Chandigarh, November 11
“In India, two remarkable breakthroughs in stem cell therapy have been achieved in dealing with corneal and cardiac diseases. We are now on the brink of similar breakthroughs for neuronal diseases and diabetes,” said Dr D. Bala Subramaniyan, Chairman of the National Task Force on Stem Cell Research, Government 
of India.

Dr Subramaniyan was in Chandigarh today to deliver key note address at the national symposium on stem cell research at Panjab University here. Dr Subramaniyan who is also Director of Research, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, however, added that stem cell therapy for neuronal problems, including spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes would take some years before it reached the bedside of the patient as research in the filed was right now limited to 
animal trials.

Dr Awtar Krishan Ganju, Professor of Pathology, University of Miami, USA, pointed out that human trials of stem cell therapy of these diseases had already started in various parts of the world and that the initial results were extremely encouraging. “It should be just a matter of a year or two and the final data will be available before therapy starts,” he said.

Experts participating in the symposium said stem cell technology was now also making it possible to identify cancer stem cells which would lead to the discovery of drugs which can kill these cells. “High speed cell analysis or ‘flowcytometry’ was being used to identify stem cells in various parts of the body. Stem cells are found not just in the embryo, but also in adult human bodies. These could be also in muscles etc. Since it is still being studied which stem cells are the best for which therapy, technology has made it possible to identify a cancer stem cell from the others,” said Dr James Wood, Wake Forest University, Winston 
Salem, USA.

“The University of Michigan had identified the stem cell responsible for causing breast cancer. Similarly, another centre in the USA had identified the stem cell causing prostate cancer,” said Dr Ganju, adding that research was now on to discover drugs to combat these cells.

Dr Subramaniyan who is considered to be the stalwart of stem cell therapy in India said his institute had achieved substantial success in corneal epithelium stem cell therapy and over 400 cases had been treated with over 70 per cent success. He said four other centres in India were working on cardio myoscyte stem cell for cardiac patients.

“India is a major player in the world in stem cell biology, stem cell technology and stem cell therapy. The main reason for this is the significant number of good scientists entering the field and the fact that the Government of India was proactively supporting research in the field,” he said.

However, skeptical of raising unnecessary hopes, Dr Subramaniyan added that there was more hype than real achievements and it would be at least 2020 before complete organs can be regenerated using 
stem cells.

Talking about another aspect of stem cell biology, Dr Subramaniyan said adult bone marrow stem cells were showing better results for therapy than embryonic cells. “But there is no single standard stem cell discovered as yet which can be used for every therapy. Storage of stem cell in cryo-banks is an option now available,” he said.

Mohali, November 11
There is an urgent need for diabetics to be educated on nerve damage, failing which diabetic foot disease will increase by 200 per cent by 2020.

This was the observation made by doctors at the symposium on diabetic foot management at the Fortis Hospital here today.

Dr Ravul Jindal said with almost 15 per cent of diabetic patients prone to foot problems, a simple infection or an ulcer could cause an amputation, leading to permanent disability.

The level of awareness among diabetics on the issue was very poor.

Dr Murlidharan said diabetes could cause nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), that reduced sensation in the feet.

Foot infection was the most common reason for the hospitalisation of people with diabetes. 

Chandigarh, November 11
Raj Kumar beat Sushant Sethi 25-00, 25-04 in Men’s singles group (1st round) while Chahat defeated Hargun 25-00, 25-00 in the women’s singles on the inaugural day of the 9th edition of the Raj Kumar Babuta Memorial Prize Money Carrom Ranking Tournament held at St. Stephen’s School, Sector 45, here today.

The tournament is being organised by the Chandigarh Carrom Association. Mr S.P. Babuta is sponsoring the tournament in the memory of his late father Raj Kumar Babuta.

During the inaugural function, the association felicitated the girls’ team, which won the 3rd prize in the Junior National and Inter-State Carrom Championship held at Patna from October 5 to 10. The team comprised of Akanksha, Farheen, Harshpreet, Kudrat, Bhanu Sadana and Vishakha Pandit.

1st Day’s results (1st round):

Men’s Singles: Md. Saquib b Riyasat Ali 20-11, 24-12, Arjun Yadav b Dhruva 25-10, 19-06, Kumar Vishal b Piyush Sood 17-18, 24-13, 22-21 Abhinandan b Vikrant Gill 25-00, 25-06, Anuj Sinha b Arish 25-07, 25-00, Paramdeep b Tassavar Ali 25-00, 24-13, , Gagandeep Singh b Nasir Hussain 25-01, 25-00, Raj Kumar b Sushant Sethi 25-00, 25-04, Pardeep Mittal b Gurjeet Singh 25-10, 25-01, Md. Hassan b Shahnawaz 19-15, 16-15

Boys’ Junior: Tassavar Ali b Kushagara Nanda 25-00, Mohd. Talib b Gonick Nalwa 25-00, Prabhal Braich b Arshbuland 25-00, Mukul Sharma b Manojmir 20-13, Shubham b Sumit Talwar 25-00, Saksham b Inamul Haq 25-07, Mukul Sarwal b Vibhav Arora 25-02, Punit Jain b Karan Vashisht 25-04, Akash Goyal b Sidhant Uppal 25-11, Raj Kumar b Ankush 25-08

Women’s Singles: Chahat b Hargun 25-00, 25-00, Surbhi b Kriti 25-00, 25-00, Reena b Gulshan 25-00, 10-25, 25-04, Vishakha b Anjali 24-11, 25-00. 

Chandigarh, November 11
Local lad Saurav emerged winner in U-6 boys’ category while Charu and Rubina secured first place in above 18 years category in the All-India Invitational Table Soccer Championship held at CRB Public School, Sector-7-B, here today.

As many as 500 players from different states participated in the championship which is being organised by the Chandigarh Table Soccer Association and the Table Soccer Federation of India.

Results:

Boys (u-6 yr): Saurav 1, Mukul 2, Rustam 3; (u-6 to 8 yr): Atul 1, Aman 2, Gaurav 3.

(u-10 Boys Singles): Sharurya 1, Simranpreet 2, Sagar and Dinesh 3; (u-12 yr): Shankar 1, Vivek Sood 2, Tushar and Naresh Kumar 3.

(u-14 yr): Pawandeep Singh 1, Amrinder Singh 2, Arhirh 3.

Girls: Above 18 yrs (doubles): Charu and Rubina 1, Ankita and Karishma 2, Ankita and Saleeya 3; (u- 6 yr): Simranjit Kaur 1, Sakshi 2, Kaiphy 3.

Chandigarh, November 11
New Public School registered an emphatic five-goal win against DAV Model School, Sector 15, in the semifinals of Chandigarh Junior Boys U-19 Football Championship for Pt. Harbans Lal Memorial Trophy at Sector 17 Football grounds here today.

New Public School unnerved the opponents’ defence, which conceded the first goal in the 10th minute through right striker Gopal. NPS boys mounted more pressure and scored the second goal in the 22nd minute through right winger Vikram.

The third goal was scored by right half Sukhdeep Singh in a direct shot, which was awarded by the referee to the NPS team. This was followed by another goal in the 34th minute through left winger Johny Kumar with a solo effort.

At half-time, the score was 4-0. After the break, left half Jaspreet scored the fifth goal in the 40th minute with a powerful shot.

In the second semifinal, Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, beat DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, 2-0 in a well-contested match. Both sides displayed a good game, but no team could score any goal in the first half.

After the lemon break, SPS boys started making combined moves. In the 42nd minute, Alam Singh opened the account for his team. He scored on a rebound from the DAV goalkeeper.

Stung by this move, DAV approached aggressively, but missed a golden chance in the 46th minute. Their striker Shahil’s strike sailed over the goal post.

SPS scored the second goal in the 51st minute. The scorer was left winger Gurnam Singh. With this win, SPS qualified for the final. 

Chandigarh, November 11
Shelters for rickshaw-pullers will now be located away from residential area and near public place like Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Sectors 17 and 34. The decision follows strong protest by residents of Sector 45A against the location of the special building to house the rickshaw-pullers.

The special facility entails two storeyed shelter will have parking facilities for rickshaws, dormitories to live in and common kitchen facilities.

Sources in the administration reveal that a site each had been identified at Sector 17, 43 and Industrial Area. The logic behind relocating the shelters was that they were located near the areas of their demand. Most of the passengers while alighting from long route buses required rickshaws to reach their destination. A large number of rickshaws could be seen parked at the ISBT, Sector 17.

The sources said certain amendments had to be made in the master plan of Sector 17 to allow the construction of the shelter for rickshaw-pullers. 

Chandigarh, November 11
The Department of Food and Supplies and Consumer Affairs conducted a surprise check on the distribution of kerosene under the Public Distribution System at Ms A.K. Sales Corporation, Sector 37, here today.

An official press note said that during the inspection, large scale irregularities were found and action has been taken by the department as a result of which supply of kerosene to the said pump have been stopped.

For the convenience of the public, ration cards registered with the pump have now been attached with Ms Ramnik Sales Corporation, Sector 15, Ms Braham Sarup and Sons, Sector 34, and Ms Prakash Trading Corporation, Sector 40.

Chandigarh, November 11
The Finance and Contract Committee (FCC) of the Municipal Corporation yesterday accorded approval to installation of a deep bore tube well at a cost of Rs 22.37 lakh at Vikas Nagar, spray of effective microorganism solution for treatment of municipal solid waste at garbage dumping ground, Dadumajra, purchase of 100 garbage bins at a cost of Rs 37.50 lakh and purchase of eight Swaraj tractors.

The proposal relating to construction of multilevel parking facility on built, operates and transfer basis (BoT) was deferred. Now, it will be discussed at a meeting scheduled for November 14. The committee decided that the corporation should also deploy another 100 gardeners so that they could also perform the work related to upkeep of gardens and green belts besides security. — TNS

55 milk samples adulterated
Our Correspondent

Mohali, November 11
A total of 55 milk samples taken for testing by officials of the Dairy Development Department were found to be adulterated and containing water.

Only three milk samples out of a total of 58 were found as per specifications laid down in this regard.

The milk samples were tested at an awareness camp organised by the department in association with the Dairy Development Board in Phase I here today.

According to department officials, no milk sample was found containing urea or other harmful chemicals.