Latest news with #Hoosain
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Time of India
Mid-air slapgate: Cachar youth returns home, family slams airline for ‘negligence'
Silchar: Hoosain Ahmed Mazumdar, the 39-year-old from Assam's Katigorah, who was allegedly assaulted mid-air on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Kolkata, finally returned home on Sunday morning, after a 48-hour ordeal, with his family members accusing the airline and authorities of severe 'negligence' in communication, leaving them in distress over his whereabouts. Hoosain was located by his cousin Dilwar at Barpeta Road station on Saturday evening, after he had boarded a train for Assam from Kolkata. His uncle, Jubaidul Islam Mazumadar, said, "We were in a state of shock. I had posted on Facebook that my nephew was missing after the flight incident. On Friday night, someone responded, saying the boy in the photo was sitting next to him." Jubaidul further said the man had helped the youth board a train, which was heading towards Tripura or Badarpur, before helping him get off at Barpeta Road station. "I managed to locate him on Saturday evening. He was sitting next to another person and was disoriented. I brought him home and we reached Katigorah around 7 am on Sunday," Dilwar said. Hoosain, who works as a cleaner at a gym in Mumbai, was flying home on a 2 am flight on Friday, when he was assaulted by a co-passenger. Recounting the traumatic experience, he said, "I was very scared on the flight. My body was shivering, so I asked the man's name who was sitting next to me. He said his name was Hafiz Uddin (Hafizur Rahman), and I gave him salam. But suddenly, without any reason, he slapped me 3–4 times." Hoosain said the cabin crew intervened and offered him water, before attempting to calm him down, adding that he had not misbehaved with his assaulter. Once the flight landed in Kolkata, both, Hoosain and Hafizur, were taken to Bidhannagar police station for questioning. While Hoosain was sent for a medical check-up, he missed his connecting flight to Silchar in the ensuing chaos. Meanwhile, Hoosain's family has strongly criticized IndiGo, stating that the airline failed to arrange a connecting flight or provide updates on his condition. "He was handed over to police, but after that the airline completely washed its hands off the matter. Neither did they inform us, nor did they help him travel further," a family member said. IndiGo, on its part, has officially declared the assaulter an "unruly" passenger and has also barred him from flying with the airline for a period of 30 days, pending an inquiry. Bidhannagar police, too, have initiated legal action against Hafizur. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Citizen
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Thyroid cancer and the hidden risks lurking in everyday life
When cancer strikes, it often comes without warning, leaving many to ask, 'Why me?'. Among the more elusive forms is thyroid cancer – often overlooked, yet increasingly relevant in today's world of environmental toxins and high-stress lifestyles. As World Thyroid Day is commemorated today, it's the ideal time to spotlight the powerful little gland that plays a massive role in your body's well-being – and shed light on what might quietly be putting it at risk. The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of the neck and forms part of our endocrine system – the glands that produce hormones to regulate our metabolism, growth and development. These glands are responsible for our tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep and even our mood. 'The thyroid, as small as it is, is crucial,' says Dr Fatima Hoosain, a specialist surgeon at a breast and thyroid health centre. 'It affects, directly or indirectly, almost every function in our bodies. The thyroid gland releases two important hormones into our bloodstream, triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4). These hormones are produced with iodine, which is derived from the foods we eat and is a necessary constituent of our diets.' But what causes thyroid trouble? Environmental factors Environmental factors such as exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (ECDs) like bisphenols, phthalates and perchlorate can interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis, release and action. They can also mimic or disrupt thyroid function and lead to potential health issues. Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in food packaging, plastic bottles and the lining of canned foods. BPA can mimic oestrogen in the body, raising concerns about its potential health effects. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and are commonly found in cosmetics, food packaging and household items. Research suggests that prolonged exposure may interfere with hormone function, potentially affecting reproductive health. Perchlorate is a chemical found in fireworks, bleach and contaminated water, and primarily affects thyroid health by interfering with iodide uptake, potentially leading to reduced thyroid hormone production. 'There are ways to minimise your exposure to EDCs,' says Hoosain. 'BPA-free food packaging and containers are available in South Africa. BPA is banned in baby bottles in this country, and most domestically manufactured plastic food packaging is also BPA-free. You can also look for phthalate-free labelling on cosmetics, personal care items and household products, limit the excessive use of bleach and filter your water,' she advises. Lifestyle choices Lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise and stress management play a role in maintaining thyroid function. Chronic stress can affect thyroid hormone levels and exacerbate thyroid disorders. Says Hoosain: 'A diet low in pro-inflammatory foods such as added sugar and ultra-processed foods may be beneficial for hypothyroidism. Consuming foods rich in iodine, selenium, zinc, vitamin B12, magnesium and iron also supports thyroid health. Stress in today's world is multi-faceted and stress relief tools such as exercise, meditation and prioritising work-life balance are important, not only for the thyroid but for overall health.' Like many cancers, thyroid cancer can have a genetic component. People with a family history of thyroid cancer, particularly medullary thyroid cancer, or the rare pheochromocytoma tumour (a tumour that develops in the adrenal gland), have higher chances of developing thyroid cancer. As in the case of breast cancer, a genetic test can be advised in selected individuals to determine if the patient carries genes that increase the potential risk of having the disease. Furthermore, risk reduction options are available if a mutation is found in the RET gene. Thyroid cancer treatment Treatment depends on the type of thyroid cancer, the size of the cancer, the patient's age and whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. 'Surgery is generally the main treatment for thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is diagnosed using a combination of a fine needle biopsy and ultrasound. Surgery to remove half or all of the thyroid gland is recommended if the diagnosis is confirmed. With the exception of medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancers, it is rare for thyroid cancers to require more aggressive treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. Biologicals are reserved for patients with metastatic disease or [those who] do not respond to radioactive iodine therapy,' says Hoosain. Most thyroid cancers behave similarly to normal thyroid tissue, which can be exploited by adding radioactive iodine to the treatment plan. The iodine concentrates in the cancer cells and slowly destroys them. 'The slow growth of most thyroid cancers also means that if treated properly, they have an excellent prognosis,' explains Hoosain. Long-term treatment consists of administering thyroid hormones in the form of pills to replace the function of the removed thyroid gland and to suppress the growth of residual thyroid tissue, but this too is individualised and reserved for patients who have had the whole thyroid removed. According to Hoosain, once the primary treatment is completed, most patients will lead a normal life. 'Follow-up consists of annual visits to the doctor for a physical examination, an ultrasound of the neck and blood examinations to check for thyroid hormone levels and markers for recurrent cancer,' she adds. Thyroid cancer is rare, but it is still one of the more common cancers. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better survival chances. While thyroid dysfunction is common, diseases of the thyroid are rarely cancerous and can usually be well-managed. These functional abnormalities include hypothyroidism (lack of thyroid hormones secreted) and hyperthyroidism (increase in thyroid hormones secreted). Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
