MCD seeks public help to clean city before Games

Times of India, 01 September 2010

New Delhi: Having failed to clean the city before Commonwealth Games, MCD has now sought public participation. The civic body, along with voluntary organization Let’s Do It Delhi, on Tuesday announced a ‘Clean Delhi Challenge’ to be held on September 11.

The idea is to include community groups, educational institutions and corporates in a special sanitation drive-cumcontest across the city on that day. Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney said the initiative will be open to all organizations, residents’ welfare associations, companies, colleges, NGOs and government departments.

‘‘All groups entering the contest will get a certificate from MCD and there will be special winners’ certificates for groups based on the volume of litter collected as well as how clean they have made an area,” Sawhney said.

‘Let’s Do It Delhi’ programme director Anita Bharghav gave the example of Estonia where 50,000 people cleaned up the entire country, collecting 10,000 tonnes of garbage, in five hours. ‘‘We can play our part in improving sanitation conditions in the city. Everybody can join. Let’s do it,’’ she said.

For the challenge, participants will have to choose a location of at least half-a-square kilometre, get their own volunteers or hire cleaners. The litter collected will be taken away by the civic agency later. The winners will be chosen from 12 MCD zones by a panel of judges.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/MCD-seeks-public-help-to-clean-city-before-Games/articleshow/6470964.cms

Dengue caused by four viruses; no specific cure

Times of India, 30 August 2010

What is dengue fever?
Dengue is a mosquito-borne seasonal viral infection caused by four closely related viruses (DENV 1-4) transmitted by the bite of a female mosquito of the genus Aedes. These domestic mosquitoes thriving around human habitations typically bite in daylight hours. They are easily recognized by their peculiar white spotted body and legs. In India, the outbreak of the disease usually occurs in the postmonsoon season when the mosquito population reaches its peak. Dengue cases are predominantly reported in urban and semi-urban areas. A more severe infection, known as dengue haemorrhagic fever, caused by same virus, can be fatal if not detected at an early stage.

What are the symptoms of the disease?
After the virus enters the human body, it takes 4-6 days for the symptoms to become visible. The main symptoms of dengue are high fever (103-105 degrees fahrenheit), severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding from nose or gums. Because of severe joint pain, dengue is also known as break-bone fever.
   
While the initial symptoms are similar to those in dengue, in dengue haemorrhagic fever, small purplish spots appear on the skin, which is caused by blood leaking out of the vessels. This is caused by the decrease in platelets, the cells in blood that help to stop bleeding. The smallest blood vessels (capillaries) become excessively permeable (leaky) allowing the fluid component to escape from the blood vessels to organs of the body. As the disease progresses, large bruises appear on the patient’s body and bleeding happens in the stomach with the patient vomiting blood. Severe haemorrhage may lead to failure of the circulatory system and shock, which might also cause death.

What is the treatment for dengue?
Like most viral diseases, there is no specific cure for dengue. Antibiotics do not help and generally paracetamol is the drug of choice to bring down fever and joint pain. Other medicines like aspirin and Brufen or any medicine that can decrease the platelet count should be avoided, since they can increase the risk of bleeding. As it has no specific medication, most patients with dengue fever can be treated at home. It is advised to take rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious diet and stay in constant touch with a physician.

DHF, however, requires hospitalization. Apart from this, it is also possible to get dengue more than once, as the disease is caused by four different but related strains of the virus and being affected by one strain offers no protection against the others.

What can be done to reduce the risk of acquiring dengue?
Infected humans are the main carriers and multipliers of the virus, serving as a source of the virus for the mosquitoes. The viruses are transmitted from human to human through the bites of the female Aedes mosquitoes, which acquire it while feeding on the blood of an infected person. Hence the only way to prevent the outbreak of the disease is community-based mosquito control by eliminating the places where the mosquito lays her eggs. The mosquito primarily breeds in manmade containers like earthenware jars, metal drums and concrete cisterns, discarded plastic food containers, used automobile tyres and other items that collect rainwater. The best way to prevent the disease is by not allowing the mosquito to breed and using repellents for decreasing the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.

Mayor inaugurates new toilets

The Hindu, Aug 16, 2010

NEW DELHI: Delhi Mayor Pritihvi Raj Sawhney inaugurated two eco-friendly toilets boasting innovative technologies at Nigambodh Ghat and near Kudsia Park in Kashmere Gate on a pilot basis this past week.

These bio-toilets and electronic toilets would not only substantially save water, energy and space but are aesthetically more appealing as well.

The civic body plans to set up more such units near the Commonwealth Games venues, high footfall areas and areas of tourist importance after examining all aspects including feasibility.

According to Mr. Sawhney, the bio-toilet introduced at Nigam Bodh Ghat parking area is based on a technology developed and approved by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence.

“In these bio-toilets, the faecal matter and sludge is decomposed in a pit using DRDO developed bacteria which converts the said waste matter into methane and water. The toilet is maintenance-free and requires minimum water. Both the units have been put up on experimental basis and installed free of cost by the agencies concerned,” he added.

The Mayor informed that the electronic one would be made into a pay-and-use toilet targeting the section of population which can afford to pay but demand better quality toilets.

The electronic ladies toilet has an automatic payment collection system and the user will have to put a Rs.5 coin into a slot to open the door.

Source:http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/16/stories/2010081655070400.htm

Liberated women scavengers visit Parliament, meet Speaker

Special Correspondent, The Hindu, 17 August 2010


A new beginning: A group of liberated women scavengers during their visit to the Parliament House in New Delhi on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: Over 300 women, who used to work as scavengers in various towns of Rajasthan and were liberated and rehabilitated by NGO Sulabh International, on Tuesday visited the Parliament House complex and witnessed the proceedings of Lok Sabha from the visitors' gallery. They also met Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and shared their experiences.

Terming the visit of emancipated women scavengers to Parliament as “historic”, Ms. Kumar said: “Such events not only further strengthens our democracy, it also make our society more inclusive.” She urged people to wage war against all kinds of social evils and work towards removing the problem of scavenging.

Expressing grave concern over the age old practice of manual scavenging, the Lok Sabha Speaker hoped that government policies and work of organisations like Sulabh International would help in eradicating this evil.

Describing caste system as the greatest tragedy to befall the human race, Ms. Kumar said even the poor have a right to live with self respect. Appreciating the efforts of Sulabh International Founder Bindeshwar Pathak for bringing about a change in the lives of so many women scavengers, she said through such efforts her faith in humanity was reaffirmed.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Pathak said the visit of liberated scavengers to the Parliament House was a great victory over the centuries-old practice of untouchability.

“The problem of scavenging is not entirely about water and sanitation. It is a special problem which calls for special solutions. We are committed to work towards removing this social evil from India,” Dr. Pathak added.

http://hindu.com/2010/08/18/stories/2010081860370400.htm