Latest news with #Jayashree
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Doctors raise the importance of HPV vaccination to prevent cervical and a few other cancers
Vaccinating girls aged nine to 14 years against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is crucial for prevention of cervical cancers and a few other cancers. But equally important is vaccinating boys against HPV for a number of reasons, according to doctors. There are three reasons why boys should also be vaccinated against HPV, Jayashree N., gynaecologic oncologist and associate professor, Cancer Institute (WIA), said. 'First, it can cause cancers in men too. Secondly, they could transmit the virus to women, and thirdly, there is no screening test for men.' Somu Sivabalan, consultant Paediatrician and Pulmonologist, Rainbow Children's Hospital, explained that HPV being a sexually transmitted infection, it could spread from men. It could cause genital warts and precancerous changes. 'The primary target for HPV vaccination are girls aged nine to 14. Boys of the same age group are the secondary target for the vaccination,' he said. The doctors, who spoke at 'Conquer HPV and Cancer Conclave 2025', stressed that HPV was not limited to cervical cancer alone. It was associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus in women and cancers of the penis, anus and oropharynx in men. The conclave was organised in Chennai on Tuesday as a part of a nationwide public health initiative led by Serum Institute of India. Dr. Jayashree said that vaccination and screening are the two pillars to prevent cervical cancers. Countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America as well as European countries had an HPV vaccination programme as a result of which the incidence of cervical cancers has reduced, she said. Discussing the safety of the vaccine, Dr. Jayashree noted that Cancer Institute had administered 3,500 doses of the vaccine so far, and there had been no side effects. B. Sarath Balaji, senior Paediatric Pulmonologist and associate professor, Institute of Child Health, said that except for mild pain, redness in the site and mild fever, there had been no major side effects. He added that there was greater awareness among parents in cities about the vaccine. S. Vijaya, head of department and professor, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, stressed the importance of taking time to counsel parents about the importance of the vaccine. Members of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India were involved in creating awareness and training for doctors. Kavitha Sukumar, associate professor, Surgical Oncology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said screening for cervical cancer is simple. 'We have HPV DNA testing and pap smear. Now, self testing kits are also available,' she said.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
B Jayashree and team perform ‘Ranga Sambhrama' in Belagavi
Belagavi: A 'Ranga Sambhrama' programme by renowned stage artiste, Padma Shri awardee B Jayashree, and 12 members of her team attracted thousands of audience to Kannada Bhavan auditorium on Thursday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event was jointly organised by the Nanu Nammavarondige Foundation and Mahila Abhivruddhi Mattu Seva Samsthe, along with various cultural and social organisations of Belagavi. Thousands of theatre lovers flocked to listen to the stage singing. Jayashree and her team entertained the people by singing various songs. Songs from plays written by writers Girish Karnad, Chandrashekar Kambar, and HS Venkateshamurthy mesmerised the audience. The musical programme lasted for more than two hours. Speaking on the occasion, Jayashree said ranga geethes (theatre songs) are full of nuances and situations. Their lyrics have colour, form, and personality. They should be enjoyed. Singer Rajaprabhu Dhotre inaugurated the programme by singing a ranga geethe. Vagdevi Sangeetha Shale, Uma Sangeetha Pratishthana, Swara Sadhana Sangeetha Shale, Suswara Sangeetha Shale, Bharatiya Gayana Samaj, Suresh Chandargi, and Khushi Dhawali troupe sang various songs and brought lustre to the programme. Karnataka Border Area Development Authority member Ashok Chandaragi presided over the function. Joint director of the department of Kannada and culture KH Channur, patron of theatre activities Ramesh Jangal, secretary of Bharatesh Education Trust Vinod Doddannavar, Sarvamangala Aralimatti of Nanu Nanna Foundation, secretary of Kannada Bhavan YR Patil, and director of women's development and service organisation Ashwini Karigonnavara (Chandaragi) were present.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
How Coimbatore's trees tell tales of time, travel and belonging
These trees came as immigrants, made friends with the locals and now are upstanding inhabitants of Coimbatore providing priceless service to the city and its people. Architect, Jayashree Raman says trees offer a wealth of natural solutions to various design challenges. 'They provide insights into structural strength, energy efficiency, and biomimicry, leading to more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing designs.' For example, Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava created spaces that were as enduring as the trees that had inspired his designs. Calatrava learnt from the wisdom of Nature and his design philosophy served human needs as well as the environment's. But design is not just the business of architects; it concerns everyone, says Jayashree. 'So why can't we look at trees in our neighbourhood and see what lessons we can take away from them,' she asks during a tree walk curated by her and fellow architects Sai Vivek, Udhaya Vauhini and Cibi Veeramani, in association with The Indian Institute of architects, Coimbatore Centre. The walk was part of an initiative called The Design Mill. 'The Design Mill wants to create a community in Coimbatore that meets and has conversations about design in everyday life,' says Jayashree, who wants to learn about and document Coimbatore's trees. For the walk, the Design Mill team selected trees that have been part of the landscape for at least 200 years, including ones that have been around for thousands of years. Home and away The endemic Pongai tree (Pongamia glabra) is a familiar fixture in the Tamil landscape, and finds mention in the ancient Sangam literature. 'Its leaves are often kept along with grains to repel insects, and oil from its seeds is used to light lamps,' says Jayashree. A hardy, erosion-preventing tree with a broad canopy, Pongai is well-suited to arid, saline environments and is often found lining roads and villages Like people from time immemorial, many of the trees have also travelled from faraway lands. The Gulmohar tree (Delonix regia), for instance, was confined to Madagascar until the 19th Century. Now it is a firm favourite with its flaming orange flowers. Madagascar may be its birth place, but the Tamils have embraced it as their own and even given it a local name, Mayil Kondrai (peacock's crown). The Cannon Ball tree (Couroupita guianensis) has also become part of local lore. The tree, locally called Nagalingam, is sacred and represents Lord Shiva, though it came to India from the tropical rainforests of Central America. Its large, flamboyant flower, which grows directly on the bark, has petals with a centre that resembles a lingam (a short cylindrical pillar-like symbol of Shiva) Another guest that decided to stay on is the Brazilwood tree, (Guaiacum Officinale) also known as the Lignum Vitae or wood of life as it was believed to cure syphilis that ravaged Europe in the 16th Century. Incidentally the wood of the tree is considered to be one of the densest in the world and it sinks in water. The Design Mill's book recommends Trees of Delhi: A Field Guide by Pradip Krishen Iconic Trees of India by S Natesh with illustrations by Sagar Bhowmic Pillars of Life: Magnificent Trees of the Western Ghats by Divya Mudappa and TS Shankar Raman with Botanical illustrations by Nirupa Rao and sketches by Sartaj Ghuman Next, we walk straight into the heady fragrance of the Plumeria or the Frangipani. The smooth, elegant tree with its white, pink and yellow flowers is also from Central America and has been around for a few hundred years in India. Not too far is the Autograph tree (Clusia Rosea) and everyone rushes to scribble their initials on its waxy leaves. The Badminton Ball tree (Parkia Biglandulosa) travelled here in the 16th century from East Asia. 'It is like a pollinator cafe,' says Jayashree because it nourishes birds and bees during the day and bats at night. We admire the romantically named raintree that has a rather unromantic Tamil name. It is called Thungumoonji maram or the sleepy-faced tree as its leaves close in on themselves when it rains and in the evenings. Making connections For all those who had forfeited the Sunday morning sleep in, it was a couple of hours well spent. What could be more therapeutic than walking under the shade of trees, standing under the fantastically wrought branches and staring at the fruits and flowers and breathing in their woody smells. 'I know that these kinds of public engagements definitely help in improving the general awareness of the bounty of Nature,' says tree walker Padmaja Sundar, who recently moved to Coimbatore from Chennai. She describes herself as a foot soldier of Nizhal, a Chennai-based NGO that is involved in urban greening with trees that are indigenous to the region. Padmaja is looking forward to involving herself in greening initiatives in Coimbatore. The Design Mill has set out to do just this, says Jayashree. 'The idea is to collaborate with other studios, organisations and resource people. It is a great opportunity for us to meet and learn from experts from other disciplines and get inspired,' adds Udhaya. As the group moves from tree to tree, ideas flow. Most of those present confess that the opportunities to meet people face to face, engage in conversations and learn from each other are shrinking alarmingly. And the tree walk is one way of keeping human interactions alive and keeping in touch with the city spaces.
