NEIGHBOURHOOD

High-tension wires threat to treatment plant
Megha Mann
Tribune News Service

Kharar, November 2
As many as 240 persons have fallen ill due to diarrhoea in village Majri. Faulty drinking-water supply is said to be the main cause for this outbreak that has children, men, women and senior citizens suffering from dehydration.

Patients suffered from the disease started visiting government hospital, Boothgarh, on Saturday evening. As many as 13 patients were reported to be at the civil hospital, Kurali, today at around 8.30 am.

Two of these patients were referred to the general hospital and one to GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, said SMO, Kurali, Dr Rajiv Bhalla.

SMO, government hospital, Boothgarh, Dr Veena Sagar said out of 240 patients, six had been referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh, and 26 patients were given intravenous fluid. "There were two children among the patients who were dehydrated. We have sent the kids among the six patients referred to Chandigarh," she added.

The health department is camping against the disease at the village, and has started chlorination of drinking water. Health education is also being imparted to the villagers. For the night shift, one medical officer, two pharmacists, staff nurses and other staff have been deputed.

Meanwhile, villagers said the area has been getting dirty drinking-water supply for past few days. "A valve of one of the pipes supplying potable drinking water busted. Instead of replacing the valve, the public health and water supply department employees gave it direct connection with the main water source. The pipe was punctured at some places, wherein dirty water got mixed with potable water," said the villagers.

Manish Gautam, senior vice president of the District Youth Congress, alleged that an industry has been releasing its waste into nearby vacant plots.

"Dirty water from this foundry has entered the drinking water supply leading to outbreak. Instead of providing relief to the ailing villagers, the public health and water supply department officials started advising us to maintain clean habits. How are we at fault for the breaking of water supply pipes," he alleged.

Health department officials, including the district health officer, Mohali, visited the village today evening.

Patiala, November 2
Former Member of Parliament and general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra has assured Rajindra Gymkhana and Mahendra Club all help from the state government.

Speaking at Arvinder Singh nite, a cultural fest organised by the club management, Chandumajra promised to have the grant of Rs 50 lakh released, which had been announced by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during sangat darshan at Rajindra Gymkhana Club for the provision of a world class gym in the club.

The former MP also assured that he would help the club in its case of house tax pending with the municipal corporation.

Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, a former union minister and leader of the Lok Bhalai Party, who was the chief guest on the occasion, lauded the efforts of the present management of the club, particularly honorary secretary Vinod Dhundia, in providing ultra modern facilities in the club. Ramoowalia said the club was located in a gothic building set in sylvan settings which remained a star attraction of the elite of the town for several decades now. He wished the club a bright future.

Harjinder Singh from the income tax department and deputy commissioner Vikas Garg were guests of honour on the occasion.

Vinod Dhundia, honorary secretary of the club, said the club management had already constituted an election committee to oversee election of the new team of office-bearers. He said the committee would ensure a smooth and transparent election.

Patiala, November 2
A general body meeting of the All-India State Bank of Patiala Employees’ Federation was held here today at Guru Teg Bahadur Hall of Punjabi University, Patiala.

N. K. Gaur, general secretary of the federation and secretary of All-India Bank Employes’ Association (AIBEA), was felicitated on the occasion of his retirement from bank’s service. More than 2,000 employees participated in the meeting.

President of the AIBEA, C. H. Venkatachalam, general secretary, AIBEA, Devinder Singh, president, All-India State Bank of Patiala Employees’ Federation, and S. K. Gautam, secretary, All-India State Bank of Patiala Employees’ Federation were also present.

The villagers have urged the district administration to issue directives to the concerned block development officer in this context.

Chandigarh, November 2
A newly born male baby was found lying in a dustbin at Bapu Dham Colony, Sector 26, here early this morning.

According to the police, Satpal, a resident of the colony, noticed cries of a baby and found him lying in a dustbin.

Panchkula, November 2
The met department might consider the cold nights quite normal but ICL security staff is surely feeling nip down their spine as they still await the promised woolen wears in the cold weather during the match.

As many as 350 private security guards, who are keeping a watch at Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium, Sector 3, during the Twenty-20 ICL Tournament are having a tough time at night as they have do with half sleeve T-shirts.

“Babuji always evades the matter by saying you will get the sweaters in a day or so and this way the whole tournament gets over,” said a guard while trying to cover himself.

“You yourself can see how the guards are shivering, they expect us to do our job at our best,” said another guard while shivering.

However, terming it a minor issue, Herbert Fisher, security head, said “If I can stay without sweater, why can’t they?”

“We hadn’t anticipated this much cold in the city as we came from Mumbai where the weather is not so cold. But now we are planning to get sweaters for them in the next two days,” he added.

Taking his callousness as a smart act he said, “How will they remain alert if provided with woolens, I am sure they will dose off if comforted.”

Panchkula, November 2
“Shukar hai aaj Sunday hai”, this must be ICL officials saying as the number of crowd increased manifold today during the ongoing ICL Twenty-20 Tournament here at Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium, Sector 3.

Unlike other days all eight blocks of the stadium were full to the capacity. More than 7,000 spectators thronged the stadium to witness the well-contested matches.

“As it is weekend so I have come here to spend some good time with my family,” said Vikas, a government employee.

“There is a great environment as dazzling lights, multi-packed stadium and glittering cheerleaders are adding extra oomph to the matches,” said another lookers-on.

“It is not only Sunday that has brought people here but also the fact that the local outfit Chandigarh Lions is taking on Lahore Badshahs, which is considered as a tough encounter,” said Rajan, a cricket aficionado, who regularly watches the ICL matches.

“Even though I am from Chandigarh but I like Lahore Badshahs squad as they are the best team in the league and one can always see many towering sixes when they are batting,” exclaimed Darvesh with joy, while enjoying the batting of his favourite team.

Chandigarh, November 2
Shikha of MCM DAV-36 emerged as winner in the women’s long jump event on the second day of the Panjab University Inter-College Annual Athletics Meet for Men, Women, Evening and Education College (Men) and Education College (only B.Ed, Women) held on PU grounds, here today.

In the men’s long jump event, Harvinder Singh of PU campus bagged the first position. While in the men’s 400m run Aman Handa of DAV-10 won the title and in the 5,000m run, Ravinder of DAV-10 stood as the winner.

In the women’s 400m run, Ramandeep Kaur of S. Guru Govind, Sector-26, won the title. Navjoban Kaur of GTB (W), Dasuya, emerged as the winner in the women’s 5,000m run.

Chandigarh, November 2
Dev Saini of DAV Public-8 Coaching Centre and Nadia Saini of Guru Gobind Singh College for Women claimed the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively, in the 21st Chandigarh State Table Tennis Championship at the Sector 23 Table Tennis Hall here today.

Dev Saini defeated Munish Bhardwaj of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited 9-11, 11-7, 14-12, 5-11, 11-9, 13-15, 11-3 in the men’s singles final.

Saini also won the young boy’s singles title by beating Rachit of Panjab University 9-11, 11-2, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9.

Dev had earlier claimed the youth boy’s singles title and also helped Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited win the men’s team championship.

Nadia today bagged the women’s singles and young girl’s singles titles. In the women’s singles final, Nadia, two games down, rallied to shatter the aspirations of Garima Goel of Bhavan Vidayalaya, Sector 27, by 4-3, 8-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9. Earlier, in the young girl’s singles final, Nadia beat Kalyani of Manag Mangal, Sector 21, by 11-6, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9.

Other results:

Semi-finals: Nadia Saini (GGSSCW-26) bt Gurvinder (AG Punjab) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7, 11-2, Garima Goel (BV-27) bt Kalyani (MM-21) 11-0, 11-6, 9-11, 8-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8). Q-finals: Garima (BV-27) bt Naina Suri (DAVP-8 CC 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, Gurvinder Kaur (AG Pb) bt Bhawna (MCM College-36) 5-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5, Kalyani (MM-21) bt Barbie Nagpal (DAV-8 CC) 11-4, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10, Nadia Saini

(GGSCW-26) bt Vibhuti (BV-27) 11-4, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7.

Young boys (final): Dev Saini (DAVP-8 CC) bt Rachit (PU) 9-11, 11-2, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9.

Young girls (final): Nadia Saini (GGSCW-26) bt Kalyani (MM-21) 11-6, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9.

Chandigarh, November 2
St. John's High School, Sector-26, got the better of St. Anne's Convent School, Sector- 32, by six wickets to annex the 11th Blessed Edmund Rice Cricket Tournament which concluded here today at St. John's, Sector-26.

Electing to bat first, St. Anne's team were put under pressure straightway as they lost their main batsman Pukhraj Singh with the team score reading only three, thereafter they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and only a fine innings of 56 runs by Pranav helped his team reach a respectable total of 105 runs in the allotted 35 overs.

For St. John's, captain Vardaan Arora three for 22 and Gaurav Dhawan two for 19 bowled exceedingly well.

In reply, St. John's team chased down the total without any hiccups. Varundeep Singh played well to score 33 runs, Shine Sharma made 24 runs and Gaurav Dhawan remained not out on 17 runs. For St. Anne's Harshit bowled well to take three wickets for 18 runs.

Later the prizes were given away:

Best batsman: Shine Shama (St, John's)

Best bowler: Vardaan Arora (St. John's)

Best fielder: Sayaam Sareen (St. Anne's)

Best wicketkeeper: Shivam Sharma (St. Anne's) Player of the series: Gaurav Dhawan (St. John's).

Chandigarh, November 2
Gaganjeet Bhullar conceded bogeys on the last three holes, including a double-bogey on the 17th, carding a miserable five over par 77 to finish tied 34th in the $ 5 lakh Iskandar Johor Open on the par 72 greens of Royal Johor Country Club at Johor Bahru in Malaysia today.

Arjun Singh played a par 72 to finish tied 28th at one under 287 (72-72-71-72) to lead the Indian pack in the Asian Tour event.

Gaurav Ghei tied with Bhullar at one over 289 (72-71-68-78) for the 34th slot.

Chandigarh big-hitter Gurbaaz Mann could muster a three over par 75 card to move up from the 57th to the tied 55th slot at six over par 294 (74-72-73-75). The other city golfer Harmeet Kahlon finished tied 78th at 16 over par 304 (74-73-78-79).

The only other Indian in the fray Feroz Ali was tied 64th at eight over 296 (70-75-75-76).

Twenty-year-old Bhullar from Kapurthala began with birdies on the second and fourth. But then he lost strokes on the seventh and eighth to be par 36 at the turn. The back nine was a bad patch with five bogeys, including a double bogey on the 17th. One birdie on the 14th saw him play a five over par 41 back nine for a five over par 77 card on the final day. His tally was one over par 289 (70-66-76-77).

South African star Retief Goosen ended a frustrating 21-month title drought with a magnificent two-stroke victory. The two-time major champion fired a superb final round of six-under-par 66, overcoming an overnight four-shot deficit to triumph at 12 under 276 (72-69-69-66).

A weather delay which suspended play for two hours and 15 minutes while the last two groups were still on course only served to delay the inevitable as Goosen walked off with the winner's cheque of US$79,250.

Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant and Australian Kane Webber challenged Goosen all the way before settling for second and third place respectively after a 71 and 70, respectively.

Chandigarh, November 2
Kamal Kishore Madrena, a trainee of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, qualified for the main draw of 32 in the boys’ section of the Asian Ranking Junior Circuit Under-14 boys and girls at Sector 10 Tennis stadium here today.

In the final qualifying round, Kamal Kishore Madrena defeated Dhruv Goel in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Garvit Batra, Ayush and Ketan Tayal joined Kamal in the main draw. Ketan Tayal down by one set rallied to oust Ajay Singh Thakur 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (2).

Garvit Batra ousted Pranav Suri 7-6 (6), 6-3. Simran Wadhwa defeated Harman Kaur 7-6 (3), 6-2 in the girls’ singles final qualifying round to qualify for the main draw. Ruchica Ugalmugle, Kavita Mishra and Kavya Bharat also moved into the main draw. The main draw will begin tomorrow.