‘A lot of sweat, toil and tears go into the making of a neurologist’

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Science & Technology
For Deepti Vibha, her job as a neurologist does get ­stressful at times, but it is also a very rewarding and satisfying career. Photo: Arvind Yadav
For Deepti Vibha, her job as a neurologist does get ­stressful at times, but it is also a very rewarding and satisfying career. Photo: Arvind Yadav

A lot of sweat, toil and tears go into the making of a neurologist,” says Dr Deepti Vibha, an assistant ­professor, department of neurology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. “Neurology was my passion as there is no other area of medicine which is as ­complex as ­brain/­nervous system. I drew ­inspiration from my teachers while pursuing my ­graduation and ­postgraduation. The workload and fascination for teaching were prime factors that motivated me to study ­neurology,” she says.

Vibha did her MBBS from King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, which is a five-and-half year course. Subsequently, she pursued an MD ­(medicine) from Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur, and ­followed it up with a ­three-year ­doctorate of medicine in ­neurology from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Thereafter, she decided to pursue a career in academics and joined a government hospital as ­faculty.

“At the initial stage of training as a medical student, I was exposed to clinical specialities like medicine, surgery, paediatrics, orthopaedics, otorhinolaryngology, obstetrics and gynaecology and ­ophthalmology. I learnt how to take down a patient’s ­medical ­history and examine him or her. I was taught about para-clinical and ­diagnostic specialities like ­pathology, microbiology and ­radiology ­during MBBS training. After getting a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery, I sat for an entrance examination for the ­speciality I wanted to pursue,” she shares.

One should be ready for intense hard work, advises Dr Vibha. “The entrance ­examinations are quite competitive. Therefore, it might not always be possible to get the ­speciality you are aspiring for. I was interested in medicine and was ­fortunate to get selected as well. The training includes both theory and practical aspects where one has to spend long hours in ­reading ­medical books and attend to patients. Anyone wanting to take up this profession should be aware that it is very ­demanding and requires utmost ­dedication.”

Neurology is different from ­neurosurgery as it deals with ­managing patients who suffer from ­disorders of the brain, nerves and muscles which do not require ­surgery for treatment like brain and ­spinal cord tumours, head trauma etc which do not come under the realm of neurology.

“Neurologists have to ­meticulously trace the ­medical ­history of the patient and minutely study the ­symptoms to arrive at a precise ­diagnosis. They also deal with life-threatening cases on a regular basis. These include acute stroke, acute and chronic ­meningitis, encephalitis, ­autoimmune neurological diseases, ­demyelination, acute neuropathy, myelopathy and myasthenia gravis, to name a few. Timely treatment ensures rewarding outcomes of all these conditions,” explains Vibha.

A day in the life of a ­neurologist includes attending to patients in the OPD (out-patient department), IPD ­(in-patient department) and ­emergency from morning till the end of the day.

“In OPD, I attend cases ­of ­epilepsy, ­headache, infections of the brain, ­multiple sclerosis, spinal cord ­diseases, ­neuropathies, Parkinson’s disease, sleep ­disorders, dementia and other genetic ­disorders. In IPD, I attend to patients who are a diagnostic ­challenge and those who require in-hospital ­management. Emergencies are seen on a ­round-the-clock basis at AIIMS,” she says.

Young people wanting to take up this ­profession “should have an enormous amount of patience and be willing to spend long hours with patients with ­neurological ­diseases or problems, record their history and examine them in detail for a correct ­diagnosis. An optimum ­management plan is then drafted. Some ­neurological diseases are chronic and such patients require ­counselling and rehabilitation ­support apart from medical therapy. Therefore, neurologists must have empathy and patience,” says Vibha.

One should also have the ability to go beyond the call of duty and ensure a patient’s comfort level. Excellent ­communication and research skills are a must. Also, one has to constantly stay updated on the ­latest in the field of neurology.

Is it a stressful job? “There are no definite working hours as such because emergencies can come up ­any time of the day. It does get ­stressful at times but it is also the most ­rewarding and ­satisfying career. Neurology case ­evaluation requires a lot of time, compassion and sensitivity,” she says.

Considering that lifestyles have become stressful in today’s time, ­neurological ­disorders are on the rise.

“According to a ‘Journal of Association of Physicians of India’ in January 2012, there were ­approximately 1,100 qualified ­clinical neurologists working in India, which is inadequate for 1.2 billion Indians. Hence, there is an urgent need for more ­neurologists across the ­country. Also, we require more ­institutes for ­training, but not at the cost of quality. Very few people are ­interested in ­pursuing a career in academics and ­teaching due to monetary reasons and lack of opportunities in the ­government sector. Credence should to be given to teaching and research in this field. Also, ­teaching ­hospitals, especially those ­having DM/DNB ­programmes, need to retain ­competency in order to raise the standards of training,” says Vibha, who has also received the ML Soni book prize for being the best ­neurology DM ­resident at AIIMS.

As for remuneration in the field, she says, “In ­government hospitals, the ­starting salary ranges from `60,000 to `1 lakh per month. This is very low when you compare it with ­private hospitals, where ­salaries start from `2 lakh to `5 lakh per month. However, there is huge scope in this field. Neurologists are an integral part of any super or ­multi-speciality ­hospital, be it ­government or ­private. These days there are various ­sub-speciality ­fellowships in stroke, ­neurophysiology, epilepsy, movement disorders, sleep, neuromuscular ­disorders, neuro-immunology, mostly abroad, which can give doctors an edge over others.”

For Vibha, saving lives, curing patients and seeing a smile on their faces when they go back home fully recovered is extremely ­satisfying. “I consider these as my rewards. My father is a retired bank officer and my mother is a homemaker. Being the only ­doctor in the ­family is a matter of pride,” ­concludes Vibha.

All about
Dr Deepti Vibha
Profession: Neurologist
Day begins at: 5.30am
Day ends at: No fixed hours
Work hours: Usually eight hours
Social responsibilities: Spreading awareness about strokes, epilepsy and other neurological disorders
Family: Husband is a nephrologist and they have a four-year old son
Vacations: Last year, to the lovely Kashmir valley
When not at work: Likes to read, travel and spend time with family

Getting to know her

Deepti Vibha is an assistant ­professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

She did her MBBS from King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, which is a five-and-half year course, following which, she did an MD ­(medicine) from Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. Subsequently, she pursued a three-year ­doctorate of medicine in ­neurology from AIIMS, New Delhi.

Vibha has received the ML Soni book prize for being the best ­neurology DM ­resident at AIIMS.

Vibha deals with neurological ­diseases such as acute stroke, acute and chronic meningitis, encephalitis, demyelination, acute neuropathy and myelopathy to name a few.

Oncology

Dealing with tumours

Oncology is the study of ­cancer, a disease characterised by ­abnormal cell growth in the body. Its ­sub-specialities include ­surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology.

A medical oncologist ­provides systemic therapy such as ­chemotherapy, ­hormonal therapy, targeted ­therapies and bone ­marrow transplants.

According to a WHO India report, by 2020, the developing world is likely to have 70% of the projected 20 million cancer-stricken patients globally.

There are, however, far fewer oncologists in India than required, especially for surgical and ­medical (involving therapy such as ­chemotherapy) treatment.

As an oncologist, you will need to counsel a patient, make him/her come to terms with the disease and get treated for it.

At times, patients may find it difficult to cope with a life-threatening ailment and might panic or get depressed. Medical experts have to help them stay positive and alleviate their suffering, so inter-personal skills are as crucial.

Endocrinology

Treating hormonal disorders

Endocrinology is a branch of ­biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific ­secretions of what we know as hormones.

It is also concerned with the ­psychological or behavioural ­activities of metabolism, growth and development, tissue ­function, sleep, digestion, respiration, ­excretion, mood, stress, ­lactation, movement, reproduction and sensory perception caused by ­hormones.

An endocrinologist is a medical doctor (MD) who has specialised in the treatment or research of disorders that affect the endocrine system and the function of glands that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream.


Nephrology

Say no to kidney problems

Nephrology is a specialisation of ­medicine and paediatrics that concerns itself with the study of normal kidney function, kidney problems, the treatment of kidney problems and renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney ­transplantation).

Nephrologists are physicians who deal with kidney disorders including — fluid and electrolyte disorders, acid-base disorders, kidney stones, glomerular diseases, tubulointerstitial diseases, mineral metabolism, acute kidney disease, acute renal failure, chronic kidney diseases, chronic renal failure, end stage renal disease and dialysis. Nephrologists may further sub-specialise in dialysis, kidney transplantation, chronic kidney disease, cancer-related kidney diseases etc.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / by Anchal Bedi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi / May 29th, 2015

Documentary workshop at city museum

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Allahabad :

Allahabad Museum and ministry of culture have organised a one-month long documentary film making course. The course was inaugurated by director, Allahabad Museum Rajesh Purohit and HoD, department of Urdu, Allahabad University, Ali Ahmad Fatmi.

Speaking on the occasion Purohit stressed upon that the documentary workshop is an intensive hands-on course that teaches students to work individually or in a group to produce a documentary on a topic of interest and community relevance. Independently and in groups, students conduct research on their chosen topics.

They identify and conduct interviews with community leaders. Additionally, students learn basic production skills such as camera operation and audio recording. When they have completed filming, the students participate in all facets of post-production, including sound mixing, video editing, voice-overs and title cards.

The students are responsible for all decisions, academic as well as artistic, they decide how to present their material and strive to do so in the most meaningful and logical.

Purohit emphasised the technical aspects of documentary making especially how a filmmaker needs to be a good story teller.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / July 03rd, 2015

Pruning is prudent: This mango orchard is richer than all others

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Lucknow :

It is believed that good things are difficult to get.

Perhaps that’s why every mango grower lives with the fact that his mango orchard will follow the accepted alternate bearing pattern. This pattern, common to mango and several other fruit crops, means that the yield of fruit will not be the same year after year. A heavy yield one year could be followed by a dismal one another year and vice versa.

However, if you pass through Kunwarpur village on Sitapur Road, there will be one mango orchard outshining all others. Here, unlike others, each tree is laden with the king of fruits, waiting to be plucked. This delighting yield is no freak of nature but a result of a well-researched technique and years of hard work.

City-based mango grower Kunwar Raghavendra Singh introduced the canopy management technique in his orchard over a decade ago.

Under this, trees are pruned regularly to turn the upper part of the tree to look like an inverted umbrella, instead of a canopy. Using this technique, Raghavendra has turned his barren land into a 100% productive mango orchard, producing varieties of mangoes including dussehri, langda and chausa.

Even when the weather was playing havoc with all kinds of crops and subsequently with the fate of farmers, Raghavendra was not worried.

His more than 3,500 mango trees were safe from the untimely rain and thunderstorms. “The most harmful factor for any mango tree is the canopy shape. It can have good flowering but not good fruiting. Apart from the fact that it hardly bears any fruit, this form limits the penetration of sunlight in the tree. This affects photosynthesis and the health of the tree,” says Raghavendra. The central shoots are the fastest growing in any tree and draw most of the nutrition and hormones. When the central shoots are removed, the nutrition flows side ways to lateral branches. This results in better size of the fruit, he explains.

Efforts must also be made to see that trees are gradually brought down to a maximum height of 22 feet-a manageable height which makes spraying pesticides easier, he adds.

Ready to extend a helping hand to other mango growers and also to the state horticulture department, Raghavendra claims that unlike a dense mango orchard, an open one reduces the cost of management and results in optimum flowering and fructification even in inclement weather.

The inverted umbrella structure allows free movement of air thus facilitating cross pollination. After untimely rain, the free movement of air helps evaporate moisture, the most devastating factor in the growth and spread of fungal infections.

Dr Mansoor Hasan, a city-based cardiologist, has also implemented this technique in his orchard in Manikpur, near Unchahar since 2011, with the help of his son Aly Hasan.

Happy with his produce, Dr Hasan says, “I have observed that fruits of a well-managed tree are also bigger in size and qualitatively better as compared to a taller tree. Even trees which were not giving any fruit for past many years have gradually started bearing fruit once they were pruned,” he adds.

In the case of mango trees, it seems, bigger is not better.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Uzma Talha, TNN / June 28th, 2015

VAT waived for solar devices in U.P.

Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology
U.P. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav takes a look at solar water pumping solutions at the North India Solar Summit on Friday. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt
U.P. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav takes a look at solar water pumping solutions at the North India Solar Summit on Friday. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced on Friday the waiver of value-added tax on solar energy equipment, and said the State was working on setting up solar power plants and parks here.

“Our State has a vast potential and if facilities are given here, entrepreneurs could make India a developed nation. ‘Make in India’ could not succeed without ‘Make in UP,’” he said.

At the North India Solar Summit, organised by the Indian Industries Association, he said the State had announced its solar policy and the government was working on having solar power plants and solar parks in the State.

He said light and fans would be run on solar power in the under-execution Loha housing scheme. Solar power would soon be supplied to a village with no charge collected from consumers. The State was working to ensure power supply for 16 to 18 hours in rural areas and 22 to 24 hours in urban areas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Other States / PTI / Lucknow – April 25th, 2015

Katarniaghat tourist houses getting spruced up

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Travel

Bahraich :

Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary is going to be developed into an eco-tourism hub and state tourism department would announce a special package soon. Those touring the International Buddhist pilgrimage Shravasti would also get to see the Dudhwa national park while visiting Katarniaghat. Work is on for renovating the tourist houses in the core zone of the forest and Rs 12 crore would be spent on it.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav reached Katarniaghat directly from the residence of Balha MLA to inspect work already started on Tuesday.

There are seven ranges under the reserved forest area. Motipur and Kakraha range come under buffer zone which has already been developed into an eco-tourism hub at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

Katarniaghat, Nishangara, Murtiha, Dharmapur and Sujauli ranges located in core zone of the reserved forest area are being developed. Tigers and leopards have their habitat in these ranges.

The government has allocated a budget of Rs 12 crore to develop these ranges into an eco-tourism hub. CM Akhilesh Yadav inspected the alligator reproduction centre and Gerwa River and told TOI that the rare wild animals and birds of Royal Berdia National Park of Nepal keep moving in and out of Katarniaghat reserved forest area, which makes it different from other sanctuaries.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / by Bipin Chand Agarwal, TNN / June 19th, 2015

Lucknow: 1854 era history unearthed from Surajkund Park

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All
The pond at Surajkund Park is of great historical importance, but has been lying dirty due to absence of proper care. (HT Photo)
The pond at Surajkund Park is of great historical importance, but has been lying dirty due to absence of proper care. (HT Photo)

Two stones with Persian and Hindi inscriptions dating back to 1854 were found during the cleaning of Surajkund Park in Old City, Lucknow.

Officials supervising the work said the writing in Hindi says that the pond was cleaned and renovated by Rai Tulsi Ram around 161 years back.

However, the Persian inscription on the second stone was not clear. Officials said the script would be readable once the stone is cleaned.

The two stones with Hindi and Persian inscriptions dating back to 1854. (HT Photo)
The two stones with Hindi and Persian inscriptions dating back to 1854. (HT Photo)

Four wells in four corners of the kund were also ‘unearthed’ during the cleaning operation, said Rajeev Kumar, OSD, Lucknow Development Authority (LDA).

The pond was cleaned as it was full of polythene bags and filth. However, locals highlighted the historical importance of this water body, stating that the kund was an ancient structure and constructed by Suryavanshi kings.

Historian Yogesh Praveen said Surajkund was mentioned in Mughul era books as ‘Shamsi Talab’.

But the historical aspect of the pond was lost with the passage of time.

“Despite its historical importance, the pond has been lying dirty in the absence of proper care,” said Mahant Sachin Shastri of Surjakund Park and temple.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Cities / by Hindustan Times, HT Correspondent / June 17th, 2015

Free Wi-Fi at Taj Mahal

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Science & Technology, Travel

Tourists visiting Taj Mahal will be able to enjoy Internet through Wi-Fi for free for 30 minutes. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has collaborated with state-run telecom services provider BSNL for the service, which will be launched by Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday.

Post the 30-minute usage, any browsing will be chargeable.

The launch is a part of the Narendra Modi led government’s initiative to provide Wi-Fi hot spots in cities with population of over 10 lakh and in tourist centres, under the Digital India programme. In February, wi-fi facility was launched by BSNL at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Shitala Ghats of Varanasi.

ASI has identified 25 spots, including Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath Temple, Konark Temple, Khajurao, which are also likely to become public WiFi hotspots.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by Staff Reporter / New Delhi – June 15th, 2015

AU scientists develop herbal oil for fungal infections

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Allahabad :

High humidity has led to spurt in cases of fungal infection. The easy remedy to the problem comes in form of oil extracted from various herbs. A team of scientists of Allahabad University has extracted three types of oil. Their study has been published in various international journals and further research is being conducted in collaboration with an institute in Germany.

Detailing about various sorts of fungal infections and remedies to combat them, head of the department of botany, Allahabad University, Anupam Dikshit, said: “We have extracted oil from various plants which are effective against fungus and viruses. Both bacteria and fungus are capable of harming the fibre of your clothes but fungal infection is far more deadly.” He added that fungus needs certain medium for growth and cotton clothes and leather items provide best of conditions. Cotton and leather contain cellulose, which is made of polysaccharides and on the contrary, synthetic clothes are much safer from these infections.

This work of Dikshit has given two patents to his name, one a joint US-India-German patent and another one an Indian. Apart from this the work has been published in several international journals.

Dikshit said that the best climatic conditions for fungus are the temperature ranging between 30-35 degree Celsius and 55% or above humidity.

He suggested that one should be more careful in respect to white or light clothings as the fungal growth in the vegetative stage misses the naked eyes. And by the time you recognize the dark or black colour of the second stage of fungal growth, it had already done substantial damage to the fibre.

Similarly, about the leather items, he explained that the green spot on the leather, which again is an organic material, is fungus named penicillium. The best remedy is to polish them in every two days as the essential oil controls the fungal spores from germinating at the first stage, itself.

About the remedial measures, Dikshit informed that essential oil, present in ammi commonly known ajwaien, fennel or Sauf and cumin seeds or zeera, are the best remedy.

So, the next time you spot a white or coloured patch on your dress better get it treated as this could be fungal infection already in the process of harming the fibers of the clothes.

Tips to protect clothes from fungus

* Take your outside, sunshine and fresh air will kill the mildew

* Leave a light bulb turned on in areas where the fungus is most likely to breed

* Remove clothes from plastic dry cleaning bags immediately

* Check your clothes for spots/stains every time you hang them up

* Keep about an inch between your clothes and don’t cram them in

Keep closet door open to help with air flow

* Never hang clothes in your closet, unless they are completely dry

* Stuff your shoes and handbags that you don’t wear daily with a little tissue

* Opt for paint, not wall paper on your closet walls

Tips to protect leather from fungus

* Allow air circulation around stored items

* Apply a wax dressing to leather

* Take your leather items out occasionally and place them in the sunlight

* Store leather goods for extended periods

* Clean your leather regularly

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Rajeev Mani, TNN / June 28th, 2015

At 15, girl becomes youngest MSc from the univ where her father is sanitation worker

Amazing Feats, Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

After having completed her BSc two years ago from Lucknow University at the tender age of 13, the latest feat perhaps makes Sushma the youngest post-graduate in the country.

Sushma Verma, who had cleared BSc at the age of 13, at residence, in Lucknow on Saturday. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)
Sushma Verma, who had cleared BSc at the age of 13, at residence, in Lucknow on Saturday. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Her classmates, on an average, were about eight years older to her, but it was Sushma Verma, now 15, who cleared MSc (Microbiology) at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University with flying colours when her fourth semester results were declared Saturday.

With Semester Grade Point Average (SGPAs) of 8, 8.25 and 9, she topped first, second and fourth semesters, respectively, missing out on first rank in third with her SGPA of 8.5, just .25 less than one of her classmates. “She is likely to top the course but we are waiting for the cumulative marks which will be available soon,” said Dr Naveen Kumar Arora, Head of Environmental Microbiology department at BBAU.

After having completed her BSc two years ago from Lucknow University at the tender age of 13, the latest feat perhaps makes Sushma the youngest post-graduate in the country.

What makes it even more special for her is that her father, Tej Bahadur, 51, was a daily-wage labourer till two years ago and the entire family lived in a dilapidated room — until help poured in. In order to help him support his daughter, BBAU Vice-Chancellor Dr R C Sobti appointed Bahadur, class eight pass, as an assistant supervisor (sanitation) at the university. The father-daughter duo would often travel to the university together.

“I now want to pursue PhD, perhaps in agricultural microbiology,” says the soft-spoken Sushma, sitting inside her home, which is on the outskirts of Lucknow in Bargawan area. Why agricultural microbiology? “I’m interested in this field, I was especially drawn to it when we had to do fieldwork in the fourth semester, or when we would have to do lab work such as isolate Rhizobium bacteria in roots of leguminous plants,” she explains.

“During our field visits, we realised that the soil in and around Lucknow is becoming more arid by the day, so I would like to try and find out a way to make the city greener,” she says.

However, it was happenstance that led her to MSc as at one point, Sushma wanted to be a doctor.

In 2005, just a little over 5 years old, Sushma was enrolled into Class IX at the UP Board-affiliated St Meera’s Inter College. Her mother Chhaya Devi says Sushma would study books belonging to her elder brother Shailendra, who himself had completed his BCA by the age of 14.

Two years later, in 2007, Sushma was recognised by the Limca Book of Records as the “youngest student” to pass class X when she was 7 years, 3 months and 28 days old .

But it took her three years to complete Class XII as she went to Japan upon an invitation “where she stood first in an IQ test comprising people up to 35 years of age,” says Bahadur. In 2010, after clearing Class XII and wanting to be a doctor and hoping “to give something back to the society,” Sushma sat for the Uttar Pradesh Combined Premedical Test (CPMT).

“I wasn’t expecting them to allow me to even sit for the examination but they did,” says Sushma. However, she was in for a rude shock when CSJM University, Kanpur, which had conducted the test, withheld her result. Officials refused to give any reason and Bahadur says their RTI applications went unanswered. “We were told that the minimum age for enrolling in MBBS is 17 years and that’s why the university may have withheld the results.”

While waiting to “grow older”, Sushma enrolled into BSc at Lucknow University and it was around this time that her interest in Botany began developing.

Two years later, when the time to enroll for MSc came, money became an issue. But as the news spread, help started pouring in. “The greatest help to us was from (Sulabh International founder) Bindeshwar Pathak,” says Bahadur. Pathak honoured Sushma at a programme in Lucknow and showered her with a laptop, desktop, a camera, mobile phone, apart from financial assistance. As an inspired Sushma spoke with unusual maturity at the ceremony, more than a few eyes grew moist.

“She was very sincere and hardworking. She joined us at the age of 13 and we wondered how she’d manage, but she coped really well,” says Dr Arora. “We never pressurised our children to study or for anything, we just let them be,” Sushma’s mother said.

The father, however, believes his three-year-old Ananya will be “the brightest among the three (children),” as Ananya shyly but fluently reads a “difficult” Hindi poem meant for Class VIII. The two daughters are also helping their “illiterate” mother. “I can read Hindi and English now,” Chhaya said.

source: http:/www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Lucknow / by Mohammad Hamza Khan / Lucknow – June 21st, 2015

Lucknow zoo renamed after the last Nawab

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Travel

In a “historic” decision, the Samajwadi Party government has renamed the Lucknow Prani Udyan, popularly known as Lucknow zoo, as “Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Prani Udyan, Lucknow,” making it the first official move-since Independence – to name a monument after a Nawab of Oudh, or Avadh (roughly corresponding with Central Uttar Pradesh ). Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was the last Nawab of Oudh before the province was annexed by the British under the policy of Doctrine of Lapse in 1856. He was banished to Matia Burj in Bengal.

Bird sanctuary too renamed

Another first was the decision to rename the Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Unnao district after revolutionary freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad. The bird sanctuary will now be known as “ Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Pakshi Vihar, Nawabganj.”

Though Chandra Shekhar Azad was born in Alirajpur district in Madhya Pradesh (July 23, 1906), his father, Sitaram Tiwari, belonged to Badarka village in Unnao district. It was on account of his parental ties with Unnao district that the bird sanctuary has been named after him.

These decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday.

The Lucknow Zoo was established in 1921 and was named after England’s Prince of Wales as “Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens.” It was renamed as Lucknow Prani Udyan on June 4, 2001.

The State Cabinet further approved the cancellation of the agreement for handing over the power distribution in Kanpur city to Messrs. Torrent Power Limited, Ahmedabad. An official spokesman said the deal was called off through mutual understanding.

Laptops for bright students

The proposal to distribute laptops to meritorious students of high school and Intermediate examinations conducted by UP Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, Central Board of Secondary Education and the Indian Council of Secondary Education in the year 2015 was also approved by the Cabinet.

Another important Cabinet decision pertained to the demolition of three temporary structures on the service road near bungalow Number 13 in Mall Avenue (former Chief Minister Mayawati’s official bungalow).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Other States / by Atiq Khan / Lucknow – June 24th, 2015