IEP Bhavnagar (Gujarat), October 16

          Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday asserted that people of Gujarat have made up their mind to give mandate in favour of Aam Aadmi Party by ousting BJP from power.

          Addressing the gathering here the Chief minister said that winds of change blowing in favour of AAP have transformed into storm. Lashing out against Congress, the Chief Minister said that the party vociferously raising the issue of change in Gujarat but this party has been reduced to ‘MLA Exchange Party’ as most of its MLAs are being pouched by other parties. Slaming BJP for the miserable condition of common man in the state, Bhagwant Mann said that the saffron party is responsible for plundering the wealth of the people.

          The Chief Minister said that people of Gujarat are confronting same problems as were witnessed in Punjab prior to 2022 polls. He said that Gujarat is facing severe agriculture crisis, schools and hospitals are in shambles and the situation of roads are in pitiable situation, a situation which was in Punjab before 2022 polls. Bhagwant Mann said that the situation can change only if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is voted to power.

          Listing the several path breaking initiatives of the Aam Aadmi Government in Punjab, the Chief Minister said that from July 1 onwards the Punjab government has provided 600 units of free power to people in every bill cycle. He said that as a result of this around 50 lakh households out of total 72.66 lakh, which was roughly 68.71 %of total) have got zero power bill in the month of September. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann said that more than 17,000 government jobs have been given to the youth in last six months.

          Similarly the Chief Minister said that his government is against the exploitative contractual system of jobs due to which they had started process of regularising services of more than 30,000 contractual employees in state. Bhagwant Mann said that he has launched anti-corruption helpline after which corrupt elements are being put behind the bars. He said that only an honest government can take such path breaking and pro-people initiatives

          The Chief Minister said that in order to tackle the menace of stray cattle efficaciously, the state government is strengthening the Gau Sewa Commission. He said that the motive is to reduce the fatalities due to accidents caused by stray cattle on one hand and to ensure proper upkeeps of cow on the other. Bhagwant Mann said that efforts are afoot to ensure judicious utilisation of cow cess for welfare of cattle.

IEP Chandigarh, October 16

A ‘CME cum Workshop on Therapeutic Apheresis and Cellular Therapy’ based on the theme –
‘Expanding Horizons of Therapeutic Apheresis and Cellular Therapy’ was organized by the Department
of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh on 15 th & 16 th October, 2022, in collaboration with The
International Society of Blood Transfusion, (ISBT), Amsterdam, The Netherlands at Lecture Theatre-1,
Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh and it was conducted in a hybrid mode (Physical as well as
Virtual).
The CME on 16 th October, 2022 was inaugurated by Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER,
Chandigarh, the Chief Guest for the event. In his inaugural address, the Director highlighted the role of
Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in various neurological disorders and certain other clinical conditions
in improving the patient outcomes. He also shared his experiences regarding the challenges for beginning
the TPE programme at this institute. He also discussed how the approach evolved over the years for
neurological patients requiring TPE. He encouraged the transfusion medicine specialties to work together
with the clinicians as a ‘team’ for better patient care. Dr. Anil Kumar, Additional Deputy Director
General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi was the
Guest of Honor for the programme and he also released the ‘E-Souvenir’ on the occasion. In his address,
he highlighted the role of ‘e-Raktkosh’ portal in integrating the transfusion services across the country.
He also emphasized the role of coordination between transfusion services and clinicians for establishing a
successful therapeutic apheresis programme. Ms. Jenny White, Executive Director, International Society
of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), Amsterdam, The Netherlands highlighted the ISBT education initiatives
and resources to improve transfusion safety. Prof. N.K.Mehra, Former Dean Research, AIIMS, New
Delhi discussed the guidelines for stem cell research in India. Dr. David Stroncek, Medical Director
at NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A delivered a talked on CART–T cell Therapy–Manufacturing and
clinical application. Prof. David Mckenna, Department of Lab Medicine and Cellular Therapy,
Minnesota, U.S.A discussed the current status of mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Prof.
R.K.Chaudhary, Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India delivered a
talked on developing guidelines for clinical apheresis. Prof. M.V. Padma Srivastava, Head, Department of
Neurology, AIIMS, New Delhi discussed the role of therapeutic plasma exchange in neurological
disorders: clinical perspective. Prof. Ratti Ram Sharma, Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine,
PGIMER, Chandigarh highlighted the transfusion specialist perspective for performing therapeutic
plasma exchange in neurological disorders. Dr. Raja Ramachanadran, Associate Professor, Department of
Nephrology, PGIMER, Chandigarh talked about the role of therapeutic plasma exchange in renal
disorders: Clinical perspective. Dr. Aseem Kumar Tiwari, Associate Director and Incharge, Department
of Transfusion Medicine, Medanta the Medicity Hospital, Gurugram highlighted the Transfusion
specialist perspective for performing the Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in renal disorders. Dr. Sunil
Taneja, Associate Professor, Department of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh talked about the role of
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in liver disorders: Clinical perspective. Dr. Meenu Bajpai, Professor,
Department of Transfusion Medicine, Institute of liver & Biliary Science (ILBS), New Delhi highlighted
the Transfusion specialist perspective for performing the Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in liver disorders.
Ms. Meenakshi Kaushik, Marketing Manager-India, Transfusion Medicine, Abbott gave a brief overview
of the Abbott Transfusion Health Institute "-Knowledge for Life”.

The workshop on 15 th October, 2022 was academically rewarding with highly interactive sessions. Dr.
Vijay Kumawat, Associate Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine & Haematology, NIMHANS,
Bengaluru discussed the basic principles of therapeutic plasma exchange. Dr. Archana Bajpai,
Additional Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine & Blood Bank, AIIMS, Jodhpur enumerated
about the basic format of ASFA guidelines. Dr. Rekha Hans, Associate Professor, Department of
Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh highlighted the requirements for patient preparation and
stem cell harvesting. Dr. Divjot Singh Lamba, Associate Professor, Dept. of Transfusion Medicine,
PGIMER, Chandigarh discussed the quality control, processing and cryopreservation of stem cells.
Dr. Satya Prakash, Assistant Professor, Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
Bhubaneswar talked about the management of adverse events during apheresis. Dr. Aikaj Jindal,
Consultant and Head of Department, Transfusion Medicine, SPS Hospitals, Ludhiana, Punjab discussed
about the Role of Apheresis Technologist / Nursing Officer. Dr. Satyam Arora, Associate Professor,
Department of Transfusion Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Child Health(PGICH), Noida, UP,
moderated the session dedicated to demonstration of the procedures where Dr. Kshitija Mittal, MD
(Transfusion Medicine), Assistant Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Government Medical
College and Hospital, Chandigarh highlighted the key elements of therapeutic plasma exchange, Dr.
Gopal Patidar, Associate Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi enumerated the TPE with Adsorption columns and Mr. Kiran from M/s
Fresenius Kabi India Pvt Ltd gave a presentation regarding the apheresis machines. Twenty Five
scientific abstracts were submitted by transfusion medicine researchers from the country and seven best
papers were presented as oral presentation and the reaming abstracts were presented as posters by the
authors.
Around 150 delegates from various parts of the country participated in this academic feast and it was well
received by both the transfusion medicine experts and the clinicians. These deliberations will go a long
way in further broadening the scope of therapeutic apheresis in various clinical conditions. The CME-
cum-Workshop ended with concluding remarks by Dr. Ratti Ram Sharma, Prof. and Head, Department of
Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh where he highlighted the importance of therapeutic
apheresis in various clinical conditions for improving patient outcomes and the emerging role of cellular
therapy and its clinical applications.

IEP Chandigarh, October 15

Haryana bagging the top position in the category of big states in the Public Affairs Index, 2022 has yet again proved how the State under the guidance of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and the dynamic leadership of Sh. Manohar Lal is constantly achieving new heights.

        In this report, Haryana has been at the forefront in social justice, economic justice and political justice themes. Haryana has topped among the major states with a score of 0.6948, followed by Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Karnataka among many other states.

        The Chief Minister has expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for this achievement and said that it is only because of his guidance that the state has been able to achieve this feat.

Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, a comprehensive and positive change has taken place in every field in the country and the state, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

        In PAI-2022, Sikkim has retained its position as the best-governed small state in India. The 7th edition of Public Affairs Index, 2022, prepared by Bengaluru-based not-for-profit think tank Public Affairs Center (PAC), was released on Friday. In this report, Economic justice was measured on indicators such as Labour Productivity Assurance of standard of living to wage workers, Public expenditure on development, Coverage of social safety Net, and Employment Opportunities.

        Political Justice was measured on indicators such as Functional devolution to rural and urban local bodies, Commitment to independent financial devolution to local bodies, Incidence of crime Efficiency of police in mobilising case related evidence, Redress for undertrial population.

        Similarly, Social Justice was measured on indicators such as Learning outcomes for school-goers, Safe drinking water and sanitation coverage, Early Childhood Development outcomes, Ease of logistics and trade, Regularity and reliability of power supply.

        Director, Public Affairs Center (PAC), G. Gurucharan said the report has been prepared transparently and fairly. He said that in the report, the states have been divided into two categories – large and small, and the assessment was done based on central government data.  Union Territories are not part of the report. 

        Haryana has emerged as the best-governed state among the 18 big states, while Sikkim has topped in the category of the 10 smaller states.  He said that in PAI 2022 the analysis of governance experiences a shift from the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to a Constitutionally enshrined principle of justice.

        Notably, under the able leadership of Sh. Manohar Lal, the State Government is constantly making plans for the upliftment of the last mile citizen while upholding the spirit of  Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Aantyodaya philosophy and following the basic mantra of Haryana Ek – Haryanvi Ek.

        The Chief Minister firmly believes the government is making dedicated efforts to bring those at the bottom of the pyramid into the mainstream. Through Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Utthan Yojana, benefits are being ensured to every Antyodaya family.

        In  Haryana, now people do not have to make rounds of the government offices to take benefits of the schemes, people are getting the benefits of most of the schemes at their doorsteps.

        Haryana Chief Minister has congratulated everyone for achieving this feat. He also congratulated the officers and employees for ensuring the proper implementation of the welfare schemes of the government. He said that under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the double-engine government at the Center and in the State is vigorously moving and fulfilling the dreams of the common man with the spirit of Antyodaya. Today, every section of society is getting the benefit of the government’s welfare schemes without any discrimination.

IEP Chandigarh October 15 

Governor of Punjab & Administrator, Chandigarh Shri Banwarilal Purohit released the book ‘Breast Cancer – Comprehensive Management to mark the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, at an impressive function here in PGIMER today. This book is edited by the renowned surgeon Prof.S.M.Bose along with co-editors Dr.Suresh Sharma, Dr.Alok Majumdar and Dr.Robin Kaushik. Shri Banwarilal Purohitji, while releasing this book emphasized on creating awareness about Breast Cancer to aid early detection. The rising incidence of breast cancer could be related to our lifestyle and deterioration in environment. He said that doctors should become healers and that their mere smile can bring solace to the patients. A brief synopsis of the book was given by Prof. Seenu from AIIMS, New Delhi. This was the first of its kind written by Indian authors who deal with breast cancer. It is multidisciplinary and covers all aspects of breast cancer starting from diagnosis to management including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy as well as psychosocial aspects. It is well illustrated and brings out the unique aspects of breast Cancer in India where patients present late in the course of the disease at an advanced stage with its own challenges. Prof. Bose is an eminent Surgeon, former Head, Dept of Surgery at PGIMER who has put together the entire team of experts to bring out this book useful to anyone who deals with breast cancer patients including undergraduates and postgraduate students.This was followed by the release of a second book by Prof.N.K.Ganguly, an eminent Scientist and former Director General of ICMR, titled ‘ Memoirs of a Surgeon ‘ , an autobiography of Prof.Bose. A brief synopsis was given by Mr.Mac Sarin, an eminent High Court lawyer. Prof. Vivek Lal, Director of PGI graced the occasion.