Category Archives: Science & Technologies

Tiruchi GH Doctors successfully operate on parasitic twins

Records, All, Science & Technologies

The fifth child of a Manapparai couple — Mamundi and Jaya — the baby was born in a private hospital and admitted to the Tiruchi GH on December 26 for surgery.

Doctors at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital successfully operated on the five-day-old pair of parasitic twins on Monday, removing a pair of arms, legs and other organs. After the operation, the baby was put on the ventilator at the intensive medical care unit of the hospital. The fifth child of a Manapparai couple — Mamundi and Jaya — the baby was born in a private hospital and admitted to the Tiruchi GH on December 26 for surgery.

Prior to conducting the operation, doctors conducted intensive investigation on the baby monitoring the oxygen level, pulse and blood pressure. A team of doctors consisting of paediatric surgeons and a couple of anaesthetists conducted the operation, lasting over three hours, and successfully removed the organs, said Dr. Bhaskar, a paediatric surgeon, who headed the medical team.

General anaesthesia was given to the baby born with extra arms and legs attached to the chest wall with the intestine and spleen projected outside the abdomen. Terming it as a rare case, Dr. Bhaskar said the surgery was complicated. A silo technic procedure was adopted to restrict the intestine and spleen into the abdominal cavity, Dr. Bhaskar said adding that this was the first time that the Tiruchi GH had carried out such a complex surgery on a newborn.

The condition of the baby was stable, he said, adding that the infant was being constantly monitored.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by A. Rajaram / Tiruchi – December 31st, 2013

Short-term Siddha course for Velloreans

Education, Science & Technologies

The Tamil Nadu Paarambarya Siddha Vaidya Maha Sangam will soon commence six-month diploma course in siddha vaidyam in Vellore.

Vaidyar Arjunan of the sangam said the diploma course would be a good platform to learn and get exposure to the traditional healing system. The a course was already being conducted in Bangalore in association with the Institute of Ayurvedha and Integrated Medicine and Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT).

He said introductory workshops were held for interested youngsters in Bangalore and later at Dindigul. The third one would be held in Vellore shortly. “We are planning to start the course in Vellore in 2014,” he added. He said the sangam had a research and training centre in Vellore where practical training was being imparted to students, who had completed the regular graduate course in Siddha, offered by the government and private colleges. The new diploma course would be practical oriented and a good platform to learn and get exposure to traditional healing system, he added.

Arjunan said the sangam would launch a monthly magazine to popularise traditional healing. It was also planning to document research activities of the siddha vaidyars of the State and their rich experience through the magazine.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by V. NarayanaMurthi – Vellore / December 30th, 2013

75 years old and still washing strong

Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technologies
The unit is put to heavy use between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day. The hospital also has a modern laundry unit. / Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu
The unit is put to heavy use between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day. The hospital also has a modern laundry unit. / Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam / The Hindu

A British-era steam laundry unit at Govt. Stanley Hospital washes 100 pieces of linen at a time

Huge and nothing like modern-day washing machines — the steam laundry machines at Government Stanley Medical College Hospital have been in use for washing linen for close to 75 years.

The steam laundry unit consists of five washing machines, four hydro extractors to squeeze washed clothes, a four-roller ironing machine, a drying chamber and two boilers. “The hospital is 222 years old. These machines were manufactured in Britain and installed here before independence. Plenty of effort goes into maintaining the units,” said hospital dean, S. Geethalakshmi.

Hospital officials said they have to forge spare parts just to maintain the machines.

The unit is put to heavy use between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day. According to B. Jagadeesan, junior engineer in the steam laundry department of the hospital, each washing machine has a 100-kg capacity and can wash 100 pieces of clothing at a time.

“The washing machines carry a seal indicating they were made in Nottingham, England. They work on a reverse gearbox mechanism with a clutch,” he said.

Once the linens are washed, they are shifted to the hydro extractors and then to the drying chamber which has a steam pressure blower, and finally, to the ironing machine.

“Two boilers — one made in England and another in India — produce steam and provide supply to the machines through pipelines,” Mr. Jagadeesan said.

Only recently, the hospital installed a modern laundry unit, which consists of two washing machines, two hydro extractors and two drying chambers, to handle its increased bed strength and facilities.

Linen from the operation theatres located in the surgical block will be washed in the new laundry unit, while linen from other buildings will be washed in the old unit, Mr. Jagadeesan said.

“The new laundry unit has made the process of washing linen quicker. Now, the load is being shared between the old and new units,” the dean said.

The hospital’s bulk sterilisation machine, which can sterilise 100 instruments at a time, too belongs to the pre-independence era.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Serena Jospehine M / Chennai – January 09th, 2014

New broad gauge bay inaugurated at Golden Rock workshop

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Records, All, Science & Technologies

Trichy:

The newly-converted broad gauge (BG) bay for undertaking both light schedule and heavy schedule attention of EMD locomotives, was declared open by the Trichy divisional railway manager (DRM) Manjula Rangarajan at the Golden Rock Workshop on Wednesday. The bay has been constructed with elevated platforms with a pit facility for attending to the bogie. The Railway Board has sanctioned Rs 14 crore for augmenting the infrastructure at the 42-year-old diesel loco shed that has bagged the annual rolling shield for best maintained shed five times in the last nine years. Manjula Rangarajan also commissioned the newly-installed reverse osmosis (RO) type water purifying plant for the benefit of 750 employees of this shed. The 250 litre per hour capacity RO plant happened to be a new year’s gift to the employees, she said. The workforce at the shed maintain 147 diesel locomotives (71 ALCO type, 53 EMD type high horse power locomotives and 23 DEMU power cars).

Since July 2011, the diesel loco shed at Golden Rock became the first in the country to maintain EMD type locomotives with 4500 horse power that are used extensive in both freight service and in express train service. “In order to home these new breed of locomotives, the Railway Board had sanctioned Rs 14 crore for augmenting the infrastructure and for the procurement of various tools, machineries required for maintenance,” she explained.

The DRM further said that the new bay had been specially constructed with elevated platforms for working alongside the locomotives and with a pit facility for attending to the bogie and under gear items with much ease. These bays would provide additional space required for increased holding of these locomotives, she added.

Earlier, under the leadership of the DRM, all the officers and division and engineers of diesel shed and faculty of Diesel Traction and Training Centre (DTTC) carried out mass tree plantation at the training centre. Only treated effluent water discharged with the effluent treatment plant would be used for watering these trees, she said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy /TNN / January 03rd, 2014

Made in Madurai enthralls the city

Business & Economy, Science & Technologies

Madurai :

It will be quite surprising to know that the China Nuclear Corporation is procuring valves from a Madurai-based company and the conveyor belts used in mines across the country are manufactured here. There were many such revelations at ‘Made in Madurai’, the three-day exhibition organised by Madurai District Tiny & Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) that began on Friday. It is generally assumed that high-end manufacturing in Madurai is negligible and the city’s economy is just about religious tourism. The exhibition is an emphatic announcement that manufacturing is thriving in Madurai and many products manufactured in the city have takers around the globe.

Aruna Alloy Steels Pvt Ltd at the outskirts of the city not only supplies valves made of carbon steel to nuclear plants in China but also supplies stainless steel valves for marine application to European countries including Norway, Germany, the UK. With consistent quality, the international orders were scaling up and the firm is expanding, the company sources said.

Madurai’s journey in manufacturing started in 1889, when Harvey Mills now known as Madura Coats, was set up. In the next few years, 27 more spinning mills came up turning the city into textile hub. Over the years, other industries also came up in the city. Renowned brands like TVS Sri Chakra, Fenner India, Hi-Tech Arai, Thiagaraja Mills, and many brands in food industry like Perry’s biscuits, Sastha oil, Anjali oil, health concerns like AVN Arokya established in Madurai by 1909 and Saibol, the ointment that cures many skin diseases established in 1937, came up. Some of these have carved out a unique name for themselves. For instance, eucalyptus tree in the region is called RS Pathy tree, after the company that started manufacturing medicine from the tree oil in Madurai since 1909.

The 125 stalls in the exhibition is representative of the sectors including engineering & fabrication, press metal components, chemical and allied products, agro products, electrical & electronics, printing & packaging, motor & pumps, paper & paper allied products, auto parts & components, pharmaceuticals, food processing, siddha medicines, granite, textiles & readymade garments, rubber and allied products. “Though many of the trade and industrial ventures were unique to the city in those days, we grew over the period adapting to changing times and technology to spread across the country. Many are not aware that Madurai supplies lot many products nationwide,” V Vinoth of Janatha Syrup company, a leading sarasaparilla (nannari) syrup manufacturer in the city.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by J. Arockiaraj, TNN / December 21st, 2013

All differently abled children in Perambalur getting therapy

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technologies
Differently abled children at a day care centre in Perambalur district./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Differently abled children at a day care centre in Perambalur district./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Autorickshaws employed for bringing kids to day care centres

The district has registered a rare achievement in the care of differently abled, with “zero home-based differently abled child” in the district. All the 467 differently abled children in the age group of 0 to 18 suffering from multiple disabilities have been attached to the 10 day care centres run under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

It was the initiative taken by the district administration with the active participation of the SSA, Pudu Vaazhvu Thittam and the department of differently abled welfare that saw the new horizon in the form of creation of adequate day care centres.

Till a couple of years ago, the district accounted for only four day care centres – one in each block. District Collector Darez Ahamed, a qualified doctor, realising the importance of adequate facilities for the rehabilitation of youth with disabilities, got six more day care centres under the SSA. He allocated Rs. 3.35 lakh for each centre from the Collector’s discretionary funds for improving the infrastructure, besides procuring physiotherapy-related equipment and teaching learning material.

The differently abled children identified at the special screening camps were enrolled and attached to these day care centres and this enabled them get the benefits extended by the government.

In the absence of adequate day care centres, many children with disabilities remained indoors for years and the rehabilitation initiative of the government did not reach them because of the distance involved, absence of adequate trained hands, and so on.

The Collector’s initiative has brought relief to the parents of these hapless children, who undergo special education programme in the centres. Special teachers and physiotherapists had been attached to them. Till recently, one physiotherapist was in charge of two centres, but now each centre accounted for a physiotherapist. The parents could not bring their children to the centres for want of transport facilities. Now, autorickshaws have been hired for bringing these children to the day care centres every day and Rs.12,000 is earmarked for each centre for a month – Rs. 4,300 under SSA and Rs. 7,700 under Pudu Vaazhvu Thittam. The children’s performance is monitored by special teachers and their physical and behavioural patterns are monitored regularly.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Syed Muthahar Saqaf / Perambalur – December 19th, 2013

Torrent-Elder Pharma enter into a definitive agreement

Business & Economy, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Coimbatore :

Elder Pharmaceuticals  and  Torrent Pharmaceuticals  have announced that Torrent has entered into a definitive binding agreement with Elder to acquire its branded domestic formulations business in India and Nepal for a consideration of Rs 2,004 crore.

Elder’s India business comprises a portfolio of over 30 brands with leading products across women’s healthcare, pain management, wound care and neutraceuticals therapeutic segments.

The India business is being sold as a going concern on a slump sale basis and the transaction would involve the transfer of employees engaged in sales, marketing and operations. Under the proposed transaction, Elder would continue to manufacture and supply products at its existing manufacturing facilities for Torrent for three years.

Torrent would fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and bank debt. Elder’s existing brand equity in the areas of women’s healthcare and pain management would help Torrent strengthen its position in the Indian market expanding into these fast growing areas, the companies said in a statement.

“We will now focus and grow our in-licensing, anti-infectives and exports business,” said Alok Saxena, Managing Director and CEO, Elder. “The transaction is a strategic fit for Torrent and will strengthen its core prescription-based business,” said Sudhir Mehta, Chairman, Torrent Group.

“This acquisition strengthens our position in women healthcare, pain management and vitamins/nutrition segments by enhancing and accelerating market access,” he said. “It is also expected to enable cost and revenue synergies in Torrent’s domestic formulations business,” Mehta said.

The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of both the companies. The transaction is subject to shareholder approval and applicable regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first half of 2014.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore> Pain Management / by M. Allirajan, TNN / December 13th, 2013

Centres to Detect Hearing Defects Among Kids

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technologies
Differently-abled welfare officer B Charles Prabhakaran inspecting the newly built facility in Vellore | express
Differently-abled welfare officer B Charles Prabhakaran inspecting the newly built facility in Vellore | express

The State government will soon establish Early Diagnostic Centres for the hearing impaired in 10 districts, to detect and treat hearing loss among children aged between 0-6 years.

The centres, which will be equipped with sophisticated equipment, can diagnose hearing loss from the first day of birth. They will be established at a cost of `1.98 crore. The centre has been designed to detect possible hearing disability during birth or acquired after birth.

The centre would be established in Vellore, Nammakal, Madurai, Tiruvallur, Kaniyakumari, Theni, Chengalpet, Dharmapuri, Erode and Virudunagar districts. Each centre would be established at a cost of `19.80 lakh.

Each centre would be equipped with instruments such as Pure Tone Audiometry, Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA), Oto Acoustic Emission (OAE)(portable screener), Sound Treated Rooms, Diagnostic Audiometre with free field Audiometry/ Peep Show Audiometer with laptop and otoscope with light.

“Such centres are not available in government sector or even in several corporate hospitals in the districts,” district differently-abled welfare officer B Charles Prabhakaran said.

“If the congenital hearing disabilities are not detected and corrected within 4 to 5 years, they will become a victim of permanent disability. It will also affect their speech, language acquisition ability and developmental growth,” he said. The most sophisticated equipment like BERA, which costs `8.20 lakh, would help to measure responses in brain waves, stimulated by sounds. The OAE equipment, which cost `4 lakh, will help to monitor the vibration of hair cells in the ears.

“We have completed the construction of sound-proof room at a cost of `4 lakh and are waiting for installation of the equipment. The centre will start functioning from March next year,” Prabhakaran said and added that the existing audiologist-cum-speech therapist would man the centre.  “We will assist individuals with behind-the-ear hearing aid based on the intensity of hearing loss,” Prabhakaran further said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by J Shanmuga Sundaram – Vellore / December 12th, 2013

Lanco Tanjore Power Company receives SWORD OF HONOUR award from British Safety Council

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Lanco Infratech Limited (LITL), one of India’s largest integrated infrastructure enterprise, has announced that its unit, Lanco Tanjore Power Company Limited (LTPCL), operating 120 MW combined cycle power plant in Tamil Nadu has bagged the coveted SWORD OF HONOUR award from British Safety Council in the category of ‘Health and Safety Management System’ for the year 2013.

The award which acknowledges the company’s excellence in the health and safety bracket was presented to LTPCL’s Chief Executive Officer Mr P. Panduranga Rao from Mr. Alex Botha, Chief Executive Officer of the British Safety Council in a grand ceremony at the Goldsmith’s Hall in London.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. P. Panduranga Rao, CEO, Lanco Tanjore said: “This is a proud moment for Lanco Group. Very few companies have received this award from the British Safety Council till now. It marks the sincere and responsible efforts that Lanco put into each of its projects to ensure the maintenance of the highest safety standards and creation of an amicable, secure work environment for its employees.”

In order to compete for the SWORD OF HONOUR award, LTPCL first had to attain FIVE STAR rating in the British Safety Council’s health and safety management audit scheme with a minimum score of 92%. LTPCL had to achieve another 80% to receive SWORD OF HONOUR, making it the first ever gas-based combined cycle power plant in India to scale the heights of achievement in the field of Health and Safety.

British Safety Council’s SWORD OF HONOUR award is designed to recognize and celebrate health, safety and welfare management excellence. The award is open to organizations around the world who have achieved the maximum five stars in the British Safety Council’s audit programme.

source: http://www.equitybulls.com / Equity Bulls / Home> Stock Report / December 08th, 2013

Multi-tasker Srimathi Sridharan Loves Doing New Things

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technologies

As a voice over artist, cartoon dubbing artist, anchor, freelancer writer and a graphic designer, Srimathi Sridharan’s mantra is to plan ahead. After completing her bachelor’s in electronic media, she is now pursuing her master’s in communication at MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai. She is also pursuing a diploma course in animation at IMAGE. “I am purely a career-oriented person who likes to grab and make use of every opportunity I get. I basically like to try out new things every now and then. I put my heart and soul in whatever work I do,” says the 21-year-old.

SrimathiCF19dec2013

Ask her how she manages to multi-task and she explains, “Planning is the key. Each day, I put down a to-do list and make sure I complete the tasks before coming home. Once I’m home, I ensure that I spend quality time with my parents. Balancing work and life is very important to me. If you strategise and prioritise, you will have time to attend classes, finish your work and even go out with your family for dinner.”

Srimathi has been working since 2009 and feels that her journey has been good so far. “I really love to work and keep myself engaged. Trying out different things fascinates me. Monetary needs are secondary. Work should be satisfying,” says Srimathi, who earns approximately `15,000 per month.

This all-rounder’s future plan is to become a full-time journalist. “Dedication, skills and knowledge update is very vital for career growth. But this is not the end and I can’t say that I have enough experience in whatever I do. I have a long way to go,” she signs off.

— kaviya@newindianexpress.com

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Education> Edex / by Kaviya Sanjeevi – Chennai / December 16th, 2013