HEALTH

India IVF Centre, a ray of hope for childless couples
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 8
A new era in the treatment of infertility has begun with Dr Najma Heptullah, Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, dedicating the India IVF Centre and Research Institute to the millions of childless couples of the country here today.

Spearheaded by renowned Dr Neelam Sood, the India IVF Institute, located at Lajpat Nagar, is established to usher in an innovative trend in infertility treatment in India.

The unit will have a pan-Indian expansion plan and will incorporate the latest solutions structured on recent research and evidence-based medicine for infertile couples.

Full compliance with the codes laid down by international ethical societies would be a primary priority. The institute also promises to ceaselessly conduct newer research and developments to create hopes for couples to whom contemporary medicine has failed to offer any hope.

Dr S. B. Aggarwal, Director General-Health Services, Delhi inaugurated the institute today morning in the presence of Dr R. P. Gupta (Medical Superintendent, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital).

Bureaucrats, High Commissioners of associating countries and other diplomats attended the ceremony at the India Habitat Centre.

The India IVF Centre has brought together an expert and adept team of embryologists and scientists to collaborate on this ambitious project.

The team comprises of not only experts from India but also internationally celebrated professionals who would be visiting the institute periodically to work in tandem with the resident team members and to educate them about the latest developments overseas. This will ensure that Indian couples will get the access and benefit of ultra-modern solutions with a higher success rate.

Apart from offering a fully comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic infertility services, the centre is also equipped with highly sophisticated and precise computerised diagnostic equipment.

It is armed with its own labs and chambers for facilitation of fertilisation procedures.

The India IVF Centre and Research Institute is set to create new standards in the infertility treatment in India and to introduce a new level of sensitivity towards the couples who are striving hard to become worthy of God’s simplest yet most beautiful gift to the mankind, the organisers said.

The other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Dr Ashok Walia (Health Minister, Delhi) Mr Sajjan Kumar (senior Congress leader), Mr Subhash Chopra (president DPCC) and Mr Arvinder Singh ‘Lovely’ (MLA). 

Truck Yatra on AIDS awareness

New Delhi, April 8
The Truck Yatra on AIDS care awareness organised by World Vision India, an international relief and development organisation, reached here today. As a part of the World Health Day initiative, the yatra was flagged off from Jaipur on Sunday and is on its way to Bangalore where it will culminate in the form of the 2nd International Conference on HIV/AIDS.

The 2nd International Conference on HIV/AIDS at Bangalore will be attended by religious workers, social workers, counsellors and policy makers from across India, Africa, Thailand, the UK and Europe to discuss their experiences and learn about the best practices related to HIV/AIDS. TNS

SPORTS

American Express lift Cathay Pacific Trophy
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, April 8
American Express beat Pearl International by six runs to lift the Cathay Pacific Cricket Sixes Trophy at the National Stadium in the Capital.

The tournament witnessed keenly-contested matches. In the first semi-final, American Express defeated New Airways by 12 runs. American Express, batting first, posted a total of 70 for 1 in five overs with Akhilesh top-scoring with an unbeaten 31. New Airways replied with 58 for 4, falling short of the target by 12 runs.

In the second semi-final, Pearl International completely dominated the match against Delhi Express. Batting first, Delhi Express made 64 for 4 in five overs. Pearl International surpassed the target with consummate ease, making 67 for no loss in just 3.4 overs. O Singh top-scored with a stylish 31 not out. He was ably supported by Sanjay Yadav, who made an unbeaten 30. In the hotly contested final, American Express, electing to bat first, after winning the toss, posted a mammoth total of 85 for one in the allotted five overs.

Pearl International, despite a scintillating unbeaten knock of 44 by Sanjay Yadav, fell short by six runs.

Bal Pangam of American Express was adjudged the ‘player of the tournament’. He won a return ticket to Bali (Indonesia) on Cathay Pacific. Sanjay Yadav of Pearl International was adjudged the ‘batsman of the tournament’ while Virender Katoch of American Express was given the ‘best bowler’ award. They both won a return ticket to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific.

The tournament witnessed participation from travel agents in the city and served the important purpose of getting the travel agents and the Cathay Pacific team together in an informal and interactive atmosphere.

Mr Shanu Mukherjee, manager, Northern India, Cathay Pacific Airways, said: “We are delighted to host our first cricket sixes tournament since starting direct flights from Delhi to Hong Kong.

It is a wonderful opportunity to interact with our partners in the travel agency community.

Cathay Pacific Airways offers passenger services four times a week from New Delhi to Hong Kong and four times a week from Mumbai to Dubai and Hong Kong via Bangkok.

Scores: First semi-final: American Express won the toss and decided to bat. American Express won by 12 runs.

American Express: 70 for 1 in 5 overs (Akhilesh 31 n o, Bal 23). New Airways: 58 for 4 in 5 overs (Tarun 24).

Second semi-final: Pearl International won the toss and decided to field. Pearl won the match by five wickets.

Delhi Express: 64 for 4 off 5 overs (Raj 14). Pearl International: 67 for 0 off 3.4 overs (O Singh 31 n o, Sanjay Yadav 30 n o).

In the final, American Express won the toss and opted to bat. They won the title by six runs. American Express: 85 for 1 off 5 overs (Bal 30, Akhilesh 28 n o). Pearl International: 79 for 4 off 5 overs (Sanjay Yadav 44 n o).

Hans Raj clinch Jivanjor trophy
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, April 8
Hans Raj Model School, Punjabi Bagh beat Frank Anthony Public School by two wickets in the final of the Jivanjor Trophy Cricket Tournament at the Bal Bharati Public School ground, Pitampura in the Capital on Monday.

Frank Anthony School, batting first, made 152 for seven wickets in the stipulated 35 overs. In reply, Hans Raj Model School, Punjabi Bagh made 153 for eight wickets in 25.3 overs. Abhishek of Hans Raj Model School was adjudged the ‘Man of the Series’ while Aditya Saini of Frank Anthony School was declared the ‘Man of the Tournament’. Sixteen teams participated in the tournament. Mr Dinesh Dua, president and divisional head, Organic, Specialty and Performance Chemicals Division, Jubilant Organosys Ltd, said the Jivanjor Cricket Tournament was conceived to promote the cause of sports.

As expected, the inaugural Jivanjor Tournament elicited wide participation and was a grand success. Delhi Transport Minister Ajay Maken was the chief guest. DTTDC chairman Ramesh Sabharwal also witnessed the final match.

Scores: Frank Anthony Public School: 152 for seven wickets in 35 overs (Sarthak Khatri 31, 4x4, 1x6; Aditya Saini 22, 2x4; Dheeraj Rawat 36, 3x4, 2x6, Prateek Wadhera 2 for 32). Hans Raj Model School: 153 in 25.3 overs (Mohit 34, 6x4; Kumar Abhishek 22, 3x4; Prateek Wadhera 27, 4x4, 1x6; Vijay 2 for 28, Vivek 3 for 31).

DDCA League: Inborn Cricketers beat Delhi Blues by 98 runs in an A-I Division match of the DDCA League at the University Ground. Scores: Inborn Cricketers: 225 all out in 38.5 overs (Suresh Tanwar 85, 10x4; Rohit Jakota 46, Sachin Jain 3 for 30, Vaibhav Rastogi 3 for 30).

Delhi Blues: 127 all out in 28.3 overs (Amjad Vohra 41, Mridul Gupta 37, Rohit Jakota 3 for 26). Ekta Club beat Ajmal Khan Club by 22 runs in an A-II Division match at Kotla II ground.

Scores: Ekta Club: 290 for 9 in 40 overs (Gurpreet Singh 97, Bhuwan Rawat 55, Ajay Veer 34, Shashi Bhushan 31, Sharwan Kumar 3 for 54, Soni 3 for 36). Ajmal Khan Club: 268 all out in 36.2 overs (Dharmender Aloria 70, Soni 78, Sharwan Kumar Choudhary 44, Lalit Sharma 3 for 33).

Rajender helps Delhi Admn win
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, April 8
A swashbuckling knock of 58 off just 52 balls with two sixes and six fours by Rajender Bhardwaj and deadly bowling by Narender Malik (3 for 21) helped Delhi Administration XI beat Khelkood Samajik Utthan Samiti, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) by six wickets to enter the pre-quarter-final of the 12th All-India Om Nath Sood Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Khalsa College ground in the Capital on Monday.

Delhi Administration won the toss and opted to field. And it proved to be a sensible decision as Narender Malik bowled and fielded with deadly accuracy to send the Varanasi team crashing for 127 all out. Malik not only took three wickets, but also plucked a brilliant catch, off J S Bisht, to dismiss opener Satish. There were also two runs outs.

Only Mohd Hanif put up a defiant display to compile 58 runs. He also captured three wickets to bag the man of the match award.

Delhi Administration did not have to labour much to reach the winning target as they achieved it with the loss of just four wickets. Rajender Bhardwaj’s rapid-fire knock set the tempo, and the Delhi team easily coasted to victory.

Scores: Khelkood Samajik: 127 in 40 overs (Mohd Hanif 58, Anand Singh 2 for 20, Narender Malik 3 for 21). Delhi Administration: 130 for 4 in 40 overs (Rajender Bharadwaj 58, Mukul Koranga 21, Anand Singh 25 n o, Mohd Hanif 3 for 42). Tuesday’s fixture: ONGC vs Delhi Administration; from 8 am.

AAFI forms committees
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, April 8
This is the year of the Asian Games as Pusan in South Korea is getting ready to host the mega event from September 29 to October 14. The Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) is sparing no effort to train the Indian athletes for the Asian Games as well as the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Manchester (England) from July 25 to August 4. India will be fielding an athletic squad in the Commonwealth Games after a gap of 16 years. With a view to give the best possible attention to the preparation of the Indian athletes, the AAFI has formed monitoring committees to give special attention to each event.

The Sprints and Hurdles committee will be headed by former Executive Director of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) ASV Prasad. Others in the committee are former star international athletes Adille J Sumariwala, P T Usha, Kamaljeet Sandhu, Parveen Jolly, Gyanasekharan and Ajmer Singh.

The middle and long distance races and walk committee will be headed by veteran coach Joginder Singh Saini with Sriram Singh, Jyotirmoy Sikdar, Bahadur Prasad, Charles Borromeo, Brig. K S Chandpuri, Chand Ram and Hari Chand as members. Former national coach Vidya Sagar will head the throws committee. Jagraj Singh, Parveen Kumar, S D Eashan and Nirmal Singh are the other members. Asian Games medallist Labh Singh will head the jumps committee. S Palania Pillai of the Kerala Amateur Athletic Association, Satish Pillai, Suresh Babu, Mercy Kuttan and N Annavi are the other members.

Arjuna Awardee V S Chauhan will head the committee for combined events. Sabir Ali, Suresh Babu, Angel Mary Joseph, Reeth Abraham and B K Sinha, IPS are the other members. AAFI president Suresh Kalmadi will head ex-officio members in all committees. Others in the committee are: A K Banerjee, Dr. Hardyal Singh, Bahadur Singh, J S Saini, Alexander, G S Randhawa and AAFI secretary Lalit K Bhanot.

Rahul ’s century goes in vain
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, April 8
A quicksilver century knock of 107 off just 90 balls with 18 boundaries by Rahul Deewan went in vain as Gold Star Cricket Academy lost to Ganga International Cricketers by eight wickets in the final of the fourth Chacha Nehru Memorial Under-16 Cricket Tournament at the Ashok Vihar ground.

Shawej Khan was adjudged the man of the match while Rahul Deewan got the man of the tournament award.

Ramit Gill was adjudged the best bowler and Puneet Bist of Gold Star was adjudged the best batsman.

Veteran coach Virender Bhatnagar gave away the prizes.

Scores: Gold Star: 229 for 6 in 40 overs (Rahul Deewan 107, 18x4, 90b; Rameej Naimat 51, Vivek Srivastava 32, Manoj Patel 2 for 27, Gaurav Sharma 2 for 26, Ramit Gill 1 for 30).

Ganga International: 230 for 2 in 25.2 overs (Shawej Khan 67 n o, 23b, 7x6, 4x4; Ramit Gill 68 n o, 8x4; Gaurav Sharma 53, 8x4; Rahul Tripathi 1 for 57).

Ten Sports offer live fiesta
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, April 8
Ten Sports, the new sports television channel, has lined up a series of interesting sports programmes for the month of April, including a heavy dose of cricket. On April 9 (Tuesday), the Sharjah Cup cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be beamed live and on April 11, the Pakistan vs New Zealand match will be telecast live.

There will also be ‘cricket classics and a special programmed on Brian Lara’s world record creating batting performances now that the debate has once against started as to who is the greatest batsmen--Lara or Sachin Tendulkar.

On other days, besides the Sharjah Cup, the One-Day International series between Australia and Zimbabwe will be telecast live. The Test series featuring the two countries will be also be telecast live. There is also plenty of football, tennis, golf and free style wrestling action on offer, including a preview of the World Cup soccer on April 19. The FA cup matches, including the final, will also be telecast.

Sports Corner
Pankaj stars for Chand Khanna Club

New Delhi, April 8
A fine all-round performance by Delhi Ranji Trophy player Pankaj Joshi (2 for 26 and 59 n o) helped Chand Khanna Club beat Young Subhania by eight wickets and enter the semi-final of the third Sheetal Prasad Jain Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Mohan Meakin ground.

Scores: Young Subhania: 95 all out in 34.2 overs (Rahul Nigam 31, Prashant Ahlawat 26, Vaibhav Dua 3 for 9, Tony Singh 3 for 17, Pankaj Joshi 2 for 6).

Chand Khanna Club: 110 for 2 in 18.2 overs (Pankaj Joshi 59 n o, Surender Singh Bagal 2 for 14).

Gaurav’s ton helps Salwan boys win: A stroke-filled unbeaten century by Gaurav Chabra (110, 11x6, 6x6) helped Salwan Boys School beat Young Friends Club by 71 runs in a league match of the seventh Maharaja Agarsen Stanford Under-17 All-India Cricket Tournament at the Salwan School ground.

Scores: Salwan Boys: 249 for 5 in 40 overs (Gaurav Chabra 110 n o, Maninder Singh 59, Gaurav Sharma 30).

Young Friends: 178 for 9 in 40 overs (Rakshit Pant 68, Wilkins Victor 34, Deepak Rai 4 for 41, Narender Singh 2 for 36).

Mount St. Mary beat Hans Raj: Rachit Kapoor’s fine knock of 81 runs off 80 balls went in vain as Mount St. Mary beat Hans Raj Model School by six wickets in a quarter-final match of the Brother Bergin Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Delhi Cantt ground.

Scores: Hans Raj Model School: 177 all out in 28.2 overs (Rachit Kapoor 81, Kunal Kumar 3 for 45). Mount St. Mary: 179 for 4 in 29.3 overs (Arun Puri 52).

TYCA enter Nehru Cricket final: Trans Yamuna Cricket Association (TYCA) beat Sonnet Club by seven wickets to enter the final of the Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Cricket Tournament at Ghaziabad.

Scores: Sonnet: 160 all out in 33.4 overs (Yashpal Singh 39, Shikar Dhevan 28, Naresh Jain 23, Parvinder Singh 20, Davender Sharma 14, Kapil Mehta 3 for 32, Maninder Bisla 3 for 29, Sarabh 3 for 36, R Gurmit 1 for 10).

TYCA: 163 for three in 30.1 overs (Sanjay Sharma 49, Tarun Gupta 39, Ashwani Katyal 34, Kapil Mehta 22, Rohit Verma 1 for 28, N S Negi 1 for 32).

Market Committee officials suspended
Our Correspondent

Rewari, April 8
Mr Alok Nigam, Chief Administrator of the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board, has suspended Mr B. S. Rathi and Mr Subhash Chand, secretary and supervisor respectively of the Market Committee, Rewari on the directions given by Mr Balwant Singh Maena, Chairman of the board. Simultaneously, the suspended secretary and supervisor have also been transferred to Yamuna Nagar and Jind respectively.

The above action against the two officials follows a representation recently made to the Chairman of the Board by farmers who complained that the market committee officials had been indulging in malpractice in the sale-procedure of their mustard seed and wheat to the agencies and others in the mandi here. The Chairman came here on Friday on a surprise inspection during which he found substance in the above complaint of the farmers and he directed the Chief Administrator to promptly take the above stringent action against the erring officials.