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Dr Arun Prasad is a highly experienced surgeon at Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi. He specializes in GI Bariatric and robotic surgery and has been practicing minimal access surgery for over three decades, with the last 12 years focused on robotic surgery. He is well known for his first expertise in Advanced GI Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy, Single-Incision Laparoscopy (SILS), Bariatric Endoscopy and Robotic Surgery in India.

Recently, he was invited as a guest speaker at the 3rd international conference of Nepalese Association of Surgical Gastroenterology (NASG) held at Malla Hotel to discuss and inform about new technologies and about new innovations in the field. Babita Shrestha from ApEx interviewed Dr Prasad about applicability of AI and robotics in surgeries.

How will robotic surgery benefit the surgeons of Nepal and people?

Right now, Nepal doesn’t do some complicated surgeries, so people have to go to other countries and a bunch come to India. Like, when I mention doing robotic bariatric surgery, I get a patient from Nepal every six months for these complex surgeries. So, if Nepal gets the robotic system, us Indian surgeons can help set it up and then they can do a bunch of those complex surgeries locally. Getting robotic surgery in Nepal is a win-win. It makes treatments more accessible, saves money and helps surgeons gain experience with complex surgeries. Sharing technology at events like these is like sharing knowledge and it’s high time for Nepalese surgeons to join the global trend of using robotics for the benefit of patients’ well being.

How does AI and 3D modeling enhance surgery outcomes?

Well, think of it like when you need kidney surgery, we use a CT scan to create a 3D model. I can do robotic surgery on that 3D model today and do the same surgery on you tomorrow. And if any mistake is made in the 3D model, I can avoid making errors later during surgeries. Surgery indeed has become super advanced. During surgery, I can even check CT scan images in real-time, which helps me do better. All the technology we have is meant to make surgeries better and easier for patients. 

What’s more amazing is that AI technology stores all the surgical data, including the 5000 surgeries I’ve personally done. Surgeons worldwide can access a huge database of 5,000,000 surgeries. So, when a beginner is performing surgery, the computer can provide real time guidance based on its past knowledge. For example, if you’re making a doubtful incision, the computer might say, “From what I know about 1,000,000 surgeries, it’s better to cut 5mm away from there to prevent bleeding.” With AI, we can view scans, pictures and get advice on everything. If I need advice from experienced surgeons, I can connect with them virtually during the process. It’s like having a smart assistant throughout.

What advantages have you seen with robotic surgery’s instrument over traditional methods in your practice?

With robotic surgery, the instruments can move in all directions, even 360 degrees. There are special tools called ‘Staplers’ that are used to join intestines and with the help of AI, these staplers can accurately seal tissues, reducing the risk of bleeding. Unlike before, stitching is now very precise. This means even surgeons who weren’t doing complicated surgeries before can now perform them with the help of robotic guidance.

In what surgical areas do you find robotic techniques especially helpful?

Well, from the top to bottom, there’s surgery for the food pipe, heart, lungs, weight loss, stomach, intestine cancer, liver, kidney and gynecological cancer. It’s got a wide range of uses, especially in complicated surgeries that take more than three hours, which many doctors might be hesitant to do. With robotics, even those surgeries become doable. It’s not just about complexity; it also speeds up the process. 

For instance, weight loss surgery that used to take two hours by laparoscopy now takes less than 1 hour with robotics and it’s safer. Also, surgeons usually get more cautious when it comes to chest surgeries because of important blood vessels, heart and lungs. But with robots, procedures have gotten a lot easier because everything is super precise and clear with high-definition 3D vision. It’s like doing surgery without causing harm to the patient.

How has your experience been transitioning into robotic surgery?

Well, with laparoscopy, we used to make a small hole in the belly and use straight instruments that we controlled with our hands. They didn’t have much flexibility. It was just a straight movement. Now, with robotic surgery, the instruments can move 360 degrees. Besides, I’m already used to working on a screen and my previous experience with laparoscopy has definitely helped me transition smoothly into using the more advanced robotic instruments.

Where do you see robotic surgery heading in the future?

Robotic surgery won’t replace regular surgery but will be an extra tool, especially for complicated surgeries, making them extra safer. The priorities of countries will not change in terms of vaccination, safe drinking water and avoiding infection. However, what I am saying is few centers should have rational and effective utilization of robotic technology for the well being of the population.

Every year, in the run up to the International Women’s Day (March 8), local bodies organize various programs centered around women empowerment, inclusion, and representation. There are several women groups, such as Aama Samuha, Tole Vikas Sanstha, Mahila Samiti, and Women Vikas Sanjal, that take up women’s issues. Meanwhile, local governments do their part by allocating a certain amount of funds for the upliftment of targeted groups, including women, children, marginalized communities, and senior citizens. Lal Subba Gurung, Vice-chairperson of Rupa Rural Municipality, says while the conditions of rights and representation of women have improved over the years, there are still many challenges—from budget allocation to policy making to better representation—that need to be overcomed. Smita Adhikari of ApEx spoke with Gurung on the challenges faced by women and the works being done by Rupa Rural Municipality to address them.

Tell us what your rural municipality is doing for the local women?

We have been carrying out several programs to empower targeted women groups by providing them training, orientations, and resources, as well as providing them with social and legal consultations. For this, we have been reaching out in the community to ask local women about their needs, especially in regard to implementing the programs designed for targeted groups. We have also been increasing the size of our budget for women.  

What changes have you observed regarding the condition of women in your area over the years?

In the initial days, women here faced immense challenges because of traditional perception held by men towards women. Gathering women in one place for an event or a program was very difficult. It turned out that many women weren’t allowed by their family members to attend the program. We also found that some women choose not to attend the program because they were too caught up with their household chores. As a result, we were unable to teach them about their rights and responsibilities. The situation has improved a lot over the years, but we are yet to make the desired progress.

What are the consequences of women staying passive and not seeking their role in local development?

First of all, when women are passive about their rights and roles in local development,  there is a risk of the budget allocated to the target women groups getting frozen. We have experienced this in our municipality, which has led to limited allocation in the women development sector. In such a case, the local government will be powerless when it comes to coming up with better programs and policies for women. The women’s population in most parts of the country is higher than that of men, so logically it is the women who should be given the first priority in terms of developing ownership. But that is not happening. To increase women’s participation and engagement in development works, we have enhanced community outreach to pull the attention of local women. Conventional perception of society towards women and financial dependency are the major problems as to why women in rural areas are not able to make their voices heard. So we are trying to address these problems through various programs, such as skill development and social counseling.  

What is the current status of women in villages?

If you compare the situation of women now and a couple of years back, you can see that today there are many committees focused on women development. Most of these committees are registered with the municipal offices as Aama Samuha, Mahila Sanjal, Mahila Adhikar Dabab Samuha, and so on. Similarly, Many Tole Vikash Sanstha (Neighborhood Development Organization) actively work in local areas, and they have seen increased participation of women over the years. Obviously, it indicates a silver lining of hope for women’s development in rural Nepal. But again, there are lots of improvements left to be desired. 

What do you expect from local women groups? 

Only forming groups and carrying out minor programs is not enough to meet the goal of inclusion and equity. Local women should actively seek their role in development works and governance. We want to empower women groups and enable them to participate actively in planning and execution of development programs.

Renowned in Nepali literature as Pradip Rodan, ghazal artist Pradip Pandey, 37,  originally from Gorkha, has written several famous ghazals, such as ‘Bhagawan Tapaile Aaja Samma Malai Ruwaunu Bhayo’, ‘Pithunma Dhap’, ‘Aafnai Nam ra Thar Ta Chhutiyera Baseko Chha’ and many more. In 2016, he received the ‘Lokpriya Ghazalkar Award’, followed by the ‘District Youth Literature Award’ two years later. In 2023, he was awarded the ‘Nagar Sahitya Samman-Gorkha’ and the ‘Uttam Best Poetry Award’ for his ghazal collection ‘Muffler’. In addition to his writing endeavors, Rodan teaches at Dharmodaya Secondary School in his hometown. Babita Shrestha from ApEx spoke to Rodan about his journey as a ghazal writer.

What drew you to ghazals?

I had no knowledge of ghazals until I was 30 years old. In 2003, I started teaching but I wasn’t satisfied with what I was doing. After four years, I ran a radio program for six years. But it didn’t fulfill me either. Later, I attended a program in Abu Khaireni and  I came across Ramesh Bhatta Sadhu’s ghazal. He graciously offered to help me perform ghazals. I used to sing lok dohori in the village so I gave it a shot. In 2016, one of the institutions dedicated to promoting ghazals, hosted a competition and I submitted a ghazal. It got selected among the top 12, earning me an award. The sight of the award motivated me to write more and eventually, ghazals became the purpose of my life. 

How do you approach ghazal-writing and choose the themes for it?

Things around me trigger me to write. For me, it’s not just about writing a ghazal but also expressing how I perceive things. Maybe because I grew up in a rural place, the surroundings inspire me, and I channel the imagery and emotions into my ghazals. In my work, I use simple words so that everyone can understand the emotion behind them. Mostly I write on the themes that revolve around the reality of society, the essence of life, and the inevitable sorrows. I don’t think too much when I write. I try not to rationalize my feelings. 

What do you enjoy the most about being a ghazal artist? 

The most enjoyable aspect is when I feel capable of capturing the essence and originality of life that transcends time. During recitations, I enjoy being able to captivate the audience with the intensity of emotions. I remember the time I performed for the first time at Gorkha bazaar when I presented some of my early ghazals like ‘Payena Bhaney Maya Manako’ and a few others. It was such a memorable experience. People were whistling, applauding, and appreciating my performance. I have to admit that the best part about being a performing artist is the love and appreciation you get from the audience. It is what sustains me and fuels me to write.

Can you tell us a little about the collection you’ve just launched? What was the inspiration behind it?

I have more than half a dozen collections that I have co-authored such as ‘Indreni’, ‘Akchyar Haruko Pyramid’, ‘Ek Kadam’ and many more but recently, I have authored my own ghazal collection called ‘Muffler’. ‘Bango Kadh ma Chadera Chora Hurkiyo’ is one of my favorites. It was inspired by my grandfather and was written on the day of his demise. Before he passed away, he put his arm around his son. He had always been strong and self-reliant. This scene shook me and I wrote about the incident in the ghazal. Another one ‘Chora Mareko Khabar Aama lai Nasunaidinus’ is based on a relative from my hometown who cries for her dead son even after three decades of his passing. Overall, the book is crafted with insights into the realities of life and stems from my observations and experiences, particularly in the face of increasing materialism and harsh traditions. 

How can one get into ghazal writing?

Ghazal writing isn’t easy. It requires focus, a sort of devotion, if I might say so, and perseverance. You have to be a student of life as it can teach you a lot, but you also need to learn from the works of other ghazal writers. Life, I believe, is a delicate equilibrium between joy and sorrow, action and consequence. When I write, I want to maintain harmony which is why I consciously keep my thoughts and emotions attuned to the rhythmic flow. I find comfort in expressing emotion through simple yet heartfelt words, sometimes humming them to match the tune. You have to find and develop your style. 

North South University (NSU) is one of the pioneering private universities in Bangladesh. Modeled after US universities, NSU incorporates academic features such as semester systems, credit hours, and letter grades. Currently serving as the Vice-chancellor, Prof Atiqul Islam brings a wealth of international experience to the position. Before joining NSU, he held the role of Pro Vice-chancellor (Engagement) at Edith Cowan University in Australia. Additionally, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Government at the University of Canberra.

In a recent interview with Pratik Ghimire of ApEx, Prof Islam shared insights into the Bangladesh education system and discussed potential collaborations between Bangladesh and Nepal to further develop this field in both countries. Excerpts:

How did the growth of private universities start in Bangladesh?

Since the 1980s, education in Bangladesh has been significantly supported through government subsidies and budget allocations. Consequently, the number of students at the primary and secondary levels increased rapidly. However, upon completing their higher secondary education, these students faced limited opportunities, as Bangladesh at that time had only six or seven government universities with restricted capacity.

In response, students began seeking higher education in countries like India, the United States, Canada, and others, paying higher fees. This not only drained significant foreign currency but also led to a loss of highly intelligent human resources, as these students chose to reside in foreign countries.

Recognizing the need to address these issues, the government decided to allow the establishment of private universities. The expectation was that these institutions would help alleviate the problems and provide quality education within Bangladesh itself. Consequently, North South University was established in 1992, emerging as one of the first privately-owned universities in the country.

How can Nepal and Bangladesh collaborate in the university sector?

We already have some sort of collaboration with Tribhuvan University. Professors from our university supervise a few PhD students from Nepal. Also, mid-level bureaucrats from Nepal participate in training programs at North South University, focusing on policy and governance. The University Grant Commission (UGC) of Nepal sends its staff to our institution for training, knowledge sharing, and experience exchange.

I don’t think Bangladesh has sent its students to Nepal thus far, yet there is potential for collaboration between the two countries. With a mere 22 km distance separating Nepal and Bangladesh, opportunities for collaboration abound across various fronts. Both nations share similarities in terms of economic and social development stages, as well as commonalities in language. By pooling our resources and fostering deeper collaboration, we can achieve significantly better results across various areas.

Why have South Asian universities struggled to attract international students?

Our focus has been on seeking knowledge from the West rather than actively creating it ourselves. There was a time when Baghdad and Persia were global centers of knowledge, attracting learners from Europe. The understanding was that if we could create knowledge, the world would come to acquire it from us.

Following the industrial revolution, Western countries surged ahead by actively engaging in knowledge creation, leading to numerous inventions and discoveries emanating from Europe.

However, the global landscape is evolving, with other countries, particularly in Asia, recognizing the importance of generating knowledge. People now choose to study in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and China. The educational shift is moving from the West to the East, and our university is also experiencing this change. We are receiving inquiries from neighboring countries, like Myanmar, as they recognize the value of our expertise. For example, the Burmese believe that Bangladesh excels in agricultural research, prompting them to send their students to us.

Bangladesh has emerged as a primary choice for South Asian students pursuing medical studies. How did the country establish itself as a hub for medical education?

Since the 1960s, Bangladesh has been a favored destination for foreign students, particularly in the fields of medicine and engineering. During my time as a student at Dhaka University, there was a notable presence of Malaysian, Iranian, Palestinian, and Sri Lankan students pursuing medicine and engineering in Dhaka. This trend has persisted over the years.

Certain institutions in Bangladesh have successfully maintained their quality standards and kept pace with global developments. I think the government is committed to stringent quality control measures in these institutions which have played a crucial role in attracting and retaining foreign students.

What suggestions do you have for both countries to enhance collaborations?

Identify areas where one country possesses strengths that the other country requires, fostering exchange and collaboration. Prioritize joint research initiatives to further strengthen ties. Collaboration shouldn’t be limited to government levels; there are numerous opportunities for private sector engagement. Emphasize mutually beneficial collaborations to ensure the success of the relationship, acknowledging that a one-sided approach is not sustainable.