HEALTH

City’s first menopausal clinic
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 1
Providing succour to women, as they pass through the most distressing phase of their life, a city gynaecologist, Dr Meenal Kumar, has dedicated three decades of her life working on the subject of menopause.

“The most unfortunate part is that many women continue to suffer as their misery, gloom and helplessness is not recognised as a health problem called menopause, when the fact is that it needs treatment, which is easily available,” opines Dr Kumar, who retired after putting in 32 years of service in the UT Health Department, yesterday.

It was in recognition of her dedication to the cause of menopausal problems faced by middle-aged women that Dr Kumar was entrusted with the responsibility of running the first menopausal clinic of the city. “It was after suffering for more than 10 years due to menopause that I felt the problem needs to be addressed to give relief to women,” she explains.

Dr Kumar did her MBBS from Kanpur and MD from Delhi University before she joined the UT Health Department in 1971. With her specialisation in tackling menopausal problems effectively, she has been handling hundreds of cases during her postings at the General Hospital, Government Polyclinic and Civil Dispensary.

Accepting the challenge of helping and empowering women, who were suffering on account of menopause, a Helpline Club has been set up in the city. Dr Kumar is the secretary of the club, with free membership open to all women.

Dr Kumar, who after her retirement has set up her clinic in Sector 16 close to the General Hospital, says she will continue in her mission of providing relief to women suffering from menopausal problems. She advises women to seek help so that they do not continue suffering as they can easily take treatment.

“How can a mentally shattered and physically crippled woman be a good mother and in command of her house as suffering from menopausal problems she will remain dependent on her husband and children,” explains Dr Kumar. She says seeking medical aid will greatly help in the early detection of genital cancer, heart and bone problems, which are quite common in women at this age.

Dr Kumar has written a number of books and articles to bring awareness on menopause. Her first book on the subject was “Better Woman’s Health after Menopause”, and recently a set of two books, “Healthy Living” and “Better Health after 50”, were also released.

SPORTS

Badminton meet from Sept 13
Our Sports Reporter

The UT team will also take part in the North Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship to be held in Shimla from September 20 to 23. The association has decided to hold a coaching camp for the 30 probables, including 15 girls, for the above meet beginning tomorrow. This camp to be held under the guidance of senior SAI badminton coach Surinder Mahajan will be for a duration of 10 days ending September 11.

Tennis trials

It was an selection trial of a different nature at the Tennis Stadium, Sector 10, when for the first time in the city, 29 children of army personnel appeared for a selection test for admission in the Chandigarh Academy for Rural Tennis (CHART)

Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chairman, CLTA, stated that the response was very encouraging with children drawn from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Delhi, Uttranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala and Karnataka appearing for the test. The Army authorities were expecting more children to compete and the second selection test for these boys will be held on September 28.

Mr Kashyap said a total of 10 children will be finally selected on the basis of their performance in the two tests The rural area scheme being run by the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) has been very successful and several boys have achieved excellence in the game. The induction of children of Army personnel has made the scheme broad-based all over the country. CLTA is confident that more players of national and international standard will be produced under this scheme.

Dr Reet Mohinder Singh, vice-president, CLTA and Mr Kawaljeet Singh, Director Coaching, CLTA, conducted the selection trials in a professional and scientific manner at the DAV College grounds and CLTA complex. Brig. S.S. Randhawa and Maj A.K. Singh, who steered the scheme on behalf of the Army, were present to watch the trials.

The final results on the basis of merit will be declared on September 29 The new project will be inaugurated on November 1 in CLTA’s hostel for CHART.

St Stephen’s win

St Stephen’s school, Sector 45, outplayed Government Model High School, Sector 45 by five goals to nil in the Chandigarh Junior Girls Football championship played here today at the Football Stadium, Sector 17.

The eves of St Stephen’s scored their opening goal in the fourth minute by their right striker Nidhi Sharma. Haranchal scored the second goal in the 12th minute. Right striker Nidhi Sharma again scored the goal in the 16th and 18th minute. The half time score was 4-0 in favour of St Stephen’s. After the lemon break, St Stephen’s girls scored the fifth goal in 50th minute.

With today’s win, St Stephen’s were leading the table with six points. In the second league match, Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, and St Soldiers International Public School, Sector 28, played a draw at 2-2. Both got one point each. The half time score was 1-0 in favour of St Soldier’s School. It was Monika Sharma who scored the goal in the 24th minute.

After the lemon break, St Soldier’s girls added another goal in 34th minute through right winger Gurpreet Kaur. It was 2-0 up for St Soldier’s school.

After four minutes, Divya scored another goal in 38th minute. Then it was Jasveen Kaur who struck with the equaliser for Sacred Heart School. Tomorrow the matches will begin at 10 am.

Billiards meet

The Haryana state Billiards and Snooker Association will hold the Haryana State Nine Ball pool Tournament from September 6 at Asia Billiards, Sector 34. According to Mr Anil Sharma, secretary of the association, entries close on September 5.

CHA in final
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, September 1
Chandigarh Hockey Academy will face Sukhchain Academy, Faridkot in the final of the second SN Vohra Memorial Hockey Tournament (under-14) here. In the semi-finals today, Sukhchain Academy outplayed Rock Rovers Club 2-1.The second semifinal between Chandigarh Academy and Hawks Academy could not be played. Later it was announced that Hawks Academy had withdrawn from the tie.

ADMINISTRATION

Safai scheme for 4 new sectors
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 1
After studying the response of the Sehaj Safai Kendra scheme for the disposal of garbage and horticulture waste at designated places in 10 sectors in the city, the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) today decided to extend the scheme to four other sectors.

The Medical Officer of Health, Dr G.C. Bansal, said under the powers conferred by the Section 279 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1976, as extended to Chandigarh, the Commissioner had six places in the city for the disposal of all types of garbage in Sectors 9, 18, 40 and 47. Earlier, the scheme was available for Sectors 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 19, 21, 27, 28, 33 and 35.

Residents of the four new sectors would have to deposit their garbage, either personally or through their servants. The residents, through their respective resident welfare associations, could engage cycle rickshaws for the collection and disposal of their household and horticulture waste.

The designated centres would remain open between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. It has been clarified that the corporation staff would not collect garbage from any other place other than the designated centres. Those found ignoring the instruction would have to pay a penalty of Rs 500.

Sectors covered           Designated centre

Sector 18 (A and B)        Near CITCO petrol pump, Sector 9

Sector 18 (C and D)        Near park in front of New Public School, Sector 18

Sector 40 (A and B)        Near mini market, Sector 40 A

Sector 40 (C and D)        Near power station, Sector 40 C

Sector 47 (A and B)        Near Kendriya Vidayalaya Public School

Sector 47 (C and D)        Open space opposite House number 2929, Sector 47

Auction cancelled

Chandigarh, September 1
An auction of parking lots adjoining five cinemas in the city was today cancelled after the officers of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh did not find bidders. The prospective bidders protested that the reserved price was too high.

The parking sites adjoining KC cinema, Piccadily cinema, Batra cinema, Kiran cinema and Neelam cinema came up auction. The reserved price for the parking lots varied between Rs 1.99 lakh and Rs 28,000. An official of the corporation said the issue would be put before the Finance and Contract committee for reduction of the reserved price.

Objections to bylaws invited
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, September 1
The local Municipal Council has invited objections and suggestions from the public on the new sanitations and public health bylaws, a proposal to which had been cleared by the civic body. A period of 30 days has been given for the purpose.

A proposal to adopt the Punjab Municipal (Sanitation and Public Health) Bylaws, 2003, was cleared at a meeting of the council held on July 11. At that time the council had favoured the early implementation of the bylaws, but the Executive Officer had stated that the civic body would have to first invite objections from the residents in this regard. These would then have to be presented before the House for discussion. Under the new bylaws no person can either defecate or urinate in open except, those earmarked for the purpose or spit in public.

Additional charge to DSP Devinder

Chandigarh, September 1
Inspector General of Police Rajesh Kumar has given additional charge of CID to DSP Devinder Thakur. The additional charge has been given following retirement of DSP Jagat Mohan on August 30. TNS