10032025-LT-01.qxd 3/10/2025 12:10 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE CELEBRATES WOMEN’S DAY ATHLETICS MEET AT KHALSA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN ENDS Jasmeek and Veerpal were named the best player and best athlete of the college, respectively. P2 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 12°C YESTERDAY MAX 28°C | MIN 10°C AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA EXCELS AT IIFA DIGITAL AWARDS 2025 Authorities honour women, recognising their contributions to healthcare and beyond. P2 FORECAST Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila and third season of web series Panchayat emerged as the top winners. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 6.31 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:41 AM » MONDAY | 10 MARCH 2025 | LUDHIANA Docs welcome govt’s move to empanel private psychiatrists Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 9 The shortage of psychiatrists and counsellors at government-run de-addiction centres is posing challenges for both patients and doctors. As the state government intensifies its fight against drug abuse, the lack of mental health specialists makes the task even more difficult. To address this shortage of health experts, the Punjab government has decided to empanel private doctors, a move that has been welcomed by healthcare professionals. With additional psychiatrists joining the system, doctors hope to see some relief from their overwhelming workload. Currently, only 60 psychiatrists across Punjab cater to nearly 10 lakh registered drug addicts in 529 govern- ment-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres, 32 deaddiction centres, and 18 rehabilitation centres. The Civil Hospital hous- How firemen led rescue operations FACTORY COLLAPSE Ludhiana, March 9 Firefighters emerged as true saviors, rescuing trapped workers after the collapse of Kohli Dyeing in Phase-8, Focal Point on Saturday. They were the first responders, swiftly launching a rescue operation before other emergency teams arrived. Sub-Fire Officer Aatish Rai, while sharing the experience with The Tribune, said the Fire Department received the distress call at 5:40 pm, following a team was mobilised from the Focal Point fire station and officials were alerted. “As we initially started combing the debris to save the trapped workers, we felt little dejected when we could found one. However, our joy knew no bounds when we managed to rescue six workers near the front gate. Fortunately, they escaped with minor injuries,” Rai said. However, one worker required more careful extraction. His team located him beneath the boiler pipes at the back of the building. Despite his injuries, the worker was conscious and responsive, allowing the firefighters to carefully extricate him, Rai added. Later, when the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached, the rescue operation got momentum and more trapped workers were extracted. None of us slept the entire night on Saturday, said Aatish. We continued assisting the NDRF on Sunday as well, doing everything in our power to help, he added. — TNS City to get new transformers, feeders Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 9 In a significant move to address power supply issues, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) will install transformers across the city within the next 90 days. A comprehensive study by the PSPCL identified key areas where additional transformers are needed, while faulty ones causing frequent disruptions over the past two years will also be replaced. These upgrades aim to ensure a steady power supply during peak summer months when air conditioners and electrical appliances lead to a surge in MP Sanjeev Arora addresses a press conference. demand. During a press conference, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora stated that on an average, two to three new transformers will be installed daily to improve power distribution network. Additionally, a new Sherpur Grid, worth ~65 crore, will soon be commissioned to enhance Ludhi- ana’s power infrastructure. To further strengthen the system, 37 new power feeders, each covering 2 to 2.5 km, will be installed across different areas. This step will help reduce the load on existing infrastructure, significantly minimising power breakdowns during the summer season. Residents facing powerrelated issues can lodge complaints via the toll-free number 1912 or the PSPCL mobile app. The press conference was attended by PSPCL Chief Engineer (CE) Jagdev Singh Hans and other senior officials, who were instructed to ensure swift execution of these power infrastructure projects. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Crisis management es a 10-bed de-addiction centre with just two psychiatrists and one psychologist. Ludhiana has 40 OOAT clinics, but half on them are without counsellors. A psychiatrists from the district shared that they are overburdened with routine OPDs and other works which include inspections and conducts dope tests of those who seek arms licences. When asked about the shortage of psychiatrists, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, said, “The department is aware about the shortage of psychiatrists. We are already working on it and planning to empanel private psychiatrists to overcome the shortage”. 2 injured in clash Ludhiana, March 9 A group of youths attacked two brothers, Gaurav Sood and Nikhil Sood, with sharp weapons yesterday. The brothers were on their way to work when they were attacked. — TNS (Clockwise from top) A cop stands guard at a gate to prevent entry of public; Aatish Rai (C), Sub-Fire Officer, with NDRF officials; and rescue work underway after a multi-storey building of a textile factory collapsed on Saturday evening in Ludhiana. Officials assess progress of TB detection drive Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 9 The Health Department has launched a 100-day TB campaign to enhance efforts in identifying, treating, and preventing tuberculosis. The initiative focuses on early detection, comprehensive medical support, and increased community participation to curb the spread of the disease. Civil Surgeon Dr Pradeep Kumar Mohindra emphasised the critical role of early diagnosis, timely treatment, and community awareness in controlling TB. He reiterated that proactive measures and public participation are essential to eradicating the infectious disease. As part of the initiative, Suresh Babu, State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of TB Alert India, visited Ludhiana to assess the campaign’s progress. During his visit, he engaged in discussions with the Civil Surgeon regarding the ongoing efforts and Officials during the inspection of the 100--day TB campaign in Ludhiana on Sunday. reviewed the work. A TB survivor shared his journey to recovery, highlighting the critical role of proper medication, quality healthcare, and social support. These real-life success stories serve as powerful motivators for patients currently undergoing treatment and play a crucial role in dis- pelling myths surrounding the disease. Commending the relentless efforts of local health workers and the TB control team, Suresh Babu praised their dedication in making the campaign a success. He reaffirmed TB Alert India’s commitment to collaborating with health authorities to enhance the campaign’s effectiveness and expand its reach. Dr Pradeep Kumar urged the community to actively participate in screening and treatment initiatives, stressing that early detection is vital for eradicating TB. He emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the campaign’s success and sustaining its momentum through awareness programmes. “This isn’t just about diagnosing patients who show symptoms; it’s about finding those hidden cases who would otherwise remain undetected by using chest X-rays, enhanced with AI, an effective method for screening individuals who may have TB but may not have the classical symptoms of TB,” said Dr Mohindra. Launched on December 7, 2024, the 100-day intensified TB elimination campaign spans 455 districts across 33 states and Union Territories, targeting high-risk groups, including diabetics, smokers, alcoholics, people living with HIV, the elderly, and household contacts of TB patients. In addition to screening symptomatic individuals, the campaign aims to detect subclinical or asymptomatic TB using chest X-rays followed by molecular tests for confirmation. Wheatgrass: A superfood for health, immunity 2 wanted criminals held Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 9 Wheatgrass has earned recognition as a superfood due to its high nutrient content, including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is known to boost immunity, aid digestion and provide several health benefits. In recent times, cultivation of wheatgrass for juice has become very common at household and community level due to its health benefits. Though it has been used to treat various diseases since ancient times but off late its juice has become very popular as a health tonic. Wheatgrass is grown at household or community levels by number of ways. PAU has developed standardised production and drying technology of wheatgrass which will help people to grow it easily at household or community level along with improvement in its bioactive and antioxidant properties. “The wheatgrass shall be grown using cocopeat in plastic trays/earthen pots of suitable size with holes below for drainage of excess water. Cocopeat is a multipurpose growing medium made out of coconut husk. It is 100 per cent organic, eco-friendly and has high water holding capacity. Cocopeat bricks should be soaked in water for one and half hour before filling the trays to 5 cm depth. The seeds of any recommended wheat variety should be soaked for 12 hours prior to sowing. Broadcast these seeds in cocopeat trays @ 50 g/sq ft, cover with thin layer of cocopeat and sprinkle water to moist the cocopeat,” said Dr AS Sidhu from the PAU’s School of Organic Farming. Watering should be done, as and when required, to keep it moist. Wheatgrass should be harvested at height of about 15 cm with a clean sharp knife right above the surface of media. In case of non-availability of cocopeat, soil from a healthy field may be used, added Renuka Aggarwal from PAU. Wheatgrass can also be dried in hot air oven. The dried wheat grass strand can be ground to make powder. The university has also developed a technology for the preparation of wheatgrass powder that can be used in the preparation of value added products namely bread, biscuits and spice mix. Therefore, growing wheat grass in cocopeat and using it in fresh/dried/ in value added products can be a c m y b healthy option to reduce the stress in the body, added Manisha Thakur from PAU further. How to prepare wheatgrass juice at home ■ Take freshly cut wheatgrass and wash it thoroughly. Crush it using mortar and pestle or an electric mixer with water in a 1:2 ratio. ■ Strain the juice using a clean cloth or strainer ■ Juice from dried wheatgrass ■ Soak dried grass strands in water for one hour ■ Extract the juice using a pestle and mortar or electric mixer ■ Strain the juice and dilute it 1:2 ratio before consumption. after late-night encounter Ludhiana, March 9 Ludhiana police nabbed two wanted criminals following an exchange of fire in the wee hours on Sunday. The accused, Munish alias Toni and Sumit, suffered bullet injuries in their legs and were hospitalised. The encounter took place on the Ring Road near Gill village at around 3 am as the police received a tip off about the whereabouts of the accused. When the police tried to apprehend them, the duo opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate. While no cop was injured, the bullets hit the police vehicle during the shootout. One of the accused undergoing treatment at Civil Hospital. The police said both criminals were wanted in a case. Munish has a criminal history and is facing over 12 cases related to Arms Act, loot and robbery. The police are scanning the criminal record of Sumit. Notably on February 3, three bike-borne persons kidnapped a 22-year-old youth, Ankush, while he was walking towards Beri Colony from Guru Teg Bahadur Chowk. The assailants injured him by repeatedly hitting him on the head with bricks. — TNS