Congratulating the department on the successful completion of the course, Vice-Chancellor Dr J.S. Ahluwalia stressed the need for maintaining the glorious past of the department and assured help to help improve the academic and research standards, already established at the international level.

He said that topics selected for the refresher course were of great relevance. He also suggested that physicists from other institutions be invited to interact with the faculty members here and vice versa.

Acceding to the demand made by the participants to set up a UGC staff college in Physics, he assured that a proposal will be sent to the UGC at the earliest.

Dean, College Development, Prof S.L. Singla, and Dean, Academic Affairs, Prof B.S. Bhatia also spoke on the occasion. Head of the department, Prof V.K. Nayyar also thanked the Vice-Chancellor for showing his personal interest and encouragement.

The refresher course was attended by 36 participants.

SBP begins gold banking
The State Bank of Patiala today began sale of gold. Bars of 5 gram, 10 gram and 10 tola were available at the Mall branch of the bank. The sale of gold was formally inaugurated by the bank's Managing Director A.K. Batra.

Speaking on the occasion, Batra said the scheme was launched following public demand. He assured that the gold sold here would be certified by the appropriate authority of Switzerland.