HEALTH

Premarital pregnancy sans regrets
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — Shalu (not her real name) walks into the nursing home along with her companion, who poses as her husband, and asks for termination of her pregnancy. They present themselves as a newly-wed couple who do not want to continue with the pregnancy for professional or domestic reasons. The doctors in the nursing home do the job and the couple walks out.

This is not an isolated case, but only an example. With western influence and greater permissiveness, premarital pregnancies are on the rise in Ludhiana. A random survey by Ludhiana Tribune among various nursing homes has revealed that such pregnancies are no longer taboo or uncommon. Many unmarried girls, usually accompanied by their partners, visit private nursing homes and hospitals to get their pregnancies terminated. A number of gynaecologists in the city reveal that some of these girls are neither apologetic nor regretful about it.

A gynecologist at a charitable hospital says they receive such patients often. She adds that it is difficult to tell the exact number of such patients as most of them, accompanied by their companions, try to fool doctors by saying that they have recently been married and due to professional and family restrictions do not want to carry on with pregnancy. The doctor claims that they can easily make out if the couple poses to be married.

Another city gynecologist says most of the unmarried girls are accompanied by their female relatives to her clinic, who lie to doctors. She adds that some girls are accompanied by their lovers, who pose as their cousins and brothers, while only a few patients present the real picture.

Girls from villages too visit private nursing homes for the same purpose. Since they are not educated, they come to the doctors at an advanced stage. The doctor says they are not aware of the outcomes of late abortions.

The city has no dearth of private nursing homes. Many patients come to find a solution to their problems. Most of them prefer their doctor to be confidential. A gynaecologist at a private nursing home says instead of going to hospitals, these girls and their relatives prefer to come to private practitioners, where their identity can be kept secret.

Some doctors say certain drugs, banned earlier, are available in the market which can kill the foetus at an early stage. A doctor says these drugs can be harmful and proper abortion is done only through a doctor.

SPORT

Aaya, Krishan are best athletes
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — Aaya Singh was adjudged best athlete in the 54th annual athletics meet of Arya College, which concluded here yesterday. Aaya Singh bagged six gold in the three-day meet.

In the 33rd annual athletics meet of Arya Evening College, Krishan Madhav, was adjudged best athlete. He bagged three gold, four silver and a bronze medal.

The other results are: 200 m (Arya College): Aaya Singh 1, Jaskaran singh 2 and Gurpreet Singh 3.

The results of Arya Evening College: Discus throw: Baljit Singh 1, Manpreet Singh 2 and Jagdeep Rana 3; 800 m race: Krishan Madhav 1, Pardeep Singh 2 and Jaswant Singh 3; long jump: Gurvinder Singh 1, Krishan Madhav 2 and Amit 3; 5000 m race: Krishan Madhav 1, Pardeep 2 and Ajay 3; 1500 m race: Krishan Madhav 1, Pardeep 2 and Navneet Rana 3; shot put: Jagdeep Rana 1, Manpreet Singh 2 and Baljit Singh 3; high jump: Chaim Kamal 1, Krishan Dutt and Ajay Kumar 2 and Dinesh 3; 200m race: Gurinder Singh 1, Krishan Madhav 2 and Surinder Kumar 3; javelin throw: Surinder Kumar 1, Jagdeep Rana 2 and Navneet Rana 3; 100 m race: Gurinder Singh 1, Baljit Singh 2 and Krishan Madhav 3; 400 m race: Gurinder Singh 1, Krishan Madhav 2 and Surinder Kumar 3; slow cycling (50 m): Amit Kalra 1, Karamjit 2 and Paramjit Singh 3; hammer throw: Manpreet Singh 1, Baljit Singh 2 and Harvinder Singh 3; fancy dress: Sachin 1, Harish 2 and Rakesh 3; candle race (women): Reeta 1, Harjinder Kaur 2 and Harpinder Kaur 3; three legged race (50 m): Harvinder Singh and Bablu 1, Ravinder Kumar and Jaswinder 2 and Rattanjit and Sanjay 3; relay race (4x200M): Harvinder Singh, Surinder Kumar, Ravinder Kumar, Jaswinder Kumar 1; Amit, Gurinder Singh, Pardeep, Ram Chander 2; Krishan Madhav, Baljit, Manpreet, Rattanjit 3.