Chandigarh, April 14
Experts from different fields of medicine from the PGIMER, Chandigarh, and AIIMS, New Delhi, will address a congregation of doctors, general practitioners and medical students at a CME, “Medicine Update-2007”, at the APC auditorium tomorrow.

Discussions will be held on the practice of rheumatology; systemic lupus erythematosis and arthritic illnesses.

Specialists from the field of emergency medicine will discuss issues related to coronary artery disease, community acquired pneumonia, malaria and common poisoning in North India.

A haematology session will also be organised to promote awareness on refractory anemia, anaemia of chronic disease, antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis and fungal illnesses related to haematological practice.

In the afternoon, a discussion and an educative session will focus on hypertension. Emphasis will be laid on the fields of refractory hypertension, recent progress in hypertension control and radiology as an investigative/therapeutic tool in hypertension. TNS

Chandigarh, April 14
To keep a tab on the outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chickegunea during summer, the health department of Chandigarh has chalked out an action plan.

Under the plan, June and July will be observed “anti-malaria” and “anti-dengue” months, respectively, said Dr M.S. Bains, director, health services, Union Territory.

The work on the action plan began in January with the collection of data on the number of patients suffering from such diseases in the region.

The department had been getting feedback from 45 sources, including the PGI, General Multispeciality Hospital, General Medical College and Hospital, and dispensaries, on the number of patients reporting to the hospitals with the diseases every week.

“After analysing the information, appropriate action was being taken,” said the director. The results of the system had been enthusiastic, he added.

During the past few weeks of analysing the data, it was noticed that an unusually high number of patients from Kishangarh and Darria villages had reported to the hospitals with fever.

After a field survey, teams of the health department found out that people at Kishangarh village had been getting infected through contaminated water supply. Cases of typhoid were spotted at Darria village.

Agencies concerned, including the engineering department, were pressed into service to curb the rising number of such cases, said the director.

Eight teams collected water samples and carried out surveys to ascertain the presence of mosquitoes under the integrated disease surveillance project.

The teams found non-vector mosquito, which was not a carrier of diseases, in the Union Territory. However, anti-larvae measures were being taken to contain the breeding of mosquitoes, he added.

To generate awareness on the reasons behind spread of the diseases, a campaign will be initiated in the colonies of the Union Territory.

Seminars and rallies, involving students and people living in these colonies, will be held under the campaign.

Dengue homework card scheme will also be started, wherein cards will be issued to schoolchildren.

They will be required to fill out the card carrying information on preventive measures to check the spread of diseases and hand it over to the teacher.

A proposal seeking increase in funds for the purpose, after getting the nod of the health secretary, Chandigarh, has been sent for the approval to the Government of India, added Dr Bains.

People who fail to comply with the guidelines issued to general public will be served notices, followed by a challan under the Prevention and Control of Malaria, Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis regulation Act, 2001.

Chandigarh, April 14
Jaggi Brar from Dubai sank a birdie on the 15th hole to return the best three-over card of 75 on the second day of the Chandigarh Golfing Tour for the Emaar MGF Golf Championship Trophy played on the greens of the Panchkula Golf Club here today.

Representing the Indian Golfers' Society in Dubai, Jaggi had started badly yesterday returning a miserable 24-over card of 96 on the opening day of the tournament.

But remaining in the lead on the second day for the overall Emaar Trophy was Brinder S. Gill who returned a seven-over card today to tally 161 after the second round. Just one stroke behind was Rahul Aggarwal from Delhi. At the third place overall after the second round was Gurpreet Singh with a tally of 163.

Yesterday's leader Haryana Ranji Trophy cricketer Rakesh Jolly, Golf Club course captain S.S. Lehal, Anupinder Grewal and Vishal Sareen were tied at 164 for the fourth spot.

Playing conditions were better today as the golfers teed off at 8 am as against the afternoon tee off on the opening day.

B.B. Kaushik, a new entrant on the second day, returned the second best card of the day (76). But since he did not play on the opening day, he is not in the running for the Emaar Trophy.

Nippy Ghai went for a big hit of 255 yards to clinch the longest drive title.

One of the participants from the Bhutan Embassy Karma J. Thinley was nearest to the pin (7 ft 3 in).

The best nett score on the second day was from Rajan Sehgal (62). Col Ravi Rana (64) and Gurmeher Brar (65) finished in that order.

The final day of the competition will shift to Chandigarh Golf Association's Golf Range followed by the final prize distribution ceremony.

The tournament has attracted 168 golfers from all over the country. According to Vivek Atray, UT tourism director, the tournament would now be played every year with a view to promoting golf tourism.

The scores:

Best card of the day: Jaggi Brar 75, B.B. Kaushik 76, Vishal Sareen 77.

Best nett scores of the day: Rajan Sehgal 62, Col Ravi Rana 64, Gurmeher Brar 65.

Emaar Trophy leaders: Brinder S. Gill 82+79=161, Rahul Aggarwal 82+80=162, Gurpreet Singh 82+81=163, Rakesh Jolly 80+84=164, S.S Lehal 81+83=164, Anupinder Grewal 81+83=164, Vishal Sareen 87+77=164.

Mohali, April 14
Budding local cricketer Ankit Pursharthy has moved a step closer to his aim which is to be a part of the Indian cricket team.

“My father, Rajinder Pursharthy, had represented Punjab in Ranji Trophy matches in 1985 but I want to go a step ahead. To don the national colours is my aim and to get it I will leave no stone unturned,” asserted Ankit.

His selection in the 40-day Zonal Cricket Academy (under-15), which is being organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for Punjab at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium from April 20, has added strength to his plans.

Ankit, who is a right-handed opening batsman, was the only player from Mohali district, who made it to the academy with an exceptional display of batting skills while representing Punjab in the Polly Umrigar trophy which was held in November-December last year. Punjab had clinched the trophy.

During the trophy’s league and knock-out rounds, Ankit piled up 419 runs in just nine innings with an average of 46.5 runs. He scored a century (112) against the Himachal Pradesh team while playing against Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi, he scored 93 and 48 runs, respectively, in league games.

In knock-out matches, he played a key role in his team’s wins against Maharashtra and Delhi by hitting 89 and 33 runs, respectively.

In the Punjab inter-district u-15 Sushil Bali Trophy, Ankit hit 75 runs against Jalandhar district, 37 against Chandigarh and 45 against Sangrur.

Playing patient and long innings is the strength of this young lad who is also right arm off spinner. “I always try to remain cool on the crease. Many a time, I get out after committing silly mistakes but from that I always try to learn,” said Ankit, a student of APJ School, Kharar.

He started playing cricket at the age of 11 years under the supervision of coach Sukhwinder Tinku. “Ankit has the potential to make a successful opener. He showed a lot of improvement last year. His selection in the ZCA shows his progress,” said the proud coach.

Chandigarh, April 14
Karthik Mann emerged winner in the under-6 (boys) rink race event on the opening day of the Chandigarh State Roller Skating Championship held at KB DAV School, Sector 7, here today. Tamanna Mann got the first place in the girls 8 to 9 years category while Balkirat grabbed the first place in the boys category.

The results: Rink race

Boys:

u-6 years: 1 Karthik Mann, 2 Hiten, 3 Jaskirat

6-8 years: 1 Balkirat, 2 Shubhkarman, 3 Abhinav

8-10 years: 1 Sahil, 2 Amandeep, 3 Manik

10-12 years: 1 Hardeep, 2 Shivam, 3 Simrath

12-14 years: 1 Rahul Mittal, 2 Karan Lamba, 3 Vipin

14-16 years: 1 Sachin, 2 Gururanjan, 3 Anmol

Girls:

u-6 years: 1 Visheshtha, 2 Jasleen, 3 Kanwalpreet

6-8 years: 1 Tamanna Mann, 2 Richa, 3 Anubhuti

8-10 years: 1 Tanu, 2 Hasrat, 3 Tamanna

10-12 years: 1 Naina, 2 Manveen, 3 Aditi

12-14 years: 1 Mehak, 2 Paavan, 3 Pavit — TNS