Hyperthermic chemotherapy is done immediately after a surgeon performs a cytoreductive surgery.
Chennai :
In an attempt to reduce the risk of death and increase the life expectancy of a patient with abdominal cancer, MIOT Hospitals in Chennai has collaborated with its UK counterparts to launch a new treatment technique called the hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as part of its Indo-British Health Initiative.
HIPEC is done immediately after a surgeon performs a cytoreductive surgery in which, using standard surgical methods, he will dissect all visible tumors that can be removed throughout the peritoneal cavity.
Then the abdominal lining is removed, and the surgeon will continuously circulate a heated sterile solution containing a chemotherapeutic agent directly into the abdominal cavity for an hour to 90 minutes.
Dr C R Selvasekar, consultant colorectal surgeon at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust Hospital in Manchester, where more than 400 patients have benefited from HIPEC, said, “The term ‘hyperthermic chemotherapy’ means that the solution containing chemotherapy is heated to a temperature greater than normal body temperature. The idea is to destroy any microscopic cancer cells that may remain post surgery. Heating the drug improves the effectiveness several folds.”
Despite numerous recent advances in chemotherapy, the overall chance of chemotherapy being curative is still low, and the side effects are difficult for the patient to endure.
“However, when the cancers are confined to the peritoneal cavity, HIPEC boosts their life expectancy from three weeks to a year or more,” said Dr Prithvi Mohandoss, joint managing director of MIOT Hospitals.
The procedure also improves drug absorption and effect with minimal exposure to the rest of the body. In this way, the normal side effects of chemotherapy can be avoided.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Janani Sampath, TNN / November 21st, 2014
To commemorate the 100 years of German language teaching in India, the Indo-German Teachers’ Association (InDaF) and the Goethe-Institut Chennai are organising a conference for German teachers. The two-day conference, which is to be held on November 24 and 25, will be inaugurated on November 23 at Hotel Ramada, Egmore.
More than 100 German teachers from South India are expected to participate in the conference. The conference will have lectures, workshops, presentations by publishers and a discussion. Experts from India, Germany and Austria will offer presentations that will touch a variety of topics relevant to German teachers engaged in schools, language institutes and universities.For details, e-mail Susanna.Magesh@chennai.goethe.org
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / November 22nd, 2014
Imagine hailing an auto-rickshaw through a smartphone app. While there are several apps that help one to book a taxi, a Chennai-based company has introduced a free mobile app that has the facility to book auto-rickshaw rides — a first of its kind in the city.
CallZila has tied up with Auto Raja and Namma Auto — two auto-rickshaw operators that have become popular among the city residents for offering rides at metre fare without having to haggle with the drivers. Apart from autos, the company has tied up with call taxi firms including Fast Track, NTL, Friends and a few others. In all, there will be about 2,000 cabs to chose from, said the company in a statement.
According to Magesh Kumar, the founder and managing director, CallZila gives an option to check out the availability of rides of multiple providers, which would ensure a ride round the clock.
The rides can be booked even when the person does not have data connectivity, he added.
The app can be downloaded from google play.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / November 22nd, 2014
Economic thinker and social scientist Pulapre Balakrishnan has been handed the 2014 Malcolm Adiseshaiah award for contribution to development studies. The award was instituted by the Malcolm and Elizabeth Adiseshaiah Trust, which runs the Madras Institute of Development Studies in Adyar.
An alumnus of Madras Christian College, Balakrishnan also studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Oxford and Cambridge. With a formidable academic training followed by research at prestigious institutions across the world, he is now professor at the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram.
Delivering the Malcolm Adiseshaiah memorial lecture on the topic ‘Macroeconomic reversal in India,’ Balakrishnan said that macroeconomics was in riotous disarray.
“Some of the triumph that had accompanied the rise of the New Classical Economics has dissipated after the global financial crisis,” he pointed out.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / November 22nd, 2014
Nikita S. Veejay, Proprietor of Urumi. Photo: S. James
Nikita S. Veejay has filled in the gap in the shopping experience of domestic tourists and foreign travellers in Madurai. People can now grab those perfect lightweight and inexpensive souvenirs before leaving the city.
Temple Town Madurai has several irresistible oddities that are pretty and witty, historic and enchanting, tasty and delicious, fragrant and elegant. Yet, one never – or rarely – found anything sporting the “I love Madurai” tag.
Now finally Madurai has arrived on the souvenir scene. Thanks to the INTACH local chapter that brought in youthful Nikita S.Veejay from Chennai to design and offer some simple and affordable items to tourists to take home the Madurai essence.
The Madurai souvenirs made by Urumi. / The Hindu
She unveiled the first batch of collectibles — key chains and fridge magnets – at a simple event organised by INTACH. “The major task,” says Nikita, “was to highlight the cultural aspects of the city besides the Meenakshi Temple it is so famous for.”
To keep the theme local has always been the crux of her every project. “There is a niche market for souvenirs and out-of-the-box merchandise as they invoke a sense of allegiance to the place you belong to,” says the 26-year-old founder of Urumi, a brand that boasts of a line of ethnic and eclectic products.
Though key chains and fridge magnets are very common souvenirs sold all over the world, Nikita’s products are different. While others sell these items mostly made in ceramic, Nikita does them in plastic and rubber given the better shelf life and printing quality. But more important is the theme chosen for the products and the narrative behind each of the design or the symbol, she asserts.
Knowing about why a thing has been highlighted or the story behind the symbol makes even a simple item unique, says Nikita. For Madurai, she carefully chose five themes besides the Meenakshi Temple.
The fragrant Madurai Malli unrivalled in allure and popularity, the city as Tamil Nadu’s food capital known for the ‘mess’ culture selling tasty and local dishes and Kannagi, the legendary character in Tamil epic ‘Silapathikaram’ offer a holistic view of the ancient city, she says.
She has also taken care of crafting every letter and packaging the items attractively. For instance, in the “I Love Madurai” theme, the letter ‘M’ has been designed like a temple gopuram. Nikita feels when you give these special touches to the item, it trends immediately. “You feel proud about your culture,” she adds.
Her first product launched two years ago, the “Iyer USB” – a 4GB pen drive in the shape of a Tamil Brahmin priest wearing pattai and veshti – was an instant hit. We released 200 pieces in the first batch and there was such a great demand to increase “Iyer’s memory space” that we did repeat batches with 8GB USB drives, says Nikita.
The Madurai-born, Chennai-raised MBA degree holder was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug early. “I always dreamt of having my own store of souvenirs and merchandise,” she gushes. Also extremely fond of travelling, she was taken in by the abundance of souvenirs the world over.
The kitschy, quirky, retro, funky products made her dream big enough to launch her own line –Urumi. Lot of thought went into it, says Nikita, because I wanted to put South India on India’s tourism map first with some desi creativity. Call it kitsch art or pop art, from kili josiyam and metal calendars to T-shirts, coffee mugs, quiz boxes, notepads, coasters, stickers, posters, hand bags and cushions, all having local themes with pan-India appeal have become fashion statements, according to Nikita.
It appeals to the buyers, majorly youngsters, for its Indianness or its intrinsic South-Indianness, she says. Following the coffee shop model for retailing, Nikita sells her products out of two dozen stores and kiosks in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and has also tied up with the Taj group of hotels in Coorg, Chennai and Bangalore. She also actively participates in the free markets in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.
Nikita is well aware of the many players in this segment now. Bengaluru-based Chumbak was among the first to enter into the relatively unknown market space, whose owl and elephant-themed bags, purses and Tees were a big hit among the young crowd. Later brands like Masala Chai, Urumi, Arty Souk, Pink Jalebi, Happily Unmarried and Goli Soda, to name a few, flooded the market with their off-the-wall products and drawing the hep young crowd.
Realising that hobbies are becoming a big business, Nikita launches a fresh collection of items with new themes and designs twice or thrice a year. “It is exciting to be competitive,” she smiles. Nikita feels Madurai missed offering good souvenirs for long even though there is a huge market. There is abundance of civilisation here but very little conservation, she points out, adding, “all that the city needs is a doable USP.”
Dr Uma Kannan, Convener INTACH-Madurai, launched the souvenirs. Photo: S. James / The Hindu
Dr Uma Kannan, Convener INTACH-Madurai, launched the souvenirs:
“Souvenirs are an important aspect of the tourist experience. They are symbolic reminders of fond memories during vacations. They serve as mobile ambassadors of the city and have traditional and cultural value as they capture the feel of the city. They are also educative — when memories fade they serve as reminders and bring back memories.”
Mr. M. D. VEL, Executive Committee member and past Co-convener was instrumental in roping in Urumi. Photo: S. James / The Hindu
Mr. M. D. VEL, Executive Committee member and past Co-convener was instrumental in roping in Urumi:
“It is a shame that an ancient city like Madurai had no souvenirs designed, produced and sold in an organised manner whereas abroad cities less than 100 years old market themselves so well with a range of appealing souvenirs. Now, Urumi with the ‘Marvel@Madurai’ collection will enable tourists from all over to take a slice of Madurai back. This would also strengthen the pride for the city. INTACH will facilitate in keeping this small but significant initiative going.”
Pick up the ‘Marvel@Madurai’ souvenirs from:
Chola Arts shop at Hotel Fortune Pandiyan and Hotel GRT Regency; The Malli Poo shop at Madurai Airport; The Temple Book Shop at Meenakshi Amman Temple; The Gandhi Museum;
Hotel Germanus; Factory Fresh Shop on Madurai-Rameswaram Highway; Hotel J.C.Residency;
The Gateway Hotel, Pasumalai; Heritage Hotel, Hotel Sangam; Hotel Supreme; DHAN Foundation
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Soma Basu / Madurai – November 21st, 2014
P. Ramar, project coordinator (extreme left) with the team. Photo: R. Ashok / The Hindu
Meet the people who have been successfully running Madurai Corporation’s Home for the Homeless Urban Poor as the State’s best
Till four years ago, in the blur of the Temple Town’s crowded streets, they were just different faces mostly found begging or doing some menial job during the day and at night huddling at bus stands or shops to snatch a few moments of sleep.
In 2010 when the Madurai Corporation repurposed an old marriage hall into a shelter for the abandoned and homeless senior citizens, some of them found a place to stay, eat, sleep and live with dignity. Today, there are 50 of them aged between 50 and 85 years benefitting from the night shelter running successfully in Sellur.
For the last 48 months, the Home for the Homeless Urban Poor — the first in Tamil Nadu to be supported by the civic body — has become known as a place of last resort for several senior citizens whose children or family have no time, money, interest or inclination to take care of them.
M.Murugesan took up the job of a part time security guard after his wife’s death. His married daughter was not in a position to take care of him. When loneliness took over his life, he started searching for a way out and happened to read about the Corporation’s shelter home in the newspaper four winters ago.
Today at 63, Murugesan feels there could not have been a better decision. “I have found a big family here and am happy,” he says. He is not only a resident of the Home but also is an important member of the core team that runs and helps to maintain it as the State’s best Corporation-run Home for the shelterless.
Along with two other residents — Jaganathan, in charge of cleanliness and Sundaravadivu, the care taker — besides Shanmuga Eeshwari, the cook and J.Vimala who handles accounts, Murugesan says, their endeavour is to keep the people’s house as a family home.
Leading and motivating them is P.Ramar, the project coordinator from Madurai Jesuit Downtrodden People Welfare Trust that has been handed over the management of the shelter.
Ramar, a double M.A. in History and Tamil and with a B.Ed degree had the option to refuse the work. But he chooses to undertake a two-hour bus ride daily from Rajapalayam to ensure that the Home runs smoothly and the residents are comfortable.
Though we get some support and donations now, he says, still there are days when we struggle. There are days when Ramar spends from his pocket to arrange the day’s meals for the residents.
“I have always been service-oriented,” he says. While in college, he would gather all his village kids on weekends and give them a hair cut and a bath, help the illiterate villagers fill up various application forms, provide free tuitions and educational support to children of conservancy workers.
“Society doesn’t care for the older people,” he says, “God has given me a chance to serve.” His job is to arrange for all the basic needs of the residents, maintain cleanliness, scout for sponsors, liaise with the Corporation and keep the people in their twilight years in good health and humour.
“I spend a lot of time with them,” says Ramar, who was orphaned early. “But now I have 50 parents,” he adds. He has identified their interests and talents and involves them in activities of their choice from gardening to cleaning, singing devotional songs or cutting vegetables. They get a small pocket money of Rs.200 each for the work they do at the Home.
During free time, Ramar chats with them on social issues and such is his influence that he has even motivated Murugesan to donate his body after death. “I have pledged my body to Government Hospital here for any research or organ transplant,” Murugesan beams.
And so does Vimala, who works tirelessly without salary. Due to paucity of ready cash, even Ramar has foregone his salary for past few months. The money that comes from the Corporation every month and the donation raised is distributed on priority as pension to the residents and for meeting all other costs of running the Home.
“I can’t bear to see distressed old people by the roadside, forgotten by their families,” says Vimala, “I want to help as many if situation permits.” With equal enthusiasm, Shanmuga Eeshwari effortlessly whips up three tasty meals a day for the residents. “They smile when they like the food and I love to see their happy faces,” she says, adding, “they all are like my amma and appa.”
It is a nice feeling to see happy faces inside a shelter home. Periodic health check-ups and geriatric care has kept them all fit. In the last four years, there have been only four age-related deaths, a fact that Ramar prides on.
It takes the hearts and hands of ordinary people like Ramar and his team that humbly serve to help others. It is people like them who do their best to share and carry love and hope to humanity everywhere. “When you do service to others,” says Ramar, “you feel more connected to your spirit and more grateful for what you have.”
(Making a difference is a fortnightly column about ordinary people and events that leave an extraordinary impact on us. E-mail soma.basu@thehindu.co.in to tell her about someone you know who is making a difference)
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Soma Basu / Madurai – November 19th, 2014
Harinderpal Singh Sandhu dethroned Saurav Ghosal while Joshna Chinappa pocketed her 13th title, beating Sachika Ingale to take the titles.
Harinderpal Singh Sandhu ushered in a change of guard, dethroning Saurav Ghosal in the final to clinch his first title at the senior National squash championships.
“If it had to be anybody to beat me, I am happy it is him,” remarked the latter after losing the men’s final in 74 minutes. Harinderpal won in five sets, 11-2, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9.
Two sets up, Harinder found himself at the receiving end when Saurav got into the groove to wrest the third and fourth and take the title clash into the decider. “I committed a schoolboy error,” he said. “Saurav does not allow you to get back after such mistakes,” he said.
Winning the decider against the champion demanded mental preparation. “I was ready to grab the chance. It is about restricting my thinking to within four walls of the court and shutting out anything happening outside.”
Harinder led 9-0 in the first, 4-0 in the second, and did not allow the loss of next two sets to disrupt concentration in the decider.
The newly-crowned champion flew out on Saturday night for the Asian Beach Games at Phuket, along with Kush Kumar for company.
Joshna Chinappa pocketed her 13th title, blasting past Sachika Ingale 11-3, 11-3, 11-6 in just 22 minutes.
Commenting on the competitors, Chinappa said: “Playing the pro circuit is the only way forward for these young girls, instead of playing the junior circuit.”
The new stock of books readying for distribution to other libraries in the district at the Thanthai Periyar E.V.R. District Central Library, in Vellore, Tamilnadu. Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy / The Hindu
Infantry Road in Vellore is home to a treasure trove of knowledge. It is here that the District Central Library has been functioning since the late 1950s.
Keeping in tune with the growing needs of the day, the library has recently started a separate section for persons with disabilities and expanded its facility adding a section with books for civil services aspirants, officials said.
Named after Thanthai Periyar E.V.R, the library was started in a small building in 1951. In 1956, the then Chief Minister K. Kamaraj laid the foundation stone for the present building, which was inaugurated in 1959. Today, the library boasts of 1.57 lakh books. It has 26,622 members and 286 patrons.
Every day, People visit the Thanthai Periyar E.V.R. District Central Library, Vellore, to read newspapers and periodicals. Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy / The Hindu
“ We have books in Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Hindu and English across different subjects. We get 186 periodicals and 18 newspapers,” said J. Ravi, district central librarian, Thanthai Periyar EVR District Central Library.
Every day, nearly 850 readers visit the library, while a total of 225 books are lent and 2,450 books are referred. The library also stores bulletins and gazettes from 1983.
The library follows the Colon Classification method that is based on alphabets and certain sub-classes. “This is an easy method of classification. Every year, we add at least 15,000 books to the library that is both through purchase and donation,” he added.
For civil services
In June this year, a new section was opened on the first floor for civil services and reference books at a cost of Rs. 64 lakh were added. The separate section for persons with disabilities has five to six wheelchairs. Television, DVD facility and computers are also available. “We have Braille books for the visually challenged and plans are in the offing to obtain a Braille software,” Mr. Ravi said.
There is a branch library for women, a separate section for children with internet facility. K. Anandan, district library officer, said, “The District Central Library is located at the heart of the town and hence, has a good reach among people. It is very spacious unlike most of the central libraries in other districts.”
Vellore has a total of 67 branch libraries, 69 village libraries and 42 part-time libraries. “We are tying up with the School Education department to encourage students to become members. We will be visiting schools to enrol students personally,” he added.
R. Dayalan, an artist, has been visiting the central library for 10 years. “I spend an entire day every week at the library reading short stories, periodicals and literature. There are many others who spend more time here,” he said.
Mr. Ravi noted that they have visitors from Chittoor and Bangalore too.
National Library Week
As part of the National Library Week celebrations (Nov 14 to 20), several programmes have been held at the central library, including competitions for students.
The library functions from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Persons interested in becoming patrons, can pay Rs. 1,000, while it is Rs. 5,000 for big patrons and 10,000 for donors.
The money goes into a fixed deposit and the interest is used for development of libraries, Mr. Anandan said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Puducherry / by Serene Josephine M / Vellore – November 21st, 2014
Leading development economists and social scientists across the world are likely to take part in the formulation and evaluation of various schemes in the State in sectors such as school education, health, poverty alleviation and skill development.
To facilitate this, the State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abdul Latif Jameel–Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), the U.S., and the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), Chennai, the host institute for J-PAL in India, according to an official release issued on Wednesday.
The J-PAL, headquartered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has more than 100 affiliated professors from top universities, including MIT, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, London School of Economics and IIM- Ahmedabad.
Initially, five projects have been identified for evaluation — primary school education interventions, youth labour market outcomes, healthy habits to reduce the burden on non-communicable diseases, engaging women to improve breastfeeding outcomes and weekly iron folic acid supplementation and school anaemia monitoring.
The J-PAL would assist the government in building internal capacity to carry out monitoring and evaluation of the ongoing or new schemes.
The MoU was signed by S. Krishnan, Principal Secretary (Planning, Development and Special Initiatives), and Shobini Mukherji, Executive Director, J-PAL, South Asia, in the presence of Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – November 20th, 2014
Reproductive biology, animal care sciences, conservation ecology and a wildlife forensic lab will form part of the institute
An advanced institute for wildlife conservation, research, training and education is nearing completion in Vandalur, near the zoo.
Forest department sources said an announcement in this regard was made last year. The government had sanctioned Rs. 27.13 crore for establishing the institute.
Taking up research to aid the survival and recovery of species and their habitats, exclusive breeding programmes by creating captive breeding centres, training youth on conservation, finding solutions for man-animal conflict, advanced training for zoo management and captive breeding are some of the main objectives of the institute.
Reproductive biology, animal care sciences, conservation ecology with a field station in Kanyakumari, conservation education, centre for conservation and evolutionary genetics, migratory birds, species survival and a wildlife forensic lab will form part of the institute.
The first consultative meeting to develop a road map for the institute was held on October 13, on the zoo premises.
More than 20 forest service officers participated.
In the future, the institute will offer courses on wildlife conservation.
A sum of Rs. 7.13 crore will be spent on the building, and Rs. 20 crore on developing infrastructure, different centres and laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by P. Oppili / Chennai – November 12th, 2014
