Ludhiana, June 1
An interactive session organised by the Ludhiana branch of the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) to mark "World No Tobacco Day" here last evening, called for creating a tobacco-free society to save the people from life-threatening diseases like tuberculosis, cancer and asthma.

Guest speaker Akashdeep Singh, a pulmonologist at Christian medical College and Hospital, while sounding a note of warning against the use of tobacco in any form, remarked that "where there is smoke, there is disease". He said tobacco-related deaths in India ranged between 8 lakh and 9 lakh every year.

"Virtually every organ of the human body is affected by tobacco, and its consumption leads to a variety of diseases like lung cancer, chronic obstructive airway disease and lung disease. It is also an important precipitant for acute attacks of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The incidence of tuberculosis, among smokers, is three times higher than in the non- smokers. Unlike alcohol, which has a safe range if consumed in small quantity, there is no scope for tobacco, because it is nothing but harmful."

Dr Rajesh Thaper, president, NIMA, while extending a welcome to the guest speaker and other participants, said the association was playing an active role in promoting preventive medicine. For this purpose, free medical check-up camps, awareness lectures and de-addiction camps were being organised in slums and rural belt on a regular basis.

The NIMA secretary, Dr Surendra Gupta, initiating the discussion, highlighted the need to curb the tendency of tobacco consumption in the society as a whole. He said tobacco-chewing and smoking had thrown a bigger challenge before the medical fraternity in the form of increasing incidence of chest diseases, cancer and heart attacks. Even though smoking in public places had been prohibited through legislation, but desired results had not been achieved till now in this direction.

Ludhiana, June 1
Holders Punjab lads proved too good for Andhra Pradesh team, whom they overcame easily 14-7 to retain the title in the 25th Junior National Softball Championship that concluded at the Punjab Agricultural University ground here today.

However, in the girls section, Punjab lost to their spirited opponents from Goa 16-17 in a nail-bitting finish. Punjab had won in both sections in the last edition of the championship held at Hyderabad.

In the boys’ section, Arun (3) was the top scorer while Rakesh, Ishan and Mehtab contributed two runs each. Joban, Amandeep and Sahil chipped in with one run each. Rajasthan beat Kerala 3-2 to secure the third spot.

The final in the girls’ section turned out to be a keenly contested affair with both teams fighting valiantly for each run. Finally, Goa girls kept their nerves at the crucial moments, which enabled them to emerge champions. Naykha, Lorenta, Jayshree and Nasin played exceedingly well for Goa while Sukhpal, Rajbir Kaur, Reena, Deepika, Karamjeet fought well for Punjab.

Deputy commissioner Sumer Singh Gurjar gave away prizes to the position holders. He congratulated the officials of the Punjab Softball Association on organising the meet successfully. He expressed the hope that the visiting teams from across the country might have enjoyed their stay here during the championship.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 1
Notwithstanding the notice of suspension served by the district unit of SAD, Ajmer Singh Bhagpur, chairman of Milk Plant, Ludhiana, received a warm welcome in Milk Bar at Bija, near here, yesterday.

While the recently elected chairman assured milk producers and dairy owners of quality service, the members who had earlier made up their minds to remain distant from the cooperative movement, posed faith in his leadership.

Bhagpur impressed upon the milk producers to continue dealings with the cooperative so that the profit of the members could be enhanced.

“We must understand the objective of cooperative movement can be achieved only when more individuals of one trade are involved in the project,” argued Bhagpur assuring that problems of the members would be solved on a priority.

Avtar Singh, general manager of the Milk Plant and Darshan Singh, deputy manager, assured cooperation on behalf of the staff of the cooperative institute.