Verma for orthopaedic services in remote areas
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 10
The Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Justice O.P. Verma, today stressed the need for extending the orthopaedic services to the remote and far-flung areas. Justice Verma today inaugurated the 10th annual conference of the Punjab chapter of the Indian Orthopaedic Association at Government Medical College and Hospital here today. “It is a matter of great pride that the level of orthopaedic care in India is on a par with the best in the world, but a large number of people will be able to benefit if these facilities are taken to the rural areas of the country,” he emphasised.

The UT Administrator said the role and responsibility being shouldered by an orthopaedic surgeon had assumed great significance due to the large number of accidents taking place. “The increased life expectancy, on the other hand, has brought in its own set of orthopaedic problems like degenerated joints and spine,” he stated.

Justice Verma said the residents of the city were very fortunate in having access to the latest and most sophisticated technology in traumatology, joint and hip replacement and spinal care.

He said leading a sedentary lifestyle, which most of the people were doing today, was an open invitation to spinal problems. “Normal spinal problems can be cured through simple procedures like exercise, yoga, physiotherapy or medicines. Those requiring surgery have benefitted due to the advent of endoscopic spinal surgery in India,” he said.

He lauded the efforts of the GMCH authorities for introducing the endoscopic spinal surgery technique in the region. The Medical Superintendent and head of Orthopaedics Department, Prof Raj Bahadur, also addressed the participants. More than 200 delegates form all over the country are attending the two-day workshop.

Local lad clinches tennis title
Our Sports reporter

Chandigarh, April 10
Vijayant Malik, a local lad, clinched the under-14 boys title in the AITA Super Series Tennis Tournament which concluded here today. Third seed Vijayant who had earlier toppled Yuki Bhambri, the top seed in his category, today toppled Sri Ram Balaji of Tamil Nadu (second seed) in straight sets 7-5, 6-1. Vijayant is a trainee of Chandigarh Academy for Rural Tennis (CHART).

Vivek Shokeen of Delhi, the top seed in boys under-18 knocked out unseeded Aniket Sudhir G. of Andhra Pradesh in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. In the girls under-18 category, Meghana Paritala, the top seed from Andhra Pradesh, got the better of unseeded Shalini Sahoo from Delhi in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.

The first set was keenly contested but the versatility of Meghana finally prevailed and she wrapped up the set at 6-4 and Shalini succumbed meekly in second set 2-6. In the girls under-14 category, top seed Prerna Mythri from Andhra Pradesh beat unseeded Danielle Jones from West Bengal in straight sets 6-1, 7-5. Having lost the first set meekly, Danielle Jones put up a spirited fight to take Prerna full distance, matching her stroke by stroke, but eventually going down 5-7.

The winners and runners-up were given the certificates and trophies by Shri Rajan Kashyap, Chairman, CLTA.

Today’s results are as under: - Boys under-14 (Finals) : 3-Vijyant Malik (CHD) bt 2-Sri Ram Balaji (TN) 7-5, 6-1. Boys under-18 (Finals): 1-Vivek Shokeen (DLI) bt 5-Aniket Sudhir G. (MAH) 6-1, 6-2. Girls under-14 (Finals): 1-Prerna Mythri (AP) bt Danielle Jones (WB) 6-1, 7-5. Girls under-18 (Finals): 1-Meghana Paritala (AP) bt Shalini Sahoo (DLI) 6-4, 6-2.

North India Taekwondo Championship
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 10
The Anglo Taekwondo, Haryana unit (regd), will organise the first North India Taekwondo Championship 2004. The championship will begin on April 23 and continue till April 25. The main aim of the championship is to increase the interest of the students this game.

A large number of participants from UP, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh will participate in this championship, informed Mr Harish Kumar.