Latest news with #PrashantSharma
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Med tourism takes a hit, B'desh patient inflow slides to 10% of what it was a yr ago
1 2 Kolkata: It's been a year since Bangladesh went into turmoil, stemming the flow of patients to Kolkata hospitals even as travel restrictions were imposed. The number of patients from the neighbouring country has slid to just 10% of what it was a year ago, though some private hospitals have seen a marginal rise in numbers since April. With visas still being issued slowly, the situation is not likely to improve soon, they felt. Some are actively exploring opportunities to expand reach beyond Bangladesh to fill up the void. Peerless Hospital now receives 15-20 Bangladeshi patients a day at its OPD. The number was 150 on average until a year ago. Admissions are rare. "Patients are apparently still finding it difficult to secure health visas to travel to Kolkata. Visas are probably being processed slowly, which has kept the number of patients low for a year now," said Peerless Hospital CEO Sudipta Mitra. Charnock Hospital, too, has seen a sharp drop. "Some patients do trickle in. But it's nothing like before. And my guess is this will take a long time to revive," said Charnock managing director Prashant Sharma, also the chairperson of Health Committee of Indian Chamber of Commerce. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata At RN Tagore Hospital (RTIICS), number of Bangladeshi patients has dipped by 75% over the last year. "If we compare June 2024 numbers to June 2025 numbers, it is down to a fourth of what we would get," said Narayana Hospitals COO R Venkatesh. Bangladesh records 70% of India's medical travellers. Some hospitals have witnessed a slow footfall rise since April, though. Manipal Hospitals have witnessed a partial recovery. Ayanabh Debgupta, regional COO — Manipal Hospitals (East), stated: "Due to recent political developments in Bangladesh, many who wished to travel to India for medical care were facing delays. This situation is gradually easing, allowing more patients to access the care they need. Currently, we are issuing an average of 250 to 300 medical visa letters per day across all Manipal Hospitals in Eastern India. Since April, we have observed a steady rise in patient inflow from Bangladesh, with an average monthly footfall of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 patients — around 40% of whom are new registrations." The recent launch of Ayush portal by the Centre has streamlined medical visa process. Desun Hospital has been witnessing a steady rise in footfall of Bangladeshi patients since April 2025, with OPD figures achieving nearly 90% of footfall it saw before trouble started in Bangladesh last year. Ruby General Hospital, which received around 800 patients a month from Bangladesh a year ago, now gets around 400. "It has improved in last two months but is still half of what we would get," said general manager (operations) Subhasish Datta.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Slow-traffic blow to critical care: Hospitals in Kolkata take guard
1 2 Kolkata: Several city private hospitals have initiated measures to ensure that critical patients can reach on time during this rainy spell. Often unavailability of transport and traffic snarls result in delayed arrival of the patient at the hospital. This may turn out to be fatal. The hospitals have deployed ambulances at strategic locations across the city. They have roped in more clinical staff at emergencies for a longer duration. Online or telephonic advice for patients, who suffered a heart attack, brain stroke, or severe injuries, are also being offered. Doctors claimed that often heart attack or brain stroke patients fail to reach the hospital within the 'golden hour' (within an hour of the attack), which turns out to be decisive. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Charnock Hospital has launched a dedicated ambulance service between the VIP Road and Chinar Park crossings. A special patient pick-up point has been set up at VIP crossing to ensure swift transfers to the emergency department. The ambulances are equipped with advanced life support. "In critical cases, every minute matters," said Prashant Sharma, managing director, Charnock Hospital. Due to incessant rain and increased traffic congestion over the last week, many patients complained of either facing an acute shortage of ambulances or getting stranded in traffic for extended hours, said BP Poddar Hospital group advisor, Supriyo Chakrabarty. "We instructed all our ambulances to remain active round-the-clock. Additionally, we tied up with external providers to deploy two more Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances to ensure a faster response during emergencies. Since these are equipped with life-saving equipment along with an emergency medical team, treatment starts immediately," said Chakrabarty. A few days ago, BP Poddar Hospital received a call from a patient's relative who was on the way to the hospital with a suspected cardiac arrest. "They were coming from Kolaghat but got stranded near Dhulagarh due to congestion. We immediately mobilised our ACLS ambulance, which got the patient on board near Santragachi. The patient later underwent primary angioplasty around 2 am at our hospital," said Chakrabarty. Manipal Hospitals deployed a fleet of over 30 fully-equipped ambulances across the city, each staffed with trained emergency technicians and doctors, said Ayanabh Debgupta, regional COO – Manipal Hospitals (East). At Narayana Hospital, Howrah, a round-the-clock ALS ambulance service was arranged with consultant and paramedic support for the smooth transition of emergency patients. "The ambulances are equipped to handle cardiac, neuro, and other emergencies. We also have a special Acute Care Unit in the emergency department to deal with critical cases," said Tapani Ghosh, facility director, Narayana Hospital, Howrah.
News18
05-06-2025
- Science
- News18
E-Ball Revolution: How A Chhattisgarh Scientist Is Cleaning India's Waters With Microbes
Last Updated: Dr Prashant Sharma's e-ball cleans polluted water naturally and affordably, offering a lasting eco-solution In a quiet corner of Chhattisgarh, a scientist has sparked a silent revolution, using microbes instead of machines to cleanse India's polluted waters. This scientist, affectionately known as the 'Water Man', has earned nationwide acclaim for his groundbreaking and environmentally conscious innovation. In an age where technological solutions are often expensive and complex, Dr Prashant Sharma from Surguja has devised this simple yet impactful method that offers a model for the rest of the country. After dedicating 13 years to meticulous research, Dr Prashant Sharma developed the 'E-Ball' – a biological sphere containing millions of microbes capable of purifying polluted ponds and drains naturally over extended periods. Initial trials, supported by the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation, delivered remarkable outcomes. Stagnant, foul-smelling drains and debris-filled ponds, previously resistant to mechanical and chemical treatments, were effectively cleansed by the E-Ball. Scientific assessments of BOD, COD, and pH levels indicated that water treated with this method could be considered potable. Affordable, Sustainable, And Eco-Conscious Traditional water purification methods can cost between Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per acre annually. In contrast, the E-Ball achieves comparable results at a significantly lower cost, at around Rs 7,000 per acre per year. Most importantly, this solution is eco-friendly and poses no harm to aquatic ecosystems. A key feature of the E-Ball is its ability to foster a self-sustaining colony of beneficial microbes within the water body, ensuring continuous purification without repeated intervention. This renders it a permanent and sustainable solution, unlike temporary chemical treatments. Dr Prashant Sharma, who earned his PhD from Delhi University, returned to Ambikapur University in November 2024 after gaining international experience in the USA, South Korea, and Poland. His journey underscores how socially driven scientific innovation can lead to cost-effective, impactful environmental solutions. He stands as a source of inspiration for aspiring scientists across the nation. First Published: June 05, 2025, 10:28 IST
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maharashtra cabinet approves state housing policy 2025
NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra cabinet has approved the state housing policy 2025 titled 'Majhe Ghar – Majhe Adhikar' (My Home – My Rights) with an investment outlay of ₹70,000 crore. The policy aims to construct 35 lakh homes over the next five years. As part of the implementation strategy, the cabinet has cleared the formation of a ₹20,000 crore 'Maha Aawas Nidhi' at the state level to finance large-scale housing projects under the new policy framework. Prashant Sharma, president, NAREDCO Maharashtra said, "The focus on slum rehabilitation, redevelopment, and the creation of a MahaAwas Fund will be instrumental in addressing the housing shortage and improving the urban landscape. We believe this progressive policy will provide a significant boost to real estate, create large-scale employment, and ensure dignified living for citizens across income groups." Focus on redevelopment, self-redevelopment and social housing To address delays in redevelopment and quality control issues, the policy includes the formation of a state-level grievance redressal committee. The committee will mediate between stakeholders and monitor quality standards in line with redevelopment commitments. A dedicated self-redevelopment cell will also be set up to encourage cooperative housing societies to take up redevelopment independently. A ₹2,000 crore self-redevelopment fund will support such initiatives. The policy introduces a rent-to-own model where working women, students, and industrial workers can initially occupy homes on rent for up to 10 years, with the option to gain ownership thereafter. "This comprehensive plan, with strategic emphasis on rental housing for working women, students, and industrial workers, is a transformative step toward addressing the urgent need for affordable urban housing. Initiatives such as the walk-to-work model near employment hubs, supported by robust multi-modal infrastructure and last-mile connectivity, will catalyze industrial and commercial real estate, paving the way for an integrated urban development model. Over time, this will generate tremendous demand for residential real estate, including townships and cluster developments," said Niranjan Hiranandani , chairman, NAREDCO & Hiranandani Group. CSR funds will be mobilised to support social housing initiatives through public-private partnerships involving both developers and project enablers. The government will also establish a centralised digital platform — State Housing Information Portal (SHIP) — to support data-driven housing decisions and project tracking. Nishant Deshmukh, founder and managing partner, Sugee Group said, "With strategic funding and transparent implementation, this policy can unlock massive redevelopment opportunities in cities like Mumbai , while also ensuring social equity and improved quality of life."
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Time of India
Tourism takes direct hit, 90% of bookings for Northern India cancelled
AHMEDABAD: Operation Sindoor may have struck terrorist targets across the border, but it has also shaken up vacation plans back home. The aftermath of the Indian military's action in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has triggered flight shutdowns, trip cancellations, and a wave of uncertainty in the tourism sector. Tour operators, who were banking on the peak travel season, say this is the worst May they have seen in years. Tourism, especially to popular northern destinations, is taking a direct hit. Airports in Jodhpur, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Jammu, and Kashmir - all in proximity to the international border - have been shut for civilian aircraft operations until May 10, leading to massive disruptions in travel schedules. Operation Sindoor India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan India-Pakistan tensions: Delhi airport issues travel advisory Operation Sindoor: Multiple explosions heard at several Pakistan air bases Cancellations are pouring in. Travel agencies are scrambling for updates, as there remains no clear word on when normal operations will resume. Prashant Sharma, vacationing in Uttarakhand, said, "We had a packed itinerary from Nainital Jim Corbett and Mussoorie to Rishikesh, but we have cancelled everything except Nainital. We are playing it safe and heading back as planned from Dehradun." Travel consultants confirm that panic and unpredictability have taken over what would normally be a season of packed itineraries and hill station getaways. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo "People who were already vacationing in Himachal Pradesh have cut short their trips. The North is totally out of the question now. Nearly 95% of the bookings for northern destinations, primarily Uttarakhand, Himachal, and Jammu & Kashmir, for the month of May have been called off," said Virendra Shah, a travel consultant. From a business standpoint, the ripple effect is undeniable. Tour operators, who were optimistic about some revival in business, are suddenly staring at dry leads and refund requests. The sentiment is clear: nobody wants to travel under fear. "A majority of travel industry players have suffered about 70% revenue loss for existing bookings during the peak leisure holiday season. The impact has not spared international travel either. While a select few tourists have gone to the UK or Spain for a long-haul visit, travellers bound for Turkey, Dubai, Bali, Indonesia and the Maldives are backing out at the last minute as well. There's an air of hesitation that was not there a week ago," said Ankit Bajaj, another travel expert, highlighting the uncertainty clouding future bookings. "This conflict has not just disrupted logistics, it has shaken the mood of the traveller. Thus, even if the journey is a month from now, people are unwilling to travel and are blatantly cancelling travel plans," Bajaj added. Sanjeev Chhajer, chairman of GCCI's tourism committee, said, "Domestic air travel is badly hit due to airport shutdowns.. However, international travel is relatively steady, except for a few cancellations by govt employees whose leaves have been cancelled. Except for Turkey and Azerbaijan, other destinations are less affected."
