The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

BODY & MIND
Measuring your stress quotient
Tripti Nath

"Need makes devotion," guided perhaps by this literary aphorism, the Delhi Psychiatric Society (DPS) decided to identify and treat devotees in need of help and counselling. Devotees visiting the Chattarpur Sai mandir in South Delhi recently, got the opportunity to have their stress levels measured at a mental health camp, organised by the Delhi Psychiatric Society and Sukarya, an NGO run by trustees of the temple. Of the 400 devotees who filled a set of five-stress measurement questionnaire, 200 were found to be in need of counselling and medication. Dr Sandeep Vohra, Consultant Psychiatrist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and President of Delhi Psychiatric Society said, respondents were asked to give answers related to body and mind, personality, circumstances, work and domestic life.

As per the rating, a score exceeding 70 necessitates urgent medical attention and a person who scores between 38 and 77 is categorized as being in the danger zone with anxiety, depression and high stress levels. Fifty per cent of the respondents were found to be in need of help. A team comprising psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and counsellors examined the severity of the problems and prescribed counselling, medicine and family therapy.

Progress in cancer research

The Department of Bio-Chemistry at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has made remarkable progress in ongoing research on head and neck cancer.

The ten-member team of research fellows is led by Dr Ranjan Ralhan and additional Professor in the Faculty of Bio-Chemistry.

The research is prompted by disturbing incidence of cheek and tongue cancer, throat cancer and larynx cancer. The main objective of the research, is early diagnosis and intervention at pre-cancerous stage. According to Dr Ralhan, “Cancer of head and neck account for about 40 per cent cases of cancer among the male population in the country and the third most common cancer among women.”

And the research includes gene and protein expression analysis besides analysis of tumour and blood samples, she added. Many doctors were present on the occasion.

Breastfeeding guidelines

The Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, a gazette agency notified by the government to monitor the implementation of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Infant Foods and Feeding Bottles (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, has Started the process of issuing guidelines for breastfeeding and complementary feeding to one lakh health professionals in the country.

SPORTS

Flexing his way to Mr World
Rohit Wadhwaney
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 20
For 23-year-old Raj Pal, bodybuilding is not just a way to ‘floor’ girls. It’s his passion and he took to it as a sport. Having won Mr Delhi University, Mr All-India University, Mr Delhi and Mr North India titles several times, Raj Pal is now flexing his muscles to become Mr World. And giving him the right training platform is the gym, Muscle Magic, run by him at Malaviya Nagar which, he claims, is the best gym in India.

Thousands of youngsters go to gyms and spend the first two months doing exercises but spend the rest of their time looking at themselves in the mirror. Born in a sport-loving family, Raj Pal started as a gymnast but realised that there was hardly any scope for the sport in India.

“I switched to athletics when I was 11 years old, worked hard for the next three years and became so thin that people refused to believe I was a sportsman. People kept reminding me everyday that I am too thin and that I must eat more,” Pal recounted.

“I couldn't take it anymore and I decided to begin working out in the gym to show people that if I want, I can be the strongest man in the world,” Pal added.

To fulfill the desire, Raj Pal worked hard on his body for five hours everyday. “The determination and dedication helped me metamorphose into a stronger, harder and tougher guy with each passing day,” he said.

“One day, I happened to watch a bodybuilding competition on TV. I decided on that day itself that I would take part in such competitions,” said Pal. He got his first chance soon. But it turned out to be a "disaster". While striking a low pose, he fell from the dais.

“I was so scared. It was my first competition. You can imagine how embarrassing it was for me,” Pal said with a beaming face. The embarrassment made him pull up his socks. He worked harder than before and has never looked back.

Delhi batsmen taking no chances
M S Unnikrishnan
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 20
Delhi’s defeat at the hands of Tamil Nadu in the knock out round of the Ranji Trophy in Chennai last year still rankles, and a rejuvenated Delhi are taking no chances this season.

Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi has been holding a coaching camp for 27 Delhi Ranji Trophy probables at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground from October 1. Former India wicket-keeper Surinder Khanna is assisting Bedi in the onerous task of taking Delhi to the top spot in the national championship.

Chief coach Bedi has been putting the boys into a rigorous grind to get them into ship-shape before Delhi play their first Ranji match of the season against Services at the Palam ground from November.

With senior vice-president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and former Test opener Chetan Chauhan , and sports secretary Sunil Dev taking keen interest, the Ranji probables have been getting the best of facilities at the conditioning camp, including breakfast and lunch.

The Delhi team have always been flush with talent, but internal bickering in the DDCA has affected the performance of the team, of late.

But this year, things look rosy with the DDCA showering a lot attention in the preparation of the Ranji team.

The thrust in the camp is on physical and mental conditioning, and the DDCA is sparing no effort to make the players comfortable.

“These days the boys play more of limited over matches. Therefore, they have to be very, very fit,” observed Surinder Khanna. The news that Punjab off-spinner Sharandeep Singh may play for Delhi has given a big boost to the Delhi team. If Sharandeep, who works for the Oil and Natural Gas Commission in Delhi, is included, it will considerably bolster the Delhi team.

The Ranji probables were picked on the basis of their performances in local cricket, under-19 and under-22 championships.

With players like medium pacer Ashish Nehra, Vijay Dahia (wicket-keeper) and Rahul Sanghvi in their ranks, Delhi boast of a good line-up. Dahiya is all set to lead the squad with Sanghvi as his deputy.

Akash Chopra and Sanghvi had represented Rest of India in the Irani Trophy, and with Delhi having variety in all departments, they hope to put their best foot forward in the Ranji Trophy campaign this season.

Though the Ranji players now receive handsome remuneration

Rs 6000 per match, DDCA takes special care of the team’s travel and accommodation. “Facility-wise, the Delhi team should not have any complaint,” noted Surinder Khanna.

The Delhi District Cricket Association is also planning to offer blazers with the DDCA crest to outstanding players who represent the Delhi in the under-16.

Delhi's domestic cricket calendar packed to brim
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 20
The cricket schedule of Delhi for this season is upto the brim. The season will begin with their Ranji Trophy match against Services, to be played at the Palam ground, from November 1 to 4. And Delhi has to play their Ranji Trophy one-day limited overs’ league match against Services at far away Jalandhar on December 15.

Following are the fixtures of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy, under-22, under-19, under-16 and under-14 matches.

Ranji Trophy: Delhi Vs Servies (Palam), Nov 1 to 4; Delhi Vs Haryana (Ferozeshah Kotla), Nov. 7 to 10; Delhi Vs Himachal Pradesh (Bilaspur), Nov. 18 to 21; Delhi Vs Jammu & Kashmir (Kotla), Nov. 24 to 27; Delhi Vs Punjab (Mohali), Nov. 30 to Dec.3.

Ranji one-dayers: Delhi Vs Services (Jalandhar), Dec. 15; Delhi Vs Haryana (Patiala), Dec. 17; Delhi Vs Himachal (Mohali), Dec. 19; Delhi Vs Punjab (Jalandhar), Dec. 21; Delhi Vs Jammu &Kashmir (Jalandhar), Dec. 23.

Under-22 Zonal matches: Delhi Vs Himachal (HP), Nov. 24 to 26; Delhi Vs Punjab (Punjab), Dec. 8 to 10; Delhi Vs Haryana (Delhi), Dec. 13 to 15; Delhi Vs J &K (Delhi), Dec. 18 to 20.

Cooch-Behar Trophy (Under-19): Delhi Vs Himachal (Una),

Oct. 29 to 31; Delhi Vs Punjab (Mohali), Nov. 3 to 5; Delhi Vs J &K (Delhi), Nov 8 to 10; Delhi vs Haryana (Delhi), Nov. 17 to 19. The knockout matches will be held at Indore from December 26.

The C K Nayudu Trophy (Under-19) Inter-Zonal matches will be played in Mumbaiww from November 11. North meet Central from December 1. The Vinoo Mankad Trophy (under-19) tie between winners of the Nayudu Trophy and Rest of India will be played in Mumbai from December 12.

Vijay Merchant Trophy (Under-16): Delhi Vs Haryana

(Delhi), Nov. 20 to 22; Punjab Vs Delhi (Mohali), Nov. 25 to 27; Delhi Vs J and K (Delhi), Nov 30 to Dec. 2; Delhi Vs

Himachal (Delhi); Dec. 14 to 16. The knockout matches will be held in Baroda from January 1. Vijay Hazare Trophy (Under-16): The matches will be played at Jamshedpur from January 26 to February 5. North Zone play against Central/West from January 30 to February 1. The Polly Umrigar Trophy (under-16) match between winners of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Rest of India will be played from Feb. 7 to 9.

Under-14 zonal programme: Delhi vs Himachal (Delhi), Oct. 23 to 25; Delhi Vs J and K (Delhi), Nov. 1 to 3; Delhi Vs Punjab (Punjab) from Nov. 6 to 8; Delhi Vs Haryana (Haryana), Nov. 10 to 12.

Luthra, Shukla appointed match referees. Former Delhi cricketers Suresh Luthra and Rakesh Shukla have been appointed match referees for the Ranji Trophy ties between Tamilnadu and Goa, and Kerala and Hyderabad, respectively. The matches will be played in Chennai and Ernakulam.

SPORTS CORNER

B.B.Stars hold Simla Youngs

Budhist Blue Stars held fancied Simla Youngs to a goalless draw in the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA)-SAIL 'B' Division Football League Championship at the Delhi University ground here today.

In a match of missed chances, B B Stars, despite dominating the first half, were let down by their forwards Deepak James and Lulin Vaiphei who fumbled with easy chances in front of the box.

In another match, Hans Club came from behind to hold Indian Air Force, Palam to a 1-1 draw. The Airmen took the lead through H.S.Minhas in the 20th minute while Hans pulled back the equaliser in the 58th minute through Sharafat Khan.

Partnership wins tennis title

Top-seeded Parantap Chaturvedi of Delhi outslugged Somdev Devvarman of Tamilnadu 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) to lift the boys under-18 singles title in the Adidas AITA Junior Tennis Tournament at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association court here today.

In a clash of the siblings, top-seeded Ankita Bhambri disposed of third seeded Sanaa Bhambri at 6-4, 6-1 to annex the girls under-18 title.

Cash award for jr. hockey team

The Zuari-Chambal Group, founded by K K Birla, has announced a reward of Rs two lakh to the Indian juniorhockey team for reaching the final of the seventh JuniorWorld Cup Hocey Championship, currently being played in Hobart, Australia.

ADMINISTRATION

MCD alerted on illegal structures
Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 20
The Delhi Government has ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to keep a check on illegal constructions which are on the rise in different areas of the Capital, the Minister for Urban Development and Social Welfare, Dr Ashok Kumar Walia, said.

The minister claimed illegal constructions in prime localities of the Capital by private builders in connivance with local bodies and the Delhi Police had attained disturbing proportions. “It is the duty of the police to inform the agency concerned if any illegal construction takes place in the Capital.

While talking to The Tribune Dr Walia said the MCD and other agencies concerned had been asked to keep a check on such construction activity in the Capital. The private builders do not follow the norms of construction laid down by the MCD and the Delhi Development Authority and thus jeopardise human life and property.

He said residential flats were under construction in the Jamia Nagar area of South Delhi, the Ramesh Nagar area of East Delhi, Jaffrabad in North-East Delhi, a few areas in North Delhi and Central Delhi, including a few areas in the walled city. Private builders who do not bother about adhering to the MCD norms are constructing the flats. The construction of high -rise buildings is strictly prohibited in the walled city area, including Jama Masjid, Kalan Mahal, Turkman Gate and Darya Ganj. But all this was being done in connivance with the police and the MCD officials, the minister alleged.

The minister said, “Delhi is in zone IV of the seismological scale and is already experiencing problems. Illegal construction in the Capital can prove fatal any time”. Substandard material is used in these buildings without consulting professional civil engineers. Several buildings in Jamia Nagar received cracks during the Gujarat earthquake.

Builders do not make parking arrangements in the apartments. Consequently, the residents park their vehicles on roads, which creates problems during an emergency.

Lashing out at the MCD, the minister said it had been unable to contain the outbreak of disease. Also, it failed to utilise the funds it received from the Delhi Government. Dissatisfied with the performance of the MCD, the BJP itself had arranged for taking over of certain bodies by the Delhi Government when it was in power.

There is no plan for garbage disposal, which is leading to soil and water pollution. As a consequence of several similar problems, Virender Prakash Committee had recommended breaking up the MCD in smaller units to make it more manageable and render its functioning more accountable.