Archive for category Health
Bid to identify mental health problems of students
Posted by ganesh in Chennai, Departments, Education, Health, Information, Other, illegal, meeting, modification, programme, student on March 10th, 2010
He is different from others in the classroom, avoids people and his grades/marks keep fluctuating. For teachers who come across such children in their classroom, psychiatrists have a word of advice. These may be signs of the onset of mental health problems, which need to be identified at the young age itself.
In an effort to identify and treat mental health or psychiatric problems of adolescents, the Department of Health and Family Welfare on Monday launched the ‘School Mental Health Programme,’ with suicide prevention as one of its main areas of focus. Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam and Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj participated in the launch.
The programme would be attached to the district mental health programme and implemented in various districts. To start with, medical health professionals, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and social welfare counsellors, are being sensitised.
According to M. Thirunavakarasu, president-elect, Indian Psychiatric Society, about 40 per cent of children in India suffer from mental health problems. “Suicide is the sixth main cause of death in India, while in adolescents between 12 and 19 years suicide or accident are the main causes of death,” he says.
While most private schools have in-house teachers doubling up as counsellors, Indian Psychiatric Society found that it has not been very effective as many students do not confide in a part-time counsellor or teacher. “A counsellor must be someone from outside the school. It is expensive but the purpose can be achieved,” says Dr. Thirunavakarasu.
The department would be creating awareness for principals and teachers on problems related to adolescence, matters on wellness and need for counselling cells in schools, rather than talking directly about the illness.
Some schools have extended such programmes to include parents too. A government school in Erode invites parents every Saturday for counselling.
Most CBSE schools have a visiting counsellor, some who even take classes in value education.
“It is a good move but the challenge would be to see if every school gets a counsellor or how often the counsellor makes a visit to the school,” says R. Arthanari, president, Chennai region, T.N. Higher Secondary Schools Headmasters’ Association. “On a one-off case, it is teachers who play the role as counsellor but children do not open up much as they are unsure if the teacher would mock his/her family history in the next class.”
Counsellors say winning the student’s trust is the biggest challenge in attending to mental health problems. Besides, parents and extra-curricular activities play a role in enhancing a child’s self-esteem.
Baby elephant fell in tank local people removed it taking the mother elephant
A female elephant and its calf strayed from the forest and entered into a banana field near a private engineering college near Kovaipudur outskirts of the city late last night.
Forest officials told UNI today that the baby elephant fell into a small tank in the field.
Forest officials and local people removed it from the tank after taking the mother elephant away to some distance. Later, both the mother and the baby were guided back into the Madhukkari forests,
Today Madurai Exclusive News
Posted by ganesh in Communication, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Health, Information, Madurai Today, Other, Temples, businesses, competition, function, meeting, programme on March 10th, 2010
RELIGION
Selva Vinayagar Temple:Discourse on ‘Aanmeega Jothidam’ by Ponniah, Railway Colony, 7.30 p.m.
Saiva Siddhantha Sabha:Discourse on ‘Sivaprakasam’ by Yazh S. Chandra, South Adi Street, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, 7 p.m.
Tiruvalluvar Kazhagam:Discourse on ‘Tiruvarutpa’ by M. Vijayaraman, North Adi Street, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, 7 p.m.
Tiruvalluvar Mandram:Discourse on ‘Villi Bharatham’ by K. Manickam, S. S. Colony, 5 p.m.
Ramakrishna Mutt:Bhajan, New Natham Road, 6.30 p.m.
Hindu Baktha Jana Sabha:Abishekam, Karuppusamy Temple, Solaipatti, 8 a.m.
CULTURE
Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya:Free Rajayoga meditation classes, 36 Meenakshi Nagar, P and T Nagar; 40 Sambandamoorthy Street, 211/95 East Veli Street and 357 Church Road, Anna Nagar, 6.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.
Gandhi Memorial Museum:T. Ravichandran conducts yogasana, meditation and pranayama classes, 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Vedatri Yoga Meditation Centre:Yogasana and meditation class, 16 Jawahar First Street, Kannadasan Colony, 6 p.m.
Aanmeega Kalvi Nilayam:Free meditation class, Madurai Arivu Tirukoil, 24 Besant Road, Chokkikulam, 6 a.m.
Ulaga Samadhana Alayam:S. Velshankar conducts yogasana training and meditation, 138 Kamarajar Road, 6 p.m.
Yoga Research Centre:Pushparaj conducts yoga therapy classes, Department of Philosophy, Madura College, 6.30 a.m.
Indian Institute of Yoga:V. Srinivasan conducts yoga therapy and pranayama classes, 5 Subramania Siva Street, Marudupandian Nagar, 6 a.m., 6.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.
Tamil Isai Sangam:Nagaswaram by EN. V. Parameswaran, 4.30 p.m.; Thevaram recitation, 5 p.m.; M.A. M. Ramasamy, Pro-Chancellor, Annamalai University, inaugurates ‘Tamil isai festival;’ M. Jayapaul, Judge, Madras High Court, confers ‘Muthamizh Perarignar’ title on Solomon Pappiah; A. Surianarayanan, Chief Income Tax Commissioner, releases souvenir; Meena Muthiah addresses, 6 p.m.; ‘patti mandram,’ Solomon Pappiah moderates, Raja Muthiah Mandram, 7 p.m.
GENERAL
Madurai Kamaraj University:Archbishop M. Arockiasamy endowment seminar on ‘Ecology and religions,’ P. M. Ajmal Khan, Head, Department of Islam and Islamic Tamil Studies, presides, Seminar Hall, School of Religions, Philosophy and Humanist Thought, 10.30 a.m.
Agricultural College and Research Institute:Technology Week celebration, Kakkan Auditorium, 10 a.m.
Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women:Valediction of College Council; C. Periyathai, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education, addresses; S. Lakshmi, Principal, presides, 9 a.m.; seminar on ‘Web engineering,’ Department of Computer Science, 9.30 a.m.
Thiagarajar College:Research seminar in Tamil; V. Mohan of Yadava College speaks, R. Raja Govindasamy, Principal, presides, Tholkappiar Arangu, 9 a.m.; book review meeting, P. Ushadevi, Librarian, presides, Library, 12.40 p.m.
Madurai Institute of Social Sciences:R. Rukmani Palanivel Rajan, chairperson, Association of Social Health in India, inaugurates legal awareness camp for women, D.V.P. Raja, chairman, presides, Alagarkoil Road, 3 p.m.
Saraswathi Narayanan College:C. Muthuraj of American College speaks on ‘Union Budget,’ M. Kannan, Principal (in-charge), presides, Perungudi, 3 p.m.
Arul Anandar College:National Science Mela on ‘Science and philosophy of biodiversity;’ science exhibition and panel discussion, T. Chinnaraj Joseph Jayakumar, Principal, American College, presides, 9.30 a.m.; N. Rama Gopal, Professor of Economics, Annamalai University, inaugurates intensive course on ‘Recent insights in economics,’ Rev. Fr. G. Pushparaj, Principal, presides, Karumathur, 10 a.m.
Sourashtra College:J.S. Sukumar of Winways Systems speaks on ‘Open source systems — benefits and applications,’ Silver Jubilee Hall, 11.30 a.m.
Yadava College:K. P. Navaneetha Krishnan, correspondent, inaugurates ‘Beats 2010,’ State-level inter-collegiate meet, 9.30 a.m.; D. Bharani, film actor, distributes prizes, Nagendran Auditorium, 5 p.m.
Nadar Mahajana Sangam S. Vellaichamy Nadar College:State-level seminar on ‘Recent trends in computing techniques;’ N. Sivasubramanian, former Chief General Manager, Indian Space Research Organisation, and T. Kathirvalavakumar of Virudhunagar Hindu Nadar Senthikumara Nadar College address, Audio Visual Hall, 8.30 a.m.
Vickram College of Engineering:S. Chandran of Thiagarajar College of Engineering speaks on ‘Town planning,’ Conference Hall, 2 p.m.
K. L. N. College of Information Technology:K. A. Kanagasabapathy, General Manager, F. L. Smidth, inaugurates national conference on ‘Emerging trends in power systems and power electronics; P. K. Alagirisamy, Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, addresses; K. N. K. Ganesh presides, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 10 a.m.
Madurai Sivakasi Nadars’ Pioneer Meenakshi Women’s College:11 {+t} {+h} College Day celebration, K. Pandia Rajan, Managing Director, Ma Foi Group, addresses, Poovanthi, 4.30 p.m.
St. Charles College of Education:Regional seminar on ‘Teacher competencies required to empower students as protectors of earth,’ Thanakkankulam, 9.30 a.m.
Tamil Nadu Science Forum:National Science Day celebration, S. Dinakaran of Madura College speaks, C. Indira Devi, Headmistress, presides, Government High School, Anaiyur, 10 a.m.
ICICI Bank:P. C. Thangaraj, Assistant Commissioner of Police, inaugurates ATM, 70 Alagarkoil Road, K. Pudur, 10 a.m.
Alcoholics Anonymous:Meeting, Dr. Dheep Hospital, Alagarkoil Road, K. Pudur, 7.30 p.m.
Inauguration of an Outpatient block at Appasamy Hospitals
Both Central and Tamilnadu governments have been implementing various health schemes.
Under the scheme ‘health for all’ that covers rural areas, a sum of Rs 22,300 crore has been earmarked by the Centre and the State government.
Stating this while speaking at the inauguration of an outpatient block at Appasamy Hospitals at Arumbakkam in Chennai yesterday, Union Minister for Shipping G K Vasan said that this hospital has been doing yeoman service for the past 10 years in the form of eye camps, dialysis for the poor patients, etc, etc.
Appasamy Group has been manufacturing cataract lens, slits and equipment and ranks number two in the world in this field, according to its CEO B L Sampath Kumar.
Later briefing the press, director of Appasamy Hospitals Ramamurthy said that taxes in the country were progressive and nowhere in the world manufacturing tax, excise duty and VAT were being levied. Over 60 years, this has been the state of affairs.
Ninety per cent of the medical gadgets were being imported with only 10 per cent locally manufactured. The country can compete with the multinationals if taxes were not progressive, he said.
Leader of Congress Legislature Party D Sudharssanam, Principal Secretary-Health and Family Welfare V K Subburaj, ruling party leader in Corporation of Chennai N Ramalingam, former State Information Commissioner S Ramakrishnan, retired IAS officers A M Swaminathan and R Varadarajulu, managing director of Tamilnadu Civil Supplies Corporation Veerashanmugamani, Additional Director General of Police T Radhakrishnan, Joint director-Agriculture Vasuki, Father of Hand Surgery Dr R Venkatasmy, chairman of Zone 5 of the Corporation S Suresh Babu and Ward 74 member D Ramesh were present.
NABARD sanctioned to farmer improving a sugarcane harvester invented.
Posted by ganesh in Agriculture, Departments, Health, Information, Madurai, electronic, modification, planted, vehicles on March 8th, 2010
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs. 1.38 lakh to a farmer here for improving a sugarcane harvester he invented.
While present models of sugarcane harvesters in the market mainly cater only to big farmers having more than five acres, this invention meets the requirements of small farmers having one or two acres, R. Shankar Narayan, Assistant General Manager, NABARD,
The funds have been provided under NABARD’s ‘Rural Innovation Fund’ set up to encourage grass root innovation that will improve productivity and income of farmers. The farmer, P. Kantharaj (42) of Arapalayam, has been given the grant to fabricate five more units of his harvester and also improve the efficiency and reduce its weight.
“Madurai district has a lot of small farmers who are also facing a labour shortage. They can make use of Mr. Kantharaj’s invention,” Mr. Shankar Narayan said.
Even the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s (TNAU) Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute at Tiruchi and National Innovation Foundation at Ahmedabad have expressed interest in this project and have imparted technical inputs, he said.
The farmer also took part in a South Indian Sugarcane and Sugar Technologists Association’s exhibition, he said.
A project implementation monitoring and review committee, chaired by Mr. Shankar Narayan has been formed with KN. Subramanian, Lead District Manager and agriculture experts included as members.
The farmer has also been training to prepare an activity chart and action plan to indicate the timeline to fulfil the project. This assistance will help the farmer take his innovation to a commercial scale, he said.
Mr. Kantharaj said that his sugarcane harvester can cut two tonnes in one hour or 16 tonnes in an eight-hour shift. A team of 25 labourers need eight hours to cut 15 tonnes. This petrol-powered equipment is powered by a 1.5 horsepower motor and weighs a total of 45 kg. It is also very easy to operate.
“My main problem is not inventing this equipment. It is the inability to manufacture it on a large scale to meet the large demand. I hope that some manufacturers will take notice and take up large-scale manufacturing so that many farmers could benefit,”
Initiative called ‘Public Health towards Villages’ is going to be launched in every village
Posted by ganesh in Communication, Health, Madurai, Public, government, programme, tamilnadu on March 8th, 2010
A new initiative called ‘Public Health towards Villages’ is going to be launched in the State to strengthen healthcare in every village.
Under this plan to be started in a few days, the Department of Public Health is issuing orders to its district officials to hold weekly review meetings at the village health sub-centre level and understand the requirements of local people by deputing the field staff.
S. Elango, Director of Public Health, told The Hindu here on Sunday that the decision to “introduce a new roadmap for public health” was taken at a State-level review meeting of the Health Department held in Chennai on March 4.
“We have explained the proposal to Health Minister M. R. K. Panneerselvam and Principal Health Secretary V. K. Subburaj. They had given consent to implement this idea which is aimed at involving the village people in public health issues,” he said.
The pattern of review meetings in Health Department will be changed by moving from the usual State/district level meetings to village health sub-centre level to know the ground situation better. According to Dr. Elango, some health sub-centres in the State were not functioning up to the desired level and hence the mode of review is being changed to bridge the gap.
For every 30,000 population, there are six health sub-centres. So far, their performance is being reviewed at district level meetings only through the medical officers of Primary Health Centres.
“By launching the ‘Public Health towards Villages’, we are confident of activating the entire rural health network of 8,600 health sub-centres and 1,539 Primary Health Centres in the State,” the Director of Public Health said. Dr. Elango said that the proposed village-centric model of review will help in better monitoring of implementation of public health activities and schemes.
Focus will be given to key issues such as maternal and child health, village sanitation, infectious diseases, maternal deaths, nutrition status, utilisation of funds given under State and Central schemes, implementation of State government schemes such as Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Assistance Scheme and the overall maintenance of health sub-centre.
“Health staff in every district will be sensitised on the needs of rural people. This will be a major next step in public health activities of the Tamil Nadu government and we have asked the field staff to be alert to public requirements,” the Director said.
5 women killed, 42 hurt as buses collide accident at Keelpenathur
Five women were killed when two State buses collided at Keelpenathur near Tiruvannamalai on Sunday morning.
Police sources said the accident took place around 10.20 am at the bend near the Kadambai Junction on the Puducherry-Bangalore National Highway. A bus travelling from Chennai to Tiruvannamalai ran into another bus going from Tiruvannamalai to Chennai.
Vellayan, inspector in-charge of the the Keelpenathur police station, who visited the site of the accident, told Express that Udayakumar (43) of Arani, who was driving the Chennai- Tiruvannamalai bus, was talking on his mobile phone while driving and lost control of the vehicle when it neared a curve in the road near Kadambai Junction. The bus then collided with the other bus that came from the opposite direction.
The inspector said the front portion of the bus from Chennai was badly damaged in the accident. He added that several pasengers had been gravely injured and the mangled limbs of a few lay on the road and in the bus.
He said 42 passengers had been injured in the accident and six were in a critical condition.
While two women died on the spot, three more died after they were taken to the Tiruvannamalai Government Hospital for treatment. The deceased were identified as M Lakshmidevi (45) of Chetpet, K Nandeeshwari (41) of Chrompet and R Vijayalakshmi of East Tambaram near Chennai, S Meenakshi (52) of Vengikal near Tiruvannamalai and an unidentified woman, aged about 47 years.
The victims were initially rushed to the Tiruvannamalai GH after which some of the more critically injured were referred to government hospitals in Vellore, Chennai and Puducherry, and to the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) at Vellore.
Tiruvannamalai Collector Dr M Rajendran visited the victims at the government hospital.
Police sources said Udayakumar had escaped after receiving first aid from the government hospital.
SBIOA demands special leave for women officers
Posted by ganesh in Bank, Communication, Health, Information, Public, Trichy, programme on March 8th, 2010
The first women’s convention organised by the Chennai Circle unit of State Bank of India Officer’s Association (SBIOA) has urged the bank management to sanction special leave for women officers for bringing up their children, particularly the new-borns, to ensure proper parental care.
In a statement here today, Association’s General Secretary T S Rishaba Doss said a resolution to this effect was adopted at the convention held here yesterday.
The resolution felt that the women officers of the bank needed special leave for at least two years to bring up their new-borns.
They also demanded introduction of five-day week to ensur more efficiency in service.
Earlier, inaugurating the convention, Soundara Kumar, Managing Director, State Bank of Indore, appealed to the women employees of the bank to evolve a plan for the cause of the women working in unorganised sector.
She also appealed to them to strive for the rights and dignity of women.
CM Greeted Women on the eve of International Women’s day
Posted by ganesh in Chennai, Departments, Health, Information, Public, function, hospital on March 8th, 2010
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi greeted women on the eve of International Women’s day and said the state is in the forefront in implementing various welfare schemes for them.
In his message, he recalled the various welfare measures launched for women in the state through the years. Tamil Nadu is ahead of other states in implementing welfare schemes, he said.
The Chief Minister later inaugurated the Government medical college at Villupuram. Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy and Health Minister M R K Panneerselvam, among others, were present on the occasion.
Karunanidhi also inaugurated various structures built at an estimated cost of Rs 79.50 crore, including the 500-bed government medical college hospital at Mundiampakkam.
The hospital, to be attached to the government medical college now under construction has an out-patient ward and a laboratory with a blood bank.
The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone for civil works to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 75.75 crore He had earlier inaugurated the DMK office ‘Kalaignar Arivalayam’.
Today Madurai Exclusive News
Posted by ganesh in Communication, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Health, Information, Madurai Today, Other, Temples, businesses, competition, function, meeting, programme on March 8th, 2010
RELIGION
Tiruvalluvar Kazhagam: Discourse on ‘Tirumandiram’ by S. Tirumavalavan, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, 7 p.m.
Tiruvalluvar Mandram: Discourse on ‘Tiruvilayadalpuranam’ by S. Sadacharam, S.S. Colony, 5 p.m.
Ramakrishna Mutt: Bhajan, New Natham Road, 6.30 p.m.
Tatwananda Ashram: Samananda conducts ‘Bhagavad Gita’ class, Ayira Vaisyar Primary School, South Avanimoola Street, 6.45 p.m.
Hindu Baktha Jana Sabha: Puja, Thottichayamman Temple, Nilayur, 6 p.m.
Samarasa Sanmarga Sahiya Sangam: Discourse by R. Hari Govinthan, North Adi Street, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, 6.30 p.m.
CULTURE
Gandhi Memorial Museum: T. Ravichandran conducts yoga, meditation and pranayama classes, 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Women’s Day celebrations and self-employment course for women, 10 a.m.; spoken Hindi classes, 5 p.m.
Aanmeega Kalvi Nilayam: Physical exercise and meditation classes, 24 Besant Road, Chokkikulam, 7.30 a.m.
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre: Meditation, bhajan, satsangh, 23 Dr. Sathar Road, Anna Nagar, 5.30 p.m.
Yoga Research Centre: Pushparaj conducts yoga therapy classes, Department of Philosophy, Madura College, 6.30 a.m.
Small Industries Product Promotion Organisation: Craft Bazaar, Gandhi Museum, 10 a.m.
GENERAL
Madurai Kamaraj University Faculty Association: Women’s Day celebrations, R. Kathiresan, Department of Commerce, and J. Vijaya, joint secretary, LIC Employees Union, address, Dr. Ambedkar Building, 3 p.m.
Agricultural College and Research Institute: Technology Week celebration, Kakkan Auditorium, 10 a.m.
K.L.N. College of Information Technology: Women’s Day celebrations, I. Selvamani, psychiatrist, addresses, Pottapalayam, 1 p.m.
N.M.S. Sermathai Vasan College for Women: Women’s Day celebrations, seminar on ‘If you know thyself,’ Rani Chakravarthy addresses, 9.45 a.m.
American College: ‘Unbound’ performance project, 6.30 p.m.
Ultra College of Engineering and Technology for Women: Women’s Day celebrations, KR. Arumugam, chairman, presides, 11.30 a.m.
E.M.G. Yadava Women’s College: Women’s Day celebrations, S. Sethurakkayi, Head, Department of Geography, Sri Meenakshi Government Arts College, addresses, 9.30 p.m.
Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary: Women’s Day celebrations, rally and public meeting, Jinnah Thidal, 4 p.m.
Confederation of Indian Industry: Conference on ‘Women in 2020 – a vision,’ Hotel Fortune Pandiyan, 10 a.m.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Matriculation and Higher Secondary School: 25 {+t} {+h} Annual Day celebrations, R. Raja Govindasamy, Principal, Thiagarajar College, addresses, Tirunagar, 5.30 p.m.
High Court Legal Services Committee: Women’s Day celebrations, T. Mathivanan and K.B.K. Vasuki, judges, Madras High Court, address, Latha Mathavan Engineering College, Alagarkoil, 5 p.m.
Madurai Non Formal Education Centre: N. Chenbagaraman, Inspector General of Police, and P. Balasubramaniayan, Commissioner, address, Tamukkam Ground, 11.30 a.m.
Sumathi Fertility Clinic and IVF Research Institute: Women’s Day celebrations, free medical camp for women, Anna Nagar, 8 a.m.
Centre for Rural Education and Development: Women’s Day celebrations, Dinesh Ponraj Oliver, Collector (in-charge), address, Ajantha Theatre, Alanganallur, 10 a.m.
Women Entrepreneurs Forum: Women’s Day celebrations, G. Nathchiar and Premi Indra Kumar address, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry premises, Kamarajar Salai, 3 p.m.
Lions Club of Madurai Malligai: Blood donation camp, P.K.N. Arts and Science College, Tirumangalam, 9 a.m.
Vickram College of Engineering: Department of Electronics conduct special lecture by S. Sivakumar, conference hall, 10 a.m.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad: World Women’s Day competition prize distribution, Sri Jayanthi Illam, 28, Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Kamarajar Salai, 3.30 p.m.
Sermathai Vasan College for Women: ‘Principal Kanagasabapathy awards’ distribution function, 5.30 p.m.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Meeting, Quality Care Hospital, Ellis Nagar, 7 p.m.
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