The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

200 Tribune employees donate blood
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 9
The Tribune Employees Union organised its 14th annual blood donation camp on the occasion of the death anniversary of the founder of The Tribune Trust, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, on The Tribune premises here today.

A team of doctors from the PGI led by the head of the Blood Transfusion Department, Dr S.K. Agnihotri, conducted the camp.

More than 200 employees donated blood. As many as 80 employees donated blood for more than 10 times, including Mr Arun Kaushal (56 times), Mr Rajeshwar Chopra (39), Dr Renuka Nayyar (29), Mr Raman Sharma (28), Mr Satinder Bedi (26), Mr Ashok Sharma (22), Mr S.S. Pathania (22), Mr Anil Gupta (18) and Mr Puran Chand Sharma (16 times).

Dr R.P. Bambah, a trustee of The Tribune Trust, inaugurated the camp. He said there was no better way to pay tributes to The Tribune founder than holding a blood donation camp in his memory. He appreciated the union for organising such camps. He also appreciated the management-union relations in the institution and said the Trust always took all demands of the union as suggestions and considers them as such. Mrs Saudamani Bambah also visited the camp.

Another trustee, Justice S.S. Sodhi, said there was no donation bigger than blood donation. He wanted the union to continue this noble cause for the welfare of the needy.

Mr R.N. Gupta, General Manager of The Tribune, also blessed the donors. Mr O.P. Arora, Additional General Manager, Mr Vijay Saighal, Editor Dainik Tribune and Mr H.S. Halwarvi, Editor, Punjabi Tribune, visited the camp and encouraged the blood donors.

Mr Balbir Singh Jandu, President of the union, said the union would continue to work for the betterment of The Tribune employees and the institution in particular and society in general by organising blood donation camps.

Medical camp for senior citizens
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 9
More than 100 senior citizens were examined and given treatment at a free medical camp organised by the Chandigarh Senior Citizens Association at a gurdwara in Sector 8 here yesterday. The camp was held as part of the Senior Citizens Day celebrations.

Another free medical camp for senior citizens would be held at Freemason’s Lodge tomorrow, stated Mr Rajkumar Bali, secretary, Public Relations, Chandigarh Senior Citizens Association, in a release issued here. The Association also plans free medical camps at Senior Citizens Home, Sector 43, on September 25 and for slum-dwellers and handicapped persons at Karsan village the next day.

GMCH-32 celebrates annual day
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 9
Bhangra, western dance, solo dance and skit marked the 11th annual day function of Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital celebrated at Bhargava Auditorium in the PGI. The Director Principal of the hospital, Professor S.B.S. Mann, gave a detailed account of achievements of various departments of the college.

He laid stress on various community-based activities initiated by the Department of Psychiatry, Chest, Tuberculosis and Ophthalmology. Awards in the field of sports and literary field were given away by chief guest — Adviser to the UT Administrator Neeru Nanda.

SPORTS

Badminton star on horizon
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, September 9
Oscar Bansal is a new name in badminton, now on the threshold of becoming a future star. A student of Vivek High school, Sector 38, he won accolades in various national major ranking tournaments recently. Yet to complete 13 years, he was runner-up in the mini-doubles at the all-India major ranking meet in Mumbai after upsetting the second seed in the semi-final. He partnered Gurbax Singh of Punjab. Oscar later made it to the last four in a ranking tournament in Pune, where he upset fourth seed Anurag Sharma of Uttar Pradesh in straight sets.

Oscar gives credit for his performances to Surinder Mahajan, a senior Sports Authority of India badminton coach. His practice schedule at the Panjab University badminton hall coaching centre runs for more than six hours a day, with two hours in the morning and four hours in the evening. Mahajan says when five years back, he came with his father, an ardent badminton follower, he could not have foreseen that Oscar would one day become the pride of badminton in the city.

Oscar visited the Czech Republic last year and played in the international youths under-15 badminton tournament, where he also underwent a training programme. He says the visit infused confidence in him.

When Oscar was eight years old, he began with wall practice training. Later, he took part in the under-10 championship, which helped him in developing match temperament. For the past five years, Oscar has been winning the state title in his age group. His other achievements include participating in the national sub-junior badminton championship for the past three years in the under-13 age group.

He also represented Chandigarh in the National School Games in under-14 section at Bharuch (Gujarat). This year, he hopes of playing in the National sub-junior meet to be held in Patna next month and the National School Games at Surat later this year.

Oscar has been advised by his coach to lay emphasis on physical conditioning and being thin, give priority to weight training. A Class VIII student, he says his school gives him encouragement and he feel-motivated with the support provided by his school.

His idol is Prakash Padukone. He also appreciates achievements of P. Gopichand. Ocar is training hard for the forthcoming all-India major ranking tournament to be held at Thane (Maharashtra) from September 21 to 25.

16 teams for Administrators Cup
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, September 9
As many as 16 teams have so far confirmed their participation in the inaugural ‘Administrators Cup Football Tournament to be held at Sports Complex, Sector 42, from September 11 to 18. Out of total teams, 10 teams are other than from Chandigarh. The teams taking part are, Chandigarh Football Academy, Sector 42, Government Model High School, Sector 26, Saini Senior Secondary School, Rewari, Kartar Singh Football Academy, Ludhiana, St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, New Ardas High School, Rohtak, Shere Punjab ‘N’ Club, Gurdaspur, Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, Chandigarh, Youth Club, Roorka Kalan, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, Little Star School, Yamunanagar, Government School, Mahilpur Football Academy, Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22, Chandigarh, Mehar Football Academy, Kurali, Blooming Dales School, Hisar, and Rajkiya Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Rohtak. On the opening day, CFA boys will play with Government Model High School, Sector 26 at 3.30 p.m.

Gymnastics meet

The XXXth Chandigarh State Gymnastics Championship for senior, junior, sub-junior sections in artistic, rythmic and aerobics would be held from September 20 to 22 at Gymnasium Hall, Sector 7. Entries close on September 19 with the secretary, CGA -2135, Sector 38-C, Chandigarh.

Boxing championship

The Chandigarh Amateur Boxing Association will hold the 25th Chandigarh State and Ist Chandigarh State Girls Boxing Championship at Boxing Coaching Centre, Sector 23, on September 24 and 25. During this meet, the state team in junior section will be selected to take part in the National Junior Boxing Championship to be held at Gangtok (Sikkim) from October 5 to 9.