HEALTH

Medical camp for senior citizens
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 2
As many as 250 pensioners and senior citizens were examined during a free medical check-up camp organised by Punjab National Bank at its Sector 17-B branch yesterday. The four-day medical check up-camp was inaugurated by Mr B.P. Chopra, General Manager, PNB, Haryana Zone. Mr Chopra said that the camp was being organised as part of the social responsibility of the bank.

State Bank of India, too, organised a free medical check up camp at its Sector 30 branch. About 85 pensioners were examined and free medicines were distributed.

Alumni meet of PGI Nephrology Dept
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 2
The Department of Nephrology of the PGIMER is organising the annual conference of the Peritoneal Dialysis Society of India along with the first ever meet of the alumni of the Department of Nephrology from February 3 to 5.

The PGI was the first institution in the country to start a structured training programme in the kidney disease area in 1969; the first batch passed out in 1972. So far 104 fellows have qualified.

SPORTS

City to host 2 ties of Indo-Pak series
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 2
Overwhelming response of local people during the matches of Premier Hockey League here has made an impression on the minds of the officials of Indian Hockey Federation.

Consequently, two matches of high profile Indo-Pak series have been allotted to the city, which will take place under the floodlights of Hockey Stadium, Sector 42 on February 16 and 18.

Three matches of the series, starting from February 16, will be held in India whereas the remaining three will take place in Pakistan.

Mr K. Jothikumaran, Secretary General of Indian Hockey Federation, said, “We are overwhelmed with the response of Chandigarhians, who turned up in thousands to cheer the teams during PHL matches. The response made us to decide to hold two matches here while the third one will be held at Jalandhar on February 20”.

Earlier, one match was scheduled at Delhi on February 19 but now it has been shifted to the City Beautiful.

Not only the federation officials of IHF but the sponsors also are very happy to see huge crowd at the stadium during the domestic tournament. Mr R.C. Venkateish, Managing Director of ESPN, was full of praise for the local crowd and saw lot of marketing potential for the game in the city.

Elated over the big companies coming forward to facilitate the game, Mr Kumaran said, “In the previous two editions of PHL, we spent a lot of money but now the time has come to market the game properly to get big returns to boost and improve the standards of the sport as well as players”.

The IHF President, Mr KPS Gill, also termed Chandigarh as a premier hockey city. He also announced that the city would now onwards also play host to more significant matches.

Punjab Ranji probables attend training camp
Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 2
Probables of the Punjab Ranji team for North Zone Ranji one-day matches, sweated it out in the training camp at Punjab Cricket Association here today.

In the camp, 19 cricketers were selected to hone their skills under the supervision of Punjab Ranji coach Intikhab Alam.

In today’s session, only 16 cricketers were present as Ritender Sodhi, Gagandeep Singh and Ravneet Ricky could not turn up due to their other professional assignments. “Besides sharpening the skills, stress is being laid on total fitness and fielding”, said Alam.

The announcement of the final team would be made on February 6. The team would leave on February 8 for Delhi, where the tournament would start on February 10.

ADMINISTRATION

CHB action “uncalled for”: residents

Chandigarh, February 2
The Chandigarh Housing Board has issued notices to more than 300 residents of Sector 38 (West) for encroaching on government land. The encroachments include use of barbed wires, illegal fences and extended gates.

A group of residents today went to the office of the Chandigarh Housing Board and lodged a protest against the”uncalled for” action.

Mr Atul Garg, joint secretary of the HIG Residents Welfare Association, said, “We are not encroaching on the government land. The changes are just an attempt to beautify the area and check entry of animals from the adjoining colony”.

Mr Garg said: “Extension in certain houses was just to accommodate the cars which otherwise will have to be parked on the roads. We have asked the authorities to first look into the illegal constructions in certain houses where additional rooms and other major changes had been incorporated in the original structure”. TNS