HEALTH

Sinha stresses need for Ayurvedic AIDS drug
Our Correspondent

New Delhi, August 13
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shatrughan Sinha has urged the scientists and researchers, especially those working in the Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, to develop a wonder drug that cannot just cure AIDS, but can also be afforded by the common man. Speaking at a function organised by the Baidynath Ayurveda Bhawan to present the ‘Shankha Pushpi Scholarship’ awards to the schoolchildren here on Monday, Mr Sinha said that AIDS is perhaps the only secular disease of its kind in the world which does not spare anyone. He expressed concern over the fact that each AIDS patient in the country spends a considerable sum of money to counter the disease.

Mr Sinha pointed out that for people in developing countries like India, it is difficult to shell out enormous sums of money. In his characteristic witty vein, he added, “Dreaded AIDS disease is not only a mad and bad case, but a sad case also.”

He lauded the Baidyanath group’s efforts at contributing in social causes and added that children are the future of the nation and for them to be able to withstand and compete with the competition at international levels, it is necessary that their performance must be of the highest order and quality.

The minister said it is companies like Baidynath, which can make the future citizens of the country, excel in the world, adding that the talent of youngsters needs to be nurtured from the school level.

SPORTS

The West Indian tornado on Harsha Online
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 13
Sir Vivian Richards, one of the greatest cricketers, will be the special guest on Harsha Online — the interactive one-hour programme on ESPN STARR Sports — presented by Harsha Bhogle on Wednesday at 10.30 p.m. on STAR Sports.

Sir Issac Vivian Alexander Richards, or “Vivi” to his fellow Antiguans, is well known for his proud, emotional and, at times, even volatile approach (when his own or West Indian supremacy was challenged).

This amazing cricketer has earned everyone’s respect in a long and high profile career.

Sir Richards amassed 8540 runs in 121 Tests, which were studded with 24 hundreds, thereby notching an average of 50.23; he had also taken 122 catches.

In 187 one-day international matches, Sir Richards amassed 6721 runs with an average of 47.00 and no less than 11 centuries. He had supplemented that with 100 catches.

He is the highest scorer for the West Indies in Test cricket apart from being the fastest century maker in Test cricket — reaching the milestone off 566 balls against England— a knock which was a fine example of some excellent stroke-play.

The following are the excerpts of his interview:

On advice to young cricketers: “Learn to crawl before you can walk. I see some players today who want to walk before they can crawl, which is like putting the cart before the horse. I can only tell them that if you know the way, you can lead the way and the one who knows the way would go all the way.”

On Sachin: “You’ve got to be very careful. Because you’re so used to see him playing without nerves, you expect him to play like that all the time. He’s always been and still is a magnificent player.”

On younger days: “We were the bad dogs who wanted to play (cricket) everywhere and wanted to bat wherever possible, even in the backyards.”

On fans: “Sometimes fans come up to me and ask me for an autograph, and I say `Yeah, no problem,’ and they’re really surprised. They don’t think you’ll be so forgiving, they think you’ll be annoyed. I tell them, `It’s when you stop asking for autographs that I’ll be annoyed’.”

On his roots: “I read a lot about my culture (on wearing the Rastafarian wristbands). Such as red stood for bloodshed in Africa, green for greenery and yellow for gold and riches ...It’s part of who I am and I have no regret about that.”

What do other great cricketers have to say about Sir Viv Richards on Harsha Online:

Ian Botham: “The greatest cricketer who ever lived.”

Clive Lloyd: “It was the way he approached the game that set him apart. He played with pride for West Indies. I was lucky to have such a man in my team.” (Viv once took an injection in his hip and then went straight out to bat, did not even take up Lloyds’ invitation to bat down the order after him.”)

David Gower: “Had a certain arrogance. Just hit the ball so hard.”

Michael Holding: “I remember a young man playing for Combined Islands against Jamaica and I remember a man who would come in, score quick thirties and forties with a lot of boundaries and then depart”.

DLF win Caddies’ Golf Tournament
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 13
DLF scored a thumping six-stroke win to bag the title in the Inter-Club Caddies Golf Tournament played at the par-72 DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon on Tuesday. DLF’s winning tally of 330 gross was aided by the day’s best round of three-over 75 by talented youngster Vijay Pal.

Delhi Golf Club finished second with a tally of 336 while the Army Golf Club were third at 342. The tournament was sponsored by DLF Golf and Country Club while the prizes were sponsored by Indian Golf Union, J and B Golf, Mayor International and a few members of the DLF Golf and Country Club.

Qadir of Army Golf Club scorched the par-5 12th with a 270-yard effort to win the “Longest Drive” prize on the hole, while the host club’s Sushil Kumar saw his tee shot come to rest 14-feet from the pin, earning him the “Closest to the Pin” award on the par-3 16th.

Vijay Pal was once again in the limelight, winning a play-off to pocket the “Best Individual Score” prize. Vijay beat Delhi Golf Club’s Sikander Ali in a thrilling play-off. The two had earlier tied at three-over 75 each.

The DLF team comprised Sushil, Sanjay and Sohan Lal, apart from Vijay Pal, while the Delhi Golf Club quartet comprised Mohd. Wazir, Rajiv Kumar, Deepak Kumar and Sikender Ali. The Army Golf Club was represented by Suraj, Ajay, Qadir and Sachin.

BRIEFLY
Northern Railway edge past Oriental Bank
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 13
Northern Railway scored a narrow 2-1 victory against Oriental Bank of Commerce in a Senior Division match of the Delhi Soccer Association Institutional Football League Championship at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Tuesday. Aftab Ashraf scored in the 30th and 49th minutes to put Railways ahead by two goals.

Inside-left Sanjeev Sharma netted the consolation goal for Oriental Bank in the 57th minute.

Earlier, Urban Development Ministry recorded a thumping 6-0 victory against Bank of India. Veteran Ram Singh opened the account in the 35th minute while a brace from Arvind Rawat enhanced the lead to 3-0. Pardeep Singh made it 4-0 while Jagpal Singh and Ramesh Rawat scored the last two goals. Wednesday’s fixture: DDA vs Indian Airlines (3.15 p m); ESIC vs FCI (Headquarters) (4.30 p m).

Anadi replaces Novy at Ashoka

Former international player Anadi Barua will take over from Novy Kapadia as the secretary of the Ashoka Club, affiliated to the Delhi Soccer Association. Novy will be associated with the club in some other capacity. The other office-bearers of the club will be finalised soon.

DSA Inter-Club transfers

The Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) annual Inter-Club Transfer of Players will be held from August 16 to 22 between 5.30 p m and 7 p m at the DSA office at the Ambedkar Stadium. The transfer book will be closed on August 22 at 8 p m. The withdrawal will be allowed within four days from the date of transfer of application.

Meanwhile, the DSA Managing Committee has decided that from this year, the top three teams of “B” Division and “A” Division, respectively, will be promoted to “A” and “Senior” Division. The bottom two teams of “Senior” and “A” Division League will be demoted to “A” and “B” Division League, respectively.

DSA secretary N K Bhatia said the “B” and “A” Division League Championships will be held in the first week of September at the Ambedkar Stadium and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, respectively. OSR