The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HEALTH

OPDs to function at PGI on Jan 1, 5 and 30
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
The OPDs of the PGI will remain open on January 1, 5 and 30, 2007, in spite of these days being gazetted holidays due to Id-ul-Zuha, birth anniversary of Shri Guru Gobind Singh and Muharram, respectively.

The OPDs will, however, remain closed on January 26, on account of Republic Day. The other gazetted holidays on which the OPDs will not function include Guru Ravi Das Jayanti, Holi, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra, Dewali, Id-ul-Fitr, Birthday of Sh. Guru Nanak Dev and Christmas.

Emergency services will continue to function as per schedule on all these holidays, informed an official spokesperson of the PGI.

SPORTS

Musical races mark Strawberry Fields’ sports meet
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
At the lush green grounds of Strawberry Fields Kindergarten, Sector 24, a 90-minute sporty musical presentation marked the annual event of the sports meet of the school today. The event was largely attended by parents, siblings and grandparents of the schoolchildren.

The event combined music with sporting activity by presenting meaningful English and Scottish numbers, well-chosen Indian beats, lyrics and a live band belting favourites like “La Paloma” for the races.

The items like “Noddy’s Tea Party,” “Jumpin’ Hansels and Leapin’ Gretals,” “Moody Blues,” “Circle of Friendship” and “Proud Little Indians” resonated with good wholesome values. They reinforced messages like the significance of friends, developing patriotic feelings, playing generous hosts and banishing all negative thoughts by spreading cheer and joy.

With innovative and meaningful names for even the races, like “Emperors of the Sky,” “Speed Machines,” “Flag Bearers,” “Balancing Act,” “We Shall Overcome” and “Wriggly Sacks,” the message clearly was to motivate children with feelings of energy, hope and optimism. What stood out was the simple yet effective choice of music, props, which were all done by teachers in-house and the clockwork precision with which the 90-minute programme was executed.

The joyous participation of more than 300 students was evident. As young as two-five years of age, nowhere did they exhibit any strain of exhaustion, fatigue or performance-related stress. It was heartening to see that they were enjoying enacting their prescribed role. The grand finale had Santa Claus coming in a vintage car, distributing gifts, much to the delight of children and parents.

The guest of honour was Susan Kerr, daughter of Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), Punjab Governor and Administrator, Chandigarh.

Shanthandeb declared best gymnast

Mohali, December 23
Shanthandeb was declared the all round best gymnast in the sub-junior category while Surbhi won the first place in the rhythmic gymnastic event (ball) in the junior category on the opening day of Chandigarh State Gymnastic Championship, held at Shivalik Public School, here today. The second place went to Diksha who garnered 8.00 points in the same event.

The results:

Rhythmic (junior girls)

Ribbon: 1 Surbhi, 2 Vidhya, 3 Renu; Rope: 1 Vidhya, 2 Surbhi, 3 Kamini; Boys (u-14) Floor : 1 Shyanthandeb, 2 Vikas, 3 Rajat; Pummelled Horse: 1 Shayanthandeb, 2 Parkash, 3 Rajat; Roman rings: 1 Shanthandeb, 2 Rajat, 3 Arun; Vaulting Horse: 1 Parkash, 2 Avnish, 3 Arun; Parallel Bar: 1 Shanthandeb, 2 Rajat, 3 Parkash; Horizontal Bar: 1 Shanthadeb, 2 Parkash, 3 Rajat; Individual women (junior): 1 Megha, 2 Deepali, 3 Richa; Mixed pair: 1 Rajat and Deepali, 2 Pranav and Shruti, 3 Mohan and Richa. — TNS

425 gymnasts vie for top honours
Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 23
425 gymnasts and 150 technical officials from 26 states and Union Territories have staked their claims for top honours in the 20th Sub-junior Artistic and 13th Senior Rhythmic National Gymnastic Championships, which will be conducted by the Punjab Gymnastic Association at the Shivalik Public School Multipurpose Hall here, from December 27 to 31.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Organising Secretary P S Virk said, the Services and Railways will not be sending gymnasts for the Sub-junior Nationals as these departments do not have junior teams. However, their gymnasts will be competing in the senior competition.

Though the Punjab Gymnastic Association had hosted the Junior National Gymnastics Championship at the same venue in 2003, it is for the first time that both the Sub-junior Nationals and the Senior Rhythmic Nationals are being conducted here, after the formation of Mohali as a district.

The Punjab teams will be decided on December 25 selection trials to be held at the Shivalik Public School Multipurpose Hall.

Mahesh beats Kang in Yonex Open
Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 23
Mahesh beat S.S. Kang 6-1 in Category 35 + (singles), during the “MDLTA Yonex Open Championship”, held at the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Phase VI, here today.

The results:

Mahesh b S.S. Kang, 6-1; Dr Sanjeev Sodhi b Harjit Singh, 6-2; Gurpreet Singh b Sunil Bajaj, 6-3.

Men’s Open

Tushar Sharma b Karan Patnaik, 6-2; Tushar Sharma b Hitesh, 6-2; Satpal b Raja Singh, 6-2; Ashok b Gagandeep, 6-2.

U-18 (boys)

Inderjot b Nishal Rawal, 6-2;

Mohak b Karanvir, 6-1.

U-14 (girls)

Sonali Bansal & Iktesh Chahal in finals.

U-14 (boys)

Srijan Uppal b Aviraj Kamboj, 5-3; Shubham b S.S. Rathore, 5-3; Nischay b Bhatti, 5-2; Jashanvir b Suraj Beniwal, 5-2; Devbir b Vikas, 5-2; Sahaj b Amitoj, 5-2; Hardik b Akash, 5-3; Ravisher b Mandeep, 5-2; Udaymann b Ranjot, 5-2.