The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HEALTH

‘Alcoholism is a disease like cancer or diabetes’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — The representative of the Disha group of Alcoholics Anonymous, who came with an invitation for their first anniversary meeting, which was held here yesterday, was quite specific. No photographs, no surnames. We just want to spread some awareness in the public about alcoholism. The common man has to know that alcoholism is a disease like cancer or diabetes or any other. And is very much curable . However, the disease is much misunderstood, thanks to the harsh judgements passed by society. Hence the stress on anonymity.

Therefore Press is welcome at any A.A. open meetings or similar gathering of recovered alcoholics. The only restriction is a request not to disclose the name or take photographs of any A.A. member.

Yesterday's meeting, in Indira Holiday Home was a revelation, at least for a non-alcoholic. First and foremost, it is important to understand that alcoholism is a disease. As Sidhu, once alcoholic and now sober army man, while speaking about his experiences said," The only difference is that, unlike any other disease, the entire family gets affected by it. Therefore the result is totally devastating." Incidentally, this army man is also a former national sports champion.

An alcoholic is like a tornado, who rolls through the lives of others. That is why, Al Anon, the fellowship of the families of alcoholics is equally important. As it is through sharing of personal experiences, members gain insight into dealing with their own situation.

Nimmi, a member of the Al Anon revealed," I learnt after attending Al Anon meetings that I am not responsible for my husband being an alcoholic. All this while, I was crucifying myself that my husband was drinking because I was not beautiful or may be good enough for him. This immature attitude resulted in my social and family life. It was after I joined the Al Anon that my focus shifted on myself."

This is what the Al Anon group does, through sharing a common bond and a realisation that their lives have been affected by another person's drinking, the families of the alcoholics learn to share experience, hope and strength.

Mahi, a daughter of an alcoholic, too learned through the programme to stop comparing her father with those of her friends. " I stopped hating my father for one. I was asked, by someone in the programme, that if your father was suffering from cancer would you still treat him badly? This changed the entire perspective. Through sharing, I learnt that my father was a sick man and I have to stop punishing him."

All this while, when the families are gaining confidence through self help, the alcoholic following some simple steps is on his way to recovery and sobriety. In his endeavour, his fellow alcoholics help him and so do some professionals.

Dr A.K. Malhotra, Head of the De-addiction Center, PGI, while presenting the clinical aspect of the disease said that a sober cannot understand the problems of an alcoholic. " Medical treatment amounts to only 10 per cent in the road to the recovery. Here lies the importance of the A.A. fellowship. The alcoholic learns to speak out and also evaluate what he has said. After all they and only they know what the illness feels like."

Actually the pledge of an alcoholic sums it all up :" I am responsible, when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help. I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that, I am responsible."

SPORT

Chandigarh Football Academy inaugurated
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — The Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen JFR Jacob, today formally inaugurated the Chandigarh Football Academy at Sector 42 sports complex.

The preliminary selection trials for the academy were held in June and July at different places of the region, such as Amritsar, Dharamsala, Hoshiarpur, Ambala, Yamunanagar , Mahilpur and Chandigarh. The final trials were held on July 10 and 11 and after various physical tests, 24 boys in the age group of 9-10 were selected along with 11 substitutes.

The boys will be staying here for around 330 days in a year.

Mr PS Gill, Additional Director, Sports, UT, the Director of this academy, which has staff such as hotel warden, two attendants, three ayyas, one gardener and a sweeper. The boys have been lodged in six rooms, having six beds each with a recreation room equipped with facilities like TV, VCR and a small library. Mr JPS Sidhu, Joint Director, Sports, said that tomorrow the boys would take admission in Government Model Middle School, Sector 42.

Mr Sidhu said that vector balls were being given to the trainees along with school uniform, free playing kits and a daily diet of Rs 60/- per head per day.

The boys who have joined are Amandeep, Amritpal, Randip, Jaspal Singh, Gurinder Singh, Pawan Kumar, Vikram Masih, Talwinder Singh, Gulshan Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Sarabjit Singh (all Khaukhar Faujian- Gurdaspur), Karanbir (Adiwala - Amritsar), Rakesh, Pardeep, Anuj Kumar, Kunal Singh ( (Yamunanagar), Manoj Kumar and Akied Javel (Dharamsahla), Sukhwinder Singh and Nazakat Bali (Rurka Kalan, Jalandhar), Gurjot, Vikramjit (Kapurthala) and Amit Negi (Chandigarh).

Sub-junior football semis today
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Aug 7 — Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, will meet St John’s School, Sector 26, while SD Public School, Sector 32 will take on DAV Senior Secondary in the tomorrow’ semi final at the Chandigarh Sub-Junior football league, at the Sector 17, football grounds.

Earlier today in the quarter-final matches played here today, St John’s School, Sector 26, outplayed St Kabir’s School, Sector 26, by two goals to one, with half time score of 1-1.

In the second quarterfinal tie, SD Public School, Sector 32, boys defeated the Liberty Club by 2-1 and at half time the score was 1-0 in favour of SD Public School. In the third match of the day, DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, overpowered St Xavier’s School, Sector 44 by 2-1. In the last match of the day, Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, blanked OCF club — 27 by three goals. Half time score was 2-0 in favour of Sanjay School.

Sidhu for Olympics

Mr JPS Sidhu, Joint Director, Sports, UT Administration, has been appointed observer of the Indian Hockey team, which will take part in the Sydney Olympics from September 15 to 30. The communication was received from Mr KPS Gill, President of the Indian Hockey Federation.

Earlier, Sidhu had taken part in the Asian Congress on Sports Sciences and Football, held at Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in May this year and last year attended the Sports Science Congress at Sydney.

Squash training centre

The UT Sports Department has started a Squash training centre at the premises of Government Yoga Centre, Sector 23. According to a press release of the department, a squash court will remain open for players from 5.30 am to 8.30 am and from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Wrestler selected

Mohali-based wrestler Krishan Kumar of Rana Sugar Mills has been selected by the Wrestling Federation of India to take part in the Junior Asian wrestling championship to be held at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, from August 9.

Baseball federation

Mr Pius Pandarwani and Mr PC Bhardwaj were unanimously re-elected President and Secretary-General, respectively, of the Amateur Baseball Federation of India for a term of four years, at its annual general meeting held recently.

The other office bearers are; chairman — Rama Kant Angley; vice-presidents — BL Vedamurthy, Pramod Kumar Sharma, NK Singh and Hira Lal Gokharu; joint secretaries — Ajay Sharma, Kirpal Singh Thanua, N Nagaraj and Dr Sudhir Mohindroo; treasurer — Arvind Kumar.

7 cr for sport promotion

The company has an annual budget of Rs 7 crore for sport promotion activities, which mainly consist of motor sport, go-karting, fun events and treasure hunts, said Mr Ajay Saigal, Manager, Advertising, JK Tyre. He was here for the Maruti Autocross held yesterday at Sector 17 circus grounds.

He said there were tracks for go-karting in Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Lucknow and Chandigarh. The company would hold national-level go-karting and road races, with regional qualification rounds at various centres. The road races would be held at Sriperumbadur in Karnataka. He said the city needed an exclusive track. He said the basic difference between a rally and race was that the former had stage format, whereas timings had to be ensured in the latter.

Cricket tourney

The UT Cricket Association will hold an inter-school cricket tournament for St Kabir’s trophy at the Sector 16 cricket stadium here from August 24. According to Mr Rakesh Jolly, organising secretary, the meet will be open to schools of Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar having age limit of 12. Players born on or after September 1, 1988, will be eligible to take part.

The initial matches will be of 25 overs while the semi-finals of 30 overs and final of 35 overs. No entry fee will be charged for the tournament. Entries can be made with Mr Harish Kumar at the Sector 16 stadium daily between 4 to 7 pm.

LIC cricket

The Life Insurance Corporation Employees Cricket Club, Chandigarh will organise the second Inter financial/bank employees cricket tournament from August 26. According to Mr Deepinder Singh Chhabra the tournament will be played on league-cum-knockout basis .

Twenty four teams are expected to take part in the tournament. Each participating team will be required to furnish a photocopy of the identity card of 14 players with entry form. Entries close with Arvinder Sharma, Secretary, LIC Employees Cricket Club, at LIC Unit II, Divisional office, Chandigarh- Tel 0172-702721 or Deepinder Singh at 0172-606625 on August 15.

Gymnastics trials

The Chandigarh Gymnastics Association will hold selection trials for the selection of UT Sub Junior team in boys and girls section on August 25 at Shivalik Public School, Sector 41.

The selected gymnasts will take part in the 14th National sub junior gymnastics championship to be held at Calicut (Kerala) from September 12 to 16.

This was stated by Mr SS Budhwar secretary of the association. Entries close on August 24. The cut off year for taking part is 1986 for boys and 1988 for girls.