HEALTH

Grasping the true meaning of the doctor’s emblem
Our Correspondent

New Delhi, August 6
The recent controversy whether or not doctors can use the first aid red cross sign has triggered the need to understand the deeper meaning behind the doctor’s emblem. The doctors are required to use their original emblem, the staff with two snakes. The Indian Medical Association, New Delhi branch and Heart Care Foundation of India today released the emblem with its meaning for the benefit of the medical profession as well as the public. Most of the medical associations use modifications of it these days. The logo symbolises the body, mind and the soul. Body is represented by rod or the staff, the mind by snakes and the soul by wings.

The snakes also represent the disturbed state of consciousness and also the duality of nature and the mind. The two wings, the birds, the lamp, or any other such symbol represents the enlightened soul, the well being status of a person, a person with physical, social, mental and spiritual well being. The main factor is to control the ego. If the ego is directed inwards, it controls the mind. The staff with the single serpent is the symbol for medicine and health and the winged staff is the symbol for peace or spiritualism.

A plant grows into a big tree and a child into a perfect person. The snake symbolises all the danger and diseases, which may decay and destroy the tree of life. But there are two kinds of angels too (the wings), ready to save the tree of life from the threat of death. This the story of Life and death. The tree of life is often attacked by disease, some of which are deadly like poisons. But there are angels in the form of doctors or yogic principles to save the tree of life from decay and death. As long as the book of medical knowledge is present, the tree of life will continue to grow and blossom.

The serpent is the symbol for the poison (venom) that can both cure and kill. The same can be nectar if directed inwards or a poison if directed outwards. Another interpretation stresses the symbolism of fertility. The caduceus comprises two serpents coupling on an erect phallus. This spiritualised phallus of Hermes, conductor of souls, penetrates from the known (manifest) into the unknown world, seeking a spiritual message of deliverance and healing. The caduceus also unites the four natural elements and their symbolic qualities. The rod corresponds to earth, the wing to air and the serpents to fire and water.

The symbol is also a true representation of balance between ‘Vata,’ ‘Pitta’ and ‘Kapha.’ The staff represents the ‘Kapha’, the earth and the ‘Tamsic’ state of mind; the snakes representing the ‘Pitta’ or the ‘Rajasic’ state of mind and the wings stating the ‘Satvic’ state of the mind and the ‘Vata dosha.’ The ambulance emblem is a staff with a snake without the wings, meaning thereby a sick person. 

SPORTS

Delhi Audit shortchange Zakir Hussain
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 6
Defending champions Delhi Audit scored a facile 4-1 victory against Zakir Hussain College in the opening match of the Delhi Soccer Association Annual Institutional Football League Championship at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Tuesday.

Former Mohun Bagan player Rishi Kapoor, who has taken transfer to Delhi this season, opened the account for Delhi Audit in the 17th minute. But inside-left Ravinder Mohan equalised for Zakir Hussain in the 29th minute. However, mid-fielder Suresh Negi regained the lead for Delhi Audit in the 30th minute. In the second half, Hitender Singh Rawat consolidated the lead in the 59th minute while Rishi Kapoor completed the tally for Delhi Audit (4-1) in the 65th minute. In another match, five-time former champions Food Corporation of India (North Zone) were held to a goalless draw by Central Secretariat to share points.

Tuesday’s match: Urban Development Ministry vs AIIMS (3.15 pm); Railway Board vs Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (4.30 pm)— Ambedkar Stadium.

Nivia Soccer Tournament

The 11th All-India Nivia Footbll Tournament for schools will be held from August 16 to September 9 at the Ambedkar Stadium. The draw will be finalised on August 10. Entries close with tournament secretary Mohd. Ashfaq, Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi Gate, New Delhi, between 5 and 7 pm every day. Ph: 3244105,3258501.

Lt Governor receives Rs 25 lakh from BCCI
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 6
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Mr Vijai Kapoor, was presented a draft for Rs 25 lakh as the first instalment by Delhi and District Cricket Association president Arun Jaitley and senior vice-president C. K. Khanna on behalf of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) towards the allotment of land for a cricket stadium.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has allotted 30 acres of land to the BCCI for a cricket stadium near the Noida toll bridge. Mr C. K. Khanna, who is also the senior vice-president of the BCCI, said the cricket stadium will include the BCCI office, the National Cricket Academy, a Fast Bowling Academy, a world class gymnasium, indoor cricket facilities, hostel for trainees, a cricket museum, cricket library, an international standard swimming pool, conference hall, sports mall, etc.

Besides the cricket stadium at the Yamuna bed, the DDA is also planning to develop a football stadium, a children’s centre, shopping mall, public utility services etc.

Mr Jaitley and Mr C K Khanna were accompanied by DDCA treasurer Dr Ram Babu Gupta and DDA vice-chairman P. K. Hota.

Randhawa hails India’s fine show
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 6
Olympian hurdler Gurbachan Singh Randhawa has hailed the excellent performance of the Indian contingent in the 17th Commonwealth Games, which concluded at Manchester, on Sunday.

“It is indeed a matter of great pride and honour for every Indian, as our sportspersons have done exceedingly well in the Commonwealth Games. I, on behalf of the Arjuna Awardees’ Association, extend my heartiest felicitations to our dedicated sportspersons for their scintillating performance and bringing laurels to the country,” he said in a message. Randhawa requested the National Sports Federations, Sports Authority of India and the Government of India “not to waste time in arranging various functions for honouring the medal winners, but to concentrate in the systematic training of the athletes, and make vigorous efforts to achieve best results in the forthcoming Asian Games at Busan”. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president M. S. Malik said the achievements of the wrestlers in the Commonwealth Games were a fine tribute to the liberal sports policy adopted by the Haryana Government under the benign guidance of Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. He said Haryana contributed two wrestling medal winners — Krishnan Kumar in the 54kg and Ramesh Kumar in the 66kg – and Mamta Kharab, who scored the match-winning goal for the women’s hockey team.

Karan stars in Mark’s win
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 6
Karan Wahi played an all-round role (4 for 19 and 41 n o) to help St. Marks School, Meerabagh beat Delhi United Christian School by seven wickets and entered the semi-final of the Jayanti Devi Goel Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Bharat Nagar ground.

Karan Wahi was declared the man of the match while Sumit Salwal was adjudged the best bowler. Kapil Sharma got the best batsman award.

Scores: Delhi United Christian School: 69 all out in 16.1 overs (Kapil Sharma 24, Karan Wahi 4 for 19, Sumit Silwal 3 for 11).

St. Mark’s School: 71 for 3 in 6.5 overs (Karan Wahi 41 n o, 4x4, 2x6; Kapil Sharma 2 for 38).

ADMINISTRATION

Rohtak administration to restore rule 
of law on roads
Vipin Sharma

Rohtak, August 6
The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ashok Yadav, has announced that after the completion of the demolition drive, the next priority of the district administration would be to regulate traffic in the town.

Addressing newsmen at his camp office here this afternoon, Mr Yadav claimed that no discrimination was made during the demolition campaign and almost all the main roads and markets in the town had been widened.

He said that the district administration would now take up the problem of unruly traffic in the city. The district administration would hold meetings with different social organisations and prominent citizens to make an

arrangement for the vehicles, especially the heavy vehicles and auto rickshaws plying in and passing through the town, he said.

Mr Yadav claimed that authorised structures in the town had been demolished only after the consent of the shopkeepers concerned and even the shops owned by Nagar Parishad were not spared during the drive.

He admitted that the official machinery was responsible to an extent for cropping up of unauthorised structures and encroachments.

He warned that stringent action would be taken against the erring government employees and officials in this regard. The encroachments on panchayat land in rural areas would be cleared after completion of the drive in the town, he added. The Deputy Commissioner said the administration had provided financial help and land for relocation to the petty shopkeepers who were affected during the drive.

He said 20 shopkeepers had so far been provided land at other places to restart their business and several such applications were being considered. Commenting on the supply of potable water in different parts of the town, he claimed that barring a few colonies located at higher places, adequate water was being supplied to almost all the localities regularly.