Latest news with #Kurien
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Car driver assaults police officer during traffic inspection
Udupi: During a routine traffic inspection in Udupi, a car driver allegedly assaulted a police officer and obstructed carrying out the official duty during a vehicle check near the Karavali bypass in Moodanidambur village. According to a complaint filed by police sub-inspector Husseinsab Kashimsab Chapparkar of the Udupi traffic police station, police were conducting vehicle checks near the bypass on Thursday. They identified a car travelling from Ambalpady towards Karavali Junction, with the driver not wearing a seatbelt. The police team stopped the car, and the PSI approached the driver to check details. When the PSI asked the driver for his name, address, and driving licence, he responded arrogantly. The accused shouted at the officers, stating that he would not provide documents. The police team informed the driver that he was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt. However, he refused to comply and tried to move his vehicle. When officers stood in front of the vehicle to prevent him from fleeing, the driver stopped. While checking the documents, police identified the driver as one Kurien. He also refused to sign the notice issued against him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Further, the driver attempted to snatch the licence from the PSI's hand and allegedly assaulted the officer. He was also accused of obstructing a govt servant from discharging his duty. Udupi Town police registered a case under Section 132 of the BNS against the accused. Woman loses Rs 11L to online fraud A woman lost Rs 11,61,256 to an online fraud. In a complaint to Udupi CEN police station, the complainant, Suhasini, stated that she received a message on WhatsApp from an unknown person with information on job opportunities. Later, she received a link asking her to join a Telegram group named G432 Gate Group. Following the instructions, the complainant invested a total of Rs 11.6 lakh. When the complainant did not receive the invested amount and promised profit, she filed a complaint. Udupi CEN crime police registered a case under Sections 66(C), 66(D) of the IT Act, and Section 318(4) of the BNS.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Statement on YC meant for party's betterment, says P.J. Kurien
The war of words between veteran Congress leader P.J. Kurien and Youth Congress leaders shows no sign of abating, with the latter standing firm in his criticism of the party's youth wing. Speaking to the media on Monday, Mr. Kurien, a member of the Congress Political Affairs Committee, reiterated that political work must be rooted at the grassroots level. 'I don't see any young leaders even in my own constituency,' he said, while lauding Chandy Oommen MLA's door-to-door campaign in Nilambur as a model worth emulating. On SFI protests Mr. Kurien clarified that his remarks were directed at the overall functioning of the Youth Congress across the State. 'The Youth Congress members we often see on TV are nowhere to be seen in my own panchayat. Every panchayat should have an active Youth Congress committee. What I said was for the betterment of the party, so I fail to understand what the problem is,' he said. Referring to the recent SFI protests, Mr. Kurien added, 'Everyone saw those protests. So what's wrong if I mention it? There was no ill intent in what I said, and I didn't target anyone personally. I spoke with a clear conscience, keeping the party's interests in mind. And I still stand by those views.' Tharoor criticised He also took aim at Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, accusing him of opportunism. 'When the Congress is in Opposition, Tharoor praises Modi. That's not an idealistic position—it's opportunistic. After I stepped down from official responsibilities, I received many offers, but I didn't accept any. That's my principle. Tharoor's stance doesn't reflect what is expected of a Congressman.' At the same time, he also urged the leadership to engage in dialogue and resolve differences through internal discussions. Mr. Kurien's statements, meanwhile, continued to evoke strong reactions within the party. Former KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran responded by saying the criticism stemmed from a lack of understanding of the Youth Congress's legacy. Veteran leader Ramesh Chennithala, however, took a more conciliatory tone, suggesting that Mr. Kurien's remarks were driven by concern for the party's well-being. Youth Congress leaders, at the same time, continued to voice their displeasure on social media.
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Youth Congress locks horns with veteran Congress leader P.J. Kurien
A war of words has erupted between the Youth Congress leadership and veteran Congress leader P.J. Kurien following his public criticism of the outfit's diminished presence in protest movements. Speaking at a party event in Pathanamthitta the other day, Mr. Kurien, a member of the Congress' Political Affairs Committee, lauded the Students' Federation of India (SFI) under the CPI(M), for aligning itself with 'the disaffected youth.' In contrast, the Youth Congress leaders are visible only on television and are absent from ground-level struggles, he said. 'Who you parade on stages does not count, if you can't even gather 25 youngsters on the ground in a constituency,' Mr. Kurien said, referring to Youth Congress State president and MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who was present at the event. A rebuttal Responding to the remarks, Mr. Mamkootathil said he accepted the criticism with grace but offered a pointed rebuttal. 'Youth Congress members may be fewer at family gatherings, but that's not the case when it comes to street protests,' he said. His response was followed by a wave of strong reactions from Youth Congress leaders on social media. On his own Facebook page, Mr. Mamkootathil posted on Sunday, 'Let those with eyes see and those with ears hear,' sharing a video of Youth Congress workers in Pathanamthitta, including its district president, being taken into preventive custody by the police ahead of Health Minister Veena George's visit to Aranmula. Jithin G. Ninan, general secretary of the Youth Congress in Pathanamthitta, also took to social media to express his displeasure. 'From now on, I will not refer to him as 'Kurien sir',' he wrote. 'The Youth Congress has been consistently protesting for the past nine years. Many of our leaders have faced police brutality and imprisonment. We cannot accept criticism from someone like Mr. Kurien, who hasn't even endured a police shove.' 'Mentor youth first' A few other members also invoked past controversies involving Mr. Kurien. In a veiled reference to old allegations, some leaders suggested Youth Congress activists are not the ones appearing on television in abuse cases. Others criticised Mr. Kurien's inability to foster grassroots leadership. 'He has not been able to appoint even a mandalam president in his own village, Puramattom,' one social media post pointed out. Several Youth Congress supporters ridiculed the veteran leader online, suggesting he should focus on mentoring even a single young party worker before casting judgment.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Vitamin D deficiency poses public health challenge, say experts
Vitamin D deficiency has reached epidemic proportions in India, and ignoring it could have serious health consequences, experts said on Sunday during a webinar on 'Vitamin D Deficiency: Myths vs Reality'. The session, the 14th in a 15-part series under the 'Healthy India, Happy India' initiative, was jointly presented by Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore, and The Hindu. Kurien Thomas, senior consultant physician and clinical epidemiologist at Naruvi Hospitals, pointed out that despite the ease with which Vitamin D can be synthesised through sun exposure, a vast majority of Indians — estimated between 40% to 90% — are deficient. 'Lifestyle changes like staying indoors, use of sunscreen, and sun-protective clothing are significant contributors to this silent crisis,' he said. Calling it the 'Sunlight Vitamin', Dr. Kurien said Vitamin D plays a vital role in bone health and calcium absorption. Its deficiency can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. 'Environmental pollution, vegetarian diets, lack of supplements, old age, and co-morbidities are other contributing factors,' he added. He urged mid-day sun exposure and dietary inclusion of fish, meat, egg yolk, fortified dairy products and mushrooms. However, since only 20% of orally consumed Vitamin D is absorbed, he recommended supplements, especially for at-risk groups. D. Aneesh Basheer, professor of medicine at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai, addressed the needs of high-risk individuals such as the elderly, patients with chronic illnesses, those on certain medications, and people with limited mobility or dietary intake. He explained the thresholds for deficiency and called for targeted screening and fortified food options, while cautioning about the potential toxicity of excess Vitamin D due to its fat-soluble nature. Pranita Vanjare, consultant in geriatrics and internal medicine at Naruvi Hospitals, elaborated on the extra-skeletal effects of Vitamin D. 'It supports not just bone and muscle health but plays a broader role in regulating blood pressure, reducing inflammation and potentially lowering the risk of Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory infections, and certain cancers,' she said. The webinar can be viewed here .
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
The Hindu-Naruvi Hospital webinar on ‘Gadgets in ENT' held
Gadgets, including mobile phones, earphones, headphones, high volume speakers, and televisions increase the risk of hearing loss in youth, medical experts said. While speaking at the The Hindu-Naruvi Hospital webinar on 'Gadgets in ENT' on Sunday, panelists voiced concerns over the effect of modern technology. 'Noise-induced hearing loss is a major neglected public health challenge, and requires advocacy for implementation of behavioural change,' Mary Kurien, Professor and Head, Department of ENT, Naruvi Hosptal, Vellore, said. Dr. Kurien said it was important to identify early symptoms of ENT-related problems, and that listeners should be careful to not use ill-fitting personal audio devices. 'No audio device should be used for too long. Audio devices should also be regularly cleaned and sanitised to avoid infection in the ear,' she said. Usage of gadgets aside, sometimes, medicines, including antibiotics, anti-malarial drugs, diuretics, and cancer medicines; and conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, obesity, infective meningitis, and measles, could also lead to deterioration in hearing, Dr. Kurien said. When people used a cotton bud, it could damage the delicate skin of the ear canal, and may cause infection, earache and tinnitus, and they also risked puncturing the eardrum, Sadhana Chandrababu, practitioner in advanced audiology with the Powys Teaching Health Board, National Health Service (NHS), the U.K, said. People should avoid long exposure to high decibel sounds, Vikram M., ENT consultant, Naruvi Hospital, said. 'If you hear ringing or humming sounds in your ears when you leave work, or you have to shout to be heard by a co-worker at your workplace, realise that noise is a problem in your office and could affect your hearing in the long run,' Dr. Vikram said. The webinar was the 13th in a series of 15 under the 'Happy India Healthy India' initiative presented by Naruvi Hospitals in association with The Hindu.
