The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HEALTH

Civil Hospital not to be upgraded
Reasons: Low occupancy rate, lack of funds
Kulwinder Sangha

Mohali, September 5
The local Civil Hospital will not be upgraded to a 200-bed facility due to low occupancy rate and lack of funds.

Despite announcements by political leaders over the past few years and the laying of the foundation stone for the proposed extension block a year ago, reports indicate that the state health department is reluctant to go ahead with the upgradation.

According to sources, health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla is said to have questioned the need for the upgradation of the hospital. Although no formal orders have been received by authorities concerned rejecting the upgradation, reports in the medical circles indicate that the plan has been put on a back burner.

The hospital, at present, has 70 beds. But, according to reports, less than 40 beds were occupied during most part of the year. The maximum bed occupancy rate of the hospital is not more than 50 and that, too, only for a limited period of time, especially when patients suffering from diarrhoea get admitted during the monsoon season. Moreover, the state government is already facing a financial crunch and is unlikely to dish out Rs 8 crore for the extension project.

The foundation stone of the extension block of the hospital was laid by the then finance minister Surinder Singla on September 4 last year. The project was to be completed within 15 months. The finance minister had stated that the hospital would be equipped with ultramodern facilities to tackle all types of emergencies under secondary health care and patients would not have to depend on the PGI, Chandigarh, after the upgrading was done. Medical staff was posted at the hospital more than a year ago, according to the norms of a 200-bed hospital.

Even former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh had announced during the inauguration of Mohali district on Baisakhi day last year that the hospital would be upgraded and equipped with the latest facilities. He, in fact, had approved the proposals in principle.

Bir Devinder Singh, the then Kharar MLA, had made lot of efforts to get the hospital upgraded.

‘Laugh, smile & leave the rest to God’
Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 5
“Laugh a lot, keep smiling and leave the rest to God. You can be rest assured that you will have a long and happy life.”

This was the mantra given by Punjabi comedy king Meher Mittal to senior citizens while addressing them at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, at a special function held for senior citizens in association with the Senior Citizens Association, Chandigarh.

Kanwar Sandhu, resident editor, Hindustan Times, was the chief guest while P.H. Varshney, president, Senior Citizens Association, was the guest of honour.

Regaling the senior citizens with his inimitable sense of humour, Meher Mittal narrated some of the incidents that happened to him. “I have played a long innings in the film industry with prime focus to make others laugh,” he maintained.

“I have never relied on foul language to make people laugh,” Meher Mittal said. Stressing the need for ethics and culture, the famous comedian said, “For me, a successful person is one who excels in life with a lot of dignity.”

Major-Gen J.S. Bhullar (retd), chairman of the Chandigarh Senior Citizens Association, said the association had planned month-long activities which would culminate on October 1, which is celebrated as Senior Citizens Day.

Students of Fortis Nursing School presented a colourful cultural programme on the occasion.

SPORTS

SSCB storms into semis
Jacki steals the show
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 5
Powered by seven goals, including a hat-trick by Jacki Chand Singh, Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) stormed into the semi-final from group D, hammering CBSSS, Jalandhar Cantonment, 10-1 in the 5th Administrator's Challenge Cup All-India Football Tournament for U-17 at Sports Complex, Sector 42, here today.

SSCB topped the group with nine points.

In another group D match, local outfit Sanjay Public School Football Academy (SPSFA) blanked Daman and Diu Football Association 9-0.

In the third match between Mahilpur Football Academy and Punjab Football Academy, Rurka Kalan, the former got the better of PFA by 2-1 at the Sector 17 football stadium here.

During the SSCB versus Jalandhar match, the Jalandhar defenders had no answer to ace forward Jacki Chand Singh, who netted seven goals. He opened the account in the second minute with a powerful grounder from the top of the penalty box. Laxaman Murmu doubled the margin in the very next minute.

In the 20th minute, Tomarjeet Singh extended the lead to 3-0. Taking advantage of the pressure on the rivals, Jacki Chand scored three goals in the 26th, 33rd and 38th minutes. For Cantt, the solitary goal came through Navdeep Singh in the 36th minute.

Jacki again struck in the 44th and 56th minutes. Laxman Murmur scored the ninth goal for Services while Jacki Chand sealed the victory at 10-1.

In another match, Sanjay Academy opened its account through Manoj Kumar in the fifth minute of the play. Rinku Mashia scored a hat-trick in the 6th, 14th and 15th minutes while the fifth goal was netted by Alam Singh in the 22nd minute.

Riding high on two goals by Rajinder Singh, Mahilpur academy defeated Punjab academy by 2-1. For Punjab, Sukhpal Singh reduced the margin.

In another match, Mizoram Football Academy defeated Haryana Football Association by 3-0. K.C. Lal, L.H. Laumquwemkimg and Ruicky Lall were the scorers.

Overage row

Once again the overage issue marred the spirit of the tournament when CBSSS, Jalandhar Cantonment, coach Vijay Kumar lodged a protest with the organising committee against the SSCB team, alleging that most of its players were overaged.

The protest came when Jalandhar team lost the match to SSCB by a big margin (1-10) here today.

In his complaint, Vijay demanded that the MRI test should be conducted on all Services’ players to ascertain their actual age.

When contacted, joint sports director Dr J.P.S. Sidhu said that the department had received the protest letter along with the required fee and the matter had been referred to the jury with all medical reports of the players. However, in its decision, the jury rejected the appeal of the coach.

Cricket
Harman steers AKSIPS to semis
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 5
Harmanpreet’s 90-run knock enabled Ajit Karam Singh International Public School (AKSIPS), Sector 41, to move into semi-final as the team outclassed Hansraj Academy of Panchkula by 102 runs in the league match of the first WWICS Cup Under-14 Cricket Tournament at the St Stephen's School ground, Togan, here today.

In their last league fixture, AKSIPS, which were asked to bat first, made 166 for 7 in allotted 25 overs. Openers Ashis and Harmanpreet gave the team a good start by scoring 34 runs for the opening wicket stand. But it was Harmanpreet, who gave the impetus with his powerful knock of 90 runs, hitting six fours and two sixes. Arshdeep and Kaushal remained unbeaten on 20 and 15 runs, respectively.

For Hansraj, Navneet and Yash Kapil snapped two wickets each for 18 and 29 runs, respectively.

In reply, Hansraj Academy were wrapped up for meagre 62 for 5 in stipulated overs. Tavneet Singh was the only player, who could reach the double-figure mark by scoring 12 runs.

Kaushal of AKSIPS captured two wickets for six runs.

Brief scores

AKSIPS: 166 for 7 in 25 overs (Harman 90, Arshdeep 20 n o, Kaushal 15 n o, Navneet 2 for 18, Yash Kapil 2 for 29, Sahil 1 for 37).

Hansraj Academy: 62 for 5 in 25 overs (Tavneet 12, Abhinav 8 n o, Kaushal 2 for 6, Ashish 1 for 15).

Suraj stars in Vivek win
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 5
An all-round performance by Suraj Kumar helped Vivek High Asian Cricket Academy (VHACA) to register a victory over Twenty20 Cricket Association, Haryana, by 27 runs in the quarterfinal match of the Haryana Twenty20 Cricket Cup-2007 at Yamunanagar.

Batting first, VHACA scored 187 runs for nine wickets in 20 overs. Suraj Paswan played well, chipping in 77 runs whereas Manjit Singh contributed notable 43.

For Haryana, Gurpreet and Sarpreet took three wickets each, conceding 32 and 37 runs, respectively.

Chasing the target, Haryana gave up on 160 in 18.4 overs. The highest scorer was Saransh Sharma, who hit 53 runs. Sahil and Suraj snapped three wickets each.

The man of the match award went to Suraj Kumar Paswan for his top-class performance.

Brief scores: VHACA: 187 runs for 9 in 20 overs, Suraj Kumar Paswan 77, Manjit Singh 43, Sahil 29, Gurpreet Singh 3 for 32, Sarpreet Singh Sahni 3 for 37.

Twenty20 Cricket Association, Haryana: 160 all out in 18.4 overs, Saransh 53, Raman Deep 39, Sahil 3 for 18, Suraj Kumar 3 for 23, Sudesh Pandey 2 for 26.

Aashish dashes to victory
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 5
Aashish of St Soldiers’s School, Sector 28, stood first in the 100m race (boys u-16) while Sarbjeet of GMSSS, Khuda Ali Sher, and Parveen of New Public School, Sector 18, bagged the second and third spots, respectively, on the inaugural day of the Chandigarh state sub-junior/junior athletics championships-2007 at Sports Complex, Sector 7, here today.

Over 300 boys and girls of various institutions from the city participated in the meet.

Other results: Boys u-16

400m race: 1 Avinash, 2 Kuldeep, 3 Sarabjeet; 2000m race: 1 Vimal Singh, 2 Sarabjeet Singh, 3 Stanzin; shot put: 1 Prashant, 2 Praveen, 3 Shanky.

Boys u-18: 100m: 1 Yeshu Raj, 2 Sager, 3 Vivek Nada; 400m: 1 Amanpratap, 2 Harwinder, 3 Deepak; shot put: 1 Ajay, 2 Akash Singh, 3 Jasbir Singh.

Boys u-20: 100m: 1 Parveen Kumar, 2 Budh Ram, 3 Sunny; 400m: 1 Amandeep, 2 Gurjivan, 3 Sukhpal;

5000m: 1 Manoj Kumar, 2 Inderjit Singh, 3 Sudhir Kumar; triple jump: 1 Lakhbir Singh, 2 Jagjit Singh, 3 Parminderjit; shot put: 1 Kashish Khanna, 2 Pukhraj Singh, 3 Vikramjeet Singh.

Girls u-16: 100m: 1 Loveneet, 2 Yogita, 3 Sukhdeep; 400m: 1 Loveneet, 2 Yogita, 3 Puneet Kaur; shot put: 1 Jaspreet Kaur, 2 Puneet Kaur.

Girls u-18: 100m: 1 Mandeep, 2 Manju, 3 Rajni; 400m: 1 Pooja Rani, 2 Mandeep, 3 Rajni Manga.

Girls u-20: 100m: 1 Ruchi, 2 Prabhjot, 3 Harpreet; 400m: 1 Prabhjot Bal, 2 Navdeep, 3 Sucheta.

Skating carnival from September 8
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 5
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan will organise the fifth Bhavan Hawk Roller Skating Carnival for boys and girls at the school rink from September 8 to 9. The carnival will be organised in the following age categories and disciplines:

Age categories: U-4 years (born on or after January 1, 2003), 4-6 years (born on or after January 1, 2001), 6-8 years (born on or after January 1, 1999), 8-10 years (born on or after January 1, 1997), 10-12 years (born on or after January 1, 1995), 12-14 years (born on or after January 1, 1993) and 14 years.

Events: Rink race I, rink race II, road race and roller hockey.

The last date for sending entries is September 7. The forms are available at the school’s sports department during school hours and also in the evening from 5 pm to 6.30 pm.