Monthly Archives: July 2014

Emerging Trends in Endocrinology Discussed

Science & Technologies

Chennai :

An endocrinology conference organised by Endocrine Society of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry saw the participation of more than 1,200 doctors and scientists from various parts of the country and abroad.

The meeting held on July 19 and 20 provided for a wonderful academic feast for physicians, gynaecologists and other practitioners having interest in various areas of endocrinology.

The conference began with a debate on the importance of Vitamin D and its relevance to holistic health. Prof A K Das, Dr Arun Menon and Dr Kaushik Pandit pointed out that the vitamin plays an important role not only in bone health, but also in reducing mortality, heart disease and even cancer. There is strong optimism among scientists that more benefits of Vitamin D will be discovered in large trials over the next few years.

A seminar on parathyroid disorders by Dr  Thomas Paul, Manoj Chada, Dr Prabhu and Dr Arun Menon, brought to focus that these disorders were not uncommon and should be considered as an important cause for kidney stones and osteoporosis. The discussion focused on the need to do further tests in cases of fractures and kidney stones.

Prof Nielsen and Prof Walker underlined the importance of family studies in the understanding of reasons behind diabetes. Better understanding through population studies will aid health professionals to advise patients regarding the importance of lifestyle changes to prevent and treat Type 2 diabetes. Walker discussed the link between overweight, obesity, insulin resistance and newer medications targeting Type 2 diabetes in future.

Areas like alcoholic fatty liver in diabetes were brought to focus by Dr Sarita Bajaj.  The seminar focused on the fact that diabetes would become the single most important cause for liver failure in the next decade and observed that identifying and treating it early can reduce the progression to a large extent.

Screening for diabetes in pregnant young women  and educating women regarding the importance of lifestyle changes before becoming pregnant were also discussed.  It said that obesity seemed to have a link with insulin resistance and poly cystic ovarian disease, having implications in fertility, development of diabetes in pregnant mothers and fetal health. These disorders in the mother could affect the child later with excess obesity, diabetes, hypertension etc. This needs to be studied more to avoid health problems in the next generation.

Another session on Type 1 diabetes in children  by Dr Swaminathan, Dr Prasanna Kumar and Dr Sundararaman, dealt with the importance of  treating children with diabetes by a team of experts to avoid future complications in this group.

Dr Vijay V discussed the importance of  diabetic foot problems and ways to effectively deal with a problem of public health importance.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com  / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / Express News Service / July 24th, 2014

Exploring new frontiers in medical imaging, physiology

Education, Science & Technologies

Intravascular imaging enables doctors to assess and capture images from inside the coronary artery

Madras Medical Mission (MMM) will soon launch a centre of excellence in imaging, physiology and structural intervention.

There are only three-four such centres in the Asia-Pacific region, including in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Mullasari Ajit S., director of cardiology, MMM, said the centre will conduct training and promote peer-to-peer learning by conducting expert group meetings, continuing medical education and demonstrations for physicians.

“We have installed a 3D OCT Ilumien Optis equipment. This technology helps in looking inside an artery in 3D mode and provides better images. We are also setting up a core lab for coronary and structural intervention in angiography and imaging for research purposes,” said Dr. Ajit on Friday.

On Saturday, a two-day symposium on advanced cardiovascular therapeutics was launched. The focus is on intravascular imaging and physiology and transcatheter congenital and structural cardiac interventions. A similar symposium will be held on July 26-27, with participation of national and international faculty.

S. Vijayakumar, senior consultant of cardiology, said angiography determines the decision to perform angioplasty but can underestimate or overestimate the narrowing of a blood vessel. It has limited ability to assess severity of coronary artery disease, and is also poor in predicting the size of the stent.

Intravascular imaging enables doctors to assess and capture images from inside the coronary artery to understand the severity of the block, decide on optimal treatment options and examine the outcomes of interventional procedures.

R. Sivakumar, head of paediatric cardiology, said advanced imaging gives a picture similar to direct surgical visualisation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – July 20th, 2014

Alternative crops the new fad for Pachamalai tribes

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

Trichy :

The Pachamalai hills, which is the only hilly area in the district, was so far popular for its tapioca cultivation. But, now, much to the delight of the tribes here, the forest department has planned to provide them training in alternative crops such as cashew and fruits.

Located 800 m above the sea level towards north of the district, Pachamalai hills has a varying temperature that ranges up to 27 degree Celsius. It is now being developed into a tourism spot by the forest department along with the help of the local tribes. The state government had sanctioned 2.3 crore for developmental work, which is now in its final stages. The project involves development of the entire forests into a tourist-friendly spot with many features like trekking, water falls, medicinal parks, children’s park etc.

Talking to TOI, a higher official from the forest department said, “We are now waiting for funds from the State Balanced Growth Fund (SBGF) which has been rolled out in phases across the state.” He further added that the funds will also be used to improve basic facilities such as drinking water, which is now being carried from bottom of the hills. “Digging percolation ponds for storing water, renovation of the existing ones and construction of small ponds to help people cultivate more variety of crops are our other plans,” he said

The ?Malayali’ tribes, who live in these hilly ranges, make a living by cultivating tapioca, which is their staple crop. It is been grown here for generations since the temperature and the slopes make it an ideal place for its growth. Jebakumar, a local here, says that the crop, which is their only source of income, fetches money depending on its size. “Since the entire hilly region has been protected, the cultivation has been smooth all through the years.

Farmers here hope that the eco tourism project which is currently underway and the SBGF will improve their livelihood and reduce their migration from hilly areas to urban areas.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / by Harish Murali, TNN / July 10th, 2014

Chennai turns hub for broadcast technology

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technologies
A girl poses for a picture with special lights used in TV studios at a stall in an exhibition on broadcast equipment and technology in Chennai on Friday. — DC
A girl poses for a picture with special lights used in TV studios at a stall in an exhibition on broadcast equipment and technology in Chennai on Friday. — DC

Chennai:

Chennai is turning out to be a major hub for broadcast equipment manufacturers. To showcase the latest equipment, the trade organised an expo in the city.

Speaking to DC on Friday on the sidelines of the two-day international exhibition on broadcast equipment and technology on Friday, Satish Aggarwal, president of the association, said that this was the first in a series of exhibitions their association would organise.

“We chose to organise the exhibition in Chennai as it had several top TV channels in the country.  In the first hour of opening the expo, we had 150 registrations which show the kind of overwhelming response the city has given us. We expect the registration to touch 1,000,” he said.

Further, Mr Aggarwal said that in terms of logistics too Chennai provides good air connectivity to world’s top destinations which made them select Chennai to bring all broadcast equipment manufacturers under one roof.

Mr Masayoshi Hirashita, sales manager, Ikegami Electronics Asia Pacific Private Limited, a six-decade-old company manufacturing TV camera systems and video production accessories, said that the company had several Chennai-based Tamil channels as their clients. “We have provided latest equipment to many Tamil channels and we have come again to display our latest equipment,” he said.

Shyam, a broadcast engineer, says that Chennai boasts of being a hub for satellite channels as the cable TV industry in the city dates back to early ‘90s. “Even before anybody launched a satellite channel for Tamil, Chennaittes stahad started connecting to cable TVs to view foreign  channels,” he said.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / by  N. Arun Kumar / July 19th, 2014

These keerai farmers use cars, Facebook to sell their produce

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature

keerai-farmersCF23jul2014

Chennai :

When farmers are quite reluctant to encourage their kids to pursue agriculture, who head to cities for new jobs, a group of men have turned farmers, leaving their corporate jobs behind. Yes, you read that right! How many of us would give up high-paying jobs to be the change we want to see? Nallakeerai, a farming initiative, which was started by R Jagannathan, formerly a business manager with a city-based firm, and his friend, in 2011, aims to influence people to switch to organic farming.

Inspired by organic farmers in the State, including popular organic farming scientist who passed away last year G Nammalvar, this experimental cultivational venture has made many farmers in the Melappedu village take up organic farming, besides attracting more takers with their door delivery services of the organic produce.

Currently, Nallakeerai cultivates 30 varieties of spinach and sells 10 lakh bundles within the city per month. “Organic greens have a huge market. Even in half an acre of land, we can cultivate greens. I was able to produce 45 varieties of greens in one cycle,” says Jagannathan.

“The biggest challenge was to create a customer base. That’s where agriculture marketing consultants come in. We use Facebook to promote Nallakeerai and have volunteers who pick them up from certain localities and sell them.

About 15 people have invested on their land for their yearly produce,” he says. What started as a team of two in 2011, has now grown into a group of 30  metropolitan farmers ranging from an IIT graduate, management consultant, software architect, and so on. And they their keerai in a koodai just as easily as they do off the backseat of a car! So it didn’t surprise us when we discovered that theNallakeeraiFacebook page — https://www.facebook.com/NallaKeerai — has  a massive 10,000 followers.

Ask Jagannathan why his choice of crop is spinach and he  responds, “It requires a very short growth period and gives quicker returns, which eases the transition to organic farming.”

He goes on, people who produce food for the country, go to bed hungry and that’s the plight of today’s farmers. The idea struck me when I conducted a survey in my native, near Thirunindravur. I decided to do something about it and started to study the economy of farmers in my village. I found that the 240 farmer households in the village spent about `40 lakh investing in fertilisers and pesticides.

If this money was properly channelised within the farm, they would lead more comfortable lives.

So what does Nallakeerai do differently? “We help organic farmers by eliminating middle men, and connecting them to a direct consumer base in the city,” explains this farmer-preneur.  This is apart from supplying to some of the biggest organic retail stores in the city and also renting out store space within the premises of large companies to sell the veggie.

In order to get youngster interested, Jagannathan conducts weekend workshops on organic farming and eco-friendly lifestyles, assisting a community of Irula farmers to market their produce.

“Organic spinach farms are profitable through weekly door-delivery of organic greens to residences and apartment complexes in the city. We want people to emulate our model,” says Jagannathan, explaining how he spread cow-dung on his planting beds once and harvested three bundles of spinach from tiny one sq ft area. “Today, if I am doing this with spinach, somebody will come up with organic milk and organic potatoes tomorow. If the pricing of organic food is feasible, organic farming can make it big,” he assures us.

Priced at `25 to 30, Nallakeerai’s organic greens are available in T Nagar, Virugambakkam, Vadapalani, Anna Nagar, Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, Ambattur, Velachery, and Kodambakkam, and can be reached on 99626 11767/9840614128.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by S. Subhakeerthana / July 23rd, 2014

When kids led delegations to the ‘UN’

Education, World Opinion
Student delegates at the sixth Model United Nations at Chettinad Vidyashram
Student delegates at the sixth Model United Nations at Chettinad Vidyashram

Chennai :

The valedictory of Chettinad Vidyashram’s 6th Model United Nations (MUN) was held on Sunday. The event saw the participation of over 25 schools.

This year, two delegations — The Union of European Football Association and the League of Nations — were introduced.

“The students are very enthusiastic and creative, they come up with a set of new delegations or new ideas as years pass by,” said principal Amudha Lakshmi.

This year, the MUN, saw participants from Maharashtra, Bengaluru and even the UAE.

“I came to know about MUN through my friend Pradeep, whom I met in Chennai six months ago. Most delegates in Economics and Finance council were first-timers, and teaching them was a learning experience,” said Abhishek Verma, a student from Vidya Niketan, Bengaluru, who also chaired EcoFin.

The crisis discussed in the MUN ranged from foreign military bases in sovereign nations to communal violence and child rights.

“It’s wonderful to see children passing interesting resolutions. I have learnt so much from them, their confidence and creativity impresses me,” said Dr Meena Muthaiah, correspondent, Chettinad Vidyashram.

The delegation from the US won the maximum number of awards for their hard-hitting resolutions and debates. PSBB Nungambakkam grabbed the best school delegation award.

“I’ve been a part of MUN since the time it started. I am goin to miss it next year as I will be entering college. It helped me to read newspapers, something I had long-forgotten,” said a chirpy Shreya Shriram from CV.

The function finally ended after the secretary general declared it ‘closed’.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / July 22nd, 2014

Success stories from slums

Amazing Feats, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Chennai :

For professional courses in Tamil Nadu, the number of applications increases every year, leading to greater competition for jobs and a raised benchmark for an employable graduate. Considering the scramble for jobs among those who had pursued professional courses, graduates from other streams need to go the extra mile to equip themselves.

Twenty-two-year-old Selvi, a graduate in Botany from Pulianthope, narrated her success story which landed her a job at Data Mark, a BPO.

“After my graduation, I couldn’t get a job. With three months of training in Tally and spoken English, I was made employable. As the eldest of my siblings, I can support my family now,” she said at a graduation function held in Kolathur by Aide et Action, a non-governmental organisation.

Along with Selvi, 473 graduates aged between 18 and 35 received their certificates on Sunday.

They had successfully completed their MAST – iLEAD course conducted by Aide et Action for students and dropouts from slums in the city.

Since 2005, the NGO has been training students in batches, in automobile engineering, ITES, data entry, tailoring etc..

“We have our faculty reaching out to slums and other places with below poverty line (BPL) people through ‘Community Mobilisation Hive’. They visit homes with success stories of the previous batches and find students for the new batch. After that, an employability assessment test to gauge the student’s abilities will be conducted and appropriate training will follow in the trade they are good at,” said S Martin, programme officer, and Manikandan P, a trainer.

They also said that the organisation provided holistic training, equipping students with technical and soft skills needed to excel at their work place. The students would be given comprehensive training with industrial visits that facilitate a clear understanding of the industry’s needs.

With these skills imparted, the organisation produces employable graduates who are poised to deliver and exceed the expectations of the industry and society.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / July 22nd, 2014

Parents’ Day at Don Bosco

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education
Students and faculty with the chief guest at the Don Bosco Parents’ Day celebrations | D SAMPATH KUMAR
Students and faculty with the chief guest at the Don Bosco Parents’ Day celebrations | D SAMPATH KUMAR

Chennai :

The mood was jubilant as the primary section of St Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School gathered for the Parents’ Day festivities on Friday.

The festivities were in sync with the mood of the crowd, keeping students, parents and teachers tapping their feet.

Siddharth Sonthalia, AGM-TN, The New Indian Express, an alumnus of Don Bosco, was the guest of honour at the event. He acknowleged the contribution of parents in moulding the character of pupils in the institution.

“All students have the potential of being a politician, sportsman or whatever they desire in life — the motto is simple; the three  qualities – honesty, integrity and tolerance would make each one an achiever that this institution would produce,”  said Siddharth, speaking at the event.

Siddharth recollected his days in his alma mater when he strolled  through the corridors of the institution and said that  childhood days were one of the most nostalgic moments. Those moments moulded him to what he is today.

Students from classes one to five received certificates from the chief guest for their achievements for the year, as their parents looked on with  happiness and anticipation when their kids were on the stage . The school choir with all boys dressed in Turquoise shirts and navy blue ties, kept the crowds swaying to the tune of ‘No love, no power’.

The bi-centenary birth logo of St Don Bosco was unveiled at the event by Siddharth and the administrative team of the Don Bosco School.

Father John Alexander, correspondent, St Don Bosco School, said, “It is time for a spiritual renewal of the educational system that the school is so well known for, as 2015 is the bicentenary birth anniversary of Saint Don Bosco.”

He further added that the upcoming DB Converge and Global reunion, to be held on the campus on July 26 and 27  is expected to bring together over 1,000 students who passed out of the Don Bosco school, from across the globe.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / July 21st, 2014

Lawyer-turned-councillor gave Arokiasamy road its name

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Coimbatore :

As houses and empty plots give way to shops and office complexes, the rich history behind the name of Arokiasamy Road seems to getting buried deeper by the day. Extending from Thadagam Road in the west till Sri Shanmugam Road, Arockiasamy Road is practically filled with landmarks either side.

It’s a favourite with young people in R S Puram because the burial ground is used as a playground by cricket and football lovers. The corporation’s Ammini Amma Girls High School, government Tamil Isai Kalloori, R S Puram Ladies Club and Purandara Dasar Hall, which is a favourite for functions, ot this street.

Historians say the road was named in the 1940s or 1950s as a minor tribute to a great man. “We have information that runs into pages about the man who played a significant role in making Coimbatore the city it is today,” said historian Perur K Jayaraman.

M Arokiasamy, born in 1857, began his career as a sub-registrar with the government. His grandfather had served as a minister in the erstwhile Thanjavur kingdom. Arokiasamy studied law and became a prominent advocate in the city and a member of the Coimbatore Bar Council. He began his career as a lawyer with British company Boison and Mills. “During his tenure as a lawyer he bought a lot of property all over the city and did a lot of social service,” says Jayaraman.

He became a municipal councillor in 1888, vice-chairman of the council between 1896 and 1899 and Coimbatore municipal chairman in 1913 and remained in the post till 1916. In 1912, he was awarded the Rao Bahadur title coronation medal by the British government. “Not many people know that a lot of prominent buildings and institutions owe their legacy to this gentleman,” says Jayaraman.

Arokiasamy was the secretary of the construction committee of Victoria Town Hall, out of which the corporation functions today. He was responsible for building the coronation memorial at Chidambaram Park. “He was the one who built the Indian Christian Students Hostel in 1925,” he says. He was also instrumental in setting up many Christian education institutions like CSI Boys High School, St Francis Convent and London Boys Mission School.

source: http://www,timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / TNN / July 21st, 2014

South India’s first test tube baby turns mother

Records, All, Science & Technologies

KamalaCF20jul2014

The 24-year-old gives birth to a baby girl at the same hospital she was born in

At 4.24 p.m. on Thursday, the first cry of a newborn brought back memories of an unforgettable day in 1990 for doctors at GG Hospital and a family from Tirunelveli.

Twenty four years after she was born at the hospital, south India’s first test tube baby — Kamala Rathinam — delivered a girl at the same hospital. “She got married on September 8, 2013 and conceived naturally. She endured heavy labour pain this morning. We tried for seven hours to ensure a normal delivery but there was difficulty in opening of the mouth of the cervix. She underwent a caesarean section. She was due a week later but we did not want to take a chance,” Kamala Selvaraj, obstetrician and gynaecologist, GG Hospital, said.

The baby weighed 2.8 kg and both mother and child are healthy, she added. An excited Dr. Selvaraj said that this case will remove any doubts in people’s minds about whether test tube babies can lead a normal life. Ms. Rathinam and her husband Rajesh Hariharan are software engineers working in Bangalore.

“I was keen on bringing her to GG Hospital for delivery. We had ante natal check-ups done in Bangalore and came to Chennai during her eighth month of pregnancy,” Mr. Rajesh says.

Kamala’s birth on August 1, 1990 marked a milestone in Assisted Reproductive Technology in south India, recall doctors. Her father Ramamurthy (70) wishes his wife was alive to see their granddaughter. “She died last year when my daughter had just conceived,” he said. He was 46 when Kamala Rathinam was born. “I knew that this procedure was new but they explained everything to me, and I was not afraid,” he said.

Kamala was named after Dr. Selvaraj and his mother Ramarathinam, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai> Health / by Serena Josephine. M / Chennai – July 11th, 2014