PGI takes up fight against drugs
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 10
A nodal committee constituted by the PGI, Chandigarh, has decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy to tackle the drug menace in the city.

Two specific strategies - training of manpower and awareness programmes - would be commenced soon, said Prof P. Kulhara, head of the department of psychiatry and in charge of the Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre at the PGI, while interacting with mediapersons here today.

During a talk on alcohol and drug abuse held at the PGI earlier this year, participants had expressed the opinion that medical experts, government agencies and voluntary social agencies should come together to chalk out a comprehensive programme to deal with this problem.

Following this, the PGI authorities constituted the committee comprising Dr K.K. Talwar, director, PGI, S.K. Jain, IGP, Chandigarh, A.K. Gupta, deputy director (administration), PGI, and B.L. Soni, DIG, CBI, Chandigarh, here today, said Professor Kulhara.

While the first strategy would be applied to health professionals in the police as well as the prison sector, the second strategy would take care of training teachers at schools and colleges to tackle the problem, said Professor Kulhara while outlining the line of action of the committee.

It was observed that more and more children were falling prey to drug addiction nowadays in comparison to adults. It was also observed that the number of people consuming opiates (products consisting of derivatives of opium) has surpassed the number of alcoholics in the city. The use of cocaine had also increased at an alarming rate during the past five years in the country, added Professor Kulhara.

Schools and colleges in the city would be helped in identifying children vulnerable to drug addiction and in creating awareness and motivation among students in this regard. A specific training module would be prepared for the purpose, said Professor Kulhara.

Similarly, the police would be approached to identify drug addicts put in prison who could be counselled against the abuse.

Correctional measures would be taken up with the help of police and health professionals.

Prof N.N. Wig, Emeritus Professor of the department of psychiatry, PGI, said motivation and help could be provided at various levels, including family and society.

Mohit fashions Patiala win
Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 10
Five-wicket haul by Mohit Mohindra enabled Patiala beat hosts Mohali on the basis of the first innings lead in a two-day match of the Punjab State Inter-District (under-17) Tournament for the M.L. Markan Trophy 2007-08 at PCA Stadium here today.

In their first innings, Patiala were bowled out for 162 in 86.5 overs. Mohit Mohindra (69) and Robin Dhillon (37) were the main scorers for the team.

For Mohali, Lovepreet claimed three for 50 followed by Mohit Bedi with 2 for 30.

In reply, Mohali were bowled out for 151 in 71.3 overs, 11 runs short of their rivals’ total.

Abhilash Rathore played an unbeaten knock of 54 runs, while Harpreet Golu and Rupinder Singh contributed 21 runs each.

For Patiala, Mohit Mohindra played key role, snapping 5 for 32, while Prince Rana took 3 for 18. Amiteshwar Singh claimed 2 for 32 for Patiala.

In their second innings, Patiala were at 22 for the loss of two wickets when the play ended.

Patiala won the match on the basis of first innings lead.

Brief score:

Patiala (first innings): 162 all out in 86.5 overs (Mohit Mohindra 69, Robin Dhillon 37; Mohit Bedi 2 for 30, Lovepreet 3 for 50).

Mohali (first innings): 151 all out in 71.3 overs (Harpreet Golu 21, Rupinder Singh 21; Abhilash Rathore 54 n.o., Mohit Mohindra 5 for 32, Prince Rana 3 for 18, Amiteshwar Singh 2 for 32).

Patiala (second innings): 22 for 2 in 8 overs.

Snooker
Rishabh in final

Chandigarh, May 10
Rishabh Arora moved to the final after beating Lakshay Arora 2-1 in the semifinal of the best-of-three frame in junior category of the sixth Saurabh Khattar Memorial Billiards and Snooker Championship at Chandigarh Club, Sector 1, here today.

In the match, the first frame was clinched with ease by Rishabh (55-22). But in the next frame, Lakshya came back strongly and won it 43-34 points.

However, a sterling performance by Rishabh in the deciding frame saw him book a berth in the final of his category. The score read 47-06 in the final frame.

In billiards 200 points match, Mukesh Chopra beat his opponent Akshay Goyal 201-185.

Whereas in snooker best of three frame open category, G.S. Batra got the better of Pankaj Gulati 2-0 (63-39, 62-47).

In the second match, Sandeep Chadha registered a win over Jagjit Kohli 2-1 (36-46, 61-24, 37-30).

Yesterday, two-time champion Anandit Joshi made it to the next round of the best of three frame, beating Harinder Singh 2-0 (68-11, 82-06), in the snooker match.

In the billiards quarterfinal match of 200 points, Jaspal Singh got the better of Vikram Chaudhary 201-162, while in the junior snooker category’s best of three frame match Lakshay Arora beat Saula Aggarwal 2-0 (50-37, 63-30).

Other results: Snooker (best of 3 frame): Suresh Chaudhary b Ramneek Bhatwa 2-1 (69-31, 32-54, 68-12); Sandeep Kochhar b Mahesh Chaudhary 2-0 (79-20, 61-31). — TNS

City sports council to award players
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 10
The Chandigarh Sports Council (CSC) has decided to give cash awards for 2006-07 to deserving sports persons of the city on the eve of the National Sports Day on June 29.

According to the joint secretary of the CSC, any international sports person, who has represented the city in the senior World Cup, Commonwealth Games, junior World Championship, junior World Cup or Asian Games at the senior level or junior Asian Championships, in disciplines which are recognised with the CSC, would be honoured.

Besides this, sports persons who have participated in any other international championship, where at least seven teams of various countries participated, and have won up to the first three positions, will also be considered. Associations have been asked to submit detailed information of such players to the CSC, latest by May 25. Application forms can be obtained from the office of the secretary, CSC, Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, Chandigarh, on any working day between 10 am to 3 pm. Duly completed application forms, supported by required documents, should reach the office of the CSC, latest by May 30. Further enquiries can be made at the following numbers: 0172 - 2646444, 0172 - 5061689.

60 budding hockey players shortlisted
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 10
As many as 143 hockey players from different states of north zone turned up for the selection of north zone probables for the IHF’s youth development programme.

The programme has been launched by the Indian Hockey Association to rebuild Indian hockey from the grass roots.

The trials were conducted by the Chandigarh Hockey Association at hockey stadium, Sector 42, here. Today, the officials, including N.S. Sodhi, S.S. Gill and Amarjit Singh, shortlisted 60 players. Out of these, 20 to 25 will be picked up by the selectors tomorrow.

The selected lot will go to Delhi where over 100 players from the five zones across the country will vie for top spots. Around 50 players will be selected from the lot for the forthcoming Junior World Cup and the Commonwealth Games-2010 at New Delhi.