Latest news with #NOF
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Connecting the dots in the circular economy
Sometimes, one discovers with amused wonder that someone integral to one's landscape and therefore inconspicuous, is pitted in the same battlefield as an ally by default. And the discovery extends to the fact that what they do can be a helpful tie-in to one's own work. Kavitha Sivakumar, a resident of a gated community in Pallikaranai, recently added this truth to her worldview, thanks to a casual conversation with a neighbourhood kabadiwallah, Suryagandhi Kumar. She found out he welcomes sirattai — coconut shell — into his storing house in Pallikaranai, and when a substantial amount of it is aggregated, sells the pile. Kavitha works with Namma Ooru Foundation (NOF), and she realised straightaway that Suryagandhi and his ilk could further a NOF initiative. Ever since the team at NOF realised coconut shells go into the making of activated charcoal, useful in water purification, and that there are entities looking for sirattai for the same purpose, Sustainable Sirattai Campaign was born, its details spelt out by NOF founder Natarajan. Recently, NOF notched up 150 kg of coconut shells, having aggregated it for a while, notes Kavitha. The source of coconut shells is currently restaurants. Kavitha now advocates empowering local scrap dealers as aggregators of coconut shells, educating residents on cleaning and storing the shells, and tapping into apartments for them. 'The biggest hurdle is connecting the dots between households, collectors and buyers. Without proper segregation, most shells end up in dumping grounds.' Hygiene concerns such as mould and pests also deter scrap dealers from collecting shells, she adds. Collecting sirattai, Suryagandhi comes across as an outlier. He buys them at Rs 10 per kilogram and selling at a small profit. 'Sirattai is used to make activated charcoal, which helps in melting gold,' he explains. Though only a few households contribute regularly, the numbers are growing. Every piece of fabric matters A massive part of humanity would give the thumbs up to this observation. College education of the first water and a remarkable career need not put one on the path to finding what they are born to do. The boat might have to change tack to find suitable moorings. Vijayalakshmi is a trained economist, landing a prestigious job early on, one that allowed her to operate in the foreign exchange department of a respected company. It requires some prodding to get her to talk about her stellar education and an enviable early career, but none at all about her current work profile — maker of multifarious artisanal items, including fabric jewellery. Following marriage, she decided to give up on her career only to find it in an unlikely field. Her leisure consumed by self-learning, she would soon announce her arrival as a self-taught artisan, one adept in beaded jewellery, paper quilling, crochet, and finally fabric accessories, particularly fabric jewellery. People who know Vijayalakshi would use an epithet to describe her — 'creative'. Fabric jewellery is closer to her heart as it is the ne plus ultra of creativity. Truth to tell, but for a piece of small talk, she would not have taken up fabric jewellery-making the way she did. Enter Ganga Sridhar, a resident of Mandaveli, a sustainability campaigner and a connoisseur of upcycling-based fashion. An aficionada of Vijayalakshmi's delicate fabric accessories, Ganga gave Vijayalakshmi small-sized fabric pieces, leftovers of cloth that became her kurtis and urged her, 'Can you turn these into earrings or bangles?' That small conversation sparked a creative chain reaction. During COVID, matching masks became the norm, and Ganga took it a notch hight. She would keep sending fabric to Vijayalakshmi to create accessories that perfectly matched her outfits (and of course, masks too). The idea quickly blossomed into a full accessory line — earrings, necklaces, bangles — all lightweight, affordable, and eco-friendly. 'It is exciting to get exactly what you want by recycling fabric instead of settling for store-bought accessories,' Ganga says. 'I have recommended Viji's work to many. It is a simple idea with a big impact.' After years into it, Vijayalakshmi passes her verdict on fabric jewellery: 'easy to make, profitable and loved by customers.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health chiefs set to make 'difficult decisions' due to £350m NHS deficit
COUNCILLORS are next week due to get an update on a Cumbrian integrated care board (ICB) which is described as 'one of the most financially challenged systems in the NHS'. Members of Cumberland Council's health overview and scrutiny committee are due to meet at Carlisle's Civic Centre on Thursday (May 22) to hear the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB update. The report states: 'Without support funding in 2024/25, the end of year system deficit would have been approximately £350 million. 'The ICB's annual budget for 2025/26 is approximately £5.4 billion and immediate action is required to reduce spending. 'The challenge heading into 2025/26 is considerable and will result in the need to plan service provision and work with partners in a different way. 'Despite the challenging financial position, the ICB has set out plans to reduce waste and duplication and reconfigure services. 'This will improve experience and outcomes for people living in Lancashire and South Cumbria and make services fit for the future. 'Working with Cumberland Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee is crucial because it ensures that the ICB services align with the needs and priorities of the population and enhancing the quality of care we provide to the residents of South Cumbria.' According to the report the ICB has entered into a National Recovery Support Programme and in 2024/25, Lancashire and South Cumbria was one of several systems subjected to an 'investigation and intervention process'. It adds: 'Despite support from NHS England North West, and the hard work of colleagues across our system, we were not able to make the progress we had hoped to with our spending. 'As a result, NHS England (NHSE) recommended four organisations were placed into NHS Oversight Framework (NOF) Segment Four and for each organisation to receive intensive support from the national Recovery Support Programme (RSP).' The affected organisations are: NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB; Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The report states: 'The main concerns from NHSE centre around our system's difficulty in managing financial deficits and meeting financial recovery plans. 'We recognise the severity of the situation that we are in – as such we welcome this additional support from NHS England for the ICB and our trusts.' According to the report The RSP comprises of five strands: The diagnostic (stocktake to identify the drivers); Oversight and challenge: appointment of an NHS England employed improvement director; and regular board to board meetings; Financial support to drive the improvement plan; Targeted support for delivery (access to subject matter experts); and Continuous review of the plan (review and monitoring meetings). The report highlights a number 'difficult decisions' and it states: 'Our financial position means we will have to make some difficult decisions over the next few months. 'As a consequence, there will be some services that we are not able to make available, even if they are being rolled out across the country. 'Other examples may include ward closures where we are not providing value for money or working in the most efficient way, or delivering services in a different way to how they're currently provided. 'These decisions will require careful management, may not be quick to implement and, in some instances, will require engagement and consultation as per the NHSE service change process. 'Any proposed changes will be clinically led, subject to the necessary impact assessments, and we will commit to undertake the appropriate level of engagement with patients, members of the pubic, our staff and wider stakeholders. 'Despite significant financial challenges faced in the system, there are excellent services, positive examples of collaboration and passionate and dedicated staff to build upon to achieve the system's vision for improving health and care. 'There are opportunities to reduce waste, duplication and reconfigure services to outcomes for the population of Lancashire and South Cumbria and make services fit for the future.'
Daily Tribune
18-03-2025
- Science
- Daily Tribune
Bhavans - BIS celebrates young achievers
The Kindergarten Medal Distribution ceremony of Bhavans-Bahrain Indian School (BIS) was held on March 12, 2025 - a momentous occasion that brought together students and educators to celebrate the accomplishments of young learners. The much-anticipated National Olympiad Foundation Junior (NOF) medals and certificates were awarded to the children who secured gold medals in subjects such as English, Math, Science, and Phonics, marking a significant milestone in their educational journey. As the only school in Bahrain that conducts the Olympiad for Kindergarten students, BIS takes pride in fostering academic excellence from an early age. National Olympiad Foundation is a gamified assessment platform where questions are asked with a voice support assistance which makes this assessment entertaining and engaging. Ninety (90) students from Pre-Kg to Kg-II participated in this International level Olympiad. Idika Ojha from Pre-Kg and Neorah George from Kg-II secured topper mementos as a reward for securing international Rank 1 in Science. School Directors Himanshu Verma and Ritu Verma expressed their admiration for the students, noting their boundless curiosity and remarkable growth. 'Today, we celebrate not just the awards but the spirit of exploration and learning that these children embody. Their enthusiasm inspires us all,' remarked Himanshu Verma. School Principal Saji Jacob also extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, emphasizing the importance of fostering a supportive and encouraging environment for young learners. 'Each child's achievement is a reflection of their unique journey, and we are proud to guide them as they discover their passions and potential,' stated Jacob.
USA Today
26-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Saints plan to keep QB Derek Carr around for 2025
Report: Saints plan to keep QB Derek Carr around for 2025 NOF's Nick Underhill reports that both Mickey Loomis and Kellen Moore are optimistic about Derek Carr starting for the Saints at QB going into 2025. This seemed to be the direction things were going, but Nick Underhill reports that it "sounds like the Saints plan to keep Derek Carr at QB" after speaking with general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Kellen Moore at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. Between the Saints already leading the league in dead money for players not on their roster in 2025, which would double if Carr were released, and the lack of a competitive option behind him, the team views keeping him for the next season as their best solution. Loomis told Underhill that Carr is a quarterback they can win with, despite his 15-14 record through two years in New Orleans. Moore said he has spoken with Carr and expressed that the Saints are "fortunate" to have him, adding that discussions "went well." Underhill did mention that there are contractual factors left to resolve, but we can take a guess at that. Carr has already indicated he won't accept a pay cut for 2025. Since cutting or trading him is off the table (and he could block a move with his no-trade clause), that leaves a restructure as the likeliest option. We've outlined before how the Saints could restructure Carr's contract this season and get out of it after 2025, if they need to. But you'd hope he plays well enough in Moore's offense to where keeping him beyond that is good for all involved.
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jahri Evans discusses Saints staff changes and coaching the Senior Bowl
Saints assistant coach and Hall of Fame candidate Jahri Evans on looming changes in New Orleans and the opportunity to coach at Senior Bowl — NOF (@nofnetwork) January 28, 2025 Jahri Evans is a busy man. The New Orleans Saints assistant offensive line coach is working at the Senior Bowl this week, and next week he'll learn whether or not he's going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Beyond that, he'll have to see if the new Saints coaching staff has room for him. Evans was asked about the upcoming changes and the ongoing search for a head coach, which caught him by surprise. 'Oh, wow I wasn't expecting that,' Evans told reporters after Senior Bowl practice on Tuesday. 'Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about it, y'know I'm here trying to do as much as I can for these guys. Like I told them in the meeting, I'm here to sharpen the tools in their toolbox and add things to their toolbox. I think back home in New Orleans, that situation will handle itself, and when it does I'm pretty sure I have an opportunity to stay.' When asked if he feels like the team will keep him around, Evans replied, 'I hope so. I don't know, this is my first go around with it. The team hasn't had change in almost 20 years at the head position, right, so I think its a lot of people's first go around with it in the building. I'm here now representing the Saints, and my job is to get my notes on these guys, help these guys be better. As long as I'm employed, I'll still be working.' When it comes down to it, this quote sounds like he has the opportunity to stay, which is an enormous positive as he has been a great addition to the staff and may be worth looking at for a promotion in the near future. Of all the assistants and positional coaches on the team, there are a few who are worthy of staying, and Evans is no doubt one of them.
