MGMGH library in Tiruchy gives healthy dose of knowledge to all
While the library inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin via videoconferencing on June 10 failed to find takers for the first few weeks, the facility now is attracting over 60 visitors daily. They include those who come exclusively to read, say authorities. 'We didn't expect such a response,' says A Dhrama who heads the libraries in Puthur region.
Librarian P Pradeepa. who is employed with the Directorate of Public Libraries, said, 'Doctors, students, drivers, and even people waiting with patients have made this a regular stop, especially in the mornings.' The library currently offers five dailies in English and Tamil, besides three Tamil magazines. While the collection is modest, visitors vouch for the mood the set-up creates.
A UG student said she and others often visit the spot before duty. "We have a college library, but this is more relaxed. We skim the papers and unwind a bit before the day begins," she adds. P Selvaraj, who has been attending to his wife at the hospital for a week, says he now makes it a habit to stop by at the library every morning. "I read the papers regularly at home. Finding this space has made the wait less burdensome," he shares.
D Ranjith Kumar of Woraiyur expressed surprised at such a facility. "It's a gem inside a hospital," he says. S Vijaya of Srirangam, an orthopaedic patient, visits the facility thrice a week. "It makes the long hours feel lighter," she adds. "A government hospital can be overwhelming not just for patients, but also for their families and even healthcare staff," said S Kumaravel, Dean, KAP Viswanatham Government Medical College, Tiruchy.
"Having a quiet reading space like this offers a brief mental break and brings a sense of normalcy in a high-pressure environment," he added. Meanwhile, visitors request drinking water facility and faster plumbing fixes for restrooms. Hospital officials propose adding introductory medical books to the current collection.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
Three Years On, MBBS In Hindi Slow To Take Off In Madhya Pradesh
Three years after Madhya Pradesh made headlines as the first Indian state to introduce MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) education in Hindi, the ambitious project is still struggling to find its pulse. In October 2022, the fanfare was loud - Hindi-translated medical textbooks were launched in Bhopal and the move was declared a "historic step." The promise? That the next generation of doctors would speak - and treat patients in - the language of the people. But when NDTV visited Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, the state's premier government medical institute, the picture was more complex. "I studied in Hindi... but gave the exam in English," says Ankit Pandey, a second-year MBBS student. "No one stopped us from using Hindi, but everyone around us slowly shifted to English for better marks, for a better future." Ankit, like many others, comes from a Hindi-medium background. He entered the college thinking this experiment would bridge the language gap. But soon, reality hit: technical terms in Hindi were awkward, exam patterns still leaned towards English, and career prospects still demanded English proficiency. "This isn't about preference, it's about survival," adds Daksh, another student. "If I want to go for my post-graduation or work in a metro city, English is essential. If I only study in Hindi, I'll be a doctor trapped in a regional bubble." The government spent Rs 10 crore to print Hindi medical books, distribute them across libraries, and set up translation panels. "The books are available. But I haven't seen a single student take their Physiology exam in Hindi," says Dr Rakesh Malviya, President of the Medical Teachers' Association. The reason? It's not that students are rejecting the language, they are just unsure whether the system will reward it. There's no separate Hindi-medium form. No clear data. And, in an exam-driven profession, no one wants to risk uncertainty. Kavita Singh, Dean of Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, said: "15-20% of students come from Hindi medium backgrounds. They struggle at first. But most eventually shift to English to keep up." In smaller towns like Jabalpur and Satna, however, the story is different. Here, students are actually writing exams in Hindi and doing well. Chetna Jharia, from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, says: "I gave the first-year exam in Hindi. When the books came in my language, I finally started understanding." Sheetal Kori, a student at Hitkarini Dental College, recalled, "When the question came in Hindi, I could answer freely. Earlier I used to lag behind, now I feel confident." But these success stories are a fairly small percentage of the total. The Vice Chancellor of the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University, Dr Ashok Khandelwal, said, "We don't have exact numbers. Some colleges say 10-15% took theory exams in Hindi. Others say 50% used mixed language in practicals. But no comprehensive data exists." Government's Take Rajendra Shukla, Minister of Public Health & Medical Education, said, "Nearly 15 to 20 per cent of students are studying using a mix of Hindi and English, and they're doing quite well with it." Dr Lokendra Dave, nodal officer of the Hindi Cell, said the language is not being enforced on anybody. "This is a trust-building step. We're not enforcing Hindi. We're just creating space for it. A student should not be judged by the language they write in," he said.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
How a teen's curious science experiment helped discover nature's natural air purifier which can reverse air pollution
Sometimes, the most surprising discoveries come from unexpected places. A similar experience happened when a California teenager decided to test whether a simple houseplant could do more than beautify a room. The teen was highly interested in science, and scientific curiosity led to a great and unexpected discovery! Can an Ivy actually clean the surroundings? The young researcher Ryan Kim shared his experiment at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology's annual meeting in Anaheim, California. It was also co-authored by Hilary Spyers-Duran of West Coast Clinical Trials in Long Beach, California. His experiment revealed strong air-cleansing potential in English ivy. Over a 12-hour period, the plant reduced airborne mold particles by approximately 78.5% and fecal matter particulates by over 94%. How did he set up his experiment? Kim placed moldy bread and canine feces in sealed containers, with measurements taken before and after placement with the English ivy. After six hours, mold decreased by about 60% and fecal particles by 58%; after twelve hours, reductions rose to 78% and 94%, respectively. How does ivy 'clean' air? According to co-author Hilary Spyers-Duran, a nurse practitioner and investigator at West Coast Clinical Trials, 'Aerosolized proteins are actually absorbed through the roots and soil of the plant,' she explained, telling how ivy may trap and filter harmful particles from the air. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Spyers-Duran suggested, 'This may be a better alternative, and more cost-effective' than an electronic air purifier (HealthDay). The idea can be a natural alternative to artificial air purifiers as a low-maintenance plant that does something typically handled by machines. However, indoor-air specialist Jeffrey Siegel from the University of Texas, who studies building air quality, warns that one should actually prevent contaminants from entering the home in the first place. He also pointed out the limitations of small-scale tests compared to real rooms, noting that soil itself can emit microbes or pollutants. While this alternative might look interesting, English ivy comes with clear warnings that it is toxic to humans and pets if ingested, so it shouldn't be placed where children or animals can reach it. How do conventional air purifiers compare to this? At the same conference, researchers tested three air purifier brands in mold-infested homes. A Honeywell HEPA filter unit cleared 72–84% of mold particles within one hour. In contrast, other purifiers showed much lower removal rates: around 43–50% for Living Air and only 16–28% for the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze, even after three hours.
New Indian Express
18 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Rs 110-crore MGMGH speciality block in Tiruchy to be completed by November
TIRUCHY: Work on the Rs 110-crore speciality block being constructed inside the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) campus is expected to be completed by November. Chief Minister MK Stalin is likely to inaugurate the new facility in December. The project, launched in March 2024 , is coming up on a 2,600 square metres as a ground-plus-six-floor structure. The block will house 600 beds and bring together key departments such as general medicine, surgery, dermatology, and a centralised blood bank under one roof. "All structural work has been completed. Interior finishing, tiling, waterproofing, and electrical systems are now in progress," a senior PWD engineer who is supervising the work told TNIE, adding work is progressing as per schedule. A senior DMK functionary close to Minister KN Nehru said the project is being closely monitored to meet the deadline, he said, "This is a priority for us not just because of the elections, but because Tiruchy serves a large rural and urban population. The Chief Minister may inaugurate it in December." The government may project this a major health care upgrade ahead of 2026 Assembly elections, party sources said. Once operational, the block will decongest existing facilities. Health Department officials said the outpatient section will be relocated to the ground and first floors of the new building. "The integrated facility will improve inter-department coordination and reduce delays in diagnostics and referrals," a senior Health Department official said. Beyond clinical care, the hospital administration plans to level and create space around the new block to accommodate several hundreds of vehicles. At present, vehicles are parked haphazardly in the sprawling campus often resulting in chaos. Further, to manage the increase in patient footfalls, hospital authorities have sent a request to the government to appoint at least 100 additional staff nurses, supplementing the current strength of 212. "We are in need of more staffs. In proportionate with the beds we have sought staffs. Apart from us, Nurses association have also given representation," said Dean S Kumaravel. An additional Rs 24 crore has been sanctioned for procurement of equipment and surgical instruments for various departments, sources said.
