HEALTH

A step forward in malaria research
By Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Oct 20 — Scientists at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) here have identified two new molecules which possess anti-malarial qualities. Described as a major boost to the ongoing research in the area of anti-malarial drugs, the new molecules give the scientists hope that a new drug against malaria will be found in the coming years.

It may be another eight to 10 years before a drug based on either of the two molecules can be available in the market. The researchers are optimistic that it would offer an alternative treatment for malaria, the parasites of which are becoming drug resistant. According to Dr Pratipal Singh, Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechno-logy, NIPER, the malaria parasites had developed immunity to drugs like Choloroquine and Primaquine.

Dr Singh, who is the spirit behind malaria research, said the existing drugs cause a number of side-effects. Primaquine, one of the commonly used drugs, could not be given to children, pregnant women and persons having an enzyme deficiency. A large number of cases of enzyme deficiency leading to anaemia were reported from the northern region.

The new molecules will reduce or totally isolate toxicity related problems which occur due to the use of a combination of choloroquine and primaquine. A drug based on the new molecules will also eliminate the use of these two drugs.

Dr C.L. Kaul, Director of the NIPER, said trials of the molecules having a potent anti-malarial activity had been conducted on rats with positive results. The next trials would be on monkeys before safety data and activity data could be sent to the Drug Controller of India for approval to test the drug on humans.

Dr Singh said since the disease afflicted mostly the third world, the pharmaceutical industry viewed it as a high volume and low return market. In their eyes the poor countries had very little capacity to pay for the medicine. While the discovery and development of a new drug internationally cost around $ 300 million, the same in India cost between Rs 1,000 million and Rs 1,500 million, said Dr Singh, adding that the interest of the pharma industries in antimalarial drugs was almost nil.

Recently, the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, launched two new drugs — E-MAL and Bulaquin — for treatment of malaria, said Dr Singh, adding that a suitable malaria vaccine for mass human use was far away.

According to the statistics of 1997, about 26, 60,057 cases of malaria were reported in India. Malaria had almost been eradicated in India in the early 1960s but it reemerged in the 70s. After an epidemic-like situation in 1976, the Government launched a revised strategy called Modified Plan of Operation. A multilateral initiative on malaria was launched in 1997 and malaria research was one of the thrust areas identified by the NIPER, working under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

To review the recent advances in the research on anti-malarial drugs, a two-day millennium symposium “Malaria 2000” will be organised at NIPER, starting on November 3. Dr Kaul said the main purpose of the symposium would be to bring together academicians, scientists and researchers to exchange information about new drug discovery. Eminent scientists and experts are expected to participate in the symposium.

170 ITBP men donate blood
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — As many as 170 personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police donated blood at the Basic Training Centre, Bhanu, near here today. The camp was held in association with the Blood Bank Society of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh.

This is the fourth such camp to be organised at the centre, where a large number of recruits of the 129 and 130 batches as well as the 75th and 76th Senior Cadre Course jawans donated blood.

The camp was inaugurated by Mr I.S. Negi, Commandant of the centre. The Deputy Commandant, Mr Bhanwar Singh, Dr A.K. Verma and Dr Vivek Marther were among those who donated blood.

Mr Negi said that such camps would become regular features. He added that in view of the service conditions, the force itself needed blood during serious injuries and medical exigencies.

SPORT

Office-bearers of volleyball association
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — Mr Som Prakash, an IAS officer of Punjab, and Mr B.L. Malhotra were elected as president and honorary secretary, respectively, of the Chandigarh Volleyball Association at its general house meeting held here today. Mr Vijay Pal Singh and Mr A.K. Goel, were elected general secretary and vice-president, respectively, of the association.

The other office-bearers are vice-presidents — Mr D.S. Saroya; Mr P.S. Sangha, Mr D.S. Bedi, Mr Harjeet Khanna and Mr Reet Mohinder Singh; treasurer — Mr K.L. Ahuja; and joint secretary — Mr R.S. Duggal.

The members are: Ms Asha Sharma, Saroj Gupta, Gurcharan Duggal, Sewa Singh Duggal, Jai Singh and S.C. Sharma.

Table tennis tourney

Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, and Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, surged ahead in the Panjab University Inter-College Table Tennis Zonal tournament played on the PU campus on Friday. SGGS College defeated Government College, Chandigarh, at 3-0, which PEC outplayed Arya College, Ludhiana, at 3-0. In another match, PU defeated GGD SD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, at 3-1.

St John’s-26: 72 for two in 25 overs (Aayush Raj Soni 18, Nalin Chopra 14 n.o., Devjot Singh 13, Karan Dhanoa 12 n.o.)

Table tennis trials

The trials for the selection of UT-based central government employees for the forthcoming All-India Civil Services Table Tennis Tournament will be held on Tuesday, according to Lieut-Col C.S. Bewli, secretary, Regional Sports Board. The tournament will be held in Mumbai between November 7 and 12.

The UT Education Department will hold inter-school tournaments for under-19 boys and girls on Monday. Entries close with the Principal, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33, on Saturday.

The Chandigarh Chess Association will hold UT chess championships for boys and girls on October 28 and 29 at St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44. Two players from each category will be selected to represent Chandigarh in the XI National under-18 chess Championship to be held at Chennai between November 10 and 19. Entries close with Karma Angdui, 1341-B, Sector 41-B, Chandigarh.

From shooting range to golf range
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — India’s ace shooter Abhinav Bindra, who narrowly missed a medal in the recently concluded Sydney Olympics, was today made an honorary member of the Chandigarh Golf Range.

The membership card was handed over to Abhinav by Mr D.P. Azad, President and Mr C.S.R. Reddy, General Secretary, of the CGA, in the presence of other dignitaries of the Chandigarh Golf Association. Abhinav was the lone sports person from Chandigarh to represent India at Sydney.

He was all praise for the excellent training facilities created by the CGA Management. He expressed happiness at the encouragement being given to talented golfers to represent UT for the national level competitions.

He was also confident that more and more outstanding golfers would emerge from this range and would bring laurels not only to the city but to the entire nation.

ADMINISTRATION

Illegal structures demolished 
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Oct 20 — The local Municipal Committee, yesterday, came into action and demolished many structures constructed without getting the maps sanctioned from the committee.

Mr Gian Chand Gupta, executive officer of the committee said these structures were demolished which were situated on Kund, Dushera Ground, Hospital Road and Town Road. Mr Gupta said the owners of these structures did not get their maps sanctioned from the committee.

Mr Gupta said nobody would be allowed to encroach upon government and municipal land in Kharar and strict action would be taken in this regard. He has appealed to all persons who have constructed without getting the maps sanctioned to apply to the Municipal Committee even now after depositing the required fees. He has appealed to all residents to get their maps passed from the committee before starting any construction work.