17 die at Chandigarh PGI everyday

17 die at Chandigarh PGI everyday  Archit Watts Tribune News Service Muktsar, June 25 As per the information procured under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 76,135 patients lost their lives at PGIMER, Chandigarh, between 2002 and 2013. This included 46,530 indoor deaths and 29,605 emergency outdoor deaths. The perusal of the records also revealed that 6,345 patients died every year on an average. It means there were above 10 indoor deaths and seven outdoor emergency deaths everyday. In 2013, as many as 8,843 patients died, including 4,765 availing indoor services and 4,078 availing outdoor emergency services. The indoor mortality rate stands at 6.83 per cent and the outdoor emergency mortality rate is 0.17 per cent. The total mortality rate is 0.43 per cent. In the last 11 years (2002-2012), the hospital witnessed as many as 1,50,67,319 outdoor patients and 6,11,213 outdoor patients. The figures further showed that the hospital on an average witnessed an influx of 3,905 patients daily. This institution caters to patients suffering from chronic diseases and most of them come here after recommendation from other hospitals. “The PGIMER, Chandigarh, is the lone institution having all the advanced technologies in comparison to other government-run hospitals in the nearby area. The doctors are also well qualified and they treat patients with utmost care. The high influx of patients with the passage of time has increased the number of deaths,” said a doctor, who worked at the institution earlier. He added that people sustaining only severe injuries in road mishaps also go to the PGIMER, who have bleak chances of survival.

Letter to Editor: Woman of substance

Letter to Editor:

Woman of substance

This refers to the news report, “Woman of substance: Muktsar’s Jinder plies a rickshaw for living” (June 19). A 30-year-old woman, Jinder Kaur, of Muktsar plies a rickshaw to earn her living after her husband Roop Singh deserted her and married another lady, as she could not bear a child. It is her determination to earn by working, though rickshaw-plying is a male-dominated profession. 

More commendable thing is that Jinder Kaur does not accept help of any type from any quarter out of mercy or courtesy. She is a self-determined woman who believes in working and earning with respect. She says that she earns about ~100 per day and pays ~40 as rent for the rickshaw. I commend her courage and determination. It is a lesson for other destitute women who look for mercy and help from others to survive. Hats off to this bold lady! 

RK KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Tribune Impact: Woman rickshaw puller gets bank support

Tribune Impact: 

Woman rickshaw puller gets bank support

Muktsar, June 22
The State Bank of Patiala on Saturday handed over a new rickshaw to Jinder Kaur, the lone woman rickshaw puller of Muktsar. A report on her plight, “Muktsar’s Jinder plies a rickshaw for a living”, was carried in The Tribune on Thursday.

Rakesh Kaushal, AGM, State Bank of Patiala (Bathinda regional branch), said, “The Managing Director (MD) of the bank, Ramesh Rangan, after reading the news in The Tribune told me to personally go and hand over a new rickshaw to this woman, who is facing all odds at such a young age and plying a rickshaw for a living. It is shocking that Jinder’s husband left her because she could not bear children. We have also offered her a loan at very low rate.”

TRIBUNE IMPACT: Rights body seeks report on rickshaw puller’s plight

TRIBUNE IMPACT

Rights body seeks report on rickshaw puller’s plight

Muktsar, June 20
The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the Tribune report “Muktsar’s Jinder plies a rickshaw for a living” published on Thursday.

PSHRC Chairperson Justice Jagdish Bhalla, commission members Baljinder Singh and PS Grewal have sought a report from Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh before June 28 in that regard.

The commission has also ordered the district administration to ensure her safety. The commission has asked the DC to initiate steps for ensuring a dignified life for women like Jinder. — TNS

WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE: Muktsar’s Jinder plies a rickshaw for a living

WOMAN OF SUBSTANCEMuktsar’s Jinder plies a rickshaw for a living 

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, June 18
Jinder Kaur, 30, is the lone woman rickshaw puller of Muktsar. Deserted by her husband seven years ago, she decided to earn a living by plying a rickshaw.

She came to this town with her husband Roop Singh, a driver, seven years ago. "Roop left me for another woman as I could not bear children," she says. Jinder pedals the rickshaw with her bare feet, despite the scorching heat. "I usually park my rickshaw near Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. I earn nearly Rs 100 a day. I give Rs 40 as rent to the rickshaw owner. I don't accept charity," says a proud Jinder.

She is hurt when people make lewd comments. "I am now follower of a sect and don't wish to remarry." She says her father passed away a long time ago and other members of the family, residing in Mansa district, are too poor to support her." Jinder has earned the respect of other rickshaw pullers who adress her as “sister”
Jinder ferries a passenger in her rickshaw. Tribune photo