NEIGHBOURHOOD

Doping: Ignorance, insecurity key factors
Ayurveda has solution, feels expert
Gagan K. Teja
Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 15
The recent dope controversy has not only thrown light on the ignorance of Indian players but also on the doping menace that has fast spread its roots. Drug abuse by sportspersons must be stopped but punishing them alone will not solve any purpose.

Talking to The Tribune in this regard, Dr Shiv Raj Singh, MD, ayurveda, said rather than criticising the coaches and players, we should apprise them about the ill-effects of drugs “The drug menace is haunting the Indian sports scene.

The open and easy availability of steroids is making the scene worst but what is to be kept in mind is why the sportspersons use these banned drugs, which spoil their careers in case they are tested positive for a banned substance. Lack of proper education in this regard amongst coaches and sportspersons is one of the main reasons.

It is reported that they are quite ignorant about the various types of drugs and medicines that are banned for use by sportspersons. The other reason which drags them into drug abuse is the insecurity and apprehension that if they are unable to win a medal, there will be no future for them,” he added.

“Ayurveda had solution to this problem. “If natural herbs and minerals are added to our sports medicine, there will be no need of anabolic steroids as these drugs contain organic steroids and harmones. Moreover, all ayurvedic products have no side effects. The following herbs are very useful for the purpose”, he added.

Giving details of the herbs that could be beneficial in sports, he said that herbs known as “ashtvarg” in ayurveda along with liquorice are rich in natural nutrients.“The wear and tear in body cells, the loss of energy diminished due to sportspersons’ heavy exercises can be brought back with the usage of these herbs. Many herbs like withenia somnifera (ashwagandha) vidhara, bala vankapas etc. are useful in increasing weight if required along with natural steroids and harmones which increases stamina and power.”

Ambala, July 15
The Ambala district administration launched investigation into the matter of misuse of government grants by some government-aided schools in Ambala district.Nisha Sharma, District Education Officer, Ambala, said investigations were on whether private schools getting 75 per cent aid from the government were justifying the amount of grant paid by the government or were they misusing the grant.

According to information, out of 34 government-aided schools in the district, getting 75 per cent grant towards salary of teaching staff from the state government, some have been reported to be misusing the grant. A senior officer of the education department said the grant of such government-aided schools may be stopped if found guilty of misusing funds.

Sources further revealed that out of 34 government-aided schools in Ambala district, only six schools were paying full wages to the staff. Thirteen schools were paying salaries to the staff on the basis of the 75 per cent amount of the grant they got from the government. The remaining schools were paying much lesser salaries to the staff than the amount of grant paid by the government and using the remaining amount on miscellaneous expenses in their schools.

It has been alleged that some of the government-aided private schools in the district were exploiting teachers who were employed on regular posts by the school management. They were being paid salaries ranging between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 against the receipt of the full amount as prescribed by the education department, sources added.

A senior official of the state education department said stern action would be taken against schools misusing the grant.

Fatehgarh Sahib, July 15
To check the sale of illegal drugs, the district health department today conducted a raid on a grocery shop and seized large amounts of drugs. The shop owner was selling these drugs to customers without any prescription or license. A case in this connection was forwarded to the state drug controller, said a health department official. A case in this regard would be registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act after completing all formalities in this regard, said the official.

Civil Surgeon Dr BS Mohi said drug inspector Ramandeep Kaur got a tip off that the owner of the grocery shop on the national highway was carrying out unauthorised sale of drugs.

Ambala, July 15
Madhu Dogra (47), a senior leader of the Ambala Congress, was killed in a road accident on the railway over bridge at Ambala City this evening. Dogra had been a senior functionary of the Ambala Mahila Congress and recently she was nominated as executive member of the Block Congress Committee.

According to information, she was going towards her home in Jaggi Colony on her Activa scooter. When she was crossing the railway over bridge near Aggarsain Chowk her Activa collided with a private bus.

She sustained serious injuries. She was taken to the Civil Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. She is survived by her husband and two children.

Bassi Pathana, July 15
Heavy rain put normal life out of gear in the town today. Rainwater entered almost in all houses in every nook and corner of the town. Besides, goods in many shops of the main bazaar were damaged due to rainwater.

Residents of Chakri Mohalla, Giljian Mohalla, Sherana Wala Gate and Namdev Mandir road were the worst affected. The residents in these areas are living in hell-like situation as there is no system for drainage of rain and sewer water, the roads are often flooded with sewer water, which has become the source of stench in the town. The residents alleged that local council had failed miserably in making arrangements for disposal of rainwater.

The waterlogging has also created numerous potholes on the roads. It is difficult to even walk on these roads. Amardeep Singh Dharni, president of the District Bar Association, has urged the administration to make arrangements for the disposal of water and to provide basic amenities in the town.

Chandigarh, July 15
Over two years after the body of a city resident, Anuradha, was found with her throat slit in her bedroom on the first floor of the duplex in Sector 38, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today declined her husband Baljinder Singh, alias Tala’s, bail plea.

Baljinder has all along been claiming he was the victim of an over-zealous investigating agency, which to sensationalise a murder, upturned the tables towards him who informed the investigating agency after he discovered the murder of his wife.

The Chandigarh Police arrested Baljinder and two others on the ground that he had hatched a conspiracy to murder his wife in connivance with their domestic help. The lower court has already framed charges against the trio.

Chandigarh, July 15
Hosts PML SD Public School, Sector 32, won top honors in the 26th Chandigarh State Sub-Junior Boxing Championship here today.The hosts won the title with 44 points, while Guru Nanak Public School finished runners-up with 10 points. Vipin was declared best boxer.

Earlier, Ashish defeated Madhav in the 48-kg category, while Vikram overcame his opponent Mandeep in the 52-kg category.

Results: Karanveer b Jaikaran (30 kg), Shivkant b Gunnet (34 kg), Akash b Ashmeet (38 kg), Aman b Nikhil (40 kg), Parshant b Sudhanshu (44 kg), Vipin b Ankush (36 kg), Abhishek b Khushwind (38 kg), Sanjeev b Sandeep (40 kg), Joshah b Ajay Kumar (42 kg), Parveen b Nikhil (44 kg), Sankar b Aushotosh (46 kg), Ashish b Madhav (48 kg), Himanshu b Sanjeev (30 kg), Deepak b Rahul (42 kg), Mahsoor b Mukul (44 kg), Lalit b Mohit (46 kg), Sourabj b Himanshu (48 kg), Vikas b Paramjeet (50 kg), Vikram b Mandeep (52kg).

Chandigarh, July 15
Dr CK Jerath, honorary secretary, Chandigarh Amateur Boxing Association (CABA), and vice-president, Indian Boxing Federation (IBF), has been appointed manager of the Indian boxing (juniors) squad for the World Boxing Championship to be held at Astana, Kazakhstan, from July 20 to 31.

The 13-member squad includes eight boxers, three coaches, a doctor and a manager.

Shyam Kr Kakara (46 kg) and P Lalitha Prasad (48 kg), both gold and silver medallists, respectively, in the Kazakhstan International Invitational, 2010; Naveen Kumar (50 kg) and Manish Kaushik (52 Kg), both gold and bronze medallists, respectively, in the President Heydar Aliyev Cup, Baku; Abhay Singh (54 kg), bronze medallist in the 26th Junior National Boxing Championship; Sandeep Kumar (57 kg), bronze medallist in the President Heydar Aliyev Cup, Baku; and Malkhan (60kg) and Sandeep (75kg), both silver and bronze medallists, respectively, in the Kazakhstan International Invitational Championship, are part of the squad.

While, Mohinder Singh Dhaka has been appointed chief coach, Jaswant Singh and Vijay Kumar Sharma will accompany as coaches. Dr Rakesh Tiwari will be the team doctor.

Chandigarh, July 15
The Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) will organise an Open 50K Tennis Tournament in men and women category at the CLTA Complex and Lake Sports Complex from July 18 to 22 here.

In all, 215 players have signed in for the qualifying event. The authorities have received 184 entries in men’s and 31 in women’s categories.

Wild card entries for the main draw: Men: Rohit Bisht (Delhi), Vaidik Munshaw (Gujarat),Ranjit Singh (Chandigarh), Sachin Kumar (Chandigarh).

Women: Baljinder Kaur (Haryana), Natellia Khaniejo (Delhi).