Transforming farmers’ lives, bringing justice to minorities, a doctor’s act of courage, and a rescue mission by the navy: our top stories the week

Raghunathan Narayanan grew up in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, seeing his grandmother provide space for the farmers who came in from villages in and around the town and offer them meals and a place to stay overnight.

He went on to become an agricultural engineer and establish two organisations—Vrutti, which works with small and marginal farmers through its flagship three-fold model, and Swasti that aims to transform the lives of the marginalised communities by ensuring access to quality healthcare.

Narayanan’s three-fold model, which looks at local agro-ecological zones, scouts market opportunities, and offers diverse livelihood options, is benefitting scores of farmers. Read more about it here.

An ex-professor’s mission to bring justice to minority communities

Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, a former professor of pharmacology who turned activist, and Founder and President of Consumer Forum Basrur and Human Rights Protection Foundation, was imprisoned in a jail in Mangaluru, Karnataka, during the 1975 Emergency. He was among the 600 political prisoners opposing the Emergency.

Shanbhag’s endeavour began as a mission to protect the underprivileged and institute an issue-based movement with non-violent methodologies. He has today created a legal framework with principles that could withstand any legal situation through his Human Rights Protection Foundation. 

In other news …

Kochi-based hepatologist saves life of a passenger mid-flight

While aboard an Akasa Air flight from Kochi to Mumbai on January 14, Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, a senior hepatologist at Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, intervened when a fellow passenger experienced breathing difficulties due to low oxygen levels and high blood pressure.

Through examination, Dr Abby discovered that the semi-conscious passenger suffered from kidney failure and underwent dialysis thrice weekly, according to a report by The New Indian Express.

Facing challenges due to the moving plane, Dr Abby administered the medication intramuscularly. It effectively lowered the patient's blood pressure. The patient was admitted to a nearby hospital after landing in Mumbai and is now recovering.

Indian Navy rescues cargo vessel under drone attack in Gulf of Aden

On January 18, the Indian Navy came to the rescue of a cargo vessel with 22 people, including nine Indians onboard, which came under attack by drones in the Gulf of Aden.

According to a report by The News Minute, the Indian Navy informed that its Guided Missile Destroyer INS Visakhapatnam mission deployed in Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations swiftly responded to a distress call by Marshall Island flagged MV Genco Picardy, following a drone attack at 23.11 hours on January 17, and intercepted the MV at 00.30 hrs on January 18 to provide assistance.

MV Genco Picardy reported nil casualties.