Chandigarh, March 18
Belonging to the same genetic pool, Pakistan and India do not differ much in the incidence of neurological disorders present in the population. Stating this, the president of the Neurological Society, Pakistan, Prof Shahid M. Baig, however, said the higher literacy levels and better hygiene in India has contributed to the lower instances of occurrence of diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).

“Over the years, we have seen that the cases of MS and brain stroke are on rise in this part of the world, primarily due to more awareness among that general practitioners who are increasingly referring such cases to the neurologists,’’ added Prof Baig while interacting with the mediapersons at the PGI here today. MS is an unpredictable and incurable disease of the central nervous system in which the communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted.

Prof S.M. Katrak, president of the Indian Academy of Neurology and consultant with the JJ Hospital, Mumbai, said though the factors leading to the cause of neurological ailments were same everywhere but religious dictum governing the diet of the communities had a role to play in brain diseases like strokes and MS. “Studies have shown that vegetarians have higher risk of having brain strokes as they develop deficiency of vitamin B 12. Similarly, the people in Pakistan eat more of meat and beef which adds more cholesterol in the body that has an impact on the incidences of MS,’’ added Prof Katrak.

Exploring the possibilities of the collaboration between the two countries in the field of neurology, the Pakistani neurologist said the efforts were continuing in this direction and the next conference is scheduled later in the year in Rajasthan.

Chandigarh, March 18
A three-day national workshop on “Perspectives in Palaeoanthropology: Methodological and Conceptual Issues” held under the Special Assistance Programme of the UGC concluded on the Panjab University campus today. Prof C. J. Mahajan, Dean, Science Faculty, Panjab University, was the chief guest at the valedictory function. He gave away participation certificates and workshop reading material to all participants.

Four subject experts, Prof. R. C. Sobti, Dr Rajan Gaur, Prof R. N. Vashisht and Dr Madan Lal Sharma, delivered lectures. Nearly 40 teachers and research scholars from different universities of the country took part in the Workshop.

Prof Sobti highlighted the use of ancient mitochondrial DNA in palaeoanthropology while Dr Rajan Gaur explained and demonstrated the preparation, replication and photographic techniques employed in palaeoanthropological research.

Prof R. N. Vashisht explained the identification and evolutionary stages as seen in dentitions of primates and its application in palaeoanthropology. Dr Madan Lal Sharma demonstrated the application of S.E.M. in palaeoanthropology.

During the workshop 12 invited subject specialists delivered lectures and demonstrated techniques. The highlight of the workshop was a one-day field trip to the Shivaliks to provide the participants with a first-hand experience of field conditions and the methods employed for human and primate fossil explorations.

If the response, interaction level and enthusiasm of the participants and resource persons are an indicator, the workshop successfully fulfilled all its objectives, said Prof R. K. Pathak, Chairman of the Department of Anthropology.

1. People are more prone to eye allergies during the spring season. Those prone to allergies should wear protective glasses to avoid the pollen and dust from entering into the eyes.

2. Don’t use ordinary water to wash eyes. Always go in for drinking water, which does not cause infections. Remember not to splash the water very hard in the eyes.

3. People with dry eyes should take extra precautions of protecting their eyes in this season. They should avoid sitting directly in front of air conditioners and fans.

4. If there is itching in the eyes, do not rub them too hard with fingers but try to use palm. In any case, the best option would be to take one’s mind off the itching totally as constant rubbing also makes eyes prone to injuries and the healing may take a longer time.

Chandigarh, March 18
Hosts AG Punjab outplayed AG Orissa 4-2 in the opening league match of the All-India Audit and Account Inter-Zonal Hockey Tournament held at Hockey Stadium, Sports Complex, Sector 42, here today.

North Zone champion AG Punjab took the initial lead but Prajap Kumar of AG Orissa intercepted the ball midway and dispatched it to the goal post in the 10th minute. Ravinder Singh of AG Punjab converted the penalty stroke into goal in the 37th minute to equalize the score.

Regaining their confidence, Inderjeet Singh of AG Punjab after getting a good pass from Ravinder Singh pushed the ball into the net to give AG Punjab a vital lead. Two minutes later, Harpreet Singh Gill dodged the goalkeeper and put the ball into the goalpost.

AG Orissa cut short the lead in 44th minute when Saroj Kutoppo pierced through the defence of AG Punjab and scored a brilliant field goal. At the fag end of the play, AG Punjab further moved their tally when Tabish Hayat converted penalty corner into goal and ensured the victory of the team.

Earlier, the match between AG Rajasthan and AG Tamil Nadu ended in a 1-1 draw.

In the third match, AG Andhra Pradesh edged past AG Madhya Pradesh 2-0. MD Younis of AG Andhra Pradesh scored the first goal in the 33rd minute through a penalty corner while Mohammad Ilyas Ahmad scored the second field goal in the 49th minute.

In the last match of the day, defending champion AG Jharkhand outclassed AG Audit, Delhi, 2-1.

Chandigarh, March 18
Harveen Sarao of Patiala is another gutsy shooter of India who has brought laurels to the country by winning individual bronze medal in the 10-metre air pistol event in the Commonwealth Shooting Championship at Melbourne, Australia, last evening. The meet is held one year prior to any Commonwealth Games and now 2006 Games are scheduled to be held in Melbourne in March.

Harveen surprised the shooting community with this coveted feat in her maiden international exposure. She shot 472.5 (with scores of 9.8, 10.2, 10.3, 10.2, 9.4, 10.1, 10.8, 10, 9.3 and 10.1) in the final shootout of 10 shots while qualification score was 372/400 (scores of 94,95,91 and 92). Other Indian senior women shooters Shweta Chowdhry and Sarvesh Tomar both finished seventh and eighth respectively.

Despite being a junior, 1986 born Harveen surpassed her seniors in the championship while gold medal and silver medal were bagged by girls from Australia — the world power in air pistol.

Harveen belongs to Patiala and is pursuing her B Com Ist year in MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36. She took to shooting only two and a half years ago when she was a Class X student of Yadavindra Public School, Patiala.

Her father says, “It was difficult to find a good air pistol coach in Patiala”. Finally they landed in Chandigarh where Mr Daleep Chandel taught Harveen the fundamentals associated with the sport. Her journey to fame began in 2003 when she won honours in the All-India IPSC Sports meet held in Dehra Dun. She used to up and down daily from Patiala to Chandigarh for having practice at the Sector 25 Shooting range, he said.

In he 2004, Harveen’s hardwork started paying off and she won bronze medal in the National Shooting Championship held at Indore where she shot 373. Later in the national slection trials held at Hyderabad in January this year, Harveen impressed the selectors and was chosen for the Commonwealth championship (Melbourne) as well as the World Cup to be held in April in Korea.

Since all top shooters of the Commonwealth countries take part in the above championship, Harveen stands good chances of winning a medal in the next Commonwealth Games to be held in Melbourne in March, 2006.

Chandigarh, March 18
The Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration, in collaboration with the Indian Council for Environment Education organised a training programme for teacher in charge of eco-clubs of ‘National Green Corps at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, here today.

In his keynote address, Mr S.K.Sandhu, Secretary Environment-cum-Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, highlighted the need of practical initiation for environmental management. Mr. Ishwar Singh, Director Environment, explained at length the various activities going on to promote environmental awareness by the eco clubs of the city. Mr P.J.S.Dadhwal, Member Secretary, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, explained various laws to curb the menace of environmental pollution.

Dr Vikas Kohli, general secretary, ICEE, said that the purpose of such training programmes was to regenerate our interest in the protection, conservation, improvement of environment.

Mr A.K. Bhatia, a senior scientist with the Central Ground Water Board, provided the details of water harvesting system to the audience. Mr K.S.Arya, a former Principal, spoke about the side effects of herbs. Dr Nitin Jain, a Professor of oral surgery, highlighted the role of teacher in charge in maintaining the environmental health of students.

Mr P.D. Sharma, an expert from the Khadi and Village Industry Commission, stressed the need of waste management through bio-technology. Around 90 delegates from various government and private schools of the city participated in the seminar.

These participants would visit the Napeli Range Forest and study the flora and fauna of the area to know how water and soil conservation was helpful for recharging ground water and improving the micro climate conditions.

Workshop: The Go Bananas Kids Club is holding a workshop for tiny tots during the spring vacation. The first workshop on television broadcasting, TV Tinnies, started at the Network I Media Institute, Sector 34, here today.

According to Anu Vala, Director, Childcare, “This is a fantastic platform for the children to get exposure to what goes into the actual content of television production. We have a special camera crew for the children, and they will be creating their own television capsules, which they can carry back home with them.

Techniques like anchoring and interviewing will also be taught to the children. This is a complete personality as well as a skill enhancement programme for the children.“ The second workshop of dance and theatre is due to begin on March 20.

Chandigarh, March 18
With the intention of not disrupting the activity of loading and unloading of freight at Daria village adjoining the Railway Station, the Chandigarh Administration is contemplating to allow the godowns after charging the market value of the land on which the structures had been raised.

The condition would be subject to the condition that the godowns fit into the planning of the area as being proposed by the Administration.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar, told Chandigarh Tribune that the change of land use was being contemplated. He said only those godowns would be allowed which were giving revenue to the Administration.

The authorities are discussing various dimensions of the problem and have acknowledged the location of the godowns.

Quoting figures, the traders said the raw material from the godowns was feeding around 4,000 industrial units in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The sales tax being paid to the Administration on steel per month was around Rs 60 lakh , on cement it was around Rs 40 lakh, on coal the tax being paid was around Rs 40 lakh, said Mr Sarabjit Singh, owner of a godown.

Mohali, March 18
The Kharar MLA, Mr Bir Devinder Singh, conducted a surprise check at Government Homoeopathic Dispensary in Phase VII here today and found two doctors “not present”.

The MLA, who conducted the check around 11 a.m. following complaints from patients, found that Dr B.S. Chandhok, HMO, and Dr S.S. Kahlon were “not present” on the premises. Dr Kahlon, however, turned up at the dispensary about five minutes later.

The MLA said when he checked the attendance register, he found that Dr Chandhok had been marked on leave, even though no leave application was available at the dispensary. He said Dr Chandhok, who came at 11.15 a.m. to the dispensary, told him that he had gone to attend a meeting of the department’s purchase committee in Chandigarh. However, he could not produce a copy of the notice about the meeting or even the agenda fixed for it.

Dr K.K. Sharma, Director of the department, told Chandigarh Tribune that Dr Chandhok had come to his office in connection with the purchase committee meeting in the morning.

Mr Bir Devinder Singh said the Directorate was trying to provide a “cover-up” for the absence of Dr Chandhok during duty hours. The MLA said he had brought the matter to the notice of the Health Secretary, Mr D.S. Guru, on the phone and would also give a report to him in writing later. He said he would meet the Health Minister in this regard and also seek a high-level probe into the matter. If no action was taken, he said, he would meet the Chief Minister.

Giving his version, Dr Chandhok said he was on outstation leave to Delhi yesterday and when he did not reach the dispensary in the morning, a Class IV employee was sent to his house to find out whether he had returned. The maid at his house told the employee that he (Dr Chandhok) was not at home. He said the pharmacist at the dispensary presumed that he had not returned from Delhi and marked leave on the attendance register. He said he had in fact gone to attend a meeting of the purchase committee in Chandigarh where he came to know that the meeting had been postponed. He was informed about the meeting on the phone and no agenda was usually circulated when such meetings were held.

Dr Chandhok said that he sometimes had also to leave the dispensary in response to medical calls from ministers and IAS officers.

Dr Kahlon said that he had been seeing patients since 9 a.m. today and had left his room for a short while when the MLA conducted his check.

Panchkula, March 18
Dr Ramesh Chand Mishra took over as SP, Panchkula, today. An IPS of 1989 batch, Mr Mishra has replaced Mr S.P. Ranga.

Winner of prestigious awards like the Govind Ballabh Pant Award by Government of India, the Human Rights Millennium Award by UNESCO and some others Dr Mishra aims to keep Panchkula free of crime. He is a Ph.D. in environment from Allahabad 
university.

While talking to mediapersons, Dr Mishra claimed that white-collar crime has increased in the district due to its geographical existence. Since the district is located on the border of three states — Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh — the graph of white-collar crimes had witnessed a sharp increase, he said.

Besides tightening noose around the violators of traffic rules, the new SP has also put some other crimes like cyber-crime and bio-terrorism on his priority list.

To bridge the police-public gap the SP also promised to organise camps in different schools.

To maintain the law and order situation in the district, meetings of senior citizens, NGOs, traders and residents welfare associations would also be organised from time to time, he claimed.