Ludhiana, December 3
Generally the condition of irregular heart rhythm is treated by medicines, blood thinners and also through electrophysiological treatment where the electrophysiologist uses suitable frequency of electric current to disrupt the circuit and restore normal rhythm of the heart.

But this treatment, many a time, proves inadequate in the restoration of normal rhythm, possibly due to associated valvular and other complications. Moreover, the medications to control heart rate and thin the blood have significant side-effects. It is for such patients, who do not respond to medical and interventional treatment, that a simple procedure called the surgical rhythm correction or “maze” is used.

According to Dr K.C. Mukherjee, cardiac surgeon at SPS Apollo Hospitals here, the procedure consisted of disrupting the re-entrant electrical circuits. Once the corrections are made the electrical impulse has only one way - the correct way to travel, as if passing through a maze. The atrium can no longer fibrillate and sinus rhythm (the normal rhythm of the heart) is restored.

Citing a recent case in which abnormal heart rhythm of a 50-year-old woman, Surjit Kaur, was corrected through “maze”, Dr Mukherjee stated that the patient was suffering from an abnormal heart rhythm for the past about 10 years.

“Surjit Kaur came with complaints of breathlessness and irregular heart rhythms. When examined, it was found that she was suffering from three complications. Along with rhythm problem, one of her heart valve (mitral) had become narrower and the arteries had been blocked. Narrowing of heart valve had led to abnormal enlargement of top left heart chamber (left atrium).”

The team of cardio-thoracic surgeons comprising Dr Mukherjee, Dr Paresh Shah, Dr G. Majumdar, Dr A. Shrivastava, Dr A. Gupta, Dr R.P. Singh, Dr Chetan Sharma and Dr G.S. Grewal, performed a three-and-a-half-hour surgery.

Ludhiana, December 3
More than 300 patients were examined and given medicines free of cost at a free homoeopathic medical camp, organised by Dr Vipan Gupta at Ghumar Mandi here today. It was held in the memory of Lala Sakhi Chand Gupta, a social activist.

Inaugurating the camp, Dr Ravinder Kochhar, Principal, Lord Mahavira Homoeopathic Medical College, said the homoeopathy was gaining more and more acceptance for its effective results in chronic illness with no side-effects.

A team of doctors comprising Dr Anurag Sood and Dr Gaurav Jain conducted the medical check-up of the patients.

Meanwhile, the Nishkam Sewa Ashram today opened another free dispensary at Lalton Kalan village in this district. Mr Sarwan Kumar, chairman of the ashram, inaugurated it. A free medical camp was organised to mark the occasion.

Ludhiana, December 3
Prominent sportspersons (current and former) will carry the games torch during the opening ceremony of the 21st Mata Sahib Kaur Gold Cup Hockey Tournament and Sports Festival to be held at Jarkhar village, near here, from December 8 to 10.

This was stated by Mr Narinder Pal Singh Sidhu, chairman of Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Club, Jarkhar, at a press conference here today. The games torch would be taken out at a march which would begin from the historic Gurdwara Manji Sahib at Alamgir before it reaches the venue of the games. Arjuna awardee (basketball), Sajjan Singh Cheema would formally lit it at the stadium, Mr Sidhu informed.

Besides, an impressive marchpast by the participating contingents, a daredevil show by the motor bike riders from the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, horse show, wrestling, kabaddi and cultural extravaganza are the other items, chalked out for the inaugural function of this festival, Mr Sidhu said.

During this three-day festival, competition in hockey, basketball, handball and kabaddi would be held. In the men's hockey, top outfits of the region, the BSF, Punjab and Sindh Bank, Corps of Signals, Ropar Hawks, Mohinder Munshi Club of Jalandhar, Thapar Academy, Sansarpur Academy, Grewal Academy of Kila Raipur, Mata Sahib Kaur Academy of Jarkhar and in the women's section, Haryana XI, Golden Girl Rajbir Kaur Academy of Jalandhar, Dhanoa Academy, DAV Amritsar, Muktsar XI and Ludhiana XI will be seen in action.

Mr Ashok Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, will inaugurate the festival on December 8 while Mr A.S Rai, SSP, Ludhiana will preside over the inaugural function. Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union Minister will be the chief guest at the concluding function on December 10.

The club will honour four persons on December 10 for their outstanding contribution in the promotion of sports and culture. A performance by the Punjabi singer, Gurdas Mann will be the star attraction during the prize distribution function, Mr Sidhu added.

Mr Prithipa Singh Batala, President, Punjab Rural Sports Promotion Council, Mr Jagroop Singh Jarkhar, Mr Kulwant Singh, Mr Malkit Singh Sandhu, Mr Ranjit Singh Deol, Mr Pinder Singh Kulahar, Stephen Grewal of Canada, Mr Depinder Singh, Mr Tejwant Singh Sandhu, Mr Manminder Singh Happy and Mr Daljit Singh Jarkhar were also present during the press conference.

Ludhiana, December 3
The Punjab team (visually impaired) comprising 15 men and eight women left for New Delhi to take part in the 15th National Athletics Meet for the Blind to be held from December 5 to 8. The office-bearers of the Punjab Association for the Blind and parents of these players were present at the local railway station today to wish them good luck.

The members of the Punjab squad are:

Men:B I category (seniors) - Gurbir Singh Dehlon, Rajinder Singh Johny, Avtar Singh and Varinder Singh; B II category - Gurpreet Singh Machhiwara, Balwinder Singh, Vivek Monga and Harjinder Singh; B III category - Gurbhinder Singh and Munshi Singh Verma.

Junior boys: B I category - Shalinder Singh, Mukhwinder Singh and Kapil Dev; B II category - Sandeep Singh and Sandeep Kumar.

Women: B I category - Kamaljit Kaur and Anu Monga.

Junior girls: B I category - Sandeep Kaur, Jyoti Malil, Poonam Sharma and Sunita Sharma; B II category - Inderjit Kaur; B III category - Harmanpreet Kaur.

Parminder Singh, Karamjit Kaur, Babita, Prem Arora, Darbara Singh Bhatti, Makhan Singh and Dalvinder Singh Minhas will accompany the team as managers, coaches and helpers.