Daily despatches — Chandigarh

Open university in Punjab demandedPATIALA: Speakers at a seminar on the open education system, organised by the Punjab School Education B...

Open university in Punjab demanded
PATIALA: Speakers at a seminar on the open education system, organised by the Punjab School Education Board at Punjabi University here yesterday, favoured setting up of an open university system in Punjab. This, they felt, will also help in growth of the literacy rate in the state. The seminar was inaugurated by PSEB chairman Dr Kehar Singh. Prof H. Singh, Director, Academics, PSEB, said the target of universalisation of education could not be achieved through formal schooling. Prof Bakhish Singh said a number of states in the country had adopted open schooling and the Punjab government must take a bold initiative in setting up an open university in the state.

IMA education programme on July 17
PATIALA: The Indian Medical Association, (IMA) Patiala branch, is organising its seventh continuing medical education (CME) programme here on July 17. This was informed by Dr H.S. Wealthy, honorary secretary of the IMA. As part of the programme, a debate on open surgery versus laproscopic surgery in the treatment of gall bladder stones would be organised. Dr N.M. Gupta, professor of surgery at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, and Dr Navneet Choudhary, professor of surgery at the Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, would participate in the debate, Dr Wealthy added.

Free medical camp organised
PATIALA: A free medical check-up camp was organised by Lions Club, Patiala (Central) at Navjivini Home Care Centre for elders at Daru Katia Colony, in Sular village on Monday. About 90 patients were examined.M.L. Markan’s death anniversary observed n PATIALA: The third death anniversary of M.L. Markan was observed today by M.L. Markan Memorial Trust at Prabhat Parvana Trade Centre. Staff of State Bank of Patiala held a meeting to pay the homage to their departed colleague. The function was presided over by the bank’s Chief General Manager M.Sita Ram Murty.

Ex-servicemen hail formation of RRD
PATIALA: The Indian Ex-Services League, Punjab and Chandigarh, has hailed the formation of Rashtriya Raksha Dal (RRD), the only political party comprising of ex-servicemen, war widows and dependents of ex-servicemen and war heroes. In a press statement issued here today, the League, while welcoming the founder and president, a hero of the 1971 war, Lt Col H.S. Kahlon VRC (retd), has instructed its district presidents to support the candidates of the party during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Tree plantation by Rotary Club
PATIALA: Rotary Club inaugurated the annual tree plantation campaign at Saket Hospital on Monday. Dr P.C. Gupta, Chief Medical Officer, was the chief guest. The project was organised and attended by former president of the Club, Dr Ashok Gupta and several Rotarians.