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The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Arasu wins sprint double; Abinaya fastest woman
Tamil Arasu bagged a sprint double in the Indian Open athletics meet held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday. Arasu won a crowded 100m men's field with a timing of 10.46s, before taking the gold in the 200m. Arasu (21.25s), in Race E, clocked the same timing as Haryana's Shubham from Race A. Arasu was declared the winner on basis of wind-resistance. There was some inconvenience for athletes as the pole vault events were shifted to the SAI campus. Officials stated that the SAI campus was better equipped to handle the pole vault events, even as the decision came rather late in the day. Teenager Abinaya Rajarajan impressed in the women's 100m, taking first place with a fine 11.55s run. Railways' Bhavani Yadav took the women's long jump gold with a 6.31m leap in the sixth and final attempt to edge out JSW's Sandra Babu (6.24m). Tamil Nadu's Rajesh Ramesh (45.97s) blitzed his way to the men's 400m gold, outclassing his rivals. The results (winners): Men: 100m: Tamil Arasu (Railways) 10.46s 200m: Tamil Arasu (Railways) 21.25s 400m: Rajesh Ramesh (TN) 45.97s 800m: Aman Kumar (UP) 1:48.11s 1,500m: Rahul Baloda (Raj) 3:51.58s 110m hurdles: Dhanush Adithan (TN) 14.20s 400m hurdles: Rakshith Ravindhra (NCOE, Bengaluru) 52.74s 3,000m steeplechase: Atul Poonia (Raj) 8:57.23s Long jump: Muhammed Anees (Reliance) 7.93m High jump: Sarvesh Anil (Mah) 2.21m Triple jump: U. Karthik (Air Force) 16.08m Shot put: Vishwa Ayyappan (TN) 16.99m Women: 100m: Abinaya Rajarajan (NCOE, Thiruvananthapuram) 11.55s 200m: Angel Silvia (NCOE, Bengaluru) 23.81s 400m: G.K. Vijayakumari (Kar) 53.34s 800m: B. Huidrom (IOCL) 2:09.30s 1,500m: Thota Sankeertana (CG) 4:27.14s 100m hurdles: C. Anjali (Ker) 13.65s 400m hurdles: R. Aswini (TN) 58.26s 3,000m steeplechase: Vandana Mori (Guj) 10:29.93s Long jump: Bhavani Yadav (Railways) 6.31m Triple jump: N.V. Sheena (Ker) 13.05m High jump: K. Gobika (TN) 1.80m Shot put: V. Ambika (Kar) 14.14m Pole vault: Sathya Tamilarasan (TN) 3.95m
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ramya: As an actor, I have not really pushed the envelope
In her film career spanning a little more than a decade, Kannada actress Ramya did roles that she says were nothing like her. She didn't understand the roles she was playing and had a problem with most of them. As an educated, opinionated and financially independent woman, she'd do roles that were a complete opposite – homely, next-door-girl, who's waiting for the hero to rescue her. Miss seeing Ramya onscreen? Tune in to OTTplay Premium and stream Excuse Me, Ranga SSLC, Arasu and more In a candid chat with model Shubra Aiyappa on the podcast Flip the Script with Shubra, Ramya admits to having been in a constant dilemma, because she wanted to be satisfied with her work and be able to leave a legacy or a mark and have other women look up to her, while also changing the perspective of women in cinema. 'I've asked directors why I was expected to slit my wrists if the hero said no to me; 'My life goes on', I said. They'd agree with me but ask me to follow what's in the script,' she said, adding that she then chose to focus on her costumes in her films. The actress, who was rechristened Ramya for the screen by late Dr Rajkumar's wife Parvathamma, adds that despite all her success in the Kannada film industry, where she was considered the numero uno at one point, a good role still evades her. 'One door that is yet to open for me is a really good role that I actually want to do. In my entire career, I had to choose the best from what was there. Ironically, the film industry is quite superstitious. If your first film does really well, then there's no stopping you,' says Ramya. She adds that irrespective of one's good looks, talent or family background, if that debut film does not take off, there are no takers for an actor. She cites the example of her failed launch in Telugu, which was the remake of her Kannada film debut Abhi. Called Abhimanyu, the Kalyan Ram-led film was a flop and that was the end of Ramya's Tollywood journey. After a brief hiatus, when she took a plunge into active poltics, Ramya has been trying to make a comeback in cinema, but has found that the roles she is being offered are exactly what she did 20 years ago. 'I'm really looking forward to doing something I have not done; something that I really resonate with. I have not really had a challenge in films. I haven't really pushed the envelope when it comes to films,' she added. Since announcing her desire to return to cinema, Ramya has turned to film production, and has made one film, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye. She then said she'd be a part of Dhananjaya's gangster drama Uttarakaanda and even attended the film's muhurtha, but when it eventually took off, she decided not to do it after all.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Sapling plantation drives undertaken across Coimbatore district to aid environmental restoration
As part of efforts to improve green cover and restore ecological balance, large-scale sapling plantation initiatives were undertaken across Coimbatore district. The Coimbatore District Crusher and Quarry Association, in association with the Department of Mining, planted over 3,000 saplings, including native varieties such as mango, neem, Arasu, Vakai and Pungan in the Chettipalayam locality, marking the occasion of World Environment Day. An additional 2,000 saplings were planted in Mettupalayam, taking the total to 5,000 saplings across the district. Additional Collector, Coimbatore District Rural Development Agency, Sanket Balwant Waghe, Deputy Director of Geology and Mining G. Panneerselvam, state president of the Crusher and Quarry Association K. Chinnaswamy, and district president KCP Chandra Prakash were among those present at the event. The Cauvery Calling movement, led by the Isha Foundation, facilitated the planting of 1.36 crore saplings across 34,000 acres in the Cauvery River basin during the year 2024-25. With this, the total number of saplings planted since the movement's inception reached 12.2 crore. Saplings including teak, red sandalwood, and mahogany are distributed at subsidised rates as a part of this initiative.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Malaysian GPs rally against lack of consultation on new drug-price display law, call for fee review
The group of about 400 doctors gathered outside the Prime Minister's Office at 11am on May 6 to submit a memorandum. ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG Malaysian GPs rally against lack of consultation on new drug-price display law, call for fee review – Hundreds of Malaysian general practitioners (GPs) gathered in the administrative capital of Putrajaya on May 6 to protest against a new government directive requiring the mandatory display of drug prices that the medical sector says was done without consulting them. The new rule requiring private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies to display price lists for medicines, which came into force on May 1, is parked under a set of anti-profiteering laws. But stakeholders in the medical industry argue that it should fall under the Private Healthcare Facilities Act, emphasising that GPs are a professional service – not part of the retail sector governed by the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act. The group of about 400 doctors also called for a review of GP consultation fees, which have been capped at RM10 (S$3.10) to RM35 for 33 years – citing rising business costs as a major concern. Dressed in black and some with stethoscopes around their necks, they gathered outside the Prime Minister's Office at 11am to submit a memorandum. They held placards with messages such as 'Is it fair for a GP to charge RM35 while a locksmith charges RM200 and a plumber, RM150?' and 'Consultation fees have been frozen for 33 years, but nasi lemak's price has increased by 80 per cent since 2011'. For many of the doctors, the protest was also about according their profession due respect. Malaysia Medical Association president-elect R. Arasu, who was at the site, said the government should not equate private GPs with sundry shops, highlighting the complexity and cost involved in delivering medical services. 'We provide a professional service that includes patient registration, consultation, investigation and prescription,' Datuk Arasu said, adding that doctors 'spend their prime years' studying and training to provide medical services and to open a private clinic. 'The barrier to entry is very high.' 'Anyone can open a sundry shop. You can't compare a professional service to selling goods,' Dr Arasu told reporters after submitting the memorandum. The new price display policy is aimed at promoting price transparency and empowering consumers. But there will be a three-month grace period where no compound fines will be issued, as clinics and doctors adjust to the new law. After which, failure to comply will result in a maximum fine of RM50,000 for individuals and RM100,000 for corporate bodies. Dr Arasu said that private doctors in general are not opposed to the new law that requires the display of drug prices, as it is the patients' right to know. But they do take issue with how the law was enacted, saying it was done without proper consultation from the medical community. It was also put into force before the government made good on its go-ahead to revise GP consultation fees, which have not been reviewed since 1992. At the rally, Dr Hakim Mahdi, 33, told The Straits Times : 'We feel betrayed. The Health Ministry had promised to increase consultation fees first. After years of study, we're charging RM10 to RM35 (for consultation) – while barbers already charge RM25 nowadays .' Regarding the consultation fee review, Dr Arasu said that following a recent meeting, details are still being finalised by the government. In March 2025, the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia proposed that consultation fees be revised to a range of RM50 to RM150. There have been concern s over the affordability of healthcare in Malaysia amid higher costs of living and soaring health insurance premiums. On Jan 1, one of Malaysia's largest public hospitals serving much of the Klang Valley – University Malaysia Medical Centre – also hiked its fees for its services. Still, the mandatory drug price display law is a welcome move that allows greater transparency, accountability, and consumer empowerment in healthcare, said patients and consumer interest groups. A joint statement by the Consumers' Association of Penang, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, Malaysia Rural and Ecology Consumers Association, Teras Pengupayaan Melayu and Kuala Lumpur Consumer Safety Association on May 2 noted that Malaysia's medical inflation rate was reaching 15 per cent, well above regional and global averages. '(Transparent) pricing is a necessary first step towards curbing unjustified price hikes and protect household budgets.' it said. A 44-year-old patient who only wanted to be known as Mr Eng, takes medication for his high cholesterol. He said the price transparency mechanism will help him make more informed choices. 'Now I can compare clinic and pharmacy prices, so I won't be overcharged again,' he said . Lu Wei Hoong is Malaysia correspondent at The Straits Times. He loves to travel and discover hidden gems of stories. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
