21 get eye transplants
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 27
Punarjot Eye Bank, an organisation working for providing eyes to the visually-challenged, has transplanted eyes to 21 persons in June alone. The eye bank has got an overwhelming response from people and more and more visually-challenged persons can now hope to see. Enthused by the response, Dr Ramesh of Punarjot Eye Bank said, “The dark nights for 30 million visually-challenged persons can end if everyone is committed towards the eye donation movement.”

This month, the eye donation movement gained momentum. The donors include Santokh Singh, son of Ram Krishan of Ludhiana, Sonawati, wife of Bihari Lal of Ludhiana, Gurdev Kaur, wife of Hazur Singh of Bishapura village in Sangrur district, Chunni Lal, Dera Beas, Sukhdev Singh, son of Dalip Singh of Diwangarh Kamper in Sangrur district, Jagtar Singh, son of Pritam Singh of Jassowal village, Ludhiana, Krishana Devi, wife of Girdhari Lal, Jasbir Singh, son of Ranbir Singh of Mullanpur, Ludhiana.

The recipients include Kranti, son of Parkash Chand of Phagwara, Dilbar Kaur, wife of Pritam Singh of Bassian village, Ludhiana, Chanan Ram, son of Pala Ram of Hoshiarpur district , Mall Singh, son of Madan Singh of Patiala district, Sarswati, wife of Beant Ram of Ludhiana, Surinder Kumar, son of Atam Parkash of Jalandhar district, Dalip Kaur, wife of Mohinder Singh of Khatala village, Ludhiana, Sukhchain Singh, son of Niranjan Singh of Sangrur district, Piara Singh, son of Sadda Singh of Suman Tibbee village, Dalip Kaur, wife of Sawarn Singh of Ludhiana, Jaswant Singh, son of Kashiram of Ludhiana, Sardar Singh, son of Puran Singh of Sangrur district, Pardeep Kaur, daughter of Ravinder Singh of Sangrur district , Kamlesh Rani, wife of Ashok Kumar of Ludhiana, Satnam Singh of Loharan village in Jalandhar, Roshan Lal of Mukerian, Nachattar Singh of Sangrur, Bhajan Kumar of Phagwara, Harish Singh of Raipura Majra village and Ranbir Singh of Jalandhar.

These eye transplants were absolutely free of cost. The surgeries were sponsored by the Lions Club, Ludhiana Skipper, that is actively participating in this movement. H.K. Ahuja, president, Sumeet Ahuja, Subash Gupta, Pinki Jairath and Prem Grover pledged to continue the selfless service. So far the club has sponsored 155 eye transplants. 

Hospitals brace for foreign patients
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 26
India has been a great destination not only for those in the pursuit of knowledge of the culture but also for modern medicines and major surgeries since the past few years. Keeping a pace with the well established hospitals of repute in Southern and Western India, Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here is one of the few hospitals in North which is also attracting overseas patients.

During the past couple of months, four patients from abroad have visited the CMCH for laparoscopic surgery by Dr Navneet Choudhary and for reconstructive surgery by Dr Vijay Obed. At present, two Canadians — Mr Hari Narayan Singh and Mr S.S. Grewal — were undergoing treatment from Dr Kim Mammen, Professor and Head, Urology Department.

According to Dr Mammen, the patient, Mr Hari Narayan Singh, had his enlarged prostate and urethral stricture treated through endoscopic surgery. Mr Hari Narayan Singh said: “I will recommend more patients to come to Ludhiana for their medical and surgical treatment. The facilities and expertise available here are comparable to international standards”.

Mr Grewal, another patient, observed: “The doctors here are professionally competent and have good communication skills with overwhelming care, commitment and dedication”. He has been operated upon for a cancerous growth and is recovering well.

His daughter says: “I am impressed with the expertise of treating doctors and the quality of medical and nursing care provided at the CMCH”. She said there was a waiting list for surgical procedures in Canada ranging from six months to two years. Therefore, Canadian citizens of Indian origin would prefer to come to hospitals like the CMCH where highly qualified doctors and nurses with commitment and comparison were serving the ailing humanity.

Drug-proof your child

LUDHIANA: According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 93 per cent of teenagers have some experience with alcohol by the end of high school and 6 per cent drink daily. Following are the signs of drug abuse: Less motivation, energy, self-discipline. Loss of interest in activities, declining grades, hostility, strife with family members, theft of money and valuables, unhealthy appearance and bloodshot eyes.

How parents can keep their children off drugs

• The first step to keep children off drugs is to build up their self-esteem. Children with a positive self-image stand a better chance against peer pressure. .
• Parents must help the children see the dangers of trying to confirm a peer group’s standards by going along with its drug habits.
• Parents should monitor the children’s friends. Before they allow their children to spend time with another child, parents should provide alternative activities.
•  Parents should teach their children about drugs and their dangers. Drug education should not be left to the schools. Dr Anil Dheer

International Anti-Drug Day observed
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, June 26
On the occasion of the International Anti-Drug Day, sportspersons took an oath not to use drugs and work for a drug-free society. A seminar, 'Sports against drugs' was held at the conference hall of the Guru Nanak Stadium here today. The event was jointly organised by the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle and the local office of the Punjab Sports Department.

Dr Amrit Pal Singh, Director, Students Welfare, Punjab Agricultural University, solemnised the oath to the gathering. He asked the sportspersons to work for the uplift of the society and be the guiding force for the youth as the younger generation follows the sports stars.

In his keynote address, Dr Deepinder Singh, Director, Social and Health Services, Directorate and Reader L M H Medical College, said that sports served as the biggest weapon against the abuse of drug. We must have more playgrounds for the youth. He also discussed about anabolic steroids.

Prof Balwidner Singh, Editor, 'Sada Virsa Sada Gaurav' while speaking at the seminar gave a comprehensive view of drug situation of the world. Prof Sarabjeet Singh, deputy chief organiser, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, thanked the dignitaries and sportspersons who attended the seminar. Mr Gian Inder Singh, Mr Harpal Singh and Mr Harbans Singh, sports officials of the sports department, were also present there.

A counter was put up at the venue where the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle displayed the literature in connection with the drug abuse and the participants showed keen interest in the matter.

Sukhan, Sunny bowl Patwari XI to victory
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, June 26
Fine bowling performance by Sukhan (4 for 18) and Sunny (3 for 21) helped Patwari XI to three-wicket victory against Charanjit Singh Ahluwalia XI in the eighth Chaman Lal Malhotra Cricket Cup Tournament (u-14 years) being organised by the Ludhiana District Cricket Association at the Arya College for Boys ground here today. Amrinder and Sunny contributed 62 and 25 runs, respectively in Patwari XI's win.

Put into bat, Charanjit Singh Ahluwalia XI scored 162 runs in 35 overs. Patwari XI surpassed their opponents' total in the 25th over after losing seven wickets.

Brief scores: Charanjit Singh Ahluwalia XI--162 all out-- (Ketan 27, Kawaljot 28, Rahul 24 and Shubham 24; Sunny 3 for 21, Sukhan 4 for 18 and Sonu 1 for 19)

Patwari XI: 166 for 7 (Ram 14, Amrinder 62 and Sunny 25; Shubham 3 for 23 and Rahul 3 for 30).