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.
New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) India's leadership in developing a group standard for whole millet grains was acknowledged at a session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88), held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome from July 14 to 18. According to a statement from the Union Health Ministry here, the appreciation came at the 88th session of the Executive Committee of the CCEXEC88. India is chairing the work on millet standards, with Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal serving as co-chairs. The terms of reference were finalised during the 11th session of the Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (CCCPL) in April this year. India, currently serving as an elected member of the Codex Executive Committee, also received appreciation for its work on standards for fresh dates, as discussed during the 23rd session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) earlier this year, said the statement. The Executive Committee endorsed the proposed standard for adoption at CAC48, scheduled for November 2025. Additionally, India will co-chair upcoming standard-setting work for fresh turmeric and fresh broccoli. The Indian delegation, comprising officials from the Ministry and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), participated in discussions on the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2031. India advocated for the adoption of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) Key Performance Indicators, with a focus on outcome-based monitoring. India also shared details of its regional capacity-building initiatives for neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste. These initiatives have been recognised by the FAO. During the deliberations, India urged less active Codex member countries to avail of the Codex Trust Fund (CTF) for mentorship and twinning programmes. Drawing on its experience with Bhutan and Nepal, India recommended incorporating such initiatives into the performance indicators for the strategic plan, as per the statement. India has been chairing the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) since its inception in 2014.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's retail inflation eased in November as soaring vegetable prices moderated, boosting expectations of an interest rate cut by the central bank at its next policy review amid concerns around slowing growth. Retail inflation eased in November to 5.48%, lower than 6.21% in the previous month and below a 5.53% forecast by economists in a Reuters poll. Food inflation slowed down to 9.04% from 10.87% a month earlier. Food accounts for nearly half of the consumption basket. Vegetable prices rose 29.33% in November from a year earlier after rising 42.18% in October. Indi ...Read More >
July 14 (Reuters) - India's annual retail inflation (INCPIY=ECI), opens new tab slowed to a more than six-year low of 2.10% in June, near the lower range of the central bank's tolerance band, as food prices continued to ease, making a case for further interest rate cuts. Inflation was lower than the 2.5% estimated by economists in a Reuters poll. Retail inflation was at 2.82% in May. COMMENTARY: GAURA SEN GUPTA, CHIEF ECONOMIST, IDFC FIRST BANK, MUMBAI "The moderation in inflation is led by a decline in food inflation. Core inflation remains range-bound at 4.5%. The outlook for inflation r ...Read More >
Jaipur, July 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, who is on a day's visit to Rajasthan, travelled by road to Dadiya, approximately 22 km away from Jaipur, after the helicopter did not take off due to adverse weather conditions. HM Shah reached Jaipur Airport on Thursday around 12.15 p.m. He was scheduled to travel by helicopter to Dadiya to attend a major public event. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the helicopter could not take off, said officials here. At Dadiya, the Union Minister inaugurated the Cooperative Conference and Employment Festival. Th ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Opposition BJD and Congress MLAs Tuesday staged a walkout from the Odisha assembly, accusing the ruling BJP of failing to control prices of essential commodities and resolve the potato crisis in the state. The issues were debated in the House over the admissibility of an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition on price rise of vegetables, pulses, edible oil and fuel. The opposition members took exception to comments made by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister K C Patra that adverse climate conditions, rates in international and domestic markets, and less production by ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Wheat sowing increased by 1.38 per cent year-on-year to 320 lakh hectare so far in the ongoing 2024-25 rabi season, according to the agriculture ministry data released on Tuesday. Wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop, was sown in 315.63 lakh hectare in the year-ago period. Sowing of most rabi crops is nearing end. Harvesting will begin from April. According to the data, pulses' acreage remained flat at 139.81 lakh hectare as on January 14, compared to 139.11 lakh hectare in the year-ago period. Gram was covered in 96.65 lakh hectare and lentil in 17.43 lakh hectare. ...Read More >
Dehradun, Jun 6 (PTI) The Centre and Uttarakhand government are committed to making the state a national hub of horticulture, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday. Interacting with farmers at a Kisan Chaupal in Pavwala Sauda village under Doiwala block of Dehradun, the agriculture minister said, "The quality of fruits, grains and vegetables grown in Uttarakhand is unique and they have full potential to make a mark at the global level." "The Centre and the state government together will make Uttarakhand a national hub of horticulture," he said. During his visit, the ...Read More >
Jaipur: Police in Didwana have stepped up their probe into a cross-border smuggling case in which they arrested two arms and drug smugglers on June 27 for supplying Austrian Glock and Chinese Norinco pistols. It has emerged that the case has links to a massive Rs 300-crore heroin consignment seized by Punjab's Amritsar police near the India-Pakistan border in Barmer on June 30. Canada-based Joben Kaler was identified as the main overseas handler of the heroin consignment. Didwana-Kuchaman police had arrested Mohammad Ilyas from Khunkhuna and Amarjeet Singh Takhar, alias Prince, from Jalandhar ...Read More >
ess than 24 hours after he asserted in Nigeria's Abuja that stepping out of the comfort zone, innovating and creating new paths has now become the very essence of today's India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the gathering of world's most influential leaders converged in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit that the main reason for India's success lies in his government's 'back to basics' and 'march to the future' approach. Addressing the G20 session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty' at the bayside museum of modern art during the two-day 19th G20 Summit, ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 6 (ANI): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday attended a 'Kisan Chaupal' event at Pav Wala Soda village in the Raipur block of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The programme was held as part of the 'Developed Agriculture Resolution' campaign aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector in the state. During the event, Chouhan interacted with local farmers and praised the success stories shared by them, especially in the areas of organic farming and coarse grain production. He also showed strong support for promoting Uttarakhand's organic produce at both n ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal unit of BJP, under the leadership of its new State party President Samik Bhattacharya is making all efforts to ensure a political rally in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing it, before Trinamool Congress's annual Martyrs' day rally in Kolkata on July 21. An insider from the state committee of BJP said that the week before July 21, the Prime Minister is scheduled to go for an election campaign in Bihar where the Assembly polls are scheduled later this year. "We are trying hard so that the Prime Minister can spare some time ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has debunked media reports claiming that the Ministry has directed the issue of Warning Labels on food products such as samosas, jalebis, and laddoos, calling them misleading, incorrect, and baseless. The Union Health Ministry had separately issued an advisory which is an initiative towards making healthier choices at work places. It advises about display of Boards in various workplaces such as lobbies, canteens, cafeterias, meeting rooms etc., to raise awareness on harmful consumption of hidden fats and excess ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Two people died and four others were injured after a fire broke out at a house in east Delhi's Old Govindpura area on Tuesday evening, an official said. Police have identified the deceased as Tanveer (28) and Nusrat. A call was received at Jagatpuri police station at 8.46 pm regarding a fire incident at Band Gali, Old Govindpura, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said. When a police team reached the spot, it found that 10 people were trapped inside a residential building that caught fire, the DCP said. With the help of police personnel and fir ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who was last seen in 'The Miranda Brothers', is heaping praise on the recently released film 'Saiyaara', and its team. On Saturday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and penned a special note for the film and its makers after it witnessed a stellar opening day. He wrote, "Another melodious example of a love story shattering all myths and formulas of the industry. Honest heart wrenching love story wins again in 2025! #Saiyaara". 'Saiyaara', which stars Aneet Padda, and marks the debut of Ahaan Panday, is helmed b ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) India's leadership in developing international standards for whole millet grains received recognition at a key global food safety meeting in Rome this week, as the country continues to expand its influence in setting worldwide food regulations, an official release said on Saturday. The 88th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88), held at FAO headquarters from July 14-18, reviewed progress on India's millet standards work, which gained approval at last year's Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting, the official release said. I ...Read More >
Dharwad: Joint director of agriculture Manjunath Antarvalli has called upon the farmers to grow millets and supply quality food items to the domestic market. Speaking after flagging off 'Walk for Millet' organised by the agriculture department in Dharwad on Thursday, he said the farmers growing millets should be encouraged in all possible ways. "Popularly known as superfoods, the millets which are little wonders have been the most sought-after food post-pandemic. High in nutritional values, the ...Read More >
Hisar, Jun 5 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Thursday announced the establishment of natural and organic mandis in Gurugram and Hisar to promote natural farming on a large scale in the state. The Gurugram mandi will cater to produce such as wheat, paddy and pulses, while the Hisar mandi will focus on fruits and vegetables grown through natural and organic methods. Also Read | Delhi: High-Level US Team Arrives for Talks on Bilateral Trade Pact With India. In addition, a committee will be formed under the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran to determine fair pricing for produce gr ...Read More >
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday held a review meeting at his Undavalli camp office to address procurement and pricing concerns for cocoa, mango, and tobacco crops, reaffirming his government's commitment to supporting farmers. Naidu stressed a farmer-centric approach, directing officials to conduct field visits, anticipate challenges, and ensure global standards in agricultural production. He announced a dedicated cocoa policy to promote high-quality output and enhance farmer awareness. Support for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and MSMEs to strengthen agro-pr ...Read More >
Ahmedabad: From sabzis to sambhar, the cost of cooking a regular Indian meal for an average family is rising sharply as vegetable prices hit new highs, with everyday greens now as pricey or pricier than exotics. Going by the current prices, a humble bhindi or guvar sabzi may cost more than a takeaway meal. Retail prices of vegetables like okra, ivy gourd (tindora), bottle gourd, and tomatoes surged well beyond the Rs 100/kg mark in Ahmedabad markets, turning daily nutrition into a household budgetary challenge.The steepest spike is seen in ivy gourd (tindora), now priced at Rs 216 a kilogram, ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 15: The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday termed reports claiming it has directed vendors to put warning labels on food items such as samosas, jalebis and laddos as "misleading, incorrect, and baseless". It clarified that its advisory on health messaging about hidden fats and excess sugar in various food items is not a directive for vendors to put warning labels on their products, and underlined that it does not target India's rich street food culture. The general advisory is a behavioural nudge to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 17: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated several cooperative and employment-linked initiatives at the 'Sahkar & Rojgar Utsav' in Jaipur, marking India's lead in launching the International Year of Cooperatives - 2025. The event, attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, former CM Vasundhara Raje, and senior officials, featured the virtual inauguration of 24 grain storage warehouses and 64 millet outlets. Loans were distributed under the Gopal Credit Card scheme, micro-ATMs were provided to da ...Read More >
Ghanaian cuisine, with its richness and diversity, reflects the vibrant culture of Ghana. Its distinctive flavors are derived from a variety of spices, which play a vital role, particularly in vegan dishes. This article delves into the key spices that are integral to creating authentic Ghanaian vegan recipes, highlighting their transformative power in elevating plant-based dishes. Grains of Paradise, a secret weapon in West African (and specifically Ghanaian) cuisine, pack a warm, spicy punch that's like a cross between pepper, cardamom, and coriander. These magical seeds can be used whole in ...Read More >
Hisar, Jun 5 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Thursday announced the establishment of natural and organic mandis in Gurugram and Hisar to promote natural farming on a large scale in the state. The Gurugram mandi will cater to produce such as wheat, paddy and pulses, while the Hisar mandi will focus on fruits and vegetables grown through natural and organic methods. In addition, a committee will be formed under the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran to determine fair pricing for produce grown using natural and organic farming practices. The Chief Minister made these announcements ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): With food prices lagging seasonal trends and driving headline Consumer Price Index-based retail inflation below 4 per cent since February 2025, Union Bank of India has revised downwards its 2025-26 headline inflation forecast from 4 per cent to 3.6 per cent (largely aligned with the RBI' forecast of 3.7 per cent). The June retail inflation data is due early next week. In a report, the bank said June 2025 retail inflation will be at 2.3 per cent, with the worst seems to be over for now. According to them, July figures would be the near-term bottom. '...in ou ...Read More >
Bengaluru: A physics lecturer from a private college in Dakshina Kannada and two of his friends have been arrested by Bengaluru police for allegedly blackmailing and raping a student.When the mental torture by the trio became intolerable, the girl narrated to her parents how she was being exploited. Subsequently, she went to Marathahalli police station along with her parents on July 5 and lodged a complaint seeking action against the perpetrators. Acting swiftly, the cops arrested the trio the following day. The accused are Narendra, a physics lecturer, Sandeep, a biology lecturer -- both work ...Read More >
Wheat is the unsung hero of African food, the secret sauce (or rather, secret grain) behind some of your favorite dishes. From the cloud-like deliciousness of Ethiopian injera to the satisfying Moroccan couscous, wheat is Africa's culinary backbone. This article features five mouthwatering dishes that highlight the versatility and tastiness of African wheat-based cuisine. Injera is a sourdough-risen flatbread with a slightly spongy texture, made from fermented teff flour. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, it serves not only as sustenance but also as a utensil for eating. The blend of teff flour and wa ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 7 (ANI): Emphasising the need for stringent regulation of food quality, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, Karnataka Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood urged both state and central food and drug authorities to closely monitor and regulate the standards of street and hotel food. Speaking at the World Food Safety Day programme organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at NIMHANS on Saturday, Dr Patil highlighted the serious health risks posed by unhygienic and adulterated food. 'Children and the elderly ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 7 (ANI): On the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, delivered the keynote address at a special programme themed 'Stop Obesity by Eating Safe and Healthy' at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru on Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a release. JP Nadda said that a healthy India is necessary for Viksit Bharat, and that can be ensured through the right types of food, healthy food habits, and lifestyle. Organized by the Food Safety an ...Read More >
Gandhinagar: In households in Gujarat's cities, cereals may take up less space in the grocery bill, but they still dominate the dinner plate. A new Union govt report shows that cereals, while accounting for just 3.8% of household spending, supply 35% of total calorie intake in cities. In villages, their role is even more dominant, making up 43% of calorie consumption while accounting for 4.5% of total spending.Cereals also account for a major portion of protein intake for people in Gujarat.These insights come from the Centre's latest "Nutritional Intake in India" report, which tracks food patt ...Read More >
Srinagar, July 09: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that Jammu & Kashmir's tourism sector is witnessing a strong revival, with a steady rise in the number of tourists visiting the Union Territory each day.Abdullah, while addressing reporters in West Bengal ahead of the Kolkata Tourism Fair, said, "Tourists are coming back to Kashmir in good numbers. The ongoingAmarnathYatra is proceeding smoothly with heavy footfall on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, he said."I spoke to several pilgrims, and they are all happy and satisfied with the arrangements. I have come to Kolkata to ta ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: The climate change-driven worst-ever deficient rainfall in Meghalaya has taken a toll on its famed golden-hued heritage crop Lakadong turmeric. Recent studies by the Meghalaya Climate Change Centre identified Laskein as one of the state's 25 blocks where this turmeric farming is facing "high" or "very high" risk from climate pressures. According to the studies, farmers are struggling with extreme weather events such as unpredictable rainfall, poor soil health, and increased pest attacks. Nearly 14,000 farmers across 43 villages, who grow Lakadong turmeric on about 1,753 h ...Read More >