HEALTH

Adulterated sweets may turn ‘sour’ for shop owners
Monica Sharma

Chandigarh, October 17
Sweet-shop owners look out. You are in for trouble if you are mixing colour in jalebis or the pure desi-ghee sweets you are preparing are not so pure after all. Chances are that a food inspector will visit your shop one of these days, collect samples and initiate proceedings under the relevant provisions of law if the stuff is found to be adulterated or substandard.

Yes, its true. As the “mithai” season is fast approaching, the UT Health Department authorities have pulled up their socks and have decided to come down heavily on all those indulging in adulteration.

The strategy is not so complicated. The health authorities have decided to launch a massive drive against adulteration in the city just before the occasion of Karva Chauth and Divali.

Officially, the authorities are maintaining silence. “Can’t say anything just now, too premature,” they are insisting. Unofficially, they are more vocal. “The drive is going to be launched very soon but we do not wish to give the exact date for the simple reason that we do not want the sweet-shop owners to be prepared for receiving our staff,” says an officer on the condition of anonymity. “We want to take them by surprise”.

The decision to initiate the drive, the officer asserts, is significant as a large number of sweet-shop owners, as per their information, were indulging in adulteration otherwise also and became “real bold” around Divali and other festivals.

Giving details, the officer claims, “Mixing colours was just one form of adulteration that some of the unscrupulous sweet-shop owners were indulging in. Others were preparing sweets in oil after terming these to have been prepared in desi ghee. Water being used for preparing the sweets by some of the shopkeepers too was contaminated. This is not all. Some shopkeepers were storing the stuff weeks before the festivities commenced.

He adds: “It has come to our knowledge that some of the shopkeepers were adding certain prohibited preservatives in the sweets prepared weeks before Divali to make sure that they lasted till purchased by the unsuspecting shoppers”.

Agreeing with him, a senior officer in the Health Department says, “We will be concentrating on sweet-shop owners running their business in and around the colonies and slums spread throughout the length and breadth of the city. The reason for this is simple. Food adulteration is maximum in this area”.

The officer adds, “This, however, does not mean that sweet shops running in posh sectors would be ignored. Our effort would be to collect the samples without any discrimination”.

Education programme for youth
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18
The Punjab Red Cross is doing yeomen work by creating awareness on HIV/AIDS among college lecturers, said Dr D.P.S. Sandhu, Director, Health Services, Punjab, and Vice-Chairman of the Punjab Red Cross, while inaugurating a 4-day peer group education programme for youths and Red Cross volunteers at the Punjab Red Cross Bhavan here yesterday.

As students listened to teachers more carefully, programmes for teachers on AIDS awareness should also be organised, Dr Sandhu said.

As many as 40 students from various universities of Punjab and Panjab University are attending the programme and they will be its ambassadors. The programme is being organised with the help of the Punjab State AIDS Control Society.

Capt Rajdeep Singh Jaiya, Secretary of the state Red Cross Branch, took Dr Sandhu round the newly started Regional Training Centre and Care at the Punjab Red Cross Bhavan. He said a seminar on AIDS awareness for 30 lecturers would be held in December, 2002, in Chandigarh.

Dr Lalla Singh, Secretary of the Manipur state Red Cross and member of the national managing body of the Indian Red Cross Society, was the guest of honour at the inaugural session.

Mr M.L. Bindal, Deputy Secretary, Punjab State Red Cross, welcomed the chief guest. He said more such seminars would be organised for youths by the Red Cross. He further said 20 students would be selected from among the 40 participants undergoing training for inter-state Red Cross camp being organised by the Maharashtra State Red Cross Branch in Pune from November 12 to 15.

AIDS awareness camp for labourers 
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 18
The Surya Foundation, in collaboration with the Haryana AIDS Control Society (Panchkula), organised an awareness generation-cum-free medical camp for migrant labourers of Sector 20, here yesterday.

Dr Ramneek Sharma, founder- director, Surya Foundation, explained about the spread of the disease and means of prevention. She stressed upon the need for social acceptance of patients inflicted with the virus and said the migrant labourers were at a greater risk of contacting the disease.

About 153 labourers attended the camp and were also given information education communication material, besides free medicines.

ITBP men donate blood
Our Correspondent

ITBP personnel donate blood at a camp organised by the Basic Training Centre, Bhanu, on the raising day of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), near Panchkula on Friday.

SPORTS

WORLD WOMEN’S ROLLER HOCKEY MEET
Fruitful experience for nimble-feet skaters
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, October 18
Panchkula eves, Amrita Singh and Chandita Kamboj, returned last evening from Portugal with a rich experience after taking part in the World Women’s Roller Hockey Championship which was held at Pacos de Ferreira (Portugal) from October 6 to 12.

Both were in high spirits after having played in their maiden world championship in which top 16 teams took part. The Indian team went to play under the banner of the Roller Skating Federation of India. The teams which took part in above meet included, Argentina that won the championship, followed by Brazil that secured the second place. The other teams were, from the USA, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Australia,South Africa, Japan, Switzerland, Egypt, England, Columbia, Germany and India.

Amrita, a class X student of Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula captained the team. She had earlier represented India twice in the Asian Skating meet in 1999 and 2001. In the above Portugal meet, she was able to score three goals against different teams and was also chosen among the first top 15 players among all country skaters. India gave a tough fight to South Africa to whom they lost narrowly 3-4. In their pool, other teams were Portugal, Japan and South Africa.

Chandita, a class VIII student of Blue Bird High School, Sector 16, Panchkula, the youngest among all the players who competed, said the Portugal team’s senior most player was 1975 born, while the youngest was 1983 born whereas she was 1989 born. Chandita gives credit of her performance to coach Abhishek Rattan Pal. She was of the view that lack of speed and synchronisation with stick was their weak point that needs improvement. Chandita said she did play among first five in all matches and felt that one of major weaknesses was the lack of control over ball and moreover their start was very slow.

Amrita said, definitely Europe was best in skating, but as far as technique was concerned, Indians play short passes game, so the immediate requirement was to work on those areas where one’s quick reflexes could be noticed. Amrita said another idea was to play as one team for at least one to two months in a cohesive manner, which would give more mental boost to the team.

Chandita praised the stupendous efforts made by the hosts and said it was a worthwhile experience playing in the indoor skating rink. She was impressed by one Ena Patricia of Portugal who, she said, was simply the best in every aspect of the game. The way she variated the game was a treat to watch. Chandtia said, the coaches of other teams used to guide their players in a friendly manner.Both Amrita and Chandita have now set their eyes on the forthcoming Asian Skating meet in 2003 at Korea where they hope to give India at least a silver medal if not a gold medal as they would be competing with strong teams like Japan and China.

Navjot to release Virdi’s book on Sikh sportstars
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 18
Harbans Singh Virdi has three passions in life — Sikh history, sports and writing — and when the three of these get judiciously blended, the result is as outstanding as “Sikh Sportstars — Past and Present”, a book which has the potential of being graded as a reference book in sports.

All set to be released by renowned cricketer Navjot Sidhu in the next month, the book is a storehouse of information as far as India’s contribution to international sports is concerned. Starting with an introductory chapter that sketches Sikh history in general, the book takes one through a myriad of valuable tips about starting of modern Olympics, participation by Sikhs sportsman (non Sikhs too) from India, their sweet victories and agonising defeats.

Similarly, an indepth discussion of Asian Games, right from the moment of conceptualisaton to the actual birth and its subsequent maturing phases, are handled delightfully which hold even a non- sports person’s attention without wavering. The book also incorporates a few rare pictures, capturing various moods of famous Indian sportspersons.

However, the most interesting part of the book is the chapter on “Sikh Legends” that gives sketchy details of footballer Jarnail Singh whom he describes as “Pele” of Punjab, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, the “Sardar of Spin” and a modern “Bhim” Kartar Singh complete with photographs.

“Collecting pictures of the stars was the most difficult part,” says Mr Virdi, unveiling his book in front of a few mediapersons at the Chandigarh Press Club today. “It took me two months to track Jarnail Singh’s relative and a few visits to the interior of Punjab just to get hold of his picture,” he adds. It took him almost three years to complete the book.

Harbans Singh Virdi is a name to reckon with in sports writing. A Chief Sub Editor with The Tribune, he had ventured into the unexplored territory of Sikh sports history with his first book “Sikhs in Sports” that hit the market in 1982, followed by “Sikh Olympians” in 1992. His love for Sikh history was evident in his other books, “Warrior -Diplomat Jassa Singh Ramgarhia” and “Battles on a Blue Steed”.

However, a very different side of him came into light only last year when Jaspal Bhatti released his joke book “Laugh a Little”. “I am finished with sports books,” says Mr Virdi, who feels he has exhausted this topic within his capacity. “I will be writing on other themes,” he informs, and hints that another joke book is also in the offing.

Budding golf star impresses
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, October 18
Amanjyot Singh a promising golfer from Jaipur, who was in the city to participate in the all-India sub-junior and junior golf tournament stole the show today in the tournament when he bagged second place in the Group C in the age group 11-12 years. Winner of Eklavya Award by the Rajasthan Government, Amanjyot took to golf three years back when he was only nine years old. He endows the current success to his golfer father Navdeep Singh, a senior IPS officer.

Amanjyot had a creditable performance all these years in the various legs of the all-India sub-junior golf meet. Earlier, he won the top slot in the below 10 year category in the National Circuit in Group D, then also took part in the Asia Pacific Golf tournament in Taiwan in April this year where top ranked golfers in his age group from various countries took part. He also went to the USA for playing various tournaments. His father said Amanjyot was gradually maturing into a fine golfer. He now plans to take him to the USA for the golf academy and also wishes to study in the academy itself.

Women’s football: The Deepak Kapania Club got the better of the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, by two goals to nil with half time score of 1-0 on the opening day of the Chandigarh Senior Women Football championship for Deepak Kapania Memorial Trophy played here on Friday on Panjab University campus.

Harpreet and Arti scored one goal each for the winners. In the second tie , Panjab University Campus team outplayed Dev Samaj College for Women by five goals to nil. Half time score was 4-0. Gurpreet, Puja, Asha, Sameena and Tripat scored one goal each.

Earlier, Mr Ravinder Talwar, President, Chandigarh Football Association, inaugurated the meet. It was presided over by former International soccer player Gurmail Singh Gill.

Cricket tournament: Yadavindra Public School, SAS Nagar, cricket team in under 19 section headed by its coach Mr Praveen Sangha will leave tomorrow to participate in the IXth IPSC Schools, All-India Cricket tournament going to be held at Rajkumar College, Rajkot (Gujarat). In this tournament, the various institutions of India like, Mayo College, Ajmer, The Daly College, Indore, Modern School, Delhi, Lawrence School, Lovedale, Ooty, Welham Boys School, Dehardun will be taking part. The tournament will begin from October 22 and conclude on October 27.

Basketball meet: MCM DAV College for Girls, Sector 36, defeated Government College for Girls, Sector 42 by 48-16 with half time score of 24-08 in the Panjab University Inter College Basketball zonel ‘A’ division tournament played here today at PU grounds. In other matches of the day, PU Campus beat Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, Chandigarh by 33-02 with half time score of 21-02. In other matches of the day, DAV College, Hoshiarpur, defeated Dasmesh Girls College, Badal by 40-23 with half time score of 23-11 while Government College for Women, Ludhiana, beat Government College for Girls, Sector 11, by 41-28 with half time score of 22-10.

GMHSS-46 win: Government Model High School, Sector 46, defeated Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, by nine wickets in the UT Inter-School Cricket Tournament for “Shivalik Trophy” played here at the Cricket Stadium, Sector 16. In other match of the day, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, beat SD Public School, Sector 32, by 21 runs, thanks to the fine performance of Raj Angad who scored 55 runs and claimed three wickets for 29 runs.

Manprit Singh honoured
Our Correspondent

Lalru, October 18
The Baba Prithavi Singh Azad Memorial Sports Club, Lalru, organised a tournament, here. The club honoured Manprit Singh, for his outstanding performance in kabaddi in Busan Asian Games and Dr Daler Singh Multani, Senior Medical Officer, Lalru, for his dedication in providing best possible healthcare services to the residents of the area on the occasion. They were also given gold rings, as a token of love by the club.

The former Finance Minister of Punjab, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who was the chief guest of the function, lauded Manprit Singh’s achievement.

A cultural programme was also organised on the occasion and Punjabi folk singers Harbhajan Lalru, Jagman Maan, Balwinder Sandhu, Rajinder Jaula and Kulwinder Binda regaled the audience with their performance.

The results of the tournament are as under: Baba Farid Club clinched the title kabaddi (boys) while Amritsar bagged the first prize in kabaddi (girls). Kuldip Singh (Jalalpur), Jagdish Singh (Jawaharpur), Simranjit Singh (Gurdaspur) were adjudged the best in long jump and 100 mt race, shot put throw and 200 mt race, respectively.