Abhishek shines in CTSE exam

Ludhiana, February 8
Abhishek Singla of K.B.D.A.V. School, Chandigarh, topped the CTSE exam conducted on January 4, 2007. Sahil Khajuna of B.V.M. School, Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana, and Avtar Kaur of Guru Nanak international School, Ludhiana, bagged second and third positions respectively. They have earned a cash prize of Rs. 5000, Rs. 2500 and Rs. 1500, respectively.

Besides, the students of Anand Isher Public School, Chhapar, Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines, Shri Harkrishan Public School, Daba Road, Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, D.A.V. School, B.C.M. Arya Model School, Shastri Nagar, B.C.M. School, Chandigarh Road,(Ludhiana), Maharaja Ranjil Singh Senior Secondary School, Phillaur, M.G.N. Public School, Jalandhar, and Shiwalik Public School, Ropar, have figure in the list of top 50 students. — OC

Dr Chahal honoured

Ludhiana, February 8
Dr S.S Chahal, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, PAU, has been elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Punjab Academy of Sciences for his significant contribution in basic and applied research in disease resistance, epidemiology and management of cereal diseases. The honour was conferred on him during 10th Punjab Science Congress at Jalandhar yesterday. He was presented a silver medal and a citation. TNS

School branches opened

Ludhiana, February 8
The chain of Green Land Schools extended its family by inaugurating two more branches at Dugri, Phase-II and Sector 32, Chandigarh Road, here today. The chairman of the Trust Sant Kirpal Vidyak Mission (registered), Mr Rajesh Rudhra, along with the other managing committee members and staff of all three Green Land Schools running in Ludhiana performed 'havan' at both the sites. — OC

COURTS

Bank gunman gets life-term for killing wife
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 8
The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr H.P.S Mahal, has sentenced Kulwant Singh of Gujjarwal village, a former gunman of UCO Bank, Ayali, to undergo rigorous life imprisonment on the charges of killing his wife, Charanjit Kaur in 2003.

Pronouncing the verdict, the judge held that the prosecution had proved the guilt of the accused beyond any doubt. The accused was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 5,000.

Kulwant Singh was booked under Section 302 of the IPC at Dehlon Police Station, following a complaint by Prem Singh of Halwara village, on March 8, 2003.

It was submitted by the complainant to the police that the deceased was his eldest sister. She was having estranged relations with her husband and she had also filed a petition seeking maintenance from her estranged husband.

Incidentally on the day the crime was committed, Prem Singh had gone to meet his sister at her house. When he reached there, he found her husband shouting at her. The argument took an ugly turn when the accused took out a dagger and stabbed his wife twice. When the complainant raised a hue and cry the accused fled from the spot. Charanjit Kaur died on the spot.

The accused had pleaded innocence. He had examined his son, Jasbir Singh, Gurmit Kaur (daughter) and Uttam Singh as his witnesses. The children of the accused had submitted that some unidentified persons had killed their mother and that their father was not at home when the crime was committed. He had gone to attend his job in Ludhiana.

But after scrutinising the evidence presented by the prosecution, after examining 11 prosecution witnesses and convinced with the arguments of Additional District Attorney, Mr A.S Chadha, the court found him guilty.

Mughal art inspires designer

Ludhiana, February 8
Roopa Vohra, a Mumbai-based jewellery designer, has put up an exhibition of her designs in the city. She is also presenting her latest collection titled “Timeless Classics”.She said she was getting an overwhelming response.

Inspired by the Mughal art form of etching on gold, the jewellery on display has delicately crafted intricate designs, Mughal portraits and miniatures in pieces like jhumkis, loops, coloured stone-studded neck pieces etc. — TNS

HEALTH

Aspirin, brufen ‘leading cause’ of ulcers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 8
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, brufen and diclofenac are the leading cause of gastrointestinal side effects like peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal bleed, etc.

These pain killers are used extensively to control pain and inflammation and their use is rising due to their increasing availability without a prescription, use of aspirin for prevention of thrombotic disorders and the aging population.

This was stated by Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina, Professor and Head of Gastroenterology at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, in a Continuing Medical Education (CME)

“Gastro-2007” at the PGI, Chandigarh. Dr Chhina made a presentation on “Recent trends in management of peptic ulcer disease” in the distinguished guest-lecture section at the CME.

He further said that NSAIDs were associated with significant gastrointestinal side effects. It was estimated that from 11 per cent to over 40 per cent of patients taking NSAIDs experienced upper gastrointestinal symptoms. In particular, the arthritis patients taking NSAIDs suffered worse gastrointestinal symptoms than the general population.

During the lecture, Dr Chhina stressed that helicobacter pylori, a bacteria, had been mainly implicated for the formation of ulcers and antibiotic treatment for two weeks was recommended for curing H. pylori infection. Other conditions which might be associated with this infection were coronary artery disease, cerebro-vascular disease, hypertension, migraine headache and growth retardation.

“Newer drugs for treating acid-peptic disease are mainly ilaprazole, tentaprazole, histamine H3 agonsists and antigastin. Peptic ulcer disease involves gastric and duodenal regions of the stomach. Gastric ulcers in stomach are caused by normal or low acid secretion, duodenal ulcers in duodenum on the other hand are due to high acid secretion.”

Dr Chhina added that medical and nutritional management of peptic ulcer disease was to reduce or withdraw use of NSAIDs, use antibiotics and antacids, avoid tobacco products (smoking) and decrease consumption of alcohol, spices, coffee. At the same time, good dietary and nutritional status helped decrease H. pylori infection.

He advised that the commonly used anti-ulcer drugs had side effects and should not be taken for a long period.

British orthodontist at CDC
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 8
The Christian Dental College (CDC) here, a premier institute of North India, will have a noted orthodontist from Scotland (UK) available for consultation for a period of 10 days till February 17.

According to CDC authorities, Dr John Clark, Consultant Orthodontist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Dundee Dental School, Scotland, UK was on a two-week visit to the institution.

A leading clinician for the management for cleft lip and palate services in Scotland (Cleftesis), Dr Clark would help the college develop and coordinate a multi-disciplinary care for patients with cleft lip and palate and to monitor outcomes for facial growth, dental occlusion and health, speech and hearing as well as psychological well-being.

He would be interacting with the students and faculty of the both the CDC and the Christian Medical College. He will also be available for special consultations in the CDC.