FANSA- LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

                                                  FANSA-

                    LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

This is for the information of All FANSA members of Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesgh that the applications for the selection in Leadership Development Program Cohort 17 are invited by the LEAD Pakistan. The Brochure is attached herewith for your kind reference. PKR 2500 are applications process fee. After selection of any candidate in this program PKR 5000 will be deposited. After selection of candidate the performance of each candidate will be measured and she/he will be continue such training program on evaluation of performance basis. If you have any further query/questions about the this program please contact to:

Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan is a non-partisan, non-political, non-profit organization working since 1995 to create and sustain a global network of leaders who are committed to promoting change towards patterns of sustainable development that are economically sound, environmentally responsible and socially equitable.
LEAD came to Pakistan with a unique idea – the Leadership Development Program (LDP) – that is its flagship program. The Rockefeller Foundation funded the LDP till 2002. However, realizing its success and impact, LEAD sustained LDP without external funding. LEAD also exists in other countries with LDP and now it is a vibrant global organization with 14 country and regional programs in Asia, Africa, North & South America and Europe. Over 16 years, LEAD, through LDP, has produced annual cohorts of mid to senior level managers in public, private and civic sectors with commitment and skills to ensure that development is sustainable. The internationally linked LDP has resulted in a Fellows’ Network with over 150 members nationally, linked to more than 2000 members across the world. Its primary purpose is to create a critical mass of well-placed professionals in various sectors who can ensure that economic, social and political development is environmentally sensitive.

Every year, we at LEAD select promising young mid-career professionals from the government, NGOs, corporate sector, industry, media and academia through a competitive process that assesses their potential for leadership and commitment. This training cohort attends national, regional and international training sessions throughout the world in order to develop knowledge and dialogue on environment and sustainable development issues. This year, LEAD Pakistan is pleased to announce the registration for Leadership Development Programme – LDP Cohort 17 (2011-2012) under the theme of “Climate change and water- Managing uncertainties in South Asia”.

The Class of 2011-2012 will take an innovative stance toward water governance focusing on a both integrated and cooperative approach. Keeping in consideration LEAD’s background of working in the area of water governance, coupled with the importance of an overall management framework for ensuring the protection, conservation and sustainable use of water resources; focus of the proposed cohort would be on Water Governance & Management in South Asia. Within this broad area focus will be laid on the governance and management of water resources. Multidisciplinary experts as well as decision makers will debate the interconnectedness between local partnership and conflict resolution mechanisms and trans-boundary cooperation. This leadership development program will feature diverse multi-sectoral representation from nationals of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh and we intend to hold Regional training sessions in Nepal and Bangladesh to observe, learn and witness the challenges that lie ahead of us with reference to water crisis, not only in the form of scarcity, but more of mismanagement, inequitable distribution and lack of access.

                                                                                 Prof. John Kurakar

27 INDIANS HELD IN BRITAIN FOR ILLEGAL STAY

                    27 INDIANS HELD IN BRITAIN

                           FOR ILLEGAL STAY

Twenty-seven Indians, who were allegedly staying and working illegally in London and Manchester, were arrested by the UK Border Agency in two separate raids, the British High Commission here said Wednesday. 28th, September, 2011.The border agency is now working to remove them from Britain as soon as possible, a statement from the high commission said. On Sep 22, UK Border Agency officers visited an Asian supermarket in Southall in West London to check if the staff there had the legal right to work. A total of 25 staff members, including 23 Indian nationals, were found to have no right to be in Britain and were arrested.

"It is the legal responsibility of all businesses to check their employees have the right to work in the UK," the statement quoted a UK Border Agency spokesperson as saying."Where we find people who are in the UK illegally, we will seek to remove them. But we also want to send out a strong message to employers. More raids like this are planned," the spokesperson said.On Sep 16, UK Border Agency officers visited a building site in Manchester and arrested four Indian men, who did not have the right to work in Britain.The supermarket and the agency employing the construction workers now face fines of up to 10,000 pounds for each illegal worker, unless they can prove that they carried out the correct pre-employment checks.


                                                            Prof. John Kurakar

PAKISTAN SHOOL BUS ACCIDENT

                                      PAKISTAN SHOOL BUS ACCIDENT

At least 38 people were killed and some 70 injured Monday, 26th, September, 2011, night when a bus packed with school children overturned while returning from a picnic in Pakistan's Punjab province, media reports said.The accident took place at about 7.50 p.m. Monday when the school bus coming from Faisalabad city overturned on its way back from a picnic on the motorway linking the country's capital Islamabad and Lahore, capital of Punjab province. A traffic police spokesperson said the driver lost control over the bus when he was taking a turn on the motorway near Kalar Kahar, a town located some 125 km south of Islamabad. Most of the dead were students aged between 12 and 13, reported Xinhua citing media reports.The school principal and some teachers were also killed.

Hospital sources said that at least a dozen people injured in the accident were in a critical condition and the toll could rise. Initial investigation showed the accident was caused by the brake failure of the bus, said police. Police said they will launch investigations to find out why the school management violated traffic rules to pack the bus with 105 students and teachers.

                                                                   Prof. John Kurakar

Rs 1000 CRORE GRANT TO SIKKIM

                                Rs 1000 CRORE GRANT TO SIKKIM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday,29th September,2011, announced a Rs.1,000 crore grant to Sikkim to tide over the devastation caused by the Sep 18 earthquake that killed 80 people and caused large scale damage to private property."The prime minister announced a Rs.1,000 crore package to Sikkim and also assured all help and cooperation from the central government to fight the tragedy and devastation caused by the earthquake," a Sikkim government spokesperson said.

 Manmohan Singh made the announcement during a meeting with Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling at capital Gangtok. The prime minister earlier made an aerial survey of the worst affected north Sikkim region in an Indian Air Force helicopter. He also met some of the injured at the Sikkim Manipal Hospital here.

                                                                                          Prof. John Kurakar 

JAPANESE AGENCY TO FUND KOCHI METRO

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which partially funded Delhi Metro Rail Corporations’s Phase-I and II projects will be the main source of funding for the Kochi Metro, project director Tom Jose told The Japanese agency will provide 51 per cent of the total estimated cost of Rs 4,427 crore at an interest of 1.5 per cent. Tom pointed out that no other agency will provide aid for such small interest rate from within or outside the country.

                                          JAPANESE AGENCY TO FUND

                                        KOCHI METRO


Even the World Bank is charging interest rates which are over five per cent. The loan is for a period of 30 years. It will also have a moratorium period of 10 years. This means Kochi Metro will have to start repaying the loan only after a period of 10 years.When the project is implemented in the Chennai Metro model, centre and state governments will bear15 per cent each of the total cost. Eleven percent of the remaining amount would come from other loans, 5 per cent will be the cost of the land acquired and another 3 per cent would be earmarked as tax exemptions.The JICA aid would mean that the project can be completed without the co-operation of the private sector.If private participation was allowed the private companies would have to be given the ownership of land worth crores of rupees near the metro rail, he said.
It was the success of the Delhi metro that promted the company to show interest in Kochi's pet project, Tom said. The discussions held between the representatives of the company were very constructive, he said. The company came forward to provide financial help for the first, second and third phases of the Delhi metro. Apart from this they are providing aid for the Chennai and Bangalore metros.With the success of the Delhi metro, the agency has become sure that India has achieved the expertise in the construction of metro rails. Tom said that the company's decision to take over the overseeing of the construction of the project will be highly beneficial for Kerala. The project will be a success said Tom quoting statistical details. After the commissioning of the project, during the peak hours there will be 13000-15000 passengers in one direction. If that happens up to 8.5 per cent of loan can be repaid at the beginning itself. If it comes over four per cent in the initial stages, it is generally considered as a successful project. So the possibility of success is very high for the project, he said.

                                                                                           Prof. John Kurakar

ATTACK ON THE TEACHER KRISHNAKUMAR, RVHSS, VALAKOM, KOTTARAKARA

        ATTACK ON THE TEACHER KRISHNAKUMAR,
                RVHSS, VALAKOM, KOTTARAKARA

Krishnakumar (47), teacher in the private RVVHS school, was found in a serious condition on the roadside at Valakam in Kollam district in the wee hours of September 27, 2011.. The school is owned by the family of former state minister and Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai. The teacher is now under treatment at the Medical College Hospital here. Seeking leave for the motion, CPI's Mullakara Ratnakaran said police had not taken seriously the statement of Krishnakumar's wife, also a teacher in the same school that he was not on good terms with the school management The Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has promised the state Assembly that the police would get hold of the men who brutally carried out a murder attempt on a teacher of government –aided private School at RVHSS Valakom,Kottarakara on Tuesday night,27th September,2011.

The opposition LDF led by CPM Friday(30th September,2011) disrupted proceedings in the Kerala Assembly leading to adjournment of the House for the day over the attack on a school teacher in Kollam district. The Opposition demanded a CBI probe into the incident alleging that investigation by state police would not be impartial as there was possibility of intervention from UDF leader Pillai, and his son and State Forest Minister K B Ganeshkumar. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan also questioned the use of mobile phone (to speak to the media) by Pillai, a former minister, serving one year imprisonment after being convicted in a corruption case. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy rejected the LDF charge and said it was wrong on the part of Opposition to identify culprits in a case when investigation was progressing. Replying to a notice for an adjournment motion on the issue, Chandy said a special police team had been constituted to probe the case and Southern Range IG Padmakumar has been entrusted to monitor the progress of investigation. "Persons behiKerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Thursday termed as "brutal" the attack on a school teacher in Kollam district and said government would bring the culprits to justice. Chandy was replying to a submission in the state Assembly on the manhandling of Krishnakumar (47), a teacher in the private RVVHS School owned by the family of former state minister and Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai. Krishnakumar was found in a serious condition on the roadside at Valakam near Kottarakkara in the wee hours yesterday. He was admitted to the Medical College Hospital Thiruvananthapuram.
Krishnakumar's wife Geetha, who is also a teacher in the same school, alleged that her husband has, of late, been not on good terms with the school management. In her submission, Aisha Potti, CPM MLA from Kottarakkara, alleged that a conspiracy was behind the attack and only a comprehensive probe by a special police team would reveal the truthnd the attack will be booked," Chandy added. CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said that stringent action should be taken against the attackers of Krishnakumar who was brutally assaulted on Tuesday night. Persons involved in the attack are from the official level, according to reports, he said. He told mediapersons that names of those behind the attack will not be revealed now.

The condition of the teacher Krishnakumar who was brutally attacked by miscreants on Tuesday night is slightly better. Though he remained in an unconscious state throughout Wednesday, he regained conscious on Thursday. Police are of the opinion that if his condition improves they may be able to record his statements.
Violence erupted at Valakom and Kottarkara on Thursday during a march organized by the students Federation of India to RV Higher Secondary School in protest against the attack on K.Krishnakumar. The police used force to bring the situation under control. A tense situation prevails at Kottarakara. The SFI called for a district wide boycott of classes on Friday, 30th September,2011 in protest against the police action. Violence erupted when the police blocked the SFI march from entering the School. Mr R. Balakrishna Pillai is the manager of the School and there are allegations that the school management and Mr Krishnakumar are not good terms. The DYFI has announced a protest march to the office of the superintendent of police (Kollam Rural) at Kottarkara on Friday,30th September. At Pathanapuram the LDF organized a march to the office of the Pathnapuram MLA and Forest Minister K.B Ganesh Kumar demanding his resignation. LDF called for a Hartal at Pathanapuram taluk on Thursday 29th September afternoon. All India youth Federation too blocked M.C Road at Kottarakara in protest against the brutal attack.
The case has been entrusted to a special investigation team of the police headed by Kollam Rural S.P.P Prashant. The police said a car found abandoned near puthur had been taken into custody. The Kottarkara police had registered a attempt to murder case in connection with the attack. The police on Friday moved the Chief Judicial magistrate court, Thiruvananthapuram with a plea that they be allowed to record a dying declaration from Mr. Krishnakumar. Though the court granted permission the statement could not be recorde4d because doctors attending on Mr. Krishna Kumar said he continued to be highly critical and was unconscious.

                                                                             Prof. John Kurakar




.

HEART DAY-29 TH SEPTEMBER

                                           HEART DAY- 29 TH SEPTEMBER

 Diabetics often suffer from the worst kind of heart problems and hence need to be doubly cautious about not just their sugar levels but also their heart health. People with controlled sugar levels are the most likely to develop cardiovascular diseases. Generaly, diabetics tend to get hungry very often and most often resort to taking sweets.Once a person is diagnosed with diabetes, they should take there medication deligently,follow a stringent diet and must keep their sugar levels un

World Heart Day has spread awareness aimed at reducing the number of deaths caused due to heart diseases globally. It highlights the fact that 80 percent of premature deaths due to heart diseases can be prevented if the main risk factors tobacco,lack of adequate physical activity and unhealthy food habits, are kept in check.

   This year, world Heart Day zooms in on where it all begins- your home placing the onus on all individuals to control not just their risk of heart diseases, but also all members of their family it  advocates the adoption of a holistic, healthy life

   In a family where a male member less than 55 years of age and a female member les than 65 years of age have had a heart attack. The siblings and children are  at a high risk of developing a heart condition. Such people must necessarly take preventive measures." According to the world Heart Federation,more than 17.1 million lives are lost each year globally to stroke and heart disease,making at the singlelargest life threatening disease.
 Among the nine conventional risk faction four are lifestyle related and five are metabolism related. 40 percent of smokers are most likely to get a heart attack, closely followed by those with high cholestrol levels. Genetically, several studies have revealed that Indians are pre  disposed towards higher triglyceride levels.

der control with adequate physical activity. Another worrying report fromk the WHO shows that the mortality rates for coronary Artery Disease in India is set to rise by 100 percent, while it will reduce in countries like Japan,USA, Finland and Canada by 2015.

  Once contracted heart disease can only be controlled. Never fully cured. There for the key lies in making your home heart healthy,acknowledging your risk facors and integrating precautionary measures in to your daily routine, for the disease no longer respects age and class. Diabetes,high blood pressure & dyslipemia are referred so as they cause Heart Attacks.No one can detect changes in their blood presure. A person may be entively asymptomatic even if his Blood presure is as high as 220/100mn Hg(Normal Blood pressure must be 140/90 mnHG) This under scores the importance of medical check ups. Every one above 40 years of age must have a medical check up at least every couple of years if not have a cardiac illness. Lifestyle modification goes a long way in the treatment of these diseases.  Diet plays on important role in the control of these risk factors like diabetes, hypertension & High cholestrol.

   The Heart is a pump. When that pump becomes weak,it is not able to pump enough blood and provide nutrition to various organs of the human body. This condition is commonly referred to as heart failure. 

the incidence of heart failure is increasingly by the day in the developing countries despite advances in health care. High BP is a common cause of heart failure if left untreated Early detection and prompt treatment are needed. Do not ignore symptoms like breathlessness and undue fatigue. Daiabetics can have heart failure due to associated coronary artery due to associated coronary artery diease( Block in arteries supplying the heart muscle or due to weakening of heart muscle, or both Good control of blood sugar levels is essential.

                                                                   Prof. John Kurakar

KOTTARAKARA PALLIATIVE CARE HEALTH SURVEY

Palliative care volunteers

Palliative care volunteers

Palliative care volunteers

Prof. John Kurakar

Dr Jayasankar

Palliative Group discussion

Palliative group discussion

Palliative care volunteers



Palliative care volunteers



                        KOTTARAKARA PALLIATIVE CARE

                                                     HEALTH SURVEY

Kottarakara Palliative care society will conduct Health survey  in Kottarakara Panchayat area(18 wards) on Saturday, 1st October,2011. As many as 150 student volunteers from St. Gregorios College will participate on the health survey.  A detailed decision making meeting  was held at Kurakar Town center,Kottarakara on 29th September,2011 at 12.30 pm. 18 students groups were formed Each group include seven volunteers. The ward member  and social organisations will help the students for completion of the health survey.

      Prof. John Kurakar, President, Palliative care society inaugurated the meeting. Dr Jayasankar, Prof. Jacob Varghese, Advocate Biju Abraham Mr Aji ( Health Inspector) were spoke on the occassion.

                                                                          Palliative Care Society

AIR POLLUTION AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES

                                     AIR POLLUTION AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Geneva:Developing countries in the southeast Asian region with expanding urbanisation are now at a greater risk of respiratory diseases triggered by air pollution, warned the World Health Organisation (WHO).'In both developed and developing countries, the largest contributors to urban outdoor air pollution include motor transport, small-scale manufacturers and other industries, burning of biomass and coal for cooking and heating, as well as coal-fired power plants,' a compilation of air quality data released by the WHO said.

Residential wood and coal burning for space heating is an important contributor to air pollution, especially in rural areas during colder months, it said. According to statistics collected from 2003 to 2010, the southeast Asia region, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh among other countries, ranked third for levels of fine particulate matter (PM)-- a way to represent air quality. With 97 PM10 (particles smaller than 10 microns), the region followed eastern Mediterranean countries such as Israel, Cyprus, and Syria among others.

The WHO monitored urban outdoor air pollution levels from almost 1,100 cities across 91 countries. This included capitals and cities with more than 1 lakh population.According to the global health body, around 1.34 million premature deaths were reported due to respiratory diseases and cancers due to polluted air in 2008. 'If the WHO guidelines had been universally met, an estimated 1.09 million deaths could have been prevented in 2008,' said Maria Neira, WHO director for public health and environment

                                                                       Prof: John Kurakar

CHENNAI STUDENTS WIN AWARD AT WATER WEEK COMPETITION

                CHENNAI STUDENTS WIN AWARD AT WATER WEEK COMPETITION

                 Chennai students, who participated in World Water Week at Stockholm recently

The World Water Week that was held in Stockholm in August 2011 saw six Chennaiites participate, all researchers from the Centre for Water Resources (CWR) at Anna University. Added to this, the team walked away with the ‘Best Poster Award' that was given to Aishwarya Elangovan, a postgraduate student at the centre. “People from all over the world submit abstracts of their research papers and details about the posters to be eligible to participate in this competition,” says Prakash Nelliyat, research coordinator, CWR. Mr. Nelliyat submitted an abstract of a paper which he refers to as an “umbrella paper” encompassing all of the activities that is taught under the centre's flagship course the ‘Integrated Water Resources Management'.

His colleague, and assistant professor, Saravanan Ramasamy, says the overwhelming selection from the centre was due to the theme of this year's World Water Week — Water in an Urbanising World — which is also the focus of the IWRM course.. “We noticed that they were not selecting purely technical papers but those which were interdisciplinary. For a successful water policy, it is important to have an interdisciplinary approach,” he says. Fifty per cent of the case studies presented at the conference were in relation to India's water resources, he adds.

For Ph.D student Suriya Shankar, the conference was a way of sharing information. “It was a dual form of communication. We shared our expertise on primary data collection and we learnt a lot from the other participants,” she says. “Sociological tools were created through the projects and we learnt about actual problems affecting people. Many experts from all over the world shared their experiences,” said S. Packialakshmi, another student. Eighty posters were put up out of which five were shortlisted and of them two were from CWR. In 2002 and then in 2011, India won in the poster competition. “Whenever we presented papers, the delegates provided us technical and policy suggestions,” said Mr. Nelliyat.

                                                           Prof. John Kurakar

FIR AGAINST DAYANIDHI MARAN IN 2 G

FIR AGAINST DAYANIDHI MARAN IN 2 G

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it has got evidence against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Dayanidhi Maran in the 2G spectrum scam and will file an FIR against him within a couple of days for various offences. The agency also said investigation against Essar Group was still on and it will take another two weeks to complete it. The CBI, which filed a fresh status report in a sealed cover about the progress of the investigation, said the preliminary inquiry on the alleged involvement of Mr. Maran in the 2G scam has been completed and Letters Rogatory (LR) have been dispatched to Mauritius.

“The preliminary inquiry with regard to Maran has been concluded and FIR has to be registered against everyone. A few more days are needed for the FIR and can be lodged by month-end,” senior advocate K.K. Venugopal, appearing for the CBI, told a bench of justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly. Mr. Venugopal was referring to the probe into the sale of Aircel to Malaysia-based Maxis Group. Mr. Maran was the Telecom Minister between May 2004 and May 2007. He was forced to resign as the Union Textiles Minister in July this year after the CBI said it was investigating a complaint against him filed by C. Sivasankaran who owned Aircel in 2006.

The senior advocate said the CBI has examined Mr. Sivasankaran and during the probe it has been found that “undue favour” was shown to the foreign firm and the allegation of quid pro quo arrangement in the dealing has been probed. “The money involved is about Rs. 549 crore,” he said. A top executive of the Maxis group, Ralph Marshall, CEO of Astro, which invested in Sun TV, owned by the Maran brother, and also a board member of Malaysia-based Maxis, was questioned this month by the CBI in connection with alleged irregularities in spectrum allotment during the tenure Mr. Maran as Telecom Minister.

The CBI had also questioned Executive Director of Apollo Hospital Suneeta Reddy on the alleged role of Mr. Maran in the takeover of Aircel by Maxis. However, when the bench wanted to know about the status of the probe on Essar group, Mr. Venugopal said “investigation is still on“. During the last hearing, the CBI had rubbished the reports that Mr. Maran has been given a clean chit in the scam. The CBI had on July 6 charged Mr. Maran in the Supreme Court with “forcing” a Chennai-based telecom promoter to sell his stakes in Aircel to Maxis in 2006.

                                                                      Prof. John Kurakar

HIGH CORONARY CALCIUM LEVELS UP DIABETICS HEART ATTACK RISK

HIGH CORONARY CALCIUM LEVELS UP DIABETICS HEART ATTACK RISK

The Hindu A new study has suggested that notable levels of calcium accumulation in coronary arteries can be a sign of impending heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. A blood sugar test is taken at a clinic. A new study has suggested that notable levels of calcium accumulation in coronary arteries can be a sign of impending heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes and metabolic syndrome.The study led by UC Irvine’s Heart Disease Prevention Program, involved 6,600 people ages 45 to 84. The results showed that whereas 16 per cent were diabetic -- primarily type 2, another 25 per cent had metabolic syndrome, a combination of disorders that can lead to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

"Our study points out that there’s a wide range in risk for cardiovascular consequences seen in persons with metabolic syndrome and diabetes and that screening of coronary calcium by heart scans -- and, to a lesser extent, carotid arteries by ultrasound -- may be helpful in picking out those most vulnerable,” said Nathan Wong, UCI professor of medicine, director of the Heart Disease Prevention Program and senior author of the study."Our findings also suggest that individuals with significantly high levels of coronary calcium or carotid wall thickness should receive more aggressive monitoring and treatment for any associated risk factors,” added co-author Dr. Shaista Malik, a UCI cardiologist.

                                                                Prof. John Kurakar

HISTORY AND LEGEND IN ETHIOPIA

                HISTORY AND LEGEND IN ETHIOPIA

History and legend are so entwined in Ethiopia that it can be hard to know where one ends and another begins. No matter where you travel in this golden desert land, a plethora of saints, kings, spirits, monsters and wandering ascetics seem to accompany you. But there are some places in Ethiopia where the mists of myth are so deep that it can be hard not to feel as if you are a knight in armour galloping on a white steed toward the palace of the cloven-footed Queen of Sheba.

Ethiopia’s most famous daughter is said to have been the most beautiful and alluring woman ever to live, but she had hairy legs and the cloven foot of the devil. Her fame has lasted 3,000 years and in modern-day Ethiopia she is revered as one of the founding figures of the nation, as well as a symbol of the mystery of Africa’s most exotic corner.

Aksum is built on legend. Did the Queen of Sheba really call the town’s dusty streets home? Are there really secret hordes of treasure hidden away inside undiscovered tombs? And just what exactly do those famous stelae signify? This town has a vibrancy and continuing national importance rarely found at ancient sites. Pilgrims flock here in their thousands to pay homage at its great churches, and all Ethiopians believe passionately that the Ark of the Covenant resides here, in the small chapel of St Mary of Zion. In medieval Europe, rumours circulated of a fantastic Christian kingdom led by a ruler named Prestor John. It was said that the palace of Prestor John was one of crystal with a roof of ebony, and everyday 30,000 people ate here from tables made of gold. Rumour had it that this kingdom was located in present-day Ethiopia and that Prestor John’s capital was today’s Gonder. Sadly, the rumours turned out to be false, but Gonder, with its collection of castles and palaces (all made of mere stone), was real and is still an Ethiopian highlight.

North Ethiopia is full of creaky old monasteries and churches built atop the craziest crags. Perched on a needle of rock, the best-known monastery is Debre Damo, founded by Abuna Aregawai. Looking at the sheer-sided mountain today you might wonder how Aregawai ever climbed to the summit. But Aregawai had a helping hand. God knew that this was a fine place for a monastery and so he made a giant serpent lower its tail off the mountain and Aregawai was able to scramble up the snake’s back to the summit. Those scared of giant snakes will be happy to hear that today, monks haul visitors up the cliff face at the end of a weathered (very weathered!) length of leather rope.

No mention of Ethiopia is complete without talk of the maze of churches hewn down into the rust-coloured rock of Lalibela. Born in a dream, even the most cynical visitor cannot help but look at this 12th-century wonder of the world and ask “How?” or “Why?”. It is said that when King Lalibela was poisoned by his half-brother, the angels carried him to the first, second and third Heavens. Here he was shown a city of rock-hewn churches and God commanded him to return to Earth and re-create what he had seen. We think that any deity would be mighty pleased with the result. Even the Queen of Sheba.

                                                          Prof. John Kurakar

WASTE- FREE KERALA CAMPAIGN

                                           WASTE- FREE KERALA CAMPAIGN

The Kerala Government will launch a year-long 'Waste-Free Kerala' campaign from October 2, aiming an unpolluted environment, public hygiene and cleanliness.Briefing newspersons the Cabinet decision here, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on 27th September,2011, today said an all party meeting would be convened to discuss effective waste disposal methods and and suggestions would be approved by the Cabinet. Stating that the Government was also planning to make necessary laws for effective waste management for a clean-Kerala, he said the camapign is aimed at creating awareness among people about cleanliness.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal by the Union Urban Affairs Ministry for cleaning of rivers, ponds, wells in the State as part of the sanitation programme.Opining that failure in waste disposal was the root cause of the current fever outbreak in the State, he said a technology upgraded solid waste management system would be introduced in five corporations and 29 municipalities in the State.With the assistance from the Centre, grant of maximum Rs 35 lakh would be allotted to each Grama Panchayt for establishing solid waste management units in the State, he said.

Local bodies would be provided 50 per cent subsidy for establishing e-toilets in public places. Rs 64.25 crore was sanctioned for developing infrastructure for Suchitwa Mission in 14 districts and creating new posts of Assistant Engineers, including 13 posts in District headquarters and 28 posts in other places

                                                                             Prof. John Kurakar

WORLD HEART DAY-2011

                                                   WORLD HEART 
                  World Heart Day - A healthy heart for a healthy lifestyle

How important is it to keep your heart healthy? According to World Health Organization (WHO), every year heart diseases claim 17.3 million people around the world. The World Heart Day is observed to make people realize the risk of heart diseases and enlighten that such death could be avoided by adopting simple and easy ways. World Heart Day is usually observed on the last Sunday of September every year, but as of this year, World Heart Day 2011 will be celebrated on September 29 that also marks its eleventh anniversary. The World Heart Day is organized by World Heart Federation, a non-governmental organization with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, endorsed by World Health Organization and other organizations. It identifies the numerous factors responsible for the cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths. World Heart Federation also spreads the news on how stroke and heart diseases could be avoided if physical activities and unhealthy diets are controlled. World Heart Federation also imparts important information related to signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

The theme of World Heart Day 2011 is "One World, One Home, One Heart". This theme appeals to individuals to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases of their own and their family members by choosing healthy eating habits, adopting physical activities and quit consumption of tobacco. To celebrate the World Heart Day, the World Heart Federation has selected many creative and captivating campaign materials that include leaflet and World Heart Day 2011 poster. These World Heart Photos and pictures emphasizes on spreading the importance of heart health among the masses. To reach the public and also mark the event as significant, associations and individuals organize a range of World Heart Day activities that usually include fitness session, health checks, scientific forums, public talks and more on heart diseases symptoms. Furthermore, health institutes and various organizations conduct health check-up centers and seminars to disseminate awareness on heart diseases and the precautionary measures. Attempts are also made to motivate children and elders to care about their heart and start living a health lifestyle by avoiding smoking and adopting healthy eating habits. In India, millions of people die and fall victim of cardiovascular diseases because of their unhealthy lifestyle they have adopted that usually starts at home. So, this year, World Heart Day focuses to household to bring a change in everyone's life as it is the centre of the family activities.

World Heart Day was created in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year. Together with its members, the World Heart Federation spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors, tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are controlled. World Heart Day will take place on 29 September each year. National activities such as public talks and screenings, walks and runs, concerts or sporting events are organized worldwide by members and partners of the World Heart Federation. In 2010, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of World Heart Day the World Heart Federation launched the State of the Heart CVD Report‘. With the UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) taking place in September, World Heart Day presents a great opportunity to communicate messages about the meeting outcomes, and the importance of elevating NCDs up the global health agenda. After two years of focusing on heart health in the workplace, this year we call on individuals to reduce their own and their family’s risk of heart disease and stroke. We ask people to take charge of their home’s heart health by taking steps such as choosing healthy food options, increasing physical activity, and saying no to tobacco. As always, our emphasis will be on improving heart health across all

The International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), on World Heart Day, has come up with a new variety of healthier and safer nutritious snacks made of sorghum and millet for the fast food consumers. These cereals have higher nutrition value than rice and wheat besides being rich in dietary fibre, a quality that makes them diabetic friendly. These snacks were developed by the scientists at the NutriPlus Knowledge Programme (NPK), which is a part of ICRISAT’s Agribusiness and Innovation Platform (AIP). “In addition to the health snacks, we are looking at several other exciting possibilities to raise the value of these nutritious grains to have an impact on small-holder farmers who grow these crops,” said Dr. Saikat Datta Mazumdar, leading scientist at the NPK Programme.

According to ICRISAT, in addition to introducing better, healthier and safer fast food for consumers, sorghum and millet snacks will create new markets for these crops. This market opportunity will link poor farmers to the Indian agro-food industry and increase their incomes. ICRISAT’s food technology researchers are also looking into partnerships with the private sector and development organisations to find solutions for post-harvest issues and explore new markets for dryland crops such as sorghum and millet. “We would like to research the possibility of sorghum or millet-based enriched biscuits for school feeding programmes in Asia and Africa. We could also develop and promote simple processing technologies and innovations for mothers to prepare nutritious baby foods in families where malnourishment is an issue,’ said Dr. Mazumdar.

ICRISAT’s Director General Dr. William Dar highlighted the value of this food technology research for reducing rural poverty. “By tapping into the health promoting properties of dryland crops like sorghum and millet we can help address an urgent public health issue at the same time creating new markets for these subsistence crops, which are produced mostly by smallholder farmers,” said Dr. Dar. On the occasion of the World Heart Day, Dr Sunil Kapoor Senior Consultant, Cardiologist, Care Hospitals, organized a function to spread the message of "One World, One Home ,One Heart". Ms Mahima Bararia, Miss Andhra Pradesh 2011 gave an educational message to all the Women invited on the Role of women in preventing heart disease Heart disease is Increasing at an alarming pace and is reaching epidemic proportions, with younger people getting heart attacks. The woman of the house is made aware to take charge of her own and her family's heart health.The woman is to make her own home a place where: 1) healthy food options are available 2) tobacco use is banned and 3) Physical activity is encouraged, to reduce the risk of heart disease for her loved ones.



The woman in 2011 is to become her home's advocate for healthy heart living. The educational function was attended and appreciated by the invited ladies from all sections of society. Dr Sunil Kapoor, while addressing the media said; let's hope that by spreading awareness and education, the incidence of heart disease will reduce. This is to request the media to highlight widely the educational message for the good of Society.

Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University Vice-Chancellor Mayilvahanan Natarajan inaugurated the palliative care services specifically designed for adults with congenital heart disease. K.M. Cherian, CEO, and chairman, Frontier Lifeline Hospital, said these services will be offered to those with end-stage heart failure who are not eligible for a heart transplant. These patients have problems breathing, are in pain, and have a series of other complications. Mostly, they comprise adults who have managed to survive congenital heart anomalies.

“They are at a stage when they need psychological and economic support, apart from medical care,” Dr. Cherian explained. The facility could also be used by those who are waiting for a heart transplant, he added. The ambulance, which will ply on the nearby national highway, was launched by Ravindran Sanna Reddy, of Sri City SEZ Park. Sri City and Frontier Lifeline have entered into MoU to provide emergency services for the SEZ area, and this will grow into managing a full-fledged hospital in future.

As part of World Heart Day, students from various educational institutions took part in an organ donation awareness drive. This included signing organ donor cards and a poster competition on the theme ‘One World, One Home, One Heart.'Members of Chennai Traffic Police were also felicitated on the occasion for their role in establishing green corridors to ferry organs for transplant between hospitals in the fastest time possible. Tamil Nadu State Co-ordinator for Organ Transplantation J. Amalorpavanathan explained the process involved in organ retrieval and transplantation.

                                                                      Prof. John Kurakar

BENGAL WORKERS INJURED IN CLASH

                                                   BENGAL WORKS

                                   INJURED IN CLASH

Twenty five construction workers from West Bengal were injured, five of them seriously, in a clash with local people at Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district on 27th September, 2011. The seriously injured workers were admitted to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital and the others to the Government Hospital at Kayamkulam.

The clash ensued over the theft of a mobile phone. Some people from nearby Kayamkulam village alleged that a member in their group had lost a mobile phone and alleged it was stolen by construction workers from Bengal. Both the groups exchanged hot words and this culminated in the clash with more people joining in from surrounding areas. Police said that the local people attacked the workers. They had registered cases against the group. However, no arrest was made immediately, police said.

                                                                        Prof. John Kurakar

VIRAL FEVER IN KERALA

                                                         VIRAL FEVER IN KERALA
                                   179 deaths due to viral fever in Kerala: minister

CPM led LDF opposition Tuesday,27th September,2011, staged a walkout in the Kerala assembly protesting against government's "failure" to check spread of various types of viral fever, including leptospirosis that had claimed 179 lives so far. Lack of medicines and shortage of doctors in government hospitals have led to this serious situation, former Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac said while seeking leave for an adjournment motion on the matter. Issac said more than 300 persons have died of various viral infections in the state in the last few months and about 10,000 people were suffering from fever in the state.

The worst affected districts were Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ernakulam and Kottayam, he said. Intervening in the matter, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the government viewed the situation very seriously and steps had been taken to fill vacancies of doctors in hospitals. Steps have been taken to ensure required quantity of medicines in hospitals, he added. Replying to the motion, Health Minister Adoor Prakash said 179 persons have died of fever in the state till date since January. Cases of dengue, hepatitis and gastroenteritis were also reported, he said. Admitting that the situation had not been completely under control, Prakash said the government was able to check the spread of the disease due to the steps initiated by it. Speaker G Karthikeyan refused leave for the motion after the reply of health minister and chief minister. Before walking out, opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said it was the inept handling of the situation by the health department that had led to the present serious problem.


                                                                                        Prof. John Kurakar

POOR DIET CAN BRING ON MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

                            POOR DIET CAN BRING ON

                         MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

Poor diet may be linked to mental health problems during adolescence, researchers found.In a study of 3,000 adolescents, Deakin University researchers revealed that diet quality could foreshadow mental health in adolescents over time.Conversely, it might be possible to use diet to prevent mental health problems developing in the first place. 'We found that diet quality and mental health were linked,' said Felice Jacka from Deakin's Barwon Psychiatric Research Unit, who led the study, the journal Public Library of Science reports.

'Three-quarters of psychiatric illnesses begin before the age of 25 and the average age that depressive illnesses start is only 13 years. Once an individual experiences depression, they are more likely to experience it again,' said Jacka, according to a Deakin statement. 'This new evidence suggests that it might be possible to prevent some cases of depression developing in the first place by ensuring that the diets of adolescents are sufficiently nutritious,' concluded Jacka

                                                                               Prof. John Kurakar

TRIBUTE PAID TO KENYAN NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE MAATHAI

                            TRIBUTE PAID TO KENYAN
                 NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE MAATHAI

Nairobi: Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, has died in hospital after a long struggle with cancer, her environmental organisation the Green Belt Movement said on Monday.26th September, 2011. Maathai, 71, who was also a veterinary anatomy professor, won the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for campaigns against government-backed forest clearances in Kenya in the late 1980s and 1990s. Maathai had to endure being whipped, tear-gassed and threatened with death for her devotion to Africa's forests and her desire to end the corruption that spells their destruction.

"It's a matter of life and death for this country," Maathai once said. "The Kenyan forests are facing extinction and it is a man-made problem." She called the clearance of forests a "suicidal mission". "To interfere with them is to interfere with the rain system, the water system and therefore agriculture, not to mention the other industries dependent on hydro-electricity." In 1989, Maathai's protests forced then-president Daniel arap Moi to abandon a plan to erect an office tower in a Nairobi park. In 1999, she was beaten and whipped by guards during a demonstration against the sale of forest land in Nairobi. "It is with great sadness that the Green Belt Movement announces the passing of its founder and chair, Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai, after a long illness bravely borne," the organisation said in a statement on its website.

"Her departure is untimely and a very great loss to all of us who knew her -- as a mother, relative, co-worker, colleague, role model, and heroine -- or those who admired her determination to make the world a peaceful, healthy and better place for all of us," the statement said. Tributes poured in on social media, and Kenyan television stations broadcast past interviews with Maathai. "We join family and friends in mourning Prof. Wangari Maathai, a phenomenal woman, a friend and role model. You lived,you inspired," said Kenyan politician Martha Karua on her Twitter account.

Maathai's Green Belt Movement has spread across the African continent and gone on to plant millions of trees around Africa in a campaign to slow deforestation and erosion. Besides founding the Green Belt Movement, Maathai campaigned for civil and women's rights and also served as a member of parliament. "Rest in peace Dr. Wangari Maathai. A great woman, an inspiration for many women across Africa, a magnificent visionary and embodiment of courage," Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said in a Twitter message.

                                                                               Prof. John Kurakar