Latest news with #Kamal
Business Recorder
44 minutes ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
Kamal for improving ‘whole system'
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that Pakistan's healthcare system is riddled with fundamental flaws, and the solution lies not just in building hospitals but in improving the entire environment. Addressing at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), he said that Pakistan's population growth is outpacing its resources. 'The annual population growth rate has reached a staggering 3.6%, compared to the national resource capacity.' He highlighted the dire conditions of healthcare facilities, citing the example of PIMS Hospital, where one doctor is expected to see 40 patients but currently attends to over 250. 'Around 68% of diseases in Pakistan are caused by contaminated water, and we still lack a proper sewage treatment system.' Kamal pointed out that Pakistan ranks among the highest globally in diabetes and hepatitis C cases, and while polio has been eradicated globally, it still persists in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Emphasizing the role of technology, the health minister announced that reforms in the health sector would be introduced through a public-philanthropic partnership model. He said that collaboration with NADRA is under way to convert national identity card numbers into Medical Record Numbers (MRN), with legislation for this initiative expected soon. He said we have only 170,000 nurses, but we need at least 900,000. Globally, there is demand for 2.5 million Pakistani nurses, potentially turning this sector into a multi-billion-dollar foreign exchange earner for Pakistan. Kamal underscored the need to strengthen the country's primary healthcare infrastructure, pointing out that nearly 70% of patients in major hospitals suffer from minor illnesses that should be treated at primary healthcare centers. He stressed the strategic importance of Karachi, saying, 'If this city were in someone else's hands, its condition would have transformed by now. Though we lack authority, we are serving Karachi with full dedication.' Earlier, KATI President Junaid Naqi lamented that industrial workers and their families face difficulties in accessing basic healthcare services. 'It is extremely unfortunate that a city contributing so much to Pakistan's economy faces such a severe shortage of hospitals and primary care facilities.' Calling for immediate action, Naqi demanded that the federal government allocate special funds for healthcare in Karachi, especially in the Korangi Industrial Area. 'Healthy citizens form the foundation of a strong economy.' Deputy Patron-in-Chief of KATI, Zubair Chhaya, also expressed deep concern over the federal government's continuous neglect of Karachi. 'Road networks are being built across the country, but Karachi remains overlooked.' This city has consistently been the backbone of Pakistan's economy, and it deserves immediate attention regarding both healthcare and economic development.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
One employee killed after falling in pit at Kanh Diversion Close Duct Project site
Ujjain: An employee involved in construction work of the tunnel under Kanh Diversion Close Duct Project was killed, while another was critically injured after they fell into a deep pit at the site in Ujjain district. Nanakheda police station head constable Anil Arya said the deceased was identified as 41-year-old Yakub, a resident of Begumbagh Colony. He worked as a supervisor at Kanh Diversion Close Duct Project. The incident took place when Yakub had gone for an inspection of the construction work at Ninora village along with his fellow employee Kamal (22), a resident of Delhi. During the inspection, they lost their balance and fell into a pit being dug, sustaining serious injuries. Nearby labourers and others rushed to their rescue. They took them to district hospital, where Yakub died. Kamal, whose condition was critical, was admitted to a private hospital for treatment. The police have registered a case and handed over Yakub's body to his family after conducting a postmortem on Saturday.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Chamayappura' to demystify the art of make-up
The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi's national make-up workshop, Chamayappura, led by eminent make-up artist Pattanam Rasheed, began on Friday. Film director Kamal formally inaugurated the workshop and spoke about the often-overlooked, yet crucial, role of make-up in visual storytelling. 'Just as much as acting, make-up is instrumental in connecting the story and its characters to the audience. Unfortunately, many fail to recognise its importance,' Mr. Kamal remarked. Citing the film Celluloid, he highlighted how Mr. Rasheed's mastery of make-up brought actor Prithviraj closer to the real-life persona of J.C. Daniel, Kerala's first filmmaker. 'It wasn't just a transformation of the actor, but a complete recreation of an era and its people. That is Rasheed's genius,' he said. Akademi executive member Saheer Ali presided over the function. Akademi Secretary Karivellur Murali and Programme Officer V.K. Anilkumar also spoke. Mr. Rasheed marked the beginning of the first session by demonstrating a live transformation. In front of a captivated audience of participants, cameras, and art enthusiasts, he began applying makeup on actor Sunil Sukhada, gradually transforming him to an elderly man. 'In the world of make-up, I am still a student,' Mr. Rasheed said. He expressed his desire to make make-up artistry accessible to more people, beyond the domain of just a few experts. He added, 'This workshop is part of a larger dream, to professionalise the field and give everyone a chance to learn. As I teach others, I continue to learn new things myself. That is the beauty of this art form.' Mr. Rasheed also appreciated the Akademi's initiative in recognising the importance of makeup through such a national-level workshop. Mr. Kamal distributed workshop kits to the 30 selected participants, officially launching the hands-on training component. The Chamayappura workshop, being attended by artists from across the country, will be on till June 26.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kamal Haasan extends birthday wishes to ‘friend' Rahul Gandhi: 'May you continue to lead with compassion'
Veteran actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president Kamal Haasan on Wednesday extended warm birthday greetings to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, lauding him as a leader who continues to inspire with 'compassion and magnanimity.' (Also read: Even as SC allows release of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life in Karnataka, distributor says it 'makes no business sense') On 19 June, Kamal took to his X (formerly Twitter) account and wrote, 'Wishing my friend @RahulGandhi a very happy birthday. May you continue on the path of unity, compassion, and courage - with the same quiet resolve and steel that have defined you.' The two leaders have appeared together in the past, including during Rahul's Bharat Jodo Yatra, where Kamal joined him in Delhi to express solidarity with the initiative aimed at fostering national unity. Rahul, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and marked his 55th birthday, received wishes from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the Congress leader, wishing him 'a long and healthy life'. 'Birthday greetings to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life,' the prime minister posted on X. Kamal sparked controversy during the Thug Life audio launch in May 2025 by stating that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil,' drawing sharp backlash from pro-Kannada groups and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, which banned the film's release in the state and demanded an apology. Haasan refused to retract his comment, citing respect for linguistic history and freedom of expression. The matter escalated to the Supreme Court, which upheld the film's right to release and criticised attempts to suppress speech. Thug Life marks Kamal and Mani Ratnam's reunion after 37 years, the first since their iconic collaboration for Naayakan. However, the film received unfavourable reviews and has only earned ₹96 crore in two weeks.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Two robbery accused get 10-year rigorous imprisonment
Allikulam Additional Sessions Court campus has convicted and sentenced two robbery accused to 10-year-rigorous imprisonment for chasing a pedestrian and making him fall under the wheel of an MTC bus on Poonamallee High Road in Egmore in 2018. According to police, on October, 14, 2018, the man -- aged around 25 years and was apparently from north India -- was walking from Chennai Central to Egmore when auto driver M. Devan, 30, of Santhosh Nagar and mechanic V. Kamal alias Madurai Muthu, 28, of the same area, who were drunk, intercepted him and demanded tobacco. The victim avoided the drunk men and tried to walk away. The duo followed him and attacked him by pushing him onto the iron gate of a hotel. When he tried to run away, they chased him. The man slipped from the pavement and fell on the road. An MTC bus, going towards Koyambedu from Broadway, ran over him. Then, the duo escaped from the area. Initially, the case was registered by Anna Square Traffic Investigation Police for suspicious death. Later, the case was transferred to Egmore Police. At the conclusion of trial, the court held the duo guilty and sentenced them to 10-year-rigorous imprisonment. They were imposed fine of Rs 10,000.
