HEALTH

Tomato’s lycopene is good for heart

THOUSANDS of persons die of heart attack everyday. Some important risk factors of coronary heart diseases are hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, insulin, resistance, cigarette smoking and family history.

Studies of lipid metabolism have established that it is the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) that ensures the beginning of atherogenesis, which eventually leads to heart attack. This oxidative modification is mediated by harmful substances in the body, called free radicals. These molecules, which result from normal cell metabolism as well as other stressful conditions, are thought to be neutralised by the body’s antioxidant enzymes.

Lycopene from tomato has been found to be the most potent quencher of free radicals. A study conducted in coronary care units in 10 European countries involving about 1300 patients suggested that those who had more lycopene in their plasma had about half the risk of heart attack as compared to those who had less lycopene.

These and other studies, linking levels of lycopene to reducing risks of cancer, gynaecological complications and cardiovascular disease, encouraged a group of scientists to develop, through cross breeding, a strain of tomato very rich in lycopene. They have developed a way to extract lycopene from these tomatoes and create an all natural supplement. The availability of all natural lycopene is an attempt to provide a new approach to the management of degenerative diseases like cardiovascular disease.

— Dr G.S Grewal

Postgraduate courses in Ayurveda
From Our Correspondent

MANDI GOBINDGARH, Feb 16 — Postgraduate courses in the Ayurvedic system of medicines will be introduced in the state of Punjab after a joint verification the experts of the Central Council of Indian Medicines (CCIM), New Delhi, and the university in those institutions which fulfil the prescribed norms. It is a pity that no such courses are available anywhere in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, said, Mr Vaidya Shriram Sharma, president, CCIM. He was speaking on the occasion of inaugural ceremony of the Academic block Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh, situated at Sounti village, 2 km from Amloh on Gobindgarh road on Thursday.

A draft for Rs 11,000 was presented as contribution from the staff for the earthquake victims.

Dr J. Jesupadam, Registrar, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, who was the guest of honour, appreciated the progress made by the college in a short span of four years.

Dr J.S. Gujral, Vice-Chancellor of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, laid the foundation stone of the college hostel yesterday. It would cost about Rs 80 lakh. The Principal of the college, Mr S.N. Singh, said, “at present girl students are accommodated in a hostel in rented building at Mandi Gobindgarh”.

A cultural programme was presented by the students of this college. University toppers, Mamta and Gangandeep Kaur, who stood first and second in the university, respectively, in the year 2000 were honoured with Lal Singh Memorial Award. Rajni Garg and Neelam who got Ist position in the college in I and II year were also honoured. Participants in the cultural programme were given consolation prizes. Mr Vaidya Shri Ram Sharma, president of the Central Council of Indian Medicines, distributed the prizes.

Among others who were present on the occasion were the SDM, Amloh, Mr R.S. Jangu, Mr P.R. Sharma, secretary, CCIM, Mr R.K. Sirivastva, secretary, Mahasamelan.

SPORT

College athletics meet
From Our Sports Reporter

LUDHIANA, Feb 16 — About 150 students participated in the 81st annual athletics meet of Government College for Boys, which started here today.

In girls’ section, Kanwaldeep won gold medals in 100m, discus throw and shot put. In boys’ section, Parambeer Singh won three gold medals and Sikander Singh bagged two gold and two silver medals.

Results — boys’ section: javelin throw: Gurdeep Singh 1, Balbir Singh 2, Gurdeep Singh 3; triple jump: Amandeep Singh 1, Parambeer Singh 2, Satbir Singh Dhillon 3; 5000 m: Jagmohan Singh 1, Charanjeet Singh 2, Sukhwinder Singh 3; 800 m: Parambeer Singh 1, Sukhwinder Singh 2, Harminder Singh 3; long jump: Amandeep Singh 1, Guriqbal Singh 2, Gurdeep Singh 3; hammer throw: Gurpreet Singh 1, Ranvijay Singh 2, Anudeep Singh 3; 1500 m: Parambeer Singh 1, Jaswinder Singh 2, Charanjeet Singh 3; girls’ section: discus throw: Kanwaldeep 1, Reeta 2, Reenu 3; 100 m: Kanwaldeep 1, Reenu 2, Aarti 3.

Kabaddi meets

The Lodhi gold cup kabaddi tournament will be held at Guru Nanak Engineering College on February 20. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Bhupinder Singh, secretary of the association, and Mr Beant Singh Dhaliwal, the organiser, said six teams from India and other countries would participate.

The opening match would be played between India (Red) and Pakistan.

The fourth Tony Allankar kabaddi tournament will be held at Kube village from February 21 to 23. Giving details, Mr Devi Dyal Sharma said six teams from India and other countries would participate. Some athletics events would also be organised. The winning team would be awarded Rs 71,000 and the runner-up team Rs 51,000.

ADMINISTRATION

Liquor licence fee begins to trickle in
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Feb 16 — The pressure tactics adopted by the Excise Department for recovering licence fee from liquor contractors seem to have started paying off dividends with some of them having started depositing the fee. The department sources revealed that on the first day after the arrest of a contractor, Rs 3 lakh were deposited by two contractors.

On the other hand, Mr Rakesh Bansal one of the partners and son of Mr Roop Lal Bansal, who has since been arrested, questioned the claims of the department officials that arrest warrants were issued against all the five partners and only one of them had been arrested. He claimed that he had himself visited his father in the Central jail and he was not arrested. Besides, he alleged that the department had handed over the vends to two of the five partners after reaching at an understanding with them. These contractors were operating these vends allegedly with the help of hired goons. He said the department had deliberately singled out his father for harassment.

A senior excise official told TNS that two of the contractors, Mr Sardool Singh Chawla and Mr Damandeep Singh Saluja had deposited the licence fee. Although the warrants were also issued against them, but they had already pledged their property with the department. While today’s figures were not available, he said, yesterday Rs 3 lakh were deposited.

The official said, “the department never means to harass contractors, but in case they are adamant on not depositing the licence fee some action had to be initiated.” At the same time, he clarified that everything was being done according to the law. Mr Roop Lal Bansal was reportedly detained only after his refusal to deposit the fee.