AV 9th September 2017

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Vol 46 | Issue 19

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In a brilliant stroke by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower women and bring more of them to the forefront of Indian administration, former commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been named the new defence minister, the country's first fulltime female minister to hold the post. Sitharaman is one of the four ministers to be elevated to the cabinet rank. In a major cabinet reshuffle which is deemed as Modi's yet another strategy to clinch second term in the upcoming 2019 elections, the PM made several noteworthy changes, the biggest of them being Nirmala's appointment. “Somebody who has come from a small town, grown into the party with all the support of the leadership, and if given responsibility, it just makes you feel sometimes that cosmic grace is there. Otherwise it is impossible,” Nirmala told reporters after taking oath. She takes over charge of the major department from Arun Jaitley who also holds the Finance Ministry. Party sources said as the minister of state for commerce, Nirmala is seen to have gained in confidence in handling the ministry and has done well in multilateral negotiations. She also found herself in the limelight as party spokesperson back when BJP

TM

9th September to 15th September 2017 Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

EXCLUSIVE

Shortage in organ donation gives rise to Asian deaths

NHSBT Organ transport box in theatre

Rupanjana Dutta

Nirmala Sitharaman taking Oath as India’s first full-time female Defence Minister

was in the Opposition. Already taking over her responsibilities, the Defence Minister who is due to assume office on September 6, was reportedly briefed by senior military and defence ministry officials at her Safdarjung Road residence. Officials said, “IAF chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa met the new minister for around half-anhour while other senior officials of the defence minPrime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Chinese President Xi istry were briefing Jinping on the sidelines of the 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen throughout the See Comment on Page 3 Full report on Page 26 day.” She also met with senior

defence ministry officials, including the Secretary, soon after taking oath as a Cabinet minister. She said Make in India, one of PM Modi's key initiatives, in the defence sector would be one of her priorities. When asked how she plans to tackle issues faced by her ministry, Nirmala said she would discuss these issues in detail after assuming charge but would take decisions in consultation with all stakeholders under the guidance of the PM. She will face challenges of modernising the armed forces, that deal with issues of obsolescence in weapons and equipment. Leftist JNU alumna becomes BJP's shining star For those who know the new Defence Minister, the ruling national Continued on page 17

Reluctance among Asian families' to talk about organ donation is contributing to the deaths amongst Asian people, who are waiting for a transplant. Last year 470 people in the UK died whilst waiting for a transplant, among which 50 people were Asian. In Greater Manchester alone, 386 people have died over last 10 years, waiting for an organ transplant. Although many black and Asian patients are able to receive a transplant from a white donor, for many the best match will come from a donor from the same ethnic background. Blood and tissue types need to match for a successful transplant and organs from people from the same ethnic background are more likely to be a close match. Black and Asian patients are over-represented on the waiting list. More than a quarter (29%) of patients in need of a

transplant are from these communities. They are more likely to need an organ transplant than the rest of the population as they are more susceptible to illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, which could result in organ failure. Currently only 35% of black and Asian families agree to donate when asked in hospitals. There are a range of perceived barriers that vary between different faiths and communities. For example some people worry that doctors will not try to save the life of a potential donor. There may be specific concerns over religious or cultural practices. And there may concerns about organ trafficking if this is known to happen in the country of family origin. Many believe Asians refrain from donating organs due to lack of family consent and some think it is fuelled by religious and spiritual believes. Lack of exposure remains another reason. Continued on page 16


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