Dr Prajakta Aswar First Indian Woman to Finish Ultraman Australia Chandrapur: Dr Prajakta Aswar, a gynaecologist, has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to complete the Ultraman Australia, a grueling three-day ultra-endurance race held from May 9 to 11. The event, one of the most challenging in the world, demands extraordinary physical and mental endurance, featuring a 10-km open-ocean swim, a 421-km cycling challenge, and an 84.3-km double marathon run, totaling 515.4 km. Competing against 39 elite athletes from around the globe, Dr Aswar was the sole female participant among eight Indian competitors. The race’s structure is equally demanding: Day 1 involves a 10-km swim in Noosa’s open waters followed by a 140-km bike ride across the Sunshine Coast. Day 2 features a 276.1-km bike ride with steep elevation gains, while Day 3 concludes with an 84.3-km run that finishes at Noosa beach. Dr Aswar’s achievement marks a significant milestone, as no Indian woman had previously completed this race. While several Indian men, including Milind Soman, Dr Kaustubh Radkar, and Shubham Kajale, had successfully finished the event, Dr Aswar’s success redefines possibilities for women in endurance sports. Dr Aswar, who has previously competed in Ironman events in Germany, Finland, Boston, Estonia, and Goa, is known for her relentless pursuit of personal goals. She emphasized the importance of encouraging Indian women to embrace competitive fields, stating, “I urge Indian girls and women to participate wholeheartedly in diverse competitive fields, push their limits, and strive to bring pride to themselves, their families, and the nation.#chandrapur #indian_medical_association #dr_prajakta_aswar #ultraman_australia #noosa
Attacks On Doctors Unacceptable: Justice Kilor At IMA Installation Justice Anil Kilor, the Administrative Judge of the Bombay High Court, condemned the rising incidents of violence against healthcare professionals during his address at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) installation ceremony in Nagpur on Sunday. Highlighting the growing concerns over attacks on doctors, Kilor emphasized that such acts of aggression are entirely unacceptable and called for societal support to ensure medical practitioners feel safe, respected, and valued in their critical roles. Kilor noted that doctors operate under immense pressure, often making life-saving decisions in high-stakes, emotionally charged situations. He cited the recent surge in attacks on medical professionals in Maharashtra as a troubling trend, stressing that while the anguish of patients’ families in critical conditions is understandable, responding with violence against healthcare workers undermines the trust and cooperation essential for effective medical care. “A doctor in a critical situation is making complex decisions in a matter of seconds, often with incomplete information, carrying the weight of a patient’s life in their hands. What they need in those moments is trust, cooperation, and space to work— not fear, hostility, or the threat of violence,” he stated. The judge further warned that if doctors begin to feel insecure, the entire healthcare system risks suffering. “As a society, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that our doctors feel safe, respected, valued, and supported,” Kilor remarked. He underscored that respect for doctors is not merely a matter of courtesy but a fundamental pillar of healthcare itself.#nagpur #maharashtra #indian_medical_association #justice_anil_kilor #jr_shaw_auditorium
GLP-1 Made for US: Medanta Founder Dr. Naresh Trehan Warns Against Unsupervised Use of Weight-Loss Drugs The Indian government has intensified efforts to regulate the unauthorized sale of GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) weight-loss drugs, which have surged in popularity following the expiration of key patents. These medications, originally developed in the U.S. for severe obesity and Type 2 diabetes, are now being sold in India through online pharmacies and wellness clinics without valid prescriptions. Renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Naresh Trehan, founder of Medanta, has issued a stern warning against their unsupervised use, emphasizing the risks associated with the widespread availability of low-cost generic versions. Authorities have launched a nationwide crackdown, inspecting 49 warehouses, retail outlets, and wellness centers to address the surge in demand for these drugs. The crackdown follows growing concerns from medical professionals, including Dr. Trehan, who highlighted that the patent expiry has led to a flood of cheap, unregulated generic versions. Social media trends promoting rapid weight loss have further fueled the demand, prompting regulators to ban surrogate advertising and impose stricter controls on who can prescribe the treatment. Dr. Trehan explained that GLP-1 drugs were initially designed for patients with severe obesity and diabetes, working by suppressing chronic hunger and slowing stomach emptying. However, he stressed that these are not over-the-counter lifestyle products. The government’s heightened surveillance stems from the fact that the drugs have gone off-patent, allowing Indian manufacturers to produce cheaper versions. Dr.#dr_naresh_trehan #medanta #indian_medical_association #ima #glp_1_drugs
