HEALTH

‘Sarthak’ touches several lives
Gayatri Rajwade
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31
It is making lifelong friends, of gathering strength from one another, of being courageous and proud.

It is the story of hope, compassion and audacity, in the face of adversity, the story that each cancer support group in the city epitomises.

These groups provide encouragement, strength and hope to individuals and their families undergoing their own battle with cancer, emotionally, financially, socially and economically. Although there are a few groups in the city, their work is worthy.

Cancer is a dizzying array of emotions, uncertainties and choices to be made. “Once you see it for yourself, you have compassion for all that you have witnessed,” says Mrs Neelu Tuli, founder of the Sahayta Cancer Sahyog in the city. She along with nine other enthusiasts established the Sahayta Charitable Welfare Society on May 23, 1997, after she faced the trauma of cancer with her sister.

“Our beginning was small but we kept going and the road opened up before us,” says Mrs. Tuli.

Sahayta Cancer Sahyog endeavours to provide holistic help to individuals touched by cancer. Sahayta volunteers attend cancer clinics in the PGI and act as a bridge between patients and doctors. They also sponsor treatment of needy cancer patients referred to them by the PGI and run various projects, from providing prostheses at a no-profit no-cost basis to toy banks to a survivors’ club.

“We cannot sponsor everyone who comes to us, but we do try to reach out to as many people as we can,” says Mrs Tuli.

‘Sarthak’, launched in May this year by Fortis Hospital, was created after Mrs Neera Kapoor, social welfare councillor for the hospital, felt the need to take the support process a step higher.

“It is essentially a self- help group which decides on its own agenda. We strive to extend compassionate care with the best possible facilities,” says Mrs Kapoor.

The support group meets every month and it includes the participation of Dr Rajeev Bedi, Senior Consultant, Oncology. “It is amazing to sit there and to hear people talk, come to terms with what is happening to them. The will to survive is strong. Their courageous stories inspire us to be buoyant,” recounts Mrs Kapoor.

The Vinay Cancer Patients Relief Trust was started in 1999 by Mr V.C. Joshi and his family in the memory of his son Vinay, who succumbed to the disease in December, 1996. The trust provides services in the form of medicines to poor or needy patients. “My advice is, do not give up treatment mid-way, for this is the only cure,” states Mr Joshi.

Global Cancer Concern under the guidance of the PGI’s Radiotherapy Department, under the charge of Dr Pooja Agarwal, holds counselling sessions for terminally ill patients as well as collects data for research and reports.

Other programmes include assistance for treatment and education of children and a unique ‘home-care project’ trained nurses visit the homes of the terminally ill. The project is run in 11 centres around the country, including Chandigarh.

Mrs Ranjana Tulsi, coordinator survivors’ club for Sahayta and a cancer survivor herself, believes support groups are like “best friends who show you where to go”. Mrs Tulsi believes it is important to welcome what has to come, to face it, “for God gives you the strength”. After all, it is about a promise to keep fighting and being alive.

Information on support groups:

1. Sahayta Cancer Sahyog. Mrs Neelu Tuli. Phone 0172-2660168.

Monthly meetings under Mrs Ranjana Tulsi. Mobile: 9855441944.

2. Sarthak-Support Group meets at Fortis Hospital, Mohali once a month. Neera Kapoor. Mobile: 9888056130.

3. Vinay Cancer Patients Relief Trust. Mr V.C. Joshi 0172-2715283 to donate or for help.

4. Global Cancer Concern. Savita Sodhi. Phone: 2631907.

Hip replacement at 95
Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 31
In a relatively rare surgical achievement, a 95-year-old resident of Ambala was implanted with a new hip at a private hospital in Mohali. The patient, Vidyawanti, had fractured her left hip joint following a fall at home about two weeks ago. She was admitted to a Ambala hospital for a week, where she was put on traction but operation was not contemplated due to her age.

Seeing her great suffering, her sons brought her to Shivalik Hospital and Trauma Centre here, where she was admitted last week.

Dr Santosh Agrawal, orthopaedic surgeon, operated upon her replacing her broken hip joint. The procedure took only 30 minutes. Her post - operative recovery was satisfactory despite age and her discharge from the hospital was expected soon.

Dr Agrawal informed that the hip replacement procedure was very satisfying and rewarding for elderly people, as they are literally on their feet within a few days of the operation. This saves the patient and family from long suffering, which is normally associated with the non - operative treatment of such fractures.

This procedure for the broken hip is the commonest surgery done in the western countries due to the large elderly population there. On an average, four such operations are done in each hospital every day. Also this is one of the first operation a trainee orthopaedic surgeon gets to do in the West, informed the surgeon.

Cycle rally for healthy heart
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31
A cycle rally was organised by the Chandigarh Healthy Heart Project, in collaboration with Sri Guru Harkrishan Model School, Sector 38, and the Chandigarh Amateur Cycling Association here today.

The rally passed through various sectors of the city. It had a brief stopover at the Fragrance Garden where Dr Madhu from the Department of Community Medicine, PGIMER, explained the importance of cycling for healthy living.

The nodal officer of the Chandigarh Healthy Heart Action Project, Dr S.K. Bhandari, said heart disease accounted for 11 per cent of the global burden of disease and 33 percent of the global deaths.

He said physical inability was one of the main reasons behind heart attacks. Smoking, high fat and salt intake and excessive intake of alcohol were the main reasons. It was announced that a cycle rally would be organised on the last Sunday of every month.

The rally concluded at Sri Guru Harkrishan Model School, Sector 38, where it was received by the Principal.

Women’s wellbeing camp
Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 31
Fortis Hospital here today organised a daylong free “women’s wellbeing” camp at the Fortis City Centre, Sector 9, Chandigarh. Over 80 persons attended the camp.

During the camp, women from all walks of life received free consultation in endocrinology from Dr K.P. Singh and Dr S.K. Mathur, in dermatology from Dr Rohit Bansal, in gynaecology from Dr Rashmi Garg Singh and Dr Vijayalakshmi Lal and in cosmetic and plastic surgery from Dr Krishan Mohan Kapoor.

The camp had a lucky dip carrying a prize of Botox therapy worth Rs 8,000 which was won by Mrs Dalwinder Kaur, a resident of Phase 7, Mohali.

According to Dr K. M. Kapoor, cosmetic and plastic surgeon, Fortis Hospital, “Botox therapy, which is used in treating face wrinkles, is the latest and most popular cosmetic procedure throughout the world. The treatment takes about 10-15 minutes. The patient looks at least 10 years younger than his or her original age.”

SPORTS

Two local lads in national hockey team
G.S. Paul
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31
Stars are only beginning to shine on two local hockey players - Rajpal Singh and Jaswinder Singh - who have been included in the Indian hockey team.

The team was announced by Indian Hockey Federation President K.P.S. Gill just after the morning practice session at Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here today. Indian players are training at the stadium for the eight-nation hockey tournament to be held in Holland from August 14.

Rajpal represented India in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year and scored a goal against Pakistan in the same tournament in 2004.

Jaswinder, who has also played the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament, is confident to bringing back the lost glory of Indian hockey in the coming tournament. “It was definitely a great learning experience to play in the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament. We worked hard at the camp held at New Delhi then and same could be expected from our side at this camp also”, he said.

Jaswinder represented the rest of India team in 2002 and performed remarkably against the Australian team in a tournament held in Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai.

The local coach, Jasbir Bajwa, who had been training the duo, is all praise for them. “Both had been under my coaching since 1992 when they joined the sports wing at Sector 42 Sports Complex. They had been working hard and performing consistently,” Jasbir said.

Both are equally good in their respective areas. Jaswinder is a sharp minded player and is good at distribution and is a master in making the game strategy.

“Rajpal justifies the three ‘S’ which means speed, skill and score. They both play forwards. Left half Jaswinder has good knowledge about distribution and is good at manipulating the situation at a given time. The combination of the duo will be an asset to the Indian team, if all goes well”, Jasbir opines.

DAV students shine at karate meet
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 31
Students of DAV School, Surajpur, were declared overall champions as they won maximum number of medals in the second Kalpana Chawla Memorial Karate Championship, 2005, held at Jainendra Public School, here today.

The hosts, Jainendra School got the second place while students of Little Flower School got the third place. The championship was organised by the District Panchkula Karate Association.

The results: Sub-junior boys (below 20 kg): Pushpinder (gold), Kapil (silver), Sudhanshu (bronze); 20-24 kg: Navjot (gold), Aman (silver), Prem (bronze); 24-28 kg: Akershit (gold), Simran (silver), Saurabh (bronze); 28-32 kg: Akash (gold), Ravi (silver), Rishabh (bronze); 32-34 kg: Vivek (gold), Hitender (silver), Hemant (bronze); 34-38 kg: Manik (gold), Saumya (silver), Mohit (bronze); 38-42 kg: Akshay (gold), Arvind (silver), Mohit (bronze); 42-46 kg: Lakshay (gold), Manjeet (silver), Manish (bronze).

Juniors (30-34 kg): Happy (gold), Karan (silver), Sahil (bronze); 34-38 kg: Vasu (gold), Sumit (silver), Vipul (bronze); 38-42 kg: Vishal (gold), Sagar (silver), Gurjant (bronze); 42-46 kg: Shubham (gold), Malkit (silver), Saurabh (bronze); 46-50 kg: Abhimanyu (gold), Kunwar (silver), Shivang (bronze); 50-54 kg: Akash (gold), Satinder (silver), Jatin (bronze), 54-58 kg: Sarthak (gold), Harish (silver), Pardeep (bronze).

Seniors boys (40-44 kg): Vibhor (gold), Ujjwal (silver), Ankit (bronze); 44-48 kg: Siddharth (gold), Puneet (silver), Gagan (bronze); 48-52 kg: Kunal (gold), Anurag (silver), Ravinder (bronze).

Girls sub-juniors (30-34 kg): Sukriti (gold), Akanksha (silver), Aarti (bronze); 34-38 kg: Mallika (gold), Anurag (silver), Ravinder (bronze).

Junior girls (40-44 kg): Udiata (gold), Rashmi (silver), Raman (bronze).

Senior girls (50-54 kg): Taniya (gold), Akshita (silver), Shaina (bronze).

DAV TT tourney concludes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31
Manisha Sharma of Patiala defeated Nadia Saini of New Public School in the women’s category (11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 6-11, 8-11, 11-9) on the final day of the DAV Public School Open Table Tennis Tournament held at Table Tennis Hall, Sector 23, here today.

The tournament was organised by DAV Public School under the aegis of the Chandigarh Table Tennis Association.

In the men’s (singles) category, the final match was played between Manish Bhardwaj (PU) and Dheeraj Arora (RBI). Manish defeated Dheeraj 12-10, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6.

In the junior girls singles, Nadia Saini (NPS-18) beat Meghna (SH-26), 11-4, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5.

Results:

Junior boys (singles): Dev Saini (DAVPS-8) beat Manish (Pat), 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-3; junior girls (singles): Nadia Saini (NPS-18) b Megna (SH-26), 11-4, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5; women’s singles: Manisha (Pat) b Nadia Saini (NPS-18), 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 6-11, 8-11, 11-9; men’s singles: Manish Bhardwaj (PU) b Dheeraj Arora (RBI), 12-10, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6; mixed doubles: Dheeraj and Nadia b Deepak and Manisha, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8, 11-13, 11-2.

Promoting sports in Panchkula
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, July 31
Satluj Public School, Sector 4, has emerged as one of the Centres of sporting excellence in Panchkula. The school has been the hub of national-level players in various sports like roller skating, tennis, draughts and cricket.

Giving this information, Mr Krit Serai, Principal of the school, said they had tried to provide sports infrastructure in cricket, football, volleyball, basketball, athletics, mini swimming pool, table soccer, horse riding, table tennis, pool, gym and golf.

He said the star players of their school who had also played abroad in cricket tournaments are, Anil Kumar, Vipul Chadha, Dilpreet.

They had taken part in various competitions in the UK, the USA and Dubai (UAE).

He said 20 players from the school were selected in the cricket academy being coached by Sarvpreet Gill and Kamal Mehra.

In taekwondo, Nitika Khosla, Monika Chauhan, Chitra Bakshi and Sandeep have participated in national tournaments. In draughts, Karan Ramphal represented India in championships held in Belgium and Portugal. Krit said Suruchi Chandel and Smriti Chandel, sisters, along with Chakshender, represented India in the international skating tournaments.

He said the vast ground located on the school premises was used for holding various district and state-level sports competitions. More than 10 such tournaments are held there every year.

Naveen wins chess meet
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, July 31
Naveen Bansal, with unbeaten seven points, emerged winner in the 16th Chandigarh Chess Championship that concluded here today at Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya, Sector 25.

The meet was organised by the Chandigarh Chess Association. Naveen, Nitin, Sanjeev Biswas and Satpal will represent Chandigarh in the forthcoming National ‘B’ Chess Championship to be held in New Delhi from August 3 to 13.

Mr Roshan Negi, Deputy Controller IDAS, Western Command distributed the prizes.

The positions at the end of final round are: 7 pts — Naveen Bansal; 6.5 pts — Nitin, Sanjeev Biswas and Satpal; 6 pts — Himal Gusain, Anil Raina and Ashwani; 5.5 pts — Anmol Razdan, Vipnesh Bhardwaj, Manish Sehgal, CM Oberoi and Himanshu Gupta.