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.
Winter pollution poses serious physical and mental health risks. Combat stress with mindful practices, hydration, skincare, indoor plants, and exercise to improve well-being and resilience.With the onset of winter and AQI already skyrocketing, the air is not just polluted but stressful. To even think of stepping out of your doors is stressful; it is smog that has engulfed most cities, the capital being the most polluted. Myriad health challenges come along polluted air that we breathe, and one such complication is mental stress. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is real, and the winter pollution which is only getting worse with the passing years is hampering young minds, and intensifying existing health problems for adults.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 27 (PTI) Zumba dance, a high-energy fitness programme introduced in schools in Kerala by the General Education Department as part of its anti-drug campaign, is facing opposition from certain Muslim groups who argue that it goes against moral values. The programme was introduced in schools following a directive from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who stated that the dance -- which combines dance and aerobic movements performed to lively music -- would help reduce stress among schoolchildren and, in turn, counter the menace of drug abuse among young people. From this ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday firmly defended the government's decision to introduce Zumba in schools, amid mounting opposition from several Muslim organisations. Calling the backlash an expression of "majoritarian communal tendencies," Sivankutty reaffirmed that Zumba would continue as a part of physical activity programmes in state-run schools. "When several states protested against the hijab, we took a progressive stand. But now, some organisations are promoting conservative views under the garb of cultural protection," Sivankutty remarked ...Read More >
New Delhi: Delhi government will develop 10 "Namo Van" across the city to enhance green cover and combat air pollution, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Monday. Speaking at the 'Aadhar Infra Confluence 2025' hosted by Panchjanya, she said her government's vision was to develop Delhi as a hub of education, tourism, IT, and healthcare, so that pollution is kept at a minimum while creating jobs. "This year, we started planting 70 lakh saplings. We will also develop 10 dense wooded areas as 'Namo Van'," she said, detailing initiatives of her government related to urban infrastructure. The chi ...Read More >
New Delhi: Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday said the city was ready to carry out cloud seeding. A four-day flight trial has been completed by two pilots who will execute the operation in northwest Delhi and they are awaiting IMD's green signal to induce artificial rain, he added."Our special aircraft is stationed at Meerut. The pilots completed four successful trial flights over the target area. We are simply waiting for the right cloud conditions and India Meteorological D ...Read More >
Delhi AQI: As Diwali festivities began on Monday, Delhi's air quality crisis has deepened, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas to impose Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Sunday with immediate effect. As of 4 pm on Sunday, the national capital recorded an AQI of 296 according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). However, this was not the first day that the air quality in Delhi worsened, the AQI has remained in the 'poor' category (between 201-300 AQI) for the past few days. As the ci ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India trialled cloud seeding over its smog-filled capital for the first time, spraying a chemical from an aeroplane to encourage rain and wash deadly particles out of the air. Cloud seeding is the practice of using aeroplanes to fire salt or other chemicals into clouds to induce rain. New Delhi city authorities, working with the government's Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, launched a test run on Thursday (Oct 23) afternoon using a Cessna light aeroplane over the city's norther ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Starting Tuesday, the Delhi government is planning to stop the sale of petrol and diesel to end-of-life (EoL) or over-age vehicles - a move aimed at fighting vehicular emission-linked air pollution in the Capital, an official said. Petrol pump owners on Monday confirmed that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and other devices linked to the transport ministry's data bank have been installed at their outlets to identify EoL vehicles. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued a direction that all EoL vehicles identified throu ...Read More >
T'puram/Kozhikode: Education minister V Sivankutty said no one should dictate terms on what should be done in public schools. If anyone has any issues, they should discuss them with the govt. He stated that he would not accept any threat or warning from anyone regarding the Zumba row."There is an elected govt to decide on academic and non-academic matters in govt schools," Sivankutty told reporters in the capital.The govt is ready to have a discussion on the steps taken, but on issues commonly kn ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) Former President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday cautioned that rapid technological and environmental changes are creating new human rights challenges, particularly for workers in the informal sector and those facing climate-induced displacement. "Economic progress must always walk hand in hand with human dignity," he said, adding, "Climate change is no longer only an environmental concern and it is becoming a human rights imperative." Speaking at the 32nd Foundation Day of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Conference on Human Rights of Prison In ...Read More >
Delhi residents breathed easier Thursday as air quality improved to 'moderate' after a month of severe pollution. The AQI dropped to 161, though some areas still experienced 'poor' air quality. Cooler temperatures and mist accompanied the improved air, with the minimum temperature reaching 9 degrees Celsius. The Supreme Court maintained GRAP-IV restrictions, demanding compensation for construction workers from NCR states.Residents in Delhi took a sigh of relief on Thursday as the air quality inde ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said authorities cannot go against demolition orders issued by courts and stressed that displaced residents have been provided accommodation.Her words came in the wake of the recent Madrasi Camp demolition for which the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised her. AAP has targeted Gupta, and alleged that the displaced Madrasi Camp residents were provided homes in faraway Narela, and those lack basic amenities.Attending an event to mark the construction of a Jan Sewa camp at a slum cluster in the Haiderpur area, Gupta told reporters: "In t ...Read More >
India will observe National Doctor's Day on July 1. The day acknowledges doctors' dedication. The 2025 theme is 'Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?'. It highlights the mental health of doctors. The day commemorates Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was a physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal. Events will include ceremonies and campaigns. India marks National Doctor's Day on July 1 every year to recognise the tireless service, dedication, and compassion of the country's medical profess ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: In an era when student safety has become an urgent concern, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's proactive launch of the 'Shaktishree' initiative on Saturday evening appears not only timely but also visionary. The programme, unveiled in response to the recent tragic incident involving a girl student at FM College, Balasore, aims at the physical and mental empowerment of girl students -- striking a delicate yet determined balance between compassion and structural reform. According to experts, at its heart, Shaktishree is a forward-thinking approach to nurturing both the phys ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Hilti India, the global leader in providing innovative and cutting-edge construction solutions to the industry, has been recognized as one of India's Best Companies to Work For in 2025 under the Large Organizations category by Great Place to Work® (GPTW). This prestigious honour follows Hilti India's consistent track record of being certified a Great Place to Work® for the eighth consecutive year, reflecting the organization's continued focus on building a high-trust, high-performance workplace culture. Until last year, Hilti India was categorized under the mid-size companies brack ...Read More >
Lucknow, Sep 15 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a new initiative to strengthen women's health and improve wellbeing of families, an official statement issued here on Monday stated. Under the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the "Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar" campaign will be conducted statewide from September 17 to October 2, it said. As part of the campaign, health camps, nutrition awareness drives, and distribution of maternity benefits will be organised across Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aims to promote women's health, improve family well-being, and contrib ...Read More >
Bengaluru (India) (AFP) - Pollution levels in India's capital shaped Natasha Uppal and her husband's decision on parenthood -- either raise their child away from the city, or stay put and remain childless. New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan area, home to more than 30 million people, consistently tops world rankings for air pollution. Uppal, who grew up in the city, often considered leaving -- especially on days spent indoors with air purifiers humming, or when she battled severe migraines. The turning point came when the couple decided to try for a baby. "When we thought about what ...Read More >
New Delhi: Former President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday cautioned that rapid technological and environmental changes are creating new human rights challenges, particularly for workers in the informal sector and those facing climate-induced displacement. "Economic progress must always walk hand in hand with human dignity," he said, adding, "Climate change is no longer only an environmental concern and it is becoming a human rights imperative." Speaking at the 32nd Foundation Day of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Conference on Human Rights of Prison Inmates, Kovin ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (AP) -- Thick smog blanketed India's capital on Tuesday, a day after millions celebrated the Hindu festival of Diwali with fireworks that sent air pollution levels soaring to hazardous levels across the city. Revelers in New Delhi burst firecrackers late into Monday night, filling the air with smoke and fine particles that mixed with seasonal pollution and stagnant weather conditions. By Tuesday morning, the city's Air Quality Index had climbed above 350 in several neighborhoods, a level considered "severe" and dangerous to breathe, according to the World Health Organization's daily ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: A thick blanket of smog engulfed Bhubaneswar following Diwali celebrations as the air quality levels plummeted last evening, reducing visibility to 500 metres by 9.30 pm. The air quality in the city plunged into the "severe" category, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 657 at 7 pm. According to CPCB, the AQI in the state capital was at a 'satisfactory' 54 at 4 pm. Areas like Rasulgarh, Baramunda and Patia were covered with firecracker smoke and rising particulates, making it difficult for commuters to drive safely as visibility on roads dropped to barely 20 metre ...Read More >
Amitabh Kant has said the top court prioritised the right to burn crackers over the right to live New Delhi: Amitabh Kant, Sherpa of the 2023 G20 Summit in India and former CEO of Centre's think tank NITI Aayog, has said Delhi's air quality "lies in shambles" and only "ruthless and sustained execution" of pollution control can save Delhi from "health and environmental catastrophe". He also said the Supreme Court prioritised the "right to burn crackers over the right to live and breathe". The s ...Read More >
Hyderabad - Synchrony is a leading consumer financial services company providing customers with innovative savings and premium credit solutions. Synchrony has been ranked #2 among India's Best Companies to Work For™ 2025 by Great Place to Work®, the global authority on workplace culture. This prestigious recognition, revealed at the awards ceremony on June 25, 2025, solidifies Synchrony's standing as a top employer of choice in India, underscoring its ongoing commitment to creating a high-trust, high-performance workplace culture that champions innovation, flexibility, and employee well-being. ...Read More >
Vijayawada: Tripura Governor Nallu Indrasena Reddy stressed the importance of mental health as essential to the nation's progress while inaugurating the M.Phil Clinical Psychology and Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP) courses at Indlas Hospitals here on Monday. Speaking at the event, Indrasena Reddy stated that the vision of a Viksita Bharat (Developed India) is incomplete without ensuring the mental well-being of its citizens. Along with medical and health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, he handed over admission letters to students of the newly-launched courses. He also point ...Read More >
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government will organise a mega parent-teacher meeting (PTM) 2.0 on July 10. As many as 2,28,21,454 participants from 61,135 institutions, including government and private schools, are expected to take part in the mega PTM 2.0. The state government termed the meeting as a unique initiative to strengthen the school-parent relationship. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh are scheduled to participate in the parent-teacher meet 2.0 at Puttaparthi. As a step towards community-driven schooling, the first edition of mega PTM was success ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 9 (ANI): Following the violent protest at Kerala University, a case has been registered against 27 activists of the ruling CPM's Students Federation of India (SFI), including its state secretary P S Sanjeev, who has been named the prime accused, police said. The case also names 1,000 identifiable protesters who have been accused of damaging public property, forcibly entering the university campus, and assaulting police and university staff, police said on Tuesday. Also Read | Nobel Peace Prize 2025: From Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru, Check Full ...Read More >
Kolkata: The Kolkata Traffic Police is facing a new challenge in managing vehicle parking for the upcoming Shahid Diwas rally on Monday, as persistent rainfall threatens to render designated parking fields unusable. The fresh spell of rain on Friday, with more occasional rain predicted even on Saturday, has left cops worried as they believe the Maidan area can be filled with slush.The traffic department, which initially planned to utilise various fields across the city for parking buses and cars of parade attendees, is now frantically searching for alternative solutions on the main roads, stre ...Read More >
Stage I of GRAP is implemented when the AQI exceeds 200. Stage II (Very Poor) comes into effect when it crosses 300, Stage III (Severe) at levels above 350, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) when the AQI goes beyond 400. New Delhi: Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the 'poor' category for the first time this season with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 211 on Tuesday ahead of Diwali. It forced Commission for Air Quality Management to impose stage I of Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) in Delhi-NCR. The ...Read More >
As Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark Global Handwashing Day, the government, in partnership with Dettol Uganda, renewed its commitment to promoting hygiene, dignity, and health in schools and communities. The call to action was made by Florence Nambozo, minister of state for Karamoja Affairs, during the celebrations and the official launch of phase II of the Dettol Hygiene Quest, a global education programme designed to equip young children with essential hygiene skills for life. Targ ...Read More >
New Delhi and its sprawling metropolitan region -- home to more than 30 million people -- are regularly ranked among the world's most polluted capitals, with acrid smog blanketing the skyline each winter. Cooler air traps pollutants close to the ground, creating a deadly mix of emissions from crop burning, factories and heavy traffic. But pollution has also spiked due to days of fireworks set off to mark Diwali, the major Hindu festival of lights, which culminates on Monday night. The Supreme Court relaxed this month a blanket ban on fireworks over Diwali to allow the use of the less-pollut ...Read More >
New Delhi, October 21: A day after Diwali, the national capital city New Delhi woke up to thick and heavy layer of smog as the air quality deteriorated to the 'Very Poor' category on Tuesday morning, with most of the monitoring stations marked in the 'Red Zone' of pollution. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 350 as of 8 am today. As per the CPCB, Bawana recorded AQI of 423 as of 8 am, Jahangirpuri had an AQI of 407 and Wazirpur with an AQI 408 remains the worst hit areas with air quality falling under 'Severe' catego ...Read More >
Have a calm conversation with your parents, expressing your feelings for your boyfriend while being open about the current situation between the two of you. Sometimes, parents worry because they don't know the full picture, says rediffGURU Kanchan Rai. You can post your questions to rediffGURU Kanchan Rai HERE. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Are your parents worried about your marriage? What do you do when your parents disapprove of your relationship? Is it normal to have feelings for someone else while you are in a committed relationship? How to handle your emotions when you f ...Read More >