‘If there is a role for remote surgery anywhere, it is in India’: Dr Sanjay Addla on bridging healthcare gaps
Discussing the rise of lifestyle-related diseases in India, Dr Sanjay Adla, senior consultant, uro-oncology and robotic surgery at Apollo Hospitals, said 2018 was the year when breast cancer became the most common cancer in the country. He says the only way to prevent death from cancer is to get tested before symptoms appear. Dr. Edla explains that robotic surgery is not a future technology but the current standard of care, clarifying that it is a ‘master-slave’ technique where the surgeon is in complete control. He highlighted its benefits, which include higher precision, magnified 3D vision and faster patient recovery. He also points to the significant potential of remote robotic surgery to democratize quality healthcare across India, bridging the urban-rural divide by making specialist expertise accessible anywhere. Telesurgery has recently been performed at distances of more than 2,000 km in India.
latest video
‘We are trying to build India’s largest agriculture data bank’: Rahul Aripka of Harvested Robotics
Rahul Aripaka, co-founder of Harvested Robotics, details his ‘Make in India’ story of developing an AI-powered laser weeding machine called ‘Rakshak’ for Indian farmers. Aripka explains that the machine, which is mounted on any tractor, uses cameras and AI to detect weeds and high-powered lasers to eliminate them, reducing the need for manual labor and chemical herbicides. A key point of the interview is the dramatic cost difference; While similar international machines cost around a million dollars, the ‘Rakshak’ is expected to be priced between ₹10 to ₹12 lakh. The startup is also building what Aripaca calls ‘India’s largest agricultural data bank’ by collecting crop and weed data from across the country. The Hyderabad-based company recently raised ₹5 crore in a pre-seed round backed by leading angel investor Anand Mahindra.
Modi’s ‘Jungle Raj’ attack on RJD; Tejashwi countered with record rallies
This special report focuses on the high-profile election campaign in Bihar, which has included a heated exchange between the BJP and the RJD. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing rallies in Araria and Begusarai, attacked the previous RJD rule, calling it ‘Jungle Raj’. Referring to the 15-year period from 1990 to 2005 under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s party, PM Modi said, ‘The report card of development in Bihar during the Jungle Raj era is zero.’ The war of words intensified with the Prime Minister’s taunt about ‘Katta’ (indigenously made gun), to which former Chief Minister Rabri Devi reacted sharply. Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has been waging a whirlwind campaign to counter the NDA’s narrative, addressing 20 rallies in a single day. The first phase of voting is going on for 121 seats out of 243 seats in the state.
Bihar’s silent vote: Nitish’s 20-year rule will face the final test in a do-or-die battle
This special report focuses on the high stakes of the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, which is a crucial test for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Grand Alliance’s Tejashwi Yadav. An important insight came from Bihar bureau chief Rohit, who said, ‘Maybe since this is Nitish Kumar’s last election, he would like to give him a good farewell in politics too.’ Voting took place in 121 constituencies to decide the fate of major candidates. While the voting percentage crossed 53% till 3 pm, indicating a possible breach of the previous record, analysts are cautiously interpreting what this means for the ruling NDA and the opposition grand alliance. The election is being fought on competing narratives of ‘Sushasan’ (good governance) versus ‘Rozgaar’ (employment), with Tejashwi Yadav promising a government job for every family. Despite almost two decades in power, anti-incumbency sentiment against Nitish Kumar appears to be quiet, with what has been described as a ‘silent election’ without a visible wave.
Bihar Elections: Attack on Deputy Chief Minister Sinha’s convoy, heated clash with RJD MLC
This special report covers the rising election violence in Bihar, focusing on the attack on Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha’s convoy in Lakhisarai. After this incident, there was a dramatic confrontation on the road between BJP leader and RJD MLC Ajay Singh. According to the report, ‘The Deputy Chief Minister is clearly saying that RJD supporters have attacked his vehicle and all are drunk and committing hooliganism.’ Sinha has accused the RJD of instigating the attack, in which cow dung and stones were thrown and attempts were made to capture booths to intimidate voters. RJD has rejected these allegations. The clash brings into focus the bitter political rivalry between the NDA and the Grand Alliance, rekindling the narrative of BJP’s ‘Jungle Raj’ against the RJD amid a highly charged election.
