Visit www.edmond.in for latest updates. This is now defunct: February 2013

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

With ODale Williams, Florida International University

Odale is Prof & Chair of biostatistics at the Florida International University

Team Indo-Japan

Madras Diabetic Research Foundation

Bridging the Diabetic Divide

The Madras Diabetic Research Foundation, Chennai conducted an intensive interactive training programme on “Clinical Research Methods” and associated 11^th International Seminar on “Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases” which was supported by National Institute of Health (NIH), USA. The programme extended from 13^th to 17^th February, 2013. It was jointly organized by Florida International University and University of Alabama

Its been an impressive effort to bridge the gap between Internal Medicine and Public Health and see how discussions could be taken ahead. It also formed as a platform for future public health and internal medicine doctors to learn from and wonder.

It must be noted that Dr Mohan’s Diabetic Speciality Center has been leading the efforts to cure and prevent diabetes and it stands out head and shoulder above rest of the institutes. The effort acts as a model for entrepreneurial altruism and it encourages more private players to join in this Industry Institution Interactions and Public Private Partnerships.

Madras Diabetic Research Foundation is a component of Padmashri Dr Mohan’s magnanimity and curiosity to provide and promote research and development in the sector of Diabetes. In my understanding of what i saw , i have come to believe that Dr Mohan and his team of doctors and research associates are silently working through their deeds and not only through words. It is called upon well meaning people to take note of this and support the cause for the betterment of mankind.

Melanie Pinto, Sahana Rao and Andrea Fernandes and myself from Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore were awarded a Scholarship for the program under the guidance of Dr Sudhir Prabhu, Dept of Community Medicine.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Niddodi Village, Still in Darkness ?

Niddodi, Kallamundkur – a place still in Darkness?

My association with this place called Niddodi in Kallamundkur dates back to the time when I was born. Little has changed in this place and the attitude of the authorities reflects indifference.

There is hardly any cellular network in this area and only BSNL has come in lately. But BSNL is a super poor network and it does not cover a large magnitude. Private telecom companies are yet to make their presence felt in this area.

This area is home to a large segment of Indians, of various caste and creed. Niddodi is approximately one and half hour from Mangalore City and around 20 minutes from Kinnigoli by bus. The place comes to life on days of social gathering and the people are largely peaceful and loving. This has perhaps kept the place where it still is, the landline phones don’t work most of the time and the telecom operators have answers to it always. There is no alternative and often in emergency situations people have to rely on their well meaning neighbours to any form of necessity. Electricity concern has been a great link from the past to the current day and its highly certain that the concern will continue for many more years.

During festive seasons also there is power cut, and the panchayat is still catching up forever. There are many people who have left this place to find greener pastures in other cities and beyond India’s borders. When they return home , they find no improvement, no change, no upgradation. Whatever little is happening , is simply taking place because the people in Niddodi are building it slowly and steadily. This is certainly Bharat and not India, but there is much to learn from the people here. They are honest and do their bit to earn their bread and butter.

Of course there are rough weather issues with regard to property and land which is part and parcel of every form of human existence, but we have to look beyond to define the happiness quotient.

It would really be nice if focus could turn to this part of the world also. I would like to appeal to the panchayat officials and telecom operators to look into this place apart from their busy life they lead.

There is a decent segment of aging population in this area and inclusive concern is not a difficult ideology to ask for. There may be differences and answers to every question raised, but let’s build on our shared understanding which brings us together as Indians and appropriately as Mangaloreans for political ease. More street lights, more police vans, a little better healthcare delivery mechanism, some sign boards and telephone services in emergencies and a decent and fair access to Moodbidri and Kinnigoli would be a welcome thought to implement.

It’s true that our government may not have the money to do any of these as election time comes near, but a little this and a little that can make life easier to the wonderful people who live happily to see another day.