Fourth H1N1 victim in city: 15-yr-old dies at Ganga Ram

Another suspected swine flu-related death reported from RML, Walia calls meeting.

A 15-year-old girl who was diagnosed with swine flu died on Monday, taking the death toll due to the H1N1 virus to four in the national capital. This is the fourth confirmed death due to the virus since January 1. Another death, reported from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Tuesday, is also suspected to be caused due to complications arising from H1N1.

The girl, who is the first minor to succumb to the illness this season, was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on February 3. Hospital authorities said the girl died of acute respiratory distress syndrome — a severe respiratory disorder commonly associated with the virus. The girl was on ventilator support and doctors said they had tried to contain her symptoms for over a week.

The Delhi government said the situation is being monitored closely and virologists had identified three strains of seasonal flu including H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B. The Union Health ministry, meanwhile, said there is no pressing need for vaccinations. Delhi Health Minister Dr A K Walia said virologists had identified the specific strains of the disease in the capital and confirmed that H1N1 was the most prevalent.

“Laboratory analysis found three strains of the seasonal flu, of which H1N1 or swine flu was the most common, but two other strains of common virals were also present,” Walia said. To take stock of the situation, Walia chaired a high-level meeting of medical superintendents of all government and private hospitals. The meeting was also attended by officials from National Center for Disease Control and Dr P Ravindran, Director of Emergency Medical Relief (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).

“The government is monitoring the situation closely, including preparedness, availability of beds and medicine in isolation wards, ICUs and diagnostic facilities. We have identified 17 government and five private hospitals for treatment and three government and five private diagnostic laboratories to manage cases,” Walia said.

Ravindran said there was no need for vaccinations against H1N1 at present. “No prophylactic treatment is required in most of the cases in the existing situation. Only high-risk cases, such as people above 65 years of age with multiple diseases, need prophylactic treatment,” he said.

He added that even hospitalisation was unnecessary for patients exhibiting symptoms of influenza, but that such patients need to be watched closely and require regular follow-ups. Meanwhile, Sanjeev Choubey (42), who was admitted at RML Hospital on February 9, died on Tuesday due to what officials suspect could be H1N1-related complications. Choubey, a resident of Khoda Colony, was referred to RML by a private hospital in Noida. He was kept in an isolation ward with eight other patients.

According to the Health department, 33 new cases of H1N1 were reported on Tuesday, taking the total to 154 since January 1 this year. Officials hope that with the rise in temperature and lowering of humidity, the number of cases in Delhi would decline.

Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/fourth-h1n1-victim-in-city-15yrold-dies-at-ganga-ram/1073293/0

Review panel report in: Liquid oxygen tanks must in 100-bed govt hospitals

Almost two months after four patients at the Sushruta Trauma Centre died when oxygen supply to the ICU they were admitted in failed, a four-member expert committee constituted to review critical care facilities in Delhi government hospitals has completed its report. Health officials maintained they would begin implementing committee’s recommendations soon.

Health Minister Dr A K Walia told Newsline that the committee had completed the report and submitted it to the Health department last week. “The committee has recommended changes and upgrades in the system as well as improved training for staff manning critical care systems. The Health department is already working on implementing the committee’s recommendations,” Walia said.

The recommendations include installing liquid oxygen tanks, purchasing more anaesthesia machines and training the staff to handle oxygen supply and operation theatres.

The committee has urged the government to install liquid oxygen systems in all Delhi government-run hospitals with more than 100 beds. Of the 38 government hospitals, 15 have more than 100 beds. “Eight of these hospitals already have liquid oxygen supply system. We are working on installing it in the remaining hospitals. The committee has also suggested standard oxygen pipelines and ducting in other hospitals,” Walia said.

Sources in the Health department said some Delhi hospitals are still working on older manual manifold-operated oxygen supply systems. “An automatic system of oxygen supply will be installed and the older system can be used as a back-up,” a senior official said.

The committee recommended that only maintenance of services should be outsourced to private contractors, but the staff should be government employees.

At Sushruta Trauma Centre, maintenance and oxygen supply had been outsourced to PES Installation Pvt Ltd, which has been blacklisted.

The Health department has decided to bridge the staff shortage in Delhi hospitals and impart regular training to all technicians.

The Health department has also decided to double the number of anaesthesia machines in government hospitals. Senior officials said machines would soon be purchased for all hospitals — for ICUs and operation theaters.

The four-member committee, with MAMC Dean Dr A K Aggarwal as its chairman, included Dr Deepak Tempe, HoD (Anaesthesia) GBP Hospital; Dr U C Verma, HoD (Anaesthesia) MAMC and LN Hospital and Dr A K Sethi, HoD (Anaesthesia) GTB Hospital.

Committee recommends

InstalL liquid oxygen tanks in hospital that have more than 100 beds

Standard oxygen pipelines, ducting in other hospitals

buy more anaesthesia machines

Training staff to handle oxygen supply, operation theatres

Only maintenance of services should be outsourced

The committee has recommended changes and upgrades in the system as well as improved training for staff manning critical care systems. The Health department is already working on implementing the recommendations

Dr A K Walia,

Delhi Health Minister

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/review-panel-report-in-liquid-oxygen-tanks-must-in-100bed-govt-hospitals/1072351/0

Shahdara lake in line for revival

The Shahdara lake is in line for revival with the Trans-Yamuna Area Development Board giving its consent for the project. The East Municipal Corporation will now undertake the project, which is expected to be completed latest by 2015.

The approval and the beginning of revival project will also help clear any encroachment on the dried up lake.

“We have 30.74 acres of land in North Shahdara. The lake will be developed on 10 acres. Four to five acres will be developed as playground for children of the nearby areas. We cannot take away playground from the children who play there,” Commissioner of East corporation S S Yadav said.

The lake will be surrounded by a moat, where water will be treated through Phytorid technology. There will be a boating deck, an island and a fresh-water marsh.

The corporation has planned an amphitheater for holding cultural events. On other side will be a fish pond and lagoons. Shops of food and souvenirs will be set along with the seating area.

“We have been planning to develop the eco-friendly section with shops selling eco-friendly products,” Yadav said.

There will also be a commercial area for conferences and parties. Parking space has also been earmarked.

The lake is located near GT Road and is surrounded by the residential colonies. “A water body enhances the biodiversity and aesthetic of entire area. The site has the potential to be developed as a tourist spot as well,” the commissioner said.

The Finance and Planning department, too, has given its approval to the proposal.

A budget estimate of Rs 22 crore has been prepared with National Environment Engineering Research Institute as the consultant, Director, Press and Information of the corporation, Yogendra Mann said.

In Figures

Total available area

30.74 acres

Total area for lake

10 acres

Area for playground

4-5 acres

Moat depth

15 to 20 feet

Facilities

n Amphitheater

n Banquet halls and conference halls

n Commercial and shopping area

n Seating area

n Boating deck

n Playing areas

n Greens and lagoons

n An island

Proposal

To revive a dead 10-acre lake

To biologically treat large amount of sewage water (three million litres daily) and reuse it

To test PPP model on a park project

A moat to demarcate the public area from the eco-sensitive zone

Building of banquet halls, party lawns or shops to generate revenue benefits

Well-developed open space for residents, with a recreation area

Close to Metro station and residential areas

Treated water will be available throughout the year

Groundwater recharge to help replenish water table

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/shahdara-lake-in-line-for-revival/1068918/0

Mamata promises trauma centre to Singur farmers

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday promised to set up a “trauma centre at Singur” where a number of farmers have committed suicide after they failed to get back their land which was taken away for Tata Motor’s small car project during the Left regime.

“Our government will set up a trauma centre at Singur and I have asked Becharam Manna (Minister of State for Agriculture) to arrange four acres of land for the trauma centre,” Mamata announced at a government programme at Polba – 20 kilometres from Singur- on Saturday.

Mahadeb Das, a senior Singur Krishi Jomi Raksha committee leader said five farmers whose farmland were taken away forcefully by the Left Front in 2006 have committed suicide as they could not get their land back.

“The land dispute is now pending in the court. We are waiting for the verdict. I believe that the people of Singur will win. But we have to keep patience,” Mamata said.

After coming to power, Mamata Banerjee government’s first Cabinet decision was to return land to unwilling farmers of Singur. After that her government has received severe setback from the Kolkata High Court, which declared the state government’s Singur land reclamation law unconstitutional. Later, the state government moved the Supreme Court. The unwilling farmers of Singur have already started getting vocal against the Mamata Banerjee’s party and for delay in returning land to them. Now they are raising voice in favour of an out-of-court settlement with the Tatas.

Realising that the party is fast losing popularity in Singur for failing to deliver on her promise, Mamata on Thursday urged the unwilling farmers not to lose patience. She also sent out a message to the farmers that she has not forgotten the promise she made to them.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mamata-promises-trauma-centre-to-singur-farmers/1068491/0

Ahead of summer, GSDA warning on fast-dipping water table

In Pune district 9 talukas have shown a marked decrease in groundwater table

Even as the state government is gearing up to brace for summer with a drought looming large, the Groundwater Survey Development Agency (GSDA) has issued a warning about the depleting water table and have pointed out that 68 talukas in the state will be badly affected of which 10 are in Pune region itself.

“In the last three years, the groundwater levels have come down considerably. Even as there was some rainfall it is not enough to restore the groundwater where the water table has dipped by 6-9 feet. This is a matter of concern and we have already intimated the state government after our survey,” said a GSDA official.The GSDA conducts detailed and systematic surveys of hydrogeological conditions in the state keeping the records from 1972.

Interestingly, even in Pune district, of the 13 talukas, 9 have shown a marked decrease in groundwater table. “While Haveli, Daund, Khed, Ambegaon, Junnar have had water levels go down by 1-3 feet, Baramati and Shirur has seen water levels reduce by 3-6 feet while Indapur and Purandar has water levels reduce by 6-9 feet in the district,” said the official. The only areas which have seen the water table remain the same are Velhe, Bhor, Maval and Mulshi in the district.

With the GSDA coming out with detailed taluka wise report in January, March and May end, the officials said that they have assessed all the 353 talukas and the report for the Pune division too does not look very good. They have clearly stated that of these, 68 talukas are likely to be most affected including in Pune division. For Pune the talukas are Baramati, Indapur and Shirur, in Satara they are Khatau, Koregaon and Mann and for Solapur they are Mangalvedha, Mohol and Vasala and Jet and Kaluz for Sangli district in the region.

Having send the warnings, the state government has also said that temporary schemes to protect the water sources are being considered for which Rs 24 crore has been allocated and 1,100 structures are to be constructed to prevent further depletion.

According to the survey of last year, of the 13 talukas in the district 11 talukas showed depleted groundwater levels while in their survey of the state of the 57 talukas in the division, 23 recorded one-metre depletion in groundwater level. In nine talukas, the water level depleted by around two metre.

In two talukas, groundwater depleted by up to three metre, while Mann taluka in Satara district recorded a depletion of at least three metre. Mann is the only taluka in Maharashtra where such a large-scale depletion of groundwater level has been observed. The report stated that of the 353 talukas in Maharashtra, groundwater levels in 167 were almost constant.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ahead-of-summer-gsda-warning-on-fastdipping-water-table/1068651/0

 

Ankesh Shahra the flag bearer of Ruchi group

A young dynamic entrepreneur is all set to the charge the business world, with his fresh attitude and strategic knowledge the company is set to ride to success. Ankesh Shahra is currently based in Singapore and managing the international businesses for Ruchi Soya. It includes establishing a cross-commodity global trading platform headquartered in Singapore.

His work in business world is highly appreciated and lauded which bagged him the prestigious Globoil Global Young Entrepreneur Award which he received from Member of Parliament and lawyer Ram Jethmalani. He has also has been invited to attend the Rabo Bank Food & Agribusiness Advisory Board Meeting that was held in Hong Kong.

He dons the role of Director, Business Development for Ruchi Agritrading Pte Ltd. Ankesh has a background in Finance, Economics and International Trade and represents the third generation of the Shahra family that started the business conglomerate Ruchi Group. With his distinctive attributes and rich pedigree he is set to take the business in great space.

The Group has business interests across the sectors ranging from Edible oil, Soya foods, Steel, Dairy, Featuring among the top five FMCG players in India; Ruchi Soya Industries is the flagship company of Ruchi Group of Industries. A leading manufacturer of high-quality edible oils, soya food, vanaspati and bakery fats, it is also the highest exporter of soya meal, lecithin and other food ingredients from India. Established in 1986, it is the largest producer and marketer of vegetable oils and soya food, the largest oilseed crusher and edible oil refiner, the largest importer of vegetable oil and the largest exporter of soya derivatives from India. Ruchi Soya has also diversified into Renewable Energy and Plantations in the recent past.

Ankesh Shahra’s ideology is to work towards renewing, to reinterpret and reaffirm Ruchi Soya’s backwards integration strategy into agricultural plantations in Asia and Africa

His stance towards Food security is indeed a prevalent concern, he stresses upon the on three pillars Food security is built upon

Food availability: sufficient quantities of food available on a consistent basis.
Food access: having sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet.
Food use: appropriate use based on knowledge of basic nutrition and care, as well as adequate water and sanitation.
That enables the group to introspect and look ahead, to clarify and consolidate company’s positions as top FMCG players in India.

Securing Origination: Ankesh Shahra at the Rabo Bank Advisory Board Meeting in Hong Kong, 2012

December 28, 2012: Shahra – Director, Business Development for    Ruchi Agritrading Pte Ltd, Singapore were invited to attend the prestigious Rabo Bank Food & Agribusiness Advisory Board Meeting that was held in Hong Kong in November 2012. The Theme of the meeting was ‘Burgeoning world food demand and the shrinking  corporate universe” and Ruchi was specifically asked to present their views and perspectives on the importance of M&A for Ruchi across the Food and Agriculture supply chain.  Spread across two days, there were several important thought provoking issues discussed between the key decision makers of the largest Food and agribusiness companies from Asia and the world.

Mr. Dinesh Shahra spoke about the importance of acquisitions at the low end of the business cycle and the value that high quality upstream assets at origination offer for companies such as Ruchi. In  a discussion moderated by x-CNBC anchor Ms. Lorraine Hahn, Mr. Dinesh Shahra mentioned that Asian companies should continue to vertically integrate but in order to remain sustainable, they must combine this integration with specialization down the chain. This is to ensure that they remain the most efficient users of the capital they possess, as niche/specialized companies are on a growth trajectory and are delivering exceptional returns.

Government Approved various Certification courses for Shahra Trust

Shri Mahadeo Shahra Sukrat Trust is a Public Charitable Trust duly registered by Registrar of Public Charitable Trust, Indore, and was formed in 1976 specially to initiate the corporate social responsibility initiatives of Ruchi.

Government of India has approved various certificate courses like “Beauty Culture and Health Care” and ”Fabric Painting and Warli Painting” which was conducted by Shahra Trust. The Trust initially undertook relief work for the underprivileged in the areas of health, education and other sectors at Manglia, Indore, Madhya Pradesh where the largest and first production plant of Ruchi is situated. Dinesh Shahra and Ankesh Shahra are part of Shahra Trust.

Eye on full occupancy, MMRDA plans big for BKC

250-metre underpass from BKC main road to G block to be constructed.

Preparing for full occupancy in 10 years, MMRDA has planned a number of initiatives to boost infrastructure in the business district of Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the latest being a vehicular underpass.

It will be a 250-metre stretch from BKC main road to G Block near Bharat Diamond Bourse.

MMRDA has also decided to widen the approach road near MIG Club, build an elevated road to Eastern Express Highway, add parking lots and increase electrical infrastructure.

“We have 160 hectares of built-up area left in BKC, which we will auction in due course. In the next 10 years, BKC will be almost complete in terms of auctions and we must prepare ourselves for this,” said Rahul Asthana, metropolitan commissioner at MMRDA.

“Connectivity to BKC is important. Otherwise, land value will go down,” he said, adding that the investment required could not be quantified as feasibility studies for many of these initiatives were still to be conducted.

According to MMRDA estimates, BKC will house offices for close to 2 lakh employees and an equal number of people will visit these offices daily.

“Reliance Convention Centre will also come up near the diamond bourse and the number of people going to G block will multiply. Even now, there is congestion at the right turn near G block,” Asthana said.

MMRDA is also planning to conduct a feasibility study for an elevated road from E block to Eastern Express Highway near Somaiya Ground.

The proposal for the 1.6-km road was dropped three years ago when Ratnakar Gaikwad was the metropolitan commissioner.

“The previous plan was too complex involving double layers and considerable land acquisition. We will simplify it. We also want to ensure the elevated road is aligned properly so that people don’t start using BKC as a transit,” Asthana said.

Besides, MMRDA has called bids to add a parking lot in E block where the number of vehicles is increasing every day.

At present, there are two parking areas in E block. The first is in front of the MSEB building, the second in front of the labour commissioner office.

MMRDA is in the process of inviting bids for two vehicular underpasses, feasibility studies for which have been completed, within a month. The first will stretch from Kherwadi junction to BKC, while the second will connect BKC to Bandra-Worli Sea Link. MMRDA has also awarded a contract for construction of a flyover above Kherwadi junction to reduce congestion at Kalanagar junction.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/eye-on-full-occupancy-mmrda-plans-big-for-bkc/1067159/0