Latest news with #Manickam
Business Times
16 minutes ago
- Business
- Business Times
Ex-director at Lee Kim Tah-Woh Hup joint venture sued over breach of duties
[SINGAPORE] A lawsuit filed by construction player Lee Kim Tah (LKT) against one of its former directors for alleged breach of duties has surfaced allegations that several ex-employees of CapitaLand in India had received corrupt payments in relation to work on a project there. The breach of duties relate to CapitaLand's project in India, as well as other transactions, according to court documents seen by The Business Times. CapitaLand has declined comment. It said that when the matter came to light in 2023, it investigated the matter and also went to the police. 'Given the ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment further on the case.' It also stressed that it is 'fully committed to conducting business with the highest ethical standards and integrity, and has a zero-tolerance policy towards unethical conduct'. The former LKT employee being sued, Edmund Cheah Tiang Ann, was a director there from 2005 to 2023, during which time he oversaw its investments. He was also in charge of L&W Construction, which provided construction services to property projects in India, and CapitaLand was one of its clients. L&W is a subsidiary of a joint venture between LKT and Woh Hup, another construction player. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up In the suit, LKT has accused Cheah of allowing the subsidiary L&W to enter 'dubious transactions' under his watch. The accusations against him chiefly involve L&W's former managing director, Asaithambi Manickam, who, LKT has alleged, paid bribes to government officials and to employees of clients. It is said that in 2023, representatives from CapitaLand Group told Cheah and Manickam that 'certain issues' had cropped up with L&W's projects, which involve both LKT and Woh Hup. CapitaLand representatives also purportedly informed Cheah and other Woh Hup directors that some of CapitaLand's senior staff members had received payments from L&W in relation to a project in Pune, India. In LKT's statement of claim, Manickam is said to have approved the hiring of Harchan Consultants – where his wife is allegedly the sole shareholder and a director – as a recruitment firm. 'Harchan exploited L&W by earning recruitment commission on various senior personnel hires, who were then subsequently dismissed,' said LKT's lawyers in the statement. L&W entered into 'unfavourable agreements' with vendors controlled by the relatives of Manickam, who is also said to have awarded inflated contracts to benefit himself and his family. As well, Manickam has been accused of committing 'fraudulent activities and serious misconduct' during his time in L&W, with the alleged fraud exceeding 20 billion Indian rupees (S$294 million). These allegations were surfaced by whistleblowers, comprising L&W's clients and current and former employees. LKT is alleging that Cheah 'sanctioned, acquiesced or was otherwise complicit' in L&W's entry into these transactions, which it said 'detrimentally affected LKT's investment', putting him in breach of his fiduciary duties and duties of fidelity owed to the company. On Sep 30, 2023, Cheah resigned from LKT, but was allegedly re-hired by Woh Hup's chairman Yong Tiam Yoon to be his personal adviser in the joint venture company – despite LKT's repeated objections, the statement of claim said. Cheah's defence In his defence, Cheah denied all the allegations made against him. Responding, he said he acted under the direction of Lee Soon Teck and Edwin Lee – both since deceased – who ran LKT. After their deaths, he reported to Edwin Lee's children, Mark and Nicole Lee. Cheah added that his role was not limited to L&W or India, but extended to other group investments in Singapore, such as in the United Kingdom and Indonesia. And as far as it related to L&W, Cheah claimed that LKT would take the lead on the subsidiary's financial affairs; Woh Hup led the construction and related building business. Cheah thus understood his role as that of monitoring the bids for construction projects, and to assess whether the works would over-run their budgets. Further, he alleged that he initially visited India monthly to carry out his duties, spending at least 10 days for each trip. But from around 2017, he was asked by Lee Soon Teck and Edwin Lee to focus more on the investments in the UK and Indonesia. Cheah stressed that he does not reside in India, nor did he have oversight over all of L&W's operational matters. Further, it was Woh Hup who appointed Manickam to the L&W board, Cheah alleged. Manickam's appointment as L&W managing director was also supported by Lee Soon Teck and Edwin Lee. Therefore, he claimed that if any 'dubious' transactions occurred, they were without his knowledge and consent.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Here are 5 ‘healthy' supermarket foods I never buy as a gastroenterologist, and neither should you'
They say you are what you eat, and across social media, experts are sharing their two cents on what's great for gut health and what helps lower blood sugar levels. Taking a cue from Dr Pal Manickam, a renowned gastroenterologist, we learnt about 5 supermarket foods that do more harm than good. 'Here are 5 'healthy' supermarket foods I never buy as a gastroenterologist… and neither should you!' said the health expert, highlighting fruit juices, packaged sweetened lassis, probiotic supplements, sugar-free biscuits, processed meat, and frozen foods. 'Just because it says 100% fruit, does not mean it's healthy. These are often just water with the fiber stripped out. You're better off eating the whole fruit,' said Dr Manickam. Dr Dipak Bhangale, Consultant, Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai, added that packaged mango juice, together with energy drinks and malted 'health' powders, receives marketing treatment that presents them as nutritious products. 'The actual composition of these products includes excessive levels of added sugars along with preservatives and emulsifiers, which disrupt gut microbiota and elevate the risk of developing insulin resistance and fatty liver disease,' he explained. 'It works only for a few people. Most of the time, they do not even survive the stomach acid. Instead, try getting your probiotics from natural fermented foods like curd, porridge, and idlis,' suggested Dr Manickam. 'They sound like a healthy alternative, but they are actually a source of artificial sweeteners and gut-irritating ingredients. They affect both your blood sugar and gut microbiome. Don't be fooled by the 'diabetic friendly' label either,' said the expert. The category of processed meats includes items like frozen kebabs, sausages, and nuggets. Dr Bhangale shared that Indian supermarkets frequently stock frozen non-veg snacks, which undergo extensive processing and include sodium nitrite as a preservative. 'The potential for developing colorectal problems along with persistent intestinal inflammation escalates throughout extended periods,' he opined. These products frequently include artificial fruit flavours alongside thickeners and added sugars. Dr Bhangale believes such dairy-based products can negatively impact gut health when consumed in excess, particularly among those with lactose intolerance or sugar sensitivity. 'If you really want to indulge in one, opt for one with minimal sugar or just go for plain curd and add your own fruit as a topping,' he added. While not mentioned in the video, Dr Bhangale said packaged instant noodles also fall under the category. 'Indian families frequently consume these noodles, which contain refined flour (maida), high sodium levels, artificial flavor boosters (such as MSG), and palm oil. Frequent consumption causes gut lining irritation while promoting bloating and disrupting digestive processes,' he said. Dr Bhangale also added the category of refined vegetable oils, which includes products such as sunflower oil, safflower oil, and soybean oil. 'Refined oils prevalent in Indian cuisine undergo chemical treatments and contain elevated levels of omega-6 fatty acids. An elevated omega-6 to omega-3 ratio triggers gut inflammation alongside metabolic disturbances,' he said.
Deccan Herald
05-07-2025
- Science
- Deccan Herald
Sivagalai: The oldest Iron Age site in the world?
Sivagalai, a relatively unknown village in Tamil Nadu, has a new claim to fame. It is potentially the oldest Iron Age site in the world. It was believed that the Iron Age began around 1200 BCE in Anatolia by the Hittites. But the iron tools found in Sivagalai date back to 2427-3345 BCE. Which makes Sivagalai, a region where the Iron Age potentially of this started when Manickam, a school teacher and resident of Sivagalai, informed the government authorities about some of his findings.
Mint
25-06-2025
- General
- Mint
From begging to self-reliance: How a Mangaluru man rebuilt his life sans government support
This is the story of a man who was once a beggar and now earns an honest livelihood. Manickam, a physically challenged individual, sells bondas (a deep-fried South Indian potato snack) and repairs slippers and umbrellas in Mangaluru, Daiji World reported. He lost one of his legs in childhood, but never gave up and kept moving forward. Originally from the Salem district in Tamil Nadu, Manickam has been living in the Mangaluru district of Karnataka for the past 35 years. After arriving in Mangaluru, he initially resorted to begging, as he had no work. However, after a stay at a state government-run shelter, he turned his life around and became self-reliant. At the shelter, he was discouraged from begging and encouraged to start earning through his own efforts. 'I used to beg when I came to Mangaluru 35 years ago. But after being taken to a shelter when the government enforced the anti-begging law, I decided to work and live with dignity,' Manickam said, according to the Daiji World report. He added that he never received any government support due to a lack of local documentation. He was not eligible for disability benefits or housing schemes. 'I had once applied in Tamil Nadu, but nothing came of it. All my documents are linked to my address in Salem, which made it difficult to apply for anything in Karnataka,' he added. Manickam began by repairing slippers and umbrellas. Gradually, he expanded his work to selling bondas and ice apples. He works every day from 8 AM to 8 PM to support himself. He now also owns a scooter, which helps him commute easily from his home in Hoige Bazar to his shop near the State Bank of India. Manickam further said, 'The people of Mangaluru are generous and kind. No one has ever harassed me for my work. I feel more at home here than in my native place. The people of Kudla gave me a chance to live with dignity.'
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
4 things everyone must know about vitamin D
Vitamin D, crucial for bone health and immunity, is often deficient globally. Gastroenterologist Dr. Manickam advises 600 IU daily for adults, achievable through sunlight and diet. He recommends 15-30 minutes of sun exposure a few times weekly and consuming oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods. Vegans should eat sun-exposed mushrooms. Vitamin D, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin', is an important nutrient that helps to maintain healthy bones, support immune function, and promote overall well-being. This nutrient is naturally produced by the body when exposed to the sun. Getting a few minutes of sun early in the morning is indeed beneficial for your health! Certain foods also contain vitamin D. Despite its crucial importance, vitamin D deficiency is very common globally. Dr. Pal Manickam, a gastroenterologist has now shared four critical facts about vitamin D that everyone should know. Let's take a look. Daily vitamin D intake Dr. Manickam shared that for most healthy adults, 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily is sufficient. This amount supports bone strength and calcium absorption. 'Sunlight exposure and food intake are usually enough,' he said in a video shared on Instagram. Soak in some sunshine Sun exposure is the best way to produce vitamin D naturally. Dr. Manickam recommends 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure on the face, arms, and hands without sunscreen, two to three times weekly. The optimal time is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 'Because UVB radiation required for vitamin D production is more intense during this period,' he says. This brief exposure is generally safe and effective for most people. According to studies , aim to get about 15 to 20 minutes of sunshine daily, with over 40% of skin exposed to prevent vitamin D deficiency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Eat vitamin D-rich food The gastroenterologist stresses the importance of adding vitamin D-rich foods to the diet to prevent deficiency. Oily fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel, red meat, liver (not suitable for pregnant women), egg yolks, and fortified foods such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals are rich in vitamin D . The doctor also pointed out how vegans have limited options. To beat this he suggests exposing mushrooms to sunlight to boost their vitamin D content slightly. 'So eat as many mushrooms as possible,' he adds. People who do not get enough sun exposure or lack dietary intake are often suggested to take supplements. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking supplements. Testing is not always necessary So, how do you know if you get enough vitamin D? Well, if you get sun exposure and the diet is rich in the food mentioned above, you must be getting adequate vitamin D. The gastroenterologist stated that routine vitamin D testing isn't required for everyone. 'Check only if you are in a high latitude, lots of winter season, obesity, and poor dietary intake, especially if you're a vegan,' he said. He also added that routine supplementation without testing isn't recommended either, as excess vitamin D can cause harm. Easy ways to increase your Vitamin D intake One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
