Youth urged to shun tobacco
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 31
World No Tobacco Day was observed by the Health Department at Central Jail here today. Justice N.K. Sodhi, Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Mr Baldev Singh, Sessions Judge, were the guests of honour.

Dr S.N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, said more than 4.5 million people died worldwide every year due to tobacco consumption. He said the consumption of tobacco had led to deadly diseases like throat cancer, lung cancer, respiratory ailments, tuberculosis, heart ailments etc.

The Aas Kiran De-addiction Centre also observed the day. The organisers propagated the disadvantages and harms of consuming tobacco products. A number of meetings at various places, including Bulara, Lohara and Alamgir, were arranged to make the youth aware of ill effects of tobacco.

More than 12 exhibitions highlighting the harmful effects of intoxicants, with special reference to tobacco, were depicted in the form of posters, pictures, placards etc. The Director, Dr Charan Kamal Singh, along with members of other NGOs met the authorities on May 29 and 30 and requested the government to ban advertisements promoting tobacco.

The administration was requested to pursue the government for issuance of a circular banning the use of tobacco at public places in the wake of the order of the Supreme Court. The Deputy Commissioner assured that the administration would see that no tobacco kiosk was allowed within a radius of 1 km of educational institutions.

The Ludhiana Sewa Sangh also observed the day at Kundanpuri under the guidance of Mr Deepak Gupta. Mr Gupta stressed that government should take adequate steps to curb the menace.

At Rajguru Gagar, Mr Krishan Kumar Bawa, former District Congress Committee president, said it was unfortunate that the youth was getting hooked to drugs. He said women too were getting addicted to cigarette and gutkha etc.

Slums get new healthcare system
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 31
Guru Angad Dev Seva Society today unveiled a healthcare delivery system for slum colonies of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Moti Nagar and Vishkarma Colony. It was inaugurated by Mr Nahar Singh Gill, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana. A free medical camp was also organised on the occasion.

Under the system a population of 20,000 has been adopted by the society. A survey in this regard has already started which will cover all health, reproductive and child health parameters. Even after survey the health workers will continue to visit the enumerated houses/jhuggis to provide primary healthcare to women.

A free dispensary has been started in a building provided by a philanthropist of the area. Specialists from Guru Angad Dev Charitable Hospital will visit the dispensary every week.

Ten midwives of the area will be given training regarding safe deliver . All types of immunization will be done at the dispensary. Emphasis will be laid on adolescent health and all schools of the area will be covered under it. Special campaign will be launched for those adolescents who have left school.

Twenty females from the migrant community will be selected for getting training on health and family planning issues. They will be called “sahelis”and will be available round the clock.

Dr Arvinder Singh Nagpal, president of the society, said after one year another survey would be done to see the impact of the system.

Friends Club reach final
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, May 31
Sports Club failed to capitalise on fine all-round performance by Rohit Jagota (1 for 30 and 86 runs) and useful batting by Baldev (37) as they went down fighting by eight runs against defending champions Friends Club in the second semifinal of the VIIIth Invitation Cricket Cup Tournament, being organised by the College of Agriculture Club of the PAU, at the campus ground here today.

Friends Club, batting first, made 175 runs for the loss of six wickets in their quota of 25 overs. Davinder top scored with 68 runs with five boundaries. Dharminder and Amit Kakria contributed 31 and 16 runs, respectively.

Rohit Jagota’s scintillating knock of 86 runs (seven fours and four sixes) and Baldev patient innings of 37 runs went in vain as Sports Club were restricted to 167 runs losing eight wickets.

In the final, slated for tomorrow, Friends Club will take on two-time (1995 and 1998) champions, Riat Club.

Brief scores: Friends Club: 175 for 6 (Davinder 68, Dharminder 31, Amit Kakria 16, Rinku 18 n.o.; Baldev 2 for 37, Vicky 1 for 25 and Rohit Jagota 1 for 30).

Sports Club: 167 for 8 (Rohit Jagota 86, Baldev 37 and Vicky 18; Rajan Singh 3 for 41, Amit Kakria 2 for 32, Sanjay Pandey 1 for 27, Vidi 1 for 30 and Kamal 1 for 37).

Cricket tourney
Our Correspondent

Khanna, May 31
A two-day cricket tournament, organised by the Tendulkar Cricket Club, will begin here tomorrow. Mr Harpreet Singh Jassowal, president of the club, said in a press note here today that 18 teams would participate in the tournament.

Mr Harjap Singh Atwal, Municipal Councillor, Khanna, would inaugurate the tournament and Mr Partap Singh Jyoti would distribute prizes to the winners on the concluding day.

Mr Jassowal said earlier the name of the club was the GPS Cricket Club, but now it had been changed after the name of country’s star batsman Sachin Tendulkar.