C H A N D I G A R H   S T O R I E S

Ocular trauma main cause of single-eye blindness
Chandigarh, August 20
For those who thought cataract and glaucoma were the only reigning concerns in the world of ophthalmology, here is a piece of news.

Medical expert rues falling standards
Chandigarh, August 20
Degeneration of medical education in India was at the heart of the lecture which visiting medical expert Dr K.P. Puthuraya from Karnataka gave while delivering his inaugural address on the occasion of opening of the Chandigarh Chapter of the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists (APPI) in GMCH-32 today.

CFA, St Stephen’s final match today
Chandigarh, August 20
The defending champion Chandigarh Football Academy , Sector 42, and the runners-up, St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, will meet each other in the final of the Chandigarh Sub-Junior Soccer meet for Mahatma Hansraj Trophy, with semi-final matches played at the Sector 17 Football Stadium. St Stephen’s School proved too good for DAV Senior Secondary School , Sector 8 whom they routed by 5-0 in the first semi-final match.

Rock Rovers thrash Shivalik school
Chandigarh, August 20
The city-based Rock Rovers Hockey Club thrashed Shivalik School, Chandigarh, by 9-1 in the inaugural match of the 4th S.N. Vohra Memorial Sub-Junior (U-14) Hockey Tournament at Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, here today.

Sukhmeet shines in shot put
Patiala, August 20
Sukhmeet Singh won the first place in the shot put event of the boys (u-18) age category in the Patiala District Athletic Championship, which concluded at the  Polo ground, here  today.

City lad wins Bangalore rally
Chandigarh, August 20
Sunny Sidhu, Chandigarh’s ace rallyist, proved his class at the recently concluded K 1000 Bangalore rally with his first victory in the current season of INRC in the Gypsy Class.

Neetika, Upinder best players
Chandigarh, August 20
Defending champion St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, and Guru Har Krishan Public School, Sector 40, (boys) won the IX th Chandigarh Sub Junior State Ball Badminton Championship. in the girls and boys categories, respectively, played at St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, here, today. Neetika Arora and Upinder Sein were declared the ‘best player of the championship’.

Rural sports festival begins
Chandigarh, August 20
A two-day annual Jassa Memorial Rural Sports Festival began here today with great fervour at the Dronacharya stadium, Dadumajra village.

Ocular trauma main cause of single-eye blindness
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 20
For those who thought cataract and glaucoma were the only reigning concerns in the world of ophthalmology, here is a piece of news.

Over the recent past, India, especially its northern part, has been reporting more and more cases of ocular trauma which is posing a major challenge to medical experts all over.

Not only is the incidence of ocular trauma increasing, its consequences are also manifesting in grave forms as it is now a significant cause of monocular (single eye) blindness in India and accounts for at least 0.5 per cent blindness in all age groups, children and industrial workers being the most vulnerable.

It is worth a mention here that that worldwide there are 45 million blind, of which 15 million are in India alone. Main causes of blindness in India are cataract (55 per cent), uncorrected refractive errors (19 per cent), glaucoma (7 per cent), corneal pathology (6 per cent) and others (15 per cent). Ocular trauma is a new entrant in this section.

New though, the problem of ocular trauma is becoming acute, considering that only a few hospitals north of Delhi are fully equipped to handle such cases which must be treated at the earliest lest a patient permanently loses vision. Such traumas mainly occur among the following — children who use sharp-edged toys like bows and arrows, especially during the Divali, industrial labourers who are exposed to hazardous chemicals and iron particles, accident victims, unattended children and adolescents into sports activities.

To attend to the problem, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, is planning to have a separate ocular trauma registry unit so that the patients are directly referred to the unit instead of the hospital emergency. Also to deliberate on preventive aspects of ocular trauma and its available treatment, the GMCH-32 is hosting a major convention tomorrow.

Speaking to The Tribune today, Dr Sunandan Sud, Head of Ophthalmology Department, GMCH-32, said, “Given the high incidence of ocular trauma, we need more and more vitrio-retinal centres that can offer advanced eye treatment. Unfortunately there are a very few. Traumas may result in damaging the retina in which case vision can be blocked permanently in some cases.”

As for the types of ocular traumas there are two — closed globe (eye ball) injuries which are normally caused by blunt objects like a tennis ball or a shuttle cock and open globe injuries which are caused by sharp objects like bows and arrows. In the latter category, there are poorer chances of recovery of vision.

Among the most affected are children who account for 20 per cent victims of ocular trauma, and 70 per cent of such cases come from the rural background where there is complete lack of awareness about what such an injury can lead to.

Says Dr Sud, “the Dasehra and Divali time is very dangerous. With bows and arrows freely available, it is easy for children to procure and play with them least realising the consequences. It is time Union Government banned the sale of such objects which can permanently damage the eyes. Or at least there should be screening of the objects that enter the markets.”

Medical expert rues falling standards
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 20
Degeneration of medical education in India was at the heart of the lecture which visiting medical expert Dr K.P. Puthuraya from Karnataka gave while delivering his inaugural address on the occasion of opening of the Chandigarh Chapter of the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists (APPI) in GMCH-32 today.

Consultant and Director, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Dr Puthuraya lamented the fact that most doctors had reduced medical education to mere means of earning money. He wished the government reduced the cost of medical education in India so meritorious youth of the country was not forced to commercialise the noble profession of medicine.

Earlier during the day, the CME was inaugurated by the Secretary, Health and Medical Research, Mr Krishna Mohan. Dr H.M. Swami, Director Principal, GMCH-32, delivered the welcome address, congratulating Prof K. Sri Nageswari, president, Chandigarh Chapter of APPI.

Later during the day, about 150 participants, including medical professionals, medical teachers and students from various medical schools, attended the CME where discussions were held on the latest topics of medical education like bioethics, models of problem-based learning and sub-specialty medical education.

CFA, St Stephen’s final match today
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, August 20
The defending champion Chandigarh Football Academy, Sector 42, and the runners-up, St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, will meet each other in the final of the Chandigarh Sub-Junior Soccer meet for Mahatma Hansraj Trophy, with semi-final matches played at the Sector 17 Football Stadium. St Stephen’s School proved too good for DAV Senior Secondary School , Sector 8 whom they routed by 5-0 in the first semi-final match.

The Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA) trounced Vivek High School, Sector 38, by 7-1. Though the CFA won by a bigger margin, they have to arm themselves better while facing a crowded defence. Out of seven goals, striker Manoj stole the limelight when he netted three goals.

Vivek High School scored one goal and expose the weakness of their formidable rivals in the 37 th minute. The credit for scoring the solitary goal for the losers went to Saransh Chopra. Then it was turn of Gurjot and Jaspal who placed the CFA in a strong position by scoring in the fifth and eighth minutes, respectively. Just before the interval Jaspal made it 4-0. Five minutes after the interval, the CFA scored another goal by Vikram. Manoj scored two goals in quick succession in 40th and 42nd minutes.

St Stephen’s School Academy excelled in all departments of the game against DAV Senior Secondary School , Sector 8. It was Kamei Lungathongam who put St Stephen’s in the lead with a goal in the 15th minute and five minutes later Sukhman Singh doubled the margin.

St Stephen’s got yet another goal before the breather through Oinam Gynaeshwar Singh. The second half belonged to Jony Chand Singh who struck in the 50th and 55th minutes. Tomorrow the final will begin at 4 p.m.

Rock Rovers thrash Shivalik school
Tribune News Service

Sukhmeet shines in shot put
Our Sports Reporter

City lad wins Bangalore rally
Tribune News Service

Neetika, Upinder best players
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 20
Defending champion St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, and Guru Harkrishan Public School, Sector 40, (boys) won the IX th Chandigarh Sub Junior State Ball Badminton Championship. in the girls and boys categories, respectively, played at St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, here, today. Neetika Arora and Upinder Sein were declared the ‘best player of the championship’.

Today’s results: Girls (final): St. Joseph’s 44 bt GHS, K. Lahora by 35-31, 33-35, 35-30;

Third place: MMHS-21 bt GSSS-37 by 35-23, 27-35, 35-32;

Boys’ (final): GHPS- 40 bt MMHS-21(A) by 35-32, 35-25;

Third place: MMHS-21(B) bt GMHS-36 by 35-27, 35-23.

Rural sports festival begins
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, August 20
A two-day annual Jassa Memorial Rural Sports Festival began here today with great fervour at the Dronacharya stadium, Dadumajra village.

The events were held in kabaddi (circle style) in weight categories below 45 kg and below 55 kg and athletic events were also organised. On this occasion, participants and spectators also had free langer.