Category Archives: children

11 children’s deaths: Drug watchdog urges strict action against Coldrif

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**11 Children’s Deaths: Drug Watchdog Urges Strict Action Against Coldrif**

*By Snehil Singh | Oct 05, 2025, 11:11 AM*

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The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is set to take stringent action against the manufacturers of Coldrif syrup following the tragic deaths of 11 children, allegedly caused by contaminated cough syrups.

According to reports from ANI, the CDSCO has directed the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate strict measures under serious offenses to address the issue.

**National Conference to Address Drug Safety**

In response to the incident, the Union Health Secretary will conduct a video conference with health officials from all states and Union Territories. The meeting aims to discuss the rational use of cough syrups and enhance drug quality standards across India.

This initiative comes amid investigations linking the deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to contaminated cough syrups.

**Ongoing Investigation and Risk-Based Inspections**

The CDSCO has commenced risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing units in six states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Authorities have collected 19 samples from these regions for comprehensive testing. A multidisciplinary team of experts is currently analyzing these samples to determine the cause of fatalities in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.

**Sample Analysis Results**

Earlier this week, the CDSCO confirmed that six tested samples, along with three from the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drugs Administration, were free from toxic compounds such as Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG). These substances are known to cause severe kidney damage.

However, officials noted that these tested samples did not include the two cough syrups currently under scrutiny, including Coldrif.

**Regional Actions Taken**

Following the CDSCO’s findings, several states have taken decisive steps against Coldrif syrup. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh have banned the sale of the product.

Meanwhile, Telangana has issued a public alert advising people to stop using Coldrif syrup immediately.

These actions form part of a broader effort to safeguard drug safety and quality in India after the unfortunate deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups.

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*Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/drug-watchdog-urges-strict-action-against-coldrif-makers-report/story

‘Stranger Asked For Nude Pics’: Akshay Kumar Reveals Daughter’s Disturbing Online Game Incident; Warns Parents Of Cyber Threats

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**Mumbai: Akshay Kumar Shares Disturbing Incident Involving Daughter’s Online Gaming Experience**

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who is known for keeping his personal life private, recently opened up about a troubling experience involving his 13-year-old daughter during a cyber awareness program. The actor revealed how an unknown individual tried to target his daughter while she was playing an online video game.

### Harmless Messages Turned Threatening

Kumar recounted, “A few months ago, my daughter was playing an online game. Some games allow interaction with strangers. While she was playing, she received messages like ‘Thank you,’ ‘That was great,’ ‘You’re doing so well,’ ‘Fantastic’ – very courteous messages that seemed harmless.”

However, the tone of the conversation soon changed. “Suddenly, the person asked where she was from. She replied, ‘Mumbai.’ The conversation continued politely at first, but then the stranger asked, ‘Are you male or female?’ She answered, ‘Female.’ Shockingly, the stranger then requested her to send nude pictures,” Akshay shared.

### Quick Action Prevented a Potential Threat

Thankfully, Nitara immediately closed the game and informed her mother, Twinkle Khanna, about the incident. Akshay praised his daughter’s quick thinking and her courage to share the matter with her parents.

“This is exactly how such incidents start. Children are often trapped online, later extorted for money, and in many cases, these crimes have even led to suicides,” Kumar warned.

### Call for Cyber Awareness

The actor urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities and highlighted the importance of awareness regarding the dangers lurking on gaming and social platforms.

“Parents must educate their children, supervise online interactions, and teach them how to respond to strangers in digital spaces,” he emphasized.

Akshay Kumar’s revelation serves as a crucial reminder about the need for vigilance and education to keep children safe in today’s digital world.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/stranger-asked-for-nude-pics-akshay-kumar-reveals-daughters-disturbing-online-game-incident-warns-parents-of-cyber-threats

3 exercises that can rewire the brain and improve cognitive function

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Research indicates that activities like dance, martial arts, and team sports significantly enhance cognitive function beyond traditional workouts. These complex movements stimulate the brain, improving memory, attention, and decision-making skills. Studies reveal measurable brain changes, including increased gray matter and improved executive functions, highlighting the potential for lifelong brain development through enriched physical activity.

What is increasingly becoming popular is the understanding that certain types of movement not only shape the body but also reshape the brain. Over the past few decades, researchers and practitioners have studied how activities such as dance, martial arts, and team sports influence cognitive performance, boost mood, and promote overall health.

### Beyond Traditional Workouts

While conventional workouts like jogging and lifting weights improve cardiovascular health and promote muscular fitness, they often lack the cognitive and social complexity that drives deeper brain engagement. Team sports, martial arts, and dance integrate learning with memory and enhanced decision-making. This combination of physical and mental challenge stimulates the brain in powerful ways, enhancing focus, mental flexibility, and even structural brain changes over time.

### Why Complexity Matters in Movement

Any activity that combines physical, cognitive, and emotional demands seems to activate the brain in ways that pure aerobic or resistance training does not. The exercises mentioned above—dance, martial arts, and team sports—often involve:

– Constant decision-making
– Timing and rhythm (pace)
– Interaction with other people
– Learning new techniques
– Unpredictable movements

This unique blend creates what some researchers call an “enriched environment” for the brain.

### What the Research Says

#### Dance: Movement with Cognitive Demand

Dance is fun, mood-lifting, and now recognized as brain-healthy—all in one. It is one of the most widely studied activities related to brain health. Both young and adult brains have shown improvements in memory, attention, and balance due to dance.

A systematic review published in *Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews* found that dance led to measurable brain changes in older adults. Participants showed increased gray matter in areas involved in motor coordination, memory, and spatial navigation. Remarkably, some changes occurred after just six months of training.

The study also found that a simple dance program can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule that supports cognitive flexibility and attention.

#### Martial Arts: Cognitive and Emotional Benefits

Martial arts like Judo, Karate, and Taekwondo blend physical exertion, discipline, and focus. Unlike repetitive workouts, martial arts require real-time adaptation, energy, and precision. They also cultivate emotional regulation through practices such as breath control and focused attention.

One recent study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy measured brain activation in children practicing martial arts. These children performed better on tasks involving working memory and inhibition compared to control groups.

#### Team Sports: The Power of Collective Intelligence

Recent studies show that participation in team sports during adolescence correlates with better performance on tasks involving attention, reaction time, and cognitive flexibility.

One research study assessed 880 children aged 5 to 11 years (53% female). Physical activity and sports participation were self or parent-reported, while executive function was assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. It was found that team sports requiring tactical thinking, coordination with teammates, and adaptive decision-making produced the strongest improvements in executive function.

Exercise boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key growth hormone in brain function, which supports learning, memory, and flexible thinking.

### How Do These Activities Enhance Brain Function?

– Repeated motor-cognitive activity strengthens white matter integrity and functional connectivity between brain regions.
– These activities improve spatial awareness, balance, and attention.
– Studies on dance and martial arts show increased cortical thickness, better balance, and improved attention control.

### Limitations

– **Duration and dose:** It is still unclear how long these cognitive benefits last after training stops.
– **Individual differences:** Different martial arts, dance styles, or team sports may yield varying effects depending on how they are taught or practiced.
– **Biomarker diversity:** Most research has focused on BDNF, but other neurochemicals and inflammatory markers may also play significant roles.

### Practical Implications

To maximize the brain benefits of movement, consider adding complexity to your physical activity. Educators and healthcare providers should promote these forms of movement not only for physical health but also as vital tools for lifelong brain development.

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/3-exercises-that-can-rewire-the-brain-and-improve-cognitive-function/articleshow/124036749.cms

Anglicare, Telethon, Rio Tinto form five-year partnership

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Charities and Rio Tinto have joined forces in a new five-year partnership aimed at supporting youth mental health and wellbeing in the Pilbara region.

This collaboration seeks to provide vital resources and programs to help young people navigate mental health challenges and promote overall wellbeing.

By working together, the organizations hope to make a lasting positive impact on the lives of youth in the community, fostering resilience and support networks that can thrive for years to come.
https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Anglicare-Telethon-Rio-Tinto-form-five-year-partnership

Opinion: The importance of teaching our children the financial basics

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Financial literacy is more important than ever. A recent study by Bank of America found that about 40% of older teens and young adults from Gen Z still rely on family for financial support, highlighting just how expensive becoming an adult can be today.

Studies also show that instilling financial basics at younger ages can pay greater dividends for future money habits. Yet, most schools have only just begun to add basic financial know-how to their course curriculums. Here in California, students will be required to take a semester-long personal finance course to graduate from high school, but that doesn’t go into effect until the class of 2030-31.

In the meantime, parents and educators continue to look for resources that introduce financial education in a way that will resonate with young minds. We believe that fostering financial literacy at an early age, with age-appropriate information, is key to building the next generation of financially responsible individuals.

Here are a few tips for introducing financial concepts to children to set them up for a lifetime of informed, confident decision-making.

### Start Early at Home

One of the best ways to ensure children develop strong financial habits is to introduce basic concepts of money and budgeting as early as possible. Even at a young age, kids can begin to understand simple ideas like the value of saving versus spending.

Begin by explaining where money comes from, why we need it, and how it can be exchanged. Using age-appropriate language—such as talking about saving for something special or explaining how buying one thing today means you can’t buy other things until you have more money—can make these concepts relatable.

### Teach with Examples

The best way to teach kids about money is by incorporating financial lessons gradually into everyday activities. Situations like shopping for their favorite grocery items, setting a budget for a family outing, or even saving for a toy offer perfect opportunities to discuss money.

Teaching your child with a hands-on approach during real-life events offers them practical understanding without the need for formal lessons.

### Utilize Community Resources

There are a variety of free financial literacy programs designed for people of all ages. For example, Bank of America’s Better Money Habits content is not only provided free on its website but is also taught by a team of more than 100 of its bankers in San Diego in partnership with local schools, universities, and nonprofits.

Bank of America also partners with local nonprofits such as Junior Achievement, which provides school-age financial education in classrooms. More and more financial institutions are supporting the entire family with household financial services.

One example is Bank of America’s new SafeBalance Banking, a bank account that offers parents the ability to help their children practice healthy financial habits and learn to manage their money through a convenient, secure digital experience. Parents can maintain oversight of their child’s spending, supervise the account, and even teach them the responsibility of managing a physical debit card.

Financial basics are a vital skill that can set children up for a successful future. By working together, families, educators, and community partners can prioritize financial education and help children build the foundation they need for a lifetime of smart financial decisions.
https://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2025/09/20/importance-teaching-our-children-financial-basics/

Mumbai Shocker: Class 7 Student Suffers Spinal Injury After Birthday Bumps At Malad School, Parents Allege Negligence

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**Mumbai: Class 7 Student Suffers Spinal Injury Following Birthday Bumps at Malad School**

A Class 7 student from Vibgyor Roots and Rise, an international school in Malad, reportedly sustained a serious spinal injury after classmates gave him birthday bumps inside the classroom. What was meant to be a joyful birthday celebration turned into a distressing incident for the young boy and his family.

**Incident Details**

According to the parents, one of the classmates gave the child birthday bumps with such force that it resulted in significant damage to his spinal cord. The injury was confirmed after the boy was immediately taken for medical attention.

**Parents Allege Negligence by School**

The boy’s parents claim that they approached the school administration immediately following the incident but received no response. Feeling ignored, they lodged a complaint at the local police station in Bangur Nagar. However, the parents allege that when police authorities visited the school, the seriousness of the matter was downplayed and no proper follow-up occurred.

**Calls for Accountability**

The parents have demanded that the school take responsibility for failing to prevent such accidents and for their silence after the injury occurred. They emphasized the need to strictly regulate birthday traditions like “birthday bumps” to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The parents have stated they will wait for a week to receive a response from the school management. They will decide their next course of action based on the administration’s reply.

**Safety Concerns Raised**

This accident has raised broader concerns among parents regarding student safety on school premises. Many now call for stricter monitoring of informal celebrations and increased vigilance to ensure the wellbeing of children.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/mumbai-shocker-class-7-student-suffers-spinal-injury-after-birthday-bumps-at-malad-school-parents-allege-negligence