Latest news with #RapidResponseTeam
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Meet Dr. Roshini, Kerala only woman forest officer, who catches Kings Cobra, Pythons & Rat Snakes with bare hands
Roshni, a beat forest officer in Kerala, recently achieved a milestone. She rescued her first king cobra. Roshni is the only woman snake catcher in the Kerala Forest Department. She also earned a doctorate in social services. Roshni heads the Rapid Response Team. She has relocated about 800 snakes. Her work highlights the role of women in conservation. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Rare encounter with a king cobra Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Leading snake rescue efforts in the district Challenges and safety in snake rescue Mental strength and family support Roshni, a beat forest officer in Kerala for the past eight years, recently rescued her first king cobra, marking a significant moment in her wildlife rescue career. She is the only woman snake catcher in the Kerala Forest Department and part of the state's first batch of women forest rescue also comes at a time when Roshni has received a doctorate in social services from Global Human Peace University in Chennai, where she was awarded a gold medal for academic performance. She is a graduate in Botany and often posts updates from her professional and academic life on to The Indian Express, Roshni said, 'This is the first time I caught a king cobra. It had been my dream since I started as a certified snake rescuer in the department in 2019.' While king cobras have been handled by rescuers in other parts of Kerala, Roshni had not previously found one in Thiruvananthapuram.'While many snake catchers elsewhere in Kerala have rescued king cobras, I did not get such a chance in Thiruvananthapuram, where this species is rarely spotted,' she told The Indian currently heads the Rapid Response Team (RRT) at the Paruthippally forest range. Over her years in service, she has caught and relocated about 800 snakes—many of them venomous—from populated areas across the of the time, Roshni travels alone to attend to rescue calls. 'On most such occasions, there would be a snake in the trunk of the car or the storage of the scooter. I will be riding a scooter with a snake in the storage under the seat,' she said, as quoted by The Indian also does not use protective gear like gloves or gumboots when handling snakes, including venomous ones like the king cobra. 'It is risky to catch a king cobra mainly because of its length. When you catch the tail of a king cobra, its length enables it to swiftly turn against you and attack. To save itself, a king cobra can coil with its head and tail on a single point,' she what it takes to work in snake rescue, Roshni said, 'You need courage and presence of mind. Concentration is very important. We have to weigh our safety, the snake's safety, and that of the onlookers.''I enjoy catching snakes and have the support of my family. Many others have got trained over the years, but they might not have ventured into snake catching for want of support from family or courage,' she told The Indian work highlights the expanding role of women in frontline conservation efforts in Kerala. Her rescue efforts and academic journey reflect the importance of trained, courageous responders in managing human-wildlife interactions in the state.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Watch: Kerala woman officer calmly rescues 15-foot King Cobra in viral video
When a King Cobra– one of the most feared snakes– was spotted near a stream used by local residents, a routine day for Kerala forest officials quickly turned into a high-stakes rescue. What followed was a six-minute operation that has now caught the internet's attention, not for how dangerous it looked, but for how calmly it was handled. Cobra found near human activity The snake was seen on July 6 near a stream in Peppara, located in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. Concerned by the presence of such a large snake in an area frequented by bathers, residents informed the forest department. According to media reports, a five-member Rapid Response Team (RRT) was immediately sent to the location to assess and manage the situation. A first-time rescue of its kind Among the team was GS Roshni, a forest officer with nearly eight years of field experience. While she had handled hundreds of snake rescues in the past– both venomous and non-venomous, this was the first time she had encountered a King Cobra during an active rescue, news agency PTI reports, as quoted by India Today. Speaking to PTI, Roshni said that it was her first rescue involving a King Cobra. She also mentioned that such sightings are uncommon in that particular region, making the encounter a rare one in her career. Calm and control on full display In the video of the rescue, Roshni is seen approaching the King Cobra with a hooked pole and a large sack. What caught viewers' attention was not just the methodical approach, but the way she stayed completely composed throughout. At one point, as she guided the snake into the bag, she's even heard saying 'please' – a small but striking moment of calm communication in the middle of a tense rescue. As per the India Today report, the operation lasted around six minutes. Despite a few attempts by the snake to evade capture, it was safely secured without harm to either the animal or the team. Safe release into the forest The King Cobra, estimated to be between 14 and 15 feet in length and weighing nearly 20 kilograms, was later released into a forest area, far from human settlements, as per the report. Public reaction and recognition The video has gone viral on social media, with many praising Roshni for her steady handling of a potentially dangerous situation. Her experience and presence of mind during the rescue have been widely appreciated, especially given that it was her first King Cobra encounter.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NC organization Samaritan's Purse helping Texas flood victims
KERRVILLE, Texas (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Two North Carolina-based organizations are provided aid to those impacted by the deadly flooding in Texas. Nearly 90 people are dead and a massive search for survivors continues southwest of Austin after historic rainfall caused flash flooding over the weekend. The death toll is expected to rise– with 41 people unaccounted for — and more could be missing. Search for survivors continues in Texas Boone-based Samaritan's Purse, as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team — are on the ground helping residents in Kerr County manage the devastation. 'It's a tough situation even for our staff and volunteers, for people who are hopeless,' said Jason Kimak, senior director of North American Ministries for Samaritan's Purse. 'They are in shock a lot of times. It doesn't matter what social economical or where you are from. A disaster is a disaster, and when it hits you, it sends you into shock. Everything you had, everything you worked for is gone and it's just your life that's left. So, we come a long way, and we try to get them to the next step.' Founded in 1970, Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. It had a strong presence in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, and set up home rebuild sites in Watauga, Yancey and Buncombe counties. Flood watches have been implemented in Kerr County as well as the surrounding area again Monday as more rain is expected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
India Today
07-07-2025
- General
- India Today
Kerala woman forest officer rescues 15-foot King Cobra in 6 minutes. Watch video
A woman forest officer from Kerala has received a big round of applause online after she rescued a huge King Cobra from a stream near Peppara in Thiruvananthapuram on July Roshni, a forest officer with around eight years of experience in handling snakes, was calm enough as she wrangled the massive reptile - her first King Cobra rescue – within six minutes, news agency PTI rescue mission was carried out by a five-member Rapid Response Team (RRT) after residents spotted the snake near the stream frequented by bathers. In the rescue video that went viral, Roshni is seen approaching the snake with a hooked pole and a large sack. With measured movements, she grabs the snake by its tail and slowly eases it into the bag. At one point, she's even heard gently saying 'please' to the king cobra while trying to guide it into the the snake's attempts to escape, Roshni successfully rescued it. The king cobra, estimated to be between 14-15-foot long and weighing around 20 kilograms, was later released safely into the salutations to the green queens & the bravery shown by them in wildBeat FO G S Roshni, part of Rapid Response Team of Kerala FD rescuing a 16 feet king was the 1st time she was tackling a king cobra though she is credited to have rescued more than 800 snakes Susanta Nanda IFS (Retd) (@susantananda3) July 7, 2025Speaking to PTI, Roshni said that sightings of King Cobras are rare in this particular area of Kerala, which made the encounter particularly significant in her the years, Roshni has handled more than 800 snakes - both venomous and non-venomous - but this marked her first rescue of a King Cobra.(With inputs from PTI)- EndsTune InMust Watch
India Gazette
16-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
On Father's Day, IMA South Delhi Launches India's First Rapid Response Team for Doctors
SMPL New Delhi [India] June 16: In a meaningful tribute to the doctors who serve not only in hospitals but also in their families, the Indian Medical Association's South Delhi Branch celebrated Father's Day at Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar. The event, which brought together the medical community and their families, also witnessed the landmark launch of India's first Rapid Response Team (RRT) designed specifically to support doctors in times of crisis. The celebration began with a chair yoga session, followed by cultural performances and a special felicitation of senior doctors who have played fatherly roles within the fraternity and beyond. The event honoured their dual contributions to both healthcare and society at large. The most significant moment of the day came with the unveiling of the Rapid Response Team. The initiative was formally launched by Dr. Sanjiv Malik, Past National President of the Indian Medical Association, who first envisioned the project as a structured and timely support system for doctors facing emergencies. 'This initiative is not just timely, it is necessary,' said Dr. Malik during the launch. 'In the current climate, where doctors face unprecedented levels of stress, legal pressure, and even physical threats, the Rapid Response Team will serve as a protective framework. Its message is clear--doctors are not alone.' The RRT has been developed to offer swift and coordinated assistance to medical professionals during situations such as clinic attacks, medico-legal complications, health emergencies, and emotional burnout. With a structured network of volunteers and professionals, the team will function through a digital alert system and aim to respond within 10 to 30 minutes of any distress signal. Backed by a strong operational protocol, the RRT will coordinate with legal advisors, hospitals, police departments, and mental health experts to ensure comprehensive support. The initiative also includes preventive elements such as mock drills, legal workshops, and the distribution of clinic signage and emergency SOPs that visibly identify premises as IMA-supported spaces. Dr. Rita Bakshi, Vice President of IMA South Delhi, who played a key role in implementing the initiative, described the RRT as a long-awaited safety net for the medical community. 'Doctors today are working in high-pressure environments, often without institutional protection when things go wrong,' said Dr. Bakshi. 'This team is our collective response. It ensures that no doctor feels isolated when facing violence, legal intimidation, or personal distress. We are a fraternity--and this is our promise to stand together.' The initiative is being led by the core team of IMA South Delhi, which includes Dr. Rajiv Sinha (President), Dr. Sandeep Sharma (Secretary), Dr. Tarini Taneja (Treasurer), and Dr. S.K. Bakshi (Joint Secretary), along with Dr. Rita Bakshi (Vice President). This leadership has played a central role in conceptualizing, designing, and executing the operational model of the RRT, which they hope can serve as a blueprint for IMA chapters nationwide. The system is also supported by a series of partnerships with legal experts, retired police officers, local SHOs, and partner hospitals to enable on-ground interventions in real time. Doctors in distress can activate the team via WhatsApp alerts or emergency calls, which then trigger a coordinated response across the relevant verticals--legal, medical, security, and emotional support. In addition to crisis management, the RRT will also engage in community outreach and capacity-building initiatives. These include training sessions on handling mob situations, creating clinic emergency kits, and conducting awareness campaigns to promote respect for healthcare workers. The Father's Day celebration concluded with lunch and a renewed sense of purpose among members. While the event honoured the personal roles of doctors as fathers, it also underscored the urgent need for institutional safeguards for those who serve on the frontlines of India's healthcare system. With the launch of the Rapid Response Team, IMA South Delhi has not only celebrated its community but also taken a definitive step toward protecting it. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
