From hospital raids and food-safety violations to celebrity gatherings and grand weddings, the city has plenty to talk about.
When Doctors Turn Businessmen
The reports of Omega Hospitals being raided in connection with an alleged money-laundering case have certainly come as a shock.
Dr Vamsi Mohan was once held in high regard as one of the city’s leading cancer specialists.
Sadly, the recent controversy has taken some of the shine off that reputation.
There have also been complaints about hospitals becoming increasingly commercial, sometimes allegedly at the cost of patients’ well-being.
And he is certainly not the only doctor facing such criticism.
Several city doctors are now being accused of having caught the money-making bug.
An old city doctor, a Padma awardee, put it rather sadly: “Almost every doctor who started his own hospital seems to have turned into a ruthless businessman.
When they were practising medicine, they were dedicated professionals.
But once they became hospital owners, things changed.”
His point?
With investors to satisfy, hospital businesses to run and profits to deliver, the line between medical service and commercial enterprise seems to have become rather blurred.
And somewhere along the way, has the Hippocratic oath taken a back seat to the balance sheet?
Cricket & Compassion
GreenKo Swathi found herself in the company of Brian Lara at Sharjah Cricket Stadium for an evening marking five years of the King’s Dubai Parkinson’s Centre of Excellence.
Part of BAT & BOWL Parkinson’s Away, the event brought together sport, philanthropy and high-profile camaraderie, with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi as guest of honour.
One is now seeing Swati lending her name to many such high-profile events.
She is being shown as the face of GreenKo.
14 Eateries In The Soup!
Hyderabad’s food scene has some explaining to do!
Shah Ghouse, Hotel Nayaab, Mehfil and Aeezebo are among 14 eateries whose FSSAI licenses have been suspended following October 31 inspections.
The alleged violations?
Spoiled food, pest contamination and improper storage.
Eight other establishments, including Taj Falaknuma Palace, have received show-cause notices.
Officials discarded 544 kg of spoiled food and collected 21 samples for testing.
From iconic biryani joints to palace dining, no kitchen is above scrutiny.
Guys stop eating at restaurants….
You pay through your nose for unhygienic food.
When they put all that vinegar, masalas and other sauces you can’t tell immediately if the food is bad but you realise only later!
Trip Down Memory Lane!
Before streaming platforms and screen time took over, there were Amar Chitra Katha and its unforgettable heroes.
Rana Daggubati turned quizmaster at the launch of The Chariot of Wisdom, an Amar Chitra Katha showcase at The Library, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.
Revisiting his childhood love for the iconic comics, Rana celebrated the mythology, history and folklore that shaped generations of readers.
With the complete collection finding a new home, this is one nostalgia trip that deserves a standing ovation.
Who said childhood heroes ever grow old?
Malla Reddy’s Troubles, Multiplying!
First, his educational institutions landed under the scanner over alleged academic-calendar violations linked to film promotions and a reported holiday for actor Venkatesh’s Aadarsha Kutumbam.
Now, HYDRAA has demolished a gate and boundary wall linked to his family's farmhouse near Fox Sagar, citing alleged encroachment into the lake's FTL and buffer zone.
Adding to the heat, Malla Reddy University has also been issued a notice over private events, including film-related programmes, allegedly being held outside the prescribed academic schedule.
From campus celebrations to lake-boundary battles, the former minister's family and institutions are having a decidedly uncomfortable moment in the spotlight!
And facing severe criticism is his daughter-in-law Dr Preeti Reddy.
Maybe she should get a smart PR manager who will chart out only the right moves.
Wedding Of The Season
Just about everybody wanted an invite to this one!
The wedding of YSRCP leader Anil and Malini’s daughter has been the talk of Chennai, with celebrations spread over five days and a string of lavish functions and over 2,000 people invited.
Many from Hyderabad made the trip too.
The décor, scale and arrangements were reportedly right up there with an Ambani wedding.
Grand to another level.
There was an added political attraction, of course.
Anil happens to be a cousin and very close aide of former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, hence the clamour to be his friend.
The women turned up in all their finery, with OTT outfits and dazzling jewellery.
But interestingly, it was Bharti, Jagan’s wife, who seemed to draw the most attention, despite keeping her look relatively understated.
Power and position have much more aura than diamonds and designer wear!
Wicked Whisper
A richie-rich lady from our city is now regular fixture at Telugu weddings.
While most guests are busy celebrating the happy couple, she has a different agenda — scouting for a lovely bride for her eligible son.
That’s a smart move cos there are many young beautiful girls who are either family or friends of the bride.
Who What When Where Why
Who sent the most beautiful Diwali gift this year? Kamini Saraf.
Coffee mugs from Noritake.
What is Dr S telling everyone about Sindhu Hospital? “Don’t believe them about giving free treatment to the poor.
As a pharma company they are the most ruthless when it comes to making money.”
Methinks this doc has some personal grouse.
By the way, wonder why all top docs are being wooed by Arete hospitals now!
Dr Soma Raju, Dr Manjula Anagani, Dr Sharad and many more are all practicing there now.
When did Rajini saris get an order of 400 saris to be given as wedding gifts? Recently for a Chennai wedding.
Where was a power packed meet hosted for union minister Amit Shah? At ITC Kakatiya, the lunch interaction brought together My Home Group chairman Jupally Rameshwar Rao, actor Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan, among other prominent names.
People are wondering what is it about Chiranjeevi that all political parties invite him as a prominent guest!
Why are Chennai folks amused at Anirudh-Kaavya Maran wedding invite? Cos the invite very clearly names the person who is invited.
Even the spouse is not included.
