Chandigarh, November 8
Heaps of solid waste, construction material, damaged hospital equipment and infrastructure, apart from trash, have been dotting the backyards of the Nehru Hospital, PGI, for the past couple of years, courtesy the PGI authorities that seem to be more concerned about the front than the backyards of this premier institution.

Not only has the solid waste and other material been piled up adjacent to different blocks of the buildings but the lanes there have been dug up right from the branch of the State Bank of India till the dump for hospital waste.

Sources in the hospital said that the heaps of solid-waste have resulted due to the repair work carried out at different floors of different blocks of the building, a long time ago. Weeds have started growing in the heaps but that too had failed to catch the attention of the authorities concerned.

The scene outside the “last post” (PGI morgue) is worse where not only wood and discarded furniture has been lying but bricks and heaps of sand have also been dumped since long.

Family members of the deceased and attendants of bodies at the morgue are being put to great hardship because of inadequate space for the vehicles used to transport the victims.

Waste construction material dumped adjacent to the main entrance of the Radiotherapy OPD and in the back of the Ortho OPD have aggravated problems. Telephone cables lying in a dug-up trench along a service lane add further to the problem.

Leaking water pipes and choked sewerage clearly reflect the negligence of the authorities. Stinking ducts, meant for the vent pipes, have further multiplied the problem apart from proving to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The PGI official spokesperson, however, claimed that the authorities have been removing the waste from time to time. 

Chandigarh, November 8
Dr Raje Nijhawan, Professor of Cytology and Gynaecological Pathology, PGI, Chandigarh, was awarded the Cipla Award at the 36th annual conference of the Indian Academy of Cytologists held in Ranchi recently.

Dr Nijhawan elaborated on the rapid changes taking place in the laboratory aspects of clinical medicine. Citing from his various studies in the field of breast cytopathology, he pointed to a clear global progression towards an internet-based storage and analysis of medical data at the conference.

The award, instituted in memory of the late Prof P.N. Wahi, a founding member of the academy and widely acclaimed as the father of cytology in India , carries a citation, a medal and a cash prize.

Chandigarh, November 8
The early rays of the morning sun provided the perfect colour to these childrens’ paintings and each child produced his ‘masterpiece’ with optimism, confidence and hope.

A large number of special children participated along with other children and even walked away with a number of prizes at the painting competition held at ‘Samarthya-2006’, an exhibition on ‘Aids, Appliances and Services for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Persons’ at the Parade Ground in Sector 17, here.

The exhibition has been organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Governments of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana.

Every work of art that these children painted reflected their own bright world view with them interpreting the topic at hand ‘Mera Bachpan, Aao Padhein, Aage Badhein’ in lively hues and buoyant expressions.

While little Babli’s mother and child sparkled with colour and deft strokes, Davender (from the Institute for Mentally Challenged Children, Sector 32) gave credence to his dreams by painting boys with racquets in their hands. Similarly, Sarika’s work of physically challenged children with crutches achieving success in a musical soiree cheered on by their mates showed remarkable poignancy.

Images of computers, helicopters, schools, books and children and even sporting events filled more than 300 sheets as the students participated with gusto.

Chandigarh, November 8
The Panjab University added another feather in its cap after it won the Osmania University Platinum Jubilee Trophy 2004-05. This is the second successive year that the university has won this trophy.

The trophy has been awarded to the university by All India Universities (AIU) for getting the first position in women sports events during the particular year.

The trophy will be awarded at a function during the forthcoming AGM of AIU, scheduled to be held from November 25-28 at University of Mumbai. The university has also won the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for 2004-2005 for overall excellence in sports during the year.

Congratulating all the sportspersons as well as the officials and coaches of the university Vice-Chancellor Professor R. S. Sobti said, “Winning the second trophy in the year is a proud moment for us. I congratulated all the sportspersons as well as sports officials for the achievement. I will do all the required things to strengthen sports in colleges and the campus.” Professor Sobti along with Professor D. S. Toor, former Sports Director, will receive the trophy at the function.

Meanwhile, Dr B. L. Gupta General Championship Trophy went to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, while Punjabi University, Patiala, won the Shri Meghnath Nageshkar Trophy.

Chandigarh, November 8
Aman secured the top honours by securing 287 points in the 30-metre event (women) at the Senior Chandigarh State Archery Championship (Men and Women) which concluded at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, here today.

Ravinder got second position with 274 points while Ratinder was third with 270 points in the event.

The results: (Women) 40 m: 1 Retinder (297), 2 Aman (248), 3 Gagan (222).

Overall Individual: 1 Ratinder (567), 2 Aman (535), 3 Ravinder (473).

Team event: 1 MCM DAV College (988), GCG, Sector 11 (927).

(Men) Olympic Indian Round: 1 Ravinder, 2 Paramvir, 3 Anil Kumar.

Fiita Bow: 1 Kapil (1269), 2 Vikas (1207), 3 Kamal (820).

Compound Bow: 1 Harmanjot Singh (817), Prabsimran Sidhu (790), Sanket (780).

Chandigarh, November 8
With a brilliant performance by striker Shikha Sharma, who scored three goals, defending champion St Stephen’s Club, Sector 45, retained the Chandigarh Junior Girls Football Championship for Molly Carver Memorial Trophy beating Sacred Hearts Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, by three goals at St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, here today.

Both teams remained goalless till the lemon break. The first and second goal came at the 38th and 42nd minutes, respectively, through Shikha Sharma. She sealed the 3-0 victory for the team in the dying minutes of the match.

Shikha Sharma and Monika of St Stephen’s were declared best players of the meet.