Latest news with #Chandak
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Around 30 per cent of Indians at risk of obesity: CCMB Study
HYDERABAD: Long-term tracking of thousands of healthy Indian individuals has revealed that 25 per cent to 30 per cent became obese by adulthood, even though they showed no signs of the condition at the beginning. This finding is part of a global study that offers new genetic insights into obesity and introduces a polygenic risk score (PRS) capable of predicting the likelihood of developing obesity as early as age five. The study involved over 600 scientists across 500 institutions, including researchers from Hyderabad-based CSIR-CCMB. Led by senior geneticist Dr. Giriraj Ratan Chandak, CSIR-CCMB contributed to ensuring that the genetic data from Indian participants reflected South Asian diversity. Dr. Chandak told TNIE, 'The study included four Indian cohorts, mainly from Mysore, Mumbai, and Pune, ranging from 2,200 to over 20,000 individuals, many of whom have been followed for nearly two decades. The long-term data allowed researchers to assess how genetics and lifestyle together influence obesity progression over a lifetime.' The study also found that individuals with a higher genetic risk are more prone to obesity but tend to respond better to lifestyle interventions, although they may regain weight more quickly when those interventions are discontinued.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
11/7 acquittal: HC slams prosecution's failure to establish type of bombs used to hit Mumbai trains
Mumbai: The prosecution failed to even establish the type of bombs used in the crime, the Bombay High Court said on Monday castigating the shoddy probe that resulted in the acquittal of 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts. "The prosecution has utterly failed to establish the offence beyond the reasonable doubt against the accused on each count, it is unsafe to reach the satisfaction that the Appellants/Accused have committed the offences for which they have been convicted and sentenced," said a bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Justice S. Chandak. On July 11, 2006, seven bomb serial blasts in packed Mumbai local trains brought the maximum city on its knees within 11 minutes. The terror attack left 189 dead and 800 injured. Out of the 12 people convicted by the trial court, five were handed death sentences and others were given life imprisonment. The High Court's acquittal order is a major blow to the investigation agencies which, according to Justices Kilor and Chandak, failed to even present evidence on the type of bombs used in the serial blasts. "The circuit boards recovered from Mohd. Faisal Shaikh and Mohammad Sajid Margub Ansari are of no help to the prosecution to establish the present offence as the prosecution failed to bring any evidence on record and to establish the type of bombs used in the present crime," the High Court said. Justices Kilor and Chandak said, "Though the prosecution brought on record the technical report of the expert about the circuit board, it failed to establish the type of bombs used in the present crime. Thus, the said recovery is not relevant." On Monday, the 12 accused -- incarcerated for 19 years -- also succeeded to establish in the High Court the fact of torture inflicted on them to extort confessional statements. As a result, the High Court held the statements inadmissible saying, "On all the tests relating to voluntariness and truthfulness of the confessional statements, the prosecution failed." The prosecution case against the accused was weakened further when it failed to share with the defence the Call Detail Record -- which were relied upon heavily to file charges. In 2015, a special court had convicted 12 accused in the case -- sentenced five of them to death and seven others to life imprisonment. Faisal Shaikh, Asif Khan, Kamal Ansari, Ehtesham Siddiqui, and Naveed Khan were sentenced to death. They had challenged this sentence in the High Court. The prosecution had argued that the attack was planned by Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, and carried out by operatives of Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba with help from the Students' Islamic Movement of India, a banned Indian group.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Odisha's Ganja Syndicate Now Sets Sight on Akola
Nagpur: The tentacles of Odisha's marijuana mafia seem to have penetrated deep into Akola, crossing almost 1,000km inside Vidarbha. After Nagpur Police's fight against narcotics syndicates through 'Operation Thunder', Akola cops have started thwarting the advances of the marijuana mafia from the eastern coast. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Between May 25 and June 28, Akola police have seized marijuana (ganja) worth around Rs13 lakh, undertaking their flagship dedicated programme under 'Mission Prahaar'. This marijuana originated from Odisha, said a source in Akola police. Akola SP Archit Chandak said there was a focused drive against drug peddlers who mostly deal with the narcotics suppliers from Odisha. "Though MD's prevalence is much lower, there is a considerable challenge now to make the district drug-free," said Chandak, whose team also cracked down on illegal arms. "We are focusing on the backward and forward linkages to break the narcotics syndicate and especially break the supply chains from Odisha," said the SP. "Apart from our drives to break supply line and their local nexuses, we have also undertaken a dedicated awareness campaign to create a drug-resistance psychology," said Chandak, adding 143 gambling dens were busted while 121 liquor raids were also conducted. Chandak said Akola police got signatures from 15,000 persons in just a couple of weeks who pledged against narcotics and substance abuse. "We are engaging student community through a drawing competition and 50 of the best anti-narcotics and anti-drug paintings by children will be displayed at the SP office," he said. Apart from narcotics, Akola police, in 35 days, have registered 30 cases against bovine smugglers and illegal slaughterhouses, rescuing animals and seizing materials worth Rs2.65 crore.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Time of India
Rohit Godara gang seeks 30 crore from Sriganganagar BJP functionary
Jaipur: Sriganganagar businessman Ashok Chandak, a member of the BJP, lodged a complaint at Kotwali police station Saturday alleging that gangster Rohit Godara had threatened to kill him and his family if he did not pay up Rs 30 crore. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Chandak alleged that beginning June 20, he and his son have received repeated death threats. His FIR said the threats began after his business partner Ashish Gupta was shot at on June 17. Gupta survived the attack, and now is under police protection. On June 20 at 12.26pm, Chandak received an audio message in which the caller threatened him and demanded Rs 30 crore. "We'll strike so hard you won't forget. Even your police guards won't be able to save you. Your lifetime earnings will be of no use — no one from your family will survive to enjoy it. Someone else will take over your contracts in Punjab," the caller said. Two days later, Chandak said he received three more calls that he did not answer. His son, Raghav, then received a missed call from an unknown number, followed by a message saying, "Talk to us." When Raghav returned the call, a man claiming to be gangster Harry Boxer threatened him and repeated the demand for Rs 30 crore. Boxer reportedly called once more on June 24 with similar threats. Chandak also accused a local criminal, Sunil Pehlwan, of orchestrating the attack on Gupta. In his complaint, he requested police to verify the authenticity of the calls and audio clips and take appropriate action. "Chandak and his son Raghav were threatened through social media calls and audio messages. An FIR has been registered and investigation has begun. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In his report, Chandak alleged that on June 20, Rohit Godara and other gangsters threatened to kill him, his son, and other family members," said a police officer. He added that the audio and phone recordings provided by Chandak were sent for forensic examination, and it is being investigated whether the threats were issued by an organised gang. Police have identified the shooters involved in the June 17 attack on Gupta but are yet to arrest them. The shooting took place outside a gym on Jassa Singh Road. Gupta, a 50-year-old real estate businessman, had just stepped out after a workout when he was fired at. He sustained bullet injuries in his leg.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Biz stunted due to illegal HT seeds; Nagpur, Wardha dealers call for strike today
Nagpur: Seed dealers in Nagpur and Wardha — both predominantly cotton-growing belts — have called for a strike on Monday alleging that illegal herbicide-tolerant (HT) seeds have eaten away half of their business. HT seeds are genetically engineered to be resistant to glyphosate, a cheap weed killer whose commercial sale awaits a green signal from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The seed buying season is over, and the dealers are left with nearly 50% to 40% of unsold stock. They will now have to run after the seed companies to refund the booking amount. The companies may refund the amount if they relent or adjust it for the coming season, said the traders TOI spoke to. A packet of the authorised BG II seed, which is only effective against the bollworm pest, has MRP of Rs901 a packet. In contrast, farmers paid nearly Rs2,000 for a packet of HT seeds, said the dealers. As per the traders, the HT seeds are illegally grown in the hinterlands of Gujarat and smuggled to Vidarbha. Vijay Chandak, president of Nagpur Agro Dealers Association, said the illegal seeds have completely overshadowed the market. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bring home all new SP160 & get an instant cashback up to ₹5000# Honda Learn More Undo "HT seeds have been the first choice of farmers this time. A massive proliferation of the seeds grown in clandestine farms can also lead to a crisis for the region's farmers. Sold in the grey market, there is no guarantee of the seeds' performance. There are chances that the weed killer may even destroy the cotton seed, and farmers would not be able to claim any compensation from the govt," said Chandak. Ravi Shende, his counterpart in Wardha, also spoke of a similar situation in the district. "The seeds come from Gujarat, where an entire illegal industry seems to operate. The govt must act against it," he said. Farm activist Vijay Jawandhia alleged that a number of operators are simply plucking off the seeds from the HT cotton and packing it to Vidarbha. "Even if grown illegally, the method is to develop a seed through hybridisation. The seeds taken out of the cotton crop can lack the required vigour. Yet, farmers are paying as much as Rs2,000 for a packet of such seeds," he said. Box Shortage of workers to clear weeds The high demand for HT seeds also indicates a labour shortage in the hinterland. It enables the free use of glyphosate-based weed killers on cotton plants, instead of deploying labour to manually clear the weeds. There is also a strong lobby for legalising HT seeds. In 2019, Shetkari Sangathana openly sowed the seeds, challenging the govt to take action. The seeds were developed by Mahyco-Monsanto, which withdrew from the trials, due to which it remains illegal to use. Glyphosate, however, is at present only allowed in non-cropped areas and tea gardens.
