Category: Kharcha paani

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New lens takes the sting out of cataract surgery

Pharma company Abbott has developed a new lens that corrects presbyopia and inferior quality vision problems after cataract removal surgery.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

The term ‘cataract surgery’ often conjures up scary images of elders and grandparents wearing spectacles, straining to read small text and having trouble with bright lights at night. Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries in India, with over 6.2 million procedures done in 2013-14.  The condition is also the leading cause of blindness, according to the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB).

Cataracts require replacing the clouded natural lens in the eye with an intraocular lens (IOL). Intraocular lenses (IOLs) today may correct presbyopia (poor ability to focus on near objects), or offer quality vision only at distinct distances, such as near and far, while vision between these distances may be reduced. With almost a third of the world’s cataract procedures estimated to be occurring in India, and with elders having more active lifestyles, the demand for newer technologies that offer better functional vision and independence from spectacles is increasing.

Intraocular lensHowever, the problems associated with cataract surgery cannot be ignored: patients often complain of experiencing a ‘halo’ around light sources, or a glare in bright lights. This does not allow them to see as clearly as they should. .

Help is now at hand to combat these issues. Yesterday, the pharma company Abbott announced the launch of its revolutionary technology, the TECNIS Symfony® Extended Range of Vision IOL in India, enabling doctors to offer people with cataracts a continuous range of high-quality functional vision for far, intermediate, and near distances, with a reduced incidence of halo and glare, comparable to a standard monofocal lens.

The TECNIS Symfony® IOL is a first-of-its-kind presbyopia-correcting lens designed to reduce the need for spectacles and provide a significant advancement over traditional IOL technologies. The lens is designed to increase the distance over which an object appears in focus across a continuous range of distances, without sacrificing a person’s visual clarity or contrast.

“As people age, the inability to focus and see clearly is a major challenge. Constantly handling glasses can be cumbersome. This new technology offers vision correction for life. Post cataract surgery, patients have reported getting back vision which mimics the vision they had in their youth,” said Dr Ramamurthy, Chairman, The Eye Foundation, Coimbatore.

Studies in Europe and New Zealand have demonstrated significant improvement in visual acuity with this lens, where a majority of people reported being able to perform daily activities without spectacles, at far, intermediate and near distances.

“The people who come to us for cataract surgery are mostly in their 50s and 60s. They still have an active lifestyle, drive regularly, use computers every day and rely on mobile devices. For them, this technology provides better clarity at near, intermediate and far distances, without having to wear spectacles.” said Dr Sri Ganesh, Chairman and MD, Nethradhama Super Speciality Hospital, Bangalore.

(Pictures courtesy Abbott, en.wikipedia.org)

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5 things to consider when getting a new office

We present 5 factors to consider when you get new office space, to create a good working environment for staff.
by Reyna Mathur

Many start-ups don’t have the resources to open shop in swanky locations. At least for the first two years of a start-up’s life, unless it starts doing phenomenal business from the word go, there is no option but to take up a location that suits the owner’s budget. Staff members just have to go with the working space till a bigger, better one is acquired.

Though any person will prefer to work in an upmarket, well-equipped office, many start-ups begin their professional journey as a hole in the wall. However, if the business owners go beyond only economics and look for a space that meets at least the most basic needs of employees, everybody will be happy.

Here are 5 things to consider when getting a new office space.

1.Account for the number of people you are hiring. If the nature of your business is such that staff will have only desk jobs, then you will need more seating space. Some of your staff members may have roving jobs, ie marketing and sales personnel, who will require a desk. However, you can have them share their desks with other staff when they are not at work. If possible, zero in on a space that has seating for at least two extra members in the team, plus a seat for the office boy.

2. Ensure the place has a toilet and water connection. Most offices, especially the ones located on the ground floors of residential buildings do not have water connections, so there will not be a toilet inside the office. Your staff cannot spend the day without a visit to the washroom, and they can suffer health complications because of it. However, if you find that there is simply no scope to put in a toilet in the office, find out what alternate toilet arrangements you can provide the staff. You must consider that if there is no toilet inside your office or a common facility close by, women will be the first ones to refuse to work for you.

Pantry for office3. A pantry is a must. Every office should have a small pantry space, where the staff can brew tea or heat up their lunch or afternoon snacks. If you get an office with a spacious pantry space, your staff will love you for it. People like to share their lunch with each other and sit together and gossip over their afternoon tea, so if there is space to put in a common dining table, it will be a big advantage for your office. However, if there isn’t enough space for a pantry, at least ensure that you create a space for a hot plate, a microwave oven and a storage space for Styrofoam cups, sugar cubes, soup packets, spoons, plates, forks and knives. It can simply be created by segregating a suitable corner with a partition. A small refrigerator is also a bonus.

4. Check all electricity connections. When buying or leasing out an office space, you will need electricity connections for your mains, the air-conditioner, computers, water filters (if there is a water connection), printers, scanners, etc. If there are not enough plug points for all your machinery, you might need to get the space rewired and new points created as per future use. You should also check if the existing connections and fixtures work properly and all lines have been properly earthed. Take a look around to see if there is any existing leakage – if there is, there is a chance of it causing short circuits in the monsoon season. Get it rectified before you move in.

5. Check for security. In today’s times, we have to take care to ensure that our work environments are secure and there is no internal or external threat to the staff. Do not get an office in an area that suffers power outages in the evenings, and look for well-lit access roads leading to the office. Second, inquire what security measures the building has in place for the shops and offices in its premises. An armed security guard who takes down details of all visitors to the office is a bonus. However, if there is no security provided, you can install CCTVs at the entrance door, as well as a live security access door that can be clamped down under five seconds in case of a threat from outside. It is a good idea to install biometric access systems so that only bonafide staff can enter. Also ensure that the front door is fixed with shatter-proof glass panes. Inside the office, you must ensure your employees’ safety and security from theft. If necessary, install a CCTV system to keep a watch on the office floor.

(Pictures courtesy www.alliancevirtualoffices.com, www.tripadvisor.com. Images used for representational purpose only)

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Kharcha paani

Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane on Smart Cities list

Maharashtra Government announces 10 cities from State on the country’s list, allots Rs 100 crore per city for the initiative.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

On the last day of the Monsoon Session of the State Legislature Friday, July 31, the State Government announced the names of Maharashtra’s 10 Smart Cities to be set up in the next 5 years. Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai are on the list, apart from Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kalyan-Dombivali, Amravati, Nashik, Solapur, Nagpur and Aurangabad.

The Smart Cities initiative envisages the setting up of, or creating, 100 Smart Cities in India. It aims at upgrading existing infrastructure, using technology to improve processes and quality of life, and ensure progress of each city so that more investment is attracted. The bigger plan is to create satellite cities around each Smart City to absorb rising population and set up new industrial and commercial districts.

The Centre has set aside a corpus of Rs 48,000 crore for this purpose. The plan is to spend Rs 100 crore each year in a phase-wise manner per city. An equal sum of money will be set aside by each State in the country.

‘Special Purpose Vehicles’ are to be set up in each city to monitor the progress of work, as also a Smart Cities Experts Forum to chart out a roadmap for the initiative in each State.

(Picture courtesy computer.financialexpress.com. Image used for representational purpose only)

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Turtles on silk: Original Jatin Das serigraphs unsold

The noted artist donated his depiction of Olive Ridley turtles as Vishnu’s ‘Kurma’ avatar in 2010, many serigraphs unsold yet.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Every year, Olive Ridley turtles turn up at Odisha for mass nesting. This is a sight too wonderful for words, and it always invites artistes and photographers to capture the image for eternity.

In 2010, however, noted artist Jatin Das made a visit to Rushikulya in Odisha during the mass nesting season, and inspired by the sight, made a special serigraph (art on a silk screen) depicting the Olive Ridley turtle as Vishnu in his ‘Kurma’ avatar. The serigraph was given as a donation to the Dakshin Foundation in a series of 500. Numbered and signed serigraphs are normally quite expensive, but this special edition sells at Rs 10,000 each to forward the cause of marine conservation. The unsigned serigraphs are sold at Rs 1,000 each. However, several of the serigraphs are still unsold.

In an email interview with The Metrognome, the Dakshin Foundation’s Dr Karthik Shanker and Murali M explained the concept of the serigraphs and why the artwork is important. Excerpts:

How was this project conceived?

Dakshin Foundation and the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS) approached Jatin Das with the prospect of making an artwork for the occasion of the 30th annual Sea Turtle Symposium in Goa in 2010. This was in keeping with the tradition of creating a special memento for the Symposium which is held at a different location each year. The 30th Symposium was held in Asia for the first time and was co-hosted by Dakshin Foundation and the ISTS.

How did you get artist Jatin Das on board?

Turtle_Kachua Serigraph by Jatin Das(Unsigned)Jatin Das was contacted with the proposal and invited to Dakshin Foundation’s field station in Odisha to witness the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles, a grand phenomenon also known as an arribada (Spanish for ‘arrival’). Of the seven surviving species of sea turtles, only two species of Ridleys (Olive and Kemp’s) nest simultaneously in large numbers on specific beaches. Jatin Das himself was born in Odisha. On witnessing this unique event in 2010, he created the serigraph depicting the Olive Ridley as the ‘Kurma’ avatar of Vishnu.

Are there many artists working with serigraphs today?

As per our information, not many artists work on serigraphs. However, some very prominent artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, MF Husain, FN Souza and SH Raza have brought out serigraphs. Serigraphy is a versatile, elaborate and intricate technique. As the Saffronart blog puts it, ‘serigraphs are a great way for art lovers and art investors to start collecting, because they cost a fraction of the price of the paintings or other works of renowned artists’. Also, limited edition and signed serigraphs are a good investment as their value increases over time.

What is the current status of the project?
The project was completed in 2010 itself, albeit a couple of days after the Symposium ended. Hence, the serigraphs were not sold out.

How many serigraphs have been sold yet?
Not many serigraphs have been sold. We are still in possession of 500 signed serigraphs and 60 unsigned ones.

What are you doing to spread awareness about the project, and about Olive Ridley turtles in general?
We have a dedicated outreach and awareness programme as part of the Sea Turtle project. Direct efforts include publication and distribution of various posters, books and manuals to schoolchildren, forest departments and a network of NGO partners working on sea turtles and coastal conservation (Turtle Action Group).

To buy the special edition Jatin Das serigraphs depicting Olive Ridley turtles, contact Dr Shanker at kshanker@ces.iisc.ernet.in or call Dakshin Foundation at +91 80 42113509.

(Featured image courtesy www.greenpeace.org. Serigraph image courtesy Dakshin Foundation)
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Kharcha paani

Don’t take a loan to repay a loan

The worst mistake you can make is borrowing money to pay off a loan – a recipe for financial disaster.
by Reyna Mathur

Amit Sethi (name changed) was a happily married businessman in Mumbai, with a small but profitable business. He and his homemaker wife wanted to start a family two years after marriage, but he felt that they should have a permanent home before the children arrived. “I bought a 1 BHK that was close to my office. It was an expensive house and I took a home loan, apart from borrowing money from some friends and relatives.”

The couple moved into their new home and things were wonderful for a while. Then Amit lost a big contract that he had hoped to continue, and suddenly money became an issue. “That contract gave me Rs 2,50,000 a month, which took care of my Rs 65,000 monthly EMI and household expenses comfortably. For a while, I made do with smaller sums of money coming from other quarters, but for two whole years, I did not get a single big contract. Repayment of all the borrowed money became a big issue.”

To tide over the crisis, Amit took a fatal step – he borrowed more money from the market to repay the older loans. To this day, Amit is caught in a never-ending circle of loan repayment and has a big financial crisis on his hands. He sold his house and moved back into a rental accommodation. “My wife sold her jewellery, I even borrowed money from her brother. Now I owe more than Rs 30 lakh in loans and business is sporadically trickling in.”

It’s a trap

LoanAccumulating loans is the worst financial mistake you can make, which can drag you and your family into the deepest recesses of failure. Unfortunately, the pressures this mistakes brings prompts the person to make even bigger mistakes.

Some people respond to the crisis by selling off all their assets to raise immediate capital. This makes sense at the time, but in the long run, they are left with no assets to build on in the future. Imagine, if you sold off your house to pay back your loans, you will be faced with having to raise capital for a new house.

Other ways people adopt are to cashed in on their life insurance policies. They take a loan against the policy to pay off urgent business debts, but this step immediately sets two things in motion – a fresh loan is added to the list, and you also have to pay regular interest on the borrowed principal amount.

What can you do?

When borrowing money from private sources, take smaller amounts from a wide circle of friends and relatives. Instead of borrowing Rs 5,00,000 from one source, break down the amount into smaller amounts such as Rs 1,00,000, Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000. Make a list of people who will loan you small amounts of Rs 30,000 to Rs 10,000 and approach them first. They will be willing to loan you these amounts instead of larger amounts, and repaying these small sums will be easier for you, too. Then approach trusted friends and relatives who will loan you the larger sums, and commit to repaying them in a certain time frame. Make sure you approach people who will be prepared to wait for the money and not hound you every week.

People in debt also compound their own misery by purchasing multiple credit cards to pay off the outstanding dues on older credit cards. The simplest way is to try and pay off all outstanding dues, then surrender all credit cards. Instead, maintain a debit card which puts a cap on your spending.

Don’t take a huge home or vehicle loan, where the monthly EMI will take away most of your pay packet. The mistake people make is in paying for their homes entirely from bank-borrowed money. Instead, raise enough capital from personal and private sources, and borrow only the remaining amount from the bank. Remember, your private sources will only fight with you over repayment, but the bank will seize your house.

(Pictures courtesy www.engineeryourfinances.com, www.switchme.in. Images are used for representational purpose only)

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10 things to know about Yakub Memon

This chartered accountant will be the first to be executed among those accused for the 1993 serial bombings in Bombay.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

The country is currently discussing the upcoming execution by hanging of Yakub Memon (52), one of the many accused in the horrific 1993 bomb blasts of Bombay. A Mumbai resident, Yakub is a chartered accountant by qualification, and has been lodged in lodged for the last 21 years.

But who is this man, and why is his execution so significant? Here are 10 pointers on his involvement in the case.

1. Yakub is the younger brother of underworld don Tiger Memon. They grew up with their family in Byculla, Mumbai, in a largely Muslim neighbourhood. Tiger later shifted to Mahim with his family. The Memons were known to be hospitable and generous, often inviting everyone for family celebrations.

2. Yakub studied chartered accountancy from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Mumbai. He completed his course in 1990. Previously, he studied for M.Com at Burhani College of Commerce and Arts.

Yakub Memon3. He was arrested from New Delhi in 1994, though he has maintained all along that he and his wife surrendered to the police instead of fleeing the country. His confession about the 1993 blasts and the roles of everyone concerned was compiled into a thick dossier that laid out the entire conspiracy with names and timelines. He admitted that the plot was masterminded by his brother Tiger, who has since fled the country and is said to be living in Pakistan and UAE.

4. Handsome and articulate, Yakub was the obvious choice for his role as bookkeeper and back end planner for the 1993 blasts operation. He confessed to keeping a track of expenses, arranging for funds, ensuring money reached the handlers, and also arranged for some of the vehicles used in the bombing.

5. Judge PD Kode, who presided over the 1993 bombings trial at the TADA Court, held Yakub guilty on four charges: Criminal conspiracy, Aiding and abetting and facilitating in a terrorist act, Illegal possession and transportation of arms and ammuntion, Possessing explosives with intent to endanger lives.

6. While in prison, Yakub added to his educational qualifications with two Masters degrees – one for English literature and the other for Political Science – from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

7. Yakub’s lawyers previously argued for leniency in his case, citing schizophrenic tendencies in their client. However, this appeal was later dismissed by the court.

8. In all, Yakub has filed three appeals for clemency in the matter. After the third was rejected by the Supreme Court of India, the Court upheld the Government of Maharashtra’s demand for Yakub’s execution.

9. Jab We Met and Highway director Imtiaz Ali played Yakub Memon in director Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed film Black Friday, which was based on the 1993 serial bombings.

10. Yakub will turn 53 on July 30, 2015, the day of his execution by hanging. He will be hanged at Nagpur Central Jail.

(Pictures courtesy www.talaippu.tk, www.ndtv.com)

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