Chandigarh, December 9
The Lions Club, Chandigarh Greater, in association with doctors from GMCH, Sector 32, orgainsed a free eye check-up camp at Lions Multipurpose Project at Karsan. Dr S. Sood, head of eye department, inaugurated the camp.

As many as 350 patients were examined and given free medicines. Fifty patients were diagnosed for eye operations to be done at the hospital today and tomorrow. Lion Gurcharan Singh said all expenses for the operation and treatment will be borne by the club.

Meanwhile, the Government Homoeopathic Medical Officers Association on Sunday condemned the appointment of Dr Sanjiv Goyal as registrar of homeopathy. In a statement issued here, the association demanded that the post should be filled from the homoeopathic cadre. Dr Goyal reportedly belongs to the ayurvedic cadre. The association has urged the Chief Minister to review the decision.

Chandigarh, December 9
Employees and pensioners of the Chandigarh administration can now seek treatment for chronic diseases from any hospital they want and claim re-imbursement.

A formal notification in this regard has been issued as employees with chronic diseases are forced to get treatment from designated hospitals whereas specialised centres exist in the private sector closer to their homes. However, the administration will re-imburse only the amount charged by the AIIMS and the PGI for treating the diseases.

For example, the cost of chemotherapy at the PGI/AIIMS will be re-imbursed even if the employee seeks treatment elsewhere. The rate list for various diseases is available with the administration.

The rates for total hip replacement have been hiked from Rs 35,000 to RS 65,000 for non-cemented hip replacement called the “iso-elastic and normal hip replacement to Rs 25,000 plus another Rs 5,000 for bone cement.

Expenses accrued on accommodation, monitoring, surgery, drugs, physiotherapy and laboratory tests will continue to be re-imbursed at the approved rates of AIIMS.

Mohali, December 9
Fortis Hospital here announced that it had conducted life saving surgeries free of cost on two women from economically backward section of society and they were now leading a normal life with their families.

Kaushalya from Saharanpur and Sunita from Ambala were felicitated by Raka Ghira DSP (Traffic), Mohali, at the hospital today who commended them on the fighting spirit they, and their families, had shown.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kaushalya was brought to Fortis on Oct 20, 2007. Kaushalya had been complaining of perpetual breathlessness and chest pain for the last 7 months. Married to a daily farm wager, Kaushalya had 4 children and this young woman had the responsibility of looking after the entire family from a petty income of Rs 1500-2000 per month.

There was barely any medical treatment the family could afford. She consulted doctors locally at Saharanpur and was diagnosed with a damaged heart valve.

Fortis came to her aid, took up her case and treated her without any financial cost incurred on her.

She underwent surgery by one of the finest cardiac surgeons, Dr. T.S. Mahant, executive director cardiac surgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

Thirty-two-year-old Sunita Devi is also married and has a daughter. Her husband, Gulshan is a daily wager working in Ambala city.

Sunita started complaining of breathlessness 7 years ago and, due to the discomfort in breathing, her fingers would turn blue. Various consultations were done and medications taken by Sunita in the last 7 years, but the breathlessness persisted.

Finally, a year back, it was diagnosed that she had a heart problem and that she needed to go in for a surgery.

The non-availability of funds became a major source of problem for this couple too.

Fortis Hospital Mohali took up her case and the surgery was conducted by Dr. Mahant. 

Chandigarh, December 9
CRPF won the Senior State Basketball Championship (61-57) on the final day of the championship played against Sports Complex-A in the men’s section. The championship was held at New Public School, Sector 18, here today.

Half time score (26-22) was in the favour of CRPF. It was a well-contested match and the Sports Complex team played neck to neck with the professional CRPF team.

Main contributors for the winners’ side were Ashfaq-16 points, Rajesh-15 points and Pawan-8 points.

For the Sports Complex-A side, international player Jaldeep Singh Dhaliwal (14) and Mandeep (17), Gurinder (9) and Ravinder (5) tried hard to reduce the margin but the final verdict was in the favour of CRPF team.

In the women’s section, PUCC beat GGS Club, Sector 26, by 50-41. It was another well-contested match. The half time score (23-22) was in favour of PUCC. Shaweta-23 points and Prabhjot-10 points were the main scorers from PUCC side, whereas Santoshi-21 points, Mandeep-12 points and Sanchi-9 points were the main scorers from the losers’ side. 

Chandigarh, December 9
The president of the Haryana Olympic Association Abhey Singh Chautala strongly criticised the present state government for the deteriorating sports culture in the state.

“The Sports Council recently constituted by the Haryana government has no base. Rather, it is another illegal step and is sheer violation of the norms of the Olympic charter and Indian Olympic Association’s constitution. This council will meet its natural death as it happened with other sports councils constituted earlier in states of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar”, said Abhey, while briefing mediapersons about the awareness campaign against drug abuse and doping here yesterday.

The association in collaboration with the Jat Sabha and Federation of Jat Institution is holding a national seminar on ‘Prevention of Drug Abuses and Doping’, which commenced today. Chautala said the HOA had already framed manifold strategy to fight the evil and educate the people at large about the health awareness programmes. He would be monitoring the campaign whereas the HOA secretary general and former DGP Dr M.S. Malik would organise the seminars and awareness camps in urban and rural areas of the state.

About the parallel faction run by MP Naveen Jindal group, Abhey said the Indian Olympics Association (IOA), in its executive meeting, had strongly condemned the appointment of an administrator on the HOA (Chautala faction).

“ Ours was not government aided body, so the state government had no right to appoint any administrator. The general house held on October 16 openly condemned this. Our faction, which is duly recognised by the IOA, has been authorised to conduct games and sports events”.

When asked how Naveen Jindal represented the state during the 33 rd National Games held at Guwahati, through Chautala faction, Abhey said he was allowed only on the grounds of being a good sportsperson. “ We are committed for the upliftment of games in our state. I knew that Naveen was a medal winner, so ultimately the dividends went to the state in terms of medal tally”.

Abhey stressed that Naveen was allowed only when he gave his request in writing and if he would be interested to participate in the forthcoming National Games at Ranchi in March 2008, he would again have to give his request in writing.

Advocating the establishment of Dope testing laboratory on the pattern of WADA, Abhey said it was necessary to hold dope tests during the competitions at domestic circuit to avoid any unpleasantness when the players get entangled at international level competitions in dope testing. “With the help of labs here, we would be able to have complete check on them during their training period and the players could be shunted out much before”.

“We will make efforts to convince government of India and IOA for making dope test arrangement at state as well as national level. A proper law should be framed to prevent and abolish the growing menace of doping.

Just on the initiative of IOA to frame a policy to promote rural sports, Abhey said HOA would constitute village sports clubs to uplift sports culture in villages and small town.

Chandigarh, December 9
Akwinder Kaur of the GGS College for Women, Sector 26, Chandigarh, was declared best athlete with 20 points. Her college won the Panjab University Inter-College Athletics (Women) Championship garnering 63 points for the session 2007-08. The championship concluded at PU grounds here today.

Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, got second place with 30 points while PU Campus, Chandigarh, occupied third place with 23 points.

Mokham Singh of SGGS College-26, Chandigarh, with 10 points was adjudged best athlete among boys’ group. DAV College-10, Chandigarh, won the Panjab University Inter-College Athletic (Men) Championship with 76 points while SGGS College, Chandigarh, and GGD SD College, Hariana, secured second and third positions with 72 and 25 points, respectively.

Results:

Women: 200 m: 1 Akwinder Kaur, GGS College for Women, Chandigarh, 2 Deepti Rani, GN Girls College, Ludhiana, and 3 Ramandeep Kaur, GGD SD College, Hariana; 800 m: 1 Rajveer, GN Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, 2 Dalveer, SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur, and 3 Mandeep Kaur, Khalsa College for Women, 
Ludhiana.

10,000 m: 1 Rajdeep Kaur, GGS College for Women, Chandigarh, 2 Ravinderjit Kaur, SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur, and 3 Priya Bawa, Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana.

Shot put: 1 Hardeep Kaur, Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, 2 Shakshi Sharma, PU Campus, Chandigarh, and3 Manpreet Kaur, Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana.

Triple jump: 1 Neelam, GGS College for Women, Chandigarh, 2 Daljeet Kaur, PU Campus, Chandigarh, and 3 Raman, GGS College for Women, Chandigarh.

Hammer throw: 1 Randeep Kaur, MGKM SS College, Jhakroudi, 2 Sakshi Sharma, PU Campus, Chandigarh, and 3 Gaganpreet Kaur, GN Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana.

400 m hurdles: 1 Ramandep Kaur, GGD SD College, Hariana, 2 Manju, MCM DAV College, Chandigarh, and 3 Babita, GGS College for Women, Chandigarh.

Men: 200 m: 1 Harpreet Singh, GGD SD College, Hariana, 2 Amandeep, DAV College, Chandigarh, and 3 Parveen Kumar, SGGS College, Chandigarh.

High jump: 1 Sandeep, SGGS College, Chandigarh, 2 Vikas, DAV College, Chandigarh, and 3 Parwinderjeet, SGGS College, Chandigarh; 400 m hurdles: 1 Amandeep, SGGS College, Chandigarh, 2 Harpreet, GGD SD College, Hariana, and 3 Balraj, GGD SD College, Hariana.

1000 m: 1 Mokham, SGGS College, Chandigarh, 2 Kamaljit, SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur, and 3 Manoj, DAV College, Chandigarh; triple jump: 1 Harvinder, MGKM SS College, Jhakroudi, 2 Narpinder, DAV College, Chandigarh, and 3 Jaswinder SGGS College, Chandigarh.

Mohali, December 9
Maintaining her dominance, top seed Sonali Bansal of Carmel Convent emerged winner in two age group events in the 2nd Tri-City MDLTA-STELLENT Lawn Tennis Championship concluded at the courts of State Institute of Health and Family Welfare Complex, Phase-VI, here today.

In Under-14 (girls) section, Sonali crushed Kanchi (6-1) to win the title while she drubbed Chandrika Sharma with an identical score in Under-18 category.

The other player, who stole the limelight was, Rajiv Rattan, winning the 30 + singles and 30+ doubles titles whereas Prof B.B. Mehta bagged top awards in 50 + in singles and doubles events.

Jagjit Singh, managing director, STELLENT Infrastructures, gave away the awards to the winners and runners-up.

Final results

(Day - 2): Under-12 (Boys)

Quarterfinal: Barun Gill b Sanjog Singh (4-3), Harmeet Singh b Ishaque Eqbal (4-1), Sachin b Andrew Pardeep (4-3), Utkarsh Khosla b Abhijit Singh (4-1); semifinal: Harmeet Singh b Barun Gill (5-4) and Sachin b Utkarsh Khosla (5-1);final: Sachin b Harmeet Singh (6-2).

Under-12 (Girls): Semifinal: Sabrina Gill b Simran Suri (5-2), Vibhuti Khullar b Arshiya (5-1); final: Sabrina Gill b Vibhuti Khullar.

Under-14 (Boys): Semifinal: Pankaj b Ishaque Eqbal (5-1), Harmeet Singh b Bikramjit Singh Kang (5-2); final: Pankaj b Harmeet Singh (6-0).

Under - 14 (Girls): Semifinal: Sonali Bansal b Vibhuti Khullar (4-1), Kanchi b Prabhleen Kaur (4-2), final: Sonali Bansal b Kanchi (6-1).

Under - 18 (Boys) : Semifinal: Arman Chaudhury b Ashwani Kumar (5-0), Akshat Joshi b Uday Singh Mann (5-1); final: Arman Chaudhury b Akshat Joshi (6-3).

Under - 18 (Girls) : Semifinal: Sonali Bansal b Arshi Khosla (4-1), Chandrika Sharma b Ayushi Teotia (4-2); final: Sonali Bansal b Chandrika Sharma (6-1).

30 + Junior Master (Singles): Sham Jagat b Mahesh Kumar (6-3), Rajiv Rattan b Rashpal Singh (6-1), Semifinal: Devinder Kapoor b Sham Jagat (6-4), Rajiv Rattan b Rupinder Singh (6-1), final: Rajiv Rattan b Devinder Kapoor (6-2); 30 + Junior Master (Doubles): Rajiv Rattan and Mahesh Kumar b Harjit Singh and Rashpal Singh (6-2).

50 + Senior Master (Singles)

Semifinal: B.B. Mehta b M.S. Dhillon (6-2), Rashpal Singh b Dr Sanjeev Sodhi (7-5); final: B.B. Mehta b Rashpal Singh (6-4).

Chandigarh, December 9
With their knocks, Jessal Karia (37) and Priyank Panchal (36) helped the Gujarat team to notch up respectable total 215 all out 82.2 overs in the first innings against Madhya Pradesh team in the All India under-19 (Plate group) for the Cooch- Bihar trophy being played at DAV Senior Secondary School Sector 8, here today. In reply, MP lost two wickets on 63 in 28.5 overs at the end of the second day play.

Resuming from 61 for 3, Jessal and Priyank provided respite with their batting. Shivang Patel was the other notable contributor with his 27 runs.

For MP, Mayank Rajput emerged the maximum wicket taker, finishing 4 for 87. Anurag claimed 3 for 28 whereas Madhur Nehar took 2 for 45.

Starting their innings on a poor note, MP too, lost quick wickets. Ishaan Vyas was out for 14. Himalya Sagar and Rameez Khan were unbeaten on 37 and 12, respectively.

Tomorrow the match will start at 9 am.

Brief score:

Gujarat (Ist inngs): 215 all out in 82.2 overs (Priyank Panchal 36, Jessal Karia 37, Chirag Gandhi 27, Mayank Rajput 4 for 87, Anurag 3 for 28, Madur Nahar 2 for 45).

MP (Ist inngs): 63 for 2 in 28 overs (Himalya Sagar 37 n o, Rameez Khan 12 n o, Ishaan Vyas 14).