The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

8 HIV cases in Panchkula
By Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, July 5 — From virtually no cases last year, as many as eight HIV positive cases have been reported from the district in the past four months since the time the voluntary detection programme for HIV and AIDS was started at General Hospital in Sector 6 in mid-March. Six of these have been reported in June itself, most of which come from the interiors of the district with the affected persons being from the high-risk group of truck drivers.

This rise comes in spite of the fact that two non-government organisations, Unnat Bharat Vikas Samiti and VOICE and REEDS, have been sanctioned an amount of Rs 8,52,300 and Rs 4,43,025, respectively, by the Haryana AIDS Control Society for creating awareness among the high-risk group of society in the second phase of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).

The doctors involved contend that the NGOs have failed to deliver the goods even with sufficient resources at their disposal. Commenting on the rise in cases, the Civil Surgeon, Dr H.C. Nagpal, says: “In the various progarmmes organised by these NGOs, we are talking to ourselves rather than the people. Also, we have failed to go into the interiors of the district where the problem is actually assuming epidemic proportions while concentrating on the urban areas.”

Referring to the many programmes organised in the town itself, he said that the urban population had access to information and the many workshops held from time to time were not needed at all. Moreover, doctors associated with the voluntary testing programme opined that when these were organised in the rural belt, no care was taken to ensure that the information was passed onto the high-risk group which posed the greatest threat.

People are picked up at random and lectured on the topic without having the desired effect. Dr Nagpal admits the failings of process and adds, “With so many cases coming to light, it is only a matter of time before we cross the 5 per cent danger mark among the high-risk group.”

He opines that a better proposition would be that the NGOs go into the interiors and educate and interact with the people on a one-to-one basis to check the spread of HIV since sex-related issues are still a taboo in the rural pockets. “Besides, we need to address the problem at the level of the schools and adopt a positive approach in educating the children rather than instilling in them a fear of the consequences of the disease,” he informs.

Dr Nagpal says that after contraction of HIV it takes a couple of years before the symptoms of AIDS come into the picture. “However, in Haryana it seems we have jumped that two-year stage and the stage to take the bull by the horns has already arrived. According to reports coming in from Haryana, the situation is already alarming and the NGOs need to rethink the action-plan of targeted intervention of the high-risk group comprising drivers, conductors and sex-workers to make an impact,” he explains.

Visit the orthodontist and get a perfect smile
By Poonam Katial

CHANDIGARH, July 5 — In an age where looking good is at a premium, paying the orthodontist for getting a perfect smile is considered normal. In fact the visits are regular and age is no bar. One can see youngsters as well as matrons making a beeline for getting the perfect look.

Orthodontists don’t give you a puzzling look when one asks for the Aishwarya or Madhuri smile. Nowadays orthodontists are frequently visited by even children because of the oral hygiene awareness levels today.

Earlier, the best age considered was the teen or prime age but now with change in concepts the treatment can occur at the minimum age of six. Nowadays the earlier age is preferred by the doctors because at the growing age due to easy stimulation, modification of the jaws is easier whereas when grown, sometimes the treatment becomes complicated due to full growth. But still it is considered that age is no limit for the treatment.

The meaning of the term orthodontist means the treatment of problems concerning the position of the teeth and jaws.This problems of teeth can occur to people at various ages or could be by birth. There are mainly three kinds of problems which generally occur in people — cavities, gum problem, malefic or crooked teeth, among them crooked teeth is the second most prevalent after cavities among children.

The treatment of the disease has become very common these days. With the new developments and new technology,things have become easy. New and better wires have been developed which are more comfortable with better finish. But with improved technology the prices are going higher.

Dr Ashok Utreja, a senior doctor at PGI says, “The treatment is very common nowadays. Nearly 25% of the patient are with defects since birth and treatment is mandatory for them.The treatment is easy and comfortable only if it is handled by trained people otherwise it can be messy and result in complications.”

“Earlier people used to have fears in the mind but now with the awareness people absolutely have no problem. Rather small kids get fascinated and come themselves,” says Dr Utreja.

The only thing that is worrisome in this treatment is that some doctors who are working are not thorough with their work.The treatment is definitely not a patchwork or temporary work. It is done just to straighten the teeth and is more than just a beauty concept for a perfect smile.

Moreover, the treatment requires patience since it is a time-consuming process which takes anything between a couple of months to a couple of years. Also, the material required is very expensive since it is imported and does not suit every pocket. Besides, in exceptional cases, fiddling with the teeth leaves behind permanent scars and causes decalcification of the tooth enamel.

SPORT

Jai Prakash breaks three weightlifting records
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, July 5 — Jai Prakash of the Training Command clinched three gold medals by breaking previous records in snatch, clean-and-jerk and total events in the 62 kg class on the second day of the Air Force Inter-Command Weightlifting Championship here today in Lecma Auditorium at 3 BRD. He lifted 100 kg in snatch (previous 97.5 kg), 130 kg in clean-and-jerk (previous 122.5 kg) and 230 kg in total (previous 220 kg).

Results: Snatch (62 kg) — Cpl Jai Prakash (TC) 100 kg (1), Cpl P.K. Mohanty (MC) 95 kg (2), LAC Ramesh Kumar (WAC) 90 kg (3); clean-and-jerk — Cpl Jai Prakash (TC) 130 kg (1), Cpl P.K. Mohanty (MC) 112.5 kg (2), LAC Ramesh Kumar (WAC) 112.5 kg (2); total — Cpl Jai Prakash (TC) 230 kg (1), Cpl P.K. Mohanty (MC) 207.5 kg (2), LAC Ramesh Kumar (WAC) 202.5 kg (3).

Shooting trials

The Chandigarh Rifle Association will hold trials to select the UT boys' and girls' teams from July 22 to 25 at the Sector 25 Patiali Rao Ranges, according to Mr Vijay Pal Singh, Secretary of the association.

The selected shooters will take part in the Xth GV Mavlankar National Championship to be held in Chennai from September 1 to 12. The trials will be held in the rifle and pistol events as per national rule (NR) and International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) rules. Entries close on July 20 at the range.

Weightlifting teams

The Chandigarh Amateur Weightlifting Association will hold trials to select the UT men's and women's teams for the Northern India Championship to be held at Varanasi (UP) from July 28 to 30. The trials will be held on July 12 at 11 am at the Sector 42 coaching centre. This was said by Mr H.S. Bansal, Secretary of the association.

ADMINISTRATION

Rates for impounded cattle revised
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 5 — The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has revised the rates for the release of cattle impounded by the civic body.

Under the revised rates sheep, lamb and goat will be released on the payment of Rs 300 as against Rs 75 now. Similarly, in the case of camel, horse, pony and colt, the charges have been revised from RS 150 to Rs 600.

And in the case of buffalo and cow, the rates have been hiked from Rs 400 to Rs 1,000. For the bull and heifer, the charges have been revised to Rs 800 from Rs 200. Calf, including calf fed on mother’s milk, will be released at Rs 300 as against the current charges of Rs 75. The piglet will be let off at the rate of Rs 400 as against Rs 100 now.

Only the owner who deposits the charges within 15 days will get his cattle back. The feeding charges have also been revised from Rs 15 to Rs 50 per day.

Auction cancelled: The auction of the Sukhna Lake parking lot was today put off due to lack of response. The reserve prices of Rs 8.5 lakh was on a higher side and the bidders showed their inability to bid for the parking lot, according to sources.