Chandigarh, November 14
With eight fresh cases of swine flu being reported among students in the city today, the total number of confirmed H1N1 cases has gone up to 101.

According to the UT health department, 42 students, including 31 schoolchildren in the age group of six to 15 years, and 11 college students have tested positive so far.

“Four more students from St Anne’s Convent School, Sector 32, and three students from PEC and one from Shivalik Public School developed flu symptoms and tested positive for H1N1 today,” said HC Gera, UT nodal officer for swine flu.

While four victims are students of classes I, IV and V of St Anne’s School, another is a class V student of Shivalik Public School.

The victims along with their family members have been quarantined at home by the UT health authorities.

Tamiflu has been administered to all members of the affected families. A team of doctors and paramedics will conduct a daily home check on them and observe their condition.

Experts believe the exposure to carriers of the virus followed by lack of immunity form the basis of H1N1.

“Exposure to the virus is a paramount factor for the progression of the infection. Hence, the working class and active people, who are on the move, meeting people or schoolchildren who mingle with others at public places are the most affected,” a doctor said.

Of the total 450 suspected swine flu cases that have been detected so far, 69 positive cases are from the UT and 16 each are from Punjab and Haryana.

“All positive cases have been treated. They have been cured and are stable,” added Gera.

Chandigarh, November 14
In the wake of increasing cases of swine flu in the city, UT Home-cum-Health Secretary Ram Niwas today called a meeting to review preparations to meet any eventuality.

As most cases of swine flu have been found among students, special circulars have been issued to all schools and education institutions containing specific guidelines to be followed both by teacher and students to contain further infection.

The major factor that has contributed to the increase is the attending of schools/colleges/institutions by students despite having flu-like illness.

Concerned at the rise in cases of swine flu in the city, Niwas has directed the education department to issue a circular to schools asking class teachers to screen every child and not allow any student showing symptoms of flu, cold and cough, fever, etc. to attend the class.

Also, they must submit a certificate to the principal within one hour of the morning roll call.

In case the teacher does not send the child showing such symptoms home, disciplinary action will be initiated against him.

The district education officer shall cross-check this activity randomly by making a visit to different schools and ensure that guidelines are implemented properly.

During the meeting, it was deliberated that parents were encouraging children to attend schools even after they showed symptoms of flu because of the unit tests being conducted by schools.

In this regard, Niwas has directed to issue circulars to all schools (private or government) to reschedule/re-conduct unit tests for such students who have been asked to stay home due to illness. A request letter for the same should be sent to the school authorities by the parents or child.

It was also discussed that in winter season, parents should be told to ensure minimal exposure of their child and cover them with warm clothing and avoid giving them any refrigerated item.

It was further brought to the notice that private coaching institutes were posing a serious threat to the health of students studying there.

It was stated that already around five coaching centres had been closed as some children were reported with symptoms of flu.

To overcome the problem, it was decided that all private coaching centres of the city would have to produce a certificate disclosing that students of their coaching centres did not show any symptoms of flu, cold and cough, fever, etc. and submit it to the health department within a week’s time, failing which the centres would be closed.

The centres who submit the certificate and are found giving wrong facts during the cross-checking of the centres by officials of health department would be liable to legal action.

The Health Secretary has directed officials to be extra cautious and geared up to tackle any eventuality.

The meeting was attended by the DHS, Dr MS Bains, officials of the education department, representatives of the PGI, the GMCH, the GMSH and other private clinics and institutions.

Chandigarh, November 14
Visibly numbed by a narrow escape they encountered, after all coaches right behind their own of the Delhi-bound Mandore Express derailed, 26 students of Government College of Arts, Sector 10, finally reached home safely tonight.

The seven-day Jaipur trip ended on a safe note for the students, all of BFA (I), and their three teachers who had accompanied them as they reached the ISBT, Sector 17, in a Volvo at 10 pm.

Not only did they manage their way out of their coaches successfully, the group even rescued many others who were travelling in the affected coaches. Leaving six dead and many injured, the accident happened within half hour of departure from Jaipur, around 40 km away.

“We were in coach S5 and all coaches right behind our own got derailed. We had a narrow escape. It was a chilling experience entering the derailed train to take out our luggage,” said Surleen, one of the students.

While the students were travelling in the sleeper class, some portion of the track pierced an AC compartment, in which the three teachers were travelling.

“We managed to rescue some other people who could not help themselves, even though we were ourselves travelling in the affected coach,” said Manmadh Rao, a faculty member.

Initially shocked at the sudden breakdown of the train, the students confessed that panic had gripped them.

“Just as I was heading towards the washroom, I felt jolts in the train and saw sparks on the outside from a window,” said Sameer, another student.

Mohali, November 14
With the grid of Mohali extending up to 125 sectors and demand of power going up, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has finally woken up to the need for emergency conservation measures.

On the directions of the department of housing and urban planning, Punjab, GMADA has made solar water heating compulsory for residential buildings coming up on plots measuring 500 sq yds or above.

The owners of buildings will now have to install the solar water heating system before getting the occupation certificate from the estate office.

“In fact, the notification of the department of science and technology, environment and non-conventional energy has been adopted by all authorities in Punjab,” said a senior official in the department of housing and urban development.

Under the guidelines, the solar water heating system has also been made mandatory for industries, hospitals, housing complexes, all government buildings, residential schools and educational colleges.

Accordingly, the urban development department and town and country planning department have amended their bylaws.

Besides, the town and country planning department has also proposed that all public buildings and residential plots measuring 500 sq yd and above shall have the rainwater harvesting system.

Studies conducted by the central groundwater board reveal that water table in the region has been depleting due to over-drawing of water and urbanisation.

This results in more stress on groundwater and decline in the water levels, particularly of deeper aquifers, which sustain the tube-well discharge.

Chandigarh, November 14
Diabetes prevention and care will soon be integrated into the state health care delivery system and accorded the highest priority on the government’s health agenda. This was stated by Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal on the occasion of World Diabetes Day today.

In his address on the World Diabetes Day - 2009, Badal reiterated his government’s firm resolve to enhance the quality and health services to fight the menace of diabetes, besides generating awareness about the causes and consequences of diabetes. “The efforts will be intensified to motivate all people, especially children, to follow healthy lifestyle, including balanced nutrition and physical exercise,” he added.

Expressing deep appreciation for the initiative taken by the UN General Assembly in 2006 for having urged the members states to develop health policies for the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes and for deciding to designate November 14 as the United Nations Day to be observed every year for generating diabetes awareness.

Sharing the national and global concern regarding increasing prevalence of diabetes and its serious effects on the eyes and nerves as well as its life-threatening complications affecting heart, blood vessels and the kidney, the Chief Minister asked vice-chairman of the Punjab State Planning Board JS Bajaj to chalk out a comprehensive programme to stamp out diabetes apart from bringing awareness amongst the people to follow healthy lifestyle to stay fit and active.

Speaking on the occasion, honorary president, International Diabetes Federation, formerly professor and head department of medicine, AIIMS, and Bajaj underscored the need to be disciplined in day-to-day life of the persons afflicted with diabetes and every efforts must be made to prevent long-term chronic complications by maintaining normal or near normal-blood glucose.The patient must maintain normal blood pressure, stop smoking and there should not be excessive alcohol intake. He also advised them for periodic eye checkup, estimation of blood lipids (fats) and regular urine examination for albumin.

Bajaj said, “Remember the world famous cricketers, mountaineers, athletes and sportspersons, have excelled in their chosen fields despite diabetes. This was possible because they accepted to lead a disciplined life to tackle diabetes”. Bajaj also delivered a keynote address on ‘Diagnostic Criteria and Classification of Type 2 Diabetes, including Prediabtese,: Pathophysiological basis for preventive and therapeutic interventions aimed at B-cell Resurrection’ in the national symposium at PGI.

Earlier, the Chief Minister released a booklet in Punjabi “Garb Awastha Ate Shakar Rog” (stages of pregnancy and diabetes) to bring awareness among the diabetic pregnant women about the care and treatment of diabetes besides its effects on the foetus. He also released a report on ‘Current Concepts in the Diagnosis and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus’ for which a national symposium has been organised at Chandigarh jointly by the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included the director, PGI, and president, NAMS, Prof. KK Talwar, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary DS Guru and Additional Principal Secretary Gaggandip Singh Brar.

Chandigarh, November 14
The second international advance training course of Prof Destandau's technique for endoscopic lumbar discectomy began at Arthroscopy and Spinal Endoscopy Centre, Sector 20-C, yesterday.

Air Marshal AS Chahal, who retired as Director Medical Services from the Indian Air force Medical Services, inaugurated the event.

Dr Jean Destandau from Bordeaux, France, the pioneer of endoscopic surgery technique, delivered a lecture on the first day of conference yesterday. The conference was organised by the Chandigarh chapter of the Indian Orthopaedic Association.

Over 100 Indian and foreign doctors, especially neuro and orthopedic surgeons, with interest in endoscopic spine surgery, participated in the conference.

Dr Mohinder Kaushal, organising chairman of the event, delivered a lecture on endoscopic disc surgery as applicable to cervical and lumbar disc disease. Addressing the gathering, he said that motive of this course was to bring major relief to patients undergoing spine surgery.

“An open spine surgery leaves behind an array of marks on skin, long hospitalisation and lesser accurate recovery. This endoscopic spine surgery would give patients freedom from open surgery, is more accurate and has better results coupled with lesser days of hospitalisation and early recovery,” he said.

This was followed by lecture on endo-spine features, operative technique and complications of endoscopic disc surgery and their management by Prof Destandau. Dr S Rohidas from Kolhapur enlightened participants on learning curve in endoscopic spine surgery.

Participants discussed clinical cases with the experts on four patients listed for surgery. A live surgical telecast of surgical technique from operation theatre by operative team led by Dr Mohinder Kaushal, under supervision of Dr Jean Destandau, was telecast. These patients were suffering from cervical and lumbar disc disease. The hall was provided with two ways audio and video communication to allow the participants talk to experts.

Every operative step of endoscopic spine surgery was demonstrated live in detail and discussed. There were interactive case discussions with lot of questions from delegates followed by clarifications of doubts from course faculty. The patrons for the course were Col MS Chhabra, retired senior advisor orthopaedics, the Indian Armed Forces.

Chandigarh, November 14
A long spell of drizzle brought  the level of mercury down in the city today.

Jackets, caps and coats were out as people were seen sitting around bonfires on the roadsides. Residents preferred to stay indoor and the business in the city markets was affected.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 26.2 °C today while the minimum at 15.6 °C. The local Met office said the change in weather was due to the drizzle that continued throughout the day.

The visibility was so poor that the residents were forced to switch on lights of their houses and vehicles while driving.

The Met Office has predicted cloudy sky and more rainfall tomorrow.

As the day was poor, the residents were forced to switch on the lights.

The Met Office has predicted cloudy sky and more rainfall tomorrow. 

Panchkula, November 14
Taking a big leap in providing health facilities to residents of Haryana, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda launched Nehru Bal Drishti Yojna as well as Swasthya Vahan Sewa here today.

Family members of a patient face difficulty transfering him to the General Hospital, Sector 6, due to VIP security following the Haryana Chief Minister’s visit, in Panchkula on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

Hooda who was here to launch the fleet of ambulances equipped with the global positioning system had launched the drishti yojna, when health officials present on the occasion brought it to his notice that the state, which was setting up four eye banks needed to strengthen its network in this regard.

The health authorities would register the names of eye donors on phone No 102, on which the ambulance services would be provided to the needy.

Today being the Children’s Day, the Chief Minister decided to name the scheme after the name of India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and launched the yojna on the spot.

After a caller registers his name as a donor on phone No. 102, the health officials would contact him and fulfill all formalities.

Earlier Hooda flagged off the ambulances. While a total of 319 such ambulances would be stationed at different parts of the districts in the state, Panchkula has got 16 of them. These would be stationed at CHCs and PHCs, including Panchkula, Kalka, Pinjore, Morni, Kot and Barwala.

As many as 100 more such ambulances would be inducted in the health department soon. The ambulance service would be provided free of cost to patients belonging to the BPL category, victims of road accidents and pregnant women.

The families of ex-servicemen living in the rural areas would also not be charged for the service.

The Chief Minister said the health services, including surgery packages and free medicines to the patients, started by the state government had got a huge response from the masses and out of a population of 2.4 crore in the state, more than 1.4 lakh had visited the hospitals or dispensaries run by the health department.

More than 20,000 patients had availed the surgery package scheme during the last three months and and only half of them were provided free services, as they belonged to the poor families, he claimed.

In the recent past, more than 1,300 doctors, including 634 specialists, have been appointed in he state, he added.

Earlier local MLA DK Bansal said Panchkula needed its own super specialist hospital so that the patients from here need not to go the PGI or other private hospitals in the region.

Others who also spoke on the occasion included health minister Geeta Bhukkal, health commissioner Anuradha Gupta and director-general health, Dr Narvir Singh.

Mohali, November 14
Contradicting the claim of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), families of 1984 riot victims in possession of the disputed flats in Sectors 66 and 70 today stated that they had been living in the houses for a quite long period now.

Addressing a press conference, they stated that in light of the amended policy it had been stated by the Punjab government that the authorised occupation of the houses by the victims would be regularised.

But since GMADA did not act on the guidelines, the families had to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court and two civil writ petitions have been filed.

It has been sought that the flats be allotted to them by charging 1991-92 rates. They have sought an action against the enforcement staff of GMADA for trying to dispose them of the flats.

Chandigarh, November 14
Panjab University is all set to tighten the noose on its faculty members, who are providing coaching for competitive examination to students in private academies, outside the campus.

The decision comes in wake of the declining condition of the centre for IAS and other competitive examination at PU.

“The condition of the centre is a matter of concern for the university and revamping the system is the top priority. We have already started working on the project,” said Prof Sobti.

Top bureaucrats, advocates and eminent persons from diverse fields will be invited to deliver lectures, besides active involvement of the PU faculty in the centre. In addition to this, a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof RC Sobti to revamp the centre.

“A committee has been formed for this purpose and it will closely monitor the process of improving the centre. Bureaucrats and other professionals will be called to deliver lecturers,” he added.

An institute at Sector 24, which provides coaching for judicial competitive examination, boasts of having prominent professors of the university in its panel and as guest faculties. The difference in amount being paid to teachers on the campus and at private institutes is a major reason for the diversion.

“Earlier the centre for competitive examination at PU was doing well, but off late it has been declining. One of the reasons for this is that the centre pays teachers Rs 500 per lecture and in private institutes is about Rs 1,500 per lecture, depending on the calibre,” said Prof PS Jaswal, chairperson, department of laws, PU.

Chandigarh, November 14
The 21st National Congress of Parasitology was inaugurated at the department of zoology, Panjab University, by Vice-Chancellor Prof RC Sobti today.

More than 200 participants from various parts of the country will attend the three-day congress.

Dr Virander Singh Chauhan, director, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, presented details about the vaccine and drug development programme against malaria at ICGEB, New Delhi.

Prof RC Sobti deliberated upon history of the department of zoology and the role played by Prof GP Sharma, an eminent zoologist of India, in its growth.

Chairperson of the department and convener of the congress Prof Mridula Jain highlighted the history of parasitology in the department.

Others, who spoke on the occasion were Prof Veena Tandon, Prof JK Saxena, Dr VP Sharma, Meghnad Saha and Prof MS Jairajpuri.

Chandigarh, November 14
Chandigarh Baptist School, Sector 45, celebrated the Children’s Day with fervour today. The event was marked by various competitions like rangoli making, biscuit decoration, face painting, dress designing and singing competitions.

Chandigarh, November 14
The Chandigarh Institute of Performing Arts (CIPA) staged a Hindi play, “Hatt Teri Kismat”, on the fourth day of the ongoing CSNA Theatre Fest-2009 here today.

The Hindi version of the invincible master playwright Vijay Tendulkar’s Marathi play “ Nityatichya Baila ” evolved by Dr Vasant Deo is basically a political satire. Structured in political environment, the play is a revelation of the political gimmicks the politicians play on the poor masses.

Veteran theatre actor Shaym Juneja directed the play and teamed up with Sandeep Chaterjee on stage. But somehow the actors, resorted to fragmented debate, which went on at a monotonous pace.

However, the play revolved around common issues of socio-political and national interest. Finally, the play conveyed that lust for power could corrupt any good human being.

The festival concludes tomorrow with a Punjabi play “ Udhari Hoi Giddi” by the well -known theatre couple Devinder Daman and Jaswant Daman.