HEALTH

Free medical camp organised

Ludhiana, October 17
The fourth free medical camp was organised by the Swami Vivekanand Hospital, Model Town Extension, with an assistance from Rotary Club, Ludhiana Central, here today at Govt Senior Secondary School for Boys, Jawahar Nagar Camp. Mr Inderjit Panchi, Chairman, Rural Education Committee, Ludhiana, supervised the camp,

Mr Nahar Singh, Principal of the Govt School, Mr Ram Prakash Bharati, and Mr B.D. Arora of Shri Vivekanand Swarag Ashram Trust (Regd) also actively participated in the camp.

The patients with cataract problems were checked and later would be operated free of cost. The patients were checked for liver ailments, kidney stones , blood pressure and diabetes.

The doctors attending the camp were Dr Sunit Sukhi (Eye Surgeon), Dr Arun Bhanot (MS) Ortho, Dr Ginny Gupta (Gynae), Dr Prashant Jain (MS) Surgeon, Dr Nitin Aggarwal ( Urologist ), Dr R.K. Santoshi, (MD) Medicine, Dr Gagan Bajaj (BDS), Dr Geeta, Dental Specialist, Dr Paramjit (Skin Specialist) and Dr Ruchi Bajaj (BDS).

Eat junk food at your peril

Today, October 16th, is World Food Day. This day is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness and understanding of the social, economic and political aspects of hunger in developing countries. Observed each year, the day recognises the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. In the United States, the endeavor is sponsored by 450 national, private and voluntary organisations.

Our health depends on what we eat daily. Foods are the building blocks of every cell in the body. The cells are responsible for the proper functioning of the whole body.

Without adequate nutrition, we cannot expect ourselves to be healthy. The nutrition comes from what we eat and drink. It is important, therefore, to know what is good for our body and what is not.

Junk food is nutritional hazard and provides empty calories. This kind of food has no vitamins and minerals and contain high calories. When we eat these type of foods, the body is forced to produce its own enzymes to convert these empty calories into usable energy.

This is not desired as these enzyme-producing functions in our body should be reserved for vital metabolic reactions.

Some examples of junk food are candy, pastries, high-fat chips and dip, pizzas, burgers, colas and other fried foods.

Refined foods like sugar and maida-based items like white bread, bakery products and most of packaged goods. are harmful as our body eventually turns these sugars into fat.

Fats and hydrogenated oils which are present in cookies, chips, candy bars, fried foods, muffins, etc.. can be dangerous as these excessive fats stick to our arteries and cause the blockages, leading to heart disease and strokes. They can also aid to cancer, arthritis, PMS and sexual dysfunction. Some fats like Omega-3 fatty acids are good for our bodies.

When consumed in small amounts, junk food can be worked into a healthy lifestyle. The key is not to over-eat or replace healthy foods with junk food. And also to maintain an active lifestyle that burns the extra calories these foods contribute.

How to kick the junk food habit? There are two ways, either shun completely or make gradual changes in eating behaviors. You need to choose the method that will work best for you. Begin by cleaning out your refrigerator and cupboards of all junk food. Do not tempt yourself by keeping it around.

The next step is to focus on eating healthy foods. Be sure visible and hidden snack foods are healthy food choices. Keep a fruit basket on your kitchen counter or table.

In addition, plan alternate activities for times that you might be tempted to munch on junk food. Avoid situations that may encourage a ‘junk attack’, like sitting in front of the television all evening.

Reward yourself for making positive changes. For example, if you take a walk, reward yourself with a new compact disk, or buy yourself a new shirt or blouse. Do not reward yourself with food.

Whenever positive changes are made in your lifestyle, do you notice the benefits? Are you less tired? Less irritated? More self-confident? Are you sleeping better? Sometimes these rewards are difficult to measure, but they can be the most motivational for ensuring long lasting change.

Even with gradual changes the same advice can be followed. However, first identify your weaknesses and develop a game plan for gradually eliminating (or at least controlling) the junk food in your diet. Make a few changes every three to four weeks. People who make positive changes and maintain them over six to nine weeks, are usually able to live with them forever.

Changing one’s diet and snack habits takes time. A variety of benefits, like better sleeping pattern,less indigestion, regular bowel movements, less irritability, increased stamina, and even weight loss for some will occur over time.

Most people who avoid junk food for long periods have no interest in returning to that eating style because the benefits of healthy eating are so strong.

Dr Anil Dheer

SPORTS

City shuttlers romp home with doubles win
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 17
Raj Kumar and Pranav Chopra of Ludhiana gave a sterling performance to win the doubles title in the 18th National Sub Junior Badminton Championship held from October 10 to 16 at Chandigarh.

The trainees of a Senior Badminton Coach Gianinder Singh, Raj Kumar and Pranav made the city proud by emerging winners in the u-13 category.

According to Mr R.S. Behal, honorary secretary, Ludhiana District Badminton Association (LDBA), second-seeded pair of Raj Kumar, a student of Tagore Public School, Aggar Nagar and Pranav Chopra of DAV School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, romped home quite comfortably.

On their way to the title clash, the pair of Raj Kumar and Pranav Chopra, in the first round, made mincemeat of Amir Khan and Sahil from Jammu and Kashmir 15-0, 15-1. They thrashed duo of A. Sharat Kumar and P. Nilesh of Pondicherry 15-1, 15-2 to storm into the last eight stage where they demolished Dharamveer and Jai Singh of Uttar Pradesh 15-3, 15-5.

In the semifinal, Raj Kumar and Pranav Chopra faced a little challenge from Sai Parneet and Ajay Kumar from Andhar Pradesh whom they finally drubbed 15-4, 15-8 and secured a berth in the finals for title clash.

Similarly, in the final, the local shuttlers proved too good for Satyanarayan Rao and B. Ashok from Tamil Nadu. The final score-sheet read 15-3 and 15-8.

However, in the singles category, Raj Kumar, after ensuring himself a place in the finals, went down fighting against the top seed Saurabh Verma of Madhya Pradhesh.

The second seed, Raj Kumar, in the preliminary round matches, scored overwhelming win over Sushant Das of Tripura, Zonatnsanga from Mizoram and Akshit Mahajan of Haryana.

In the quarterfinals, Raj Kumar faced a spirited challenge from Navin Kumar Saha from Andhra Pradesh, whom he pipped 13-15, 15-8 and 15-3. Raj quelled a strong challenge from Eshan Naqvi from Uttar Pradesh to come out triumphant 15-13, 15-12 to enter the final.

In the finals, Raj Kumar failed to counter the onslaught by the top seed Saurabh Verma of Madhya Pradesh. Saurabh won the verdict in straight sets 15-13 and 15-9.

Mr Chand Kapoor, President of the LDBA, along with other office-bearers of the association congratulated Raj Kumar, Pranav Chopra and coach Mr Gianinder Singh for bringing laurels to the city.

Aryabhatt House declared best in athletics
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 17
Varun Shrama and Manjot Kaur in the boys and girls sections (u-19), respectively, and Misham and Tavleen in the under-16 category were adjudged best at the annual two-day inter-house athletics meet of the local BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar.

Varun Sharma bagged three gold medals while Manjot Kaur clinched two gold and one silver. In the under-16 section Misham and Tavleen won three gold medals each.

In the under-14 category Vishakha grabbed one gold and two silver and was adjudged the best while in the boys section this honour went to Tanwinder, who annexed two gold and one silver medal. Aryabhatt House was declared the best.

Mr S.L. Lotey, District Sports Officer, Ludhiana, inaugurated the meet in which students of Aryabhatt, Apple, Bhaskar and Rohini Houses took part.

A march past followed by synchronised display of the school pipe band along with Haryanavi dance and Tae kwon do show were other main attractions.

Results: Boys (u-19) — 800m: Pranav 1, Param Bakshish 2 and Hemant 3; discus throw: Eshan 1, Bhavuk 2 and Mohit 3; long jump: Varun Sharma 1, Gautam Jain 2 and Kashish 3; shot put: Eshan 1, Bhavuk 2 and Abhishek 3.

Girls (u-19) — 800m: Neha 1, Gagandeep 2 and Jasmine 3; long jump: Manjot Kaur 1, Bhagyashree 2 and Harsimran 3; shot put: Dainika 1, Swati 2 and Damini 3; 200m: Saloni 1, Ridhi 2 and Ramneek 3; discus throw: Harsimran 1, Swati 2 and Damini 3.

Boys (u-16) —long jump: Misham 1, Nitish 2 and Parth 3; high jump: Ranbir 1, Sandeep 2 and Mukul 3.

Boys (u-14) — long jump: Jaikaran 1, Anubhav 2 and Talwinder 3.

Girls (u-14) — long jump: Sakshi 1, Vishakha 2 and Kusum 3.

Khalsa college win by 209 runs
Beat SBBS college in basketball
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 17
Players of the local Khalsa College for Women, Civil Lines, won the cricket match against Guru Nanak Girls College, Muktsar.

According to Ms Varinder Kaur Thind, Principal of the college, the cricketers from the local college beat Muktsar college by a big margin of 209 runs in a 30-over a side match.

Batting first, Khalsa College girls scored 245 runs for the loss of five wickets. Bhawna Jain, student of MA I (English), was the highest scorer (66).

In reply, Guru Nanak College, Muktsar, gave in meekly as they were all out at 36 runs.

In basketball matches played on the Khalsa College ground, KCW, Sidhwan Khurd defeated SBBS Girls College, Sukhanand, 28-11 with Amarjit Kaur securing 8 points while Dev Samaj College of Ferozepur got walk over against DAV College, Abohar; KCW, Sidhwan Khurd beat Dev Samaj College 22-13 and DAV College, Hoshairpur, beat KCW, Sidhwan Khurd 28-10.

It was tiny tots’ day at BCM School
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 17
Tiny tots of BCM School, Basant Avenue, Dugri, here took part in fun games held recently. They were told to recognise colours, count the numbers, hop and run through different innovative races such as “pick three pencils”, “sort a color”, “frog race“, “under the table race” and the “burst the balloon”.

Mr S.D. Kalia, Principal of the school, said the aim of the meet was to instil sportsmanspirit among students. Lakshya, Monish, Riya Dutta, Amrinder, Kratika, Balkaran, Sachin, Sahail, Ritu Rajput of LKG and Charanpreet, Gaurav Singh, Harmanjot, Jaspreet Singh, Gushina, Vrinda, Mansi, Samridhi and Sukhwinder of nursery were the winners.

Mr Satyanand Munjal of Hero Cycles Limited was the chief guest who distributed prizes among the participants.

Kila Raipur, Jagraon Police XI reach semis
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 17
The Jagraon police XI, along with Kila Raipur, Bahadurgarh XI and Ludhiana XI entered the semifinals of the 2nd Bibi Surjit Kaur Memorial Six-a-Side Hockey League Tournament, being organised by the Mata Sahib Kaur Club, at village Jarkhar today.

In the matches played today, Jagraon police drew with Bahadurgarh 3-3 while Kila Raipur held Ludhiana XI to 4-4 draw. For Jagraon police, Rajinder Singh (1) and Mandeep Singh (2) were the scorers while Kuldeep Singh (2) and Lovely (1) struck for Bahadurgarh.

In the match between Kila Raipur and Ludhiana XI, Lakhbir Lakha scored a hat-trick for the former, Jagga was the other scorer while for Ludhiana XI, Amritpal and Harbans Singh scored a peice and Manjinder Singh scored a double.

Jagraon police and Kila Raipur accumulated seven points each while Ludhiana XI and Bahadurgarh secured six points each to march into the last four stage. In another match, Rampur beat Jarkhar 4-2.