HEALTH

Second round to eliminate polio
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 8
The UT Health Department is all set for the second round of immunisation programme to be held on tomorrow. As per Health officials, it is mandatory for all children, immunised in the previous rounds, to receive the pulse polio drops again. All newborn children who are sick, travelling or previously immunized must receive these extra doses of polio vaccine.

The staff at 410 stationary pulse polio booths and 52 mobile teams, are targeting every child below five. All travelling children will be covered by teams stationed at airport, railway station and the bus stand.

Around 25 NGOs have been involved in the process. Approximately four to five booths have been set up in each small colony, while eight to 10 booths have been set up in big colonies.

The campaign started about two months back with a view to involve not only the residents belonging to the poor strata but also the elite.

‘Key pharmacy areas need attention’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 8
Key areas of pharmacy which need government attention were discussed at length at the 20th annual conference of the Indian Pharmacy Graduates’ Association at Panjab University here today.

Dr R.S.Gaur, president of the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India, delivered the keynote address, dwelling on vital areas needing government attention, including demand for an autonomous Pharmacopoeia Commission.

He talked on the need for modifications in qualifications of manufacturing pharmacists. He said pharmaceutical organisations should be headed by professionals alone.

Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, said pharmacy was a mix of chemical, biological, mathematical and computational sciences. He stressed on the need for study of biotechnology and genome studies for research in pharmaceutical studies.

Mr P.P. Sharma, president of the IPGA, gave information on good manufacturing practices. Prof S.C. Vaidya from the PU Business School gave an illuminating talk on management in the changing business environment and emphasised that only those manufacturers who could give value for money would survive.

Prof T.R. Bhardwaj, chairman of the host department, proposed the vote of thanks at the inaugural session. Prof S.K.Sharma, Director of the PGI, was the chief guest.

Prof Harkishan Singh, a former chairman and Dean of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of PU, was honoured by the local branch of the IPGA with the life achievement award for his contribution in education and research.

Cancer survivors celebrate life
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 8
“Celebration of life” was the theme of ‘Cancer Survivor’s Day’ organised by the Sahayta Cancer Sahyog (SCS) here today. The local Member of Parliament, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, was the chief guest.

The highlight of the day was a face to face with several survivors of the disease, including Renu Saigal, Daman Mangat, Neena Singh, Gurpreet Khaira and Ranjana Tulsi. Justice Surinder Pal Singh (retd) also spoke.

Several participants spoke about the assistance provided by SCS in helping them complete education. Family members of two cancer victims, including a little girl, spoke of their harrowing experiences and how they coped up with the tragedy.

Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology, PGI, Dr R Kapoor, gave a presentation on the use of radiotherapy for treating cancer, the methods used and their implication. He also touched upon common queries and myths posed by people regarding the use of radiotherapy.

A talk on ‘pranic healing’ was given by Ms Jugnu. ‘Pranic’ healing uses natural methods to calm and relax the body and focuses on maintaining a positive attitude and keeping the mind in tune with the treatment.

Awards and scholarships were given away to survivors as well as those associated with SCS in battling cancer. The Jeevan Shakti Award - 2003, which carries a cash prize of Rs 5,000, a silver medal and a memento was given to Ms Gulshan Gauri and Ms Ashish Gupta.

The ‘Donor of the Year Award’ was given to Ms Jugnu and Mr Ravinder Singh, while St Stephen’s School got the Institutional Award for Support Towards the Cause.

The ‘Col Iqbal Loomba Protsahan Scholarship’ (Rs 2500) was awarded to Shamsher Singh, a patient of testicular tumour, while ‘Gagan Toor Scholarship’ (Rs 5000) was awarded to Pawan Kumar, a nine-year-old patient of lymphoma.

Paediatrics Department accredited
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 8
The Paediatrics Department at the General Hospital, Sector 16, has been accredited by the National Neo-Natal Forum, an apex body for gradation of paediatrics services in India.

The neo-natal services were started in the late seventies and augmented in February, 1986.

SPORTS

Six tennis players get cash awards
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, February 8
The Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association gave cash awards worth Rs60,000 here today to six young tennis players from Chandigarh, for their outstanding performance during 2002. Those awarded were Tushar Liberhan, Sanam K. Singh, Taskeen Bains, Kinshuk Sharma, Chatwinder Singh and Gurvarinder Singh. Immediately after the conclusion of the ITF International Junior Tennis Tournament at the CLTA courts here today, Mr Virendera Singh, Adviser to the Administrator, distribute gave cheques to the players.

Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chairman, CLTA, said the incentives had been inbuilt into a special scheme for recognition of performance of Chandigarh tennis players at various levels, both national and international, in various age groups. Whereas the senior players were entitled to prize money, junior players (under-18, under-16 and under-14 categories) were awarded scholarships. Mr Kashyap said these incentives would be awarded every year to the players after evaluating their performance during the year.

Chandigarh motocross

The 18th Chandigarh Motocross will be held tomorrow at the Circus grounds in Sector 17. To be organised by the Chandigarh Motorsports Association, the meet will attract top riders of national repute. The Indian Oil Corporation has sponsored the show which will be held in four categories, open, expert four-stroke and clubman. More than 50 riders are expected to participate in the event, according Mr S.P.S. Garcha, President of the CMSA. Vijay Kumar, Rehan Khan and Punnu Singh are among the top participants. The winner in the ‘Open class’ will get Rs 12,000, while in the expert class the winner will get by Rs 8,000. A practice session was held this afternoon for the participants.

ADMINISTRATION

Move to check cyber crime
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 8
The Chandigarh Police has decided to take help of owners of cyber cafes in order to check cyber crime in the city. According to information, it has been found that cyber cafes are being used for elementary hacking of sites, extending extortion threats and seeking information of vital installation through hacking of sites.

A meeting to brief the owners of cyber cafes has been called at the Chandigarh Police headquaters on Monday.

Security up in Sector 38 (West)
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 8
The Chandigarh Police will provide security at the three gates erected around the residential colony of Sector 38 West. The residents of the area in coordination with the Chandigarh Housing Board have erected gates at seven entraces to the area.

The DSP, South, Mr S.C. Sagar, and SHO, Sector 39, Mr K.I.P. Singh, today held a meeting with the residents of Sector 38 West. They said during the right five of the seven entrances would be closed and beat police parties of the area would assist the night watchman.

The police officials also held a meeting with shopkeepers of Sector 37 to review the progress of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.