HEALTH

Use of antibiotics discussed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — On the second day of the alumni conference of the IGMC, Shimla, here today, the antibiotic use and misuse was discussed by experts from different fields.

The importance of judicious use of antibiotics to avoid bacterial resistance was discussed at the conference, which was moderated by Dr Ram Singh, Reader in the Department of Medicine at the GMCH here.

In another session on lifestyle and diseases, chaired by Dr HM Swami, Head of the Department of Community Medicine at the GMCH, Dr Anil Grover of the Department of Cardiology of the PGI, stressed upon the changes in lifestyle to decrease heart diseases. Dr Sudhir Sharma from New Delhi stressed the role of diet in various GIT diseases.

Dr Alok Uppal, a psychiatrist from the USA, touched the therapeutic issues of various psychosomatic diseases. The role of laser as a new surgical tool in the new millennium was stressed by Dr Ravinder Verma from Jalandhar. Dr Raj Bahadur, Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at the GMCH, who is also the chairman of the organising committee, talked out the management spinal injuries.

SPORT

With help, this caddie can go ahead
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — Most professional golfers who are playing in the Indian circuit are caddie-turned-golfers. The biggest advantage for the caddie is that after carrying a golf bag for nine holes or 18 holes they can spend the rest of the time practising on the course. For players who are working or studying in colleges or schools playing for nine holes take approximately two and a half hours. Caddies who are playing in the professional golf circuit are earning huge amount of money. It is also a motivation for young caddies who normally earn between Rs 15 and Rs 25 for nine holes and Rs 25 and Rs 40 for 18 holes in the Chandigarh Golf Club.

The Delhi Golf Club has produced the maximum number of caddies who are playing in the professional circuit, including Ali Sher, Vijay Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Rohtas, Shiv Prakash and Basad Ali. The Chandigarh Golf Club is far behind in this respect. Caddies in Chandigarh are mostly from poor families and are satisfied whenever they earn enough to meet their requirements.

A caddie-turned-golfer who may be a top ranking player in the Indian circuit performs poorly due to the inferiority complex which he develops, being uneducated.

Recently local caddie Harinder Gupta has shown signs of becoming a good golfer. He started playing golf only in 1999 and within a short time he has shown his class by securing a position in the All-India Juniors Tournaments. His first win was when he secured the first position of the Samarvis Sahi Tournament in Chandigarh. He secured the third position in the All-India Junior Tournament held at Delhi from November 14 to 17 and the third position in the Northern India Tournament at the Delhi Golf Club from November 21 to 24.

He has also secured the first position in the West India Junior Tournament at KGA Golf Club, Bangalore, and the sixth position in the East India Junior Championships at Royal Club, Calcutta.

Harinder has secured the second position in the overall ranking of the Indian junior team. To participate in these amateur tournaments a golfer has to spend from their own pocket for travelling, foods etc.

According to Dr Ravinder Chadha, Chairman of the media committees of the Chandigarh Golf Club, in view of his good performance the club had sanctioned Rs 10,000 to Harinder. The club is also providing a golf set to him.

There are three tournaments under the Indian Golf Union which are yet to be played but Harinder is not sure whether he can participate in these matches due to shortages of funds. There are hardly any sponsor in this city who can help financially these upcoming caddie golfers. In case he does not get help at the proper time there are chances that he may also fade away like other talented caddie-turned-golfer.

Panchkula win cricket tourney
By Our Sports reporter

CHANDIGARH, Dec 24 — Panchkula eves today romped home with cricket title, Lakhani trophy, in the Haryana State Senior Women Cricket Tournament when they overpowered Yamunanagar in the final played here at the Sector 5 grounds, Panchkula.

Yamunanagar team won the toss and elected to bat first. The team scored 109 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 30 overs. Janki Bisht was the top scorer with 40 unbeaten runs, while Jyoti Trikha made 23 runs. Naini Chadha and Riju Sikri claimed two wickets each for 14 and 19 runs, respectively.

In reply, Panchkula chasing the above target were able to achieve it in the last over with four wickets in hand. Sunaina Mehan contributed 24 runs, follwowed by Manju Kaushal with 18 runs, Naini Chadha 18 unbeaten runs. Janki Bisht bagged two wickets for 22 runs.

In the match for the third place, Jhajjar team outscored Bhiwani team by seven wickets.

Mr NC Wadhwa, Chief Administration Officer, HUDA, gave away prizes.

Challenger Trophy
DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, and hosts, St John’s High School, Sector 26, surged ahead when they outscored YPS, SAS Nagar, and Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula, by six wickets and eight wickets, respectively, in the under-16 section of the Ist St John’s Challenger Trophy -2000 being played at St John’s High school, here.

In under-12 section, St John’s and YPS, defeated St Kabir’s, School 26, and Hansraj Public School by eight wickets and 39 runs, respectively.

Football meet
The Patiala police defeated NR, Jagadhari, by 4-0 to clinch the Rana trophy in the VK Rana Memorial Football Tournament, which concluded here on Sunday at HMT Sports Complex, Pinjore. Sohan Singh of the police was adjudged the best player of the tournament. Mr KB Malik, Assistant Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Haryana, and President of the District Football Association, Panchkula, gave away prizes to winners.

Cricket tournament
The Central circle defeated Amritsar circle in the final of the XII All-India Punjab and Sind Bank Inter-circle Cricket Tournament played here on Saturday.

Brief scores: Amritsar circle: 143 all out in 35 overs (Charanjit Singh 36, Trilok 24, Satnam 21, KBS Jolly 2 for eight, Taranjit Singh 2 for 24, HS Kalra 2 for 28).

Central circle: 147 for one in 26.1 overs (AS Khurana 76 n.o., KBS Jolly 48 n.o.).

AS Khurana of the Central circle was declared the best batsman, Taranjit Singh also of the Central circle best bowler, Manjit Singh best wicket keeper and Kulbir Singh of the Amritsar circle the best fielder.


  

READERS WRITE

Confused policies of Municipal Corporation

The functioning of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) often causes resentment among the residents of the city. Some time ago, the MCC asked the consumers to themselves replace defective water meters with new ones and to get these tested by the MCC. If the residents failed to do so, the corporation would calculate the water charges at double the average consumption since October 30.

The corporation’s view that the residents could buy the water meters after having spent lakhs on the construction of their houses is illogical. At the time of releasing a water connection, the MCC takes a security deposit from the consumer. The consumer also pays a monthly rent for the meters. The money deposited as security, in some cases 35 to 40 years ago, has earned a good amount of interest.

The amount charged as meter rent should be sufficient to replace the defective meters. Having failed to discharge its responsibility towards the consumers, the MCC is making them the victims of its own inefficient and irresponsible working. The decision taken by the MCC in this regard may force the residents to come out on the roads to express their resentment.

If the residents have to manage the MCC’s affairs, it defeats the very purpose of setting up the corporation. There have been suggestions that the MCC should be dissolved and its functions reverted to the Chandigarh Administration. Moreover, various activities of the MCC have been criticised by the councillors themselves.

In reality, the councillors show more interest in grabbing important positions such as those of the Mayor, Senior Mayor, or membership of various committees. It is high time the municipal councillors woke from their slumber and performed their duties sincerely. If they fail to do so, the people of Chandigarh will be forced to discard them in the next election which is hardly a year away.

A. P. BHARDWAJ
Chandigarh

Round-abouts

The decision to put up traffic lights around the major round-abouts in Chandigarh is a positive step taken by the Chandigarh Administration to control the growing traffic chaos in the city. As accidents are on the rise, particularly at busy round-abouts, this system will solve this problem.

The Chandigarh Administration has thus decided to retain the beautiful round-abouts which were to be demolished for the setting up of traffic lights. The administration deserves praise for this wise decision.

NITIN GARG
Chandigarh

Broken roads

‘C’ roads in Panchkula’s Sector 10 are in a deplorable condition. There are big potholes in which muddy water stagnates. Every passing vehicle splashes the mud on the passers-by. Badly repaired road-cuts give bumps to vehicles. Cyclists and scooterists find it difficult to cross these points and often meet with accidents. Small children often fall in these pits with their tiny bicycles and tricycles. HUDA should pay attention to these roads.

ROSHAN LAL
Panchkula


  

CHANDIGARH CALLING

Amen.

A kingmaker

He is a kingmaker of a different kind. Mr Darshan Gill, the coordinator of Mr Ujjal Dosanjh’s election campaign in Canada, is now at the forefront of the Canadian Punjabi movement in Canada.

A Masters in English and Punjabi and a Ph.D from GNDU, Mr Gill has taught at Government College Ludhiana for seven years when he shifted to Canada in 1972. Author of more than 14 works of poetry and novels, Mr Gill is now on the British Columbia Assessment Board.

Voluntary retirement

A nationalised bank took the lead in retiring its nearly 6000 employees by Dec 31 who opted for voluntary retirement. The applications were so speedily scrutinised that those who applied on November 30 were relieved of the duties starting from December 15. The controlling offices faxed the list of retiring employees to their respective branches at 4.30 pm and the concerned staff found itself relieved at the close of business hours by merely receiving a simple letter. Those on leave were informed telephonically.

What surprised the employees, who had put in 25 to 30 years, was that they were out without current month’s salary, gratuity, ex-gratia or any other terminal benefits more painful for them was absence of proper farewell parties where the retiring employee officially receives a gift worth Rs 2000. On protests from some staff, the bank issued instructions to branches to retire their colleagues honorably, gracefully not unsung or unceremoniously.

By the time instructions reached them, several employees had already tasted the difference of retirement under VRS and on superannuation. Interestingly, it was surplus clerical staff which was to be curtailed but actually a large number of officer staff in scale 1 to 6, opted for retirement thereby reducing the staff strength considerably. This reflects the unhealthy atmosphere inside the banks too throughout the country.

Not strikes but tough days are ahead for customers as all banks are likely to get rid of their 10% staff by the end of March 31 and new recruitment may take another year.

Nature food

For the first time the Environment Society of India (ESI) sponsored the opening of five food stalls at the Chandigarh Carnival being held from December 23-25 with the aim to promote nature food and cultural heritage of the country. The Bahawalpur Welfare Association and the Environment Society of Chandigarh (ESC) have put up Nature Food stall and presenting Makki ki Roti (made of gharat/panchakki atta of Nahan area), sarson ka saag, butter and lassi from eco friendly farmers of V. Khudda Ali Sher, honey, bhain ke pakore etc. Besides the Maharashtra Mandal, Kerala Samajam, Utkal Sanskriti Sangam and Kashmir Sahayak Sabha have put up their kiosks to promote their traditional food items.

The gharat atta, honey and vermicompost packets will be on sale on a no profit no loss basis at the office of the ESI Karuna Sadan, Sector 11-B, Chandigarh 160 011 (Ph 746832). An organic vegetable shop will be opened soon.

Gone with CM

Politicians might not be as glamourous as film stars but they do command a presence. At the World Punjabi Conference, the moment the Chief Minister left the function, half the audience left with him and then when Mr I.K. Gujral left, most of the rest of the audience started looking for more interesting things to do.

On the first day of the conference, empty chairs with a lone sleeping listener, waited for the functions to begin, which started more than three hours late, (see photo on top of the page by Manoj Mahajan)

Award for Thakur

India International Friendship Society of New Delhi has conferred its Bharat Jyoti Award on reputed city architect Anil S. Thakur for his singular success and unique contribution in his chosen area of activity. The award comprising a certificate of excellence and a trophy was presented to him by the Minister of State for Urban Development, Mr Bandaru Dattatreya, on the occasion of a seminar on “Economic Growth and National Integration” held at New Delhi on December 21.

The seminar was chaired by Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers. Other prominent members present and honoured were Mr Bhisham Narain Singh, former Governor of Tamil Nadu, Mr Ramandla Ramachandraiah, MP, Mr Joginder Singh, former CBI chief, and Mr Sucha Singh Langah Minister, PWD, Punjab, Mr S.S. Sandhu Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana.

— Sentinel