Latest news with #RajeshChhabra
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Over 1,000 pituitary adenoma surgeries performed endoscopically by one PGI neurosurgeon in 7 years
In a remarkable achievement, a senior neurosurgeon at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh has performed more than 1,000 pituitary adenoma surgeries endoscopically over the past seven years, a distinction that places this achievement among the largest single-surgeon series globally, the institute said in a statement. 'Despite advances in medicine, we continue to see patients presenting with large or even giant pituitary tumours, often due to delayed diagnosis or limited awareness. This milestone reflects not only surgical success but also the importance of early detection and the collaborative strength of a dedicated multi-disciplinary team,' said Prof Rajesh Chhabra, who performed those surgeries. The pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain, plays a crucial role in regulating many of the body's vital functions. Known as the master gland, it controls the production of essential hormones, including those responsible for growth, thyroid function, stress response, reproductive health, and fluid balance. Despite its small size, the pituitary gland holds the key to our body's hormonal harmony. 'Due to its strategic location near optic nerves (responsible for vision) and critical blood vessels (carotid arteries), abnormalities of the pituitary gland, especially pituitary tumours (adenomas), can lead to serious health problems. These tumours account for nearly 15 per cent of all brain tumours, making them the third most common brain tumours after gliomas and meningiomas. Fortunately, the vast majority are non-cancerous, but if left untreated, they can cause vision loss, hormonal imbalances, life-threatening crises, and even coma,' the doctor said. Earlier, pituitary tumours were operated on by opening the skull, a procedure associated with considerable post-operative risks. With medical advancements, the microscopic transnasal approach gained popularity, significantly reducing morbidity. The real breakthrough, however, came with the advent of endoscopic transnasal pituitary surgery, which has now become the gold standard worldwide for most pituitary tumours, offering a safer, scarless, faster recovery, preservation of vision and hormonal function, and reduced complication rates. Early warning signs such as headaches, vision changes, or subtle hormonal disturbances are frequently ignored,' he said. 'Watch for warning signs such as persistent headaches, gradual vision loss, unexplained weight gain or changes in body features, menstrual irregularities or hormonal disturbances. A simple MRI scan and hormonal evaluation can lead to early diagnosis, enabling safer and more effective treatment,' Dr Chhabra said. 'The high volume of cases at PGI,' the doctor said, 'ensures world-class training for young doctors, who carry forward this expertise across India and abroad.'
Entrepreneur
08-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
"Now the entire world is the office… the security went out of the perimeter and the entire world became the perimeter": Rajesh Chhabra, Acronis India Head
When asked whether India could become a cybersecurity leader in South Asia, Chhabra said it depends on how we define readiness. "If we're talking about talent, absolutely. India has no shortage of skilled people... however our institutions still teach outdated also need more investment in R&D," says Chhabra Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. As India's digital landscape continues to expand, cybersecurity challenges are no longer limited to large cities or major enterprises. The risks are becoming just as relevant in smaller towns and regional markets, especially as more users rely on digital services for everyday activities. To understand how the cybersecurity industry is responding to this shift, Entrepreneur India spoke with Rajesh Chhabra, General Manager – India & South Asia at Acronis. He spoke about how the company is supporting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, how the threat landscape has evolved, and what India needs to do to strengthen its position in the global cybersecurity ecosystem. A local approach to a global problem Rather than selling directly, Acronis has built its India presence through a network of about 500 partners. Half of them are based in smaller towns and cities. "We are a channel-first organisation. We work through our partners who understand their local markets better than anyone else," Chhabra explained. "That's why we don't sell directly. It allows our partners to decide their pricing and approach." These partners receive training through a mix of offline and online formats and get access to materials like customer education guides and on-demand videos. Acronis's partner portal also helps them deliver support to their own clients. According to Chhabra, remote deployment tools mean physical presence is no longer essential. "Our solutions can be installed and monitored remotely, so geography doesn't limit access anymore," he said. Changing role of data in business The role of data has shifted significantly in recent years. "Ten years ago, data was mostly used for accounting or executive decision-making. Now it's the foundation of every department—from operations to sales," Chhabra noted. The volume of data being generated has also exploded. "The amount of data created last year alone is roughly equal to what the world generated over the past ten years combined," he added. This surge is also fuelling demand for secure data centres, but it comes with growing responsibility. "All of this data needs to be protected. And that's where modern cybersecurity becomes critical," he said. New threats, new challenges The nature of cyber threats has changed just as dramatically. "Earlier, antivirus software and basic backup systems were enough for most companies. Today, it's a completely different scenario," Chhabra said. The pandemic and the rise of remote work have extended the traditional boundaries of security. "Earlier, companies only had to protect a few in-house systems. Now the whole world is the office. People are working from unsecured internet connections, which increases the risk of breaches." He also pointed to the rise of AI-driven cyberattacks. "Today's attacks are more sophisticated. Fileless attacks, phishing, DDoS—they're not just one-off incidents. Some of them stay hidden, escalate privileges, and even infect backup systems before demanding ransom." Is India Ready to Lead in Cybersecurity? When asked whether India could become a cybersecurity leader in South Asia, Chhabra said it depends on how we define readiness. "If we're talking about talent, absolutely. India has no shortage of skilled people. We've been exporting tech talent globally for years," he said. However, he noted a disconnect between education and industry needs. "Our institutions still teach outdated tools. Most graduates need significant upskilling before they're ready for modern technologies," he said. "We also need more investment in R&D. For example, Singapore provides incentives to companies setting up R&D centres, even covering part of the salary costs. We can learn from that." The need for data collaboration—and caution As cybersecurity becomes more global, Chhabra stressed the importance of cross-border data collaboration. "Threat intelligence systems around the world feed on data shared globally. This helps companies stay ahead of new threats," he said. But he also warned that data sharing should not compromise individual rights. "Regulations like GDPR give users control over their personal data. That balance between collaboration and privacy is important," he added. Advice for everyday users Chhabra also shared advice for young people and everyday users, particularly those in smaller towns or vulnerable communities. "People should avoid clicking on unknown links—especially on WhatsApp forwards. These often contain malware or phishing traps." He also recommended using different, strong passwords for different apps and checking government platforms like Sanchar Saathi to monitor mobile numbers linked to one's Aadhaar. "Even basic things like searching for customer care numbers online can be risky. You might end up calling a scam number," he said. "The attackers rely on urgency or the fear of missing out to trick people. It's important to slow down and verify." While concluding he said,"We've made progress, but we still have a long way to go."
