‘Diabetics, take care of eyes’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 27
Dr S.C. Ahuja, Principal of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said surgical services in diabetic retinopathy had received a major boost in the DMCH with the return of Dr G.S. Bajwa from Germany where he was an observer in advanced vitro retinal surgical approaches.

Dr Ahuja said, due to sedentary lifestyles, diabetes was fast becoming a major cause of blindness all over the world and the incidence was increasing in Punjab as well.

Dr Ahuja, in a press note issued here today, said Dr G.S. Bajwa of the VRS Unit of the Eye Department of the DMCH had been to Germany’s Eppendorf University Hospital to attend surgical sessions on proliferative diabetic retinopathy, diabetic maculopathy, macular hole and retinal detachment.

He said after 10 years of uncontrolled diabetes, a gradual distortion in vision occurred, which, if untreated, could lead to complete blindness. This happened due to haemorrhage in the eye that led to clotting. In such a case, surgery was the only way out. The problem could also arise due to the swelling of the retina, for which, a special membrane removal technique had been adopted to help the patient on course to visual recovery.

Dr Bajwa said those suffering from diabetes for a long time should visit their ophthalmologists regularly.

Health Dept employees’ strike enters 9th day
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 27
The pen-down strike by members of the Punjab Health Department Subordinate Officers Clerical Association against the selection of two close relatives of senior Health officials as Senior Assistants, entered ninth day today.

Mr Sukhwinder Singh, district president, said they have postponed their decision of burning effigies of department officials because they were hopeful of some positive response. Association members held a rally which ended at the office of Deputy Commissioner. The members also alleged that common people were suffering due to the strike and government should be blamed for their sufferings.

The rally was addressed by Mr Harwant Singh Mangat, Mr Dalip Singh, Mr Darshan Singh Ladla and Mr Vijay Marjara, Mr Joginder Singh, Mr Bikramjit, Mr Satish Kumar, Ms Harjeet Kaur, Mr Nirmal Singh, Mr Kanwaljit, Mr Himmat Kumar and Mr Des Raj.

Statistical chart to improve performance
Anil Datt

Ludhiana, November 27
Budding basketball players in the country could improve their performance now with the help of statistical performance description chart, which has become a common practice among the technical officials.

The system of analysing the performance of players was introduced about seven years ago but could not be followed strictly in every state and national-level event to facilitate players to improving their performance while participating in any mega event.

This job has been assigned to the trainee coaches of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, during all basketball matches in the ongoing 31st National Games being held here.

As many as 20 trainee coaches, under the supervision of three experienced coaches from the NIS, are on the job to prepare the chart containing details, such as shooting attempts made, offensive and defensive assistance provided by a particular player and the percentage of success. The chart also has statistics regarding stealing of the ball, blocked shot, travelling violations, fouls committed and number of minutes played by a player.

A senior basketball coach from NIS, Mr Nandan, said: “This practice is essential for improving the performance of a team. Until we closely monitor the performance of a player and keep a check on each and every minute detail of the game played by a player, there is no scope for the betterment of standard of the game in the country.”

Another senior coach and former Director, Basketball, NIS, Dr S. Subramanian, opined: “This system would help the coaches to compile the information regarding the performance and especially mistakes committed, which could extensively be preserved by the coaches of the respective teams while chalking out strategies against their opponents in the subsequent national-level events.

City school excels in karate meet
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, November 27
Giving an excellent performance, students of G.N. International Public School, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, Ludhiana, bagged two gold and three silver medals in the VIIth National Schools Paer Paitra (Karate) Championship held at Karl Huber School, Noida (U.P.), on November 24 and 25.

According to a press release issued by the school principal, Pawandeep Singh and Kulbir Singh clinched gold in the above 55 kg category and 46-49 kg category, respectively. Three other students of the school namely Saurabh Parwal (25-28 kg), Amanjot Singh Chawla (28-31 kg) and Ramandeep Singh (37-40 kg) won silver medals. Manpreet Singh, karate instructor, was adjudged the best refree, the release added.

Machhiwara
Rural sports meet: A three-day rural sports meet organised by the Youth Sports and Goodwill Club concluded yesterday. The meet was inaugurated by Mahant Bharpur Dass. Mr Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, general secretary of the Youth Akali Dal (Badal), distributed the prizes to the winners.

Winners are: Bullock-cart races (big) — Lakhvir Singh from Dhandari Kalan 1; Gurdev Singh from Bhaini Bringa 2; and Mukhtyar Singh 3; (small) — Jhanda Singh from Borrai Kalan 1; Jaswinder Singh from Latala 2; and Paramjit Singh Manaki 3; kabaddi — (42kg): Lasara Gill village 1, Machhiwara School 2; (47kg): Hareon Kalan 1, Herrian 2; (52kg): Kalas Kalan 1 and Bihla 2; (57kg): Bihla 1 and Sihala ‘A’ 2; (62kg) Kareyam 1 and Muskabad 2. Team of Manupur village clinched kabaddi club trophy by defeating Neelon Kalan.

Sahodaya athletic meet enters 2nd day
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 27
Contests for shot put, high jump, long jump and discus throw marked the second day of the 10th Sahodaya School Athletics Meet which entered its second day at BCM Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, here today. Students from over 20 Ludhiana schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) participated in the contests.

Results of the contests are: 
Shot put (girls) : Jagdev Kaur from Guru Hargobind School, Sidhwan Khurd (1); Harleen Kaur from Guru Nanak Public School (GNPS), Mullanpur (2); and Manjit Kaur, GHG Sidhwan Khurd (3);

shot put (boys) : Pargat Singh from Sant Kirpal Singh Sewa Panthi School, Neelon Kalan (1); Gurkarantej Singh from GNPS, Sarabha Nagar (2); and Virender Singh, GNPS, Mullanpur (3).

High jump (boys) : Jagjit Singh from Nankana Sahib Public School (NSPS) (1); Ranjit Singh from BCM, Shastri Nagar (2); and Teerath Singh from GGN Public School (3).

Long jump (under-17 boys) : Charanjit Singh, NSPS (1); Harpinder Singh, Sacred Heart School, Gobindgarh (2); and Ranbir Singh, Punjab Police School, Phillaur (3); long jump (under-19 boys) : Shamsher Singh, GNPS, Mullanpur (1); Amit Gupta, KVM (2); and Puneet Singh, Sacred Heart, BRS Nagar (3). Long jump (under-19 girls) : Supreet Ghuman, GNPS, Sarabha Nagar (1); Harpreet Kaur, BCM, Shastri Nagar (2); and Sukhraj Kaur, GGN School (3); long jump (under-17 girls) : Ramanpreet Kaur, GNPS, Sarabha Nagar (1); Raminderpal Kaur Sidhu, GHPS, Sidhwan Khurd (2); and Kirandeep Kaur, Springdale School (3).

Discus throw (under-17 girls) : Pushpinder Bassi, DAV Public School (1); Harneet Kaur, GNPS, Sarabha Nagar (2); and Amarjot Kaur, NSP School (3).

200 metres (under-19 girls) : Sukhraj Kaur, GGN Public School (1); Jagmeet Kaur, GGN School (2); and Harpreet Kaur, BCM Shastri Nagar (3); 200 metres (under-17 girls) : Sameet Kaur, GHPS Sidhwan Khurd (1); Amandeep Kaur, GGN School (2); and Ramandeep Kaur, GHPS, Sidhwan Khurd (3); 200 metres (under-14 girls) : Jasmeet Kaur, Scared Heart, Gobindgarh (1); Prabhjot Kaur, GHPS, Sidhwan Khurd (2); and Manpreet Kuar, GGN Public School (3); 200 metres (under-17 boys) : Shamsher Singh, GNPS, Mullanpur (1); Jaspal Singh GGN School (2); and Jaspreet Singh, Shamrock School (3); 200 metres (under-14 boys) : Harjot Singh, DAV Public School (1); Jatinder Singh, SKPS Public School (2); and Robin Kaushik NSP School (3).

800 metres (under-17 boys) : Manjeet Singh GGN School (1); Gurvansh Singh GNPS , Sarabha Nagar (2); and Harmanpreet Singh, GNPS, Sarabha Nagar (3); 800 metres (under-17 girls) : Harpreet Kaur NSP School (1); Rawanpreet Kaur, NSPS (2); and Rupinder Kaur, GNPS, Sarabha Nagar (3).

1500 metres (under-19 boys) : Navdeep Singh, AS Modern Schol, Khanna (1); Gurpreet Singh, NSPS (2); and Gagandeep, GNPS, Mullanpur (3); 1500 metres (under-19 girls) : Amandeep Kaur, GHPS Sidhwan Khurd (1); Jupinder Kaur GHPS Sidhwan Khurd (2); and Kulwinder Kaur, DAV Phillaur (3); 1500 metres (under-17 boys) : Gurvansh Kaur GNPS, Sarabha Nagar(1); Manjit Singh, GGN School (2); and Harpreet Singh, GHPS, Sidhwan Khurd (3).