S. R. Nathan conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

Singapore’s former president S R Nathan has been conferred with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honour accorded to people of Indian-origin oversees. Mr. Nathan was presented with the award by Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi, himself at a function here yesterday. The award honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their chosen field. “This medal is recognition of Singaporeans of Indian origin and it’s not only for me, it’s for all other Singaporeans of Indian origin,” Mr. Nathan was quoted as saying in a report by Channel News Asia said. Mr. Ravi made the trip to Singapore especially to present the award to Mr. Nathan, as the former president was unable to receive the award in January, when it was given out, said the Channel report. Mr. Nathan, 87, is a Singaporean of Tamil descent. He was the sixth president of Singapore from 1999 to 2011. “I hope this relationship between India and Singapore, which we have all worked towards, will be strengthened from time to time and that this bond that has been established between us for cultural reasons will be preserved.” “Our cultural heritage is very important because without our cultural heritage, we would be nobody,” Mr. Nathan added.

5 health conditions of special concern in Singapore

Certain health concerns are more common in Singapore as compared to other countries. (Thinkstock photo) Due to environmental and genetic factors, certain health concerns have a higher prevalence rate in Singapore as compared to other countries. Here are five specific health issues -- myopia, colorectal cancer, nose cancer, type 2 diabetes and thalassaemia — that Singaporeans should pay attention to. 1. Myopia (short-sightedness or near-sightedness) WHY: Children in spectacles are all too common in Singapore which has one of the highest prevalence rates of myopia — an eye condition that affects a person's ability to see distant objects clearly — in the world. At least 30 per cent of our Primary One kids have defective vision (as compared to 12 per cent in Hong Kong). And as these children progress to upper primary school, the percentage goes up to 60 per cent. Professor Donald Tan, Medical Director at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) explains: "Genetically, the Chinese are predisposed to myopia. So Chinese children who spend hours in near-focus activities, such as reading, craftwork, playing computer games and using handheld devices like mobile phones are at an even higher risk." PREVENT THIS: Parents can encourage good eye care habits, such as holding the work as far away as possible and not lying down to read. They can also get their children to pursue outdoor activities like badminton or rollerblading. On Saturday, 28 April 2012, make sure you attend Fabulous From 40!, Singapore's most successful Women's Health Forum. Get insights and practical tips on crucial women's health topics, such as diabetes, menopause, oral health and ovarian cancer, presented by top experts from SingHealth. 2. Colorectal cancer WHY: Singapore has one of the highest incidence of colorectal cancer in Asia. It is also the most common cancer here. Dr Choo Su Pin, Senior Consultant at the Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), observes: "Every year, 1,500 Singaporeans are diagnosed with this form of cancer which affects men and women alike." Those who are over 45 and have a family history of colorectal cancer are at a higher risk. However, less than 10 per cent of colorectal cancers are due to inherited gene defects, adds Dr Choo. PREVENT THIS: To reduce your colorectal cancer risk, don't smoke, because the inhaled smoke can carry carcinogens to your colon. Also, keep active and maintain a healthy weight. Diet-wise, cut down on red meat, fat and alcohol. High-fibre foods may have a protective effect. If you are already showing symptoms like persistent diarrhoea or constipation, bloody or thin stools or mucus in stools, unexplained weight loss and abdominal discomfort, consult a doctor. 3. Diabetes WHY: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease where there is too much sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is caused by either the inability of the pancreas to secrete a hormone called insulin, or the body's inability to use insulin properly. Dr Goh Su-Yen, Head of the Department of Endocrinology at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), says: "In Singapore, nine per cent of the adult population has diabetes. Studies on diabetes among the Chinese, Malays and Indians have shown that the latter two races have a higher incidence of the condition." Recently, international researchers found that six genes could trigger type 2 diabetes in people of South Asian ancestry, like Indians. In fact, they are up to four times more likely to develop the disease than Europeans. PREVENT THIS: Being overweight, more than 40 years old or pregnant, or having a family history of diabetes, put you at a higher risk. Eat a balanced diet and control your sugar intake to keep blood glucose levels under control. Also, exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. Naturally, do not smoke and limit your alcohol intake. Related article: Are you at risk of diabetes? 4. Nose cancer (nasopharynx or nasopharyngeal cancer) WHY: In Singapore, nose cancer is the 6th most common cancer in males. The cancer is actually known to occur more frequently in Asia and North Africa than in the rest of the world. Dr Terence Tan, Senior Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), says: "Nose cancer mainly affects the Chinese (especially those in the Cantonese dialect group), and to a lesser extent, Malays." It affects men more than women, and typically occurs between the ages 35 and 55. Having a family member with nose cancer can mean that you are genetically predisposed to it. PREVENT THIS: There are no sure ways to prevent nose cancer. Avoiding salt-cured foods and preserved meats which are high in nitrates, might help to reduce the risk of the disease. Related article: Learning to cope with nose cancer 5. Thalassaemia WHY: Thalassaemia — an inherited blood disorder that often results in anaemia — is the commonest genetic condition in Singapore. Dr Angeline Lai, Head and Senior Consultant, Genetics Service, Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), explains: "About 5 per cent of our local population, or 1 in 20 persons, is a carrier for thalassaemia, which could be alpha-thalassaemia, beta-thalassaemia or haemoglobin E (HbE). PREVENT THIS: As thalassaemia is an inherited condition, it cannot be prevented with lifestyle or diet changes. Dr Lai adds: "Being a carrier for thalassaemia (thalassaemia minor) does not cause any symptoms and does not require any treatment. If both husband and wife are carriers of the same type of thalassaemia, they have a risk of having a baby with a severe form of thalassaemia (thalassaemia intermedia or major). Lifelong treatment, including regular blood transfusions, is needed in these forms of thalassaemia. Thalassaemia screening for couples planning to have a baby is available so that they can be aware of their risk." This article was written by Jaclyn Lim for Health Xchange, with expert input from the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH).

'Apple to become world's first $1 trillion company'

London:Apple will become the world's first trillion-dollar company when its shares top $1,000 each, Wall Street analysts have predicted.

The technology giant's shares were worth $633.38 last week as its stock price rose above Google's for the first time, the Daily Mail reported Friday.

Brian White, of Topeka Capital Markets, then claimed Apple's sky-high share price will hit four figures within 12 months - making the company worth $1 trillion.

He said in his report: 'Apple fever is spreading like a wildfire around the world.'

Gene Munster, of Piper Jaffray, followed that up by claiming Apple stock will hit $1,000 - but by 2014.

The company, based in Cupertino, California, is already the most valuable company in the world currently valued at $590.82 billion, according to the newspaper.

Just a year ago the shares were changing hands at $341. In January, Apple revealed it had more than doubled its profits to $13.06 billion, compared with $6 billion for the same quarter in 2010.

Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive who took over from the late co-founder Steve Jobs, said: 'We could have sold more if we'd had more supply. We could not be happier.'

Apple's growth is expected to be driven by sales in China, where January's launch of the iPhone 4S triggered a near riot in Beijing, the Mail said.

Earlier this year Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty predicted Apple could sell 40 million iPhones in China this year. Apple is also expected to move into the TV market after the launch of its set-top box Apple TV.

Malaysia accident: Dead Indians to be brought home

New Delhi: The bodies of two Indians, who were killed in a bus accident in Malaysia, will be flown to India, the external affairs ministry said here Tuesday.

The two Indian nationals, who died when a tourist bus overturned in western Malaysia Monday, have been identified as Rajendra Kumar Agarwal and Anita Aggarwal.

"Mission officials are in touch with their family members and have offered full assistance in repatriation of their mortal remains," the ministry said in a statement.

Senior officials from the High Commission have been deployed in hospitals to ensure that the injured Indian nationals are given assistance.

In Selayang Hospital I.K. Aggarwal and S.K. Gupta are admitted in ICCU and are said to be in critical yet stable condition, the ministry said.

The remaining seven patients - Archana Gupta, Leelavathyamma, Kali Bhardwaj Sharma, Rita Sharma, Pankaj Sharma, Gagandeep Singh and Ajit Lal - are in stable condition but are confined to bed with injuries.

As many as 22 Indians were injured in the accident.

According to the Malaysian police, the bus carrying the tourists was on its way to Kuala Lumpur from Genting Highlands resort, when the driver lost control on a hilly road. The vehicle hit a highway divider and overturned, killing two Indians and injuring 22 others.

The Indian high commission in Kuala Lumpur has established a helpline for the relatives of the patients.