HEALTH

15 pc Indians suffer from kidney stones
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — As much as 15 per cent of the Indian population suffers from kidney stones, said Prof V.K. Kak, Director-Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital, in his inaugural address on the three-day conference on kidney stones which started at the Panjab University here today.

He emphasised that the research should be directed towards not only finding ways for preventing recurrence of stones but also developing diagnostic kits for finding the root cause of the disease.

According to experts, approximately 10 per cent of the renal failure cases are attributed to urinary stones. The people in north are more prone to kidney stones and the area is termed as the first ‘stone belt’. The second ‘stone belt’ starts from Jamnagar in Gujarat, passes through central India and ends up at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.

The selection of Chandigarh as the venue seems appropriate as it falls right in the middle of the first stone belt of India.

The conference has been jointly organised by the Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, and the Department of Urology, PGI.

The inauguration ceremony was followed by Prof Nath’s oration by Prof S.K. Sharma, Director PGI. He said the cause of staghorn stones was not yet known exhaustive research work was required on this.

The today’s CME programme concentrated on recent advances in the techniques employed in urolithiasis research and management.

In the scientific session that followed, guest lectures were delivered by Dr John P. kavanagh from the UK, Dr Harmeet Sidhu and Dr Hari Kaul from the USA, Dr S.N. Wadhva from New Delhi and Dr A.K. Goswami from the PGI.

SPORT

GMSSS-16 win aerobics championship
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, has won maximum number of positions in the recently concluded Chandigarh Aerobics Championship held at Shivalik Public School, Sector 41. Mr Ram Kumar Sharma, Principal, said the school was giving due emphasis to students to excel in sports.

The results are: aerobics- senior trios — Deepika Soni, Simarjeet Kaur, Parvinder Kaur 1; Nitin Sharma, Varun Kumar and Punardeep Singh 2; and Rajni, Pooja and Nishu 3.

Junior trios — Neha Minhas, Mansi Kappar and Shivani; mixed pair — Ramandeep Singh, Aneet Kaur 1; and Nitin and Deepika 3; individual junior boys — Kuljit Singh 2; and Amandeep Singh 3: junior girls — Himanshi Goyal; senior girls — Anita 1; and Mallika 2.

Nominated

Mr Ravinder Sharma, vice-president of the Chandigarh Carrom Association, has been nominated as convener, of the hospitality committee by the All-India Carrom Federation for the 3rd World Carrom Championship to be held at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, between November 6 and 10. Mr K.S. Patwal, another senior office-bearer of the CCA, has been made member, while Mr Ram Singh Yadav and Mr Diwan Singh Aithani, both national umpires from the city, will also act as umpires for the above meet. This was disclosed by Mr Mahesh Sekhri, secretary of the CCA.

PML SD Trophy

The Chandigarh Football Association will hold the UT State Junior Football Championship under-19 for the PML SD Trophy at Football Stadium, Sector 17, tomorrow. According to Mr Ravinder Talwar, president of the association, 14 teams are taking part in the meet. He further said that 25 probables would be selected for a coaching camp to represent UT for the forthcoming national championship. 

Centre of excellence yet to take off
By Arvind Katyal

CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — The Chandigarh-based northern centre of the Sports Authority of India in Sector 42, Netaji Subhas Centre, once again seems to be in the grip of a crisis, with the various schemes initiated in the beginning of the year now running into rough weather. The transfer of coaches causing unequal distribution vis-a-vis its trainees have jeopardised the sports activities in general.

The much-talked about Centre of Excellence Scheme at Chandigarh for which trail were held in July 2000, failed to take off because of two reasons. First, the playing field was not proper since the hockey turf was on the verge of replacement, second only four rooms could be made available at the Sector 42 Sports Complex, from the UT Administration. In June last, Ms Manjit Kaur was deputed hockey coach for the centre attached to NSNC. Dr Kashyap, Director in charge, confirmed few days ago the non-opening of centre this year. Surprisingly for the past four months, Ms Manjit has remained posted at the proposed centre yesterday, as per the new order issued by Mr Ajit Singh, Assistant Director, SAI, she was posted as third hockey coach at Sports Training Centre, Sector 18, where there are already two hokcey coaches Jaswinder Singh and Gurinder Kaur for 25 odd trainees. Even the UT Administration had refused to take Ms Manjit on deputation with them.

It may be recalled that already various new schemes have been hanging fire like trials for the 2000-2001 session of the National Sport Talent Centre (NSTC) scheme.

Dr Kashyap has also planned a huge sports sciences centre at Sector 42 without going into the details whether UT Administration who was to allot space would lease out the same or not. Surprisingly Dr Kashyap even went to the extent of committing the same to the Governor Punjab and UT Administrator, Lt Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd) on June 7 during the latter’s visit to Sector 42. But finally what happened? During his brief visit Director General D.K. Mittal on August 19 last at Sector 42 office, had told mediapersons in front of Dr Kashyap that the sports sciences centre at Chandigarh would just be support centre of NIS Patiala where already a full fledged centre was running.

ADMINISTRATION

15 encroachers challaned
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — In a major anti-encroachment drive, enforcement staff led by the Anti-Encroachment Magistrate, Mr H.S. Sohal, today demolished structures as well as other encroachments on public land in and around Sector 22. As many as 15 encroachers were challaned by the MC authorities.

The operation began today morning with the staff first targetting the Sector 22 old rehri- phari market, which had once again come up after Divali. They had earlier been removed a month back from the area around Kiran Cinema. Taking advantage of Divali, phariwalas had started sitting there again.

The Administration , which had been taking a lenient view because of the festival season, today asked them to vacate the place as they had even encroached the nearby park and also put up lights. Seeing the determination of the authorities, the 150-odd vendors vacated the place voluntarily in no time. A warning had been given to them yesterday to clear the place.

Mr Sohal was assisted in the operation by the Secretary, Municipal Corporation, Mr Ashwani Kumar, and the ASP Mr H.S. Dhaliwal. The team then proceeded to the Bajwara market, which was heavily encroached by sheds right up to the road, including the triangle where they had put their wares and were also doing the quilt work. While the vendors removed the tin structures, 4-5 truck loads of material was seized.

Later, the backside of Sector 22-D was also cleared of encroachments obstructing the public passage in the corridoors. The extension of the shops in the area were also demolished. 

Auction of school sites cancelled
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Oct 31 — The Haryana Urban Development Authority had to cancel the auction of two schools sites as bidders failed to turn up at the venue here today.

The auction process was delayed for more than five hours as the proprietor of Nav Bal Niketan School had moved an application against the auction of the sites in the District Courts. The application was dismissed by the court at noon.

The party claimed that the auction would be in their favour as there was no other bidder for the site. It asked HUDA to give the site to them on old terms and not to cancel the bid.

On the refusal of the authorities, the party had to return with Rs 50,000 the token money.

It may be recalled HUDA had decided to auction four school sites which include Nav Bal Niketan, Sector 12 A, Vijay Model School, Sector 17, Gyandeep Model School, Sector 18 and New India School, Sector 15.

However, Gyandeep Model School and New India Schools had obtained a stay from the court and were out from the auction.

"Follow highest ideals of public service"
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — The Adviser to the UT Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, today exhorted the employees to follow the highest ideals of public service in their official work. She said that the offices and employees should be transparent in their public dealing and make efforts to avoid any kind of harassment to the public, at all times.

She was speaking at the celebration of Rashtriya Sankalp Divas here today. The Adviser also administered a pledge to the officers and employees of the UT Secretariat in this regard.

The Chandigarh Administration is also observing a Vigilance Awareness Week till November 4. Today is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Similar functions were held in other offices of the Administration, including the Police Headquarters and the Deputy Commissioner's Office.

Mr R.C.Vaish, Principal General Manager, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Mrs Surinder Tangri, Principal, Government College of Education, Sector 20, and Prof S.K.Sharma, Director, PGIMER, administered an oath and pledge to their respective staff members to work with "transparency and provide value-based service to customers".

Similar functions were also held at Punjab and Sind" Bank, Technical Teachers Training Institute, office of the Principal Accountant General (A and E), Punjab, and United India Insurance Company.