Bathinda, May 11
A 10-month-old girl was operated upon at the Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR) to remove a bobbin that she had ingested 34 hours ago.

Vidhi Sharma of Abohar was rushed to the AIMSR on May 9 evening with a bobbin stuck in her respiratory tract.

ENT expert Dr Grace Budhiraja said the child had faced difficulty in breathing and was drowsy as the brain could not get adequate supply of oxygen. "Since the bobbin has holes in it, the child was able to get some oxygen, or else she could have choked to death," said Dr Budhiraja.

The toddler had ingested the bobbin at her home at 10 am on May 8. Her mother tried to pull it out with finger, but ended up pushing it farther into the upper tract of the throat.

"The child was taken to a private nursing home in Abohar from where she was referred to Sriganganagar. She was taken to a private nursing home at Sriganganagar where a doctor conducted an X-ray of her abdomen but could not find any foreign material. He told the parents that the child might have passed out the material in stool. Thereafter, the parents took the child back home thinking that she was alright,” Dr Grace Budhiraja said.

However, the child continued to breathe laboriously and was drowsy. The parents then brought her to the AIMSR where doctors removed the metallic bobbin through endoscopy.

Dr Shyam Lal Thukral was the anaesthetist while Dr Aman Arora looked after the case as paediatrician.

The child is stable and out of danger now. She is taking feed from bottle as well as her mother.

Though the bobbin has been removed, she has developed chest infection. The child will be discharged after around five days of her stay at the hospital, doctors said.

Tips for parents Toddlers are habitual to putting things in mouth. Keep a close watch on them. In case a child ingests something, never try to remove it yourself. Instead, rush the child to an expert doctor. Never give banana or plenty of fluids to the child after he or she has ingested something.

Bathinda, May 11
The project to declare Bathinda smoke-free is gaining momentum with a team of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, visiting the city for three days.

The team arrived today and conducted checking at various places in Bhagta and Rampura Phul. The members of the team checked installation of signages at various educational institutes, public places and reviewed the measures taken under different Acts.

May 31 has been fixed as the deadline for declaring Bathinda a smoke-free district. Till then, teams from PGI will conduct surprise checkings and will share their findings with the Health Department, which is the nodal agency for implementing the Control of Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).

Meanwhile, officials of the Health Department conducted a checking at the make-shift shops near thermal lakes that sell cigarettes and tobacco products. The shopkeepers were directed to put up boards that prominently inform that sale of tobacco and its products to people below 18 years of age is prohibited.

Emphasis is being laid on creating awareness against tobacco usage among the young generation.

May 31 has been fixed as the deadline for declaring Bathinda a smoke-free district. Till then, teams from PGI will conduct surprise checkings and will share their findings with the Health Department, which is the nodal agency for implementing the Control of Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). A team from the PGIMER, Chandigarh, is on a three-day visit to the city. It conducted checking at various places in Bhagta and Rampura Phul on Saturday. The members of the team checked installation of signages at various educational institutes, public places and reviewed the measures taken under different Acts.

Bathinda, May 11
"We are contemplating issuing warning letters to the Delhi Public School (DPS) and the St Joseph's Convent School. We are preparing a detailed report of the irregularities that we noticed at both the schools during our surprise inspection," said Dr Jaswinder Singh, a member of the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Dr Singh, who headed the inspection conducted at the two schools on Friday, added that the detailed report would be sent to the Director General of School Education (DGSE) and the Commission would also write to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

The Commission may also write to the senior medical officer (SMO) to keep a tab on sanitation in the schools of the district.

"During a meeting to be held on Tuesday, we will discuss the issues and the action that should be taken against the two schools. We have also been told that there is a provision in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) under which we can lodge an FIR against the principal of St Joseph's Convent School since she did not let government officials enter her school premises for inspection," he said. The Commission is also planning to ask the district administration to ensure that the premises of the schools are inspected on regular basis.

Bathinda, May 11
Acting tough against the employees, who seek exemption from poll duty on the basis of fabricated or wrong documents, district election officer Kamal Kishore Yadav has warned them of legal action.

Yadav said during the rehearsal for the May 19 Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections held on May 10, a large number of staff on poll duty was found absent.

Taking a serious note of their absence, Yadav has issued strict instructions for the entire poll staff to report on May 13 at 10 am at the offices of the SDM Bathinda for Bathinda block, at the office of the SDM, Talwandi Sabo, for Talwandi Sabo block, at the office of the SDM, Rampura Phul, for Phul block, at the office of the tehsildar, Rampura Phul, for Rampura block, for Maur block at the office of the tehsildar, Talwandi Sabo, for block Nathana at the office of the tehsildar, Nathana, for block Sangat at the office of the estate officer, Bathinda Development Authority Complex, near Bhagu Road and for Bhagta Bhaika block at the office of the chief administrator, BDA, or sub-tehsil, Bhagta Bhaika.

The Deputy Commissioner said that if any employee is found seeking exemption on the basis of wrong or fabricated documents, strict action will be taken against him or her.

If an employee does not mark his presence on May 13, action will be initiated against him under section 120 of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, the DC said.

Bathinda, May 11
A traffic awareness programme was organised today near the Rose Garden. ASP Alka Meena, SHO Thermal Kabal Singh, SHO, Civil Lines, U. Cee Chawla, traffic in-charge Bharpur Singh and other police officials were also present on the occasion. The commuters were made aware of the traffic signals and were told to follow the rules for the benefit of other commuters. People riding on two-wheelers were encouraged to wear helmets to safeguard their lives. The traffic police also asked the drivers of the tractor-trolleys to fix reflectors so that someone approaching during the night could spot the vehicle to avoid an accident.

NGO comes to injured’s aid

The NGO, Sahara Jan Sewa, today took the responsibility to bear the medical expenses of a man who received serious injuries in an accident. Volunteers of the NGO said no one came forward to take care of the man who is in a critical condition and is undergoing treatment in the emergency ward of the hospital. The volunteers said the injured was brought to the hospital by a 108 ambulance.

Bathinda, May 11
As many as 195 patients were examined at the two-day diabetes and obesity awareness camp that started at the Max Super Speciality Hospital today.

The patients examined included 140 diabetics and 55 patients who were suffering from obesity and thyroid problems.

Mayor Baljit Singh Birbehman inaugurated the camp that is aimed at addressing the growing problem of diabetes and related complications in eyes, kidneys, brain, heart and feet.

Diabetes specialist Dr Sushil Kotru, cardiologist Dr Sharad Gupta and diabetes foot wound expert Dr Bharat Kothru provided free consultation to the people with respect to diabetes and related concerns.

Patients were given free medical tests for blood sugar, ECG, biomass index and neuropathy. The residents were also handed handbooks which had important tips for diabetes and obese patients.

The population of Malwa region and the adjoining areas of Rajasthan and Haryana, both rural and urban, have a high incidence of diabetes and related complications.

A recent study conducted in southern Punjab revealed the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in around 20 per cent of the urban areas and in 11 per cent of the rural areas, which is among the highest in the country. 

Bathinda, May 11
The Punjab and Chandigarh Medical and Sales Representatives Union (PCMSRU) has threatened to go on strike against a leading pharmaceutical company accusing it of forcing medical representatives to leave the company by opting for voluntary retirement service (VRS).

The company allegedly called around 300 medical representatives from April 1 to April 5 and put pressure on them to leave the company. Those who did not accept the VRS offer are allegedly being issued termination letters. The employees have threatened to launch a country-wide agitation. — TNS

Bathinda, May 11
Special lectures on the National Technology Day will be organised at the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, on May 13 and 14. The day is observed across the nation in commemoration of the successful nuclear tests conducted at Pokhran on May 11, 1998.

Eminent scientists of India, Prof SK Salwan and Prof Moin Uddin, will deliver lectures at the university on the occasion. Prof Salwan, who had been associated with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will be speaking on the topic, "Nature is the best designer" on May 13.

Prof Moin Uddin, who is the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Delhi Technological University, will deliver his lecture on "Application of ICT in Mobile Health Care System" on May 14. 

Bathinda, May 11
The photo exhibition at the Rahul Kaushal Memorial Art Fest, being held at Teachers' Home, encompasses an eclectic vision of photographers from different age and walks of life.

From experts like Dr Subhash Parihar to amateurs like Ekam Jalal, a class VI student of government school at Jalal village and Prince from class VII of DAV School, lensmen offer an insight into their photographic world.

Besides, photographers Nirlep Singh, Tushar Firan, Gurpreet, Suresh Hans, Mithun Mandal, Nirvair Singh, Sohail Singh, Hardik, Purvashi Grover, Neeru Dhawan, Chetna, Hardarshan Sohal, Lalli Sohal, Sajan Arora, Rajinder Singh, Aadhar Aggarwal, Bikramjit Singh, Khushvir Singh and Loveena have their photos splashed in a myriad of colorful spectrum.

Most photos were clicked during the Photowalk exercise taken up to create awareness among the budding photographers. — TNS

Bathinda, May 11
While the world celebrates Mother's Day tomorrow, the elderly women living at the old age home in Bathinda couldn't have cared less for the day which is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. For them, the day when their sons come and meet them will actually be Mother's Day.

The story of Saraswati Devi's life is similar to that of Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan in the film 'Baghban'. "I have two sons and two daughters. After they got married, my sons started taking turns to keep me with them for a month. As is the story of many Indian households, there was friction between my sons and their wives over the issue. Once, my elder daughter-in-law tried to commit suicide by consuming poison. After she returned home from the hospital, I told my son that I didn't want to aggravate the situation further and would move to an old age home and here I am."

"Women pray for sons. But look at me, I have two sons and yet I'm here. My daughters also don't speak to my sons after they left me to fend for myself here," she added.

Shanti Devi (70) and Tej Ram (75), parents of a leading businessman of the city, were asked to move out by their son immediately after he got married. "We have been staying away from him for the last 25-26 years. First, we had taken a house on rent. After my husband started losing his eyesight, we decided that the old age home would be a better place for us to stay." Tej Ram is visually impaired now.

"Our grandson got married last year and has been blessed with a daughter now. We were not invited to the wedding and haven't seen our great grand-daughter's face till now. Our son doesn't even want us to identify himself as our son in front of others. He says he would be inundated with questions if people get to know that his parents are staying in an old age home while he owns a palatial house," she said.

Swarna Devi says she is less sad about her condition and is more worried about her daughter- in-law. "My son doesn't do anything and doesn't even earn. He couldn't bear the expenses of his wife and children, where will he have the money to take care of me?" she questioned.

"My daughter-in-law stays alone with their children and had promised me that she would call me once she is settled. My son-in-law has assured that I can stay with him if I want to. I will go there when I will not be able to take care of myself. People ask me to forget that a son was ever born to me," she added.

The women didn't want their pictures to be clicked. "If our photographs appear in the paper, our sons will accuse us of ruining their reputation and all our hopes of reuniting with them will be dashed," they said and added, "We are waiting for our Mother's Day."

Bathinda, May 11
Mother’s Day was celebrated at the Kids Care and Daddy’s Teddy play schools. While at the Kids Care school, a fancy-dress competition was organised for the students.

The children were also told about the importance of Mother’s Day and why it is celebrated.

Addressing the students, principal of the school, Anu Goyal said a mother is the first teacher of a child and she is the one who teaches him the values of life. To make the mothers of the students special, various fun activities were organised for the students and their mothers at Daddy’s Teddy play school. Mothers and their tiny-tots participated in musical chair, puzzles, and poem and story-telling competitions. — TNS

Bathinda, May 11
Women's Club of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, celebrated Mother's Day on the campus today. Vice-chancellor of the university, SK Ahluwalia, was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Narinder Singh, Dr Raj Kumar Goyal and Dr DR Godara were also present as special guests.

Different documentaries, showing the value of mother in human life, were screened by Alka Rani from the Department of Agriculture. She told the gathering that it was because of the efforts of these two ladies that this day is dedicated to mothers. Teachers and members of the non-teaching staff of the university shared their experience. The chief guest also shared his mother's contributions and efforts in bringing him up. He also congratulated the president of the women’s club, Prof Vijaylakshmi. — TNS

Bathinda, May 11
Three persons were injured in a collision between a bike and a bicycle on Goniana road last night.

The injured have been identified as Amrik Singh of Bhokra village, Surjan Singh and Jangir of Goniana Kalan village. The condition of Amrik and Surjan Singh is said to be critical. — TNS