Students in the apparel and design fashion technology department of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) are projecting almond leaves as potential sources for natural dyes.
The produce from these leaves, which have a great staining capacity, is being tried on cotton fabrics as a more eco-friendly replacement to chemical dyes.
The project was recently exhibited at the Vivasaya Thiruvizha (agricultural festival). The students explained that a component called phenol gave almond leaves a staining capacity, and they were making use of this property to propose a much more safer and eco-friendly dyeing substance.
The colour of the dye depends on the amount of phenyl present in the leaves, they said.
Colours are fixed on the fabric with the help of a ‘mordent’.
Most fabrics have chemical substances as mordants, which could prove hazardous to health. However, the students are using natural mordants like alum and ferrous sulfate. Currently, they are trying out the dyes on cushion covers and handbags.
T Padmini, professor of Textile Department, TNAU, said, “Many of these dye products are also used in dyeing fabrics like Bandhani sarees or salwars. It is called the tie-dye process, wherein the fabric is tied at various ends to leave the color on the fabric. Our idea is to try eco-friendly ways to use farm resources.”
Professors from the home science department in the university said they were planning to introduce the product in the market after related tests were conducted.
“Publishing the product in the market involves a lengthy process, since various tests need to be conducted to understand the fastness of the dye. Thereafter, dye manufacturers will be enlightened on how it is produced,” Padmini added.
The students explained that a component called phenol gave almond leaves a staining capacity, and they were making use of this property to propose a much more safer and eco-friendly dyeing substance.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by Karishma Ravindran, TNN / February 28th, 2015
The mandapam housing the memorial to Dr. Sundara Reddy. / The Hindu
“You need permission,” says the watchman at Ramaniyam Sanjivini, a residential complex in Thiruvanmiyur, and despatches his assistant to call the secretary of the building association. I blink at the CCTV camera, hoping the secretary will take kindly to what he sees. Soon, a couple of dhoti-clad seniors walk toward me. “I need to photograph the memorials of Dr. Sundara Reddy and Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy,” I tell them. “Historian Narasiah told me I’d find the shrine and the memorials here.” They point to the round-about ahead; a few steps down and I’m face-to-face with the stone memorials — Dr. Sundara Reddy’s under a traditional mandapam and Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy’s out in the open air.
The memorial to Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy / The Hindu
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy deserves more than just an open stone plaque in a private property. Born in the princely state of Pudukkottai on July 30, 1886 to Narayanaswami Iyer and Chandramma (16), a devadasi, Muthulakshmi was one of eight siblings. An exceptionally bright child, she completed schooling from home, fought for higher education, and was admitted to college as the first girl student when the Maharaja passed an order for her to be enrolled. (She sat behind a screen visible to the teachers alone, and left the class while the boys remained seated.) She topped the Intermediate exams, refused to get married and insisted on doing medicine, a decision brought on by her mother’s cancer attack and death of a cousin during childbirth.
In Madras, she met Sarojini Naidu at Dr. Nanjunda Rao’s Mylapore bungalow, and with her attended Annie Besant’s speeches at Adyar, and was drawn to the Home Rule Movement. Having stood first in her Medical degree (MB & ChM) exam, she worked at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Egmore, the first lady house surgeon in Madras’ medical history. She married Dr. Sundara Reddy in 1913.
Meeting the kids in Dr. Vardappa Naidu’s Destitute Home for Boys and Girls on her child’s Vidyabhyasam Day, she vowed to help them. When her youngest sister died of cancer, Muthulakshmi decided to do all she could to tackle the disease. Foregoing her handsome practice, she went to London with her husband and two boys for PG studies. In June 1926, she attended the International Congress of Women in Paris as India’s representative. When she returned, the Women’s Indian Association proposed her name for the Legislative Council and she became the first woman legislator in the Council. She was also the first alderwoman between 1937 and 1939. During her time, the Council passed a resolution giving the right of franchise to women. Her association with a home run by Sister Subbulakshmi brought her close to the plight of women and children, and she piloted the legislation preventing child marriage. Her bill for abolition of the devadasi system was passed after much debate in February, 1929. In 1937, she moved a bill for Inam lands to be given to devadasis. In 1930, when a batch of seven freed devadasi girls were refused accommodation in Madras hostels, she started the Avvai Home to house and train children and young girls, selling her jewellery for its basic facilities. She organised the first Vigilance Association, Rescue Home for Women and supported the Children’s Aid Society.
She resigned from the Council when Gandhiji was arrested in 1929-30. She was then editing Stri Dharma, a journal promoting the national movement. She went as a delegate to London to depose before the Lothian Committee on Franchise and to Chicago to attend the International Congress of Women. In 1935, MMC moved a resolution for a specialised hospital for cancer, but she had to wait to see it happen. After constant campaigning, she collected Rs. 2 lakh and established the Cancer Institute in 1955. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956. In 1967, she spoke for half-an-hour at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Women’s Indian Association, her last public speech. She passed away on July 22, 1968.
How did the plaque get there? The land belonged to Dr. Reddy and her son lived there, said Narasiah. After he passed away, the builder purchased it. While researching on Dr. Reddy, Narasiah came to know of the memorial at the residential complex. “I showed Sridhar of Ramaniyam the memorials at the site, and requested him to preserve them along with a shrine where the Reddys used to pray.” It turned out he had already promised Dr. Shantha of the Cancer Institute the memorials would be left untouched. “Dr. Shantha visits it often to see that it is well-maintained,” said the seniors.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Geeta Padmanabhan / March 03rd, 2015
The dam constructed by Parakrama Pandian in Kuruvithurai. Photo: Special Arrangement
Inscriptions dating back to 12th Century, found along river Vaigai, talk about the efficient water management system devised by the Pandiya Kings
With summer round the corner, most of us are already worried about water scarcity this season. Experts have done their bit by sounding the alarm on the depleting water table. But have you ever wondered how are ancestors used, managed and conserved this elixir of life?
When it comes to effective conservation, distribution and management of water, one cannot dispense the role of King Karikal Chola, who built the Grand Anaicut across River Cauvery. There are several historical evidences to prove that ancient Tamil rulers had effective water management systems in place in their respective kingdoms.
The Pandiya kings constructed check dams across River Vaigai. King Maravarman Arikesari, also known as Koon Pandiyan, who ruled Madurai during Seventh century built a check dam across Vaigai and named it after himself. It is near the Kuruvikaran Salai road and archaeologists have found a stone inscription there. Likewise, King Parakrama Pandiyan constructed a check dam Sitranai in Kuruvithurai near Madurai. He also extracted granite from the nearby hill Kuruvikal and built a stone quarry. Stone inscriptions in Kuruvithurai Perumal Temple record this.
The stone inscription in the Kuruvithurai Perumal Temple. Photo: Special Arrangement
In the olden days, exclusive groups were constituted for the upkeep of the water bodies. These were theyeri variyam (lake board) and kalingu variyam (sluice board). According to B. Thirumalai and R. Sivakumar, authors of ‘Vaiyai Thadam Thedi’, the landmark ruling of Sri Vallabha Pandiyan, who established the riparian rights of the lower ayacut farmers, is remembered even today. “The case of a landlord cutting off the main channel by digging a channel upstream and depriving farmers of the lower areas was brought to the King,” says Sivakumar.
“The practice of creating a water body to help people has been there for ages,” says C. Santhalingam. Secretary, Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research. Tamil Brahmi inscriptions recovered from Nadumuthalaikulam near Vikkramangalam give evidence of existence of a 2000-year-old man-made lake. “Kings created water bodies and collected land tax from people. Pallavas constructed lakes across their kingdom and named the lakes after them. Some of the man-made lakes are Chithiramega Thadagam and Vairamega Thadagam,” he says.
There were also several lakes like the Thoosi Mamandoor Yeri near Kanchipuram, the biggest of the lot. “The rulers did not end with that. They appointed guards to stop people from polluting and created a corpus fund for the maintenance of the water body. The board used the money to desilt the lake and to distribute food and clothes for victims of floods. They also let the lake on contract for fishing and for ferrying people on coracles to generate funds. Many rich people also donated liberally,” he says.
“For effective distribution there are different types of sluice gates like Pulikan madai (which has three outlets). Depending upon the storage the water is released through these outlets. The one with seven outlets is located near Srivilliputhur. It is constructed by the Koon Pandiyan and to control the flow a pillar is erected at the centre of the main sluice gate,” he says.
Lakes were given much importance in those days. They were quoted in Sangam literature to identify the geographical division of that place, like the Madakulakeezh which refers to the land irrigated by the Madakulam Lake.
“Predominantly an agrarian community dependent on water source, our ancestors knew the importance of conserving water. They were farsighted, sensitive to environmental issues and better equipped than the current times,” concludes Santhalingam.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by T. Saravanan / Madurai – March 04th, 2015
At 84, when most people would decide to make peace with a bad knee, J D Ramanathan decided he would not let the pain be an inconvenience.
Doctors at Apollo Hospitals performed an intricate knee replacement surgery on the elderly man who is up and about now. The patient had chronic rheumatoid arthritis for several years. “His family members were skeptical but he opted for knee replacement surgery.
“We performed a minimally invasive knee surgery and he could walk the very next day,” said senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Madan Mohan Reddy.
Orthopaedic surgeons said recent advances in minimally invasive surgery offer older patients more options for spine, hip, knee and neck care. “Studies have shown that elderly patients who undergo invasive procedures experience higher complication rates and longer recovery periods. But minimally invasive procedures have been game changers,” said Dr Reddy. He added that the oldest patient to undergo hip replacement at the hospital was a 94-year-old man.
Many surgeons are hesitant to perform open procedures on elderly patients because of the increased risk of complications, said Dr Jonathan Saluta, an orthopaedic surgeon from California. “Older patients who undergo an invasive surgical procedure are more likely to suffer from an infection, life-threatening complication, or a return visit to the hospital within a month of surgery. The minimally invasive approach provides the benefits of undergoing an outpatient procedure with minimal blood loss, less scarring, faster recovery time, and fewer postoperative risks,” said Dr Saluta.
The only drawback of minimally invasive procedures is that the cost is 30% higher than open surgeries, said Dr Reddy. “But it is compensated by the faster recovery and shorter hospital stay,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / February 28th, 2015
Medicinal plants on the verge of extinction may get a shot in the arm with the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) in Coimbatore setting up a repository of seeds. The institute plans to grow the plants within its campus, create a seed bank and sell the seeds.
“We are trying to save medicinal plants using the tissue culture method. If we are successful, we will give seeds to farmers and medicinal plant lovers,” said a senior scientist at the institute. “They will be stored in a seed bank, which is a room with sections for chryopreservation, germination and x-ray facilities to check if the germ is alive,” said A Karthikeyan, senior scientist of IFGTB.
This is part of their plan to keep tabs on disappearing medicinal plants and preserve the ecology of the region. Three of the plants the institute is looking at are vishnukranti, veldt grape and morning mallow or kurunthotti.
The roots of the kurunthotti plant, found in the state’s western region and Kerala, can be crushed to make oil which is used to cure fever, asthma, join pain and cough. Vishnukranti, which is found on the red-soiled plains in the western region, is used with cumin and milk to cure fever, nervous breakdowns and memory issues. Veldt grape is used to in Ayurveda and Siddha to heal fractures and ligament tears.
The plants grow on waste land and road sides. “These plants grow in Mettupalayam, Madhampatti on the way to Siruvani, Thudiyalur and Anaikatti. They thrive in red soil,” said C Kunikannan, senior scientist at the institute. “But now their numbers are dwindling,” he said.
Clearing of weeds to widen roads, large-scale plucking by Ayurveda practitioners and spread of invasive species has led to the decline of the species.
“Many medicinal plants are rhizomes so the roots and stems which grow underground are valuable. People pluck out 10,000 to 20,000 plants with the roots for Ayurveda and Siddha, which have become industries,” said T Rajamani, professor, department of medicinal plants, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
“Invasive species also block sunlight from reaching these plants. “There is a fear that these plants will slowly become seasonal and later when a drought comes become unavailable,” adds Rajamani.
Dr Joseph T Varghese of Indian Ayurvedic Hospital and Research Centre said suppliers has said there is a decline in the number of medicinal plants. “We use kurunthotti extensively in our hospital, but suppliers have been saying that fewer plants are being found,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Pratiksha Ramkumar, TNN / February 25th, 2015
Very soon, if you go to an eye doctor with blurred vision, he may well point his iPhone at your eye and take a quick video. Surprised? It’s quite simple, really. Instead of peering into your eye to check if the lens is dislocated, city-based eye specialist Dr Amar Agarwal has begun using a smartphone app to get amazingly ‘slow’ results.
The surgeon has used the popular iOS app Slo-Mo (or TruSloMo) to capture images of the patient’s eye that can be frozen and viewed really easily, “Only when it’s a really obvious shift can we see it by looking through a magnifier. Otherwise, what we would do is take a normal video of a patient moving their eyes from side to side and pause it frame by frame to see which way it has shifted,” said the Chief Surgeon at Dr Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals.
A dislocated lens can occur as a congenital issue or after an injury that causes trauma to the side of the head. It can cause blurred vision, progressively leading to blindness.
The problem with using a normal camera is that not only are the images shot at 25 frames per second (fps), the frozen frame would often be blurry and pixellated,
“These apps are amazing because they shoot at 250 fps and when the frames are looked at one by one, they’re almost in HD quality. We can see exactly how the lens has shifted and repair it with minimal surgery,” he added cheerfully. Apps that offer super-slow motion frames are readily available for both Android and iOS.
Having worked on the technique for over six months with around hundred patients, Dr Agarwal submitted the findings in a scientific paper to the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, which has been accepted. “Once it is published, this technique can be easily used anywhere across the world. Nobody has thought of such a simple solution to one of the more complex eye problems that has been affecting people,” he added.
This development comes after the news that British researchers have developed tools for a smartphone — including a plastic clip on lens over the camera and an app — that will allow just about anybody to conduct eyes tests on a patient, using a smartphone and was created to assess blindness-causing conditions in rural and backward regions.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Daniel Thimmayya / February 13th, 2015
Dr Sujatha Srinivasan with her students|Albin Mathew
For those expecting a serious looking individual with a starchy manner and an intimidating persona are in for a pleasant surprise when one encounters Dr Sujatha Srinivasan who greets you with a hearty handshake and an all-embracing smile. Chatting nineteen to a dozen, she leads to the lab where her students are at work. She explains, “We are in the process of developing assistive devices for people affected by locomotor impairments. These people can lead independent lives via the use of orthotic, prosthetic and other assistive devices.”
Srinivasan is an associate professor and head of the Rehabilitation Research and Development Centre (R2D2) in IIT-Madras. The centre is Srinivasan’s ‘brainchild’. She is a BTech (Mechanical) from Indian Institute of Technology-Madras. After graduation in 1991, Srinivasan worked in Christian Medical College, Vellore in the area of bio-mechanics. Later, she spent 15 years in the US, of which eight was spent in working in prosthetic industry. Declining lucrative job offers from reputed companies in India and abroad, Srinivasan felt her ‘call in life’ was research and development in the field of bio-engineering, to focus on a unique environment for assistive device development to provide for the country’s rehabilitation needs. With this in mind, she returned to India in 2008.
“Multiple sclerosis, amputations due to diabetes and aging are some of the common factors where patients are compelled to spend the rest of their lives in wheel chairs. Here we design physically related devices that keep the differently abled comfortable while allowing them mobility. For example, a polycentric knee allows bending, provides stability while walking. The device is externally used and is made of stainless steel and aluminium. Further, prolonged use of the wheelchair comes with serious side-effects like pressure sores. In view of this, we have developed a standing wheel chair which by rotating the lever the patient can stand for some time. We have developed it from scratch,” she admits proudly. Further, they have devised chairs that are mobilised by the children with cerebral palsy where motor skills are affected and for those with different kinds of disability. Since these children cannot use their hands to rotate the wheels of the chair, they have come up with this new technology—a body-motion controlled wheel chair—in which the chair moves in the direction the child moves.
The ‘Saathi Walker’ is another device developed to help children with no physical stability—the walker supports the child when it walks. Apart from all these devices, the most unique is the ‘Swimming Pool Lift’, an electric chair that gently drops the patient into the pool and lifts the patient back to the top. This was inspired by Madhavi Latha, a polio-inflicted banker, who when given up by doctors was advised to try hydro-therapy and went on to become a paralympic swimming champion in 2012. “Of course, we are trying to develop the chair manually as electricity comes with its own hazards and power in our country is a luxury!” she opines. Though the centre has adopted the concept of developing prosthetics from the West, they have changed the geometry to suit Indian terrain and are also looking at additional features like adding a rotator to the chair so that the patient can sit cross-legged on the floor.
Any initial struggles in setting up the centre? “Not much,” she replies, adding, “When the idea was first suggested to the IIT, they were very supportive. Regarding funding, TTK Prestige Co. chairman T T Jagannathan have helped us enormously; Society for Biomedical Technology and other organisations have helped considerably too. Phoenix Medical Systems has been constructively supportive in manufacturing wheel chairs of high quality at affordable prices. TTK Prestige is also our potential manufacturer with the same goal in mind.” About challenges, she says: “Trying to develop the product with a floating population of students who move on once the study course is complete is difficult as the new ones do not want to complete what someone else started. But we have overcome that now by employing them here on a salary basis.” Srinivasan aims at functionality and affordability to develop quality devices at affordable costs for all. The centre works in parallel with manufacturers to modify designs to suit easily available materials and are also working with NGOs and established manufacturers to commercialise the designs at affordable prices. Ananth from the Mechanical Engineering Department is seen working diligently on the computer and on the table is a pair of stainless steel device meant for the knees. He plans to open his own manufacturing company in conjunction with the R&D centre, while Vivek with a masters degree is satisfied with and encouraged by the research work at the centre.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> LifeStyle> Health / by Uma Balasubramaniam / February 21st, 2015
The wholesale market complex in Koyambedu which supplies fresh produce for the city will soon supply fuel to cook the produce.
The biomethanation plant, which has been generating electricity from vegetable waste, will now also use waste from slaughterhouses, hotels, treated sewage sludge and banana stems to supply biogas to neighbouring houses.
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), which set up the biogas plant along with CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, will work on upgrading the existing plant. The upgrade, which will be done after feasibility tests, is expected to cost around 10 lakh.
“We have suggested to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Corporation of Chennai on setting up an integrated solid waste management plant where we can use other waste from hotels along with the existing waste. We will also explore the feasibility of using banana stem to produce biogas,” said P Shanmugam, principal scientist, CSIR-CLRI.
The plant, which started in 2006 and operated through a private agency, had been generating biogas which was converted into electricity through an engine. With the market complex generating 30 tonnes of waste daily, the plant was producing between 500 units and 4,000 units of electricity. But since its launch, the plant faced glitches with the engine failing and for a few years, the biogas was not put to any use.
“The engine will be removed and the biogas will be supplied to people. No other plant in the country has made such an attempt to supply directly to households,” the scientist added. “In Delhi, biogas is being bottled for use in vehicles but not houses.”
With the present 30 tonnes of waste generating about 2,400 cubic meters of biogas, a CMDA official says the fuel can be supplied to about 2,000 households.
“It is a concept of developing wealth from waste.
We took up this initiative and submitted a proposal to the CMDA. The effort will help bring down the greenhouse gas emissions, groundwater contamination and odour problems due to open dumping,” said CSIR-CLRI director Asit Baram Mandal.
Apartment complexes near the plant have been identified for the direct supply of biogas and officials plan to approach the residents and conduct a workshop. They will also check the feasibility of supplying gas either through pipeline or bottling it. Officials said the corporation also showed interest in converting slaughterhouse waste and hotel waste to biogas fuel. Before it can be supplied to households, biogas will be subjected to a procedure where the carbon-dioxide and hydrogen sulphide content is removed and the overall pressure compressed.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / February 19th, 2015
Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre run by the Sri Narayani Peedam has received an award for community engagement for 2014 from the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), an apex national body of hospitals.
According to Dr N Balaji, director of the hospital and trustee of the Sri Sakthi Amma Healthcare Trust, the award will be presented to the hospital by the union health minister at the Global Healthcare convention being organized by AHPI in Hyderabad on Feb 23, 2015. The AHPI director general, Dr Giridhar Gyani (former secretary general of Quality Council of India), has over ten thousand members.
The 250-bedded multi-specialty charity hospital conducted 128 outreach programmes in 2014 that benefited 23,062 people who would otherwise not have had access to timely medical help, Balaji said. The awareness and screening programmes conceived and implemented by the hospital has helped in the prevention of many diseases with early detection leading to timely intervention and cure, he added. The hospital focuses on the needy people of Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts besides the neighbouring Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
As part of the Sri Sakthi Amma Student Welfare programme, the hospital conducted health checkup programmes for the students, he added. The coveted recognition from the AHPI would further strengthen the resolve and dedication of the staff of this health care institution in working more for the welfare of the community, he further noted.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / February 15th, 2015
Saturday evening saw book lovers gathering at the more than 150-year-old Nilgiri Library at Ooty to celebrate two events—the opening of the refurbished Wardrop Room and the felicitation of member of the Atomic Energy Commission Dr M R Srinivasan. Srinivasan, a longtime resident of Ooty and a member of the library, was feted for recently receiving the Padma Vibhushan.
The Wardrop Room, which underwent a six-month restoration costing Rs 1 lakh, was inaugurated by Lt General S K Gadeock, AVSM, Commandant, Defence Service Staff College, Wellington. The restoration was partially funded by INTACH-Nilgiris chapter.
The Nilgiri Library, which celebrated its 150th anniversary a few years ago, is one of the oldest libraries in the country. The magnificent building on Commissioner’s Road in Ooty was designed by Robert Fellows Chisholm, who also designed Senate House at the University of Madras.
Geetha Srinivasan, president of the library as well as of INTACH-Nilgiris chapter, said, “Books impart knowledge, which builds self confidence. People who have inculcated the reading habit from a young age can never be lonely as books will always be their companions. This is what makes this library important apart from the heritage value of the building and the books within it.”
The restored Wardrop Room has a portrait of Queen Victoria in a gilded frame over the mantelpiece. While the skin tones are Rubenesque, the painting is in the style of the Dutch Masters, she said, adding that there are only three such paintings in the world.
On August 28, 1867, the foundation stone of the main library was laid by A J Arbuth. With its vast Gothic hall and Tudor windows, the Nilgiri Library is a symbol of how public places can be restored and put to modern use, said Srinivasan.
Gadeock said, “The Nilgiri Library is unique and must be preserved.” He donated Rs 10,000 towards maintenance of the library. He also honoured Srinivasan with a Toda shawl and said, “Dr Srinivasan is a great icon who played a pivotal role in the nuclear programme.”
Recollecting his days of working with Dr Homi J Bhabha and Dr Vikram Sarabai, Srinivasan said, “It was a great privilege to work with legends.”
Ramakrishnan Nambiar, secretary, Nilgiri Library, said, “Dr M R Srinivasan has made the Nilgiris district proud.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Shantha Thiagarajan, TNN / February 09th, 2015
