3-year-old gets new lease of life
Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 8
The future of Saroj Kumar (3) was bleak. He suffered from a complex congenital heart disease, which required costly surgery. The mother of Saroj Kumar (nicknamed Vishal) had lost all hope of curing his child.

After all, Vishal needed to undergo a surgery that could cost Rs 1.5 - 1. 75 lakh if he was to survive. But, his mother did not have the necessary resources, earning a meager Rs 1,000 per month as a daily wager in a factory. His father had abandoned him and his mother a few years ago.

After reading about Vishal’s plight in a daily newspaper, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, took it upon itself to give Vishal a new lease of life. A team of doctors, led by Dr T.S. Mahant, Executive Director, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, contacted a local Government Hospital, where Vishal was being treated as an outdoor patient, and offered to perform the surgery at no cost to the family.

The boy was shifted here. Fortis requested for donations to help save the child’s life and various citizens of Chandigarh came forward to fund Vishal’s surgery. People living in New Delhi, Bangalore and even London and the USA came forward and sent their contributions. Soon, Dr Mahant and his team performed a successful open-heart surgery on Vishal at the hospital.

Youngest of the three children, Vishal was first diagnosed with the heart ailment when he was 10 months’ old and put on antibiotics as preventive treatment. Recovering fast, Vishal now sits in his hospital bed, smiling at his mother. Moist-eyed, Vishal’s mother says, “We are grateful to Fortis and all those who contributed for my son’s surgery. Vishal has got a new life, thanks to all of you.”

SPORTS

Shaping tennis talent
G.S. Paul
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 8
Sunil Kumar Sipaeya, a clerk’s son from Kapurthala, who has proved his credibility at the national level and won a hardcourt championship at the age of 16, was spotted and groomed by the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) under its Rural Tennis Programme.

He is leaving for Uzbekistan tomorrow to take part in 15,000 fixtures and one ATP Challenge tournament. His performance there can see him through to the Wimbledon grounds.

Similarly, Kinshuk Sharma (15), a trainee with the CLTA, has been selected by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for its junior touring team to compete in a series of junior international tournaments to be held in Europe from May 25 to July 3. Kinshuk is the only Indian player in the ITF team and is presently the highest-ranked player in the under-16 group.

Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chairman, CLTA, said the association started with the objective of grooming talented young boys and girls. Once selected, the youngsters were put through a rigorous training schedule, including systematic physical exercise.

Established in 1975, the CLTA today boasts of state-of-the-art infrastructure in the country. The tennis complex is spread over 300-acres known as the Chandigarh Leisure Valley.

There are a variety of playing surfaces. Eight are of red clay and six of synthetic Plexi-cushion. Besides, the complex has two mini-tennis courts for children in the age group of 4 to 6. The main stadium has a capacity to accommodate around 7,000 spectators. There are four flood-lit hard courts, in accordance with international specifications.

Poonam wins 100-metre race

Chandigarh, April 8
Sports meet of Chitkara College of Education for Women was held at Jhansla, 20 km from here, yesterday. Over 80 students competed in the meet. Despite bad weather girls participated in field and track events — races, Shotput, discus throw, javelin throw and high jumps.

Results: 100 metres race: 1 Poonam. 2. Rashmi. 3.Kuldeep Batth; 200 metres race: 1. Poonam 2. Rashmi 3. Naresh Kumari; 400 metres race: 1. Poonam 2. Kirandeep 3. Kanupriya; Relay race: 1. Tulip House 2. Daffodil House 3.Carnation House; Long Jump: 1. Kirandeep. 2.Kuldeep Batth 3. Jasvir; High jump: 1.Jasbir 2. Kirandeep. 3.Kuldeep Batth; Discus throw: 1. Neelamjeet Kaur 2. Harmeet Kaur 3. Harpreet Kaur; Javelin Throw: 1. Neelamjeet Kaur 2. Kirandeep 3. Shammi Walia; Shot put: 1. Sonia Sharma. 2. Kuldeep Batth 3.Kirandeep Kaur; Best athlete - Poonam of Tulip House; Best House - Tulip House; Best March past - Lotus House.

Mr Priyank Bharti, SDM, Rajpura gave away the prizes. TNS

Nestle XI beat FCI in cricket

Mohali, April 8
Superb batting by Vaneet Soni (98) enabled Nestle XI defeat Food Corporation of India by 106 runs and enter the finals of the 2nd Bharat Kesho Ram Gupta Memorial Cricket Tournament held at the PCA Stadium, here today.

Brief scores:

Nestle XI: 214 for 8 in 30 overs.

Vineet Soni 98, Kailash Sanwal 38, Ajay Disodia 37, Umesh Karia 3 for 37, Varun Khanna 3 for 44.

FCI: 108 all out

Kulvinder Romi 32, Kamal Thakur 28, Ashwani Razdaan 25, Kailash Sanwal 4 for 23, Pawan Grewal 2 for 27, Kulbir 2 for 28. TNS

Table soccer tourney from today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 8
The Table Soccer Association of Panchkula is organising the first All-India Invitational Table Soccer Tournament-2005 at Doon Public School, Sector 21, Panchkula on April 9 and 10. This association is affiliated with the Haryana State Table Soccer Association which is working under the aegis of the Table Soccer Federation of India.