Category Archives: Science & Technology

World-famous cardiologist Dr Riyaz Bashir delivers lecture on medical innovations at NIT Srinagar

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR / Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), USA :

pix: youtube.com

‘Such lectures are aimed to provide a vibrant platform for students: Director

Srinagar:

World famous cardiologist Dr Riyaz Bashir MD, FACC, who is Professor of Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, USA, Wednesday delivered an expert lecture on medical innovations at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar.


The event was organized jointly by MSME, Development Institute Srinagar in collaboration with MSME- Business Incubation Centre and IIED Centre.


The event was presided over by Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Rakesh Sehgal, and world-renowned cardiologist Dr Riyaz Bashir who is also Director, Vascular and Endovascular Medicine and co-inventor of the Bashir™ Endovascular Catheter was the chief guest on the occasion.


In his presiding speech, Director NIT, Prof. Sehgal said new innovations are important and vital for any engineering institution. From medical sciences to agriculture, India is progressing in every field of science and technology. No technology will be successful until we make it sustainable, he said.


Prof. Sehgal also expressed his gratitude to Dr Riyaz Bashir for delivering a memorable lecture on medical innovations. Hosting such renowned personalities is the need of the hour, he said.


Institute’s Registrar, Prof. Syed Kaiser Bukhari said research and innovation are essential to increase the abilities of young minds. “We need to develop and test solutions; predict outcomes and mitigate harm and make informed policy decisions,” he said.


Prof. Bukhari said research and innovation are critical for generating new knowledge, building new infrastructure, and educating innovators and entrepreneurs.


In his key address, Dr Riyaz Bashir delivered his lecture on medical innovations and shared his aspiring journey from Kashmir to the USA with the young innovators.


“Our team is working on removing the blockage of lung arteries by a blood clot results in pulmonary embolism – a condition requiring emergency care that affects thousands of patients across the globe,” he said.


Dr. Bashir further said existing treatments, however, may not fully remove the clot, necessitating the development of new therapeutic strategies for pulmonary embolism.


His team has developed a device known as the Bashir™ Endovascular Catheter (Thrombolex, Inc.), which effectively dissolves the clots in the lungs, with no major bleeding risk.


Dr Bashir also urged young innovators to focus on a problem and then try to find the best solutions possible. “Universe will conspire to make it successful if your intention is to help people and impact lives,” he said.
Assistant Director, MSME Development Institute Srinagar, Saheel Yaqoob Alaqband said the program was aimed to motivate young innovators, and how they will take their innovation to commercial stage.


“Ministry of MSME funds those innovations which have commercial potential and later can change the lives of the people. Dr Riyaz is an example for young innovators,” he said.


On the occasion Head IIED Centre, Prof. Saad Parvez talked about the growing startup culture and how their centre is helping to grow that culture at NIT Srinagar as well as in Kashmir.


He said IIED Centre of NIT Srinagar is the host institute for implementing MSME design and innovation schemes.


The event was attended by Prof. Babar Ahmad, Dr Sheikh Shahid Saleem, G A Harmain, Dr Noor Zaman, Dr Parvez Ahmad Reshi, Dr Dinesh Kumar, Dr Danish Ahmad, Dr Sandeep Rathee, Abdul Hamid (Rahim Greens), Dr Talib Khan (SKIMS), Dr Shiekh GM (Ex. AP, MED) and innovators from NIT Srinagar and MSME.


A formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr Sheikh Shahid Saleem. He expressed gratitude to Dr. Bashir for encouraging the young innovators and boosting their morale. He later thanked all participants for attending the special lecture.

source: http://www.kashmirreader.com / Kashmir Reader / Home / by KR Desk / May 20th, 2022

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, IUST innovators create ‘frugal’ ventilator prototype

Awantipora (Pulwama District), JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Srinagar:

Innovators at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have claimed to have set up a prototype of a low cost ventilator to tackle the shortage of ventilators amid the COVID-19 pandemic.


A statement by the varsity said that the innovators at the IUST’s Design Innovation Centre (DIC) had tested the ventilator prototype, named ‘Ruhdaar’ successfully in the laboratory.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, IUST innovators create ‘frugal’ ventilator prototype


It said the ventilator is expected to be handed over to the medical experts at the SKIMS hospital Soura for evaluation purposes which will immediately begin once the innovators are satisfied with its functioning in the laboratory.


The statement said that the raw materials for the said frugal ventilator are easily available within J&K and India.


Team members headed by Coordinator DIC, Dr Shahkar Nehvi, Dr Majid Hamid Koul, ex faculty IUST who recently joined the NIT, Peerzada Shoaib, Assistant professor IUST, two IUST Alumini Asif Shah and Zulquarnain, Jawad, Design Fellow IUST, Dr Saad Parvaiz from NIT Srinagar, Dr Shabir Hassan from Harvard University as overseas mentor and Abdul Rahim from Rahim Greens contributed towards the designing of the said prototype, the statement said.


It further said that there was a possibility that the ventilator is manufactured in A commercial scale once the prototype is approved by medical experts.


Vice Chancellor IUST, Prof Mushtaq A Siddiqi has congratulated the entire team for this huge achievement.


A statement quoted Prof Siddique as saying that he was thrilled over the team members for achieving the feat in a very short span of time adding that the components of the ventilator were mostly local.


The VC IUST said that the university will go for patenting and handover the technology to a start-up or couple of start-ups, so that the ventilator is produced on the large scale. Prof Siddiqi further added that the prototype is fine and alright, but it depends on the medical fraternity to accept it or suggest certain modifications.

source: http://www.kashmirreader.com / Kashmir Reader / Home / by KR Desk / April 23rd, 2020

Entrepreneur Mohammad Mansoor honoured for contribution to sports & international relations

BAHRAIN :

Leading Bahrain-based Indian entrepreneur, Founder and Chairman of the Saara Group, Mohammad Mansoor was honoured for his enormous contribution to sports and international relations by the one of the oldest cultural organisations in Bahrain, the – Kerala Catholics Association. 

Mansoor was presented the award as presented the award by Minister of Labor and Social Development H E Jameel Bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan at a glittering gala ceremony at the Crowne Plaza hotel, in the presence of Ministers, Ambassadors, VIPs, distinguished guests and community leaders including India’s Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Piyush Srivastava, Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Julios, Peravur MLA Adv. Sunny Joseph.

Mr Mansoor, a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist, is the Founder & CEO of Saara Group, which has a portfolio of operations across the domains of Information Technology, Energy, Oil & Gas, Digital Media, Sports Infrastructure, Seed Capital Investments, and Social Initiatives.

The operations of the group span across the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC), United Kingdom, United States of America, ASEAN countries and India.

As an active supporter of an array of social and cultural initiatives to empower community relations and strengthen the social fabric, he has played and played a crucial role in supporting the sports initiatives in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad AI Khalifa. 

As a cricket enthusiast, he was the brains behind launching the first-ever franchise-based T20 Cricket Premier League which was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad AI Khalifa in 2018. In 2021, he was appointed as the advisor to the newly revamped Bahrain Cricket Federation and was instrumental behind giving the sport a much-needed boost in Bahrain. So much so, that the women’s team has already inked its name in the record books by scoring the highest score in an T20 International. 

An active supporter of Bahrain’s flagship sports media property, BRAVE Combat Federation across multiple venues around the world. He spearheaded the KHK Heroes Foundation initiative assisting the economically vulnerable communities and expatriates throughout the Kingdom of Bahrain during the Coronavirus pandemic part from being a director of KHK Venture Holding. 

In 2021, he was appointed to the prestigious World Youth Group as director of the Council. The WYG has been designed by Collegiate Congress, in association with United Nations Member States, United Nations Agencies, youth and student groups; All-African Students Union (AASU), European Students Union (ESU), Young Republicans National Federation (YRNF), Young Democrats of America (YDA), higher education institutions, the private sector, and individuals from around the world.

Of the most notable among the awards that he has been conferred with is the Hind Ratan Award.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / June 14th, 2022

Kashmir teacher innovates solar car

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Breaking the notion that only the elite can have luxurious rides, Bilal Ahmad, a mathematics teacher as well as an innovator from Srinagar has made a solar car which is not only luxurious but is also affordable for the common people. 

Hailing from Sanat Nagar area of Srinagar, Bilal has been working on this project for over 11 years and today he drives his solar car with confidence. The innovative car made by him works on solar energy and has solar panels all over the surface. 

He watched and studied about various luxurious cars which were made since 1950. He also studied about an engineer and innovator named Delorian who started a company DMC which helped him and motivated him to make a car which is luxurious and simultaneously affordable for the common people.

“Cars like Mercedes, Ferrari, BMW are just a dream for a common person. Only few people are able to afford it while it remains a dream for others to drive such cars and roam in it. I thought of something to give a luxurious feel to the people as well,” he said. 

He started working on the car and modified it by watching the various videos and started adding the features in it. 

Initially he wanted to make a car for disabled people but due to his financial conditions, he couldn’t conceive the idea which made him put his idea on hold.  “Government didn’t help me at that time. I was not financially sound so I couldn’t take the cost of the innovation,” he said. 

Keeping in view the rising price of the fuel, he thought of using solar energy to run the car. In 2019, he went to Chennai to get in touch with the solar panel making company. Furthermore he researched and brainstormed with a number of experts of the field. 

“In Kashmir, most of the time, the weather is gloomy. I used solar panels which can give higher efficiency even in low sunlight days. I went to many solar companies to check the efficiency of solar panels,” he said.

The challenge of how the solar panels can be used over the car and how much efficiency it can give on the less surface area was overcome  by him with the use of monocrystalline solar panels. 

“The surface area of a car is less as compared to the surface area of the roof of the house. I got the solar panels which take less space but give high efficiency,” he said.

Pertinent to mention here that there are two types of solar panels – monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Bilal used monocrystalline solar panels which occupied less space and gave more efficiency. 

Further he worked on the weaknesses of the solar innovative car. At times, the doors of the car when parked at the place received light sunlight, to overcome this problem, he made a Gullwing door which opens upwards like the ones in a Ferrari. Making and balancing the gullwing doors was a challenge as well as a difficult task for him. “With gullwing doors, the solar panels attached to the doors will also raise up and the sunlight will directly fall on them,” he said. 

Further, the solar panels automatically can change their direction with the changing directions of the sun. For this he has made a remote control which works within the range of 1.5 kilometers which can control the direction of panels so that more light can be absorbed by them. 

Also he has increased the seating capacity of the car. “The sports car only has seating capacity of two people but here 4 people can sit conveniently. Also the braking system will regenerate the power to its batteries to save energy. It is eco-friendly and works on free energy resources. It has a huge potential to revolutionize the market,” he said. 

“The car is not a prototype, it is a fully luxurious car. The other luxurious cars available in the market have huge costs in crores. I want affordable inventions to reach common people. I want people to make use of advanced technology at affordable prices,” he further said. 

He has driven the car on the roads and has received good response from the passers-by.

He said he has used a Lead Acid battery in the car. “We can also use a lithium battery in it but we have to use a protection circuit with it additional protection can be added,” he said. 

Talking about his difficulties, he said that the unavailability of the equipment and gadgets is a major difficulty which innovators face here. “Lack of exposure among the local mechanics is another problem. The knowledge they possess is limited which makes it really difficult to explain them,” he said.

He further said that the youth of Kashmir have more talent but lack exposure and platform to showcase it. 

He is of the opinion that a place like Kashmir should have attractive things to attract the tourists as well as locals. “The electric vehicles plying on roads don’t have that luxurious look. Kashmir is a tourist place and we should have attractive things like in any other foreign place like Switzerland.”

He wishes to soon start his company for its mass production which can also generate employment for the youth of Kashmir. “I will name the company as YMC after the names of my children- Yosha and Maisha. The company will be making luxurious cars for the common people,” he added. 

Bilal is an innovator associated with IIED center NIT, Srinagar. The center will provide him assistance for this innovation.  Saad Parvez, head, IIED center said, “The IIED center will help him to develop his innovation and will connect him with the industries or forum that can help him. Our local innovators need motivation and a marketplace. The challenge is to market the innovation.”

Despite having a B.Tech degree in civil engineering, he has a good interest in electronics. He has an experience of 14 years in teaching as he has worked in various colleges and schools as assistant professor. In the past, in 2009, he has made a LPG gas controlling safety device. The device which can automatically turn off the LPG cylinder from anywhere via a mobile app.  

source: http://www.risingkashmir.com / Rising Kashmir / Home / by Insha Latief Khan / June 20th, 2022

NGO to felicitate three Muslim women who defied society’s frown

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

Modelling professional, rugby player and dermatologist among role models.

(From left) Bilkes Perveen, Saba Ali Firoz and Suraiya Rahman.
Gautam Bose

A young woman set a condition to her would-be husband that she would marry only if she was allowed to pursue sports after wedding.

A girl whose neighbours once complained she wore jeans pursued her dream and became a fashion model, an entrepreneur and an anchor-presenter.

Several Muslim women who refused to tread the steps that many others wanted them to — get married, have children and live a domestic life — are now successful professionals. They came together at a gathering on Thursday afternoon.

The women will be feted by the NGO Friends of Alumni of Colleges Educational Institutes and Schools (FACES) and Mashriq Education Trust next week.

The Telegraph listened to some of their stories:

Bilkes Perveen

Anchor, model and entrepreneur

She was once frowned upon for wearing jeans. Bilkes, in her early 30s, who grew up on Convent Road in central Kolkata, said she was probably the only girl in her community in the neighbourhood who wore a pair of jeans.

“My neighbours were not happy with me wearing jeans. It was a very conservative space where I grew up,” she said. But she didn’t budge.

When she was 18, Bilkes took a night-shift job. She would go to her workplace wearing jeans or trousers. “I was 18. I wanted to be financially independent. Relatives and neighbours questioned why I took a night job. They wanted me to marry and have a kid instead of working. Fortunately, my parents stood by me,” Bilkes said on Thursday.

Life had better in store for her. At 19, she took up a job with a bank. It is while working there that she found her future husband, Tanmay Chatterjee. “Tanmay has always been very supportive. He wanted me to be a role model for others. After marriage I set up a company named Perveen and Chatterjee,” she said.

Bilkes wants to help women who have dreams but are afraid of defying the moral police. “My company trains Muslim women in personality development,” she said. 

Bilkes herself hosts events as anchor and is also a model for a sari brand. “I am today happy with what I am doing,” she said.

Saba Ali Firoz

Rugby player and stylist

Saba had set a condition to her husband before marriage — she would pursue sports, her passion.

“My husband was fine with it,” said the 39-year-old mother of two.

She continues to do it despite unsolicited comments meant to fetter her. “I had to wear short skirts for playing, for which I had to hear comments like ‘you are not Sania Mirza’. Wearing a short skirt is a taboo,” she said.

Daughter of a retired police officer, Saba, a resident of Metropolitan off EM Bypass, got inducted into sports from her early teens by her father. “I did sprints and long jumps. It was my father who inspired me to take up athletics.” 

Saba’s interest in sports spans disciplines. She has represented her club CCFC in rugby. She has played darts, badminton and tennis. She has also inculcated the passion for sports in her kids. Her 15-year-old son has represented the state in swimming and her 9-year-old daughter is training in swimming and basketball.

Imran Zaki, president of Faces, one of the organisers of Thursday’s get-together, said Muslim women were usually not encouraged by the society to take up sports and continue that after marriage. “It is to Saba’s credit and her will that she has managed to do what she loves. She is the one to emulate,” said Zaki.

As a professional, Saba runs her own studio at her home. She is a stylist and a make-up artist.

Suraiya Rahman

Gynaecologist and owner of a hospital 

Suraiya earned her MBBS degree from Bihar in 1967. She was the only Muslim woman in her batch. She later completed her MD from Kolkata in 1975. Again she was the only Muslim woman in her batch.

“There were objections from relatives and acquaintances. They thought it was disgraceful for a woman to go to a convent school and a medical college,” she said. “But my parents never let those objections reach me. My younger sister is a gynaecologist,” she said.

If Suraiya was a rare example in her student days, she is one even now. At 76, Suraiya is running a hospital on Dilkusha Street near bridge number 4 in Park Circus. She does procedures, looks after the daily administration and advises junior doctors. “I am only 76,” she said when applauded for being so active at her age.

Farah Khan, director, Mashriq Education Trust, said: “Suraiya Rahman is a role model for the entire community. So many young doctors from our community, both women and men, look up to her.”

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph, Kolkata / Home> My Kolkata / News> Women’s Empowerment / by Subhajoy Roy / June 10th, 2022

‘My aim is to serve the underprivileged,’ says Muslim surgeon from Hyderabad after cracking UPSC

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Dr Mustafa Hashmi is the only Muslim candidate from the south Indian state of Telangana making the UPSC list.

He is one among the total of 22 Muslim candidates who cracked the UPSC exams this year. 

After completing his MBBS in 2016, Dr Hashmi pursued his MS degree at Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad. He graduated in 2020 and joined the district hospital, King Koti, as a surgeon. | Picture by arrangement

Hyderabad :

Of the total 685 candidates who have cracked this year’s Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams, only 22 are Muslim. 29-year-old Dr Mustafa Hashmi is one of them. He is the only Muslim candidate from Telangana who has cracked the prestigious UPSC, which is India’s highest civil services exam. He has bagged 162nd rank. 

Talking to TwoCircles.net, Dr Hashmi, who was a practicing surgeon at Government District Hospital King Koti, Hyderabad, said that he was very happy to crack UPSC. 

He said his motivation to crack UPSC came from seeing the experiences of economically backward people while accessing health care. “It dawned on me that the problems of these people are not confined to health alone and that I should do something else to ease their problems and serve the society in a much more beneficial way,” he said.  

Dr Hashmi cracked UPSC exams on his fourth attempt after preparing for more than a year without attending any coaching institute.  

“The first three attempts were like practice tests for me so I could get to know the pattern of the tests. I don’t have any regrets about that. It was only during my 4th attempt that I dedicated more time after my hours at the hospital,” Dr Hashmi said. 

Maintaining a balance between work and studying for UPSC wasn’t easy. After an exhausting day at the hospital, where he was sometimes posted in the intensive care unit (ICU), performing surgeries and treating Covid-19 patients, he would come home and devote the remainder of his time to studies. 

“I was determined and remained focused,” he said. 

Dr Hashmi said that during his studies, his parents supported him by running his errands and doing his chores. “It is not just my hard work but even my parents’ put in so much to ensure that I was not disturbed while studying. They took care of every little need of mine. I owe my success to them and their upbringing,” he shared. 

Born in an educated family, Dr Hashmi said that he was inclined towards science from his childhood because of his grandfather. “My grandfather was a Deputy General Manager in the Water Works Department, and used to advise me to become an administrative officer because he would say I could serve people better in that way,” he said. 

After completing his MBBS in 2016, Dr Hashmi pursued his MS degree at Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad. He graduated in 2020 and joined the district hospital, King Koti, as a surgeon. 

Besides excelling in academics, Dr Hashmi has memorized the entire Quran.

Eldest of the four siblings, who are also doctors, Dr Hashmi said his parents were working comfortable jobs in the Gulf before deciding to return to India. “My parents wanted me to serve the country. I am thankful to Allah for this result,” he said.  

Dr Hashmi believes that after counselling, it is more likely that he will be posted in the Indian Police Service (IPS).  

“Whatever is assigned to me, I will serve the people. I will be able to reach out to more people who are underprivileged and I am happy with that,” he said.

Dr Hashmi said that the youth of the country who wanted to pursue UPSC should not think of serving themselves but “serve society at large and contribute to nation-building.” 

“Youth (cracking UPSC) should think about improving the lives of the less privileged in whatever way they can. Understanding the larger purpose and working hard towards that is the key to success and satisfaction,” he added. 

Nikhat Fatima is a correspondent with TwoCircles.net based in Hyderabad, Telangana. She tweets at  @snikhatf

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Lead Story / by Nikhat Fatima / June 02nd, 2022

Jamia Millia Islamia MSc Student Awarded Scholarships by 6 US Universities

NEW DELHI :

Uzma has chosen Lehigh University and will be joining in August 2022. She has also been awarded a one-time relocation allowance by the university.

Jamia Millia Islamia student Uzma has been offered 100 per cent tuition fee waiver
Jamia Millia Islamia student Uzma has been offered 100 per cent tuition fee waiver

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) alumna Uzma Khan, who completed her MSc electronics course from the Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jamia in 2021 has received offers to do a fully-funded PhD from six prestigious American universities. She applied for 100 per cent scholarship in nine US Universities and received offers from six, said the varsity. Her area of research will be ‘underwater wireless communication and signal processing.’

Uzma has been offered 100 per cent tuition fee waiver along with a monthly stipend for an on-campus job of research and teaching assistant in six US universities — Lehigh University, University of Cincinnati, University of Maryland at Baltimore County, SUNY (State University of New York) Buffalo, SUNY Albany and University of New Hampshire.

Uzma has chosen Lehigh University and will be joining in August 2022. She has also been awarded a one-time relocation allowance by the university. “I am joining Lehigh University because my educational qualifications and research interest is in complete coherence with my potential supervisor there,” said she.

The wireless and signal processing lab she is going to join is doing cutting edge research on current and future technologies and will be best suited for her research area which is underwater wireless communication and signal processing, she explained.

After scoring good scores in IELTS and GRE she became eligible to apply to US universities. After sending e-mails to professors with whom her research interest coincides, she subsequently cleared technical interviews with a committee composed of members of the lab/department she wanted to get admitted to.

Uzma has also secured topped in her class during master’s studies at Jamia and for that she will get awarded with a gold medal in upcoming convocation.

She has also received a provisional offer for INSPIRE fellowship by DST, Ministry of Science and Technology.

Earlier, she got placed as system engineer in TCS and Infosys but she chose not to join as her interest lies in research.

source: http://www.news18.com / News18 / Home> News> Education-Career / by Education & Career Desk, News18.com / June 09th, 2022

Dr Syed Khan’s services to Unani cause hailed at farewell function

NEW DELHI :

New Delhi:

Dr. Syed Ahmad Khan, who retired on May 31, 2022 as a Deputy Director, Incharge, Unani Medical Centre at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, was honoured during a farewell function hosted by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM). His contributions to the cause of Unani medicine were lauded by all who spoke. They claimed that Dr Khan’s devotion and dedication set an example for others.

The function was conducted under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Director General, CCRUM, Ministry of Ayush at Hotel River View, Okhla on May 30, 2022. It was organised by Dr Rahat Raza, Deputy Director In charge, RRIUM, New Delhi.

Dr. Syed Ahmad Khan served for over 30 years in CCRUM and discharged his duty at various levels from Research Officer (Unani) to Deputy Director.

He was felicitated by the senior officials. He superannuated from the service as Deputy Director Incharge of the Unani Medical Center at Safdarjung Hospital.

Prof. Khan praised Dr Syed Khan on his contributions and dedication to the Unani medical services, and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Officers and personnel from CCRUM attended the farewell party and showered Dr. Khan with praise.

Dr. Khan is the General Secretary of the All India Unani Tibbi Congress, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the cause of Unani medicine and serving as a watchdog for Unani doctors. The organisation monitors the AYUSH ministry’s actions and intervenes if there is any mistreatment of Unani medicine. Since his election as general secretary, Dr Khan has been a driving force behind this organisation. By conducting seminars and conferences, the organisation has helped to popularise Unani medicine in the country and abroad.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Health> Positive Story / by Special Correspondent / June 02nd, 2022

This Kerala doctor rode out Nipah, Covid waves with head held high

Thiruvananthapuram, KERALA :

Dr A Remla Beevi, director of medical education  who bade adieu to a tumultuous stint on Tuesday, terms her last seven years as the most challenging in her 34-year career.

Thiruvananthapuram : 

Dr A Remla Beevi, director of medical education who bade adieu to a tumultuous stint on Tuesday, terms her last seven years as the most challenging in her 34-year career. She had an arduous task as the DME during the Nipah and then the pandemic outbreak in the state.

When the Nipah virus outbreak was reported in Kozhikode district in 2018, like any other  health professional, Dr Remla was also at sea. Even today, Thiruvananthapuram native Dr Remla remembers that once the diagnosis was reached, health authorities took steps to set up isolation facilities in a jiffy. 

However, she is still upset that the state lost Lini Puthussery, the nurse who died in the first outbreak. Dr Remla recalls that the diagnosis had not come when Lini fell ill. Dr Remla gives credit to the entire health department, including then health minister K K Shailaja and former  health secretary Rajiv Sadanandan, for working unitedly to contain the  Nipah virus spread within Kozhikode district. In 2020, when she was busy with her administrative work at the directorate of medical education in Thiruvananthapuram, the first Covid case was reported in the state. Later, the Covid spread was declared a pandemic.

“The biggest challenge was that apart from Covid patients, people affected with other illnesses as well as pregnant ladies were thronging the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and SAT hospitals. We had to set up separate labour rooms, operation theatres, ICUs and separate wards and divide our staff into three pools  – Covid, non-Covid and reserve,” Dr Remla told TNIE.

Many a time, she missed her family – comprising husband Dr E Abdul Khadar, former professor and head of the cardiology department of Kottayam Medical College, engineer son Mohammed Farooq Husain and daughter Dr A Sumayya residing in Kottayam – when she returned home after a long and tiring day. 

Dr Remla became the DME in 2015 after serving as the principal in Thrissur, Alappuzha and Kottayam government medical colleges. She joined the government service in 1988 as a lecturer at the Government Medical College in Kottayam. 

Dr Remla who has specialised in radiology, fondly remembers the team work rendered by former health minister Shailaja who went out of the way by reading medical books and journals about Nipah and Covid so that these would help her “health army” to combat the deadly viruses.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Cynthia Chandran, Express News Service / June 02nd, 2022

Dentist, collector of 15,000 extracted teeth, bags UAE Golden Visa

Kerala, INDIA / Abu Dhabi, UAE :

Abu Dhabi-based dentist couple Abdul Rahiman Nizar and Simi are the latest recipients of the 10-year UAE Golden Visa.

Abu Dhabi :

Abdul Rahiman Nizar gained popularity for amassing a rare collection of all the teeth extracted so far in his career.

Abu Dhabi-based dentist couple Abdul Rahiman Nizar and Simi are the latest recipients of the 10-year UAE Golden Visa.

Dr Nizar has served in Abu Dhabi for 20 years, including 18 years at Ahalia Group. However, the Indian doctor gained popularity for amassing a rare collection of all the teeth extracted so far in his career.

“Teeth are the strongest part of your body. I have always liked teeth. And once into my job, I started collecting it. Soon, it became a hobby. And I began to have a varied collection, which has been helping students in their dental studies,” said Dr Nizar, who is from Kerala, India.

“Over the years, I have collected nearly 15,000 teeth. I clean each tooth with antimicrobial hydrogen peroxide and then treat it with disinfectant. Once dried, I preserve them in a box. I am aiming to see my name in record books,” said the general practitioner dentist.

Dr Nizar urges people to take care of their teeth and visit a dentist every six months.

“Early detection of any tooth decay will help to avert a situation of tooth extraction. I always try to save a tooth and opt for extraction only as a last resort,” he said.

Dr Simi, who works at Al Mafraq Medical Centre in Baniyas, has also been collecting teeth.

“We are very excited to have bagged the Golden Visa. During this pandemic, both of us served the community, sacrificing our off days,” Dr Simi said.

The couple have four daughters: Grade 12 student Neha, Naila in Grade 8, Naima in Grade 3 and Naira is eight months old.

Dr Nizar, who also holds a 10-year US visa, added: “We plan to spend the rest of our lives in the service of Abu Dhabi. I thank the leadership for this honour and our hospital for the support in building our careers.”

source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home / by Ashwani Kumar / September 29th, 2021