Dr. Bedi of CMC got the best award

Vascular disease is a major health problem in India

Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of the Cardio  Vascular & Thoracic Surgery Department of the Christian Medical College & Hospital – was awarded the prestigious best paper award at the Vascular Society of India Conference in Mumbai .
Dr Bedi told that numerous International & National Experts from UK, USA, Germany and all over India gathered at this conference to discuss the latest in the management of vascular diseases.  Vascular disease is a major health problem in India . 1 in 20 people over 50 years of age have vascular disease -  the total number of cases being over 42 million. Vascular disease is not just "poor circulation." Vascular disease comes in various forms: peripheral arterial disease affects the arteries taking blood to the arms and the legs, carotid artery disease affects the arteries taking blood to the brain, and renal artery disease limits the blood flow to the kidneys causing high blood pressure or renal  failure.

Prof Peter McCollum – Prof of Vascular Surgery from UK - led the eminent panel of 6 International judges.  45 papers had been chosen for the Challenging case session. Dr Bedi spoke about a very challenging case of renal failure – Mr Suwinder Singh a 65 year old gentleman - who had previous shunt procedures -  in various hospitals in Chandigarh and Delhi -  for hemodialysis . He developed complications due to which the dialysis shunt had to be modified many times so that finally it produced the complication of gangrene in the hands . The dilemma was how to save the hand and at the same time have a functioning shunt as the patient needed twice a week hemodialysis to keep him alive. An innovative hybrid endovascular procedure was done and a stent put in his hand artery to prevent amputation . A new shunt using an imported graft was constructed in the leg. This functioned well and the dialysis was successfully carried out via this graft in Chandigarh.  Dr Bedi told that the CTVS Dept of CMC & H was referred complicated cases of dialysis graft failures from all over Punjab  - but this case was the most challenging. The judges panel and the audience appreciated the paper and it was awarded.

Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC & H – told that the CTVS Dept of CMC was one of the oldest in the country and treatment of all vascular disorders was being done here with the latest techniques including endovascular ones.

Amnesty International Hosts Screenings of Documentary on Persecution of Baha'is in Iran

Persecution of Baha'is in Iran is Focus of Documentary Film With Screenings in New York, Los Angeles and Boston by Amnesty International USA

Screenings Taking Place as Iran Steps Up Harassment of Baha’i Religious Community, Imposing Harsh Prison Sentences on Educators 

(New York) – On Friday, October 28, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) will co-host the U.S. premiere of the documentary film "Education Under Fire,” which examines the persecution of Iran’s Baha’is and their systematic exclusion from higher education.  The screening at Columbia University will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, leading academic experts and a representative of the Baha’i community. Amnesty International will host additional screenings November 5 in Los Angeles and November 11 in Boston, including discussions with actors Rainn Wilson and Nazanin Boniadi at the Los Angeles screening. 

All screenings are open to the public and are free of charge. 

"Education Under Fire," directed by Jeff Kaufman, examines the struggles of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) to provide Baha'i youth with an opportunity for a college education. 

Seven members of the BIHE faculty were this week sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison for supposedly threatening national security in Iran.  A dozen professors have been detained and several are in prison for doing nothing more than trying to provide an education to Baha’i students, according to Elise Auerbach, Iran country specialist for Amnesty International USA. 

“It’s outrageous that Iran is criminalizing the pursuit of education for an entire minority group,” said Auerbach. 

Amnesty International estimates that over 100 Baha'i are currently imprisoned in Iran. The Baha'i have been arrested, tortured and even executed for their beliefs. 

The BIHE was founded in 1987 in response to the Iranian government's campaign to deny Baha'is access to higher education. The Iranian authorities carried out a series of raids and arrests of BIHE faculty and staff in May and June; statements in the government-linked press indicate that the BIHE has been declared illegal. 

The Columbia screening and discussion from 6-9 p.m. will feature Professor Negar Mottahedeh of Duke University; Professor Hamid Dabashi of Columbia University; Bani Dugal, principal United Nations representative of the Baha'i International Community; David Hoffman, the film’s executive producer; and Jeff Kaufman, the director; Mani Mostofi of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran; and Professor Mina Yazdani of Eastern Kentucky University 

A second New York screening will take place on Saturday, October 29, at 8:00 p.m. at New York University, Kimmel Center, Room 913 at 60 Washington Square. 

Amnesty International will co-host a screening in Los Angeles on November 5 at 8:00 p.m. in the California Ballroom of the Four Points by Sheraton LAX. The screening will feature a panel discussion featuring Nazanin Boniadi, the British-Iranian actress (CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother”) who is an  official spokesperson for Amnesty International USA; actor Rainn Wilson, (NBC’s “The Office”) and a member of the Baha’i faith;  Kaufman, and Elise Auerbach, the Amnesty International Iran specialist. 

A screening will be held in Boston on November 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the MIT Stata Center with a discussion moderated by Josh Rubenstein, Northeast regional director, Amnesty International USA; Rainn Wilson; David Hoffmann; and Fatemeh Haghighatjoo, women's rights activist and former member of the Iranian Parliament. 

What:         Screenings of "Education Under Fire" with panel discussions 

When:                 Friday, October 28, 2011, 6 - 9:00 p.m. - Columbia University 
                        Saturday, October 29, 2011, 8 p.m. - New York University 
                        Saturday, November 5, 2011, 8 - 9:30 p.m. - Los Angeles 
Friday, November 11, 2011, 7 - 8:30 p.m. - Boston 

Where:        October 28: Columbia University
Altschul Auditorium (417 International Affairs Building)
116th Street and Broadway, New York 10027 

        October 29: New York University 
        The Kimmel Center (Room 913) 
60 Washington Square South, New York 10012 

        November 5: Los Angeles 
        Four Points by Sheraton LAX (California Ballroom) 
        9750 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 
        
        November 11: Boston 
        MIT Stata Center 
        32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 

               

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Dr.Sunaina brings laurels to the City and the State

“Best All India Post Graduate Student at the Annual BiteIn Awards 2011”Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria
Ludhiana// October 19, 2011 // 
In the second season of the BITEIN DENTAL AWARDS, held at Melhua, The Fern an ecotel at Hiranadani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai on October 2011, eleven awards were given to outstanding people in the field of dentistry. Dr. Sunaina Jodka MDS, who just completed her post-graduation from Christian Dental College, CMC, Ludhiana was one of the final four nominees in the category of the “Best All India Post Graduate Student at the Annual BiteIn Awards 2011”.

On this occasion, Dr. Abi M. Thomas, Principal, Christian Dental College congratulated Dr. Sunaina and said that, “to be among the top four post graduate dental students among more than two thousand post graduates from all over the country is a remarkable achievement”. The criterion for selection was based on the overall performance during the post graduate course.

Christian Dental College, CMC is running the post graduate programme in the field of Pediatric Dentistry since 2002 and is catering to specialized dental care for children. Dr. Sunaina had also won the best paper award at the National Pediatric Dentistry (ISPPD) conference held at Hyderabad at 2009.

VJAS moved PMO for CBI probe in fact finding report

More than Two Million Bogus Students on role 
Rs.20 thousand crore scam
Nagpur –18th October 2011:

Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS ) has moved PMO urging him for the CBI probe on the shocking fact finding report of mega survey done by Maharashtra Govt. from 3rd October to 5 october of this year which was being tabled before the Maharashtra Govt. cabinet on 19th October in order to check the truth strength of students and to know the exact truth of the role of the students on which state is spending more than Rs.10,000 crore as grant-aid after the Maharashtra cabinet took decision on report submitted by as Dr Shrikar Pardeshi—District Collector of Nanded in Maharashtra who undertook such survey in his district from 6 to 10 september and found more than 1 lakh 40 thousand as bogus and school are getting the aid on the basis of this fraudulent students ,it is estimated that final report of state level survey revealed the shocking fact that in a progressive state like maharshtra has made completely mockery of “Sarwashkisha Abhiyan” and ther are more than 2 million student found missing from school and they in fact bogus and shown in order to get aid and staff salary which is practice continued since 1985 after state Gvot flooded the Govt. aided school opened by MLA/Ministers of ruling parties and more than Rs.20 thousand crore is amount of mega scam which likely to be largest scam of the Maharashtra after it’s formation since 1960, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti informed in press release today.
“We are following the survey since it was initiated in Nanded District popularly known as ‘Pat Tapasani’ and ,we are finiated with the response of state Govt. after the report Nanded was submitted to state cabinet who decided to conduct it throughout state and it was done in Maharashtra with help of more than 1 lakhs staff and police force between 3rd and 5th October even after lot of efforts of local politicians ,final report shows that in Maharashtra more than 2million students are bogus and each year the school management are getting bogus grant to tune of more than Rs.2200 crore amounting to tune of Rs.20 thousands crore in last 15 years hence only CBI probe can bring truth and book all culprit who have mockery of education in Maharashtra. we are expecting the Maharashtra chief minister prathiraj chavan who has ordered such massive survey and brought the truth before nation will ask centre for the CBI probe in alleged irregularities and this bogus student scam” Tiwari added.
In a representation it is allged that initial district administration of Nanded conducted school wise survey to find out the exact number of students in government-aided schools in his district, little did he know that the statistics would be a shocker. In the 3,475 schools inspected, about 140,000 students were found to be bogus and nearly 4,000 excess teachers were found to be catering to these students. The loss to the government exchequer in the district was Rs 150 crore. What’s more, most of this money seems to have gone to the owners of these educational institutions, who are politically influential.
The exercise was undertaken in early September this year. Later, in early October, a similar survey was conducted across the state. Of the 20 million registered students in state-aided schools, 2.1 million turned out to be bogus. There were 65,000 teachers in excess and the loss to the state exchequer stood at Rs 4,000 crore. This included money for mid-day meals and books drawn in the name of these bogus students.
In the past there have been numerous school inspections by the education department, but never one on this scale. The exercise had to be undertaken because rampant corruption and bribery among education officials had led to the suppression of facts about school enrolment in the state. That was until Dr Pardeshi decided to risk it, a risk because three-fourths of the schools surveyed belong to political heavyweights of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.
After the school education department realised that there were bogus students and teachers registered across the state and huge sums of money was going into the coffers of institution owners, it decided to implement a pilot project in one district. Nanded was chosen because it had made headlines for cracking down on cheating in SSC and HSC exams.
The district collector planned the entire exercise, and shared it only with a handful. The district’s borders were sealed on the appointed day and Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was imposed. At the pre-decided time, officials raided the schools and verified each student of all 3,475 schools. The survey involved 466 Class I and II officials and took four days to complete. When the school managements felt the noose tightening, they started ‘importing’ students from neighboring districts. However, these students were easily identified because of the imposition of Section 144 in the district.
On the completion of this survey, Dr Pardeshi made a PowerPoint presentation before the state cabinet. Though the cabinet was divided over accepting the ‘Pardeshi model’, as the exercise is being called, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is adamant that it be implemented.
It is a common practice among educational institutions to ‘import’ students from other schools when inspections are conducted. According to information available on previous inspections, school owners knew of these inspections in advance. Once a school was inspected, students and furniture would be taken to the next school on the survey list. Though officials did realise that they had seen the same students in other schools (often in multiple schools), no one dared take on the politicians.
The Chief Minister has threatened stringent action against erring schools. But when schools are owned by relatives of ministers, it is an open secret that few would be booked. So far, the names of school owners involved in this fraud have not been revealed. But it is only a matter of time before they become public.
Education malpractices in the state have increased alarmingly. There has been a steady decline in the quality of students and teachers. With excessive political intervention in the education sector, the education department had become ineffectual. “In a coalition government, no hard decisions can be taken. It is bound to hurt one of the coalition partners. Let us see what action is taken now. Even if registrations are cancelled, owners of such institutions make sure their political godfathers get it revoked. It is a win-win situation for such institutions,” says an official of the education department.
Many in the state’s education department believe that successive governments have lacked the will to clean up the education system in the state.
“We are planning move in high court once PMO reject our demand ,we are hopeful that state Gvot . Will take step to curb this massive corruption in next cabinet” Tiwari added.

Appeal for Aniket

Ludhiana, October 18, 2011 : Master Aniket, a 11 years old boy (Unit no: C7153608) from Ludhiana presented with symptoms of chronic kidney disease stage 5. His primary diagnosis was posterior urethral value and underwent surgery at the age of 8 months. For the last 2 years, he has been on dialysis (initially hemodialysis and subsequently on peritoneal dialysis). He developed recurrent episodes of peritonitis due to which his peritoneal dialysis catheter had to be removed.

He is presently still critical. I would request all those who are able to generally contribute to his treatment without which he will not be able to sustain life. His father, Anil Kumar is working with an employer in a small shop and in view of his son’s ill-health has not gone for work for 2 months. His father has 4 children, 2 daughters and 1 more brother younger to Aniket.

Kind hearted philanthropists and well-wishers can help this poor and deserving patient by sending in their contribution to the Medical Superintendent, CMCH, by a crossed cheque in favor of “CMC Ludhiana Society” with Aniket’s name mentioned at the back of the cheque, along with a covering letter. Kindly do your best to support this family in their time of need and May God help in recovery.

For further details or enquiry Please contact Dr. Timothy Rajamanickam : 9646500156

Dr. Timothy Rajamanickam,

Associate Professor

Department of Nephrology

“Food and Nutrition for Nurses” was released in CMC

The book was the need of the hour

Ludhiana, October 17, 201:  A book titled “Food and Nutrition for Nurses” was released in Christian Medical College & Hospital Ludhiana, an embrasure for the people to understand the subject through nurses. An another step forward to bring the subject to the masses . The book was released by the Director, Dr. Abraham G. Thomas. The book was the need of the hour. This book is first of its kind in North region.

The Author, Mrs. Ruma Singh, is working as a Chief Dietician and has been serving the institution for last 25 years and teaching the students ever since. She says that the book is an asset to the students of Nutrition & Dietetics, Paramedical students and students of Nursing and it will serve as a practical guide to one and all. She further adds that a lot of rich experience and hard work has gone in this project.

Published by JAYPEE Brothers Medical Publishers, New Delhi, was appreciated by the management and the students of B.Sc. Nursing at CMCH. Mr. Bhupesh Arora, General Manager, from the publisher’s end was also present to grace the occasion.
The program was started with a word of prayer by Rev. Stanley Thomas. It was attended by the Principal, College of Nursing, Mrs. Ponnamma Singh and the Nursing Faculty, Principal, Christian Medical College, Dr. S. M. Bhatti and all the Hospital Administration and guests.--Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria 

Swamy announces panel against corruption

CHENNAI: Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy on Friday announced forming of anAction Committee Against Corruption in India (ACACI) with special focus on illegal money flow in and out of the country. 

The ACACI consists of members including former Haryana DGP and former CBI joint director BR Lall, academician MD Nalapat and former IAS officer V Sundaram among others.

"The ACACI will leverage existing national and international laws and move internal and global institutions to discover and recover illegal funds deposited in secret banking channels in about 77 countries," he told reporters here after a meeting of the committee.

"Our areas of focus would include nationalisation of illegal accounts in foreign banks and plugging tax evasion. ACACI has been set up to fight corruption in the space left vacant by two major movements against corruption, led by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev," Swamy said.

While Hazare's efforts were focused at revamping present laws and making them free of loopholes, Ramdev concentrated on mass mobilisation, Swamy noted.

"The ACACI will focus on specific action against macro corrupt acts, especially in the criminal misconduct of high level public officials and illegal money flow in and out of the country," he said.

Asserting that he had no differences with Hazare or Baba Ramdev, Swamy said he would participate in the yoga guru's proposed padayatra. "We will work in harmony," he added. --Abhishek Joshi