Blind British soldier 'sees' with his tongue
Lance Corporal Craig Lundberg. The soldier, left blind by a grenade in Iraq, has told how his life has been transformed by ground-breaking technology that enables him to “see” with his tongue.
A British soldier left blind by a grenade in Iraq has told how his life has been transformed by ground-breaking technology that enables him to “see” with his tongue.
Lance Corporal Craig Lundberg, 24, can read words, make out shapes and walk without assistance thanks to a device developed in the United States which could revolutionise life for other blind people.
Lundberg, from Liverpool in northwest England, completely lost his sight after being struck by a rocket-propelled grenade while serving in Basra in 2007.
Faced with a life of relying on a guide dog, he was chosen by the Ministry of Defence as the first person in Britain to trial the BrainPort device, which could revolutionise treatment for the blind.
It converts images into electrical pulses which are sent to the tongue, where they cause a tingling sensation.
The different strength of the tingles can be interpreted so the user can mentally visualise their surroundings and navigate around objects.
The device consists of a tiny video camera attached to a pair of sunglasses which are linked to a plastic “lollipop” which the user places on their tongue to read the pulses.
The image is created by presenting white pixels from the camera as strong stimulation, black pixels as no stimulation, and grey levels as medium levels of stimulation, although interpreting the images takes intensive training.
“It feels like licking a nine volt battery or like popping candy,” Lundberg explained Monday.
“The camera sends signals down onto the lollipop and onto your tongue. You can then determine what they mean and transfer it to shapes.
“You get lines and shapes of things. It sees in black and white so you get a two-dimensional image on your tongue — it’s a bit like a pins and needles sensation.
“It’s only a prototype, but the potential to change my life is massive. It’s got a lot of potential to advance things for blind people.”
Thanks to the device, he can now “pick up objects straight away. I can reach out and pick them up when before I would be fumbling around to feel for them.”
Lundberg and British military surgeons have visited the US for training in how to use the device, which is being developed by a team led by Gale Pollock, a former major general in the US army.
It is hoped that with further refinement, the BrainPort could be used for other blind British military personnel.
However, the future of Lundberg’s trusty guide dog seems secure for now.
“There is no way I’m getting rid of my guide dog Hugo, though — I love him.
“This (the BrainPort) is another mobility device, it’s not the be-all and end-all of my disability.”
Reference Link : http://www.physorg.com/news187946960.html
Courtesy : Science News Daily and PHYSORG
To bring in change is her motto
Meenakshi Bharath is contesting from Aramane Nagar — Photo: K. Gopinathan
MULTI-TASKING:Meenakshi Bharath speaking to her supporters during campaigning in Bangalore.
Bangalore, India: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Council, despite the 33 per cent reservation for women, continues to be a male bastion. Trying to bring in a change, and to ensure more women are elected, is Loksatta Party candidate Meenakshi Bharath, who is contesting from Ward No 35, Aramane Nagar, in the Malleswaram Assembly Constituency.
“Women need to be involved in local governance. Their participation has to improve. We need more women, as those belonging to lower socio-economic groups who need be represented and heard,” she said.
Women councillors will be able to bring in better governance at the local level if they are fully involved. “Women have the ability to multi-task and excel still,” she said.
If elected, Dr. Bharath, a medical practitioner who has her own clinic, Centre for Assisted Reproductive Techniques, plans to divide her time between her duties as a corporator and her patients.
“I firmly believe that all women should be empowered. For that to happen, education for the girl child is a must. Education will enable them to stand up for themselves,” she added.
As an elected representative, she hopes to make an impact on the lives of the people in her ward and helping them to get the best out of the system. Asked about her plans for Aramane Nagar, she said she hopes to work on making public consultation the heart of decision-making in the ward, make voter lists more accurate and bring in responsible waste management in the city.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/16/stories/2010031660110200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
A fitting tribute to a special friendship
Bangalore, India: “The air is thick with emotion and there is no place for words here,” said Minister for Law Suresh Kumar releasing the book Bharatharatna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, in Bangalore on Saturday evening, organised by Rajguru Smruti and Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandali, Pune.
At the function, where each one in the packed audience brought their own memories of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, the Minister recalled his meeting with the Kirana legend on July 5, 2009 at his residence in Pune, to confer on him the Karnataka Ratna Award. “Those 15to 20 minutes that I spent with him is something that I will cherish for a lifetime,” he said.
“It is a unique moment – a sort of coming together of Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi,” said Nijaguna Rajguru, son of the late Gwalior maestro Basavaraj Rajguru, referring to the book release. He observed that in this two-day music festival dedicated to Rajguru, a book on Bhimsen Joshi was indeed a fitting tribute to their special friendship.
Nijaguna recalled several anecdotes; one of which took place when Rajguru was in Kolkata for a performance. Someone at his door shouted, “Rajguru, Rajguru are you there? Come on, open the door.”
When Rajguru opened the door, this gentleman at the door – who was the mythical Bhima personified, hugged and lifted Rajguru, before putting him down.
“I was aghast. It was none other than Bhimsen Joshi,” said Nijaguna, speaking of how Joshi always made sure that Rajguru had brought him his share of “undi and chakkuli”.
“When my father died in 1991, there was a fund-raiser programme in which Panditji sang. He returned the remuneration made and said ‘I have come for my dear friend. Don’t belittle it with money.”
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/16/stories/2010031659640200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
He is short, but his vision is tall
Govindaraju
Bangalore, India: He aims high. His short stature has not deterred him from nourishing a desire to solve the civic problems of his area. Meet N. Govindraju, an independent candidate contesting from Cauveripura of Govindrajnagar Assembly Constituency.
“Nanna murthy chikkadadaru, keerti doddadu antu janarigu torustini (I want to prove to the world that nothing will deter me from achieving great heights). I have seen so many politicians. All of them make promises but never fulfil them. I want to work for the welfare of the physically challenged persons like myself,” Mr Govindraju, who is a mere three feet three inches tall, told The Hindu after filing his nomination papers for the BBMP Council elections.
Unlike other candidates who came in processions accompanied by their followers to file nomination papers, Mr. Govindraju had only his two brothers N. Kumar and N. Umesh, sister Susheela and his moustachioed friend Veerappan with him.
Working as a photostat machine operator in a private firm near Dairy Circle on Bannerghatta Road, this 27-year-old candidate wants to ensure that people like him are not looked down upon by others.
“My sister Geeta and myself are midgets in our family. We had great difficulty in getting our disability medically established to avail ourselves of government benefits. Although we are now getting a monthly grant of Rs. 400 each from the Government, I had decided that I will someday become part of the system to ensure that others like me do not endure the same problems,” he said. Mr. Govindraju said he had to file his nomination papers on the last day because he was unable to get the income and caste certificates from the officials before that. “Accompanied by my friends, I have worked for the poor in our area by collecting contributions and sponsoring tricycles for the disabled and notebooks for poor students,” he claimed.
Asserting that he is confident of his victory, Mr. Govindraju said: “I know that I am contesting against former corporators, G. Krishnappa (Congress) and S. Puttaraju (Independent). But I am sure people will choose me.”
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/16/stories/2010031662410400.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Wipro to provide job offers to 4,000 B.Sc graduates
Students can also do MS from BITS -Pilani
Students will be selected based on written test and interview
Students can apply on http://careers.wipro.com/wase
HYDERABAD, India: Here’s some good news for B.Sc graduates as Osmania University in collaboration with Wipro Technologies is providing exciting job opportunities for more than 4,000 graduates of 2010 batch.
Informing this to presspersons here on Monday, OU Vice-Chancellor T. Tirupati Rao said the Wipro Academy of Software Excellence (WASE) programme is based on the theme “earn while you learn.” This programme will provide job opportunities to students.
They can also pursue MS degree from BITS – Pilani simultaneously while doing their job.
Students registered will be selected based on written test followed by an interview.
Mr. Rao said the company has also come forward to conduct road shows for students pursuing B.Sc in university constituent and affiliated colleges to educate them about the programme.
The company is planning to conduct two or three road shows accommodating 1,000 students in each programme. The first programme will be held on March 21 at University College for Women in Koti. Similar events will be organised on March 28 and April 4 based on the response from students.
Students enrolling for WASE programme must fulfil the following criteria: B.Sc (CS/ IT/Electronics/Physics/Maths/Statistics/BCA/BCM) with 60 per cent pass percentage in tenth class, Intermediate and graduation. Maths as a subject in Intermediate is mandatory.
Students can also apply on http://careers.wipro.com/wase.
If candidates are selected, then stipend will be paid to them and on successful completion of the course, M.S. Degree will be given from BITS-Pilani.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/16/stories/2010031662090400.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
“Early detection can control glaucoma”
CHENNAI, India: Ophthalmologists in the city advise regular eye check-up to rule out loss of sight due to glaucoma.
As part of World Glaucoma Week that concluded recently, eye clinics organised awareness programmes to spread the message that glaucoma is controllable if detected early.
“Sight cannot be restored”
“Glaucoma is the second common cause of blindness, next only to cataract. In glaucoma patients, sight cannot be restored, as the optic nerve is damaged irreversibly. Usually treatment is in the form of eye drops. Laser treatment is offered for some types of glaucoma and surgery for some advanced, uncontrolled cases,” said Murali Ariga, treasurer of Glaucoma Society of India.
Loss of peripheral vision
Persons with glaucoma may notice patchy loss of peripheral vision or reduced clarity of colours.
Some people suffer from pain in and around the eyeball, headache and visual disturbances such as halos around lights.
The condition is hereditary and conditions such as myopia or diabetes could hasten glaucoma. Persons using steroid medication for other systemic problems, or complaints or redness and watering from the eyes, could also be due to glaucoma, says Mohan Rajan of Rajan Eye Care Hospital.
Regular follow up
Calling for increased awareness, K. Vasantha, Deputy Superintendent at Government Eye Hospital said, “Often patients mistake glaucoma for cataract and postpone treatment. They come when they have lost 90% of the sight. With regular follow up we can control intraocular pressure and prevent further damage,” she said.
Though World Glaucoma Day is observed every year on March 12, ophthalmologists dedicate a week to raise awareness through free eye campsand display banners and posters in public places such as parks and the Marina beach, Dr. Ariga said.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/16/stories/2010031651580200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Déjà vu as Vidya Sagar turns 25
A multi-faith prayer and lighting of the lamp held just as it began Photo: R. Ragu
Joy personified: Students of Vidya Sagar participating in 25th year celebrations on Monday. —
CHENNAI, India: The 25th year celebrations began much the way the institution itself did — a multi-faith prayer and the lighting of the lamp by the key movers and shakers. At Vidya Sagar, on Monday, it was déjà vu — as the oldest students, helpers, teachers and volunteers lit the lamp to start the institution’s silver jubilee celebrations.
A while later, with everyone singing ‘Happy Birthday’ gustily, the cake was cut. The cake itself was the perfect motif for all that Vidya Sagar stands for — it comprised little pieces of cake, every student bringing in one piece. If one were to sit back and evaluate how Vidya Sagar had come the distance it had, a clever person would put his finger on the nub — the involvement of the entire school (teachers, volunteers, parents, and students) in every activity.
Perhaps, 25 years ago, it was easier to do so with just three children. Poonam Natarajan had just started a centre for three children, including her son Ishu, in her garage. “It was always about students, parents and staff together. To us, it was and will be more like a community rather than a school — something that is very organic. The direction it takes depends on the team,” she says, in a telephonic conversation with The Hindu from Delhi where she is now based.
“When I first started, I certainly didn’t think of 25 years, or even five! I didn’t have the guts to think of what we will be in the future. But we believed in planning — for every term, 12 weeks at a time. We were so busy planning for each child and setting goals. Actually, each child led the way,” she explains. Right through the years, the child has continued to be the focus of Vidya Sagar, says its chairperson Usha Ramakrishnan. Her association with the institution goes back to 1986, only a year after it was started, and then it was known as the Chennai branch of the Spastics Society of India. “It’s a fact that Vidya Sagar is a bridge between professionalism and personal care, even as our programmes have changed through the years.”
Vidya Sagar believes that disability is a human rights issue and that belief underlines all projects. Its current director Rajul Padmanabhan says the goal is integrated development of the child and this necessarily means that there is more than just the Centre for Special Education for special kids. “Now we have the Vision Centre, Employment Education Centre for adults, Family-based Rehabilitation, Inclusion Cell for mainstreaming students, Early Intervention Unit, Training (in Special Education), and Community-based Rehabilitation.”
The Disability Legislation Unit (DLU) works on raising awareness about the rights of disabled people at all levels, says its representative B. Meenakshi. Access, awareness, employment, education and legislation are their focus areas.
The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) centre was built as the school realised the constraints faced by children with multiple disabilities who are non-verbal. AAC, in association with IIT and Anna University, designs a set of devices that help these children communicate with tools that are indigenous and cost-effective.
Funding for these activities has largely come from the government and fundraising efforts by volunteers and the children themselves (greeting cards, art and a range of gift and stationery items are sold), Ms. Padmanabhan says.
There is now time and opportunity to focus and plan for the future. Employment opportunities, early intervention and advocacy will have to be the big drivers even as the school continues to help each and every child that knocks on its doors, she adds.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/16/stories/2010031659730200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Indian paintings evoke Kazakh interest
NEW DELHI, India: As part of its outreach effort in Central Asia, India is hosting an exhibition in Shymkent city of Kazakhstan of 29 digitally produced prints of well-known works of Indian artists representing human figure forms created over a span of more than a century.
Starting with Jamini Roy, the exhibition also includes the works of Amrita Shergil, M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza and Krishen Khanna as well as some of the more contemporary and modern artists such as Anjolie Ela Menon, Manjit Bawa and Arpana Caur.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Indian ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar along with Aidar Niyazov, Director of the Department of Culture of South Kazakhstan, and Walikhan Bishimbayev, Rector of the South Kazakhstan University.
During his visit to South Kazakhstan, Mr. Sajjanhar also visited the South Kazakhstan University named after the famous and illustrious writer of Kazakhstan, Mukhtar Auezov, and held discussions with Professor Bishimbayev on ways to promote bilateral relations in educational, scientific, technological and cultural spheres, according to an Indian embassy news release from Astana.
Historical links
Addressing a gathering at the university, he said historical and civilisational links between India and Kazakhstan date back to 500 B.C. when members of the Saka tribes travelled to the northwest of India to establish powerful empires. In the contemporary period, India was one of the first countries to recognise Kazakhstan as an independent nation and its President Nursultan Nazarbayev chose India as the first foreign country to visit outside the CIS region.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/16/stories/2010031658442200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Goodness Apple 
leave a comment