Cervical Cancer

Author: Dr. Sapna Nangia

Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer in Indian women and a quarter of the world’s cervical cancer patients live in India! It is indeed ironical that a cancer that can be prevented by a vaccine and detected in a pre malignant state receives such little attention from the media.

 

Caused by infection with the Human Papilloma Virus( HPV), cervical cancer involves the opening of the uterus into the vagina. It occurs more commonly in women who start sexual activity at a young age and is also more common in women with many childbirths and partners. Given that girls in rural India marry at a younger age and have more children than their urban counterparts, it is not surprising that the incidence of cervical cancer is more in rural India. Other risk factors are poor personal hygiene and, of late, HIV infection.

 

The process of transformation of a precancerous state to cervical cancer takes approximately 10 years or more. During this period, a simple test called Pap smear can detect this precancerous state. The affected area of the cervix can be effectively treated by a gynecologist using simple treatment methods such as laser, cryosurgery and LEEP. Pap smears are recommended for all sexually active women, the test being repeated at three yearly intervals if normal and at 5 yearly intervals if both Pap smear and testing for high risk strains of HPV are negative.

 

Organist ions looking to make a contribution towards improving the health status of Indian women would do well to think of mass screening of women using a technique called VIA. This simple test, which basically consists of applying vinegar to the cervix and then inspecting it, can be easily administered by health workers. In a landmark study by Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, mass screening of women was found to reduce the risk of dying due to cervical cancer by a whopping 30 %. It is known that mass screening for cervical cancer once in 10 years can reduce the incidence of this disease by 60 %!

 

Vaccines are now available against some strains of HPV. Gardasil from Merck and Co. protects against 4 strains, 2 of which cause cervical cancer and 2, genital warts. Cervarix, from  Glaxo Smith Kline Beecham, protects against 2 cancer causing HPV strains. The HPV strains that these vaccines act against are responsible for about 70 % of all cervical cancers; women who have  been vaccinated should  therefor still undergo Pap smears for early detection of cervical cancer.

 

The ideal time for vaccination is prior to initiation of sexual activity. It is  usually administered to  at the age of 12 – 13 years to girls, but can be administered between the ages of 9 – 45  years.  When administered after initiation of sexual activity, the vaccine does not protect against pre- exiting infection.

 

A course of three injections is recommended, the second  and third injections being administered one and six months, respectively, after the first. The cost of the vaccine is approximately Rs. 2500 per dose.

 

HPV is responsible for other cancers besides cervical cancer; anal cancer, vulval cancer and that of the throat are also caused by strains of this virus. Vaccination is likely to reduce the risk of these cancers too.

 

HPV vaccination is a part of the National Immunization Program in Australia, United Kingdom and Canada. Besides girls, immunization of  boys  to prevent the above mentioned cancers as well as the transmission of cervical cancer is also being considered and is already a part of the national Immunization program of some countries.

Cost Of Silence

By
Sanakan Venugopal

                Kerala – the name once synonymous for its towering literary rate and contribution to all facets of human activity, of late has been the haven of terrorist suspects and insurgencies. The matter is not of a speculative nature rather a phenomenon to be debated and redressed from the root level.

With the revealing of certain elements of fundamental outfits that the state has the potential to be used a rehearse home for insurgency, the fact to be noted is the deteriorating law and order conditions and intelligence measures, raises serious concerns on the peaceful atmosphere. Also suggestive is the policy of appeasement taken by successive governments in regard to curbing fundamental activities during the last decade.

The State’s literacy has been tinkered and suited to terrorist activities, the result of an anti- check policy of the governments. Had the governments taken a stand, similar to that of curbing, the Naxal movement during the Emergency, the State of affairs would not have aggravated as of now. For now, it seems that only the media has the responsibility to solve the menace of extremism, for the political parties in the state are pone to their caste based entities and ethnic allegiances. So the hope is vested in the support of people to disseminate the factors that contribute to make Kerala a haven for terrorist outfits, which the media is carrying along positively.... 


                Kerala – the name once synonymous for its towering literary rate and contribution to all facets of human activity, of late has been the haven of terrorist suspects and insurgencies. The matter is not of a speculative nature rather a phenomenon to be debated and redressed from the root level.

With the revealing of certain elements of fundamental outfits that the state has the potential to be used a rehearse home for insurgency, the fact to be noted is the deteriorating law and order conditions and intelligence measures, raises serious concerns on the peaceful atmosphere. Also suggestive is the policy of appeasement taken by successive governments in regard to curbing fundamental activities during the last decade.

The State’s literacy has been tinkered and suited to terrorist activities, the result of an anti- check policy of the governments. Had the governments taken a stand, similar to that of curbing, the Naxal movement during the Emergency, the State of affairs would not have aggravated as of now. For now, it seems that only the media has the responsibility to solve the menace of extremism, for the political parties in the state are pone to their caste based entities and ethnic allegiances. So the hope is vested in the support of people to disseminate the factors that contribute to make Kerala a haven for terrorist outfits, which the media is carrying along positively.

Comrade Jesus, The First Communist.

You may wonder, why did I take Jesus’s name when I have something to say about communists. Because comrades always say religion is like opium. For me, not just here, whenever I think about communism, Jesus’s name comes first, and don’t know why.

Don’t think, I am trying to preach Christianity or profess gospel. I am a leftist as all communists, who always think about a change; who always run behind a better ideology.

Do you admit that Jesus was the first communist, the world ever seen? Its not just a statement, You believe it or not there are evidences to prove it. In bible, there is a character called Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector, who represent the so called exploiting capitalists. He always try to exploit others, so he had hardly any friend.   

He heard Jesus is coming to his town and want to to see Jesus. Since he was short and couldn't see Jesus in the crowd. So he climbed on a tree to see Jesus. 

Jesus saw and called him down and told "i want to be with you". Then comes the repenting words of that exploiter. “I am going to give half of my money to poor”.  Tax collector did the same and lived long happily.

What does it mean? Karl Marx also questioned accumulation of wealth to few hands. Suppose, Zacchaeus had Rs. 10 in hand, as per his words he give Rs. 5 to a poor. Again, Zacchaeus has Rs. 5, he share that too, and the process will continue till all people of his society have same amount of wealth. Hence there is no haves or have-nots. It is communism. Com. Jesus was not a preaching communist as Yachuris or Karats or VSs, he was a practicing communist.

Have you ever thought why do our comrades loose there space? They just preach, never practice or live.

Lal Salam!

Cancer Awareness Cup

        Inviting women's football teams from Mumbai to participate in the Riso Cancer Awareness Cup 2014. Riso Cancer Awareness Cup is an initiative to spread awareness about breast cancer, its causes and prevention. The maiden year of Riso Cancer Awareness Cup  will see participation of 32 women’s football teams from across Mumbai. The tournament will be held on the occasion of World Cancer Day on 4th February 2014 at MSSA grounds, Azad Maidan, Mumbai.  The tournament will be followed by a silent march from Azad Maidan to Gateway of India to spread awareness on breast cancer.

    Entry is free and strictly based on first come first serve basis. So ladies, come forward and be a part of this initiative to fight against breast cancer.

For registrations of your team and further information, kindly send a mail to:

info@cancerawarenesscup.in OR Call Vinay Maurya:+9197733 98007

Loneliness and Hope.. Do they Go Hand in Hand

First Sailing Experience

By Praise George 

Fourth engineer 

(Onboard the LNG ship Al Mafyar)
Shell Ship Management Limited, UK

            Have you ever felt loneliness inside you?? Yeah I know your answer is yes,,, I don’t even care about those who say 'no'. For all those who just said 'yes', let me tell you there is a whole different aspect of loneliness where I stand now.

Out in the middle of the ocean., where the cries of the world are no longer heard, where the bonds tying you to the world are no longer tight, where man sails on metal enclosures, giant beauties cruising their way through the vast emptiness of the waters.

Yeah that’s when you find the whole new dimension of loneliness, the boundaries to which it extends, and you suddenly realize that if you ever felt lonely in life, it was not even close.

Come here, stand on the bridge of these mighty ships, feel the winds slapping you on your face as if telling you : you are crazy to even be here at the first place. you take the slap on your face, your eyes wide open and you stare at your invisible counterpart....and all you see is a vast emptiness around you.

The vast stretch of open waters, the crazy sound of the roaring waves, the deafening silence of a starry night, and all you are left with is the crushing pain of loneliness! The mind just fills with regret on being there, it starts remembering the good old days back on land, the ones that had the colors filled in them, the ones that had the innocence filled in them.

My mind's upset and I feel like I am crying deep within, i want to shout out loud and just shed off those tears that now make my eyes heavy.

I feel like plunging into the waters, kicking the waves, punching them in the heart if they have one, and then finally loose myself into the depths of the emptiness around me.

I look around, I can’t see anything but emptiness, depression takes over me as a shadow, I am binding under the pain of this emptiness. Emotions start to evolve, thoughts start to quiver, who am I? Why am I here? What wrong did I do?

The black shadow is taking me into its grave, and there......there I see a green flash of light on the horizon! Never saw one before even in my dreams, and the green flash was just the beginning of a new day, I can see the horizon lights being switched on, its like God just woke up from his sleep and the theatre lights start illuminating slowly trying to show its magnificence.

I can see clouds on the horizon, they are no more black, I can see a red tint on them, I know the sun is waiting to reveal itself, waiting for the perfect entry. Already half of my thoughts are fighting with this heroic scene my eyes just perceived, already my heart's pumping more blood, my brain knows that things will be alright now.

I see the first rays of the sun, and out of nowhere I now feel what 'hope' means. I now know the thoughts of the dark are fake and meaningless.

I see some sea birds flying around the ship and trying to rest for a while before they set off again, I think I saw one of them happily smiling at me. My thoughts , the ones that belong to the dark emptiness are weak now.

I see dolphins jumping around trying to steal the rays of the sun even before it reaches me, tells me that the world is dark as my thoughts were, I belong to the seas! I think my muscles just twitched and now my cheeks are shifting and my lips are curving and am I smiling? oh yes, I am smiling, and there he is, the mighty sun, my hero, my thoughts are now dead. I see a new day in front of me. I feel the nature thats around me, I see the sights that very few have seen in this world, I feel the peace that very few have felt and out of nowhere I feel a sudden spring compress in me.

I think it is the adrenalin, it has to be, I realize that being here was not just a choice for me, its also where I belong now. I go down, on the way I see happy faces greeting me, faces that have been here since eternity, I smell food, and I am lost in this beautiful world!

I am supercharged with energy for a new day, with a smiling face I set out for my day's work. I feel content at heart, no more do I regret. The thuds and thumps of the machineries, yeah its the new language that I just became fond of, the terrible heat, I just take pride to be here. Very soon the days over, with a content stomach, a relieved heart, a relaxed brain and a smiling face, I am back to my room.

The setting rays of the sun are just a contrast to the emerging ones. I start reflecting at my own self. Deep thoughts set it, I am so ready to forgive anyone at the moment, I feel to share and talk to someone, I feel old! Wish I had someone here, the sun's just setting and oh what a romantic sight it is. I capture it onto my camera, I view it again and its not at all what i just saw in the real world.

I want to express my feeling to someone, but there's no one around who could possibly understand, the ones who could are far away on land, and here I am, in this empty stretch of vast emptiness! I can’t sleep anymore, I am disturbed, my mind's all confused. I need to yell, I can’t contain it anymore and so I go up to the bridge. Its already night, and its dark, the emptiness has set in. the clouds have become dark, no more do I see a light on the horizon that can fight my mind, I am again staring at this emptiness and suddenly I start thinking: who am I? Why am I here?

and I stand there waiting for my hero to come out and fight my inner self !

Vasa Museet

My uncle's Gift

Vasa Museet

I love to have gifts, like everyone. Miniature of Vasa ship gifted by my beloved Bau Bau uncle (Sunil Uncle). He bought it from Sweden.  He asked me to write the history of the ship. It was an interesting task to findout details of a warship, which is more than 400 year old. 

The ship sank after sailing about 1,300 meters into her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. There was 64 guns on it. It was raised up in 1990, and made a maritime museum, that is the world famous Vasa Museet or Vasa Museum. The ship sunk due to lack of stability. 

Vasa Museum

Vasa Museum (Vasa museet) is a maritime museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Located on the island of Djurgården, the museum displays the only almost fully intact 17th century ship that has ever been salvaged, the 64-gun warship Vasa that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628. The Vasa Museum opened in 1990 and, according to the official web site, is the most visited museum in Scandinavia.

Jai Hind... I am proud to be an Indian.

SOMETHING ABOUT MY INDIA

by Faith George

While travelling through the roads of Delhi, from Kashmeri Gate ISBT to airport, in one corner of my heart I was sad thinking about my family as I was leaving to Japan, but as I saw the beauty of Red Fort, the red bricks, the green grass and the tri colour flag of my country hoisted above Red Fort just dragged my consciousness in to the past of India. I just remembered about some interesting facts about my India. 

The name India is derived from Indus, which originates from the Old Persian word Hindus (A major river flowing  through  Pakistan (93%) India (5%) China (2%), from Himalayas).  The ancient Greeks referred to the Indians as Indoi, which translates as "the people of the Indus". The geographical term Bharat, which is recognized by the Constitution of India as an official name for the country, is used by many Indian languages in its variations. The eponym of Bharat is Bharata, a theological figure that Hindu scriptures describe as a legendary emperor of ancient India. Hindustan was originally a Persian word that meant "Land of the Hindus"; prior to 1947, it referred to a region that encompassed northern India and Pakistan. It is occasionally used to solely denote India in its entirety. 

The British ruled India from 1858-1947, although their presence and trade had been going on for some time before then. On August 15, 1947, India gained independence from the British, after a successful nearly non-violent independence movement. India is governed under a parliamentary system and is a federal constitutional republic. There are 28 states and 7 union territories in India with a huge population over 1.2 billion people which is second largest in the world. In order to accommodate the huge population, India does have the seventh largest land area in the world. It’s estimated that in the next two to three years, 25% of people entering the workforce will be Indian. 

Being second largest populated country in the world still people in India live united. The religions in India itself depict that. Religion in India is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. India is the birthplace of four of the world's major religions; namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture. According to the 2001 census, 80.5% of the population of India practise Hinduism.  Islam (13.4%),  Christianity (2.3%),  Sikhism (1.9%),Buddhism (0.8%) and Jainism (0.4%) are the other major religions followed by the people of India. There are also numerous minor tribal traditions, though these have been affected by major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. 

Zoroastrianism and Judaism also have an ancient history in India, and each has several thousands of Indian adherents. India has the largest population of people adhering to Zoroastrianism (i.e. Parsis and Iranis) and Bahai' Faith in the world,  even though these religions are not native to India. Many other world religions also have a relationship with Indian spirituality, such as the Baha'i faith which recognizes Buddha and Krishna as manifestations of the God Almighty. The Muslim population of India is the third largest in the world. India also has the third largest Shia population in the world. 

The Constitution of India declares the nation to be a secular republic that must uphold the right of citizens to freely worship and propagate any or no religion or faith. The shrines of some of the most famous saints of Sufism, like Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya, are found in India, and attract visitors from all over the world. India is also home to some of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture, such as the Taj Mahal and the Qutub Minar.  

There are many other famous monuments in India such as Konark Sun Temple, Khajuraho, Jaisalmer Fort, Red Fort, Nalanda University, Dholavira Site, Meenakshi Temple and many others. These all monuments depicts different religions and all are situated in the same country which itself shows the unitedness of the people of india. 

It is really a great experience I had spending the last moments in India, a perfect day to bid farewell watching the beauty of Red Fort and all people happily and unitedly celebrating the Republic Day. The flying view of the Indian flag can never be deleted from my heart.

I am proud to be an Indian. Jai Hind

Touching the Untouchable !

by Sanakan Venugopal

Travel is regarded as a part of learning. Out of my inquisitiveness to study different cultures, I had been travelling from my younger days itself. Here without any introduction I would like to draw a picture of an experience which I had to go through in Tamil Nadu.

Once, Prof . Nagappan Nair who gave a lecture on Media Law at Institute of Journalism equated an apt answer on India’s cultural diversity. He said, "India and China are strong developing countries. But we cannot compare China with India or vice versa, as there are lot differences between these two nations."

In China 90 percent of the population speak Mandarin Chinese and people in china are similar too, but coming to our nation, there is a lot of difference. for eg, when we keralites make a to Tamil Nadu or any other state, it makes us feel that we are an an alien. We aren’t accustomed with the culture of any another state in our nation itself.

The language itself draws the major barrier among Indians. And to be more clear, we find more free are more related with  an American or an English person than a Brother from Assam who also has the bores the same nationality of ours.

Coming to my rarest experience I had to face, In Erode Dist, there is place by name Kasipalayam enroute Sathyamangalam, once famous for Forest Brigand Veerappan. I had been there once to one of my friend's home in 2000 who comes from a Zamindar family (there its Gounder). Gounders are mainly landlords. His father is a known Gounder from the above mentioned place.

One fine morning, we had a walk. I had been in his home for about 7 days and all these days we had walk in the morning. Our walk was not only an exercise but for excretion (Nature's call) as there was no paraphernalia for the same. But I have a habit, I need a cup of hot tea before this so called phenomenal act. Hence we walked about a mile and found a tea shop. As we were approaching the shop, the shopkeeper came out with folded hands seeing my friend as I have already mentioned he comes from a Zamindar family.

Anyhow we were offered seats in the bench which was in the shop. I saw the shopkeeper cleaning the Glasses with soap as it was not often done. In the mean time, i could see a man with mud all over his body approaching the shop and took a Steel Glass which was kept outside the shop and went to a bore well nearby and cleaned it. and waited 10 meters away from the shop. I could also see three or more glasses of the same.

I asked my friend what does this mean. He in this 21st Century without any shame cleared my doubt, its nothing but, Untouchability. I was ashamed to say that I was a human being, the very next second my mind said that i must act something now. I took a Steel Glass from where the man had took it and pour my tea in the same and had my first sip. Then came the major problem, Shopkeeper told me to keep away from the shop and he won’t allow me to sit inside with the Steel Glass. I told him if you feel the person who is here comes from a lower caste then I too represent them.

I could see my friend was in a trouble as he was not able to take a decision where to support. Any how i made a hue and cry there and shouted at the shopkeeper that he will be arrested soon. That was a rare experience for me as I had studied Untoucability only in text books, but i could see and  felt in my life. when we reached home his parents were waiting for us as the news had reached them faster than a Speed Post.

Years passed on, I hope that things would have changed in Kasipalayam. And more over things would change as now there is a political churning happening in India.

Pavan Malhotra: The Pakistani army officer in Children of War

 The Pakistani army officer in Children of War

• Pavan Malhotra to been seen as a Pakistani army officer in ‘Children of War

A man with an astonishing persona of an authoritative figure, Pavan Malhotra who had portrayed the highly acclaimed role of Sikh coach, Gurudev Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, based on the life of Milkha Singh is now all set to take it to the next level. The actor will be seen playing a controversial role of Pakistan Army officer in his forthcoming pragmatic film, ‘Children Of War’ which is based on true story of Bangladesh genocide.

‘Children of War’ is a contentious film based on a series of non-fictitious events that took place in 1971 revolving around the sanguinary birth of Bangladesh. This movie when released will be the first to tell the true story of the 1971, Bangladesh war as it really happened.

Expressing his thoughts on playing the character of Pakistan Army officer and working in realistic cinema, the critically acclaimed actor, Pavan says, “I feel honored for having the opportunity to work for some of the non-jazzy movies of meaningful cinema. Being a part of such a team, such a movie comes with a sense of responsibility and at the same time pride especially when the incidents portrayed on the screen are based on true incidents. Children of War have moved me and I want the world to go, watch it and be moved too.”

Directed by Mrityunjay Devvrat and produced by Soumya Joshi Devvrat, ‘Children of War’ also stars late Farooq Shaikh, Raima Sen, Victor Banerjee, Tillotama Shome and Indraneil Sengupta.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3xWa-pBtdQ&feature=youtu.be

Architect SANJAY PURI: The story behind the Enigma

Architect SANJAY PURI: The story behind the Enigma

It is not every day that one gets to be in the presence of sheer creative genius, which is nothing short of inspiring. One such personality is Sanjay Puri, who has silently but surely been working his way to become the leader in architecture and design in the country.

A graduate of Mayo College, Sanjay went on to pursue his dream of becoming an architect and studied from the illustrious Academy of Architecture, Mumbai. His tryst with architecture began at an early age and his formal training in the subject gave him the means to channel his creativity in a productive manner. Like all creative minds, Sanjay finds inspiration everywhere. His biggest inspiration and something that he turns to even today is ‘The Fountainhead’ by Ayn Rand. This novel that is one of the greatest books of our times revolves around the life of the protagonist, an architect who is so driven that he would rather struggle than compromise on his artistic vision. This is the mantra that Sanjay follows till today and is the thing that sets him apart from other architects.

Sanjay began his career by working under the master architect of his time: Hafeez Contractor, who as Sanjay says taught him a lot of what he knows on the subject. Following this he went on to establish his own firm and in 1992 Sanjay Puri Architects was born. From then on there was no looking back. Today Sanjay Puri is at the forefront, leading his impressive team of more than 72 employees in several projects in India and around the world.

His avant-garde architectural style is truly unique and a true expression of his creativity. The essence of Sanjay’s design theory is creating innovative design spaces that are contextual but at the same time sustainable. The main aim is evoke an exhilarating experience while infusing functionality effectively.

Today he is the leading architect in the country with a name in India as well as overseas. He is the only architect worldwide to win awards in 3 categories at the latest MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects Awards in France. Besides this he has won over 33 international awards and numerous national awards garnering fame for himself and his firm.

Sanjay Puri himself is quite a simple and straightforward man, and does not believe in unnecessary embellishments on buildings. He prefers to focus on the form of the structure and pay more attention to the way the building feels and not just how it looks. Sanjay Puri does not look like a man who will allow success to go to his head and has managed to remain humble and unassuming in spite of having appeared in over 200 international publications and being a speaker in architectural events in Italy, Spain, Singapore, Serbia, Mexico and The Netherlands.

When asked to describe his work in his own words he said, “My utmost preoccupation is to evolve innovative design solutions and incorporate the geography of the location in a positive way into the design. Most of my designs have an element or principle of traditional Indian architecture that I try to imbibe in them in my own way. While designing a space, the most important thing to remember is not to hold back, to let your creativity flow undeterred. This is something that is missing in the run of the mill buildings that we see cropping up everywhere nowadays. I try to ensure that every structure I design and create is vastly different and unique from the previous one, and avoid repetition at all costs.’’

ABOUT SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS

Founded in 1992 Sanjay Puri Architects (SPA) today is one of the most sought after architectural and design firms in India. With a team of over 72 employees that work under the skilful guidance of Sanjay Puri, the firm is an unmatched powerhouse of design.

SPA has an extensive design portfolio that includes architectural and interior design projects in fields like hospitality, commercial, retail, educational and entertainment facilities as well as large urban projects and town planning.

Currently they are involved in designing over 100 projects in 40 cities across India as well as projects in Montenegro, Spain, U.A.E and Mauritius.

SPA have won 34 International awards including the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture & Design’s International Architecture Awards 2012 & 2011, the World Architecture Festival Awards 2012, 2011 & 2010 , 9 MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Awards & 5 World Architecture Community Awards, UK and 2 Hospitality Design , New York Awards . They also have innumerable national awards to their credit.

Some of the firm’s most notable projects include the Chrome Hotel in Kolkata, D Caves Hotel Hyderabad, D Hotel Lucknow, 72 Screens Jaipur, The Courtyard house Rajasthan and Bombay Arts society. Internationally the firm’s biggest and most noteworthy projects are the Chapel at Murcia Spain and Teresa 153 in Montenegro.

For more information please contact:

Mary Tellis: +91 9819840432 / +91 9619673697

Aayushi Pareek: First blind advocate

First blind advocate

Aayushi Pareek (22), an advocate at the Rajasthan High Court who has 100% permanent sight disability achieved the virtually impossible. In November 2012, when she was just 21, she became the youngest and the first blind girl to be admitted to the Bar Council of Rajasthan Council. She completed her LL B at 19 years and her LL M at 21years of age.

When Aayushi was in Class 4, she was told that her name had been struck off from the school register as she had been absent for 3 days. Any other person with her disability would have given up the fight. Undeterred, she prepared herself for the 10th Class Board Exams as a private student. She procured pre-recorded cassettes of her chosen subjects from the Blind School, Ajmer and listened to them at night. During the day, her family helped her to revise her lessons. 

She cleared the Board exams with a First Division (77.17%) in 2002. She was only 11 years old at that time. Thereafter, she completed her education as a regular student.

In 2007, Aayushi was awarded the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement for her outstanding ability in the field of Academics, Art and Cultural Activities. An accomplished exponent of Indian Vocal Music many awards and scholarships have been conferred on her.

Jayaraj was an 'Odd', now an 'Even'

Jayraj was an 'Odd', now an 'Even'

Determination of Jayraj Sirmukaddam made down, the heads of Himalayan peaks.

Jayraj passed the Diploma examination in Information Technology from the Government Polytechnic at Nagpur with 70% aggregate and thereafter in May 2013, his B.E. (Information Technology) with 72% from G H Rasoni College of Engineering, an Autonomous Institute affiliated to Nagpur University.

What makes his achievement outstanding?

Perhaps Jayraj is the only Duchene Muscular Dystrophy patient (DMD) - a genetic, hereditary muscle disease which causes progressive muscle weakness - to have completed his education till this level. Wheelchair-bound since he was 11 years old, Jayraj is totally dependent on his parents - father, Mukund and mother, Shaila and brother – as his muscles are too weak for him to walk on his own.

However, through sheer will power, he is able to write. It is difficult for him to sit for any length of time. His disability has never deterred him for nothing seems impossible to Jayraj. He has performed adventurous activities like river rafting and para sailing.

He has gone on desert safaris. Whatelse make him now an 'even'; he visited all the dhams (shrine) considered sacred to Hinduism, and all these dhams are on top of Himalayan Peaks.