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.
Hyderabad: A stunning revelation has rocked Hyderabad as police uncovered a covert alprazolam manufacturing unit operating inside Medha School, Bowenpally, in an operation led by the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE). Authorities seized over 7 kg of alprazolam, including 3.5 kg of finished product and 4.3 kg of semi-processed tablets, alongside raw materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. Along with the drugs, cash amounting to 21 lakh was recovered from the school premises. Three people school director Malela Jaya Prakash Goud and two associates are currently in custody following the bust. In a rapid response, Balanagar mandal education officer Harish Chandra visited the school and revoked all permissions, recognition, and affiliations to Medha School. The officer, with parental consent, initiated measures to shift all students to other schools without disrupting their education, prioritizing child welfare amidst the ongoing investigation. SP Sita Ram explained that alprazolam originally manufactured by Pfizer under the brand name Xanax is a potent anxiety medication but is now largely dominated by small illegal manufacturers locally. The going rate for top-grade alprazolam on the local market is 12,000 per kg, with each batch costing around 6-7 lakh to produce, but making charges are just 1 lakh. These profit margins have fueled rapid growth of such illegal units. Medha School, on the other side running for the last ten years, cited unsustainable expenses building rent 70,000, maintenance over 1 lakh/month as justification for turning to criminal activity. Consumption of toddy mixed with alprazolam has spiked, causing rampant addiction across the region. Between 2014 and June 2025, 39,176 cases of adulterated toddy involving alprazolam have been registered, highlighting the scale of the crisis. Hyderabad alone hosts 97 licensed toddy outlets, yet illegal production continues to flourish due to weak enforcement and public demand he added. The chemistry lab and restricted areas inside the school were secretly converted into industrial-scale drug labs, complete with reactors and dryers. Investigations revealed that Goud learned the drug-making process from an associate named Guruvareddy, paying over 2 lakh for the illegal knowledge. Driven by high industry margins, Goud used the school's secluded sections for production while regular classes for the current 63 students continued uninterrupted on lower floors. The school's location on busy roads, surrounded by public spaces, aided the suspects, as odorless chemicals were chosen to avoid detection. The EAGLE team's ongoing investigation is tracking wider distribution and chemical suppliers, promising strict action against all involved including those leaking manufacturing formulas. All seized assets will be handed to the government. The community is urging the Drug Control Administration to maintain proper licensing and conduct regular, strict raids to stem the tide of addictive toddy and prevent further family devastation.
Lucknow, December 3: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday, emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on using the term "Divyang" and respecting their sentiments has inspired persons with disabilities to advance in life and various fields with dignity. He highlighted that whenever Divyangjans have been given opportunities, they have consistently demonstrated their exceptional talents and abilities. Speaking at a state-level award ceremony at Lok Bhavan on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Chief Minister celebrated the achievements of Divyangjans and reaffi ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out searches at 15 places in Mumbai and Kochi in connection with the Mithi River desilting scam that caused a wrongful loss of more than Rs 65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), official sources said. The massive crackdown is underway at the premises across Mumbai and Kochi linked to the accused and suspects as part of an ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities. According to the sources, the searches are being carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at locat ...Read More >
Chennai, June 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has sanctioned Rs 54.36 crore to the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) under the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam (VCVT) to implement seven key infrastructure and welfare projects. The initiative aims to enhance police capabilities and community outreach, particularly in the northern parts of the city. The decision to allocate funds was taken following a detailed representation made by senior GCP officials to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who directed that the required financial assistance be provided under the VCVT ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 8: A day before his Government marks its first anniversary in third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has redefined women-led development in its 11 years in power. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp In all sectors, including science, education, sports, start ups and the armed forces, women are excelling and inspiring several people, Modi said on X. He cited a number of welfare programmes which, he noted, have benefitted women immensely. Various initiatives, from ensuring dignity through Swachh ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh govt is set to include a chapter on the ills of drug use in the school curriculum. The announcement was made by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Thursday. Presiding over a function here to mark the day, Sukhu urged every section of society to join the drive against drugs to make Himachal a drug-free state. He said, "The vision of a prosperous country can only be realised by channelling the energy of the youth in the right direction." Reiterating his govt's zero-tolerance policy towards the use and tra ...Read More >
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced several pre-election promises targeting auto drivers. These include a ₹10 lakh insurance policy, ₹1 lakh for daughters' marriages, a biannual ₹2,500 uniform allowance, free coaching for their children, and the relaunch of the 'PoochO' ride-booking app. Kejriwal and the AAP are campaigning to secure a third term in the upcoming February elections.Ahead of crucial Delhi assembly polls, Arvind Kejriwal promised several measures for auto dri ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Lieutenant governor VK Saxena has given his approval to the reconstitution of Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, paving the way for govt to prepare a scheme to provide compensation to the construction workers who lost work due to the implementation of GRAP IV provisions. The board was not in place for the last couple of years. While giving his nod to its reconstitution, LG directed that immediate steps should be taken to implement Supreme Court directions to provide subsistence allowance to workers affected due to restrictions on construction activities be ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, instead of introspecting on the defeat in the 2024 state assembly polls, has been repudiating the mandate given by the people because they rejected him. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is preparing his excuses for future defeats in the upcoming assembly elections, including Bihar, Fadnavis said in his articles published in the Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta. On Saturday, Gandhi, in an article published in several newspapers and in posts on X, claimed the 2024 Maharas ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
New Delhi: Just as the Bharatiya Janata Party completes 100 days in power in Delhi, reports have surfaced that chief minister Rekha Gupta will soon shift from her private residence in Shalimar Bagh to government-allotted bungalow at the Raj Niwas Marg in Civil Lines, where her other Cabinet colleagues have been allotted residences. The renovation work of her official residence is underway in full swing. It is pertinent to mention here that this residence allotted to CM Gupta is not the same controversial 'Sheesh Mahal' where former CM Arvind Kejriwal lived when Aam Aadmi Party was in power. M ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 7 (PTI) Authorities on Saturday barred Eid prayers from taking place at the Eidgah ground and the Jama Masjid in the old city here, while Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq claimed that he was put under house arrest. "Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar deeply regrets to inform that the authorities have once again disallowed Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Eidgah as well as at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar by closing the gates of the mosque and deploying police personnel outside," the management of the historic mosque said in a statement. ...Read More >
Haridwar (Uttarakhand) [India], June 8 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed farmers during a rally in Haridwar on Sunday, highlighting various welfare schemes aimed at boosting agricultural development. 'Today, numerous welfare schemes are being implemented for the benefit of farmers. Recognizing agriculture as the backbone of development, the Kisan Credit Card limit has been raised to Rs 5 lakh,' CM Dhami said. During the rally, he also emphasized the government's commitment to the progress of the farmers. 'For 60 years, no significant decisions were made for far ...Read More >
Mumbai: The number of severely malnourished (SAM) children in Maharashtra has significantly declined over the last two years from 80,248 in 2023 to 29,107 in 2025.Similarly, the number of moderately malnourished (MAM) children declined from 2.12 lakh or 5.09% to 1.49 lakh or 3.11% over the same period.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the achievement to coordinated efforts by various state departments and welfare agencies.According to official data, the percentage of severely malnourished (SAM) children in the state has fallen from 1.93% to 0.61% in the last two years.A total of over ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jan 31: Online gambling has become a growing menace in Kashmir, driving several families into severe financial distress and emotional turmoil. The easy accessibility of online betting platforms has lured many, particularly youth, with the illusion of quick financial gains. However, this often results in heavy monetary losses, debt and psychological suffering. According to details obtained by the news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a youth from south Kashmir initially won Rs 10,000 in online betting within a few days. Encouraged by this, he borrowed lakhs of rupees from neigh ...Read More >
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has denied responsibility for the stampede that took place outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebrations. The incident led to the deaths of 11 people. In a statement, KSCA claimed it was not involved in organising the event, managing entry gates or handling the crowd. "The decision to hold the event was taken by the government. It was conducted at Vidhana Soudha, not at Chinnaswamy Stadium," the association said, adding that its role is limited to renting out the stadium and managing c ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that over the last 11 years, the NDA government has redefined women-led development who are excelling and inspiring several people. Marking the 11 years of the NDA government at the Centre, the Prime Minister said the efforts have helped women pursue their dreams on their terms. He wrote on social media X, "Over the last 11 years, the NDA Government has redefined women-led development. Various initiatives, from ensuring dignity through Swachh Bharat to financial inclusion via Jan Dhan accounts, the focus has been on empowering our Nari ...Read More >
Gurgaon: Two days after a law student died and his friend suffered critical injuries when a car knocked them down as they stood near railing on the service lane of Delhi-Jaipur highway in the early hours of Tuesday, a civil engineer was arrested on Thursday.Mohit (31), an employee of a private company in the city, told police that he got drowsy while driving. He is staying at a PG facility in Sector 14.The student who died, Harsh Singhal (25), was a resident of Om Nagar colony. His friend Abhishek Kumar (23), who is from Shanti Nagar in Sector 11, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital ...Read More >
Mumbai: The number of severely malnourished (SAM) children in Maharashtra has significantly declined over the last two years from 80,248 in 2023 to 29,107 in 2025.Similarly, the number of moderately malnourished (MAM) children declined from 2.12 lakh or 5.09% to 1.49 lakh or 3.11% over the same period.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the achievement to coordinated efforts by various state departments and welfare agencies. According to official data, the percentage of severely malnourished (SAM) children in the state has fallen from 1.93% to 0.61% in the last two years.A total of ove ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): The gross NPA ratio of public sector banks declined to 3.12 per cent in September 2024 from 4.97 per cent in March 2015 and a peak of 14.58 per cent in March 2018, the government stated on Thursday, reaffirming the robustness of the banking system. The government emphasised its proactive support for the banking ecosystem, addressing both business needs and employee welfare to ensure stability, transparency, and growth. Also Read | Places of Worship Act Validity: Supreme Court Restrains Courts in Country Not to Entertain, Pass Orders on Suits Related to R ...Read More >
New Delhi, January 31: The unveiling of the Economic Survey on Friday sets the stage for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the Union Budget for 2025-26 in Parliament on Saturday (February 1), which is expected to continue the government's policy of giving a big push to economic growth with equity. The government has prioritised improving the quality of life in rural areas to ensure equitable and inclusive development, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. The survey highlights financial inclusion as a key focus, with rural households and small businesses getting easier access ...Read More >
The Bihar government on Thursday (June 5, 2025) sanctioned compensation of ₹8.25 lakh under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, to the family members of the 11-year-old Dalit girl who was raped and brutally assaulted with a knife, and later succumbed to her injuries at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on June 1. The State also announced a monthly pension of ₹7,700 for the victim's family, in addition to the allotment of a house under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana. According to officials, the girl, who was transferred from Muzaffarpu ...Read More >
Bengaluru, June 6 (UNI) The BJP on Friday strongly demanded the ouster of the Congress government in Karnataka, holding it morally responsible for the loss of 11 lives following the stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebration. BJP state chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa referred to a written communication by Cubbon Park Police denying permission for the June 4 celebration, warning of uncontrollable crowds and security risks. "Despite this, the CM tweeted inviting people to a felicitation at Vidhana Soudha. Lakhs of fans gathered there. Who gave permission for that ...Read More >
Mumbai: The school education department failed to declare the first-year junior college admissions list on Thursday, as it was entangled in what it called "technical snags". The uncertainty will now drag on till June 30, yet another fresh date given by the education department to release the first list.Across Maharashtra, 12.7 lakh students and parents waited through the evening, refreshing screens and hoping the seat allotment information would finally blink into existence. "I've been hitting refresh on the FYJC admission portal like a ritual all evening. Each time, hoping the list will appea ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday warned educational institutions that cases would be booked against them if drugs were found in their premises. The CM announced that the state's Anti-Narcotics Bureau would henceforth be known as Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and was tasked with curbing the menace of narcotics in the state. Speaking at an event marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025 at Shilpakala Vedika here, Reddy placed an onus on educational institutions to ensure their campuses were free of drugs. "It is the ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Drug firm Granules India on Tuesday said its subsidiary has received approval from the US health regulator for a generic medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Granules Pharmaceuticals, Inc (GPI) has received approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate chewable tablets, the drug firm said in a statement. The approved drug is available in multiple strengths; 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, and 60 mg, it added. The company's product is the generic ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of public sector banks (PSBs) have declined to a decade low of 3.12 per cent at the end of September 2024 from a peak of 14.98 per cent in March 2018 on the back of measures like the 4Rs -- recognition, recapitalisation, resolution, and reform -- taken by the government, the finance ministry said on Thursday. Since 2015, the government implemented a comprehensive 4Rs strategy of recognising NPAs transparently, resolution and recovery, recapitalising PSBs, and reforms in the financial system to address the challenges faced by PSBs, it ...Read More >
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police arrested a businessman for allegedly possessing cocaine and MDMA for selling them during New Year parties. Jhawar Kishan Gopal (27), a plastic businessman and a resident of Banjara Hills, slipped into severe financial trouble due to his betting addiction. His mounting debts and limited income from his plastic business left him struggling to cope, pushing him to seek easy ways to earn money, the police said. As Gopal was unable to cope up with the rising debts, Gopal's friends encouraged him to explore drug dealing as a quick way to resolve his financial troubl ...Read More >
Pune: State govt is set to conduct a comprehensive verification of beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, leveraging income tax return data from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to ensure that the monthly Rs 1,500 aid reaches only economically weaker women.A notification issued by the CBDT on June 3 authorises the secretary of the state women and child development (WCD) department to access income tax (I-T) data under Section 138 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The department has already formed a team to review the existing list of 2.5 crore applicants. Officials s ...Read More >
Mumbai: An article by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi terming the 2024 state assembly polls as 'match-fixing' stirred a political controversy in Maharashtra. Statement Of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Congress leader was insulting the voters and Ladki Bahins of Maharashtra. He said, "Rahul Gandhi has accepted his defeat in Bihar. As long as Rahul Gandhi keeps giving himself false assurances, his party can never win". Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's Statement Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticised Gandhi, saying his party w ...Read More >