An 8-year-old boy choked to death after swallowing a pen cap at his school in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district on Thursday, police said.

Class 3 student B. Naga Vinay was copying a lesson written on the blackboard in his notebook when he accidentally ingested the pen cap he had put in his mouth. He was rushed to a primary health centre but died of chocking, police added.

DMK President M. Karunanidhi’s health remained critical on Tuesday, party leaders said, as his son and party stalwart M.K. Stalin met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami here.

The meeting took place at Palaniswami’s residence. Further details were not available.

Stalin was accompanied by some party colleagues.

DMK cadres continued to mass in large numbers outside the Kauvery Hospital where Karunanidhi, 94, has been admitted since July 28.

“Ezhundhu Vaa Thalaivaa” (Awake, our leader) and “Vaa, Vaa, Gopalapuram Polaam Vaa” (Come, Come, let’s go to Gopalapuram) were among the slogans raised by the emotionally-charged crowd, referring to the locality where the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has a house.

Hundreds of men and women have assembled outside the hospital located in Alwarpet in south Chennai.

“We want to hear the good news about our leader’s health. That is why we are here,” said a party member.

The crowd outside the hospital started to swell after the medical bulletin issued by Kauvery Hospital on Monday evening said that Karunanidhi’s condition had deteriorated.

Karunanidhi, one of the most senior politicians in India, was Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister five times but has been ailing for some time.

On Monday, the hospital said Karunanidhi’s response to medical intervention over the next 24 hours would determine the prognosis.

“There has been a decline in the medical condition of Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age related ailments,” said the hospital statement.

The DMK chief was admitted to Kauvery Hospital for the first time on July 18 for change of tracheostomy tube.

On July 26, the hospital said Karunanidhi was suffering from urinary tract infection and he was being treated with intravenous antibotics and fluids.

However, the DMK leader’s condition turned bad on July 28 with a drop in his blood pressure and he was shifted to the hospital. He has remained there since then.

India bears a terrible burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with the lack of proper diet and safe food a major contributing factor. The country has seen an increase in the NCDs burden from 30 percent in 1990 to 55 percent in 2016.

The World Cancer Research Fund contends that 27 to 39 percent of the main cancers can be prevented by improving diet, physical activity and body composition. The Global Status Report on NCDs-2010 has stated that salt consumption has direct implications for high blood pressure as well cardiovascular issues — and that saturated and trans-fat consumption increases the risk of diabetes as well as coronary heart disease.

What one eats, and how one eats, is definitely a significant reason why NCDs have become one of the major issues in India, as well as across the globe. The way we eat cannot be directly regulated, but there are three major factors that can be controlled: What we eat, what we know about what we eat and awareness about what we should eat (quantity/choice).

The first aspect comes from the standardization of food, the idea of the safety of the food that is available for human consumption. In this context, The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 has enabled amalgamation of all the laws and regulations and has further led to the creation of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The second task comes from the aspect of sharing the information about what we eat. How do I know what I am eating is right? For this, FSSAI has enabled labeling, especially the content and nutritional information.

The third and final task is the mammoth one of telling citizens what they should eat, the choice of food or its quantum. For this, a phenomenal wave of change has just taken flight — the “Eat Right Movement” — the main focus of which is to guide citizens across the nation. The movement is built on two broad pillars of “Eat Healthy” and “Eat Safe”, which is engaging citizens to improve their health and well-being. It started off recently with the goal to reduce the consumption of high-fat sugar and salt (HFSS) foods, and to eat safe and nutritious food.

Any technique adopted to alter the way citizens think, behave and function in society has a long gestation period before a positive outcome can be expected. It should be understood that the premise for adopting a technique for social and behavioural change comes from the fact that it cannot be a discontinuous function, it cannot be a jump from A to B; instead, it has to be a transition with constant nudging.

The reason why the “Eat Right Movement” could be a huge success is that it taps that narrow space of potential between what consumers will ignore because it is unattainable, and what they won’t consider important to begin with. Had the movement supported a dramatic reduction in HFSS foods, most consumers would not pay heed to it; but if the movement had just been a simplistic awareness programme, consumers would not consider it important enough to participate in the process. The “Eat Right Movement” not only nudges consumers to take the right step, but also involves them in the process of building a healthier India.

The second important aspect of the movement is that it involves collaboration, as well as voluntarily commitment from the major Food Business Operators, (FBOs) wherein it is not only the final consumer who is part of the movement, but the stakeholders such as FBOs who have the capacity to influence the way food is produced and made available to the people. The movement seeks improved behaviour in terms of food choices from the supply side as well as the demand side, thereby setting an example can be replicated for other issues within India, and by other nations as well.

The movement incorporates an “Eat Right Toolkit” which is a supportive engagement to be streamlined into the national nutrition and public health programmes. It also encompasses the Safe and Nutritious food (SNF) Initiative, which thrives on the philosophy of creating IEC (Information Education Communication) Material, to spread awareness and to be mindful of the concept of “safe and nutritious food”.

Clearly, there are quite effective methods in place to alter the way India eats; however, there is a need to throw caution to the wind. The issue is the inability to quantify the changes in habits of citizens in a short span. Therefore, a deflection from strategy should not be based on short-term outcomes. Instead, FSSAI needs to go all guns ablaze in these social and behavioural changes that they have given life to. Because health and competitiveness will follow if India begins to “Eat Right”!

DMK President M. Karunanidhi’s health condition is stable and his vital signs are normal on Monday, said a party spokesperson.

“Karunanidhi’s condition is now stable after a minor setback in the form of breathing problem on Sunday night. The doctors at Kauvery Hospital are monitoring his condition,” T.K.S. Elangovan told IANS.

He said the 94-year-old leader who was admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been moving his hands and legs and also opened his eyes.

Hospital sources have also said that Karunanidhi had moved his hands and legs and also opened his eyes after he was admitted in the ICU.

Karunanidhi, the five times Tamil Nadu Chief Minister who has never lost an assembly election in the 13 times he had contested, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday at 1.30 a.m. after his blood pressure dipped.

Anxiety about Karunanidhi’s health condition reached a peak late on Sunday with all the family members and senior party leaders rushing to the hospital as he developed some breathing trouble.

Later the hospital issued a statement. It said: “There was a transient setback in the clinical condition of Karuanidhi, DMK President and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

“With active medical support, his vital signs are normalising. He continues to be closely monitored and treated by the panel of expert doctors.”

Karunanidhi’s son and DMK Working President M.K. Stalin has urged the thousands of party cadres gathered outside the hospital to remain calm.

In a statement late on Sunday, Stalin said Karunanidhi’s medical condition has stabilised after a minor setback.

The police has been advising the cadres to disperse citing the hospital’s statement about Karunanidhi’s health condition.

According to Elangovan, the anxiety amongst party cadres late on Sunday peaked after sudden deployment of police force in large numbers and the news of Chief Minister K. Palaniswami cancelling his programmes in Salem and rushing back to Chennai.

Chief Minister K.Palaniswami and his deputy O.Panneerselvam on Monday met Karunanidhi at hospital. Speaking to reporters Palaniswami said: “Karunanidhi’s condition is stable”.

Palaniswami and Panneerselvam met the ailing leader in the ICU along with Stalin and M. Kanomozhi.

On July 26, Kauvery Hospital said Karunanidhi was being treated for fever due to urinary tract infection with intravenous antibiotics and fluids at his home here.

However, after his blood pressure dipped he was admitted to Kauvery Hospital .

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Vice Chairman Karan Singh Tanwar on Friday announced that the civic body will install 75 water ATMs in the city, as part of an ongoing project.

“We’ve collaborated with Jana Jae to undertake an increase in the number of Water ATMs inside and outside of strategic areas including tourist places, hospitals, parks, and slums,” he said.

“We aim to provide clean drinking water to our citizens at very affordable prices and also reduce the wastage. In addition, this initiative will also cut down plastic usage and waste”, he added.

Water in these ATMs will be available for Rs 2 per glass.

Paper glasses will be available at every ATM and

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to DMK leaders M.K. Stalin and M.K. Kanimozhi to inquire about the health of party President M. Karunanidhi and offered necessary assistance.

“Spoke to Thiru M.K. Stalin and Kanimozhi. Enquired about the health of Karunanidhiji and offered any assistance required. I pray for his quick recovery and good health,” Modi tweeted.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came a day after it was revealed that the 94-year-old veteran leader was suffering from urinary tract infection and is being treated at home.

Modi is currently on his five-day, three-nation tour of Africa.

The Kauvery Hospital which is monitoring his health said in a statement on Thursday that there has been a slight decline in Karunanidhi’s health due to age-related ailments.

“He is currently being treated… with intravenous antibiotics and fluids. He is being monitored and treated round the clock by a team of medical and nursing professionals, who are providing hospital-level care at his home,” Kauvery Hospital’s Executive Director Aravindan Selvaraj said.

Consuming common opioid-based painkillers may triple the risk of side effects including personality changes, confusion and sedation among people with dementia, a study has warned.

It is because people with dementia produce increased amounts of endorphins — body’s natural endogenous opioids — which interacts with a brain to reduce our perception of pain, explained researchers from the Britain’s University of Exeter.

Previous studies have recognized that pain is often under-diagnosed and poorly managed in people with dementia, impacting the quality of life.

While the opioid-based painkillers ease pain effectively, the current prescribing guidance does not consider the fact that people with dementia get effective pain relief from smaller doses than are commonly prescribed and are particularly sensitive to adverse effects.

“Pain is a symptom that can cause huge distress and it’s important that we can provide relief to people with dementia. Sadly at the moment, we’re harming people when we’re trying to ease their pain,” said Clive Ballard from the varsity.

For the study, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2018 in Chicago, the team analyzed data from 162 people who had advanced dementia and significant depression.

The analysis showed buprenorphine — opioid used to treat acute and chronic pain — tripled the harmful effects on people who received the medication as part of their treatment. These patients were also found to be significantly less active during the day.

The experiment done on mice model showed increased sensitivity to the opioid-based painkiller morphine upon treating arthritis in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

The mice with Alzheimer’s responded to a much lower dose to ease the pain, and experienced more adverse effects when the dose was increased to a normal level.

“We urgently need more research in this area, and we must get this dosing right. We need to establish the best treatment pathway and examine appropriate dosing for people with dementia,” Ballard explained.

Actress Sonali Bendre on Wednesday shared that she has been diagnosed with a “high-grade cancer”, and is undergoing treatment in New York.

Ever since the actress posted the news about her health on Twitter and Instagram, prayers and wishes have been pouring in for the actress from the film fraternity.

In a long post, Sonali said: “Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with a high-grade cancer that has metastasized, which we frankly did not see coming.

“A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis. My family and close friends have rallied around me, providing the best support system that anyone can ask for. I am very blessed and thankful for each of them,” she added.

The actress, who made her debut in the Hindi film industry with “Aag” in 1994, recently stepped down from judging a reality TV show “India’s Best Dramebaaz”. Actress Huma Qureshi stepped into her shoes.

And this seems to be the reason behind her exit from the show.

She is undergoing treatment in New York, and is optimistic about the future. Sonali is married to producer Goldie Behl. They have one son Ranveer together.

“There is no better way to tackle this, than to take swift and immediate action…What has helped has been the immense outpouring of love and support I’ve received over the past few days, for which I am very grateful. I’m taking this battle head on, knowing I have the strength of my family and friends behind me,” she added.

The news shocked stars, who took to Twitter to express their views.

“Godspeed, love and strength to a true fighter and a solid soul,” filmmaker Karan Johar said.

Actress Divya Dutta also posted “Dearest dearest one, remember you always with a girl wit so much strength and will power! Loads of prayers for you! Get well real soon! Big big hug”, while Riteish Deshmukh wrote: “Deeply saddened and shaken by this news. Praying for your speedy recovery and good health”.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar is sure Sonali “will fight all the odds and overcome this situation”.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery. Praying for strength for you, Goldie Behl and your family,” he added.

Actor Arjun Kapoor also posted: “Fight that bastard Sonali don’t let it win.”

Stars like Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Manish Malhotra, Pulkit Samrat, Mandira Bedi and Neha Dhupia also sent out their blessings and love.

Sonali has starred in films like “Diljale”, “English Babu Desi Mem”, “Duplicate”, “Major Saab”, “Sarfarosh”, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and “Hum Saath – Saath Hain”.

Thousands of people, young and old, on Thursday celebrated the fourth International Yoga Day in Karnataka by participating in yoga sessions held in cities and towns across the state.

Prominent among those who performed yoga aasanas included 85-year-old former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, his son and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader B.S. Yeddyurappa and Union Minister for Programme Implementation D.V. Sadananda Gowda.

While Deve Gowda performed yoga at his residence in the city, Yeddyurappa took part in the Yoga Day activities held at his party office in Bengaluru.

In Bengaluru, hundreds flocked to Kanteerava Stadium in the city centre where the main event was held from 7 a.m. in its circular ground. Kumaraswamy was present at the venue.

“Yoga Day provides a glimpse into India’s rich and ancient heritage… Yoga is dear to me. My family, including my father (Deve Gowda) and wife (Anita), too are ardent followers of yoga and practice it daily,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar also joined in the Yoga Day celebrations along with students at a private university here.

Several public venues across Mysuru, Dharwad, Hubballi and Mangaluru among other cities and towns were also filled with enthusiastic people performing “surya namaskaras” (sun salutation, a yogic practice) and other yogic poses.

Hundreds gathered in front of the iconic royal Mysore palace in Mysuru to perform yoga, making for a delightful spectacle as they performed the exercises in unison.

Mysuru had entered the Guinness World Records for holding the largest yoga lesson in the world in 2017, when 55,506 participants performed yoga at one venue.

The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, one among the yoga forms, is said to have been popularised in the country by a yoga teacher from the state K. Pattabhi Jois, who had set up a yoga research institute in Mysuru (then Mysore) in 1948.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 4th International Yoga Day Celebrations in Dehradun on Thursday (June 21).

The Prime Minister will join thousands of volunteers, performing Yoga asanas in the lawns of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, located in the lap of the Himalayas.

A series of Yoga related events are being organized across the world to mark the occasion.

The Prime Minister had earlier participated in Yoga celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi in 2015, the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh in 2016, and the Ramabai Ambedkar Sabha Sthal in Lucknow in 2017.

Greeting Yoga enthusiasts across the world on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that Yoga is one of the most precious gifts given by the ancient Indian sages to humankind.

“Yoga is not just a set of exercises that keep the body fit. It is a passport to health assurance, a key to fitness and wellness. Nor is Yoga only what you practice in the morning. Doing your day-to-day activities with diligence and complete awareness is a form of Yoga as well,” the Prime Minister said.

“In a world of excess, Yoga promises restraint and balance. In a world suffering from mental stress, Yoga promises calm. In a distracted world, Yoga helps focus. In a world of fear, Yoga promises hope, strength, and courage,” the Prime Minister added.

In the run-up to International Yoga Day, the Prime Minister has also taken to social media to share the intricacies of various Yoga Asanas. He has also shared pictures of people performing Yoga, at various locations across the world.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw