Company care  This is a business, rather a marketing concept similar to many successful plans worldwide that offers one a scope for success through different earning opportunities and security by investing in profitable life insurance plans. But its uniqueness lies in the fact that it wants to further promote Assam’s product of pride – pat and muga – which have immense potential to uplift the rural economy of the state. With this aim the Guwahati-based Tandra Agency Services Pvt. Ltd., with huge experience in direct marketing besides having business operations in real estate and financial sectors, recently launched its new security plan Suraksha. Run by people who held senior positions in insurance and banking sectors, the company has Parag Bhattacharjee as itsmanaging director. The corporate office is at Devagiri, 1st floor, opposite United Bank of India, AT Road, Bharalumukh, Guwahati. Detailing about the company, Bhattacharjee said that Suraksha has been structured to attract all irrespective of their status in society and everyone is set to grow with the growth of the company. “We obviously have special incentives for hard workers but at the same time there is gain for all irrespective of their passiveness or inaction.” Bhattacharjee also vowed to carry foreward the good work towards ameliorating the lot of the exploited weaving community in Assam and said, “we have chalked out plans in that direction too.” Tossing a catalogue of Assam silk apparels for ladies, Bhattacharjee said we have roped in top models and actresses to showcase our trademark items and have left no stone unturned to make our plans popular and attractive. “Like a lady who takes ample care of herself and her clothes, we are a company committed to harnessing its potential to the optimum for the benefit of all the stakeholders,” Bhattacharjee said, confidence writ large on his face.

Smooth surgery  This surgery offers a huge cosmetic advantage and enables much quicker recovery. Yes, single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is an advanced surgical technique routinely being performed at Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore these days. In recent months, consultant gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgeon at the Wockhardt, Dr Aashish Shah and his team performed over a dozen such surgeries including cholecystectomies (removal of the gallbladder) and appendicectomies (removal of the appendix) with remarkable success and getting patients back to their normal life faster. Globally, SILS has gained popularity over the last one to two years and the technique is mainly offered at major centres, Dr Shah informed, adding, the surgery is done through a single entry point – the naval (umbilicus) – where a 20 mm incision is all that’s required for the surgery. “A scope is inserted that can be moved around in the body and return images from various angles giving the surgeons a larger field of vision for the surgery. The instruments used to perform the surgery are flexible and enable extra reach and manoeuvrability.” “All the operated patients were discharged within 24 hours of surgery after being ambulant within 3 to 6 hours of surgery,” Dr Shah informed. “In one of our patients, both the gallbladder and appendix were removed with SILS and she was discharged within 24 hours and was back to routine activity in three days post surgery, highlighting the advantages of SILS”, Dr Shah added.

Pool plight  Tragedy and shame struck Assam sports on October 5 when ace swimmer Fariha Begum missed the 100m backstroke event at the Thiruvananthapuram senior nationals, thanks to shameless tussle for power between two groups of hungry hounds. Later after the matter was sorted out and recognition accorded to Assam Swimming Association, Fariha plunged to the pool and won the 50m backstroke gold on Thursday. Let’s hope such incidents do not recur to jeopardize the careers of budding and promising talents.

Simanta / Mridumoloy