UTK writes to Modi criticizing BJP MP’s attempt to endorse tobacco use in India

[email protected] (CD Network)
April 2, 2015

Mangaluru, Apr 2: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over BJP MP Dilip Gandhi’s insensitive remarks that that there’s not enough Indian data to link tobacco to cancer.

ut modi gandhiIn a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Mr Khader expressed shock over the recommendation put forward by Dilip Gandhi to reexamine the health effects of tobacco on an Indian population in concern with pictorial warnings implementation.

Dilip Gandhi, who head’s Parliamentary panel on subordinate legislation examining the provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 which had sought deferment of the move, earlier stated that there was no Indian study to confirm that use of tobacco products leads to cancer.

“If this report is true, it is disappointing as the health hazards of tobacco are well established worldwide over the decades. The carcinogenic chemicals in tobacco are the same worldwide and do not differ between countries in nature to harm human life. The same is proven well by the International agency for research on cancer- a wing of W.H.O,” said Mr Khader.

It is shocking that a senior MP is so poorly informed about the facts pertaining to harmful effects of tobacco. It also clearly shows the influence of the tobacco industry on the policy maker in a bid to distort science and influence policy. Tobacco is attributable cause for almost 40 % of cancers in India and majority of lung or heart diseases. It is appalling that Dilip Gandhi is challenging the recommendations of W.H.O, United Nations, UICC, CDC, NCI etc with regards to health effects of tobacco. In December 2010, Supreme Court had directed Ministry of Health to constitute an expert committee to study the harmful effects of tobacco. The committee submitted a damming report proving beyond doubt that tobacco is indeed very harmful, said Mr Khader in his letter.

Mr Khader further said: “This poor and unscientific approach by a policy maker can only make way for Acche Din to the tobacco industry, which contributes to highest deaths from NCD in our country. I strongly urge you to take cognizance of the issue and show your commitment for a Swasth Bharat by intervening in this policy measure that has potential to save lives.”

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coastaldigest.com news network
June 23,2020

Mangaluru, Jun 23: A charter flight carrying as many as 166 people including a child stranded in United Arab Emirates today reached Mangaluru. 

The flight was chartered by M Friends Charitable Trust, Mangaluru and My Community Foundation with the sole intention of helping the repatriation of stranded passengers such as pregnant women, elderly people and those who are in need of emergency medical care. 

The flydubia flight FZ4617 took off from Dubai at 2 p.m. and landed at Mangaluru International Airport at 7:22 p.m.

The passengers who arrived from UAE hail from different parts of coastal Karnataka and passengers themselves had borne the ticket fare for their travel.

M Friends president Haneef Haji Goltamajalu has thanked representatives of My Community Foundation and M Friends Trusty Ashraf Abbas Kunjattur, M Friends NRI leader Haneef Puttur, general secretary Rasheed Vittla for their efforts in chartering the flight.

In the last three weeks, 13 special flights with around 2150 passengers from various Gulf countries had landed at Mangaluru airport. 

Already, throat swab samples of 1814 passengers, who had arrived in Mangaluru, have been tested and 239 people with international travel history have tested positive and the samples of 1,575 passengers have tested negative so far.

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News Network
February 10,2020

Udupi, Feb 10: The throat swabs of three suspected coronavirus patients in Udupi that was sent for tests have come back as negative.

Throat swabs of three persons who got admitted at a district government hospital in Udupi with symptoms of fever on Friday was sent to Bangalore medical college and research institute for test to know whether the admitted persons who returned from China 15 days back had contracted coronavirus.

The 30-year-old man from Kaup taluk had been China on personal work and had returned to Udupi 15 days back. Upon showing the symptoms of fever, throat pain and cold, he was suggested to get admitted.

He was admitted in the isolation ward and was directed to remain under quarantine till the observation period ends and till the test report is obtained.

Another family from Mandarthi, a man and his wife, who had returned after a tour from China 15 days back were also kept under observation at the isolation ward in the district government hospital, Udupi.

Udupi DC G Jagadish has said that there are no coronavirus case reported in Udupi and people need not panic. Sources said that the three tested negatives for coronavirus in Udupi will be discharged from the hospital on Monday.

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coastaldigest.com news network
January 28,2020

Mangaluru, Jan 28: Amidst nationwide agitation by ‘We, the People of India’ against contentious CAA, NRC, the women of Manglauru have decided to hold satyagrah and form a human chain in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner in the heart of the city on January 30.

This was announced in a press conference today by activists Sajida Momin, Vidya Dinker, Terry Pais, Maria Ferandes and Suhasini Babbukatte.

The event will mark the 73rd anniversary of the martyrdom of the original Satyagrahi Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated by saffronite terrorist Nathuram Godse.

Ms Momin told media persons that the Satyagrah will commence at 10 a.m. to safeguard the constitution. At 4:30 p.m. a human chain will be formed.

“At 5.17p.m. when the father of the nation was gunned down 72 years ago during his evening prayer at Birla House by Godse, we will convey Gandhi’s message of unity against violence,” she said.

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