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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
World No Tobacco Day observed in city
Ranchi: Sadar hospital and the department of community medicine and Tobacco Cessation Centre at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences on Saturday held awareness programs to mark the World No Tobacco Day. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The theme, "Bright Products, Dark Intention: Unmasking the Appeal", shed light on the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry and severe health hazards caused by tobacco use. Civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar, said, "Around 1,15,000 people die each month in India due to tobacco use. We urge individuals to seek help from Sadar's Tobacco Cessation Centre. " Rims director, Raj Kumar, citing GLOBOCAN 2012, stated, "Out of 150 cancer cases per 1 lakh people, 35 are directly linked to tobacco use, including lung, oral, tongue, bladder, and pancreatic cancers." Ranchi: Sadar hospital and the department of community medicine and Tobacco Cessation Centre at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences on Saturday held awareness programs to mark the World No Tobacco Day. The theme, "Bright Products, Dark Intention: Unmasking the Appeal", shed light on the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry and severe health hazards caused by tobacco use. Civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar, said, "Around 1,15,000 people die each month in India due to tobacco use. We urge individuals to seek help from Sadar's Tobacco Cessation Centre. " Rims director, Raj Kumar, citing GLOBOCAN 2012, stated, "Out of 150 cancer cases per 1 lakh people, 35 are directly linked to tobacco use, including lung, oral, tongue, bladder, and pancreatic cancers."
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Cov tally rises to 6, testing ramped up
Ranchi: One more Covid-19 case was reported on Friday in the city taking the total tally in the state to six. District health department, on the other hand, initiated screening drive across community health centres and primary health centres to detect and contain the spread of the virus. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar confirmed that both Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) and RT-PCR testing facilities are available to ensure testing. "Screening has been ramped up to ensure timely detection. We urge citizens experiencing symptoms or those who were recently exposed to confirmed cases to get tested immediately. Early diagnosis is key to preventing large-scale outbreaks. We are closely monitoring the situation, and contact tracing efforts are underway for all recent positive cases," Dr Kumar said. On Friday, a total of 15 Covid-19 tests were conducted, out of which one individual tested positive. So far, the state reported six confirmed cases, five in the city and one in Jamshedpur, with one patient already recovered. Authorities also urged people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, maintaining hand hygiene, and avoiding unnecessary gatherings. The health department assured that it is well-prepared with testing kits, isolation arrangements, and medical supplies to handle any surge in cases. The screening drive will increase in the coming days, and the public is encouraged to cooperate fully with health workers and remain vigilant. Kumar said there is no need to panic, as the current strain of Covid-19 appears to be less severe, and a majority of the population is vaccinated. "However, it's important to stay safe by following safety protocols," he added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Hosps ready to handle Covid, says doctor as cases touch 4
Ranchi: The Ranchi district health department on Thursday said Covid-19 cases in the state capital have jumped to four within a week. The first positive case was reported on May 24 when a Lohardaga resident tested positive after returning from Maharashtra. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Of the three new cases, two are men, aged 71 and 53 years, while the third is a 21-year-old woman. While two are in home quarantine, one is admitted to a city hospital, officials said. Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said, "A total of 18 tests were conducted on Wednesday, all of which returned negative. While the new variant does not appear to be severe, everyone must stay alert. We are fully prepared to handle the situation." A total of 20 isolation beds have been allocated at the Sadar Hospital to manage a potential surge in cases. All community health centres and primary health centres would be provided with testing kits by Friday, health officials said. "Request for adequate supplies has been initiated," Dr Kumar said. Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) has designated 20 beds in the dengue ward for stable Covid patients. A screening OPD and sample collection facility has been set up. Departments responsible for RTPCR testing and genome sequencing have been instructed to submit their requirements for reagents and consumables. The Rims management directed the store department to maintain supplies, including 500 surgical masks, 500 PPE kits, 500 bottles of hand rub, and oxygen cylinders and masks (NRVM), as needed. Provisions include ventilator spare parts, consumables, monitors, and five reserve ventilators. The facility will maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines for effective patient care.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Sadar hosp to issue passes to kin of patients
Ranchi: With Covid 19 cases recording a rise across the country once again, Ranchi sadar hospital has decided to introduce visitors' passes to the kin of patients who are admitted in the hospital. The move, hospital management said, is aimed at regulating the flow of visitors to prevent a spread. Under the new arrangement, only one visitor will be allowed to visit a patient at a time. Hospital management said entry of visitors without a valid pass will be banned. Family members will be allowed to meet their patients twice a day, including morning and evening. Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said, overwhelming number of visitors leads to crowding inside the hospital and raises concerns on hygiene, infection control and disruption in medical services. So far, Ranchi has reported one positive cases till Wednesday. Besides allowing one visitor at a time, the hospital has also mandated that there will be one attendant for one patient. At present, multiple family members accompany and stay with a patient in the hospital during treatment. Kumar said hospital staff were trained to ensure smooth implementation of the new norms from next month.
NDTV
3 days ago
- NDTV
Fearless Force That Scripted The End Of Maoist Terror In Bastar
The lush but deadly jungles of Abujhmad in Chhattisgarh -- long considered the impenetrable heartland of Naxal operations -- recently witnessed a turning point. Basavaraju, one of India's most-wanted Naxal commanders with a Rs 10 crore bounty on his head, was neutralized in a swift operation led by the District Reserve Guard or DRG, a special jungle warfare unit of the Chhattisgarh Police. In a span of hours, the DRG eliminated 28 hardcore Naxals along with Basavaraju inside what was considered his safest hideout. What followed wasn't just strategic success. It was a symbolic end to the long-standing aura of invincibility surrounding the Maoist top brass. But who exactly are these brave men and women of DRG? How did this local force rise to become the most lethal anti-Maoist unit in India? A Force Born from the Soil Established in 2015, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) is not a conventional police unit. It is a battalion built from within Bastar-composed of local tribal youth, surrendered Naxals, and Bastar fighters who know the dense terrain like the back of their hand. Their strength lies not just in numbers, but in the intimate knowledge of geography, guerrilla tactics, and the psychology of the enemy. "Earlier they took up arms against the Constitution; now they protect it," said Prabhat Kumar, a senior police officer of Narayanpur, underscoring the transformation of surrendered Naxals into protectors of law and order. The DRG's core philosophy revolves around three principles -- Mati (Brain), Gati (Speed), and Minimum Damage. Mati: Operations are backed by intelligence. DRG jawans aren't just fighters, they are analysts. Off-duty, they are seen with laptops and maps, planning the next mission. Gati: With unmatched endurance, they can trek 30-35 km of jungle terrain overnight. Their mobility has caught Naxals off-guard on multiple occasions. Minimum Damage: Every operation aims at maximum impact on Naxals with minimum or no loss to DRG soldiers. This careful but fierce approach has earned DRG a dreaded reputation inside Naxal ranks. A diary found in Basavaraju's camp had this chilling line written in red ink - "Comrade, hide wherever you are... DRG force will find and kill you". DRG jawans are trained in jungle warfare, anti-guerilla tactics, booby trap detection, and terrain-based ambush strategies. They are skilled enough to turn every challenge of the jungle into an advantage. "Whether it is fast movement, laying low, or surviving days in the forest, our training ensures we can strike without warning," adds SP Prabhat Kumar. Their success speaks for itself. In October 2024, the DRG killed 38 Naxals in Thulthuli-Nedur. In May 2025, the team struck again-killing Basavaraju and 28 others on Kilakot hill. Former Maoist Babu Kawasi, once a bodyguard to Basavaraju, admitted that special modules were created by the Maoist leadership just to counter DRG. "We were taught how to lay traps, how to avoid DRG ambushes, but even then, we lived in constant fear. DRG always finds a way," he said. Another surrendered cadre, Manoj (name changed), echoed the sentiment. "They are tribals, they know the land, they know the jungle, and they have unmatched survival instincts. When DRG comes, even our seniors tremble." With over 2,000 personnel, DRG is deeply rooted in local communities, All members are tribals, locals, and surrendered rebels. Many are women, who play a frontline role in operations. They possess terrain intelligence, are tech-savvy, and are emotionally invested in securing their homeland. "We provide them every possible support-financial, logistical, training. Because they are our most valuable asset," said Mr Kumar. More Powerful Than Greyhounds and C-60? From Andhra's Greyhounds to Maharashtra's C-60, India has produced elite anti-Naxal units but the DRG has outperformed all in recent years. Its hyper-local model, cultural connection, and deep understanding of Maoist movement give it a decisive edge. "This time it has become clear that red terror will end, development will reach every village, and the Constitution will be implemented in every corner of Bastar-all because of DRG," said Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, praising the force after the latest operation in Abujhmad. In a region where governance once feared to tread, DRG is not just reclaiming land -- it is restoring dignity, peace, and hope to people brutalised by decades of insurgency. From being victims of Maoist propaganda to becoming its fiercest destroyers, these jungle warriors have rewritten the rulebook of counter-insurgency. In Bastar today, the ground may still be red-but it is no longer in fear. It is in resistance, resilience, and renewed resolve, thanks to the unyielding spirit of DRG.
