In a statement issued, Ramadoss pointed out that with only two days remaining before the scheme comes into force on July 1, Tamil Nadu is yet to make its position clear, even as 19 states and Union Territories have already issued notifications for its implementation.

The Union government has revamped the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) by extending the guaranteed employment period from 100 to 125 days annually.

For the new programme, the Centre has allocated Rs 95,692 crore nationwide, including Rs 7,957.57 crore for Tamil Nadu.

The PMK President noted that Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Puducherry have already announced plans to roll out the scheme.

Telangana and Karnataka, however, are still examining whether to implement it or legally challenge certain provisions before the Supreme Court.

Telangana has also proposed introducing a separate state-funded employment scheme to ensure rural workers are not affected if the legal challenge proceeds.

He added that Tamil Nadu, too, has the right to decide whether to implement or oppose the scheme, particularly since the revised framework increases the state government's financial contribution to 40 per cent while granting the Centre greater powers in deciding the nature of permissible works.

Opposition parties have said that these changes dilute the rights and autonomy of state governments.

According to Anbumani Ramadoss, if Tamil Nadu adopts the new scheme, the state would have to contribute around Rs 5,305.04 crore, taking the total available funds to Rs 13,262.61 crore.

Based on the current wage expenditure of Rs 479.49 per person per day, the allocation would generate about 27.68 crore person-days of employment.

However, with nearly 69.76 lakh rural households seeking work, each family would receive only around 40 days of employment on average, significantly lower than the average provided in recent years.

He also cautioned that if Tamil Nadu chooses not to implement the scheme, only the remaining Rs 440.90 crore from the current MGNREGS allocation would be available, sufficient to provide barely 1.3 days of employment per beneficiary.

Thereafter, the state would have to finance rural employment entirely from its own resources.

The PMK President urged the state government to announce its decision without further delay.

If it opts against the Centre's scheme, Anbumani Ramadoss said it should immediately unveil an alternative programme fulfilling the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government's election promise of providing 150 days of employment annually to rural families.

A bench of Justice A.D. Maria Clete reserved orders after hearing arguments on an application to reject the plaint filed by V. Nambirajan, a member of the association, who has questioned the legality of the office-bearers remaining in their posts after their tenure ended on March 19, 2025.

During the hearing, the judge observed that even if the court were to declare invalid the resolution passed at the Nadigar Sangam’s 68th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 8, 2024, it was unclear how the plaintiff would benefit, particularly since the Tamil Nadu government had subsequently issued a Government Order extending the tenure of the office-bearers.

Appearing for the Nadigar Sangam, counsel Krishna Ravindran pointed out that the plaintiff had challenged only the resolution adopted at the AGM and not the Government Order issued on October 14, 2025, under Section 54 of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.

The Government Order extended the tenure of the office-bearers, who were elected on March 21, 2022, until March 19, 2028.

In his suit, Nambirajan argued that the association’s bylaws mandate elections every three years and that fresh elections should have been conducted after the present office-bearers’ term expired in March 2025. Instead, he alleged, they continued in office based on the resolution passed at the 2024 AGM.

Defending the extension, the Nadigar Sangam submitted that member S.R. Sekar had moved a resolution at the 68th AGM seeking a three-year extension to enable the present leadership to complete the construction of the association’s long-awaited convention centre, described as its dream project.

The proposal, submitted on August 23, 2024, was backed by 311 members and was unanimously approved at the AGM. The association also claimed that 79-year-old Nambirajan had not attended the 2024 AGM or any annual general meeting since becoming a member in 2015.

The association also alleged that he was being used as a proxy litigant by disgruntled elements seeking to disrupt the functioning of the association and create hurdles for the completion of the convention centre project.

Addressing a gathering, the Chief Minister said he had come to Bara Bhangal not for any political gains, but to understand and share the hardships faced by the people of the area. He said if politics had been his objective, he would have visited more densely populated areas. Instead, he said, his government's priority was to ensure that development reaches even the remotest corners of the state.

CM Sukhu said while policies can be formulated in Shimla, understanding the real challenges faced by people requires visiting them on the ground. The Chief Minister assured residents that the government would declare Bara Bhangal a natural farming panchayat, make efforts to secure Scheduled Tribe status for the region and increase the foodgrain quota at the local ration depot.

The Chief Minister, who reached Bara Bhangal a day earlier by air, inspected flood-affected areas and reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts. Stressing the need to expedite road connectivity to Bara Bhangal, he directed officials to invite separate tenders for each km of the proposed road to accelerate construction.

He also discussed the feasibility of transporting construction machinery by air and announced the release of Rs 10 crore for the construction of the Bara Bhangal road. To ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity, the Chief Minister held detailed discussions with local residents. He directed the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd to install diesel generators in the village and conduct a survey to provide electricity connections and internal wiring to all households.

Assuring residents of an alternative power supply until road connectivity is established, he announced the provision of one diesel generator each for upper Bara Bhangal and lower Bara Bhangal. He also discussed the possibility of reviving the flood-damaged hydropower project and exploring solar energy projects for the region.

The Chief Minister directed officials to develop a distinct brand identity for the famous local rajmah (kidney beans) to enhance its market value. Encouraging the promotion of local agriculture and horticulture, he urged residents to plant walnut and chestnut saplings.

He also assured better market prices for locally produced meat products and appealed to the farmers to adopt natural farming practices and take advantage of the minimum support price being provided by the government to promote natural farming.

Responding to the demand for mobile connectivity services, the Chief Minister assured residents that the government would engage with private telecom companies to commence mobile services in the area at the earliest. He also directed the officers to identify suitable forest land for promoting tourism activities, especially eco-tourism, and reiterated the government's commitment to developing Bara Bhangal as a tourist destination.

The Chief Minister also announced that a special incentive scheme would be introduced for students from Bara Bhangal. He said the government would consider constructing a hostel and ensure access to quality education for children.

He also announced that helicopter taxi services would be provided to students at the beginning and end of each academic session and assured arrangements for their admission to CBSE-affiliated schools.

To strengthen healthcare services in the remote region, the Chief Minister said local residents would be trained to provide primary healthcare support so that immediate medical assistance could be made available within the community. He also said the government would explore the construction of protective walls to safeguard the area against floods.

The Chief Minister further announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for two local Mahila Mandals and Rs 1 lakh for a Yuvak Mandal. He also announced a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana for all eligible women in the region.

"The future of Seychelles will be shaped by its youth. We are proud that students, professionals, officials, and security forces of Seychelles have trained and studied in India for decades. In fact, it is said that one in every fifty people in Seychelles has undergone some training in India. They have returned home with skills, friendships, and experiences that continue to strengthen our partnership today," PM Modi said in his special address at the National Assembly of Seychelles as part of his state visit to the archipelagic island.

PM Modi said he was delighted to learn about Seychelles' IGNITE initiative to provide internships for the youth, terming it "an excellent framework", and that both countries can explore new avenues for cooperation in this sector.

"A key focus area for such cooperation can be in digital innovation. India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has demonstrated how technology can expand opportunity, improve governance, boost financial inclusion, and deliver services for hundreds of millions of people," he noted.

"We would be happy to share our experiences and expertise as you pursue your own digital transformation. I am confident that the young people of Seychelles will embrace these opportunities with the same determination that guided the first fifty years of independence," he added.

According to PM Modi, Seychelles and India both seek a world where development is more inclusive.

"We both seek a world where international institutions reflect contemporary realities. We believe that our shared future must be shaped collectively, inclusively, and fairly," he noted.

"This belief guided India's efforts during our G20 Presidency. It was in this spirit that we worked to place the priorities of the Global South at the centre of international discussions. And it was in this spirit that we welcomed the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20. This is the spirit that unites the Global South. And this is the vision that India and Seychelles will continue to advance together," he highlighted.

PM Modi assured that India will remain a trusted partner.

"As we look ahead, let us continue to build upon these foundations. India will remain your trusted partner. We will celebrate your achievements. We will support your aspirations. And we will stand beside you as friends."

Addressing a public gathering after launching the PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) pilot project and Health Passports in Gandhinagar, HM Shah contrasted the present system with an earlier statement by a former Prime Minister regarding leakages in welfare spending.

"There was a time when the Prime Minister of the country admitted that if he sent one rupee from Delhi, only 15 paise reached the poor, while 85 paise disappeared in between," the Home Minister said.

He said the introduction of the DBT had fundamentally changed the delivery of government assistance.

"Today, as the Union Home Minister and as a Member of Parliament, I can look everyone in the eye and say that when PM Modi sends one rupee, the entire one rupee is transferred directly into the poor person's bank account," he said.

According to HM Shah, the DBT architecture had ushered in "a new era of welfare for the poor" by transferring benefits directly into bank accounts without intermediaries.

The Home Minister said he had personally witnessed the extent of poverty while travelling through eastern Uttar Pradesh before the change in government.

"It is not that there is no poverty in Gujarat. But when I travelled to the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, I experienced what extreme poverty truly means," he said.

Describing those conditions, HM Shah said many families lacked houses, electricity, toilets, piped water and access to healthcare.

"People had no homes. If there were no home, there could be no electricity. There were countless houses without toilets. Even where there was a hut, there was no water supply inside," he said.

He added that medical treatment was beyond the reach of many poor families, and mothers often had no option but to pray when children fell ill.

HM Shah said the present welfare architecture ensured that benefits reached recipients directly without leakages. "Today, if one rupee is sent from Delhi, the full 100 paise reaches the beneficiary's bank account," he said.

The PM Family Care Tracker, launched on Sunday, is a digital platform that integrates multiple welfare databases to improve monitoring and delivery of health, nutrition, education and social welfare schemes for mothers and children.

"Your maritime domain extends across nearly 1.4 million square kilometres. This makes Seychelles not a small island state but a large ocean country. Long before the blue economy became a part of global discussions, Seychelles was already leading the way," PM Modi highlighted during his special address in the National Assembly of Seychelles during his state visit to the archipelagic island.

Seychelles has helped shape important global conversations in protecting marine ecosystems and in advancing innovations like blue bonds, he said.

"When people look at a map, they may see Seychelles as a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. But we see something much greater. We see a nation whose horizons stretch far beyond its shores," the Prime Minister said.

"The efforts being made by you to protect and preserve this natural wonder reflect our larger philosophy that humanity must live in harmony with nature. This sentiment resonates deeply in India as well. Let us work together to ensure that future generations inherit oceans that are healthier, safer, and more abundant than those we enjoy today," he added.

According to PM Modi, the Global South and the island nations are the most impacted by climate change, and effects are already visible on coastlines, marine ecosystems, weather patterns, and in communities.

"Climate action must be guided by fairness, responsibility, and equity. This is the essence of climate justice," he stressed.

"India has sought to lead by example. Over the last decade, we have undertaken one of the world's largest expansions of renewable energy. We have championed sustainable lifestyles through Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). Through our initiatives, like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), and 'Ek Ped Maa Kee Naam' (a tree in mother's remembrance), we have worked with partner countries to boost the green transition," he noted.

The PM congratulated the government and people of Seychelles on the 50th anniversary of Independence and highlighted the special India-Seychelles partnership founded on shared values, strong people-to-people ties and mutual trust.

"PM also underscored the special place Seychelles occupies in India's Vision MAHASAGAR and its commitment to the Global South.PM underscored India's transformative development journey and called for stronger parliamentary exchanges, while advocating deeper cooperation in security, human development and sustainability for mutual benefit," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) wrote on X.

This is the 20th parliament which PM Modi has addressed.

He urged them to take inspiration from the party's victory in the recent elections in West Bengal and take a pledge to bring the BJP to power in Telangana.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Ranga Reddy Rural District party office and the virtual inauguration of party offices in nine districts at an event held in Shamshabad.

Stating that the BJP national general secretary and the party in-charge for West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana played a key role in the BJP's victory in West Bengal, the BJP chief asked him to make double the efforts in Telangana.

"For a long time, those who remained in power here treated it as a means for personal gain. We want to clearly tell them that in the coming days, BJP workers are ready to struggle on the streets to uproot this government. We struggled in West Bengal, we made sacrifices, we worked hard, and our workers endured hardships. But through that struggle, we also achieved success, and the lotus bloomed in West Bengal."

He remarked that every region is getting saffronised and that the day is not far when Telangana too will be saffronised.

The BJP chief claimed that it was the BJP which uprooted the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, but the advantage was taken by the Congress party.

He accused the Congress party of compromising on national interests and stated that BJP cadres have the power to dislodge the Congress government. He said that BJP workers were ready to overthrow the "corrupt and anarchic" Congress government in Telangana.

The BJP chief called upon party cadres to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level in the state.

"We all must take a firm pledge. We have to reach every mohalla, every street and every town. We must take the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, its ideology, its policies and its intent to the people. Today, our policies and our intentions are clear before the public," he said.

He claimed that the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre is serving the people of Telangana through various welfare schemes. He, however, said Telangana cannot develop unless it gets a double-engine BJP government.

Stating that Telangana holds special significance for the BJP, he recalled that in 1984, when the party had only two MPs, one of them was from Telangana.

"Today, we also remember that in 1984, when the Bharatiya Janata Party had only two Members of Parliament in the entire country, one of them was from the Telangana region. Those who say that the BJP is an outsider party should look at this fact," he said.

He asserted that people across the country are witnessing a model of good governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The BJP has been continuously working in the service of the people of this country with dedication and speed. We believe that BJP workers function with the ideology of 'Nation First, Party Next, and Self Last'..."

Nitin Nabin said the BJP was marching ahead with the spirit of nation first and that its goal is to achieve 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

"I am fully confident that if we are to realise the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, and fulfil Narendra Modi's resolve to advance the lives of our 1.4 billion citizens through his service-oriented schemes, then we must ensure the lotus blooms in Telangana."

Earlier, the BJP chief was accorded a warm welcome by party leaders on his arrival at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad for a two-day visit to Telangana.

State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao, Union ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, party MPs, state legislators and other leaders welcomed him.

Nitin Nabin later addressed the Vijay Sankalp Sammelan of booth presidents at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds.

New Delhi, June 28 (IANS) Recent administrative changes and political transitions in Bangladesh’s medical sector have affected several of the country’s famous doctors, raising questions about institutional continuity, human rights, and the future of public health, according to an article in the Bangladeshi media.

The article in the Dhaka-based news agency Pressenza highlights that when political alignment becomes the primary lens through which professional merit and decades of service are evaluated, the entire knowledge ecosystem of a developing nation faces severe disruption. The shifting administrative landscape in Bangladesh has directly impacted several senior physicians whose clinical work, teaching, and institutional leadership helped shape modern medical practice in the country, it said.

These include Dr Samanta Lal Sen, who is widely regarded as the architect of modern plastic surgery and specialised burn care in Bangladesh. Having served as a technocrat Health Minister during the previous administration, he was later detained in a legal case that his supporters describe as politically motivated. He subsequently left the country, leaving a noticeable gap in specialised medical leadership

Then there is Prof Dr Pran Gopal Dutta, an eminent ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), who received the country’s highest civilian honour, the Independence Award, in 2012 for his contributions to medical science. Currently residing outside Bangladesh due to legal proceedings tied to his tenure as a former Member of Parliament, he is reported to be teaching at a medical college in India's Tripura, while continuing to provide care to underserved border communities.

Prof Dr Deen Mohammad, a senior neurologist and former Principal of Dhaka Medical College, was the founding Director of the National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital- a specialised facility he actively helped establish. He was recently removed from his post, a decision that those close to him attribute to his perceived affiliations with pro-Awami League medical associations.

Prof. Dr ABM Abdullah, a leading internal medicine specialist and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at BSMMU, is well-known across the country for charging a nominal fee of just Tk 300 to ensure lower-income patients could access top-tier care. Awarded the Ekushey Padak for his humanitarian services, he also served as the personal physician to the former Prime Minister. Recently, the authorities cancelled his lifetime appointment as ‘Emeritus Professor’ and requested the return of the salaries and allowances received during his tenure in that role.

The article points out that universal humanism asserts that healthcare, education, and science should remain independent of partisan shifts, serving as shared assets for the collective good. Medical expertise cannot be generated overnight; it requires decades of rigorous training, mentorship, and extensive institutional support. When senior clinicians are abruptly removed or compelled to leave the system, the generational transmission of clinical knowledge to young medical professionals is broken.

This lack of institutional stability and merit-based security has accelerated an ongoing crisis: the migration of skilled professionals abroad or 'brain drain'. Each year, thousands of talented students and young doctors leave Bangladesh for higher education and professional opportunities overseas, citing the need for structural stability and genuine recognition of merit. For a developing country of 180 million, this outflow of talent represents a profound, long-term setback to public health capacity, the article added.

"Democracy is a journey experienced by each nation in its own time and in its own way, and India stands as a beacon of excellence, not just as the largest democracy in the world, but also as the Mother of Democracy…," Ernesta said in her remarks on the occasion.

"I believe you (PM Modi) are the first Prime Minister to address our House and through this House, our people. We are grateful and appreciative of the time you have taken to convey your message to us," she added.

Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, Sylvanne Lemiel, welcomed PM Modi’s presence as Guest of Honour for their independence anniversary and said it made the occasion "meaningful".

"It is an occasion of exceptional significance for our Republic. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Seychelles, it is a great honour to welcome to our House the distinguished Guest of Honour, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India. Prime Minister Modi, your presence today makes this historic occasion even more meaningful..." Lemiel noted.

PM Modi expressed gratitude for the warmth and friendship extended by the people of Seychelles.

"Addressed the National Assembly of Seychelles today. Expressed my gratitude for the warmth and friendship extended by the people of Seychelles. Spoke about the long-lasting partnership between our two nations that is built on shared values. It was also an honour interacting with the Members of the Assembly," he wrote on X.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi was conferred with the 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon', Seychelles' highest distinction for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

The award acknowledges PM Modi's long-standing push for sustainable growth and his green vision.

Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to President Patrick Herminie for the warm welcome and honouring him with the "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" award.

"I humbly accept this title with honour and dedicate it to all other countries that are struggling against the challenges of climate change and that consider the protection of the environment their responsibility toward future generations. This is an urgent challenge that we need to overcome together," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

The Governor on Sunday visited Abotani Vidya Niketan at Pachin Colony in Naharlagun and celebrated his birthday with the students, teachers and staff of the institution.

Interacting with the students, Lt Gen Parnaik (Retd) shared valuable life lessons and encouraged them to make the most of their educational journey.

Emphasising the importance of education and discipline, he advised the students to cultivate a habit of continuous learning, curiosity and self-discipline. He said that true success is built not only on academic excellence but also on good character, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility.

Lt Gen Parnaik (Retd) reminded them that even small acts of kindness, compassion and service can create a positive impact on society and contribute to nation-building.

Highlighting the importance of holistic development, the Governor urged the students to adopt the guiding motto, "mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight".

He encouraged them to respect their parents, teachers and cultural heritage, noting that these values provide a strong foundation for personal growth and responsible citizenship.

The Governor, who presented sports items to the students, also stressed the importance of maintaining good health and leading a disciplined lifestyle. He encouraged the students to stay physically active, avoid harmful habits, and channel their talents and energy towards constructive pursuits and service to society.

He noted that healthy, confident and socially conscious young people are the nation's greatest assets.

Deeply impressed by the discipline, enthusiasm and impressive turnout of the students, the Governor announced that he would facilitate coaching and mentoring for Sainik School aspirants through Indian Army units in the state.

He also announced the establishment of an Advanced Learning Centre and the provision of books to enrich the school library and promote learning.

The students captivated the audience with a vibrant cultural programme, beautifully reflecting Arunachal Pradesh's rich heritage and traditions, followed by an inspiring yoga demonstration that highlighted discipline, harmony and well-being.

Reinforcing his commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, the Governor also participated in a plantation programme along with the teachers and students. He encouraged the young learners to become ambassadors for environmental protection and develop a lifelong commitment to preserving nature.

Abotani Vidya Niketan is managed by the Arunachal Shiksha Vikas Samiti under the aegis of Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan.

Addressing a gathering at the launch of the pilot project of the PM Family Care Tracker (PM-FCT) and Health Passports in Gandhinagar, HM Shah attributed the transformation to the election of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in 2014 after serving as Gujarat's Chief Minister.

"2014 will be recorded as an important year in the history of this country. Twenty-five to 50 years from now, when someone writes the history leading up to 100 years of India's Independence, there will be two sections in that history: India before 2014 and India after 2014," the Home Minister said.

He said the shift became possible because the people democratically accepted a new leadership during the 2014 General Election.

"This transformation became possible because of the democratic acceptance of leadership by the people. In the 2014 General Election, the people of this country elected Narendra Modi, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, as the Prime Minister of India," he said.

According to HM Shah, the BJP-led Union government introduced structural changes across sectors after assuming office.

"Since 2014, the central government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party has brought fundamental changes in every sector of the country. There is hardly any sector for whose development there is no long-term, time-bound planning," he said.

He said Prime Minister Modi had established "a new definition of inclusive and all-round development" by adopting a long-term approach to governance.

HM Shah said policies were framed to deliver transformational outcomes and that implementation received continuous monitoring.

"In every sector, with long-term vision, policies were framed to bring transformational results. Not only were these policies created, but they were continuously monitored and implemented on the ground," he said.

The PM-FCT pilot project, launched in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, integrates health, nutrition, education and welfare databases to monitor beneficiaries from pregnancy through childhood and adolescence.

"The initiative represented the next phase of the government's welfare delivery model by using technology to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive services without omission," he added.

In a strongly-worded statement, Palaniswami said the allegations surrounding the recently announced recruitment results had raised serious concerns over the transparency and fairness of the selection process.

He called upon the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led state government to intervene immediately to protect the interests of deserving candidates and restore public confidence in the recruitment system.

Referring to media reports and complaints from candidates, the AIADMK leader questioned the evaluation process adopted by the TRB, particularly the marking of the descriptive examination.

He pointed to an instance in which a candidate who had secured a perfect score of 100 marks in the objective examination was reportedly awarded zero in the descriptive paper.

"How can a candidate who scored 100 marks in the objective paper receive zero in the descriptive paper?" Palaniswami asked, saying that such a disparity indicated a lack of uniformity and consistency in the evaluation process.

He alleged that the recruitment exercise had unfairly disadvantaged several meritorious candidates while benefiting others who had secured comparatively lower marks.

According to Palaniswami, the reported discrepancies had cast a shadow over the credibility of the entire selection process and warranted immediate corrective action.

The former Chief Minister also demanded that the recruitment process be cancelled if the allegations were found to be true.

He insisted that an independent agency should conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints to determine whether any malpractice or manipulation had occurred during the evaluation and selection stages.

Palaniswami also urged the state government to keep all recruitment and appointment procedures on hold until the investigation was completed and a transparent review of the results was carried out.

He said only a fair and impartial inquiry could ensure justice for candidates who had appeared for the examination in the hope of securing teaching positions in government colleges.

Stressing that recruitment to public service must be based solely on merit and transparency, the AIADMK leader said the state government had a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the selection process and ensure that only genuinely eligible candidates were appointed as Assistant Professors.

The FIR filed by Ketan's father, Vishal Devichand Agarwal, has reportedly alleged that both Chetan and Siya pushed his son off a cliff to his death, near Pune's Lohagad fort.

According to reports, a major point of contention was a missed trip to Lohagad fort on June 4, which apparently made Siya highly agitated and persistently demanded that her fiance take her there.

As per the detailed timeline of the murder conspiracy shared by sources from the day of the alleged crime, Chetan reportedly disabled his mobile data to stop cell towers from creating a geographic GPS trail of his route to the crime scene at around 7 am.

An hour later, with the aim of misleading investigators into believing he never left his shop, he left his personal smartphone at his workplace and ordered his workers to answer all incoming calls.

Around noon, he attempted to cover his tracks by borrowing an employee's mobile phone to handle necessary communications on his way to Lohagad fort.

At 2 pm, while aiming to conceal his identity from security guards at the historical place, Chetan shadowed Ketan and Siya up the fort trail while wrapped in a thick winter hoodie despite the sweltering 33 degrees Celsius summer heat. This detail later led investigators to suspect him.

Around half an hour later, upon reaching a secluded cliff near the Vinchu Kata ridge, Siya sat down as an alleged visual cue to her co-accused. Chetan then reportedly stepped out from hiding and pushed Ketan 400 feet to his death.

After staying entirely off the digital grid for 10 hours and 40 minutes, Chetan switched on his internet at around 5.40 pm, confident that his calculated location cover-up was flawless.

However, the plan backfired as investigators flagged Chetan's prolonged offline period while tracing his distinct winter attire on CCTV footage. They also confirmed with callers that someone else was answering his phone.

Ketan left home on the morning of June 18, picked up Siya from the Kiwale bridge on the Pune-Mumbai highway, and finally headed to the fort. At 10.45 am, Siya Goyal called her fiancé's mother, claiming that he had accidentally fallen into a gorge at Lohagad Fort. Locals and the police found him in the gorge and took him to the hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.

The family alleged that Siya's phone was constantly busy and that she frequently mentioned her "friend" Chetan, leading them to believe the two were involved in a romantic relationship.

Earlier, the police investigation revealed that Siya may have killed her fiancé to get "three years of freedom".

According to sources, Siya's lover, Chetan, had asked her to wait for at least three years for them to get married as he wanted to settle in his career. But Siya's wedding to Ketan had already been arranged and scheduled for November.

The two then pushed Ketan into a valley at the Lohagad Fort near Maharashtra's Pune as a part of the conspiracy that let them "buy time", sources said.

The pilot project has been introduced in Gandhinagar and integrates data from the Health Department, Women and Child Development Department and Education Department through a single digital platform.

The system links health records through the Poshan Tracker and education data through the Child Tracking Portal (CTS), assigning every mother and child a unique digital identity using ABHA and the Birth Registration Number.

Addressing the gathering, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the project had been launched under HM Shah's guidance by bringing together the three departments to create an integrated digital system.

"Under his guidance, this project is being launched today. It is through his vision that the Gujarat Health Department, the Women and Child Development Department, and the Education Department have been brought together so that data from all three departments can be integrated, and we are launching the PM Family Care Tracker Pilot Project from here," he said.

Pansheriya said Gujarat would work to make the initiative a successful model for the rest of the country.

"Today, Amit Shah has reposed his trust in the Gujarat Health Department, and with your inspiration, we are launching this pilot project in Gandhinagar. We assure you that not only Gandhinagar but the entire state of Gujarat will establish this as a successful pilot project for the whole of India," he said.

Describing the initiative, the minister said it was intended to ensure continuous monitoring of children's development and healthcare.

"This is not merely a digital platform but one driven by emotions and concern, ensuring that not a single child is deprived of any vaccine. For the holistic development of women and children, a card will be created for every child from an early age. It will contain details up to the age of 18 years, including information on hereditary diseases, other illnesses, treatments, and all related medical records," he said.

Referring to the statewide Pulse Polio campaign that also began on Sunday, Pansheriya said, "Today, as we administer the two drops of the polio vaccine to children and begin this three-day campaign across Gujarat, we remember with pride that India has remained polio-free since 2007."

He also highlighted the role of public healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "Even during the COVID pandemic, every government hospital provided treatment to all people. With disciplined efforts and the creation of the best possible infrastructure, treatment was made available even to the poorest and most vulnerable individuals."

On the objective of the PM-FCT, he added, "Today, when vaccines are administered for the prevention of 11 serious diseases, this entire project aims to ensure that there is not a single lapse and that not even one child is left behind."

The minister said the Health Department would treat the initiative as a long-term commitment rather than an experiment.

"We will not treat this merely as an experiment but will carry forward the inspiration you have given us with dedication and compassion, reaching every person in line with the spirit of 'Antyodaya'," he said.

During the programme, HM Shah also distributed welfare kits under schemes of the Women and Child Development Department.

These included Anganwadi admission kits, preschool kits and nutritional support kits for children and pregnant women.

An Anganwadi admission kit and preschool kit were presented to three-year-old Ayushi Bajaniya following her enrolment at an Anganwadi centre.

Riyanshi Thakor, who had earlier been identified as underweight, received nutritional support under the Balshakti scheme after treatment through Poshan Sangam, including take-home rations.

Pregnant beneficiary Hina Chauhan received a kit under the 'Chief Minister Matrushakti Yojana' containing four packets of nutritional supplements, one kilogram of tuver dal, two kilograms of gram and one litre of fortified groundnut oil.

According to the programme, eligible beneficiaries receive such kits every month during the first pregnancy for a period of two years.

According to the state government, the PM Family Care Tracker allows real-time monitoring of every stage of maternal and child development, including pre-pregnancy services, maternal care, newborn and infant healthcare, immunisation, nutrition, growth monitoring, school enrolment, attendance and adolescent health services.

The platform also provides automated alerts and follow-up mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries receive services on time while offering real-time dashboards at the state, district and taluka levels for planning and decision-making.

"The platform aims to facilitate early identification of at-risk children, timely intervention and improved delivery of health, nutrition and education services, and is expected to contribute towards the goals of Viksit Gujarat @2047 and Viksit Bharat @2047," officials added.

The double murder in Maria Sai Tola in the Manjhari police station area of Chaibasa has sent shockwaves throughout the area.

Police said the weapon used in the crime was recovered shortly after the incident.

The deceased have been identified as Nanika Birua, 30, and her daughter Sharmila Birua, 8.

According to the police, Nanika’s husband, Dakhel Singh Birua, had gone to work in the fields at the time of the incident.

Taking advantage of his absence, the accused, Ramay Birua, entered the house and allegedly attacked Nanika with an axe following a dispute.

When Sharmila tried to protect her mother, she too was attacked by the accused. Both victims died on the spot.

The couple’s other daughter, Tulsi Birua, informed her father about the incident after reaching the fields.

When Dakhel Singh Birua returned home, the accused reportedly attempted to attack him as well. However, he managed to defend himself by picking up a stone, after which the accused fled towards the nearby forest.

Police said that another villager, Kande Birua, who tried to intervene, was also attacked with an axe and sustained injuries. He has been admitted to a hospital for treatment.

On receiving information from villagers, a team from Manjhari police station reached the spot and sent the bodies to Chaibasa Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The police launched a search operation in the forest and arrested the accused, Ramay Birua. The axe used in the crime was also recovered on his instance.

Preliminary investigation by the police suggests that a family dispute triggered the incident. Locals have also claimed that the accused was under the influence of alcohol at the time of committing the crime, a claim that the police are probing.

The Maharashtra State Council of Examinations (MSCE) abruptly postponed the examination on Saturday, after a joint raid by the Bhiwandi police exposed a major question paper leak just a day before the state-wide examination.

Speaking to IANS, an aspirant Girish Patil in Maharashtra's Dhule, said: "Due to the exam paper leak, the candidates are extremely disappointed. All the teachers had worked hard in the blistering heat during the month of May for TET 2026 exam. The teachers had prepared for the exam while undertaking visits for Census-related work and working as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for SIR."

"In Maharashtra, schools reopened on June 15 this year. Teachers had prepared for that too. Despite all this, the candidates worked hard for the exam but due to the paper leak their entire effort has been wasted," he added.

School teachers have been appointed as BLOs to assist the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the SIR of electoral rolls. They are also deployed as enumerators and are required to conduct house visits for Census 2027.

Patil appealed the state government to conduct an impartial probe into the incident and take strict action against the guilty.

A primary teacher, Kiran Patil, called instances of paper leak a "disappointment" for the democracy, saying "such incidents are extremely wrong, wherever it happens in the country".

"First of all, conducting exams for teachers despite so many years of their experience is itself unfair," he added.

Kiran Patil echoed, saying: "Now, teachers are involved in so many works like SIR, Census... even after that so many teachers worked hard and prepared for the exam and then the exam paper got leaked. This is so wrong."

Condemning the incident, he, too, urged the Maharashtra government to conduct a thorough probe and to take care that such incidents do not get repeated.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to launch a thorough probe into the alleged irregularities into the TET examination which was scheduled to be held in the state on Sunday.

Officials added that the 14th Dalai Lama arrived here for his annual extended summer stay, marking the beginning of a two-month visit to the Union Territory.

The visit follows his recent medical treatment in Delhi.

During his stay, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to participate in religious teachings, public interactions and special programmes across the region.

According to officials associated with the visit, the Leh administration, in coordination with the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA), has made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the spiritual leader's stay and the events planned during the coming weeks.

The Dalai Lama is expected to remain in Ladakh through July and part of August.

While the number of public teachings and audiences is likely to be limited this year in view of his recent knee surgery and the need for adequate rest, the Tibetan spiritual leader is expected to visit Matho village, where he will confer the Yarchos Chenmo teachings.

His 91st birthday, falling on July 6, is also scheduled to be celebrated in Ladakh with religious and cultural programmes.

Organisers said detailed schedules of teachings and public events would be announced separately.

The arrival of the Dalai Lama was welcomed by devotees and members of the Buddhist community, who expressed joy over his annual visit to the Himalayan region.

The 14th Dalai Lama was born on July 6, 1935. His full spiritual name is Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, shortened as Tenzin Gyatso is the incumbent Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism.

He served as the resident spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet before 1959, and subsequently led the Tibetan government in exile represented by the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

A belief central to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as well as the institution of the Dalai Lama is that the reincarnated person is a living Bodhisattva, specifically an emanation of Avalokitesvara (in Sanskrit) or Chenrezig (in Tibetan), the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

The Mongolic word 'dalai' means ocean. The 14th Dalai Lama is also known to Tibetans as Gyalwa Rinpoche ("The Precious Jewel-like Buddha-Master").

His devotees, as well as much of the Western world, often call him "His Holiness the Dalai Lama". He is the leader and a monk of the newest Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Leh, June 28 (IANS) Acting tough against visitors doing illegal off-roading in the highly fragile environment of Ladakh’s Pangong and other protected wildlife areas, authorities on Sunday imposed over Rs 2 lakh fine on tourists found indulging in such acts.

Seen as the first action of its kind in the Ladakh region, the administration has imposed a total penalty of Rs 2 lakh on four tourists for illegally driving their vehicles through Pangong Lake and other protected wildlife areas, as part of a major crackdown on off-roading in ecologically sensitive zones.

The action was taken by the Wildlife Department on the directions of Lt Governor V.K. Saxena, who has called on tourists to act responsibly and respect Ladakh’s fragile environment.

Officials said four vehicle owners from Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh were fined Rs 50,000 each under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, after being found guilty of driving in protected areas, including Pangong Lake, Changthang, and Nubra wildlife sanctuaries.

Their vehicles were impounded and released only after the penalties were paid. According to the administration, the action followed violations detected during routine patrolling and through social media surveillance.

The incidents were reported from Merak and Lukung along the shores of Pangong Lake, Nurboo La in Hanle and Sumur in Nubra Valley. In one of the latest cases, an SUV was found being driven into the waters of Pangong Lake near Merak on June 23 for stunt purposes, causing damage to the fragile habitat and polluting the lake.

In another case, a vehicle was caught off-roading near Lukung within the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.

Authorities also acted against an SUV that was filmed driving through a stream inside the Karakoram (Nubra-Shayok) Wildlife Sanctuary, and another SUV that was allegedly driven off-road near Nurboo La while reportedly chasing a Tibetan gazelle inside the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.

Lt Governor Saxena said Ladakh welcomes visitors from across India and abroad, but stressed that tourists, adventure enthusiasts and vehicle owners must refrain from entering protected wildlife habitats or disturbing the region’s delicate ecosystem.

He warned that off-road driving within or near protected areas is a punishable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and said strict action against violators will continue to safeguard Ladakh’s biodiversity and environmentally sensitive landscapes.

One of the main demands of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), two main representative bodies of the Union Territory, is that guarantees should be given by the Central government to protect and preserve the heritage, culture and the delicate ecology of the region.

The two countries agreed on several major initiatives, including the umbrella line of credit agreement for Rs 1,250 crore between the Export-Import Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment of Seychelles, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

"President Herminie and Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks at the State House in Victoria in Seychelles, which included development cooperation, clean energy, creative industries and health," the statement said.

Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening the relationship, proposing direct shipping links, increased trade in local currencies, and greater connectivity to promote trade and tourism.

He announced the gifting of six ambulances, access to affordable medicines under the Janaushadhi Scheme, and training for Seychellois medical personnel.

India also committed to sports training, youth exchange, and promoting Seychelles as a creative and filming destination.

Both leaders participated in the virtual groundbreaking of the India-assisted Professional and Technical Education Centre and inaugurated three solar water pumping systems under the International Solar Alliance. They also jointly unveiled the commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations.

Additional agreements covered cooperation in agricultural research and education, mutual recognition of training and certification for seafarers serving on Seychelles-flagged vessels, and collaboration in the peaceful exploration of outer space.

The two sides agreed to begin preliminary work on establishing a new Seychelles National Hospital.

New Delhi also extended humanitarian and development assistance by supplying 500 metric tonnes of rice and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement.

President Herminie reaffirmed progress in implementing the Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL), adopted in February this year.

The Seychelles President expressed appreciation for India's Special Economic Package of $175 million, comprising $125 million in a rupee-denominated Line of Credit and $50 million in grant assistance, to support priority projects in social housing, e-mobility, vocational training, health, defence, and maritime security.

He also highlighted food security, parliamentary cooperation, and the strengthening of historic ties between the two nations as key areas of discussion.

The wide-ranging agreements reflect the deepening partnership between the two countries in connectivity, capacity building and sustainable development.

The outcomes were announced during PM Modi's State Visit, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.

Prime Minister Modi is visiting Seychelles at the invitation of President Herminie and will attend the country's National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

The report, titled 'Gujarat Bio-Economy 2030: Strategic Skill Architecture and Workforce Development', said that India's bio-economy has rose from around $10 billion in 2014 to more than $150 billion in 2024.

Backed by the Centre's BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment), the country has set a target of building a $300 billion bio-economy by the end of the decade, with Gujarat expected to play a significant role.

According to the report, Gujarat is well positioned to support that target because it accounts for around 40 per cent of India's pharmaceutical production and is one of the country's leading chemical manufacturing centres.

"Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state aims to strengthen its position in biotechnology and biomanufacturing by leveraging its existing industrial base and expanding its skilled talent pool," an official said.

The report notes that the national bio-economy target is based on expected growth in both domestic demand and exports. It identifies biopharma, bio-industrial manufacturing and bio-agriculture as the principal drivers of future growth.

Biopharma, which contributes about 35 per cent of the sector, continues to be driven by vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

India currently supplies more than 35 per cent of global vaccine demand, and the report says "advances in technologies such as mRNA and viral vectors are expected to expand this capability further".

The bio-industrial segment, accounting for 47 per cent of the sector, is witnessing growing demand for fermentation technology specialists due to increased use of bio-based chemicals and the country's ethanol blending programme, which achieved its 20 per cent target ahead of schedule.

Bio-agriculture represents around eight per cent of the sector.

The report says climate change is advancing the adoption of technologies such as CRISPR-based crops and bio-fertilisers, which are moving from research laboratories to agricultural fields.

The BioE3 Policy places particular emphasis on creating a skilled workforce for high-performance biomanufacturing.

According to the policy, the availability of appropriate talent and supporting infrastructure will allow the sector to maximise its production capacity.

The report also highlights Gujarat's existing strengths, including its manufacturing ecosystem, research institutions, progressive policy framework, 1,600-km coastline and diverse agricultural base.

It states that these factors provide a strong foundation for the state to become a major participant in the global bio-economy.

Referring to the Gujarat State Biotechnology Policy 2022-27, the report says the state intends to move beyond large-scale production of generic medicines and expand into the development of innovative biologics, reflecting a broader shift from conventional industrial manufacturing towards a knowledge-driven bio-economy.

The report identifies the development of a strong local talent ecosystem as one of the state's biggest opportunities.

"Investing in specialised education and skills training could reduce the migration of skilled professionals, lower the need for workforce retraining and support sustainable industrial growth," it said.

As part of its assessment, GRIT examined 23 institutions offering biotechnology and related programmes across Gujarat.

The study concludes that the state already has a strong educational foundation capable of producing quality biotechnology professionals, while also identifying opportunities to further align academic curricula with emerging industry requirements so that graduates are better prepared for future employment in the sector.

Addressing the Seychelles National Assembly, PM Modi noted that the relations between the two nations did not start with the establishment of diplomatic ties, but when five Indians came to Seychelles in August 1770. He stated that the bond between two nations is built by people, nurtured by families and sustained by generations.

This marked the 20th Parliament, which PM Modi has addressed. Earlier, PM Modi has addressed parliaments of several nations, including Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Australia, the US, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Israel.

"Honourable Members, it is important to recall today that our friendship did not begin 50 years ago with the establishment of our diplomatic relations. It began much earlier, in August 1770, when there were five Indians among those who arrived on board the ship Telemaque on St Anne Island. That voyage sowed the path to many more who followed. Over time, these stories became part of modern Seychelles."

"It reminds us that the bonds between us were not created by governments alone. They were built by people, nurtured by families, and sustained by generations. The Indian Ocean made this possible. The Indian Ocean does not separate India and Seychelles; it connects us. That is why we meet not as strangers, we meet as old friends," he added.

Praising Seychelles' vibrant diversity, he said: "The greatest strength of Seychelles lies in its people. Over generations, people from all parts of the world arrived here, they brought with them different languages, customs, beliefs, and traditions, and together they built a shared identity that is proudly Seychellois."

He thanked Seychelles President Patrick Herminie for honouring him with 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon'. He also recalled his first visit to Seychelles in 2015, noting that it was the first nation he visited in the Indian Ocean after assuming office.

"I also thank President Herminie and the people of Seychelles for honouring me with the 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' earlier today. It will encourage all those who are making sustained efforts for environmental conservation. I bring with me the warm greetings and best wishes of 1.4 billion Indians. The first country in the Indian Ocean region that I visited as Prime Minister was Seychelles in 2015. It was also my first visit to Africa as Prime Minister. I came here because I believed that Seychelles occupies a special place in India’s vision for the Indian Ocean. Today, as I return here after a decade, that conviction is stronger than ever. I am delighted to join you in celebrating 50 years of your independence. Congratulations to you and the people of Seychelles on this special occasion."

PM Modi recalled how Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nilgiri took part in Seychelles Independence Day celebrations in 1976 and mentioned the participation of INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Seychelles' 50th National Day. He stated that India deeply values the professionalism and dedication of the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Seychelles Coast Guard.

"As maritime neighbours, we recognise that the security of one adds to the security of the other, the prosperity of one supports the prosperity of the other, and the stability of the region benefits us all. This year offers a powerful reminder of the depth of our partnership. 50 years ago, at the dawn of your independence, an Indian naval ship, INS Nilgiri, was present in Port Victoria as a mark of friendship and solidarity."

"And today INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak are docked at Port Victoria to celebrate the Golden Jubilee with you. The passage of 50 years has changed many things, but it has not changed our commitment to one another. For decades, our defence forces, coast guards, and maritime agencies have trained and worked closely together. India deeply values the professionalism and dedication of the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Seychelles Coast Guard. They play a vital role in safeguarding your own vast maritime domain as well as the wider Indian Ocean region," he added.

A police statement said, "In a significant step towards ensuring foolproof security arrangements and effective emergency preparedness for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, Ganderbal Police today conducted comprehensive mock drills at multiple strategic locations across the district."

The drills were conducted at Model Naka Chinner, Kijpora and Margund, focusing on enhancing coordination, preparedness and swift response capabilities among all agencies involved in the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

The Ganderbal Police, Central Armed Police Forces, State Disaster Response Force, Fire and Emergency Services, Health Department and other concerned stakeholders actively participated in the exercises.

The drills simulated various emergency scenarios to assess the operational readiness, inter-agency coordination, evacuation procedures and response mechanisms.

During the exercises, the participating teams demonstrated prompt action, effective communication and coordinated efforts, ensuring that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and contingency plans are thoroughly tested and streamlined ahead of the Yatra.

The Ganderbal Police reiterated its commitment towards providing a safe, secure and hassle-free pilgrimage experience to the devotees while maintaining the highest standards of security and preparedness throughout the Yatra period.

Amarnath Yatra starts on July 3 and will conclude on August 28 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

The cave shrine situated 3,880 feet above the sea level is situated in Kashmir Himalayas in the Anantnag district.

Yatris use either the longer traditional Pahalgam base camp route or the shorter Baltal base camp route.

Those using the Pahalgam route reach the cave shrine after four days while those using the Baltal base camp route return to the base camp the same day after having 'Darshan' inside the cave shrine.

The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon.

Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

Since the route beyond the two base camps to the cave shrine has been declared as a 'no fly zone', no helicopters are available for the devotees during this year's Yatra.

In December 2025, China’s National Healthcare Security Administration issued guidance formally classifying "AI-assisted diagnosis" as an extended item within pathological diagnosis and incorporating it into the pricing framework for pathological diagnostic services, the report in the Greek City Times said.

It highlights that behind this wave of innovation, legal and ethical questions around data compliance, algorithmic governance, and the boundaries of medical practice remain unanswered. How does AI in healthcare bridge the gap between the laboratory and the clinic? And how do companies unlock their technological potential within a compliance framework?

Alan Zhou, head of the life sciences and healthcare practice at Global Law Office, believes that healthcare is one of the first verticals where AI has achieved real-world deployment and is growing.

Based on industry observation, Zhou identifies four primary areas where domestic AI healthcare companies are currently focusing their products and services: Clinical decision support, medical imaging, health management and patient-facing services, and drug discovery. These directions respond to practical demands for improved diagnostic efficiency and optimised health management, while avoiding some of the higher-risk segments of medical practice â€" offering a relatively prudent path to deployment, the report states.

The sensitivity of medical data makes compliance a baseline requirement for survival in the AI healthcare sector.

Zhou identifies data sourcing and its legality as a core difficulty. "The development and deployment of AI technology requires the use of vast quantities of data for training, and data in the medical and pharmaceutical fields frequently involves the sensitive personal information of patients and clinical trial participants," he notes. "As data usage demands grow rapidly alongside technological advancement, regulatory enforcement centred on informed consent under the Personal Information Protection Law is simultaneously intensifying."

Following incessant rainfall, various areas of Alipurduar district have been submerged. At the same time, continuous rain has increased the water level in the Torsa River in Cooch Behar district. Meanwhile, traffic has come to a halt on Falakata Road in Alipurduar.

According to administrative officials, a landslide occurred in Mirik on Sunday morning following continuous overnight rain. Work to clear the debris began swiftly. On the other hand, various areas of Alipurduar town have been inundated due to the relentless downpour. Water has accumulated in several areas, including Wards 1, 4, 5, 8 and 9. The sluice gates have been closed because of the rising water levels in the Dima and Kaljani rivers. As a result, water from the town is unable to drain out.

The situation in Cooch Behar is also grim. The water level in the Torsa River has risen due to continuous rainfall. The Madhupur area under Cooch Behar Block II has turned into a flood-affected zone. Sukumar Roy, BJP MLA from the Cooch Behar Uttar Assembly constituency, visited the area on Sunday to take stock of the situation.

The administration is closely monitoring the weather situation and making arrangements to assist people in distress. Relief materials have been stocked at BDO offices, while civil defence personnel have been kept on high alert.

It is worth noting that a red alert for heavy rain has been issued in north Bengal till Monday. According to the forecast, the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar may receive up to 200 millimetres of rainfall. An orange alert is in force in North Dinajpur district. Similar alerts for thunderstorms and rain have also been issued for South Dinajpur and Malda districts. A yellow alert for heavy rain remains in place in the remaining districts.

Due to the continuous rainfall, a large number of tourists are stranded in the hill stations of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Mirik. Landslides have forced them to take detours and remain in hotels until roads are cleared. In view of the inclement weather, several hotel booking cancellations have also been reported across many areas.

Scheduled to be held at GSFC University in Vadodara on June 29 and 30, the conference is expected to serve not only as a platform for investment and industrial development but also as an opportunity to promote Gujarat's cultural heritage.

The state government said the initiative is aimed at linking traditional artisans and local industries with new markets under its vision of 'Viksit Gujarat to Viksit Bharat'.

Sankheda furniture, produced in and around Sankheda village near Vadodara, is recognised for its colourful lacquer work and intricate hand-painted designs.

Crafted mainly by the Kharadi artisan community, the wooden furniture has been produced for generations and is now sold across several Indian cities as well as overseas markets.

According to traditional accounts, the craft dates back around 200 years, when a saint introduced local carpenter families to the technique of decorating wooden furniture using lacquer and metallic embellishments.

Over time, the art form evolved into one of Gujarat's most distinctive handicrafts and has since received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognising its unique regional identity.

The Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation has undertaken a range of measures to support artisans, including providing opportunities to participate in exhibitions, fairs and marketing platforms.

It has also offered training in modern design, quality improvement, new production techniques and marketing, along with financial assistance to strengthen artisans' skills and competitiveness.

Officials said these initiatives have helped artisans to produce products that better meet changing consumer preferences, contributing to an estimated 20 to 40 per cent increase in their incomes.

The furniture is primarily manufactured in Sankheda and nearby areas of Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts.

Artisans use traditional woodworking tools alongside lathe machines to shape the timber before completing the pieces through hand-painting, lacquer coating and polishing. Producing a single item may take about a month.

The range includes traditional swings, stools, chairs, sofa sets, baby cradles and dining tables, with each piece reflecting handcrafted detailing and skills passed down through generations.

"Sankheda furniture has been promoted through handicraft fairs, expos and exhibitions in cities including Ahmedabad, Delhi and Mumbai, helping artisans reach new customers. It has also created direct marketing channels through emporiums and other sales outlets," officials said.

According to the government, around three Sankheda furniture artisans are currently directly associated with these initiatives, while thousands of people are indirectly linked to the traditional handicraft economy.

Demand for Sankheda furniture has expanded beyond Gujarat to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, while exports have grown to markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, where traditional swings, chairs, sofa sets and home decor items have found buyers.

"Platforms, such as VGRC, are expected to create further opportunities to connect Sankheda furniture with investors, buyers and global markets while supporting artisan livelihoods and preserving the state's traditional craftsmanship," officials noted.

Nadda will release the guidelines during the 16th Meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the statement added.

The Union government is now aiming to step up efforts for reducing the prevalence of anaemia across vulnerable groups, including children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age, through prophylactic iron supplementation, deworming and testing.

The launch will mark a milestone in India's fight against anaemia as the programme transitions from 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat' to 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan', reflecting its evolution into a more comprehensive, people-centric and technology-enabled initiative.

The launch will also formalise the programme's transition, reflecting its evolution into a holistic approach that extends beyond iron supplementation to encompass testing, therapeutic management, eating right, digital tracking and community participation through Jan Chetna.

The release of the Operational Guidelines during the 16th CCHFW Meeting will reaffirm the Union government's continued commitment to strengthening nutrition and maternal and child health and will further accelerate progress towards a healthier and 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat'.

The guidelines will establish a robust digital ecosystem for monitoring anaemia services across beneficiary groups, it said.

Haemoglobin testing records for pregnant women will be mapped through the JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care) Portal, while records for children will be captured through the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Universal Immunisation WIN (U-WIN) portals. These platforms will converge into a unified Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Portal, enabling comprehensive monitoring, analysis and evidence-based planning.

A key feature of the Abhiyaan will be the transition from the T3 approach (Test, Treat, Talk) to the T4 approach (Test, Treat, Talk and Track), the statement said.

The revised strategy will emphasise intensified haemoglobin testing, treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in accordance with national anaemia management protocols, systematic tracking of beneficiaries for referral and follow-up, and targeted counselling to encourage healthy dietary practices, it added.

The Election Commission has clarified that voters whose details have already been mapped will not be required to submit any documents while filling up the forms.

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar on Sunday said the objective of the drive is to ensure that no eligible Indian citizen is left out of the voters’ list and that no ineligible person is included.

According to the Election Department, the campaign will continue till July 29. During this period, BLOs will provide each voter with partially pre-filled forms in duplicate. One copy will have to be filled and returned to the BLO, while the other will be retained by the voter as an acknowledgement receipt.

Voters who submit the forms on time will have their names included in the draft electoral roll to be published on August 5.

The ECI said voters whose details have already been mapped generally will not be required to furnish any additional documents. Only in cases where a voter’s record does not match the department’s available data will a notice be issued seeking the necessary documents. Their names will be included in the final electoral roll after submission and verification of such documents.

The department has also appealed to those voters whose mapping has not yet been completed to provide correct details when the BLO visits their homes and complete the process.

The Chief Electoral Officer urged people to rely only on official sources for information related to the electoral roll and not to believe in rumours or misleading content.

He added that videos and other relevant information about the process have been made available on the department’s official social media platforms.

"This year offers a powerful reminder of the depth of our partnership. Fifty years ago, at the dawn of your independence, an Indian naval ship, INS Nilgiri, was present in Port Victoria as a mark of friendship and solidarity. And today, INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak are docked at Port Victoria to celebrate the Golden Jubilee with you. The passage of 50 years has changed many things, but it has not changed our commitment to one another," PM Modi highlighted in his special address to the National Assembly of the Seychelles as part of his state visit to the archipelagic island.

He said that for decades, the defence forces, Coast Guards, and maritime agencies of both nations have trained and worked closely together and that India deeply values the professionalism and dedication of the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Seychelles Coast Guard.

"They play a vital role in safeguarding your own vast maritime domain as well as the wider Indian Ocean region (IOR)," he stressed.

According to him, the cooperation in maritime security, capacity building, hydrography, and maritime domain awareness reflects India and Seychelles' shared commitment to a safer and more secure region.

"The prosperity of one contributes to the prosperity of the other. And the stability of the region benefits us all," the Prime Minister noted during his address.It is a special honour to stand before you as the first Indian Prime Minister to address this National Assembly,"

"Our vision is captured in the idea of MAHASAGAR, or Mutual And Holistic Advancement for Security And Growth Across Regions. This vision recognises that our futures are interconnected and interdependent. And we will continue to work together for a safer and more secure Indian Ocean region," he added.

At the commencement, he said that it was a "special honour to stand before you as the first Indian Prime Minister to address this National Assembly".

He also noted that the first country in the Indian Ocean region that he visited as Prime Minister was Seychelles in 2015.

This is the 20th parliament which PM Modi has addressed. Soon after assuming office in 2014, he addressed the Parliaments of Bhutan, Nepal, Australia and Fiji.

The following year, he addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius, the Parliaments of Sri Lanka, Mongolia, the UK, and Afghanistan.

The journey continued with Prime Minister Modi's address to the United States Congress in 2016, followed by a second address in 2023, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to address a Joint Session of the US Congress twice.

He also addressed the Parliaments of Uganda in 2018, the Maldives in 2019 and Guyana in 2024.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie met and reviewed the ‘remarkable’ progress achieved in the India-Seychelles partnership.

L-G Sinha said on X: "Today I visited Baltal base camp and chaired a meeting to review the preparations for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Together with senior officials, I examined the infrastructure, security measures and overall arrangements to ensure that all preparations are complete.

"I have instructed all the stakeholder departments to make certain that all amenities are in place and that devotees of Lord Shiva are welcomed into an environment that is safe, comfortable and well-organised.

"My priority is that every pilgrim can enjoy the spiritual journey and leave with a truly enriching and fulfilling experience. The sacred Yatra is a moment of faith and shared joy. I want the arrangements to reflect that spirit, ensuring that Teerth Yatris are well cared for."

Talking to reporters at the Baltal base camp, the L-G said preparations for the Shri Amarnath Yatra have been carried out over the past several months through the coordinated efforts of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, the J&K administration, security agencies and other stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that this year's pilgrimage would be safer and better managed than ever before.

"Today at Baltal, I launched the Directorate of Rural Sanitation's 'Shubham–Shivam' campaign, a major step towards achieving a sustainable, clean and zero-landfill Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Along with a slew of eco-innovations, I officially unveiled the new website, pilgrimage anthem, logo and mascot.

"The true backbone of this initiative is our incredible sanitation team. I am grateful to the Karmyogi volunteers, whose relentless dedication will keep the base camp and both tracks clean in the days ahead. They are the real heroes turning our zero-waste vision into reality, preserving the environment and the profound spiritual dignity of the Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage," the L-G further said.

The Amarnath Yatra starts on July 3 and will conclude on August 28, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals. The cave shrine, situated 3,880 metres above sea level, lies in the Kashmir Himalayas in Anantnag district.

Yatris use either the longer traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route. Those using the Pahalgam route reach the cave shrine after four days, while those travelling via Baltal return to the base camp the same day after having 'darshan' inside the cave shrine.

The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe the ice stalagmite symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

Since the route beyond the two base camps to the cave shrine has been declared a 'no-fly zone', no helicopters will be available to devotees during this year's Yatra.

After inaugurating a National Workshop on "Tiger Re-introduction: Opportunities & Challenges" at Alwar in Rajasthan, the Minister said on X, "On a day marking 18 years of tiger reintroduction in Sariska, inaugurated the workshop on 'Tiger Re-introduction: Opportunities and Challenges', along with Rajasthan Minister @Sanjay4India1ji."

"The workshop will bring together field directors, wildlife experts and chief wildlife wardens from the different tiger landscapes of India and their respective states, to discuss the key management aspects of tiger reintroduction and augmentation programmes," he said.

"It will draw extensively from the learnings and experiences of ongoing programmes, fostering knowledge exchange for strengthening future tiger conservation efforts," said Yadav.

Describing the Sariska tiger reintroduction programme as a historic milestone in wildlife conservation, Yadav said it represents the world's first successful scientific reintroduction of tigers into a landscape where the species had become locally extinct.

He said the programme has emerged as a global example of successful species restoration through scientific management, dedicated conservation efforts and community participation.

The Minister said Sariska has witnessed remarkable recovery from a situation of local extinction in 2005 to supporting 56 tigers today.

He said Sariska today serves as a global example of successful species restoration and offers valuable lessons for future conservation initiatives.

Highlighting the country's achievements in tiger conservation, the Minister said the number of tiger reserves has increased from 46 to 58 over the past decade.

He also noted that India has successfully achieved the St. Petersburg Declaration target of doubling its wild tiger population by 2022.

The Minister said that the successful reintroduction of tigers in Panna and Sariska was possible because of the support and participation of local communities.

He noted that similar success could not be achieved in Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Odisha, due to the lack of community support.

Yadav said that the success of Project Cheetah has also been driven in large measure by the active participation of local communities.

The Minister stressed that while efforts are made to attract tourists from across the country and abroad, equal importance should be given to the welfare and interests of local communities.

Yadav also said that in landscapes where the distribution of tigers and elephants overlaps, emphasis should be placed on maintaining and strengthening landscape connectivity.