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Letters to The Editor — July 17, 2025

Letters to The Editor — July 17, 2025

The Hindu7 hours ago
Indian nurse's case
The case of the Indian nurse, Nimisha Priya, in Yemen, and a reprieve for her, is a reflection of the delicate blend of justice, mercy, faith, and diplomacy. It shows that even in the shadow of death, life can still be reclaimed through compassion and timely action (Front page, July 16).
Mohammad Asad,
Mumbai
Unhealthy food intake
While steps are being initiated through quality checks and spreading awareness on the health risks associated with the consumption of snacks and sugar intake (Editorial, 'More than symbolic', July 16), one wonders whether these steps are adequate. The directions on labelling alone may not suffice. Most packages already have information on the percentages of oil, sugar and trans-fat content. The real dangers lie elsewhere. The consumption of a variety of snacks prepared and sold by street and roadside vendors is on the rise, but is there a watch being kept on the cheap quality ingredients that are being used in the preparation? There is nothing more profitable today than the food business. There are no checks in place especially on the use of cooking oils and the ingredients. There needs to be a system where quality checks are mandatory. Comprehensive and meticulous planning is needed. But, most importantly, its execution is a must.
Balasubramaniam Pavani,
Secunderabad
Danger and drills
A goods train carrying 27,000 litres of diesel caught fire near Tiruvallur station, which is close to Chennai, on July 13.
The blaze forced the cancellation of a number of train services and the evacuation of people who lived nearby. Although firefighters managed to control the fire, this is an incident that has exposed gaps in safety protocols, equipment checks and communication. Southern Railway must conduct regular emergency drills. Being proactive measures will safeguard lives and property, and restore public trust.
Vivek M. Jain,
Chennai
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Gujarat launches India's first tribal genome project to tackle inherited diseases
Gujarat launches India's first tribal genome project to tackle inherited diseases

The Hindu

time3 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Gujarat launches India's first tribal genome project to tackle inherited diseases

Gujarat has become the first Indian State to launch a genome sequencing initiative focused exclusively on tribal communities. At a high-level consultation chaired by State Tribal Development Minister Kuber Dindor here, the Tribal Genome Sequencing Project was announced with the aim of identifying genetic health risks and enabling precision healthcare for tribal populations. The initiative will sequence the genomes of 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts in the State. The project, titled 'Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat', is being implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) and is part of the 2025–26 State budget. Detecting genetic disorders Mr. Dindor said the initiative will focus on early detection and targeted treatment of genetic disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, and certain hereditary cancers. 'This project will serve as a milestone — bridging the gap between science and tradition — toward a healthier and more prosperous future for our tribal communities,' he said. 'It is not just a scientific initiative, but a focused campaign to bring long-term improvements in tribal health.' The genetic data collected will also be used to identify markers related to natural immunity and support the development of personalised healthcare solutions. The project will incorporate advanced infrastructure for sample collection, sequencing, and interpretation of genetic data, officials said. Experts at the event stressed that the initiative is not limited to scientific research but aims to empower tribal communities through the use of advanced technology and data. The project will involve state-of-the-art facilities for sample collection and genetic analysis.

Letters to The Editor — July 17, 2025
Letters to The Editor — July 17, 2025

The Hindu

time7 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Letters to The Editor — July 17, 2025

Indian nurse's case The case of the Indian nurse, Nimisha Priya, in Yemen, and a reprieve for her, is a reflection of the delicate blend of justice, mercy, faith, and diplomacy. It shows that even in the shadow of death, life can still be reclaimed through compassion and timely action (Front page, July 16). Mohammad Asad, Mumbai Unhealthy food intake While steps are being initiated through quality checks and spreading awareness on the health risks associated with the consumption of snacks and sugar intake (Editorial, 'More than symbolic', July 16), one wonders whether these steps are adequate. The directions on labelling alone may not suffice. Most packages already have information on the percentages of oil, sugar and trans-fat content. The real dangers lie elsewhere. The consumption of a variety of snacks prepared and sold by street and roadside vendors is on the rise, but is there a watch being kept on the cheap quality ingredients that are being used in the preparation? There is nothing more profitable today than the food business. There are no checks in place especially on the use of cooking oils and the ingredients. There needs to be a system where quality checks are mandatory. Comprehensive and meticulous planning is needed. But, most importantly, its execution is a must. Balasubramaniam Pavani, Secunderabad Danger and drills A goods train carrying 27,000 litres of diesel caught fire near Tiruvallur station, which is close to Chennai, on July 13. The blaze forced the cancellation of a number of train services and the evacuation of people who lived nearby. Although firefighters managed to control the fire, this is an incident that has exposed gaps in safety protocols, equipment checks and communication. Southern Railway must conduct regular emergency drills. Being proactive measures will safeguard lives and property, and restore public trust. Vivek M. Jain, Chennai

Is It Safe To Eat Cold Leftover Food Straight From The Fridge?
Is It Safe To Eat Cold Leftover Food Straight From The Fridge?

NDTV

time7 hours ago

  • NDTV

Is It Safe To Eat Cold Leftover Food Straight From The Fridge?

Most of us do it without thinking - pop leftovers into the fridge, assuming they will be good to eat the next day (or the day after). After all, the refrigerator is our ultimate food safety guard, right? But is storing your dal or leftover biryani at midnight and reheating it three days later really as safe as it feels? Can we keep storing food without checking how, when, or where it is kept? Turns out, not quite. Improper storage and reheating habits can do more harm than you think. So, if you are used to storing piles of food in the fridge, here is how to eat it safely and retain its nutrition. How To Store Leftovers In The Fridge Safely: Nutritionist Leema Mahajan shares quick safety tips to help make the most of refrigerated food. 1. Store Food Within 2 Hours Of Cooking Mahajan says home-cooked food should be refrigerated within two hours. Leaving it out for longer allows bacteria to multiply, which can spoil the food and make it unsafe to eat. 2. Do Not Refrigerate Hot Food Immediately Placing hot food straight into a cold fridge can backfire. Mahajan explains that the temperature difference may encourage spoilage. Instead, allow the food to cool slightly at room temperature before storing. 3. Use Airtight Food Containers Only Avoid open containers, as they may lead to cross-contamination. Mahajan recommends clean, airtight containers to prevent the food from drying out or going bad. 4. Stop Reheating The Same Food Repeatedly One of the biggest errors, according to Mahajan, is reheating food more than once. This not only reduces the nutritional content but also raises the risk of spoilage. 5. Label Leftovers Clearly With Dates We often forget when we put something in the fridge. Mahajan advises labelling leftovers with the date to avoid guesswork and ensure they are eaten before they go off. How Long Can You Keep Leftovers In The Fridge? This is where most people slip up. Even if food looks or smells fine, it may not be safe to eat beyond a point. Mahajan shares that most home-cooked leftovers should ideally be consumed within two to three days. Cooked rice, dals, vegetables, or meat should be eaten in that time frame to minimise bacterial growth. Milk- or cream-based dishes have an even shorter shelf life and should be finished within 24 to 48 hours. If in doubt, it is safer to discard than risk a stomach bug. Can You Eat Leftovers Cold From The Fridge? Technically, yes, but it depends on the food type. If the food was stored hygienically and has not been out of the fridge, certain items like salads or cold pasta can be eaten cold. However, Mahajan recommends reheating Indian-style dishes such as curries or rice before eating to kill any bacteria and make digestion easier. 'Cold food is harder on your gut, especially if it contains fat or starch,' she adds. 4 Foods You Should Not Store In The Fridge: While it might feel safer to refrigerate everything, Ayurvedic health coach Dimple Jangda says some common foods are better left out, as they can become harmful when stored in the fridge. 1. Garlic Garlic contains spores that may cause botulism if stored poorly. Jangda explains that when humidity crosses 60 per cent, common inside refrigerators, mould can grow. Refrigerated garlic may sprout and produce mycotoxins, which pose serious health risks. 2. Onion Onions are sensitive to cold and may develop mould in lower temperatures. Jangda notes that cut onions can also absorb bacteria from the fridge, making them unsafe. She advises using the full onion or discarding leftovers. 3. Ginger Like garlic, ginger is prone to mould in the fridge. According to Jangda, this green mould can produce ochratoxin A, a mycotoxin that may compromise immunity. 4. Rice Rice is one of the fastest foods to catch mould. Jangda warns that refrigerated rice may also lead to higher starch levels, affecting blood sugar and cholesterol. It should not be stored for more than 24 hours and must be reheated thoroughly before eating.

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