Daily Archives: June 23, 2014

Seaweed Extract in Pill Form to Provide Relief to Arthritis Patients

Nature, Science & Technology

Kochi :

It’s no secret that seaweeds offer an array of therapeutic possibilities, taken internally or applied externally. Now these magic weeds have again proved their worth by effectively fighting arthritis.

Scientists at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), which comes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), have developed a cost-effective nutraceutical product called ‘Green Algal Extract’ (GAE) for arthritic patients.

The institute claims it to be one of the best substitute to anti-inflammatory drugs, which are usually prescribed for arthritis, as it has no undesirable side-effects.

Synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs like paracetamol are usually prescribed for arthritis. But if used for a prolonged period, it could result in grave side-effects.  But this product will not have serious repercussions, said K K Vijayan, principal scientist and head of marine biotechnology division, CMFRI. GAE is made from the extract of anti-inflammatory ingredients from seaweeds. Since seaweed farming is not that rampant in the state, the required constituents are obtained from the east coast area of the country.

“Places like Mandapam and Rameswaram where its industry thrives have contributed immensely to provide the needed ingredients,” Vijayan said. The product is marketed in tablet form. One tablet will contain 500 mg and has to be taken for three months to get the desired result. Exhorting its success, the technology of the product  has already been transferred to a Hyderabad-based company. “Soon the product will be in the market at a competitive price,” the official said. The idea to develop a vegetarian product struck when the CMFRI’s another nutraceutical product ‘Cadalmine GMe’ became an instant hit.  It is made by extracting anti-inflammatory ingredients from mussels.

But prior to it, there was already a mussels-based product called ‘Seatone’, manufactured by a New Zealand-based company circulating in the market.

“But the price was huge. One tablet costs around `30. Hence we thought of producing a similar product especially because North Kerala thrives in mussel farming,” he said.

The product proved to be much more effective than ‘Seatone’. “Since it became a hit, requests poured in for a vegetarian product. Eventually our research led us to seaweeds,” he said.

source: http://www.m.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Kerala / by Shalet Jimmy / Kochi – June 23rd, 2014

A ‘ladder’ to cross Manimala river

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
People climbing a ladder to reach the bridge constructed across river Manimala in Thiruvalla.— Photo: Leju Kamal / The Hindu
People climbing a ladder to reach the bridge constructed across river Manimala in Thiruvalla.— Photo: Leju Kamal / The Hindu

Ever heard of people climbing a ladder to reach a modern bridge constructed in pre-stressed concrete for crossing rivers?

But, this is a sheer reality in the rural reaches of Venpala in Thiruvalla taluk where the hapless villagers, including women, children and the elderly, are left with little option but to use the bridge with the help of a steel ladder.

Thanks to the alleged bane of extreme maladministration with the departments of Revenue and Public Works, leaving the bridge constructed a year ago in a sorry state.

The Kerala State Construction Corporation had constructed the concrete bridge structure sans approaches across river Manimala in March, 2013.

The Corporation had engaged an Ernakulam-based private group for the civil work.

Completed work

The private company had completed construction of the bridge having three spans, spending Rs.3 crore.

However, the company had stopped the work abruptly, as the Revenue authorities reportedly failed to facilitate the land required for constructing the bridge approaches.

The villagers, under the aegis of the People’s Action Council, have repeatedly sought intervention of the Chief Minister, Revenue Minister, and the Public Works Minister in the matter but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the grama panchayat had provided them with a steel ladder to reach the bridge, thereby avoiding the small panchayat ferry to cross the river, in May 2013, said Shibu John, action council leader.

Failing to get justice from the government, a villager, Ammini John, had moved the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on behalf of the villagers, alleging criminal negligence on the part of the authorities concerned leading to inordinate delay in completing the bridge work.

Mr John said as many as 12 families had agreed in writing to the PWD that they were willing to provide land for constructing the bridge approaches.

But, the Revenue authorities had not yet taken steps to acquire the land to facilitate construction of the bridge approaches, he alleged.

Disposing of the petition on May 27, the SHRC Chairman, J.B. Koshy, directed the Revenue department and the PWD to take immediate steps to acquire the land and complete the bridge approaches in a time-bound manner.

However, Mr John alleged that the authorities concerned were yet to act on the SHRC order for reasons best known to them.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by Radhakrishnan Kuttoor / Pathanamthitta – June 23rd, 2014

He is different, and yet very special

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All
Making an impressive start:Rajeev Rangan turns director with Makan , which has Eldo in the lead.— Photo: By Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Making an impressive start:Rajeev Rangan turns director with Makan , which has Eldo in the lead.— Photo: By Special Arrangement / The Hindu

A special child makes history by featuring in a full-length feature film

A differently abled child will play the lead inMakan: The Kid , a movie directed by actor-singer Rajeev Rangan.

Seventeen-year-old Eldo will don the greasepaint for the venture. “As far as I know, this is the first time in Indian cinema a differently abled child is playing the lead in a feature film,” says Mr. Rangan.

He does not plan the movie as a regular commercial one, but promises that it will be an entertainer.

At the same time, it is an entertainer. “The main objective is to create awareness about the challenges faced by children with Down’s Syndrome,” he says.

In the movie, Eldho plays Varun, the child of theatre artistes John and Bhuvana. The plot revolves around the parents’efforts to help him realise his potential. And, in turn, through him, the parents overcome a difficult phase in their lives.

“Society is not still aware of the fact that all people with Down’s Syndrome need to live full and rewarding lives. Even in the West, with all its material achievements, the awareness has not sunk in.

In Italy, a boy with Down’s Syndrome was recently rejected from a summer school because the staff said he was too difficult to manage. Parents often have negative thoughts after having a baby with Down’s Syndrome. But with most of them, a special relationship develops as the child becomes more responsive,” says Mr. Rangan.

He has been associated with a few schools for children with special needs.

“I have closely watched and interacted with the children. So, I may claim this is a movie straight from the heart,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Thrissur – June 29th, 2014