When UK-based surgeon Harminder Dua discovered a new layer in the cornea in September this year, it was considered an achievement. But the real buzz was when Chennai doctors took the breakthrough to a new level and performed a procedure in which a one-year-old girl gave sight to 64-year-old M Shanmugam, a retired air conditioner mechanic from Avadi.
The exciting procedure, which according to Dr Amar Agarwal of Agarwal Eye Hospital that performed the procedure is the first of its kind in the world, is expected to “revolutionize” the way eye transplants are done.
In the new technique, Pre-Descemet Endothelial Keratoplasty (PDEK), the donor can be of any age. In the earlier procedures, the donor had to be above 50 years of age.
Conventionally, doctors were using a whole cornea or parts of the five layers of the cornea to perform correction surgeries. A couple of months ago, Dr Harminder Dua discovered a sixth layer between the stroma and the descemet membrane which is now named Dua’s layer. In the PDEK technique, doctors take the innermost two layers of the cornea, along with Dua’s layer and graft it in the patient’s eye. “The biggest advantage of this technique is that age is not a bar to be a donor. Moreover, as Dua’s layer is slightly more fibrous, it becomes easier to manipulate the tissue,” said Dr Amar Agarwal.
In PDEK, the donor’s cornea is kept upside down and injected an air bubble to separate the layers. “After procuring the tissue, we make a minute incision in the patient’s eye and fix it. Once the graft is unrolled, the transplant is complete and vision is restored,” said the doctor. The entire procedure can be wrapped up in 25 minutes after which the patient is advised to rest and can leave the following day. “Another major advantage of PDEK is that there is negligible graft rejection and no sutures are involved as only a small tissue is used for the transplant. Preliminary studies show that the graft thickness is about 28 to 30 microns and it behaves well,” said Dr Agarwal. “We have performed 16 such procedures since September but this surgery gains significance as the donor is a one-year-old,” added the doctor.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai> Cornea / TNN / November 10th, 2013
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday inaugurated a memorial for Colonel John Pennycuick, the British engineer who built the century-old Mullaperiyar Dam to solve the drought situation in the Vaigai delta region in the 19th century.
The memorial has a bronze statue of Pennycuick, and has been constructed amid the scenic Western Ghats at Lower Camp here at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. The dam is said to have been completed in 1895.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala are locked in a bitter row over the 118-year-old dam, with the latter wanting to replace it with a new one citing safety reasons while Tamil Nadu has held that the dam is strong. A case is on before Supreme Court.
During the simmering row with Kerala over the safety of the dam last year, Jayalalithaa had announced constructing the memorial for the Britisher over 2500 sq.ft.
She had then said people had placed a demand for constructing a memorial for Pennycuick to show their gratitude since the dam had been functioning well.
Jayalalithaa expressed confidence of a favourable verdict from the apex court in the wake of its appointed empowered committee vouching for the safety of the dam.
“In its report (the committee) has clearly said that the dam is safe and the storage level could be increased to 142 ft (from 136 ft) and then on upto 152 ft after taking up necessary works. I believe Supreme Court will rule in favour of Tamil Nadu based on this report,” she said in her address.
The Chief Minister noted that Pennycuick had sold his property back in England for completion of the project amid lot of difficulties including stoppage of funds from then British administration and natural calamities.
She also announced naming the upcoming Bus Stand at Theni after the British colonel.
Jayalalithaa refuted DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s charge that her government had not taken up maintenance of the 133 ft tall Thirvuvalluvar statue at Kanyakumari, saying chemical coating was given in 2004 and 2008.
The foundation stone for the statue of the Tamil saint-poet was laid by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai in the presence of then chief minister M G Ramachandran in 1979 and even during her rule in 1991-96 Rs 1.28 crore were released for various works connected with it. Karunanidhi cannot claim
entire credit for erecting the statue, Jayalalithaa said.
She also announced constructing a memorial for legendary Tamil king Karikal Chola for building the 2000 year-old ‘Kallanai’ (dam) over Kollidam river,which is still strong. She described the dam as an “engineering marvel.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Politics / DC / January 15th, 2013
An eight-foot-high bronze statue of Karikala Cholan, seated on an elephant, which was made at a studio here, is all set to be installed in Thanjavur district.
Following chief minister J. Jayalalithaa’s announcement, the government took up the task of making the statue to perpetuate the memory of the king who built the Kallanai dam for irrigation in the Cauvery delta region.
Jayalalithaa had announced the statue for the king while inaugurating in January this year the memorial of John Pennycuick who built the Mullaiperiyar dam.
“The 2,000-year old Kallanai dam which stands stronger than many other dams in the state was built by the Tamil king, and hence, his statue is being readied to stand majestically at his memorial near the dam,” said Kishore. J. Nagappa, who sculpted the statue.
“It took us around three months to finish the statue,” Nagappa said.
“The statue has been so designed that it can stand the test of time and remain a subject to be talked about. Hence, it is meticulously done,” he added.
The memorial will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.10 crore along the banks of the Cauvery on an area of 4,090 sq ft.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / November 10th, 2013
Two higher secondary students from the city have been selected to attend a South-East Asia competition to be held from this Monday in Bangalore. The duo was selected after several rounds and would be pitted against students from neighbouring countries.
Suchitrha Sudeshkumar, a class 11 student from Vidhya Niketan Matriculation Higher School, Vilankurichi and Aakash Dabral from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sowripalayam are among the ten students from India to take part in the competition held by Horlicks Wizkids in Bangalore. Out of the 10, 5 will be selected for an educational trip to Germany with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each.
Suchitra, who writes poetry, had cleared the initial rounds and was asked to do some voluntary activity. She approached orphanages and managed to get sponsors to instal roofs for the orphanage. “I went to an orphanage at Thondamouthur. I came to know that they lacked roofs and mattresses. With the help of some firms, I managed to raise around Rs 45,000 for the purpose,” she said.
Aakash Dabral, a class 12th student said that he took soft skill sessions for students of government schools and other institutions. “I took sessions in 5 schools. Many of them lack English skills. I want to do more such training programmes,” he said.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore> Orphanage / TNN / November 10th, 2013
An early photograph of Dr. A.Mathuram with his wife Jane and children. / Photo by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
The story of Dr. Ayyathurai Mathuram, one of Tiruchi’s most notable medical practitioners
On the Puthur junction leading on to Pattabhiraman Road in Tiruchi stands a gilded statue, impervious to the chaotic traffic below. The likeness is that of Dr. Ayyathurai Mathuram, one of the city’s notable medical practitioners, and was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Madras, K.Kamaraj, in 1956.
Behind the statue stretches out a compound of residences and commercial buildings, broadly known by the name of the first structure there — Guru Medical Hall. And with it, the story of the Mathuram family that is woven into the city’s reputation as a regional healthcare hub, with generations of the clan practising both allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine here until today.
Walking us through the rich legacy is Dr. Bapu Isaac Mathuram, one of Dr. Ayyathurai’s grandsons, who stays in what is known as the ‘Centenary Building’, built in 1977 to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Dr. A.Mathuram.
A professor of biochemistry at the CSI College of Dental Sciences and Research, Madurai, Dr Bapu also finds himself to be a keeper of memories, particularly those related to his illustrious ancestors.
His residence is also unique for another reason — its two upper floors serve as the manufacturing unit of the popular Ayurvedic preparations patented by Dr. A. Mathuram — Guru Thailam (ointment) and Guru Pal Podi (toothpowder).
Family of physicians
As we sit listening to Dr. Bapu recounting the chronology of the Mathuram physicians down the ages in a room lined with a mix of antique and modern furniture and knick-knacks, the broad outlines of a different era begin to take shape.
“My great-grandfather Dr. Samuel Mathuram is the one who decreed ‘Mathuram’ (honey/nectar in Sanskrit) should be the family name, though we don’t know exactly why. He was a Christian missionary doctor who served in many places throughout southern India for 46 years,” says Dr. Bapu.
Dr. Samuel was also the recipient of the formulae of his grandfather Nallamuthu Visuvasam’s natural remedies. Visuvasam was a well-respected physician from Tirunelveli who had formulated his medicines based on his interactions with Hindu ascetics in the early 19th century.
Inspiration
Dr Samuel’s son Ayyathurai was born in 1877 in Irungalur near Tiruchi. After the death of his first wife (after the birth of another son), Dr. Samuel moved to Nazareth near Tuticorin.
Ayyathurai was a precocious child, according to family accounts, and says Dr. Bapu, “even though he had already done an LMP (Licentiate Medical Practitioner) degree, considered a high qualification at that time, he decided to switch over to proper medical studies after getting inspired by the words on the page of a pulpit Bible while praying in church, which he felt urged him to go and minister the sick and serve the poor.”
He completed his studies at the Prince of Wales Medical School, Thanjavur, in 1900 and served in the government for five years before deciding to strike out on his own. Starting his practice in Virudhunagar, he moved to Viswanaikanpettai (near modern-day Tennur), in Tiruchi, choosing two adjacent houses to function as his clinic and residence.
Medical mission
Unlike other doctors of the period who were rejecting native cures in favour of Western medicine, Dr. A. Mathuram promoted Ayurvedic therapies. The most common ailments at the time were anaemia and malaria, cures for which people thronged the doctor’s clinic.
“Dr. A. Mathuram wanted to give people medicines that were reasonably priced, and used natural ingredients,” says Dr. Bapu. “My grandmother Jane used to grind them in the right proportion,” he adds.
“Inspired by a song with the words ‘Guru Marunthu, Maru Marunthu’ playing next door, Dr. A. Mathuram decided to name his company Guru Medicine,” he adds, with Guru indicative of Jesus Christ, whose image is also part of the product logo.
By the early 1900s, Dr. A.Mathuram’s formulations were selling well in Burma, Malaya and Sri Lanka. Among the more famous of these were Guru Santhana Sornam (to treat female infertility), Guru Ague Mixture (malaria), Guru Soga Sanjeevni (anaemia), Guru Vallara Legyam (skin disease), Malabar Koonthal Thailam (for hair growth) and Manorama Hair Oil (anti-dandruff).
The British honours of ‘Rao Bahadur’ and ‘Rao Sahib’ were conferred on Dr. A. Mathuram as his medical career flourished.
Legacy
Always of a spiritual bent of mind, Dr. Ayyathurai gifted away large tracts of his land holdings in Tiruchi for public use. Some of the family’s properties such as the Ettupattai Bungalow (octagonal in shape) and Guru Medical Hall, have become popular place markers in the Puthur locality.
Seven children were born to the Mathurams, four sons and three daughters, most of who went on to serve as medical practitioners.
“My grandfather had a penchant for naming his children after famous world personalities,” reveals Dr. Bapu with a smile when he lists the cosmopolitan names of Dr. A. Mathuram’s sons.
The eldest, born in 1904, was Dr. Edward Paul, who joined his father in the Guru Medicine enterprise in 1930 after completing his medical studies. Later on, he was also active in politics, serving as Member of Legislative Assembly and Member of Parliament.
The second son, Dr. Naoroji Mathuram also joined the family firm in 1935. The third, Mr. George Rothschild, served in the army and upon retirement, joined the judicial service and went on to become District Judge.
Dr. Bannerji Mathuram (Dr. Bapu’s father), completed his medical studies in Madras Medical College and joined the government service. He retired as District Medical Officer (DMO) after serving in Cuddalore (formerly South Arcot) and Salem in the late 1960s.
Subsequent generations have shown a similar affinity for medicine, with Dr. Samuel Ayyathurai, Dr. Bapu, Dr. Ann Duraisami and Dr. Joseph Mathuram all distinguishing themselves in their chosen field, followed by younger family members today.
Heritage home
Among the vestiges of Dr. A. Mathuram’s estate is a 10,000 square feet bungalow in the Guru Medical Hall compound that retains some of the original furnishings, including four sturdy Burmese teak pillars that support the central hall, and ceramic tiles embedded into the walls, made of local red soil. Built in the 1920s, the high-ceilinged bungalow served as a district courthouse for a while, and also had an emergency underground bunker that has since been closed. “My grandfather also maintained a zoo here, the only one in Tiruchi,” Dr.Bapu says with some pride.
The much-storied life of the medical pioneer came to an end in 1944.
At the bungalow, as Dr. Bapu’s wife Joy coaxes a tune out of the Steinbeck piano that originally belonged to Dr. A. Mathuram, a small gathering of family members breaks into a hymn of thanksgiving. It adds a sweet note to round off the story of the Mathurams.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review> History & Culture / by Nahla Nainar / Tiruchi – November 08th, 2013
It is a compilation of the Kongu Region’s evolution, primarily Coimbatore, Erode and Tirupur districts.
Similar to the Kansas cyclopedia or the more recent Salem cyclopedia, it lists entries on various personalities, localities, monuments, landmarks, events and historical findings from Coimbatore and surrounding areas that shaped the evolution of a rural landscape into a bustling industrial hub. For CR Elangovan, a former employee of a private educational institution in Coimbatore and a self proclaimed historical chronicler of the region, the 250 page book with more than 1000 entries has been the realisation of countless trips, discussions and persuasions since 2013.
“I have collected around 15,000 photographs and have met numerous people to prepare this manuscript. I could say that I have travelled across the entire region on my motorcycle to collect the photographs and information listed in this book,” said CR Elangovan, author of Coimbatore cyclopedia.
Aptly titled as Coimbatore cyclopedia ( encyclopedia), the hardbound book was initially planned as Kongu cyclopedia but the idea was dropped since a Salem cyclopedia had already been published by B Rajannan, another historian and librarian. The Coimbatore cyclopedia includes entries about eminent personalities from the region, temples, cave inscriptions and even prominent towns and villages in the region. Koniamman Temple, major mosques, forgotten freedom fighters, local chieftains and prominent industrialists and entrepreneurs all find mention in the compilation.
“There might have been some omissions and a few grammatical errors in this edition but it will be identified and rectified. I have been helped and supported by numerous people from the city without which this would not have been possible,” Elangovan added that the book also mentions the first pump set manufactured in Coimbatore, the first eye clinic started in Town Hall in 1928 and interesting tit bits about the region ranging from the final resting place of Hugo Wood, a British forest officer who propagated teak cultivation in Top Slip and was buried in the forests as per his final wish. The traditional customs and religious rituals of almost all communities residing in Coimbatore are also mentioned in the book.
“The Salem cyclopedia was done on a wider scale with the support of government and research institutions. It took almost nine years for them to complete the research and bring out the manuscript. It was published in 1992,” Elangovan said.
Elangovan resides at RS Puram here in the city and is presently working as a full time author and historian. He has already written two books on the history of Coimbatore and Siruvani river. K Subramanian, Former Assistant Editor of Tamil Encyclopedia along with prominent industrialists and philanthropists from the city were present at the function.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Binoy Valsan, TNN / November 06th, 2013
Most residents of Chennai hardly know about the existence of the Royapuram railway station, north of George Town. The station is now in the news because of a proposal to demolish it. The Royapuram railway station is one of the oldest stations in India and the oldest in South India. Almost immediately after the establishment of the country’s first railway line linking Bombay with Thana in April, 1853, the British wanted a railway station for Madras. The choice of the present location for the Royapuram station was its proximity to Fort St. George and George Town that was then emerging as a prominent residential-cum-commercial hub of the city.
The Royapuram station initially linked the city of Madras with Wallajah Road in Arcot. Designed by William Tracey, the station was formally inaugurated by the Governor of Madras. Originally surrounded by a beautiful garden, the station represents the quasi-Classical style of architecture of the Late Renaissance period.
The most attractive feature is the quadrangular porch with its fluted Corinthian columns. Till the construction of the Chennai Central railway station in 1873, the Royapuram station was the main rail terminus for the city. In its initial years, the latter station served as the venue where the top British dignitaries including the Viceroy and st July, 1856 by Lord members of the royal family were formally received on their arrival in the city.
Historically and architecturally, the Royapuram station is comparable to the more famous Grand Central Station in New York city, and the Paddington Station in London. But unlike, the other heritage stations, Royapuram has not been put to optimum use in recent decades.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Travel / DC / Dr. S. Suresh / July 03rd, 2013
AR Rahman’s music is remembered throughout the world for its charm and variety, but now, even his name will be remembered as a road’s name. A street in Markham, Ontario, Canada is named after him. It will be called ‘Allah-Rakha Rahman st’.
AR Rahman, who is also known as the Mozart of Madras, has been honoured for his contribution to the world of music and arts.
He is one of the few Indians to have won two Grammy awards and two Academy Awards, yet he retains the humility of a common man.
A street in Canada is named after AR Rahman. He has been honoured for his contribution to the world of music.
The music maestro made history when he became the first Indian to win two Oscars in a year, 2009, for Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum-dweller. Rahman had also bagged two awards at the 52nd Annual Grammy for his song ‘Jai ho’ from the same film.
source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / IBN Live.com / Home / November 06th, 2013
Viswanathan Anand winning the World Junior Chess Championship and subsequently earning the GM title is an important landmark not just for Anand but for Indian chess too as it set up a chess revolution in India. AP file photo
Great sportsmen have a unique way of achieving milestones with an effortless ease which others from the same breed shudder to think of. What sets them apart is the fact that they are ambitious, think ahead of the times and venture into areas that none from their ilk could ever dream of.
Viswanathan Anand winning the World Junior Chess Championship and subsequently earning the GM title is an important landmark not just for Anand but for Indian chess too as it set up a chess revolution in India. Anand’s feat was similar to legendary Lala Amarnath’s achievement of scoring India’s first Test century.
“Anand winning the world junior crown was a remarkable feat. Being the first one to do so was all the more special,” said Manuel Aaron. Years of practice, dedication, sacrifice, travel helped Anand achieve something that was beyond the reach of youngsters at that time.
Although India had an IM in Manuel Aaron and several talented players, none could get near the GM norm. “There were quite a few talented players then like TS Ravi and others. Apart from his talent, what helped Anand was opportunities. Anand played many tournaments both within and outside Tamil Nadu. This exposure made him refine his game and his ability to learn (read from books) set him apart. The other players, however talented, could not go up the ladder due to paucity of exposure,” explained Aaron.
It is interesting to note that Anand in his World Junior match in 1987 defeated Simen Agdestein, who later became Magnus Carlsen’s first coach. Anand scored 9/13 to win the title and defeat Agdestein, the top seed in a crucial match in the middle of the tournament. Simen’s brother Espen Agdestein is now the manager of Carlsen. After that Anand won the Sakthi Finance International Grandmasters tournament and bagged the GM title.
GM RB Ramesh hails Anand’s feat of winning the GM title first and reckons it was an important landmark in Indian chess. “At that time we had only one IM in Manuel Aaron. No one could dream of becoming a GM and it looked like none would get there, for one needed money to go and play abroad. You have to play against and beat foreign players. Taking the cost in mind at that time, one thought becoming a GM was out of bounds,” said Ramesh.
“It is here that Anand like a torchbearer showed us the path and gave us the self belief that we (Indians) too could become GMs. His winning the World Junior title was special and the GM title later was like icing on the cake. It is because of Anand we have 34 GMs in India today. Hats off to Anand,” complimented Ramesh.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by Ashok Venugopal / ENS – Chennai / October 24th, 2013
The IIFA Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Bollywood , including the actors and actresses who have seemingly attained a ‘god-like’ status among millions of fans. Some of the most popular actresses are: The peerless Aishwarya Rai , the much-decorated Sonakshi Sinha and rising star Sonam Kapoor. It might also be a good time, however, to celebrate a couple of other Indian women who are arguably doing even more for the greater good of the society.
Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in 1955, Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi is today the CEO of PepsiCo, and was rated by Fortune Magazine, each year between 2006 and 2010, as the most powerful business woman in the World. Serving as Pepsi’s CFO since 2001, Nooyi has garnered extensive accolades for her part in Pepsi’s dramatic rise in revenue and profit during the same period. She has been praised for her dynamic leadership, decisiveness and ability to rally her organization to a cause.
That a little girl born and raised in Chennai has grown up to become the most powerful business woman in the world is a stirring testament to the power of her dreams, the foundation provided by her family, and the nation that shaped her. I like the story of Indra Nooyi, for it is a reminder – powerful, tangible and inspiring – of the enduring promise of the daughters of India.
Just as little girls in India today may be inspired to play tennis because of Sania Mirza, or to become an astronaut because of Kalpana Chawla, they may also dream of reaching the top of the business world, because of Indra Nooyi.
Growing up in Chennai, Nooyi developed in an environment that would lay the groundwork for her future success, though she probably busted through a few more glass ceilings than anyone thought she would. A Hindu, she attended a Catholic school. She played cricket, and even started her own rock band in high school. She was allowed to express herself, with numerous interests outside the classroom.
The story of Indra Nooyi seems all the more poignant to me after reading recent articles detailing with the growing number of female fetuses being aborted in India. Easy access to ultrasound has become a tool for evil, and combined with the pressure to have a son, has resulted in a form of “gendercide”. The long term consequences to the country could be dire, as such a dramatic shortage of girls will inevitably lead to increasing social problems among a restless young male population. The tragedy is not that most little girls in India may not reach the same heights as Indra Nooyi, but rather, that so many will never even have the chance, their lives cruelly snuffed out simply because of their gender.
The need for collective honesty and effort when it comes to women’s issues is one reason why I support an initiative that might be distasteful to many traditional Indians.
Recently, a young Delhi based woman named Umang Sabarwal launched on Facebook a plan for ‘SlutWalk New Delhi’. The idea originated in my home city, Toronto. A local police officer said that women should avoid dressing like ‘sluts’ to prevent being raped, and in so doing paid homage to the great lie – perverse, self serving and chauvinistic – that how a woman dresses somehow excuses verbal and physical sexual harassment. The successful ‘SlutWalk’ in Toronto ended up spawning similar events in a number of other North American cities.
Sabarwal, 19, says she is concerned about women’s safety in her home city, and about the shameless ‘eve teasing’ carried out with seeming impunity by men in public. Predictably, much of the feedback directed at Sabarwal and her initiative has been decidedly negative. But Sabarwal says she will press ahead. ‘SlutWalk New Delhi’ is scheduled for some time near the end of July. The great problems of a society – and all societies have them – are not solved, or lessened, or made less bearable, by a quiet resignation, or by the pretense that they don’t exist. Societies and countries become better, more just and more fulfilled when the problems are first acknowledged, and then tackled with diligence and forethought. Umang Sabarwal understands this, and has demonstrated a courage that belies her years.
To reach the pinnacle of the business world. To insist on the right to walk the streets of Delhi dressed as one desires, without enduring verbal or physical harassment. Indra Nooyi and Umang Sabarwal, despite their significant differences, are both contributing to a brighter future for India’s daughters. Both, through example and action, are championing the complete emancipation of Indian women.
Check out ‘SlutWalk New Delhi’ on Facebook, and offer your support. And the next time you have a glass of wine with friends or family, raise a toast to these remarkable Indian women, whose extraordinary examples make their country proud, and indeed, make our world a better place.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Contributors> Indra Nooyi / by Jair Irwin / June 28th, 2013
