From Schools 
Prize distribution function at Akal Sahay School
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 3
A prize distribution as well as an art, craft and science exhibition was organised at Akal Sahay Convent Senior Secondary School, New Janta Nagar, here today. About 15 students of the school, who had won top positions in the Camlin Colour Painting Competition- 2004, and the first three winners of the art and craft exhibitions held today were awarded prizes by the chief guest, Mr Gurcharan Singh Ghalib, former MP.

Parvinder Singh Tahggar, councillor of Ward No. 28, and Rajinder Singh Bajwa, councillor of Ward No. 31, and president of the PTA Piara Singh Dhillon were present on the occasion.

GHG Khalsa Senior Secondary School, New Shimla Puri, organised a prize distribution function here today. The Principal, Mr Narinder Singh, welcomed the chief guests Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, MP, and singer Inder Jit Singh Nikku. The children presented dances and skits.

The Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle will organise a function on January 5 for students of schools and colleges, who had completed their path under the Sehaj Path and Gurbani Vicharan Mukabala 2004,and also passed the test but could not attend the function.They would be given prizes at a function on January 5 at Gurdwara Sukhmani Sahib, Phase-II, Urban Estae Dugri.

Raunkan-2005 on Jan 5
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 3
“Raunkaan-2005” will be organised at Punjabi Bhavan, here, on Wednesday. Pammi Bai, Balkar Sidhu, Ashok Mastie, Romey Gill, Luckwinder Lucky, Mallika-Jyoti, Yudhvir Manak, Saabar Koti, Banny A. and Sudesh Lahiri will take part in it. Ms Rajdeep Taneja of Jalandhar Doordarshan will host the show. “Raunkaan 2005” will jointly be organised by ITV and Win Cable to promote their channels.

Meanwhile, Lohri Mela-2005 will be organised by the Malwa Sabhyacharak Manch, Punjab, on January 11 at Punjabi Bhavan. In a meeting organised today the convenor of the manch, Mr Ravinder Rangoowal, said funds would be collected for tsunami victims and deposited in the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Mr Pawan Dewan, president, said a 'kavi darbar would also be organised.

HEALTH

Doc honoured for creating health awareness
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 3
Dr Narottam Dewan, local surgeon, was felicitated at a function, held at the Municipal Office, Jagraon, by the Ramgarhia Welfare Council and Lions Club, Jagraon. Various speakers at the function expressed their views abut the need and ways to improve the health of the people and delivery of health services, particularly to the poor and the weaker sections.

Dr Dewan, chief surgeon at Dewan Hospital here and President, Lions Club Samrat, Ludhiana, remarked that the nation had the necessary resources to make every person a healthy human being. The health of every citizen directly contributed to the strength and productivity of the country. Even highly developed countries like England and Canada had strong public health facilities whereby every citizen could avail the best possible treatment. “In India, we have enough manpower, technology, money and infrastructure. The only thing required is a strong will power and honest implementation of programmes to establish a vibrant health care system.”

Dr Dewan announced a contribution of Rs 5,000 from Dewan Hospital towards providing relief to tsunami victims and made an appeal to others to do their best to alleviate the suffering of the victims of natural calamity of a massive magnitude.

The function was inaugurated by Mr Rajeev Aheer, SSP, Jagroan. Sant Mangal Singh, Nanaksar, who presided over, urged the people to work for creating an atmosphere of love and affection. Mr Bhag Singh Malla, MLA, was the guest of honour.

Mr Pritpal Singh Manku, president, Ramgarhia Welfare Council, Jagroan, and Lion Pritam Singh Rihal, President Lions Club, Jagroan, presented the ‘Award of Excellence’ to Dr Dewan for his contribution to educate the people about health-related problems like de-addiction, female foeticide, prevention of diseases and nutrition.

No cut in infant mortality rate, says doc
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 3
A seminar on reproductive child health (RCH) programme was organised at Lifeline Hospital at Gill Road here today. More than 200 general practitioners, nurses and social workers participated in the programme.

Dr R.S. Maheshwari, director of the hospital and president of Charity Medical Trust, observed for the past one decade the country had not been able to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate.

It was because of lack of education among the people, that the deliveries were taking place out of hospitals and there was general lack of awareness among midwives and nurses.

Dr Ansu Mittal, a renowned gynecologist, stressed on the need of safe motherhood and spoke on complications of normal deliveries.

Dr Neelam Bassi, former District Family Welfare Officer, was the chief guest at the function; she spoke about the details of the RCH programme, launched by the Union Government and steps being taken in the state for its implementation for the benefits of mother and child health.

Ms Maheshwari spoke upon the problem of infertility among the poor and pathetic state of mother and neonatal health in the urban slums. 

3,000 patients examined
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 3
About 3,000 patients were examined in a medical camp organised by the Vijay Inderdinn Charitable Society in Atma Singh School on the Daba Road and another 250 patients got themselves checked in a free homeopathic and physiotherapy camp organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad at Vikland Sahayta Kendra in Rishi Nagar here yesterday.

In the medical camp organised at the Daba Road, patients suffering from diabetes, heart problems, dental ailments were examined by Dr Pawan Dhingra, Dr V.K. Dhir, Dr Manav Verma, Dr Majesh Gupta, Dr Parminder Singh and Dr Pran Gupta.

Mr Rakesh Pandey, Minister of State for Science and Technology, who inaugurated the camp, announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the society from his discretionary fund.

Dr Ravinder Kochhar, Principal, Lord Mahavira Homeopathic Medical College, promised to extend cooperation to such medical camps in future.

The homeopathic and physiotherapy camp organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad was a part of the first anniversary celebrations of Dr Sumitra Devi Aggarwal Charitable Dispensary.

SPORTS

MC Club win cricket tourney
Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 3
Harmit Batra ( 52 n.o and 3 for 10) helped the Municipal Corporation Club to register 44-run win over the United Club in the ongoing cricket tournament being held at Satish Chander Dhawan Government College for Men ground here yesterday.

The Municipal Corporation Club won the toss and decided to bat first. They scored 144 runs in 28.5 overs. The main scorers were Harmit Batra ( 52 no, Jassi 28) and skipper Sunil Sharma (23). For the United Club, Narinder, Lally and Purshotam grabbed two wickets each.

Chasing a modest total, the United Club were bundled out for 100 runs in 25.2 overs. Peter top scored with 40 runs while Tejinder made 19. No other batsman could reach double figure. For the Municipal Corporation Club Harmit Batra claimed three wickets for 10 while Rajesh took 3 for 30 and Deepak captured 2 form 21, Salil Kaushal 2 for 3.