NEIGRIHMS Professor granted patent

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 15: Prof A J Patowary, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine in the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), has been granted a patent for developing a Multifunctional Autopsy Workstation.

This innovative workstation, designed entirely by Prof Patowary, streamlines the autopsy process by integrating essential features directly into the workspace. The workstation boasts built-in hot and cold water supplies, foot-operated suction systems, and a water spray for efficient body washing.

Furthermore, the workstation incorporates a height-adjustable trolley that seamlessly integrates as the dissection platform.

This patent signifies a significant advancement in the field of forensic medicine, offering a more efficient, organized, and ergonomic approach to autopsies.

The Multifunctional Autopsy Workstation has the potential to improve workflow, enhance hygiene standards, and optimize space utilization in autopsy suites.

Prof. C Daniala, Medical Superintendent, NEIGRIHMS stated that “Prof. Patowary’s Multifunctional Autopsy Workstation is a testament to the innovative spirit that thrives at NEIGRIHMS. This invention has the potential to significantly improve working conditions for forensic professionals and ultimately contribute to a more efficient and accurate medicolegal system.”

Prof Nalin Mehta, Director, NEIGRIHMS said “this invention perfectly embodies NEIGRIHMS’ commitment to advancing medical practices. Prof. Patowary’s workstation is a prime example of how our faculty is constantly striving to improve healthcare delivery in the region.”

Govt waiting on response from HNLC leadership

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the government is waiting for the response from leaders of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) before deciding on how to move forward with the ongoing peace talks.

“We are waiting for (HNLC’s) response. As and when we are able to get that response we will decide on how to move forward,” Sangma told reporters.

“As I said in talks like these we need to ensure there is movement from all the sections. All the stakeholders need to have a certain level of commitment to the whole discussion. Therefore, as we move forward in discussion mode there are certain areas of concern, some from their side and some from our side and we are all working on that,” he said.

“We have communicated to all of them through our interlocutor and we are waiting for a response from their side,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that the NIA case against HNLC leaders is an old case.

“It is an ongoing process and it is not from the State side, it is from the Centre side and we have already passed on the information to them and that is why I am saying as the talks go forward different areas and different conditions and different talks can be held with the stakeholders from the Central government, from State government and from their side and we will figure out how to move forward,” he said.

“But as I said it is a process and since multiple stakeholders are involved we need to clarify from every side so this will go on,” Sangma said while stating that “yes it is a concern and we have raised it with Delhi also.”

Stories of a Shillong boy Part 1: Hill Boy and the Desert

There is a little 10 year old boy in Shillong who has a funny way of looking at things. I call him “Ray” – A named derived from his Khasi first name. I am his mother and this is one of the many stories I have about him.

Now Ray had an intense hate for two subjects in school – science and geography. I’m still drawing nonsensical circles around science, but I think I’ve cracked geography and a geography lesson is one of the most fun things we do together now. I want to talk about a lesson we did a little while ago.

In this lesson, we read about the Thar Desert. The book said something really scary to Ray. It told him that the desert is expanding because we cut down forests and let our cattle eat away all our grasslands. This really worried him. Before we could go on with the lesson, he said, “But I don’t want the desert to reach the Meghalaya.”

I looked at him and said, “It won’t.”

“But the book says that it will.” He insists. “I don’t want to live in a desert.”

I had to think for a bit. See Ray has this way of getting fixated on something and then he dwells on it – a reason why I tutor him myself by redoing every chapter that his teachers have taught in school. His head is full of questions that he would never ask in a classroom kind of space, but he would demand an answer out of me.

“It will not happen tomorrow Ray.” I said, “We’ll all be dead and gone by then. There is no need to stress.”

This did not put him at ease at all. He was worried. “I don’t want to live in India anymore if the desert is growing mei. We have to leave India.”

“There are deserts everywhere.” I said.

“This can happen all over the world?” he asked sounding completely helpless.

“Yes.” I said thinking of Mad Max Fury Road. “But it won’t happen anytime soon. It will probably happen during the time of your great great great great grandchild so you have nothing to worry about.”

This calmed him down for a little while and I was able to finish the lesson. He had his dinner after that, brushed his teeth and got into bed.

As I was tucking him in he said softly, “But I want my great great great great grand son or daughter to live also.”

And it suddenly struck me that even I want my great great great great great grandchild to live.

(This piece has been written by Dalariti Nongpiur with illustrations by Hazel Kharkongor)