Vaccines are not just for children. They are an essential part of preventive medicine throughout adulthood and particularly important for people living with diabetes. Had the privilege of speaking on vaccination at the 14th Ahuja Bajaj Symposium, organised by Padma Shri Dr.Anoop Misra and his outstanding team in New Delhi. @docanoopmisra An important question I addressed was: Which vaccines are essential for people with diabetes, and which vaccines should otherwise healthy individuals receive as they grow older? People with diabetes are at increased risk of certain infections and their complications. Yet, vaccination remains an underutilised component of comprehensive diabetes care. I highlighted several important vaccines and the need to integrate vaccination into routine clinical practice: 🔹 Annual influenza vaccination-an important preventive measure for people with diabetes and older adults. 🔹 Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar 20), to help protect against pneumococcal disease, including serious infections such as pneumonia. 🔹 Recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix), to prevent herpes zoster (shingles) and its complications, particularly in older adults. 🔹 Dengue vaccination (Qdenga), an important new development for India following its approval in July 2026. Appropriate patient selection, contraindications and the recommended two-dose schedule must guide its use. Beyond diabetes, vaccination needs to be considered across the adult lifespan, based on age, previous immunisation, comorbidities and individual risk. Vaccines against influenza, pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, hepatitis B, and other vaccine-preventable infections deserve appropriate attention. I also revisited two important contributions to this field: our 2012 publication, “Suggested Use of Vaccines in Diabetes,” and the 2024 RSSDI update on vaccination in people with diabetes, co-authored with Dr Sanjay Agarwal and Dr. Banshi Saboo. These publications reflect a continuing effort to translate scientific evidence into practical recommendations for Indian clinical practice. My message to healthcare professionals is simple: vaccination should be discussed proactively, not left until an infection occurs. Just as we routinely assess glucose, blood pressure, lipids, kidney function and cardiovascular risk, we should also review each patient’s vaccination status. Preventing an infection is often better than treating its complications. My sincere thanks to Dr. Anoop Misra and the entire organising team for providing an excellent platform for scientific discussion. #Diabetes #Vaccination #PreventiveMedicine #Influenza #PneumococcalVaccine #Shingrix #Qdenga #PublicHealth #RSSDI #AhujaBajajSymposium

“A normal BMI does not necessarily mean you are metabolically healthy.” Delighted to share my recent interview with The New Indian Express, in conversation with the journalist, Unnikrishnan S, on some of the often-overlooked warning signs of metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes. One of the most important messages is that fasting blood glucose alone may not tell the whole story. Metabolic dysfunction can begin well before diabetes is diagnosed, and apparently healthy individuals may already have underlying risks. In this interview, I discussed several important issues: 🔹 Post-meal glucose spikes: Why glucose levels may rise abnormally after meals even when fasting values appear reassuring, and how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can help identify these patterns. 🔹 Normal BMI, but hidden metabolic risk: Why waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and visceral fat deserve attention, even in individuals who are not visibly overweight. 🔹 Sleep, stress and sedentary behaviour: Why sleep deprivation, prolonged sitting and irregular routines can adversely affect metabolic health. 🔹 Late-night eating: How meal timing, circadian rhythms and individual differences in glucose responses influence metabolic outcomes. 🔹 Crash diets and weight management: Why extreme dietary restriction may backfire, and why sustainable lifestyle interventions, alongside evidence-based anti-obesity medications when indicated, can be important for appropriate patients. My message is simple: Do not wait for blood glucose to become abnormal before paying attention to metabolic health. Early identification of insulin resistance, abdominal obesity and fatty liver disease, followed by appropriate lifestyle interventions and timely medical management, offers an opportunity to reduce future risks. We need to move beyond looking at body weight or a single laboratory value in isolation and adopt a more comprehensive, personalised approach to metabolic health. My sincere thanks to journalists, Anil S, Unnikrishnan, The New Indian Express, for bringing these important health messages to a wider audience. #MetabolicHealth #DiabetesPrevention #InsulinResistance #Obesity #CGM #FattyLiver #PreventiveHealthcare #TheNewIndianExpress

BYD SEALION 7 OWNERS: IS THIS NORMAL? PREMIUM TECHNOLOGY, BUT TERRIBLE SIDE-TO-SIDE ROCKING! (Body roll) We purchased our BYD Sealion 7 on 29 July 2025, with enormous excitement and confidence in BYD’s technology. @jkrishnadev @SJothydev66063 Having owned Mercedes-Benz and Volvo vehicles, my son and I chose BYD because of our passion for innovation, electric mobility, and its revolutionary Blade Battery technology. @BYDCompany @BYDGlobal There is much we genuinely admire about this vehicle. But today, we are deeply concerned about our family’s comfort and safety. Our Sealion 7 has developed disturbing side-to-side rocking, even over minor road irregularities and small bumps. At times, it feels as though an external force is suddenly pushing the vehicle sideways! The consequences are distressing: • Our one-year-old granddaughter experiences repeated sideways jolts in her car seat. • Elderly family members suffer significant neck and back discomfort. • Passengers in both front and rear seats experience sudden lateral movements. Interestingly, we do not remember experiencing anything remotely similar during the initial months of ownership. The problem became noticeable around the period following our first service on 10 April 2026. We are not suggesting that the service caused it, but this is the timeline we experienced. Despite multiple telephone conversations with BYD representatives and assurances of a callback, we are still awaiting a satisfactory technical explanation. I have also come across published automotive reviews mentioning side-to-side movement and ride-comfort concerns with the Sealion 7. SO, MY QUESTIONS TO BYD AND FELLOW SEALION 7 OWNERS ARE: Is this normal behaviour for the Sealion 7? Or is there something seriously wrong with our particular vehicle? If BYD considers this normal, we would appreciate a clear technical explanation. We genuinely love technology. That is precisely why we invested in BYD. But technological innovation should never come at the expense of passenger comfort and safety. I request BYD India to urgently investigate our vehicle, conduct a comparative road test, and provide a written technical assessment. Fellow BYD Sealion 7 owners, PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES. Have you noticed similar side-to-side rocking? 🎥 The accompanying video shows my son driving and the disturbing lateral movements we are experiencing. #BYD #BYDSealion7 #BYDIndia #ElectricVehicles #VehicleSafety #ConsumerSafety

One Pathway, Multiple Possibilities: Transforming Care Across Conditions It was a pleasure to deliver a lecture at THE WEEK Metabolic Health Summit 2026, organised by THE WEEK, a Manorama publication, with the support of Novo, at Hyatt Regency, Thiruvananthapuram, on October 6, 2026. The summit was inaugurated by Hon’ble Health Minister Shri Muraleedharan, with distinguished participation from Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, IAS, Dr. Renu Raj, IAS, Dr. K. V. Viswanathan (DME), and Dr. V. Meenakshy (DHS), among other eminent speakers. The highlight of the event was the distinguished presence of Shri. Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk, whose address added further significance to the occasion. @vikrant_shr My lecture, “One Pathway, Multiple Possibilities: Transforming Care Across Conditions,” focused on the expanding therapeutic potential of original innovator rDNA semaglutide, available in India as Rybelsus, Ozempic and Wegovy. Beyond glucose lowering and weight management, I highlighted the growing evidence supporting semaglutide’s benefits across multiple cardiometabolic conditions, including cardiovascular and kidney disease. It was particularly meaningful to address government doctors from across Kerala, who play a crucial role in translating advances in metabolic medicine into everyday clinical practice. I also drew attention to Kerala’s alarming metabolic health burden nearly 50% of women are overweight or obese, and approximately one in three adults has hypertension. These conditions, together with diabetes, contribute to heart attacks, strokes, chronic kidney disease and metabolic liver disease. A major emphasis of my lecture was the enormous economic burden of delayed diagnosis and treatment, and the importance of recognising metabolic disorders early, before irreversible complications develop. Congratulations to THE WEEK @TheWeekLive and Novo Nordisk for this timely initiative. Thanks for inviting me, Shri.Geogi Zachariah. @riyadmathew #MetabolicHealth #Semaglutide #Obesity #Diabetes #CardiometabolicHealth #EarlyIntervention #PreventiveHealthcare #Kerala #THEWEEK #NovoNordisk @ManoramaDaily @novonordisk

I'm thrilled for #EASD2026, happening 28 September - 2 October in beautiful Milan, Italy. Let's connect and shape the future of diabetes together. More: echo.walls.io/sie1IIF

Decided to fly Air India once again, hoping to support and experience the transformation of our own national airline, this time Delhi to Frankfurt. 🇮🇳✈️ @airindia My experience with inflight Wi-Fi, however, highlighted areas that need improvement. My credit card required OTP authentication by SMS and could not be used. That message was not displayed. Instead, after a few attempts, the system displayed: (see the pic I have posted), “Verification failed. Maximum number of attempts reached”, and I could no longer proceed to the payment page. I eventually connected my second phone using Google Pay and it worked. Only then did I realise that Air India currently requires a separate Wi-Fi plan for each device. Air India’s own FAQ confirms this. Perhaps these are still the early stages of Air India’s international inflight Wi-Fi journey. Other major international carriers have offered onboard connectivity for many years, with a much more seamless experience. Since my phone, which I use for WhatsApp and work, could not connect to Wi-Fi, my work was also affected. Unfortunately, I could not sleep during the nearly 10-hour flight. Being seated by the window was another challenge. The shade could only be darkened, not completely closed. Hence it was very bright from outside. Centrally controlled window shades during sleeping hours, as available on some other aircraft, would make a significant difference. When the seat was converted to a fully flat bed, there was also a noticeable bulge in the middle. Considering the cost of the product, this needs attention. Having said that, the cabin crew were extremely courteous and genuinely tried to help. Soma, in particular, patiently noted all my concerns regarding Wi-Fi and the differences I have experienced on other international airlines. Air India is clearly going through a major transformation. I sincerely hope to see continued improvements in technology, connectivity, cabin comfort and overall passenger experience, bringing us at par with the world’s leading airlines in the next few years. Wishing Air India every success. I would genuinely like to see our national carrier rise to the top. 🇮🇳

Seat Belts Are Not a Formality. They’re About Saving Lives. 🚗 A life-saving road-safety issue reaches the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. * A concern born from experience: As a doctor, researcher, and frequent traveller across India, I have repeatedly noticed rear-seat seat-belt buckles hidden beneath additional seat covers, making them difficult or impossible to use. When I ask drivers about this, I am often told, “Don’t worry, sir, the police only check the front seat.” But a seat belt is not for the police. It is for survival. * Taking the issue to the Supreme Court: I am encouraged that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has taken up this important issue in the PIL I filed. My sincere gratitude to my advocate, Shri Wills Mathews, for presenting the matter before the Court. * The Supreme Court’s message: The Bench comprising Hon’ble Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana emphasized that seat belts are life-saving devices and stressed the importance of strict enforcement. * The scale of the problem: Data cited in connection with the issue indicate that 16,025 people lost their lives in India in 2023 while not wearing seat belts, including 7,584 passengers. * Rear-seat compliance is a serious concern: During the proceedings, the Court was informed that approximately 80% of car-occupant deaths in 2024 involved people who were not wearing seat belts, while rear-seat compliance was reportedly only around 5%. * The hidden danger of seat covers: Many vehicle owners install additional seat covers that conceal the original seat-belt buckles and sockets. Over time, these mechanisms may become inaccessible, damaged, or rusted. * The evidence is unequivocal: According to the World Health Organization, wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of death among vehicle occupants by up to 50%. * Prevention is the foundation of my work: As a diabetologist, I have dedicated my professional life to preventing complications rather than merely treating them. Many deaths from diabetes-related complications can be prevented. The same principle applies to road safety, basic precautions can save lives. * From legal obligation to daily habit: I hope seat-belt enforcement will eventually become as routine and effective as helmet enforcement. The Supreme Court’s intervention is an important step towards ensuring that existing safety laws are implemented effectively. Every seat must be a safe seat. Every journey must begin with safety. #RoadSafety #SeatBeltsSaveLives #SupremeCourtOfIndia #PassengerSafety #PreventableDeaths #PublicHealth #SeatBeltCompliance #JothydevKesavadev

Upcoming new drug for obesity! Indian express story! Lost 31kg. I have had the privilege of serving as an investigator in the Retatrutide clinical trial, closely following subjects through every phase of their journey. One patient’s remarkable transformation has now been featured by The Indian Express in a beautifully reported story by Anonna Dutt👍 The article goes beyond the impressive weight loss. It captures the human side of obesity treatment,the hopes, the discipline, the challenges, the unexpected changes, and the importance of sustained medical supervision. It also highlights why obesity should be viewed and treated as a chronic disease, with science guiding every step. As physicians, we celebrate the outcomes, but we also recognise that every successful journey is built on trust, perseverance, meticulous follow-up, and evidence-based care. My sincere appreciation to The Indian Express for presenting this story with balance, sensitivity, and scientific perspective. I invite you to read the full article and share your thoughts. indianexpress.com/article/he… #Retatrutide #Obesity #WeightManagement #ClinicalTrials #MetabolicHealth #DiabetesCare #ClinicalResearch #EvidenceBasedMedicine #Endocrinology #EliLilly #IndianExpressNewspaper – at Trivandrum, India

I'm speaking at ATTD-ASIA 2026 in Kyoto, 9–11 Dec! Join colleagues from Asia and beyond and improve your diabetes care practice. 🔗Register with Early Rates and save up to $160 here: invt.io/1txbgtjiumh #ATTDASIA26 #DiabetesInnovation

JPEF 2026 | India’s Premier International Diabetes Conference | 14th Edition Theme 2026: “Helping You Choose the Best in Care” It is my privilege to invite physicians, endocrinologists, diabetologists, internists, family physicians, researchers, academicians, diabetes educators, allied healthcare professionals, and industry partners from India and across the globe to JPEF 2026 -the 14th Annual International Diabetes Conference, to be held from 10–12 July 2026 at the Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. For the past 14 years, Jothydev’s Professional Education Forum (JPEF) has established itself as India’s premier international diabetes conference and one of the country’s most respected academic platforms, renowned for its unwavering commitment to pure academics, evidence-based education, and practice-changing updates in diabetes, obesity, diabetes technology, and the prevention of diabetes-related complications. Guided by this year’s theme, “Helping You Choose the Best in Care,” JPEF 2026 will bring together global thought leaders and emerging experts to share the latest scientific evidence, clinical experience, and technological innovations that empower healthcare professionals to make informed decisions and deliver the very best care to their patients. JPEF 2026 at a Glance 🔹 1,800+ delegates from India and around the world 🔹 180+ distinguished national and international faculty 🔹 3 days of cutting-edge scientific deliberations 🔹 3 parallel scientific halls delivering a comprehensive scientific programme 🔹 68 scientific abstracts from government and private medical colleges, universities, hospitals, and research institutions across India 🔹 Selected abstracts will be published in the International Journal of Diabetes and Technology (IJDT), providing an international platform to showcase original research 🔹 International keynote lectures by globally renowned experts 🔹 Interactive panel discussions, debates, meet-the-expert sessions, and case-based learning 🔹 Hands-on workshops on Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and advanced insulin pump therapy, AID 🔹 Dedicated sessions on diabetes, obesity, artificial intelligence, precision medicine, diabetes technology, cardiovascular-renal-metabolic health, and prevention of diabetes-related complications 🔹 Live patient demonstrations and a comprehensive Diabetes Technology Expo showcasing the latest innovations transforming diabetes care 🔹 Comfortable accommodation across more than 12 partner hotels in Kovalam for delegates and accompanying families We are deeply honoured that Shri K. Muraleedharan, Hon’ble Minister for Health, Government of Kerala, will inaugurate JPEF 2026, reaffirming Kerala’s commitment to excellence in healthcare and medical education. It is my privilege to serve as one of the Chief Organisers, alongside Dr. Arun Shankar, Sunitha Jothydev, Anjana Basanth and the JPEF TEAM. Together, we look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful shores of Kovalam for three memorable days of learning, networking, collaboration, innovation, and friendship. Whether your passion is clinical diabetology, obesity management, diabetes technology, precision medicine, research, or preventive care, JPEF 2026 promises an outstanding academic experience that will enrich your practice and inspire new ideas. Join us as we celebrate 14 years of academic excellence and continue our shared mission of advancing diabetes care through education, research, technology, and collaboration, while staying true to our 2026 theme: “Helping You Choose the Best in Care.” We look forward to welcoming you to JPEF 2026 in God’s Own Country! #JPEF2026 #HelpingYouChooseTheBestInCare #IJDT #Diabetes #Obesity #DiabetesTechnology #CGM #InsulinPump #ArtificialIntelligence #MedicalEducation #ClinicalResearch

It was a memorable and emotional moment for us to meet the new, Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala, V. D. Satheesan, along with my wife Sunitha Jothydev, and present him a memento on behalf of the P. Kesavadev Trust. For Shri Satheesan, who has represented North Paravur for over two decades, the land where my father, the legendary writer P. Kesavadev, was born, the occasion carried special significance. We also presented him Stories by Kesavadev published by DC Books. What deeply touched me was his response: “I have read all the books written by Kesavadev. Now it’s time to read them once again.” It is always inspiring to meet public leaders who value literature, reading and culture. Politics apart, this was truly a meaningful literary and cultural interaction. @vdsatheesan #PKesavadev #VDSatheesan #MalayalamLiterature #Kerala #DCBooks #Culture #Leadership #kesavadevtrust – at Trivandrum, India