Category Archives: Science & Technology

Dubai: Thumbay Group, SNTTA sign MoU to boost medical tourism

July 6, 2015Business & Economy, NRI's / PIO's, Science & Technology, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

Dubai :

“Dubai has a well-deserved reputation for excellence and professional practice and we want to contribute our mite to the vision, mission and goals of the UAE health authorities,” says Akbar Moideen Thumbay, director healthcare and retail, Thumbay group UAE.

“There are so many issues relating to medical tourism and because the area is developing so quickly it’s becoming essential that hospitals, insurers and policy makers, to name a few work together closely to streamline processes to cater to this market. UAE has tremendous potential to come up as the most important medical-tourism destination for the people of this region,” he added.

Founder president of Thumbay Group UAE, Thumbay Moideen and T L S Iyer, general manager of SNTTA signed a memorandum of understanding to offer advanced services for medical and health tourists. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, director healthcare and retail, Thumbay Group UAE, Dr Benazir Ameer Ali, director Thumbay International Medical and Health Tourism Department, Valsala Kumar, group general manager (finance and administration) and Vishal Sood, general manager SNTTA were present on the occasion.

Thumbay Hospitals and SNTTA have strategically partnered to assist and offer world-class services at affordable prices to international patients and guests and to look after all their needs whilst in the UAE. We understand the changing dynamics medical tourism and we are learning to adapt, says Dr Benazir Ameer Ali, director Thumbay medical and health tourism department.

The partnership will help Thumbay Hospital to extend its reach and market worldwide to prospective patients. This partnership will leave Thumbay Hospital to concentrate on its commitment of providing world class healthcare at affordable prices. SNTTA will look after the travel, accommodation and other logistics for Thumbay Hospital’s international patients and increase their client base which is a win-win situation for both and create an all-inclusive package for international patients including air flights, hotel accommodation, visa and excursion facilities.

SNTTA will be venturing in medical tourism for the first time and will be able to offer healthcare services to its ever growing number of tourists said T L S Iyer, general manager of SNTTA. SNTTA tourists will now have a preferred healthcare provider in Thumbay Hospitals to take care of their tourists 24X7 in the UAE.

“As part of the strategic plans, Thumbay Group is planning to open representative offices in 20 countries to educate people about medical facilities and services at all Thumbay Hospitals in UAE. We expect to have about 1000 patients as medical tourists per day in the next 5 – 6 years. It is ambitious but achievable,” says an optimistic Akbar Moideen Thumbay.

Medical tourism is now perceived as one of the fastest growing segments in healthcare. The recent trend is for patients to travel from developed countries to third world countries for medical treatment because of cost consideration, waiting time, privacy, and confidentiality, though the traditional pattern still continues. Technology will lead the way in future medical tourism. Along with that we can expect extremely personalized services, niche specialist centers, wider network of partnerships, increased number of accreditation, certifications and industry specific associations said Dr Benazir. To offer our personalized services, we are the first medical tourism provider to have opened a counter in Sharjah International Airport and we are planning to open one in Dubai International Airport soon, she added.

“Thumbay Hospitals have been at the forefront of developing the necessary infrastructure to attract medical tourists. We have a department here establishing this,” Akbar Moideen said. The international medical tourism department of Thumbay Hospitals aims to cater to an extensive number of patients and be known as the preferred hospital for medical tourism in UAE. Currently, Thumbay Hospitals receive inquiries from a wide range of clientele including hospitals, medical practitioners, partnered agents, and various inquiry forwarding websites from across the globe.

Thumbay Hospitals is aligning itself with Dubai’s Vision 2020 for medical tourism. Along with Dubai, the other Emirates of UAE are gearing up to attract more medical tourists in the near future. This would mean increasing patient requirements, higher demand for facilities and larger calls for personalization.

Looking at the current and future trends in medical tourism, Thumbay Hospital has developed enhanced facilities, maintaining highest standards of quality and offering packages with a wide range of personalization options. The medical tourism industry is going through an exciting phase where international and intra-regional activities are taking place within this sector of the health market.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld / Home> Gulf / Media Release / Dubai – July 06th, 2015

Call to use digital lockers to secure documents online

July 6, 2015Leaders, Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

Deputy Commissioner Meer Anees Ahammed has said people should make use of digital locker system launched by the government to securely store documents online.

Speaking at a programme organised as a part of Digital India organised by the department Electronics and Information Technology, at Madikeri on Saturday, he said that with the advance in science and technology, facilities are available online.

With digital locker facility, paper-less system will be created in the future. There is a need to create awareness on the same.

The users can store their documents such as school certificate, passport and other documents in the digital format.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer M Kurma Rao said one can avail postal, airlines, train, bus, banking services through online. This will help in checking the intervention of middlemen.

Additional DC M Sathish Kumar said efforts will be made for Aadhaar registration in schools, colleges and hostels in the future.

Lead Bank Manager K A Devaiah said Digital India depends on connectiovity.

The digital India will be a success with the effective connectivity system by the telecom operators. Banking system has been computerised.

Biometric system will be introduced in place of ATM to withdraw and deposit money in the future. Kushalnagar Engineering College lecturer Prof Vani also spoke.

Winners

Prizes were distributed to the winners of essay, elocution and painting competition held as a part of Digital India week in Kodagu district. The winners in painting Jeen Salong, St Michael School (I), Meghana, St Jospeh School (II) in Madikeri taluk; Brijesh of Fathima School (I), Tejaswini of Kanbail Government High SChool (II) in Somwarpet taluk; Dilip (I) of Heggala Government High School and Venisha (II) of St Annamma School in Virajpet taluk.

Essay contest winners are— Chaitanya of St Michael School (I), Rasheela Deeksha of St Jospeh School (II) in Madikeri taluk; Tejasri N R (I) of Hudikeri Janata School and Prajna P V of Gonikoppa High School (II) in Virajpet taluk and Hemanth Kumar (I) of Morarji School and Cinchana M D of St Joseph School (II) in Somwarpet taluk.

Elocution contest winners are —Sathish R S of Madikeri Junior College (I), Nireeksha of St Joseoh School (II) in Madikeri taluk; Leena K L of Srimangala Junior College (I) and Dhanya of St Anns High School (II) in Virajpet taluk and Chinmay of Aloor Siddapura School (I) and Akshatha Bhat of ST Joseph School (II) in Somwarpet taluk.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri – July 04th, 2015

Pruning is prudent: This mango orchard is richer than all others

July 3, 2015Green Products, Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow :

It is believed that good things are difficult to get.

Perhaps that’s why every mango grower lives with the fact that his mango orchard will follow the accepted alternate bearing pattern. This pattern, common to mango and several other fruit crops, means that the yield of fruit will not be the same year after year. A heavy yield one year could be followed by a dismal one another year and vice versa.

However, if you pass through Kunwarpur village on Sitapur Road, there will be one mango orchard outshining all others. Here, unlike others, each tree is laden with the king of fruits, waiting to be plucked. This delighting yield is no freak of nature but a result of a well-researched technique and years of hard work.

City-based mango grower Kunwar Raghavendra Singh introduced the canopy management technique in his orchard over a decade ago.

Under this, trees are pruned regularly to turn the upper part of the tree to look like an inverted umbrella, instead of a canopy. Using this technique, Raghavendra has turned his barren land into a 100% productive mango orchard, producing varieties of mangoes including dussehri, langda and chausa.

Even when the weather was playing havoc with all kinds of crops and subsequently with the fate of farmers, Raghavendra was not worried.

His more than 3,500 mango trees were safe from the untimely rain and thunderstorms. “The most harmful factor for any mango tree is the canopy shape. It can have good flowering but not good fruiting. Apart from the fact that it hardly bears any fruit, this form limits the penetration of sunlight in the tree. This affects photosynthesis and the health of the tree,” says Raghavendra. The central shoots are the fastest growing in any tree and draw most of the nutrition and hormones. When the central shoots are removed, the nutrition flows side ways to lateral branches. This results in better size of the fruit, he explains.

Efforts must also be made to see that trees are gradually brought down to a maximum height of 22 feet-a manageable height which makes spraying pesticides easier, he adds.

Ready to extend a helping hand to other mango growers and also to the state horticulture department, Raghavendra claims that unlike a dense mango orchard, an open one reduces the cost of management and results in optimum flowering and fructification even in inclement weather.

The inverted umbrella structure allows free movement of air thus facilitating cross pollination. After untimely rain, the free movement of air helps evaporate moisture, the most devastating factor in the growth and spread of fungal infections.

Dr Mansoor Hasan, a city-based cardiologist, has also implemented this technique in his orchard in Manikpur, near Unchahar since 2011, with the help of his son Aly Hasan.

Happy with his produce, Dr Hasan says, “I have observed that fruits of a well-managed tree are also bigger in size and qualitatively better as compared to a taller tree. Even trees which were not giving any fruit for past many years have gradually started bearing fruit once they were pruned,” he adds.

In the case of mango trees, it seems, bigger is not better.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Uzma Talha, TNN / June 28th, 2015

India’s only double coconut tree artificially pollinated

July 1, 2015Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

The palm species bears largest seed known to science

A double coconut tree stands at the Indian Botanical garden at Shibpur in Howrah district.— Photo: Sanjoy Ghosh

Scientists at the Indian Botanical Garden in West Bengal’s Howrah district have carried out artificial pollination of the only double coconut tree in India, which bears the largest seed known to science.

One of the rare and globally threatened species of palm, the double coconut ( Lodoicea maldivica ) tree was planted at the botanical garden in 1894 and the artificial pollination is a result of decades of work by scientists of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

“The tree took almost a hundred years to mature and when it started flowering, we started looking for this particular palm species in this part of world. We collected some pollen from palms from Sri Lanka but could not successfully pollinate it. Finally, with the help of pollen from another tree in Thailand, the pollination process was successful,” BSI Director Paramjit Singh told The Hindu .

Longest surviving palm

The Double Coconut tree not only bears the largest seed known to science — weighing around 25 kg — but this unique species is also the longest surviving palm which can live for as long as 1,000 years, he says. The palm tree also bears the largest leaf among palms and one leaf can thatch a small hut.

“Successful pollination means that we can have another Lodoicea maldivica in the country. In fact we have two fruits and it might take them another couple of years to mature,” said S.S. Hameed, BSI scientist who has been working on the pollination project since 2006.

This species of palm is diecious (where male and female flowers are borne on different plants). “Fortunately at the Botanical Garden, we had the female plant which can fruit and produce seeds,” Mr. Hameed said. The Indian Botanical Garden which serves as the repository 12,000 trees from 1,400 different species is careful in nurturing the palm.

The palm tree is located in the large palm house of the Botanical Garden which has the largest collection of palms in South East Asia with around 110 palm species.

This rare tree can be found in only two of the 115 Seychelles islands and is also called Coco de Mer (coconut of the sea), says Mr. Hameed

Legend

Legend bestows the seed with the power to bring good fortune to its owners. “There has also been a tradition of making kamandals [drinking vessels] from the double coconut by bisecting the shell. It was believed that those who consume water from these kamandals will be protected from poisoning,” Mr. Hameed said. Subsequently, sadhus started using Kamandals and it got its place in religious rituals.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> National / by Shiv Sahay Singh / Kolkata – June 13th, 2015

Dr. Kalam optimistic of permanent cure to diabetes in three years

April 9, 2015Leaders, Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

Like pacemaker, a Bionic Pancreas device for diabetics by 2017

Mysuru :

Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said that a permanent cure would be found to diabetes in three years.

Speaking at the recently held valedictory of Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) Golden Jubilee celebrations here, the former President hailed the stem cell research by Harvard University which led to the production of insulin secreting beta cells in the pancreas.

He said it was one of the breakthroughs in modern day science.

Dr. Kalam said that scientists had successfully managed to produce insulin generating beta cell, which could provide permanent cure for diabetes that has troubled majority of population across the world.

He also added that studies were still on to know the reasons for the pancreatic cells to stop producing insulin.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes), accounts for 5 to 10 out of 100 people who have diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system destroys the cells that release insulin, eventually eliminating insulin production from the body. Without insulin, cells cannot absorb sugar (glucose), which they need to produce energy.

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes) can develop at any age. It most commonly becomes apparent during adulthood. But type 2 diabetes in children is rising.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for the vast majority of people who have diabetes — 90 to 95 out of 100 people. In type 2 diabetes, the body isn’t able to use insulin the right way. This is called insulin resistance. As type 2 diabetes gets worse, the pancreas may make less and less insulin. This is called insulin deficiency.

US device to overcome diabetes

Ed Damiano, a professor of biomedical engineering at Boston University, has made it his mission to build a portable, wearable Bionic Pancreas, a device he hopes to have on the market as early as 2017, when David, his son, is set to go off to college.

David was diagnosed for Type 1 diabetes when he was two-months-old by Dr. Toby Milgrome, his mother.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Friday – April 03rd, 2015

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam call for Culture of Excellence

April 6, 2015Education, Leaders, Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

Ignites young minds at the valedictory of SJCE Golden Jubilee celebration

Former President and Scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (second from left) is seen at the valedictory function of the Golden Jubilee celebration of SJCE in city this morning. Others seen are (from left) Mayor R. Lingappa; Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Education Minister R.V. Deshpande, MLA Vasu and MUDA Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar.

Mysuru :

There was an unprecedented cheering as he stepped on the dais. His modest appearance, humility and a compassionate smile made an indelible mark on the minds of the young and the old present at the valedictory function of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) here this morning. Former President of India and Scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s presence on the stage was both emphatic and enigmatic.

In his valedictory address, Dr. Abdul Kalam urged the youth of the country to “go beyond religion, region and nationality” and “take up the collective task of overcoming hatred through policy, products, people and ideas.”

He lauded the efforts of SJCE in delivering a robust educational service and for shaping the young minds.

Addressing the students, Dr. Kalam spoke on the topic, ‘Technology and Societal Transformation.’ He opined that what had worked yesterday would not work today and called for a “Culture of Excellence” driven by innovation and creativity. He asked the students not to be deterred by failure and emphasised on the power of knowledge to change the society on the whole.

Dr. Kalam, due to his tight schedule, was not able to interact with the students. However, he asked them to mail their opinions about the question: What do you like to be remembered for?

He asked whether the students wanted to be remembered for their invention, innovation, discovery and the like or was it anything else. He has asked them to mail their opinions to: apj@abdulkalam.com and said that he would present books to the best opinion among the lot.

Speaking on the occasion, Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji said that SJCE is one of the leading technological colleges in the country and acknowledged the efforts of everyone who had been a part of the college over the past 50 years.

Minister for Higher Education and Tourism R.V. Deshpande presided. Mayor R. Lingappa, MLA Vasu, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Executive Secretary B.N. Betkerur, Director (Technical Education) Prof. M.H. Dhananjaya, JSS University VC Dr. B. Suresh, MUDA Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar and SJCE Principal Dr. Syed Shakeeb-Ur-Rahman were present.

A rare occasion for Ronaldo

It was a dream-come-true for Ronaldo Laishram, a Manipuri student studying Computer Science Engineering at SJCE, when he was called on stage and was honoured by his idol Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Laishram is credited for discovering Main Belt Asteroid ‘MAUR 397,’ as part of All India Asteroid Search Campaign (AIASC) in December, 2014. Ronaldo and his team — Team Salonivia Conquerors — using exclusive data to look at specific parts of the sky and a complex procedure called “Astrometrica,” tracked objects by looking at the images of the sky provided by a telescope based in the US to see which of the objects moving over time could be a possible asteroid. An elated and excited Laishram sought the blessings of Dr. Kalam by falling at his feet.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Tuesday, March 31st, 2015

Telangana govt to fund Old City woman’s pilot training

April 5, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Science & Technology, Transportmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad :

The Telangana government is all set to give wings to a girl from the Old City. Poised for flight, Salwa Fatima, who is the first pilot from purana shahar, will be given Rs 35.5 lakh so as to enable her to soar the skies, this time, in a multi-engine aircraft.

Highly placed sources told STOI on Saturday that the chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has sanctioned the funds. A government order (GO) will be issued to the effect next week.

“Taking a keen interest, the CM has treated the case of Salwa Fatima as a “special case,” said Syed Omar Jaleel , special secretary, minorities welfare department. Describing Salwa as a “young girl who shows immense promise”, he added, “The funds will be released in two instalments. They will be given directly to the aviation school where Salwa will be studying. The GO will be released soon.” There exists a precedent of the government granting aid to an individual – to a boy from the SC community, Jaleel observed.

Thanks to the large heartedness of philanthropists, family and her own unbending resolve, Salwa, who already has a commercial pilot license to fly a single engine aircraft, has already clocked over 200 hours of flying. And as a logical conclusion, she wants to upgrade her flying skills to multi-engine aircraft. “In order to do this, I will have to take two courses: the multiengine rating and a specialisation course called type rating. For the former, I will need to have 15 hours of flying in a multiengine aircraft and 10 hours of simulation. The latter will enable me to fly an airbus,” she says. She is still unaware of the CM giving his assent to the release of funds.

The girl, who is a healthy blend of the traditional and the modern, says that she has shortlisted the GMR Aviation Academy and the Telangana State Aviation Academy as her preferred flying schools. “Both courses put together will entail expenses of around Rs 35 lakh,” she says.

Positive about support from her in-laws, she continues, “My husband and in-laws are in fact supportive of my aspirations. There is a tradition of women working here. In fact, my parents wanted me to go to a family which encourages me to work.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Syed Mohammed, TNN / March 22nd, 2015

Wipro hires ex-TCS executive as COO

March 17, 2015Business & Economy, Leaders, Science & Technology, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Global software major Wipro Ltd on Monday appointed former TCS honcho Abid Ali Neemuchwala as its group president and chief operating officer from April 1.

“Abid will head service lines of global infrastructure, business application, business process and advanced technology solutions,” the company said in a statement here.

Abid headed the business process services (back office operations) of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and held leadership positions during his 23-year career in the IT bellwether.

“Abid brings invaluable experience with his track record of building and scaling businesses. I am confident his understanding of technology and expertise in IT & BPS will help power our businesses to greater heights,” Wipro chief executive T.K. Kurien said.

A chess buff, Abid is an electronics & communication engineer from NIT, Raipur in Chhattisgarh and has masters in industrial management from IIT, Mumbai.

“I am honoured to join Wipro, a company with a rich heritage of technology innovation and unflinching commitment to values. I look forward to contributing towards the company’s next phase of growth,” he said from Dallas in US’ Texas state, where he lives with family.

Abid will also head business operations, geographies comprising continental Europe, Africa, Latin America, strategic engagements, advisor relationships and marketing function.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Business / IANS / Bengaluru – March 16th, 2015

BMCRI Achievers Toast Their Success

March 2, 2015Education, Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

Bangalore Medical College students exulting during the convocation at the institute on Sunday I NAGESH POLALI

Bengaluru :

“I want to serve my nation that has given me an identity as a doctor,” said Dr Gowra Chattannavar, who received five gold medals at the convocation ceremony held by Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute for the 2009 batch MBBS students on Sunday.

She secured gold medals in biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, general medicine and pediatrics.

Dr Kishen Rao, who hails from Sullia, received the best outgoing student award in sports category. He said, “Now I want to pursue my IAS exam to serve my people and make my poor parents proud of me.”

Dr P K Devadas, dean, Bangalore Medical College and Research, said a trauma centre at Victoria Hospital will become operational from next month. The disaster management unit would be the first in the state, and would have 40 beds for disaster management and 40 beds for intensive care.

Dr Devadas congratulated the 150 graduates and asked them to serve patients without any bias. He said BMCRI has already started the construction of a new seven-storey complex, which will have all the latest facilities including a food court and gym. This will be at a cost of `130 crore.

Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil said more than the students, parents should be congratulated for taking the pain to educate their children.

Dr S S Harsoor, director of medical education, Dr T K Ramesh, director of Minto Eye Hospital, Dr Syed Iqbalulla Khadri, medical superintendent of Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, Dr Girish, special officer of PMSSY Hospital, Dr I Durganna, medical superintendent of Victoria Hospital, and Dr Gangadhar Velvadi, medical superintendent of Vani Vilas Hospital were present.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / March 02nd, 2015