Medical fraternity’s agenda for poll
Our correspondent

Ludhiana, January 20
Medical professionals in the private sector here have decided to extend support to those candidates in the coming Punjab Assembly elections who would pledge to work for the improvement of the health care facilities for the masses, promote medical education and put an end to reservation in medical and other professional courses.

The executive committee of the Ludhiana Nursing Homes and Hospitals Association, which met here on Thursday discussed at length the role of doctors, who it felt, could influence the voting pattern. The association, while expressing its serious concern over the dismal health care scenario in the country, particularly for the poor people and under-privileged sections of the society, held the elected representatives responsible for the same.

Giving details of the deliberations, Dr Narotam Dewan, general secretary of the body, said the medical fraternity in the private sector was of the view that the doctors should rise above political considerations and come out in support of those candidates who would agree to adopt the programme chalked out by the association for bringing about a qualitative improvement in the health-care delivery system and medical education.

Dr Dewan said once the candidates in fray pledged their support to the demands raised by the medical professionals in the private sector, the association will issue a public call in favour of those candidates, irrespective of their political affiliation.

The guidelines finalised in the meeting for the contenders in the Assembly elections called for elimination of all reservations, including reservations for NRIs' and based on caste and religion in medical institutes. This would make medical education merit based and the nation could have the best doctors.

In view of the cost of medical education going out of reach of the majority of people, easy and interest-free loans should be given for medical studies at all levels and the same facility be provided for setting up clinics, nursing homes and purchase of medical equipment with a reciprocal arrangement to treat poor patients free of cost.

Other demands made by the association included concessional power tariff for private medical institutions, upgradation of all government medical colleges and civil hospitals, strict price control on medicines and reduction of taxes on life saving drugs and implementation of the proposed plan to set up medicine banks for poor patients.

Shavinder Sandhu XI clinch a thriller
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 20
In a nail-biting finish, Shavinder Sandhu XI beat Ankur Kakkar XI by three runs in a cricket match played at Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School ground in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, here yesterday.

The match was organised by the Sacred Heart Alumni Association to celebrate the silver jubilee year of the school.

The teams comprised alumni, which played a 20 overs-a-side match.

Batting first, Shavinder Sandhu XI scored 168 for the loss of 8 wickets with main contributions coming from Amarbir Pahwa (41) and Varun Khullar (31).

Other notable contributors were Dhiraj (20), Shavinder Sandhu (16) and Abhishek (19).

For Ankur Kakkar XI, Ashish Thapar took two wickets, while and Ankur Kakar claimed one wicket.

In reply, Ankur Kakkar XI went off to a flying start with the opening pair adding 60 runs in seven overs.

However, two wickets in one over saw them struggle against some accurate bowling by opponents. They managed to score 165 runs in their quota of 20 overs, thus losing the encounter by three runs.

Ankur Kakkar remained unbeaten on 62 runs, while Ashish Thapar scored unbeaten 37. Shavinder Sandhu grabbed both wickets.

Kamal fastest on track
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, January 20
Kamal Chaudhary won 100 m sprint, while Major Singh came out triumphant in the 5-km walk in the 34th Sub-Zonal Central Revenue Sports Meet held at Punjab Agricultural University grounds here on Thursday.

Dileep Kumar and Prem Kumar won long jump and shot put events, respectively, while J.S. Minhas wrapped the title in the hammer throw.

In badminton (singles), Neeraj Bansal proved his mettle to bag the title and in lawn tennis (doubles), S.S. Rana and S.K. Chauhan romped home victorious.

In basketball, Income Tax Department won the title, while Customs and Central Excise Department pocketed honours in football, cricket, hockey, kabaddi and volleyball.

200 meritorious students get prizes
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 20
The 60th annual prize distribution function of Arya College was held at the college auditorium today. Mr Rajeev Kapoor, Additional Commissioner, Customs, Ludhiana, was the chief guest.

He gave away the prizes to meritorious students and exhorted them to achieve great heights in life. He congratulated the college authorities for producing distinguished personalities who had excelled in various fields of life.

However, he asserted that it was more important to produce good citizens, especially in the present scenario when the social and civic life was full of stress and strain.

Earlier, the chief guest was accorded a warm welcome by the Principal Dr S.M. Sharma, who also briefed him about the glorious history of the college.

About 200 students from various streams received prizes for their outstanding performance in academics as well as in co-curricular activities. Three students - Geetu Sharma, Manita Gupta and Jitesh Vaid - were honoured for bringing laurels to the institution.

A B.Com student, Jitesh Vaid, was the winner of Mission Udaan, telecast by the National Geographic Channel, in which around 70,000 students from all over the country took part. He was selected to fly fighter jet Sukhoi. His name figures in the Limca Book of Records.

Towards the end of the function, Dr Sharma, finance secretary, Arya College Managing Committee, proposed the vote of thanks.