HEALTH

Haryana sets aside Rs 2 crore for Devi Rupak Yojna
Our Correspondent

Rewari, October 30
The Haryana Health Minister, Dr M. L. Ranga, at a press conference here yesterday informed that Devi Rupak Yojna, recently launched by the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, was an enterprising scheme targeting population explosion, female foeticide and the increasingly disproportionate male-female ratio. He said an allocation of Rs 2 crore had been made in the current budget of the state for this purpose. Elucidating his point, he further said the amount would be given by way of incentive to young couples (in the form of a monthly instalment of Rs 500 and Rs 200, respectively, for 20 years at a stretch) who go in for sterilisation soon after the birth of their first girl child or after having a first male child and second girl child.

In the second instance the government had decided to set up CT scanning plants in all 19 districts of the state, Dr Ranga informed. Such plants had already been established in Panchkula, Rohtak and Sirsa districts at a total cost of Rs 6 crore.

Further, a trauma centre had been built at Karnal to provide emergency treatment to accident victims while three more trauma centres would now be set up at Rewari, Sirsa and Palwal under a Centre-sponsored scheme, according to Dr Ranga.

In the context of total polio immunisation, the Health Minister informed that efforts were on to achieve this prestigious target by the end of December. He also disclosed that only four cases of polio, one each in Faridabad, Panipat, Hisar and Karnal districts, had recently been detected while the remaining 15 districts of the state had been found free from polio infected cases.

Similarly, the number of malaria-affected cases had gone down from 2,380 in 1996 to 1,970 in March, 2002, he informed.

The Health Minister also informed that now with a hefty budgetary allocation of Rs 407 crore for health services, a sum of Rs 203 was being spent per head on medicare in the state while the total budget of health services in 1966 was a paltry Rs 86 lakh.

Focus on mind to treat cancer: Kalam
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 30
The President, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, today stressed for the need to improve the psychological health of the cancer patients. He asked the medical community to help improve psychological health to help patients fight the disease and recover faster.

“Introduce human loveable elements in treatment. Move ward to ward and tell them they will recover”, said Dr Kalam here today while commissioning a state-of-the-art digital, solid state, dual energy linear accelerator, which is used for radiotherapy at the Dharamshila Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.

He pointed out that cancer had emerged as one of the major diseases in India whose incidence along with the cardiac disorders was on the rise. “You can diagnose it. You can treat it. There is a need for physio-psycho-immunological treatment”.

Stating that with medical treatment 50 per cent of cancer patients can recover completely, Dr Kalam added that the success rate improves further if psychological aspects are included in the treatment.

The President gave an example of a project in Bangalore that assessed 60 breast cancer patients to see “whether physio-psycho-immunological treatment” that involves treating the mind along with the body led to any improvement. Usually cancer patients are given treatment to kill cancer cells. Sometimes drugs to improve immunity, the capacity to fight diseases, are also included as cancer medicines also kill the normal cells. Besides patients, their families and the supporting staff of the hospital were also involved in the project, the President said, adding the psychologist’s job was to tell all included in the study that patients would recover.

After one year of study, it was seen that recovery was 50-80 per cent, he said. Citing another example to highlight the importance of mind, he said somebody who was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer showed no sign of cancer cells after a test. When the patient was asked how it happened, he replied, “I sent a message to my mind that I will live despite the cancer cells”.

Self-help interactive CD on heart care 
Parmindar Singh

Noida, October 30
Mrs Suhsma Swaraj, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, yesterday formally launched an interactive CD that aims at educating the people about basic issues related to heart care at the inaugural function of the medical conference on cardiology, Cardiocon 2002.

The CD, designed and developed by Metro Heart Institute, provides an introduction to the anatomy of the heart, using graphical illustrations. This section explains various parts of the heart and their respective roles in our body.

The CD also elaborates on the recent disease patterns in cardiology and details about the various facts that a layman should be aware of in dealing with such cases. Also discussed are the latest treatment modules and their correct step-by-step procedures.

Cardiocon 2002 aims at educating the general physicians about the latest trends and options available in cardiac treatment. The conference was attended by more that 350 doctors and cardiologists from all parts of Delhi. Many deliberations were made by leading cardiologists from various leading heart care institutes.

Also present at the event as guests of honour were Dr Ashok K. Walia, Delhi Health Minister, and Dr Arul Raj, National President, Indian Medical Association.

Dr S.C.I. Gupta, President, DMA, also declared the formal opening of DMA’s Hospital Regulatory Authority. This body would function as an intermediary between the patients, the hospitals and the state and central governments. According to Drs Hariharan, honorary secretary of DMA, “The DMA Hospital Regulatory Authority has been established to act as an interface to offer grievance handling and also attempt to sort any misunderstandings between the patients and the hospital authorities. It would also act to build opinion on introducing a price regulatory mechanism both at the state as well as the central government level”.

Explaining the rationale behind bringing out such a CD, Dr Purshottam Lal, Director, Interventional Cardiology, at Metro Heart Institute, said, “We have generally observed many myths and wrong beliefs pertaining to cardiac treatment. And this is true even in the case of educated patients. All people should have a basic minimum awareness about their heart, its working and significance, and most importantly about its proper care. They should familiarise themselves with the latest techniques like balloon angioplasty, stents, etc. We are distributing this self-help interactive CD free of cost at our hospital to further improve awareness on basic heart care”.

SPORTS

Uneasy calm prevails in Delhi Ranji team
M. S. Unnikrishnan

New Delhi, October 30
Palpable tension and an uneasy calm prevailed as the Delhi Ranji Trophy team went through their paces at the National Stadium cricket ground on Wednesday. Chief coach Bishan Singh Bedi and his deputy Yashpal Sharma hardly exchanged any words when the players were sweating out at the "nets" of coach Sunita Sharma. Chetan Chauhan, chairman of the senior selection committee as well as vice-president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), did not exchange any word with Bedi either when he came calling to the stadium in the morning. Chauhan left after a brief while, but his presence helped heighten tension.

The ice was broken when national cricket selectors Kirti Azad and Kiran More made a surprise entry. Kirti gave a profound pep talk, laced with a lot of philosophical wisdom, to the players and exhorted them to instil the value of team spirit, and playing to their fuller potential for the cause of the team.

Kirti noted that his recent 40-day hospitalisation had changed a lot of his perceptions, and his outlook to life. Bishan Bedi seemed to fully concur with Kirti's wisdom. Another keen listener, along with the players, was DDCA senior selection committee member Sunil Khanna. Kiran More emphasised the need to have a competent wicket-keeper to win matches. He said the wicket-keeper was the "lifeline" of any good cricket team, and it was most essential for the 'keeper to "keep a confident profile, when the chips are down." He advised the Delhi wicket-keepers never to "wear a helmet. If you wear a helmet, you will be lowering your guard and giving the game away. It will only help expose the player's low confidence level to the opposing team. Moreover, it is very difficult to keep a sharp eye on the ball with a helmet on". More, who is also the secretary of the Baroda Cricket Association, advised the keepers to work to strengthen their weak points. "If you are a left-hander, try to take as many catches with the right hand, so that you are able to dive on either side and hold catches with the same felicity", he noted. The long discourses by Kirti and More had a calming effect, and there were many smiling faces around. Immediately after Kirti and More left, well after noon, Bedi also left for home, as he would be leaving for Kolkata for a day to have a "feel of the Cricket Players' Association", which has just been formed. As Bedi was on his way out, in walked DDCA sports secretary, Sunil Dev, who is also the convenor of the Ranji Trophy selection committee.

Dev sat at the ground for quite a while to watch the players go through their motions at the "nets", but no sooner than he settled down, Yashpal Sharma too rushed home after he received a message that his mother had been taken ill. And in between, captain Vijay Dahiya had also slipped out. The players were on their own now, and after a while, they too packed their bags and left the ground.

These developments were not really surprising, considering the fact that Bishan Bedi, Kirti Azad and Sunil Khanna had "walked out of the Ranji Trophy selection committee meeting in disgust" on Tuesday. They had objected to the selection a few "undeserving players", whom they felt did not possess the requisite talent to play for Delhi. "How can you select those who do not play for their own organisations, and do not even figure in the first 26 of the Delhi probables?", wondered a Bedi supporter. They were also sore that captain Vijay Dahia had not been called for the selection committee meeting.

"It's a tradition to call the coach and captain for the selection committee meeting, though they may not be having any voting rights", observed an official. The bone of contention is basically the selection of players like Kuldeep Rawat, Vivek Khurana, Harender Chaudhary and Paramvir Nagar and the exclusion of Rajat Bhatia, N S Negi, Radhey Shyam Gupta and Suhail Rauf.

But Sunil Dev clarified that there was no walkout as such and Bedi had left the meeting only after the Ranji team was finalised. "Bedi has very strong views. But we have to take the overall interest of the team in mind while selecting the players", Dev remarked.

A source said a player like Radhey Shyam Sharma had scored just over 200 runs in six innings in the Ranji Trophy last season.

"These days, no body can get so many chances, without delivering", Dev observed. But some other talented players like Vishal Sharma and Sonu Sharma also could not get a "look-in" by the selectors as there was none to "plead their cases". 

ICICI Bank down Delphi Auto
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 30
ICICI Bank defeated Delphi Auto by 49 runs in the second Eventus Cup Cricket Tournament at the Palam ground. Sunil Gulati played a vital knock for ICICI as he steered them to 125 after they struggled at 76 for 8 with a best knock of 49. Sunil was adjudged the man of the match.

Scores: ICICI Bank: 125 all out in 20.2 overs (Saif Khan 35, Sunil Gulati 30, Abraham Joseph 4 for 27, Dushyant 3 for 31). Delphi Auto: 76 all out in 20 overs (Amit Sahni 3 for 15, Gaurav Ahuja 2 for 12).

Rajnish stars for Deutche Bank: Deadly bowling of 4 for 22 by Rajnish Kataria and a quickfire 57, studded with six fours and three sixes by Ajay Kumar, helped Deutche Bank beat Hughes Escorts by six wickets in the first Turf Sports Management Cricket Tournament at the Venkateshwara College ground. Ajay was adjudged the man of the match.

Scores: Hughes Escorts: 158 for 7 in 21 overs (Ranjit Narain 53, Manav Subodhi 30, Rajnish Narain 4 for 22).

Deutche Bank: 160 for 4 in 15.4 overs (Ajay Kumar 57, Sunil Kumar 33, Ranjit Narain 3 for 20).

Ganga International win: Ganga International School (Hiran Kudna) beat Modern School, Barakhamba Road 4-1 and entered the quarter-final of the DDA Inter-School Hockey Tournament at the Siri Fort ground. Parveen Huda (2), Anoup and Manas were the goal scorers of Ganga. DAV, Rohini, Sector 7 beat Guru Harkishan Public School 2-0. Amit scored both the goals.

HCL edge past NTPC: HCL Infosystems beat NTPC by two wickets in the sixth DG Phadkar Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Teri Oval.

Scores: NTPC: 141 for 6 in 25 overs (A K Chaturvedi 40 n o., 2x4; Sanjay Deo 20, 2x4; Subba Rao 19, 2x4, 1x6).

HCL Infosystems: 142 for 8 in 24.4 overs (Sameer 29, 2x4; Nischal 28, 2x4; Rajiv Negi 21 n o., 1x4, 1x6, Sanjay Khanna 3 for 26, A K Chaturvedi 3 for 31). Rajiv Negi of HCL was adjudged the man of the match.

Carmel Delhi crush Lucknow in basketball
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 30
Carmel Delhi beat Carmel Lucknow 25-13 in the Mother Veronica Inter-School Basketball Tournament, played at the Carmel Convent School court.

Delhi: 25 (Nadisha Bhatia 13, Kimberley 7). Lucknow: 13 (Shivi Kapoor 6, Shubham 4). Mount Carmel Ahmedabad beat Carmel Gorakhpur 32-24. Ahmedabad: 32 (Deepika Chaudhary 12, Kaneeka Bhatia 11). Gorakhpur: 24 (Ruby Gupta 15, Lucky Sarin 6).

Carmel Chandigarh beat Carmel Bhopal 37-18. Chandigarh: 37 (Neha Kohli 17, Jasmain 7). Bhopal: 18 (Neelima 12).

Carmel Gandhinagar beat Carmel Gandhidam 18-17. Gandhinagar: 18 (Mittal 14). Gandhidam: 17 (Nidi 12). Carmel Delhi beat Carmel Gorakhpur 37-14. Delhi: 37 (Nadisha Bhatia 13, Kimberley 8). Gorakhpur: 14 (Ranupusha 13).

Carmel Lucknow beat Carmel Ahmedabad 23-13. Lucknow: 23 (Aayushi Sharma 10, Shubham 7). Ahmedabad: 13 (Jaspreet 7, Kaneeka 4).

Shivalik swamp Ropar
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 30
Shivalik School, Chandigarh swamped NCC, Ropar (Punjab) 8-1 in the 31st Nehru Junior Boys Hockey Tournament at the Shivaji Stadium on Wednesday.

Khushwant Singh scored a hattrick, while Kewal Preet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sarwan Singh (2) and Jatinder Singh were the

other goal-scorers. Harsimranjit Singh slotted home the consolation goal for the Ropar school.

Company lockout: Labour officials told
 to take action
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, October 30
The district authorities have directed the Labour Department to take immediate action into the reported `lockout’ in an electrical instrument manufacturing unit and the alleged retrenchment of about 350 employees without any notice. The orders to this effect were issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anil Malik, here today on a complaint submitted by the workers union in the Open Darbar held at Bachat Bhawan.

The vice-president and general secretary of the Skytone Karamchari Sangh, Mr Man Singh and Mr Indrasan Prasad, respectively, told the Deputy Commissioner that about 350 employees of Skytone Factory were on the verge of starvation after the management allegedly forced a lockout and left the employees jobless.

They said while several attempts had been made to resolve the issue, the management had remained adamant. They complained that the owners had failed to release the dues including their salaries, bonus, PF and other benefits. Charging the management of irresponsible behaviour, they said false cases were being lodged with the police with a view to harassing the workers. They demanded that the employees be reinstated and their dues cleared.

The DC asked the labour officials to take up the case on a priority basis and report back within a fixed period. He also asked various officials to solve about seven complaints pending since the last darbar. As many as 135 complaints were taken up in the darbar .