Woman gifts liver, then kidney to her ailing son

Woman gifts liver, then kidney to her ailing son

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:12.12.2021

In what doctors term a rare case, a 40-yearold woman has donated vital organs twice to her ailing son in Bengaluru in the past 13 years.

The first transplant was in 2008 when her son, then seven years old, was diagnosed with chronic liver disease. His mother Swapna (name changed) was found to be a matching donor and she donated a portion of her liver. She became an organ donor for the second time recently when her son, now 20, had no choice but to undergo a kidney transplant and she donated a kidney.

The kidney transplant was done on September 11, 2021 and the mother-son duo is doing fine, said Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed, senior consultant nephrology and renal transplant physician, Narayana Health. Both transplants were done in the same hospital.

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed said retrieving more than one organ from a single living donor and transplanting it to a single recipient is rare phenomena.

Dad wanted to donate kidney but wasn’t fit: Doc

Swapna, who runs a tea shop near Basaveshwara Nagar in Bengaluru, told STOI the boy had suffered through his childhood and her decision to donate was only her duty. “My son suddenly started having swelling in the stomach and vomiting blood when he was seven. He was diagnosed with jaundice, but later it was found he had chronic liver disease and liver transplant was the only solution,” she said.

The mother was a matching donor and volunteered to donate a portion of her liver. Doctors retrieved 300gms of her liver and transplanted it in an 18-hour surgery on August 23, 2008.

Even as the family was recouping from it, the boy’s health issues surfaced again. In 2017, there was swelling in his legs as well as weakness and he was rushed to the hospital. A detailed examination revealed he was suffering from End Stage Kidney Disease, a progressive condition. Though initially his condition was managed with medicines, he had to be gradually shifted to dialysis.

“He was required to undergo dialysis thrice a week. It was quite expensive and he was not doing well. Once again, organ transplant was the only option. His father was willing to donate but was medically unfit. This time too, the mother came forward again,” said Dr Ahmed.

The transplant, planned for early 2021 had to be postponed due to the pandemic and was done in September 2021. “Initially, we were a little hesitant, as the case was immunologically high risk given that the mother was already an organ donor. But there was no other option and she was very keen,” said Dr Ahmed.

The kidney transplant cost was over Rs 6 lakh. “We sought help from the Prime Minister’s relief fund and got Rs 3 lakh. The rest was borne by the hospital,” said Swapna. She added she was not on any medication at present and is happy to see her son recovering.

Her son, an undergraduate commerce student in a city college, had missed classes due to to health issues, will resume classes over the next few months.

Illegal sim card sales a major security threat

Illegal sim card sales a major security threat

12.12.2021

In October, city crime branch busted a network of individuals involved in selling sim cards illegally, after a man from Talod taluka in Sabarkantha was apprehended.

During his questioning, it emerged that bank accounts, digital wallets and OTT access credentials are being sold illegally.

Police personnel investigating the sim card racket, which has roots in north Gujarat, found that the fraudsters had some 500 active cards which were being used by two people simultaneously: the proper owner and the cyber crook.

It was a startling revelation as cyber crooks were earlier using inactive sim cards to dupe people.

The accused steal data on active numbers from telecom companies or banks using the dark web. They clone sim cards and use them either in call centre rackets to dupe foreign nationals or to extort money from people. They use these cards for a day or two and the real owner is usually none the wiser, said a police officer.

Apart from the threat of personal information being misused through access to the sim card, this also represents a threat to national security because calls can be made and there will be no tracks to follow.

Police came upon the racket after arresting a man from Sabarkantha

Passing the love test, man weds blind woman for whom he wrote exams

Passing the love test, man weds blind woman for whom he wrote exams

They Met Only At Exam Centres For Four Years

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:  12.12.2021

Never in her wildest dreams had Payal Sharma thought that she would find love in an examination hall of all places! The 26-year-old, who was pursuing her MA in Sanskrit, had sought an exam writer as she was visually challenged. She met Hardik Dave, who first won her heart then convinced both their families to bless their union. And, on November 28, the two finally tied the knot.

What makes this love story unusual is that Hardik and Payal met each other over a period of four years, mainly within the four walls of the examination centres before they confessed their love for each other.

It all began with Payal looking for an exam writer. She met Hardik who has done his BA with Sanskrit as the main language and assisted blind students as an exam writer. He stayed her writer till she completed her BEd. While Hardik’s love for Payal grew every time they met during exams, Payal nurtured feelings for him too.

“It was his touch that moved me. The way he held my hand while picking me up from the bus stop and accompanying me to the exam hall or while dropping me back showed his concern for me. I was not sure of his feelings so I waited for him to make the first move,” says Payal, who was a visiting faculty member at the Blind People’s Association till recently.

Interestingly, Payal and Hardik rarely kept in touch outside examination centres, other than occasionally greeting each other during festivals.

An astrologer, Hardik says he received over 10 marriage proposals in the past. “Some of them wanted me to quit astrology and do something else for a living. I was also in love with Payal,” said Hardik, who is a year older to her.

Hardik and Payal tied the knot on November 28

‘Smitten by her will’

An astrologer, Hardik says he received over 10 marriage proposals. “They wanted me to give up my passion for astrology but Payal liked me as I was. Her warm nature and strong will caught my heart,” said Hardik, who is a year older to her. Finally, Hardik proposed to Payal in September 2020.

It took some time for him to convince their parents. He said that Payal’s parents told him that she did not do any household work. “I assured them that I will take care of everything. To my surprise, I got to know later that she cooks well,” says Hardik, who has settled in Narol with Payal.

Bombay HC allows bizmen to go abroad despite LOC

Bombay HC allows bizmen to go abroad despite LOC

Circulars Issued By MHA At Instance Of BoB

Rosy.Sequeira@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:  12.12.2021

While allowing several people to travel abroad temporarily for business purposes, Bombay high court has directed that lookout circulars (LOC) issued against them at the instance of public sector banks will not come in their way.

Among those granted interim relief by a bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Madhav Jamdar on December 9 are Rihen Mehta, promoter-director of Dubaibased Global Green Bridge FZC, and son of Harshad Mehta of the Rosy Blue diamond group. The company had taken credit of AED 11 million (nearly Rs 45 crore) from Bank of Baroda’s Dubai branch and Rihen Mehta was also a personal guarantor. In 2019, he returned to India with his family. In December 2019, BoB declared the company’s account a nonperforming asset and initiated recovery proceedings. On January 13, 2020, Rihen Mehta was stopped at Mumbai airport on his way to New York.

The court heard petitions that challenged the LOC issued by the ministry of home affairs following an October 4, 2018, office memorandum (OM) where persons can be restrained from travelling if their departure is detrimental to the “economic interest of India”.

The OM allows the chairman of State Bank of India, and managing directors and CEOs of all other public sector banks to request the issue of an LOC.

The common complaint of the petitions is because an individual or corporate identity is indebted to a public sector bank, LOCs have been issued restraining their travel overseas. While some petitioners have civil or recovery proceedings pending and others criminal proceedings, the bench said none “can be said to be absconding or fugitive” evading an arrest or a warrant”. While some petitions challenged the LOC, two questioned the Centre’s power to issue such an OM, saying curtailing fundamental rights must be by statute or constitutional amendment and not by an executive order.

Additional solicitor general Anil Singh, with advocate Rui Rodrigues, said it is for each bank to justify its action in requesting an LOC. “The fact that a particular bank may have been wrong in making that request will not vitiate the office memorandum itself,” said Singh, adding there is no reason to question the power to issue such an OM.

He also said the OMs address security concerns, are not a blanket infringement of fundamental rights and have inbuilt safeguards. Since there is a complete challenge to even the first OM of October 27, 2010, the judges posted the hearing on February 4.

In individual orders, they directed the petitioners to give their exact itinerary with contact details to the court.

The HC will not grant them further travel permission unless they return to India. Immigration authorities at all points of departure will permit the petitioners to depart the country “without regard to any Look Out Circular issued at the instance of the bank”.

Why you should stop worrying about what people think of you

Talk it out  12.12.2021

Why you should stop worrying about what people think of you

To help readers cope with their anxieties in these stressful times, TOI has launched Talk it Out, a series under which our panel of expert counsellors will answer your mental health queries. This week’s advice is from psychologist Dr Roma Kumar

I easily get affected by the opinions of others, which I shouldn’t. What should I do to keep these thoughts away from my mind?

— Anonymous

Try not to let the behaviour of others steal your joy. Focus on being the best and happiest that you can be — that’s where your energy should go. Set the best example you can and spend time and energy on people who lift you higher. You need to understand that your emotions are wholly your responsibility — a result of your own cognition and thought process. So, the moment you begin to have control over them, you will no longer feel perturbed by other people’s opinions and actions. Hence, every time you experience an upsetting emotion, take responsibility for it. In short, the moment you start blaming somebody else for your emotions, you are bound to feel even more upset. Accept that the real power resides in you. Understanding that you are the only person who is in charge of what can and cannot happen to you can make a world of difference to your well-being.

I am in class 11 and study commerce. I take all my decisions on my own. There’s nobody to advise me about whether the things I am doing are right or not. Is it okay to do what I think is right or should I find someone who will advise me on these things?

— Anonymous

Most people care about the opinions of their loved ones. Sure, you don’t automatically do everything your family or friends suggest, but you do carefully weigh their guidance when trying to make a decision. Sometimes, the reason we don’t take advice is pure stubbornness. We want to do things our own way — even if it’s not working! Other times, we avoid advice out of fear. The truth is that hearing out advice and listening to it are two different things. By listening to someone and actually taking their advice, you not only get good results but also get to contribute to the joy of another person. Be willing to take advice. Life is so much simpler when you involve the strengths and expertise of others. The advice is out there. People want to help you. Allow yourself to receive help and the quality of your life will soar.

I am a student preparing for the UPSC exam. I have a younger sister who doesn’t respect me because I am always trying to teach her what is right or wrong. I think it’s a duty of every brother to stop his sister if she is doing bad things in her life. My relationship with her is very toxic. She loves to spend her time with her friends, and not with me. I feel neglected. These things affect my studies and mental health. Please help.

— Anonymous

You might have some irrational anger to work through, or you might be projecting something onto her. It’s so easy to regress back into how you fought while in your growing years, or to dredge up old family drama and jealousies. Try to remember all the good times you’ve had with your sister, and why you would want to repair that relationship. Don’t try to change her. A lot of times, your fights arise when one person is critical of the other’s life choices. Even when you think you have her best interests at heart and you’re not purposely being judgmental, it’s just not your place to direct her life or try to “save” her from her own decisions. Sometimes the best thing to do is to take a deep breath and let go of whatever she did to upset you. It can be helpful to set boundaries in your relationship with your sister, to protect yourself and treat each other with respect and courtesy.

I am 29. My brother and I started a business venture but due to Covid, we suffered terrible losses and had to close down. My father lost his lifelong savings. He then told me about his friend’s business and took a loan to invest in it for me. Due to lack of options, I agreed to join it but now I feel guilty and disconnected because it is not my area of interest. I wish to restart my previous business, but my parents and brother are not in favour of it. I’m mentally shattered and frustrated. Please help.

— Anonymous

Frame painful experiences as lessons on how to be stronger and how to better navigate bad situations. Do not let them make you angry or bitter but use them to make you better and move on. Holding on to pain does more damage to you than to the other person. Learn to let things go, make more room for joy, spirit, relaxation and happiness. Try to strengthen your connections as it will help you develop resilience. Try to be goal oriented — when you have a purpose or goal in life, you have a sense of direction. The moment you have something to look forward to, your emotions turn significantly positive and you begin working towards attaining your goals. While having a goal makes your life more meaningful, bear in mind that the goal must be realistic and have a rational perspective. If you are struggling, please get help from a therapist.

Crowdfunding comes to aid of toddler who needed ₹16cr drug

Crowdfunding comes to aid of toddler who needed ₹16cr drug

Gokul.Rajendran@timesgroup.com  12.12.2021

Trichy: Bharathi  , a two-year-old from Thanjavur with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), on Friday got a ₹16-crore imported drug procured through crowdfunding at a Bengaluru hospital.

Doctors at Baptist Hospital administered Zolgensma, imported from the US, to Bharathi on Friday morning, her mother K Ezhilarasi told TOI. “We got six vials of Zolgensma, imported through a dealer in London, on Thursday. The doctors administered all the vials in an hour,” she said.

Born to R Jagadeesh and Ezhilarasi, both bank employees from Nanjikottai, Bharathi was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder by doctors of Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, in August. The disorder cripples the motor ability of the child leaving her unable to stand up and walk. As doctors advised them to arrange the medicine which has to be administered before she turned two, the parents turned to social media for help.

The funding, which started off with contributions from a small number of people, saw more than five lakh pitching in, thanks to efforts of YouTubers and celebrities. Thanjavur collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver opened a bank account on behalf of the district administration in the name of ‘Support Bharathi’. Actor Vijay Sethupathi gave ₹20 lakh and Tenkasi Aakash Friends IAS academy ₹25 lakh.

It was on November 19 that the couple got the entire amount after certain hiccups in crowdfunding. Thereafter, they got customs import duty waived for the medicine. Though Bharathi turned two on November 6, the doctors considered it to be an ideal time to administer the drug, said Ezhilarasi. She would be monitored at the hospital for three months.

REGION DIGEST

REGION DIGEST

12.12.2021

Man uses edited pics to threaten woman, held

A 23-year-old man was arrested for threatening a college student in Tirupur with morphed photos and demanding she make video calls to him in the nude. The Tirupur cybercrime police identified the accused as electrician N Niyaz of Mettukadu. An officer said Niyaz opened Instagram accounts with false names. “He befriended the woman, downloaded her photos and chatted with her for a few months,” he said. Niyaz morphed her photos and threatened to circulate them on social media. “We found recordings of nude calls with a few young women on his mobile. We request all the victims to come forward to lodge complaints against Niyaz,” an officer said.

Univ asked not to hold exams during Pongal: After Pondicherry University announced exams for first-year MBBS students during Pongal holidays, Pondicherry state students’ and parents’ welfare association urged the vice-chancellor to reschedule the tests, set to start on January 17.

Volunteers clear waste near temple: About 50 people came together on Saturday to remove more than 300kg plastic waste dumped by devotees near Marudhamalai Subramania Swamy Temple in an event organized by NGO Kovai Kulangal Padhugappu Amaippu on International Mountain Day.