The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HEALTH

World Blood Donors Day celebrated
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 14
World Blood Donors’ Day was observed with enthusiasm today in a bid to convey a sense of gratitude to all the voluntary blood donors for their spirit and contribution to this cause. Millions of lives across the country are positively affected by this ‘gift of blood’.

The State Blood Transfusion Council for Chandigarh has been playing an active role in the movement towards voluntary donation of blood and has been organising many activities to motivate and retain voluntary blood donors. The project to inter-link blood banks in the larger interest of the public is also underway.

To commemorate the occasion, posters thanking donors were displayed in all medical institutions and blood donation camps were organised in all blood banks. As a mark of respect and recognition, the donors were given small tokens of appreciation. Dr Usha Bishnoi, Medical Superintendent-cum-Joint Director (Health Services), Chandigarh Administration, inaugurated the blood donation camp at the General Hospital in Sector 16 today. The response to various blood donation camps were encouraging with 90 persons donating blood at the PGI, 70 persons coming to donate at the GMCH, Sector 32 and 95 persons donating blood at General Hospital, Sector 16.

Chandigarh has been a pioneer in the blood donation movement in the country and can today boast of 70 per cent of blood donation through voluntary non-remunerated blood donors and this day will serve to highlight that voluntarily donated blood is much safer because they are associated with significantly lower levels of infection that could be transmitted through transfusion, including HIV and hepatitis.

100 units of blood collected at PGI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 14
The local unit of the All-India Medical Laboratory Technologists Association organised a blood donation camp today to observe world Blood Donors’ Day. Today is the birthday of Nobel Prize winner Karl Land Steiner, who discovered the A, B and O blood grouping system, which laid the foundation of the blood transfusion services.

Dr K.K. Talwar, Director, PGIMER, inaugurated the blood donation camp. Mr Hari Darshan, vice-president, All-India Medical Laboratories Technologists’ Association, stated that safe blood through voluntary donations would help to control AIDS/HIV, hepatitis and other communicable diseases.

Hunddred units of blood were collected. Mr Charanjit Singh and Mr Ashwani Munjal, general secretary, PGI Medical Technologists Association donated blood for the 150th and 92nd time, respectively.

Mr Ashwani Munjal has his name entered in the Limca Book of Records for having the maximum number of blood donations at his age.

Another blood donation camp was held by the PGI team, led by Dr Usha Rao, at Palampur. 101 units of blood were collected there. Mr Balwant Singh and Ms Jaswant Kaur of the Baba Sheikh Farid Blood Donor Council, who have donated blood 44 times also visited the camp.

They have been honoured by the Limca Book of Records for their efforts and lauded by the President as well. A token gift was given to all blood donors.

SPORTS

Gearing up for challenges ahead
Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 14
The training camps organised by the Punjab Cricket Association have brought forward talent which can be harnessed into big names in future.

The Chandigarh Tribune had an interation with a cross-section of the participants in the U-17 age category, who spoke about their experience in the camp and the benefits they expected. The players in the camp have been selected on the basis of performance in the recently concluded under-17 inter-district matches for M L Markan Trophy.

Simrat Bawa, a 16-year-old promising local cricketer said : “This is my third camp, and I am learning the finer points of the game at the camp, particularly with respect to my batting technique.

Earlier, I made many mistakes while batting. At the camp it is like learning the basics which can fortify my batting defense.”

Bawa has represented the city in a number of under-17 and under-19 inter districts tournaments. He specalises as a batsman and also a wicket-keeper.

Abhinav Rathore of Jalandhar has been selected for the second time in such a camp. Abhinav, a talented batsman, opens the innings for Jalandhar team. “It is my duty to give my team a solid start as I open the innings for my team. The camp under the supervision of renowned coach D.P. Azad is like a boon for me as I am learning all the nitty-gritty of batting from experts”, said Ratore.

Seemingly excited and impressed with the facilities and paraphernalia provided by the PCA at the camp, an all-rounder from Patiala, Amitoz Singh, is busy in correcting fault, while batting on backfoot. “As all the facilities have been extended to the players free of cost, everybody is trying to gain maximum here. The bowlers have been given specially designed balls, which help to bowl the ball in straight line”, said Amitoz.

The participants are also enjoying the facilities like gymnasium , equipment food, boarding and lodging along with special diet prescribed by camp doctor free of cost.

As many as 41 players of seven districts of Punjab are taking part in the camp.

City footballers prepare for Dhaka tourney
G.S. Paul
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 14
Chandigarh football players are bent upon proving their mettle in the under-16 coaching camp, underway at the Sector 17 Football Stadium, to take part in the third BKRD Cup Football Tournament scheduled to be held in Dhaka (Bangladesh) from July 9 to 16.

Apart from Chandigarh boys team, teams from South Asian countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Bangladesh are participating in the tournament.

Officials of the Chandigarh Football Association are of the view that the team’s participation in the tournament would give good learning experience and exposure to the players, as it is for the first time that the city lads are going abroad to play an international tournament. As many as 25 players are undergoing training
at the camp.

The teams include players from Chandigarh Football Academy-42, St Stephen’s School-45, DAVSSS-8. The practice is being held in two session — one in the morning and other in the evening.

The camp is being held under the supervision of Chandigarh Sports Department coach Dinesh Sharma who is all confident about the footballer’s performance.

“The team will be placed among the top teams,” he said, adding. “Looking at the standards of the tournament,
we are putting in extra efforts and the priority is being laid on physical training, consistency and technical aspects
of the game”. “Playing with the national squads of South Asian countries will give exposure to our players,” said Rakesh Bakshi, CFA secretary. Mr Dinesh Sharma is likely to accompany the teamwhich would leave for Dhaka on July 4.

Chandigarh Club thrashes Khalsa Club
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 14
Chandigarh Club thrashed Khalsa Club in a tie at 2-0 (6-5, 6-5) during the first Dodgeball Senior State Championship held at Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21, here today.

Mr I.S. Sandhu, Director, Sports, Chandigarh, was the chief guest.

Today’s results:

Chandigarh Club bt Khalsa Club by 2-0 (6-5, 6-5); Star Club bt Panjab University Club by 2-0 (6-5, 6-4); Manimajra Shere Club bt Maharaja Club by 2-1 (4-0, 4-4, 3-2); Aryan Club bt Sudhir Club by 2-1(3-3, 5-3, 4-3); JRS Club bt Manav Mangal Club by 2-0 (6-3, 6-3); Manimajra Shere Club bt Police Club by 2-0 (6-3, 5-2); Complex Club bt City Beautiful Club by 2-0 (3-2, 2-6, 5-3); GMSSS, MM Complex bt Manav Mangal School by 2-1( 5-5, 6-5, 6-3) and Star Club bt Manimajra Punjab Club by 2-0 (6-3, 6-3).