India’s youngest Grandmaster, Dommaraju Gukesh, has emerged as the new face of Indian chess following an extraordinary performance at the Chess Olympiad 2022. At just 16 years old, Gukesh secured a victory, winning eight consecutive games and the ultimate gold medal. The feat comes after his acclaimed recognition in 2019 as the youngest Indian Grandmaster, second in the world only to Abhimanyu Mishra. This article delves into Gukesh’s significant achievements, India’s WAPCOS ranking in consulting services, the alarming rise of “brain-eating amoeba” infections, and the controversial ethylene glycol presence in cough syrups.
The Rise of A Chess Prodigy – Dommaraju Gukesh
Gukesh is no stranger to victories. His triumphs date back to 2015 when he bagged the Under-9 category at the Asian School Chess Championships. He went on to secure five gold medals at the 2018 Asian Youth Chess Championships for the Under-12 category. Adding to these accolades, he emerged victorious in the Chess Olympiad 2022, reinforcing his dedicated and skilled approach to the game.
WAPCOS’s Stellar Placement Among Top Consulting Services
Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS), a ‘MINI RATNA’ Public Sector Company under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is scaling new heights in consulting services. It was recently honoured by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) being ranked top in Annual Procurement (AP) and placing among the top three in the Members’ Fact Sheet (MFS) 2022. According to the ADB reports, WAPCOS stands out for its significant involvement in Contracts under ADB Loan, Grant & Technical Assistance Projects in Energy, Transport, Water and other Urban Infrastructure Sectors.
Unsettling Emergence of Brain-Eating Amoeba Infections
A recent alarming health concern is the rise of infections caused by Naegleria fowleri, known as ‘brain-eating amoeba’, with South Korea reporting its first case. This single-celled organism, discovered in Australia in 1965, primarily dwells in warm freshwater bodies like hot springs, rivers and lakes. The amoeba enters the human body through the nose and subsequently reaches the brain, causing a severe infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), which systematically destroys brain tissues and has a high mortality rate.
Controversy over Ethylene Glycol in Cough Syrups
In a recent controversy surrounding cough syrups, the Health Ministry of Uzbekistan reported the death of 18 children suffering from acute respiratory disease due to excessive dosage of a cough syrup named Doc-1 Max. This syrup, manufactured by an Indian firm, purportedly contains ethylene glycol, a compound that should not be present in cough syrups. Gambia had earlier reported finding ‘unacceptable levels’ of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) in cough syrups produced in India. The DEG and EG, inherently toxic substances, often contaminate glycerin used as a sweetener in pharmaceutical syrups. Acute poisoning from these substances can lead to severe symptoms like Ataxia, Slurred speech, Restlessness, Disorientation, Myoclonic jerks, Convulsions, Coma, and even Death.
