Is India Winning the War Against Rising Non-Communicable Diseases? The latest health statistics paint a concerning picture: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer rates are climbing, impacting millions across the country. From rural healthcare access to the burgeoning urban health crisis, challenges remain significant. This week, we delve into the crucial initiatives underway – government policies, technological advancements in telemedicine, and the rising role of preventative healthcare – that aim to address this national health emergency. Experts weigh in on the effectiveness of current strategies and the critical need for increased public awareness campaigns targeting lifestyle diseases. Are these efforts enough? Explore Abtak.com's in-depth coverage on healthcare in India and discover the vital information you need to protect your well-being and the future of public health. Stay informed; stay healthy.
ITANAGAR, 10 Jul: The Government of Arunachal Pradesh is planning to open five schools for children with special needs. Although the planning is still in its early stages, Education Minister PD Sona, who is championing this initiative, is hopeful of obtaining Cabinet approval soon. Speaking to this newspaper, Sona said that the Education Department is working on the logistics. "Right now, it's just in the planning stage. To begin with, we will establish five such schools in the state. After conducting proper groundwork and research, we will decide in which districts to establish them," he said. He added that the department would seek formal Cabinet approval once the groundwork is completed. "I have seen many parents of children with special needs struggling to provide them with proper upbringing and education," Sona lamented. "Therefore, we will expedite the groundwork and push for Cabinet approval as soon as possible." The minister's announcement has given hope to parents and children with special needs, who have long struggled to access basic education in the state. One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "This is a very good initiative. We face a lot of difficulties due to the lack of schools for such children in the state. I hope the Education Department speeds up the process. Qualified teachers should be selected through a proper exam conducted by the public service commission." Although a few private institutions in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) provide education for children with special needs, they are not sufficient. Kaman Pertin, who runs K Blooming Special School, a school for such children in Naharlagun, welcomed the government's initiative. "I am very happy to see this step forward. There are not enough such schools in the state. In our school, we strive to be as inclusive as possible, and we are currently admitting children with global developmental disorders, Down syndrome, and specific learning disabilities," she said. However, Pertin said the government will have to work hard to turn this plan into reality. She emphasized the need for clarity regarding the types of special schools that will be established. "Different children have different needs; some have vision or hearing impairments, neuro developmental disorders, physical disabilities, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc," she said. She also highlighted the critical importance of teacher selection: "The student-teacher ratio cannot be the same as in regular schools. One teacher is needed for at least every five students in such schools. Having a degree alone won't suffice, and teachers must have practical experience. Occupational therapists and behavioural therapists will also be necessary. Opening schools alone won't help children with special needs unless all these aspects are addressed." She further called for large-scale awareness campaigns to educate parents and the public: "Often parents insist on sending their children to regular schools, even when it's clear they need special education. Parents need to be aware and accept that their child may have needs that require special attention," added Pertin.
Visakhapatnam: As Diwali approaches, the narrow lanes of Kummari Veedhi in Visakhapatnam's Akkayyapalem area come alive with traditional diya-making. Here, artisans, including 93-year-old Pardes from Srikakulam, continue the age-old craft despite declining sales caused by machine-made alternatives. Additionally, local NGOs are empowering especially abled individuals and children to join the festive production, creating new opportunities to continue the city's pottery heritage. "I am 93 and will be 94 this year. I make 100 to 150 diyas a day, working from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. My son helps me in t ...Read More >
Aditya Tiwari's journey as a single father to Avnish, a child with Down syndrome, showcases resilience, love, and advocacy for disability rights in India. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3rd, we celebrate stories of resilience and advocacy that inspire change. One such story is that of Aditya Tiwari, a single father who adopted Avnish, a child with Down syndrome. Since 2016, their journey has not only highlighted the challenges faced by single male parents in India but also served as a beacon of hope for many. Aditya's journey began on Sep ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) India's gains from importing discounted Russian oil are estimated to be just USD 2.5 billion per annum, significantly lower than the previously speculated range of USD 10-25 billion, a research report said on Thursday. Stopping Russian oil imports would force India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, to rely on limited alternatives, potentially driving global crude prices up to USD 100 per barrel amid rising demand and tight supply. "Benefit from Russian oil imports is way less than exaggerated media numbers," brokerage CLSA said in a report. While ...Read More >
It was a sunny morning in Dhaka when little Rafiq, a seven-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, smiled for the first time while learning to hold a pencil on his own. For weeks, an occupational therapist had been guiding his mother on how to help him practice hand movements through play-based exercises using common household objects. That one moment -- a small hand holding a pencil -- was more than a skill gained; it was a symbol of independence, confidence, and dignity. Stories like Rafiq's unfold ...Read More >
Project led by Professor Sivaprakasam with international team The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by releasing the most detailed high-resolution 3D images of the human fetal brain. Developed by researchers at the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, this pioneering project is the first of its kind globally, showcasing over 5,132 digitally captured brain sections at a cellular level using advanced brain mapping technology. The dataset, apt ...Read More >
DHARMAPURI: For the third time in the past two months, a wild leopard wandered into a private farmland near Valaithottam village near Palacode and hunted chicken raised by a local farmer. Locals are increasingly distressed and urged the forest department to take steps to relocate the leopard. Over the past few months, there have been several reports of leopard sightings in forest areas near Palacode, particularly in Valaithottam village, near the forest's fringe. There have been two instances when the leopard attacked farmlands, taking away a domestic dog and a chicken. On Saturday, the leop ...Read More >
Kochi - The Prayatna Centre for Child Development, a leading multidisciplinary center in Kochi specializing in services for children, celebrated World Occupational Therapy Day by launching one-month free screening and treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and developmental delays . The free screening camp was formally inaugurated by UMA Thomas, Thrikkakara MLA. "The initiatives undertaken by Prayatna are making a significant difference in the lives of children with disabilities," said MLA Uma Thomas. "These efforts are brin ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): A team of Nand Nagri Police Station launched a special drive against individuals involved in the sale of banned 'Chinese Manjha', amid rising incidents of injuries and nabbed two siblings with 325 rolls on Friday. With Independence Day (15th August) and Raksha Bandhan approaching, the Delhi Police has launched a special drive to curb the sale and use of hazardous Chinese Manjha -- a nylon-based kite string that has caused numerous injuries and fatalities involving people, birds, and animals. Acting on local intelligence, a team led by Inspector Anand Yadav, ...Read More >
The Union Cabinet has approved a massive ₹40,150 crore investment for the Kamala and Kalai-II hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh to bolster India's renewable energy and flood moderation. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved investments of ₹40,150 crore for two hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh and revised the cost of the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery project to ₹79,459 crore, according to an official statement. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime M ...Read More >
CHENNAI: On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 (Tuesday), Chennai Collector Rashmi Sidharth Zagade highlighted that the Tamil Nadu government is bringing in many reforms to ensure the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) face no health inequities and other barriers. Collector Rashmi also elaborated in length on the various welfare measures by the state government for the differently abled during an event at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital. She distributed specialised wheelchairs for children living with cerebral palsy hearing aids for the ...Read More >
Guwahati, Aug 3: Continuing his campaign trail for the second straight day in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated his development pitch ahead of the upcoming September council polls, on Sunday. Reaffirming the BJP's development agenda at a public gathering in Kumarikata, Tamulpur, , the Chief Minister stated, "The BTR needs bridges, schools, and colleges. If candidates from all communities in Assam are getting government jobs in a free and transparent manner, the same must happen in BTR. The BJP will ensure inclusive growth and build a prospero ...Read More >
Kolkata, Sep 16 (PTI) Economist and former CPI(M) leader Prasenjit Bose joined the Congress during a programme in the metropolis, and asserted that he would support the party in its fight to "save the Constitution". Bose (51) became a part of the Congress at a formal joining ceremony here on Monday in the presence of party leaders Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Syed Naseer Hussain and Kanhaiya Kumar, besides state unit president Subhankar Sarkar. "We have to protect the Constitution, establish a government that is non-communal. Only the Congress can do that. I have joined the Congress to be part of its fi ...Read More >
Mumbai: US-based Jane Street said the Indian capital market regulator's order accusing the trading firm of manipulative trading in equity derivatives reflects a 'misunderstanding of standard hedging practices and the interrelationships between derivative and underlying markets'. The firm, in an internal communication that ET has accessed, said the Securities and Exchange Board of India's claim that the firm's activity is "prima facie manipulative", disregards the role of liquidity providers and arbitrageurs in markets, while contesting claims that it was uncooperative with Sebi regarding its ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 9 (ANI): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved an investment of Rs 26,069.50 crore for the construction of the 1720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in the Kamle, Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The estimated completion period of the project is 96 months. The Kamala HEP, with an installed capacity of 1720 MW (8 x 210 MW + 1 x 40 MW), is expected to generate 6,870 million units (MU) of clean energy annually. The project will help strengthen the power supply position in Ar ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 8 (ANI): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved investment proposals worth over Rs 40,000 crore for two major hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh aimed at boosting power generation and strengthening the national grid. According to the Cabinet briefing by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Cabinet approved an investment of Rs 14,105.83 crore for the construction of the 1200 MW Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project on the Lohit River in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. The project is expected to be ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 8 (ANI): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved investment proposals worth over Rs 40,000 crore for two major hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh aimed at boosting power generation and strengthening the national grid. According to the Cabinet briefing by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Cabinet approved an investment of Rs 14,105.83 crore for the construction of the 1200 MW Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project on the Lohit River in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. The project is expected to be ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 9 (ANI): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved an investment of Rs 26,069.50 crore for the construction of the 1720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in the Kamle, Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The estimated completion period of the project is 96 months. The Kamala HEP, with an installed capacity of 1720 MW (8 x 210 MW + 1 x 40 MW), is expected to generate 6,870 million units (MU) of clean energy annually. The project will help strengthen the power supply position in Ar ...Read More >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "Pada pada pada pada paravakal paari..." (The birds flew with a fluttering sound). This is how the very first chapter of the revised Class I Malayalam textbook of state syllabus schools begins. But how will a teacher convey it effectively to a student who is hearing impaired? These difficulties have necessitated the introduction of special textbooks and workbooks for hearing impaired students up to Class IV. A dozen such books, designed by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) after consultation with experts and numerous workshops with teachers, a ...Read More >