
Russia emerges as top study destination for Indian medical students
The 26th Russian Education Fair 2025 was held in the country's capital at the weekend and saw great crowds of learners and parents keen to find international learning opportunities, especially medical studies. Organised by the Russian House in New Delhi in association with Rus Education, the fair was organised at the Russian House on Firoz Shah Road. The event had the participation of some of the top Russian government universities, which offered information on medical, engineering and other higher studies courses.advertisementThe fair was part of a larger effort that would be conducted in nine Indian cities -- Mumbai, Trivandrum, Kolkata, New Delhi, Patna, Ahmedabad, Indore, Chandigarh and Jaipur—mirroring the growing interest of Indian students in pursuing their studies overseas.Representatives of leading Russian universities, without any exception, like Orenburg State Medical University, Perm State Medical University, BB Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University, Pskov State University and Mari State University, visited. They spoke to the students personally, offering facts on courses, admissions, facilities, hostel facilities and life in Russia.
According to organisers, Russia is still one of the top choices among Indian students to pursue MBBS and other professional courses due to the low cost, medium in English, and global recognition.Dr Elena Remizova, Director of the Russian House, underscored the significance of the fair in deepening Indo-Russian relations. "Education is one of the four pillars of Indo-Russian cooperation which is the most robust. With such events, we plan to empower Indian students and exchange academic and cultural relations," she said.advertisementThe fair also considered the general education scenario in India, where increased competition, premium prices and shortage of places in professional courses are compelling students to look beyond India.With its greater reach and expanding partner institution list, the Russian Education Fair 2025 continues to be a significant platform that connects Indian aspirations to quality foreign education.The future editions of the fair will extend to other capital cities, and will continue to offer students from across the country a chance to learn about educational prospects in Russia.Russia continues to be a leading destination for Indian students pursuing medical education, with around 23,500 currently enroled in various medical universities across the country, as per the data of MEA.
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
How to make high-protein and nutrition-loaded breakfast cereal
boxed cereals are a common breakfast choice, especially for children and busy adults. However, many of these cereals are loaded with refined sugars and artificial additives, which can lead to increased triglyceride levels and lower good HDL cholesterol. Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. A good and healthy breakfast can make your day fully energised and healthy. But in today's fast-paced environment, everyone is busy with their work and lives and is always looking to save time. During these times, the metaphor "Time is money' is more true than ever. To save time, many of us choose to compromise on things that also include our diet choices. Over time, many people have moved toward ready-to-make morning breakfasts. The most popular ready-to-make breakfast has been cereals. Cereals are ready to eat and easy to prepare for breakfast. Cereals include ingredients such as oats, corn, wheat, rice, barley, and millets. Most breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin B12, making them one of the simplest sources for vegetarians and vegans. Over the years, cereal has become a regular part of the Indian diet. But cereal's history goes back hundreds of years. Modern-day cereals were invented by Dr. James Caleb Jackson, who created the first ready-to-eat cereal in 1863. Later, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will Kellogg invented corn flakes in 1894, which became a worldwide phenomenon and still remain relevant to this day. Nowadays, our daily lives have become more and more engaged in work. It has become hard to differentiate between work life and personal life and it has severely affected our food choices. With time, more and more people are shifting and have started to consume ready-made food. The most common time to consume ready-made food has become breakfast. Most people have started eating more ready-to-make food during breakfast to avoid spending time in the kitchen and to concentrate on preparation for the day ahead. Boxed cereals have become a top choice for ready-to-make meals as they are easy to prepare and taste delicious. But eating boxed cereals has its own negative effects such as: Boxed cereals contain high levels of added sugar. Consuming this high amount of sugar can lead to a quick energy spike, followed by a crash during the day. It is also not good for someone already suffering from a health condition such as diabetes or obesity. Boxed cereals not only contain added sugar but also refined carbs, which could lead to a rapid spike in blood pressure. They also contain preservatives which could lead to multiple health problems like liver and kidney failure in the future. Rating high on the convenience factor, breakfast cereals, extremely popular in the West, have now made their way to the table of our homes as well. But you don't have to worry once you become aware of the dangers of boxed cereals. Here are alternative ways to make nutrition-loaded breakfast cereals you can eat: Overnight Protein Oats Overnight protein oats are a high-protein breakfast and an ideal choice for gym lovers. They are made by soaking oats in a liquid like water or milk, along with a scoop of protein powder, overnight. You can also add extra ingredients such as cinnamon, chia seeds, or others. After soaking overnight, it is ready to eat in the morning. It's convenient, filling, and keeps you energized for hours. Homemade Granola Cereals Homemade granola cereal is a crunchy, customizable, and protein-rich breakfast or snack you can enjoy every day. Granola has no preservatives and is rich in fiber and protein. It is made of rolled oats, nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, chia), honey or jaggery syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. It is then baked in the oven at 160 degrees. Once cooled, it's ready to eat and is often served with yogurt. Chia Seed Protein Cereals Chia seed protein cereal is made with 3 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1 cup of milk or 2–3 tablespoons of yogurt, and 1 scoop of protein powder. Stir the ingredients well and let them soak overnight. By morning, the chia seeds will absorb the liquid and have a pudding-like texture. You can top it with nuts and fruits for added nutrition and taste. It's a great plant-based, nutrient-dense breakfast. Savory Protein Cereal Savory protein cereal is like an all-in-one breakfast. It's as light as traditional cereal, has the nutrition of a protein bar, and is perfect for spicy food lovers. It's made of flattened rice (poha) and roasted chana. You can add protein by including sprouted moong or crumbled Indian cottage cheese (paneer), then temper and mix it. Savory protein cereal dishes are unique and different from regular cereal—ideal if you're looking for something spicy and different for breakfast. These types of natural homemade cereals prevent the body from getting exposed to added sugar, preservatives, and chemicals found in boxed cereals. Morning breakfast plays a crucial role in the daily routine as it fuels the body for the day ahead. Having a nice and healthy breakfast is essential to keep your mood fresh and your body active. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change


The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
Misinformation a bigger threat than COVID-19 uptick
The reported cases of COVID-19 in India have risen from less than a few a day to a few 100 a day since mid-May 2025. Wastewater surveillance data from Indian cities have also reported an increased SARS-CoV-2 viral load. All this has resulted in heightened media and public attention because of the COVID-19 experience in 2020-21. A similar uptick in COVID-19 cases has also been reported from some other countries and regions of the world which includes Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea. Is there a new variant circulating? Are there reasons to worry? The current uptick in cases is being linked to the most common SARS-CoV-2 variant currently circulating, JN.1, a descendent of the Omicron variant (BA.1.529). Omicron has been the last variant of concern of SARS-CoV-2, first reported in November 2021. Since then, even though a few sub-variants or sub-lineages of Omicron have emerged, there has not been any new variant of concern, in any part of the world. The current dominant variant, JN.1 (also called Pirola) is not new and was first reported in August 2023 in Luxembourg and has been reported from India since November-December 2023. A few sub-lineages of JN.1, such as LF.7 and NB.1.8, have also been reported. But till now, there have not been any major clinical differences with the parent variant. Epidemiological facts Why this uptick? The answer lies in three epidemiological facts. First, any new virus stays for long once it enters the population, possibly forever. SARS-CoV-2 is omnipresent in India and other countries, even when no new infections are being reported. In September 2020, Moriyama M. and colleagues discussed in the scientific journal, Annual Review of Virology, that the seasonality of respiratory viruses has been recognised for thousands of years, and that the annual epidemics of the common cold and influenza disease are the most known proof. The contributing factors for seasonality are environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity, human behaviour and crowding, and changes in viral genes to alter virus stability and transmission rates. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus and is likely to have a seasonal pattern. It is just that, till now, the pattern in a rise in COVID-19 has not been established. Though some data from Singapore indicate that COVID-19 cases rise every six to nine months, the seasonality may vary from one country to another. In India, after the Omicron wave in January 2022, there were upticks in COVID-19 cases in early 2023 (due to the Omicron Sub-lineage XBB.1.16), then in December 2023 and January 2024, and then in July-August 2024. There is a fresh uptick now, from May 2025. Therefore, a seasonal pattern of COVID-19 surge, every eight to 10 months might be an emerging pattern for India. It is worthwhile to note that the number of reported cases in most seasonal surges has been relatively small and clinical disease has become mild to milder. Also read | Wastewater surveillance shows increasing COVID-19 viral load Second, SARS-CoV-2 is a type of RNA virus, which is known to have more frequent mutations and genetic changes than other types of viruses. Though the key variant continues to be JN.1, there have been some new sub-lineages, which might be behind the uptick. Third, the uptick in COVID-19 cases in India is real but also due to enhanced COVID-19 testing and surveillance, following reports of COVID-19 cases in neighbouring countries. Increased testing means more people are being tested and, thus, detection. So if the Indian population has 'hybrid immunity' from natural infection and through vaccines, and if this is not a new variant, why is there still an uptick? The answer is neither natural infection nor vaccine-induced protects from fresh infection. Immunity does protect from moderate to severe diseases and deaths. The cases or infections are a mere indicator that a person carries SARS-CoV-2 in their nose and throat. However, immune protection will ensure that people do not get sick or have severe illness. As of now, no serious cases of illness are being reported. Numbers in perspective The current uptick seems to be getting disproportionately high attention. Even with the spike, 200 to 300 new COVID-19 cases a day in India translates to one new infection for every 45 lakh to 70 lakh population. We are not hearing about hospitalisations due to COVID-19 and the deaths being attributed are one or two in a day. Let us put these numbers in perspective. The daily infections due to other illnesses are in thousands and lakhs every day. For example, every day, 8,000 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) are being reported in India. If we think in terms of deaths, every day, nearly 30,000 people in India die due to old age and other health conditions. Every day, an estimated 900 people die due to TB, a preventable and treatable health condition; another 390 due to influenza virus illness and another 310 deaths due to the relatively unheard but widely prevalent vaccine preventable Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease. Air pollution and respiratory illnesses cause manifold illnesses and deaths. In this backdrop, COVID-19 is just another illness that is much less severe than other health issues which need greater priority. One reason why it is getting attention is because of the continuous use of old but not so relevant tracking parameters such as 'active cases', which give a falsely high number of COVID-19 cases. The approach of 'active cases' was acceptable early in the COVID-19 pandemic, when infectiousness lasted one to two weeks as the virus was novel and there was no immunity against virus in people. Therefore, after the infection, the immune system needed one to two weeks to get activated and clear the virus, prolonging the process. However, five years since then, most individuals have immunity from either vaccines or natural infections to mount a quick and effective defence and thus, be non-infectious in a day or two as well. Therefore, counting everyone who tested positive as an active case does not make sense. On vaccination There is no need for an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose. In the first three years of COVID-19 (2020-22), the Indian population (all age groups) had been exposed to various variants of SARS-CoV-2 including Omicron. Alongside this, nearly all adults received two or more shots of COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, the population in our country has 'hybrid immunity' against SARS-CoV-2. Most people were exposed to the Omicron variant in December 2022 and January 2023. And JN.1, the circulating dominant variant, is from the Omicron family. It is likely that antibody levels would have gone down and there is waning immunity. Thus some immune escape to new sub-variants is possible. However, the human immune system has specialised cells called 'memory cells' which are largely undetectable but are programmed to respond to future infections and are likely to protect against future severe illness. There is no new variant of concern to believe immune escape, as of now. Scientifically, there is no need and thus no recommendation for additional shots of COVID-19 vaccine for the Indian population. COVID-19 is not a concern and the prevention and the treatment of any pre-existing health condition is much more effective than 'additional COVID-19' shots. Thus, those with high risk should get vaccinated with flu and other age-appropriate recommended vaccines to prevent any comorbidity. The current uptick in COVID-19 in Asia and India seems to follow an emerging seasonal pattern of SARS-CoV-2. There does not seem to be any reason for worry. All that is needed is for the government to keep a watch and monitor the trends. The Infodemic and misinformation could be a bigger threat than a minor uptick in COVID-19 cases. For India, for both government and citizens, there needs to be a balanced approach — neither underestimating the threat nor spreading panic. One important tool in this is not to spread unverified messages and rumours. There is a need for a rational, epidemiological and balanced approach in reporting and responding to the current and future seasonal spikes in COVID-19. If we continue to treat every spike as an impending 'wave' and as a 'false alarm', it will strain the health system and workforce, resulting in response fatigue and undermining credibility. Responses to COVID-19 surges must be rational, proportionate and reflective of epidemiological reality. Current evidence is that from now, COVID-19 could be treated like any other mild respiratory illness. Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya is a practising physician and a leading epidemiologist and global health expert, who has nearly 17 years of professional work experience with the World Health Organization and other UN agencies


Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Panther captain Aleksander Barkov was awarded the King Clancy and Selke trophies
Aleksander Barkov Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was recently presented with the prized Selke Trophy and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. He was announced as a winner and presented with the trophies by the patients from Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital. This came to him as a surprise as the children showed up at the Panthers' training facility in Hollywood, Florida. The King Clancy Trophy was awarded to him due to his leadership and contribution to the committee. Patients from DiMaggio's Children's Hospital surprise Aleksander Barkov with the Selke, King Clancy Trophy Aleksander Barkov not only won the King Clancy Trophy for his contribution to society but also the Selke Trophy, an award for being the best defensive forward in the NHL. Commenting on the victory, Barkov shared, "Thank you guys. I know I don't have much time right now to see you guys at the hospital, so we really appreciate you guys coming here. We love giving back to you." When addressing the fact that he won two trophies, he shared that he was "very surprised." He also added, "I was not expecting it at all. When they brought in another trophy, it was pretty overwhelming for me. I am truly honored by that award." While speaking of his association with the hospital, he wrote a special essay on and shared, 'During my first visit, I didn't speak English too well. I saw everything going on -- how incredible the healthcare workers are, and how special the kids are --- but I couldn't really say anything. Now, I've gotten more comfortable with talking. I get to connect with the staff, the kids, and their families. I do what I can to give these kids a reason to smile,' Barkov also added, "For now, if I have an opportunity to do something good, I don't think about it too much. I just do it. But there is one thing I know for sure ... If we win the Cup again, I'm definitely bringing it back to Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital." Also Read: Aleksander Barkov's achievement and lifestyle behind NHL success The Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital treats children with cancer, blood disorders, heart transplants, emergency care and rehabilitation. Florida Panthers captain Barkov has donated $1,600 for every goal and $800 for every assist he has made in the game. Ever since 2019, he has donated over $420,000 to the children's hospital.