Children asked to avoid junk food, colas for good health
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 3
‘In the wake of genetic predisposition of the people of Punjab which makes them susceptible to heart diseases compared to other regions in the country and the West, the children should avoid junk food and colas as to remain physically fit and alert. The school authorities in the city and elsewhere should also encourage students to have milk and sweetened lassi rather than cold drinks in the school canteens.’

These remarks were made by noted cardiac surgeon Dr H.S.Bedi, Executive Director, Sigma Newlife Heart Institute while speaking at the community out-reach programme for children awareness. More than 600 schoolchildren from classes IX, X and XI of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar and DAV Public School, BRS Nagar participated in the event. Focusing on the topic of ‘How to be Heart Smart’, Dr Bedi inspired the children to become good citizens to help the society by spreading the message of ‘eat and exercise’. This would minimise the risk of heart ailments which had, of late, become killer disease in the state. Children were also motivated to become ambassadors of good health and peace to help weaker, elderly and suffering people. Dr Bedi stressed on the children to adopt lifestyle changes and include aerobics, swimming and yoga in their daily routine. He asked the parents as well, to become role models for their kids by refraining from smoking and use of alcohol.

Dr Bedi maintained that chubby kids being healthy, was a gross misconception. The overweight kids ought to reduce through suitable exercise and diet management. The school children evinced keen interest in video presentation on bypass surgery of the heart.

Principals of the two school were enthusiastic about the initiative on ‘good health’ by the Sigma Heart Institute. “My school children are fortunate to have Dr Bedi as their role model as he is the first Indian to have perfected the beating heart surgery in the world,” said Mr R.S. Patial, Principal of DAV School. A quiz on healthy heart was conducted for the participants and the winners were given prizes.

PAU Zone shuttlers triumph
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, September 3
PAU Zone shuttlers proved too good for their opponents, Gill Zone, as they romped home victorious in the final of the Ludhiana District Schools Inter-Zone Badminton Tournament (u-14) played at R S Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, here today.

In the singles final, the PAU Zone represented by Raj Kumar and Pranav Chopra, demolished the Gill Zone team of Prabhjot and Daljit to register wins in two matches. In the first match, the PAU Zone team won 15-1, 15-0 and recorded an easy victory 15-0 and 15-2 in the second match to wrap up the issue.

In the doubles final, the PAU Zone team of Raj Kumar and Bhavya Dawar faced a little resistance from their rivals ( Pranav and Gaurish who they outnumbered 15-4 and 15-7. The Sahnewal Zone finished third.

In the u-17 category, the PAU and Khanna Zones secured the first and second spots, respectively, while the third place was bagged by the Gill Zone. In the u-19 category, the Khanna Zone emerged as winners while the second and third spots went to the PAU Zone and the Gill Zone, respectively.

Football championship

The Ludhiana District Football Association will organise the District Football Champiosnhip for Junior Boys here at the Guru Nanak Stadium from September 10 to 12, according to Mr Tara Singh Lotey, honorary secretary of the association. The Ludhiana team for the forthcoming Punjab State Championship will be selected on the basis of the performance during this tournament, Mr Lotey said.