Popular Indian cricketers will Chacha Chaudhury, Sabu and others in a new comic series
Chacha Chaudhary and his aide Sabu these days are busy polishing their batting, bowling and fielding skills as they have been inducted into an IPL cricket team - the Delhi Daredevils - in a new special series of Diamond Comics.
The popular comic is featuring the duo entering the game of cricket as members of the Delhi Daredevils along with players like Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan and Kevin Pietersen.
Chacha Choudhury, who has been featured in countless comic series as one who employs his wits and the assistance of tall muscular but simpleton Sabu to fight crime, would be using the
gentleman's game to outwit crooks.
"Delhi Daredevils versus Saturn Cricketers", "Delhi Daredevils versus Crookcaps" and "Delhi Daredevils versus Hurricane and Bad Boys" are the names of a few of the first titles in the series launched here recently by the DLF Indian Premier League 2012 leader Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag.
For cartoonist Pran who created the lovable Chacha Chaudhary character Sehwag is definitely Chacha. "Viru's mind works fast just like Chacha so for me he is Chacha ," said Pran during the series launch
When Sehwag was asked about Sabu and whom among the team he would pick to play the character the flamboyant skipper couldn't think of anybody else other than Kevin Pietersen.
"It's (Kevin) Pietersen! Sabu to tha par chala gaya" said Sehwag referring to the English cricketer's departure from the team.
GMR Sports' Head (Marketing) Hemant Dua said introduction of a comic series was another step towards connecting with the Delhi Daredevils fans not just during the IPL season but all through the year.
"We are pleased that we will be able strengthen our bond with all those who love the Delhi Daredevils as a team and its players as individuals," he said.
Diamond Comics which have been a rave among children and adults over past 40 years have created more than 80 characters so far.
Diamond Comics Managing Director Gulshan Rai said it was exciting to launch a new series featuring the Delhi Daredevils. He emphasised that it's not just cricket Diamond comics have been featuring stories about other sports as well.
"Delhi Daredevils was the best Launch pad to offer the best entertainment to fans while the IPL fever is already in air", said Rai.
Pran, who was the first one to establish an Indian character in the world of comics and who created innumerable Diamond Comics characters like Billoo, Shrimatiji, Pinki, and Lucky, said, "It is nice to be able to bring some of these characters together with the Delhi Daredevils cricketers, who are all household names. I am sure the readers, young and old, will love the Diamond Daredevils Series."
Loyal Software Pvt. Ltd has offered complete Digital Rights Management services to Diamond Comics to enable it to be available across all tech platforms ranging from PCs to mobiles and tablets. PTI
Improving healthcare
Sprucing up its hospitals with a pleasing façade and interior, and improved facilities Bihar’s government hospitals are trying to gain their people’s faith
Once feared as "death trap" because of their unhygienic conditions and poor service, the new-look government hospitals in Bihar have seen over 100 per cent jump in footfalls.
People's reposing faith in the government medical institutions could be gauged from the fact that while in 2006 only 39 patients used to visit primary health centres (PHC)per month, it has shot to 3,500 to 5,000 patients per month in the last three years since 2008. In 2010-11, more than four crore people got treatment in government hospitals while in 2011-12 till December 2011 around 4.86 crore were treated.
In 2007-08, only 7.98 lakh patients got themselves admitted for treatment in the hospitals which rose to 24 lakh patients in 2010-11 and 31.2 lakh in 2011-12 till December last year.
PHCs have been established in all 534 blocks of the state. In 480 PHCs, health services are available 24x7.
"The Nitish Kumar government is giving top priority to health... We want to make health structure of Bihar far better than any other state," Health Minister Ashwani Choubey stated.
The claim of better hospitals could be verified by a visit to PHCs. At a PHC at Sabour in Bhagalpur, policemen were seen battling hard to control visitors, mostly women, for free medicine and check-ups particularly related to delivery.
The century-old PHC which caters to the need of nearby 110 villages in an area of 144 km is receiving over 500 patients daily, officials said.
"Due to improved service delivery at PMCH and other government hospitals, people’s dependence on private nursing homes and doctors have come down now," said S N Mishra, head of the Cardiology department at Patna Medical College and Hospital. He said against 50-60 patients daily, they are now receiving over 300 people.
PTI
Keeping clean and healthy
This being the summer season and with the monsoons in the offing and the danger of waterborne diseases affecting public health, the Government is taking precautions to ensure that mosquitoes do not find fertile breeding grounds so easily.
The Delhi Government today asked RWAs, private and public offices, hospitals, schools, police stations and market associations to take effective steps to stop breeding of aedes mosquitoes which transmit dengue.
Health Minister A K Walia, after a high-level meeting, said the intermittent showers last week combined with rising temperature have created conditions conducive for breeding of aedes mosquitoes which needs to be checked urgently.
"Breeding of aedes mosquitoes in summer is a matter of serious concern as it may lead to spread of vector borne diseases in the city," he stated.
The meeting was attended by over 200 senior officials of various concerned departments and agencies.
He said besides containing dengue, there was also a need to take steps to prevent spread of diseases such as malaria, chikungunya, gastroenteritis and jaundice in the city.
Officials said breeding of aedes mosquitoes has been detected in 67 areas across the city including certain posh localities.
The total number of dengue cases recorded this year till last week was 21 out of which 12 cases were reported from neighbouring states.
"The situation is under control but it underscores the fact that we need to take more precautions against the outbreak of dengue in the coming months," revealed Walia.
Walia said all governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as citizens should come together to control vector borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
The Minister asked municipal corporations and Northern Railway to carry out anti larva spray in their respective areas while directing medical superintendents of all hospitals to ensure sufficient availability of platelets.
Expressing concern over the rising cases of water-borne diseases like gastroenteritis, cholera, jaundice and typhoid in the city, he asked Delhi Jal Board to ensure supply of clean water to the citizens.
He specifically directed the Delhi Jal Board to check that dirty water does not get mixed with drinking water as in several areas water pipes go through drainage system. Walia said that situation with regard to swine flu in Delhi is well under control.
