Latest news with #GovernmentMedicalCollegeHospital
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
PMSSY block at Kozhikode MCH likely to reopen by July-end
The authorities at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, are hopeful that its surgical super-speciality, accident and emergency care block, which was temporarily shut down after fire outbreaks in May, could be reopened by the end of July. According to sources, a technical committee appointed by District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, who is also the chairperson of the hospital development society, is examining the repair work being undertaken at the facility. Cleaning work has been ongoing in all wards, operating theatres, and the casualty section of the seven-storey building constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). The first fire outbreak had happened in the UPS room of the MRI scanning section on the ground floor on May 2, after batteries exploded one after the other. All the patients had to be evacuated to safety subsequently. The MRI unit has been repaired, and new batteries have been installed. Electrical equipment and air-conditioning on different floors are also being examined. The hospital authorities had to incur the wrath of the patients as well as the people on May 5 when another fire outbreak was reported in one of the operating theatres during an inspection. This was soon after some of the evacuated patients were readmitted to the building. The block has been temporarily closed since then. The authorities later decided to go for a complete check-up of the equipment and the electrical connections before reopening the facility again. Meanwhile, it was reported that the electrical wing of the Public Works department (PWD) and HLL-HITES, the public sector firm that constructed the building, had highlighted gross lapses in the infrastructure and maintenance of the block. There were references to the water leakage on different floors and the congested nature of the UPS rooms. A senior official at the hospital told The Hindu on Saturday (July 19) that the plan was to 'reopen the building at the earliest'. A trial run of the equipment and the electrical instruments was being conducted. A final decision on the reopening date would be taken by the Directorate of Medical Education in consultation with the government, he added.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Mohanraj will always stay in our memory': Pa Ranjith's Neelam Productions condoles stunt artist's death on ‘Vettuvam' sets
Pa Ranjith's Neelam Productions has condoled the passing of Mohanraj a.k.a SM Raju, a stunt artist who died tragically on the sets of the director-producer's upcoming film Vettuvam. In a note posted on X, the banner wrote, 'Our heart is broken for his wife, children, family and all who knew and loved Mohan Raj Anna as a colleague and a friend.' 'A day that started out with detailed planning, caution, clarity in execution, prayers and all our goodwill, as it does on every film set that stages crash sequences, ended up in his unexpected death,' read the note, adding that the news has sent the team of the film into shock and heartbreak. 'Mohan Raj Anna was valued and respected by his colleagues in the stunt team and all of us in the crew. He was a veteran in performing stunts whose planning, clarity and execution we all relied on.' The banner added that despite relying on the expertise of stunt director Dilip Subbarayan and the safety protocols needed for the stunt, 'we ended up losing a man who had unparalleled experience and achievements, who made his family, colleagues, and directors proud with the quality of his work, and this has affected us deeply. He will have our respect, love, and adoration always.' 'This death is devastating. We deeply mourn the loss of Mohan Raj Anna a husband, father, an incredible stunt artist and a graceful human being. He wanted to be remembered for his work as a fabulous stunt artist, and that's how he will always stay in our memory,' the note added. NEELAM PRODUCTIONS CONDOLENCE NOTE On the morning of 13th July, we lost unexpectedly a talented stunt artist and a long time colleague Mr. Mohan Raj on the sets of our film "Vettuvam" in Nagapattinam District of Tamizh Nadu. Our heart is broken for his wife, children, family and… — (@beemji) July 15, 2025 Mohanraj, 52, son of Selvaraj, hailed from Poongandam in Kancheepuram district. He was working as a stunt coordinator for the film Vettuvam, the shoot of which had been underway in Alappakudi near Vizhunthamavadi village, in Keelaiyur police station limits since Thursday (July 10). The stunt trainer allegedly died during a car-toppling sequence for the film starring Arya. Around 10.40 a.m, Mohanraj reportedly experienced health complications during filming, after which he was rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital at Orathur, where doctors declared him dead. Meanwhile, Neelam Productions' note comes just hours after the Keelaiyur Police booked Ranjith and three others in connection with the death of the stunt trainer. A case was initially registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act. The post-mortem was conducted on Monday morning, and the body was handed over to the family. Based on the findings from the medical team and statements from eyewitnesses at the shoot location, the case has now been revised and booked under Sections 289 (Negligent conduct), 125 (Abetment of an offence), and 106(1) (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the BNS Act The news about the demise of the stunt trainer sent shockwaves across the industry. Many members of the film fraternity — including actors Vishal and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and stunt artists, veterans Sham Kaushal, Ram Shetty, and Aejaz Gulab — have mourned the death of Mohanraj.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Eight held for hacking farmer to death, four in GH
KARUR: A 45-year-old farmer was hacked to death, and four others, including two women, were injured, following a dispute between two groups over agricultural land near Karur during the late hours on Sunday. The Vangal police in Karur registered a case and arrested eight persons in connection with the incident on Monday. Police said the deceased was identified as S Manivasagam, a native of EVR Street in Vangal, Karur. His younger brother S Yogeshwaran (40), their relative Anand (45), landowner Rani (50), and her mother Rasammal (70), of the same area sustained injuries and are admitted to Government Medical College Hospital in Karur. The arrested were identified as S Venkatesan (41), his accomplices K Kaviyarasan (30), K Vivek (27), R Manikandan (32), of EVR Street, P Chandra Prakash (25), I Krishnan (26), and A Nijamudeen (40), of Erode, and B Senthamizh (31), of Namakkal went over to Rani's residence and again attempted to persuade her to sell the land to him. Manivasagam entered into an agreement with one Rani to buy a piece of her land (B Memo land) located beside the banks of the Cauvery riverbed, near their residence, for Rs 10 lakh. Meanwhile, S Venkatesan (41), of the same area, allegedly compelled Rani to sell the same piece of land to him, offering more money. She did not budge.
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Daredevil act goes wrong, veteran stuntman Mohanraj dies during Tamil film shoot
S Mohanraj, a veteran stunt coordinator with over three decades of experience in the Tamil film industry, died Sunday morning during the filming of a high-risk car stunt for director Pa Ranjith's upcoming action film Vettuvam. He was 52. The incident occurred around 8 am during the first shot of the day at a salt pan in Vizhunthamavadi village, under Keelaiyur police station limits in Nagapattinam district. According to three crew members who worked on the film, the sequence involved a skidding SUV — an idea initiated by Mohanraj himself. 'It was the first skidding scene in the movie. The soil was loose and tricky, but he was confident,' said one of the crew members. They added that Mohanraj was to be paid an additional Rs 2 lakh for executing this particular scene, and he had taken it up due to financial necessity. Soon after the car stunt began and it went wrong, Mohanraj, who was behind the wheel, suffered sudden health complications. His colleagues rushed him to the Government Medical College Hospital at Orathur, about 10 kilometers away. Doctors declared him dead on arrival. Hailing from Poongandam village in Kanchipuram district, Mohanraj had worked in numerous Tamil films and had a reputation for executing complex car stunts. He was serving as the stunt coordinator for Vettuvam, a science fiction-action film starring Arya, Attakathi Dinesh, Dancing Rose Shabeer, and Sobhita Dhulipala. The shoot for the film, described as a complete action movie with a 'modern Robin Hood' storyline, had been underway for the past three months with about 40 days of filming left, according to sources on set. Multiple tributes poured in from the Indian film fraternity. Actor Vishal, taking to X (formerly Twitter), expressed his condolences, calling Mohanraj a 'brave person.' Prominent stunt choreographer Silva wrote, 'One of our great car-jumping stunt artists, S M Raju, died today while doing car stunts. Our stunt union and the Indian film industry will be missing him.' He posted a screengrab of the tribute on Instagram. Mohanraj was also known in the stunt community by the name S M Raju. His death triggered an outpouring of grief from veteran stuntmen across India. Sugumar, secretary of the Stunt Artists' Association, told The Indian Express that Raju had worked in over 500 movies in his 30-year-long career. 'We do not have words to explain his courage and the body of work,' he said. Veteran stunt director Sham Kaushal, known for films such as Gangs of Wasseypur and Bajirao Mastani, told PTI: 'I haven't worked with him, but stunt people are a close-knit fraternity. When you do a stunt with a car, it's a combination of human skill and machine. If there's even a slight misjudgment, it can be fatal.' Aejaz Gulab, General Secretary of the Movie Stunt Artists Association said 'car and motorcycle stunts are among the most dangerous.' 'Mohanraj was known for his ability to handle these. Sadly, accidents still happen, despite precautions,' he said. A viral video from the Vettuvam set shows the moment of panic as crew members rushed to pull Mohanraj from the SUV. According to eyewitnesses, he collapsed inside the vehicle soon after completing the skidding motion. 'There were no visible injuries but the accident was deadly… Soon, they called for a pack-up and we all returned to Chennai,' said one one the crew members. His death comes months after another stuntman, S Ezhumalai, 54, died during the filming of Sardar 2 starring Karthi. That incident, too, involved unsafe conditions — Ezhumalai was performing without protective gear at Chennai's LV Prasad Studio. Mohanraj is survived by his wife and children. The Keelaiyur police have registered a case, and a post-mortem was conducted on Sunday. His colleagues remember him as a man who led from the front — taking the first leap into danger, even after 30 years in the business. Top Malayalam star, Prithviraj Sukumaran, wrote a note expressing his grief over his demise. He wrote, 'Rest in peace Raju! So many moments of magic that would have been impossible to film without your skill and guts! You will be missed forever!'
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
IUML to hold protest meeting outside Kozhikode MCH
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is planning to hold a protest meeting outside the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kozhikode, on Tuesday alleging that the State government is destroying the public health institution to help the 'private hospital lobby'. Addressing the media here on Monday, IUML district president M.A. Razak and general secretary T.T. Ismail claimed that corruption was rampant there. Along with patients and their caregivers, the hospital staff also were affected by the crisis plaguing the hospital, they said. Back-to-back fire outbreaks, shortage of doctors and nurses, and scarcity of drugs were some of the major issues. They demanded that the government take immediate steps to address the problems. Mr. Razak and Mr. Ismail alleged that there had been two fire outbreaks at the block housing the casualty section that had been constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) using ₹195 crore of Central funds. There had been lapses in the construction of the building. The investigation into these incidents, however, was an attempt to deceive the people, they alleged. They pointed out that thousands of patients were awaiting their turn for the schedule of surgeries because of a shortage of doctors in the Department of Anaesthesia. This was a result of the transfer of a number of doctors to other medical college hospitals for the National Medical Commission's inspection. There was a shortage of doctors in the Department of Dermatology and Forensic Medicine as well, and post-mortem examinations were being delayed. P.M.A. Salam, State general secretary, IUML, would open the protest meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, they added. Meanwhile, District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh is reported to have held a meeting with the hospital authorities on Monday. According to sources, there is no final word yet on reopening the PMSSY block, which was temporarily closed in May after the fire outbreaks.
