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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Surgery saves boy who gulped tiny LED bulb

Mumbai : In a bizarre development, a small boy from Kolhapur swallowed a tiny LED light bulb a few months ago that got stuck deep in his...

Surgery saves boy who gulped tiny LED bulb

Mumbai : In a bizarre development, a small boy from Kolhapur swallowed a tiny LED light bulb a few months ago that got stuck deep in his lung causing huge trauma and emotional stress for his family, officials said.   When the unusual case was referred to the Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre (JHRC), a team of medicos successfully extricated the foreign object lodged in the three-and-half-year-old boy’s chest.   Recounting the remarkable feat, a JHRC official said the child, Aarav Patil was reported to be suffering from severe breathing difficulties and incessant coughing for almost three months.   Doctors treating him at his home town initially mistook it for pneumonia and subjected him to multiple courses of antibiotics and other medicines, but there was improvement in the boy’s condition.   Subsequently, he was taken for advanced tests, examinations and a CT Scan which revealed the shocker – a metallic object was sitting inside the boy’s left bronchus, partially blocking the airway.   More tests identified the offending object – it was a LED bulb from a toy car – a development so rare that even seasoned doctors described it as a ‘one in a million case’.   Though doctors in Kolhapur attempted to retrieve the foreign body through flexible bronchoscopy - a minimally invasive procedure - the attempts proved to be unsuccessful.   As Aarav’s condition appeared to deteriorate, his desperate family rushed him to JHRC and he was referred to a team of specialist doctors.   After studying his case and examining Aarav, the medical team comprising thoracic surgeon Dr. Vimesh Rajput, ENT surgeon Dr. Divya Prabhat and Dr. Anurag Jain discovered that the bulb had not only blocked the bronchus but had also embedded itself in the surrounding tissues of the lung tissue, making its removal extremely challenging.   A rigid bronchoscopy conducted further confirmed the severity of the obstruction. Left with no other option, the doctors decided to opt for a mini thoracotomy — a delicate surgery involving a 4-centimeter incision in the chest.   “This was one of the rarest cases we’ve encountered. The bulb was lodged in such a way that conventional methods could not retrieve it. Through careful planning and teamwork, we managed to safely remove the object by a mini thoracotomy and restored Aarav’s lung function,” explained Dr. Rajput.   Emphasising how such cases are ignored, Dr. Prabhat pointed out that chronic cough or breathing issues are often dismissed as common pneumonia or even asthma.   “However, such persistent symptoms must always be investigated thoroughly, especially through early detection and imaging which can make all the difference to the patient,” she averred.   JHRC CMO Dr. Milind Khadke said, “The foreign body aspiration in kids is far more common that parents may realise but quick intervention is critical to prevent long-term medical complications.”

Shashi Tharoor clarifies remarks on India-Pakistan row, says views personal amid Congress disapproval


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NEW DELHI: A day after the Congress distanced itself from Shashi Tharoor’s remarks on the India-Pakistan conflict made during media interviews, differing opinions have surfaced within the party.


Sources indicate that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) has cautioned Tharoor for stepping beyond party lines. Responding to the backlash, Tharoor on Thursday clarified that his statements were made in a personal capacity and do not represent the party’s official stance.


Despite his explanation, several Congress leaders expressed disapproval of Tharoor’s apparent support for the Modi government’s handling of the issue. Some felt Modi’s foreign policy had isolated India globally and made it a subject of ridicule.


Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty criticized the government’s foreign policy as a failure and said it was the responsibility of all Indian leaders to call it out in the interest of the nation.


“Regardless of what MPs from Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruchirapalli or Thane say in English, Tamil or Marathi, the facts are clear. US President Trump has equated India and Pakistan, referred to Kashmir as an international issue, and pushed India into agreeing to a ceasefire,” Chakravarty said.


Echoing the party’s position, AICC leader Jairam Ramesh told reporters that Tharoor’s views were his own and not reflective of Congress policy. “That is his opinion. When Tharoor speaks, it is his view, not the party’s,” he stated.


Tharoor defended himself, reiterating that his remarks were personal contributions to the national conversation. “I made it very clear that these are my own views. At a time when we need to rally around the flag internationally, I felt it was important to share India’s perspective, especially where it was not being heard — in the US, Europe, and the Middle East,” he explained.


He also dismissed reports that senior CWC leaders believe he had overstepped with his statements on Operation Sindoor and Trump’s mediation efforts. “I spoke as an Indian and a proud citizen. I never claimed to represent the party or the government. You can agree or disagree with me, but hold me personally accountable,” Tharoor said.

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