The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

PGI begins free distribution of drugs to AIDS patients
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14
The PGI today started free distribution of anti-retroviral drugs for AIDS patients coming regularly to the institute for treatment.

Despite running behind schedule in implementing a policy decision regarding free distribution of medicines by almost a fortnight, the PGI today began the distribution of drugs free of cost. Around 35 patients were given expensive drugs free of cost today.

The drugs were sent to the PGI last month by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

However, apprehensive about the additional workload, the institute has decided to wait for the recruitment of additional staff, including a senior medical officer, a laboratory technician, a counsellor and a record keeper before making the available drugs free of cost drugs to the patients who are not registered as regular patients in the hospital.

While the latest guidelines of the Union Ministry of Health say that no one should be denied free drugs at the PGI, one of the 25 centres in the country identified for free distribution of drugs, sources in the hospital say that given the load of paperwork involved in starting the process, it may take another two weeks for the PGI to completely open its doors to all AIDS patients. “Since there will be a huge rush of patients asking for free medicines, we will wait for the additional staff to join us before extending the facility to all,” said a senior faculty member.

Separate photo registration cards to administer the dosage of the drugs given free of cost to the patients are being used instead of the regular patient registration cards for the purpose.

Gajendra to train budding tennis players
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 14
Tennis is about power — mental and physical — and then come talent and technique. Lack of planning has led to many talented youngsters losing their way after they reach the age of 19. These views were expressed by Gajendra Singh, director, travelling and planning, All-India Tennis Association.

He is in the city to conduct a camp for budding tennis players. The camp will be organised at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association courts in Sector 10 here.

He says mental toughness is the most important attribute required in a tennis player.

The next important quality that a tennis player aiming high should possess is physical strength, he opines. He cites the examples of Ivan Lendl and Jim Courier to drive home this point.

Gajendra says many promising young players have lost interest and motivation after reaching the age of 19 because of wrong selection of tournaments.

He says coaches should guide young players to make correct choices so that their talent does not go waste.

Players, who are under 19 years of age do not have to spend from their pockets for playing in tournaments, but those above 19 have to make their own arrangements for entry fees, kits, travel expenses and board and lodging. Losing regularly in these tournaments can force upcoming players to give up the game, he admits.

Gajendra says tennis has undergone a sea change from the classic style of play. Now the emphasis is not on the style, rather, youngsters are allowed to play their natural game and their faults in technique are worked upon.

He says in the 1970s, Bjorn Borg was very successful with his individual style. He was not in the classic mould and revolutionised the way tennis was played. In the 1980s, Ivan Lendl revolutionised the game again and won many titles.

Gajendra says playing with the correct technique makes a player less prone to injuries. He has worked with the national senior Davis Cup team for four years before his present assignment.

18 teams for junior soccer tournament
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 14
Eighteen teams, including four outstation outfits, will compete in the second edition of Chandigarh Junior Challenge Football Tournament for under-16 from January 20 to 24 at the Sector 42 Football Ground, according to Mr J.P.S. Sidhu, Joint Director Sports, Chandigarh Administration.

The outstation teams are winners of recently concluded Kanwar Harbans Lal Memorial Trophy, Mehar Football Academy of Kurali, runners-up DAV Public School Football Academy, Kurali, Nawanshahr Football Academy and Ambala Football Coaching Centre.

The local teams which have staked their claims for the top honours are Chandigarh Football Academy-42, Shivalik Public School-41, Government Model Senior Secondary School-37, St Peter’s-37, Shishu Niketan-22, Guru Nank Public School-36, Government Model SSS-23, Government Model Senior Secondary School-20, Sanjay Public School-44, Mount Carmel-47, DAV Public School-8, Government Model-46, Government Model-10 and Government Senior Secondary School-22.

The organising committee will award the best player’s prize in every match.

The best player of the tournament will be conferred along with the fair play trophy.

70 kiosks removed
Our Correspondent

Municipal Council Mohali employees remove kiosks in meat market during an anti-encroachment drive in Mohali on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Mohali, January 14
Nearly 70 kiosks selling meat and fish were demolished by the anti-encroachment wing of the Municipal Council in Phase VI here today.

The demolition was carried out by a team of 60 employees, including 10 policemen, led by Mr Avtar Singh Kalsia. A JCB machine was used during demolitions and the goods seized including, tables and chairs, were loaded into three trucks of the civic body.

Mr Rajinder Sharma, Municipal Councillor of the area, said removing encroachment would not be of any use a wall was erected to cut off Sector 55 of Chandigarh.