Mandi Gobindgarh, December 9
In collaboration with the Department of AYUSH , Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, and with the help of gram panchayats of Kukad Majra, Ajnali and Nasrali villages the Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic College and Hospital organised a function to make the people aware about AIDS here today. Sarpanches, panches of nearby villages, mahila mandal, yuvak sangh, teachers of neighbouring schools and students attended the function.

Local council chief Jagmeet Singh Sahota was the chief guest. Dr Zora Singh, chairman, Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes, and Principal of the college Loveleen Kaur Ahuja welcomed the dignitaries. While the speakers unveiled various myths about AIDS they also explained its various causes, symptoms and prevention. They laid stress on making the people aware about it. An exhibition on the causes, symptoms and prevention of AIDS was also held to mark the occasion.

Dr Inderjit Kaur, research officer, Central Research Institute (Ayurveda), Patiala, Dr A.P. Singh, Dr Narinder Singh, Dr Arvinder Kaur, Dr Ajai Kumar and Ms Sarabjit Kaur were others who spoke on the occasion.

Ludhiana, December 9
The Dharmik Ekta Club Welfare Society of Chawani Mohalla, ward No. 69, organised a function at Iqbal Nursing Home here yesterday to honour doctors.

The function was presided over by the society president, Mr Ajay Siddhu, and Ms Kanwal Kalia. Dr Iqbal Singh was honoured for his outstanding service and given a memento.

Dr Maninder Singh Chawla and Dr Jagjit Singh Ahuja were also honoured. 

Jarkhar (Ludhiana), December 9
Namdhari XI, PSEB XI, Mukandpur and Friends Club of Roomi won their respective quarterfinals and secured berths in the last four in the boy's section (hockey) on the second day of the 21st annual Mata Sahib Kaur Gold Cup Hockey Tournament and Sports Festival being organised by the Sports Club of Jarkhar under the ageis of the Punjab Rural Sports Promotion Council here today.

Friends Club blanked Sarihn XI 3-0, PSEB XI prevailed over Jarkhar Academy 3-2, Namdhari XI outnumbered Harpal Club of Kila Raipur 5-2 and Mukandpur XI defeated Gwaddi 2-1 to advance into the semifinals.

In the girl’s section for the Mata Swaran Kaur Cup, DAV College, Amritsar, drew 1-1 with Rajbir Kaur XI, Jalandhar. In basketball (girls) Khalsa College, Ludhiana, beat Punjab Schools 44-32 while Kapurthala defeated Rest of Punjab 32-7.

Results: Basketball (boys)- Government College, Ludhiana b Government Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana 73-53; girls: Khalsa College, Ludhiana, b Government College, Ludhiana, 57-48; hockey (girls)- Sports Wing, Ludhiana, b Muktsar 2-1; boys- Sports Club, Ghawaddi b Sangrur Academy 1-0 and Mata Sahib Kaur, Jarkhar Academy b PAU Academy 4-0.

Handball (boys): Hoshiarpur b Bathinda 21-11, Jalandhar b Kapurthala 21-19, Patiala b Tarn Taran 16-1, Mohali b Hoshiarpur 25-24; (girls)- Ludhiana b Faridkot 17-11, Tarn Taran Jalandhar 17-16.

Wrestling: Karma of Mandod Academy b Gurmeet Sidhwa while Binda Kanjri b Kamal Dhoomchheri.

Athletics: Parvinder Singh won 100 m while Manjeet Singh of Raikot and Deepak Sharma finished second and third, respectively; girls: 100 m- Parminder Kaur 1, Jasvir Kaur 2 and Parveen Kaur 3; 200 m- Jasvir Kaur 1, Parveen Akhtar 2 and Manpreet Kaur 3; boys (u-14)- Gurjant Singh 1, Gurdeep Singh 2 and Taranjeet Singh Deol 3; veterans' race - Teja Singh 1, Gurnam Singh 2 and Jaswant Singh 3.

Head of the NRI wing of Jarkhar sports Channa Alamgir, Mr Narinder Pal Singh Sidhu, Mr Balbir Singh, chairman and president, respectively, of the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Club, Mr Steven Grewal, president, Surjit Sports Association, Canada, and Harminder Singh, coach, Namdhari Hockey Academy, were present during the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, the 21st edition of the annual Mata Sahib Kaur Gold Cup Hockey Tournament and Sports Festival got off to a colourful start here yesterday. The games torch was carried by prominent sportspersons in a rally from the Manji Sahib gurdwara at Alamgir to the main stadium where Arjuna Award winners Sajjan Singh Cheema and Parminder Singh (sr) lit it.

This was followed by a march past by the participating contingents. Mr Ashok Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, and Mr A.S. Rai, SSP, took salute from the participants.

Students of Dashmesh Public School, Kaind, presented a cultural programme on the occasion. The Deputy Commissioner formally inaugurated the festival by unfurling the games flag. He announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the organising committee of the festival.

International basketball player Kamajit Kaur Badesha took an oath on behalf of the participants to exhibit game spirit. A para-gliding exhibition by Bhupinder Singh Dhanola and sponsored by the Surjit Sports Association of Canada was the main attraction of the inaugural function.

The organising club honoured upcoming players, Ravinder Singh Gindi and Gagandeep Singh Sahnewal on the occasion. They were given the Manjit Singh Thind Memorial Promosing Award.

Results: Boys (basketball): Government College, Ludhiana, b Government Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana, 73-53; girls: Khalsa College, Ludhiana, b Government College, Ludhiana, 57-48; hockey (girls): Sports Wing, Ludhiana, b Muktsar, 2-1; boys: Sports Club, Ghawaddi, b Sangrur Academy, 1-0; and Mata Sahib Kaur, Jarkhar Academy, b PAU Academy, 4-0.

Wrestling: Karma of Mandod Academy b Gurmeet Sidhwa; Binda Kanjri b Kamal Dhoomchheri.

Athletics (100 m race): Parvinder Singh 1; Manjeet Singh of Raikot 2; and Deepak Sharma 3.

Girls (100 m): Parminder Kaur 1; Jasvir Kaur 2; and Parveen Kaur 3; 200 m: Jasvir Kaur 1; Parveen Akhtar 2; and Manpreet Kaur 3; boys (under-14): Gurjant Singh 1; Gurdeep Singh 2; and Taranjeet Singh Deol 3; veterans' race: Teja Singh 1; Gurnam Singh 2; and Jaswant Singh 3.

Channa Alamgir, head of the NRI wing of the Jarkhar sports, Mr Narinder Pal Singh Sidhu, Mr Balbir Singh, chairman and president, respectively, of the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Club, Pehlwan Harmail Singh, Mr Steven Grewal, president, Surjit Sports Association, Canada, Mr Amarjit Singh Kala Sangowal from the USA, Harminder Singh, coach, Namdhari Hockey Academy, Jora Singh Deol and Sukhvinder Singh Nittu were present on the occasion.

Samrala, December 9
The Youth Welfare Sports Club of Ottalan village, 3 km from here, will hold a sports tournament at the Government High School ground from December 12 to 15.

On December 12, bullock cart and horse race events will be inaugurated by Jeet Singh Hawaldar and prizes will be given by Mr Sher Singh Manki on December 13.

Kabaddi matches will be inaugurated by Mr Narata Singh Kanugo, while athletics events of girls will be inaugurated by Mr Surinder Singh (Greece) and prizes will be distributed by Mr Gurnam Singh Gemi (Canada) on December 14. Open kabaddi and kabaddi (65 kg) events will be inaugurated by Mr Satinder Singh Chhinda and prizes will be distributed by Mr Randhir Singh Manager.

On December 15, the final matches in hockey and kabaddi will be inaugurated by Commander R.S. Otal and prizes will be distributed by Mr Lal Singh, Minister for Rural Development. The function will be presided over by the local MLA, Mr Amrik Singh Dhillon.