India

Gurugram, April 13 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, while addressing the 12th Annual Conference of All India Surgeons’ Association in Gurugram, said on Sunday that innovation in the medical field and the use of modern techniques will help provide health facilities to all sections.

He said this conference is not only a platform to promote innovation in the field of surgery but will also prove to be a guide in making Haryana's healthcare system more robust.

Addressing doctors, the Chief Minister said doctors are often called “God on Earth” and this title is completely correct considering their tireless efforts and dedication.

“Be it an epidemic, an emergency or everyday diseases - doctors stand firm in every situation, working day and night to save lives,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that the doctors not only treat the body, but many times also give emotional support to the patients with their words and behaviour.

“It is their experience, empathy and humanity that make them special. In today’s times, when challenges are increasing in every field, doctors are engaged in serving the people while remaining steadfast in their ethical values,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that the Indian medical tradition is the gift of personalities like Dhanvantri, Charak and Sushrut and today’s modern surgeons are carrying forward the same tradition.

He said that at present, medical science is progressing rapidly and technologies like robotic surgery, laparoscopic technology, 3-D printing and artificial intelligence have brought a revolution in the field of surgery.

He pointed out that the Haryana government is constantly striving to adopt these state-of-the-art technologies.

“Our aim is that every citizen living not only in urban areas but also in rural areas can get the benefit of these medical facilities,” he said.

He also reiterated his commitment to reduce the cost of surgery and make the facilities available to every section.

He said that Haryana has joined the leading states of the country in the field of health indicators.

“Maternal and infant mortality rates have declined, and work is being done rapidly to establish medical colleges in every district. Special schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Charak Yojana have benefited lakhs of citizens,” he said.

The Chief Minister described all the surgeons, experts and students participating in the conference as ‘invaluable treasures of the country and Haryana’.

--IANS

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Patna, April 13 (IANS) Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Sunday openly expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP-JD(U) leadership over the alleged unfair treatment in the formation of 20-point program committees in Bihar's Gaya district.

Speaking at the executive meeting of his party in Patna, Manjhi criticised the NDA allies for sidelining the HAM in local-level organisational appointments despite the party's elected presence in the region.

"Out of six Assembly seats in Gaya, three belong to our party. I myself am an MP from there. Yet, in Gaya's 20-point program committee, only one seat was allocated to us," the HAM Chief said, adding that even block-level committee positions were monopolised by the BJP and JD-U.

The 20-point program, a centrally coordinated socio-economic initiative, plays a crucial role in policy implementation at the grassroots level.

Manjhi demanded that HAM should head the committees in blocks where it holds MLA seats, saying that ignoring local representation diminishes the spirit of partnership within the NDA.

He added that NDA leaders have acknowledged this oversight as a "mistake", though no immediate corrective action has been announced.

Reinforcing HAM's electoral ambitions, Manjhi repeated his earlier demand for 35 seats in the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that the party is confident of winning at least 20 seats if given the opportunity.

"If we have 20 MLAs, we will be in a strong position to get work done for the people. Regardless of who the Chief Minister is, our voice will be heard," he asserted.

Manjhi clarified that while these demands reflect the aspirations of the party workers, the final decision lies with HAM President Santosh Kumar Suman.

However, Manjhi affirmed that HAM remains committed to the NDA and will not break the alliance under any circumstances.

"We are not leaving the NDA. As a party patron, it is my right to ask for more seats. We only seek a fair share that reflects our ground strength," he added.

This statement comes amid a politically charged atmosphere in Bihar, with multiple parties stepping up organisational efforts ahead of the state polls.

--IANS

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Patna, April 13 (IANS) In a significant political development, IP Gupta, President of the All India Paan Mahasangh and leader of the ‘Hanko Rath Hum Paan Hain Andolan’, announced the launch of his new political party - the ‘Indian Inquilab Party’ - during a massive rally held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Sunday.

Fueled by a large turnout of supporters from across Bihar, Gupta declared that the ‘Indian Inquilab Party’ will contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections to assert the rights and representation of the Paan (Tanti-Tantwa) community.

“This is not just a rally, it is a revolution. The crowd at Gandhi Maidan is proof that the Paan community is united and ready to fight for its rights,” Gupta said.

The formation of the party comes in the wake of a setback for the community. In 2015, the Bihar government granted Scheduled Caste (SC) status to the Tanti-Tantwa caste, categorising them under the Paan community.

However, in a Supreme Court judgment dated July 15, 2024, this SC status was revoked, sparking widespread anger and mobilisation among the community.

Since the verdict, IP Gupta has spearheaded a state-wide movement demanding the restoration of SC status and reservation rights for the Paan community.

The Patna rally marked the culmination of his campaign trail and the beginning of a new political chapter.

Gupta, who briefly aligned with the Congress party, revealed that he parted ways after failing to receive “concrete assurances” on the reservation issue.

While launching the ‘Indian Inquilab Party’, he did not clarify whether he would seek an alliance with any existing party.

“We will enter the election field with full preparation. This is the time for our community to show its power in the assembly election,” Gupta declared, energising his supporters.

As Bihar heads into the election season, the entry of the Indian Inquilab Party and IP Gupta's focused campaign on caste-based rights and justice is poised to add a new dimension to the political landscape.

--IANS

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Mandsaur, April 13 (IANS) As the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) celebrates ten glorious years of empowering small and micro-entrepreneurs across the country, beneficiaries across the nation are sharing their stories of transformation and how the ambitious scheme brought a sea-change in their lives.

In Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur, many beneficiaries spoke to IANS and shared their tales of drawing easy loans from the banks, NBFCs and other financial institutions, started their own enterprises and made themselves and their families self-reliant.

All are expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating loans to them, which remained a distant dream in previous governments.

Many youth who founded their enterprise are today living a life of their dreams and running their own business with assistance from banks.

A couple of beneficiaries are also women entrepreneurs, who broke the glass ceiling and set an example for fellow villagers.

Kalpana, a Mudra Yojana beneficiary, told IANS: "I faced a lot of difficulties, but Mudra Yojana solved my problem. Today, I am running her own beauty parlor and earning good income."

Shubham Tiwari, a Mandsaur youth, who started his garment business said that he got a loan under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. Today, his business has grown into a big readymade garment showroom.

Sudhir Gupta, another local resident, praised the Mudra Yojana and said that many like him are thankful to the Prime Minister for opening doors of entrepreneurship for the youth.

Sanjay Modi shared that more than 50,000 people are getting benefits of Mudra Yojana in Mandsaur district.

“This is a multipurpose scheme for middle and small businesses,” he remarked.

The PMMY provides easy collateral-free loans up to Rs 10 lakh for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities, with an objective of fostering financial inclusion.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) The ongoing questioning of Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator of 26/11, is likely to go beyond the 2008 attack and extend to other Lashkar-e-Taiba terror plots, including the 2004 foiled suicide attack on Narendra Modi, the then chief minister of Gujarat who is now the country’s Prime Minister.

NIA investigators are looking to grill Rana on the Gujarat module as he had joined LeT around the time when the suicide attack was foiled. They believe Rana might spill the beans on insiders who played a role in the plot to kill Narendra Modi in 2004.

On June 15, 2004, the Gujarat Police stated that Ishrat Jahan, along with three other people, had been gunned down near Ahmedabad by a police team belonging to the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of the Ahmedabad City Police. The four were on a mission to kill the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

There are strong reasons for NIA interrogators to believe that Rana may have got crucial information related to the Ishrat Jahan-led assassination plot from his friend and LeT associate David Coleman Headley, who was an active operative for the Pakistan-based terror group around 2004.

Headley, who joined LeT a few years before Rana did, had confirmed before US law enforcers that Ishrat Jahan was a part of LeT who was tasked to assassinate Narendra Modi.

While the Ishrat Jahan-led assassination bid was foiled in 2004, Headley later joined Pakistani-Canadian Rana to plot the 2008 Mumbai attack that left 166, including six US nationals, dead.

Apart from questioning Rana on 26/11, NIA investigators hope to extract crucial information from him on LeT’s multiple plots and sleeper cells - active in the pre-2014 era – including the Ishrat Jahan module.

Immediately after the Ishrat Jahan module was neutralised in Gujarat in 2004, there was an alleged attempt by the then UPA government to brand the incident as a “fake encounter” and use it as a handle to settle political scores with then Gujarat Chief Minister Modi.

--IANS

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Jammu, April 13, (IANS) On the occasion of 'Rajouri Day', Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha paid tributes to the Indian Army’s and civilian Bravehearts who laid down their lives for the liberation of Rajouri on this day in 1948.

Attending a commemoration event at Rajouri, the Lieutenant Governor, along with Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command; Lieutenant General PK Mishra, GOC, White Knight Corps; army veterans, public representatives and senior officials of Security Forces, J&K Police and civil administrations, honoured the sacrifices of all the valiant soldiers and civilians.

“The supreme courage and gallantry of our soldiers will be remembered forever for their indomitable courage, dedication to duty and undying love for the motherland. Exemplary devotion to duty and self-sacrifices of soldiers have always protected us in the past, and their commitment to the nation’s integrity and sovereignty will continue to do so in the future. The nation is grateful to the real heroes for the invaluable sacrifices they have made,” he said.

He also emphasised that the legacy of courage of Lieutenant Ram Raghoba Rane, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, and all those brave civilians and soldiers who stood tall against the enemy etched into the soil of Rajouri will continue to inspire the generations.

“This land of Rajouri is a witness to the resolve of our Bravehearts’ minds and the perfection of their action. This is also an occasion to imbibe the life values of all those heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens. Today's occasion is also to inculcate in the minds of the youth of the new generation the values of those brave men who bravely faced the crisis that befell Rajouri,” he said.

He also highlighted that ‘Rajouri Day’ is a symbol of the invincible strength of the Indian Army, and it reminds us that we will never allow our unity and cultural flow to be fragmented.

“Guru Gobind Singh Ji had established Khalsa Panth on this day. His immortal teachings are constantly guiding our brave soldiers. His philosophy and values shape brave soldiers of the Indian Army and inspire them to renunciation, dedication, valour and sacrifice,” he said.

He further called upon all the sections of society to identify and isolate the elements trying to disrupt peace and development.

Emphasising the need for unifying efforts against terrorism, the L-G called upon all sections of society to identify and isolate divisive forces and join the fight against the terror ecosystem.

“Today we need to be more vigilant. The enemy is continuously trying to disturb our peace by sending terrorists. Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the public, should work together to completely eliminate the terrorists and their sympathisers. Our collective strength will successfully neutralise terrorism and enemy threats and, paving the way for peace and development,” he said.

A special postal cover commemorating the 77 glorious years of liberation of Rajouri was released on the occasion.

Motorcycle acrobatic display and cultural pageantry based on the different themes demonstrated the prowess of the Security forces and the Jammu Kashmir Police.

--IANS

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Bhopal, April 13 (IANS) The Dhamokhar buffer zone of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh has witnessed another harrowing tiger attack on the second consecutive day.

Rita Baiga, a 38-year-old woman from Simaria village, was reportedly attacked by a tigress on Sunday morning.

She had ventured into the forest to collect Mahua flowers when she was attacked by a tiger ambushed in the undergrowth. The predator pounced on her, inflicting deep claw wounds to the back of her head.

Rita was rushed to the district hospital Umaria in critical condition, where doctors administered fifteen stitches to her injuries before referring her to Jabalpur for advanced treatment.

“Her wounds were deep, she was referred to Jabalpur,” Dr. Kailash Chandra Soni, the civil surgeon, Umaria district hospital, told IANS.

This attack is the fourth human-tiger encounter within the reserve in just twenty days -- a grim statistic that has already claimed three lives: a man, a woman, and a twelve-year-old boy.

The Mahua season generates additional source of income for tribal and local communities. Mahua flowers are collected during the summers. Yet, this pursuit has become fraught with danger as tiger attacks have surged in villages bordering the reserve.

Over a ten-day period alone, a woman and a fourteen-year-old boy lost their lives in separate incidents.

On Sunday morning, the tigress attacked the Mahua collector Rita near the reserve, she was saved as villagers promptly rushed to scare the animal back into the forest.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Pratipal Singh Mahobia, explained that the park is comparatively small coupled with an increasing tiger population. It has forced these majestic predators into buffer zones.

He added that tigers are particularly active in the early morning hours—the same time villagers collect Mahua flowers. Among the most heartrending tragedies was the attack on twelve-year-old Vijay Kol from Pipariya.

On April 12, he accompanied his grandfather and uncle to the forest to gather Mahua flowers.

Without warning, the same tigress reportedly emerged from the bushes, seized the boy in its powerful jaws, and dragged him into the undergrowth.

Villagers and Tiger Reserve staff launched an immediate search, but Vijay’s lifeless body was later discovered in a nearby pool.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of life in a firecracker factory blast in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district and announced ex-gratia for the deceased.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in a factory mishap in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000: PM @narendramodi,” said the Prime Minister’s Office in a post on X.

At least eight people, including two women, lost their lives in a tragic explosion that took place at a fireworks manufacturing facility in Kailasapatnam village, Kotavuratla Mandal of Anakapalli district in Andhra Pradesh.

The firecrackers unit was completely gutted in the fire, triggered by an explosion. Fourteen workers were working in the unit at the time of the explosion.

Eight persons died on the spot, and their bodies were found shattered at the blast site. Some of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

Six others who sustained serious injuries were being treated at the hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Appikonda Tatababu (50), S. Govind (40), Devara Nirmala (38), P. Papa (40), G. Venubabu (34), D. Ramalaxmi (35), Hemanth (20), S. Baburao (55). Five of the deceased were local residents while the remaining had migrated from other villages in the district.

According to preliminary reports of the Anakapalli district police, the explosion occurred around 12.45 p.m.

Firefighters struggled for hours before they managed to bring the fire under control.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed anguish and grief at the loss of lives and directed the district administration to provide better medical care to the injured.

Naidu also instructed the authorities to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the matter and submit a detailed report.

State Home Minister V. Anitha was tasked by the Chief Minister to coordinate the rescue operations and provide treatment to victims.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, April 13 (IANS) National Dolphin Day is celebrated across India on April 14, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the ecological importance of dolphins, their conservation, and the protection of their natural habitats.

This year, the spotlight is on the western coast of the country, where Gujarat - home to India’s longest coastline - has emerged as a significant hub for dolphin conservation.

With its 1,600 km-long coastline, Gujarat has a rich marine biodiversity. In the latest Dolphin Census conducted by the Gujarat Forest Department, approximately 680 dolphins were recorded across a 4,087 sq. km marine stretch - a promising outcome of sustained conservation efforts, as per government data shared today.

The coastal expanse from Kutch to Bhavnagar has been identified as a thriving habitat for dolphins.

The Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary located in the southern part of the Gulf of Kutch, between Okha and Navlakhi, recorded the highest dolphin population: 498 dolphins in 1,384 sq. km.

The northern Gulf of Kutch saw 168 dolphins in 1,821 sq. km, while 10 were spotted in Bhavnagar and 4 in Morbi.

Experts highlight that dolphins are top predators in the marine food chain and play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Their presence is often an indicator of a healthy ocean ecosystem.

Conservationists also credit coastal fishing communities, particularly from Kutch to Bhavnagar, for their growing awareness and cooperation in dolphin protection.

Among the species sighted along Gujarat’s coast, the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin is the most prominent.

Recognised by its distinctive hump and elongated dorsal fin, this dolphin species is known for its acrobatic displays and friendly nature.

Found in shallow waters near estuaries, these dolphins feed primarily on fish, crabs, and shrimp.

India officially declared the dolphin as its National Aquatic Animal in October 2009, with the Ganga Dolphin symbolising the purity of the Ganges River.

Known for their intelligence and playfulness, dolphins continue to capture the imagination of tourists and researchers alike.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, April 13 (IANS) Punjab Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Partap Singh Bajwa, was questioned by the Punjab Police on Sunday over his purported remark that “50 hand grenades have been smuggled into the state, of which 18 have exploded.”

An official said that the counter-intelligence team of the police visited LoP’s residence and questioned him about his claims.

He said that after the questioning, the LoP did not disclose his sources and did not cooperate with the inquiry.

Counter Intelligence official Ravjot Garewal told the media that Partap Bajwa made a statement in a media interview claiming that there are 50 hand grenades in Punjab, of which about 32 are still active.

“We took note of the interview and questioned him about his sources,” said Ravjot Garewal.

She clarified that the purpose of their visit was to understand the basis of LoP’s claim.

Responding to the questioning by the police team, the LoP said: “I stand by my statement and will not reveal my sources. The police officers came to me, and I fully cooperated.”

Daring the AAP government to register a case against him, the LoP said, “You’re fully welcome. The Chief Minister is a complete failure. It is deeply unfortunate that the Chief Minister is running the government not with the intent to serve the people of Punjab but to carry out personal vendettas. Today’s events stand as clear testimony to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s misuse of power.”

“This morning, media persons were informed by the government to reach my residence, and soon after, two senior police officials were sent to question me. Their visit was to inquire whether I had given a statement to a news channel regarding 50 hand grenades allegedly sent from across the border into Punjab. I firmly acknowledged that I did share this information with a media channel,” the LoP said.

“As someone who has personally suffered the horrors of terrorism, having lost my father in a terrorist attack in 1987 and myself being targeted in 1990, I take national security with utmost seriousness. I belong to a family that has paid the price for peace, and I will never remain silent when I perceive a threat to Punjab’s safety,” he said.

He added that as the Leader of the Opposition, he holds a constitutional position and is privy to sensitive information.

“I act responsibly and in the interest of public safety when I raise such concerns. Unfortunately, instead of addressing the issue, the Chief Minister chose to threaten me with ‘strict action’ this very morning,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claimed that it is well well-known fact that the Bajwa family is well connected with the Pakistani operatives, for decades, due to which he’s getting such irrational and baseless information.

He said that while intelligence agencies have no such inputs, Bajwa’s friend sitting across the border must have told him about their plans to disrupt peace and progress in the state.

Mann asked the Congress leader to substantiate his claim or face action for creating panic amongst people, adding that he has shamelessly made a false claim that 50 bombs have been smuggled in Punjab, out of which 18 had exploded and 32 more are still there.

He added that this is a serious matter and such a callous attitude of the Congress leader is not acceptable as it has created panic amongst the masses.

The Chief Minister said Bajwa must reveal the source of his information in this regard, as this is the moral duty of the leader.

“Or, is Bajwa waiting for the bombs to explode so that he can use this opportunity for his vested political interests?” the Chief Minister said.

Mann said this kind of apathetic and irresponsible attitude is unwarranted and undesirable.

However, state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring condemned the attempts of the government to silence and intimidate Bajwa for flagging the security concerns in the state.

“Don’t shoot the messenger. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa is a responsible leader holding a constitutional position. If he has shared some information, you should use your police and intelligence to utilise it and follow it up,” he told the Chief Minister.

He added, “Instead, you are trying to intimidate him. The issue he (Bajwa) has flagged is real.

He also pointed out, so many grenade attacks have taken place, and the AAP government is clueless.

“Height of it is that you are now launching a witch-hunt, which is not only unacceptable but highly condemnable,” Warring told the AAP government.

--IANS

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