Region observes World “No Tobacco” Day

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, MAY 31

    The region today responded strongly against alarming  spread of cancer and other deadly diseases caused by smoking, it led the country’s efforts in spreading mass awareness against the menace of smoking and its effects on health standards among both active and passive smokers.

     In the City,  N.G.O  Sahayta Charitable  Welfare Society  climaxed its month-long drive in this direction through special function to conclude  a series of measures aimed at high lighting the harmful effects of hukka, cigarette, biri, gutkha, paan masala etc., especially among the children. Children who took part in various activities throughout the month were awarded prizes in different categories

    Posters  published by WHO- Govt.of India programme were distributed  among schools and colleges .

 According to survey done by Department of Psychiatry,   tobacco accounts for nearly 40% incidence of cancer in the country.  Tobacco cessation clinics in the  PGIMER Chandigarh.     The Sahayata campaign highlighted the spread of this disease over the years  in the country. The figures are startling. Nearly  8,00,000 people die every year  as a result of tobacco-induced diseases  in India every year.  Tobacco usage causes over 1.6 lakh new  oral cancer cases, 45 cardio-vascular disease  cases and 39 lakh cases  of chronic obstructive  pulmonary disease every year in India.

  “Choose  Life Not Tobacco  Self Help Tips” for Tobacco cessation developed under the WHO-Govt.of India Pogramme, gives detailed  information about contents  of cigarettes, effects on health, effects on passive smoking, benefits of quitting  simple tips for quitting  to deal  with triggers and what to do ones you quit Tobacco contains substances like Nicotine Carbon Monoxide  and  tar which lead to cancer  of mouth throat Lungs eso- phagris, stomach.   It also leads to Brain stroke:  stroke - psychological problems. Lungs:  Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, TB,  Heart :   high BP,  Cardiac problems including Heart Attacks, and Coronary Artery disease, Gangrene of Limbs

  According to the survey, non-smokers too not safe. They also suffer at least 25% of the damage suffered by active smokers .

     In five years, the campaign also highlighted that lung cancer risk decreases by about 50% and  in  10 years the risk drops  to a level of non smoker once a person stops smoking. 

    Every year  Sahayta Cancer Sehjog organizes  poster making competition and slogan writing  competition for the schools of tricity.  On the spot competition were held in the category of class IV to VII, Class VIII to X and Class XI to XII.  The prizes were distributed  on 31 May celebrated Internationally as No Tobacco Day.

  The following is  a list of winners in various categories:

Slogan : 1. Sonam (Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Khuda Lahora), 2. Bhavnish ( Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School- 15 C, Chd ), 3 Tripti. Consolation Prize : 1. Neha Grover  ( Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School , Sec-23 Chd ).  Class ( Mount Carmal School , Sec-48, Chd ).

Group  ‘A’  IV to VII: 1. Delisha Mehta  (7th  Class D.P.S.Chd), 2. Tanmya  (7th Class  Gurukul School, Sec-20 PKL), 3. Ayushman  (7th Class, Hansraj P. School, Sec-6 PKL). Consolation Prize : 1  Tanishi   (Gurukul School, PKL), 2. Samaya Jain  (4th Class Class,( St. Kabir School, Sec-26 CHD), 3. Kriti Jain   (2nd Class,( St. Kabir School, Sec-26 CHD).

GROUP ‘B’ VIII  to X: 1. Rakshita Sharma ( 10th Class, D.P.S. School , Sec-40 CHD), 2. Anjali Sharma  (10 th Class, Ashiana P. School, Sec-46 CHD), 3. Amrit Singh Sandhu  (10th Class (Vivek High School, Sec-38,  CHD). Consolation Prize : 1. Abhishek Rai ( Shri Guru Harkrishan Model Sen. Sec.School, Sec-38 CHD).

Group ‘C’  XI to XII: 1. Divisha (XII C, St. Soldier International Phase -7, Mohali), 2. Aditya Jeet Singh Kang       ( XI C, Vivek High School, Sec-38 CHD), 3. Tarika  D.A.V. School, Sec-15 A , CHD). Consolation Prize :

1. Navdeep Kaur  (XII B, Kandriya Vidyalaya, Sec-47 B  CHD).

Three more Punjab districts declared Tobacco Smoke Free

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, MAY 31

          The Punjab Government today formally declared Shaheed Bhaghat Singh Nagar, Gurdaspur & Fatehgarh Sahib  as"Tobacco Smoke Free" Districts. A decision to this effect was taken by Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab Sh.Madan Mohan Mittal on on the occasion of  World No-Tobacco Day, 31st  May 2013. State Tobacco Control Cell in Punjab and District Administration of these districts made consistent efforts in this regard. School of Public Health PGIMER, Chandigarh was entrusted the task of conducting a Compliance survey and Opinion poll to verify the compliance of COTPA Act, 2003 (Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act) in these districts. School of Public Health, PGI has in its report concluded that, there is absence of active smoking and presence of  No Smoking signage’s at most of the public places in these districts.

Dr. Ashok Nayyar , Director Health & Family Welfare , Punjab disclosed that this study paved the way for officially declaring these districts as the "Tobacco Smoke Free" district of Punjab in line with District Ajitgarh, Mansa, Rupnagar & Amritsar which have already been declared as “Tobacco Smoke Free” Districts  of  Punjab.

According to Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta, State Program Officer, Tobacco Control Cell, Punjab, consistent efforts are being made to make entire Punjab "Smoke Free " .

It is mentionable here that Government had already issued instructions to all the departments in the State for strict implementation of the COTPA 2003. Health Minister Sh. Madan Mohan Mittal has also requested Sh. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister that Children & youth in all Educational Institutes in the State should take Anti Tobacco pledge.

Dr. Ashok Nayyar , Director Health & Family Welfare , Punjab said that students in in all Educational Institutes in the State took Anti Tobacco pledge, regarding which the reports are being received. Exhibitions were also held at district & block Level for awareness among general public and people were informed  regarding importance of this day & taking of Anti Tobacco Pledge by students through radio/T.V & newspapers. He also appealed public that they should co-operate in making entire Punjab Tobacco Smoke free.

SAP of sugarcane fixed at Rs 290 per quintal

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, MAY 31

The Punjab Government today fixed the State Agreed Price (SAP) of advanced, medium and late variety of sugarcane at Rs 290, Rs 280 and Rs 275 per quintal respectively for the crushing season of 2013-14.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Sugarcane Control Board chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning. It may be recalled that the state government had already fixed the SAP of advanced, medium and late variety of Sugarcane at Rs 250, Rs 240 and Rs 235 per quintal respectively for the crushing season of 2012-13.

On the pressing demand of the farmers, the Chief Minister asked the Financial Commissioner Development (FCD) to chalk out a plan to upgrade the Co-operative Sugar Mill Bhogpur by enhancing its crushing capacity.  He also mentioned that the state government would make budgetary provisions in future to overcome the situation arising out of gap payments. Mr. Badal further assured that to facilitate the farmers Primary Agricultural societies (PASs) would provide sugarcane harvesting machinery to them at nominal rates for which the government had already initiated a plan to provide all type of agricultural equipments at subsidized rates to the entire PASs.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr GS Babbehali, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. DP Reddy, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Registrar Co-operative Societies Mr. AS Miglani, Chairman MARKFED Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid, MD SUGARFED Mr. MP Arora, Director Agriculture Mr. Mangal Singh Sandhu, Cane Commissioner Mr Ranjit Singh and Director Research PAU Dr SS Gosal besides farmers members of the board from across the state.   

Punjab CM launches Rs. 9 crore “Super Achiever Scholarship” Scheme

By Punjabnewswire4u
CHANDIGARH, MAY 30
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today launched a “Super Achiever Scholarship” scheme, initiated by Chandigarh University, Gharuan under its scholarship policy for the brilliant aspiring
Engineers of the Country.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the Chandigarh University had earmarked Rs. 9 crore to provide Super Achiever scholarship to 630 meritorious students.
Lauding the efforts of the Chandigarh University for initiating  this unique policy, Mr. Badal said that it was the bounden duty of all the Educational Institutions to inculcate the sense of accomplishment
among the bright students that would further encourage them to keep on striving hard for achieving more and more success in life.
On the occasion, the Chancellor Chandigarh University, Mr. Satnam Singh Sandhu, apprised the Chief Minister that the Varsity had started “Super Achievers Scholarship” program towards Corporate Social
Responsibility(CSR) on one hand and  to attract the best talent from the country on the other. Under this prestigious scheme students would be eligible for 100% fee waiver along with other benefits like free
books & uniform besides, placements in top Multi-Nationals & Higher Education opportunities in the University after the successful completion of their course.
Briefing about the various aspects of the scholarship scheme to the Chief Minister Mr. Sandhu  said that under the “Super Achiever Scholarship” program CU  would admit 165 students every year in
various streams of Engineering and Business Management under this scheme. CU would invite online applications from the students who would appear in JEE-2013 (mains) for engineering and CAT/MAT/CMAT-2013 for MBA. Student from any state of the country figuring in top merit list prepared after these tests would be entitled to get scholarship benefits.

Any student having state rank upto 500 in his/her respective state merit list prepared by JEE would get 100% tuition fee waiver during their engineering studies at Chandigarh University under the “Super Achiever” policy and on the similar pattern any student having  state rank upto 1000 would be entitled to get 50 % fee waiver in CU.
In case of MBA, any student with CAT percentile scores of 70 and above would get 100% tuition fee waiver, while those scoring percentile scores of 80 and above in MAT/CMAT would be entitled to get 100% fee waiver benefit. Further any student who would secure 90% or more in their respective 10+2 board examinations would also be eligible for Scholarship benefits.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor CU, Dr. R.S.Bawa informed that since its inception, Chandigarh University had become a central hub for meritorious students of not only Punjab but also for thestudents of neighboring states of J&K, H.P., Haryana, Rajasthan and Chandigarh.
---

US to set up Business Desk in Mohali: Nancy Powell

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, MAY 29

        Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today impressed upon the US Ambassador Ms Nancy. J Powell to make huge investments in the upcoming Medicity and Educity projects at New Chandigarh (Mullanpur). 

            Mr. Badal made this offer to the visiting US envoy who called on him at his residence this morning. 

The Chief Minister apprised Ms. Powell that he had already cleared both these prestigious projects being developed as medical and education hub to provide the world class healthcare services and the state-of-the-art education facilities to the student right from kinder garden to university level to enable them to compete globally.  The US ambassador assured Mr. Badal of bringing major investments in these ventures by mobilizing the US based entrepreneurs and investors, for which the Chief Minister promised to extend all possible help and cooperation. 

Ms. Powell informed that the US Embassy would soon set up an American business desk at Mohali which would be manned the Mohali Industrialists Association to garner investments from US and a nodal officer would be appointed from its embassy to facilitate their entrepreneurs who were keen to make investment in Punjab.  She hugely appreciated the efforts of the state government for establishing the prestigious Indian School of Business besides World Class infrastructure including expressways and the upcoming international airport at Mohali which would give a fillip to the bilateral trade thereby consolidating the state’s industrial economy. 

Highly impressed by laudatory steps initiated by the Chief Minister for the protection of the women against the gender related crimes in the state, Ms. Powell said that other states should also follow the suit to safeguard the rights of the women as pioneered in Punjab.  The Chief Minister said that he had been inspired by the philosophy and teachings of the first Guru of Sikhs Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji who championed the cause of women empowerment and called upon the mankind to respect her who gave birth to the mighty kings.   Mr. Badal reiterated his government’s resolves to ensure respect and modesty of women and girl children at all costs, to effectively combat the crimes against them in general and maintained their self-esteem by reposing confidence in the law and order machinery in particular.

The Chief Minister apprised Ms. Powell that no complainant of gender related cases was being called at Police stations as a mark of respect and dignity of the women. Mr. Badal categorically said that he has given clear cut instructions to the police that they would only be examined at her residence by the police authorities accompanied by a lady police official that too in the presence of her family members so that the women complainants could freely come forth with their grievances without any fear, hesitation or inhibition.  He also informed that 500 lady Sub-Inspectors (SIs) would soon be appointed and posted in all the Police stations across the state to strengthen the law enforcing machinery for effectively combating gender related crime. 

Seeking Chief Minister’s response on the issue of inclusive development, Mr. Badal told the US Ambassador that the recent landslide victory of the SAD-BJP alliance in the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections was reflective of people’s unstinted support and trust in the policies and programs of the state government.  Mr. Badal was confident that the same streak of victory would be repeated in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.  Mr. Badal unequivocally said that the peace, communal harmony and brotherhood were the redeeming factors for overall development and prosperity in the state during SAD-BJP regime spanning over nearly seven years.

Dwelling on the agrarian economy of the state, Mr. Badal envisaged Ms. Powell’s support in pursuing their agriculture diversification program through making lucrative investments in the agro and food processing industry to give further impetus to the farming sector. 

Striking a positive note, Ms. Powell assured the Chief Minister that she would certainly persuade the entrusted key-players in the field of healthcare and education based in US to set up their ventures at the upcoming New Chandigarh.  She also informed Mr. Badal that the concept of community college aimed at imparting vocational training could also be launched at Educity in New Chandigarh.   

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.  Consul and Second Secretary US Embassy Mr. Aaron Martz and its Senior Advisor Mr. A.Sukesh were also present on the occasion.