HEALTH

PGI clears SARS suspect
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 3
The PGI authorities today ruled out SARS infection in case of a patient from Hoshiarpur, while diagnosing him to be suffering from pneumonia. While the patient, Mr Kuldeep Singh, has been shifted from the isolation room in the Communicable Diseases Ward to the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU), his family members have been discharged.

Meanwhile, the report of his blood sample sent to National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) is still being awaited. The Head of Community Medicine Department, Dr Rajesh Kumar, said it would take some time for the final report.

Mr Kuldeep Singh was referred to PGI along with six of his family members and was lodged in the isolation ward. Doctors said he was suffering from respiratory distress and was being kept under observation.

Regarding the Nodal officer, Dr J.S. Kalra not being informed about a SARS suspect, as PGI authorities claimed that since he was not available, the Director, Health Services, Dr C.P. Bansal, had been informed about his arrival.

Health camp for slum children
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 3
The Lotus Foundation, a local NGO engaged in welfare activities of slum children, organised a health and hygiene awareness camp in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony. About 70 children and their parents who attended the camp were educated about infectious diseases and their preventive measures.

According to Prof RM Devgan, founder-trustee of the Lotus Foundation, the children and their parents were also educated with demonstrations to prevent potable water from contamination and store it properly.

They appealed to people to immediately contact a government doctor or the health authorities of the local administration/Municipal Corporation in case they noticed any type of symptoms like breathing trouble, prolonged illness and skin infections among the masses or in a particular family.

Colony declared cholera-free
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, May 3
A special team of doctors deputed by the SMO, Gharuan, here to file a report on the death of two infants in Udham Singh Colony, Industrial Area, Phase VII, has declared the colony cholera-free.

According to information provided by the SMO, PHC, Gharuan. Dr B.S. Brar, the two infants who died in the colony in the past four days of cholera-like symptoms died of dehydration caused by lack of nutrition and diarrhoea.

He, however, arranged a meeting with the SDM and the Municipal Council, President to ensure that the water storage tanks being used by the colony residents were cleaned at the earliest.

Yesterday panic had gripped residents of the colony, following the death of a three-month-old child due to what the residents described as “cholera”. A six-month-child of the same colony had died three days ago of similar symptoms.

AP, Karnataka girls to clash in final
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 3
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka will clash tomorrow in the final of the Junior National Women’s Cricket Tournament at Panchkula. In the first semi-final played on the Sector 3 ground in the town today, Karnataka got the better of Madhya Pradesh by eight wickets. Batting first, Madhya Pradesh were all out for 100 runs in 39.1 overs. Sukhada and Rewti scored 19 runs each, while Nidhi made 15 runs. While Karuna Jain claimed three wickets for 10 runs, Pooja Shah and Sahana bagged two wickets each for 21 and 22 runs, respectively.

Karnataka achieved the target for the loss of two wickets in 32 overs. A Sindhu scored 30 runs, Shilpa made 23 runs and Rashmi scored an unbeaten 11 runs.

In the second semi-final at the JR Institute of Barwala, Andhra Pradesh beat West Bengal by four wickets. Andhra Pradesh won the toss and elected to field first. West Bengal scored 139 runs in 38.5 overs. Rumali Dhar scored 49 runs, followed by Ananya Mitra and Roya, who scored 17 and 14 runs, respectively. Mamta Kanojia took three wickets for 19 runs, while S.K. Sarvant claimed two wickets for 19 runs. Diana David got two wickets for 19 runs and Savita got two for 21.

In reply, Andhra Pradesh scored 140 runs for the loss of six wickets in 30.4 overs. Sarita Nirala scored 37 runs and Diana scored unbeaten 27 runs. Mamta got 16 runs, while Aruna scored 12 runs.

St Stephen’s defeat Shishu Niketan
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 3
St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, and Shishu Niketan Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, made it to the last four of the Shivalik Trophy for Atoms (Under 12 years) played here today. Mr D.S. Bedi, Director of Shivalik Public School, said they wanted to encourage youngsters in this sport.

In the first match of the day, St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 45, defeated St Kabir Public School, Sector 26 (2-0). The First goal was scored by Harpreet Singh in fourth minute. Half time score was 1-0 in favour of St Xavier’s school. In the second half, St Xavier’ boys mounted more pressure and their left winger Shekhar scored the second goal.

In the second quarter-final tie, Shishu Niketan school overcame a stiff resistance from St Soldier’s International School-28 and finally beat them 4-3 via a tie breaker.

In the third match of the day, St Stephen’s School-45 defeated St Peter’s school, Sector 37, by four goals to nil. Right winger, Sidharth scored the first goal, followed by another goal in 17th minute. Half time score was 2-0 in favour of St Stephen’s boys. In the second half, St Stephen’s boys added two more goals in 22nd and 29th minute where the scorers were Sidharth and Robin.

In the fourth quarter-final tie, Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, downed Vivek High school, Sector 38, by a solitary goal which was scored in the second half by Paramvir Singh of GNP in 32nd minute. Tomorrow, the semi-finals will begin at 7.

Snooker tournament: The opening day of the Saurabh Khattar Memorial Snooker and Billiards tournament saw fancied Akshay Goel bowing down to Mukesh Chopra 1-2. In the second tie, Mandeep Grewal beat Anoop Kumar 2-0. In billiards tie, Jaspal Singh defeated Ashwani Attri 151-137, Abhay Sood defeated Naresh Chowdhry 151-100 while Ajay Gupta beat Pankaj Gulati 150-132.

Homage to Mookerjee: The special general body meeting of the Chandigarh Badminton Association, which met last evening, paid homage to Mr K.K. Mookerjee, IAS, and former Secretary, Sports and Finance, UT who died a few days ago after a brief illness. Members recalled the valuable contribution made by late Mookerjee in initiating the infrastructure for sports in Sector 42. A two-minute silence was also observed for the departed soul.

Later, the calendar of the association was also announced.

According to Mr Gian Chand Gupta, President of the association, fresh talent from various schools of the city will be hunted in May. A competition in this connection will be held at Sector 42 badminton hall and PU badminton hall. The month of June/July would have a coaching camp and competitions with players of neighbouring states.

Mr T.P.S. Puri, secretary of the association said Chandigarh State championship in all categories would be held in August, followed by the North Zone Inter state meet to be organised by the Himachal Pradesh Badminton Association, where city players would also participate.

TT academy: DAV Public School Table Tennis Academy has opened its centre to outsiders both in morning and evening session. Ms Sarita Manuja, Principal of the DAV Public school, Sector 8 and a keen TT lover, said the budding youngsters would be trained by Mr Narinder Saini, former Haryana state champion and Ms Anuradha Bansal, a national level woman TT player.

She said Dev Saini, Nadia Saini, Mahima, Sunanda, Meghna, Rajan and Manik were the outstanding TT players of the school. She said, the timings in the summer will be from 6 am to 9 am while in the evening from 4 pm to 8.30 pm.

Cricket team: The Mohali Cricket Association has selected a 16 member team in below 17 section. According to Mr G.S. Walia, secretary of the association, the team is — Mandeep Singh, Yadwinder Singh, Sunny Sohal, Simranjit Singh, Ram Kumar, Baldeep Singh, Nikhil Dwivedi, Sakhib Khan, Sarabjot Singh, Harneet Singh, Sumit Ohri, Varinder Singh, Tejwinder Singh, Harman Singh, Rahul Kamboj and Sukhmeen. Arun Kumar will be the stand-bye.

Watering of lawns in SAS Nagar banned
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, May 3
The Public Health wing of the Municipal Council (MC) here has issued orders banning the watering of lawns and washing of vehicles during the morning hours. The order states that residents are not allowed to water their lawns or wash their vehicles from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. The MC will supply water to the houses in the township three times daily. Water will be supplied from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., from 12.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Public Health authorities, state that at present, there is no shortage of potable water either from the Kajauli waterworks or from the tubewells being operated by the MC across the township.

However, residents of Sector 71, where water supply is being taken care of by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority, continue to face shortage of water. The Public Health wing of PUDA has also banned excessive use of water in the morning.

Stating that shortage of water is temporary, the Additional Chief Administrator, PUDA, Mr Yashvir Mahajan, said new tubewells would come up in Sector 71.

‘‘Till these new tubewells are functional, the Sector 70 and 71 tubewells cannot be shifted to the MC as it can lead to a further shortage of water supply to the sector,” he said, adding that once the tubewells were dug, they would be handed over to the Municipal Council.