Anant Deshmukh
From the biography: Why RD Karve's 'Samaaj-swaasthya' magazine advocated birth control in the 1920s
An excerpt from 'RD Karve: The Champion of Individual Liberty', by Anant Deshmukh, translated from the Marathi by Nadeem Khan.
Anant Deshmukh
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Nadeem Khan
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Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
‘Patient fell asleep mid-surgery. What happened next taught me a vital lesson'
Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney Sir, please help me.' It was a busy Monday morning in my OPD when I heard those words. Even before he introduced himself, I could hear the anxiety in Anil's trembling voice. Frail and slumped in a wheelchair, he was accompanied by his wife who looked visibly distressed. A house help in Navi Mumbai, she had taken time off work to tend to him. An employee at a small workshop, Anil hadn't been able to report to work for the last few weeks. About a month earlier, he had started losing balance and developed blurred vision. He felt like he'd topple while walking and his speech had turned robotic. Worried, the couple had gone to a hospital to report the symptoms. There, an MRI revealed a large tumour in the pons — a critical part of the brainstem that controls vital functions. Surgery was scheduled, but at the last minute, the hospital backed out, citing high risk. Anil was sent home. He approached other hospitals but got no clear answers. Exhausted but clinging to hope, he came to us. I saw classic signs of a pontine lesion: abnormal eye movements, slurred speech, unsteady gait, cerebellar swelling. The MRI also showed unexplained cerebellar inflammation and signs of hydrocephalus — fluid buildup in the brain. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rare, Refined, and Ready Soon – Monte South is the Answer Monte South A Joint Venture between Adani Realty and Marathon Realty Learn More Undo Something didn't quite add up. We decided to proceed with a stereotactic biopsy in the brainstem, a delicate, high-stakes procedure called 'no man's land' for a reason — coma or paralysis are real possibilities. You don't see what you're doing directly; everything is guided by imaging and meticulous planning. Anil was terrified. 'Will this help me? Should I just get the whole tumour removed? Will I survive this?' His earlier experience had left him shaken. I reassured him: without the biopsy, we wouldn't know what we were truly dealing with. Despite the risks, I was confident we could carry it out safely. He consented. During the awake procedure, Anil chatted with me in Marathi about wanting to return to his village and farm again. 'Yes, definitely, we will make that happen,' I promised. But just as I reached the lesion, he suddenly dozed off. The anaesthetist panicked: 'Sir, he's not responding!' I knew what had happened. I had touched the reticular activating system — part of the brain responsible for consciousness. His sudden sleep confirmed we were exactly at the right spot. We took the sample and sent it for frozen section analysis. Then came a surprising call from the microbiologist: It was TB. I was stunned. I've seen TB affect almost every part of the body — except maybe tooth enamel — but the brainstem? That's extremely rare Dr Sawhney The pathologist confirmed abnormal tissue, likely a low-grade tumour. This was expected. But then came a surprising call from the microbiologist: It was tuberculosis (TB). I was stunned. I've seen TB affect almost every part of the body — except maybe tooth enamel — but the brainstem? That's extremely rare. 'Are you sure?' I asked. She double-checked. 'Yes.' In medical school, we're taught to look for one unifying diagnosis. But Anil had two: a tumour causing pressure and TB causing inflammation and swelling. This changed everything. We immediately began aggressive TB treatment while managing the tumour conservatively. At first, Anil improved. But within days, he became drowsy again. A follow-up MRI showed worsening hydrocephalus — a known complication when dying TB bacteria block brain fluid pathways. I performed a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt to drain excess fluid and relieve pressure. The results were immediate. His headaches eased, he sat up, and his responses became clearer. He was discharged the next day. A week later, he returned, visibly better. Since then, his recovery has been steady. Anil now walks into my OPD with confidence. 'I'm feeling better now,' he tells me. 'And I want to feel even better.' That's my true reward. Neurosurgery is emotionally intense. You witness both miraculous recoveries and devastating outcomes. To cope, I meditate every night. But Anil's story has stayed with me. Scanning his brain taught me a vital lesson: never assume there's only one culprit. TB can be a silent player in neurology, and since Anil, I've diagnosed other cases where something hidden — like TB — was the missing piece. Medicine isn't always about finding a neat, singular answer. Sometimes, your gut tells you there's more to the story. Anil reminded me to trust that instinct and to never stop digging. Dr Sawhney is senior consultant, neurosurgery and spine surgery at Fortis Mulund & Vashi. He spoke to Sharmila Ganesan Ram
News18
10-07-2025
- News18
‘Harsh But Necessary': Shiv Sena MLA Defends Assaulting Canteen Staff, Says It Sparked Govt Action
Gaikwad, however, maintained that his reaction—though aggressive—brought long-overdue attention to the issue. Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad on Thursday defended his controversial act of physically assaulting a canteen manager at the Akashwani MLA hostel in Mumbai, claiming it was a 'harsh" response but it was 'necessary" and that finally forced the government to act on years of complaints about substandard food. The incident, caught on camera and widely circulated, shows the Buldhana legislator slapping and punching a hostel canteen employee after being served what he described as 'almost poisonous" food. The video has triggered sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, including from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Gaikwad, however, maintained that his reaction—though aggressive—brought long-overdue attention to the issue. Speaking to reporters, he claimed that over 200 complaints had been filed over the last five years about the quality of food served at the canteen, with little or no response from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). 'Even FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal told me that despite asking officials for action, he never got a report for two to three months," said the MLA from Eknath Shinde's faction of Shiv Sena. The fallout from the assault was swift: the FDA on Wednesday evening suspended the licence of the canteen operator after inspections revealed food safety violations. Gaikwad alleged that the canteen, which serves up to 10,000 people daily, was endangering lives. 'The man I hit was the manager who has now been suspended. He was playing with lives. What I did forced the system to act," he said, justifying his outburst. Gaikwad further cited personal health concerns, stating that he has suffered from chronic stomach issues for over two decades and avoids eating outside. 'If I eat stale food, I suffer for 15 days. What I was served could have caused severe health issues," he said. 'Yes, my actions were harsh, but they helped bring change. This will save lives of lakhs of Marathi people," he added. While opposition leaders demanded action against Gaikwad, he remained unfazed. 'It's a non-cognisable offence. I've already met the Assembly Speaker and will speak to the Chief Minister and Deputy CM. I'm ready to face any punishment," he said. Reactions within the ruling coalition were muted. Amol Mitkari, MLC from ally NCP, urged people to understand the emotional context of the incident. 'Nobody is justifying the assault, but he didn't cause a law and order issue. His anger stemmed from frustration over poor quality food after a long day," said Mitkari. On the other hand, opposition MLA Rohit Pawar of NCP (SP) doubted whether any real accountability would follow. 'Gaikwad is close to a senior leader in his party and part of the ruling alliance. I doubt any strong action will be taken," Pawar said. The incident has reignited debate over food safety in government facilities and raised questions about accountability mechanisms in public institutions. view comments First Published: July 10, 2025, 14:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
My harsh action spurred long-awaited response from govt on food safety: MLA Gaikwad
Mumbai, Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Gaikwad on Thursday said his act of assaulting a staffer at an MLA hostel canteen for serving "stale food" may have been harsh, but it led to a swift action from the government on the food quality issue despite repeated complaints earlier. My harsh action spurred long-awaited response from govt on food safety: MLA Gaikwad A viral video footage showing the Buldhana MLA slapping and punching an employee at the Akashwani MLAs' hostel canteen here on Tuesday night for serving "stale food" has drawn widespread condemnation from government and opposition, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denouncing the act. The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration on Wednesday evening suspended the licence of the caterer that operates the canteen, saying violations of the food safety norms were found during an inspection at the facility earlier in the day. Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Gaikwad said, "There were 200 to 400 complaints in the last four to five years, but the FDA did not act. FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal himself told me that even after he asked officials to take action, he did not receive reports for two to three months. The question arises - who all are involved, and what is the nexus?" The legislator from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena acknowledged his behaviour may have appeared inappropriate, but maintained that it ultimately served a public purpose. "The person I personally hit day before yesterday was the manager, who has now been suspended because it was his fault," he claimed. "He was playing with the lives of lakhs of people by supplying substandard food. The canteen serves 5,000 to 10,000 persons daily," Gaikwad maintained. Referring to his own health, Gaikwad said he has suffered from stomach ailments for the past two decades. "If I eat stale food, I suffer for 15 days. That is why I do not eat at eateries outside," he said. "What I was served was almost poisonous. It could have caused me severe health issues. I do not believe my reaction was wrong. I knew my actions were harsh, but because I reacted that way, action was finally taken against the canteen operator. It will help save the lives of lakhs of people who eat there," the MLA stressed. He said several warnings were issued to the canteen operator earlier, but no effective improvement was seen. "My action brought about the change. What I did would help all the Marathi people," the Shiv Sena leader said. Responding to criticism from opposition parties, Gaikwad remarked, "I want to ask those who are criticising me- why are they siding with South Indians who were playing with your lives?" The person who operated the canteen at the MLA hostel is of South Indian origin. Asked about demands for action against him, Gaikwad said he has faced legal actions previously and is aware of the legal provisions. "What I did amounts to a non-cognisable offence. Such complaints usually do not attract serious legal punishment. I have already met the assembly speaker and will also speak to the deputy chief minister and the chief minister to present my side. I am ready to face any punishment," he said. While members of the ruling coalition largely refrained from justifying Gaikwad's action, Amol Mitkari, MLC of Shiv Sena's ally NCP, said Gaikwad's act should be judged rationally. "Nobody is defending Gaikwad's actions, but the root cause must be addressed. He did not cause a law and order problem. If he was served poor quality food after a long day's work, his outburst should be judged rationally," Mitkari said. Rohit Pawar, MLA of the opposition NCP , however, said he doubts if any strong action would be taken. "Gaikwad is part of the ruling alliance and close to a senior leader in his party. I don't think any decisive action will be taken against him," Pawar said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
