MyVoice: Views of our readers 28th July 2025
It was quite shocking to hear about the stampede at Haridwar's Mansa Devi temple on Sunday that claimed six lives and left many injured. Reportedly, electric current at the base of the temple stairs triggered panic among the devotees, causing them to flee in confusion leading to the stampede. Perched atop the Shivalik Hills at a height of over 500 feet, the Mansa Devi temple is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi.
Bhagwan Thadani,Mumbai
We must draw on Kalam's legacy
On this Punya Thithi (July 27) of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, let us honour his legacy by embracing his vision for a united, innovative India. His dedication to education and youth empowerment inspires us to contribute actively to nation-building. Together, we can soar as envisioned by the 'Missile Man of India' and the 'People's President'.
T S Karthik,Chennai
Hepatitis: Let's break it down
On 'World Hepatitis Day' (July 28), let us look at the chilling facts and figures. Approximately 304 million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C in 2022. Over 2.2 million new infections occur annually, which averages to 6,000 new cases every day. Tragically, 1.3 million succumb to it every year, which means there are 3,500 deaths per day due to hepatitis-related illness. An estimated 40 million Indians live with chronic hepatitis B, and around 12 million have chronic hepatitis C. Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha report the highest hepatitis cases in India. Left unchecked, hepatitis B and C may soon claim more lives than HIV, TB and malaria. Although hepatitis B vaccination has been a part of India's Universal Immunisation Programme since 2007, the coverage and awareness - especially beyond childhood - remains inadequate. The theme of World Hepatitis Day-2025 is 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down', to emphasise the need to dismantle barriers, such as social, financial, and systemic obstacles, that prevent the elimination of hepatitis and the prevention of liver cancer. On this day, let us all organise awareness programs, share on social media and pledge to create a world free from viral hepatitis infections by following protocols.
Dr Burra Madhusudhan Reddy,Karimnagar
Bravo OU Engg dept whizkids
It is delightful to note that the engineering department of Osmania University has successfully devised a self-guiding semiconductor microchip. This bluetooth-operated frequency synthesiser' made under 'chips to start-up' scheme is said to improve the efficiency of internal machines in smart phones, watches and rockets, among others. This is an appreciable achievement as it is the first indigenous semiconductor chip in India. The enormous talent of young scientists in the country must be utilised and promoted adequately. The children should be extolled to idolise scientists and intellectuals and not actors and cricketers.
M Chandrasekhar,Kadapa.
Kudos to railways for green energy drive
Kudos to Indian railways for achieving another milestone. It made history by successfully testing the first (green) hydrogen powered coach/car at the Integrated Coach Factory in Chennai. This makes for a good initiative as there will be no carbon emissions or pollution issues. Moreover, there are several other benefits by its use, including in promoting eco-friendly transport and being economical even as it swells the profits. It would be a wise move if all types of green energy are heavily patronised and not for just fans and lights.
P V P Madhu Nivriti,Secunderabad-61
Govt should come clear on Dhankhar exit
This is further to your editorial 'Buzz around Dhankhar resignation not good for NDA government'. No matter if Jagdeep Dhankhar's quit as the country's Vice-President citing health reasons but what is surprising is that it sent people into performative overdrive after self-proclaimed defenders took turns to attack him for 'lowering the dignity' while in office. However, the fact is that he was not a rubber stamp nor a mute spectator. Though Dhankhar is arguably the first high-profile exit from a high constitutional office in recent times, what surprised many is the resignation coming on the first day of the monsoon session of the Parliament. Since, we are left with nothing more than conjecture and speculation on the reasons for his exit, the government should clear the air and prevent an unhealthy controversy over its alleged difference with Dhankhar.
K R Srinivasan,Secunderabad-3
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
‘Hepatitis is a silent threat that affects all age groups'
Hepatitis is no longer a disease that affects only a specific group, it is a silent threat that spans across ages, from children to adults. On July 28, observed as World Hepatitis Day, doctors in Hyderabad have raised an alarm on the growing burden of liver disease in India, and have called for urgent awareness, early screening, and preventive action. Hepatitis, which refers to inflammation of the liver, can be caused by a wide range of factors, including viral infections, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, obesity, and even certain medications. In India alone, over 40 million people are living with Hepatitis B, and up to 12 million with Hepatitis C, most of them unaware of the problem. The virus often stays dormant for years, silently damaging the liver, and only revealing itself when the damage is severe, said Kavya Dendukuri, Lead Transplant Hepatologist at Gleneagles Hospital. She further added that hepatitis is not a single disease. It includes types, A, B, C, D, and E, each with its own causes and modes of transmission. Hepatitis A and E spread through contaminated food and water, while B and C are transmitted through infected blood, unprotected sex, shared needles, or from mother to child. Hepatitis D occurs only in those already infected with B. 'Earlier, hepatitis was largely seen in the elderly due to alcohol or long-standing infections. Now, we are seeing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in people as young as 40 due to sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and obesity.' said V.R. Sumanth Kumar and Tejaswini Tumma, Consultant Gastroenterologists at Kamineni Hospitals. Auto-immune hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, and alcohol-related liver inflammation are also on the rise. 'Many people don't realise that certain herbal medicines, painkillers, or even overdosing on paracetamol can trigger serious liver inflammation,' warnedSrinivasa Reddy G from Star Hospitals. One of the greatest challenges in tackling hepatitis is that most people show no symptoms until the disease is advanced. Common signs, when they do appear include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice. But by then, the liver may already be scarred. Akash Chaudhary from CARE Hospitals shared that hepatitis is preventable and, in many cases, curable. Vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B, and all new-borns and high-risk adults should receive them. 'Treatments for Hepatitis C, once considered expensive and complex, now involves short-term oral medication with near-total cure rates. Hepatitis B can be managed through daily anti-viral tablets, which have become highly affordable,' he added.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Prolonged use of ethambutol leads to vision loss in TB patients, says study by doctors of LV Prasad Eye Institute
Hyderabad: A recent study conducted by the doctors at the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) raised concerns about severe vision loss caused by ethambutol, a drug commonly used to treat tuberculosis (TB). Published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, the study reveals that prolonged use of ethambutol, which is used as part of India's TB treatment programme due to its relatively low toxicity, combined with higher dosages, is linked to a sharp rise in cases of ethambutol-induced toxic optic neuropathy (ETON). It is a condition that damages the optic nerve and impacts vision. The study also pointed out that the Central govt's National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), which is implemented across the country, including in Telangana, uses ethambutol extensively. In 2016, the NTEP extended the use of ethambutol from two to six months and also increased the dosage frequency to once daily from thrice a week. Since then, the ETON cases increased sixfold within three years. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad During the research, the LVPEI doctors examined 107 patients suffering from ETON, with around 58% of them being middle-aged (36 to 55 years), who took the drug for seven consecutive months. Doctors found that almost all of the patients experienced severe vision loss in both eyes, with the elderly (above 60 years) being the worst affected, despite the low toxicity levels of the drug. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your IQ Is 140 If You Can Answer 10 of These Questions Correctly. IQ International Undo However, after they discontinued ethambutol, an 11-month follow-up found that the vision clarity of the patients started improving, except for the elderly. 'ETON has become more common and can lead to severe vision loss, especially in the elderly, individuals with low body weight, and those with kidney problems (renal dysfunction). Symptomps include change in vision, contrast or colour vision. There are smartphone-based apps which the patients can use to check vision and colour vision at home. Dosage should be recommended as per body weight, age and kidney function. Careful monitoring and early discontinuation of the drug are essential to prevent vision loss,' said Dr Virender Sachdeva, one of the authors. In March this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) pointed out that while India showed significant progress in reducing TB cases and improved treatment coverage, it is unlikely to meet the 2025 target set by the WHO's 'End TB Strategy'. WHO's Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 stated that India had 26% of global TB cases and 26% of global deaths in 2023, the highest in the world. According to officials in the Telangana health, family, and welfare dept, currently around 81 lakh people of the over 3.5 crore population (20%) in Telangana are TB-prone, with 10 lakh alone in Hyderabad. Official numbers tabled in Parliament showed that Telangana recorded 1.37 lakh TB cases and 2,663 deaths from July 2023 to Dec 2024. Noting that the findings of the study will be reviewed, senior officials of the TB programme, health dept, said, 'After completing the 100-day action plan, we again launched a continuous plan in June this year to boost TB screening, awareness, and care in Hyderabad, rural areas, and urban slums. Special emphasis is being given to people above 60 years, those who drink and smoke, previous TB patients, family members of the present TB patients, and people with comorbidities. '
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Free liver health screening camp for police personnel launched
To commemorate 'World Hepatitis Day', GEM Hospital has launched a free liver health screening camp for police personnel. It has also launched 'LIV 24/7 on Call - around the clock liver care support' for the public in Chennai. Pakerla Cephas Kalyan, Joint Commissioner of Police, South Zone - Greater Chennai Police launched the initiative. The screening camp from July 28 will offer complimentary liver health checks, consultations and guidance on liver disease prevention and management. The screening includes liver function tests, fibrosis scans, hepatitis B and C testing and personalised health counselling, according to a press release.
