It’s a big day for healthcare in Hyderabad—and honestly, for anyone who believes in second chances. On March 25, 2025, the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) pulled off a medical marvel: its first-ever robotic kidney transplant. This isn’t just a win for the hospital—it’s a game-changer for South India, marking the first time a government-run facility in the region has used robotic tech for such a complex surgery. According to The Siasat Daily, this breakthrough gave a 33-year-old man from Nalgonda a fresh shot at life, and it’s got everyone talking.

A Tough Road to Recovery

Imagine being in your early 30s and already fighting a decade-long battle with kidney disease. That’s the reality this patient faced. Back in 2017, he had a kidney transplant from a living donor—someone close, likely family. But the body’s a tricky thing, and chronic rejection set in, pushing him into end-stage kidney failure. Dialysis became his lifeline, but it’s no way to live long-term. Enter NIMS with a bold plan: a cadaveric kidney transplant, using a donor organ from someone declared brain-dead. Oh, and they’d do it with a robot.

This wasn’t a walk in the park. A second transplant after a failed one? That’s like trying to rebuild a house on a shaky foundation—scar tissue, prior surgery complications, the works. But the NIMS team didn’t flinch. The robot’s precision—think tiny incisions and steady “hands”—made it happen without a hitch. The moment they hooked up that new kidney? It started working right away, pumping out urine like a champ. For the patient, it’s not just a medical win—it’s hope in a bottle.

A 33-Year-Old Patient Gets a New Lease on Life Thanks to Cutting-Edge Technology

This surgery didn’t cost the patient a dime. Thanks to Telangana’s Aarogyasri scheme, it was free—something that’d set you back ₹20 lakh at a private hospital. That’s a lifeline for folks who can’t shell out big bucks but still deserve top-notch care. NIMS didn’t stop there, either—they’re covering the immunosuppressive drugs he’ll need to keep that kidney humming. It’s a full-circle commitment to getting him back on his feet.+

First Robotic Kidney Transplant at Hyderabad’s NIMS Makes History

The masterminds behind this? Professor Dr. Rahul Devraj and his crew—Senior Professor Dr. Ram Reddy, Assistant Professor Dr. Dheeraj SSS, plus a squad of urologists, anesthesiologists, and nephrologists. They turned NIMS into a trailblazer, proving government hospitals can flex cutting-edge tech too. Dr. Devraj called it a “landmark achievement,” and NIMS Director Dr. Beerappa couldn’t stop grinning as he praised the team’s grit.

Numbers That Tell a Story

NIMS isn’t new to kidney transplants—they’re closing in on 2,000 total, with 41 already notched in 2025’s first 2.5 months. That’s a whirlwind pace, especially alongside the 11,000 other urological surgeries they tackle yearly. But this robotic leap? It’s next-level. Smaller cuts, less pain, faster recovery—patients win big, and doctors get a tool that’s like having a superpower.

For Hyderabad—and South India—this is a proud moment. It’s not just about one guy getting a kidney; it’s about what’s possible when innovation meets compassion. The patient’s doing great so far, and his story’s a reminder: even when life knocks you down, science and a stubborn team of doctors can help you get back up.

What’s Next?

This isn’t a one-off. NIMS is on a roll—think more robotic surgeries, more lives changed. For anyone watching from the sidelines, it’s a signal: Hyderabad’s healthcare scene is leveling up, and it’s not slowing down. So, here’s to the patient, the team, and a future where tech keeps rewriting the odds. Who’s ready for the encore?

The Rubber Board has initiated action to implement certifying NR under Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) and for EUDR compliance. Such action has been necessitated because natural rubber and its derivatives are EU-listed commodities for deforestation-free regulations.

M. Vasanthagesan, Executive Director, Rubber Board, inaugurated the EUDR sensitization programme for representatives from rubber plantation companies in Kottayam, which will be followed by Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.  To facilitate the export of rubber and rubber products to the EU, the Board has entrusted Trayambu Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd with supply chain mapping and developing traceability systems as mandated in EUDR regulations. The Board is rolling out 100 per cent polygon mapping of all the rubber plantations.

Start geo-mapping

The Board will start geo-mapping large estates in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka next week. This digital mapping effort will initially focus on these areas before expanding to other regions in the country. The mapping process will cover supply chain traceability and details like land ownership, area and boundaries of rubber holdings using geo-mapping, etc. The data collected will be stored in a centralized database hosted by the Board, and confidentiality of the data will be ensured.

In a major bid to elevate the global stature of Indian natural rubber while ramping up domestic production, the Board has initiated action to implement certification of Natural Rubber/Rubber products under Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) for EUDR compliance and issue of a due diligence certificate. As part of compliance with these EUDR regulations, supply chain mapping, development of traceability systems, and geo-mapping of the plantations are prerequisites for this process.

On March 23, 2025, a fiery debate erupted when senior BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain publicly challenged the naming of Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). Speaking at the ‘Bihar Diwas 2025’ event, Hussain argued that the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had no significant role in the airport’s development, calling the decision to name it after him a move that overlooked the real contributors.

Shahnawaz Hussain Questions Rajiv Gandhi’s Role in RGIA’s Development, Credits Unsung Heroes

Hussain, who served as the Civil Aviation Minister during RGIA’s construction, didn’t hold back. “Hyderabad airport was named after Rajiv Gandhi, but let’s be real—who actually made it happen?” he asked the audience. He credited three key figures for the project’s success: himself, former Defence Minister George Fernandes, and then-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. According to Hussain, the trio worked tirelessly, holding weekly meetings at the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure the airport’s timely completion. “The land belonged to the Defence Ministry, and we collaborated closely to bring this vision to life,” he added, emphasizing the role of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in supporting the project.

The BJP leader’s comments have sparked a fresh controversy over the naming of public infrastructure in India, a topic that often stirs political passions. Hussain pointed out that when the Congress-led UPA government came to power, they named the airport after Rajiv Gandhi in 2008, ignoring the contributions of Fernandes, Naidu, and himself. “It’s an excellent airport, and I’m proud to say two Biharis—George Fernandes and I—along with Chandrababu Naidu, played a key role in its creation,” he said, taking a subtle jab at the Congress for what he sees as historical erasure.

Hussain also used the platform to highlight development in Bihar under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, contrasting it with the past. Without naming the RJD directly, he mocked their election symbol, the lantern, saying, “The days of the lantern are over. Bihar now has 24/7 electricity, water, and better roads under Nitish Kumar’s governance.”

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located in Shamshabad, was inaugurated in 2008 by then-UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during Congress rule in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Since then, it has grown into one of India’s busiest airports, but its name has occasionally been a point of contention. Hussain’s remarks tap into a broader narrative of renaming landmarks in India, a trend that has gained momentum in recent years as political parties debate legacy and recognition.

This isn’t the first time the BJP has questioned the naming of public projects after Congress leaders. Hussain’s critique aligns with the party’s broader push to honor figures they believe have been sidelined by history. But his comments have also drawn criticism from Congress supporters, who argue that Rajiv Gandhi’s contributions to modernizing India, including in aviation, justify the airport’s name.

For Hyderabad residents and travelers, this debate might seem like political noise, but it raises a deeper question: who truly deserves credit for the infrastructure we use every day? As the conversation unfolds, it’s clear that the naming of RGIA is more than just a label—it’s a battle over legacy, recognition, and political power.