TIMES CITYTHE TIMES OF INDIA, AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

COMMITTEE FORMED UNDER CM TO CALIBRATE ‘MAKE IN INDIA’ SOPS FOR INDUSTRY | 4

PROBE INTO ̀̀ 60 CRORE GOLD SMUGGLING CASEBOUNCES AROUND BETWEEN AGENCIES | 3

Ahmedabad: Solar Impulse,world’s first solar plane is set tomake Ahmedabad one of its stopsby the end of this week. The citywill be a ports of call in India for aunique experiment that began inSwitzerland — a round-the-worldflight by the first aircraft run onsolar power.

Solar Impulse will fly into Ah-medabad from Abu Dhabi, whereit begins its flight, and then halt atVaranasi before flying further to-wards the Pacific.

Psychiatrist and aeronautBertrand Piccard has teamed upwith MIT graduate AndreBorschberg to build and operatethe green airplane, an 11-year-old,$150 million project, financed by anumber of private companies.

The aircraft has a wingspanof 72m — more than a Boeing 747’s— which is needed to create the

surface area for solar cells. Itweighs as much as a car — 2,300 kg— with a maximum cruising alti-tude of 27,000 feet at a speed of 140kmph. The plane can carry justone pilot.

The flight is expected to landon March 8 subject to weatherconditions.

“Since the weather is expectedto remain cloudy, the landing mayget delayed. Once it arrives, it willbe here for three or four days,”said an Airports Authority of In-dia (AAI) official.

World’s first solarplane to land in city

CIRCUM-AVIATION

TOIAhmedabad: On January 19 this year, thefour trustees of VS Hospital gatecrashed theinstitution’s budget meeting — which wasbeing chaired by the mayor — and revealedthat bodies donated by well-meaning citizensfor anatomy studies of medical students atNHL Municipal College, were being given toMNCs for research.

The trustees, Brijesh Chinai, Rupa Chi-nai, Jay Sheth and V F Shah, had alleged thateven the agreement signed between the do-nor families with hospitalauthorities was not trans-parent, as it didn’t make theexact use clear to the donor. It failed to saywhether the cadaver would be used for stu-dents’ anatomy classes or for MNC-spon-sored product display surgeries and re-search.

A few days ago, Dr Jitendra Patel, head ofNHL’s anatomy department wrote to thePMO alleging that bodies donated to the insti-tute for educational and research purposeswere indeed given to multinational compa-nies for research. Sources claim that a fewyears ago, when LG Medical College request-ed four bodies for anatomy lectures, only two

were provided citing a shortage. Municipal commissioner D Thara

claimed on Monday that VS Hospital receivesmore than 100 bodies from donors. Sources inthe anatomy department claim that Rs 2 lakhwas paid as monthly bills for refrigeration ofbodies and maintaining the Rs 4 crore cadav-er lab. Also, MNCs manufacturing ortho-paedic products and other surgical productsconducted 25 workshops in the last threeyears and consumed more than 80 bodies.

At the root of this problem is the questionof who actually controls VS Hopsital. Docu-

ments received under theRight to Information Act(RTI) by Pankaj Bhatt clearly

reveal that when the Medical Council of In-dia (MCI) gave recognition for 150 seats toSmt NHL Medical College at the VS Hospitalcampus, the hospital was shown as a 1,085-bed hospital in 2006 and again in 2011.

In January, when the mayor presented thebudget, VS Hospital was show as a 120-bedhospital.

“How did MCI give recognition for the 150seats of NHL Medical College if VS was just a120-bed hospital? AMC has misrepresentedfacts on record,” says Pankaj Bhatt, who re-ceived the RTI reply last November.

More VS skeletons emerge

CADAVER ROW

Almost two months after Prof Ganesh N Devy, a Padma Shri recipient, quit DA-

IICT expressing displeasure over the appointment of a “fresher as director”, the in-stitute is still not ready to be-lieve that he is no longer with it. Officials continue to main-tain that the professor is

present on the c a m p u s. B u t Prof Devy him-self dispelled the rumours saying, “I left DA-IICT in Janu-ary and have no plans to join any institute. Right now, my focus is on

Bhasha Research and Publication Centre in Vadodara.” However, DA-IICT officials said Prof Devy never tendered an official resignation and they got to know about it only through a TOI report. “Prof Devy is very much a part of DA-IICT,” an official declared.

Departure lost in translationHoli bath in secret spirits

It seems dry Gujarat will be high on spirits this Holi! The festival of colours can never be

complete without traditional thandai, but it seems thandai is losing its charm, with students opting for ‘spirits’ over the traditional drink. And for students of premier institutes, Holi is not just about ‘spirits’ but also about soaking in it. Sev-

eral students told TOI, on condition of anonym-ity, that Holi has become synonymous with a‘beer bath’. Out little birdie told us revellers se-cretly prepare colours mixed with spirits, honey and barley powder a day in advance. “On Holi, students daubed in a mélange of colours dance to drumbeats,” said a law student requesting

anonymity. She said, “Holi craziness also results in positive effects like detoxification and good blood flow.” Holi is also the time for spa. “We remain soaked in ‘spirit’ colours for hours, giving a refreshing treat to our skin,” a student of a design institute said.

‘Pillu’ a superstar in NIDA pampered street canine

dons a rich look, thanks to an army of pooch lovers in NID. Popularly called ‘Pillu’, she can be found roaming freely around the campus — be it cafeteria, parking area, or hostel. Each student donates a part of his or her food to their furry friend. Such is their fondness for the dog that they also pro-vide her the comfort of lodgings during harsh weath-er. “I was not fond of dogs. But Pillu is so adorable she soon became a part of my life,” said Parag Chitale, a student.

Innovative jugaad

An engineering institute on SG Road demonstrated that cri-ses push ethics aside. The college recently organized an

innovation exhibition but students couldn’t finish on time. Officials hence bought projects and presented them as students’ works. In January, we reported how another institute sourced

projects from market a day before an exhibition.

Students at annual fests in Mica and HL College of Commerce

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

WORST RESULTS? 2009 2010 2012

States Cases Death Mortality% Cases Death Mortality% Cases Death Mortality%

Gujarat 697 125 18 1,682 363 22 101 30 30

Maharashtra 4,594 270 6 6,814 669 10 1,551 135 9

Delhi 8,439 72 1 2,725 77 3 78 1 1

Haryana 1,888 34 2 216 16 7 18 5 28

Andhra Pradesh 777 52 7 733 49 7 326 34 10

Karnataka 1,872 138 7 2,575 116 5 878 48 5

Kerala 1,579 32 2 1,533 89 6 623 14 2

Rajasthan 3,032 150 5 1,710 153 9 343 60 17

Tamil Nadu 2,062 7 0 1,184 13 1 750 40 5

Uttar Pradesh 1,215 14 1 376 29 8 124 0 0

India 27,236 981 4 20,604 1,763 9 5,044 405 8Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: Gujarat now has the dubious distinction of recording highest number of swine fl u deaths in 2015. But fact is that the state also has distinction of having highest mortality rate — per-centage of deaths to number of cases — for the disease in the last fi ve years.

Barring 2011 and 2013, the percentage of deaths to swine flu cases in Gujarat has been the highest. During outbreaks in 2011 and 2013, Gujarat was second to Haryana and Mahar-ashtra respectively.

In the last five years, as many as 720 people have died from swine flu which is the second highest number after Mahar-ashtra where 1,224 people died in the same period. However, the percentage of deaths in Gujarat was 20 compared to Maharashtra’s nine (second highest). This was because since 2009, Gujarat recorded 3,526 positive swine cases, while in neighbouring Maharashtra 13,628 people were infected with the H1N1 virus.

However, in 2015 the mor-tality rate was hovering be-tween 5-6%. The state govern-ment officials reasoned that the higher number of deaths in Gujarat compared to other states was because of number of reasons but primarily be-

cause those infected with H1N1 were already suffering other ailments.

A top state health depart-ment official said the higher rate of mortality this year was also because people ap-proached doctors only at an

advanced stage of the disease.

The state gov-ernment further maintained that there was no dearth at government hospitals of isola-tion beds, doctors, nursing staff or medicine. It claimed that there was adequate stock of swine flu medicine in the state which was also being supplied to private hospitals. This was also one of the rea-sons, explained the top offi-cial, for the state government not invoking the Epidemic Act.

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: In wake of the swine fl u outbreak in the state, which has claimed 292 lives since January 1, the state health department on Tuesday issued an advisory for students taking the board exams and for the upcoming Holi festival.

In an advisory for students taking the board exams and their parents, the health depart-ment assured that all examina-tion centres would have ade-quate quantities of masks and sanitizers. The government fur-ther assured that hygiene and cleanliness would be main-tained at all centres.

The government has advised students with swine flu symp-

toms to wear masks while taking the ex-

ams. However, stu-dents suffering from swine flu have not been granted exemp-

tion. Schools have been asked to dis-

t r i b u t e i n f o r -

m a t -i o n bro -

chures on swine flu along with the exam passes for students. Students will also be given the ayurvedic concoction ‘kadha’ and homeopathic medicines at schools.

Beside the advisory for students, the health depart-ment also is-sued an advi-sory for the Holi festival. They have asked those with swine flu-like symptoms to avoid playing Holi, stay indoors, and avoid crowded places. The govern-ment also asked those suffering from asthma, allergies or other diseases to avoid playing Holi.

Meanwhile, there is no res-

pite for children affected by swine flu. They will have to take the board exams to be held by the Gujarat State Higher Secon-day Education Board. There is no isolation facility for students at any centre, nor will the state government offer relaxations or a re-examination for affected students. When asked why, a senior education department official remarked, “Tomorrow if a student has malaria he or she would ask re-examination.”

But it was t h i s s a m e board that had exempted stu-dents during the 2001 earth-quake and also

exempted children affected dur-ing the 2002 post Godhra riots. “Is swine flu comparable to ma-laria. The state’s records say that it has no malarial deaths in 2014. Swine flu has killed 292 people and affected 4,900 people in 62 days,” says a parent Pratik Shrimali.

ADVICEPreventive

➤ Avoid playing Holi

➤ Remain inside their homes

➤ Not venture into crowded places

➤ Avoid physical contact like shaking hands, hugging

Use handkerchiefwhile sneezing, do not spit in open

Wash hands after coming home from outside and before meals

Those sufferingasthma, allergies or other diseases must avoid Holi revelry

FACILITIES FOR BOARD STUDENTS➤ All board examinees willbe given information pamphlet on swine flu along with their exam pass

➤ All exam centres will have adequate masks and sanitizers

➤ Hygiene and cleanlinesshigh on priority list

➤ Ayurvedic concoction‘kadha’ and homeopathic medicine will be distributed at all schools

➤ Those with swine flu-like symptoms must wear masks

Kadha, masks are govt answer to examsADVISORY FOR HOLI

Those having flu -ike symptoms should...

But State Silent On Fate Of

Examinees With Swine Flu

Swine flu mortality rate always higher in Gujarat

The govt advised examinees showing symptoms to wear masks at exams but students suffering from swine fl u have not been granted exemption

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Gandhinagar: Speaking on the gover-nor’s address in the Assembly, national spokesperson of Congress, Shaktisinh Gohil said the address doesn’t refl ect the commitment the government must have.

He said Gujarat has become number one in swine flu deaths in the country only because of criminal negligence by the state government. “While governments in other states immediately took steps to contain the spread, the Gujarat govern-ment failed to take the necessary steps in time,” said the senior Congress leader.

Lashing out at the state government, Gohil said it does not have the necessary manpower in hospitals to tackle the situ-

ation. “The state should take a leaf from Maharashtra where the government will bear all expenses of swine flu patients in private hospitals. Gujarat government

should also take the same measures. The benefits should also be given those already treated at private hospitals,” added Gohil.

Expressing concern over losses in-curred by the farmers because of the recent unseasonal rains, the Congress leader requested the government to con-duct a survey and compensate farmers for losses. He also raised the issue of se-vere malnutrition in children. Gohil said that in 2007-08, only 0.65% of children in the state were malnourished. “This rose to 4.6% in 2010-11, which indicates gross negligence by the state government,” Gohil said. He alleged that despite an SC order in 2004 that nutritious food be given to children, 63.37 lakh children in the state were not provided nutritious food.

Give free treatment to H1N1 patients: Cong Congress projects ‘power

points’ to pin BJP

Chief whip of Congress party in the assembly, Balwantsinh

Rajput said that though the people’s sufferings have gone up manifold recently, Gujarat government is misleading people with false claims of ‘Gatisheel Gujarat’. To support his claim, Rajput said that in 2000, 31% of the farmers in the state were getting electricity which dipped to 19% in 2010-11. “Under Congress rule, farmers got power for 15 hours every day, which is now down to less than eight,” Rajput added.

Positive cases

138Deaths

9Across Gujarat on Tuesday

+ve cases

4,904Deaths

292Cured

3,410

Since January 1

Fresh cases by district

Ahmedabad

45Surat

23Kutch

11Vadodara

8

Swine flu helpline: 18002332510

SITUATION REPORT

District-wise deaths

Ahmedabad

2Bhavnagar

1

Junagadh

2Rajkot

1Gandhinagar

1

Rajkot

6Gandhinagar

3

AMC gets tough on hospitals

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: The con-tinuing swine fl u outbreak is a death march in the state, with 138 new cases and nine more deaths on Tuesday, the state health department asked mu-nicipal corporations to strengthen surveillance on private hospitals refus-ing to admit patients or maintain adequate stand-ards of isolation.

Ahmedabad was one of the first cities to conduct inspections. Health author-ities in Ahmedabad Mu-nicipal Corporation (AMC) say that like on Monday, there will be another round of inspection this week. “The notices issued to sev-en of the 41 hospitals on Monday proved quite effec-tive as isolation facilities were strengthened,” says a senior AMC health official. AMC health department has also issued a communi-que to all zones to provide oseltamivir tablets to staff at 22 crematoriums.

In all, the death toll in the state reached 292 on Tuesday and the total number of swine flu cases was 4,904 since January 1.

HEALTH CRISIS

Pics: Yogesh Chawda

Devout perform Varah Javer havan (ritual for swine flu) at Anand Nagar Apartments in Akhbarnagar on Tuesday