The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Rs 991 cr for development of urban areas
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 19
Education Minister Harnam Dass Johar has claimed that the state government has created a special Municipal Development Fund of Rs 991 crore for the fast development of urban areas in the state. It would be used for providing drinking water supply to 100 per cent population in 117 towns and sewerage facility to all areas in 37 towns of the state by March 31, 2007.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of a new block in Vikas Dharamshala, White Quarters, Abdulapur, here today.

He said the government had also launched a National Slum Development Programme with full additional Central assistance, in 23 towns of the state with. It would have an outlay of Rs 20.10 crore.

Referring to the special scheme to improve the standard of education, he said computer education was being started in 5,278 government high and senior secondary schools in the state from July 1 and 7,000 computer teachers were also being appointed for the purpose.

He said computer education had been already started in 1,306 schools and from April 1, it would be started in another 1,572 schools and from July 1, 2,400 more schools would be covered under the programme.

Under the Sarv Sikhya Abhiyan, all schools would be provided with adequate rooms and toilet blocks, he added. He said stress was being laid on providing quality education from the primary school level and a new scheme of nursery centres had been launched in 1,700 primary schools in the state to provide training and play way facilities to children belonging to age groups between three to five years.

He said more stress was being laid on all-round development of the students. He said the government had spent Rs 4 crore for promoting sports in schools.

In the Ludhiana West constituency, Rs 700 crore were being spent under various programmes out of which grants of Rs 1 crore had already been released for various development projects, he said. He said Rs 350 crore would be spent on repair and construction of roads and Rs 60 crore for providing toilets in houses of SC families in rural areas.

The minister said Rs 30 lakh each were being spent for the development of each municipal ward in the area through the municipal councillors. He asked the people to bring to his notice if there was any important development projects pending in their areas so that funds could be given at the earliest.

He announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the completion of the dharamshala building.

Others who addressed the gathering included Mr Ajay Johar, Mr Surinder Chhabra, Mr Jagdish Marwaha, Bibi Manjit Kaur, Mr Amrik Singh Thekedar, Mr Vijay Kumar Batra, Mr Ramesh Singla, Mr Raj Kumar Jindal and Mr Tarsem Lal.

Moga college lifts overall trophy at Aaftaab-2006
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, March 19
Punjab Institute of Management and Technology (PIMT), Mandi Gobindgarh, organised a mega show “Aaftaab-2006” at the college complex yesterday. Ms Jaspreet Kaur Talwar, Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, inaugurated the function.

Ms Talwar appreciated the local people who due to their hard work had not only made a name in steel industry, but have also succeeded in making this town educational hub of the state.

Mr Swaranjit Singh Bagli, chairperson, Gobindgarh Education and Social Welfare Trust, welcomed the quests. Professor V K Arora, Dean Academics, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, and Mr S P Singh, chairperson, Punjab T V, were the guests of honour. Seth Khanaya Lal, an industrialist and social worker, was present on the occasion.

Dr J S virk, director of the institute, thanked and congratulated the students and the staff for the success of the function. He also spoke about the achievements of the institute in various fields.

Students from various colleges of the region participated in a lengthy but interesting programme of 16 events. Prof V K Arora, Dean of Punjab Technical University, gave away prizes to the winners. Lala Lajpat Rai Institute Moga bagged the overall trophy.

Other results:

Game The Mind: LLRIET Moga I, Punjab College of Eng and Tech, Lalru II; Tere Mere Sur: LLRIET Moga I, Desh Bhagat Art Craft Mandi Gobindgarh II; Jhankar Beats: DB Institute Gobindgarh I, GPC Gobindgarh II, Heena: Gian Jyoti I, Desh Bhagat II; Sur Lehari: DB Gobindgarh I, Rayat Institute Ropar II; Apni Galti Sudharo: Gian Jyoti Institute Mohali I, D B Gobindgarh II; Mosaic: LLRIET Moga I, Doraha Institute of Management II; Tak Dhina Din: GPC Gobindgarh I, DB Gobindgarh II; Figures and Faces: GPC Gobindgarh I, DB Gobindgarh II; Fusion: DB Gobindgarh I, LLRIET Moga II; Figures and Faces: GPC Gobindgarh I, DB Gobindgarh II; Fusion: DB Gobindgarh I, LLRIET Moga II; Expressions: LL Moga I, RIMT Gobindgarh II; Tell So Chaal Mila: Punjab College of Eng. Lalru I, Lincon College of Education Sirhind II; Ad Mad Show: LLRIET Moga I, GN Ludhiana II; Boojho to Jaane GNIMT Ludhiana I, GIMT Mohali II; Glamour and Glitz D B Gobindgarh I, Lincon College Sirhind II.

HEALTH

Watch out for that joint pain
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, March 19
“Arthritis is a broad term applied for any kind of joint disease. There are more than 100 disorders that can cause arthritis, and hence it should be considered a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Some of the arthritic illnesses affect not only joints but also skin and other internal organs, with potentially life threatening complications. It is also essential to distinguish arthritic illnesses from various other disorders like fibromyalgia that can present with musculoskeletal and joint symptoms.”

In a bid to clear up some of the doubts surrounding the disease, Dr Parshant Aggarwal, rheumatologist and immunologist at SPS Apollo Hospitals here, says in an interview that the most common misconception about arthritis is that it affects only older people.

In fact, individuals of all ages, including children, can fall pray to it.

Arthritic disorders has afflicted mankind since ancient times. Despite the recent advancements in understanding and management of the disorder, arthritis remains a mystery, largely due to myths associated with it.

“The structure of a joint consists of a capsule that surrounds a layer of lining cells (synovial membrane), lubricating fluid (synovial fluid), a slippery smooth substance (cartilage) that covers most of the surface of the articulating bones to ensure smooth painless movement across a joint.”

Arthritis results in various manifestations and more importantly serious irreversible damage to the joint structures, he says.

Of the different manifestations of arthritis, the most important are pain, stiffness, inflammation, limitation of movement and deformity of joints.

When a joint is inflamed, it may be swollen, tender, warm to the touch or red.

According to Dr Aggarwal, contrary to popular belief that arthritis exhibits only minor aches and pains that require simple remedies, the fact remains that arthritic illnesses consists of much more than pain and hence optimal management focuses not only on pain relief, but also the pathophysiology of the disorder.

“The treatment of these disorders goes beyond simple drug management and also incorporates physiotherapy, occupational therapy, assistive devices, etc.”

With the recent advances in healthcare, chronic arthritis illnesses are very well treatable like other chronic conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, though there is no scientific evidence that a cure for these illnesses currently exists.

With the available treatment, most of the patients are able to maintain an active, independent and near normal lifestyle.

On efficacy of alternative drugs, he observes that the issue raises a few complex issues and certain important considerations need to be addressed.

“Most of the alternative drugs have not been adequately tested. Not only this, the data on toxicity and efficacy of these agents is often lacking. Arthritis symptoms can vary over time and spontaneous remissions are known to occur. In arthritis treatment trials, placebo or inactive substance treatment results in improvement in nearly 30 per cent of patients. Therefore, in the absence of adequate data analysis, the efficacy of these agents is not proved.”

Putting to rest another myth that arthritic illnesses is caused by poor diet or can be aggravated by eating curd, rice, etc. Dr Aggarwal points out that there is no scientific basis to this belief.

Apart from gout (attacks of which can be precipitated by certain diets like red meat, alcohol, etc.) and celiac disease, there is no proven connection between a particular food source and arthritis.

However, the importance of a balanced diet and weight control cannot be overemphasised, irrespective of whether one is suffering from arthritis or not.

In a word of caution, he advises people to remain on guard against warning signs like persistent pain or stiffness on arising, pain, tenderness or swelling in one or more joints, pain or stiffness in neck, back, knee or other joints.

“Remember, arthritis is one of the most important causes of disability in the world. If you find it hard to get through the tasks in your day, arthritis may be the reason,” Dr Aggarwal concludes.

400m hepatitis virus carriers in subcontinent
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 19
There were at least 400 million carriers of hepatitis virus in the subcontinent and if liver disorders go unchecked, the virus would emerge as the worst killer among humans, said Dr Nirmaljit Singh Mahli in his keynote address a seminar on hepatitis B and C yesterday.

Taking an initiative to generate awareness about epidemiology and cure of hepatitis B and C, medical professionals of the area had organised the seminar at the auditorium of Hind Hospital and Diagnostic Laboratories.

“Around 10 per cent of the sample population, examined so far for hepatitis B and C, showed positive test,” said Dr Mahli, claiming that the examined persons came mostly from the more aware strata.

He apprehended that the frequency would be much higher in members of the lower strata, including slum dwellers and migrants.

Terming loss of appetite, weight and general weakness as preliminary symptoms of the two diseases, Dr Mahli suggested that practising physicians should get tests like Elisa, RIBA and PCR performed on the suspected cases and consult experts for further management.

“Though casual contact with the reservoir did not cause infection, unsafe sex, dental and oral surgery were major factors for the spread of the deceases.”

HIV and alcoholism were complimentary to hepatitis, he claimed.

The doctor elaborated on various stages, methods of viral eradication and modern therapies.

Speaking on minimal access surgery, Dr Sandesh Singh, a laparoscopic surgeon, said the technique had been developed for the benefit of patients.

“Besides being patient-friendly, it reduced post-operative labour of the surgeons also,” claimed Dr Singh.

He said the modes of surgery had changed since long. “Gone are days when a big surgeon used to be recognised by his adeptness in making incision. Things have changed now,” said Dr Singh.

Dr K.C. Goel, DHO, Sangrur, Dr Gurjit Singh, Dr Jyoti, Dr Sunit Hind, Dr Rajiv Sood, Dr Jyotsana Kapoor, Dr Hari Gopal and Dr R.P. Singal interacted with the speakers.