At 57, Bhagyashree swims in ocean at -25°C during exotic Finland holiday
Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Bollywood actress Bhagyashree recently took her social media account to share glimpses from her adventurous holiday in Finland, where she visited the Santa village and also swam in the icy ocean at minus 25 degrees Celsius.
Taking to her social media account, the Maine Pyaar Kiya actress posted pictures and videos from the thrilling experience.
In one picture, she is seen floating in Arctic waters wearing a bright orange survival suit. Surrounded by floating ice chunks, Bhagyashree seems to be tapping into her adventurous side.
Sharing the moment, she wrote, “Swimming in the ocean at -25°. It was an experience beyond imagination.”
In another post, she added, “#traveltalesbyb As I closed my eyes, I was felt the magnitude of nature, and how miniscule we are.”
The actress also shared glimpses from her visit to the famous Santa Claus Village.
In one of the pictures, Bhagyashree is seen posing happily at the entrance of the village dressed in a red winter coat paired with earmuffs and gloves.
In another clip, the actress is seen warming herself near a bonfire in the middle of the winter landscape.
Along with the pictures, she captioned the post as, “SantaVillage ! Acres of winter Santa land within the Artic Circle... from reindeers to gingerbread cottages, bonfires with marshmellows, hot chocolate and cookies, building a snowman to meeting Santa.”
She added, “While I missed my children, I kinda became a child again. Simple joys of surprises, seeing something new. Travel brings you a different kind of happiness. Grateful n thankful.”
For the uninitiated, Bhagyashree is currently having a blast at her exotic vacation in Finland along with her husband Himalaya Dassani and a group of her close girl best friends.
The trip seems to be a part of her ongoing travel spree. Bhagyashree has been globetrotting across international destinations as well as several scenic locations within India over the past few months.
On the professional front, Bhagyashree made her Bollywood debut with the 1989 film Maine Pyar Kiya opposite Salman Khan.
The movie was directed by Sooraj Barjatya and produced by Rajshri Productions.
Soon after the film’s success, she married businessman Himalaya Dassani and stepped away from Bollywood for a long period to focus on her family life, though she did appear in a few projects over the years, but they all remained limited in scale.
In the past few years, Bhagyashree has gradually returned to the media glare, staying active through films, television appearances and social media.
–IANS
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Odisha govt constitutes judicial commission to probe SCB Medical College ICU fire
Bhubaneswar, March 16 (AINS) The Odisha government on Monday announced the formation of a single-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the tragic fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, which claimed the lives of ten patients.
According to a notification issued by the Odisha Home Department, the state government described the incident as a matter of serious public importance.
“The State Government are deeply concerned about the issue and thinks that, this being a matter of serious public importance, should be inquired into by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952,” reads the notification.
The state government has appointed Laxmidhar Biswal, Retired District Judge, as the sole member of the Commission. The inquiry is mandated to be completed within 60 days from the date of publication of the notification in the Odisha Gazette.
The Commission has been instructed to examine the sequence of events leading to the tragic fire mishap, the role, conduct and accountability of persons or authorities in this incident, the hospital and other agencies’ preparedness in dealing with such incidents and the effectiveness of measures taken before and after the incident to save the lives of the patients.
The government also asked the commission to make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies.
“The Headquarters of the Commission shall be at Cuttack. However, the Commission may hold the Inquiry at any other place as may be considered necessary for the purpose of inquiry,” the notification added.
The notification comes in the wake of widespread public concern over the tragic incident, which also left several patients critically injured. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier announced a judicial inquiry, assuring stringent action against any negligence that may have contributed to the disaster.
The government also formed a six-member fact-finding team, headed by Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, to investigate the causes of the tragic fire.
The SCB fire has reignited debates over hospital safety measures, particularly in intensive care units, and highlights the urgent need for stringent safety protocols and emergency preparedness. The judicial inquiry aims to provide a comprehensive report on the lapses, accountability, and preventive steps to safeguard lives in the future.
According to reports, a major fire broke out at the ICU of the Trauma Care centre at the SCB medical college due to a suspected electrical short circuit between 2 AM and 3 AM on Monday. Seven patients critically injured in the incident died immediately, while three others succumbed after being shifted to other ICUs.
--IANS
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Trump says his Chief of Staff Wiles has early-stage cancer
Washington, Mar 16 (IANS) U.S. President Donald Trump Monday announced that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer but will continue working from the White House while undergoing treatment.
Trump disclosed the diagnosis in a social media message, praising Wiles as a close adviser and expressing confidence in her recovery.
“Susie Wiles is an incredible Chief of Staff, a great person, and one of the strongest people I know, but, unfortunately, she has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and has decided to take on this challenge, IMMEDIATELY, as opposed to waiting,” Trump said.
The President said Wiles had already begun preparing for treatment and had the support of a strong medical team.
“She has a fantastic medical team, and her prognosis is excellent! During the treatment period, she will be spending virtually full-time at the White House, which makes me, as President, very happy! Trump said.
Trump also described Wiles as one of his most trusted advisers inside the administration.
“Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her,” he said.
Calling her a key figure in the administration, Trump added that she remains central to his team.
“Susie, as one of my closest and most important advisors, is tough and deeply committed to serving the American People,” he said.
Trump also said he and First Lady Melania Trump were standing by Wiles as she began treatment.
“Melania and I are with her in every way, and we look forward to working with Susie on the many big and wonderful things that are happening for the benefit of our Country!” the President said.
White House officials quickly rallied behind Wiles following the announcement.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Wiles’ leadership and personal character in a social media message.
“Susie Wiles epitomises what it means to be a strong leader. She is also one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Leavitt wrote.
She added that Wiles had played a critical role in Trump’s political comeback and now in the administration.
“Susie led President Trump’s historic 2024 comeback campaign and is now spearheading the most successful administration in history,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt also said the White House staff was united in supporting the chief of staff during her treatment.
“I know I speak for the President and the entire White House when I say that we are all praying for Susie and rallying behind her as she prepares to fight this battle against breast cancer,” she wrote.
Wiles appeared with Trump at a Kennedy Centre board meeting in the White House East Room shortly after the President announced it.
Wiles is widely regarded as one of Trump’s most influential advisers and a key architect of his 2024 election victory. Known for keeping a relatively low public profile, she has played a central role in shaping the political strategy of Trump’s second administration.
During Trump’s first presidency, the White House saw frequent turnover in the chief of staff position. Wiles’ tenure has been viewed by many observers as providing a more stable leadership structure within the administration.
--IANS
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Maha govt to form task force for action against unauthorised nursing homes
Mumbai, March 16 (IANS) Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant, on Monday, told the State Legislative Council during Question Hour that a task force will be established to take action against unauthorised and unregistered nursing homes operating in the state.
The issue was raised through a question by member Chitra Wagh, while members Bhai Jagtap, Sanjay Khodke, and Sachin Ahir raised supplementary questions.
Minister Samant said that private hospitals and nursing homes in the state are registered and inspected as per the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949, and its relevant rules.
However, since complaints have been received regarding unregistered or unauthorised nursing homes operating in some areas, there is a need for coordinated action at the state level.
Minister Samant announced that "A task force will be formed under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department and the co-chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary of the Health Department. The task force will include Divisional Commissioners, Police Officers, and other necessary officials. It will review all nursing homes in the state, take action against unauthorised ones, and present a comprehensive report before the House during the next session."
Since the current legal provisions for fines and punishment are limited and proving insufficient, the task force will also draft a proposal to make necessary amendments to the relevant laws for stricter action, the Minister said.
He also added that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be directed to conduct a survey and collect data on unauthorised nursing homes.
Minister Samant told the House that the task force will submit its report within 90 days to ensure effective action against unauthorised nursing homes for the safety of patients in the state.
Meanwhile, State Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar said in the state Assembly that the state government is taking strict action against hospitals that charge patients despite the implementation of the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
He also shared that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now being utilised to increase transparency within these schemes.
The issue was raised in the state Assembly by member Nana Patole (Congress), with Sunil Prabhu (Shiv Sena-UBT), Babanrao Lonikar (BJP), and Ratnakar Gutte (Rashtriya Samaj Paksh) also participating in the discussion.
Minister Abitkar said that the state government has received several complaints regarding irregularities.
Consequently, fines totaling nearly Rs 60.47 lakh have been levied across 338 cases in the state.
In Akola district, 12 complaints were filed against a private hospital for charging patients for tests and surgeries covered under the welfare schemes.
"The State Health Assurance Society investigated and ensured one patient was refunded. Punitive action is proposed against the hospital, and inquiries are ongoing for the remaining 11 complaints. Following the integration of the Ayushman Bharat scheme with the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, the number of covered illnesses and treatment packages has been increased. AI systems are being used to scrutinise complaints and ensure immediate action, making the implementation more effective," Minister Abitkar added.
He said that the Committees involving public representatives have been established.
District-level review meetings, chaired by Guardian Ministers, are directed to be held every three months.
"If hospitals are found charging additional money from patients under these schemes, immediate action will be taken. For repeat offenders, the state government will proceed with filing criminal charges," Minister Abitkar clarified.
--IANS
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CBI arrests UP medical officer, hospital executive in Rs 3 lakh bribery case
Lucknow, March 16 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a medical officer posted at the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and a private hospital executive in connection with an alleged bribery case involving undue favours to an empanelled hospital in Uttar Pradesh, an official statement said on Monday.
The arrested accused have been identified as Major Dr Ashish Shakya (retd), Medical Officer at the ECHS Polyclinic in Etah, and Bijendra Singh, an Assistant General Manager at a private hospital.
According to the agency, the case was registered on March 15 against five accused, including the ECHS medical officer, a private hospital/company and three representatives of the hospital, along with other unidentified persons.
The CBI alleged that the medical officer, in connivance with representatives of the private hospital, was facilitating and extending undue favours to the empanelled facility by referring patients to it in exchange for illegal gratification.
As per the investigation, the accused public servant allegedly accepted bribes from the hospital management in return for directing beneficiaries of the ECHS scheme to the particular hospital for treatment.
During a trap operation conducted by the CBI, a bribe amount of Rs 3 lakh, allegedly delivered by a representative of the private hospital to the medical officer, was recovered.
Both accused were arrested on Sunday.
The agency also conducted searches at multiple locations, including Noida, Etah, Firozabad, and Farrukhabad. During the raids, investigators recovered several incriminating documents and digital devices believed to be linked to the alleged corruption network.
The CBI said further investigation into the case is underway to ascertain the full extent of the conspiracy and the involvement of other persons.
The CBI actively investigates fraud and bribery cases, leading to convictions, including fines and imprisonment.
--IANS
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FSSAI permits to 17 PET plants to unlock 3 lakh tonne capacity for India’s circular packaging
New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Industry body Association of PET Recyclers (APR) Bharat on Monday welcomed FSSAI's grant of final authorisations to 17 recycled PET manufacturing plants, which will strengthen India’s packaging supply chain.
The government's move will unlock about 3 lakh tonne per annum of food‑grade r‑PET capacity to help meet the government’s mandate of 40 per cent recycled content by 2026‑27, the statement from APR Bharat said.
The approvals create a combined FSSAI-authorised capacity to produce 3 lakh metric tonnes of r-PET a year to supply food‑contact packaging for India’s beverage and bottling industry, the statement added.
The association noted the move comes at an opportune moment when virgin PET markets face global pressures amid the Iran‑Israel war and geopolitical uncertainty.
The move also aligns with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a circular economy, said Goutham Jain, Director General, APR Bharat.
Plastic waste Management Rules 2016 mandated the use of 30 per cent recycled content in rigid plastic packaging effective from 2025-26 with gradual increase of 10 per cent every year until 60 per cent in 2028-29 and onwards.
The industry body highlighted that aligned with this mandate, 15–18 food‑grade r‑PET recycling facilities were established across the country at an estimated investment of Rs 9,000–10,000 crore.
These companies have adopted state-of-art technology and set up their factories adhering to standards approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had, in September 2021, allowed use of r-PET as a food contact material. In June 2025, the ministry allowed brands and producers to carry forward shortfalls in meeting the 30 per cent r-PET target for food contact applications for 2025-26 over the next three years.
—IANS
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Kharge expresses grief over Cuttack hospital fire, urges Congress workers to assist victims
New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha's Cuttack, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 10 patients and left several others injured.
"Deeply saddened by the tragic fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, which has claimed the lives of at least 10 patients and left several others injured", Kharge said in a post on X.
"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. I urge all Congress workers to extend every possible assistance to the affected families," he said.
Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragic death of ten patients after a major fire broke out at the Intensive Care Unit of the Trauma Care Centre of SCB Medical College.
Taking to the X handle of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi, while condoling the deaths, also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to family members of the deceased patients from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, among several others, expressed deep grief over the unfortunate deaths of the patients.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited SCB Medical College and Hospital and reviewed the situation. He also met the injured persons undergoing treatment at the hospital. CM Majhi announced an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh each for the family members of the deceased patients. He announced a judicial enquiry into the tragic death and assured stringent action against any act of negligence resulting in the unfortunate incident.
As per reports, the major fire broke out at the ICU of Trauma Care Centre at the SCB medical college due to a suspected electric short circuit at around 2.30 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Monday. Seven patients critically injured in the incident died immediately, while three others succumbed after being shifted to other ICUs.
--IANS
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AI in healthcare to be remembered for billions of lives it helped improve
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) AI is not about replacing clinicians; it is about giving time back to them, time to think, time to connect and time to care, according to industry leaders.
Roy Jakobs, CEO, Philips, positioned healthcare as the sector where AI could have the greatest human impact.
Highlighting how AI is already easing pressure on overburdened systems at the AI Impact Summit here, he said that “When we look back a decade from now, AI in healthcare will not be remembered for what was optimised on a screen, but for the billions of lives it helped improve.”
Alexander Wang, Chief AI Officer, Meta, highlighted AI’s growing integration into everyday life and India’s central role in shaping its trajectory.
Emphasising the company’s vision for “personal superintelligence,” he said, “Our vision is personal superintelligence, AI that knows you, your goals, your interests, and helps you with whatever you’re focused on doing”.
“It serves you, whoever you are, wherever you are.” Underscoring the importance of responsible deployment, he added, “Given how intimately your personal AI will know you, people aren’t going to hire us for the job if we’re not doing it responsibly. Trust, transparency and governance must move as fast as the models themselves,” said Wang.
According to Martin Schroeter, Chairman and CEO, Kyndryl, “The innovation is real. The challenge is readiness. AI today is not yet industrialised, infrastructure, data, operations and people must be prepared to support it at scale.”
Stressing trust and governance, he added, “The future of AI will not be decided in research labs or boardrooms. It will be decided by how reliably and responsibly it is embedded into the systems society depends on every day.”
Olivier Blum, Global CEO, Schneider Electric, underscored the deep interlinkages between AI and the global energy transition.
“AI means more compute, and more compute means more energy. We cannot underestimate the pressure this will put on global energy systems,” he noted. At the same time, he pointed to AI’s transformative potential for efficiency.
—IANS
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Repository maps over 110 AI startups delivering population-scale impact across India
New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) A digital repository, namely India's AI Impact Startups has been released at the ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026’, that profiles 110 startups and non‑profits deploying artificial intelligence for population‑scale social and economic impact, the government said on Thursday.
The repository, published by IndiaAI and Kalpa Impact, marked the first structured mapping of India's AI‑for‑impact ecosystem and will serve as reference for policymakers seeking integration‑ready AI capabilities, for investors identifying ventures with technical maturity and scalability, according to an official statement.
The repository documents how Indian founders are building solutions that are local in design and global in relevance and thus serve as a map for the global development community looking at replicable models from the Global South.
The repository spans sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, climate, financial inclusion, urban mobility and public service delivery, the statement from Ministry of Electronics and IT said.
The analysis reveals an ecosystem both experimenting and consolidating, with voice AI and vernacular interfaces emerging as primary channels for reaching underserved populations and a growing cohort of builders investing in Made-in-India foundation models, the statement said.
“India's AI Impact Startups is a practical resource that gives stakeholders a structured overview of initiatives aligned with public objectives. For policymakers, it highlights capabilities ready for integration with existing digital public infrastructure," said Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Director General, NIC, and CEO, IndiaAI Mission.
For industry and investors, the repository showcases ventures with technical maturity, scalability, and long‑term potential. Together, it serves as a unified reference to support informed engagement and adoption, he added.
“India's AI ecosystem is maturing rapidly, and this repository captures a critical moment where Indian startups are moving from promising pilots to deployed, scaled solutions that serve millions,” said Mohammed Y. Safirulla K, IAS, IndiaAI Mission.
--IANS
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India and France launch Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS
New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) India and France on Wednesday inaugurated the Indo French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here.
In a landmark step towards strengthening Indo-French cooperation in healthcare and emerging technologies, Union Health Minister JP Nadda, and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the centre, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
The centre is aimed at advancing AI-driven research, medical education and clinical innovation to address complex healthcare challenges.
Macron underscored the need for India and France to build sovereign AI capacity and talent, ensuring that AI development serves humanity without overdependence on a few global powers.
He highlighted the transformative potential of ethical AI adoption across sectors, particularly in healthcare, to enhance productivity and accelerate scientific discovery.
Emphasising responsible governance, Macron called for safeguards to protect children, greater transparency in algorithms to address bias and democratic risks and the preservation of linguistic diversity in AI systems – an area where India and France share a common vision.
The IF-CAIH has been established pursuant to a Joint Memorandum of Understanding signed between AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University and Paris Brain Institute.
The initiative also draws academic collaboration from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and leading French institutions, promoting interdisciplinary research in artificial intelligence, brain health and global healthcare systems.
The initiative builds upon ongoing institutional cooperation between India and France in priority areas such as Digital Health, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Human Resources for Health and the responsible use of health data.
“India and France are committed to developing the computing capacity and talent necessary to build our own trusted AI systems, as we cannot rely solely on technologies created and managed elsewhere,” said Macron.
The government reiterates its commitment to deepening healthcare cooperation with France, leveraging innovation, shared democratic values, and collective expertise to build resilient health systems and deliver better health outcomes for people in India and across the globe.
--IANS
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