CMC Medicity project takes off
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
The multi-speciality CMC Ajit Singh Lottey Medicity project got underway formally with the release of a brochure at the Christian Medical College and Hospital here recently. The project would be one of its kind in India, said Dr Silas Charles, Director, CMCH, while speaking on the occasion.

Located at Rainna village, on the periphery of Ludhiana, the project will have five units, which will provide state-of-the-art medical, surgical and diagnostic facilities. To be developed in four phases, the Medicity, in the first phase, would have a 200-bed cancer and thalassaemia research unit. The unit will be spread over an area of 2.3 lakh sq ft having medical facilities of international standard.

World renowned US-based oncologists, Dr Sewa Singh Legha and Dr Madhu John, were the guiding spirit behind the project, said Dr Silas Charles.

The second phase would have a 100-bed speciality unit for crippled children. The unit would be well equipped with the state-of-the-art equipment for corrective surgical technology and a rehabilitation centre with ultramodern facilities to help disabled or not so fortunate children live a better life. Plans to get associated with the CURE International, a US-based organisation, were underway, he said. The third phase would have a centre for treatment of patients suffering from infectious diseases, with special emphasis on AIDS.

The last phase would be a hospital for terminally ill elderly people. Dr Silas Charles said the whole idea was to develop a healthcare centre in those areas of treatment where, along with modern medical treatment, patients needed a lot of care and compassion.

Dr Rajeev Kapoor and Dr John Pramod presented a slide show about the project on the occasion. Dr T.M. Jaison, associate director, CMCH, said it was high time that a medical centre of this scale and with such facilities came up.

The CMCH being situated in a landlocked area, there was not much scope for further expansion. He appreciated the effort of Mr G.S. Lottey, an industrialist, who had come forward and donated 20-acre land in the memory of his father, late Ajit Singh Lottey, for the project.

Mr Navneet Anand, while extending a vote of thanks, said a number of Punjabis living all over the world had promised help for the project. Mr Ajit Singh Kular, Mr Mohinder Singh Bhogal, Mr Inderjeet Singh Pardhan, Mr Keshav Ram Vij, Mr Ajay Gupta, Mr Inderjeet Hassanpuri were also present on the occasion.

Mr Balwinder Singh announced a help of Rs 2 lakh for the project. “I had collected the money for purchasing a car, but this cause, I feel, is more important,” he said.

Straight contest in DMCH poll
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
The contest for electing various office-bearers of the Managing Society Dayanand Medical College and Hospital is now inevitable as talks for having amicable settlement of the same have failed. The election of the office-bearers and members of the governing board of the DMCH will take place now on March 28 through a secret ballot. Today, was the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

Last minute efforts were made to avoid the election and a meeting was held between Mr Balraj Kumar and Mr Gian Chand Dhawan on one side and Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, Director of the Hero Group and son of Mr Brijmohan Lal Munjal Chairman of the Managing Society of the DMCH.

According to informed sources, the talks failed as Mr Balraj Kumar and Mr Gian Chand Dhawan sought a package deal to have a smooth election of office-bearers.

However, Mr Balraj Kumar when contacted, said, he had not lost hope for the amicable settlement of all issues and efforts to avoid confrontation would continue in the larger interest of the institution.

Mr Sunil Kant was not available for comments. Mr Balraj Kumar, present Vice-President has filed his nomination papers for the post of President against Mr Brij Mohan Lal Munjal and now the two are left in the fray.

There is going to be a straight contest between the Munjal Group and the Balraj-Gian Dhawan groups. For the post of Vice-Presidents- the contest will be between Mr Sunil Kant Munjal and Mr Gian Chand Dhawan, Mr Dharamvir Bector and Mr Tikshan Sood.

For the post of Secretary, the contest will be between Mr Jagdish Behl and Mr Amrit Nagpal. Mr Behl represents the Balraj-Dhawan group while Mr Nagpal is a nominee of the Munjal faction.

For the post of joint secretary, there are two candidates namely Mr Prem Gupta (Munjal) and Mr Rajesh Sood and for treasurer - Mr Vipin Gupta (Balraj-Dhawan) and Mr Satish Sanwalks (Munjal).

The managing society has 18 members of the governing board of which six are office-bearers. The elections will be held among a secret ballot.

Blood donation camp held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
The AFFWA (L), Halwara, organised a blood donation camp at the Air Force Station, Halwara, yesterday. A large number of people donated blood for thalassaemic children getting treatment at the thalassaemia unit of the DMCH.

The camp was organised by a team of doctors and technologists from the Department of Transfusion Medicine, DMCH, under the leadership of Dr Amarjit Kaur, Reader and in charge, Dr Praveen Sobti, in charge of the Thalassaemia unit, Dr Pavneet Kaur and Dr Rohit Mehra, Senior Residents.

The DMCH authorities has, meanwhile, decided to organise more such camps periodically. 

Basketball meet from March 26
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, March 25
More than 30 teams have confirmed their participation for the 53rd Punjab State Basketball Championship for men and women slated to be held from March 26 to 29 at Samana, according to Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal, honorary general secretary, Punjab Basketball Association. Four teams from each section will play matches on the round robin league basis and 35 matches will be conducted during this four-day meet.

Mr Tejveer Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, will inaugurate the championship on March 26 at 3 pm. Ms Preneet Kaur, Member of Parliament from Patiala, will be the chief guest on the concluding day and will give away prizes to the winners, while Mr R. S. Gill, ADGP, PAP, and president, Basketball Federation of India, will preside over the function.

Rural sports: The Pandher Sports Club (regd) organised a rural volleyball sports competition in Saharan-Majra with the active participation of the gram panchayat. The competition was inaugurated by Mr Maan Singh Garcha and the function was presided over by Mr Raghvir Singh, Chairman, Milk Plant, Ludhiana. Children participated in a run and the best three were awarded trophies and cash.

On the last day of the tournament, the chief guest, Mr Tej Prakash Singh, Transport Minister, Punjab, gave away prizes to the teams of Nau-Dharani, Saharan-Majra, Chak and Paharuwal villages bagging first, second, third and fourth positions respectively. President, Rural Congress, Ludhiana, Mr Gurdev Singh Lapran, presided over the functions.