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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Tobacco use increases despite awareness efforts
Hubballi/ Belagavi: As World No-Tobacco Day is observed on May 31, health officials in the district highlighted the growing challenge of tobacco and gutka consumption, which is fuelling a surge in oral cavity cancers, hypertension, and heart disease. Despite bans, illegal sales persist, especially targeting youth. Tobacco usage has skyrocketed in adults and the younger population alike. Day by day, new users are added, resulting in a rise in devastating tobacco-related diseases such as hypertension, cardiac diseases, stroke, pulmonary diseases, and cancers such as head and neck malignancy, lung malignancy, colorectal malignancy, etc. According to the survey, adolescents and children are the prime targets of the tobacco industry when recruiting new smokers. About 20 million children aged 10–14 are estimated to be tobacco-addicted, according to a survey done by the National Sample Survey Organisation of the Indian govt. To this astounding figure, approximately 5,500 new users are added every day, resulting in two million new users each year. Dr Shashidhar K, head of the department of surgical oncology, Karnataka Medical College-Research Institute (KMCRI), said that they are currently treating 50-60 patients with this cancer, often caused by tobacco use. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Alerta: Você tem zumbido no ouvido? Dica de ouro pode aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo Major surgeries are performed on 500 people, and minor surgeries are performed on 700 people. "Nowadays, youth are addicted to tobacco. There are several ways to curb tobacco addiction, such as chewing on sugar-free gums or lozenges, using prescription nicotine nasal spray or patches, avoiding triggers, trying to incorporate physical activities such as sports, yoga, meditation, and seeking help from a professional de-addiction therapist," Dr Shashidhar said. Shashidhar said that the World No Tobacco Day campaign aims at curbing the deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. There are proven ways to prevent youth from using tobacco and avoid a lifetime of addiction, such as family expectations and communication, education about the risks and consequences of using tobacco, etc. Awareness rally World No Tobacco Day was observed at Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute, Hubballi, on Saturday. The department of surgical oncology organised an awareness programme today on the current year's theme: 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. An awareness rally was held on the hospital premises near the outpatient department. Doctors and nurses actively participated in the rally, displaying placards on the devastating consequences of continued tobacco use. A street play was performed by nursing students, displaying the ill effects of tobacco, which was well received by the audience. Dr SF Kammar, director of KMCRI, and others were present. Awareness programme at Belagavi college The NSS cell of BV Bellad Law College, Belagavi, organised an awareness programme to mark World No Tobacco Day on Saturday. The event aimed at spreading awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco and the need to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Being the chief guest, Dr Vivek Honalli, district malaria officer, emphasised the grave health consequences associated with tobacco consumption. Dr Shweta Patil, district consultant, tobacco control programme, spoke on the govt initiatives aimed at tobacco control and the importance of youth participation in building a tobacco-free society. College principal Jyoti G Hiremath appreciated the efforts of the NSS Cell.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Outreach campaigns pick up steam ahead of national caste census
Bengaluru: Representatives of several backward and marginalised communities across Karnataka have launched awareness drives to ensure community participation in the forthcoming national caste census, which is likely to be conducted next year. Political parties, social groups, and individuals have begun mobilising people at the grassroots, stressing the census's potential impact on future welfare and reservation policies. The Karnataka unit of BJP has rolled out a phased statewide campaign focusing on deprived classes. The outreach began Tuesday, and the programme includes a series of meetings with Dalit communities over three days. Radha Mohan Agarwal, BJP national general secretary in charge of Karnataka, convened the initial meeting with elected representatives from the Left sect of Scheduled Castes. Meetings with representatives of the Right sects are scheduled for Wednesday, followed by sessions with various OBC castes and sub-castes in later phases. "The idea is to prepare the ground for the national census and ensure people of all communities participate fully," said N Ravikumar, BJP chief whip in the legislative council. "We have planned extensive outreach programmes, and our functionaries will visit taluks and blocks in groups from early next month." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O novo dispositivo que os idosos usam para ajudar na neuropatia (dor nos nervos) A arte do herbalismo Undo Besides political mobilisation, individuals and social activists have also taken up the cause. CB Shashidhar (Tuda), former chairman of Tiptur Planning Authority and a Congress functionary, is spearheading a campaign in Tiptur taluk, engaging OBC communities in small group meetings. He plans to expand the initiative to Tumakuru district and eventually across the state. "The significance of this census is that it will include, for the first time in independent India, an enumeration of castes," said Shashidhar. "It would not be successful unless people constructively take part. Also, while the BJP-led central govt has announced a caste census, it should not be limited to a mere announcement. Our objective of mass mobilisation is to ensure the Centre stays committed to its promise. We will launch an awareness programme later." Shashidhar's team is collecting feedback from people and preparing a wish list to ensure the enumeration is "scientific" and leads to equitable distribution of reservation benefits based on population and backwardness. Senior BJP functionaries suggested that the Centre may constitute the census committee by Aug, with door-to-door enumeration expected to begin in Jan 2026. The Union govt has also sought inputs from the Karnataka govt regarding its ongoing internal reservation survey and details of a mobile app used for data collection. Civil society groups are also engaged. Jagrutha Karnataka, which recently hosted a panel discussion on caste census in Bengaluru, will hold a similar event in Mysuru on June 1. "The initiative, which has two phases, is aimed at sensitising people about caste census. The first phase focuses on spreading awareness on the importance of the census and the second phase is to prepare people to take part," said Prof BC Basavaraj, convener of Jagrutha Karnataka. Even politically dominant communities like Veerashaiva-Lingayats and Vokkaligas have joined in, having previously raised objections to the findings of the state caste census. "Lessons learnt from the state caste census has made us plan an outreach programme," said BS Sachidananda, state vice-president of Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha. "The Mahasabha has already launched a campaign. We have held two events — one in Doddaballapur and another in Yelahanka — on Sunday."
India Gazette
09-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
VHP spokesperson urges Telangana govt to cancel Miss World 2025 pageant
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 9 (ANI): Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) National Spokesperson Ravinuthala Shashidhar has called on the Telangana State government to cancel the upcoming Miss World 2025 event scheduled to be held in the state amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. In a press release issued on Friday, Shashidhar questioned the participation of contestants from countries that have either adversarial relations with India or are seen as sympathetic to anti-India elements, specifically mentioning Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Canada, labelling them as 'enemy countries.' 'The Telangana government should cancel the Miss World pageant. How can beauty pageants be held with representatives from enemy countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Canada? The Telangana government should immediately arrest and deport the illegal infiltrators who have set up residences around defense establishments (DRDO & DRDL) in Hyderabad,' Shashidhar said in the press release. The 72nd edition of the Miss World Festival is scheduled to take place in Telangana from May 7 to 31. India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads following the destruction of terrorist camps at nine locations in the neighbouring country under Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the ghastly Pahalgam terrorist attack. The Indian Army, during the intervening night of May 8 and May 9, successfully repelled and responded to multiple drone attacks by Pakistan along the western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army said, 'The Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border during the intervening night of May 8 and 9, 2025. Pakistani troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed, and a befitting reply was given to the CFVs.' The Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. 'All nefarious designs will be responded to with force.' The indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile air defense system has played a crucial role in thwarting Pakistani drone attacks targeting Indian assets on Thursday, according to defense officials. Officials added that both the Indian Army and Air Force have deployed the missile system along the Pakistan border. (ANI)
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SUCI-C to stage State-level protest on May 14
The Socialist Unity Centre of India-Communist (SUCI-C) has decided to hold a State-level protest against the policies of the Centre and the State government at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on May 14. State Secretariat member of the SUCI-C M. Shashidhar, addressing a press conference here on Thursday, lambasted the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the State for increasing prices of several basic services, including milk, electricity, water and property tax. He said that the Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has raised prices on petrol, diesel and LPG gas. Both the Centre and the State government have made the life of ordinary citizens miserable, he added. Mr. Shashidhar said that the anti-labour, anti-farmer, anti-employee and anti-people policies adopted by these governments have had a significant impact on various sections of society. SUCI-C district committee members V. Nagamal and S.M. Sharma urged these governments to reduce prices of essential commodities and basic services, to provide basic facilities at government hospitals and also to fill vacant posts in the government-run hospitals and to increase working days from 100 to 200 days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. They also urged these governments to introduce policies to stabilize the farming community, focusing on financial support, price stability and ensure fair prices for their produce through minimum support price. They said that the State government should rescind its decision to shut down 6,000 government schools. It should take steps to fill posts in various departments lying vacant for decades. They urged the State government to consider ASHAs and anganwadi workers as its employees.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Celebration of Rich Awadhi Flavours at Courtyard by Marriott
For those who savour diverse cuisines and constantly crave mouth-watering delicacies, Courtyard by Marriott brings a feast to remember — Dawat-E-Awadh , a celebration of the rich, royal flavours of Awadhi cuisine. Available until April 27 at Momo Café, this special offering promises an immersive culinary experience. We got a sneak peek into the spread, and what awaited us was nothing short of a royal indulgence. Sous chef Gandla Shashidhar walked us through the curated menu, serving a variety of authentic Awadhi dishes that reflect the richness and subtlety of this celebrated cuisine. As we settled in, we began our meal with an assortment of kebabs — tender Chicken Kebab , flavourful Fish Tikka , and the delightfully spiced Veg Seekh , each bite capturing the aromatic essence of Awadh. From the buffet spread, the chaat counter offered the ever-popular Papdi Chaat and Pani Puri , adding a playful tang to the beginning of our culinary journey. Next came the warm and comforting Murgh Shorba , a light yet flavourful soup, setting the stage for the main course. We enjoyed freshly made rotis paired with Awadhi Murgh and a rich Awadhi Veg Curry — both beautifully balanced in spices and taste. The highlight of the evening was the biryani — both the Gosht Biryani and Vegetable Biryani were fragrant, layered, and cooked to perfection. The subtle infusion of spices made sure the flavours stood out without overpowering the palate — a signature trait of authentic Awadhi cuisine. To complete the experience, we were served Mango Falooda , an absolute summer delight. With creamy mango ice cream, sabja seeds, and soft vermicelli, it was the perfect end to a sumptuous meal. Each dish, as sous chef Shashidhar shared, was crafted with care and love. 'We've tried to bring out the true essence of Awadhi cuisine. While some dishes may seem familiar, we've ensured every preparation stays authentic to its roots,' he said, adding, 'We invite everyone to come and enjoy this flavourful journey by indulging in our buffet spread.' So if you're in Hyderabad and are looking for an unforgettable dining experience, head to Momo Café at Courtyard by Marriott and indulge in the soulful flavours of Dawat-E-Awadh .
