US: A man named Moses Gibson aged 41 from Minnesota, spent extravagantly around $1,70,000 to increase his height by five inches through two leg-lengthening surgeries.

Gibson’s dating life was not so colorful because of his 5-foot-5-inch frame. He tried various things including medication and a spiritual healer to increase his height.

Mr. Gibson in talk with Kennedy News and Media said, "I just didn't feel good about myself”.

Further, he said he was subjected to “heightism”.

He tried all possible ways to increase his height, he took pills that promised to make him taller, and spoke to a spiritual healer who told him that he could increase his height if he properly put his mind to it. But none worked and that is when he decided to go for a pricey and painful leg-lengthening surgery.

“I was unhappy about it most of the time, it was my self-confidence in general, and with the ladies. It affected my dating life. I used to put things in my shoes to gain a little bit of height, but it wasn't very much”, said Mr. Gibson.

According to the reports, Gibson underwent his first surgery in the year 2016 which added 3 inches to his height.

He managed to save $75,000 for the surgery by working as a software engineer and an Uber driver for three years.

After the first procedure, I was happy with it to some extent, but it was always in my mind that I wanted to do a second one to complete it." the man shared. "I'm a high achiever. I've got the money and I can finish the journey."

In March 2023 Gibson underwent second surgery which added 2 inches to his height, he spent $98,000.

"I'll be happy at 5-foot-10," he declared. "But if my body and everything else allows me to go 3 inches to get to 5-foot-11, then even better!", said Gibson.

Addressing the media, Gibson said that the surgeries have boosted his confidence to talk to women.

After the first surgery, I became less hesitant and less worried about the result when talking to women. I now have a girlfriend," he proudly proclaimed. "I also started wearing shorts and taking full-body pictures, which I never used to.

He further said, "In my mind, when I'm done with this part I can just be free," he said of the extra inches he's expected to gain following the second procedure. "I just won't care about my height anymore. I'll be satisfied with what I have."

Mr. Gibson does not regret his decision to a pricey and painful leg-lengthening surgery.

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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Thursday said it would convene a meeting of all departments concerned and Bengaluru legislators to address concerns over rising food contamination, including chemicals and heavy metals found in vegetables, milk and poultry products.

Responding to a discussion in the Assembly, Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said the government recognises the seriousness of pollution affecting food, air and water, particularly in the state capital Bengaluru. 

"There is pollution in food, in air, in water and even in milk. In Bengaluru the problem is increasing day by day," Khandre said, adding that the government will call a meeting -- possibly next week , after consulting deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to discuss the issue with legislators and experts.

He said pollution in water bodies and inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure were major causes. Bengaluru, with a population of about 1.4 crore, requires around 1,800 MLD (million litres a day) of sewage treatment capacity but currently has about 1,200 MLD, he said, noting that delays in building treatment plants and land constraints have worsened the situation. 

The minister also pointed to issues such as solid waste management, untreated sewage flowing into lakes, construction-related pollution and the need for stronger public awareness on environmental protection.

The debate began after BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan raised concerns about food contamination, citing reports of high levels of heavy metals and pesticide residues being found in commonly consumed vegetables.

The Malleswaram MLA told the House that residues of more than 200 pesticides and over 11 heavy metals had been detected in vegetables and leafy greens. 

"Levels of heavy metals like lead, chromium, copper and iron are more than 20 times higher than permissible limits in some samples, posing a serious threat to public health," Narayan, a former deputy CM, said.

According to him, vegetables such as beans, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, chilli and cucumber showed alarming contamination levels.

The findings were based on studies conducted under directions from the National Green Tribunal and the Central Pollution Control Board, with participation from the state pollution control authorities and agricultural experts.

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said food safety had become a serious public health concern in Bengaluru, pointing to a rise in lifestyle and organ-related diseases.

"Today milk, eggs, poultry and vegetables have all become a problem. We need a monitoring centre to test and regulate food quality," the BJP leader said.

Ashoka alleged that vegetables arriving from surrounding districts were often contaminated and said steroid use in poultry farming and polluted water used for fodder cultivation could also affect food safety.

He urged the government to create a monitoring mechanism involving departments such as agriculture, horticulture, veterinary services, health and the pollution control board. 

Supporting the demand, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said the issue could not be handled by a single department. 

"Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and veterinary departments all have to work together because the food consumed in Bengaluru is produced in rural areas," Kharge said.

He noted that pollution of soil, air and water, pesticide residues, veterinary drugs and chemicals migrating from plastic food packaging could all contribute to contamination. 

The government, he said, had already begun issuing orders to curb unsafe practices in food outlets, such as the use of artificial colouring in 'Kebabs' and plastic materials in cooking. 

Kharge added that the state was working on a circular economy policy that includes sustainable waste management, recycling and grey-water treatment, while also expanding solid waste management initiatives in rural areas.

During the discussion, Ashwath Narayan also suggested adopting advanced sewage recycling technologies and improving tertiary treatment of wastewater to reduce contamination risks. 

Khandre assured the House that the government would study the reports cited by legislators and hold consultations with relevant departments to formulate guidelines and preventive measures.