लखनऊ स्थित एसजीपीजीआई में एंडोक्राइन सर्जरी के क्षेत्र में एक बड़ी उपलब्धि हासिल हुई है। यहां एंडोक्राइन सर्जरी विभाग के प्रोफेसर डाॅ. ज्ञान चंद ने 200 रोबोटिक एंडोक्राइन सर्जरी सफलतापूर्वक पूरी की हैं। इस उपलब्धि को आधुनिक और न्यूनतम इनवेसिव सर्जरी के क्षेत्र में एक महत्वपूर्ण मील का पत्थर माना जा रहा है। हाल ही में उनकी टीम ने एक जटिल सर्जरी को भी सफलतापूर्वक अंजाम दिया, जिससे इस तकनीक की सफलता और भरोसा और मजबूत हुआ है।

एक जटिल मामले का सफलतापूर्वक संचालन किया।
इसी उपलब्धि के तहत हाल ही में हरदोई के एक 25 वर्षीय युवक का ऑपरेशन किया गया, जो पेशे से जूनियर इंजीनियर है. मरीज पिछले 18 साल से गर्दन के अगले हिस्से में सूजन से पीड़ित था, जो धीरे-धीरे बढ़ता जा रहा था। वह हाइपोथायरायडिज्म से भी पीड़ित थे और रोजाना थायरोनॉर्म 62.5 माइक्रोग्राम दवा ले रहे थे।

जांच में सामने आई गंभीर स्थिति
डॉक्टरों द्वारा जांच के दौरान पता चला कि मरीज की थायरॉयड ग्रंथि काफी बढ़ी हुई थी और छूने पर इसकी निचली सीमा महसूस नहीं होती थी। इससे रेट्रोस्टर्नल विस्तार की संभावना बढ़ गई। अल्ट्रासाउंड और सीटी स्कैन में बड़े मल्टीनोड्यूलर गण्डमाला, रेट्रोस्टर्नल एक्सटेंशन और लिम्फोसाइटिक थायरॉयडिटिस की पुष्टि हुई। एफएनएसी रिपोर्ट भी बेथेस्डा II श्रेणी में आती है।

रोबोटिक सर्जरी से बेहतर परिणाम
ऐसी जटिल स्थिति में सर्जरी आमतौर पर चुनौतीपूर्ण होती है, लेकिन डॉक्टरों ने रोबोटिक टोटल थायरॉयडेक्टॉमी (बीएबीए अप्रोच) के जरिए ऑपरेशन किया। ऑपरेशन के दौरान पता चला कि थायराइड के दोनों हिस्से बहुत बड़े थे और दाहिना हिस्सा मीडियास्टिनम तक फैला हुआ था। इसके बावजूद, महत्वपूर्ण तंत्रिकाएं और पैराथाइरॉइड ग्रंथियां संरक्षित रहीं। निकाले गए थायराइड का कुल वजन 149 ग्राम था।

ऑपरेशन के बाद मरीज पूरी तरह स्वस्थ
सर्जरी के बाद मरीज की हालत पूरी तरह स्थिर बनी हुई है। उनकी आवाज सामान्य रही और शरीर में कैल्शियम का स्तर भी सामान्य पाया गया. इससे पता चलता है कि सर्जरी पूरी तरह सफल रही.

नई तकनीक से बढ़ती उम्मीदें
इस उपलब्धि से यह स्पष्ट हो गया है कि रोबोटिक सर्जरी तकनीक जटिल मामलों में भी सुरक्षित और प्रभावी साबित हो रही है। इससे भविष्य में मरीजों को कम दर्द, जल्दी ठीक होने और बेहतर इलाज मिलने की उम्मीद बढ़ गई है।

Pilgrims in front of Amarnath cave

One of the largest religious pilgrimages undertaken in India is the Amarnath Yatra, and thousands of devotees travel to see the holy shrine of Amarnath. The tour’s scheduled dates in 2026 are from July 3 to August 9, spread over a period of 38 days. As per the rules set by the authorities, all the participants will have to go through the process of registration which will be started from April 15, 2026.Amarnath Yatra is organized by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and strict eligibility conditions are followed during the yatra.

Registration Process: Online and Offline Options

Passengers wishing to undertake the Yatra have two options available for registration, either online through the SASB website or through the mobile application “Shri Amarnathji Yatra” or offline through designated bank branches.

online registration

The online registration process is expected to start from April 15, 2026. OTP verification process will be mandatory, which will require mobile phone number and email address. Additionally, pilgrims will be expected to upload a scanned version of the Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) issued on or after April 8, 2026, along with a passport size photograph.

Official announcement of Amarnath Yatra

Offline Registration through Bank Branches

If pilgrims choose to register in person, they will have to start the process from April 15, 2026, at selected bank branches. Registration will be done on first come, first served basis.Pilgrims have to approach authorized bank branches with the help of their CHC card, which is issued by an authorized medical practitioner along with identity documents like Aadhaar. Biometric authentication of the individual will be done instantly using the eKYC system at bank branches. The registration fee remains Rs 150 per person.

RFID card mandatory for entry

One of the key requirements for the Amarnath Yatra 2026 will be the use of mandatory RFID cards. On registering themselves for the journey, all passengers will have to collect RFID cards from the designated centers located in Jammu and Kashmir after the eKYC biometric verification process. If one does not have RFID card, he cannot cross the gate point of Domel or Chandanwari.

Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir

Eligibility Criteria and Health Requirements

The criteria to be eligible to participate in the Yatra remain the same. Only those people whose age is between 13 to 70 years can register themselves. Pregnant women who have completed more than six weeks cannot participate in the Yatra.Every candidate is required to have Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC), which must be provided by an authorized doctor or clinic as mentioned on the SASB website.

Routes and travel options

Amarnath Yatra can be done through two main routes:

For the convenience of those who cannot walk the entire journey, helicopter facilities are available from both Pahalgam and Baltal to Panchtarni.

Features & Safety & Weather Alerts

For the benefit of the travelers, tents, accommodation and even government facilities are provided at various stopping places en route. Additionally, there are certain safety measures and SOPs that all passengers must follow. Since the climate here is harsh and harsh, it is advisable to be well prepared in terms of clothing and physical stamina.

At first glance, it seems like a stunt, but in central London, visitors are being invited to do something surprisingly rooted in human history: taste the soil. The Edible Earth Museum, currently on display at Somerset House, brings together Edible Earth specimens from around the world and transforms them into a sensory, educational experience. Far from gimmicky, the exhibition explores geophagy, the practice of eating soil, through science, anthropology and art. By combining tasting sessions with research-backed context, it challenges modern notions about what is considered food and opens deeper conversations about humanity’s relationship with the Earth.

What is the Museum of Food Earth?

The Edible Earth Museum is an interdisciplinary project created by artist and researcher Masharu. It houses a growing collection of over 600 edible soil samples collected from over 40 countries, each documented with cultural, historical and chemical context.Rather than presenting clay as a strange or taboo object, the exhibition presents it as a meaningful material. Visitors experience the clay not only visually, but also through smell, texture and taste, turning the exhibition into a completely immersive experience, blending art installation with scientific investigation.

Global History of Eating the Earth

Eating soil may seem unusual in modern urban environments, but geophagy has been practiced for centuries in Africa, South America, Asia, and parts of Europe. Anthropologists have documented its use in traditional medicine to soothe digestive problems, as a source of minerals such as iron and calcium, and in cultural rituals or pregnancy-related cravings.In some areas, specially prepared soil is also sold in markets as a consumable product. The exhibition highlights these traditions to show that clay consumption is not a marginal behavior, but a culturally embedded practice with historical depth.

What does mud really taste like?

One of the most interesting aspects of the exhibition is how it presents clay as a sensory experience. Different types of soil impart different flavors. Clay may taste greasy and slightly metallic, chalky clay may feel dry and mineral-heavy, and volcanic clay may have a smoky or earthy depth.Each sample is accompanied by tasting notes similar to those used for wine or coffee, encouraging visitors to engage with the soil in a structured and thoughtful way.Scientific research has revealed why humans and animals consume soil. Some explanations suggest that some clays provide essential nutrients, while others may help bind toxins and pathogens in the digestive tract. Clay can also act as a protective layer against irritants in the gut.However, scientists warn that not all soil is safe. Contaminants such as heavy metals, bacteria and parasites can pose risks, which is why the exhibition uses carefully obtained and prepared samples.

is it safe eat soil?

Organizers emphasize that the tasting experience is controlled and optional. Visitors are guided through the process, and the soil provided is selected with safety in mind.That said, health experts don’t recommend casually eating soil outside of such curated settings. The exhibition aims to educate and inspire thought, not to encourage everyday consumption.

A living collection of human experience

One of the most unique elements of the exhibition is its participatory nature. Visitors are invited to leave their own tasting notes and responses, contributing to a growing collection of how people view the soil.This turns the exhibition into a collaborative project where science, culture and personal experience intersect, creating a broader understanding of how humans relate to something as fundamental as the ground beneath their feet.

Sustainability and environmental reflection

The exhibition also conveys a strong environmental message. Many of its elements are made using recycled materials, including compost and organic waste recovered from previous establishments.By focusing on soil, the exhibition draws attention to the foundations of ecosystems and agriculture. It encourages visitors to think about soil not as dirt, but as a vital resource that supports life, food systems, and environmental balance.The idea of ​​eating soil has generated widespread curiosity online, leading to conversations on social media. While the shock factor draws people in, the deeper appeal lies in the exhibition’s ability to connect science, culture and everyday experience.It challenges deeply held ideas about hygiene, food and nature, causing visitors to question assumptions they might never have thought about before.The Edible Earth Museum is more than an unusual attraction. It is a thoughtful exploration of history, science and sustainability that uses a simple yet provocative idea to engage audiences. By inviting people to taste the soil, it transforms an overlooked material into a powerful lens through which to examine culture, health, and humanity’s relationship with the planet.