Latest news with #KDA
Arab Times
4 hours ago
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait launches campaign to educate public on hidradenitis suppurativa
KUWAIT CITY, June 21: The Kuwait Dermatologists Association (KDA) launched a nationwide awareness campaign on Saturday titled "Wasal" (Arabic for "Connect") to educate the public about hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic and painful skin condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Speaking to reporters at the campaign's launch, Dr. Abeer Al-Badhali explained that the month-long initiative will include a variety of activities across Ministry of Health hospitals and centers, as well as engagements with several ministries and government bodies. Dr. Al-Badhali noted that hidradenitis suppurativa is a long-term inflammatory condition that affects hair follicles, often leading to painful lumps, recurrent abscesses, and, in severe cases, chronic wounds and draining tunnels under the skin. The condition, she said, not only causes physical discomfort but also places a heavy psychological and emotional burden on those who suffer from it. 'The Wasal campaign aims to achieve several critical goals,' she said, 'including raising public awareness about the disease's symptoms, risk factors, and available treatments. Early diagnosis is key to preventing complications and improving outcomes.' She highlighted that a central objective of the campaign is to break the social stigma and psychological barriers faced by HS patients by offering both medical guidance and emotional support to patients and their families through education and counseling. The campaign will include awareness booths in hospitals and clinics, educational lectures for both patients and healthcare professionals, and field visits to various government institutions, organized in cooperation with several state entities. Dr. Al-Badhali emphasized the campaign's broader mission of empowerment: 'Thanks to the efforts of our doctors, specialists, and supporters, we've taken a significant step forward in spreading awareness, empowering patients, and highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and effective, especially biological, treatments.' The initiative reflects the growing recognition of HS as a public health concern and underscores the importance of community-based education in improving disease management and patient support.
Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Glacier crushes three selfie-taking tourists
Three tourists from Lahore died after being struck by a glacier near the Batakundi area of Naran, authorities said on Friday. The ill-fated members of the same family were taking pictures and selfies beneath the glacier at the time of its collapse. The glacier fell unexpectedly, resulting in the deaths of three tourists from the same family, all residents of Lahore. The deceased have been identified as 35-year-old Tahir, 13-year-old Abu Bakar, and 22-year-old Tayyab. According to officials from the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA), the incident took place near Sohni Waterfall, where the tourists were posing for photos when the glacier suddenly gave way and buried them. All three victims died on the spot. Their bodies were later transported from Naran to Lahore. Advisor to K-P CM on Culture, Tourism, Archeology and Museums, Zahid Chanzeb, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed relevant authorities to provide full support to the affected family. He also urged tourists to avoid unstable areas and refrain from taking selfies in dangerous locations. Stressing the importance of safety at tourist destinations, he emphasised the need to raise awareness about precautionary measures and instructed officials to further strengthen safety protocols across all tourism sites. Selfie obsession Every year, dozens of tourists lose their lives at scenic destinations due to their passion for selfies and TikTok videos. A few days earlier, a tourist from Quetta drowned in the Kunhar River while filming a TikTok video, and another young man was swept away at the Jareed area of the same river. Taking photos, selfies, and making TikToks at unsafe and unstable locations is proving to be extremely dangerous for tourists. Although similar incidents have been reported in the past, authorities have not imposed any restrictions on photo sessions in such hazardous areas. Many tourists, viewing such activities as "adventure," engage in them recklessly, often with fatal consequences. In previous years, similar accidents occurred on the Saif-ul-Malook Lake road, where tourists were buried under falling glaciers. Likewise, every year tourists drown in the Kunhar River while attempting to take photos near the water. Despite these recurring tragedies, both tourists and relevant departments fail to take preventive measures. Such incidents often turn moments of joy into mourning for the victims and their families. In response, provincial tourism advisor Zahid Chanzeb said that efforts would be made to ensure safe tourism in the Kaghan Valley, and that public awareness campaigns would be launched to educate tourists about the importance of safety precautions.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Min asked to provide more autonomy to municipal corporation
Kanpur: The Corporators Welfare Association of Kanpur Municipal Corporation on Wednesday presented their stand on three key issues before urban development minister Arvind Kumar Sharma and principal secretary, urban development Amrit Abhijat. The discussions took place on the Sambhav portal, with municipal commissioner Kanpur Nagar, Sudhir Kumar, also in attendance to submit KMC's standpoint. According to the KMC officials, a meeting was previously conducted between the urban development minister, and Naveen Pandit, president of the Corporators Welfare Association, along with patron Amit Pandey on June 16 at Lucknow. The Association had provided three written submissions to the minister during the meeting. The Association emphasised that the disputes between the KMC and Kanpur Development Authority are forwarded to the commissioner, Kanpur division, where decisions are consistently made in favour of KDA because the commissioner is also the chairman of KDA. The Association has requested appointment of a different officer, instead of the commissioner for resolving disputes between KMC and KDA. The second issue raised relates to the sewage farm. The municipal corporation possesses 1200 acres of sewage farm land, which officially belongs to it. However, KDA has approved two projects for this land during its board meeting. Despite the fact that this land's use cannot be changed due to a previous order from the Allahabad high court, KDA is allegedly proceeding with these projects without adhering to the court's decision. Further disputes regarding land have also emerged in the Smart City project. KDA has been granted rights over land from the gram samaj and Improvement Trust, an arrangement unique to Kanpur and not found in the other 16 municipal corporations. It was highlighted that cities in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are advancing. Kanpur, formerly the largest city in Uttar Pradesh, has now fallen behind. The Association attributes this setback to Kanpur Municipal Corporation's lack of authority. Regarding these three issues, the Welfare Association had submitted its position and urged that authority be granted to municipal corporations, Naveen Pandit said.
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Traffic Engineering Bureau at the verge of collapse
Conventions of governance have proven that strengthening existing state institutions is the only way to bring lasting stability in any metropolitan hub. In the country's largest city, Karachi, however, this wisdom appears to fall on deaf ears as model institutions like the Traffic Engineering Bureau (TEB) enter a gradual process of deliberate degradation. Over the past several years, the TEB, which historically managed tasks related to road engineering, designing, planning, lane marking, traffic volume data collection and road safety education, has been in a state of severe deterioration due to a lack of funds. Now, the level of neglect has reached a point where even the release of funds for the repair of traffic signals is not being approved. According to details obtained by the Express Tribune, traffic signals at 40 key locations including Clifton, Old Race Course, Hoshang Road, Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, New Karachi, Godhra, Macchi Mor, Yaseenabad, Jama Cloth, Dow Medical University, Lighthouse, Denso Hall, Aram Bagh, Court Road, Akbar Road, Singer Chowrangi, Saddar, Zainab Market, Paradise Hotel, and Saddar Dawakhana have been dysfunctional for the past eight months. An officer from the TEB, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that a yearly budget of approximately Rs35 million was allocated for the repair of traffic signals however, not a single rupee had been paid so far, leading to significant challenges in major repair work. "Currently, the outstanding dues of the contractor have reached Rs18 million. Other wings of the TEB have been deteriorating due to staff retirements and a lack of new recruitments. As a result, key functions like road engineering, designing, planning, lane marking, road safety education, and others have come to a halt. Currently, only the traffic signals wing is operational however, it now appears that even this wing is being phased out," lamented the official from TEB, which is partly funded by the Karachi Development Authority (KDA). Assistant Commissioner Hazim Bangwar stated that in a meeting held on April 30th, it was decided that the repair and maintenance of traffic signs, zebra crossings, lane markings, and traffic signals would now fall under the supervision of the Commissioner Karachi. "Engineers from the Sindh government will be taken on board for the repair of signals and the services of the TEB will not be utilized," said Bangwar. In response, the Senior Director of the TEB sent a letter to the Chairman of the Planning Department, the Chief Secretary, the Commissioner Karachi, and other senior officials, asserting that the TEB, operating under the KDA, was the legally authorized and technically competent body for planning, implementing, maintaining, and improving traffic signals and related infrastructure in Karachi. In this regard, Dr Syed Nawaz-ul-Huda, a regional planner, commented that the TEB was once a model institution that is now being deliberately destroyed. "Development projects and even routine repair work in the city have been made so complex and opaque that no investigation agency can easily audit them. The Commissioner Karachi has not been able to fulfil even his basic responsibilities, including price control. How can he be expected to handle technically complex tasks like traffic signal management, in which he has no experience? It would be better to strengthen the TEB and release its funds. It seems that a deliberate conspiracy in underway to destroy Karachi since its exemplary institutions are being intentionally dismantled; a matter that is highly condemnable," criticized Dr Al-Huda. Responding to the backlash, KDA's Director of Finance, Shakeel Siddiqui, revealed that the KDA too was facing a shortfall of Rs90 million hence it was unable to release funds for signal repairs to the TEB.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ladakh: Statehood issue yet to be addressed, say Kargil leaders
With the Union government notifying new rules for Ladakh, allowing reservation in government jobs for locals, a 15-year residency requirement for domicile status, one-third of seats in hill councils for women, and five official languages as part of efforts to safeguard the region's interests, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has said statehood is a big issue for it. At the same time, it also said 'something is better than nothing'. The KDA, along with the Leh Apex Body (LAB), has been spearheading an agitation in Ladakh, seeking statehood, safeguards enshrined under the sixth schedule of the Constitution and a separate public service commission (PSC) for the strategic Himalayan region. In 2023, the Union home ministry had formed a high-powered committee under minister of state Nityanand Rai to discuss ways to protect Ladakh's unique culture, considering its location and strategic importance. Reacting to the Centre's notifications, KDA's senior leader and political in-charge of Jamiat ul Ulama Isna Ashariya Kargil (JUIAK), Sajjad Hussain Kargili, said, 'Though it's good, women reservation was not a part of our four-point agenda. We have been agitating for legislature. Statehood is a big issue for us.' On domicile law, Kargili said, 'Something is better than nothing. In the past six years, not even a single gazetted post (job) has been given in Ladakh.' 'We also arrived at a consensus that domicile law of 15 years should be implemented prospectively. At the same time, we want it to be made 30 years. The government has assured us to consider it,' said Kargili. 'We hope that without further delay, the Ladkah administration will now advertise jobs,' he said. Congress' Tsering Namgyal, leader of the Opposition in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council of Leh, welcomed 33% reservation for women in hill councils. He lambasted the Centre for fixing 15-year residency for domicile law and described it a ploy to change the demography of Ladakh. 'The LAB and the KDA wanted 1989 as the cut-off year to grant domicile certificates. This 15-year residency rule has been rejected by 80% to 90% people of Ladakh,' he said. Chering Dorjay Lakrook, ex-BJP minister and president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, refused to make any comment. 'After we study them (notifications), we will address media on Wednesday. Till then, I have been asked not to talk to mediapersons,' he said. The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) regulation was notified days after the ministry and Ladakhi representatives met on May 27 and agreed to the rules, an official aware of the matter said. It defines a domicile for jobs for a person who has resided in the UT for 15 years, studied for seven years, and appeared for class 10 or 12 examinations in Ladakh. A similar policy was announced for Jammu and Kashmir in May 2020. The Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, also notified on Tuesday, says the reservation shall in no case exceed 85% of the available vacancies, excluding reservation for economically weaker sections. The official cited above said 80% of vacancies are reserved for the region's majority, scheduled tribes (STs), 4% for those living along the Line of Actual Control or Line of Control, 1% for the scheduled castes and 10% for the economically weaker sections. The ministry had proposed 95% of the reservation for locals during discussions. The third notification provides for one-third seats for women in the hill councils by rotation to different territorial constituencies. The Ladakh Official Languages Regulation recognises English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as the official languages and says that the administrator 'shall make special efforts for the promotion and development of other native languages of Ladakh: Shina (Dardic), Brokskat (Dardic), Balti and Ladakhi'.
