HEALTH

Probe sought into vaccine launch
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 10
The Lal Bahadur Shastri Forum has demanded a CBI inquiry into the launch of an allegedly harmful Hepatitis-B vaccine by a Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International.

Mr Sushil Malhotra, president, and Dr Shiv Gupta, general secretary, in a joint statement today alleged that the company was unauthorisedly using pichia pastoris for manufacturing Hepatitis-B vaccine, when it had the licence for the use of sachharomyces cerviae only. The members said no Indian or multinational company had any right to play with the lives of people by selling unauthorised vaccine.

The forum members said reputed doctors like Dr N.C.K.Reddy, paediatric surgeon, Niloufar Hospital, Hyderabad; Dr B.K. Naik, senior cardiologist and former president of the Cardiology Society of India; and Dr Sudershan Reddy, president of the Indian academy of Paediatrics (Hyderabad unit), have expressed their concern by saying that it is a crime against humanity as such vaccines are not tested before bringing them out for sale in the market.

SPORTS

Rajesh, Rajni win badminton titles
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 10
Rajesh Kumar (Karnal) defeated Baljinder Singh (Ludhiana), 15-2, 15-9, and Rajni Wazir (Delhi) beat Sunita (Delhi) in the men’s and women’s singles final, respectively, of the LIC Zonal Badminton Tournament here today.

Mr S.C. Kapoor, Regional Manager (P and IR) of the LIC, gave away the prizes to the winners at a ceremony later in the evening. A cultural programme was also organised by the players on this occasion.

The venue for this two-day tournament was Shastri Hall of Guru Nanak Stadium here and 27 players, including 15 men and 12 women, took part in this meet. The tournament was held here for the first time.

Mr P.K. Rath, Senior Divisional Manager of the LIC, was the chief guest at the valedictory function. The tournament was organised under the supervision of Mr Anil Gupta, Manager (P and IR) of the LIC. Players of seven states and 15 divisional offices of the LIC’s north zone took part in this tournament. The top four players of this meet will take part in the LIC All-India Badminton Tournament now.

Yesterday Rajesh of Karnal, Baljinder of Ludhiana, Arun Sharma of Delhi and Rajeev Sagar also of Delhi had reached the semi-finals of the men’s singles tournament of the championship. Rajni, Sunita and Chitra Mogra, all of Delhi, and Renu Bhangara of Jaipur had reached the semi-finals of the women’s singles tournament.