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News18
17-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Tapeworms: 7 Vegetables That May Carry Brain-Eating Parasites
1/13 Maintaining good health largely depends on a balanced diet, particularly one rich in fruits and vegetables. Green vegetables are especially beneficial as they are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. However, one major concern is the presence of hidden insects and worms in many commonly consumed vegetables. Vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower often harbour small insects that, if ingested, can lead to digestive issues, infections and, in extreme cases, serious neurological problems. Proper cleaning and cooking of vegetables is therefore not just advisable, it is essential. Medical professionals recommend steaming certain vegetables in hot water prior to consumption to kill any parasites. Dr Neeraj Kumar, Senior Neurologist at Metro Hospital, Noida, has identified seven vegetables that are frequently infested with tapeworms, urging people to exercise caution when handling and preparing them. Cauliflower often contains worms that are not visible to the naked eye. Consuming these can have fatal consequences if the parasites reach internal organs such as the muscles, liver or brain. For safety, cauliflower must be cleaned thoroughly, boiled in hot water, and the water discarded before cooking. Aubergines (commonly known as brinjal) are also prone to tapeworm infestation. If worms are visible upon cutting the vegetable, it is best to discard it entirely. According to experts, some of these worms may survive even after cooking, posing a health risk if consumed. Ridge gourd, a commonly used vegetable in certain regional cuisines, is another at-risk plant. Worms in ridge gourds can grow from microscopic size to over an inch within a week, consuming much of the plant in the process. If eaten, these worms can enter the human body and potentially reach the brain. It is therefore vital to thoroughly wash shrimp and remove any visibly infested parts. Cabbage is notorious for housing tapeworms in its tightly packed layers. These parasites multiply rapidly and, if not destroyed by proper cleaning and cooking, their eggs can hatch inside the human digestive system and travel to the brain. Experts advise avoiding raw cabbage entirely and recommend steaming it in hot water before use. Taro leaves can also hide tapeworm eggs. If ingested without proper cleaning, they may lead to infections, vomiting, stomach issues and even severe neurological conditions. Proper washing of each leaf is essential before cooking. Capsicum (also known as bell pepper) may contain tapeworm eggs within its seeds and inner sections. To avoid infection, it is important to remove all seeds and clean the vegetable thoroughly before cooking. Pointed gourd, another vegetable commonly used in Indian households, is also at risk of contamination. The seeds may carry tapeworm eggs, especially when grown using artificial fertilisers or chemical pesticides. Eating unwashed pointed gourds can lead to infections, stomach discomfort, headaches and other complications. It is therefore crucial to wash it carefully before preparing it. Tapeworms are primarily associated with pigs, and they enter the soil through pig faeces. Vegetables that grow close to the ground, such as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, spinach, carrots and capsicum, are particularly vulnerable to this type of contamination. Medical experts warn that tapeworm infections can cause a wide range of serious health problems, including muscle swelling, seizures, persistent headaches, and a life-threatening brain condition known as neurocysticercosis. In conclusion, to avoid parasitic infections and protect one's health, it is imperative to wash all vegetables thoroughly, especially those consumed raw, and cook them properly. This simple routine can safeguard against severe illness and ensure a safe, nutritious diet.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bihar CM rolls out free electricity up to 125 units for 1.67 crore households ahead of assembly elections
He further added that in the next three years, with the consent of these households, solar power plants will be installed either on their rooftops or nearby public spaces. 'Under the Kutir Jyoti Scheme, for extremely poor families, the state government will bear the entire cost of installing solar power systems. For the rest, the government will provide appropriate support. This means domestic consumers will not only get 125 units of free electricity, but within the next three years, Bihar is expected to generate up to 10,000 megawatts of solar energy,' he added. Welcoming the announcement, JD(U) MLC and chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, 'Nitish's decision to provide free electricity is a historic and welcome step. We purchase electricity at the highest rates but still provide subsidies to consumers. Dalits, minorities, and those struggling with daily challenges will benefit the most. This move will mark another milestone in Bihar's social transformation under Nitish's leadership.' Taking a dig at the opposition, he added, 'The RJD, which wanted to light lanterns in people's homes, has now suffered a political shock of 33,000 volts.'
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
PF official gets 3 yrs' RI for accepting bribe
Patna: The vigilance court in Patna on Wednesday sentenced one Neeraj Kumar , an assistant at General Provident Fund Directorate, Pant Bhawan, to three years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional month of simple imprisonment. He was convicted for accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 in 2018 from one Narendra Bhushan, additional director at New Secretariat, Patna, for updating his provident fund accounts. Patna: The vigilance court in Patna on Wednesday sentenced one Neeraj Kumar, an assistant at General Provident Fund Directorate, Pant Bhawan, to three years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional month of simple imprisonment. He was convicted for accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 in 2018 from one Narendra Bhushan, additional director at New Secretariat, Patna, for updating his provident fund accounts.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pant varsity hospital faces neglect, runs without registration
Rudrapur: A 40-bed hospital at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar operates amid serious health risks and institutional neglect. Serving nearly 22,000 people on campus, the hospital remains unregistered since its inception. Neeraj Kumar, a former resident of university campus, said, "Originally a dispensary, it expanded to a hospital in 2015 but lacks trained technical staff, leaving critical equipment like ventilators and ECG machines unused and deteriorating." A ventilator and cardiac ambulance donated in 2014 remain idle after the university rejected a proposal to deploy technical staff in exchange for renting the ambulance. The hospital has been overseen by veterinary doctors for almost a decade, with no proper radiology setup for humans. Patients are using X-ray machines installed for animals, raising concerns about infections. P Prabhakaran, the hospital in-charge, said, "There is no service rule policy in place for the hospital. Doctors join as medical officers and retire from the same post, with only occasional changes in pay scale. At present, two doctors have been appointed on a fixed honorarium of Rs 56,000 per month. In emergencies, they are required to work 24-hour shifts." He added, "We are trying to upgrade the hospital on the lines of a primary health centre using the existing infrastructure. The registration process is also underway. We ensure hygiene protocols are followed during X-rays, even though the machine is shared with animals. The absence of technical staff remains our biggest hurdle, and we are constantly corresponding with the state govt to address this issue."
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"INDIA bloc, Congress opposes violation of common man's rights:" Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Bihar Bandh
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Wednesday said that the part and INDIA bloc opposes the 'violation' of common man's right as their alliance held 'Bihar Bandh' protest in the state against ECI's decision to revise electoral rolls ahead of the assembly election. Speaking with ANI, Pramod Tiwari said, 'Congress and INDIA bloc oppose the violation of common man's rights... Over 88% of Bihar's population goes out of the state to do labour... A homeless person might find their identity proof, but how can they find their ancestors'... We will fight this up to the Supreme Court... The Election Commission has been completely exposed now... Is this a directive or order of murder of democracy?' Tiwari emphasised that everyone from the 'poor and unprivileged section' is supporting 'Bihar Bandh' 'Everyone from the poor and unprivileged section is supporting this... I appreciate this successful campaign,' he said. Additionally, at the 'Bihar Bandh' rally in Patna, state RJD President Mangani Lal Mandal said, 'The Election Commission has compelled us to get to the streets... Election Commission is a tactic of the BJP.' On the other hand, JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar questioned why the INDIA bloc is making revising electoral rolls a 'political agenda' when there is a provision in the constitution to remove names. 'They move around with a copy of the Constitution while continuously raising questions on the Constitutional Institutions... Their constituent parties had expressed objection that there is duplication of the names of various voters during previous elections. The names of dead people were on the list. In such a situation, if there is a provision for removing names, then why are they making it a political agenda?' Neeraj Kumar said. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, on Wednesday led the 'Bihar Bandh' protest in Patna against the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to undertake the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Several senior leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, including CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, Kanhaiya Kumar, and Sanjay Yadav, also participated in the protest. (ANI)
