapila, and Mehakpreet Kaur while Tanya Kaur, Arppita Sharma, and Avreet Kaur bagged prizes in slogan writing. Concluding the event, GPS Dhillon, head of the department, highlighted PAU's commitment to biodiversity conservation, especially through nursery production of traditional tree species.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Indian Institutional Ranking Framework: PAU bags top podium spot, adjudged best among 67 state agri varsities
Reaffirming its stature as a national leader in agricultural education and research, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has clinched the top spot among 67 state agricultural universities (SAU) and secured second position nationwide in the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2025. Out of 78 agricultural and horticultural institutions assessed – including Indian Council of Agricultural Research-deemed universities, central agricultural universities and ICAR institutes – PAU stands just behind ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. The rankings, regarded as a credible benchmark of academic excellence, are based on comprehensive evaluation criteria including research output, teaching quality, placements, industry linkages, innovation, and faculty performance. The Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) evaluates and ranks over 2500 institutions across the country. PAU vice-chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal hailed the achievement as a reflection of the university's enduring commitment to academic and research excellence. 'PAU's consistent presence at the top of national rankings underscores the dedication of our faculty, students and staff. Our mission to support Indian agriculture through education, innovation and outreach remains stronger than ever,' he said. Registrar Dr Rishi Pal Singh (IAS) also commended the university's performance, attributing the high ranking to PAU's holistic focus on cutting-edge research and farmer-centric innovation. Dr MIS Gill, dean of postgraduate studies and a key coordinator in the ranking process, said that PAU's strong national positioning reaffirms its forward-thinking vision in agricultural science. With a legacy that spans decades, PAU is known for its robust institutional framework comprising over 35 departments, six constituent colleges and 10 regional research stations. The university has developed over 950 crop varieties, significantly advancing productivity in wheat, rice, cotton and horticultural crops. It is also a leader in research publications, patents and technology transfers. PAU's extension network impacts lakhs of farmers annually, delivering high-quality seeds, training and expert guidance. Its active collaborations with national and international bodies further reinforce its reputation as a global center of agricultural excellence. The IIRF 2025 honour follows PAU's consistent top-tier performance in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings, where it secured the top SAU position and the third overall rank among agricultural institutions in both 2023 and 2024.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
From bakers to pregnant women, PAU's fresh wheat varieties cater to specific & evolving consumer needs
Ludhiana: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), which once made the country self-sufficient in foodgrain production, is now leading efforts to make wheat varieties that meet the evolving demands of different segments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Among them are regular consumers, bakers, and health-conscious households as well. In the early years, when food security was a challenge in the country, PAU's primary goal was to develop high-yielding varieties. This was especially evident during the Green Revolution as the university adapted and developed several wheat varieties, playing a crucial role in making India self-sufficient in wheat production. Such varieties, with some yielding up to 30 quintals of wheat per acre, transformed Punjab into the food bowl of the country. However, as yields increased, concerns emerged about the quality of wheat, particularly the aroma, softness, and whiteness of chapatis made from traditional varieties. Over time, consumers began to notice that modern high-yielding varieties lacked the flavour and light texture of the older desi wheat. Many even began sourcing wheat from other states like Madhya Pradesh despite the higher costs. This consumer demand for quality rekindled research efforts at PAU. After nearly a decade of work, the university in 2020 introduced a breakthrough variety — PBW1 chapati. Though its yield is relatively lower — 18 to 19 quintals per acre, it offers excellent chapati quality, comparable to traditional desi wheat. It is superior in aroma, softness, whiteness, and taste. It remains soft and doesn't dry up quickly — the dough made from this wheat remains soft for up to 72 hours, a marked improvement over modern varieties that tend to darken and dry up quickly. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The traditional desi wheat varieties were more prone to disease like yellow rust and brown rust. This variety is an improvement on the desi variety, having the similar qualities, but more resistant to the diseases. In a further push to meet nutritional demands, PAU also developed PBW zinc 2 last year, a biofortified wheat variety with 25% more zinc content than conventional varieties. It yields around 23.5 quintals per acre, which is on a par with traditional wheat varieties. It is targeted towards pregnant women and growing children, as zinc is an essential micronutrient for immune function and development. This variety is an improvement over the earlier PBW zinc 1 released in 2017, offering enhanced nutritional benefits without compromising on yield. As another addition to specialised varieties last year, PAU also introduced PBW1 biscuit, a variety tailored for the baking and processed food industry. It was released last year. Derived from European germplasm and adapted to Indian agro-climatic conditions, this variety shows superior spread factor, which is the key requirement in baking high-quality cookies, so the cookie size and crunchiness is better for the same amount of dough. It has already attracted international interest, with a non-exclusive agreement signed with General Mills (USA). Farmers interested in growing this variety for the bakery segment are encouraged to collaborate with PAU. Dr VS Sohu, principal wheat breeder at the department of plant breeding and genetics, said, "The university is focusing on high-quality varieties along with high-yielding ones. These are premium quality varieties, in which the yield may be slightly less, but these can be sold by farmers at a premium to specific markets, if they have a proper marketing channel and ready customer base in place." PAU vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal emphasised that the university is focusing on creating market-driven, high-quality wheat varieties that go beyond traditional yield goals as well. "The aim is to innovate and advance solutions to meet the requirements of health-specific consumers and nutrition-sensitive populations. One such variety which is under development is a low glycaemic index wheat, especially for individuals seeking to manage blood sugar levels. The VC said PAU continues to play a pioneering role, not just in ensuring food security, but in shaping the future of food quality, nutrition, and market-oriented agriculture." BOX MAIN HEADER: A LOOK AT SOME LATEST WHEAT TYPES SUBHEAD: PBW1 chapati After nearly a decade of work, the university in 2020 introduced a breakthrough variety — PBW1 chapati Though its yield is relatively lower — 18 to 19 quintals per acre, it offers excellent chapati quality, comparable to traditional desi wheat It is superior in aroma, softness, whiteness, and taste It remains soft and doesn't dry up quickly — the dough made from this wheat remains soft for up to 72 hours, a marked improvement over modern varieties that tend to darken and dry up quickly The traditional desi wheat varieties were more prone to disease like yellow rust and brown rust. This variety is an improvement on the desi variety, having the similar qualities, but more resistant to the diseases SUBHEAD: PBW zinc 2 In a further push to meet nutritional demands, PAU also developed PBW zinc 2 last year, a biofortified wheat variety with 25% more zinc content than conventional varieties It yields around 23.5 quintals per acre, which is on a par with traditional wheat varieties It is targeted towards pregnant women and growing children, as zinc is an essential micronutrient for immune function and development This variety is an improvement over the earlier PBW zinc 1 released in 2017, offering enhanced nutritional benefits without compromising on yield SUBHEAD: PBW1 biscuit PAU also introduced PBW1 biscuit, a variety tailored for the baking and processed food industry, last year Derived from European germplasm and adapted to Indian agro-climatic conditions, this variety shows superior spread factor, which is the key requirement in baking high-quality cookies, so the cookie size and crunchiness is better for the same amount of dough It has already attracted international interest, with a non-exclusive agreement signed with General Mills (USA) QUOTE: The aim is to innovate and advance solutions to meet the requirements of health-specific consumers and nutrition-sensitive populations. One such variety which is under development is a low glycaemic index wheat, especially for individuals seeking to manage blood sugar levels Satbir Singh Gosal, vice-chancellor, PAU
