The Observer An IIJNM publication
Vol 18 Issue 7
Autorickshaw drivers blame Ola and Uber for increasing losses | P 2
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Doctors suggest surgery when other methods fail Abbinaya Kuzhanthaivel
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Obesity in women more than men |Courtesy: Pexels ious reasons, including marriage obese people. It is a process where and depression,” Dr G Moinoddin, the size of the stomach is reduced consultant,bariatrics,and ad- to controlthe intake of food. It is vanced laparoscopic surgeon at done by either removing a portion Gleneagles Global Hospitals, of the stomach or using a gastric Richmond Road, informed The band. Observer. As of July 2017, India stood Bariatric surgery, common in third in the World Obesity Rankrecent years, is suggested for ing, with 44,332,755 obese adults
Composting solutions from kitchen waste catch on Anuradha Sriram
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engaluru has of late seen a growth in people volunteering to provide composting solutions from their kitchen waste. This has been observed mostly at the community level, organizations and RWAs that wish to be trained in making composts. Vasuki Iyengar, owner of Soil and Health, an organization that provides composting solutions, informed The Observer: “Soil quality has been progressively declining over the past few decades as commercial farming practices have gained ground. We support people by helping them to make compost with minimum fuss from kitchen waste.” Iyengar set up Soil and Health in 2016. S. Vinayak, the accounts manager of Soil and Health, said: “Over 5,000 homes, 10 apartments/hostels and five agricultural farms are composting their waste using Soil and Health composting bins and growing safe vegetables with the compost.” “We have more than 150 leaf composters installed across Ben-
galuru: in 25 temples and churches, 20 apartments, five parks and 25 individual volunteers’ houses,” he added. The organization trains its clients in how to choose products to manage kitchen waste and convert it to compost by using microbial coco peats. The projects are specific and customized according to the needs of the clients. Their time span ranges from short-term to long-term. The number of people who have showed interest in the compost is increasing, and participation has been large. The assignments not only concentrate on composting techniques but also involve training and maintenance. Lakshmi Sankaran, a resident of Whitefield, said: “Composting solutions have worked a big deal for me. I have started to eat healthy. In compost bins at home, I grow organic vegetables.” “Lately the response we are getting is better than before. We are getting more invitations from RWAs, sangathans and even individuals,” RishitaV, a volunteer at Soil and Health, said. anuradha.s@iijnm.org
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Tailor-made martial art Jeet Kune Do can save women from assaults | P 2
More women than men opt for surgery to get rid of obesity espite identical obesity rates, more women than men undergo bariatric surgery, doctors say. “In my experience with 50 cases of obesity, 32 were women. Women are more weight-conscious than men. Hypothyroid and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are two conditions that lead to weight gain. I suggest a surgery when there is no chance for weight loss by other methods like dieting or going to gym. Women between the ages of 16 and 30 opt for surgery due to var-
The Observer
– accounting for 4.9% of its adult population. The Observer accessed the operation register of the Gleneagles Global Hospital, and found that of the 39 bariatric surgeries performed between April 2017 and October 8, 2018, 28 were on women. “There is a marginal increase in women opting for surgery, but both women and men have similar obesity rates. There are various reasons that we suggest for surgery. Obesity associated with diabetes, blood pressure and sleep apnea syndrome needs surgery. We don’t encourage women who enquire about it for cosmetic reasons,” Dr Satish TM, senior consultant, bariatric surgery, Lenus Hospital, JP Nagar said. Genes play vital role in weight gain | Page 2
News Briefs Nation: Titli cyclone hits the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh killing two persons near Palasa in Srikakulam district of AP. Telephone lines and power supply have been disrupted. International:US President Donald Trump says three or four locations have been shortlisted for his second planned summit with North Korean President Kim Jong Un. The meeting will probably not take place in Singapore, the venue of the first summit. Business: Rupee hits an all-time low of Rs.74.50 against the US dollar, causing the BSE Sensex to plunge by 1,000 points. This year, the rupee has weekend 16% against the dollar, becoming the worst performing Asian currency Sports: Sixteen-year-old Manu Bhaker becomes the first Indian shooter to win a gold medal in Youth Olympics 2018. She shot a 236.5 in women’s 10m air pistol event in Argentina.
Cases of death due to negligence on Bengaluru roads increasing Most involve youngsters, says police officer Oisika Dev
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here has been an increase in the number of cases of death due to negligence on roads in Bengaluru in recent years. Anupam Agarwal, DCP (traffic), informed The Observer: “Most cases of death due to negligence involve people in the 15-25 age group due to their tendency of rash driving or drunken driving. People don’t understand steps taken to create awareness about traffic rules.” According to data of the City Crime Records Bureau in 2013, there were 54 deaths due to negligence on Bengaluru roads. The number increased to 60 in 2014, and to 139 in 2015. In 2016, there were 225 deaths due to negligence on roads. This year, the number has gone up to 239. “Police should be extra vigilant
Increased road accidents due to negligence| Credit: Varsha against drunken or rash driving. They should increase the frequency of their checks because this is the only way to prevent deaths due to negligence,” said Vijayalakshmi, who rides a twowheeler. Another commuter, who refused to be identified, shared: “Underage driving and consumption of intoxicants is the main reason for
death among youngsters. Parents should handle their kids strictly to prevent such fatal accidents.” Section 304A, IPC, which deals with causing death by negligence, says: “Whoever causes the death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.” Harshit Kumar, a commuter who works at the Oriental Bank of Commerce, said: “One of the main reasons for death due to negligence is that most people don’t use protective gear or seatbelts. Hence, they are prone to accidents.” M.N. Sreehari, a traffic expert, informed The Observer: “Students should be educated about traffic rules from a very young age. If they are educated properly, they will grow to be responsible adults. Death due to negligence can be countered primarily by educating people about its consequences and prevention.” oisika.d@iijnm.org