Former Australia batter Damien Martyn “Miraculously” comes out of coma, likely to get out of ICU
Former Australia batter Damien Martyn has shown significant improvement after being treated for meningitis, with doctors bringing him out of an induced coma, offering relief to his family, friends and the cricketing fraternity.
The positive update was shared by close friend and former teammate Adam Gilchrist, who has been in regular contact with Martyn’s partner, Amanda, and his family. Martyn is currently undergoing treatment at the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he was admitted after falling ill on Boxing Day.
Speaking to Code Sports, Gilchrist said Martyn’s recovery over the past day has been remarkable. He said Martyn responded extremely well after being brought out of the coma, adding that the turnaround had been so encouraging that doctors and family members are hopeful he can soon be shifted out of the intensive care unit.
Gilchrist said the family described the improvement as nothing short of extraordinary, noting that the speed of recovery had surprised everyone involved. He added that the move out of ICU, if it happens, would mark a major step forward in Martyn’s recovery, though he will continue to remain under close medical supervision.
“He has responded extraordinarily well since morning out (of the coma) to the point where his family feels it is like some sort of miracle,” Gilchrist said on Code Sports.
According to Gilchrist, Martyn’s partner Amanda has expressed gratitude for the support the family has received. She conveyed that the messages of goodwill, concern and solidarity from across the world had a profound emotional impact during a difficult period. Gilchrist said the family believes the collective support and care shown by fans, former teammates and the wider public played a role in lifting spirits during the crisis.
In a statement issued to the Courier Mail, the Martyn family thanked the public for the overwhelming support and acknowledged the efforts of the medical team at Gold Coast University Hospital. They described the past days as extremely challenging and requested privacy as Martyn continues his treatment and recovery.
Meningitis is a serious condition involving inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and can lead to dangerous swelling if not treated promptly. Doctors had placed Martyn in an induced coma as part of the treatment protocol.
Martyn, 54, is regarded as one of the key figures of Australia’s golden era in international cricket. He represented the country in 67 Test matches and 208 one-day internationals between 1992 and 2006, scoring 4,406 Test runs at an average of 46.36 and 5,346 ODI runs at 40.90. He was part of Australia’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad and is particularly remembered for his unbeaten 88 in the final against India.
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Constitution amendment bill defeat was BJP’s first embarrassment in Parliament: Margaret Alva
Bengaluru (PTI): Senior Congress leader Margaret Alva on Monday said that the constitution amendment bill's defeat in the Lok Sabha on April 17 was the first embarrassment faced by the BJP-led government in Parliament.
She also alleged that the BJP has no real concern regarding women’s reservation.
The opposition INDIA bloc defeated the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill that sought to facilitate the implementation of women's reservation by expanding the strength of the Lok Sabha, apart from making changes to delimitation.
"This is the first embarrassment and defeat faced by the NDA government in the Lok Sabha," the former Governor of Gujarat and Rajasthan said in a press conference here.
According to her, the women’s reservation has been under discussion since the time of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
"During Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, a 14-member committee was formed, and I was appointed as its chairperson. We prepared a report after studying what needed to be done to enhance the dignity of women across 12 sectors. This was submitted to the government in 1989,” Alva, 84-year-old veteran Congress leader, said.
She said political empowerment for women was emphasised in that report, without which, empowerment in any other sphere is not possible.
“Many people in Parliament used to question me — should we vacate seats for women and stay at home cooking? Why insist on this? Has anyone written these seats in your name? This debate has been ongoing since 1975,” Alva explained.
The Congress leader said Rajiv Gandhi had introduced 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.
“At that time, all opposition parties united and defeated the Bill,” she pointed out.
Again, during the tenure of former Prime Minister late P V Narasimha Rao, the 33 per cent reservation Bill in local bodies was passed.
“It was the Congress party that first introduced women’s reservation. Now they are falsely accusing us of being anti-women,” Alva charged.
In 2023, the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed with much fanfare, but it was not immediately implemented.
According to her, a condition was imposed for its implementation that it would be enforced based on census data.
"Once it is in the statute book, what is preventing its implementation? Two years for the census and another two years for delimitation — this means it cannot be implemented by 2029. It was not given in 2024, and there is no possibility even in 2029," Alva charged the BJP-led government at the Centre.
The Congress leader said the BJP is saying that the Bill can be implemented based on the 2011 Census, but when the same suggestion was made in 2023, the BJP rejected it.
On increasing the Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent, she sought to know the basis for it.
“Where did this (idea) come from? Whose advice was taken? Was it decided by the RSS? Or ordered by a court?” Alva asked.
The former union minister said the Constitution amendment bill, which was defeated on April 17 appears to favour certain North Indian states.
“We pay taxes, but they receive greater benefits and allocations. If seats are increased by 50 per cent based on their calculations, we would get only 14 additional seats, while they would get 40. How is this fair?” she questioned.
While 298 members voted in support of the bill in Lok Sabha, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-third majority.
According to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased to "operationalise" the women's reservation act before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
Seats were also to be increased in state and Union territory Assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
