CMCH rural health centre inaugurated
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 18
The Nankana Sahib Rural Health Centre, a primary healthcare centre, under the Rural Health Outreach Programme of the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), was inaugurated at Rattangarh village, about 28 km from here yesterday.

The centre would cater to around 40 villages situated along the bank of the Sutlej. The formal inauguration of the centre was done by Capt Sadhu Singh, one of the senior residents of Rattangarh. All representatives of the CMCH were given a warm welcome by the villagers who had turned up in large numbers to avail themselves of the free medical facilities.

Mr Sukhwinder Singh, village sarpanch, appreciated the CMCH authorities for their efforts in bringing medical facilities at the doorstep of the people of Rattangarh and adjoining areas. While inaugurating the OPD area, Mr Sadhu Singh expressed his gratitude to all who helped in making the programme a reality.

Dr John Abraham, Medical Superintendent, thanked the panchayat members for their cooperation. He announced that the OPD clinics would run on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Various facilities would be provided at subsidised rates, he added.

He said, “This is our third step towards reaching out to the people of various villages. Two other centres are already operational at Narangwal and Rauwal villages. We wish to extend such services to more villages. Free or concessional treatment would be given to the rural masses referred to the hospital.”

Dr J.L. Joshi, Principal of Christian Dental College (CDC), appreciated the efforts of Mr Sadhu Singh and other villagers for their active participation and hoped that their efforts would help in eradicating all diseases and sufferings from these villages. He said, “Mission of our hospital is to train doctors and nurses so that they reach out to the poor in remote areas.”

Dr John Pramod, Deputy Director, Ms Sudesh David, Nursing Superintendent, Dr Atul Saran, Deputy Medical Superintendent, CMCH, were also present on the occasion.

A free medical camp was organised to mark the inauguration of the centre. Over 800 patients availed themselves of the facilities at various OPDs.

Club gets new weightlifting equipment
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, August 18
The new weightlifting and powerlifting apparatus installed at the local Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Club located at the Ragh Bagh, near Guru Nanak Stadium, was formally inaugurated by the Punjab Minister for Sports, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, at a function organised by the Ludhiana District Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association this afternoon. The equipment has been installed at a cost of over Rs 1 lakh.

Mr Rakesh Pandey, Minister for Stationery and Printing, Punjab, had sanctioned a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the association while presiding over a felicitation function at the club six months ago. The association through its own resources generated a sum of Rs 15,000 to buy the equipment.

The new equipment, added at the club to enhance the performance of the players, include two multi-gyms, two sets of weightlifting, seven pairs of rods, 20 pairs of dumbbells, 30 pairs of powerlifting rods, relaxing mat, two standing weight racks and a heavy hyper-extension.

Local weightlifters and powerlifters who brought laurels during various international and national tournaments were honoured by the association. Those honoured are: Sushil Kumar (eight times India champion, former Asian champion-1999, bronze medallist in the World Powerlifting Championship at Delhi in 1995 and national champion for eight consecutive years); Inderjit Sharma (silver medal winner in the World Veterans Weightlifting Meet held in Delhi); Ram Singh (former national champion 1990 and 1991); Pravesh Sharma (gold medallist in three Commonwealth Games — 1985, 1988 and 1990, bronze medal winner in the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi and gold medallist in the World Youth Weightlifting Championship in Iran); Pradeep Sharma and Kuldeep Singh (winners in the All-India Inter-Varsity Weightlifting Tournament and former Junior National Champions) and Jaspinder Singh (former national champion).

Dr Iqbal Singh Ahuja, president, along with Mr Prem Parkash Khullar, founder president of the Ludhiana Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Association, and other office-bearers of the association were present. Mr Sohan Lal Lotey, District Sports Officer, and coaches of different disciplines also attended the function.

Simran grabs 2 wickets for 8 runs
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, August 18
Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, registered a six-wicket convincing victory over Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, to win the title in the Inter-Zonal (Gill Zone) Cricket Tournament (u-16), which concluded here today.

Put into bat first, Sacred Heart School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, scored 98 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 15 overs. The main scorers were Harjot and Bhanu, who contributed 38 and 20 runs facing 33 and 17 balls, respectively.

For Sacred Heart School, Sarabha Nagar, Simran Sethi was the best bowler grabbing two wickets for just 8 runs in three overs. Sarandeep, Rajat Pruthi and Dhruv Verma chipped in with one wicket each.

Sacred Heart School, Sarabha Nagar, achieved the target in 14.1 overs losing four wickets. Simran Sethi made 27 runs in 16 balls, while Dhruv Verma scored 19 runs in just 9 deliveries and Abhimanyau scored 24 runs and Puneet Jain 15 runs.

For Sacred Heart School, Bhai Randir Singh Nagar, Harjot took one wicket for 18 runs, while Akhil Piplani claimed two for 16 runs.

PAU Zone wins: PAU Zone defeated BCM Zone by four wickets to come out as champions in the Inter-Zonal (PAU Zone) Cricket Tournament (u-19) that concluded at Government Model Senior Secondary School of Punjab Agricultural University on Monday.

Batting first, BCM Zone were all out for 102 runs in 22.5 overs. Jimmy made 29, followed by Sunny, who contributed 17, Amandeep and Damandeep scored 10 runs each.

PAU Zone’s Aashish Sehgal captured five wickets for 31 runs, while Azad Ali and Lalit got one wicket each.

In reply, PAU Zone made 103 runs for the loss of six overs after 22.3 overs. Lalit contributed 21 runs. Aashish Sehgal and Karan made 17 runs, respectively, while Johny scored 11 runs.

PAU Zone has now entered the Punjab State Inter-School Cricket Tournament scheduled to be held at Patiala next week.