Ludhiana, March 8
Dr Kimit Rai, a Vancouver-based plastic and cosmetic surgeon is a man possessed. He is famous as one of the busiest reconstructive surgeons in North America with his appointment book full for months together.

Despite his busy schedule, he finds free time twice a year for two weeks to visit the third-world countries, along with some volunteer doctors, surgeons and supporting staff towards fulfillment of his mission of performing corrective surgeries for cleft lip and cleft palate, apart from other surgical procedures on the children.

Dr Rai, born in Malaysia to parents of Indian origin, is here for a ten-day free surgery camp, sponsored by Operation Rainbow Canada, an NGO, at Ludhiana Mediciti Hospital.

The visiting doctors had already carried out some 50 operations and another 100 were expected to be performed till March 13, when the camp ends.

In an exclusive interview with the Ludhiana Tribune here today, Dr Rai said he had set up the NGO (Operation Rainbow Canada) way back in 1996 with the sole purpose of reaching out to the under-privileged children in developing nations.

"Since its inception, the voluntary work by super specialists from different fields of surgery have given a new lease of life to and treated deformities of more than 1500 persons, mostly children in some half-a-dozen third-world countries.

The destinations of these dedicated surgeons include Mexico, Philippines, Cambodia, Lebanon, besides India."

He said the numbers of procedures performed during twice-a-year voluntary camps by the NGO were not a true reflection of the momentous task carried out by the team. More than the actual number of surgical procedures, it was the gains for the specialists from Canada they achieved in terms of training the surgeons of the host country for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

"Rather than giving one fish to a hungry man, we believe in teaching the skill of fishing."

Terming that the surgical skills and infrastructure facilities in India were comparable to the best in the world, Dr Rai remarked that at some of the places where the NGO had organised free camps, proper OT's, follow up, equipment and diagnostic facilities were lacking.

"But this is definitely not the case in India, and particularly in the case of Ludhiana Mediciti, the venue of the ongoing camp."

The free surgical camps sponsored by the Canadian NGO, informed Dr Rai, cost something like a hundred thousand US dollars each. The money was raised from charity events, sponsorships, individuals, film and TV industry.

"At times, even the volunteer surgeons and doctors, who are paid nothing for their professional services, chip in with financial contributions as well."

Interestingly, nearly 24-men strong team of professionals from Canada comprised of those with Indian origin or Indian connections. Dr Rai said this helped them a lot to fill the communication gap. "With the help of professionals conversant with the local language, we are in a better position to communicate well with the patients or their family members," he added.

Ludhiana, March 8
Ritu Rani hogged limelight by winning three titles ( triple jump, long jump and 100 m hurdles) on the opening day of the 11th annual athletics meet of Satguru Ram Singh Government Polytechnic Girls College, Rishi Nagar, here today.

H K Toor, principal of the college, welcomed the chief guest and read out the annual report highlighting achievements by the students.

Results: triple jump: Ritu Rani 1, Minty 2 and Ranveer Kaur 3; long jump: Ritu 1, Harpreet Kaur 2 and Simi 3; three-legged race: Anurag and Charanjit 1, Nishant and Ashu 2, Simran and Simi 3; spoon and potato race: Nishi 1, Jaspreet 2 and Simi 3; shot put: Sukhdeep 1, Richa 2 and Simran 3; 100 m hurdles: Ritu 1, Ranbeer 2 and Mandeep 3.

Sahnewal, March 8
Sports day was organised at Mai Bhago College for women, Ramgarh, today. A total of 14 events were organised during the meet.

Students participated in 100 m, 200 m, 400 m race, brisk walk, slow cycling, sack race, lemon race, shot put, discus throw, long jump and relay race. A match of kabaddi was also organised.

Jaspreet Kaur was declared overall best athlete. Chenab house was declared first, Satluj house and Jhelum House came second and third, respectively.

Barinder Kaur, the principal of the college, inaugurated the meet. She along with Manjit Kaur, lecturer in physical education, honoured the winners with momentoes and certificates. Sarabjit Kaur and Vibha Jain conducted the stage.