Latest news with #RajNair


Irish Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Banned UK dentist now practicing in Ireland using different name
A man branded 'Britain's rudest dentist' and struck off in the UK due to the risk he posed to patient safety is continuing to practice in Ireland using a different name, the Irish Mirror can exclusively reveal. Dr Rajesh Narendranath was barred from practice in the UK in 2013 after a patient who had cancer and multiple sclerosis claimed that he had deliberately damaged her mouth during a procedure. The patient accused him of making rude comments and being unprofessional, but it was his repeated refusal to apologise or comply with the recommendations of professional bodies that resulted in him being struck off. In June 2011, the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PHSO) took the highly unusual step of laying her report on the complaint against Dr Narendranath before the UK Parliament. However, the Irish Mirror can reveal that the 50-year-old dentist is now operating his own practice in Loughrea, Co Galway, and has been working at a dental surgery in Cork, where he featured on its website under the name 'Dr Raj Nair'. He registered the business name of his practice, Lakeshore Dental, in 2013 – the same year that he was struck off the dental register in the UK. Dr Narendranath has also given talks at conferences and featured in the Irish Dental Association's official journal as Dr Raj Nair. Dentists are legally required to practice under the name stated on the Dental Council's Register of Dentists, which lists him as 'Rajesh Narendranath'. After the Dental Council was alerted to Dr Narendranath's use of an alternative name by the Irish Mirror, the regulatory body launched an investigation into the matter, which is currently underway. As part of its inquiries, the Council contacted the dental practice in Cork where Dr Narendranath was working under the name Raj Nair. His photograph and name were removed from the practice's website the following day. The Cork practice did not respond to queries from the Irish Mirror. The Dental Council was previously made aware of the proceedings against Dr Narendranath and his subsequent removal from the register of dentists in Britain. It considered the matter and decided that he was fit to practice dentistry in Ireland. 'I was already practising in Ireland before I was struck off back in 2013 and it was disclosed to the Dental Council in Ireland, as per the requirements,' confirmed Dr Narendranath. 'After investigation, there was no action by the Irish Dental Council, there is [a] long documentary trail for that. I bet you won't print that,' he added. Referring to his use of the name 'Raj Nair', he said 'thousands of patients' that he treats in Ireland 'could barely pronounce my full name', so he decided to shorten it. 'Nair is my clan name and religious patronymic, which I am entitled to use,' he claimed. However, the Dental Council explained that practitioners are obliged to practice under their registered name, although some may shorten their names – but the body's 'main concern' is that they are clearly identifiable. 'I want to confirm that the Dental Council are now investigating this matter with a view to ensuring that relevant provisions of the Dentists Act 1985 are being complied with,' said its registrar, David O'Flynn. Dr Narendranath qualified from the University of Kerala in India in 1997 and moved to the UK in 1999. He subsequently obtained a masters degree in restorative dentistry from Leeds Dental Institute. He worked in a number of locations including Belfast before acquiring a dental practice in Staffordshire in January 2006. The incident that led to a protracted disciplinary process and his ultimate removal from the UK dental register occurred the following year, when he refused to treat a patient with cancer and MS, and told her to leave the premises. When the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) investigated her complaint the following month, Dr Narendranath replied: 'She has complained about me to the PCT!! Who shall I complain to against this patient?' An independent review of the complaint was conducted by a healthcare commission, which recommended that the dentist write to the patient and apologise in relation to five specific issues, as well as providing reassurances on future care. He wrote to the patient, but did not say sorry, and told her that he was still waiting for an apology for her rude and insulting behaviour. He also told the healthcare commission that no apology was due, except to himself. The matter was referred to the General Dental Council, which was 'very concerned' that the patient was yet to receive a letter of apology. In July 2010, she complained to the PHSO, which conducted an investigation. Dr Narendranath maintained in the course of this inquiry that a letter sent by his advisers had constituted an apology, and he stated that he would not pay the woman any compensation. The PHSO upheld the complaint of maladministration and recommended that he should provide the patient with a full acknowledgement and apology, as well as paying her £500 for the 'shock and offence' suffered. The ombudsman said Dr Narendranath's unwillingness to comply with the recommendations of professional bodies raised concerns about his fitness to practice to the extent that it constituted a risk to the health and safety of patients. In June 2011, the ombudsman took the unprecedented step of laying the report before the UK Parliament, allowing Dr Narendranath to be named, noting that it was very unusual for someone providing a health service to ignore her recommendations. This led to widespread coverage of the case in the UK media, which branded Dr Narendranath 'Britain's rudest dentist'. He appealed the decision to remove him from the register to a first-tier tribunal, and said the report being laid before parliament and the attendant publicity had been the 'turning point' at which he realised that he had been at fault. The tribunal endorsed a behavioural assessment of the dentist, which found there were indications that he sometimes made statements that were 'not substantiated by evidence'. It also said he was 'not a reliable historian and witness', and the tribunal was 'unable' to accept that he had fundamentally changed or was 'currently able to change'. It came to the 'clear conclusion' that he was unsuitable to be included on the register of dentists in the UK, and that his attitude posed 'a clear risk to the public interest… [particularly] patient safety and well being'. 'It is necessary to protect patients from exposure to a practitioner who even now lacks true insight into the impact of his behaviour and his failure to take responsibility,' the tribunal said, dismissing his appeal.


Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Grameen Kulfi triggers a sweet rebellion against the rush
Grameen Kulfi , a purveyor of traditional Indian frozen desserts , has partnered with the creative agency Garage Worldwide to pose a seemingly simple yet resonant question: "Jaldi Kya Hai?" – What's the hurry? The campaign, spearheaded by a series of contemplative films, serves as a gentle nudge to decelerate and appreciate life's unhurried pleasures, beginning with the slow-crafted nature of a Grameen Kulfi. From the deliberate simmering of milk to the meticulous pouring into age-old molds, each stage in the creation of these frozen treats unfolds at its own pace, seemingly unburdened by the demands of time. The result, the company suggests, is a kulfi that warrants a similarly unhurried consumption to fully appreciate its nuanced flavors. The campaign's films depict protagonists deliberately choosing to savor their Grameen Kulfi while the world around them bustles with activity. Far from being left behind, these individuals appear fully immersed in the present moment – aware, tranquil, and at ease. The underlying message posits that genuine enjoyment stems not from keeping pace with the relentless speed of modern life, but from recognizing when to deliberately slow down. Raj Bhandari, Director of Walko Food Company Pvt. Ltd., the parent company of Grameen Kulfi, emphasized the brand's commitment to traditional methods. "Grameen was born out of a passion for preserving the essence of authentic, traditional kulfi," he stated. "Crafted with the finest ingredients, we let milk naturally condense over hours, creating a dense texture that ensures every bite is a rich, creamy and wholesome delight. Our packaging is inspired by the timeless Indian artforms, which reflects the beauty of our heritage. With our tagline 'Jaldi Kya Hai?', we invite you to slow down, savor the moment and truly enjoy the taste we've carefully created with time and dedication. It's our way of nudging people to pause, breathe and relish every bite.' Raj Nair, Chief Creative Officer of Garage Worldwide, framed the campaign as a counterpoint to the prevailing culture of speed. "We live in a world that glorifies speed," he observed. "But sometimes, the real joy lies in slowing down. This campaign for Grameen Kulfi using films and other assets is a cheeky, sweet rebellion against the race — where the winner isn't the fastest, but the one who enjoys the journey most. To quote Simon & Garfunkel, 'Slow down, you're movin' too fast.'" Sanjay Deshmukh, Chief Executive Officer of Garage Worldwide, highlighted the cultural relevance of the campaign's central question. "'Jaldi Kya Hai?' reflects an urban cultural truth we're all feeling — the fatigue of the fast life," he concluded. "Partnering with Grameen Kulfi gave us the perfect platform to turn that insight into something deliciously thoughtful. It's not just a campaign, it's a state of mind we hope people carry with them." Watch the ad film here:


Bloomberg
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Porsche 911 Big Hit for Singer, Rock Star
British musician turned auto entrepreneur Rob Dickinson and Raj Nair take Open Interest inside their company, a niche automaker best described as 'Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer.' (Source: Bloomberg)