HEALTH

Verma for two-pronged strategy against diabetes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25
The UT Administrator, Justice O.P. Verma, today called upon the medical fraternity to launch a two-pronged strategy to control the rising number of diabetes cases.

Speaking after inaugurating a programme to commemorate the 40 years of Endocrinology at the PGI, Justice Verma said in the rising number of diabetes cases in India it is imperative that we provided treatment to the rural population.

Expressing concern over rising number of diabetes cases, he said the problem of diabetes was global and disastrous for developing countries like India. Diabetes was afflicting the people of India at a very rapid rate.

As per the statistical data available, the total world population of diabetics is 17 crore and out of that 5.70 crore, 1/3 of the total diabetics, belong to India. The WHO predicts that in 2010 there will be an diabetic epidemic in India, he said.

The Administrator cited the sedentary lifestyle of the residents as a major cause for increasing number of diabetes cases. The invading Western lifestyle from cities to towns and bigger villages, less physical activity and consumption of high-energy foods, alcohol and smoking were contributing to the increase in the number of diabetics.

Giving a call to accelerate research to make the treatment of diabetes and other hormonal disorders less costly, Justice Verma said to provide treatment to the rural population it was necessary to make it more economic.

Congratulating the PGI’s Endocrinology Department for being the first and the only department in the country to have trained 68 endocrinologists, he said vision and foresight of founder directors of this institute and department was paying dividends. Earlier, Dr R.J. Dash spoke about the history of Endocrinology Department. The Director, PGI, Prof K. K. Talwar, was also present at the function.

Hormonal deficiencies can cause abnormalities in baby, says expert
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25
Deficiency of hormonal intake to the foetus during pregnancy can lead to a baby born with ambiguous sex, making it hard for the parents to determine whether a baby boy or girl is born to them.

While doctors say that such cases, which are a nightmare for parents, do come in, the incidents are rare as many a time the parents legally abort the child.

“Such a situation arises where the genetic sex of the baby is either a boy or a girl but the gonadal sex is not developed. It means that due to the hormonal defects in child before birth, the sex organs are not fully developed which makes parents worried about their child,’’ said Dr Shariq R. Masoodi from Srinagar, while talking to Chandigarh Tribune on the sidelines of celebrations of the 40 years of endocrinology at the PGI today.

The doctors, however, advise parents to have patience in such cases as it may take some time to determine the real problem because of the tedious process involved in dealing with such cases. “We understand that with the XY chromosomes, a male baby is born and with XX chromosomes a female child is born. But in certain cases the chromosomes are there but the testis and the ovaries are not developed. Treatment depends on each individual case where a few children can be surgically treated as well. But the same can not be said about all the cases,’’ revealed the doctor.

The endocrinologist further added that due to the complications involved, many parents go in for legal abortion when such a case is detected, which makes the incidents of birth of such children rare.

Send back deputy chief, says PGI union
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25
The PGI employees union has urged the Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss to repatriate the Deputy Director Administration (DDA) Meeta Rajivlochan in wake of a number of controversies surrounding her. In a memorandum given to the minister, the employees union also raised the matter of clearing backlog of the promotions for the staff members of the Institute and demanded that the strike period salary should be paid to them and withdrawal of cases against the 12 union leaders. The clearance of arrears for the supply of oil and soap, resentment among the sanitation workers and hospital attendants for not getting the allowances on a par with the security staff and the backlog payment of the kitchen staff were the other issues raised by the union.

The PGI Working Women Welfare Association has submitted a memorandum to the Minister.

SPORTS

Kaira ensures another victory for Panchkula
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 25
Good batting by Manav Asopa (55) and Umesh Kaira (43) ensured another victory for the hosts Panchkula district by 13 runs against Chandigarh in the Haryana State Inter-District Cricket Championship for Pataudi Trophy played at JR Institute of Cricket Technology, Barwala.

After winning the toss visitors decided to bowl first and got early success through Sunil Mehra, who had Vishal Sahni caught behind for just two runs while Ajay Sikka caught Nitin Goel at point playing square drive in the air with the scoreboard reading 24 at the end of seven overs.

Thereafter Manav Asopa and Ajay Disodia played cautiously and took only singles and doubles. Both were involved in 57 runs third wicket partnership before Ajay Disodia’s stumps were uprooted by the fine bowling of Sansar Bali. At this stage Umesh Kaira joined Manav Asopa and increased the run rate by running quick singles and occasional boundaries. Both took the score to 126 at the completion of 26 overs. Manav Asopa played all round the wicket apart from three boundaries executed through beautiful cover drives.

He scored 55 runs. Umesh Kaira also chipped in valuable 43 runs before he was run out. Towards the end, Vishal Goel (12) and Sunny Sharma (15 not out) contributed some quick runs as the hosts made 183 runs for six wickets in stipulated 35 overs.

Roobal Kapil made the chase an uphill task for the visitors as he downed the wickets of Kamalpreet Singh and Yuvraj before the scoreboard started moving in the very first over of the Chandigarh inning. Thereafter, Bhageshwar Bisth fought hard while making 61 runs, which involved one four and was involved in small partnerships with Rajesh Patha (10) and Ravinder Nain (7). Chandigarh could not overcome the loss of early wickets as the required run rate kept on increasing. In the first 15 overs, Chandigarh could only score 55 runs with the loss of four wickets. Sumit Kamboj, too, made an attempt with his 47 not out but that was not enough as the visitor fall short of 13 runs at the end of 35th over against some economical bowling by Roobal Kapil, Jitender Billa and Kulwinder Singh in particular. Chandigarh innings concluded at 172 for the loss of seven wickets.

Brief scores: Panchkula 183 for six in 35 overs — Manav Asopa 55, Umesh Kaira 43, Ajay Disodia 23, Ajay Sikka 1 for 32, Sansar Bali 1 for 37.

Chandigarh 172 for seven in 35 overs — Bageshwar Bisth 61, Sumit Kamboj 47, Amit Verma 15, Roobal Kapil 2 for 34, Jitender Billa 1 for 22.

Handball Championship results
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25
On the third day of the North East Zone Inter University Handball Tournament being played at PU Grounds, Chandigarh, the results are as under

(Men): Ch Devi Lal University, Sirsa beat DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur.

VES Purvanchal University, Jaunpur beat MDU, Rohtak

Delhi University beat Jammu University

Women

Panjab University, Chandigarh beat Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur.

Punjabi University, Patiala beat Pb. Agril. University, Ludhiana.

Ch. Devi Lal University, Sirsa beat CCS University, Meerut.

Kho-Kho championship

The Govt College for Women, Ludhiana, won the Panjab University Inter-College Kho-Kho A-Division (Women) championship for the year 2004-05. MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, GGS College for Women, Chandigarh & Govt College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh got the second, third & fourth positions, respectively.

The results of the matches played today are: MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh beat Govt College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh.

Govt College for Women, Ludhiana beat GGS College for Women, Chandigarh.

The results of Panjab University Inter College Ball Badminton (M&W) tournament played at PU Grounds, Chandigarh, are: Men: DAV College, Chandigarh beat DAV College, Abohar.

DM College, Moga beat Govt College, Sector-11, Chandigarh.

Women: MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh beat DM College, Moga.

Panjab University Campus, Chandigarh, beat Public Kh. College for Women, Kandhala.

AG Haryana lift football trophy
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 25
The final match of Chandigarh Senior (Men) Football Championship for Pandit Harbans Lal Memorial Trophy was played between AG Audit Haryana and DAV Club at Football Stadium Sector 17 today in which AG Audit Haryana beat DAV Club by 5-1 goals in a well contested match. Half time score was 4-0 in favour AG Audit Haryana. Earlier both the teams were introduced to the Chief Guest Sh Ashwani Attri IA&AS Accountant General Audit Haryana Sector 33, Chandigarh who also gave away the prizes to the finalist teams.

The match started on a fast face and DAV boys managed to retain their opponents for first ten minutes. But conceded first goal in 11th minutes and the scorers was right striker Rajesh Sharma who headed the ball into the goal on a cross floated by right winger Suraj. DAV boys were weakened by the absence of 4 key players who had gone to play in the school national being held with Madhya Pradesh. AG Audit Haryana players who were experienced and national level players took advantage of this and scored 2nd goal in 15th minutes. The 2nd goal was scored by left striker Deepak Gurang who scored with a powerful short. He was followed by his team made right winger Suraj who scored the 3rd goal with solo efforts in 25th minutes. Right half Varinder Kawar scored 4th goal in 30th minutes with fine placement which beat the rival goal keeper completely.

After lemon break, AG Audit Haryana players charged their tactics and started playing in their own half by keeping the ball under their possession and invited the opponents in their own area. The DAV players tried hard to reduced the margin but failed due to tight defence managed by left stopper Harwinder Pal. In a dangerous move right striker Rajesh Sharma scored the 5th goal in 40th minutes with solo efforts. However, DAV boys reduced the margin in dying minutes and scored the consolation goal and the scorer was Ravinder right striker. With this wing AG Audit Haryana, Chandigarh became the champion of Chandigarh Senior Men Football Championship.