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AIDS project for drug users soon Chandigarh, December 1 It was during the high-risk mapping for identifying the vulnerable group to AIDS in the city that it was found that there are about 1,400 drug users in the city. "Sharing of injection equipment for narcotic drug use is one of the most efficient routes of HIV transmission and is considered to be even more risky than unprotected sexual contact," said a health official. Since majority of the injecting drug users are males, their female partners, therefore, stand a high risk of acquiring the HIV through sex. Another reason for high government concern over the issue stems from the fact that majority of the drug users are the youth in their most productive age group of 15 to 25. The Project Director, UT AIDS Control Society, Dr N.M. Sharma, said the new project would be started before March, next year. He said the "harm minimisation" approach which was accepted worldwide as an effective preventive mechanism would be adopted. "The project would stress on the non-sharing of injections through 'single drug-single use' and linking with a drug de-addiction centre with the active involvement of NGOs," he disclosed. At present nine projects for migrant labourers, truckers, rickshaw pullers, commercial sex workers, street children, jail inmates and others are already covering a high-risk population of 75,452 at 23 sites all over the city. It was the Community Medicine Department, PGI, which had undertaken the mapping of high-risk population. Topping the list was an astounding number of over 85,000 migrant population, 6,300 street children and 1, 400 intravenous drug users. Two new projects for migrant labourers in Mauli Jagran and Maloya and one for taxi drivers in the city would be launched by the end of this month. The project for taxi drivers would cover 3,000 taxi drivers and 2,000 auto drivers in the city and would be implemented by a voluntary organisation, VOICE. The National AIDS Control Organisation had already cleared the three new projects. With majority of AIDS and HIV positive persons from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttaranchal seeking treatment at the PGI, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and General Hospital, the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission Project (PPTCT) was likely to be started from next year. "The Unicef has sanctioned Rs 60,000 for the UT AIDS Control Society for sensitisation of doctors and other health-care professionals under the PPTCT," said Dr Sharma. The UT AIDS Control Society, which at present is distributing condoms free of cost through its depots and distribution centres, was planning to start social marketing of condoms at subsidised rates, as was being done in many of the states in South India. "Seeing the success of social marketing of condoms in Tamil Nadu, we too might start it here as we are already distributing almost 1.25 lakh condoms annually," informed a health official. |
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HIV positive cases on the rise Chandigarh, December 1 “The trends in the sexually transmitted diseases was the real indicator of the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and as such impetus should be on their treatment,” said Mr Karan A. Singh, Secretary Health, at the AIDS Day function, organised at the Arts Gallery and Auditorium in Sector 10, today. Mr Singh said since the disease had transformed into a serious health and social developmental issue, efforts should be made to effectively control it through awareness and target-intervention projects. He lauded the efforts of the society in collaborating with various organisations to generate awareness about AIDS and provide the best possible testing and counselling facilities to the patients from the entire region. A large number of government officials, doctors from the PGI and Government Medical College and Hospital and representatives of NGO’s working in the area of AIDS and educational institutions attended the function. Some of the organisations, which had done good work in spreading the message against AIDS, were honoured on the occasion. The Director, Health Services, Dr C.P. Bansal, stressed the need for intensifying efforts to check AIDS epidemic, which had already assumed alarming proportion. The Project Director, UT AIDS Control Society, Dr N.M. Sharma, said the number of HIV positive cases from the region were on the rise and so far 3,300 cases had been diagnosed at the three testing centres in the city. He said the first AIDS case from the city was reported in 1992 and today a total of 830 full-blown cases from the region were being treated in city hospitals. He said since a large number of patients from the region were coming to the city because of the advanced medical treatment facilities here, the responsibility of providing the best possible care to them rest with the UT AIDS Control Society. He said apart from focussing on targeted intervention, attention was also being paid towards awareness generation and holding of training programmes and conferences. A number of NGOs, who are running projects for the high-risk population in the city, were honoured on the occasion. A poster exhibition was also organised by various organisations like the Citizens Awareness Group and the Indian Council of Social Welfare and other educational institutions at the Government Museum and Arts Gallery. |
Rallies, contests mark World AIDS Day Chandigarh, December 1 Aimed at creating awareness and educating the students, some educational institutions organised slogan-writing contests as well. Students and teachers pledged that they would spread awareness among vulnerable groups which included truck drivers, migratory labourers and rickshaw-pullers. An essay writing contest on “AIDS awareness: Each step counts”, a slogan writing contest and a debate on “AIDS awareness is a must in educational institutions” was organised at GGDSD College, Sector 32. The results were as follows: Sanya Chopra of B.Com I stood first, Munish Phougat of BA I came second, Amandeep Kaur of BA I was third; debate: Harleen Kaur of BA II came first, Tahira Kashyap of BSc III stood second, Saandra of BA I came third; slogan writing: Radhika Vohra of B.Com I first, Shikha Jain of B.Com I second, Charu of B.Com III third. At Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, an essay writing competition on AIDS awareness was organised at the college. The students of B.Ed presented a skit regarding the myths and fallacies connected with Aids. A poster exhibition on Aids awareness was also put up. This exhibition was the result of a competition conducted by the student teachers in Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 46, during their teaching practice. The prize winners were as follows: poster making — Jaspreet Kaur and Mukesh (first) Swati and Rohan (second); slogan writing — Meenu Tayal (first), Asha (second); essay writing — Harman (first), Deepika (second), Anita (third); special prize — Abhinav Dobhal for a self-composed poem. Handouts containing information about AIDS awareness were also distributed among the students. Rallies were organised by the students of Government Model Senior Secondary Schools (GMSSS) — 33, 35, 10, 40, 19, 44, GMHS-39, GHS-Sarangpur, IS Dev Samaj Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, and St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, GSSS-27 and Mani Majra town. At Sharda Sarvhitkari School, Sector 40, an essay writing and rangoli contest was organised. While Shelja of Class IX stood first in essay writing, Preeti of Class VII A was given the first prize in rangoli. Meanwhile the NSS unit of Government College, Sector 46, Chandigarh, held a rally on the World AIDS Day on Monday. The rally was flagged off by the College Principal, Mrs Geeta Mohan, from the college campus. It was led by the Central Students Association president, Mr Harish Attri, and Mr Amarpreet Singh Chatha. Students raised slogans for creating awareness about AIDS. More than 200 NSS volunteers participated in the rally, which passed through the Sector 46 main market and residential areas and the road adjoining Sector 45 and Sector 32. It culminated at the college. The NSS programme officers, Mrs Harinder kaur, Prof Sahib Singh and Prof Harjinder Singh, accompanied the rally, according to a press note issued by the NSS programme officer of the college on Monday. |
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Special lights for new GMCH block soon Chandigarh, December 1 The France-based company, which is to supply the lights, has sent a letter to the GMCH saying that it will be able to ship the lights to India in the first week of December. After taking into account the installation time and testing, the lights will be fully functional within the next three weeks. With this, the building which has cost about Rs 23 crore will be opened for the public before the year closes, or at best, when the new year starts. The ‘C’ block building had been ready since the past four months but could not become operational as special lights for the operation theatre could not supplied by the company due to various reasons. An order was placed with the firm in April 2003 and the Letter of Credit was opened by the administration in July this year. The lights which are called integrated lights and have a special camera fitted onto them to relay the operation directly onto a computer screen thus enabling the experts to intervene and give suggestions. Besides this, the camera in the lights also facilitates recording the operation for research purposes and study at a latter stage. |
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Special health camps
for slum areas Panchkula, December 1 The programme was jointly organised by the Haryana AIDS Control Society and Sri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Chandigarh. A medical camp was organised by the college on this occasion, where blood samples for checking haemoglobin count, blood group, and for HIV, was taken from 380 patients. The patients were also diagnosed for sexually transmitted diseases and given medicines free of cost. The ambitious targeted intervention project was also launched here, which is to give impetus to the National AIDS Control Programme. Under this programme, high-risk groups like truck drivers, dhaba workers, and jail inmates would be sensitised against HIV and AIDS. The Family Planning Association of India (FPAI), in collaboration with district health authorities, took out a rally in Abheypur. Seventy students of Hindu Model High School, participated in it. Dr Satvir Chaudhary, Civil Surgeon, Panchkula, flagged off the rally at Abheypur, which passed through Majri chowk, Devi Nagar and various sectors of the town. A talk was also delivered at Truck Union, Abheypur, by Dr Sangeeta Pandita of FPAI. A seminar on 'AIDS prevention and role of youth' was organised by Environment Society of Haryana at Jainendra Gurukul Senior Secondary School. Dr D.N. Kakar delivered a talk on various reasons that were affecting the implementation of AIDS control programme, to the school students. World AIDS Day was also celebrated at DAV, Sector 8. Students of Class V were given a lecture on AIDS awareness. A paper reading session, poster-making competition were organised for students of Class VII and VIII. Swaranankita, Shatakshi and Paras Vyas won prizes in these competitions. |
UK team to give lessons in golf Chandigarh, December 1 Mr Randeep Waraich, Director Operations, PGA Design Consulting, India and Middle East, told that the UK in a concerted effort had taken the onus to promote golf in India and help set up international standard golf courses in the country. Mr Waraich said with this idea in mind, the PGA Design Consulting had developed a teaching package — PGA Teaching System — designed specially for handicappers. This was the only learning programme having approval of the British PGA, he added. The team would be able to provide the best package. The package included one-to-one video and non-video neuro linguistic programmes, ‘Hypnosis in depth’ training programme, golf fitness sessions, golf psychology sessions, golf theory lectures, rules and etiquette seminars, corporate golf days, competitions and event management and day and night excursions. The team is led by Beverly Hukes, founder member of the Ladies European Tour, who is also the golf commentator for Sky Sports and Eurosport. She is the real author of the above system. Other member Claire White, is qualified UK PGA professional and one of the best former amateur golfer as judged by the Golf Digest, he added. Third member Peter Cain, is also a qualified UK PGA golf professional and has set up day-to-day management of facilities in Singapore, Portugal and the UK. Mark Arnold will be the fitness trainer and has been consultant to Esporta Health Clubs on fitness for golf programmes. The three-day session beginning tomorrow would have courser for beginners and outstanding golfers. It would include, swing academy, course academy and the players academy. Mr Waraich said under the PGA teaching system, 30-lesson golf learning programme was divided in three sections where golfers could choose to take their lessons individually or in small groups, existing players could improve their swing, shortgame and course-management skills to reduce their handicaps. Then advanced players could enhance their shot-making and competitive talents. He said the Chandigarh region was the best suited to play golf as competitive sport since many other places in India encouraged golf as hobby sport. In Amby Valley, promoted by Sahara group near Mumbai, a beautiful golf
course had come up which had been designed by PGA Design Consulting, he added. Mr Surinder Talwar, Head, Media Publicity, PGA Consulting said there was a trick-shot show demonstrated by Peter Cain and the introductory clinic at the club. The city-based golfers who would be attending the lessons over the next three days were: Gurbaaz Mann, Vikramjit Singh, Sandy Lehal, Karan Singh, Girish Virk, Harinder Gupta, Rahul Bakshi, Simran Sethi, Dhruv Avtar and Rahul. |
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Mohali Club clinch junior powerlifting trophy Chandigarh, December 1 Mr V.K. Bhalla, President, Chandigarh Powerlifting Association, gave away the prizes. Weightlifting Coaching Centre-42 bagged second place. As many as 52 powerlifters took part in this meet. In the junior section (52 kg) Navjot Singh of Chandigarh broke four state meet records. In squat he lifted 165 kg, in bench press 102.5 kg, in dead lift 180 kg and total weight 447.5 kg. Earlier records were in the name of Ranbir Singh from the Public Sports Club in 1989. In the 60 kg class, Gurkirat Singh of Chandigarh also broke four state records and won gold medal by lifting 200 kg in squat event, in bench press 110 kg, in deadlift 212.5 kg and total 522.5 kg, won the gold medal. In 67.5 kg class, Bahadur Singh of Chandigarh improved his own state records, in dead lift from 232.5 kg to 240 kg, in total from 565 kg to 590 kg and won the gold medal. In 82.5 kg class, Suraj from Chandigarh established a new state record in dead lift (290 kg) and bagged gold medal by lifting a total weight of 670 kg.
Chess tourney The Chandigarh Chess Association will hold the UT Youth under 25 chess championship-2003 on December 6 and 7 at Jawahar Navodya Vidyalya, Sector 25. A team of two players will be selected to represent Chandigarh in the XIIth National Youth (under25) chess championship to be held at Patna from December 23 to 31. Entries close on December 5 with Mr Vipnesh Bhardwaj-98146-15100.
Rowing championship Panjab University, Chandigarh, will play host to the All-India Inter-University Rowing championship for men and women at Sukhna lake, from December 3 to 6. As many as 20 teams in both men and women categories are expected to take part. Mr T.C. Gupta, President, Chandigarh Rowing Association, will inaugurate the meet on December 3 at 10 am. |
Groundwork to identify land for acquisition begins Chandigarh, December 1 The Land Acquisition Officer’s (LAO’s) Department has starting collating various vacant lands in the villages to make a list of lands before these are acquired. The use of the land may be for developing a rose-garden type trail, a small golf course, even some kind of a small amusement place like a club. The use of the land will be low-density and not to build any housing project. The idea is to protect these lands from people doing trades like in marble, timber and scrap which will only spoil the periphery. The Estate Officer, Mr Arun Kumar, had moved a proposal a few days ago, on how the periphery needed to be protected from misuse as various unauthorised businesses had been coming up. The proposal has been sent to the Administration and it is more or less okayed it and senior officials are keen on the idea. Since the major idea behind the periphery was to bring about an open area around the city, the acquisition of 400 acres of land for such low-density use will not spoil the basic concept. Interestingly, all major government or private landmarks in the city like the Sukhna Lake, the Secretariat, the PGI, the General Hospital, The Tribune, the Rose Garden, the Golf Club or even the Chandigarh Club are located in the first phase of the city. This first phase is from Sectors 1 to 30. The second phase was started about 35 years ago but no important places have been developed barring the GMCH or small parks like the Terraced Garden in Sector 33 or the Fragrance Garden in Sector 36. The residents of southern sectors are justified in cribbing that a large part of the infrastructure is located in the northern part of the city. Now when the infrastructure is overloaded, the need to develop an alternative is greater, said sources. Once this 400-acre complex is developed, it will meet the requirements of people living in Sectors 36, 37, 38, 39, 55, 56 and even others. |
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