The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

Meeting on adolescent reproductive health
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 29
In view of the increasing sexual and reproductive health problems among youths and adolescents, a meeting of the teachers of a few selected schools and colleges of the city was organised by the Department of Health Education and Family Welfare, CMC, Ludhiana. The aim of the meeting was to know the exact magnitude of sexual and reproductive health problems and to invite suggestions for a possible solution. Senior faculty from almost 15 schools and colleges participated.

The teaching faculty of the different academic institution, on the basis of their experiences while dealing with adolescents, were of the view that if they tried to educate children about the adolescent sexuality and unprotected sex, there was an objection from the parents. However, it was reiterated that in view of the increasing incidence of AIDS, teenage pregnancy, abortions, rapes, sexually transmitted diseases and pelvic infection, awareness among adolescents about the said diseases was the need of the hour. Dr J. Jacob (Acting Director, CMC), chief guest on the occasion, asked the participants to prepare a joint action plan to promote adolescent health awareness in the city.

It was suggested that every school must have a trained counsellor to deal with the sexual and reproductive health problems of adolescents.

Promote voluntary blood donation: experts
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 29
As various health organisations gear up to celebrate the World Blood Donation Day on October 1, the number of people dying due to shortage of blood or infections from blood during transfusion is increasing, say medical experts. Dr J.G. Jolly, Professor Emeritus, Transfusion Medicine, PGI, Chandigarh, while talking to Ludhiana Tribune today said there was a need for ensuring the availability of safe blood in the country.

He said it was unfortunate that the number of professional blood donors was much more than the voluntary donors. The Indian Red Cross Society was also doing little for the blood banks and people were getting infected with dreaded diseases like AIDS and hepatitis.

Dr Amarjit Kaur, Chief of the Blood Transfusion Department of DMCH, said community involvement in donor recruitment and their retention needed a well-organised plan to highlight the significance of voluntary donation and ensure complete elimination of professional blood donors.

SPORTS

City school excels in sports
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, September 29
Students of the local Tagore Public School, Aggar Nagar, have excelled in different sporting disciplines, according to a press note issued by its Principal. They have brought laurels to the school in badminton, boxing and chess meets held in the recent past, said the statement.

Jaganpreet Singh and Jaspreet Singh, while representing Ludhiana Zone-I, claimed first position in the district level (u-17) badminton championship held at Khanna. In the singles final, Jagandeep ousted Varinder 8-6, 7-8, 7-4 and 7-3. He then paired with Jaspreet to outplay Varinder and Varun 6-8, 7-4, 7-6 and 7-1 to bag the double’s title. Jaspreet and Jagandeep have now been selected to take part in the state-level meet to be held at Nawanshahr from October 22 to 25.

In boxing, Parteek Singh Virk of class XI was declared champion in the super weight category in the District Boxing Tournament. Another student of the school, Sachin Gupta finished runner-up in the heavy weight category. Harminder Singh also of class XI bagged second position in the light weight category.

Lalit Mohan, Ramandeep Singh and Jaiveer Singh of the school finished at the second spot in the District Chess Championship held recently. Hemant Moudgil (u-19) and Amit Bansal (u-17) have been selected to represent Ludhiana in the forthcoming Punjab State Lawn Tennis Championship scheduled to be held at Amritsar from October 22 to 25.

TT meet opens at PAU
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, September 29
All seeded players had smooth sailing in the third round of the 13th Prithipal Singh Memorial Open Table Tennis Tournament which began at the Prithipal Sports Complex of Punjab Agricultural University, here yesterday. In the cadet girls’ section, Neha Rani of Khanna, Nirdosh of Ludhiana, Gurpreet and Shelja of Sangrur scraped past their opponents to secure berths in the semi finals.

Earlier, Ms Charanjit Kaur, wife of Olympian Prithipal Singh in whose memory this tournament is being conducted, inaugurated this three-day meet. More than 200 participants, including some national-players, are taking part in the tournament.

Results : Cadet Boys (1st round): Sunny Mattoo (ASR) bt Rahul Kapoor (Ldh)11-9, 11-7; Varun (Ldh) bt Arshpreet (Sang) 11-5, 11-6; Jatin (Sang) bt Deepa (Ldh) 11-6, 6-11, 11-9; Prmod Gupta (Ldh) bt Amit Pandey (Jal) 11-8, 12-10, Abhey Thapar bt Rashav (Jal) 11-6, 11-7, Dilpreet (Ldh) bt Dikshit Grover (Ldh) 11-6, 11-7; Dharminder (Ldh) bt Kunal (Khn); Saurabh (Jal) bt Gurpreet (Ldh) 11-9, 11-8; Vaibhav (Ldh) b Rohit (Khn) 11-6, 11-5; Ritesh (Jal) bt Sumit (Ldh)11-9, 11-9; Rohan (Jal) lost to Sushant, (Ldh) 11-8, 11-7; Paras (Khn) bt Rahul Dhir (Ldh) 11-8, 11-7; Kunal (Khn) bt Manraj (Ldh) 11-9, 8-11, 11-7; Kashish (Ldh) bt Dipesh (Khn) 11-5, 11-8; Munish (Ldh) bt Suchreet (Ldh) 11-7, 11-8.

Cadet Girls (quarter finals): Neha Rani (Khn) bt Garima (Ldh) 11-9, 7-11, 11-8; Nirdosh (Ldh) bt Saakshi (Jal) 11-8, 9-11, 11-9; Gurpreet (Sang) bt Shubam (Ldh) 12-10, 11-6; Shelja (Sang) bt Neha Jindal (Ldh) 11-9, 8-11, 11-9.

Cadet Boys (2nd round) : Sunny Mattoo (Asr) bt Varun (Ldh) 11-7, 6-11, 11-8; Jatin (Sang) bt Parmod (Ldh) 11-7, 6-11, 11-6; Abhey (Ldh) bt Nikit (Sang) 11-6, 6-11, 11-7; Napat (Jal) bt Maninder (Ldh) 11-6, 8-11, 11-9; Sidharth (Sang) bt Kunal (Asr) 11-6, 6-11, 11-6; Vaibhav (Ldh) bt Ritesh (Jal) 11-6, 6-11, 11-9; Sushant (Ldh) bt Paras (Kh) 11-6, 6-11, 11-7; Raghav (Ldh) lost to Jaideep (Ldh) 11-9, 9-11, 11-9; Hitesh (Jal) bt Kunal (Jal) 11-8, 9-11, 11-6.

ADMINISTRATION

MC building branch to be computerised
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 29
In a bid to streamline the functioning of a building branch in the Municipal Corporation, the approval of building plans for residential as well as commercial and industrial buildings in the city would be made in a timebound manner and further the working of the department would be computerised to ensure transparency.

This was decided at a meeting of officials of the building branch of the MC, which was presided over by the Commissioner Dr S.S. Sandhu. Besides the Additional Commissioner, Mr Raminder Singh, and the Municipal Town Planner, Mr S.S. Bhatia, all assistant town planners, and other officials attended the meeting.

Stressing the need for expeditious disposal of building plans, submitted for approval, Dr Sandhu issued directions that plans for residential buildings must be sanctioned within one week while those for commercial and industrial buildings, should not take more than two weeks for approval. He also wanted the new schedule for approval of buildings plans and bylaws governing different kinds of buildings, widely publicised so that the members of public could provide all necessary documents and details for approval of the building plans within the time schedule.

The MC Commissioner cautioned the civic officials against causing harassment to the public in disposal of building plans. The intending builders should also scrupulously follow the building bylaws and the approved plan for construction of buildings. Any kind of violation of building bylaws or deviation from sanctioned plans, Dr Sandhu added, would attract strict disciplinary action against officials of the building branch and heavy penalty and composition fee for the defaulting builders.